I always talk about the little things that bring me joys. But this time, I want to start documenting and see where the list go… ( I see many many posts around this!)
1. Having the option of sleeping in
2. A free evening with endless hours ahead for reading
3. A new book on my doorstop
4. A long walk preferably with a smooth breeze
5. Pink skies. Always
I’ve learned that…
Less is more.
It’s better not to cry over spilled milk. When in doubt, ask.
Not to take everything personal because most of the time, is not.
There are things I can’t control. Let it go.
Happiness is found in the crevices of life, in those in between moments.
Simple moments are the best.
I’m sure there’s more to learn. I’m paying attention….
I’ve always admired Michael J. Fox. I’ve watched his journey and paid attention to how he turned a painful situation around to the point of becoming an advocate. Listening to him last night at the Ohio Theater just validated my love and admiration for him even more.
He spoke with love, humor and reflection. He kept it real and didn’t hide the tough moments. He talked about his journey with Parkinson as a ” choice he didn’t make.” But two powerful points he made included on the topic of:
1. Acceptance. Michael J. Fox stated, ” this is a fact. This is my truth. Until I didn’t deal with this truth, I couldn’t move forward.”
2. Resilience: develop a core set of beliefs that will help you stay strong.
“It’s a gift that I became a touch point for empathy for many.”
I left the theater with strength, admiration and faith. Thanks Michael J. Fox for helping me understand so much more than before.
Do you have something that has been lingering on your mind for a while? Do you have plans that live in your head but not on your papers? Have you been afraid to said them aloud? Does it follow you like a dog follows the way back home? This page on my book got me thinking about this today….
You know you are blessed when you have that unconditional kind of love that does not keep track of your mistakes. The kind of love that says, “let’s try this again tomorrow.” The kind of love that forgives and still believes in you. I saw this quote by my favorite president of all time and I know what he means. To the ones that held my hand, still believed in me when I messed up, when I fell and scratch myself in big ways: thank you! Your love propelled me forward. I continue to work on myself because of people like you. Because of friends like you that “parted with me when I went wrong.”
Thank you.
I went to a surprise birthday party today and little did I know that I was going to drop tears of joy. My friend Sandra has definitely planted seeds of love in life. And today was a good testimony of that life because as friends and family gathered to celebrate her, guests also have the chance to talk about her and share with everyone how much Sandra means to everyone. People shared stories, gave reasons and examples, there were embraces and tears. There were memories and years. There were seasons and places. I felt so overjoyed that Sandra got to hear all this on her birthday when she can enjoy and savor those words.
Don’t get me wrong I understand why we speak this way at funerals but when that happens the person doesn’t get to hear it. She or he is long gone. But when we say it now vs. later, we are changing the course of life. We are creating a revolution of love and appreciation. Everyone was filling Sandra’s bucket today and I’m sure by the end of the day, she was ready to start spreading that love to others. So, I say let’s choose NOW instead of later. Say it now. Let’s make our days and years count. Say it forward.
I know I had. After being in this beautiful country for 14 years, there are things you get used to doing or having them. We don’t think much about it. Until you realize, what if I don’t get to do this? What if life experiences change and “this thing” that was once little become a BIG part of your life? That’s what trips to the library means to me. I grew up not having access to real, awesome libraries and missed my chance to be a reader in my childhood years. Fast forward some years, and now I have access to the best library system in the States. Any book. Total access. Yes. We take for granted. We have gotten used to putting online book reservations and then picking them up. It’s a big deal people. It’s a huge deal. Next time you step at the library, I encourage you to just pause and think… In this case, in this country… The choice to be a reader or not is YOURS. #365Simplicity
A couple of friends and I met up at the annual Columbus Underground event: Best Bites. This time the event brings together restaurants and we are all there for one reason: to try bites of amazing burgers and vote on Columbus’ best. As we made it through the tables admiring the creation, their love and pride for their work, I would meet up with friends and in between bites and laughs we would discuss each choice. Here’s the thing: they were all good. They were all unique. Each had a distinctive taste but what really got me thinking was that at the time of voting, I went for the simplest yet full of flavor burger. I found it amazing that even in food, simplicity matters. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the towery burger piled up with tomatoes, peppers, onions and other layers. But I didn’t need all of that. And so here I was on a Thursday afternoon enjoying life and realizing that beauty does indeed hide behind the simplest joys. #365simplicity
My dad and I have a lot of things in common. One of them is the love for small breaks during the day to enjoy a “cafecito”. Back home, our coffee is not serve in sizes like “Tall”, “Grande”, etc. Also back home, the concept of “sizes” and “portion” is remarkably different. We don’t want to super size anything. We take great comfort in enjoying whatever is on our dish without having to define it by “how much” we get. Anyways, one of my fondest memories growing up is running errands with dad in the city and having coffee breaks. Cafecito? He would ask. The answer was always yes. As an adult now, I find great comfort and happiness going to coffee shops around the city. Everytime I do, I send love to my dad for introducing me to a “little tradition” that stay with me and that now I get to enjoy it either by myself or with friends. Thanks Dad. What a simple yet wonderful thing you taught me.
I love dancing and the joy it brings. The silliness and the creativity. The letting loose and the way it connects people. A teacher from the last school I taught at sent me this picture and of course it brings happy tears immediately. I love that this little one sends love my way when she hears that song we used to dance to it in class. I love her heart. I love the simplicity of her memory. What a gift this letter has been to me. I miss you too little one. I miss you too.
365simplicity 