Life Is Not Static.

Your best days are not behind you.

How much time do you spend wishing things were the way they used to be, thinking that your best days may be behind you?

Thinking fondly about the past, and looking back at the way things used to be isn't a bad thing until it is. There's a difference between thinking about the past and living in it.

It's the little things.....

Prior to becoming ill, I always noticed things that others might have just let go by. When I became ill, I began to notice those little things even more. You learn to appreciate the little things.

The buzzing of the bees around the wildflowers as they move from one flower to the next becomes almost like an orchestrated ballet.

The wind through the leaves on the trees sounds like storytelling or like the telling of secrets.

The dew drops on the plants in the morning shimmer like diamonds.

The scamper of the squirrel across the roof sounds like a drum roll, or across the electrical wire like a tightrope walker.

I learned to look up at the sky more often. It became to me like a great big canvas as I learn to figure out what formation the clouds were in before they move onto the next formation.

Is that an angel?

Is that a dragon?

Wait! Look at that eye in the sky!

Angel-Shaped cloud appears in Florida sky (in Miami) after new Pope is announced.

Appreciate your relationships.

I appreciate the lunches with dear friends.

I appreciate the relationships I have with my friends, both those that I see often and those who I don't see often, especially the ones that I have on Facebook.

I learned to appreciate your lives more. I spend more time seeing what's going on in your lives and let you know, yes, I do care. Yes, I'm glad that you're part of my life, and , and me yours.

Capture the moments, actual and mental....

I have a son who's going to be turning 22 in less than a month. I've watched him grow over the years.

I watch his dimples to this day form when a bright smile takes over his face.

I hear the excitement in his voice when he talks about something that is special to him or particular project that he's working on at the moment.

I see them disappear when saddened or upset.

Much has happened in his life. 8 months ago he became a dad.....and I became a Grandmother.

I pray God"s blessings and guidance on his family.

I have seen my daughter grow from a braids and pigtails little girl into a beautiful, smart, independent, college student and young lady.

I watch the way her nose wrinkles when she giggles. I listen to her talk about her goals, her heartbreaks, her achievements, knowing she will be strong through it all, and with God's help.

I see my youngest and I watch him as he does his flips and all of his martial arts moves so effortlessly, so confident that he's going to make the perfect landing. I watch the way his hair bounces up and down when he runs and when he plays.

He became a Black Belt this year and continues to train to better himself as a martial artist and a person.

I watch how independent and self motivated he is during the homeschooling process, and pray I remain strong to continue it.

I take lots of pictures, actual and mental pictures, to capture the moment, but I know life is not static.

My beautiful daughter

 My granddaughter with her mom Alexis, and myself 

Nicholas, my youngest son, with his niece

My eldest son and his family

Take stock!

So I live my life on a day by day basis, taking stock of what I currently have in my life and all the things that I have to be grateful for.

Yes I do spend time planning. I also acknowledge that there are some things in life that I just cannot control and I've got to let go of those things, and at that point you sort of feel the weight lifting off your shoulders.

Take notice of the world around you.

So dance like no one's watching. Be optimistic and take notice of the world around you no matter what you are doing.

Notice the moments that surround you. Maybe it's on your way to work or to school, or when you go over a beautiful bridge or you get a view of the sunrise behind the city buildings.

Maybe it's the moon as it rises in the night sky.

Take a look at the way the light reflects off the buildings and the treeline, and the birds that manage to nest in random corners and cracks.

Pay attention to your senses: sense of touch, sight, smell, sound, taste. Pretend it's the very last time you'll ever experience what ever it is you're experiencing. Take it in.

Have you ever been so engrossed in something that it seemed like the rest of the world just disappears?

Slow down if you have to and savor the present.

Be in the moment.

Listen to your world.

Listen to the birds, the sounds of the car passing, conversations of distant strangers.

Listen to the creeks in the buildings, the planes as they pass overhead, and the footsteps of people walking by.

Listen to the splashing of the waves onto the shore.
Just Listen!

To the sounds of your children's laughter.

Enjoy the taste of the mango. Savor every drop, every bite.

Smell the salty air.
Just be in the moment that is all around you.

Enjoy every moment!

Remember the old adage: the past is history, the future is a mystery; now is the gift. That's why they call it the present. 
Enjoy every moment!