Be Open To Everyday Wonders

"Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder." E. B. White, "Charlotte's Web"

To me, Wonder exists each and every day! Sometimes small, sometimes large...but always there! Just now Hope (my kitty) has crawled up in my chair and is purring away as I type. This is a small wonder as, while extremely affectionate, Hope is not one to sit and purr with me!

The other morning I was on the screen porch when all of a sudden a flock of small black birds descended on the lawn ( for a moment I thought I was in an old movie!)...in a couple of minutes they flew up in the trees...then they all took off in formation...leaving a loan robin in the tree. It was a wonder!

Seventy-two years ago on January 27th, a young woman from East Tennessee married a young man from Central Wisconsin...they married in New York City...because of thea marriage (and other serendipitous events) I was adopted by that couple and became, to my core, who I am today...one of the greatest wonders of my life!

Tonight a young friend called...she had just been to Recess for dinner - her first time- and she was Giddy over her meal...she called to thank me...maybe that phone call was more a Joy than a Wonder...but like 'a wonder"... it was "a joy"!

So, today look out for the Wonders that present themselves when we have eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to accpet.

Make a Difference

"It has been said -- and proven time and again -- that wherever we are is where we can make a difference in the life of someone else. I have come to believe that our real purpose here is to make that difference. It doesn't have to be a big difference. Even a smile can change the outlook for someone we see on the street, or offering a comforting touch of the hand or arm to a friend who seems troubled.

Carl Jung used the term synchronicity to describe the "meaningful coincidences" that bring people together who are meant to share a moment in space and time. We need not worry about the orchestration -- that part has already been planned. And the outcome of the meeting is left in the hands of the Greater Power who saw reason for the meeting.

Our part is to be grateful for the "invitation" and then the willingness to do as bidden."

I received the above by e-mail...but I love it as a way to end 2009 and a Great Way to begin 2010~

We don't know the difference we can make in the life of another...

NBC Nightly News has a segment each night: "Making a Difference"...incredible stories about ordinary and not so ordinary people who have stepped from their comfort box with courage and enthusiasm to make a difference in the life of strangers with a wide ranging services to meet needs.

Each time the segment comes on I think:

"Why can't I do something really significant?"

"How do they go about getting such an organization, fund, community group started to reach out and help so many?"

"That would be wonderful, but I don't have what it takes..."

and so my mantra continues for a few minutes...in the midst of misty eyes for all the good in the world and those who carry it out...

All that being said...It is so easy for me to remember a smile, a child's laugh, a touch, a compliment from a stranger that made me feel so good...

that touched my heart...

and if I remember those small things (that were really big things) in my life, my prayer is that I have had that effect on another...that I will continue to smile, to touch, to compliment...to pass the love, compassion, the laughter that I feel in my heart, mind and soul...on to family, friends and strangers in equal kind.

With gratitude and love...and Blessings for 2010!

No Ordinary Day

It's the everyday...it's the fact that no day is an ordinary day...today is what we have...and I am so thankful for today!

I woke up this morning wondering what the day would hold. Of course, I know that alot of what the day will hold is up to me...so I set my day off first thing confirming a positive attitude, and giving thanks for all in my life...for being just exactly where I am (physcially, emotionally, mentally, spiritually) and confirming that growth is possible and change inevitable.

The phone rang...it was my son-in-law Robert. Robert doesn't usually call me...but today he did. Robert had my granddaughters at their little house in Michigan for the weekend while my daughter, Amanda, was having a "women's weekend" in Wisconsin with friends.

Georgia got on the phone with her "Hi, dd" and "I love you, dd"...and then she gave the phone to her younger sister, Winnie...and for the first time I heard Winnie say, Loud and Clear, "dd".

You might wonder why I write about this...just the ordinary...but it's the ordinary that means so much to me...that enhance my day...enhance my life.

My new gingko tree sprouted leaves for the first time (yes, natural in nature) but the leaves held off and appeared on my birthday! I had iris ready to burst into bloom, but held off until Earth Day.

Do these things make me happy...of course they do...BUT...they go beyond, THEY BRING ME JOY! They contained spirituality.

If any of these things had happened at a different time, maybe I would have just been happy...but knowing they happened exactly at the moment when they would mean the most....JOY!

As you go thru your daily tasks, just remember:
"There is no such thing as an ordinary day."

My Christmas Presents

Christmas will be here in a few days…and as I have shopped, wrapped, mailed, given and put under the tree, I am very cognizant of all the presents I have been given this year. As I open packages on Christmas morning, I will also remember the presents already given.

Certainly, many of these presents cost money…but it is the feeling, caring, thoughtfulness and love behind these presents that is settling in to my heart.

The gift of travelling to Chicago to spend time with Amanda, Robert, Georgia and Winnie…not once, but three times. The gift of Georgia’s hugs and incredible comments. Winnie’s laughter and wonderful smiles. The thoughtfulness that Amanda and Robert have shown in recognizing my need to be with my granddaughters. Making me feel like a kid again on my 62nd birthday. The privilege of taking a vacation with them to Arizona. The confidence Amanda & Robert had in me to let me take care of their greatest treasures on my own for 3 days…and the joy of getting to know my granddaughters on my own. “Georgia, Winnie and dd … three!”

An afternoon with the Alfords, and childhood friends of Amanda’s at the lake. What a joy to hold Georgia as she jumped into the lake for the first time – and getting Winnie up from her nap.

