All there is, is this moment. When I sat down this morning in my office, my to-do list and in box were overflowing. I have a tendency to become lost in my list, exhausted before the day begins. My thoughts dance over what needs to be done ASAP, what is really important, what won't go away until I do it and of course what I would love to do. So often what I would love falls to the end of my to-do list. Before I know it's bed time and my love has been put on hold once again.
In 2004, I woke up from a dream. My grandparents, at that point were all still alive and living as best as they could. My dream was one of those dreams that change your life and stay with you as if it was as real as the nose on my face. In my dream, I realized, if my grandparents could go back to one day in their lives it would probably be any day. The gift of one day where your bones don't hurt, you can once again drive, your family is growing and surrounding you. You have the freedom to choose your day. I decided to find a way to learn to love each day, not for its grandeur but for its gift of being. The dream made me understand it was not about the grand days but about the love and presence of each day. Watching the heifers in the front pasture kicking up their heels in joy. Picking an OH so ripe tomato and having the juice run down your arm. Going fishing at 5 in the morning, prying a sleepy and maybe slightly grumpy granddaughter out of bed to dig worms. Baking cookies just because you love how chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven brings smiles to everyone who enters the kitchen.
The gift is in the day, not in the list or the want or the maybe someday. The gift is in each moment. That is where our presents are. So this morning, I start not at my stack waiting so ever patiently for me to attend, but in doing something my heart desires. And this morning it is writing to you- who ever you may be.
My desire to be present and love each day is really a practice. Some days and even weeks I forget my practice, but this practice planted from the seeds of a dream keeps popping up like dandelions in the front yard. Little yellow flowers of joyful exuberance.
May your day be full of presents- one moment at a time,
Denise
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Many hands make quick work
My grandma used to say "many hands make quick work". Working with friends and family not only makes us more productive but turns a job into a social event.
This weekend, I volunteered with a friend to hand out recycle bags for an apartment complex that was starting recycling this Monday. The plan was to deliver 170 bags, to 170 apartments, knocking on each door and introducing the new recycling. With one person, Sunday afternoon in 80 degree weather, this would have been a chore. But with 3 friends chatting and working together, the afternoon proved fun and it felt good to lend a hand.
My grandparents had the attitude that many hands make quick work. I remember my great grandma Biddle's joyful attitude as we would sit at the kitchen table shelling peas and visiting. One year a fellow farmer/neighbor of my grandpa Alton's hurt his back. He couldn't harvest his farm. My grandpa showed me a picture of all the neighborhood farmers and their tractors lined up ready to bring in the harvest for their injured friend. I know my grandpa and his neighbors didn't have free time or extra money. But what they did possess were big hearts and a strong sense of what is right. When my grandpa showed me those pictures later in his life, he was so proud of that "work day". Not only did their work save a neighbor and friend from loosing a whole years work but the volunteer farmers gained lifetime benefits from their generosity.
As our families get scattered around the country, those simple afternoons of shelling peas with family or helping neighbors may be getting fewer and farther between. But they are just as essential in our lives as they ever were. Maybe if our families no longer live next door, then lets create families in our communities and with our friends. Getting together not just for fun but to get our work done by making quick work with many hands while enjoying the whole process for years to come.
Just a thought for Monday.
As always, wishing you and your family a happy and healthy home,
Denise Frakes
Healthy home specialist
Owner- Blue Sky Services
This weekend, I volunteered with a friend to hand out recycle bags for an apartment complex that was starting recycling this Monday. The plan was to deliver 170 bags, to 170 apartments, knocking on each door and introducing the new recycling. With one person, Sunday afternoon in 80 degree weather, this would have been a chore. But with 3 friends chatting and working together, the afternoon proved fun and it felt good to lend a hand.
My grandparents had the attitude that many hands make quick work. I remember my great grandma Biddle's joyful attitude as we would sit at the kitchen table shelling peas and visiting. One year a fellow farmer/neighbor of my grandpa Alton's hurt his back. He couldn't harvest his farm. My grandpa showed me a picture of all the neighborhood farmers and their tractors lined up ready to bring in the harvest for their injured friend. I know my grandpa and his neighbors didn't have free time or extra money. But what they did possess were big hearts and a strong sense of what is right. When my grandpa showed me those pictures later in his life, he was so proud of that "work day". Not only did their work save a neighbor and friend from loosing a whole years work but the volunteer farmers gained lifetime benefits from their generosity.
As our families get scattered around the country, those simple afternoons of shelling peas with family or helping neighbors may be getting fewer and farther between. But they are just as essential in our lives as they ever were. Maybe if our families no longer live next door, then lets create families in our communities and with our friends. Getting together not just for fun but to get our work done by making quick work with many hands while enjoying the whole process for years to come.
Just a thought for Monday.
As always, wishing you and your family a happy and healthy home,
Denise Frakes
Healthy home specialist
Owner- Blue Sky Services
Friday, May 18, 2012
Brain Droppings is an art
Inspiration appears in odd places....George Carlin was known for his use of words and brain dropping comedy but who knew he was also inspired by another? Below is quote he included from page ix of his book Brain Droppings. Enjoy..
" There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open..."
Martha Gharm to Agnes de MIlle, Martha: The Life and Work of Martha Graham
As I have always said, it is not what you do but how you do it. However we express our lives, the most important aspect is to be ourselves and trust our hearts directions, that we are here for a reason.
As always, wishing you a healthy and happy home,
Denise Frakes
" There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open..."
Martha Gharm to Agnes de MIlle, Martha: The Life and Work of Martha Graham
As I have always said, it is not what you do but how you do it. However we express our lives, the most important aspect is to be ourselves and trust our hearts directions, that we are here for a reason.
As always, wishing you a healthy and happy home,
Denise Frakes
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