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Thursday, July 22, 2010

Isn’t Life Beautiful? | The BridgeMaker

Posted: 22 Jul 2010 05:38 AM PDT

The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. - Frank Lloyd Wright

Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.

The early-morning quiet is my time for reflection and prayer. The silence provides a suitable tabernacle for my soul. In the stillness, I consider the day to come.

My thoughts drift from the necessary and to the spectacular. I consider my day's schedule, the tasks to accomplish and the appointments to keep. After checking off the must-dos, my mind goes deeper. It goes to a place absent of urgency – it goes to a beautiful place.

Our lives can be anything we choose to make them. We can struggle with the complexity or we can delight in the simplicity. We can be overwhelmed by the ugliness or we can celebrate the beauty. I choose to look for the beauty.

As the day begins, I pause and remind myself that what I have today can be taken away tomorrow. This is my life complete with setbacks and disappointments, but it's also full of love and beauty. Gripping my coffee mug with both hands, I close my eyes and say a prayer of thankfulness.

I open my eyes to see our guest rising in the eastern sky and before starting my day I ask myself, "Isn't life beautiful?"

Finding beauty

Making the choice to see beauty gives me an unfair advantage. My choice allows the opportunity to see life's subtleties along with the obvious. This perspective gives me the power to appreciate every detail I care to acknowledge. This power is the perfect conduit to happiness. It's the small things, as well as the large, that create my beautiful life.

Here's a properly-sized window for you to look through. Perhaps if you do, you will become reacquainted with the beauty that is already a part of your life:

The sound of my heart beating after the four-mile run tells me my body is still strong and capable of enduring just about anything. The rhythmic vibration feels beautiful.

After showering and dressing for work, I walk back into the bedroom to wake my wife. For a brief moment, I get to see her see like no one else does. And in that moment, my wife is simply beautiful.

Driving to the office is my chance to listen to any song I want. I select a song and then allow the words to go deep inside so I can take in their beautiful melody.

At work, my time is typically spent solving problems. Behind each problem is a person trying to correct a mistake or someone just trying to get it right. Either way, problems have a way of bringing out a person's best and revealing their amazing beauty.

As my children grow older I'm finding more pleasure in being their father. A telephone call from Brandon telling me about a new business opportunity, receiving a text from Caitlin with a grammar question, talking baseball with Andrew or getting a hug from Emily are the most beautiful things that happen to me during the day.

Returning home, I flip on the news and start preparing dinner. The warmth of my home fills my spirit with beautiful comfort.

When it's time to write, I grab my laptop computer and find a quiet spot. Some evenings the words surprise me and on other evenings the words frighten me, but on all evenings I experience the beautiful healing the words bring me.

As the day draws to an end, I find myself in a beautiful place. Falling asleep next to my wife, the question swells inside me again, "Isn't life beautiful?"

Before I drift to sleep, I hear my answer. It is clear, confident and full of promise. My answer roars in my head to the point it can sometimes startle me. My answer is my choice. It is based on how I choose to see my life.

My answer is yes.

Life is beautiful.

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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Babelgum: Egypt - Resurrection Machine, Episode 2

10 Biggest Misconceptions We Learn in School | SmilePanic

20 Amazing Tree Sculptures For Nature Lovers - Green Diary

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

19 Hand Picked Raining Photos | PinkOnHead

Animated Psychedelic Art - Web420.com

Wallpaper Tadka: women

34 Fantastic Macro Showcase By Joakim Kraemer | bigpicture.in

Monday, July 19, 2010

7 Incredibly Important Links | The BridgeMaker

7 Incredibly Important Links

Posted: 18 Jul 2010 03:43 PM PDT

To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the music the words make. – Truman Capote

Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.

Darren Rowse of Problogger.net recently issued a challenge to other bloggers. His idea is to create list posts that highlight important archived posts. He calls this the 7 Link Challenge (posts, or articles, have unique links that associate the name of the post to the writer’s blog) – I'm in Darren!

