Gaggling on...

photo by grassrootsmsw

“The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together.”

Erma Bombeck

After a week of visits from special family members, I am a mix of bittersweet emotions...
I feel so fortunate to be part of a family that remains connected despite distance of continents...we can always start where we left off; we laugh and retell stories we have heard many times over; we accept and embrace one another, even knowing the worst, and we know how to care for one another without words. It is this deep connection that always makes the 'goodbyes' that much harder...a quiet sense of loss, a full heart of gratitude, and a hopeful anticipation for their next visit.

-grassrootsmsw-

Free thinkers...

photo by E.F de Jonge
Seppel
NL, 1963

“To be playful is not to be trivial or frivolous, or to act as though nothing of consequence will happen. On the contrary, when we are playful with each other we relate as free persons, and the relationship is open to surprise; everything that happens is of consequence. It is, in fact, seriousness that closes itself to consequence, for seriousness is a dread of the unpredictable outcome of open possibility. To be serious is to press for a specified conclusion. To be playful is to allow for possibility whatever the cost to oneself.”

James Carse

Play with a full heart,
Love with integrity and truth,
Laugh deep belly laughs.

Hold onto your truths' and
own them,
but try to let the lightness in...
the balance we all need.

Let the freedom of that choice in!

Cheers!

-grassrootsmsw-

Time Outs'...

photo by grassrootsmsw
Kanchanaburi, Thailand

"When we are tired, we are attacked by ideas we conquered long ago."

Friedrich Nietzsche

Being a pioneer in a rigid and static system constantly requires energy, endurance, and an unswerving commitment to change.

Despite a dedicated belief and internal honor system, the uphill battle often induces feelings of exhaustion...a need for a 'time out' and a heavy exhaled yawn.

Yawn, roll over, hibernate, rest. Regenerate.

The goals and purposes remain, but can only be addressed when we have stopped to breathe, rejuvenate, and reassemble the game plan.

Yawn and rest...yawn and rest...

There is still climbing to be done and aspirations to be reached.

-grassrootsmsw-

The slippery slope...

photo by J.A.S.

"Let go of your attachment to being right, and suddenly your mind is more open. You're able to benefit from the unique viewpoints of others, without being crippled by your own judgment."

Ralph Marston