My First Ten 2014 Rez-oh-looo-shuns - by C. A. Griffin

My First Ten 2014 Rez-oh-looo-shuns

#1 - no weight gain in 2014. The heck with losing weight. I will settle for remaining the weight I am now - just as long as I don’t gain. Everything I have now fits.

#2 - no Jamison shots...after midnight...and before 1pm tomorrow. After that I will do them whenever the mood hits me.

#3 – open less cans…of food (saves on recycling and reduces my preservative/sodium intake) and of whoop azz (saves on bail money and jail time)

#4 – more smiling; at the Heiferatti and at the Coven. A smile goes a long way in diffusing a rough situation; besides it will disorient them before I deliver the verbal beat down as well as piss them off. SCORE!!!!

#5 – striving to be alert. That’s not the same as awake; I may be awake but I am not necessarily alert. Ask Larry or any of the Sunday school kids. Being alert means watching my surroundings, watching for the signs of the times and being vigilant. (Yes it’s also known as “Nosey Old Lady of the Block In Training”)

#6 – learning how to swim. Yes that’s right I said it. I live on one island and work on another. If stuff goes down I need to be able to swim.

#7 – obtain inflatable devices. Face it #6 may not work out. I mean I may learn to swim a few feet but long distance? Not gonna happen. So, yes I will need life preservers. Preferably in primary colors that glow in the dark as well as one in black and one in white. Hey I still need to be color coordinated.

#8 – Grow my own herbs. The kind you eat NOT the kind you smoke.

#9 – get at least one new book published and do at least one new concert. Some folks poke, play games and keep us informed about world events via FB; I plan on pressuring you into reading (my books), motivating you (come to the OHCC to hear me speak) and hear some local bands (2014 music concerts).

#10 – be a more gentle spirit. (no more throwing staple guns, laptops, chairs, pencils, shoes or people. Ok the people thing can’t be promised if I go back to Krav Maga training and actually keep up with it).

It Is Done

Like each year before it, this year has been marked with good and bad; it has been striated with lines of heart wrenching despair as well as events of pure joy.  Death has walked through the halls of family and friends alike.  The jubilant arrival of newborns awakened the goofy voices and faces in us as we tickled wriggling toes, reaching fingers and laughed at toothless smiles.  The unexpected has alternatively dropped kicked us in the chest with the force of a well-trained assassin and tapped us lightly on the shoulder with the gentleness of a pudgy toddler’s finger in the middle of the night. 

I thank the Lord for the strength to stand in front of the firing line of life, for the proverbial cigarette and the choice to wear the blindfold or to look life right in the eye and say FIRE!   It’s not that I am daring darkness to befall me; it’s not that I am bragging of blessings; but I am stating clearly that all that I have and am is because of the grace of God.  All that I have survived, and all that I am going through and will fight through is because of the grace of the Almighty.  I am so thankful for this year, 2013; thankful that it has come and that it is just about gone.  I am also exceedingly grateful to be able to turn the corner into the new one.  Here’s to hoping that we all are blessed to fill 2014 with a deeper conviction to live and love together for the greater peace and good of our own wellbeing and for all mankind, through a walk of united faith and trust.

A new chance, a new time, a new year for the Life of You.

<3 Always & Peace ∞
CAG 12312013

In My Heart

In my heart, there are things that I think about that are said only for the Lord to hear.  The number is infinite and seemingly unattainable and enclosed with worry or fear.

There are names of people, hopes and dreams, wishes and a desire or two; the span of the need is as vast as the cosmos and seem as if they will never come true.

There are those who are struggling with illness; that need a job; are grief stricken or all of the above; and in my heart I pray for them to find an abundance of unconditional solace, strength and love.

In my heart, there are things that I think about that are said only for the Lord to hear.  I pray for those miracles; that grace from the Divine, to be with us all in the coming New Year.

