Bumper Cars and Spaghetti

The thoughts in my mind today are like bumper cars. Just as I focus on one, another comes from behind to jar it out of the way, leaving a bit of whiplash. Knowing where to begin to process and learn is like searching for the end of the spaghetti noodle in a twirly heap of saucy mess. Here is my attempt at separating out some spaghetti and making the bumper cars stand still for just a moment.

Never underestimate the value of parents.

Never underestimate the value of the family we choose.

Never underestimate the power of words ... how they can inspire, lift up, tear down, and create that "aha" moment that helps us understand ourselves and our tragedies and victories.

Learn to apologize when necessary and forgive when necessary and let it all go, knowing that the good always outweighs the bad, and life is always worth living.

Appreciate the balance of good and bad, effortless and difficult. For it's when the hard comes that we more fully appreciate the easy.

Always value life. Know that every year will bring new goodness and new heartbreaks and it will all offer lessons.

Search out and celebrate the small things, like a steaming cup of tea, or the daily requests of a sweet 4 year-old for morning pots of healthy oatmeal, dotted with fruit and cream. The heaping baskets of warm clean clothes, the perfect shade of lipstick, the lingering hug and the laughter that slips out unbidden.

Life is a grand gift, and the hard times help us learn, help us grow, help us become.

So write your story. Sing your song. Make your mark. There is only one you. And remember too, that you influence those around you, so guard your words and your actions and focus on the building up, which is always its own reward.

Never take for granted the people and the abilities of today. It is all a gift.