The story of Rudolf

  A beautiful woman wearing antlers with bells and a long sleeved green shirt came up to me this morning in the vitamin aisle of the grocery store.  I was staring so intently at the vitamins that it seemed to me that she just appeared next to me smiling broadly.  As soon as I looked up, she said, "You know I really should have a red nose."  I said, "Why?"  She said," Because Rudolf is as old as me and I am 72 years old and I think people should see the old Rudolf." And then we both started laughing.  I told her I agreed and wished her a merry Christmas and turned back to start shopping again.  But she stayed next to me.
  "If you have a minute, I could tell you the real story of Rudolf," she said.  I told her I would love to hear that story and she proceeded to tell me about the author of the original Rudolf story and how someone did a kind deed for him and his daughter and then he shared his good fortune with his whole neighborhood.  While she was talking, people were shopping around us and looking at us oddly. (She was a very animated and talented story teller.)
  " I heard that story on the radio last week and I can't get it out of my mind," she said.  I nodded in agreement and told her it really is a wonderful Christmas story. "And then yesterday," she continued holding my sweatshirt sleeve intently, "Yesterday I heard the story of a woman who saw a Salvation Army ringer who was cold and went and got him a cup of coffee and a gift card."
   "That is also a sweet Christmas story," I smiled at her and again wished her a merry Christmas and turned to go.
   But she held on.
   "So, I went to Walmart and saw that the ringer there was very cold too.  I couldn't afford a gift card, but I went and got him a hot cup of coffee with two sweet-n-lows, two sugars and two creamers. I didn't know how he liked his coffee so I got him the works!  He was so happy!  He thanked me and then I walked away." 
  "You are so full of the Christmas spirit!" I said. 
  " Well, I am trying to plant the seed of Christmas spirit in one person each day.  I try to pick someone who will really listen.   Now you have the seed you have to plant it in one person each day."
   With that, she turned and walked away humming and jingling her antlers.  I returned to shopping and haven't stopped smiling since.  I felt so blessed that she picked me!

Christmas seeds to celebrate!  Blessings in the vitamin aisle. :)

Pantyhose in the fridge

  Yesterday was a very busy day and I ended up grocery shopping quickly and throwing bags hither and yon when I got home, hoping that everything that needed to be in the refrigerator found its way there prior to jumping back into my car for a late meeting.
  This morning when I got up, I went to get the half/half for my badly needed cuppa of joe. Instead of my creamy coffee condiment, I pulled pantyhose out of the bag. 

This thought popped into my head and I just smiled and smiled.


"Yesterday I was blessed to do a job that makes a difference with people that I care about.  I worked hard.  I fought for the underdog.  I also put my pantyhose in the fridge. Not bad MacLuckie, not bad at all."


Bonus blessing: I get to be really "chilled out" today. Brrrrr.  :)

Running with the Moon

  I just got back from running with the moon.  It beat me of course, but made an excellent running companion.
   I know it isn't always the wisest thing to run so early, in the dark, by myself.  But, I love it.  I love breathing in the cool air, skipping if I want to, and watching my neighborhood wake up.  It is funny to learn the early morning habits of your neighbors (super loud disco music alarms, who sneaks out for a smoke before the family wakes up, etc).  I send out thoughts for a good day to each house as I pass by- it makes me feel a little like the heavy footed Tinkerbell of my block.
  I had a thought this morning as I rounded the corner back to my house.  How blessed am I to live in a place where I can run in the dark?

Very blessed and grateful.
 
Although the moon always wins our little race, it is a gracious winner. ( Sometimes, I let the stars win too just so they don't feel left out.)

Running in the dark- luckie me!

Blinking, twice.

Today, I was talking with an angry person. As she spoke, I felt like I could feel her words through the phone line (all exclamation points and capital letters in red ink) hitting my ear with great force and running down my cheek and neck. 

I felt my face flush as my own anger rushed to my cheeks and
 almost
out of my mouth.

And then, I blinked, twice.
Intentional blinks to remind myself of
who I am
what I do
and why.

Half way through my second blink, I smiled. I chose.             I did not choose anger.
I felt very powerful in that second blink; almost like Wonder Woman when she boards her invisible jet.

the power to choose your reaction to life- an everyday miracle.

Momma Bones

I have the privilege of working with many amazing people every day.  I work with dedicated teachers, lively students, hard working support staff and a fabulous boss.  I feel blessed to work where I do. But today I had a unique opportunity to see two of my favorites within one afternoon; the ladies with the "momma bones."  I was so overcome with respect and awe, I actually choked up a bit on the walk back to my office.

 In order to put this in perspective, I should probably define "momma bones".  
Momma Bones: a characteristic of a woman who is a mother to her core, who cares for those around her with dedication and honesty, whose capacity for love extends well beyond her own brood.

D and M are two foster mothers who take at-risk kids into their homes and love them and help them heal from old hurts.  They have the momma bones and I love them for it.

When I first saw them, they seemed to be ordinary women; friendly, polite, put together.  But now, when I see them, all I see is their momma bones shining through.  They look radiant to me.  I feel an overwhelming need to thank them for being who they are and for what they do each day.  I know they must think I am goofy.  They are doing what they feel they must for those that need it. " Why all the fuss?" their eyes say.   But I know that their kindness is unique in many kids' worlds and I love them for it.

Momma bones~another miracle, another reason to have a grateful heart.

Soaking up the Energy

  I love the practice of Reiki.  Reiki recognizes and celebrates the energy that flows through everything.  I have always felt that energy but never really thought about it until I started to learn about Reiki.  Since I have brought my attention to it, I am noticing energy everywhere.  I saw a video on Positively Positive once about a study that was done on the bacteria in yogurt.  In the study, the yogurt's energy was effected by the mood of the person sitting next to it.  I think that that is wonderful and gives credo to the power of energy on those around you (even yogurt!)  Here is the link if you want to watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zD4mXnaVKc

  I have been meeting periodically with an amazing group of women over the course of the last year and have come to really look forward to our meetings for many reasons, not the least of which is their positive energy.  As I sit through our discussions and sharings, I am simultaneously humbled, calmed, refreshed, and excited.  It is a pretty cool experience.  I can feel the energy in the room as if it were static electricity.  Hugs are given, thoughts shared, friendships grow, and their energy lingers long after everyone goes home.  It is a blessing to soak it all up and just bask in the lively vibes. 

Being around people with positive energy makes me happy.

I was just thinking this morning that maybe I have more in common with yogurt than I thought.  Sweet.

Spirit Junkie

I am reading a new book called Spirit Junkie.  It is written by a young woman who has found her way and wants to share.  I can relate, okay, not on the young part, but on the other parts.


She shares her story of working through a program called "A Course in Miracles."  This course has been historically somewhat controversial, but I think I like it anyway.  One quote the author of Spirit Junkie, shares from "A Course in Miracles" is the following:
"No one is sent by accident to anyone."

I cannot articulate the pure comfort and joy this sentence brings to me.  It is an instant salve to any worries that try to park themselves in my mind.

I think of all of the amazing people in my life and smile.  It makes me happy that whoever is sending  these people to populate my life is not sending them by accident. Here is my thank you note to The Sender of all the good people.


My Dearest Sender,
  Thanks for thinking of me, loving me, and sending me all the incredible people in my life.

  You completely rock.

Sincerely,
Michelle