Make A Child Smile

http://www.makeachildsmile.org/

When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more blessed than you imagined.

Time Magazine's Person Of The Year

"Well, I think we won a decisive victory. Forty-seven percent of the American people still voted for John McCain. And so I don't think that Americans want hubris from their next President. I do think we received a strong mandate for change … It means a government that is not ideologically driven. It means a government that is competent. It means a government, most importantly, that is focused day in, day out on the needs and struggles, the hopes and dreams, of ordinary people. And I think there is a strong mandate for Washington as a whole to be responsive to ordinary Americans in a way that it has not been for quite some time."

-Barack Obama

5 Things Happy People Do

They find their most golden self.

They design their lives to bring in joy.

They avoid "if only" fantasies.

They put best friends first.

They allow themselves to be happy.

Thanks Oprah Magazine

1. Don't seek happiness. If you seek it, you won't find it, because seeking is the antithesis of happiness. Happiness is ever elusive, but freedom from unhappiness is attainable now, by facing what is rather than making up stories about it.



2. The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it. Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking. Separate them from the situation, which is always neutral, which always is as it is. There is the situation or the fact, and here are my thoughts about it. Instead of making up stories, stay with the facts. For example, "I am ruined" is a story. It limits you and prevents you from taking effective action. "I have 50 cents left in my bank account" is a fact. Facing facts is always empowering.



3. See if you can catch the voice in your head, perhaps in the very moment it complains about something, and recognize it for what it is: the voice of the ego, no more than a thought. Whenever you notice that voice, you will also realize that you are not the voice, but the one who is aware of it. In fact, you are the awareness that is aware of the voice. In the background, there is the awareness. In the foreground, there is the voice, the thinker. In this way you are becoming free of the ego, free of the unobserved mind.



4. Wherever you look, there is plenty of circumstantial evidence for the reality of time—a rotting apple, your face in the bathroom mirror compared with your face in a photo taken 30 years ago—yet you never find any direct evidence, you never experience time itself. You only ever experience the present moment.



5. Why do anxiety, stress, or negativity arise? Because you turned away from the present moment. And why did you do that? You thought something else was more important. One small error, one misperception, creates a world of suffering.



6. People believe themselves to be dependent on what happens for their happiness. They don't realize that what happens is the most unstable thing in the universe. It changes constantly. They look upon the present moment as either marred by something that has happened and shouldn't have or as deficient because of something that has not happened but should have. And so they miss the deeper perfection that is inherent in life itself, a perfection that lies beyond what is happening or not happening. Accept the present moment and find the perfection that is untouched by time.



7. The more shared past there is in a relationship, the more present you need to be; otherwise, you will be forced to relive the past again and again.



8. Equating the physical body with "I," the body that is destined to grow old, wither, and die, always leads to suffering. To refrain from identifying with the body doesn't mean that you no longer care for it. If it is strong, beautiful, or vigorous, you can appreciate those attributes—while they last. You can also improve the body's condition through nutrition and exercise. If you don't equate the body with who you are, when beauty fades, vigor diminishes, or the body becomes incapacitated, this will not affect your sense of worth or identity in any way. In fact, as the body begins to weaken, the light of consciousness can shine more easily.



9. You do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you and allowing that goodness to emerge.



10. If peace is really what you want, then you will choose peace.

Can We Mention The Men?

Support Me In The Relay For Life!

I figure this is something that is worth getting a jump start on! Every year, I participate in the American Cancer Society's signature event, the Relay For Life. While it has been several years since I was involved in the Needham event, taking part in the University of New Hampshire's relay during my time away at school, I am thrilled to be back home and walking in the place I was first introduced to this, now worldwide, movement.

• http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09NE?px=7718511&pg=personal&fr_id=16336

Please visit my personal page and support me in, what has become a very personal battle, against cancer. I'd be honored to have you join my team, as we'll come together in May to experience, what will inevitably be a life-changing twenty-four hours . If you can not physically join me, I would appreciate any support you might be able to give! So far, through my relaying efforts, I have raised close to $15,000 over the years. Every little bit helps, so please embrace this wonderful cause and help in my efforts to raise the funds necessary to aid in the elimination of cancer!

Quotable Quotes Take Two!

• "What we see depends mainly on what we look for" - John Lubbock
• "Solutions are not the answer" - Richard Nixon
• "The smallest good deed is better than the grandest good intention" - Duguet
• "A good sense of humor is essential to deal with the world's reality" -Anonymous
• "Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to" - Unknown
• "Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
• "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" - Eleanor Roosevelt

Christmas Means Memories

Greeting cards have all been sent

The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you

Merry Christmas darling

We're apart that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams

I'm Christmas-ing with you

The lights on my tree I wish you could see
I wish it every day
Logs on the fire fill me with desire
To see you and to say

That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too

I've just one wish on this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you

Yes, this video and song are extremely old school, but this is, and always will be, my favorite Christmas song...mainly because it reminds me of my mom. She would fill the entire house with Christmas music for the weeks leading up to the big day, and had a special fondness for this Carpenter's song. Now, when I sing these words, I am singing them to her - as it sums up how I feel quite perfectly. I would wish for nothing more than to have even just one more Christmas with her.

