attract the universe

Identity Crisis
Is what you begget when you try to divide and siphon off ideas or mere thoughts.  If you are creative in mind and in thinking, you have a hard time letting go of an idea once it is uncorked.

growing a personality
that is recognizable whether from a voice (on YouTube), a face (everywhere), a name synonymous with a pseudonym as I did  create called optioneerJM.  Admittedly back then, as now, I did not want to be presently known on social media that could be tracked to my personal name so I created optioneerJM.  My mind was more caught up with the best way to sell, in a consistent, smooth manner is by understanding your client or prospects needs, defined intricately with what would take them over the top if you understood their wants.  Really great ones can capitalize and categorize them so that they stand out.  

Motorcycle mind
Can be an escape from taking any responsibility for where your creativity takes you.  Once you toss it out to the universe and bother to examine if anything sticks, means that you may be avoiding critical feedback to learn from.

Scarcity of comments
belies the number of visitors that do heavenly click.  A self-critiquing perfectionist can emerge.  Not like the slow evolution of time or the long revolution around the sun.  

Empathy
is something that I was generously given as a natural skill, honed so well, like a finely carved statue or sculpture, considered a gift.

Outgoing
is what immediately would be what I would want to be identified with.  

Brave
enough to try new things.  Laughing at oneself far quicker than anyone else.

Ridicule
is a feared for sure.  Which goes in the opposite direction of the instinct of being outgoing.  Where, what may be lurking is an assault with being the subject of ridicule?

Confidence
with the belief and strong conviction that you are beyond reach of falling self esteem caused by events, outside your control like natural aging and progression in life, to things you intake as happening to you.

Recovery
speed is like the mental olympics of creative types.  Because as they become more prolific in ideas, the more muddled it can become.

Distinction
deciphered with lightening speed.  Fast computing between right and wrong, strength to avoid all that is wrong and focus on what is or can be right.

READ MORE HERE .......

YOU can be anything!

You better believe me
This is very true.  
If you don't believe me,
ask my daughters about 
my son Kyle.

Prouder than the biggest lioness
Everyday he inspires me
by setting the example on 
how to be the better person
or the best version of yourself.

As a mother, it goes back to that
9 month relationship with that
baby in your womb.

Falling in love
When do you start talking to it?
How did you feel from 
the movements?

A womb
A gentle glide,
maybe back and forth.
Watch out for somersaults
because they can be the worse.

Motherhood childhood
If you are the mother of a child
you can probably understand and relate
if you are a child of a mother
there are many things to learn from her.
She didn't go to school for the job,
she wasn't told what it would entail, the
highs, the lows, the championships, the falls.
She knows it all
Yet she still is your biggest fan
single loudest cheerleader
Instant defender, protector, teacher, scolder, nagger.

Now
When was the time
when you stopped listening
and just started doing?
Somewhere between adolescence and
motherhood afterhood.  


Is faith belief?
When did you start losing faith?
When faith has been steering you all along.
Not in the way that you'd design it
or be all glitzy and for show.


Inner committee
Is it because you stopped believing
your own press?
Or do you believe that old press
was a mistake?

Know
Where you lose some of that inner glow
where enthusiasm and ideas blow
knocking anyone over in its path, 
or the fury if it didn't pass

Stop
The kick in the pants
self discovery talk
Was that with self or
glorious being?
An angel guide  on eagle wings,
takes you away from that place.

Glow
Maybe it is an inner mantra
that at first seems quiet
reflective
observant
learning
feeling
the
flow.

Flow
Ebbing towards a much calmer sea
from the beach
or the breaches of my mind.

Release
optimism, gratitude, creativity tide.
Allowing your instincts 
to be your guide.

Wisdom and growth
Maybe with more wisdom
grows the appreciation of the great things
that happen behind the spotlight
of a social media glow.

Gratitude is
creating an appreciation
like never before.
For the very best things 
that you can enjoy.
For free, out there, helpful, 
creative and pure.

