I don't know the title yet but

 maybe the Word Contentment is involved.

Dona Anderson

“Rather than being your thoughts and emotions, 

be the awareness behind them.”

― Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

Why don't we feel like we think we should or want to?

We're all Human and that means we all have many choices to carry around.

From happy, to sad, to wanting more, being satisfied, or being lonely & anxious to grateful, calm, and at peace.

And, there're many words for all those feelings & emotions mixed in what we carry within us. 

                                             

                                           Do you say to yourself any of these ...

Why do I start to cry at a beautiful piece of music.

Why do I feel lonely and sad when I have so much to be thankful for.

Why am I tired and stressed out every day.

Why do things irritate me so easily

Why... Why... Why...

How many things make you mad, sad, angry, frustrated, unhappy, stressed ... and then you wonder why you're tired, mad. sad, and stressed.

What can we learn from our feelings and emotions to help us build that awareness we need to support us when we need it. 

See if any of these lines below connect to some of your feelings - what is your word that's missing at the end.

We'll look at the emotions later. 

It's Ok if you add in some more lines if needed ... 

We're just taking a look for now.

The word I'm stands for I AM and this powerful word connects us to our feelings and emotions. 

I'm more sensitive some days than others so I'm feeling   

My body hurts more lately than it used to so I'm feeling  

My sleep isn't very good most nights so I'm

I forget to eat regular meals everyday so I'm

I'm not exercising very often so I'm 

I don't get out to my activities every week so I'm 

I don't see my friends as often anymore so I'm,

Here's some words that may help for building Awareness

Emotions before may be  - Depressed, Sad Stressed Angry Lonely Teary Anxious Gloomy Nervous 

Emotions After could be -  Joy Valued Energized Eager Grateful Needed Admired Carefree Forgiving Healthy

How we change things around is up to each of us. 

Love this quote below by Maya Angelou. 

"Do the best you can until you know better, 

then when you know better, do better." 

Will you let it take You there.

PS. How we breathe also affects our feelings and 

emotions so here's a photo message of mine with words 

from my book Moving Forward from the heart. © 2015

A full healthy breath celebrated.

Take Care and thanks for your visit today.

We're living in very stressful times and our list may be longer than usual so give yourself a break, phone a friend, rest often, eat good foods, go for a walk or sit outside, and take a few extra breaths.

Links for sharing below 

and, I hope you end with I am feeling better.

Visit the Resources page for information.

Love Theme from...

Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet - 

   Joslin - Henri Mancini, Nino Rota

This is Amazing

Dona Anderson

By now You know I often share a music video I find that's  Amazing.

This one has it all.

Spectacular Performance

Beautiful location

Incredible Musicians

From start to finish

It wasn't only my eyes that shed a tear - check out the reviews from others over the years.

Their stories of watching the movie and listening to the music many times years ago, and the love they had and shared that is still felt.

Music sure can connect us to our inner heart where stories and many memories rest, and it can instantly fill our soul bringing us tears and other emotions.

It's been a few years of tears, loss, sadness, stress and more.

Our minds and hearts are full, tired but we have to keep going.

These reviews showed me that their losses were for someone or a time remembered that was deeply felt, loved, missed and it helps us all when the stories are both shared and heard.

We have to keep going.

PS. Often when I write a review it usually seems to be an immediate response, coming from the heart or somewhere else. 

This makes me think it is something that has been there a long time and no thought was needed to write it.  

I guess it was just sticking around, waiting to get out.

Thanks for your visit and love when you share with others so these posts posts get to travel the World.  Links below.

You'll Never Walk Alone

Sissel Kyrkjebø

You'll Never Walk Alone

Dona Anderson

Every song she sings is a Gift to us.

Her beautiful voice captures us from the beginning.

An inspiring song that's sung many times and places to bring hope and strength to it's listeners to be strong through hardships, sadness, triumph and more.  

The softness and strength in her voice both seem to come from her soul.

PS. Some of my takeaways were,

There are many storms in life

Be proud of where you came from and where you're going

Things will get better

Be hopeful and keep going towards your dreams.

As we're nearing the end of another year that was full of many emotions, loss, sadness, hardship and more my wish is to send you strength and recovery for all the heartbreak of these last several years and that peace be restored.

The world needs to heal.

Thanks for your visit and links to share below.

All posts remain in the Archives and are free for you to

view, save & share at your leisure.

Take Care and have a good week ahead.

Susan Boyle - I Dreamed a Dream (Audio)

Today we have 
Susan Boyle.

and the beautiful song from Les Misérables 

I Dreamed a Dream.

