Welcoming 2011

 

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YOU!

It isn't the money you're making,
it isn't the clothes you wear,
And it isn't the skill of your good right hand which makes folks really care.
It's the smile on your face and
the light of your eye and the burdens that you bear.

Most any old man can tell you, most any old man at all,
Who has lived through all sorts of weather, winter and summer and fall,
That riches and fame are shadows that dance on the garden wall.

It's how do you live and neighbor, how do you work and play,
It's how do you say "good morning" to the people along the way,
And it's how do you face your troubles whenever your skies are gray.

It's you, from the dawn to nighttime; you when the day is fair,
You when the storm is raging - how do you face despair?
It is you that the world discovers, whatever the clothes you wear.

You to the end of the journey,
kindly and brave and true,
The best and the worst of you gleaming in all that you say and do,
And the thing that counts isn't money,
or glory, or power, but YOU! 

By Edgar A. Guest.

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Isn't that poem just wonderful? It came from a "Positive Thoughts" Facebook page that I (I'm going to use Twitter word) follow.  I felt it pretty appropriate to share with the world, especially going into the New Year. I hope everyone can appreciate those words of wisdom. =)

So, tomorrow my love and I will be traveling 1200 miles to Miami to visit my absolutely WONDERFUL friend Brandy, and her love, Chris. Ohhhhh, words can't describe how utterly excited I am to see her. On the topic of positive thoughts, this girl's got the most positive energy on the planet. Love her dearly.  I'm also super excited to be doing something different for New Years Eve / Day.  I think this might become a yearly tradition, to do something different at 11:59 pm every December 31st.  Tomorrow, I may just have my toes dipped in the Atlantic ocean... =)

I hope any one who finds this has an absolutely wonderful and safe holiday.  Whatever your tradition may be, whether your sleeping, partying, or banging pots and pans with the little kids, I hope you all go into the new year with an open mind, heart, and a smile on your face.

 Love always,
           M.

If It Is Not Too Dark

Go for a walk, if it is not too dark.

Get some fresh air, try to smile.

Say something kind

To a safe-looking stranger, if one happens by.

Always excercise your heart's knowing.

You might as well attempt something real

Along this path:

Take your spouse or lover into your arms

The way you did when you first met.

Let tenderness pour from your eyes

The way the Sun gazes warmly on the earth.

Play a game with some children.

Extend yourself to a friend.

Sing a few ribald songs to your pets and plants-

Why not let them get drunk and wild!

Let's toast

Every rung we've climbed on Evolutions ladder.

Whisper, "I love you! I love you!"

To the whole mad world.

Let's stop reading about God-

We will never understand Him.

Jump to your feet, wave your fists,

Threaten and warn the whole Universe

That your heart can no longer live

Without real love!

-Hafiz

"I Heard God Laughing"

Wayfarer,
Your whole mind and body have been tied
To the foot of the Divine Elephant
With a thousand golden chains

Now, begin to rain intelligence and compassion
Upon all your tender, wounded cells
And realize the profound absurdity
Of thinking
That you can ever go Anywhere
Or do Anything
Without God's will.
                   -Hafiz

My Best Friend's Wedding

So, I've had the privilege of being asked to be my best friend's Maid of Honor in her closely approaching wedding this March... Ms. Gina, I'm so excited to be apart of this, and even more excited to see you with someone as caring and considerate as Joey.  I'm so happy for you, words can't even begin to describe (don't worry, I've gotta save some of this for that speech!)

 “You my friend

I will defend,

and if we change

well, I love you anyway”
 

-Layne Staley

Gina and I met randomly a few times at our brother's Boy Scout Meetings when we were in 4th or 5th grade, but we didn't become inseparable until 6th grade when we started going to the same school. This girl is my soulmate (you can have a ton of soulmates, ya' know?)

 

Save your heart for someone who cares...

Gina & Joey

March 19, 2011

Animal Love

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” -Mahatma Gandhi

 

This blog is dedicated to the loves of my life, animals.  For as long as I can remember, taking care of and loving animals is in my nature... I don't care what kind of animal it is, I can't even kill a spider! My favorite are Elephants, after seeing a 60 Minute documentary as a kid, realizing that these lil buggers CRY.  They're so intelligent and so beautiful, it would be a dream to work with them or help them in some way.

 

Elephants Never Forget

Don't Bully My Breed

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." -Immanual Kant

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” -Josh Billings

Here's a photo of myself, with one of my babies, Chelsea. She loves playing ball, and LOVES giving kisses.

I've been a vegetarian for almost a year, and love it. I feel so great knowing that what I put into my body is not only healthy, but it's cruelty/guilty free!



 
 
 
 
P.S. The photos you see here have been taken from either Google Images or Deviant Art. 

'Maintain Internal Heights'

We don’t know where we’re going

But we know where we’ve been 

With this love in our hearts 

There can be no sin

Give it all to the sky

And rest your mind...

