. The Dessert Years .

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. ~Henry Ford

I have been enjoying several simple pleasures. One such pleasure was visiting the toy store I used to frequent when my children were younger. I actually purchased two items: a Fly’s Eye viewer and a wooden pose-able figure.

Another simple pleasure: running through the sprinkler with my three dogs (in the early mornings after my walk and before work) … I have photos, but since it is late (and I truly need to be asleep instead of typing here) — I leave you, dearest reader, with this visual, a video of another sort of simple pleasure …

Photo Credit

Drip, drip, drip … Drip!

I am running on empty. No, scratched that. I am on empty and I am not going to run anymore.

The constant drip of “little things” in my life has filled my bucket to overflowing … I have poured out my heart in prayer this morning (thus emptying my proverbial bucket) and I am preparing to enjoy — to s-a-v-o-r — a delicious gourmet café mocha. The dark chocolate pieces are melting in the hot espresso as I type …

Givin’ a shout out to my girls. Ya’ll know who you are! Our club keeps growing … Despite bein’ the Mom-Warrior Club no one would actually want to join — we are members and we are strong (in the LORD).

Love and chocolate to potential members and/or members I haven’t met personally. If you have need for a cyber-hug or the assurance that you are not alone with close-encounter challenges of the child-kind … Consider yourself hugged and assured!

Letting go allows life to enter and requires death to depart. —my friend, Sandra

If what you are doing is not moving you towards your goals, then it’s moving you away from your goals. —Brian Tracy

Right this moment, your thoughts are setting the direction for your future. Choose the thoughts that will lead you to the life you most desire. —Ralph Marston

What are you focused on? Will you (continue to) press through the immediate and choose the thoughts that will lead you to the life you most desire?

O.K. I just needed this type of story … This early, early morning as I sort, pray and journal through the events of this day through tears. Enjoy!

And … We’re back!

Seriously. Life has been rippin’ down the track and I feel a bit windblown from sittin’ in my engineer’s seat by the window of my red engine car.

I have so many post starters playin’ in my head … It is just that — despite having a lot to say, blog, etc. — I have had little time to type it out here.

So, one phrase that keeps playin’ in my head is: Be … In the moment … Consistently.

Life happens; it comes on pretty strong sometimes with its revolving doors spewing out commands and demands, shoulds and oughts, and non-stop tyranny-of-the-urgent that yank at your arms … Dragging you into moments yet to occur.

But … Ya’ know … We have a choice. Consistently.

Every day. Every moment …

To simply Be …

The basics of said Choice: Shall I sip ever-so-slowly from the colorful mugs of the proverbial café mochas of Life? Or shall I funnel-guzzle — with no notice of the delicate hints of sweet cinnamon and rich cream?

Just like you … I have had to ask myself these questions; I have had to make The Choice during the past several weeks of busy-ness — as well as the other opportune moments presented from the pages of other drama-chapters of my life …

• First Official Introduction: I was a 20-something, working full-time, attending graduate school and volunteering at a local women’s center. (Yes. That does sounds a tad bit insane! ) The presence of these questions and The Choice seemed huge and looming as I often pondered my answer while sitting, knees to my chest, with my first canine kid, Ari, curled up beside me — on the outdoor balcony (of my all-time favorite apartment!) which overlooked a small pond, complete with Koi and a bubbling fountain. Said “water-music” was ever-so soothing (and served to drown out the “voices” in my head screaming to “try-harder” and “do-more” … )
• Second Arrival: Showed up on the doorstep of my country home during my 30-something years; I was M’s Bride and “Mom” (and a very part-time career gal). Motherhood was n-o-t-h-i-n-g like I expected and it just about kicked my hiney, dear reader! Sadly, I was often too busy “dealing with reality” to even answer the persistent knocking of The Choice … And if I ever finally dared to open the door to sipping that café mocha, I would feel guilty. (Funnel-guzzling … um, no guilt. I was doing w-a-y too much of that to feel anything.)
• More Recent Visit: They arrived once again when I was a (younger) 40-something. This time, no knocking. They came via jet-arrival — right through my front door! — via the words, “You have cancer.” And — for the record — cancer was a walk in the park compared to mothering the eldest of my brood. I love ‘em … But, whew! That was the most exhausting set of Life Lessons I have ever been blessed with!

Fortunately … (tap, tap) … Are you still reading? Or have I completely gone too far down “memory lane”??

Here’s the deal: I have THE best friends in the world! Hugs all around to ya’ll!

Because for the past seven years … I have moved beyond merely hearing their wise words and prayers … I started processing — their words and the words I could speak to anyone but myself. I started embracing (and surrounding myself with) their comfort and receiving their “presence” and other gifts of love. (Instead of being The Lone Ranger — convinced I was a burden, feeling completely lost sans sustenance — just awanderin’ around the Wild, Wild West!

So-o, let me just cut to the chase … I now have approximately 20 years of practice and experience regarding answering those two questions, making The Choice — as well as the outcomes. AND, I hope and pray you will realize that being in this moment (sippin’ that café mocha ) is definitely the way to go.

If, for some reason, you don’t believe me or think I just don’t know what your life is like — and.or you consider “running as fast as you can” part of your “plan” to “manage” your life … Please … Let me hear from you.

Please feel free to contact me via e-mail. If you don’t have my e-mail address, simply leave a comment to this post.

• Note: Please be assured that I do opt to keep comments private (which facilitates the necessity of readers contacting me via this blog in confidence) and your e-mail addy certainly will not be added to any sort of mailing list.

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
Milton Berle

The effect of being in my gardens and spotting an unexpected bloom of vibrant color … Well, it is a moment of sheer and total joy! It becomes an amazing surprise, a reason to celebrate and a special gift from God.

… the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer. ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

As an instrument, I have been planning, weeding, journaling and clearing. I am completing these tasks at a slower pace than usual. But that is okay. My gardening goals remain rooted in a perennial life-goal I nurture and maintain: Focus upon the Grace of God, and within that measure of Grace, craft beauty and celebrate the artistry of the elements.

The ritual of crafting and celebrating this artistry — this Red; the finding of the proverbial red. That is what I am talkin’ about!

The fabulous Daylily shown above is Red for me today. There were also some terrific other occasions of Red in my gardens this morning. Those unexpected blooms cheering me onward, inviting me to embrace the passion of Red and imparting vibrancy and inspiration to me …