Missing my Rommy today

My sweet Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff) Rommy died last year, on March 25th. I miss him so much. I know he still visits me from time to time. I can feel him when he does.

There is a country song that is sung by Vince Gill called: "Take Your Memory With You"; I usually don't like country music very much, but I heard this song on an episode of Bones and it struck me, and makes me thing of my big ol Rommy Bear. Here are the lyrics:

I can read the writing on the wall You pretend that nothing's changed at all I've got just one thing to ask you if it's so Just take your memory with you when you go So I won't have to think about The lonely nights I'll be without Someone to hold me when the cold wind blows Take your memory with you when you go I walk the floor and wonder what went wrong I'll have to find a way to carry on Why don't you leave before the heartache starts to show Take your memory with you when you go So I won't have to think about The lonely nights I'll be without Someone to hold me when the cold wind blows Take your memory with you So I won't have to miss you Take your memory with you when you go ------------------------------------------------------- this song also makes me think of the time when my Katie Goose has to cross the rainbow bridge also. It always helps to have a psychic in your corner, and I am lucky enough to be blessed with Sharon Gammell as a friend - more a 2nd mother and beloved family member. She communicates with those on the other side, be it a person or a pet. She has assured me that my sweet Rommy bear will meet my Katie Goose when its time. Love you Sharon. http://www.sharongammell.com

Different isn't wrong

Some people do things completely differently from the way you would do them.  It does not mean that they are right or that you are wrong.  It means that people are different.  There are things that people say which you would probably say in a different way, at a different time.  It does not mean that people are wrong to speak up, to speak out, or to speak their minds.  Nor does it mean that you are wrong for choosing not to do so.  It means that people are different.

Different is not right or wrong.  It is a reality.  Differences become problems only when we choose to measure ourselves by our difference in an effort to determine who is right and who is wrong.

It is not loving, healthy or necessary to make people wrong for what they do, what they say, or the way in which they do it or say it.  Nor is it self-affirming to feel wrong when you see things differently, do things in a different way or express a difference of opinion.  All people are different from one another.  Our different points of view shape our vantage point and our vision.  Where we sit is a function of where we have sat.  What we can see is a function of what we have seen.

No one person's experience, point of view or view point is more accurate, more acceptable, more righteous than another.  It is simply different.  Our differences sometimes make agreement difficult to achieve.  They should never make us feel wrong.  Nor should they lead us to believe that what others believe is wrong.

Until today, you may have questioned, opposed, resisted or even detested differences.  Just for today, open your heart.  Be willing to embrace different points of view, different points of view, different habits, different responses, different opinions and the differences that exist between yourself and others.

Crohns Disease Sucks

There are many unfair things about having Crohn's but the most unfair is its uncanny sense of timing. Like a stalker that only hops out of the bushes until after you've tripped, Crohn’s knows when things are bad, and then makes them worse.

The stress of the multiple situations I was embroiled in all trickled down to my guts and twisted them until nothing but pain was coming out of my butt. Making matters worse, I was not eating or sleeping properly and was drinking way too much coffee and soda which only took my already twisted guts and make elaborate balloon animals out of them. I knew the situation I was involved in had to end but the hard part about having a gut feeling is getting kicked in them.

I imagine this pattern is true for everyone who suffers from a chronic illness, but speaking from experience, it's extra miserable ruminating upon a breakup or the death of a loved one while in the bathroom.

By virtue the bathroom is a room only visited in short spurts. They're usually really small, and if you look really closely, usually kinda gross in the nooks and crannies. It's a room we were meant to extricate something, be it dirt or poo, and it was in no way meant for long periods of thought or sadness but become temples of higher thought for Chronies.

When life gets tough Crohn's gets tougher and we become used to thinking things through from a cold, seated position. I've had some major revelations and emotional outburst while on the can, lemme tell you.

And people always say that there are things you can do to control your stress during a harsh time in your life, but they sure as hell never seem to work for me. My mind is an insane NASCAR driver and I am a passenger watching it drive the wrong way on the track. I do try to calm myself down when I get emotional but the gurgling in my stomach and myriad of fecal configurations only remind me that the crisis du jour isn't the only thing I need to be worrying about.

And that's why I hate Crohn's so much.

