This morning I read a quote that really struck home with me. It read, "I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship." I wish I had said this. On this last day of 2015, I can say that it pretty much sums of how I see my life. There will always be difficulties and hardships in life...mine and yours...but that is how we learn and grow. We grow by navigating the chopping waters and, somehow or other, we manage to come out the other side of the storm, a better and stronger being. Whatever 2015 brought you, I hope that you navigated your storms well and learned from those challenges. My wish for everyone, in 2016, is smooth sailing. But, knowing that life always throws us a few curve balls, I must add to that wish; I hope that whatever storms you do encounter, your ship is strong and sturdy; that you manage to "stay the course and emerge, from those dark clouds, as a kinder, more compassionate, and wiser person. Happy New Year! (See you back here on Monday, January 4th.)
I will make this blog brief. I know everybody has better things to do on this New Year's Eve than read the dribble from an often-wordy frog.
This morning I read a quote that really struck home with me. It read, "I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship." I wish I had said this. On this last day of 2015, I can say that it pretty much sums of how I see my life. There will always be difficulties and hardships in life...mine and yours...but that is how we learn and grow. We grow by navigating the chopping waters and, somehow or other, we manage to come out the other side of the storm, a better and stronger being. Whatever 2015 brought you, I hope that you navigated your storms well and learned from those challenges. My wish for everyone, in 2016, is smooth sailing. But, knowing that life always throws us a few curve balls, I must add to that wish; I hope that whatever storms you do encounter, your ship is strong and sturdy; that you manage to "stay the course and emerge, from those dark clouds, as a kinder, more compassionate, and wiser person. Happy New Year! (See you back here on Monday, January 4th.)
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The end of the year is almost here. For many, it's a time of reflection and, almost, a time of sadness. They look back at what's been lost and feel nostalgic for good times gone by. For me, I much prefer to look ahead to the bright, shiny future that lays before me. The new year is more than a celebration for the year's end. It's also a celebration of new beginnings. I think it's very appropriate that on New Year's Eve, old Father Time represents the year gone by, and the new year is represented by a happy little baby. Every January 1 we all get to be that new baby...in my case a tadpole...full of wonder and possibility. The world is ours for the taking. I always find it helpful (and maybe you will, too) to sit quietly and "meditate" on what I want to see happen for myself over the next twelve months. When you sit in silence, you'll be amazed at what can happen. The fog clears and your true beliefs, hopes and desires float to the surface. There's no need to chant mantras, unless of course you want to. All that is required is a few minutes of undisturbed quiet. Always, at the top of my "wish" list is to be grateful for all I have. Gratitude for the life you live, paves the way for more and better things to roll in. Folowing closely behind gratitude is inner happiness. With happiness comes better health, a sense of optimism for the future and, more importantly, a believe that no matter what the future does bring, the sun will rise again tomorrow bringing us a new day and a new beginning. There's a popular children's song that goes, "If your happy and you know it clap your hands..." I have flippers so clapping is a little more difficult for me, but I sure can do a happy dance! However you choose to show your exhuberance, do it. Sure, go ahead and celebrate the passing of 2015. Shed a few tears if you must. But then, get happy and realize that your future is as bright and shiny, as full of hope and promise as you want it to be. 2016 is almost upon us so now is a good time to focus on what you want to happen. Don't waste your resolutions on frivolous things like weight lose or getting into better shape.Those are the kinds of resolutions that tend to fade by mid-January. Instead, focus on meaningful things; do some inner work and improve your core self. And when you do, the happier, more content version of yourself will automatically want to exercise and lose the excess pounds.
It's time for me to get my own resolution list in order, then I'm going to do the best happy dance this frog can do! 2015 has been frog-tastic, but I know that 2016 will be toad-ally amazing! We all have fears and self-doubts. I'm willing to bet that those fears and doubts aren't based on anything concrete, but come from things you've learned or been told along the way. Take my cousin Doolitle Dart, for instance. He got his first name because everyone, including his mother, thinks he's lazy; do little. I, on the other hand, believe that Doolittle is really just a product of his beliefs. If, every day, you're told that you're lazy, unattractive, worthless, or whatever, you'll come to believe it...no matter what the reality is. Parents, especially, have to be very careful about what they tell their children; being small sponges, they absorb everything and believe what their parents tell them to be the absolute truth. I've started calling my cousin, Doomuch. I invite him to join me on trips. At first, he was hesitate to try out new things but slowly he's getting some confidence that he can anything he sets his mnd to. He's discovering that he actually likes adventure, and I find him to be wonderful company. His views about himself won't change overnight, but I am hopeful, in time, that Doolittle will start to see himself as the colorful, vibrant, and energetic frog that he was born to be.
