Sunday, February 26, 2012

Day 766: Greater than through love and support

Ok..So, I was blown away today when, as i am sitting here waiting for the second day of the civil war at CAM to break out, and the Union and the Confederates are circling, I get this post on my wall saying "you have won the "Liebster Award". I thought maybe a kosher virus had just hit me or maybe a nosh that included some funky form of cream cheese and dried salmon was in my future..but instead it was this Ah-mazing and wonderfully cool shout out from what of the sharpest people I have met in recent years: Deb Church. Deb is one of those people who "gets it". She is insightful, funny, and every year at the Carousel Center Show, she and her team just make it fun and outrageous. She started blogging and has been a source of well, as her blog is called "keepin' it real!". So, I am humbled..and frankly tickled to get this.

Now..like most good things..to keep an award..I need to give it away! This award is earned by sharing with others the success of other blogs. Here are the "rules" of the award:
1. Link back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Pick 5 deserving people and notify them on their blogs.
3. Post the award on your blog and spread the love.

So here goes:
1.) Yeah..I am back at Deb and hers! I have already been so over the moon that she was recognized this year by Encore! and hopefully people will "follow her"
http://www.justkeepinitrealfolks.com/

Now to the 5:

1.) Of course, why wouldn't anyone be following Adam's blog since he has helped me achieve so much health and wellness and does such a great job giving so much from his own blog to help others continue on that path!  http://www.wilmingtonpersonaltrainer.net/blog/



2.) My Friend Marty Rowan chronicles are journey after Sudden Cardiac Arrest and her amazing life that she leads now on her own blog! It is worth the follow! http://heartstops.blogspot.com/

3.) Two of the most spiritual people in my lives, Kathy and Jill, journal about life, taking care of each other, their family, and write about the world and spiritual life in general. It is a wonderful walk and practice to follow.  http://mamak-windingdown.blogspot.com/



4.) Wilmington Faith and Values is a blog started to have a conversation about just that and about those. Maybe..just maybe it is a place to have this and it be a place of peace. Maybe: 
http://wilmingtonfavs.com/

5.) Weighing in With Sherry: A wonderful journey of a friend who has lost 97 pounds and her day at a time walk with this journey! it is a must follow! http://weighinginwithsherry.blogspot.com/  
 now off to share the love! :) How easy it that! 


 

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Day 759: Greater than through love and support

I have been thinking that this blog post was going to be about being "off the beam" because it has literally been two weeks of some odd rhythm in my life with the passing of my uncle, being sick for a couple of days and really getting into my new job. But today I woke late and I turned on the tv. There in all our disproportionate 52 inch screen glory was this little church in Newark nj and I was watching what I swore I would not watch: Whitney Houston's funeral.

I was determined not to be involved in spectacle;celebrity glossing...boy was I wrong in my assumptions and glad I had to eat my words. The wonderfully homey sound system, the honest nature of this place....no mega church here...just a neighborhood house of worship...a place of family...a real place(minus td jakes of course)...and taking the podium was rev mclurklin to sing, no feel "stand".

I let go harder and deeper than I have in a very long time. trembling as I did. I am sad at the loss of this amazing talent. However, her memorial gave me and, I am assuming all of us a moment to feel. And there I sat, feeling that powerful message that when it all feels overwhelming, when it seems more than we can handle, all we have is to "stand". Stand knowing that we are not alone, that we are emboldened, that we are given one another, a grace, a power, a life, a soul, a purpose....we stand and we...well we do more than survive and live, we thrive! I needed that so badly this morning.

Someone so dear to me was hurt recently doing the right things and I am so very proud to know him. But the hardest thing to do sometimes is to stand when others are hurt...I want so badly to react and to act, when there is such ugly around me and on others. But here I was, listening to what I needed to hear. "just stand". Remain at the ready to do the next right thing. To use the power that we have to be of use to one another, to a higher purpose, to do what we can to be...to be healthy for God's sake.

Everyday we see the hypocrisy of those who cry their faith and work so hard against others to deny them basics....what good does it do to focus on them..what good does it do to get embroiled in their behavior. The victory is to stand. The Victory is to do what we do to act in ways that make a difference and affect a positive result in our world.

There are no martyrs, no saints, just knowing this is what we do!

So, I sat here this morning as that song washed over me. That funeral helped me to mourn some things in my life as I shared with millions a life passed that had given so much joy. Not a tragedy, but a life that had humanity, had soul, had substance, but was susceptible . And it hit me that even on her day of memorial, she was "standing" to help even someone as unworthy as me to feel empowered, to take the next step, to continue, and to feel. How powerful it all is.