So I want to follow up to a blog post I did a little over a month ago.  I, along with some other lovely internet people that I don’t really know, committed to a 30 day giving challenge.  Basically the idea was to give for 30 days…give a smile, kind words, a helping hand, just whatever you can give at any moment.  Here’s the actual post if you’d like to read it: CLICK HERE FOR 30 DAY CHALLENGE POST

I’m a pretty nice person in general (anyone that knows me can attest to that, but don’t ask the following 76 people…  j/k) so giving a smile or kind words wasn’t much of a stretch for me.  But I wanted to do the challenge because I wanted to see what it would be like to be aware of the giving rather than just going about my day.  And, I wanted to see if I could give more than I usually do.  Here’s what happened:

The first day was really good.  I smiled more at people and was kinder on the roads.  The second day was more interesting.  There was a guy in his car that was pulled way out from where he was suppose to be.  As I drove by him I gave him a dirty look and threw a hand up in the air meaning WTF!  As soon as I drove past him I realized what I had done.  I felt awful.  Did he really deserve a nasty look & a WTF sign (I didn’t flip him off if that’s what you’re thinking…just you know, a WTF)?  I mean, we all make mistakes, right?  I’m sure there’s been a handful of times that I’ve done that exact thing.  I wanted to turn around and give him a big smile and a “I’m so sorry” wave but I didn’t.  I thought that might be a little weird…he might have even given me a WTF sign then!  HA  I did, however, apologize to him and wish him well in my mind.

A few days later I was taking my little Max to school.  We were driving down the alley and there was a huge trash can in the way.  I decided to drive around it…after all we were running a bit late.  But, as I’m driving around it I’m thinking to myself “I know what I need to do.  I need to move it out of the way.”  I didn’t!  Again, I felt awful.  Luckily, it was still in the middle of the road on my way home from taking him to school so I was able to redeem myself!  (It’s an even better feeling when you give without someone looking.)

I loved doing this.  It’s such a good feeling to make someone’s day and to just be more polite in general.  I gave several spirit jumps (sending a small gift to a cancer patient to lift their spirits), and I always did my best to make the cashier, at Target, Walmart, or wherever I was, to feel better about their jobs (especially if I could tell they were just totally beaten down).  Being aware of what I was giving made me feel a sense of lightness, like everything is good and I’m not weighed down by negativity.  I just felt happier!

On the other side of the giving coin is receiving!  Here’s what I received out of this challenge:

–People were so nice to me on the roads.  I was going first at stop signs, people were waving me in to get in front of them, & I was even given a parking space when we both got to it at the same time!

–My husband took me on a surprise date because he wanted to let me know how much he appreciates me!

–On our date we went to an awesome sushi restaurant (Kenichi) and our entire bill was comped!

But…most importantly,

–I felt good.  I felt happier.  Period.

If you have stories on giving & receiving I’d love to hear them.  If you took the challenge with me, what did you experience?  Make a comment.

Now, let’s go out and keep giving…what have you to lose?

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I get a daily email from Ester & Jerry Hicks.  They send out excerpts from workshops they’ve done in the past.  Here’s one that I received last week.  I wanted to post it because I think it’s really important, and it’s something that I haven’t really thought about in this way.  Check it out:

What true patience is, is knowing that you want it and knowing that it’s coming and actually enjoying the unfolding along the way. Understand that you never get it done. So you might as well be patient. You never get it done, because every time you want and receive, you also receive a new perspective from which to want. Life is a constant unfolding of new desires and then a constant alignment to those desires.

Excerpted from a workshop in Larkspur, CA on Saturday, August 30th, 1997

So to be truly patient is to enjoy what you’re experiencing in the moment.  I’m sure you’ve experienced this…you really want something and then you get it.  You love it, enjoy it, and then a little while later you decide you want something else, probably something that you consider to be better.  But as you’re focused on your new desire, you forget about how great you have it now.  This applies to relationships, money, success, everything!  I believe there’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting more or wanting something else  AS LONG AS you truly appreciate what you do have now, and  AS LONG AS you truly enjoy it in the moment.