How about you? What limiting beliefs do you have? The best way to face those fears and self-doubts, isn't to ignore them, but to face them head-on. Look them straight in the eye. Tell them they're not true and that you will no longer accept what they are saying; that you know the real truth about yourself. After doing this a few times, you'll soon find those limiting beliefs will pack up their baggage and leave. Good riddance, I say. It's exhillarating to discover who you were born to be; not the person, or frog, that others have mistakenly led you to believe was you. Self-discovery is a beautiful thing. Try it. You'll be amazed at how frog-tastic you really are! Just ask Doolittle. Does your life feel like a 3-ring circus these days? I know my does. It's been non-stop activities, parties, cooking, entertaining, shopping,etc...since Thanksgiving. I'm exhausted. During these last few day of 2015, might be a great time to take a few moments and stop and do nothing. There's nothing wrong with this form of idleness. We all need time to relax and recharge. It's good for the body, mind, and spirit. It's a proven fact that we need to take time for ourselves and now's the perfect opportunity to do that. This is the time of year for reflection. It's also the time of year for looking ahead. Perhaps you make New Year's Resolutions. I don't, personally, but I do set goals of what I'd like to see happen over the next year. By focusing my attention on what I DO want to have happen, it puts me in a good position to realize those intentions. Attention to the intentions. That's the key, I believe, for true success and happiness. So whatever you want to have happen over the coming months, focus your attention there. Don't worry about what may, or may not, happen. That isn't going to be helpful. All any of us have, in reality, is our present and worrying about tomorrow just wastes time. Spend a few minutes focusing your attention on your hopes and dreams for 2016. Then feel secure in knowing that your intentions are out there in the Universe. If your life feels like a balancing act, why not send your 3-ring circus out of town...at least for a little while. You'll have plenty of time, then, to focus on the very important task of living your life fully in the present. And that's a gift we can all give ourselves.
My gift to you, this Christmas (and everyday), is to be my authentic self. Some may not like the gift, while others may not always "get it" but that doesn't matter; my being is the greatest gift I have to give. It's your greatest gift, too. And when we appreciate others for who they are, it's the best gift we can receive. Each of us is unique, with our own inherent creativity that only we have to give. What a shame it would be if we kept those talents to ourselves! We'd deprive the world of our very essense; that which makes us wonderful and special. These gifts were meant to be shared. By being our true ourselves, we offer courage and inspiration to others who may be too afraid to let their own light shine. When we light up the world with our talents, the world gets a little nicer and brighter for everyone. Can you think of a better gift than that?
Being true to who you really are, is your personal brand. And nobody will ever have the same one; not now, not ever. So whatever your gift is, be it grand or simple, give it freely and with all your heart. Not just at Christmas but every day of the year. The world needs you. We're waiting for to see you glow! Merry Christmas everyone. I'll see you back here on Monday, December 28th. Joy to the world. Do you buy yourself a Christmas present? I think lot's of people get themselves a gift...I do. It's nothing to feel gilty about. It seems, to me, to be a ntural thing. During the holidays,we shop for the people in our lives who mean the most to us...shouldn't the person at the top of that list be ourselves? If we can't love ourselves, we can't really love others. We are our own best friend. We're always there for us.
So, doesn't it make sense to gift ourselves with something nice during the holidays? For me, I always choose "feel good" gifts...a massage, a delicious lunch at a favorite restaurant, a good book or, perhaps, a day spent in solitude at my favorite nature preserve. These are all gifts that relax the body and mind, as well as stimulate my creativity. I find that the little gift I give myself makes me feel loved and cherished. Small, simple, and thoughtful...that's the rule for self-gifting at Christmas. Save the big, grand gift for your bithday. If you've never given yourself a gift at Christmas, this might be a good time to start. It's not too late and there are loads of options...many of them cost nothing. I hope you get what you really want this holiday...the gift of love from yourself. Christmas is nearly here. The presents are wrapped and under the tree. Mom has finished most of the cooking and Grandma, well, she'll keep baking right through Christma day. I've enjoyed the holiday rush, but now I'm ready to settle in and enjoy the peacefulness that this time of year always brings. Ever notice how the world is a bit more hopeful at Christmas time? Even the bad things don't seem quite so bad. It's a warm, wonderful feeling that seems to envelopes even the grinchiest of us. We all laugh a little louder and smile a little bigger. We become happy. What is it that makes Christmas so special? I suspect it's because generosity much us feel good. It's a proven, scientific fact that performing acts of kindness makes us happier. When we do for others, we get a feeling inside that just makes us glow. During the holidays, we shop for others, we volunteer to help those in need, we take the children to see Santa and, before you know it, all seems right with the world. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could bottle the essence of the Yuletime? We'd have it available anytime things start getting dark and world feels like a grim place. Perhaps we can't bottle up the joy we feel this time of year, but we can remember that it is with us always. It's in our hearts. Christmas isn't gifts. It's kindness and compassion. And that knows no season. Open your heart and let it flow...not just at the holidays but every day of the year.
