Recipe for Life

Ingredients

2 cups of divine love

1 1/2 cups of earthly joyfulness

1 cup of healthy balance

1 cup of humor

1/2 cup of spirituality

1/2 cup of flexibility

1/2 cup of family roots

several tablespoons of acceptance

1 teaspoon of all-spice

Combine all ingredients except love.  Mix thoroughly until well blended. Coat a thick layer of love over the entire mix. Eat everyday and feed to all you encounter.  

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"The best recipes contain universal ingredients and easy instructions for use." tc

A Good Teacher

Several years ago, I decided to attend college and fulfill a dream of earning a college degree that I had held since childhood.  I enrolled in one class just to see if I was really ready to pursue this dream now.
Unknowingly, one professor held the power to influence and transform one student's life in the palm of his hands. Dr. Melendez, not only influenced my life by providing an educational opening for me to feel confident enough to pursue my dream but he also offered a stimulating classroom, respectful learning environment and reassuring feedback to an unsure, yet, desiring new student.
Because of Dr. Melendez's genuine love of educating and degree of expertise, I was inspired to not only complete my undergraduate degree but I have also  earned a Master's degree in Psychology.  Soon, I will begin work on my doctorate. An exceptional teacher has the power to share knowledge and influence many, simply by believing enough in the lesson to inspire hope in others.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"The effects of a good teacher can reach much further than the immediate impact of the classroom."  tc

The Open Road

Ah, there is no other feeling in the world like packing up the car and hitting the open road. The windows rolled down, allows the wind to blow wildly through your hair. A burning sun radiates off the pavement as you move further down the road. Driving along, you can tap your fingers to the beat of your favorite music. Rolling over the varied landscapes puts distance between then and now. Stopping in local cafes for lunch affords you the opportunity to meet new people and learn other ways. Whether you travel 50 miles or 500 miles, a road trip can change everything.
As the days lengthen and the weather warms, take a drive, pack a lunch, pop in your favorite tunes and move.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

“Travel beyond the regular haunts of your environment in to a peaceful domain as pure and sacred as your very soul.” tc

Grace of God

Where does this power come from?

The ability to survive your child’s death.
The fortitude to overcome an addiction.
The strength to move beyond a break-up.
The will to walk again after a paralyzing stroke.
The muscle to stand up to a bully.
The endurance to find a job in a down economy.
The compassion to forgive an injured soul.
The control to be quiet when you want to scream.
The belief in life after taking one. 

When you put your faith in God, anything is possible. When facing the most daunting of obstacles, God is with you to ensure a positive outcome. That does not mean that all answers are yes. It means that you are never, ever alone.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

“Only through the Grace of God will you draw upon the power to overcome the challenges that you face.” tc

Alive

These are just a few of the words that describe being alive: Energetic, vivacious, throbbing, curious, fulfilled, sensual, joyful, alert, gracious, rhythmic, enriched, colorful, enlightened tranquil, invigorated, ecstatic, free, enchanted and still.

When the reasons begin to rhyme and the causes have clarity, that is the true expression of being alive. There are no limits as to how one is able to express the feeling of being alive. The only barricade to living ALIVE is you. Release the pain of the past, the regrets of yesterday and the empty dreams that have not bore fruit. Act from the goodness of your soul and unleash the breath of your energy to its fullest. Live, fully alive.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

“Breathe in the essence of nature and let your spirit show you the way.” tc

Words of Regret

Remember those mean words that you yelled towards your loving spouse? You were simply trying to make him/her understand how you felt, right? What about those harsh words that you hollered at your son or daughter? Weren’t you really trying to get him/her to see the error of their young ways? Have you ever engaged in gossip at work in order to hear the latest ‘news’ in the office? Weren’t you really just trying to fit in and be included?
Let me ask you this: Do you listen better to people who shout foul words at you or sit and talk attentively with you? Did you learn more from your parents when they were mad or when they shared things with you? What do you suppose those people at the office are saying about you when you aren’t around?
We all have said or done things that later, we regret. What you say and do reveals more about you than the point you are trying to convey. Next time you find yourself in a situation of gossip, anger or frustration, I ask you to take a moment and pause. If you pause for just a second, you may find that in the future, there are less words and actions from the past, that you will come to regret.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