It delivers us into a world of excrement and that's one world we really can't go through with anyone by our side. Have you ever held anyone's hand while crapping? Neither have I.

So what can we do? Avoid drama? Not get into relationships for fear they’ll end and an already sad time becomes tinged with poo? Not at all. That’s our challenge. We have to lead two lives at once and keep both of them in harmony because one will knock the other one off the balance beam we walk on. It’s not a fair proposition, but it’s one we don’t have any say.

And speaking from experience, Crohn’s patients are some interesting, dynamic people, and it’s no coincidence that rising over adversity is the best way to make one.

To let go is to open a door, and to clear a path and set yourself free

To let go isn't to forget, not to think about, or ignore.  It doesn't leave feelings of anger, jealousy, or regret. Letting go isn't about winning or losing. It's not about pride and it's not about how you appear, and it's not obsessing or dwelling on the past. Letting go isn't blocking memories or thinking sad thoughts, and it doesn't leave emptiness, hurt, or sadness. It's not about giving in or giving up. Letting go isn't about loss and it's not about defeat. To let go is to cherish the memories, but to overcome and move on.   It is having an open mind and confidence in the future. Letting go is learning and experiencing and growing. To let go is to be thankful for the experiences that made you laugh, made you cry, and made you grow. It's about all that you have, all that you had, and all that you will soon gain. Letting go is having the courage to accept change, and the strength to keep moving. Letting go is growing up.  It is realizing that the heart can sometimes be the most potent remedy. To let go is to open a door, and to clear a path and set yourself free.

Law of Karma

Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind. What we sow is what we reap. And when we choose actions that bring happiness and success to others, the fruit of our karma is happiness and success.  

Simple Pleasure of the day for me

So my car has this button that has Sirius XM Satellite Radio and I subscribed to it after getting a free trail. Channel 19 is ELVIS.

This morning, 1st song that played as I pull out of the driveway?

Marie's The Name (His Latest Flame) - man, its one of my all time favorite Elvis songs. I LOVE IT. What a great way to start the day.

Love me my Elvis radio ! Thanks Sirius!

How to be Happy

Accept Yourself

Without self-acceptance, you will limit and block how much happiness, prosperity, love, and success you will enjoy.  The miracle of self-acceptance is that if you are willing to accept that happiness already exists in you, you will begin to experience more happiness around you.

Follow Your Joy

There is a world of difference between searching for happiness and following your joy.  Following your joy is about listening to your heart’s desires, noticing what truly inspires you, and recognizing your soul’s purpose.  A good starting point is to reflect on the question “When am I at my happiest?”  

Choose Happiness

Try to find the place in your mind where you have already decided how good today will be, how good this year will be, how good your life will be.  Are you happy with your decision?  Set a positive intention right now to let today be even more enjoyable than you thought it was going to be.

Free Happiness

A lot of happiness is overlooked because it doesn’t cost anything.  If you think money will buy you happiness, you will go shopping for the rest of your life and never be completely satisfied. To enjoy some free happiness, make a list of everything in your life that costs no money and is totally priceless - like laughter, friendship, meditation, air, kindness, and the stars at night. 

Love Someone

To be happy, all you have to do is be the most loving person you can be. People who give their best time, energy, and attention to their most important relationships experience more happiness. Stop the busyness, and think about who you would like to spend more time with, acknowledge more, and have more fun with. 

Forgive NOW

Sometimes in order to be happy now you have to be willing to give up all hopes for a better past. Living happily ever after starts with forgiveness. You can’t keep carrying a grievance and hope to be happy. Happiness is a gift you give yourself because it sets you free.

Vocal Gratitude

Say out loud three things you are grateful for. Do this right now, before you go on reading this article. Gratitude is often referred to as the shortest shortcut to happiness.  The more grateful you are, the happier you will feel. 

Beware Martyrdom

A martyr believes they have to sacrifice themselves and happiness in order to enjoy the good things in life.  When you try to play the martyr, you lose and so does everyone else.  Be kind to yourself.  Life always gets better when you treat yourself better.

Be Present

Living in the “not now” is a chief cause of unhappiness. In the English language, the word “present” has three distinct meanings:  “here”, “now” and “a gift”.  The more present you are in each moment, the more happiness you will find. Happiness is where you are.