The losses sure added up

We lost out on the Smiles and more ...

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."           ~Leo Buscaglia~

Dona Anderson

That quote sure fits in with our lives these last few years.

It has been difficult to add up all the little things that come to mind and weigh the losses we all shared.

We lost out on a lot of personal contact, activities, friends and family gatherings.

We lost out on the hello's, smiles, small talk and more.

We lost out on the coffee with a neighbor and those hugs, handshakes or a pat on the back.

At the start of wearing masks I was in a big store and felt uncomfortable, faint like so as I was the only one in that aisle I lowered my mask a little just to take a few deep breaths.

Then a young lady walked over to where I was shopping and angrily told me I was not wearing My mask correctly and I might as well not have one on.

I fixed it as intended and walked away wondering that at least I had one on and she didn't nor any sign of having one.

I don't know if the 2020 pandenic began with a lot of fear and anger or those emotions grew over time.  

Now from the recent shootings and the ongoing war on Ukraine our hearts remain full of much sadness.

Past generations also felt the horror, stress, hardship, and loss from illness, fighting, violence, disasters and war deeply too in their lives. I'm sure a lot of their worries and emotions were kept deep inside and over time seeped out on the the next generation.

In our world now we also have so much news coming towards us daily and we all can see the horror and loss before our eyes so we have to take special care of our own stress, worries and health. 

Hopefully over time we can work to restore those real feelings of safety  community, friendship and help the children get past it all to feel loved and safe again.

Let's open up the doors to

our life and let others in again.

Something Fun to end with.

If you use the letters in the word limes what will you get?

Answer in next weeks post.

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.

How to decide Between music and medicine

Decisions 

Robert Gupta: Between music and medicine

I shared this video back in 2014 and had forgotten about it until it was discovered in the Archives. A big Thank You to that person.

I watched it and thought it would be good to share again as a lot has happened since 2014.

Many decisions are hard to make and his surely were but he was lucky to find a way to work in both. 

The mix of 2 things you love was a WIN for him, us and the music and medicine World.

I'm glad the video let us hear his story and how music is healing in many ways.

The last several years have been difficult for those pursuing their dreams in education, employment etc. 

PS. One of our best friends of over 40 years and a nurse developed Parkinson's and had really bad dyskinesia's for years. (uncontrollable twitches, jerks, twisting). 

After we moved here and I became a Yoga teacher a new activity for me became  writing relaxations to share in my classes. 

My friend couldn't do a Yoga class but I was so pleased to visit and share a few movements and my writing with her that helped her relax, breathe, calm her body and release stress. 

Sitting in her chair the dyskinesia's slowly decreased and she started to relax and gently fell asleep. 

After years of her nursing and helping others, I was grateful that I could help give her some time to rest comfortably.

And, (Ok) yes her husband was on the couch napping as well.

I love that these posts also gives me a way to

share my photo's. Love the lilies.

Links for sharing with others below.

Check out the Archives for over 700 past posts.

You may find another post that wants to be shared again.

In sharing the video I hope viewers find something they can do, or be inspired to do something they never thought of even if it's for their retirement activities. 

Lets go where we're Appreciated & Celebrated.

The Last Thing On My Mind -

 

Tom Paxton & Liam Clancy.flv

Great Songs even written years ago never disappear.

Dona Anderson

While we may have a favorite artist that sings it, we all feel the love that is sent out and held onto. 

Great songs never disappear and if you check out the reviews for this video you'll see it's still loved and holds space in the memories of listeners over the years.

I couldn't help but let it hold some of the sadness from Covid and now the WAR on Ukraine. 

PS. Don't go yet.

Check out another video below. 

A lovely video of this song below.

Here's Jose Feliciano 

Bye for today and new posts published every Tuesday.

The archives has over 700 past posts.

 You can check out.

Links for sharing below help us connect to others in the World.

We all need those feelings of peace, hope and love.

Coming soon is my 2022 Summer of Music. 

We have 9 weeks again this year! 

Is Dad having a midlife crisis? -

Laughing with Mary

Is Dad having a midlife crisis? - 

As the kids after one parent passes it's a time we focus on the one left and try to help them with the changes and figuring out what they need to support themselves.

I'm sure a lot of parents now both support the family daily life, meals, shopping, laundry commutes etc. but years ago it was mainly only the wife/mother who was home every day to handle it all.

Thinking back, I don't have any memories of Dad helping with meals, dishes, shopping, laundry, or house work. If not he had a lot to catch up on when Mom got sick and later passing.

My 2 sisters and I lived far away with jobs and children, so I'm sure he had his moments and frustrations.

While I thought the question for the video was a great one, I also was reminded of when Dad started going to a seniors dance night and thinking negatively he never took Mom out.

While there he met a lady he knew from years before that was also widowed and later took her dancing and they went out to supper most nights.

Again, he never took Mom out to for supper.

While I understand his need for companionship I know Mom would have liked the attention of an occasional Date Night to have fun, or a break from cooking the meals every day.

How do we figure it all out?

New dating is important - but can't there be an old married couple time to go out and have Fun ?

A time to remember how and why you fell in love that has lasted through the years.

As time went on we really did appreciate that he had a friend to spend time with. talk to, watch TV with and look after each other.   

PS. I don't know how this happens but a cute video like this one sent me in a different direction. 

I guess that can happen more often then we think with our feelings and words coming from a deep place, a place that may not even be related to what's going on in front of us.

Going forward I think more planed date nights and having fun together while you can is important and helps everyone. 

We often spend a lot of time on work and the daily things and forget to plan those special times that make memories of times well spent.

We're never too old ... 

Take Care, & bye for now.

New posts on Tuesday and over 700 in the 

Archives to view, save & share at your leisure.