The BridgeMaker is approaching 200 posts. When the blog launched in September, 2008 it never occurred to me it would make it to 200. Each post means something special to me (you can read them all by visiting the Archives) and represent moments of faith, inspiration and change in my life. I would not take back one word I have written.

My first post
The first post was 10 Things You Wish You Had Never Learned. It was published on September 14, 2008 and takes a different approach to personal development. At first glance this idea, to identity 10 things you wish you had never learned, may seem like negative thinking. However, you must first acknowledge what you want to change or heal before real growth can occur. My list of 10 things contains some painful reminders of the past, but writing it provided the way to healing. I'm also humbled by the lists others share in the Comments area. Read it here
A post I enjoyed writing the most
Tracing Life Every Other Wednesday is the most transparent post I have written. This post gave me the opportunity to identify 10 positive things I am learning about myself and the new-found power (and courage) they are giving me. Read it here
A post which has a great discussion
How to Love Consciously has generated 211 comments, however, the spirited discussion started early with the second comment. The reader suggested I was talking myself into loving my wife. He went on to say once "rules" were placed around love, then it was no longer love. The discussion took off from there. Read it here
A post on someone else's blog I wish I had written
10 Amazing Life Lessons You Can Learn from Albert Einstein published on Jay White's Dumb Little Man is almost the perfect post. It contains ten irrefutable lessons from a man considered to be a genius – a wonderful combination. Read it here
My most helpful post
I provide five strategies for the times when we try a little too hard in life in How to Stop Trying So Hard (or Just Be Who You Are). The post contains a healthy measure of hope, too. Read it here
A post title I'm most proud of
Sometimes it's the ordinary things in life that make the biggest difference. In How to Find More than Dinner in the Frozen Food Aisle, I recount the Saturdays Mary Beth plan more than our weekly meals in the grocery store's frozen food aisle. Read it here
A post I wish more people had read
The death of my 18-year-old son's friend inspired The Point of Being Human. It attempts to answer why some people are taken so soon. The post also explores the mystery of why we come into this world in the first place. Read it here

Thank you for allowing me to share these links with you. I'm looking forward to writing 200 more.

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Friday, July 16, 2010

33 Stunning and Beautiful Photoshop Photos Effects Tutorials

Top Ten Most Famous Cartoon Animals | Animals Zone

45 Stunning Infrared Photography | AcrisDesign

Thursday, July 15, 2010

75 Inspiring Coca-Cola Advertisements and Posters | Presidia Creative

World’s 20 Craziest Hotels | Weird Pictures, Wonderful Things

Even in the Struggle | The BridgeMaker

Even in the Struggle

Posted: 15 Jul 2010 03:43 AM PDT

Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand. – Emily Kimbrough

Article written by guest contributor Tara Mohr. Visit her at Wise Living.

Even in the struggle, you are loved
You are being loved not in spite of the hardship, but through it.
The thing you see as wrenching, intolerable, life's attack on you,
is an expression of love.

There is the part of us that fears and protects and defends and expects,
and has a story of the way it's supposed to turn out.
That part clenches in fear, feels abandoned and cursed.

There is another part, resting at the floor of the well within, that understands:
this is how I am being graced, called, refined, by fire.

The secret is, it's all love.
It's all doorways to truth.
It's all opportunity to merge with what is.

Most of us don't step through the doorframe.
We stay on the known side.
We fight the door, we fight the frame, we scream and hang on.

On the other side, you are one with the earth, like the mountain.
You hum with life, like the moss.
On the other side, you are more beautiful:
wholeness in your bones, wisdom in your gaze,
the sage-self and the surrendered heart alive.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Wise Living Blog. Tara requested to share her article with the readers of this blog.

