PUT YOURSELF ON YOUR TO-DO LIST!

Usually this time of year we've made a To-Do List to get ready for the busy holiday season.   Some of the common To-Do's in addition to our everyday life activities might be shopping for presents; deciding a menu and preparing the meal(s); cleaning house; decorating; addressing envelopes; preparing for guests or travel.  It can be one or more pages long depending on your lifestyle and family.  But we can easily get carried away and lose sight of the most important To-Do that should be written, not once but several times, in bold or colorful letters  YOURSELF. When it's written and seen often, it's becomes a reminder like the other To-Do's.  A reminder too, that it's okay to step back, relax, recharge and do something for YOURSELF. Something that you really enjoy or that you don't get to do often.  Adding YOURSELF,  more positive thoughts and accomplishments will arise making way for a happier, enjoyable holiday.  If you have yet to make your list or already made it, be sure to squeeze YOURSELF in not once but several times.

Goia-Rose

 Italian translation might be joy of the flower.  My translation – two incredible, radiant and beautiful women.  My two grandmothers. Each coming from a different elegance yet having similar charm.

Goia’s book of life was written with many chapters.   She was the eldest daughter of Italian immigrants who settled and made a home in West Philadelphia.   She was the joy of her father’s short life, hence the name.  Her book began and then peacefully ended in the very same house.  A young mother she quickly became to raise her three siblings. She married the handsome man who lived on her street, gave birth and raised their five children.  She never had a complaint when she cared for sickly in-laws, all the while she suffered with her own health.  This, the summary of the beginning chapters. 

 

 

 A woman always found in the kitchen cooking a six course Italian meal.  A meal shared with everyone and anyone who walked through the front door.  At times frail lying on the couch, she was there to listen in times of need.   She gave extra money so we can spend on candy at the Old Lady’s store around the block, after buying her pack of cigarettes or a loaf of bread.  Her grandchildren she spoiled anyway she can.  A woman of strong faith and belief even though she did not attend church very often.  A woman constantly seen with a warm smile.  A woman sharing her love, compassion and beauty with her entire family.   This, the summary of the latter chapters.  Chapters, I am so thankful and blessed to have been a part of. 

 

 

Rose was the second of four children.   Although she grew up in the city, she mostly lived and learned the country way of living. Marrying a butcher and fisherman, she knew the recipes for making the wild meat taste tender and mild.  An Italian woman found in the kitchen preparing and cooking the fresh, wild meat.  Regularly saving and setting aside plates for her husband or latecomers.  She was a strong willed, hardworking, yet benevolent woman.  Her two sons acquired her traits.  This, a summary of her early years.

 

A woman with her heart betrayed and broken for many years, never gave up.  She kept strong.  She found  happiness in and with her family. She became like a second mother to her nieces and nephews with the amount of time she spent with them in their homes. She came and stayed for weeks at my house too.  She cheered me and my friends, as we did acrobatics in the front yard.  She and I played  Mother May I, 500 Rummy and card games almost every night.  Cards and Bingo were her favorite pastimes. If only I could turn back the clock to this period of my life, would I respect her more than I did.  I realize now how significant the time was spending with her.  This, a summary of her later years.   
 

Fast forward and my heart aches that neither of my children ever personally met these extraordinary women.  Yet, I feel that they have somehow in the otherworld.   Their presence around my children is felt quite often. Many of their distinct resemblances and characteristics shine through each of them.  Their names carry on with my daughter.  In honor of them both, I gave her the name Goia-Rose.

Let's Celebrate

                                               

Each year on this very day an unforgettable occurrence happened.  It’s not anything that is written in the history books, plastered across the news or newspaper headlines.  An occurrence known to only those who were there in the beginning and those I have come to known and personally expressed to. An occurrence that happens every year on the same day in your life too. 

                IT’S A BIRTHDAY!  

Some of you may now think of it as just another day.  But it actually is wonderful day whether you choose to shout it out or keep it quiet.

