Friday, March 18, 2011

And the Diagnosis is...

I have this incredibly annoying quality about me where I feel like I can control people's health. It's utterly absurd, I'm not a doctor, but I still feel compelled to drive my loved ones nuts with diagnosing them. I am constantly looking my loved ones over to find a medical ailment that I can correct them on - can you even imagine how annoying that is?!
I have managed to diagnose cancer, deadly staff infections, ovarian cysts, skin cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and alcoholism. Not to mention the endless diseases I have magically diagnosed my dogs with (Wobblers disease, tumors, broken legs, hip dysplasia, etc...). None of have been confirmed.
When I notice it getting worse, I take a moment for myself - this consists of taking a long deep breath, and saying "Tomorrow is never promised, just enjoy today". For some reason, this calms my mind from the deadly diseases I feel plague my darling loved ones. 
I think there is something to be said for acknowledging that tomorrow is never promised. Wouldn't we forgive easier and love deeper if we thought today would be our last? I think if we remember how precious life is, and how truly short it is on a regular basis, we can just allow ourselves to live without fear and shame.
Maybe my diagnosis's come from a place of love, but I would rather practice that love by living exuberantly, instead of waiting for the day that someone dies or trying to prevent it from happening.
So take a deep breath with me. *SIGH* "TOMORROW IS NEVER PROMISED, JUST ENJOY TODAY" And remember how wonderful your surroundings are and how brilliant the people in your life are. Smile and go live your life!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Side Walk Chalk

Lately I have been inspired by Side Walk Chalk, thanks to SARK. It's the perfect thing to do on a summer day when you just feel bored and uninspired. I'm not particularly good at drawing, but something about side walk chalk is non offensive, I would say it's whimsical and even happy to look at. The worse you do, the better it seems to look. You don't have to get overly creative, a bunch of flowers is all you really need to make a boring sidewalk look interesting, used by the community, and playful.
I think on the next sunny day, I will go outside with a friend and draw until I run out of chalk.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Unexpected Surprises

I received the most beautiful card in the mail on Saturday, that said, "Faith, You are LOVED! You are amazing". Naturally this brought a HUGE smile to my face for hours. I couldn't help but think, who wrote this magical little note. And how wonderful that they addressed me by my name, obviously this wasn't a mistake. This person thinks I am amazing, and what a wonderful reminder to be told that I am loved.
After some Nancy Drew work, I realized who sent it. I must say, I was surprised. Not because this person isn't thoughtful, but because she had a particularly hard week when she mailed it to me. The fact that she was able to step outside of her current struggles to acknowledge her friends really inspired me. It made me realize that no matter how hard our life is and the crap we are dealing with, we should always make time for the special people in our life.
I didn't want to call her and tell her how this note touched my heart. Instead, I went to the store and picked up a card. I cut out pictures of our faces and taped it on the front and wrote a personalized note inside. I mailed it yesterday - I can't wait until she receives it in the mail. I hope that it brings her a smile like she did for me.
When I told my friend Sandeep about this magical little note, he said, "It's the unexpected Surprises that are the best", I must admit that he is right. I think I will carry on her tradition by sending people anonymous little notes filled with love and magic. We all deserve to have unexpected surprises!

My Chest Full of Butterflies

Sometimes my chest feels so warm and filled with butterfly wings fluttering about. There may be no good reason why, a song I am listening to, a memory with a friend, the thought of a loved ones smile, listening to a hearty laugh -- all of these things fill my chest with butterfly wings. I can almost feel them tickling my skin. These wings give me the courage to be the woman that I am. It's like that inner voice that says, "Just go for it". I think tonight, I shall take my butterflies for a walk to let them take in the scenery and flutter about at all the wonderful things that I am surrounded by.