<3 Always & Peace ∞
CAG 12262013

Peaceful Sleep

"To my friends both near and far - I wish you peace right where you are. And for those whose hearts are full of dreams, may you remain ever bouyant on life's turbulent stream" - CAG

Note to Self - December 2, 2013

Occasionally, I have a moment where someone or something sets me to thinking of some life truths that need to be applied to my life. Here is today's missive:

Note to Self:

Before you feel the need to comment on someone else's life and how they choose to live it, check out your own, without the rose colored glasses. Take a retrospective stroll down the hazy memories of your past.

Take away the excuses for what you've done or didn't do while wrapped up in the passions of love or hate, caught in the throes of desperation, desire or addiction or while you were just plain stuck on stupid.

If you truly do that, if you honestly judge yourself and your actions prior to judging someone else I bet that you'll put down the magnifying glass or forget about tossing that stone.

If you can't look at and accept someone objectively when they are trying to do better and turn their life around, then walk away and mind your own business. I'm sure you can find more than a few things in your own life that need the deep attention of your scrutiny.

CAG
12022013

No Mess, No Stress, Just Blessed

Last night, after a long day and an even longer commute home, I finally arrived home and found a pair of fuzzy socks to put on (my new fav thing to do to relax - don't know why).  I watched a bit of TV, had a quick bite to eat and intended to either write or edit an existing story that I've been procrastinating on for a few months now.  But I decided to catch up with a friend instead and I was emailing back and forth for all about twenty minutes when sleep took over and I had to call it a night.  I woke up at 5:30 am this morning and tried to use the sweet sounds of rain and the cool rush of early morning air slipping in through my window to lull me back to sleep.  Nope. Didn't happen.

So, I started reading FaceBook posts, news articles, gathering my gear for work and organizing a few things.  I began to putter around the house and then was about to do the prep for the turkey when I just realized that I don't have a container big enough to brine this turkey.  So now, I'll have to go buy something for it later after work.  I won’t be able to brine it for the entire 24 hours.  I’m making all the desserts tonight. That means that I’ll be up late and fighting NOT to eat everything before tomorrow (for my family members reading this, if the desserts arrive in a box from the supermarket bakery, you'll know that I failed miserably).

There are work projects (all the fun and none of the glamour of being an executive assistant), writing projects (sneaking in this post and doing the editing I was supposed to have done last night), the church brick project (review and approval of changes to the website and the brochure) and the Jan/Feb projects (planning for a possible a party and a music event) that all require updates.  Yes, LOTS to do today. 

It used to be that stuff like this would have me yelling, stressing and cussing and fussing.  But I am not worried about it because it will all either get done or it won't.  I don't stress nearly as much as I used to. Now, I kind of just re-work the plan and take a different approach.  Part of it is my continued relaxation through my journey of faith. I meditate, pray and do some Yoga.  Now, I know some devout Christians may associate meditation and Yoga as blasphemous acts. Personally, I think that expressing my gratitude through controlled breathing and/or humming a hymn while moving through a sun salutation is conducive to having a spiritually healthy start to the day.   It also goes a long way into stretching (pun intended) that calm feeling all the way through to the night.  If, during the middle of the day, I feel the need for a quick refresher, I will often stretch and whisper a short meditative prayer to reset my frame of peace.

All too often, in our attempts to be the host and hostess with the most and mostest, we let the hustle and bustle of the preparation for an event to deplete our physical, mental and emotional wellness reserves.  We don't stop to replenish our "batteries".  We neglect to allow ourselves to re-charge our spirits.  When that happens and the actual event is finally underway, we are too tired to partake of the joy.  At least, that is what I found to be true for me and also with some of the family members and friends whose homes I've gone to for the holidays.

I don't think any shin dig that I host will ever go down in the history books as being the Best Party ever.  But I'm not striving for that.  What I am striving for is a good time, a safe haven and a peaceful gathering.  Aren't we all? The likely hood of someone not losing their cool or of a entertainment disaster occurring is 50/50 and seriously that is the best percentage of risk that I can hope for.

Personally, I strive for the peaceful route as much as I can.  Not an easy thing to do all the time but I do really try.  The results are truly a beautiful thing. I've learned to Relax. Relate. Release.  Remember that line that Debbie Allen said in her portrayal as a therapist to Jasmine Guy's Whitney in the TV series "A Different World"? Well, it does work. I can testify to that.