Love of a dove
Spread those wisdom wings
and wrap those so dear
whom you love
with all your soul
like a beautiful dove.


Far reaching
High outtabounds
limitless, boundless
energy abounds.
Through the coming
of one
with your soul.

Awakening
Beginning to uncover
the real you.
Who was likely covered,
burdened, trodden so the
spirit may have fallen low.

Singing to others
by writing, tweeting, posting hello
to those who help make her grow.
Surrounded by talented by three
thousand times the speed of sound.

Faceless
Her audience, her readers and growing fans
don't quite know what to make of this
lady so grand.
With style, with grace,
with wisdom to share.

Ageless
Because of her age,
merely a number,
but because of it 
gathers many asunder.

Beauty
For beauty wherever and whatever form
is in tuned with the beat of what most want to feel
A champion for others, 
finding inspirational
clauses.

Beacon of light
To inspire, lighten a spirit, lift a mood.
To restore optimism to others
is a duty born
To stomp out hate, violence and/or fear.
To return to the important
things to hold dear.

Wisdom
Not money, not wealth, not even fame.
Can drown out the inspiration
many will claim.
As their right, their worth, and
wisdom reborn.

Fly
Let's spread our wings 
and let those gifts soar.
We can make a safer,
even more beautiful world.
We reach out beginning with one
and grow in affection and support.

Dream
among dreamers
because they eventually
become visionaries.
The ones that are 
easily discounted.

Ascend
Yet rise above the clamour and noise
where radios and televisions on mute or off.
The people's choices emerge,
sending messages out as a blurb.

Narrate
Telling a story
of grow and learning.
To instigate allegiance
to this yearning.

Unite
Of gathering
the still
yet like minded.
Forming a voice
that cannot be contended.

Fire and heat
The thermometer and furnaces
of hate, racial bias, violence and corruption
are burning bright
with heat to those who draw too near.

Taking steps
while they're stepping back
from the dreaded topics
of poverty and despair.
Like turning one's head
at a roadside wreckage.

Look
How can we be mere
onlookers?
Luckily, there are others 
who make us look and reconsider
our role in humanity, our planet, 
our young and our elders.


One thing I know as a mother is how gifted my son Kyle is with people.  Over 27 years, I have wondered how can I capture the ingredients and sell it for a whole lot of people who need to have a better attitude on life.  Be more thankful.  Appreciate others more.  Judge less.  

His sister called me to tell me the coolest thing.  It reminded me of a phenomena that is uniquely Kyle:  once you meet him, you can never possibly forget him.  Apparently, still so.

This sis of his called to say she applied to this hipster hangout for the trendiest of youngest group of Millennial explosion (22 or something close to that).
They instantly hired her on the spot, without not even 1/2 of a 1/2 of a percent of Bernie Saunders math, pause.  She was merely told, if you're the sister of Kyle, you are on our team without hesitation.

How's Kyle?
I forgot how often after school, or in summer months, I would meet some of his teachers, in the community, grocery shopping, doing stuff.  It wasn't uncommon for someone to walk up to me to ask me how Kyle was doing?

With an imaginative soul.
Can you imagine that?  It was amazing, yet as you drift along in this tide, you don't get a chance to really stop and take in that it is probably even a bigger and more unique gift than any politician could commit more than a decade in learning how to smile at people just right, giggle, chuckle or full body laugh.  

Kyle
just has it.
The "it"
YES, that IT
the thing we
all want

To be liked,
for being a really good person.
To be loved,
because he makes us want to be better.

We watch, we learn
He shows us that it isn't 
the toughest, the richest, the most obvious
who are the most talented.
It is usually someone who is gifted.  
Sometimes, even more less, 
discovered as a true treasure 
for our world.  

Lighting the way
Like a Nelson Mandela, 
not merely an Oprah Winfrey.  
The difference is obvious.
One dwells in the limelight
while the other is far away
from the spotlight.
A legacy of our times.
Like the Dali Lama who is still among us.
Or for some like me, fairly unknown, yet mysterious.

