Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.
~Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)
Nobel Prize in Literature, 1913
To cure jealousy is to see it for what it is, a dissatisfaction with self.
~Joan Didion (1934 -)
American screenwriter and author
Reach high for stars lie hidden in you.
Dream deep for every dream proceeds the goal.
~Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)
Nobel Prize in Literature, 1913
The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives.
~Anthony (Tony) J. Robbins (1960 - )
American motivational speaker and writer
You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.
~Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)
Nobel Prize in Literature, 1913
This is one of my favorite positive affirmations statements:
Most people can manifest the small things quickly. This is because they do not have any resistance around the small things, and because they don't think thoughts that contradict them. When it comes to the bigger things, however, people often emit thoughts of doubt or worry that contradict those bigger things. This is the only difference in terms of the time it takes for something to manifest.
Nothing is big or small for the Universe.
Rhonda Byrne,
Creator of "The Secret"
Here is an excerpt from the book, How to Be Rich~Compact Wisdom from the World's Greatest Wealth Builders.
ENJOY THE LAW OF INCREASING RETURNS.
By rendering more service and better service than that for which you are paid, you thereby take advantage of the Law of Increasing Returns. This means that you will eventually be paid, in one way or another, for far more service than you actually perform.
This is not just an attractive theory. It actually works out in the most practical tests. You must not imagine, however, that this law always works instantaneously. You may render more service and better service than you are supposed to render for a few days, then discontinue the practice and go back to the old, usual habit of doing as little as can be safely trusted to get you by, and the results will in no way benefit you. But if you adopt the habit as a part of your life's philosophy, and let it become known by all who know you that you render such service out of choice-not as a matter of accident, but by deliberate intent-you will soon see keen competition for your service.
You'll observe that it's not easy to find very many people rendering such service, which is all the better for you, because you will stand out in bold contrast with practically all others who are engaged in work similar to yours. Contrast is a powerful law, and you may, in this manner, profit by contrast.
(From The Magic Ladder to Success by Napoleon Hill, 1930)
A lovely quote by author Louise L. Hay from her book, Heart Thoughts.
You can spend
your time griping
and begrudging the
things that went wrong
or how you are not good
enough or you can
spend your time
thinking about
joyous experiences.
Loving yourself and
thinking joyful, happy
thoughts is the quickest
route you can take to
create a wonderful life.
Have a beautiful day.
Photo: PKM
Joy,
Rena
www.talktotheturtle.com
The feeling that the month of May holds for me slides in every year starting around late February. May is the month that my Mother passed away, eleven years ago now.
Time creates many faces of gratitude when it comes to the loss of a loved one.
For Christmas this last year my Dad gifted to me a scanned photocopy of my Mom in her wedding day dress. The black and white photo was taken on the pew steps in the church where she and my Father were married back in 1950.
I looked at my Dad.
Thinking hard...
What to say.
"Don't worry he said. Your brother and sister got one too..."
"I have the original photograph" he added.
Finally I could get some words out.
"Wow what a nice frame you chose - with the glass and all Dad. Thanks very much. I really like it."
He was very pleased with my level of gratitude.
Elsie lived a life filled with daily gratitude and tried her very hardest to show me this avenue of thinking as a way to happiness. It took a while for all her lessons to catch up to my pony express - run as fast as you can and don't look back attitude.
I thought this year I would spare my blog the gratitude I have for everything my Mother taught me. Mothers Day came and went a few weeks ago now, however, it just seems so right to take the time again and say "Thanks Mom". Thanks for teaching me to cast my eyes and my thoughts toward beautiful expressions of love.
I hope that Mothers Day this month for all you Moms was a day to know and celebrate your well of love. Know that your love is creating a story of happiness for your child's adult life. Your child's future of gratitude.
A place to go when its raining in your world or a sunny day, you can ask yourself one easy question.
"What am I grateful for right now at this very moment in time?"
GRATITUDE: Louie Schwartzberg at TEDxSF
REMEMBER TO BREATHE.....
I Will Wait. Mumford & Sons: in Studio Q.
Have a beautiful day,
Photo:PKM
Joy,
Rena
www.talktotheturtle.com
What if I were to tell you my favorite animal was a bunny rabbit? What if I were to tell you my Aunt Rena only a few years before she unexpectedly passed away told me what her favorite animal was.