“A damaged soul’s tongue cuts as deep as a steel blue edge.” tc

Tranquility

Sitting in the stillness of the cool morning light, the soothing sounds of a running creek trickles past, softening the edges of a jagged shoreline. A mother sage hen calls out across the dry, desert valley below summoning her young to return. Looking up, wispy feather-like clouds brush across the deep blue heavens, as the last sliver of moon fades in the brightening sky. A fly buzzes past on its way to an unknown destination of delight. The natural rhythms of all living beings on the planet turn in the known cycles of the creative universe.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

“Organic, pure, easy….tranquility.” tc

Rainbows or Rain

Sometimes, the right question conveys more than a short story. 

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Do you revel in the rain or the rainbow?" tc

Shades of Life

Think about this for a moment. Is a tree always a tree? Is it only considered valuable in it's original shape?  Is a tree limited to the commonly known use given by mankind? What happens when a tree takes on another form? Does a cut tree yield more or less substance than a whole tree and what is it's alternative worth? When you step over a fallen tree in the woods, is the importance of that tree's life over?
All trees begin as a seed of potential.  Depending upon the nurturing it receives, a tree will either grow into a full and healthy form or be stunted in it's development.
The shades of a person's life is similar to that of a tree. We are born pure and perfect. We are a seed of unlimited potential. How we are nurtured helps to mold the type of person that we will become. As we move through the rings of our life, we all have something special to offer in a variety of hues at every stage of our maturity. Allow the sun to shine through the branches of your life and derive moments of enjoyment in the shade as much as you would the shimmering light.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Recognize your significance in the different hues of your life, without letting the shadows overtake your contibution." tc

Words

There are hundreds of thousands of words in the English language.  Some of those words readily translate into other languages and some do not. Cultural influence and personal preference instill word meaning. What type of words do you place a value upon? Are you drawing a blank?  For example, I can say things like: love, bitch, hate, children, gay, faith, nature, gringo, hitchhiker, or Vietnam Veteran. None of these words are bad! However, it is the meaning that we have attached to the words that creates a stigma of acceptance or derogatory connotation.
Most people think of the word love with a sense of reverence. However, for someone who does not feel love in their life, that word is less than evocative. At one time in history, the word gay instilled thoughts of fun and loads of joy.  Today, it has been given an offensive context as a slang word towards same-sex attraction. There was a dark point in recent American history, wherein the phrase Vietnam Veteran ignited riots and acts of aggression towards others. At present, memorials, monuments and holidays are designated to those individuals who were asked to sacrifice for the interest of our country.
Spoken expression is one of the most misunderstood and inflammatory means of communication. It can invoke feelings of kindness and respect or create a mountain of frozen ideas that may take months or years to defrost.  As you move through each day, it might be a good idea to become more cognoscente of words that you use that may be easily misconstrued or clearly comprehended.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Words are only concepts, until felt and given meaning." tc

The Key to fulfillment

I was walking in the desert the other day and came across a natural tunnel at the end of an arroyo.  As I entered the enclosure, the air cooled and the light dimmed. There was a sense of comfort in this place of shelter. It was as if I had walked into a sacred place. However, after a period of rest, I realized that I missed the light, the expanse of a panoramic view and the opportunity to explore more and satisfy my curious nature.
When I decided it was time to emerge from this soothing place, I did so with an open heart, brighter perspective and an attitude ready to embrace the day. There are times in our life when we need to take a break from routine activities. There are times when we need to relinquish the responsibilities of everyday life for a bit of a refresher.  It is ok to seek a darkened shelter for a respite but if you enter without God leading the way, the temporary shelter may become a detention hall, instead.  
 