Everything may not be perfect but it will be lovely just as long as the attitude is good and the gratitude is present. If I have a major fail then I have a backup for that too.  If the food burns or tastes horrible; should I run out of provisions to feed people or if someone should get sick from my cooking (GASP!) I am ready with a series of remedies to help salvage the event.  I'll share this piece of sage advice with you now.

One must always remain calm and have someone else on hand to help you.  You can't do it all alone.  Share some of the preparation with a family member or close friend you can depend on.  It's okay.  No one will ridicule you for needing and asking for help and if they do then remove them from your invite list going forward. Besides, you can offer to return the favor when it's their turn to host a party.  I also always keep the following things on hand:

Pepto Bismal, Barf Bags, plastic gloves, disinfectant, deli meat, soft rolls and a small bottle of chilled Ketel One vodka.

The first six items are in case I have a sick guest, or run out of food.  The last one is only for me, when the party is over and everyone has gone. And yes I have mastered the practice of the Ketel One Sun Salutation.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Whatever it is that you need/want/have to get done or whatever it is that you find just has to be put off to be done at another time, I pray that it is blessed with safety, love, joy, fun and peace. 

Strive for the blessing and not the stressing for the Life of You.

CAG
11272013

Dirty Knees

Bent on Salvation

Kneeled in Knuckleball

Banged in Frustration

My Dirty Knees

Lost in my nightgown

Caught on a corner

Skinned on the first down

My Dirty Knees

Rug burned and scabbed

Rubbed on a rainy day

Exfoliated and FAB

My Dirty Knees

Bendable and spry

Kneaded in aggravation

Aching and I don’t know why

My Dirty Knees

Curved into a bow

Tickled softly in the moonlight

Reaping what I sow

My Dirty Knees

CAG 5/6/02

There Was Blood On The Leaves

Sometimes, I'm just HIT and I just write it and I don't try to make sense of it - CAG 11162013

"There Was Blood On The Leaves"

There was blood on the leaves

I saw it as I walked down the rough hewn path; past broad emerald colored palms

The sound of the drops were like a syncopated drum beat

Loud and rhythmic; I heard it over the crash of something in the bush to my left

I walked on.  I walked because I was too afraid to run.  I knew that running would only encourage

The chase.

There was blood on the leaves

I could smell it as I walked down the rock strewn road; past the pink Bougainvillea and the red Jungle Queen

The thick coppery smell was heavy in the air amidst the scent of flower, earth and tree

I walked on.  I walked because I was afraid that I would be sick and that it would be a show of weakness that would only encourage

The chase.

There was blood on the leaves

I could feel on my skin as it dropped from above me; as the path was swallowed up by the jungle and I had to walk ever deeper into the unknown

I walked on.  I walked because there was no choice.  The uncharted path was before me and to turn back would prove my cowardice and would only encourage

The chase.

There was blood on the leaves.

Gimme A Beat

I was talking to a friend last night and during our conversation, we discussed ways to uplift oneself out of the muck and mire of discontent. Music came up as a means to that end. Music, while not a cure all, can allow the heart and mind to express that which words cannot. Pain and sorrow, happiness and love, anger and frustration are all touched upon through a melody, the syncopation of a rhyt...hm or the crafting of lyrics. It is a channel that will help deeply seated emotions to wind their way up from the depths of our souls. I’m not only referring to the moment when you’re at a party and “your song” comes on. I am also referring to those moments when a song triggers a memory and pushes open the door that leads to the hidden emotions of our inner being.

I am talking about those feelings that well up in you when you hear your wedding song or a song that you and your love enjoy together; the crazy head cracking notes played by your child during piano, recorder, guitar or drum practice; those elated smiles that over run you when you hear a song that strikes upon a time of joy from long ago and the sad, emotional song that was played at a going home service. It’s the music that makes you want to dance, that makes you sing, that makes you play one excellent air guitar, that makes you tap your foot and bob your head. Oh that lovely sound of a haunting melody, that bass, a beat, a rhythm, the choirs’ voices, the soloists’ voices, concertos, symphonies, orchestras…

Whether you compose, sing, play an instrument, dance to it or sing along off key to it or all of the above; may music help pull you up, out and into a spiritual, mental, intellectual and emotional residence that is far better than where you currently live. Music, a gift from God.

