Meryl Monday: Wisdom

1979

I thought these were some amazing words of wisdom to pass along as we bid adieu to summer and welcome in another fall season. A great lesson about patience that I can completely identify with. I always say that I have limited resources to share. I choose to share the extra time and energy with those who deserve it; those that are happy, positive and supportive. The honest, humble, accountable ones. I want to use my energy on the information seekers, the dreamer's and the eternal students. I am perfectly happy to love, support and encourage and avoid those who can't.

“I no longer have patience for certain things, not because I’ve become arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with what displeases me or hurts me. I have no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism and demands of any nature. I lost the will to please those who do not like me, to love those who do not love me and to smile at those who do not want to smile at me. I no longer spend a single minute on those who lie or want to manipulate. I decided not to coexist anymore with pretense, hypocrisy, dishonesty and cheap praise. I do not tolerate selective erudition nor academic arrogance. I do not adjust either to popular gossiping. I hate conflict and comparisons. I believe in a world of opposites and that’s why I avoid people with rigid and inflexible personalities. In friendship I dislike the lack of loyalty and betrayal. I do not get along with those who do not know how to give a compliment or a word of encouragement. Exaggerations bore me and I have difficulty accepting those who do not like animals. And on top of everything I have no patience for anyone who does not deserve my patience.” ~Meryl Streep

Gratitude: Look Inward

I have not been posting lately as I am preparing for the next chapter of my life in a sense. A physical move into a new home and a new showroom space for Evolution Vintage.  I have also been mentally preparing to push my business aspirations forward along with my physical well being complete with a spiritual shift. This complied with 4 children (2 bio & 2 step) leaves little time to indulge in my love for writing/blogging.. but I promise I will be back soon.

In the meantime we should all take pause to be grateful for our lives.  The tragedy in Boston is the most recent reminder at just how short our lives can be.  Do you have a difficult time trying to find something in life to be grateful for?

My cousin shared this amazing quote recently on her Facebook page and I am compelled to share it here:

"If you have nothing to be grateful for - check your pulse" ~ Author Unknown 

It is easy to be grateful for all the material things that surround us in life, but taking time to be grateful for living or life itself requires you did a little deeper. It is also very rewarding.  Look inward and all the treasures you seek are all ready there. Enjoy!

I am excited for the new chapter in my life, complete with a daily gratitude ritual for myself, husband and children. No TV at mealtimes means an opportunity to promote dialogue about gratitude in all of our lives. I am excited to hear what everyone shares each day about what/whom they are grateful for!

Quote Me: Celebrating Women

International Women's Day is here again and it always makes me take pause and reflect on the amazing women who I admire, who came before me, who walk beside me and those who are raising the next generation of women. I wanted to share a few quotes (because I'm obsessed with quotations) about women that I was drawn too. We can be many things; bold, strong, fragile, emotional, glamorous, solid, vulnerable, intelligent, helpful, beautiful, scary, capable and MUCH MORE. We are the keeper of the keys, the givers of life and the most inspirational people I know.

The Sisters - Claudia Tremblay

What I also know is that women are WAY TOO HARD ON THEMSELVES. Give yourself a break and take some time today to reflect on where we have been as women, where we are and where we are going! 

“With the spread of conformity and image-driven superficiality, the allure of an individuated woman in full possession of herself and her powers will prove irresistible. We were born for plenitude and inner fulfillment.” ― Elizabeth Prioleau, Seductress - Women Who Ravished the World and Their Lost Art of Love

“I believe in strong women. I believe in the woman who is able to stand up for herself. I believe in the woman who doesn't need to hide behind her husband's back. I believe that if you have problems, as a woman you deal with them, you don't play victim, you don't make yourself look pitiful, you don't point fingers. You stand and you deal. You face the world with a head held high and you carry the universe in your heart.” ― C. JoyBell C.

"Everyone has inside of her a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!" – Anne Frank.

"There are two ways of spreading light. To be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it." – EdithWharton

"Do you want to meet the love of your life? Look in the mirror." – Byron Katie.

                                                                      "The Ages Of Women" Gustav Klimt, 1905

"I am willing to put myself through anything, temporary pain or discomfort means nothing to me as long as I can see that the experience will take me to a new level. I am interested in the unknown, and the only path to the unknown is through breaking barriers, an often painful process." - Diana Nyad

"Women are never stronger than when they arm themselves with their weaknesses." – Madame Marie du Deffand.

"The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off." – Gloria Steinem.

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."— Marie Curie, chemist and physicist

"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security." — Gail Sheehy, American journalist

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."— Oprah Winfrey

What are your FAV quotes? 

Celebrate yourself and all the fabulous women who surround you today and Always!

Further Reading:

International Women's Day Blog 2012

International Women's Day 2011

Free Yourself: FORGIVE

Forgiveness is such an interesting concept.  We ALL carry things around from out past and present that are both big and small that we have unresolved.  I have always felt that the first step to resolution is FORGIVENESS.  Much easier said than done.  Some people's actions and/or words certainly do not deserve it,  but YOU do. Forget about things in life being fair, just or right. Often times they are none of these, circumstances that are beyond your control such as other peoples behavior sometimes don't fall under any of those categories. You can only control your reaction to them. My husband is on such a great path being able to apply forgiveness to the terrible things and people in his past and present. Not personally forgiving the people who have hurt him or treated himself unfairly,  but applying forgiveness in his own mind  to release himself. I am not the master that he is but I am on a good path toward taking my personal power back in this regard. I have a mind like a steel trap and FORGET NOTHING; but I'm attempting to perfect the quiet act of forgiveness for myself.

I just read this great quote today by Author and Inspirational Speaker Louise L. Hay; "Forgiving someone does not mean you condone their behavior. The act of forgiveness takes place in your own mind. It really has nothing to do with the other person. The reality of true forgiveness lies in setting ourselves free from holding on to the pain. It is simply an act of releasing yourself from the negative energy."

Can you think of items in your life that you can apply forgiveness too and let go?  No need to alert the person or people who have hurt you. Just do it for yourself.  I think you are worth it.

Keep Moving ... FORWARD

I love how the Internet is a wealth of information. I love reading inspirational quotes and statements from those who have gone before me and 'made it happen'. There are also plenty of current references of inspiration on-line too, people really putting themselves out there and never giving up. It is one thing take "advice" of a friend who has never been there but it is quite another from a motivational perspective to take the advice that has been left behind by those who have really walked the walk.

This statement really resonated with me yesterday and as always I am compelled to share.

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” ~ President Calvin Coolidge (30th President of the USA) - Thanks to Women on The Fence for sharing this statement yesterday via FB.

Regardless of your current situation what really counts is that you KEEP MOVING FORWARD, never give up or quitting! Know that it is ok to take a break sometimes from the relentless pursuit of your dreams and visions to reevaluate, catch your breath or re-focus = but to STOP completely is never an option. You owe it to yourself to live the life you have always wanted.

To stay motivated and remain persistent is not an easy task, but it can be your daily CHOICE!

Thoughtful Thursday: The Motherload

Painting BRUNI Gallery

I am obsessed with inspirational quotations. I love how just in a few lines my spirit can be lifted and how I find instant motivation in someone else's words. I read this quote and wanted to share it.

The motherload of positivity, altruism, caring and giving .. Mother Teresa

“May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."
― Mother Teresa