It's MY life, I can cry if I want to!

Today I wanted to cry. So I did. And I'm ok with it - even as a 29-year old. Life happens and emotions result, but for some reason, we are taught not to show certain emotions. Today, as a 29-year old, I cried and cried. I cried because cancer doesn't go away. I hold strong hope, remain positive and truly, truly believe that cancer heals, but the fear of the unknown doesn't go away. It is there when I wake, follows me through the day and accompanies me, along with special prayers, back to bed at night. Today, I accepted that as a 29-year old, I can be scared to death. It's ok. And so I cried. And cried. And cried. And cried.

And then, all of a sudden everything turned positive. My fear had turned to tears and without choice overflowed. But reflecting back, it was a good thing. Emotions happen just as life happens. And emotion -  fear, scare, anger, anxiety, happiness, cheer - are all ok. The healthiest part, is that I've learned through my struggles, that the more you hold back, the more backed up emotion becomes. I have experienced such back-up and suppression that I became slave to my own emotion. Not healthy.

It's my life, I can cry if I want to! So today I cried my eyes out. And I cried until I felt better. Might sound silly, or seem immature, may be interpreted as childish, but for me crying today was therapeutic. I cried all of my fear, anger and sadness away. The result, a carefree, happy me, living again. And it feels so GOOD!

Why judge emotions? God's tears make rainbows - of which are both so beautiful. So let loose, and then honor the joys life has to offer.

Best Friends Create the Power to Heal

Who is your Best Friend? Think deep. Who can you always rely on? Who is always there for you, through sunny days and mud slides, through laughs, tears, fear, worry, true happiness? The one that shares your hopes and dreams and challenges you everyday? Who is your Best Friend?....

Many are quick to think a favorite girlfriend, a spouse, even their Soul Mate. But going deeper, would these relationships exist if you were not your own Best Friend first? The power of self-belief, self-esteem, self-worth is priceless. And realizing, seeing, understanding your inner self is the key to all relations. For how can you offer yourself to others if inside you are not 'worthy'?

And once this idea is captured, it's power is limitless. The Self has no boundaries, no borders, no stop signs. Once the Self is released, a new 'person' is born. Confidence has a new meaning. Not pride. Confidence. Knowing that no matter what, you can get through. And that no matter what you have all of the tools to live, to be, to survive, to master yourself, to master your life.

Would you ever leave your best friend's bedside during terminal illness? - No. Be that Best Friend to yourself. The Self has incredible healing powers - all just waiting to be trusted. Have faith and take a leap; let go. You'll find the Self has amazing offerings. Believing in yourself alone opens doors for healing and growth.

Trust yourself. Be your own Best Friend. Accept all hope and inspiration from within. Create your own power to heal.

Update by studio mr

Many new and exciting additions are in progress in studio mr! Please hang tight and continue to send support, subscribe, and share my site with others. 


In the meantime, please visit the new Inspiration Journal and Gratitude Wall. Join me in giving thanks and sharing inspiration via 'comments' on this post and the previous post officially introducing the Gratitude Wall. I look forward to both ongoing 'open' projects! 


Thank you again for your support, consistent readership, and don't be shy - share your 'thank yous' and 'inspiration of the day'....and get EXCITED for the future of studio mr! 

Come visit the new renovations of studio mr!

Introducing the Gratitude Wall, by studio mr. Please take a visit (link is listed on the right) and share your Thank You's, Lucky's, and Appreciation. Take a second and reflect on your day, your life, opportunity for a delicious lunch outside, an extra great yoga session, and/or the wonderful people in your life ...friends, family and those who inspire you....the wall is open to all gratitude.

Please feel free to visit anytime and share the things you're grateful for....this project is an ongoing *Thank You Simple*.

This post is dedicated to everyone who has helped me through this website. I am so lucky to have such an awesome readership - thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Perfect. What is Perfect?

Seems we throw the idea of 'Perfection' around in every aspect of life. How did this happen? Where did it come from? Why is 'Perfect' so important; all the time?


Yesterday a great friend reminded me how obsolete Perfect is. Nobody is Perfect. No need to be Perfect. No need for anxiety to reach Perfection. Rationally all makes sense. But Perfect exists everywhere. How can this be if Perfect isn't even 'real'?

What was everything but a conversation about Perfection, has had me thinking about Perfect all day. What is Perfect? I think I've figured it out. Perfect is everything but what we make it to be. Perfection is not reaching the 'perfect weight', having the 'perfect pair of jeans', baking the 'perfect batch of cookies', hosting the 'perfect party', 'color-coordinating perfectly (the decor, this evening's outfit, every kitchen towel)', owning the 'perfect home' or looking outside at a 'perfect backyard'.

