Be Underestimated
Use this position to your advantage.
BE F-G AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio
Take A Leap
You’re going to make the decision to leap. Some day.
Here’s the thing: Fear is generally behind not taking the first step. Excuses — even valid ones — are how we cover up our fears. Listen, fear is not an awful thing. It has kept us alive. We make decisions to not do something because we fear what might happen. Walking through a dark parking garage at night alone; eating something still wiggling on our plate. Okay, these are my fears.
Fear is bad when it keeps us from taking a chance to do something that leads us to a good or better place. And here’s another thing: We know it.
The day to start your project, sign up for that class, write your resume, turn in your resignation, walk out of a relationship, etc. is the day you say:
“I accept this is a scary decision to make, but it’s in my best interest to make it. I am worthy of this decision. This is the day I HONOR myself.”
The chasm between here (the place I know) and there (the place I fear but know I must go) often requires a giant leap of faith.
BE F-G AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic and quote: Stephanie DelTorchio
You Are Beautiful
Today, if you see someone beautiful, say something.
I’m not talking about gorgeous women (and men) on magazine covers who may or may not have been generously (airbrushed) blessed with flawless skin and thick eyelashes; desirable tall frames in barely there bikinis with stick-like legs that go on for days. No doubt these freaks of nature exist. Bless them…
I’m talking about TRULY BEAUTIFUL people. The real, inner beauty that once seen for its value should take our breaths away, more than a mock-up version of commercial beauty.
To the harried young mother juggling two babies and a cartload of groceries, wondering if she’ll ever fit in her “regular” clothes again — you are beautiful.
To the elderly man who holds the hand of his struggling wife — you are beautiful.
To the countless volunteers who give their time and energy to causes near and dear to the their hearts — you are beautiful.
To the men and women who put their lives in front of the public to keep us safe and secure — you are beautiful.
To the people who are lost and wandering, we pray your path is illuminated with trust and direction — you are beautiful.
To the ill and the dying, even when your body is struggling to heal or deciding it’s time to take the journey home — you are beautiful.
To the nurturers and caregivers, with their compassion and unselfish dedication to making another person’s life more comfortable — you are beautiful.
To the unsung workers who sweat in the brutal heat and bitter cold to make our public spaces safe and enjoyable — you are beautiful.
To the children who share their innocence and make us laugh — you are beautiful.
To the readers of this page who grant me your time, and the latitude and freedom to share my rants and thoughts — you are beautiful.
P.S. These are the people I encountered today. Who are the beautiful people you encountered today? Please add to the list and post if you like.
BE F-G AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic and quote: Stephanie DelTorchio
On The Passing Of Time
Today I am painfully aware of how fast time is passing by. Caught somewhere between yesterday and its memories, today’s check and balance of reality (it’s trash pick-up day), and the future which I can not begin to imagine or predict with any certainty.
I love this paraphrased quotation for its smack of truth as it relates to our existence on this planet. Our past, present and future collide in this moment. That’s what we have. This moment. Nothing more.
BE F-G AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio
Plant It Forward
The first plants I ever purchased for my home were from a local Ladies Garden Club. Mostly older women, they wore wide brim hats and gloves, all proper Victorian-looking to me.
Each plant, harvested straight from their own gardens, had received years of tender administration which I was too immature a gardener to appreciate. For a few dollars I was handed a wrapped ball of Bleeding Hearts, Hostas and Lady Slippers. The warmth and richness of the soil in my hands lingered as the gardener shared the history behind each plant. The Bleeding Hearts, a wedding gift from her mother-in-law. The shade loving Hostas from a neighbor as a welcome gift. The showy, yellow Lady Slippers taken from the woods along a path that lined a dirt beach pathway.
I felt as if she’d just handed me her babies. My duty going forward was to plant them, care for them, let them grow to be big and strong. Was I worthy of this responsibility?
When I thanked the woman for the plants she admonished me. Apparently there’s an old wives tale about thanking someone for plants — don’t do it. “It’s best to take them and say you’ll give them a good home,” she said. Okay, weird.
Nearly 35 years and two homes later (couldn’t leave without some) these plants make me smile each spring when their new shoots break through the topsoil. It’s funny, but I silently thank those lovely ladies for their stories, then look over my shoulder.
Over the years I’ve received many clippings and root balls from friends and family. I cherish the armful of tangerine Daylilies my Mom brought me from her yard. Hers came from my grandmother who received a pot of them from her sister, my neighbor for several years. After my great-aunt’s passing, a young couple moved into the home. I gifted them with pots of divided Daylilies, their great-great-great grandchildren.
Today my garden overflows with Rosemarie’s pink and purple phlox, Sheila’s red poppies, my Mom’s daylilies and Rose-of-Sharon trees, Leah’s Montauk daisies and Autumn Joy sedum. Every year I take pictures and share as a reminder of our longtime friendships that continue to grow.