Dona Anderson

Summer of Music

Week 5.

As children we had many dreams, some lasted a day or maybe till tomorrow. 

As little ones we often were asked what do we wanted to be when we grow up. 

When I was young the world didn't change much over the years but now things change so fast. Some good and some not.

Many dreams are attainable now with doors opening, new technology, for those being older, women working, support and opportunities for disabilities and much more. 

This song is healing and allows us all to Dream while knowing things can change and sometimes that offers another dream that's the one right for You. 

 

PS. what are/were your dreams? 

What are the ones you still have for the future.

Some people go back to college at an older age, some as they age finally have the time to start a new career, one they wanted to do, or finally have the time to go fishing or travel. 

Some want to garden, learn new skills like in the arts or theater, play an instrument, or maybe for you it's to volunteer, write songs or children's books. 

They can be everyday things - dreams let you do what you want to do or never even thought of that you enjoy & love where time flies by and doesn't feel like work.

Listening to Susan sing this song so beautifully and then go on with her career gave us all the opportunity to Dream again.

Thanks for your visit today and 

it's week 6 already next Tuesday.

Love it when you share with others at the links below so we continue to travel around the world. (my Dream)

Father Ray Kelly Singing Priest

     One of  Simon's MOST FAVORITE Auditions

I can hear why.

Dona Anderson

Summer of Music 

Week 4

What a gracious and passionate man

going on towards His dream.

The song - Everybody Hurts 

His smile is warming and his soulful voice melted into this song.  

While this is a sad song it also encourages us to go on, go on.  

It has been a stressful last few years of much loss, difficulties, storms sickness, war and more around the world. 

Many have lost so much but still hear those words ...

Go On, Go On.

PS. Thanks for your visit this week. 

Life gives all of us many things along our path to work through, fix, change and more. 

As I listened I thought about things in my life and in the lives of others. 

Let's honor that strength and courage in ourselves that we admire in others. 

Our courage often comes from that quiet voice inside that says it will be OK ... I can do it ... or we can try again tomorrow. 

And, thank You to all those helpers along the way.

Take Care.

2022 Summer of Music continues through August. 

I Hope you continue to be one of our weekly visitors and over 700 past weekly posts in the Archives that you can view, save & share at your leisure.

Thank You for helping to send Wellness out in the World with your shares. 

Links below.

Bye for now.

wow, this video really hit home with me.

Change Your Closet, Change Your Life 

| Gillian Dunn | TEDxWhiteRock

Dona Anderson

Tedx talk for us today.

Thanks Gillain.

Was this meant for you to hear Too?

It's not often I find a talk that I felt was meant for me. 

This one quickly brought up a lot of memories from years past.

I had an idea to write about some of this later but this Ted Talk became the perfect introduction to revisit some old memories and let me reminisce of growing up in different times way back when ...

I quickly had a list of examples to go back to and now with covid some seemed again relatable.

My first memory

My first memory took me way back to when I was a kid when it seemed most adults smoked.  

Mom had this set of 3 ashtrays in the living room. They were a very pretty orange/red set. 

The 2 smaller ones were on the end tables and the bigger one had a special place on the coffee table. 

No one was allowed to use the bigger one because it was only for decoration. One day a child was visiting and a few minutes into the visit the big ashtray was on the floor,  broken.

Years ago we all seemed to have those unlit unused candles that were for decoration & not used.

We had one that was unlit but the babysitter lit it for some reason one day. 

We didn't have much back then so I was kind of mad. Anyway it was a couple months later that we had the house fire and no more candle or other things.

Yes, growing up my Mom had those special occasion and for special guest dishes and silverware. that took years to accumulate - one piece at a time yearly gift.

The jewelry was in the box for special times and the good clothes and shoes in the closet getting dusty.  

Confession for me now and the Jewelry. 

I usually have the same necklace & earrings on everyday.  Yes I have others and the special occasion ones but I'm not interested in changing them very often. 

And with staying home more now lots of the clothes haven't been worn in 3 years so I don't need much jewelry with my yoga pants for dog walks.  

I grew up in a family of 5 with one bathroom that didn't seem a problem back then, now we have 4 bathrooms for the 2 of us.

And Yes, no vehicles will fit in the garage. 

Not my mess → husbands.

Even though every year we've been making boxes for the thrift stores there's still some things in the kitchen and closets that follow us from house to house.  