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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Steve Highfield British landscapes | Travel Guides, Luxury Travel and Travel Info

Monday, July 12, 2010

50 Extreme Guinness World Records | Weird Pictures, Wonderful Things

44 National Geographic Landscape Wallpapers | Cool Pictures | Cool Stuff

10+ Most Beautiful Island Photography on Earth | DevSnippets

7 Essentials to Living a Happy Life | The BridgeMaker

7 Essentials to Living a Happy Life

Posted: 12 Jul 2010 03:09 AM PDT

Happiness is an inner state of well-being that enables you to profit from your highest thoughts, intelligence, wisdom, awareness, common sense, emotions, health, and spiritual values. – Lionel Ketchian

Article written by BridgeMaker contributor Lorraine Cohen. Please visit her at Powerfull Living.

How many people do you know who are unhappy with their careers, their jobs, their relationships, their …LIFE?

People stay in situations for a variety of reasons: money, prestige, family obligations, the uncertain economy, they are afraid to try something new, habit, fear, shoulds……

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a special evening at a local church that has brought in some amazing speakers for special events. When I heard the speaker was James Twyman, aka the international peace troubadour, acclaimed musician, and author of several best-selling books, I immediately said YES.

I heard James last year at a conference in LA and his presentation was electric. One of the things he spoke about was that when he was younger, he used to be a Craftmatic adjustable bed salesman. Hard to imagine James Twyman selling Craftmatic beds, right?

He said he was very good at it. He also shared that he was miserable doing that work and he came to realize that he was being called to do something else with his life.

So, with a wife and a child to support, he quit his job and said YES to follow his heart. He has touched people worldwide with his music, his messages of peace, and the materials he creates to support global transformation, healing, through love, and the creation of a one-world community by reminding us that we are all ONE. I'm sure glad he had the guts to listen to his inspiration and the voice of his soul.

The most inspirational teachers and leaders I know have all had life-defining moments and experiences that shaped who they have become. It is through our hardships and challenges that we can summon the faith, trust and courage needed to allow our own Divinity to shine through. We either dance with the Universe or walk alone.

We are living during incredible times of change on the planet today. You might be experiencing turmoil or excitement, or both with some of the changes that are happening in the world as well as within your own life.

I know I am!

We're on the threshold on a world age coming to an end and a new one beginning. And each of us is a key player in creating a new history for ourselves, the world, and future generations to come!

How exciting is that!

So, in my own self-reflection of riding this enormous wave of change, I have been considering, "What elements are essential to living a happy, prosperous and inspired life?"

Passion. My friends Chris and Janet Attwood, who are internationally known for helping people to live a passionate life, say, "Passion is your love in motion. It is the connection to your heart’s truest desires. That’s why it is the path to a successful life". My passions come alive through the spiritual coaching work I do, the wealth of quality relationships I have developed, all the beauty I see in the world that lights up my heart, and the ways I am able to serve others to live the life they were born to.

What are you passionate about and how are you allowing those passions to express through your life?
Love. Our essential nature is love. And you've probably heard that our soul purpose is to be the embodiment of love – to share and receive love. I've been very blessed to have incredible clients, colleagues, close friends, and my sweet cats who continually share love with me. One of the pathways to love is gratitude and appreciation for all the gifts, blessings and miracles in your life rather than focusing on what is wrong.
To be a great giver, you must also be a great receiver. At times, the biggest challenge for me is to really let the love into my heart without blocking it.

Are you letting love into your life and how loving are you with YOU?
Courage. I write and teach people about courage because I believe that to be fully alive and experience the richness that life has to offer, we must have the guts to say YES to who we are being called to be.
Have you ever felt conflicted by what you think you should be doing and your burning desires, passions, and calling? So often people sacrifice their lives to satisfy others or ignore their soul's yearnings and wonder why they feel unhappy and empty.
We are all here for a purpose and to have life experiences that enhance our own soul evolution as well as the expansion of all Creation. James' story is just one reminder that when we align with our life path, listen to our inner yearnings, and take inspired action with faith, trust, and courage, The Universe lines up with us to bring us all we want and need to have happy and prosperous lives.

