Another Day Goes By

And Off We Go...

Yes, TWO posts in ONE day! I do make myself proud! :)
Riding back home on the red line to Braintree my daughter texts us "thank you for coming. It was so much fun!" I answer her, then I get to thinking how we came together for a brief few hours, and now we are on our way back to our separate lives.

That's how it is with adult children. They are no longer at your breakfast table, but they are forever in your heart. It's wonderful to watch them go out and make their way in the world, so independent and successful. I'm lucky. Both of my girls are settled and happy in professional careers of their own making.

It's really nice how they make an effort to connect with us, and then text us thank you on our way home. They never fail to say "thank you". Tonight I'm just full of gratitude for my kids, my husband, and my home on the ocean.

Boston was magical tonight. Walking the softly lit streets outside of Fenway, in the rain, was serene and beautiful. Now, on the train heading home, arriving at the ocean with its own quiet sound of the waves splashing on the shore will be just as magical in a different way. I'll keep my window open just a crack so I can fall asleep to the sound of those waves.

And so, as another day has gone by, tonight I urge you to take note of the magic that surrounds you, wherever you are, and spend a minute or two in silent gratitude, and, again, I have written.

The Late-Great Rainout

Today we had tickets to the Yankees/Red Sox game in Boston. We were going to meet our daughter for dinner and the game. The weather didn't look promising - a certain rainout. At noon we talked to her and discussed meeting places.

I was ensconced in my recliner engrossed in the second book of The Shades of Grey trilogy, (which we will discuss another day), when around one o'clock the rain started pelting on the skylights and the wind was revving up. I looked at my husband and said, "Are you sure this is a good idea?" He called our daughter and we cancelled. I snuggled deeper in my chair with a hot cup of coffee, savoring not having to go out in this weather.

Two o'clock my husband gets a text from her. "I'm not doing anything if you guys just wanna come up and meet for dinner." I take one look at him and I'm up off my chair, in the shower and out of the house in forty minutes.

Why did we do this? Because we both know the day was about a lot more than baseball.

And so, as another day goes by, I sit in bridge traffic thinking how lucky we are that our adult children still value spending time with us; when they call, we go, because that's what parents do, and....I have written.

Cut!

Today was a day filled with the aftermath of the big game. While the Pats weren't down ten at halftime, I did have the rest predicted right and those that made the big mistakes in the last fifteen seconds, lost - my team, the Patriots. I'm not going to focus on this most painful loss, but on the class of one almost member of the Super Squad.

Twenty four hours before getting to go to his first Super Bowl, Tiquan Underwood was cut from the Patriot team. He dreamed and worked for this moment his entire life, and although he was a seldom used player, going to the Super Bowl on the New England Patriot team was a dream beyond all dreams - regardless of whether or not he played in it. Within hours of his big moment he was cut from the team. Underwood took the huge disappointment with class, unlike Tom Brady's wife, who, when taunted, threw the rest of the team under the bus by remarking, "My husband can't throw the %#*# ball and catch it too!". This woman needs to take some lessons in class and sportsmanship. When Underwood commented publicly on his unfortunate disappointment, he simply tweeted:

"It just makes me stronger. Tough times never last, but tough people do."

I heard both of these incidents on the radio today while driving. I was having a weak moment of my own over a disappointment. Guess which individual lifted me up in my day right when I needed it?

We need to remember our thoughts, actions, and words reach far and wide and we never know who we are touching, especially in this world of social media. If you had the chance to influence someone today, what would you want them to come away with?

And so, as another day goes by, makes me think twice about my random tweets and posts, and ....I have written.

Super Day Prediction

This morning my husband and I went to the gym together. As we pulled out of the driveway he said, "Take your time. I'm going to walk for at least an hour."

I replied, "That's okay, I like to have coffee and by then I'll have a topic to write about."

He said,"Uh..it's Super Bowl Sunday...do you really need a topic?"

I laughed. He's right. The whole northeast is in party mode today and I'm joining them. Nothing better for me to do today than to make my predictions now. So folks, here's how it's goin' down:

At halftime the Patriots will be down by ten. Third quarter they'll go ahead by three. Rest of game it's tit for tat until the final seconds. Whoever doesn't make the big mistake in the last fifteen seconds is the winner!