Yes there're lots of the good dishes in the buffet and the crystal glasses aren't used in case one gets broken. 

What do we do with it all?

Perhaps this year I'll get out my

2 summer dresses. 

Years ago we used to wear dresses

all the time, what happened...

Thank You for sharing with others at the links below.

PS. I have a few things still of my Mom's from years  ago. 

I use her vase lots every summer and I think of her as I'm filling it up with flowers from the garden. (She's been gone now 41 years)

I finally used the tea pot & cups for the first time a while back just for fun - the cups are so small I had 2 refills. 

Moms silverware is used every Christmas. I have my own set but I like to use hers on that special day. My set is pretty lonely these days.

Have a great Day!

I guess a lot of those things in the closet that I think are too nice for everyday will start to be worn or get donated to someone who will. 

Isn't that what clothes are for ... to be worn.

A lot of used clothing is being sold in discount stores now which really helps the budget and cuts down on all the resources in the manufacturing process. 

One pair of jeans takes over 1,800 gallons of water.  

I think I'll put a dress on and have a cup of 

tea outside on the front porch later.

New post every Tuesday - Please visit again.

Over 700 posts in the Archives for you to

view, save and share.

Last week's quiz - the letters from the word Limes is Smile. 

Bye for now.

I hope You found some things to think about or change for the future.  Some things may become more important and some less.  

Finding what your real treasures are is important. it may not be what you first thought of.

Where are your treasures kept

A Story about Boxes ... Really?

Dona Anderson

The holder of treasures ...

Where are your boxes kept?

Are they kept hidden or out for you and others to see.

Often a lot of our treasures are kept hidden in a box and double that when in a drawer, safe, top shelf ... or in your heart.

Is it time to revisit some of them again?

Take them out dust them off and,

Have a look to remember why they mean so much.

Why is it special?

Is it the box or what's inside?

Is it a box made in school shop class, an old music box, cigar or card box, a cedar chest, unused jewelry or silverware chest. 

What's it made of?

Is it a box from a parent or grandparent?

Wherever it came from, it slowly over time becomes a special place for ... things dear to your heart.

I went around the house to check where my boxes were and what was in them and took these pictures of a few. 

 Lucky for You I left the drawers and closet out.

The box I use for my jewelry is mostly full of things I never wear. I don't know where it came from but it was too nice to get rid of. 

In others I found buttons, charms, dog tags, cards, ribbons, souvenirs, concert tickets and other odd things years old that somehow still get left behind when it's clean up time.

I keep some cards in the dresser drawers to remind myself of loved ones and this set of boxes on the side was made by a wonderful friend and it's seen by anyone passing by. 

It's mostly empty except for some sewing supplies from years ago.  

It's funny how a box saved often seems to find something to put inside even if you didn't know you needed it.

Is it time to revisit some of them again?

Take them out, dust them off and,

Have a look to remember why they mean so much.

Why is it special?

Is it the box or what's inside?

Those things dear to your heart.

PS. I hope you're having a great day and now wondering what's in the boxes around your house.

If the boxes have been there for a long time there's no rush to check on them.  

Take Care and thanks for your visit today. 

Information on Resources link at top of page.

Links to save & share below.

All Posts in the Archives are free to view, save & share. 

Here's a One Rose message for you ... 

          "When you feel settled and comfortable, notice yourself taking a breath in, and then slowly letting it out ..."

I underlined the word notice as that's also an important part.

What are the words You remember?

 

and, they change over time. 

I saw this quote a while back and it seemed an important one to share.

Dona Anderson

I don't remember what I thought about at the time but since then it has taken on different words and memories when thinking back over the past years and things I and others have said.

The most important words we'll ever utter are those words we say to ourselves, about ourselves, when we're by ourselves. ~A.L. Walker~

The child version - trying to fit in, being the little sister/brother or the older one. Feelings about how our looks change over the years - will my teeth ever grow in, or how we look in that first pair of glasses.

The teenage version - I don't know anyone, I look weird, I don't like the new grades at school, finding new favorite songs and bands. Hoping the Boys or Girls like me. Hoping my clothes don't look out of place. Trying to put on makeup. Another pimple, Need a different hair style, when will I get taller.

I'm an adult now - Time for getting a job, perhaps going college or other education. What do I want to do? Who's going to hire Me? Can I do that?

Married and family life - Am I or are We doing this right. What do we really want our lives to be about. So much pressure & stress. I'm starting to have wrinkles. My hair is getting grey. We need more savings. I'm tired of all the housework, making meals, paying the bills and all the other things. Need to buy that winning lottery ticket.