Music for the Life of You.

Always & Peace ∞
CAG 11132013

Exiting the Dark Tunnel

There are times when the heart takes a beating.  When the soul feels battered and our minds seem un-anchored and are set adrift among confusion. We seek solace from friends and family or maybe we pull away from them instead.  We try to think deeply and read between the blurred lines of a heated argument or conversation; maybe we try to remember what was said and who said it.  Maybe, we remember all too clearly exactly what happened. 

We don’t sleep; we don’t eat properly, or maybe we sleep and each too much. Either way, we soon feel lost, weak and tired on top of everything else.  We may even overcompensate by taking on too many new challenges or perhaps we do absolutely nothing at all.  Sadness, depression, loneliness and heartbreak; worrisome things each one.  They even feed on each other, like cannibalistic piranhas.    

Trying to fight our way past it is daunting.  It’s like finding ourselves in an endless black tunnel and seeing this pinpoint of light at the end of it.  No matter how long you walk towards the light you never seem to be getting closer.  Sometimes we don’t even see the light at all.

There are no magic words to whisk it all away.  No special series of actions that will erase this in a blink of an eye.  Yes, there is prayer and meditation and they WILL HELP but it will take a concerted effort to work our way out of that tunnel.  We must pick up the pieces of our lives and bit by bit find our way out of that dark place and it will take a persistent pace and a deep self surviving desire to get ever closer to that light.  It can be done.

I have a few friends and family that are going through various stages of these dark emotions.  My heart cries for you.  I understand that pain.  Face it, we've all been through it at some point of our lives.  The duration for each person is as varied as the catalysts that cause them.  Some of us have remained in that dark place longer than others; some of us never really have come out of it and are ever so slowly making progress.  There are even a few who don’t know they are in the tunnel.  They’re walking aimlessly.

I’m here to say, don’t give up.  Don’t stop working to understand your pain.  Don’t ignore it or pretend it’s not there.  Look at it, see it as a black mass of snarled string and then slowly but surely unravel the pieces as you grasp onto the knowledge that you ARE stronger than you think.  Use prayer and meditation to help you focus and reset your heart, mind and soul back onto a path of peace.  This is where faith comes into play. 

If you know someone who is struggling, reach out to them.  They may or may not want to talk but don’t give up on them.  If they want to talk, then just listen.  You may not have and do not have to offer any sage advice; they may just need you to listen.  Be there for them; after all, wouldn't you want someone to be there for you?  We are our brother’s keeper.  It takes a village to raise a child and we are all in this together.  Clichés?  Over used sayings?  Maybe, but that doesn't make them any less true.

If you are struggling with something, don’t give up on yourself.  Know that you are loved and that you can get through this.  Don’t be afraid to seek comfort through a long and deep discussion with God through prayer; you can cry, laugh and talk to Him just as if He were sitting right next to you.  There is a saying that says let go and let God.  I believe that is true.  It means to let God guide you and when He does, you must make every effort to take those steps toward the path of healing that He presents to you.  And that guidance may come through talking to a friend, a family member – or even a professional care giver. 

May the peace of heaven fall down upon you like rain and drench you with the strength to continue your journey out of the dark tunnel of despair.

<3 Always & Peace ∞
07232013 CAG

Live In the Light

The light of the day; the happiness of the moment; the love of the heart should be captured and held in our memories. They need to be treasured and called back from deep memory at a time when the light dims, the happiness fades and love dies down from a raging fire to just embers amidst coal dust.

When you recall those effervescent days gone by, a spark from those memories ignites and once agai...n we are living and loving in the light and we build on it; we add to it. That is how the light, the happiness and love flourishes and never dies.

