napkinlove
Happy Father’s Day, dad! Sharing some napkin love to celebrate all the big and little ways you have shown up for me always with a sense of humor, compassion and love . I love and appreciate you!
As I was walking this amazing labyrinth this morning, I was feeling incredibly grateful for living in such a heavenly place and for all the craziness I had to go through to be here. I remembered it is officially "Gratitude Day," which is celebrated annually on September 21st.
The celebration of Gratitude Day allows us to celebrate the broad meaning of gratitude in a variety of ways.
The celebration started in 1965 in Hawaii at an international gathering where it was decided that it would be a good idea to have one day per year to formally express gratitude and appreciation for the many wonderful things to be found in the world.
The benefits of having time in one's life for gratitude, appreciation, and positive reflection have become increasingly apparent. The hope of the founders of Gratitude Day is that by taking time, one day a year, to reflect on the many amazing things we have in our lives, it will positively impact our well-being and make us happier, more content people. Wow, compound that by 365 days, and imagine what might happen.
Wishing a happy gratitude day to all and a gentle reminder to stop, appreciate, and honor what you are grateful for, and of course pass it on with love.
Recently, this adorable fairy house appeared on my morning route. I saw it tucked away in a tree overlooking the bay. It was clearly constructed with great imagination, care, and love. I especially appreciate the popsicle stick grate thoughtfully placed on the carved out window on the up cycled kleenex box. It boasts a charming full bedroom suite complete with bedding and a leaf chair.
So grateful for the being that created this and lovingly placed it here so the fairies could be super comfy and enjoy the view.
Janis Martin, one of the brightest lights on the planet, will be leaving soon to continue her soul’s journey. Last week she posted an invitation to "My Celebration of Life" to feel the love. Janis has been a mentor, teacher, coach, counselor, and all around loving advocate for so many throughout her lifetime. So grateful to be a part of her tribe and surround her in love and for the chance to feel her sparkle one more time.
I was lucky enough to work with Janis as my mentor and coach at a critical point in my life, as I was certain it was impossible to live, survive, and thrive without a big corporate job and all the trappings that come with it.
Janis was and is the voice of loving clarity and possibility, and she is a tremendous teacher in creating a life you love, starting from wherever you are . I am incredibly grateful for the realization that I am living the ideal life now as I defined it in my Janis homework from 8 years ago, which of course I found today.
I am so delighted and honored to have shared the planet with you and feel incredibly lucky to have you in my life. You have touched so many in ways you cannot imagine, and your energy and spirit are so appreciated and will be deeply missed.
I love you Janis, and know you are surrounded in peace, luscious light, and love, with huge smiles, as you continue on to the next phase of this crazy life journey.
Living in a small, funky coastal town, you never know who you might meet. We have forged some great friendships with complete strangers who have had incredible life journeys. One of our favorites is Dorothy Rooney, a high-energy, super-sparkly soul who has lived 96 years of full-on joy and unimaginable adventures.
Today we were lucky enough to be seated next to her and her amazing partner Liz at breakfast at the local hangout. Lucky for us, Dorothy was decked out in full regalia with her WASP wings and her Congressional Medal of Honor ID badge. They had intended to go to the Memorial Day service at the local cemetery, , unfortunately the dates got mixed up so she didn't get to mingle as she had planned . Dorothy, with her usual enthusiastic smile and twinkle, declared that she was looking for adoration today and had hoped that somebody would notice the hard earned WASP wings pinned to her shirt. Of course, we already had and were thrilled to run into her under such auspicious circumstances. As always, she was beyond inspiring, sharing her life experiences as a pioneering female pilot at the age of 25.
So grateful to have Dorothy and Liz in our universe and to be reminded of all the amazing women that have paved the way with such grace, gusto and relentless courage. Most importantly Dorothy, please know and remember you will always be not only adored for your service but for who you are.
Dorothy, you are a truly inspiring hero and pioneer, and we wish you much adoration and appreciation today and every day.
Driving down Highway 101 along the coast to Santa Barbara has been not only a beautiful very familiar but comforting happy place for me most of my life. I remember mucho fun, water play, and camping as a kid, and chilling at Refugio and El Cap beaches at many different phases of my life.
As I was driving this route on the day after the devastating oil spill, the air was thick with the stench of oil and there was mass chaos in the sky as the pelicans and seagulls were circling in large numbers, clearly confused and impacted.
