Exude Happiness But Carry a Stick, Just in Case

Today would have been my brother's birthday, but he's no longer here. I wish that he were mostly for my own selfish reasons, as I grew up idolizing him, as many younger siblings often do. He would have been 65. We shared much over the time we had together, and made many memories, most of them good ones. When I reflect and look back upon the totality of it all, I think that his influence was far more good than bad, even though he may disagree if he were still here.
He was funny, loveable, gregarious, and many things that I am, and also many things that I am not. My brother had a story for damn near anything, and he was almost never at a loss for words. We both shared an addictive personality. Sometimes when fun becomes too fun, and the party never seems to stop, that's when this sort of lifestyle gets in the way of living. I won't tell you how I know...
I tried to fix him, as he tried to fix me growing up, and teach me how to be a man. No matter what I tried, nothing seemed to help. I've come to understand that maybe neither he, nor myself needed "fixing", and that instead of being estranged during certain hard times in life, that maybe staying closer would have been better, especially knowing that the outcome of all of this is death. As a friend recently told me, "This was the life that he wanted, and if he was okay with that, then so should you". It's hard to watch those you love go through the wringer and do nothing. I've never liked feeling helpless, and I know this was also his way.
At one point, he told me that "Pain is the essence of life". Although I embraced that concept for years, I no longer endorse this philosophy. I think it's more true to say that "Living is the essence of life". Being alive and present is what counts, and being as aware as possible about the entire experience matters most. When you're constantly on some kind of substance just to get through the day, are you really and truly authentically living, or does this mean merely existing?!? To enjoy the silly, happy moments matters most.
I would visit my brother often during the last few weeks of his life. I read to him, as he read to me when I was a kid, since he could no longer speak. I sat with him, as other members of my family did when he died, and I was able to tell him that he was a good brother, and I asked him if he had fun (when he was here)... I really hope that he did. All of the good memories will forever outweigh the hardships we suffered together. I'm just glad I got the chance to not only tell him he was loved one more time, but to show him that he mattered.
I don't mean to make anyone sad by reading this, but I do mean too make you think. I used to believe that there was some grand design to life, and that you had to leave some legacy to live completely. I also think that's not true. In my mid-fifties, I know that nothing really matters, yet everything and everyone is important, and the biggest gift we can bestow upon one another are the small interactions that exist between all of us as we go about our lives. These may not seem important at the time, but they matter more than anyone can ever perceive. "Dead people receive more flowers than the living ones because regret is stronger than gratitude." - Anonymous. Much peace and love to all y'all, and especially my brother on this day. You're all loved and important.

May the holidays treat you and yours with only kindness.

Just keep on keeping on...

Seems to be the case

He looks like he's committed his fair share of crimes... poor little dude. 🙄🤔😂 P.S. I'M not putting him in the back of the squad car, get the rookie, they'll do it.

Perhaps the best I can do is to wait until next year... 🙄🤔😂

I discovered I’m a secondary character in my own story …

This falls under the category of "Mundane Work Issues" but it almost pays the bills, so I'll begrudgingly accept it. 🥺😯🙄🤔😂

Whatever you celebrate, or even choose not to participate in, just know that nobody will look at a flower and see the exact same thing. It's up to the individual to see what they choose. Often what is perceived is more of a reflection of who we are than anything else, so paint the best, most beautiful picture that you can imagine. Much peace and love to all y'all.

May those who have an empty chair at the table during this holiday season fill the space with only good memories, love, kindness, and laughter.

Author, artist ❤️

https://youtu.be/d1yTyAh8IA8?feature=shared

Breaking Benjamin - Ashes of Eden (Official Video) Breaking Benjamin latest album DARK BEFORE DAWN featuring the singles “Failure,” “Angels Fall,” and “Ashes of Eden” is available now!Apple: http://smarturl.i...

People are a lot like the holiday trees. Bathe them with light, adorn them with love, and shower them with kindness, then sit back and watch them bloom...