Not earth shattering news - except I was always led to believe that my Aunt's favorite animal was the family dog.
We were in her basement sorting through some personal effects of my Grandmother's when this lightning bolt of a personal disclosure happened.
In the midst of the quiet loading up of a box - my Aunt lay's it on me.
Out of the blue - she says it.
"My favorite animal is a giraffe".
It was said with the passion of a dancing ballerina - offered up with such innocence that I was blindsided and totally at a loss for words.
A part of my Aunt I had never met before...
"Ah, o.k. sure Aunt Rena - that's ah great." I kind of remember blowing past her heart's declaration.
There was a lot going on. We were looking at my Grandma's plastic flowers and handmade table runners. Silver cup trophies for the town's best pie baking winner - my Granny.
Old photographs worthy of an album showcasing my Grandma's garden.
She must have sensed this because she touched my arm so tenderly and held on as she talked.
"Don't you think they are beautiful dear?" my Aunt prodded.
"Giraffes?" I blurted back at her.
"Yes", my Aunt was tilting her head slightly and I could see now - reaching out and sharing something that was really special to her. Like she was giving me the secret combination to her heart.
Some things never get resolved in life. Time passes. We think we know who our loved ones are.
What left me with an ache after this conversation is that if my Aunt had told me she loved giraffes I would have bought her some giraffe pictures or figurines. I have gone through my memory bank of her house and I don't remember seeing any giraffes anywhere. Maybe and only a slight maybe she had a giraffe carved out of wood in her reading room - but then again maybe not. Maybe I just imagined that so I could have a connection to knowing that my Aunt liked giraffes.
It has been a few years now since my Aunt left for heaven. I think of her often - most times shaking my head with gratitude that before she was gone she got to tell me what her favorite animal really was.
I think giraffes are beautiful too - now. I always smile when I see one.
High Diving Giraffes - the punchline is in the rolling credits at the end.
A delightful animation short from Cube Creative - France.
Have a beautiful day.
Photo: PKM
Joy,
Rena
www.talktotheturtle.com
Converse with men makes sharp the glittering wit, But God to man doth speak in solitude.
~John Stuart Blackie (1809-1895)
Scottish classical scholar and writer
Our entire life consists ultimately in accepting ourselves as we are.
~Jean Anoilh (1910-1987)
French screenwriter
Never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be.
~Clementine Paddleford (1900-1967)
American journalist and editor
My sole literary ambition is to write one good novel, then retire to my hut in the desert, assume the lotus position, compose my mind and senses, and sink into meditation, contemplating my novel.
~Edward Abbey (1927-1989)
American author
This is one of my favorite positive affirmations statements:
When a big change occurs in your life it forces you to change direction. Sometimes the new path may not be easy, but you can be absolutely certain that there is magnificence for you on the new path. You can be absolutely certain that the new path contains things that you could not have experienced otherwise.
When we look back at a negative event that occurred in the past, we often see how in fact it transformed our life. We see how that event directed us toward a life that we would not change for anything.
Rhonda Byrne,
Creator of The Secret
Here is an excerpt from the book, How to Be Rich ~ Compact Wisdom from the World's Greatest Wealth-Builders.
There are no Secret Thoughts.
Let us radically alter our thoughts, and we will be astonished at the rapid transformation it will effect in the material conditions of our lives. We may imagine thought can be kept secret, but it cannot, it rapidly crystallizes into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstance. Impure thoughts of every kind crystallize into enervating and confusing habits, which solidify into distracting and adverse circumstances. Thoughts of fear, doubt and indecision crystallize into weak, soft and irresolute habits, which solidify into circumstances of failure, indigence and slavish dependence.
On the other hand beautiful thoughts of all kinds crystallize into habits of grace and kindliness, which solidify into genial and sunny circumstances. Pure thoughts crystallize into habits of temperance and self-control, which solidify into circumstances of repose and peace. Thoughts of courage, self-reliance and decision crystallize into strong habits, which solidify into circumstances of success, plenty and freedom. Energetic thoughts crystallize into habits of cleanliness and industry which solidify into circumstances of pleasantness. Let us cease from our negative thoughts, and opportunities will spring up on every hand to aid our strong resolves. Encourage good thoughts, and no hard fate will drag us down to wretchedness and shame.