It's May already.  

The year is going by fast.

I guess putting our thoughts on paper helps to release and soften some of those inside questions and emotions.  

Sometimes, it just takes a few weeks.

Take Care.

Links for sharing below.                                                  

Dona Anderson

A Man, piano and an Elephant - love it.

Grieg on Piano for Mongkol 

the Bull Rescue Elephant

Many animals like Music

Dona Anderson

  

well maybe not all of it.

Many birds have their songs at different times of year as well as the whales.

Apparently Dogs prefer Classical music.

Plants and gardens also enjoy some music.

I love the song birds in the mornings of early spring. Seems to be it's the one in charge that sings the loudest. 

Here's a link to the post I shared 

of a whale loving music too.

Our World is Amazing.

PS. Whether it's the purr of your cat or other sounds from your pets, they are always loved and special.

With some exceptions, our Lucy girl loves to bark at the door bell, a knock at the door, someone talking at the door, or just the air. 

Kelsie is the alert watch dog that barks & runs from window to window trying not to miss a thing when she's not snoring...  

I hope you Enjoyed the video -  Love elephants.

Links for sharing to help spread wellness with others below.

Thank You.

We're  all in need of some Wellness moments.

Have a great day and new posts every Tuesday.

Together we help to spread Wellness out into the World. 

Thanks for sharing at the links below. 💚

As spring continues let's awaken to feel we are enough and take some time to relax, rest and see all the beauty around us each day.

Take Care.

Sending out Hugs & more

Daily Ingredients to say to yourself. 

Self Care time

It's time for another True Treasures post.

This one is a few lines from the Meditation titled Today # 21 on page 61 in my book Moving Forward from the Heart.

Softly say to yourself

Today

"There will be peace in my thoughts,

There will be peace in my words,

 There will be peace in my actions,

 There will be peace in my heart,

 There will be peace in my world."

       

Quietly let those words absorb into your next few breaths. 

Are You feeling like a hug is waiting?

Go ahead and give yourself a big HUG then take a few minutes to just breathe, rest, smile and when ready restart your day.

PS. When I give myself a Hug, I like to massage wherever I can reach on my shoulders, arms, neck, back, face - just go for it!

I hope you're having a great day and these words helped make it even better.

Take some (guilt free) time to absorb feelings of space, lightness, comfort, warmth and Gratitude for all that You do everyday.

Thanks for your visit today.

New posts on Tuesdays. 

Links for sharing below and over 700 posts now in the Archives that you can view, save or share at your leisure and no cost.

Check out the resources at this link.

Links for sharing below.

Moving forward from the Heart © 2015.

Here's a beautiful video about Spring

Spring always gets us thinking more about the earth as it's time for renewal, growth, gardens and planting. 

It gives us Sun, rain and may even surprise us with a soft sprinkling of snow. As it gets lighter in the mornings now I get to wake up to birdsongs as they take turns for an hour or so. Nature is a beautiful Gift.

What happened shocked everyone.

  

Check out this video and
see how you feel after.

Dona Anderson

 

Are you sad, embarrassed, surprised ...

You weren't there so don't feel 

too bad but what if You were ... are You sad, embarrassed, surprised.

Or, You may not be surprised at all.

We all love to see those stories about a random act of kindness, a helping hand or those good neighbour stories. 

They fill our hearts and we're thankful.

But how often are You or I that person giving help to others in need or just be there to support, to listen or help out when needed and not.

Do we walk by and hope someone else helps out or think that person should get a job, find a shelter or ... 

How often can a small gift of  a homemade treat, leftovers or garden goodies help a family in need or tired after a busy stressful day. 

How often would a few minutes to help out become a good memory for someone and you forever.

I imagine the people in that church sat there embarrassed, sad and surprised as they learned more. 

What will they do the next time?

Some garden gifts to a neighbor last year 
was gifted back in one of the kids art.💗

Take care and Thanks for your visit today.

New posts every Tuesday to view, save and share.

Links for sharing below help both You and I share

Wellness out in the World. Thanks.

After hundreds of years we still haven't figured it out.

Don't give up yet, we have things to do.

Dona Anderson

The last couple of years has shown us we need a lot of change.

And, it comes to us in many different ways from  ...

      

      The weather

      to Violence

      Murder 

      War 

      Illness

      Lies

      hardship

      homeless

      accidents

      Fires

      clean water

      empty shelves

      hording

      and more.

I remember in the beginning of the pandemic we heard the words saying we want to go back to normal.

Then we heard voices that said our before life wasn't normal.

Will these last couple of years finally become that wake up call.

I heard this interview in the video below and had to share it.

I believe a lot of us know change is needed but where can it start.

Hopefully we can find things we can do and peacefully use our voice/votes to secure change on the bigger scale.

Change needs to come in many ways even in how we shop and spend money. 

How our purchases affect nature, wildlife, rivers, oceans and more. 

Change doesn't just come from politicians.  We vote them in.

Every little bit helps.

PS. As I was listening to the video I thought of how things we buy like appliances and other things don't last very long anymore. - what happened to quality. 

How much garbage we throw out in packaging, having to get the new model, and all the plastic waste. We see the sale sign and suddenly need something we didn't an hour ago.

Here's a few lines from the meditation Why should We in my book Moving Forward from the Heart on page 69.

"Why should we support the future of the World?

Because each one of us can make a difference. 

We can be more kind, understanding and compassionate to others. 

We can listen more, use better words, be more creative, intuitive and expand our role to being guardians, caretakers and caregivers over that of bystanders and consumers."

We can - You can - I can.

If you're wanting to know more visit

Kate Raworth on YouTube.

Take Care & have a great day.