Getting older - when can we retire. How do we pay the bills. My health is changing I can't do what I used to. I'm tired.

Senior - I need more help. Another visit to the doctor. What's wrong with me. I don't like that anymore. I don't remember. I need to exercise, but. How does that work. My clothes don't fit anymore, they're only 20 years old. I'm sad things are always changing. I hurt. My friends are leaving... It's too hard to get out. I'm lonely, The kids are busy.

Where will I end up?

PS. I always love seeing this plant start to bloom again. It just does it on its own in the same place and time every year. 

No help or needing to look at the calendar. 

Nature just knows what to do and in many cases, so do we.

I hope we can learn to relax and find more peace and comfort in our lives. 

Remember those good stories, fun times and laugh at the mistakes that taught you how to do it better the next time. 

Take Care. 

Links for sharing below.

The thoughts put into words can easily change, become different. 

I found this old post from 2014 and thought it would add into this post - like that the extra scoop to inspire us. .... here's the link.

I never know what I'll find in the Archives, but love it

 when someone else finds one that inspires me to share it again.

Over 700 now available to view, save & share.

New posts on Tuesdays.

Mariachi Connecticut Serenades a Beluga Whale

Love This 

Dona Anderson

Have a look.

It's our wedding anniversary today,

53 years now.

Back 53 years ago we never thought about 53 years later. 

here's the link to my post for our 50th

When you're young you don't spend much time thinking about being old.

Then it quickly becomes later and it's What happened in all those years. 

Gladly we're still alive and together, but we sure don't look the same.

Our Son, Daughter and their families are getting older and how many pets have we had.

Time sure has flown by.

It's fun to watch this video above. It kind of lets us forget about other things and just smile. 

Humans and animals having Fun together - Priceless 

Thanks for your visit and have a wonderful day and week ahead.

Links for sharing below.

PS. New posts on Tuesdays and over 700 in the Archives for you to view, save & share at your leisure.

One last thing.

You may remember seeing this song I shared a few years ago, anyway I wanted to share it again.  

It may be another relaxing cheese fondue night!

YUM!

Would this be a Challenge for You?

Winters in Sweden

Learning to live with the light & the darkness

 & loving the differences in the seasons

This Amazing video captures so much beauty.

Her soothing voice & story lets us come along and feel the love in her for the mountains, rivers, stars and forests.

The world offers us so much variety in nature, climate and lifestyles choices in the different locations. 

I didn't know about all the information she shared and I'm glad to have seen this and wanted to share it with you.

Her view of the stars and northern lights are wonderful. I wonder what people centuries ago thought about them. 

PS. I think I'd have a really hard time doing an ice bath but they're suppose to be good.  Burr ....

Thanks for your visit and links for sharing below.

I wonder where in the World we'll travel to this week,  

perhaps Sweden! 

Take care and have a great day.

New posts on Tuesdays

Not done Yet - a Song video to send you off to Dream.

Our snow a few weeks ago.

Loss & Rebuilding

 So much heartbreak.

Dona Anderson

Struggling new parents and then this. 

The Loss 

We had a fire that took the first home in our married life.

We were young, poor and bought an older home because the mortgage payments back then were less than paying rent to live in someone's basement.

We borrowed the money for the down payment from a relative, got some used furniture and set up house in March. 

On Good Friday the following year it was  gone.

In a post last month, I wrote about waking up Christmas morning and  our oil tank being empty and this happened 3 months later. 

We were out most of the day as family was in town for the Easter weekend and the oil furnace didn't shut off and started a fire.

We had our baby daughter and leaving home that day with just the diaper bag was all we had left. 

Suddenly our lives had a major change.

Sometimes life gives us a setback that offers a bigger struggle than before.

But the best gift was that we were ok.

Rebuilding

Thankfully we were able to spend some time at my parents before moving on and starting over again. 

In looking back I guess that's maybe the reason I had to go straight home everyday from work, or seeing that first glimpse of our home still there after a vacation was always a huge weight to let go of.

Often it takes years to find out & notice the little changes and things we do unconsciously after a crisis, illness or whatever it was.

but, How do you rebuild a neighborhood.

Luckily we had no loss of life and a home can change locations, or be rebuilt but how do you rebuild a neighborhood that is made up of many memories, families, friends, neighbors schools and more ...

Every time I see the fires, storms, or other disasters in the news I think about all the terrible loss, about being there, the survivors and what they will go through over the days & years ahead.

How do they start over ...

