In Honor ~ Slow Down by George Carlin

"The paradox of our time in history is that

 we have taller buildings but shorter tempers,

wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.  

We spend more, but have less,

we buy more, but enjoy less. 

We have bigger houses and smaller families,

but less time.  

We have more degrees but less sense,

more knowledge, 

but less judgement, 

more experts, yet more problems,

more medicine, but less wellness. 

We drink too much, 

smoke too much, 

spend too recklessly,

laugh too little, 

drive too fast, 

get too angry, 

stay up too late, 

get up too tired, 

read too little, 

watch TV too much, 

and pray too seldom. 

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back,

but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.  

We conquered outer space 

but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things,

we've cleaned up the air, 

but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information,

to produce more copies than ever, 

but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, 

big men and small character,

steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce,

fancier houses, but broken homes.  

\

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality,

one night stands, overweight bodies,

and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you,

and a time when you can choose either to share this insight,

or to just hit delete.

remember..

remember, spend some time with your loved ones,

because they are not going to be around forever.  

remember, 

say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, 

because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

remember..

remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you,

because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart

and it doesn't cost a cent.

remember..

to say, "I love you"

to you partner 

and your loved ones,

but most of all,

mean it. 

a kiss and an embrace will mend hurt

when it comes from deep inside you.

remember..

remember, to hold hands and cherish the moment

for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love,

give time to speak,

and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

because, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away"

excerpts from the words of George Carlin

 as shared in memorial, 3/30/13

in loving memory of Rhett's dear friend Shirean 

who was laid to rest this weekend,

whom's love for and consequential sharing of these powerful words

has made us vow to

Slow Down.

May we always remember. 

despite an extremely, indescribably, sorrowful weekend,

it was our family, whom we spent time with every single day,

that proved it ~ the value in slowing down,

and cherishing the precious moments we are given, 

with the ones we hold dear,

It's truly what life is about. 

all photos snapped 3/29-3/31/13

and that's a wrap: Q1 2013

I made Rhett a 2013 desk calendar as a gift using these photos from 2012.  Though some, if not most, of them may have already been posted on this little ol blog of mine, I wanted to see them all in one place.  2012 was a defining, high jumping spring board for what we are now living here in the now of 2013.  Q1 2013 has been good to us.  We're writing the ending sentences on a chapter that has been the perfect mix of excitement, leaps of faith, affirming- in every aspect of life, and directional.  Now, as the calendar gets ready to roll into Q2 13, we're excitedly anticipating what will fill the pages of the next chapter.. and all I can think is that if it's half as great as the moments I see above.. we will be blessed.   -m-

what success REALLY looks like

via

isn't this just the truth.  the road to Success is not a straight smooth little path that you diligently, calmly follow, straight to the top.  it is more accurately a scribbly mess of ups and downs and curly cues, where at times you feel as if you're a dog, chasing your tail around and around in circles; it's full of detours and requires realignments of the compass.

i currently have a few different paths i am on, seeking success.  the success wanted in hitting that magical number on the scale, our dreams of finding the perfect space to build Rhett's business successfully, the path to refurbishing furniture and selling it successfully.. just to name a few.

it's a long scribbly road to that arrow at the top.  sitting back, staring, and following that scribbly mess above on that arrow to success actually leaves me hopeful and full of determination.  the obstacles i'm feeling are Normal.  they are part of the path.  the circles looping around in my mind are par for the course.  it's really just about staying ON the course.  the course to that arrow at the top.  that's where i'm heading.

are you in the middle of one of those curly cues on your path?
how do you keep focused on arriving at that arrow at the top?

-m- 

rhythms and interruptions thereof

tonight i spied on rhett and tristen.  they were outside, shooting some hoops.  rhett just finished teaching tristen how to jump rope cause t's looking to increase his speed, his endurance, and his hops.  it's just another wednesday night.  today rhett messaged and wondered what we were doing for dinner, at the same time exact time i messaged rhett and said i'll make turkey, you make potatoes and let's grill the pineapple tonight babe.  we're in a rhythm.  as i write, we've made dinner, cleaned up, chilled, and are about to pop some corn and watch some american idol.  it's what we do on wednesday nights.

rhythm..
the pattern of regular or irregular pulses.

i love regular rhythm's as much as i love irregular rhythms. i like the regular routine, the stability that comes with knowing, in general, what to expect, what we'll do, and most likely how we'll do it.  but i've also realized this week how much disrupting the regular rhythm - the expected, the routine, has lightened my entire outlook, feeling, and bounce of being in the regular rhythm.  our over-nighter out of town last weekend set the tone for the entire week.  i can't be in my house day after day, night after night, weekend after weekend.  i need to leave.  and when i come back, it makes being back so sweet.  while i've settled into a calmer world,  i'm def  not a "weekend warrior" anymore, i still need the excitement of breaking the regular routine.  makes me appreciate the routine.

bass drum mon-fri, snares on sat & sun.
i'm feeling this beat, and i like it.  :)

~ evening of May 2, 2012 ~

-m-

Finding The Rudder

If you were to step into a sailboat, lie back, and let the wind take you where it will, you might very well wind up enjoying some beautiful scenery, soft breezes, and some interesting people. 

Then again, depending on what the skies have in store, you could also wind up being caught up in a hurricane, get soaking wet in a downpour, and meet some rather desperate and angry people. 

That's the risk. 

But if you take control of the rudder, you can steer your way to a happy place of happiness and abundance. 

Be the master of your destiny. 

via DailyHoroscope

sign: Virgo

 2/7/2012