"Today is Your Birthday!", Elaine

Yes, Elaine has hit the big "70" today.  Elaine is a wife, mother of three sons, grandmother of six, sister-in-law and sister - my sister.

Elaine is a lady.  She is creative, artistic, loving, a good friend, a woman who, according to her husband, is always right.

Elaine was a teacher who taught with fervor, gusto and passion.  She has inspired many to be better than they thought they could be.

Elaine is funny when she can remember the whole joke she is telling and gets the joke she is listening to.  

She is a great cook, sewer and baker.  She is not Martha Stewart but she has come close.

She does not have an athletic bone in her body but rarely missed any game that any of her sons were playing.

Elaine is a beautiful woman - inside and out.

Elaine is loved.

Happy Birthday, Sis!     (Have a great day and remember that you will always be older than me!)


Love, Jeanne

Valentine's Day

Every year I rethink how stupid Valentine's Day is.  I believe it was concocted by greeting card, candy and flower companies to make money.  I think it puts pressure on people to  "prove" they love or like someone.  I believe that it encourages low self-esteem for those who do not get any valentines.

It starts in grammar school with the kids giving valentine cards to each other.  Those who do not receive as many as others feel bad and unliked. 

By high school, when kids have boyfriends or girlfriends, it becomes a competition about who received the best card or the biggest box of candy.  Those people without boyfriends or girlfriends feel second class. 

Before I go on I should explain that these thoughts are not sour grapes on my behalf from experiences as a kid.  I had enough low self-esteem issues but none were from a lack of valentines.  I had one boyfriend all through high school.  These thoughts formed in my twenties.

So, it is tough being single on the day that glorifies couples.  People who know their self worth treat it as just another day, but people who haven't had a date in 6 months feel that a billboard with their name on it is in the middle of town.  These are feelings that I remember.  There is such pressure to be part of a couple that the empowerment of being single is diminished. 

Everyday should be the day that we express our love to those we care about.  We don't have to spend money on cards, candy and flowers to prove anything.  Spread the love everyday!

I am getting down from my soapbox now.  My venting is over.  You may get on with your day.

Meanwhile ..... keep it simple and make it real.

Jeanne

Things that make one think!

I have had this list hanging around for some time now.  It is so appropriate that I hope you all can take something meaningful from it.

1. We need to change what we say and what we allow to be said in front of us.
2. There are infinite numbers of do overs for your teen girls.
3. The most powerful teaching moments are the ones where you screw up.
4. Do you light up when your kids are coming in the room or do you become the instant critic?
5. If we own the story then we can write the ending.
6. Every time you watch the Jersey Shore, a book commits suicide.
7. You need at least one friend who will help you move a body. No judgment. There in a second. No explanation.
8. Midlife: when the Universe grabs your shoulders and tells you “I’m not f-ing around, use the gifts you were given.”
9. We have to be women we want our daughters to be.
10. Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.
11. It’s no longer a question of can I do it. It’s a question of: Do I want to do it?
12. There’s nothing more daring than showing up, putting ourselves out there and letting ourselves be seen.
13. In our moments of most intense joy, we realize how vulnerable we are.
14. You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story & hustle for your worthiness.
15. What would you be glad that you did…. EVEN if you failed?
16. We are sick and tired of being sick and tired.. Definition of courage: Tell your story with all your heart.
17. We cannot give our children what we don’t have.
18. You are imperfect & you are wired for struggle; but you are worthy of love & belonging.
19. Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage.
20. Talk about your failures without apologizing.
21. It’s not about “what can I accomplish?” but “what do I want to accomplish?” Paradigm shift.
22. Think about what’s pleasurable, not just what’s possible.
23. Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging have the courage to be imperfect.
24. You can’t dress rehearse the bad moments.
25. Want to be happy? Stop trying to be perfect.

How about some opinions or relative stories about the above?

ta la iontach