Get it Together

I found this and liked it and since it's my blog...here it is.

Let me know what you think.


What's it gonna take...

For you to get into the game; rise with purpose and with aim; be proud of yourself again.

For you to figure out the way; start fresh every day; see there's not just black & white, but gray.

For you to look past what you see; imagine greater things; because it's not just you it's we.

For your to realize you're okay; be thankful for every day; and stop being so afraid.

For you to take on something more; consider settling a score; stop sitting by the shore.

For you to rectify your wrong; admit what's going on; stop acting oh-so strong.

For you to start to walk-the-walk; hear your talk is squalk; instead you should take stock.

For you to quit living in the past; discover what can last; then say, "Today I will start that task."

Think THEN Speak, Think THEN Speak...repeat

Aside from my "real" job...I often substitute at the kid's school in PE. I love it. I have so, so many stories I could tell you about things the kids do in there, but simply won't. I won't because I really love working there and would never want to disrespect the privacy of these kids. I also have friends who read this and whom I'm sure would pick up the phone and call me asking, "That wasn't my kid, was it?!"

But today...it was I who something happened to and no one heard it but the adults. So I'm sharing.

We've been playing basketball in PE since last week. Needless to say, in a large gym voices echo. So we are constantly telling them not to bounce the basketballs so they can hear the instructions. Note the entire word is used. Basketball. Otherwise, we are telling them to stop bouncing the balls. Or their balls. Or hold onto your balls. You see where this is going.

For the younger classes we generally use the smaller sized basketballs. Since I wasn't sure what game the older classes would be playing, I questioned what size basketballs we would need next class. Only that's not what I asked.

I asked the coach, "Hey...do you need bigger balls?"

As soon as the words starting coming out, I tried to reel 'em back in. But it was too late.

His reply (and thankfully he has a sense of humor): "Wellllll.....! That's just harrassment."

Then (:::again, thankfully:::) I was one-upped by another teacher who came it.

Her comment?

"If you don't hang onto your balls and keep them off the ceiling, they're gonna become MY balls! I mean it! I have a whole locker full of balls!"

Thank you so much for taking the pressure of me. Cuz THAT certainly did.

The Good, The Bad and The Forcefield

Right off the bat, I will admit I'm not at all good at being still. So, the fact I'm even the slightest bit interested in meditating is enough to even make me grab my stomach in laughter. However, I'm not interested in it for the challenge of being still. At least not my body. I am interested in it to spend a little time alone. With me. With my thoughts. Focusing on positive energy. Focusing on the good. Talking with God. It's my own kind of "T-time".

I have no mantra to recite. No guru. No ashram. Just my room here in the house. My dogs. Who are both snoring. Some light music in the background. The smell of roast cooking in the kitchen. And most importantly...my interest. And today...a goal for which I will focus all my positive thoughts and prayer. Tomorrow I may have more than one place to dissiminate them, but for today they are going to be sent to a single, solitary destination.

Leave it to me to pick today to start doing this. The same exact day I decided I needed to increase my water intake to be healthier. Need I say more? I digress...

I sincerely do have a peaked interest level in this and who am I not to inquire further given the possibility of it giving me more positive energy in my life? Not to mention how my chosen mood affects those who are forced to share my inner-most world! So instead of my usual 'why? why? why?' I'm asking myself why not? Why shouldn't I try this?

And it's not that I'm totally surrounded by negative thoughts and things. I just firmly believe there is more good than bad out there and I want to harness as much of the good vibes as possible. And I need a doorway opened up in my consciousness to let this flow in. I have faith it can and will happen. Is this the way for it to happen? Who knows... .

I read a definition of faith the other day that I completely adored. "Faith is a way of saying, 'Yes, I pre-accept the terms of the universe and I embrace in advance what I am presently incapable of understanding.' " I can't exactly pin-point what appealed to me so much about this definition, but something did. Of course, I love Martin Luther King Jr.'s definition also: "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Both sum it up pretty well, which is ultimately...we are not in control of this boat. There's not a lot of reasoning in faith. Or else it wouldn't be - faith.

