Every year at the end of November the radio is changed to Christmas music in our house and car. Every year we hear the same songs for a month straight and every year it brings joy to this middle aged woman's heart.
I am not sure if it is the connection I feel to my childhood or the excitement that is felt in the air during the holiday season. It just seems easier to push out negativity when you are listening to Bing Cosby sing "I am Dreaming of a White Christmas."
Here's to a lovely December and a Happy Holiday Season. Maybe in 2015 we can remember to carry that spirit on into January.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Hope and the Game of Baseball
Yesterday the Minnesota Twins announced a deal with former player Torii Hunter. At age 39 a 10 million dollar deal seems like a bit much but this gives me; a die hard Twins fan hope.
At the beginning of every baseball season all teams start with a clean slate. At the beginning of every day we get a new set of hours to work with. In the world of baseball it doesn't matter what happened last year; the teams re-position with new coaches, new players and new ideas for the new season as soon as the old season ends. In life when we close one door we re-position ourselves to move on when we are forced to make changes; the end of a job, losing someone we love or moving to a new city. We have to work at re-inventing ourselves. It doesn't matter what happened in the past. We get a do-over.
So what does Torii Hunter being paid millions to play a game at age 39 have to do with this. As a Twins fan Torii brings us back to a time we had hope for the Twins; a time when diving catches and home runs were the norm. With the new coaching staff and Torii we have renewed hope in the 2015 baseball season. Someone believes that Torii can bring something to the game; maybe it will be fans through the gates or some excitement to the bench or the leader the team has been looking for; but someone in the organization believes in him to bring hope to the Minnesota Twins.
We can all take a little bit of our past and bring it forward into our lives for some hope in the new year. If Torii brings us a little joy in the upcoming season; maybe there is something from our past that we need to reconnect with; maybe an old friend this holiday season or a tradition you let go needs to be renewed; whatever it is we can all have hope for each new day because someone believes in us. Be the Torii Hunter in someone's life; show someone you are still willing to work hard and play everyday. OR be the Minnesota Twins and invest in someones future with a compliment today.
Baseball and life; there is always HOPE!
At the beginning of every baseball season all teams start with a clean slate. At the beginning of every day we get a new set of hours to work with. In the world of baseball it doesn't matter what happened last year; the teams re-position with new coaches, new players and new ideas for the new season as soon as the old season ends. In life when we close one door we re-position ourselves to move on when we are forced to make changes; the end of a job, losing someone we love or moving to a new city. We have to work at re-inventing ourselves. It doesn't matter what happened in the past. We get a do-over.
So what does Torii Hunter being paid millions to play a game at age 39 have to do with this. As a Twins fan Torii brings us back to a time we had hope for the Twins; a time when diving catches and home runs were the norm. With the new coaching staff and Torii we have renewed hope in the 2015 baseball season. Someone believes that Torii can bring something to the game; maybe it will be fans through the gates or some excitement to the bench or the leader the team has been looking for; but someone in the organization believes in him to bring hope to the Minnesota Twins.
We can all take a little bit of our past and bring it forward into our lives for some hope in the new year. If Torii brings us a little joy in the upcoming season; maybe there is something from our past that we need to reconnect with; maybe an old friend this holiday season or a tradition you let go needs to be renewed; whatever it is we can all have hope for each new day because someone believes in us. Be the Torii Hunter in someone's life; show someone you are still willing to work hard and play everyday. OR be the Minnesota Twins and invest in someones future with a compliment today.
Baseball and life; there is always HOPE!
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
NCD
No Complaints Day.
It's time to be grateful. Time to put aside the petty differences and complaints in life to breeze through a day with a grateful heart.
As the care flight helicopter flew overhead I realized I didn't really have anything to complain about. I am healthy and have a great family; there are a great group of friends not far away. Even the weather will not even get to me today.
So today is a day to be grateful... No Complaints today!!
It's time to be grateful. Time to put aside the petty differences and complaints in life to breeze through a day with a grateful heart.
As the care flight helicopter flew overhead I realized I didn't really have anything to complain about. I am healthy and have a great family; there are a great group of friends not far away. Even the weather will not even get to me today.
So today is a day to be grateful... No Complaints today!!
Monday, September 15, 2014
Monday Monday....
Monday can just feel like a day that is a long way from the next weekend. Often for me it is a day of hope; this is the day that I think I will get started on all of those projects I have put off. The day I will tackle work with a vengeance. Monday is the day the eating will get under control and I will certainly exercise because it's a new week.
Monday often turns into the just another day; projects left untouched and candy bars eaten. But it's one in seven we get each week. Might as well enjoy it! Happy Monday..
Monday often turns into the just another day; projects left untouched and candy bars eaten. But it's one in seven we get each week. Might as well enjoy it! Happy Monday..
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Why oh Why....
It's a beautiful Sunday morning in the Twin Cities; this morning Mark and I went to the Basilica for early Mass. We have been looking for our Church home since we came back to the cities. This morning as we left we felt we had found it. But why is it important to us to have a Church home?
As we were sitting in Mass a young girl we don't even know was taking her last breath. She was an acquaintance of one of our granddaughters. We followed her story for the last year and half. She fought a valiant fight with cancer. Her story is was documented mostly by her mother on caring bridge. This last week was a tough one. So what does this have to do with our search for a Church or why we believe?