So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Acceptance is key to fulfillment." tc

Born to Fly

We ask ourselves hundreds of questions each day.  Should I.....?  Could I......?  Would I......?  Didn't I......?  But how many times do we acknowledge 'what we Can?'  
Today is the first day of spring.  You can do anything that you believe possible. You can: take a vacation, spend the afternoon with your son, ride a bicycle, enroll in a class, call your mother, invite the neighbor for lunch, say NO, seek refuge and stop an unhealthy behavior.  Why? Because You Really Can. We were not born to sit in small cubicles, work endlessly, be helpers to others without first tending to our own needs, follow the beaten path or be alone.  We were born to discover our gifts, share with others and live fully.  We were born to fly!    

So, on that note, the quote of the day is: 

"All it takes on your part is a little effort and pure faith in order to soar." tc

Signs

Traffic signals, road signs, mapquest online, email, notes, phone calls and even dirty laundry are all signs that tell us things about where we have been, where we are going and our current state-of-being.   

Signs come in a variety of formats.  For many people, the signs are everywhere but they simply are not paying attention! If you take a look around, you will see all the current indicators that are guiding your life. Don't waste time second guessing the direction in which you should continue your life's journey.  If you are being called to travel down a different highway, I suggest you get out the road map and start your engine.
So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"We live in a world full of signs yet, we continue to steer our lives into complete shambles." tc

Solitude

There are times in our lives when we all need some peace and quiet.  We do not gain that from driving aroud in a car with the music on.  We not gain it at home with a cell phone attached to our hip.  We not gain it taking a walk through a crowded park.
Regardless of how brief or extensive the seclusion may encompass, those moments of uninterrupted quiet time are necessary for the health of our body, mind and spirit.
I encourage everyone to take a few minutes each day for themselves.  Unplug the phone, turn off the TV and decompress from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The awareness that comes from those moments of bliss are intoxicating.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Like the cool, refreshing touch of an alpine lake kissing your fingertips, solitude can stimulate your senses into renewed revelations for the future." tc

Open Doorway

Love is the only universal language where barriers do not exist. We all want to feel love, have some degree of joy expressing love and understand at the core of our being the necessary value of love in our lives. All major religions and faith practices promote love as the primary foundation for growth. Love is the key ingredient that binds all life together. 
In the varied relationships that we participate in throughout our lives, we are given the opportunity to explore the numerous levels and degrees of love that people are capable of articulating.  There is not just one type of love, nor is there only one way in which to express it. The unconditional love of a parent for a child is very different from the love expressed between friends. The uniting love of a couple sharing their lives together is very different from the love offered in helping another in need.
When love is missing from our lives, we feel a void.  That void may be reflected in behaviors of anger, depression, introversion, extreme extroversion, lack of motivation and carried out in several other displays of attitude and action. I ask you to take a moment for yourself. Please consider your standards for love. Is your doorway open and inviting the light to shine or have you settled for a glimpse of the ray through the crack of a closed door?

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Let your heart in love be as free as the wild abandon of the great outdoors." tc

Fires of Life

What are the three most important components of your life?  Is it the thrill of your job?  The fulfillment of higher education? The spiritual growth of your faith? Or, maybe it is the tender touch of a loved one? How much time do you actually devote to the three most important components of your life? If those aspects could talk, would they reply with the same answer?
So many times we THINK we are dedicating enough time and energy to the important facets of our life, only to discover when they change, the truth of our efforts. Where ever you concentrate the energy of your behavior is really where your heart lies. Sometimes, we are offered the gift of a second chance but that does not mean that the fruit of the gift will materialize in the same mode as the original outcome might have revealed.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"All fires die out, if not tended to regularly. That goes for fires feeding our passions, fires feeding our love and fires feeding our dreams. Those not sustained or successfully reignited simply become ashes and old memories." tc