Jack Frost nipping at your flippers. This is the opening lyrics to the beloved Christmas Song. Perhaps, I have taken a few liberties with the words, but it is a song that everyone, humans and frogs alike, love this time of year. It envokes memories of bygone days; a time when joy was found in life's simple pleasures, like roasting chestnuts (or bugs) and singing Christmas songs. This is a very special time to spend with family and friends; partaking of all the wonderful sights and sounds of the season.
This evening, it's traditional for the Wart family to decorate our tree. We have loads of beautiful ornaments, many were made by my little brother, Quigley, and me when I was his age. And we like tons and tons of bright and colorful lights! We'll ribbit our favorite Christmas carols and, yes, we'll roast fat bugs on an open fire. My parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins will all be there to help us bring in the official start of our Christmas holiday. Enjoying hearth and home is one of my favorite things to do this time of year. The cost is little, and the pleasures are great. These are the memories that little Quigley, Jr. and I will remember always. As Christmas comes barrelling towards us, I hope you'll take time this weekend to slow down and enjoy a few of the simple joys that Christmas brings. The holidays only come once a year...be sure to make the most of them. Next December is a long way off! Frogs don't generally dream, but every once in a while I do. Humans, on the other hand, dream all the time. Most often, though, the dreams are forgotten as soon as they awake. I decided to investigate what it means when humans dream about frogs.
There are several view points on the subject, but they all seem to have a common theme: Frogs in your dreams mean blessings, love, and prosperity. (Yay, us!) If you hold the frog in your dream which, by the way, isn't good to do in real life, it suggests that your fondest wish will come true. Frogs in dreams can also signify emotion or spiritual transformation; and if the frog croaks, it's a call to delve deeper into spiritual matters. If you see the frog in water, it can mean that you have turmoil in your life but you have the ability to see your way out of it. When frogs jump into your life, its a sign that now would be a good time to jump into new opportunities, or to transition your life. Since we frogs go through some serious growing pains to reach adulthood, we make great totems for teenage humans who often have their own struggles...finding their own place between childhood and adulthood. Whether or not any of this is true, it's kind of fun to think about. Animals, of all kinds, come into our lives for many different reasons. Whatever animals you have, dream about, or you come across in your daily life, please just remember to treat us with kindness and respect. We're here to share the planet with you and we serve a purpose in the Universe, just as you do. I hope your that dream tonight include frogs. But whatever you dream about, may it bring you peace and, perhaps, a little more love. This is the time of year that we all tend to get more impatient. Standing in long lines at the check-out becomes routine. We fight over parking spaces like they're free tickets to a rock concert that's been sold out for a month. We find little annoyances even more irritating. We have long lists of things to do and time doesn't seem to be cooperating. We grumble more and smile less. Our patience runs thin. We even feel a little persecuted, like it's just happening to us. "Why me?", we ask ourselves. The thing is, though, that we're all in this same boat together. We all have lots to do with little time to accomplish the tasks. Everyone has laundry to do and kids to feed. It's not much of a comfort, I know, but it it helpful to remember that Universe isn't just picking on us. I made myself a promise that this holiday season, I was going to be a kinder and gentler frog. There will be no more tapping my flippers impatiently while I wait in line. That doesn't do any good, except maybe excercise my lower extremity. Instead, I will smile more and, perhaps, even chat with the frog in front of me. I won't grumble when I have to hop a little farther because all the good parking spaces are taken. I won't feel rushed but, rather, I will enjoy the hustle and bustle that comes each Christmastime. I might even take what appears to be wasted time and work on self-improvement; like repeating calming mantras or listening to soothing music. These are all things that help to lower the blood pressure and increase happiness. I can't say what things will work for you, but it is important to not get stressed out. Being upset isn't good for your health and it has a way of sucking all the joy out of this magical time of year. The next time you find yourself getting impatient, check it at the door. Take a deep breath, and relax. And remember, we're all in this together. Since misery loves company, why not get to know the others that are currently sharing your boat? They could turn out to be somebody you'll be happy you met!
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AuthorLand of Lily Pad's first published author. I enjoy writing fun and educational books for kids. My blog is for you parents; the kiddos might like some of them, too. As always, everything I write is family-friendly, so don't hesitate to share my messages with everyone. I hope you find them helpful and maybe even inspirational. Cheers! Archives
November 2019
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