Perfect is a realization. Perfect is being conscious of the moment and grateful for that moment, in that moment. Perfect is a sense of awareness - an understanding of time and true being. Gratitude, consciousness and Perfection are hand-in-hand. Without gratitude Perfect does not exist. And without realizing how much the 'now' has to offer, Perfect does not exist. Living 'now' revels true Perfection. We can not 'live' for a Perfect world - rather let's 'live' the Perfect world.

I thank you Friend for reminding me about Perfect. It is amazing how easily we can become (and how easy it is to fall) so out of touch with something so, so, very *simple*.

*Simple* Cool Candle Tip - Part II

So your favorite candle holders have been in the freezer, right?  Check. Wax gone? Check.  Here is one of my favorite re-uses of one of my favorite pieces - my own 'candle holder-recreation'....the possibilities are endless!

So *Simple*. So Green. 

How to be 'extra' Irish + blessings and luck

   

Sending a few of my favorite Irish blessings...

For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way-

Good health, good luck, and happiness

For today and every day.

May joy and peace surround you, 
Contentment latch your door, 
And happiness be with you now 
And bless you evermore.

Dance as if no one were watching,

Sing as if no one were listening,

And live every day as if it were your last.

Tips to be 'extra' Irish today - appreciate all you have, the world around us, family and friends....

Wear GREEN today! (and be sure to pinch anyone not)

Take a deep breath of nature...and appreciate it; even for just a moment.

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle

Share an Irish blessing with someone you love

Spend as much time enjoying nature as possible today

Drink a beer!

Wear GREEN :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Are you Soul Mates?

Tough question - Easy answer....

And when one of them meets with his other half, the actual half of himself, the pair are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy and one will not be out of the other’s sight even for a moment.

-Plato (2,500 years ago)  

You know you've found your Soul Mate, Twin Mate, Perfect Other Half when:

1. Laughter is part of everyday; no matter what - rain or shine, tragedy, loss, pain, pleasure - laughter comes natural.
2. This person makes it into every thought you think, everyday....somehow!
3. You have utmost trust in each other.
4. You've found your Best Friend. Someone you can always count on.
5. Sharing is so easy. Share hopes, dreams, chores and dishes, funny times, sad minutes (hours, days, years)....and somehow the laughter is still surfacing daily.
6. Silly has a new meaning and a permanent part of life.
7. Random days are so much easier because you know you're so in love with your Perfect Other Half and at that very moment, your Soul Mate is thinking the exact same thing.
8. You've found a happiness that you never knew existed.
9. Growing old (even 30!!) is now so exciting - Imagining all time together has to offer undoubtedly makes you smile.
10. Laugh together in the morning, laugh together in the evening, and secretly laugh together every minute in between.

I dedicate this to my Soul Mate - I love you. And I send hope and patience to everyone still searching for their Twin Mate. Patience pays off.

Be a survivor

My Dad is my Super Dad. He is living through both brain cancer and colon cancer...isn't one cancer enough? Through the past 4 years I have learned more from my Dad than ever. Most of all, I learned the importance of a strong soul and that positive pays off. I read these few bits and pieces from a couple of articles today and don't think the thoughts could be better said.

Life is both magic and tragic. We all have to face loss, failure, and disappointment sometimes. People who are optimistic find a way to recover. They develop resilience. Life is a series of recoveries. 

Dad you are my inspiration everyday. I've seen proof that smiling more, believing in the 'unbelievable' and looking forward to miracles not only strengthens daily life, but it gives hope to everyone you touch. You are so much more than a 'survivor' to me - you're my Super Dad. I look forward to everyday and the lessons I'm going to learn from you. I hope this collection of words give hope, faith, and a smile to everyone 'recovering' from any of life's twists and turns.


Most of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dad! I love you.

*Simple* Green Kitchen

Brighten up, cheer up, add a splash of color....the possibilities are endless - and Green when eliminating paper napkins. Go for bold color, fun design, holiday festive, seasonal decor....again, endless possibilities.  The best part, cloth napkins can be so easy and fun to make; and you don't need to be the super-sewing type!

Fat quarters (pre-cut 18" x 22" fabric) make for perfect cloth napkins. Typically craft stores (even Walmart) sell bundles of 4 designs; differing yet, coordinating patterns. Quilt stores sell bundles of numerous fat quarters as well as offering singles by the design.

 

Choose your decor, fold over the raw edge anywhere from 1/8" - 1/2", iron flat, fold over again and iron (so everything stays in place - makes for much easier sewing) and sew straight across. Repeat with all 4 raw edges.

Even easier, no-sew, fat quarter-to-napkin creation, use fusing tape (found at at fabric store)....follow packaged instructions...and in seconds you'll have perfect, hand-made cloth napkins!