PS. I hope this wasn't a sad post today but I know a lot of us are stressed and feeling the stress of others.  

Let's help when we can by donating & supporting shops and other places that assist in providing free or low cost items that are needed especially in emergency situations. 

And don't forget the animals who lost their home too.

Last years winter pansies.
Love the face on the top one.

Please support the emergency responders who run towards helping and not away from ...

Thanks for you visit today. 

New posts every Tuesday.

You can share posts at the Links below.

Your shares Help us to spread Wellness around the World. Thank You.

Over 650 past posts in the Archives that you can view & share.

Bye for today.  

Let's get Back together again next Tuesday or any day in the Archives. 

Here's a post from last summer to help you relax and enjoy 9 beautiful places from around the world

Lucy & Kelsie on neighborhood watch.

Was this a Rule in your House Too?

Hi, thanks for your visit today. 

Dona Anderson 

Is Bed making a daily Challenge in your life?

this video went viral

It starts with our needing to make the bed

when we get up.

One task completed.

 

Check out the comments for this video.

Growing up we made our bed every morning before breakfast and our walk to school.  No it wasn't the 2 miles up hill in a snow storm kind of walk but we did live on the Prairies and the winter was very cold and windy.

There was no not doing it - one task completed.

We had to come home for lunch (only bused kids could stay at school) and after lunch we had to do the dishes before we left to go back to school. Lunch was the big meal of the day so plates, pots, whatever it was, another task completed. 

We only had human dishwashers and dryers then.

Then later helping with supper and more dishes, another task completed.

Not fair, I was the youngest and later I was the only one left to help Mom.

We never thought about the dishes, ironing, shopping, house work etc. as tasks completed it was just all part of the normal household activities before we could get back to school, start our homework, go play or whatever it was that day/time of year. 

It's funny now looking back how different it was for our kids and us off working and packing the daily lunch or leaving one behind for who's at home. 

It's different now with school meals, commuting and what it is where you live but I think the idea of having age related jobs and helping with making the tasks completed sets a good example for us even from a young age.  

Have a great day and week ahead.

PS. Yes I still do make the bed everyday.

But sometimes one of our dogs goes for a nap and messes it up.  

Not naming names - Kelsie.

Your sharing helps us connect to others

around the World,

Thank You.

Take Care. 

New posts every Tuesday and

links below for sharing.

We finally became part of a neighbourhood success story

 

What's yours like?

Your neighbourhood ...

Dona Anderson

We've been living in this neighbourhood for 20 years now.

The longest either of us have been in the same home. 

Our house was being build while we lived in a different location so long drives commuting, planes, phone calls and frustrating times were all part of that previous year. 

Then came the move and now we don't have jobs anymore, we're here all day, what do we do - will you quit the latest project and sit down and rest.

It's been memorable in many ways.

The neighbourhood may be the same as many others but in our before lives we were gone to work during the day or on shift work, and lived in a different climate so we didn't hang out or know many of the neighbours. 

We didn't know many of their names, their dogs, kids or much else.

Even our dog at the time didn't help because she didn't like to go walking. 

We did though have 2 of the best people close by that became dear friends.

Living here we get to notice more changes. A few leaving and new owners come, babies, little kids moving in and growing up, learning to ride their bikes and gather with friends. 

Lots of dogs out getting their daily walks and people too. 

Where do they all come from?

It's great to share smiles and good mornings as we pass, visit, share garden goodies, suppers and help when needed. 

It's our time now to witness what a neighbourhood is, can be and enjoy watching it grow up. 

Some day we will need to move on and let someone else take over our home but we will take with us lots of great memories of our many years here.

 

Memories are easy to take with You & share,

no packing required. 

Thanks for your visit and for sharing with others. Links below.

PS. I hope  you enjoyed this years Summer of Music - they're all in the Archives for July & August 2021.

It was a wonderful time to reconnect with this beautiful World of ours, and the video's are quite relaxing. 

I'm sure many will be watched several times or even help to make new vacation destinations. 

Thank You for sharing with others.  All our shares help us to keep spreading Wellness around the World.   

 Links below.

Previous years Summer of Music are in the Archives for July and August 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and now 2021.  

Here's a post from 2019 about gardens. It's kind of a broader look at the word  garden in a sense but the food part gets repeated every year.

Comments Welcomed.

Bye for now and Take Care 😀

New posts Weekly - Tuesdays our day.

A gift from a neighbour.

Which spelling do you use where you live - neighborhood or neighbourhood ?