Having true patience is really to have faith, because when we have faith we aren’t worried about how we’re going to get what we want.  When we have faith, we can sit back and enjoy the moment and all the things we have in the moment.  When we live in this state of joy, that’s how energetically we align with our new desires; which is how we’re able to have faith and patience.   We know that the things we desire are on their way.

To be patient is to appreciate and enjoy what you currently have, and to keep enjoying while you are waiting for your new desire.  The more faith you have that your new desire will arrive, the easier it is to be patient!

Keep wanting, keep learning, keep enjoying, keep in the present moment, keep the faith –

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Since getting a new laptop, I’ve fallen in love with the internet again!  I’m finding that it has opened my eyes to so much creativity.  I’ve been in a blogosphere and haven’t emerged (sorry hubby and sons — there’s so much to see in this blog world that I may not be out for a while…a long while!).

I’m seeing creativity from handmade things, to amazing writings, to enlightening ideas.  I’m so INSPIRED!  So, I thought I’d list several (if I can narrow it down) of my favorite blogs &/or blogs that have opened my eyes.  These are in no order!

Tip Junkie

Stem Parties

We Heart This

Hostess with the Mostess

Created by Mom

Mom Made That

Etsy Item of the Day

Thoughtfully Simple

Share Yoga

Spirit Jump

The SITS Girls

The Secret Resource

Then I found Twitter…. OMG!  I’m following a ton of amazing, positive people that are inspiring as well.

What inspires you??

What inspires me now is my kids!  Gotta run~

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My little Miles Everett (19 months) and big boy Maximus Henry (3 1/2 years) are the loves of my life.  I’m so fortunate to have great kids, and an amazing husband.  Here’s my top 10 reasons why I absolutely love being their mom (in no particular order)!

10.  That feeling when my children only want their Mommy.

9.  That relief when my children only want their Daddy!

8.  When I see their smiling faces the first thing in the morning, I know it’s going to be a great day!

7.  I’m completely, hysterically funny.

6.  I get to explain things like who I’m talking to on the phone and what they said…because Max just needs to know!

5.  Being around the pure, joyful, light energy that small children radiate.

4.  Because it’s the most important job I’ll ever have.

3.  Because they help to keep me grounded, and I know that nothing else matters besides the well-being of my family.

2.  Kids are so genuine, honest, and true to themselves; and I have the opportunity to teach them to stay that way.

1.  It’s a love like no other, and to have that kind of love in my heart is just priceless.

Thank you, Boys!  I love you~

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YOGA IN THE PARK
This Sunday, May 10th
9:30am – 10:45am
Led by Kat Rogers of Pranaa Yoga & Spa

We’ll be by the pond!

This is a FREE class & open to all levels so bring your family, friends, or anyone you want to torture!  (Only kidding!)

Old Shepard’s Place
Greenbelt @ White Rock Trail
5500 Channel Isle Dr., Plano, TX 75093

There will be NO class if it’s raining.
Feel free to call my cell if you have any questions. 214-908-3166

Through the greatness of Facebook I reconnected with a friend from high school.  In 2003, Peggy Hudson, wrote this beautiful note.  She just recently shared it with her FB friends and I was fortunate enough to be one of them.

I thought it would be great to share her writing with you.  Enjoy~

It’s a beautiful day! It’s inherent for me to notice the beauty all around
me. Sometimes my mind refuses to operate with my soul. That’s when I must
re-mind myself. It’s fascinating to me the control the mind can have over
the mind. Or is that some other aspect of myself that can execute authority
over mind? What is really operating here? And if we’re all connected to
each other & everything – universal energy – what is that driving force? We
categorize into “individuals” – & say I’m like you or I’m not like you -
when in “reality” we are all connected. I think most of us usually forget
this. We see each other as separate entities. Yet we all take up space on
this planet. We are like the cells of Mother Earth – moving about – part of
the life force. How come there is hate? Why would we want to hate what is
connected to us? If we remember the connection, will we learn to love one
another? My hope is that we would.