A lot of little somethings
So maybe that is something
worth delving into.
What makes one person so great
that others remember

Intention
Who wants that chance
to be the best of who they are NOT
diving deep into the talent
yet undiscovered.

Commitment
With quiet humility and dedication
one can only hope to make a dent.
Help one person out of despair.
Failing hope.
Growing disbelief.
Not looking back because
the wreckage is in front of them.

Inspire
How do you repair, restore faith,
uncover talent?
By cheerleading the unheard,
the unfamous, 
not infamous.

Explore
Exploring lands and cultures
without touching new soil.
That's what in front of us,
if you just focus on the most
beautiful, peaceful and hopeful
images, readings, teachings
stirring within new belief.

Believe
in yourself
in what you are capable
of doing.
Not yesterday, NOW.
Not tomorrow, NOW.

Images are all courtesy of Google from a GOOGLE SEARCH.  I would like to thank all the creators and give them tribute as one, easily found.

The tribute to Harry Potter is by design for two reasons:

1) The main character in "Goldfinch" the book that I am heavily engrossed in right now, is nicknamed "Potter" by his best friend.

2) There is a lot of excitement surrounding the release of yet another Harry Potter, to international instant acclaim, by J.K. Rowling:  a true inspiration for women everyWHERE as this century's #bestofeverything #womenofinspiration 

Tip toe thru the tulips of time

Do you just ever wonder?
What it was like waking up and finding yourself back in the glamour days.  When Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra were of this world.

You dress up
or you didn't go out!  Back in the time when ladies had to be ladies, and fellows were gentlemen around the ladies.  It is such a bygone time, don't you just wonder what it would be like?

Gloves and hats
Were just important as the gown, dress or outfit that were defined by clip on earrings, that you can't give away in garage sales now.

A pinch of this and a pinch of that
If you didn't behave in church, or were moving around restlessly, you could find yourself pinched.  The almighty pinch was worse than a dirty look or a raised voice.  Back in the time, when you didn't have the belt as much as parents of parents, today, want to think.

A generation's generation
who champion manners, a lost grace in a large part of our society.  We were suppose to be scarce between dinner and sun down.  This was the best time of the year.  Right now.

Red rover, red rover
We thought we were pretty smart then, not unlike our own children do.  The sneakiness was different in those times.  When we scattered at the last beloved 30 minutes before the sun was starting to fade.  Grabbing hands, laughing loudly, as we ran through the throng of neighbourhood kids to evade being caught and having instead to do the catching.

The rules relaxed
When there was fun to be had.  The parents slowly stepping off stoops, starting out to call their children indoors.  Instead, assembling, smiling at each other, parents in the Good Parent Club as we bought a few extra minutes of outside time because no one parent would want to be the first to disrupt such a marvelous coming together of children, kids, having fun.

 A tide or an era 

We weren't sure, nor did we care.  We were so caught up in the moment, of laughing, running, catching those last glimpse of the sun.




  






_________________________________________                                                                            ~..~ 

When a neighbourhood BBQ or a gathering of friends and family, usually meant, we could be out playing in the street lights, with the hustle of dancing, by parents, with neighbours, friends, sisters.  

The spirit of the moment
Where being together was the most important event of the day.  Often happening.  Looking back I never thought we took anything for granted.

A harmony of spirit
A collection of the brave, who faced challenges but never beating down us.  We were outside, we celebrated summer like a gift that would never be returned.  Because it was the thought, the caring, that was the biggest present of all.  

The expectation of a gathering
was never far, always dear.  Not unusual.  Often ever near.  After church, long weekends, or simply a mere assembly of those that live near.  

Hats and gloves
I would squirm through just to return to those bygone days.  Take the time to embrace it.  Hold it even more dear.  

A one day and only day
You never really knew.  Until you grew older, the magic that you lived through.  Blessed and remarkable, even though challenges were plowed through.

