Yes, More Love ― That’s What We Need

Lovers at Orval

Lovers at Orval by Alexandre Dulaunoy — Courtesy of PhotoDropper

I’m dedicating this post to Valentine’s week and love. Hubby and I will be married 48 years this year and we’re getting close to that Golden Anniversary. We’ve seen so many changes over the years not only in us but in the world around us. Through all of it, I can truly say I’m still in love and happy. I’m so grateful for the journey we’ve had together.

I wrote a story back in 2012 about when we first got married and how it all started. It’s called “Young Love to Old Love”.  It’s amazing we’re still here and together, after the interesting beginning we had. But what did I know. I was only 19. I hope you enjoy it. Continue reading

Am I Where I Want to Be?

Winston Churchill quote from "Reflecting a Life" by Elle Sommers

No….but having said that, “I’m happy”. I just haven’t totally arrived yet.

As I look back through my life, I can honestly say I’ve come a long way.

There are places I could have been stuck, places where I wish I never ventured and places I wish I’d had the courage to go.  Continue reading

Are You Doing What You Love?

downtown Chicago

Downtown Chicago – Photo by Pat Ruppel © March 2011

I woke up this morning thinking about doing what I love going through the checks and balances in my heart and mind. I have to admit practicing this has had its challenges since I retired early last year in 2012.

I no longer have the typical, daily routine of commuting and the structure of the corporate world where your day is laid out creating work for someone else.

You may ask, “You have a problem with that?” No! It just comes with a few pleasant and happy challenges in the rearranging of life disciplines and attitudes.  Continue reading

It’s a New Dawn, It’s a New Day

sky photo

Sky Photo © by Jim Ruppel

It’s 2013! ~~ Taken from Nina Simone’s Feeling Good”, it truly is a new dawn, a new day, a new life for me and a new year.

I don’t know how you felt when this New Year chimed in but I felt that baggage I carried around my whole life drop off my shoulders New Year’s Eve.

I finally had taken a new road instead of the same old beaten path. With my arms wide open, I welcomed 2013Continue reading

Is It A Sign Of The Times?

It seems like everyone I talk to have some challenging life issues they’re facing. I’ve seen some of it in my life, as well, and not just a minor incident here or there. I know change is inevitable but this is crazy and within the last month – super hurricane, surgeries, sick pets – not to mention a presidential election, political unrest, poor economy and an embassy bombing! In biblical times, it was famines and plagues – today extremists may call it the “end of the world”.

No gloom and doom picture intended here – just fast-pace changes in the times we live. Have you noticed? Life and change have intersected and happening fast and furious – one event after another I’m hardly catching my breath.

If I step back and tune into the rhythm of my heart, I can sense a shift in energies, noting how the events in the world today have intensified. I marveled at the lunar eclipse and meteor showers this summer but similar phenomena have occurred down through history and appear only to enhance the mysteries and attempt to illuminate the shifts within.

How often have you heard someone say, “I hate change – I don’t deal with it very well?” Most of us would probably agree we would prefer status quo and not multiple, frequent changes, if you note the types of misfortunes we’ve seen lately. But, if you stop and reconsider, change in and of itself is normal, frequent, constant, and it would be far more painful if there were no change. Change is not typically something bad – change is good meaning there is life and freshness.

For example, inhabiting this ‘big ball’ we call earth, change is occurring every day when the sun rises and moves across the sky and sets. Change occurs with every tick of the clock – when the moment is gone it can’t be reclaimed.

First Snowfall Photo in Bailey by Pat Ruppel

In the Rocky Mountains, I saw a change in the seasons last month with our first snow.

And, if everything remained status quo, it would be impossible to digest the burrito I just ate.

The next time, when encountering a challenging change in between ‘putting out fires’ and taking a breath, please join me in the following:

1)  Calmly assess and do what needs to be done to handle the immediate situation at hand.

2)  Step back and look at the bigger picture – tune into feelings, emotions and align with positive possibilities and opportunities.

3)  Focus on something for which to be thankful no matter how minor it may seem.

4)  Don’t stop loving.

5)  Don’t quit.

Do you have happy changes you’re experiencing? Or are you noticing challenging life changes in your life? What are you facing and how are you handling it? Will you share some positive tips on what you’re doing to work through them?

Pat – from the ol’ kitchen table – Please leave a comment or question. I’ll be grateful!

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