A Survivor

I have heard many people talk about the situations in life in which they have survived.  Certainly, there is a sense of deliverance for those who have come through extreme conditions where one is face to face with death. That is not what I am talking about.  What I talking about is the frequency in which I hear people talk about 'surviving' everyday circumstances. For example, have you heard or even said at some point something like, "I survived: the meeting with my child's teacher, teenagers, rush hour, a minor injury, some other person's behavior, a job interview, the previous month, an inspection, a visitor, holidays with the in-laws, moving, relationships, etc.? These types of 'survival' events do not place people in imminent death positions.  These types of events are LIFE.
It is important to realize that most of the circumstances that we find ourselves in are circumstances resulting from the decisions that we make in the reality of routine life. When I stopped surviving: the divorce, the kids moving out and the endless hours of self-development, I realized that living life is so much more of an accomplishment than surviving it.  Today, I live fully in each moment.  Wow!  What an incredible concept of freedom that is often not even taught.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"With the elegant grace of a butterfly, we must be brave, break free from our cocoons, spread our wings and fly!" tc 

New Horizons

Each morning we are provided the opportunity of a fresh beginning.  If we choose to carry yesterday forward in a negative fashion, the anger, pain and ugliness of some past influence will hinder our movement as we become caught frozen in time. We will be unable to effectively learn and grow.  Dis-ease will settle in the valleys of our lives. 
However, if we choose to carry yesterday forward in a positive light, the love, friendship, kindness, joy and grace of family and friends will influence our movement and advance us into the dawn of a new day. 

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"It is just as important to know when to let go and move on as it is to nurture something special." tc

A puffed perspective

I was fishing one afternoon on a rocky dam embankment.  I heard a flutter behind me and as I turned around, this little bird was sitting there. To my amazement, she did not fly off. I grabbed my camera and quickly snapped a photo. I resumed fishing with my new-found friend accompanying me on the shoreline. Thinking maybe she was hungry, I offered her a worm from my pack. She puffed her feathers up but did not fly away. After snapping several more photos, we sat together soaking up the afternoon sunshine.
The only conclusion that I could reach as to why this little bird was not afraid of me was that maybe she wanted a companion to share a moment with.  How lucky was I to be selected for that purpose? This little bird is a reminder to me that when things become challenging in life, sometimes it helps us get through the day by sharing it with another.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Face it....Some days nothing looks good." tc

Framed Ascension

Too many times, we forget that our guidance in life ought to come in the form of the spirit leading the body and not the body leading the spirit. There are many reasons why this happens: 1) We have not been taught that there is a divine creator behind all that exists. 2) We are not at a state of acceptance of something larger than ourselves actually being in control of our lives. 3) We deny the truth for personal gain.
When we put aside our ego and let the spirit lead the way, regardless of what happens in our life, it all works out in the end. No matter how many steps we have to climb in order to reach the top, each stride is one closer to the greatest knowledge ever known.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Let your spirit take you higher as you ascend the ladder of ultimate consciousness." tc

A New Day.

What would you do if everything on the planet was smooth in texture?  How would you feel if everything you looked at was cream colored?  What would your reaction be if nothing responded to your touch? How much different would life look and feel if this were true? 
Silly, maybe, to think of our environment in these terms but I find that when we look at the extreme of how unusual life could look compared to what we know, we appreciate more, exactly what we have.  Relating this idea to people.....I think you know where I am going with this train of thought. 
What would you do if everyone always agreed with you? How would you act if you knew the answers to all the questions?  What job would you hold if there was only one type?  How would you feel if no one cared enough to worry about you?
This is it, folks! What you say, do, think and feel happens now.  It is remembered by others now, it will change you, now.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Like the eloquence of a talented musician caressing the strings of a well-tuned violin, so, too must we tenderly care for the souls who enter our lives, whether it is for a moment, a week or many years." tc

Honest Flow

Do you think that no one will detect the narrow look in your eyes?  Are you so clever that the slight change in your mannerism will go unnoticed? Do you really believe that the smirk of deception on your face will be passed off as a joke? As you fidget your fingers in your lap, do you think you have convinced me that you are relaxed and worry free?
It is so easy to tell the truth.  You say it like it is and everyone else has to deal with it. The truth will always rise to the surface.  It may be frozen under the ice for a time but when the water thaws the rush of consequence is oftentimes more damaging than the initial admittance would have been, anyway. 
Unfortunately, because of a person's inability to face the truth themselves, lies are created and elaborated upon, until even the one telling the lie ends of forgetting the truth. 
Lies tangle up the smooth flow of life.  The knarled twists and turns of deception always strangle the deliverer at some point. It may take years but the turbulant stress of trickery will show on their face like a flood ripping apart the land as it moves across it.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"The protective encasement of lies surrounding you will only last until the season changes." tc