Creating a memory
that you would love to return to.  Accompanied by your children and loved ones to know what you knew.  Experience the wonder of feeling special to tip toe the tulips of time.

"Simplicity is never simple." 

~Jeannette Marshall

Two Cheery Cherries by Andes Design #bestofeverything 

"Cream always rise to the surface. 

 Except cherries, 

of course." 

Jeannette Marshall #quote

 ~..~ 

Drifting away :: imagination information innovation inspiration

Let me know if you're the artist and I'll link your site here ::) 

Why log on
Or why not is more like it.  The world is becoming two sides no matter how you look at it:

* white or colored
* black or white
* christian versus islam, or vice versa
* the east and the west (unlike Game of Thrones slant 
       that it's a conflict between the North :: soon to be 
       South)
* in any category, there is an either or an or that also 
       applies
           * the good and the bad
           * the kind and the evil

* you're either home or at work
           * which one defines you

* you're either goofing off or getting things done
            * which one defines you
            * which one do you lean towards

I love this site
This site is magnificent.  It has a lot going on.  It responded to my query with this incredible escape.  Why so fantastic.  Well, firstly it was all in the name

Trendy
You can't even determine what's trendy unless you are on the pulse.  These tricksters are sending a beat out to the ones, regardless of age, what to be considered the hipsters not the hippies.  Where a gang of like minded gravitate toward it and bounce back to their following.  The site probably has what is the definition of the

Hipsters
Depending on what era you're from, you're like a crew out of 
* Happy Days :: a show that is fun, light-hearted and Family Approved, or First Date Recommended.  
* 90210 :: I really never watched it.  I don't even think I've really thought about it.  This show was really explosive around GENxers.  The first bubble of hipsters.  Hipsters times a poof of popularity.

Believable
That's why some shows or movies really resonate among us.  Who do you think should be considered the #bestofeverything most popular?  Well if it is not filtered paid for media, what else can be the voice but a hashtage of merit #bestofeverything :: to be tapped on a clicked out :: setting the benchmarks by the people.

#bestofeverything
Is a pulse, whether echoing or with force.  Triumph over paid media.  Hahahaha where the Neilson's Ratings become instinct?  

Why not?
The best example in humbleness was a young lobby barman/server at the Hilton's Lobby Bar named Oscar.  I will have to scrounge around and see if I have any pictures of him.

The problem with pictures
I find it really difficult to attribute | credit | most if not all of them.  The artists, whether by stroke of a brush or click of a photo.  They deserve to be 



Noted
For their brilliant vision :: captured.  Spurning the vibration across all nations.  

The creators
Who are the creators, innovators, imagineers, informative, inspirations?  The are the instigators.  Of an idea, a positive movement.  To outcast the evil to ban it from our world.

The ones who are digital orators
You know it is really tempting to want to approach a publishing machine like The New Yorker to give a Canadian viewpoint of the great metropolitan center of the universe.  It used to be The London Post wasn't it that used to define London, England and now called the UK?

Why for?
I mean seriously.  They take my content (after a bazillion attempts) and completely implode it across the universe.  To be translated.

Nobody thinks like me
At least I haven't found any.  Sure I know of quite a few I would absolutely look up to.  They could be even contributors in the expression that envelopes me so closely, then sends it out like shooting stars across the universe.

#bestofeverything
Was hatched here on this blog.  Date stamped if you will.  With multiple references on the seeds that were sprinkled around the best social media giants glued on two, allowing it to rise even more as an upside down pyramid.  Only the best float to the bottom because only the very best of #everything had to start at the bottom at some point.

Reminisce
The first published site(s) for the #bestofeverything was under the author, Jeannette Marshall.  Creating a link back back back back.  Hoping for a demand for a spot on that ever-present voice.  What are folks doing, how are they using such a powerful tool like #bestofeverything :: racism, violent tendencies, mean vibes, bullies, cheaters, haters :: are kept between those two sets of dots.  Never permitted to escape, confined by the borders.  So that only truly great stuff emerges at the top of the pyramid upside down.