And so, as another Super Bowl Sunday goes by, all I have left to say is:
"GO PATS!", and I have written.
Hanging up my flag:

Misplaced Patriot Fans

Today was travel day. I spent the afternoon driving to NY - Giant Country - leaving Patriot Place to go home and watch the Super Bowl with my husband and dad. My dad is a staunch Giant fan, and my husband and I couldn't be more Patriot if you handed us a musket. Some of you might ask why I am doing this. After all, being a Pats fan in New England this weekend just adds to the hype. The newspapers, special programs on WBZ both Friday night and Saturday, and not to mention the party atmosphere in the local Stop N Shop should've been enough to hold such die hard fans in town, but tonight, here we sit right smack in the middle of G-Men nation.

Our reason? My dad. Losing mom so suddenly over a year ago put precedence on what is important in life. Tonight when I drove in the driveway there was my dad in the window with the biggest smile on his face. That right there told me suffering it out in the grocery store here tomorrow is well worth it. We are making great food, my brother is coming over (yes, another staunch Giant fan - at least the teams are even) and my dad is so proud of his new tv we all got him for Xmas, that this just might be the most fun Super Bowl ever.

I guess you could say today I'm practicing Super Gratitude for this time with family, and most especially my dad. We never know how long we have to enjoy those that mean the most to us, so we must make the most of the time we have now.

And so, as another day goes by, nothing like being Patriots in the land of the Giants, and ....I have written.
This is what greeted my husband here in NY at work this morning: (they stole his Patriot hoodie after he got to work)
Photo dedicated to my friend Stacey! :) (yes, another staunch Giant fan!)

I Need To Vent...Again!

I had a perfectly wonderful blog written in my head for today about my philosophy of life and people. Then I sat down to watch The Talk. Since the show changed two of the hosts this season I have been so unhappy with it that I couldn't even write about it yet. I sit here and keep trying, after five months, to "give it another chance". Today sealed the deal. Cheryl Underwood just makes a joke out of everything and never gives an honest opinion of anything. On the other hand, Aisha Tyler is so overly critical and cynical on so many topics that it's hard to learn from and respect her opinions.

Today Julie Chen (and we'll save discussing her hand in this for another day), read an email Giselle, Tom Brady's wife, wrote to her close friends and family asking for prayer for Tom's team to win the Super Bowl this Sunday. She remarked that he and his team worked so hard to get where they are that she would ask for prayer and positive energy be sent their way. Immediately Tyler went off on "Oh please God put aside all the hunger and war and terror and babies dying in the world, and have my husband's team win the football game!" Her criticism was that Giselle and Tom are so well off, lead charmed lives, and how dare they pray for something like winning a football game.

I'm sorry, but no one, and I mean no one, has the right to criticize in any way what another human being prays for. The life they lead and the money they have does not preclude them from loving each other and praying, out of that love, for things that are important in each other's lives and careers. Also how presumptuous of Tyler to think she can vocalize what is important to God. The mere fact that she thinks God is not omnipotent enough to have to prioritize the things he cares about and blesses in our lives leads me to believe she doesn't have an intimate relationship with God.

The Super Bowl is the most important event in the lives of Tom and Giselle this weekend and they have every right to ask for prayer for important events in their lives just as much as you and I do. The money we make and the state of the life we live does not dictate the prayers we are allowed and not allowed to pray.

In my earlier Tim Tebow blog, where a Boston clergyman basically said the same thing about Tim, I alluded to Mrs. O on The Talk agreeing with me if the topic were brought to the table. Now, here we are three weeks later, and the very same topic did make it to the table. Today Kelly Osbourne was sitting in for her mother, and she didn't disappoint me. She told how she once prayed for a Coach bag and just the fact that Giselle even seriously prays is a great thing. She told how she prays for insignificant everyday things that are only important to her, the point being, she prays and has faith God works in everyone's life. Kudos Kelly.

It's sad that there are people that actually are so far away from God that they think the tiny pieces of our lives are too insignificant to bother Him about, and the only things we should pray about are the big global problems. Tyler was not being mean. She just means she'd feel guilty bothering God about a trivial football game as opposed to world peace. Sadly, she misses the point.