The sky was filled with helicopters supporting the frantic containment effort in the water below. It is beyond heartbreaking to think about the impact this will have on the environment. The most shocking thing was to see the hazardous materials trucks and containers everywhere and the large force of "helpers” in white suits on this normally spectacular stretch of California coast.
As traffic was slowed by flashing lights, orange cones and emergency vehicles everywhere, the cleanup efforts and wildlife rescue were clearly in full force. I passed mile after mile of teams of Helpers and equipment being dispersed and focused on the brilliant wisdom of Mr. Rogers:
“When I was a boy, I would see scary things. In the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." To this day, especially In times of “disaster" I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers, so many caring people in this world.” —Mr. Fred Rogers
Grateful for the reminder that life as we know it can change in an instant and another huge thank you for the "helpers” that seemingly appear out of nowhere to help restore and repair in tragedies around the globe .
boxofbunnies
These are the caring hands and one of the snuggly "grand bunnies" of the amazing Anna Deis . I was lucky enough to stop by the farm on a few occasions, just a few days after they were born. Anna was beyond adorable in her excitement and had clearly put a lot of love and preparation into her role as "grand bunny mother.” Her enthusiasm was delightful and infectious.
I will always remember her this way, which even makes me smile as we grieve for Anna, who was recently taken to heaven. She left tragically and unexpectedly while she was cycling. There is some comfort knowing she was doing something she loved, with someone she really loved, her fiancee Jason.
Today is Anna's wedding day, and she was certain to be a breathtaking bride while marrying the love of her life on a beautiful sunny day on the coast. It is incredibly heartbreaking that this will not come true; the grief felt by her family and a very large tribe is palpable. We miss her glow and her pure delight in living each moment.
The sweetest synchronicity I have found is this very inspiring Facebook post that Anna did a month ago—a lovingly written and perfect message for today. Grateful to you, Anna, for the amazing person you continue to be. for the sweet reminder of the joy found in a box of bunnies and, most importantly, for taking nothing for granted.
One of my favorite people will be celebrating his 93rd birthday tomorrow, and in true style, he will be having his party in the ICU as he recovers from a "bump in the road," which is what he would probably call it.
Emil Dockter is a total bright spot and one of a kind; he radiates joy and continues to be a huge support to my parents and family.
I will always appreciate a fun dive into the conversational waters of chakra healing, Hindu deities, and other random stuff we covered one night while eating great cheese and drinking wine. Emil is a truly inspiring student of life and a believer in the power of soul connection, still writing books, teaching, and creating avenues for authentic communication. We need more people like Emil in the world.
Happy Birthday, Emil! I am so grateful to have you in my life!
It has been a very long week since my mom left for heaven, but only one week. As I finish going through photos for her "life celebration service," I keep coming back to this one. I love this photo and believe it represents their marriage and relationship beautifully.
This photo was taken about 6 weeks into a 7 week intensive naturopathic protocol to treat her very aggressive cancer, which, unknown to us at the time, was rapidly taking over her body. As she grew weaker and needed more support than she wanted, they proved to be an even more amazing team.
I believe the sweetest thing about this photo is she is walking on her own, although weak and a little wobbly, and her dad is holding her up gently by her pants. He is letting her be on her own, yet ready to support her in any way he can, and they did that beautifully for each other for 52 and a half years.
This experience has been a gift wrapped in sandpaper, as I learned more about my parents, my family, and myself during this journey than at any other time in my life.
It was a privilege and delight to support her and them as a couple and I am incredibly grateful that I had these last two months with them.
Happy one week in heaven, mom—we miss you more than you could imagine!
I went home to visit my parents three weeks ago for a seemingly casual visit, there was nothing on the horizon to worry about. As it turned out, I was there when my mom, after not feeling great the previous weekend, went to a routine OR appointment which would prove to be not so routine, and after swift action from an efficient team of ORs and many tests and procedures, less than two days later we were given a stage 4 cancer diagnosis with tumors in the pancreas, liver, and lymph nodes.
Of course, we were all in shock, as mom is known for extreme self-care and is in great shape, and yikes, this is serious news. I extended my visit, and our newly banded and very determined tribe of 3 (my parents and I) began a thorough tour of the Ors offices with little good news about treatment options, total overstimulation of information, and the consistent reminder to move fast on treatment. My brother had also planned to be there over the next week—another crazy coincidence—and we pooled our family strengths, knowledge, and incredibly supportive medical connections to move into action with a sense of humor and grace.
As the information continued to unfold and connect us, we were able to find a great doctor and team at a holistic cancer clinic with a treatment plan and protocol that felt good and right for her. Looking back, it all lined up so quickly and powerfully that there is no doubt now that it should have been any other way.