What are you ready to stop resisting and begin saying YES to?
Spirituality. Personally, I think the most important relationship we have is our relationship with GOD/Source/The Divine. I admit I have not always prioritized time to be still and quite so I can tune into the guidance and direction that comes through me from God because I allow myself to get caught up in my self-importance of busyness and drama. What I have continually found is that as my connection to the Divine has deepened and I take inspired action, my life flows with more grace and prosperity than when I follow my self-initiated plans. Have you heard, "If you want to make God laugh, make a plan?" That's why I have committed to doing two meditations daily as part of my daily practices.
What spiritual practices do you love to do that deepens your connection with Source?
Helping Others. One of the fastest ways to raise your vibration from pain, anger, fear… is to help another. And I don't mean helping others out of guilt, a sense of obligation, or fear. I'm talking about that wonderful heart-warming feeling that comes from knowing you have positively served another by sharing your time, wisdom, love, money… whatever you freely and joyfully offered out of love.
In what ways do you love to be of support to others? Do you invite others to be of service to you? (that's the letting the love in thing, ya know?)
Optimistic perspective. No matter what is happening in your life, one power you always retain is your attitude. Being able to see problems and challenges as possibilities and opportunities can dramatically change your experience. Recognizing people and situations as being in service to your healing and growth can help you shift from feeling like a victim of circumstance to the hero of your life story.
For example: A job loss can be a blessing in disguise to redirect you to a different path that is more aligned with your life purpose. A financial challenge might cause you to reassess what you really value in your life. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

What helps you to see the gifts and blessings in any situation?
Continually growing. To me this is one of my core values and a no-brainer to living a happy and inspired life. Part of our nature is a desire to fulfill our potential by stretching out of our comfort zones to be more than we are; to evolve into the highest and next version of who we are meant to be. We are not here to hide out and play small in the world. I know when I show up and step out in ways that align with my heart I can sense my soul smiling with joy. Love it!
Are you living a happy and inspired life?

Ready to take the next step in creating an exciting future?

Join me for the biggest online conference I have ever hosted! Say YES to the life you were born to and register for a three week life-changing tele-event, Your Powerfull YES: Courageously Living An Inspired Life, July 27- August 12, 2010 with some of the most influential and inspirational teachers of our time including: Neale Donald Walsch, James Twyman, Marci Shimoff, and Dr. Bernie Siegel to name a few.

Signup now for this FREE event and learn critical tools to thrive in any situation. You might experience healings right on the call!

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The Most Beautiful Watermelon | lovecoolest.com

Show The World !!! ... Please Copy. Please Share.

funniez.net - offbeat funny news, design, art, graffiti, funny history, funny stuff from all over the world...

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Portrait Photography Blonde Models Red Hot Look - Photo - Portrait Photography Album - Album - SUGRAPHIC

Touching Photographs of Animal-Human Bonds: Ashes and Snow - Chill Out Point

35 Beautiful StandAlone Photography That Never seen Before

Friday, July 9, 2010

99 Stunning Images That Refresh Your Mood | bigpicture.in

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Living Life to the Full: 10 Principles | The BridgeMaker

Living Life to the Full: 10 Principles

Posted: 08 Jul 2010 03:08 AM PDT

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. – Albert Einstein

Article written by BridgeMaker contributor Ali Hale. Please visit her at Aliventures.com.

My blog Aliventures has the tagline "getting more from life" so I've got a fair few thoughts on how to do just that.

I'm going to start with five key principles that – so far – have helped me feel happy and secure, and which have led me to where I currently am in life, doing what I love, with strong relationships with my fiancé, my family and my friends.

1. Value freedom over money

When I left my day job a couple of years ago, it was because I'd learnt to value my freedom – of time, of creativity – over money. I found myself much happier with a significantly lower income and loads more time to do things which I loved.