Hold close those good memories of loved ones and times gone by; cherish them. For when you do, they leave an echo in time that cannot be erased and that is how we become immortal.

Live and Love in the Light for the Life of You Always & Peace Forever ∞
07062013 CAG

Ruminating

Ruminating -

Often a journey of enlightenment is a long arduous route. The road is pitted with the bumps of rock and debris of past relationships gone sour. Overgrown roots of familial strife that have grown underground and unseen for such a long time now poke up through the dirt; making footsteps uneven and often tripping you up. Sometimes boughs of green, sinewy vines and low branches that offer flowers and fruit, the kindred of family and friends, can become distracting with their natural beauty but they slow up your pace. Maybe it’s the call of the wildlings, the good time; the just-until-the-right-man/woman-comes-along, that causes you to lose sight of your true goal. It could even be the yearning for companionship, of other travelers along the way that cause you to lend a hand, to stop and assist, that thoroughly gives you reason to neglect your own journey to a brighter, deeper and necessary understanding of self. Some are of good measure and others are dead ends.

The journey is never straight and it is never, ever easy. During the worst of it, a storm may develop from your own frustration, making you turn down a wrong path or seek solace in a place or with a person whose offer of comfort is temporary yet deceiving. Even worse, you look back and re-live the same mistakes; further hindering your progress and entangling your emotions into a seemingly inescapable knot. Once you’re finally on your way, your overzealous attempts to hasten onward, to try and catch up, may only serve to defeat you. At some point, in seeking to remain in the comfort of the past or your desire to idle in the present, you realize that you have missed a turn that held a secret lesson that was meant only for you; that was meant to prepare you, to educate you, to mold you. You might have to retrace your steps or continue on without that lesson; struggling a little harder than necessary.

The journey of enlightenment requires focus, re-focus and steadfast dedication. Your eyes must always behold the prize and you must do all that you can to remain on course. That is to say, that your mistakes must remain in the past; the temptation for temporary comfort in an old familiar place or with an old familiar love or with old familiar habits should be met with a gentle smile of thanks but no thanks as you march, walk or even crawl forward, especially if there is nothing positive to be gained. If you seek new and better things for your life you probably should not fill up your time with the old, the tried and the untrue. Sometimes you must go on alone, especially if those who propose to walk with you are still mired in the muck of their own lives and the study of their own history.

This journey, this life is sacred and is to be cherished. It is to be given your full attention of love and devotion. It is precious and powerful and each and every single second is a divine gift to be accepted with gratitude and shared with those whose only desire is to continue their own journey in the same manner of peace and grace as you are attempting to do with yours.

CAG 07022013

Stupid Is As Stupid Does

VENTING - there are all kinds of stupid in our society. They're sickening individuals, who are vicious with their worthless two-cents of racist actions and incendiary commentary; spewing garbage and wounding good people with their vitriol.  Worse, it seems that they can be infectious. They insinuate their hatred, bigotry and racism into their offspring, who if they had been removed from such negative surroundings would have the possibility to become fair minded and caring souls. 

I, for one, will continue to hope for better behavior from some of these people as life circumstances, fate or divine intervention will change the course of their narrow minded thinking and set them on a path to further the advancement of peace and understanding for all, thus negating some of their tawdry past. 

However, there is a tribe amongst our kind, a genetic offshoot of homo sapiens that I will going forward dub the Moronic Tribe or Homo Sapiens Moronicus; who I fear will never see the error of their ways and who are so full of evil intent that I believe that they are nothing short of being the spawn of Satan himself.  It is my hope that their lineage withers, and that God and nature removes from them the ability to procreate.  It is my deep seated wish that their handiwork is over come with all the love, peace and understanding that those of us who are of common positive light can muster.  Only then does this planet and all of its people, animals and flora have a chance of living out their days in harmony.

In short, stupid is as stupid does.

Don’t vote stupid into political seats of power.  Don’t entertain stupid and don’t be entertained by stupid.  Keep your minds, schools and libraries open.  Avoid eating the food of the stupid (GMOs) and vigilantly watch for stupid in all that you do.