The holidays were very difficult without my mom last year as our house went un-decorated and lacked the usual Christmas cheer - that she had always headed. While I understood my dad and Carrie's not wanting to carry on the traditions we'd once held dear, I felt that my mom would be disappointed in us to not see us keeping her spirit alive by making the holiday special, as she always had. It was most difficult for me to not spend a day with her decorating the tree while singing along to our favorite Christmas tunes. I fondly remember carefully placing each ornament, all memories of our past, on the tree, and then having her come along to insist there was a more perfect branch - this always just made me smile.

Last year, Scott put together a plethora of Christmas keepsakes to remind me of my mom. It included the video, White Christmas, because she and I would watch it together every year, peppermint bark, her favorite holiday candy, an ornament, as my mom had given me one each year since I'd been born, among other special reminders. All I had for him that day was love.

This year, I have decided to bring Christmas back to our house...if not for anyone, but her. I think filling the house with the many decorations she had accumulated over the years, and bringing back the scent of cookies and pine needles, is something she'd want me to do. I think it will also make finding our house a little easier from up above, if it is overflowing with the love of family and for the season.

Tomorrow Is Always Fresh, With No Mistakes

Every breath is a second chance...

• To give your bad mood a makeover.
• To break out of an old holding pattern.
• To cultivate compassion from the inside out.
• To read yourself around the world if you can't afford a ticket.
• To change the plot of your life story.
• To give wings to your grounded dreams.

Resolution Revolution

http://skirt.com/node/24645

Leading By Example

Last week I attended a Best Buddies fundraiser event to support the

10th Annual Best Buddies Challenge

(p.s. Make a Difference! http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=277768&lis=1&kntae277768=425642E1DA5F4F9E8F8D6DC233A8E6E6 )

My friend, Emma, works for the organization, and I don't believe there is a greater advocate for this wonderful group. Back when we were in high school and taking part in this club as an extracurricular activitiy, I never truly stopped to recognize the huge difference being made. I had always admired Emma for her dedication and the genuine care and compassion she showed, but I am not sure she knows just how powerfully she leads by example. I was reminded of this again as I stopped to watch Emma interacting with an individual who has been benefitting from the organization for years now. She stood by him, helped him get food, and engaged in conversation with an air of patience and contentment, her gentle nature simply emanating. I couldn't help but smile and feel a sense of pride about being able to call her my friend. I think oftentimes it is easy to overlook how great of an impact small acts of kindness can have. I think such acts are present in Emma's everyday life, which is only a tiny part of what makes her such a beautiful person. She inspires me to want to do good and to brighten the lives of others in any way I can.

Elf Yourself :)

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/cv1C93O3UkMnNh1Jrbco

...I think we make some pretty cute elfs!

Naturally 7

http://www.n7house.de/index.phtml

http://www.youtube.com/naturally7

Just...WOW

Words Can't Describe

Last night, I ventured with my aunt, uncle, and cousin to Mohegan Sun in Connecticut to see Michael Buble in concert. While words truly cannot describe just how incredible he was, I can say I've never been quite so moved by a performance in my entire life. He is a performer who feels and believes in his music and in making a real connection with his audience. I walked away from his show inspired - yet missing singing and performing more than ever. I have to get back into it somehow...it has always brought me so much joy and I want a piece of that world back - it's hard not to feel somewhat empty without it.

I've been so fortunate to have seen these wonderful performers whose concerts have moved, uplifted, and inspired me...

• Sheryl Crow
• Billy Joel
• James Taylor
• Chicago
• Coldplay
• John Mayer
• Counting Crows
• Dave Matthews
• Maroon Five
• Sara Bareilles
• Ben Folds
• Celine Dion
• Madonna
• Kelly Clarkson
• Dispatch

Hey you...support the arts!

Giving Thanks

What a week! For the past five days, I was fortunate to talk to, see, and enjoy the company of friends and family. Some of these people were ones I am lucky to have present in my every day life, while others, are special reminders of my wonderful past and how blessed I have been when it comes to the relationships I've shared.

On Thanksgiving, I picked up the phone to call my dear friend, Mike, who I unfortunately haven't spoken to in quite awhile. Upon calling to wish him a happy birthday, I walked away from the conversation so thankful of the fact that, "the more things change, the more they stay the same." Even more refreshing was to find that he had apparently felt the same way, as I came online to find an email from him saying,

"...after I talked to you, I was inspired (which often happens to me after I talk to you) and something reminded me of what a friend once told me about what make a great friend. And that was, that no matter how much time passes let it be 3 days or 3 months you can always pick up the phone and talk to them as if it was 3 hrs that had just passed."

These simple words proved to sum up my Thanksgiving break perfectly. It's incredible how you can go weeks, months, even years, without seeing a friend, yet when you finally do it's as if no time has passed. I think that is when you know that the friendship you share is true. I love my friends, old, new, near, and far, unconditionally.