Valuing freedom has also meant that I've never had a credit card: I hate the idea of being stuck paying off loans, and I'd rather save up for a few months than buy something right now and end up paying a lot more in the long term.

Are freedom and money in conflict in your own life?

2. Give others the benefit of the doubt

It's so easy to get frustrated by the actions of others. Perhaps someone leaves a nasty comment on one of my blog posts, or bumps into me in the street, or is snappy with me on the phone. I could react by getting angry.

I prefer to attribute the best possible motives to other people. Maybe that person who sent the cranky email had just had a really awful day. Maybe that thoughtless man running through a train station – and knocking me with his case – was in a tearing hurry to catch a train to be with his dying grandmother. I'll never really know. And regardless of whether or not I'm right (most of the time I'm probably not!) – I definitely feel better when I assume that other people have a good reason to behave as they do.

Next time you get het up about someone's "appalling" behaviour, think of an alternative explanation.

3. Eat well

I used to eat a lot of junk food – and food which wasn't particularly tasty or satisfying. After losing weight in my late teens, I've become more focused on eating healthy (and nice!) food.

We have to eat to survive, but I think that seeing food as mere fuel is a mistake. Sure, you could live on rice and beans, or soggy takeaway sandwiches, or burgers and fries – but you probably won't be enjoying it much.

Eating well also means taking time to enjoy meals, and eating lunch and dinner with my fiancé as often as possible.

Do you take the time to buy, prepare and eat food which you really enjoy – and which makes you feel good?

4. Resist advertising

I've been keenly interested in words all my life – and I'm very aware of how marketers can manipulate us by clever use of language. I've also seen friends and colleagues spend a lot of money on the latest, greatest gadgets and similar.

It's well worth learning to cut through the hype and consider things coolly. Adverts often plant thoughts in my mind – ooh, wouldn't it be great to have that? – but in all honesty, if I really wanted or needed something, I'd get it regardless of whether or not I'd seen an ad. Buying more stuff doesn't make me happier.

What tricks do you see adverts using to pull you in? (Being able to spot these is a real help to resisting.)

5. Use and celebrate your gifts

I've always loved writing. I enjoyed writing essays in school (weird kid, I know), and I attempted my first novel when I was 15. For the past couple of years, I've been making a living from my writing – and this is a huge part of me enjoying my life! It's great to be able to use my gifts (not just writing but also an aptitude for technology) in my daily life.

What are your gifts? How could you make fuller use of them (perhaps in a voluntary capacity)?

The next five are areas where I'm trying to grow – habits which I haven't quite built yet. I'm getting there, but I'm aware that there's still considerable work to do!

1. Be patient

I like everything to happen fast. I'm struggling with patience particularly at the moment, as we've just moved house, and the whole process has been more frustrating and time-consuming than I wanted.

(We've got to wait another nine days to get our broadband connection up and running – I'd like to say I was taking this with good grace… alas, I'm finding it very hard!)
Would more patience make your life run more smoothly?

2. First things first

In Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey writes about the importance of "first things first" – putting the important stuff in its rightful place. I'm definitely getting better at this, and I try to preserve my morning hours (when I'm focused) for writing – but I've noticed a tendency recently to backslide…

What's your "great work"? Is it getting a prime position in your life?

3. Say "No" more often

This is an area I've struggled with for many years. I hate to say "no" – not just to other people's requests, but also to my own whims and desires. I'm slowly but surely getting better at turning down new commitments, and focusing on doing a few things well rather than trying to unsuccessfully juggle far too much.

Who – or what – do you need to say "no" to this week?

4. Value your creativity

When I was a student and when I was working in my "proper" job after university, my creative activity tended to come last. It was squeezed into corners of the day, or put aside for months on end.

I've learnt that I'm happiest when I write fiction on a regular basis. I tend to go through fits and starts with this – sometimes I'll spend a huge amount of time on fiction for weeks on end, other times I'll do none – but I'm gradually learning to find a balance.