I know a lot of people focusing on various parts of their life right now. Seems everyone is stressed about a conundrum of circumstances. Education. Relationships. Finances. Housing. Health. Religion. Family.

The way I see it, my choice is to jump right in there with them, because there are things in my life that would definitely cause stress (and really, who doesn't have some?! This fact isn't lost on me.). OR I could choose what's important. What can't be replaced. And focus all the good I can imagine on those things. I'm not ignoring the 'stressful' things. I'm just not going to allow them to control my thoughts, actions, words...life. The one thing I am in contol of in this world is how I react to things. And while I haven't done a great job of that in my life, I am dedicated to changing that now. I'm a willing participant in my pursuit of having a good, well-balanced life.

It's okay. Laugh if you want. I appreciate this isn't for everyone. I realize some people are close-minded about such things. About lots of things. They aren't open to new ideas. And that's okay. You aren't my judge and jury. You are actually the type of people I'm trying to block out with my positive energy forcefield I'm creating. :::hahaha:::: Seriously though. Be gone.

With any luck, I'll be the one walking around unaffected by the fools and unimportant scenarios in this world that keep driving YOU crazy. Oops...sorry. That's not good chi, is it?! I need to work on this.

Ohmmmmmmmmm...

Loving and Literal Bunny

As I'm waiting for Ben outside his class yesterday to let him know I have a meeting after school, I spot this on the wall outside his classroom. Even from a distance, I know it's Ben's. The camo background gave it away. After getting close enough to read it, I know instantly I have to take a picture of it.

To know Ben is to love him. He's such a pure soul and has a great heart.

This assignment was to get to know Ben. What type of person he is.

Right off the bat, I must say the fact he says "violent" cracks me up. He's referring to the video games he plays and yes...they can be and no...I don't like them. But, considering it's Ben and his main interest in them is engineering the maps they play on and socializing with his friends around the world (literally), I tolerate it.

He's also very literal and I have to add...very confident. I love that the first thing he notes is that he's caring. He is. Extremely and maybe even too much sometimes, if that's possible. Like I said...he's all heart, but not in a "softy" kind of way. He's just extremely considerate of others and at such a young age, gets that his actions have consequences and is always amazed when others aren't the same way.

The fact that he next claims to be Shelby's big brother speaks volumes. Like most brothers and sisters, they argue. A lot. But he is always (*always*) the first to come to her defense against others.

I can't express my heart's contentment that he feels loved and that he thinks he's fun and cool. Because he is!

And here comes the literal part of Ben. What he "needs". Water, home, parents. You know...the basics. Just what's expected, thank you very much. Frankly, I was surprised 'air' wasn't on the list, but I know his reasoning would be something like, "Mom...if there's water, there's air.." so I stand corrected in even questioning the 'needs' list.

He sees himself as someone who gives fun, toys and stuff - and I'm thinking he means in the literal sense, once again. To his friends. He's a people pleaser.

His fears are true and *one is no doubt attributed to me: spiders, *snakes and the dark. At our previous house we had both black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders, so I understand that too. And what kid is a fan of the dark? Don't get me started on snakes....ughhh....gross. I mean that's just pure logic, people. No legs. No fur. No thanks.

Finally he says he wants to buy stuff (who doesn't?) and be rich and famous. Now THAT surprised me. Not the rich part. Just the famous part. Of course, this IS the kid who performs dances for our friends at the drop of a hat just to make them laugh. And I mean silly dances that could be a part of a future Chippendales review. Have NO idea where it comes from. Wait.Yes I do. He did it once - we laughed - he likes making people laugh - he continues to do it.

I absolutely love my Ben the Bunny, as we've affectionately called him since birth. The nickname kind of just stuck. He is a bright part in every one of my days on this earth and I'm so, so thankful for the gift that he truly is. He can't help but make me smile, feel good about myself and feel unconditionally loved.

He is the muh to my shuginuh. The shizz to my fizzle.

Thank you, my Ben, for always being a bright spot in my life simply by being you.

XOXOXO, Mom