(From As a Man Thinketh ~ by James Allen, 1903)
A lovely quote by author Louise L. Hay, from her book ~ Heart Thoughts.
WE create
situations
and then we
give our power away
by blaming another
person for our
frustrations.
No person,
place or thing
has any power
over us.
We are the
only thinkers in
our minds.
Have a beautiful day,
photo: PKM
joy,
Rena
www.talktotheturtle.com
Poetry takes us to a place where we can be brave and vulnerable all within one brief moment in time. The poet's picture is painted with the intensity of emotion that leaves the room and jumps in our car for the ride home with us. This lingering feeling finds a way to our open heart then travels with us for days months or even years.
The poet's paintbrush of words may show up in our quietest moments to revisit when we have no where else to turn but inward for inspiration.
So where does one go to find good poetry you might ponder?
The Poetry Foundation has more than enough to fill up your senses. When was the last time you read some good poetry and remembered the feeling to feel.
Kealoha is Poet Laureate of Hawaii. His mission is to promote writing, reading and appreciation of poetry among the people of the Hawaiian Islands.
An MIT graduate who showed the world he did his homework, and then broke through to his real expression of being a poet and an artist. I find his voice has so many questions that are presented in a introspective way. Then finding his way to express where many emotions lie repressed. This is the newest generation asking questions and making sense of our world through their artistic expression of poetry.
Underneath all those smarts is a passionate teacher of literacy.
Underneath all those smarts is an artist with social responsibility that takes you right to the edge of his raw dance that ends with compassion for ourselves..
Ranked in the top ten of the nation's best poets in 2007, he is the founder of First Thursday's (largest registered slam poetry competition in the world) in Hawaii.
Here are videos of his poetry.
Kealoha
Chances.
Zoom Out.
Writing lyrics for songs is a form of poetry as well. Hapa sings Hawaiian music of the islands. It is beautiful and soothing. Story tellers through music.
Hapa - Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai
Have a beautiful day,
photo: PKM
joy,
Rena
www.talktotheturtle.com
How can I be of service to you?
I would like to take credit for this unique opening question, but it was really part of an introduction dialogue I most recently had with a computer consultant. I feel this question has a home with any company that is contributing to a planet that we can all thrive on.
This winter, while vacationing in Waikiki, Hawaii, we stopped by the Moana Surfrider beach bar for a tropical drink. Friendly atmosphere with travellers from all over the world - lively chatty place to enjoy some shade and the beautiful view of Waikiki beach and ocean beyond.
I thought I noticed someone from the mainland sitting over at one of the garden tables and mentioned their name out loud. One of the happy holiday-goers sitting at the bar overheard me as saying, "Is that Rick Warren over there?"
I turned around and before I could catch myself said - "Rick who?"
"Who is Rick Warren?"
A silence sifts into my relaxing tiki bar experience.
You know that feeling when the crowd all takes one step away from you, like you are on the wrong planet basically - that feeling.
"The author of the book, The Purpose Driven Life" someone chimed in, served up in such a way that all I had to do was kind of tag along with the conversation and nod my head.
However, I did put the connection together in my vacation head and realized I did know who they were now all talking about.
I wanted to add "It's called a Holiday for a reason."
Rick Warren, yes of course I know who that is.....
In a world of newsletters and marketing ploys of buy this, do this and for sure don't do that; in a world where everyone sells their message of how you can be rich and be happy just like them, at some point you realize that we all have to find our own way. Through all the noise of people selling their stories of success we must make time to celebrate our own lives. Making space for us to flourish. Making time to remember to breathe.
What is your purpose?
The book that Rick Warren founding pastor of the Saddleback Church in Southern California, wrote asks just that. His book The Purpose Driven life came out in 2003 and there is a new and revised version.
Rick Warren's website offers a daily devotional - DAILY HOPE.
This is a talk that pastor Rick Warren gave at TED - 2006 - Monterey Calif.
Hope.
At the end of the
day
when all is said
and
all you have is
you
and a
smile of
gratitude
for the
day.
Have a beautiful day,
Photo: PKM
joy,
Rena
www.talktotheturtle.com