Do you treat your own creativity as something life-giving and joyful – or something which you brush aside?

5. Accept help from others

I hung out on my own a lot as a child and teen, and became proud of doing things my own way, without help. Even as a young adult, I felt that I should stand on my own feet and make my own way in life.

Over the past few years, I've become much more accepting of help from other people – my parents especially, but also the advice and support of friends. I've realised that a lot of my old attitude was about pride, and that I can grow faster and achieve more by accepting the abundant help which I'm offered.

Who would love to help you, given the chance?

It'd be great to hear your thoughts on any of these ten points in Comments below – or further principles which you're living by, or trying to!

Ali Hale is a freelance writer from London in the UK, and is currently taking an MA in creative writing. She writes for a number of sites, including her own Aliventures blog which focuses on getting more from life.

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Video | quietube

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Who Has the Sweetest Smile? | PurpleSlinky

25 Blockbuster Movies Posters Recreated Using Lego - Chill Out Point

NG Photography: 50 Stunning Contest Winning Photographs - Chill Out Point

Gorgeous Vintage Car Illustrations : A trip down the memory lane | Richworks

ART :: picturecontent-pid-30097.jpg image by bunky02 - Photobucket#!oZZ23QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs756.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx206%2Fbunky02%2FART%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3Dpicturecontent-pid-30097.jpg%26

ART :: picturecontent-pid-30097.jpg image by bunky02 - Photobucket#!oZZ23QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs756.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx206%2Fbunky02%2FART%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3Dpicturecontent-pid-30097.jpg%26

World. Photos. » Last Photo in Your Life

Monday, July 5, 2010

20 Breathtaking Waves Photography

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Dancers Among Us (21 photos) - My Modern Metropolis

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Six Ways to Come Back to Confidence | The BridgeMaker

Six Ways to Come Back to Confidence

Posted: 05 Jul 2010 04:21 AM PDT

Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit. – E.E. Cummings

Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.

I can feel my self-confidence begin to drop days before the freefall. Doubt creeps in and surrounds everything I do. Routine decisions become challenging and my anxiety soars to the point my body feels it can't endure the pressure. The signs of a self-confidence plunge are unmistakable: thoughts of unworthiness, persistent sweating and interrupted sleep all shout that my life is about to get off track.

When the freefall finally happens I feel powerless to stop it. It sweeps me away and takes me to a desperate, lonely place. The way back to confidence can sometimes seem impossible.

Looking from the outside, it appears I have everything I need. I have a wonderful family, my health is the best it has ever been and money is not an issue (more would be nice, of course). Living from the inside, I know there's a different story.

Under attack

Demons still roam and my shame is not quite healed. Today is my 48th birthday and I thought I would be in a different place by now and my confidence fully restored. But it doesn't work that way. My self-confidence is still under attack. The good thing is at least now I see the enemy coming.

The freefall begins when I think I should receive something without having to ask for it. This thought was born several decades ago. I am an adult child of an alcoholic mother. Even though the disease has claimed her, the damage still exists in me; sitting there unclaimed and waiting for me to either destroy it or be destroyed by it. Maybe the right answer is to simply acknowledge it.

When I was young I thought if I did everything perfectly then my mother would tell me she loved me without any prompting. I would look for the words, expect to hear them and then feel the fall begin to happen when she made a difference choice. I can still see that little boy standing alone and not understanding why.

These wounds still cut deep today. If I think I should receive recognition or if my wife pulls away because of a distracting situation, I panic. I begin to see my world in just one color and my rational mind is overtaken by insecurity and self doubt.

My time is spent checking for any sign that what I want to happen is about to happen. I overanalyze remarks and dissect emails hoping to find a coded message of appreciation. I long for my wife's touch even though she is right there holding my hand the whole time.

I fidget and find myself unable to relax because my energy is focused on manifesting what I didn't receive as a child. When these things happen, the fall is complete. My self-confidence has crashed.