The gift of Hobie’s weekly phone call. The gift of knowing that I am never forgotten – being kept up to date on Hobie’s life. The gift of a phone call every day from the road as Hobie moved from the sunny south to the great northwest.

The gift of Paul inviting me to see the home he was about to buy…and keeping me informed of the changes that were taking place as the renovations were done. And again, the gift of time as Paul connected with me for meals, and introduced to me to his friends…and walking me thru the set-up of my new cell phone. The gift of Paul wanting to spend time with me during the Christmas season and bringing Emily by for Christmas cookies and together watching a “Charlie Brown Christmas”.

The gift of getting involved with a political campaign. The gift of being open and willing and stretching my wings, and getting outside my comfort zone with phone-banking and canvassing. There was never a day with the campaign that I wasn’t touched, got tears in my eyes, or that my heart did not burst with joy.

The gift of new friends, friends that might have never entered my life. My treasures in this life have increased 200-fold. I have been enriched beyond any earthly earnings that could ever come my way.

The gift of friends that I have had over my lifetime. The gift of knowing that friends I worked with for 21+years have not forgotten me…that our friendship went beyond the walls of an office building. The gift of an e-mail or phone call saying, “Hey, let’s get together and catch up!” The gift of cards, e-mails and phone calls from friends and family far away.

The gift of friends, a second family in Dahlonega, GA that I see each week. The sharing, tears and laughter that fill our get togethers. The reflection back to me of my strengths and weaknesses…more often my strengths…that help me keep evolving…and hopefully becoming more of who I am – enlarging those positives and shrinking the negatives.

The gift of being able to wake up each morning with a deep feeling of gratitude for all that is in my life: past, present and future. The gift of feeling down and knowing that the “downer feelings” aren’t the the essence of my life…that they are OK to feel, but will pass quickly.

The gift of appreciation from family and friends for my creative side. A gift that helps me continue with my creative endeavors always trying to make what I create different, and better.

The gift of acceptance...a large part of this gift is being able to accept gifts from others.

During this year, I have been given the gift of becoming more open and willing...a gift that I plan to take with me to the New Year.

I am overwhelmed by the gifts of this year...in a WONDERFUL WAY! Instead of getting “another year older”, I have been given the gift of growing: younger in spirit – stronger in my intuition - more open to possibilities – humbler in the light of my blessings – a greater ability to live in the moment . Gifts that are formed by the experiences of “the every day” ... gifts that don’t cost a dime, but often require some sweat-equity of the soul.
Yes, presents are meant to be opened ...
The presents that are “unseen” are meant to be cultivated and grown ... Taken from one day into the next. ..At every opportunity, to be passed on to family, friends and strangers... for we are all part of a whole...
THANK YOU!

A Vision for Our Country, For the World

For months I have been working full time for the Obama Campaign for Change in the Gainesville,GA office. I have been giving the campaign "more than full time". The rewards have been incredible. I have lived in Gainesville for 31 years, and I am just now learning about my community...and most importantly, it's people. My path has been crossed, and my heart invaded by people who I would never have known if not for Senator Obama's Campaign for Change. The vision for our country must be one of hope and prosperity and equality...and we must work hard to have this become a reality.
The volunteers of the Campaign for Change are doing this one person, one relationship at a time. Many of us have never worked on a political campaign before, but after this experience, we are determined to keep working for the betterment of our community, society, our country and the world at large...no matter the outcome of this election.
I took this picture at a campaign fuction at our office this past Saturday (October 25). ("A picture is worth a 1000 words";" A picture confers importance.")To me, this picture shows the vision and possibilities for our society and our country...most importantly, our world. The future is in our children...but the future is also with us...at 62, the future is with me...the future is NOW!
RalphWaldo Emerson said: "Every man is a quotation from his ancestors" When we become 'ancestors", let our quotation be one of equality, possibility, hope, and continual change for the better. Namaste, diana

Oh What A Feeling

Today I watched as Senator Barack Obama gave a speech to 200,000 people in Berlin, Germany. There has been nothing to compare to this event, and there doesn’t need to be!

Senator Obama presented himself with poise, honesty and respect. The core values of Senator Obama, his love of America, his respect for the world and all the people who inhabit it, and his respect for our planet were expressed concisely and with sincerity. He is a man of integrity and vision. I know of no one who shares my values to any greater degree than does Senator Obama.

The votes have not been cast, the conventions have not even taken place, and yet today I was given a glimpse of this country and the world that we can have when Senator Obama is President Obama. He is a man of elegance and sophistication, and yet he honors and exercises the values instilled in him as a child, and which he continued to develop as a young lawyer on the streets of Chicago. He is a man of intelligence and courage, tempered by humility.

Hamilton Fish said, “If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in a time of peace.”

Passing It On

It is often the smallest comment or look that can make a difference in someone's day! Yesterday I called at a phonebank for the "Campaign for Change" in Georgia. It was amazing! This is not something I have felt comfortable with...but I did enjoy it...WHAT does this have to do with the subject at hand? A couple of the cold calls I made reached elderly or infirmed people...I state why I was calling, and asked my questions. They answered my questions, giving me in their answers a little of their situations...and I gave them a few positive words...I smiled when I talked (and I think they picked up on that smile). In some very small way I felt that they felt better because they had answered my phone call (regardless of the purpose of my call!) In a very small way, I had passed on some kindness. Opportunity abounds for "passing it on".

And of course I have a quote:

Sometimes someone says something really small, and it just fits right into the empty place in your heart.

(from the Television show, My So-Called Life)