The World Keeps Turnin'

-Trevor Hall

I've had the honor of experiencing Trevor Hall live twice this year and only become more and more amazed.  Many people aren't familiar with him but I'm quite certain he'll be as successful as Bob Marley, Dylan, The Beatles, and so on. Until I heard Trevor Hall's music, I never had a "favorite" band/singer, but I can't help but want to passionately sing, dance, smile, laugh, think, and love everyone every time I hear this band.  Trevor Hall is about creating equality and bringing people together through music, and his thought-provoking lyrics take your breath away. His spiritual beliefs are more than inspiring and his voice is so unique 

I was privileged enough to meet Trevor and Chris at a Columbus concert. Unfortunately the only readily available material thing I had for Trevor to sign was a dollar bill (kind of embarrassed about that). 

So here's my lucky dollar bill with their new live album, "Chasing the Flame" with Trevor autograph.  My third prized possession, you ask? ..... 

This photo!

               


        Myself with Chris Steele (drummer) and Catherine :-)







Trevor Hall is by far my favorite artist and band. I hope everyone Googles Trevor now and listens to a few songs. Actually, I'll make it easy for you, click on Trevor Hall , and listen to Other Ways, Lime Tree, Unity... YouTube other songs like "Origami Crane", "All I Ever Know", and "Ghosts" (a few of my favorites).  Their version of "Paper Planes" is also a hit.  Light some candles, relax, listen, and feel yourself become a better person, spiritually, instantly.




:-)




Till next time, Peace & Love. xo.

One Happy Lady

Well, It's been a while.. lo siento (I'm sorry). My mind can only get so creative, and tonight's obviously one of those nights (also quite possibly, boredom). I'm starting this off with a poem I just came across... I couldn't wait to share it!!

I
you
us
them
those people
wouldn’t it be lovely
if one could
live
in a constant state
of we?
some of the most
commonplace
words
can be some of the biggest
dividers
they
what if there was
no they?
what if there
was only
us?
if words could be seen
as they floated out
of our mouths
would we feel no
shame
as they passed beyond
our lips?
if we were to string
our words
on a communal clothesline
would we feel proud
as our thoughts
flapped in the
breeze?

-Marilyn Maciel, "Clothesline"

(This is a ridiculously inspiring poem, to me at least, and I hoped to spread the love)

Big changes in the month of July, I'm starting a new job! I've been with the FedEx company for about two and half years now and have recently been hired into our newly located Risk Management department.  I'm excited, nervous, anxious, and super sad to be leaving CIL. The people I've met have become my family, they've seen me at my worst and at my best, but I couldn't be more thankful to have known each and every one of them.  The bright side (of course!), is I'm LITERALLY about 15 steps away from CIL, so I'm sure I'll still peek my head in from time to time =]

Since I've last "blogged", I've been a pretty busy lady.  I was lucky enough to attend Blake's cousin's wedding in Philly (CONGRATS to Mr. and Mrs. Don Shappelle). These are two WONDERFUL people and I'm so thankful to know them... not to mention they are so UTTERLY in LOVE.  Can't you tell?!







I (along with Blake's cousin Sophie) was also lucky enough to babysit the best man of the wedding, Sydney, the bearded dragon. You all have NO idea how lovable and laid back this guy is. I can't WAIT till Syd and his special lady reproduce, so I can have one of my own!

  




Speaking of, here were my two favorite men that day!











Other awesome things happened as well, I turned the big 2-5 (but I don't feel a day over 16 physically, but mentally, I'm so glad I'm getting older because let's face it, with age comes wisdom, and I wouldn't trade what I know now for anything!)

Blake and I went camping with the family and had an awesomely relaxed weekend where I finally was able to see Fallingwater, which was super awesome (even though that mean ol' lady wouldn't let us inside.. it's totally our fault for only having 'Grounds' tickets, hehe)

AND I was able to spend an evening with a few of my BEST girlfriends (Jamie, Chrissy, Gina, and myself - Jocelyn and Ashley somehow missed the picture) Good times with great people make me one happy lady! =]









Well folks... until next time... I'm sending all my hugs and love via social networking! =]

The Start of Something

To all who are visiting, welcome to the beginning of my blogging life. I'm admitting now that I totally jumped on the bandwagon, but I've been wanting to make one of these buggers, so here it is.  So basically, we all know my name.  I'm going to "blog" about whatever is goin' on in my little brain at that particular moment in time.  I'll probably throw a good quote or two in there as well. I love a good quote. Speaking of love, I'm quite the lover, meaning, I seriously love everything, or at least try to find the love in everything...

I'm insanely passionate, take that however you want. I'm inspired, I'm loved, I'm motivated.  I'm outrageously sensitive to every one and every thing.  I feel it all. I believe in Karma, so I try my hardest to be a good person. Flaws are inevitable, just try and do your best. ;-)

"Kind hearts are the gardens, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the flowers, and kind deeds are the fruits."

The title, Namaste, is a basic greeting I learned in Yoga, and I felt it very appropriate for my new blog.  The definition below is taken from this site 

Namaste is significant because it is a humbling gesture. Namaste is done as a recognition that we are all on equal standings, all of us are children of divinity. We are one. 

So, to all, Namaste ;-)

.