Mom is now in her second week of an intense and complex treatment that, to greatly simplify, creates conditions in the body that cancer cannot survive and thrive in. A huge part of the success of this protocol comes from nutrition and juicing. I believe this label says it all: “Not for Sissies (Hardcore)” Mom is drinking 4 of these a day, very strong I could barely get down half a bottle. Yes, that label captures not only the taste and strength of this very potent microjuice but also the experience of being diagnosed with cancer, weighing all the options, and moving forward to take responsibility for your healing.
The photo above shows mom on day 5 with a full juice in front of her, an empty one beside it, and a sweet "bring it on" kind of smile. I bet she will not like this photo, but I believe it captures the experience perfectly. I remain inspired and impressed by her gusto, her open mind, and her spirit towards the whole experience; it has shown and taught me a lot.
I am incredibly grateful for all the loving support we have received on this journey and that I was there and able to be a part of what will no doubt prove to be a powerful healing experience for mom and our entire family.
The weekly farmers market is foodie heaven. Portland is a unique adventure, filled with amazing locally grown produce and always interesting people. Recently I had the great pleasure to meet Felicia, a delightful 7-year-old from China who is in Portland for a few months with her family.
Felicia has been busy making soaps and candles by hand and then uses fabric and other scrap materials to package them with her special flair. She declares her products "completely sustainable"” She engaged me in conversation about the proceeds and giving to World Vision while her younger brother played guitar beautifully to draw a crowd and their proud parents looked on from a safe distance.
I was blown away by her passion and spirit and asked her which of her products she would suggest for me, with no hesitation, she told me Felicia's Starry Night Soap had magical powers. I bought the soap and remain convinced it is Felicia who has the magic power, and I am certain she will continue to spread her magic message of giving back in a way only she can.
Always grateful to support free-spirited and soulful entrepreneurs of any age.
I woke up Sunday feeling kind of off, but I made my way into the dance studio as usual anyway to move with Kari Winn, one of my favorite teachers. Kari has this incredible gift and always brings the right insight, wrapped in the right package, at exactly the right time. Kari created the intention to celebrate Memorial Day, and our movement today would honor Zach Sobiech and celebrate his gift to the world.
Zach Sobiech was 14 when diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Zach underwent many surgeries and chemotherapy treatments. At 17 and with only months to live, Zach turned to music and posted a video on YouTube to say goodbye to his family and friends. Zach's song, “Clouds'” went viral and has touched millions, 'Clouds' is available on iTunes and other online music stores. The proceeds benefit the Zach Sobiech Research Fund for Children's Cancer Research.
Zach Sobiech was 18 when he left this world on May 20, 2013. Our hearts and prayers are with his family and friends. We are forever touched by his wisdom and his story Thank you for sharing your life and music with us, Zach.
We celebrated your life as we danced and bounced around our beautiful space with big joy and arms up up up, rare sun streamed through the windows and Zach's catchy yet incredibly profound song Clouds blasted, I am certain he was feeling it . Grateful as always for Kari for continuing your tight focus on all the amazing things happening in the world and giving us space and freedom of movement to come together.
I arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark, yesterday, a city that has been on my list for some time, I came here to be inspired in what is known as one of the healthiest and most creative and design-driven cities in the world. Within hours of my arrival, I was wandering the streets, open to inspiration and like-minded souls and was almost instantly immersed by a group of happy and radiant Danes out on a "love walk."
Their mission is to create and share a "global heart" and create community where there is diversity and room for all to stand together as fellow beings to create a more loving and peaceful world.
I joined in with no hesitation and felt instantly connected and accepted in a country very far from home. I will definitely stay involved in some fashion to help spread the word in my own little corner of the world. I am incredibly grateful for the sweet synchronicity, new friends, and the amazing welcome to Scandinavia on the other side of this crazy world .
zachandbella
I recently attended an offsite for work, and when we were packing up to leave, we had lots of fresh fruit, yogurt, and "healthy leftovers.” I took most of it to give to a local homeless shelter I support, but I never made it that far. I found myself driving through Portland with a front seat full of food to give away and gained even more awareness of the intense homelessness crisis here. It was a bitterly cold day, and at almost every corner was a person in need; most were young and appeared broken and hopeless, and sadly for humanity, they were very grateful just to be acknowledged.
I passed out food and drove on until I met Zach and Bella. I got out of my car, and Zach and I talked for a bit, and he shared his story with me. I was so touched by his vulnerability, his honesty, and his energy that I asked for his phone number so I could check in and help as much as possible, and I went home with a gnawing tummy.