That is all. Mindless rant over.

Saying No and Letting Go

Sometimes, I make a plan to push the start button on a project and I hesitate; I turn around; I change my mind or the project is removed from me. Occasionally, I have a regret about that but sometimes, I feel just fine with not having taken the next step. Some little inner voice (some call it Intuition, their Guardian Angel, the Holy Spirit or God's Divine Grace - I like to refer to them as my Congregation of the Positive Collective) tells me to let it go and that it was not for me.

After some thinking, I realize that had I gone ahead and pushed that button, I would have let myself into a world of hurt as it was the wrong path for me to choose; not that the project or the people involved were bad but it was just not for me at that time. This has been the case for me recently in regards to me seeking a new musical project to be a part of. I know I have the talent and the desire - that is not the problem. There is something that I need to do FIRST and THAT is what I will be working on NEXT. I am NOT giving up - I just have some things that I need to LET GO.

Don't be afraid to say no sometimes and don't be afraid to let go when necessary. Saying no and letting go can clear the pathway that leads to your goal.

<3 Always & Peace ∞
06042013 - CAG

Spring Cleaning...

Yesterday, I had a moment when I lost my hold on peace because, yes, some people have an extra dose of stupid and they were sharing that stupidity with anyone in the vicinity. I can only hope that today, they keep their ridiculousness to themselves.

Stay in your apartment, office, cube, section. STAY IN YOUR LANE.
Don't TRY to infect us with your ignorance, cowardly heart, your sheeple attitude.

DO NOT MERGE with those of us who have COMPASSION, COMMON SENSE and the desire to THINK FOR OURSELVES.

Ridding myself of your negative energy and hateful vibe; your constrictive behavior, short sighted thinking and  acidic tongue.  I LEAVE you behind.  BE GONE.  I'll view your sorry ignorance in my REAR VIEW.

#justdon'tunderstandsomefolkUGH

Mother's Day - the Dialogue of Love

As a mother - I cannot quite find the words that help me express all the emotions that come with this blessing of the titles of motherhood.  My kids are all adults now and we laugh and joke and I genuinely enjoy them.  I think the feeling is mutual.  For you young mother’s out there I wanted to see if you notice some of the things that I did with mine when they were young.  There is a code language used by children to when calling their mothers…in my house the words were used like this:

Mom – almost always when they want or don’t want something, which means always…all the dingdongdadgummit hallelujah time.  “Mom can I…mom why is it…mom I don’t want to…mom why can’t I go…Mom I want…Mom did you…” It was all the time, do you hear me?  ALL.  THE.  TIME.

Ma – has been used on occasion when they’ve messed up something as in “Ma – can you come here a minute something is wrong with…”  “Ma the washing machine is broken…” “Ma, do you know where…” “Ma you have to buy me…” the use of this term has, in my case at least, been the reason for my blood pressure rising and my bank account shrinking since it usually involves a repairman, a trip to the store, or a bottle of wine and some Tylenol.

Mommy – this heart rending term is usually accompanied by tears, screaming, pain (theirs physically, mine emotionally) a kiss, a whisper, a hug, blowing on the bloody boo boo (which if memory serves correct when I was a child serves as a diversionary tactic only) bandages, a call and possibly a subsequent visit to the doctor and a struggle to get them to take medication colored neon pink which tastes like chalk. This always results in loss of sleep, paid sick days, patience and weight since you won’t be eating until the ailment has passed the critical stage and let’s face it when you’re a mother even a snotty nose can be critical if you don’t have tissue.

Mother – used when being talked about to others who don’t know or who are not related to subject in question.  Such as in “My mother is going to kill me”.  “My mother is nuts have you heard her talk about survival tactics?”  “Did you tell your mother?  NO I am NOT telling your mother YOU tell her”  “Your mother is going to flip when she finds out, let’s keep this between us, let me handle it” (this last one is a paraphrase that may have been used on many occasions by their dad or grandparents – and yeah I knew about it or suspected it all anyway)

I admit being a Mother is a FULL TIME- LIFE TIME job. I WILL LOVE MY CHILDREN DEEPLY TRULY and FOREVER NO MATTER WHAT.  