A release
This blog has given me such a release on ideas, creativity, imagineering like a puff of misty dust.  A writing language often experimented with.   Forming foundations for ideas like #bestofeverything :: which will be the main #hashtag that will define everything. 

For sale
From the beginning the soul purpose of creating #bestofeverything I kept returning to the dream of just writing.  Helping people.  Making them more fashionable, respectful, creative souls.

A matter of commerce
Taking it to be a major brand.  Nothing skewed.  No recounts.  The social media brands will shout the statistics :: what is the 

* best brand 
           * where the best things are branded by the                              people

We know about the left and the right #brain but this explains/shows example. #bestofeverything 

Welcome 
if this is your first visit to my brain implosion.  Where nothing is kept in and the more I exercise it, the more it allows to filter in. 

The new Hipsters
Recognizing something neat or instinctively thinking it will go to the stratosphere.  Assemble, follow each other and beginning #bestofeverything in only positive observance.  

The uncommon
Where the unknown or unaware had not hit a radar.
The blast they creating by their repetition of that hashtag.  To be officially credited by stats on where the viewers are i.e. The United States being 80%.

Top 20 percent
Earn the recognition for 80 percent of making our world a better place, solving a great problem, like global warming.  The top 20 percent of anything great, nice, kind, creative where :: violence, hatred, radicalism, racist, corrupt unhealthy :: stay outside the confines of this trend.  Where the super Socialmediameisters like Google, Twitter, Facebook stand against the other traditional media brands liked

* Magazines (established first in print and not online) which exclude Socialmediameisters who they follow.

* Radio going from station signal to digital access driving listeners to traffic to their site where they are still, but more subtly now, attracting very instinctive and savvy advertisers.  

*Buyers so focussed on the bottom line without creating masterpiece marketing success.  They will have website stats, from the start, like me.  To the finishers who set the high bar as the great :: as in MASHABLE.  

Mashable
Just pow!  (What was that movie or TV show that used that term? SNL perhaps.)  But that is what and how Mashable makes me feel.  They are so intune with the nuances of my moods, curiosities, and unfound treasures amongst the noise of constant chatter.

A one woman show
Well, this my honeys, is a one lady goal.  To be full of optimism as I face challenges of growing older.  Wanting to fight it with a awesome attitude, gregarious personality that is turned to low audio compared to this voice I get to show.

Who can question
Whether she is right or wrong.  Well you can't.  Because you see.  We are a one person opinion.

An open opinion
Used faithfully, positively and openly to look at the bright side of most everything.  Turning the knob face down at anything negative :: abuse, bias, hatred, rants :: are kept aside.

Strength in number
Firmly, optimistically am convinced will unfold.  I mean, really.  Do you want to only hear about things that are geared towards your explosive in numbers Millennials to drown you out?  

A meeting of minds
Where the need for optimism matters.  For with optimism drives making our world a better place.  Not any borders.  No areas to :: discriminate, violate ::  human rights take command.

Where the artistic or creative
Assemble when they see themselves or their mentor rise to the top.  Because their image, cartoon, art, photograph, illustration, musical will be celebrated.  The rise to the top determined by #bestofeverything

People will speak
Where only the people who are beyond the :: bracketed :: words will join.  Give opinions.  I'm just the narrator, instigator, navigator, orator, communicator for everyone agreeing on who they really think is

#bestofeverything
As the originator, proven by datestamp originated in this blog.  Only the best in categories I can extrapolate, eventually with the help of the social media platform, springboard to real information on what matters.  Because if you ban those :: bracketed :: words.  Then only the very best can float to the bottom, peacefully.  Focus on keeping that up in both your life and your work.

A prediction 
I made a year ago.  A blog on how I was going to be able to predict the next groovy trend, whether it be by fashion or beauty or smarts.  A little sophisticated in the approach.