Canopy of Color

Bold and pastel colors blend together to create an alluring rainbow arc across the sky.  A spectacular patchwork of reds, golds and oranges decorate the towering autumn treetops.  Bright and twinkling stars dot the heavens with a panoramic view of enticing design. Each lovely scene in their own way has inspired poets to write sonnets of love, musicians to compose unforgettable scores of adventure and dreamers to produce unique works of art that touch all of our lives.
As often as we look outward and upward for inspiration, answers and direction, let us not forget that what lies below the expansive paradise above us is where the raw beauty of nature plays itself out.  A pregnant woman nurturing new life, a teenager nervous about his/her first date, a young couple heading off on their honeymoon, an old man holding his wife's hand as they share one last breath together:  these are the stitches in the fabric of our lives.  All the exquisite moments of our journey are completed in the physical manifestation of our being. There is nothing more magnificent 'up there,' that does not in some way reflect 'down here.'  It all depends where you are looking.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"The Essence of life is found below the canopy of God's great design." tc

Holding Back

I'm saving  Grandma's china for the holidays. I am putting aside money for my daughter's college fund. I am going to move after I retire. I will call my mother next week.  I will donate money to a charity, when I have more to give. 
How often have these types of statements been uttered and never completed? I would venture to say thousands of times. For some reason people seem to hold back doing something fantastic right now, for a future event that frequently doesn't materialize. Instead of setting the table and creating a holiday tonight, people wait and wait and wait for something "seemingly spectacular" to happen before pulling out the china, opening the bottle of wine and sharing whatever they have at the time. I ask you to recognize each moment of your life as spectacular and celebrate now, instead of limiting your joyfulness for some unrealized future.   

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"You cannot fence the abundance of something so beautiful." tc

Seeing Stars

Oh, love is such a wonderful feeling. Those first weeks or months send us into a dreamy state of desire. We are inspired to be kinder to others, see a lighter side to life and we usually make extra effort to shower the other person with goodness.  However, at some point, the initial romance quiets down and the groundwork for lasting love must be built, if the relationship is to develop further. But what is the foundation of that lasting love?
It is not the co-dependent need for another.  It is not the expectation of someone else to fulfill your life.  It is not the discovery of 'your other half,' to complete you.
The foundation of lasting love begins with each person holding onto Their Own Gold. It is staying true to yourself and letting the other person be true to themselves, as well. You are a whole and complete individual without anyone or anything else! True love does not control, manipulate, envy or possess another. True love provides a warm, safe environment for each person to learn and grow in their life. True love is not an emotion, rather it is the gift of a sactuary for the Light of God to live within.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Love can anchor us to a specific space and time or transcend us into eternity." tc

Sinful Delights

As I write this blog, I am enjoying a bowl of chocolate chip, cookie dough ice cream with a tablespoon of peanut butter and a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top. Yes, I know it is loaded with fat, sugar and not enough protein to justify such an indulgence. For those who know me, you are probably shocked at the announcement of my consumption of this type of food, considering that: I am a vegetarian, eat very little white sugar and monitor my physical health, diligently.

However, by splurging once in a while on such "sinful delights," I am not tempted by the draw of unhealthy foods on a regular basis. I am able to completely enjoy my dessert without guilt or shame.
Cool, isn't it?