  

Have fun with all of the fantastic fabric designs!  And best of all, very Green and super *simple*!

A favorite *Simple* - Luxurious Pampering & Super Practical

How many vacations do we take and hotels do we book....and yet to bring all of our 'own', 'have-to-be-brand' toiletries? Hum...I confess too, EVERY vacation!  And yet, the irony, I think all of the resort 'goodie' soaps, mini shampoos and conditioners are too cute!  I LOVE them all. Plus, each with exotic scents, high-class brands, and special aromatherapy.  So, why was it crucial to run around shopping for the mini Aussie hair products, sweetest smelling bath gel????

My *simple* here, is just enjoy all of the pleasures the resorts offer. If you have to 'brand-name-it' while on vacation, do what you have to do and then bring the guest goodies home. Enjoy sweet smelling bubble baths, varieties of luxurious lotions and healthy botanical spa treatments at home!

The catch - DON'T just pack them away with all of your travel bag - USE them!! Pamper yourself clean and ENJOY!! Enhance your Greener Self while loving every moment of it!

Cool Candle Tip

....or at least I think it's cool! Next time your candle is 'burned out' and you love the glass votive, or jar, or ceramic holder - it's not trash!!  Place the 'used' candle, wax-filled holder, in the freezer for an hour or so. Give the bottom of the container an easy hand pound and 'poooooof', wax is gone. And best of all - your  favorite candle holder is saved!!

Sometimes there is a tiny bit of way residue left after the candle pops out - just fill the holder with hot water and a drip of dish washing soap. Let it soak for a while and then a sponge clean.

Pretty cool huh?!!!!

Fear Hurts

Fear - more than scare, than uncertainty, more than fright. Yesterday, out of occasion, I had the opportunity to have a 'life talk' with a new doctor I'd never met with. After the tears and laughs about my past 4 years (and after his several remarks to be sure I wasn't on a TV show, or out of a movie!) he caught me quite off guard. He asked me "What are you scared of?".

I couldn't answer. I couldn't believe I couldn't answer. So, he asked again, "What is it that you are scared of?" I had no answer other than "I'm scared of everything". Not a satisfactory answer.

The Doctor asked again, "What is it that you are scared of?" After several deep breaths it came to me. I'm scared that I've lost hope. Correcting myself, "I'm scared that I am 'missing' hope". Somewhere living through suicide, death, cancer, homicide, marriage and now more cancer....I am scared to trust. How do you fill your life with Hope when Trust has fallen again and again and now it almost seems out of reach? I am scared to live because I know Trust can crumble at any second.

The Doctor knew by looking in my eyes, I was healthy; I was just so filled with Fear.

Often times 'fear' is thrown around as a move genre, a joke, a game - but true Fear is none of that. True Fear hurts. Thank you Doctor for the 'life talk'. I learned more yesterday about myself and about my health than the reason I had gone to office in the first place. And I was also reminded, "It is what it is". So now my task, to practice acceptance and trusting the moment. Every second alone is filled with 100% Hope.

Don't look back, don't look forward....BE now.

Recycle to cure cancer

Why not recycle to help save lives? To help cancer research? To help cure ALL cancer patients?  Cans for Cancer does just this....weekly gather cans, glass, and plastics from curbside in our neighborhood. So easy and for such a great cause! Please visit the link to learn more about how you too can participate in recycling for research, for cures. The organization offers assistance at the workplace as well.

Thanks Cans for Cancer - You've built community around social responsibility and most of all help families in need.

http://cansforcancer.org/

Make today a *Thank You Thinking Day*

Gratitude - There is so much in this world we are all so lucky for....and probably never think twice about it. Have a *Thank You Thinking Day* today. It's the little things that really mean the most....a hot water shower, friends near and far and family, even those you haven't talked to for years. They care. Just take a second a *think thanks* for these people. Feel lucky for the flowers that you thought would surely die that are now in full bloom. And for (in my case, that the rain didn't completely overflow the my backyard - 'our bog').

Everyone is entitled to sadness. So let yourself have a sad day - but be thankful that sadness comes and goes and think an extra thought of thanks for your health.

Today I feel lucky that my orchids are growing! Blooming? - No.  Do orchids ever re-bloom?  But they are loving life...no worries, no let downs, no gripes. Nature has a way of taking full advantage of *thank you thinking*. Something in our face daily, and yet why is it so hard to learn from? Maybe take all that's needed is a 'closer look'.

And I'm also thankful for the ability to realize 'thanks'. So easily overlooked. Today, stand still for a second. Look around...and enjoy. And more than ever enjoy your *Thank You Thinking Day*.

PS- No thinking about tomorrow....*thank you thinking* is about the now. For me again, thanks for reading! I'd love, love to hear about your *Thank You Thinking Day" - feel free to leave a comment.