Released
No creative imagination parts were ever left off nor unexplored.  Just scan across your information zone on here.  But you can certainly can establish it on here and then I'll ReTweet, Post and share.  

At the top of what's trending
Or maybe at the bottom with the seed being scattered.  To folks that are the Hipsters.

* THANK YOU IF YOU SHARE :: Tweet, Like, Post, Pin, + let me know if I missed your point of view because as far as I'm concerned @Vine hasn't made it on the register of the great innovators

* LINKED IN 
was my first approach to socializing through media more like wirelined and now wireless. I rarely admit this but years ago, like 10, I had hit on Yahoo chatting.  It must have been the infancy of professional bloggers abound.  We could chat, emote through typed word, and it was not refining egos but defining quality.  

Survival of the fittest
That's what life's all about.  The survivors, the champions, the leaders, the gifted, the talented, the musical, the creative mingle.  Inspiring, constructively criticing each other, push the other to move higher.  

Egotists
Will continue upwards, as my described upside down pyramid.  Floating before dispersing after their mad energy to stay at the top, exhausted the natural talent and burnt out the best.  Those that worship what others think are the egotists.

Emoters
The strongest philosophies will traverse across written spheres, mostly on computers, rarely on television unless a savvy Millennial producer catches the positive vibe surfing across the waves, both wired and wireless.  

Captured
Where comments will be where the commentary is gathered, willingly while captured by the creativity and fellowship that spreads farther and father.  To drown out the fear mongers, violators, terrorists to a faint whisper.

Resonation Nation
Is established its home on this blog.  Because that is the only banner over our heads, faceless, only identified by its shear exuberant positiveness.

Thank you for visiting again.  You thought I forgot you?  Heck, golly, jeepers be gone.  That idea.  No.  A special shout out to the earliest readers.  Then there are the sharers.  Maybe once in a very long while.  I know there are only a few who read this.  

My mother
Marie probably reads this.  At 81, she has to do click exercises and since she can always nag me, reads this. I'd love to be a fly on the wall if we could do a seniors jinx trick, capture it on video and make it go viral under #bestofeverything :: where people share their greatest stories.  

Y'all comment
My favorite champion I've ever met was my "sister from another mother" down in the US who did our introductions to the tools at HP.  Training?  You can't be serious.  Only the smartest assemble to say that they have worked or work at the greatest corporation of all time:  HP.  

Theatrics
Became more of the norm at HP.  It completed moved the spindle from one side to the left.  As in the creative side set aside for the more practical.  Showing you that only the best, most enduring and endearing companies are those ones that had a lot of moving parts in our world :: think Disney and that Graphic Interface fueled completely by the strength of HP.  When fools that think stock price is more important than human innovation :: be gone.

BIGGEST SHOUT OUT TO DONNA IN MARYLAND with LOVE and AFFECTION #RT #bestofeverything
Your CANADIAN Ginny Pig.
Or is that spelt Ginnie Pig?  Help!  Ah, thank you Chrome spell check.  How do you do that?

A culture of work ethic and optimism

Any smart employer or start up would be smart to consider an Inbetweener (1960-65) for hire.  Just take a look at what The New York Times said dispelling the myth that older workers are less productive and generally are weighing down the economy.

I agree with their observation.  Why?  Simply because I’m an older worker and I was hatched when there was a lot going on.  In fact, the first cold war, economic downturn not experienced since the 1920s depression.  There is a strong likelihood that my parents were children of the Great Depression, and raised me to be able to cope with such an event.

Think about it, the next recession to hit occurred just as I was graduating from high school, completed college, ready to get started with optimism and a strong work ethic bestowed by my parents.

Employers are missing the key element that brings the younguns the right example and proper expectations to reality.  We were born to be responsible, accountable and soldiers of work.