Blessed are those who have such a friend who can sit with you in the silence while you stitch yourself together with the threads of what remains, and wait with you, until you sew the fabric of your life back together again. One such as this is truly irreplaceable. Treat them like the precious gems that they are... Much peace and love to all y'all.

That would be me, except I embrace my love for this sometimes doorstop of the holiday season. WARNING: Not ALL are as tasty as others. Please send them to my address and I'll gladly let you know if yours was good or not.

🎄🦝🌲

I once labeled a file drawer at work “MT.”
Coworker: This drawer doesn’t have anything in it.
Me: Precisely. It’s empty.

I too know of this "fitness craze"...

From Mama Moon Rocks

Possibly motivational... 🙄🤔😂

Always trust the process, unless it's 37°F inside and your testicles are frozen to your leg. Then it's time to put on the heat...

From Hildur Sif Thorarensen, Author

It matters not that we all believe the same way, in all of the same things. What matters most is that we are human, and know that kindness and compassion are gifts that have zero cost, but are far more valuable than any known commodity. Yeah, this is a long read, but worth every second.

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE.
As a storeowner tacked a sign above his door, 'Puppies for Sale,' a little boy appeared and asked. "How much are you going to sell those puppies for?"
The storeowner replied "$50 each."
The little boy reached into his pocket and pulled out some change. "I have $2.37, can I have a look at them?"
The storeowner smiled and whistled. Out of a kennel came Lady, followed by her five balls of four-legged fur. One puppy limped and lagged considerably. "What's wrong with that little dog?" the boy asked.
The storeowner explained that the puppy was born without a hip socket, and the vet told him that the puppy would limp for the rest of its life. The little boy's face lit, "That's the puppy I want to buy!"
The storeowner replied, "No, you don't. If you really want him, I'll give him to you." The little boy did not hide his annoyance. "I don't want you to give him to me. He's worth every penny. I would like to give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents every month until he's paid for."
Taken aback, the storeowner minced no words, "Young man, You really don't want to buy this little puppy. This puppy is never going to be able to run, jump or play like other puppies!"
The boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg, to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a bulky metal brace. He looked up at the storeowner, "Well, I don't run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands." (For this story, thank you Dan Clark)

It doesn’t help our spirit that we see so much brokenness in our world every day, does it? Because of that, it’s not surprising that the broken and crippled parts in our own lives feel more apparent. Parts that sadden, discourage, infuriate, embarrass or even repulse us. We know they are there. Some are of our own making. Most are not. Even so, we do our best to wish or will or pray them away.
I was raised in a church that used the scripture, "Be ye perfect as God is perfect," as a hammer meant to beat all the blemishes out of me. But wholeness is not perfection. Wholeness is embodying—living into—this moment, be it happy or sad, full or empty, running or limping.
Granted, there are flawed and weak parts that could change.
But we can't change anything until we can love it.
We can't love anything until we can know it.
We can't know anything until we can embrace it.
And we touch wholeness at that place of vulnerability.
So. Here's the deal: We have the ability to receive, to be loved, to know our value, only from a place of vulnerability. Because in our nakedness, our "crippledness," our brokenness and our vulnerability we have no power, no leverage, nothing to bargain with. Our identity is not dependent upon becoming somebody, impressing somebody, or removing all imperfection. We can be, literally, Be, at home in our own skin, damaged hip socket and all.
Yes and amen. In this place, we are human. In this place, we are sons and daughters of God. In this place, we hear God speak our name. The very image of God is imbedded in this fragile nature, in its very breakability. Grace is real. It is in this vulnerability where we find and embrace and spill exquisite beauty—compassion, tenderheartedness, mercy, forgiveness, gentleness, openness, kindness, empathy, listening, understanding and hospitality. And the capacity to say, “Even in our brokenness, we get to say how the story ends.”