My heart becomes heavy when I hear of sadness in our world – when I hear the
hurt in my patients’ voices – when I feel disconnected from others. The connection is vital to my survival. Sure, one could exist without it – yet
a failure to thrive would be evident. We need each other. Most of us just want to be acknowledged – appreciated for who we are – & love seems rather simple. So … why is it so hard to give? Why is it sometimes difficult to receive? What blocks people from opening their hearts & being love?

I think most of it centers around fear … fear of being vulnerable … fear of
being hurt … fear of being rejected.

So … most people want to be loved & respected. & most people fear being
hurt & rejected.

What would happen if all of us loved & respected ourselves & others?

Peace! Joy! Love!

So simple: an open heart of love!

And FEAR gets in the way – creating chaos & havoc. Is fear really necessary? I mean, seriously? If we extended more love, don’t we think we could create a more beautiful world? Fear does not seem the way – love does.

It seems imperative to me that we all need love – the song was not amiss – what the world needs now is love.

One huge beating heart! Pumping life in all of us. Just like in our individual bodies. We must keep it healthy in order to live & survive & thrive. We will become sick & infected if we do not take care of ourselves. Fear is a toxin. Our immune system is becoming more & more depleted. We need to renew ourselves – replenish ourselves. & LOVE seems like the tonic.
That magical elixir that can restore our balance. We need the equilibrium restored. How can we move forward if we have become weakened? We need our strength. We cannot function if we have no genuine power. We will be deficient & unable to give our best. We will experience the feelings of illness because we are not tending to each other. Mother Earth needs our
nurture & we need to nurture her & each other.

And it can begin. It is possible. All we need to do is re-member (we are all members) that with love anything is possible. Anything! We can create a better world. A better place for all beings – a better place for our children.

I am willing to make my contribution to the whole. I am willing to be a part of the magic. I am willing to touch the divine. I am willing to extend the mysterious energy of love.

My eyes are open. & when I look through eyes of love with a hint of compassion, I see clearly. The light helps us to see. And the light is available to all of us every single day. We must take advantage of this light. It’s as simple as flipping a switch – or igniting a flame. The fire is a part of our system. Without the light, all becomes dark – we cannot see – & this can induce fear – fear of the unknown – the unseen. We just have to remember that night can befall us yet the sun will always rise – it never permanently sets – in reality, the sun never fades. It is always burning brightly. And even when we feel it is dark, Mother Moon lights Father Sky & reminds us we are never, ever alone. We can always see if we just open our eyes – open our hearts – open our minds to this marvelous universe.

The light is here – it is there – it is everywhere. Before life – after death. And now – if we remember.

~ by peggy hudson
(written april 28, 2003 after the start of the iraq war –
thought it was just as timely for today)

Wow…how we’ve grown up!

Thank you, Peggy.  You and your words are beautiful.

Peggy and I would love to hear your comments!

My new friend, Darla at Share Yoga, gave me the opportunity to be a guest writer on her site.  Share Yoga is a great site that offers all things yoga….”Once we feel the benefits of yoga in our own lives, we can help others and that is a wonderful thing. When we live within the spirit of yoga and then share it with others we have initiated a positive energetic chain of action.”  Share Yoga’s mantra is Share the Om. (I just love that!)

Yoga is the union of the mind, body & spirit.  I decided to write something on the mind and spirit side of it.  (Are you surprised?)

If I must say so myself it’s a really good article, and I hope it gives you another perspective on the current economic climate.  My intention is to help you open your eyes to a different way of looking at your life.

So, please visit Share Yoga’s website and read my article.  I would love to hear your comments (you can comment on their site or mine).  Browse around their site too, as it has a lot of great information.

Here it is:

To be Supplied With Goodness, We Must Demand It!

Thank you Darla, Share Yoga, and all of you who are reading this – Thank You

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