Hi there Gentle Reader,

Excellent timing! Just finished making a batch of chocolate shortbreads - mini ones of course! It's all about moderation. Oh and lattes too. Don't forget the java!

You know I really do walk on the sunny side of the street. It was a song from 1930 and it has been recorded by everyone from Louis Armstrong to Cyndi Lauper. Basically said that if you always keep a positive outlook, you'll have a happy life. Now I hear you say "but Linda, have you SEEN the news lately? The economy, the employment situation, world affairs, unrest, sadness, etc....How am I supposed to keep smiling when THAT'S going on in the world??" (Note to CNN, would it hurt ya to have a little good news now and then? Pardon me? Ok yes, the baby ducklings delivering the mail in the nursing house was sweet. More of that pleaseandthankyou).

What is so important here is your focus.  I too have had many dark days (months and even years) but have always moved to the sunny side of the street. Literally and figuratively. It's not a case of living in denial but rather appreciating all the good in my life. Knowing and believing that things will change for the better. Even little Orphan Annie felt that tomorrow would be brighter. I'm here to say that it can start today!

Time to get out that Tah-Dah list and those glitter pens! We're going to be adding
more sparkle to your life. I want you to write down at least 3 positive things that you have done lately. Could be that you walked a friend's dog while she was working late, you had the veggie special for lunch instead of the burger and fries, or you donated some books to your local library.  What we want to do here is find things that make you smile and boost your happy credits. Yes, happy credits DO exist and they are rainbow coloured and marshmallow-scented.  

While it is exciting to write down your future plans and dreams, it is equally important to record those moments that have left a positive impact. Those seamingly small things do energize you to do more!

Right now as I write this blog, the song "Ya Gotta Be" by Des'ree is on the radio. Remember that tune from 1993 or so? "Listen as your day unfolds, Challenge what the future holds, Try and keep your head up to the sky..." The Universe will give you reminders every day about the good stuff out there. If you don't think so, google Karen Huff Klein and her recent verbal attack by 4 teens on the bus she monitored. That story of course is heartbreaking but then read about lovely Max
Sidorov from Toronto who set up a fund so people could contribute towards a vacation for her.  The initial goal was $5,000. Currently the fund is at around $650,000. Positive from a negative. Thank you Max.

Keep smiling GR, keep smiling and follow the sunshine.

Linda
 

Howdy Gentle Reader,

Lovely sunny weather no? Si! Breezy and fabulous. Warm and cozy in the kitchen here. Just made a batch of cheesecake squares to go with the lattes. Sound good? Great! (hope you're wearing your stretchy pants).

So we all know about the Hollywood story of the starlet being in the diner when the casting agent drops in for a coffee (Lana Turner), or the musical understudy that gets the starring role when the lead has an accident (Elaine Page got the part of Grizabella in CATS when Judi Dench broke her leg. yes THE Judi Dench and we all know that her non-musical career worked out very well). It's wonderful to dream about these kinds of serendipitous moments. While these are lovely stories, it doesn't give us much hope that we have control over our own future. Well, I'm here to say that YOU have the ability to make your own "lucky" moments.

Last night, like millions of people around the world, I watched Nik Wallenda achieve his childhood dream of walking on a tightrope over Niagara Falls. I admit I held my breath for 30 minutes but was impressed by his calmness and focus. He definitely MADE his own moment. You could say he was at the right place at the right time but I think it was more he made his place and time just right!

Today I am doing a lot of organizing as I continue to make space for my new life. The more items I give away, the greatest sense of peace I feel. It's amazing how much "stuff" can keep you grounded when you're trying to reach for the sky!

A few years ago, I wasn't the most proactive person on the planet and liked the idea of winning that next big lottery - whether it was a job, relationship, or even a real lottery! That sense of "fate" was appealing though at times it seemed that others were achieving their dreams and I was waiting for a dream to happen.

I now believe that YOU make your dreams a reality by your own actions, and not by the hand of fate awarding prizes.  You have much more control over your future that you may realize.

For your h*o*m*e*w*o*r*k  this week, (y*e*s), I want you to get your journal or pad of paper where you have been keeping your TAH-DAH list, and write down 3 items that you would consider very LUCKY if you achieved them. Then underneath each item, I want you to list tasks you could do that would move you closer to that LUCK.  I think you'll be very pleased with the results!

Until next time!

Linda

Hi there Gentle Reader,

Just finished baking some SKOR cookies - if you like SWEET, you're come to the right kitchen! Want Latte? A lovely duo.

Well technically we are still in Spring but Summer does peek out now and then. Today is overcast but still warmish. My hair is doing that wild and wavy jump for joy to celebrate the almost-rain.  If only wearing a hat didn't make me look like the Great Pumpkin sporting a chapeau. I would make a much better sister to old Charlie Brown. No offence Sally but your noggin' isn't big enough!

Sooo back to Spring. I'm still in organizing mode here. Papers, books, clothes, trinkets...nada is left unturned. I find as I get older, well my stuff gets older too - and more of it! At times I will run across items that haven't seen the light of day since WHAM was a group and that's not good. Sometimes I can't even recall why exactly I still have the things stored or what they belong to - like keys for locks or computer cords for items no longer in my possession. Take up both physical and mental space.  Most importantly it is taking up much needed real estate for other items that deserve to be out and showcased. Nothing like having novels in your bookcase that you no longer read and ones that you are stacked like a small mountain on your night table. Our kitties love to climb and knock over as many books as possible. If they had little kitty flags, they would be up all over the place!

In the mid 1990's, I discovered the "Simplicity Movement" where people were downsizing their lives and using and enjoying what they kept. Some did this by working less hours and smelling the roses a bit more often. Others got rid of years of unused items in their home by selling everything and travelling around the world. The majority though were more modest in their life changes but still reorganized their lives so the things they used every day were appreciated and valued and not kept in a dark expensive storage locker. That A&E show STORAGE WARS exists because of all the stuff people think they need to live a great life. They are wrong. These lockers become available only after the owner of the items can no longer pay the fees for a few months. 

Plus there is something very freeing about having less in your life to maintain and own.  Twice in my life, I have opened my front door and said "if you can carry it, it's yours!" and started over.  It's quite satifisfying when you are grateful for what you have and can easily take care of it. I'm at that point again in my life so only keeping items that I truly treasure and everything else is going to be recycled and given to a new home.  

If you don't value an item in your life enough to have it displayed in your home then it's time for it to live elsewhere.  If you still have cartons of items that you keep moving from one place to another and rarely even look at, then it's time for the boxes to go! Personally I always need to find "a home" for those things that I want to give away - a book, sweater, vase, pretty much anything.  

Right now the clothes closet is getting reorganized. If the shirt or pair of pants doesn't fit this very minute then it's out the door to Goodwill.  It's all about TODAY and not the future.

For your homework (AHA - AMBUSH!!!!!!!!!), I want to go to your closet tonight or book shelf or whereever you know you have more things there than you actually use, and take out 3 items to give away. Every little bit of space helps and you really will discover that less is so much more!

Until next time GR,

Linda