Yesterday we lit the second Advent candle. The candle of Peace.
But what’s the puppy story got to do with peace?
Let’s just say, the little boy honored the truth, “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” (Thank you Eleanor Roosevelt)
And darkness is the antithesis of peace.
During Hannukah, our Jewish brothers and sister light the Menorah. And one of the candles, is used to light the other eight candles. This unique candle is called the shammash.
Here’s what the little boy knew, we can be the shammash.
The candle lighters in a dark and broken world. So, this week, the healing and restoring power of the candle lighting.
The power of someone who sees the broken places and does not run, but hugs and offers healing.
The power of someone who listens and understands.
The power of someone who creates safe places for grieving and healing.
The power of embracing that the candle inside of your own vulnerability and brokenness, is alive and well.

My confession is that I preach a good game, but too often try my best to hide broken places. And pretend, somehow, not seeing the light.
That’s why I am so grateful for those who can be shammash in my life.
“In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” Albert Schweitzer

Re-reading this story this week helped me remember the power of shammash, not as an assignment, but honoring the gift that light spills simply by being present.
"Today was a Difficult Day," said Pooh.
There was a pause.
"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Piglet.
"No," said Pooh after a bit. "No, I don't think I do."
"That's okay," said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.
"What are you doing?" asked Pooh.
"Nothing, really," said Piglet. "Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don't feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.
"But goodness," continued Piglet, "Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you've got someone there for you. And I'll always be here for you, Pooh."
And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs...he thought that his best friend had never been more right." (A.A. Milne)

It’s a gray and rainy December in this neck of the woods. But the geese are back, and they don’t seem to mind. That cheered me up, so I chatted with them a wee bit today.
Let us remember: se are on this journey together my friends.
And thank you for the light you bring to this world.
Savor your holiday celebrations. And reach out to those who need a hug.

Quote for your week…
Hospitality is the fundamental virtue of the soil. It makes room. It shares. It neutralizes poisons. And so, it heals. This is what the soil teaches: If you want to be remembered, give yourself away. William Bryant Logan

Today's Photo Credit: "On my walk in Port Ludlow, WA. Great old root balls from very old downed trees. Now art pieces for the walk, and an exquisite jardinière for plants. And during Christmas, decorated for passersby."

Note from Terry... I am so grateful you are a part of the Sabbath Moment Community. We do walk one another home. Thank you for being with me every Monday (and many for Daily Dose). You have kept me going. That’s the truth. Please pass the word about Monday Sabbath Moment. And, now join me for Daily Sabbath Moment (Tuesday – Friday). Your donations do indeed make a difference. Thank you.
Please check out my books -- Stand Still: finding balance when the world turns upside down. (Also available kindle and audible.) The Gift of Enough. This is the Life.

Waking up to a sunrise as the dew begins to fade away upon the grass is a thing of profound beauty. The gentle rolling of rocks, tumbling downstream as you recline upon a moss covered rock and gaze silently at the ripples on the water is akin to being on a higher plane. The scent of the pine trees as you hike along a forest path, feeling the cushion of the fallen needles beneath your feet, soaking in the dappled daylight that illuminates your way towards camp...Yes. All of these hold their own special kind of magic. In turn, we all hold a little of these sacred places and feelings within ourselves. This is what we take away. There's no charge for these feelings, other than the enrichment of your soul. If there is such a thing as spiritual connection, then this is what it must feel like, as we are all a part of each other, and nature itself.

This dude could flat out play, and his attitude on being remembered well are words to live by. Gary was a member of the band Thin Lizzy, who were a damn fantastic band from Ireland, and he helped influence the next generation of rock and metal.

If you’re looking for a sign that you’re not alone and that things will get better this is that sign.

I'll leave this here for contemplation. 🙄🤔😂

There are many humble truths to be found, in many different places, and likely as many ways to find them. The best answers are often found from within.

I've "entertained" many things in my life, and while I'm pretty funny sometimes, not everything that's happened has been good for me. I won't take it back, nor can I, but I will move forward. Trauma is an odd thing.

I'll just leave this here.

❤

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

~Maya Angelou

This should be in the Best Practices of Folks to Avoid handbook... 😂😂😂

Kindly appropriated from Lilahluvsu