With all that I’ve gone through with raising them, I wouldn’t have changed a darn thing for all the money in the world…well maybe a few of those 3 am feedings…the projectile vomiting disaster of 1996…the Karo syrup episode of ’94…the bug consumption horror in Colonial Heights, VA w/Babs…the mass hair grease deposit of ’93…the cupcake explosion in the back of  my dad’s car in ’92…

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL

<3 Always & Peace ∞

Channeling Peace

Channeling an armor of peace to get me through today.  Just reading up on the news is a sign of a world spiraling in chaos.
 
May YOU find a moment of peace to latch onto and get you through the day; past the irate and unreasonable; past the miserable and hate filled; past the loneliness and grief; past the sadness and pain; past the obstacles of life...

There is hope and peace to be found.  I find mine by taking to my knees in prayer. May you find yours in a way that fills you with light.

Find HOPE for the PEACE of YOU
<3 Always & Peace Forever
- CAG 03152013

The Blessings of Bonds

I came across this FB post this morning - I wrote it back in 2011 and wanted to share it again today...

Blessings...abound. Where are they? They’re everywhere! Take last night for instance. I saw them in the faces of my family and friends - those I see everyday and those that I maybe only see once in awhile. Blessings…abound. I even see them when I think fondly of those I don't see as often as I should, or in the memory of those who have passed on. I see them in my friends both near and far. I hear them through the words we share. In the letters, emails and texts we write to each other.

Bonds...my bonds with my family; my bonds with my friends, they are tight, strong and everlasting. Even tenuous bonds created in the exploration of new relationships are blessings. The beautiful thing is that it costs nothing to deepen your bond…you do that by sharing love. Bonds are like the thick braids of shipping rope, the strands are many and coiled tightly, repeatedly; intertwined to form a rope that can be thick as a forearm or as thin as the finger. The rope’s size and strength varies upon its need.

Familial and friendship bonds are strengthened with a call, a visit, a letter…I know there are bonds that I need to strengthen, as I’ve been remiss with some people I love dearly. I know I’m going to have to be more diligent in strengthening my bonds. There are bonds that I have which are so strong that they make me float in joy every day. Others, well there are others I need to work on. To be honest, there may even be a few that I need to cut. But that is for another post. This one is about the bonds that build up and empower you.
How about you? Who are you bonded with? Do they feel the bond you share? Strengthen your bonds…and watch the blessings for everyone intertwined in that bond grow.
- C. A. Griffin

Saturday's Missive - March 9 2013:

It used to be that one of the things I craved most was to sleep in; to sleep past ten in the morning and maybe roll out of bed in time for lunch.

Now, I wake up at 6:00 am EVERYDAY and not simply because I HAVE to but because I WANT to. I want to squeeze all the time I can out of each day. Is it because I'm older? Maybe, but I think it's because I know that each day is a gift that I want to unwrap and enjoy while I can. I want to truly live each day.

I want to savor the laughter, the smiles - no matter how few of them there may be due to a difficult circumstance. I want to cherish the heartfelt moments of uniting with work-family, church-family and blood family. I want to celebrate each day.

I want to shed the tears of sadness and feel the solace offered through a kind word, a touch, an embrace. Yes, I want this too because I cannot avoid them, I must go through them, live them and heal from them - no matter how slowly or painful it maybe. I don't have a choice, so let me mourn and remember and heal. I want to heal a little more each day.

I want to pray the prayer of gratitude; the prayer for strength and peace, the prayer for divine intervention; the prayer for unity and enlightenment. I want to pray each day.

I want to truly live each day.

 LIVE TRULY for the Life of You.

 ♥ Always & Peace Forever

Pray earnestly, travel safely, arrive joyously, depart exuberantly;

Relax completely, party hardy, read voraciously and play delightfully.

In other words…LIVE.

Grace, Passion and Serenity…my GPS for Living this weekend.

May it also be yours.

LIVE for the Life of You.

<3 Always & Peace Forever.