Changing the world, one smile at a time

We had Thanksgiving dinner with our good friends yesterday. We were welcomed with open-arms and hearts, and we could feel it. When someone truly wants to be doing what they are doing, everyone around them benefits. It radiates out like a beacon of love, with the power to change the world, one soft touch, smile, or hug, at a time.

Another friend sent me this video yesterday. A lot of times, when a video is more than a couple of minutes long, I don’t take the time to watch it. This one I did, and then this morning (it is 5:30 a.m. here in upstate NY) I watched it again. It is about 8 minutes long and I loved every minute of it. When Jack gets up and pours his cup of coffee, the first thing that I will do, is say, “Sit over here. You have to see this video.” It is about a man and his dog…. but so much more.

Read Full Post »

YE HA to Life!

YE HA indeed!

I was driving into the post office, here in Cambridge NY, yesterday and a car pulled in right before me with the license plate, “YE HA”. I was so curious to see who would get out of this car; who would have chosen such a great affirmation of life to drive around with. How can you not smile when seeing those words in front of you?

I pulled up next to the car, and as the driver was getting out I said, “I love your license plate!” The woman smiled and started into the post office, but I had to find out more so I asked her why she picked those words for her plate. She said, “I have loved horses all of my life.” It turns out that Shirley had just put down her last horse because at 30, he had had a stroke. It was clearly still emotional for her. When I asked her if she would get another horse she said with this little grin, “Well……”  I could tell that she would, could tell that horses were as much a part of her life as cats are mine.

But really, what is the alternative? Live without the beings that give us so much pleasure because we are afraid of future pain? That is not living fully. I read this great quote (could not find the author) the other day which said, “It is a fearful thing to love what death can touch.”  Isn’t that the truth?!

So many people keep their lives small, don’t dare to dream big, because they don’t want to be hurt or disappointed in the future. That way of thinking does not ensure anything but a small, colorless life. The time to live is now. The time to love is now! I think we can still shout “Ye Ha to Life!…even with a few tears running down our cheeks.

Read Full Post »