Six ways to come back to confidence

One of the gifts from growing older is we get to experience our personal challenges more often. Because of this, we can find ways to overcome them if we make the attempt. I have spent the better part of the last 48 years coping with the challenge to remain confident.

Just as I can see the fall in confidence begin to happen days before it arrives, I'm also able to see the way back to confidence a litter sooner and a little clearer now. When I fall, I rely on what I'm still learning to help me come back to confidence.

Recognize my demons. Acknowledging my enemies is the first step to their defeat. My demons prefer to operate in darkness. When I pull them into the light their power begins to diminish.
Feel my worth. It's one thing to say I'm worthy, but to feel my worth is another matter. To do this, I consider one positive thing I did. I trace this thought from my mind and all the way to my heart. Once it arrives there, the action becomes more than something I did. It becomes a part of who I am – it becomes a part of my worth.
Make the choice. Every day I get to choose confidence. Some days I feel strong and on other days self-confidence is missing. On those days, at least I have the choice to say, "What would a self-confident man do in this situation?" When I find the answer, I can make the choice to act with confidence, or not.
Celebrate my humanness. I don't want to be perfect, I just want to be Alex. When my confidence is lacking, I try to remember I don't have to be perfect. Part of who I am is the mistakes I've made along the way. These mistakes contribute to my humanness more than the things I get exactly right.
Practice. Self-confidence is not natural for me. It takes focus and practice. When I feel the slide begin to happen, I practice keeping my legs strong just like I did as a child when standing in the surf next to my mother. As a young boy, I would practice not allowing the wave to knock me down. Sometimes I would win and sometimes the force was just too strong. I still must practice.
Save some medicine for myself. When I stop doing the things I know will keep me strong is when I get in the most trouble. Recently I took a break from writing. I blamed my work schedule, Andrew's baseball games and being tired. When I do this, I play with fire. Writing keeps me centered. Writing is the medicine when I feel weak. After the most recent fall, I have committed that no matter how busy life gets, and after I'm finished taking care of everyone else, I will be sure to save some medicine for myself, too.

My birthday wish

Later today Mary Beth will remove my birthday cake from the freezer. She ordered it last week to make sure it arrived before the bakery closed for the Independence Day holiday. The cake will need to thaw before the candles are placed on it and I make my birthday wish.

When it is time, I will close my eyes and consider all that has happened and what's to come before blowing out the candles.

I will wish my children always see their talent, beauty and worth. I will wish them a peace I'm just now beginning to taste.

I will wish my wife continues to find her passion and for the healing she deserves.

I will wish my brother and sister realize how much I love them. Sometimes it hard showing it because I connect them to a time I pretend never existed. Like me, they were innocent bystanders. And like me, it wasn't their fault. I will wish them peace, too.

I will wish my father embraces the time he has left without regret and with the confidence to enjoy his life. I will wish he knows this is his time to do whatever his heart desires.

I will wish my mother finds the forgiveness that is waiting for her. I will wish for her soul to move into the light and to know, once and for all, that everything will be alright.

I will wish for all of these things, but I will save the last wish for me.

I will wish for the awareness to know I am loved and appreciated without having to ask; I will wish for the freefalls to be shorter and further apart and I will wish to come back to confidence so the little boy never has to be alone again.

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About Me

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Finding beauty

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Monday, July 19, 2010

Friday, July 16, 2010

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Monday, July 12, 2010

Ready to take the next step in creating an exciting future?

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Friday, July 9, 2010

Thursday, July 8, 2010

1. Value freedom over money

2. Give others the benefit of the doubt

3. Eat well

4. Resist advertising

5. Use and celebrate your gifts

1. Be patient

2. First things first

3. Say "No" more often

4. Value your creativity

5. Accept help from others

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Monday, July 5, 2010

Under attack

Six ways to come back to confidence

My birthday wish

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Friday, July 2, 2010

Thursday, July 1, 2010