Crayola Bombs and Clones

Hi Friends - Yet again, I have run out of time this weekend to finish my normal Monday post. Hey, at least I started it. I'm serious about this clone thing. I am willing to pay you with endless homemade brownies. Real ones, not the gluten free kind. You get me? NORMAL brownies. All this can be yours if you get me some clone assistance over here.

In the meantime, here are some thoughts from wise people who didn't need clones to help them write their weekly blog post.

Society6

It is every man's obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.
 - Albert Einstein

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.
 - Eric Hoffer

All men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why.
 - James Thurber

Then it was as if I suddenly saw the secret beauty of their hearts,
The depths where neither sin nor desire can reach,
The person that each one is in God's eyes.
If only they could see themselves as they really are.
If only we could see each other that way,
There would be no reason for war, for hatred, for cruelty...
I suppose the big problem would be that
We would fall down and worship each other.
 - Thomas Merton

Self respect cannot be hunted. It cannot be purchased. It is never for sale. It cannot be fabricated out of public relations. It comes to us when we are alone, in quite moments, in quiet places, when we suddenly realize that, knowing the good, we have done it; knowing the beautiful, we have served it; knowing the truth we have spoken it.
 - Whitney Griswold

Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world in imagination.
 - Robert Fulghum

The Reflection of Shadows: Yes, I am Death

The Reflection of Shadows

A collection of moments

Society6

Yes, I am Death

Who comes a knocking-
Knocking at your door?

Who makes the final call?

“I am so much more.”

Who pays the piper?

Who pays the price?
A voice from the dark whispers,

“I am the night.”

Who rips your heart out?

Who keeps the debt?

“Yes, I am guilty.”

“Yes, I am death.”

Monday Mantra: Not Today

A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation".

Every Monday I will post a new thought, idea, or focus for the week. When you need a breather from life, when you need a little inspiration, or when you're about to jump over the conference table and strangle your co-worker, remember the mantra.

Monday Mantra: Not today

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There are times in life when the sweetest words you can ever say are very simply, "Not today."

Let's practice.

 - Should I go to the gym? Not today.
 - Should I get groceries? Not today.
 - Should I clean the house, do the laundry, put on pants? Not today, not today, not today mother effer. NOT TODAY.

That felt good, didn't it? I know. I know it did.

I thought this was going to be my answer for whether or not I was getting this post done, but hey- look at me, getting all creative with my current life motto! *high fives self*

There is one - and only one - time in life when this doesn't apply. When you absolutely, positively have to say yes.

Ready?

 - Do I have time to watch the season premier of The Walking Dead?

The answer is always yes, you hear me? Alllllllways yes. 

The Reflection of Shadows: Remember When

The Reflection of Shadows

A collection of moments

Society6

Remember When

Remember when you used to care?

I don’t,

Because it wasn’t there.

I don’t,

Because it wasn’t shown.

I don’t,

Because I cared alone.

Remember when we stood as one?

I don’t,

Because you left me numb.

I don’t,

Because you stepped aside.

I don’t,

Because you didn’t try.

Remember when we made a pact?

I don’t,

Because it didn’t last.

I don’t,

Because you never tried.

I don’t,

Because your words were lies.

Remember when you thought you won?

I don’t,

Because I left our home.

I don’t,

Because you never tried

I don’t,

Because I left our life.

Creating Your Own Reality

Hi Friends - Running out of time this week, so leaving you with some stories for deep thought and reflection.


The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
By Sogyal Rinpoche

1)
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hope in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost...I am hopeless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

2)
I walk down the same street.
There is a hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

3)
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it there.
I still fall in...it's habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

4)
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

5)
I walk down another street.


Creation: A Sioux Story
Author unknown, source unknown

The Creator gathered all of Creation and said, "I want to hide something from the humans until they are ready for it. It is the realization that they create their own reality."

The eagle said, "Give it to me, I will take it to the moon."

The Creator said, "No. One day they will go there and find it."

The salmon said, "I will bury it in the bottom of the ocean."

"No. They will go there too."

The buffalo said, "I will bury it on the Great Plains."

The Creator said, "They will cut into the skin of the earth and find it even there."

Grandmother mole, who lives in the breast of Mother Earth, and who has no physical eyes but sees with spiritual eyes, said, "Put it inside of them."

And the Creator said, "It is done."

The Reflection of Shadows: It's a Beautiful Day

The Reflection of Shadows

A collection of moments

Society6

It's a Beautiful Day

It's a beautiful day, but I can't see it-

Eyes shut tight

That keep in secrets.

I see no colors,

See no sights-

All I sense is shifting light.

It's a beautiful song, but I can't hear it-

Mouths move silent

Though I'm near them.

Hear no laughter,

Hear no songs,

This silence, I hear all alone.

It's a beautiful day, but I can't praise it-

Sunlight streaming,

I can't explain it.

Can't rejoice,

I can't jump in,

My words are caught and stuck within.

It's a beautiful day, I can't enjoy it-

Frozen limbs

No longer function.

I can't run circles,

Can't jump high,

I sit and watch the world pass by.

It's a beautiful life, I know, I feel it-

Deep inside

I sense its stillness.

