Sharing JOY

As I drove to Starbucks to have a coffee with my good friend, B, I wondered out loud if one could really share joy with another person who was not in the same place.  After greeting my friend I urged her to tell me about her recent trip to South America.  Her first story was about her experience in Brazil during the latest mafia - government confrontation.  On her way out of the country, the highway to the airport was heavily patrolled by the military because the mafia was attacking people in cars travelling along the way.  Her company hired secure drivers to deliver her safely to the airport so she was not feeling particularly anxious.  Yet, it was an not reassuring to know that armed guards were posted every kilometer.  At one point during the trip, she glanced up the hillside to see many sand coloured mud houses with small cut out windows.  There amongst nondescript homes was a ray of hope.  One home had a single string of Christmas lights hanging from the hole in the wall for all the country side to behold.  As B recounted the experience, I suddenly felt joy and this answered my question.  Mentally seeing the image of that one string of light bravely beaming while all around there was war filled my heart with Joy.

 :) I am refreshing, with the help of other people's joy. :)  Slick how that works, isn't it?

Friends Are For Life

I've never stopped to wonder how I came to be friends with many of the people that I love to socialize with.  So, now I stop to do just that at the threshold of refreshing.   

Why do I like these people? The answer is easy... each one of them is a character.  No, not a personality... a REAL character.  Somewhere from deep inside them comes a quirky humor, openness, assuredness enough to laugh at oneself, no pretenses and underneath it all, peaking out ever so subtly, a fine intelligent mind capable of masterminding success whenever its called for. 

   

Appreciating humour and for all those who love to ride bikes, I'd highly recommend the following animated movie: The Triplets of Belleville.

 

Check the trailers on-line – this is humor at its best, forever amongst my humor classics.  

The Canvas

As I approach THAT day... turning 60,  I stop to reflect on all the wonderful female friends I have.

I am very fortunate.  Reading this, you are very fortunate too.  When is the last time you took time to identify who you would miss if you couldn't ever connect to them again?  My guess is that you would have a long list of characters who made you laugh, think, speak out, argue, tease, and cry.  All of them are wonderful.  They are like beautiful paints on a canvas.  Perhaps, as I think about it, a bit more Harry Potterish than paint on canvas. By connecting with them you bring that richness back into your life.

The point I'm trying to make is, when you are refreshing, take it upon yourself to reach out to all the characters who have made your life an exciting tapestry of experiences.  Now smile.  

First - I'm not retired I AM REFRESHING

Lately there's been a lot of pressure put on me to retire.  My husband, my family and even my friends think this is a good thing.  I can't imagine what that would look like.   RE - TIRE sounds like I need some repair.  No repair needed here but, I could use some refreshing.

Throw open those windows and let the air and the sun come in because this gal is just getting more lively and more and more who she was intended to be.  Tonight, I venture into the blogging world as a serious blogger hoping to lift the spirits of all those folks who just need a little encouragement to be who they truly are.

My friends,  you've lived through 240 seasons, you too can lead the life you only once dreamed of.   Stay tuned to hear more about my simple philosophy of life.  Till tomorrow. - Stephy.