 

This same group that is debated also worked through the optimism that emerged in the late 1980s.  Some of the greatest discoveries and technological wonders impacted the world just as we were getting started.  There were no fancy training courses or charts to reference, we simply had to have a “can do” attitude to survive.  If we survived the prolific foreclosures of that era, unscathed, it was likely because we capitalized on others’ misfortune and scraped our pennies together to buy our first house.  Our aging parents were perplexed as to why were were putting home ownership before having children.

Not really surprising, looking back.  Almost anyone could have a child, but mostly everyone was uncertain whether the economy and opportunities were going to get any worse.  So we had to seize the moment and dive in.

 

 

We were fueled by the fear of not wanting to have to face what our parents’ childhood did, nor did we want to be victim of what was circulating around us:  doom and gloom.  Not just economically either.  There was a cold war going on.

I watch CNN’s series on the 80s and it sometimes makes me wonder if I was asleep during this period?  However, the biggest news stories of the day did register on my radar.  Yet I was simply too busy buckling down and working to keep from drowning from economic disaster.

 

One could take a look at that period and extrapolate a culture of survivorship, strong work ethic and ingenuity that came along with that era.   We weren’t afraid to start at the bottom and work our way up from the bottom.  So different from the sense of entitlement expounding today.

So, if I happen to be surrounded by Millennials, they should be so lucky.  Anyone in their 50s, born of the 80s careers, has an element of work ethic and the right attitude that an employer should want to sprinkle into their workforce.

 

Today’s employers think they’re pretty nifty to use technology to prove who is producing and who should be perished to the unemployment line.  Metrics have displaced instinct and doing what is right for their business and their customers.  Why, because they have strengths that are likely not acknowledged, never mind recognized:

1. They know how to get it done right the first time – slower does not mean stupid.
2. Speed and agility is aligned with accuracy – what happens when it’s done wrong?
3. They have pride in their work and are often overlooked because employers want to fast track the younger workers to ensure that they are cultivated to perform.
4. Beauty is often disassociated with age.  When there are so many beautiful people that are aging and setting strong examples for the youth.
5. They avoid sitting around feeling sorry for themselves because they were not brought up to think that way.
6. They were taught that if things aren’t going your way, it means you have to work harder.

Can you think of other attributes that the aging workforce contributes?  I certainly can think of at least a dozen more.  But I’m more excited to write this commentary and send it out into the universe to capture others that agree and stop the downward spiral of misinterpreting value that should be embraced, not shuffled off into obscurity.

 

Then again, there are some of us that write a Blog to expel our wisdom to the masses.  To head off mistakes that surely are happening from this mistaken philosophy.  There are simply so many of us that began our careers at the worst time in decades, until recently, that can be learned from, not banished.  We’re survivors, we’re really smart, and we have the “can do” attitude that no metric or test can uncover.

 

 

RE-POST from The Zeit

Finding alternative uses for vegetables keeps your taste buds guessing, and boosts your nutrition! Cauliflower contains sulforaphane, which acts as an antioxidant and helps detox your system utilizing enzymes. Cruciferous vegetables are believed to lower risk of cancer due to these beneficial sulforaphanes. Ricing or mashing cauliflower allows you to mold the flavors you desire […]

via I Mashed and Riced Cauliflower – This Is What Happened! — The Zeit

I'm a "10" for sure!

Yayyyyyy I am a 10!  I reached the milestone of 55 on April 18th and in looking at the cup half full, I recognized that I'm finally a 10.  In 1979, the movie "10" starring Bo Derek and Dudley Moore and hit the big screen, and forever after gals wanted to be scored a ten in looks.  