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Everything in moderation.  Well, almost everything!" tc

Walk the Talk

I ask you to pause for a moment and think about all the things that pass through your mind in a given day. I don't know about you but for me the thoughts are numerous and varied in just seconds. How many times do you see someone and think that their outfit looks nice but you don't say anything to them? What do you think would happen if you told someone about the dreams that you have been thinking about? What do you do with the negative thoughts that pop up in your mind from time to time?
No matter how many things I think about, they are just thoughts that I entertain in my head.  Nothing is going to happen with any of those thoughts, until I decide to make them a reality.
What if I ignore the negative thoughts? How much fun would it be to ponder a dream with a friend? Think about how special someone would feel with a kind word or compliment bestowed upon them? Do you still think that you have no impact on brightening the world around you? The path before you is not written in stone, no matter what anyone says to you. Tread down the softer path of life and the mountains will remain in the distance.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"There is solidity to the spoken word that binds itself to our reality." tc

Ghosts of the Past

Have you ever noticed that people who are happy, rarely stir up trouble?  Because of their joyful state-of-being, they look for good and shun the lesser facets of life. On the other hand, those individuals who are extremely unhappy, always seem to be looking for a problem. They are troubled souls and create an ocean of turbulance around themselves and others, constantly. They ride the big waves of chaos and dig deep throughout the sands of time to build something out of nothing.
I was talking to someone like that the other day.  No matter what is currently happening, his bitterness from the past, will not allow the good aspects of his personality to surface. Whether it is 2 years, 7 years or 15 years later, those types of individuals seem to derive pleasure out of causing distress towards others. It is a sad, sad situation to witness. Until this person chooses to enjoy the wonderful things in his life now, he will never be a happy person.
We have many choices in life, though. We can look at a situation and see the waves beating against the shoreline and eroding the beach or we can see the complimenting forces of nature continuing to carve the handiwork of creation. I hope you move beyond the eroding ghosts of the past and stroll the beaches of tomorrow's potential.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Deal with your demons before you become one." tc

Winds of Change

It is important to take one day at a time. This theme is a useful tool to help people in recovery from addictions but it ought to be applied in more areas of life. I understand the desire to plan for the future. I set goals like many people. However, when we focus too much on that future, we forget to take care of today.
The windmill of change is constantly moving us through time. There are many variables in life that impact our future in ways we cannot always foresee. Things change and learning to be flexible with the bands of weather rolling over your life will prove to be easier than the initial reaction of defense to it. One moment may appear unclear and frightening. However, eventually, the sun burns the fog away and the crystal, clear sky will again grant clarity.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"When the dense and eerie fog rolls in and the path you have been following suddenly changes, take comfort in the protective cloak enveloping you, instead of focusing on the claustrophobic reaction of uncertainty." tc

Fuel for the Fire

Most of us have experienced some form of regret. However, one of the most damaging forms is that of anger. Have you ever said something that later you wished you hadn't?  What about those bursts of slamming doors or throwing something across the room?  When people get mad, they lose some control over themselves. They may display a violent temper, speak harsh words or physically lash out against another. These actions create long-term trauma, not only for the recipiant of the anger but also upon the angry individual.
When a person gets angry, they are actually acting out their FEAR.  Regardless of what is projected towards you, if you stay in control of yourself, more often than not, the angry person will begin to calm down. Of course, you should always exit the scene, if you feel your life is in danger. Nevertheless, by acting to defuse the situation, instead of engaging in it, you will avoid many unnecessary fights before they have enough fuel to burn out of control.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Like the fiery red of an evening sunset, anger can seethe from you fierce and hot burning those around you or be cooled and soothed away by the crisp night sky." tc

The Nasty F-Word

We hear that word and instantly, our head goes down, our gaze shifts to the floor and some people even shudder.  It is so repulsive in our society that disgrace is felt by all who experience it.  No, it's not that word.  I am talking about Failure. Failure is a powerful motivator. So powerful, in fact, that shame is cast upon those who try and fail.  Oftentimes, the thought of that shame inhibits people from trying in the first place.   
Do you know how many times the Wright Brothers failed at flight before they mastered it?  What about the number of times that Bill Gates failed at creating Microsoft in his garage before he was successful? Have you stopped and given thought to the number of failed attempts that a competitor endures before they win the gold?
For all those people who have failed and tried again, "I commend you!"  For the true success of your accomplishment comes in the fact that you never gave up, not in the glory of the outcome.

So, on that note, the quote of the day is:

"Only through the strength of a divine heart will you command such power." tc