I’ve given them a good home and given them away to good homes.
Request: Please share images of plants, trees, or flowers someone has given you that you’ve transplanted in your own space, or plants that you’ve given away.
BE F-G AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic and quote: Stephanie DelTorchio
Your Dream Is Supported
I heard Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, say this about dreams.
Dreams being the inklings you get, the “little birdie” messages, your gut feelings, your passion (if you have one), your desires, wants — whatever you call that “thing” you want to do.
It’s a comforting thought to know that whatever we dream about will be supported by the Universe. Your universe includes people you know and people you don’t, those who will be put in your path to support and help your dreams come true.
Not once have I ever dreamed about being an astronaut, a ballet dancer or a deep sea diver. And not once has any person in any of these professions shown up in my life.
However, my dream is to write. Countless people HAVE shown up. For years. Mentors, teachers, accomplished writers, movie producers, screenwriters, other writers slogging (like me) to write and rewrite and rewrite. Other people have given me a quiet place to work, loaned me books, read 120 page drafts of screenplays (brave souls rewarded with wine and dinner).
Logic would tell us that what we focus on and work hard at, attracts like mindedness or “helpers”. You must put the effort in for sure but don’t be afraid to think you will go at your dream alone. You won’t.
Your dream would never enter your thoughts if there wasn’t the law of attraction to line the road with others who will nurture your dream, and your own innate talents to fulfill it.
BE F-G AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio
Be A Listener Today
I love obscure words and this one got my attention.
Anyone who grew up in a large family or meets up for drinks with a gaggle of women (or men, of course) can probably relate. Talking over each other when there’s a group of people all vying for control of the floor results in nobody being heard.
My family once hosted a pair of lovely, smart, twentyish German brothers for a few weeks. They spoke excellent English but wanted to improve — mostly to learn slang! One thing we noticed was how attentive they were when anyone spoke. At the dinner table they listened intently, engaged in the conversation and contributed after the speaker had finished. As a mother, I complimented their mother for having raised polite sons.
On the other hand my nature was to babble over the speaker. Although I was aware of the rudeness, it continued. Not because I don’t care about the people speaking (I do!) but I get so excited by what someone is saying that I plan my response while they are at the tail end of their conversation. Bad habit.
Our German guests concluded that we (in Boston) speak so fast and on top of each other that it sounds like the kitchen staff of a Chinese restaurant on New Year’s Eve: Fast, rushed, loud. For the record, we frequented a local pizza shop where the owners yelled orders at and over each other, and back to customers. It seemed part of the entertainment. But because we’d often received the wrong order, it was clear that among all the noise nobody was really listening to each other.
And this is why the “talking stick” was invented. One at a time, people. One at a time. Listen and be heard.
BE F-G AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio
Before I Die
Sterling Vineyards. Napa Valley, CA
This isn’t meant to be dreary — quite the opposite.
I saw this chalkboard on a visit to Sterling Vineyards in Napa Valley, California. It was inspiring to read all of the entries.
I had two: The first was to visit Napa Valley. I was there, so I wrote it on the board and checked it off. The second “Before I Die” is a lofty goal. A stretch for sure, but not unobtainable — like, say, being the first female on Mars to open a Fro-Yo shop with 47 flavors. Probably not going to happen, for me. But my granddaughters have a decent shot at it.
Whether you get the chance to declare it to the world in Napa Valley or scribble it on a sticky note you put on your bathroom mirror as a reminder, what are you going to write?
Before I Die…
BE F-G AWESOME TODAY!
Image: Personal
Admit It
I came to this planet with my head in the clouds; a certified daydreamer (and night dreamer, too). For most of my life dreaming about doing “that creative thing” took up more time than the time spent DOING it.
Dreaming is great for wasting time. It’s a cheery excuse for putting something off.
Maybe we feel stuck. Or not quite ready, yet. Someone told me that she is NOT going to start an exercise program until she loses 20 pounds. Huh?
Okay — dreams make us delusional. It’s all sunshine and rainbows when we close our eyes or zone out watching the ocean waves rise, curl and crash; repeat. In our dreams we ARE 20 pounds lighter. Or have the credentials. Put the kids through school. Moved to the country. Retired.
Excuses. Excuses.
And here’s the crazy thing: We already know what it is we want to do. So why do we keep ourselves from doing the very thing we dream about?
Probably because a box of Oreos is harder to resist than four sets of hammer curls.
BE F-G AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic and quote: Stephanie DelTorchio
Change You
Don’t waste time trying to change someone. When they are ready to make different choices they will. When and if they ask for your help, give that, if you are wanting or able.
Focus on you. Spend the time changing yourself instead. To who you want to be. To prepare yourself for the things you want to do. Little by little you’ll get to be the grown-up mature person you already are but haven’t quite believed.
BE F-G AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio
Image: Courtesy Pixabay
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