"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined."
Henry David Thoreau
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
May Your Life EXPAND in 2009!
"Courage is the ability to take action. But whether that action expands or shrinks life depends on whether the spirits we serve are good or bad: whether we’re serving the angels of our better nature, or the angels of our worst nature. And how are we to know?
There is no foolproof way, but there’s a famous formula from a third-century theologian I’ve always loved as one of the best guides for people of good heart (Origen, c. 185-254). Our course of action, he said, must always meet two criteria. It must both be useful to us, and at the same time worthy of God. Because life also shrinks and expands in proportion to the size of the god we are serving."
Loeher Davidson
Carpe Diem!
Susan
There is no foolproof way, but there’s a famous formula from a third-century theologian I’ve always loved as one of the best guides for people of good heart (Origen, c. 185-254). Our course of action, he said, must always meet two criteria. It must both be useful to us, and at the same time worthy of God. Because life also shrinks and expands in proportion to the size of the god we are serving."
Loeher Davidson
Carpe Diem!
Susan
Sunday, January 4, 2009
New Beginnings
Hubby and I spent a lot of time sitting right here over the holidays, that is whenever we could get the chairs away from the kids. Whether talking, laughing, playing scrabble, sharing a meal or even crying together, the fire seemed to mellow everything and make us feel that all will be well. Something about a comforting fire seems to put life into perspective. During the coming year, I hope that each of you will have many mellow moments near a glowing fire and many happy moments too! Happy New Year!Carpe Diem!
Susan
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
That, Not This!
"If you think you have to get THIS in order to have THAT, then what you REALLY want is THAT, not THIS."
Carpe Diem!
Susan
Carpe Diem!
Susan
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Happy Memorial Day!
Nicole chillin and playing her guitar at the lakehouse. 
Jake, Nathan & Christy on the Banana Boat!
John & Me
Friday, April 25, 2008
Dinasours Still Roam The Earth!
Aren't they cute?CLICK on the photo to see just how cute!
Carpe Diem!
Susan
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Sabbatical
A sabbatical allows one to step outside the normal routine. In biblical times there was the sabbath year and in academia the sabbatical is not uncommon. I think it's high-time we regular folks enjoy the benefits of a sabbatical. Actually, I already do. I am blessed to have a place right outside my back door, the gazebo, where I can get away for mini-sabbaticals. Sometimes my sabbaticals only last 15 minutes but it's enough time to rejuvinate me for the next spelling test I need to give, or the next round of laundry that needs to be tackled or the next errand that must be run. I suggest we allow ourselves the gift of a daily mini-sabbatical...kind of like the siesta that is popular in certain parts of the world... and enjoy a break from the normal routine.CarpeDiem!
Susan
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
In Honor of Leo Buscaglia
“It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely.”
Leo F. Buscaglia
1924-1998
I have been reading some of Leo's books recently. What an incredibly loving, insightful, smart and funny man! If you would like to learn more about his contribution to life, go here.
Carpe Diem!
Susan
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
I LOVE HUGS!
I grew up in an family that hugged a lot and I have carried on this loving practice with my husband and children. The first thing I do when greeting friends is hug them. I have only come across a few people in my life that seemed resistent to a hug and I try to respect that...but always feel a little sorry for them because they are missing out. It's not unusual to hear me say "I NEED a hug." You can imagine that I was nodding my head "YES" as I read the followng words this morning:
"Hugging can lift depression, enabling the body's immunization system to become tuned up. Hugging breathes fresh life into tired bodies and makes you feel younger and more vibrant. In the home, hugging can strengthen relationships and significantly reduce tensions."
Dr. Harold Falk, Senior Psychiatrist at the Menninger Foundation
You can even give yourself a hug if you need it and no one else is around. So, here's to HUGS!...may you receive and give them with abandon!
CarpeDiem!
