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We are not enemies, but friends though passion
may have strained it must not break our bonds of
affection - Abraham Lincoln.
The election
is finally over, for better or worse. That is a decision
history will make. But Tuesday night, I did what I
always do on Tuesday nights this time I year; I went to
Messiah rehearsal. As is our custom, some of us go
to the Trattoria on Pearl for fellowship and a light
snack. Although it was not late, only 9:00, the
elections results were in. Our host provided us with
champagne. We toasted the fact that there was no
Civil War; that we live in a country where people speak
with votes, not guns and that a change in power
occurs smoothly. Let us all be thankful for
that.
After my two week break to think about
whether or not to continue writing this newsletter, here
I am at the computer, so I guess I have decided to
continue, even though with a heavy heart. I will try, as
always, to speak from my heart and encourage and
uplift you. I will follow
Advice from an
Eagle
- Let your Spirit Soar
- See the Big Picture
- Cherish Freedom
- Honor the Earth and Sky
- Keep Your Goals in Sight
- Fly High!
Have a wonderful week.
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Empowerment.
You are stronger than you think.
Malaika and I had a girls weekend. Richard and his
brother went to Utah to help their parents get the
house ready for winter. Aside from watching TV and
movies, we took a self-defense course.
The
course was offered by Girl Scouts and Malaika earned
her first Cadette Interest Project Award. Since moms
could
attend the class too, I decided to learn how to defend
myself, just in case.
I learned how to break
several holds an attacker was likely to use, using just
my body and my weight. It was amazingly easy. I had
a great time hanging out with teenaged girls too, and
they did not seem to mind that three moms had
decided to take the class too. After lunch, the girls
learned about the types of abuse that may occur in
relationships and what to do about it. What was
amazing was that the presentation was done by high
school students!
Then we got to break
boards with
our hand. Yep, it's true. I did not think I could do it, but
I broke a board. Then the girls were given two boards
to break. The three moms declined the offer to
participate any further in the board breaking
experience. But for some unknown reason, I decided I
would try and break two boards. Of course, by the time
I made this decision almost all of the girls had already
accomplished this feat, leaving me with 22 teenage
girls watching.
So I focused and hit the
boards lightly, then medium, then hard. And much to
my amazement, they broke. The girls cheered and
clapped. And I felt strong and powerful. On the way
home, Malaika talked non-stop about the day. But I did
hear her say she was proud of me for being the only
mom to break two boards.
I realize today
how significant Saturday was. I bonded with my
daughter and earned her respect. I am beginning to
accept the fact that she is a young woman and needs
to know these things. But most of all I empowered
myself. I accomplished something I never thought I
could do. I put myself out there and I did it!
This week do something to empower
yourself. Try something you have never tried before.
Believe you can accomplish whatever you choose.
This week be strong, brave and powerful.
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Significant Moments.
Turning right or left
At the time, you don't think much of it. You know, we
just don't recognize the most significant moments of
our lives while they are happening. Back then I
thought there would be another day. I didn't realize
that was the only day. - Doc Graham in Field of
Dreams.
When I'm sad and need hope I
love to watch the movie Field of
Dreams. Richard says I never get tired of that
movie and it's true. The movie speaks to my heart
about dreams, choice, redemption and faith. I have
even been to the Field of Dreams in Dyersville,
Iowa.
As I watched the movie this time, I was
struck by Doc Graham's comments about his half-
inning of professional baseball, about not
understanding that there was never going to be
another day. In the movie, he decides he doesn't want
to go back to the minor leagues and goes to medical
school instead, becoming a small town
doctor.
Isn't that so true of us? Our choices
may not seem important at the time. Some of the
most significant moments of my life seemed
unimportant at the time. Saying hello to someone at
church who turned out to be a good friend through
thick and thin. Agreeing to a date to the ballet,
because I
want to go to the ballet, not because I liked the guy. I
was surprised to find there was a lot more to him that I
thought. You guessed it, I really did like him and
married him.
What if I hadn't said hello to the
woman in church, or agreed to go to the ballet? Life
would be much different. Each day is significant, full of
decisions and choices. I hope I learn to understand
the
significant moments before they pass me by.
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Grace and Peace,
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