Looking In The Past

Buzzfeed's 75 Awesome "Looking Into The Past" photos.   It is amazing to me how people come up with these things.  This is brilliant!

Before I Die

I am a huge fan of Buddhist Boot Camp.  It always reminds me to see the bigger picture and get out of my own way. 

You ARE beautiful. Really!

You're beautiful.  People say that to you, but you don't believe it.  Well, most of us don't anyways.  We spend so much time looking in the mirror, trying to see what we need to fix.  That's what makes this Dove project so fascinating.  What we see is often so different from what other people see. 

The video is in English with Spanish subtitles.  More on the project here: Dove Real Beauty Sketches

'Good Enough' Dad and Special Son

 

You won't regret listening to this NPR interview between father, Keith Harris, and his son Tim.  Tim is the owner of a restaurant, Tim's Place, the creation of which was a lifelong dream of his.  Tim has Down Syndrome and he and his father discuss some of the challenges they've overcome and the love they have for one another.   A beautifully and honestly done interview. 

A Good Enough Dad and His Special Son

Home is Wherever I'm with You

This is a favorite YouTube acoustic cover of mine.  I love this daddy and daughter super duo!  I sing this to my little one all the time before bed.  Unfortunately, I can't play guitar. Maybe one day. 

Ears Open! 20 Ways to Postively Change Your Relationships

Anything that can remind me to be mindful of how I take care of myself, who I let into my life, and how to treat others is like beautiful music to me.  It is something I need to hear everyday.

I have been in need of really understanding #2 for some time now. I had a friend who was like a part of my soul for most of my life.  For whatever reason, we've drifted apart in the last 5 years or so and it has been pretty devastating for me.  I've tried to reach out, but come to the conclusion that I just can't change it.   The excerpt below definitely contains some truth for me.  Though I tend to disagree that our friendship was based solely on me having something he needed (because he is just not that person), I do need to come to terms with the fact that our relationship isn't the same, and probably never will be. 

 2.  Let go of those who are already gone. – The sad truth is that there are some people who will only be there for you as long as you have something they need.  When you no longer serve a purpose to them, they will leave.  The good news is, if you tough it out, you’ll eventually weed these people out of your life and be left with some great people you can count on.  We rarely lose friends and lovers, we just gradually figure out who our real ones are.  So when people walk away from you, let them go.   Your destiny is never tied to anyone who leaves you.  It doesn’t mean they are bad people; it just means that their part in your story is over.


Here is the entire list.  20 Things to Start Doing in Your Relationships

Take a Walk

A new study shows how taking a walk in the park can ease the brain fatigue of living in loud, urban areas.  As much as I love cities and urban living, I must admit, there is a beautifully calm feeling that overtakes me as soon as I step into a forest.   The silence of it in winter,  or the calls of wildlife when hiking on a summer morning,  all of it can really take your breath away.

From the New York Times: Easing Brain Fatigue With a Walk in the Park

Waitress Fixes Autistic Girl's 'Broken' Cheeseburger

We forget how the smallest gestures and acts of kindness can make a huge impact on someone's day.   An autistic girl was so upset to find her cheeseburger was cut in half before she opened it, that she refused to eat it.  The staff made a big deal of apologizing to her and giving her a new one.  As you can read and see below, this little girl was obviously very pleased with the new ending and her family was so grateful.  I love this story.

Heroic Chili's Waitress Fixes 'Broken' Cheeseburger