Susan
"Hugging can lift depression, enabling the body's immunization system to become tuned up. Hugging breathes fresh life into tired bodies and makes you feel younger and more vibrant. In the home, hugging can strengthen relationships and significantly reduce tensions."
Dr. Harold Falk, Senior Psychiatrist at the Menninger Foundation
You can even give yourself a hug if you need it and no one else is around. So, here's to HUGS!...may you receive and give them with abandon!
CarpeDiem!
Susan
Monday, April 21, 2008
SERENITY
"God, grant me the serenityto accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference."
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Ten Thousand Villages
Nicole, Nathan and Christy...what a trio of cuties...standing in front of Ten Thousand Villages. Nicole is volunteering there on a weekly basis. To read more about this awesome non-profit organization and fair trade, go HERE.
Me and some of the beautiful sculptures crafted by artisans that reside in Kenya.Carpe Diem!
Susan
Friday, April 11, 2008
Now
“What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now.”
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Following My Heart
"SOMETIMES I can't see clear
The way to go from here,
So then I pause and pray.
Knowing God knows the way,
I throw away the chart
My cautious mind Designed.
And following my heart I just Trust.
And flowing with the flow
I go by letting go,
Believing that God's will
Will bring me to the still
Where I become the Me
God means for me to be."
James D. Freeman
The way to go from here,
So then I pause and pray.
Knowing God knows the way,
I throw away the chart
My cautious mind Designed.
And following my heart I just Trust.
And flowing with the flow
I go by letting go,
Believing that God's will
Will bring me to the still
Where I become the Me
God means for me to be."
James D. Freeman
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Twenty Days Later...
the scar is gently covered by vibrant green leaves. This too makes me smile.Carpe Diem!
Susan
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Thoughts To Ponder
"True healing has more to do with listening and unconditional love than fixing people."
Gerald Jampolsky
"A person never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another's."
Unknown
"Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant."
Unknown
Gerald Jampolsky
"A person never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another's."
Unknown
"Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant."
Unknown
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Recommended Reading!
Did you know we have a happiness "set point" just like we have a weight "set point"? I didn't! Did you know we can increase our happiness set point? We do this mostly by changing the way we think, but also through certain forms of exercise and breathing. If you are at all intrigued by the idea...then read this book. It is a fascinating read and the author shares practical methods for raising your happiness set point.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
"We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations."
Anais Nin
Monday, March 24, 2008
"I asked for strength
and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom
and God gave me problems to learn to solve.
I asked for prosperity
and God gave me brain and brawn to work.
I asked for courage
and God gave me dangers to overcome.
I asked for love
and God gave me people to help.
I asked for favours
and God gave me opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted.
I received everything I needed."
Hazrat Kahn
and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom
and God gave me problems to learn to solve.
I asked for prosperity
and God gave me brain and brawn to work.
I asked for courage
and God gave me dangers to overcome.
I asked for love
and God gave me people to help.
I asked for favours
and God gave me opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted.
I received everything I needed."
Hazrat Kahn
Bird Creek
"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature."- Anne Frank
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Prayer For The First Day of Spring!
"Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving, that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."
St. Francis of Assisi
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving, that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."
St. Francis of Assisi
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
WakingUp
Kind of looks like our first iris of the season is waking up and yawning...maybe even sticking out her tongue!"The earth laughs in flowers."
Ralph Waldo Emmerson
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Games People Play
John and I are learning to pray bridge. It is fun and definately qualifies as exercise for the mind. I would love to know how you exercise your mind...Carpe Diem!
Susan
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
New Growth
Many of you know about our "Tulip Tree" that lost a limb last year...due to the weight of a heavy snow. I am excited by the new green leaves that are beginning to cover the black scar that was a result of the damage.I want this blog to chronicle the new growth that is taking place in my life. I may recycle a few old topics but hopefully, they will have a new twist. I will be adding new photos and quotes and music. So check in from time to time and let me know what you think!
"Behold, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland."
Isaiah 43:19
Carpe Diem!
Susan
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