I may be taking liberties with my own definition of being a ten (55 years old:: 5+5=10) but there is so much to be thankful for, I reckoned why not.  My personal benchmark may be different than others, yet they are mine alone:

1. I'm happily married to a wonderful man who to this day makes me appreciate him and the life we have formed together.
2. Through blending our family, we have four awesome kids aged 21, 23, 25 and 27 where the eldest, Kyle, has been working at the same corporation for 8 years, Des is solid in her career and engaged to be married this year, Chantal is finishing up her 2nd year of university and Kelsey is off to make her fortune in Vancouver with a great job in a law firm and with the man of her dreams.
3. Ones own happiness is often defined through motherhood and my kids are happy, healthy and really great people.
4. I am working for an excellent Canadian corporation that sets the bar in many ways.
5. I have discovered my love of writing and blog as often as I can.
6. I have found balance with work, life and love.
7. I am a fashion forward fashionista where even the young gals where I work often comment on my ensembles.
8. I have my mom who is 81 years old and still there for me with love, support and an example of how healthy living can carry you to a longer life still able to travel, dance and be true to herself.
9. I have a beautiful home which I am continually redecorating and improving.
10. I have an adorable pet dog named Buddy who makes my day every day.

I guess those are pretty basic to most.  Yet, we should stop every once and a while and just appreciate what we have to be thankful for and give gratitude to those who make our lives meaningful.  I am lucky to have a few great friends whom I've known for years and years.  

Aging is all about continual improvement, seeking more knowledge, being satisfied with what we have while still stretching ourselves towards new goals.  

Material things and money are easy targets for setting goals, however, the simpler things are sometimes harder to appreciate.  Certainly, when I was in my 20s, my list was fairly long.  I've experienced great success, great disappointments, periods of sadness or melancholy, and times of money.  

At the end of the day, what makes me the most content are:

•  spending time with my kids, family dinners and playing games like "Heads Up" or having a backyard fire pit just hanging out and talking.
• sharing time with my best friend and her husband whom Rob and I really enjoy hanging out with.
• talking on the phone with my mom or sister, to discover the quick hello evolved into an hour.
• my youngest daughter calls me almost every day from Vancouver, although I miss her tremendously, I love talking with her on her updates, news, happiness.
• my stepdaughter, her fiance and my son drop in often just for a visit and sometimes a sleep over.
• My older brother Greg and I get to go have dinner when he is in Calgary on visit.
• My sister and I have been on vacations together to Mexico three times and there are wonderful memories that I would like to add to by going again.
• My husband and I have been able to travel on tropical vacations, we like just going for drives in the beautiful country surrounding us, meandering through garage sales, or me just sitting on the driveway soaking up the sun while he putters around on our "Getaway Car".
• While so many are unemployed, I have a job with a great company and have learned that my job title no longer defines me.
• I have Buddy to take me on walks with, snuggle up with and who protects me faithfully.
• We have a beautiful home that can accommodate our kids and their friends, hosting get togethers and celebrations.
• I love working on my garden and transforming it year after year into a haven of beauty to be enjoyed not only by us but those who walk back the green belt pathway that goes along our back yard.

Sure, I wouldn't be me without some things we call bucket list as we grow older, transformed from goals:

• a dream job doing marketing or maybe even dabbling in sales again
• my writing starts to generate an income, for the extras in life we want:: travel first and foremost
• I'd love it if my writing were to evolve more into reviewing items geared towards the female 50s crowd, with samples arriving from Brands who value my opinion and a following that trusts it.
• My mom and sister are always telling me to write a book.  Humbly, I think everyone wants to write a book or thinks they can.  To be any better would be egotistical.  I recognize one just has to "do it".
• I'd love a chance to go with Rob to Seattle to watch a Seattle Sea Hawks football game.  So strange for a Canadian hockey fan to put an NFL game on her list ... eh?
• It would be fun to be invited to help decorate a show home or a room to stretch the imagination and challenge myself.
• See if my painting hobby of re-purposed objects could actually be sold as art :: more designed for the garden.
• Maybe get a second dog, smaller, for a companion for Buddy, like our teacup poodle Coco was before she passed on at 13 years old and who will trot after me as I putter in the garden (Buddy is too busy running around and playing bodyguard to follow me).

It is safe to say I am able to stop and be grateful for what I have and yet energetic enough to want to stretch farther and reach higher.  I am content for the most part yet still have a restlessness to want to do more.  The next decade is going to be interesting to see what unfolds.