We believe because what would the purpose be if we did not? What good would come from such a terrible loss? A family is devastated but there is hope. Hope of a life not on this earth. A Church home gives us somewhere to ground ourselves. A place to get on our knees or sit humbly to remember that the stress doesn't have to be; the stress of this life is temporary. We believe because there is more; it gives us purpose.
As we were sitting in Mass a young girl we don't even know was taking her last breath. She was an acquaintance of one of our granddaughters. We followed her story for the last year and half. She fought a valiant fight with cancer. Her story is was documented mostly by her mother on caring bridge. This last week was a tough one. So what does this have to do with our search for a Church or why we believe?
We believe because what would the purpose be if we did not? What good would come from such a terrible loss? A family is devastated but there is hope. Hope of a life not on this earth. A Church home gives us somewhere to ground ourselves. A place to get on our knees or sit humbly to remember that the stress doesn't have to be; the stress of this life is temporary. We believe because there is more; it gives us purpose.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Stepping On the Soapbox!
I had been following a story from the area for a couple of weeks for a few reasons. First I heard that a motorcyclist was killed in a head on crash on a highway I had ridden on a few weeks before. Then I learned it was a 21 year old young man killed and the driver was a young lady. Today I learned the young man that lost his life was a member of the U of M Marching Band; 320 other members morn the loss of his life.
When I started riding motorcycle a few years ago I realized that there were two things that frightened me as I went down the road on my bike; deer suddenly jumping out of the ditch and distracted drivers. The more I ride, the more I realize the distracted drivers are certainly the bigger threat. It breaks my heart to think about the lives changed by this young life taken on that highway in broad daylight; the family of the motorcyclists AND the young lady.
We have heard of too many stories like this lately, motorcyclists and bicyclists are at risk on the roads. Let's stop calling these accidents. It seems to me if you choose to get behind the wheel you should choose to pay attention to the road and only the road. I realize accidents happen; this is not an accident. I don't know for a fact that the particular accident I am talking about is because of cell phone but it was a distracted driver. Everyone thinks it couldn't happen to them; it won't be me, or anyone from my family; it could be.
Pay attention today. Put your phone down. Please.
***short lady steps off soapbox
When I started riding motorcycle a few years ago I realized that there were two things that frightened me as I went down the road on my bike; deer suddenly jumping out of the ditch and distracted drivers. The more I ride, the more I realize the distracted drivers are certainly the bigger threat. It breaks my heart to think about the lives changed by this young life taken on that highway in broad daylight; the family of the motorcyclists AND the young lady.
We have heard of too many stories like this lately, motorcyclists and bicyclists are at risk on the roads. Let's stop calling these accidents. It seems to me if you choose to get behind the wheel you should choose to pay attention to the road and only the road. I realize accidents happen; this is not an accident. I don't know for a fact that the particular accident I am talking about is because of cell phone but it was a distracted driver. Everyone thinks it couldn't happen to them; it won't be me, or anyone from my family; it could be.
Pay attention today. Put your phone down. Please.
***short lady steps off soapbox
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Happier
If you search the internet you will find all sorts of quotes and sayings about happiness. Farrell Williams sings the Happy Song; we clap along. Today NPR's TED talk was an interview of a scientist who researches happiness.
It seems the elusive key to a good life is happiness; it's something we all seem to strive for. But what does that mean for you? Mark Twain was quoted as saying "Whoever is happy will make others happy." According to George Sand there is only one happiness and that is to be loved and to love others. A quote that is credited to Ben Sweetland goes like this "Happiness is a journey, not a destination".
We have heard over and over that we are responsible for our own happiness. If that is the case why aren't we all ecstatic. Who would CHOOSE to be sad or lonely, unhappy?
It just isn't that easy; depression real, for many getting up in the morning is a struggle; feeling happy can be tough.
Even though it is not our responsibility to make others happier; it seems to make sense that if we make someone else happy; we will be happier too. And while we are at it let's remember to stay in the moment. Enjoy the little things; the laughter of a child, the beautiful sunrise or a beautiful waterfall.
Nothing new here; just a chance to start your day out right by making someone else happy too. Be nice today and you will be happier! Simple.
It seems the elusive key to a good life is happiness; it's something we all seem to strive for. But what does that mean for you? Mark Twain was quoted as saying "Whoever is happy will make others happy." According to George Sand there is only one happiness and that is to be loved and to love others. A quote that is credited to Ben Sweetland goes like this "Happiness is a journey, not a destination".
We have heard over and over that we are responsible for our own happiness. If that is the case why aren't we all ecstatic. Who would CHOOSE to be sad or lonely, unhappy?
It just isn't that easy; depression real, for many getting up in the morning is a struggle; feeling happy can be tough.
Even though it is not our responsibility to make others happier; it seems to make sense that if we make someone else happy; we will be happier too. And while we are at it let's remember to stay in the moment. Enjoy the little things; the laughter of a child, the beautiful sunrise or a beautiful waterfall.
Nothing new here; just a chance to start your day out right by making someone else happy too. Be nice today and you will be happier! Simple.
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