I have been watching for Zach and Bella ever since, and they were on my mind a lot today, so I texted him to check in. They seemed shocked, and I was happy to hear that all is "ok" and that they are now living in a car with his girlfriend and Bella, trying to get back on their feet after losing a job and thus their apartment. We hatched a plan to meet in the morning so I could drop off a care package and check in. So grateful to be in a position to help and to have a chance to support with compassion and a new awareness. After all, every person standing on a corner with a sign is a human, has a story, and a soul, and sometimes we need a reminder of that... Thank you Zach and Bella
As I was completing a project in India recently, I had a unique opportunity to witness the Monday morning arrival and energy in a corporate office in a radically different culture. I sat in the lobby early for a meeting and watched the usual rush of somewhat hesitant people swipe their badges and dash upstairs to begin their week. There's nothing different about that.
Soon a man arrived with a huge smile and a box of flowers, marigold garlands, incense, and prayer beads and began a ritual at the abstract Ganesha altar in the corner at the base of the stairs. Ganesha is one of the deities widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as the Lord of New Beginnings and the Lord of Obstacles. I can’t think of any office that could not use that fresh perspective each day!
It was beautifully fragrant, and instantly the energy of the office and the way the new rush of people entered the building and started their week was calmer and more aware as they each stopped and took a moment with the altar.
Grateful to experience the Monday morning ritual in a different world and take note of the importance to stop and take a breath and a moment each morning.
I just returned from an amazing trip to India, where I was exposed to a way of life and way of being I could previously only imagine. We wandered and discovered all kinds of people, places, and things, and the joy, harmony, and peace that we found in utter chaos at every turn continues to inspire and amaze me.
Everywhere we went, the perfect guide appeared and enthusiastically led us through areas we would not have had access to or felt comfortable with. This particular day we were wandering happily, although somewhat lost, looking for the tannery in the slums of Dharavi when a perfectly dressed, handsome young man adopted us. Abdul Jawwad was thrilled to show off his great English and showed us around while giving us the real deal on the culture as he took us to the tannery. There, he was eager to talk and asked great questions about our lives. He was compelled to get out his brand new laptop (which his family had saved up for six months) because he wanted to share his dreams with me.
I was blown away by his clarity, drive and enthusiasm to share so happily and openly what to most would be considered unachievable dreams given the conditions we were standing in. He had a profound impact on me, and I have no doubt that he will achieve everything on that list... and much much more.
fathers day
I have always loved this photo and seems appropriate to share it on fathers day
This is a photo of my dad and I sitting side by side last year, and it captures the essence of our relationship and what he has given me. I got his long, lean legs, and I am eternally grateful for that! Although not so much in my earlier years while he cheered me on and supported me through the gangly "daddy long legs" stage, pants were never long enough and too tall for the cute boys’ often angst-ridden tween and teen years.
That support, of course, continued into my adult years, as he walked me down the aisle to my husband of five years in my favorite running shoes to meet the Elvis impersonator as we renewed our vows for my parents in Las Vegas the night before a marathon we were doing together. I am almost certain that was not his dream for me, but I never would have known it as he laughed, got into it, and cheered those legs on the next day and many races after.
I witnessed fitness as a priority from an early age and was always encouraged to explore that realm as he celebrated my first jump off the high dive and countless other milestones and received clear course correction only when needed:)
He supported me with a word, a shoulder, or even a check (or ten) as I progressed through the corporate world, always with sound advice and loving support. I continue to embrace and use all the leadership and good human qualities he demonstrated through thoughtful action throughout his career.
Thank you, Dad, for all you have given me, the strong legs to stand on and the grace to move forward in my life. You are an amazing human, and I love and appreciate you very much!
What I am grateful for by Kathy Russell
I am grateful for my neighbors, Ian Kelsey and Megan, whose ages range from 6 to 9 years old. They continue to remind me of innocence, joy, and laughter, and that as an adult, I have learned to take myself much too seriously.
As we spend time together hiking or playing go-fish, they remind me to live in the moment and be happy as they are, because you never know when that moment will be taken away.
I have been watching this tree grow up through the concrete sidewalk and the confines of this sign post for almost six years. It has been slow and steady growth, as you would expect given the conditions it has chosen. It is on the route to one of my favorite hikes, and I am grateful for the powerful reminder that anything is possible with trust and perseverance.
Chele Mckee grateful for it all at 47