It's not about WHAT we pray for. It's about what the focus of our prayers mean in our hearts and in our personal lives. That's what God cares about. He cares that we come to Him with the things that touch our souls, regardless of our status in society. He uses whatever is important to us to grow and change who we are and to bring us closer to Him.

If anything, I hope people walk away from that show today questioning their own intimacy with their Higher Power. Thinking, "Can I really enlist God to help me balance my checkbook? I mean, He's gotta be busy with world peace and all...does He really want to hear about my dented fender, sick cat, and broken washing machine? Shouldn't He focus on curing cancer and saving the economy?"

And so, as another day goes by, just had to get that off my chest, feel much better now, and....I have written.

Finding That Power Within

Resetting the Compass, the Final Day - Day 31

How fitting that on the final day of my compass resetting, Victoria Azarenka, who just this week became the number one tennis player in the world, was on Ellen. I had just written the title of today's piece when I was drawn to the interview going on in front of me. Ellen asked her about almost quitting tennis last year. Azarenka said, "Yes. I was quitting and then I changed my perspective and everything turned around. It was a pivotal moment." Then Ellen said, "Last year you were quitting tennis and here you are one year later, number one in the world. That goes to show it's never too late to change direction."

As I said, for me, today, how fitting. We must remember IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE DIRECTION. We can change the direction in our career, our thinking, our relationships, our health...and the list can go on...but the important thing to remember is it's never too late. It's never a done deal. We can always turn ourselves to face a new horizon. We have the power within us to move ourselves either physically to a new job or home or emotionally to a new perspective or spiritually toward a calling we have been resisting.

Yesterday I learned there is power in tackling the difficult things life hands us. When there is a mountain in front of us, a change of perspective, a slight compass adjustment, unleashes a power we may have not known we possessed, as Azarenka found out.

And so, as the last day of January goes by, dare to nudge the needle, look at things from a new angle, discover the power you harbor within, and ...I have written.

General Malaise

Sitting here watching the Penn State game and feeling bad, just so bad....for the students, especially the seniors (it's senior day), Joe Pa, the alumni, and...most especially the victims. It's a tremendous tearing down for all affected. Everyone will be changed by the heartbreak of it all. Next, the healing will have to begin. The building back up of so much brokenness. I pray God will be with all those so deeply hurt.

Once again, by sitting here listening, my GPS is being adjusted. October was about visiting old gauntlets and handling them in a new way. November is about being still, listening, and finding that inner peace. Through the Penn State happenings, my direction for December is being laid out before me. Shedding. The peeling off of a very old skin, worn thin by the last 20 years of my life. It's dried up, cracking into pieces, and is no where near strong enough to support the next phase of my life.

If 2011 was about breaking down, I can make a sound guess that 2012 is going to be about building up. Slowly. In a new way. Step by step. Still somewhat painful. 2012 will be about growing a new, stronger, tougher skin, ready for the challenges of the coming years.

And so, as another day goes by, my marching orders were delivered in my morning meditation (below), and...I have written.

Tailgate's End

Having a wonderful day at Pats/Jets game! Finishing up tailgate party and heading into stadium. Whether the Pats win or lose, it's been a great day with friends and gorgeous New England weather. Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday weekend. Put all thoughts and musings aside and just enjoy the one you're with.

And so, as another day goes by, I pause to appreciate the moment, and....I have written.

Moneyball

Everywhere I go I end up learning something new or gaining a different viewpoint for old topics. Last night my husband and I had a lovely evening out. We went to see Moneyball. Great story. Great actors. I highly recommend it for an entertaining evening, but it was not the enjoyment of the plot and characters that I came away with. It was something I learned in one of the very last scenes of the movie:

Henry, Red Sox owner, offers Beane twelve million dollars to leave Oakland and come to Boston and be his general manager. Bean looks at him and says, but I lost the game. Why would you offer me this? Henry says to him, with the "can't see the forest for the trees" reasoning, "You didn't lose the game. You revolutionized baseball. The first one to break through the wall always takes a bloodbath."

Wow. How true. The first one to go where none has gone before has to break through (what in my mind is a big green wall - Red Sox fan) and when you burst through, you bruise and bleed, but you're through. Everyone after you simply walks through the hole.

Hmmm....lots of situations suddenly come to mind.....

And so, as another day goes by, enough wisdom for today - the Patriot game just started, and....I have written.