Sense the laughter,

Sense the light,

I sense the things you shut out tight.

This beautiful life, get up and live it-

Sacred moments.

Precious seconds.

Don't sit idly,

The time is here,

Don't let these chances disappear.

Monday Mantra: Disclaimer of Sorts

A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation".

Every Monday I will post a new thought, idea, or focus for the week. When you need a breather from life, when you need a little inspiration, or when you're about to jump over the conference table and strangle your co-worker, remember the mantra.

Monday Mantra: Easy to find what's wrong, harder to find what's right - Breaking Benjamin

Society6  - WORDS BRAND
*Applies to pretty much everything. While supplies last (like, forever). No limit per person. May be combined with "dude" or "man" to indicate complete apathy. Subject to use when I'm wrong without actually admitting it. Or, as a passive-aggressive alternative to "Ef You." Whatever. Provided "as is" and "as if" so, uh, take it or leave it. Results may vary (but I really don't care). Terms and conditions may apply.

Confession: I have been very, very, very cranky lately. I'd like to blame the never ending summer heat, but I can't because I'm a grown up and I need to be responsible and whatever. I'm trying my damnedest to manage it (which spurred the post last week), but there are days when I am just one tiny step away from ending up on the nightly news.

First of all, I have way too much on my plate. I need at least two personal assistants and several clones if I'm going to make it through the holidays. While some of the stress is out of my hands, I admit some is also self inflicted. The Fiance calls me The Machine. He said he's never seen anyone who can get as much done as I can in any given amount of time. This is a blessing and a curse, though. Sometimes, after days of Getting It Done, all I can do is succumb to the silent yet sweet whispers of my sofa, beckoning me to sit for a while and Netflix myself to near death. 

There's this whole getting married business, too. Wedding planning is going great, but The Fiance is seriously asking for a good punch in the face right now. I mean, I love him, but I am not opposed to a brawl. Every time someone asks him how the wedding plans are going he either acts like he has no idea what's going on (he does) or like it's a lot of work for him (IT IS NOT! I am doing everything!). He's so funny. HAHAHAHA. (Does he want to live to see the wedding? I think not.)

So, that's it, guys. Just a whole lot of venting and stupidity on my end.

And this- my disclaimer.

As you already know, I'm not perfect. I hope I never appear that way on here because it would be a gigantic lie. I'm a continuous work in progress. I am human, I will fail, I have failed. I will continue to fail. I will make mistakes. I will write about trying to manage anger one week and then admit the next that I'm this close to losing my damn mind. I will never be perfect, but I will always be honest.

Also, this blog is a continuous work in progress, as well. Sometimes, I'll have this "great" idea that I'll put all this time and energy into, and then I'll completely abandon it because I got bored/it was lame/whatever. Example: The Book of Secrets...still mostly a secret. I've given up, y'all. There are so many secrets and it takes too much time. You'll probably get more out of it if you read it yourself (assuming you even know/remember what I'm talking about).

What I said/did/wrote about five years ago will and has changed, because I have changed. I will continue to change. I will learn new things and new ways and continue opening my mind to anything and everything possible in this world. What I said once upon a time, well, I might feel a little differently about now. But that's growth. That's evolution of one's self.

That's my disclaimer; that who I am today might change a little bit tomorrow, but hopefully always for the better. And in those moments when I'm failing to be my best self, well, tomorrow is another day.

Here's also hoping that I won't end up in jail because my crankiness overtook my sanity when someone at the grocery store pushed me too far. We shall see.

Have a nice week! :)

The Reflection of Shadows: We Are Made From Love

The Reflection of Shadows

A collection of moments

Society6

We Are Made From Love

I come from a place of love, not fear-

I come from a place of love.

I come from a place of love, not fear-

I come from a place of love.

I come from a place where the water’s deep,

Where the sound of the ocean puts your mind to sleep,

I come from a place of hope and peace,

I come from a place of love.

Monday Mantra: Anger Management

A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation".

Every Monday I will post a new thought, idea, or focus for the week. When you need a breather from life, when you need a little inspiration, or when you're about to jump over the conference table and strangle your co-worker, remember the mantra.

Monday Mantra: You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger - Gautama Buddha

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Angelz

Anger is such a lazy emotion. It's easy to be angry. It's effortless, boring. Common.

It hits you hard and quick and the simplest, most convenient response is to go with it. To ride the red dragon of this feeling, letting it burn through everything in your path. Everything including all of the other options you have before you.

Anger, in most cases, is a destructive waste of time.

If you choose to unleash this emotion - if you choose to fuel the fires within - remember this: the person who will ultimately suffer the most is you. It may not seem like it at the time, but anger is not just destructive to those you unleash it upon. It is destructive to you in ways you won't even see coming until it's too late.

If, on the other hand, you choose to harness the fiery inferno blooming inside and transform it into something of greater good, not only will the recipients of your anger be thankful, but you too will find a greater benefit. Yes- you have chosen a harder, more challenging path, but ah, therein lies the greater victory. There's nothing quite as rewarding as mastering yourself.

Compassion and understanding and kindness- these require real work in the face of anger. 

Real courage. Real effort.

Anger is a lazy emotion. 

You, my friends, are better than lazy. I am too.