Blue Monday: Fishing Tournament

Ready, set, go!

The Seabees hosted a fishing tournament on Guantanamo Bay and they could not have picked a more perfect day. The skies were blue, the water cool and calm, the air was just right. Men, women and children signed up for the event and all were ready for take off at 0630, pretty early.

The winner, Jon and his kids, brought in a 38 lb Barracuda, while many have caught bigger fish, today this was the biggest. The report from all participants was that it was a perfect day and a great time for everyone.

As for me, I just love the opportunity to star my day in such a beautiful place.

Sharing some blues on Blue Monday hosted by Smiling Sally. To see more blues visit www.smilingsally.blogspot.com

Who you are really matters

Today I received this post from Sparkpeople.com which brought to mind the movie "It's a Wonderful," one of my favorite movies during the holiday seasons. Read on....

"Everything you do makes a difference. Even if you're not on the front lines leading the effort, you have a contribution to make. Without your contribution, no matter how small, so many other things would never happen. The world needs what you have to offer. You have no idea how the simplest of your everyday actions can effect your child, and even people you've never met. Chances are, you'll never know. But if you're looking for a purpose to work toward, all you need is the desire and the right perspective. Define yourself as your task, and that's all you'll ever be. Define yourself as your contribution to your family, and suddenly you're a very important part of a bigger picture. The biggest pictures are the ones where there's room for everyone to be seen."

Every once in a while we need to read/hear these words or watch movies like "It's a Wonderful Life" because it reminds us that we are not meaningless, reminds us that what we do or say matters more than we realize.

I really just wanted to share this message with you and hope that it instills in you, as it has in me, the desire to treat everyone with respect and compassion; to be part of the bigger picture even if you cannot yet see or experience the effaces of your actions.

Terie

Be Happy Make Happy

I started my own little campaign. It's called Be Happy Make Happy.

Why?

Because I have had to realize very quickly that people and events will make me sad and how I react to them will determine how I make others feel.

Little things have happened around me that caused a serious wave of anxiety, anger, betrayal, the list goes on.  Bottom line, intentionally or not, people have done things that to me seem unprofessional and lacking of good moral character.  My immediate response was to run and find them and ask them WHY did you lie, WHY did you betray my trust, WHY couldn't you extend me the professionalism and courtesy I deserve.  Thankfully I had too much to do, too many kids to entertain and I had to exercise self control.

After a good nights rest and reading several pages of inspirational quotes and stories my mind was once again at peace. 

I place a high moral value on the way people behave. I find it repellent to have a lot, and to behave with anything other than courtesy in the old sense of the word - politeness of the heart, a gentleness of the spirit."~ Fran Lebowitz

This was the first quote I found and it was the one that started the process of letting go.  Understanding in my own mind that while I expect people to be courteous it doesn't mean it's going to happen and I need to learn to let go.

My friend Lori later sent me this little quote in FaceBook:

Speak when you are angry--and you will make the best speech you'll ever regret.- Laurence J. Peter

This really hit closest to my heart because I was ready to send a typed message saying everything that was going through my head, in the end I did not and IT was the best decision I'll never regret.  Today, Sunday morning I woke up feeling refreshed and thinking only of how I could continue to bring happiness to the people in my life, the people that matter.  So I visited my friend Lance at the Jungle of Life and found this truly amazing quote:

"What you do for yourself – any gesture of kindness, any gesture of gentleness, any gesture of honesty and clear seeing toward yourself – will affect how you experience your world. In fact, it will transform how you experience the world. What you do for yourself you're doing for others, and what you do for others, you're doing for yourself." ~ Pema Chödrön

This message sums it all up for me.  Treating myself with civility, kindness, love, and honesty help me to do the same for everyone else.  No matter what you do or say or how I may feel in the moment, I will come back to you and I will treat you with courtesy and kindness.  I will accept you for who you are and in time, maybe, you will begin to see that I will not let your attitudes and behavior change mine.

I am happy, therefore, I will make others happy!

Terie