I, myself, am at an age where I am over the thrills and frills of the traditional birthday celebrations with cake, presents, balloons and parties.  But today, I’m not celebrating my age, I’m celebrating MY LIFE.  I admit my life has not been perfect or always happy and pleasant.  Is anyone’s?  We all have struggles, disappointments and low times.  But I am choosing to celebrate what I have learned, accomplished, became, and where I am being guided.  I am celebrating with the most precious gift I received this morning…another day to try again and do my best.

Two weeks ago, someone asked a dear friend who shares a February birthday and matured in 80 years what her secret to staying so young was. Her answer “It’s all in your attitude and choices. It’s choosing the Lord”.  I say Amen!

So whenever your special day is, celebrate not your age but YOUR LIFE!   

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. Oprah Winfrey (courtesy of brainyquote.com)

 

Why do you do ...?

What do you do for a living?  Or  What type of work do you do?

Either is a question usually asked when you are trying to get to know someone or meeting them for the first time. A simple question with a simple answer.   

But a question that rarely follows or is even asked at all is “Why do you do the work that you do?”  I, myself can attest to not asking Why after What.  I can’t think of a reason I have never asked.   Maybe it was the person’s actions and how they responded I automatically assumed the answer. 

Answers like:  It’s a job and the money is good;  It’s what I have my degree in;  I’m following in “__” footsteps;  It’s my family’s business;  or  It’s all I know.

But is that the only reason why they do what they do? Most likely not.  Learning not only what type of work a person does but why they do it, could be very beneficial to your personal and/or business relationship. 

1)     Their WHY’s can be very common to yours. 

2)      Their WHY gives them enthusiasm therefore providing better service.

3)      Their WHY could refer others to befriend or network with.  

4)      They could inspire you to change your WHY.

5)      The stronger the WHY can make you more successful.

I have four jobs …Mom, Writer, Title Agent, and Marketer.  Of course, I have different why's for each one, but there is one strong WHY that they all do share.

So, I ask you, "Why do you do the work that you do? Do you think we will have a similar Why?"

 

 

New Year's Resolutions and Exhilarate your soul

“New Year’s Resolutions” As one year comes to an end and another starts, how many times do you see these three words or something similar plastered in the headlines?  For any journalist, it’s an easy story to fill the blank pages on their paper.   

A tradition that has been reported to begin way back in time.  The two hands on the clock align together, triggering 12 chimes and launching a day unlike any other day of the year.  Past resolutions are reflected upon and new self-promises are made by many of all races, locales, income levels and religions. Some take it seriously enough, that to hold themselves accountable and stay on track, will write lists, draw charts, build picture boards and post reminders.  Others will make an attempt but soon “fall off the wagon” per se and give up until next year. The remaining will not even make an effort. They continue to live their lives like the days before.

The top and most commonly reported resolutions are: losing weight and establishing a healthier lifestyle; reforming bad habits; increasing wealth and becoming debt free; making a career change; and getting a better education.  Surely attainable resolutions by anyone who is serious and determined.  Lives may feel better for a little while.  But will they exhilarate their soul?  

How many have made a resolution to become deeper in spirituality? Or promising to find a way to help others instead of solely helping themselves?  How about pledging to pay something forward, even in small amounts, throughout the day, every day and all year long?  Any one of these three resolutions is not so difficult to do or even keep.  Everyone has the ability to do so, even without putting much effort into it. It can be started anytime, not just on the first day of the New Year.   Think about it.  By doing all or one, you’ll get the same results and possibly more as if you achieved any of the aforesaid common resolutions.

I, myself, have many times been in the group of falling off and not keeping any of my prior New Year’s resolutions.  But as I am getting older, my desire for deeper spirituality is getting stronger. I have decided that my New Year’s resolution for 2013 is to work harder at paying It forward.  It being defined in way of words, tasks, material or money.  Whatever I can do to enrich the next person and exhilarate both theirs and my soul.

How about you? Have you made a New Year’s resolution?  We want to hear it.