INDIVIDUALISM - Part One

Grateful for Individuality and Uniqueness

The beauty of this world is that it is comprised of so many different types of people, each with different beliefs, each with their own personal perspective, and each very special in their own unique way.

Why is it then, that there are many people who consume so much energy on attempting to convince others to conform to one type of belief or to view only one side of an issue?

Personally (and I can only speak from my own personal place), I do not wish to live my life looking into the eyes of my friends and see only myself. I want to experience new ideas and fresh perspectives on life and all there is to discover. I do not wish to limit my experiences based on only my life and my beliefs. I want to expand my knowledge to that of as many different options as possible during my life. The only way to do this is to allow myself to be accessible to new things, and to be willing to expose my mind to all possibilities.

Each of us has valuable opinions to contribute. Instead of trying to influence the world to be a mirror image of myself, I find it absolutely refreshing and educational to learn about others, and what makes them tick and why they have the beliefs they have. There is such an appreciation to be felt in being open and receptive to others.

To me, it seems close-minded and selfish to believe that everything I have to offer in this world and to myself is only what I know and what I believe. How inflexible and rigid is that to believe that I know it all? Well, I can say that I do not know it all and neither does anyone else. That’s why it’s important to allow ourselves every chance possible to learn and discover more. We do not necessarily need to agree with all the information we are able to gather. What we do with that knowledge is a personal choice. But, it’s valuable to have additional information with which to help in making new choices and decisions in our lives. Without being exposed to new ideas, we are missing new opportunities.

If you stop to think about the numerous different people in this world, each with different perspectives, you can become aware of the potential you have for opening up your mind and your world to new and exciting phases of your life. By listening to others, you might gain a new healthier perspective and your life could improve, allowing you to be a happier person. You may also gain insight as to what you do NOT wish to have in your life. It’s all so invigorating and rejuvenating. But, you must maintain an open mind.


Enjoy your day, keep smiling and keep your mind open.

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Priorities and Gratitude Discovered between the Flames and the Falling Ashes

The loud blaring noise of the water-dropping helicopters was comforting

The Angry Fire

Sadness of frightened wildlife, displaced from their natural habitat

It was just nine and a half months ago that I wrote about the gratitude, which victims had discovered, after their devastating loss from the Sylmar fire. That was the last time I wrote in this blog. Now, today, even more so than last November, I have a much deeper appreciation for the blessings in my life. The compassion, I had for those who lost so much last year, has grown.



Just one week ago, our neighborhood was under a mandatory evacuation order, due to the Station Fire. I was driving home from a hair appointment about eight miles away, when I received a call that we were being evacuated. As I got closer to our home, the smoke thickened, flames flared up and ashes fell like rain. My only thought was to get home quickly to rescue my dog and the mounds of old family photos. Suddenly, nothing else mattered.



In a moment of panic, I realized what was really important. A house-full of "stuff", the material possessions on which we place way too much value, suddenly were not the treasures we had thought they were.



It was an eerie feeling when I arrived home to find the neighbors loading their cars, my husband loading up his car - with mostly photos. A neighbor was inside, helping to remove the photos in frames that hung on the walls. The dog was anxiously pacing in the backyard, as the turmoil continued. It was quite apparent he felt our anxiety.



Our cars were all packed up and ready to go............... BUT, my husband didn't want to leave. We were ready, if the fire came any closer. I wanted to go, but I couldn't abandon the man I love. A few other neighbors remained behind, too.



For three days, we walked up and down our street, to the end of the cul de sac and back again - taking pictures and videos - talking to neighbors - watering the house - then back inside to see the latest news on TV, sometimes forgetting to eat and being unable to sleep. It's frightening to see your own neighborhood, with flames on the hillside flaring up on the TV newscast - not just any news either - it was always "Breaking News". And, it's even more frightening to be standing outside of your home to see those flames and feel the heat generated from them.

Last Saturday - the first day of evacuation - never having experienced anything like this before, I grabbed LOTS of old photos, some clothes, toiletries, dog food - and just threw it all haphazardly in heaps inside the car. What a mess. I thought, "Would I ever find what I needed after we left?"



Early Sunday morning, Murray (the dog) and I took a walk. Even with the high temperatures of the heat, there was a "chill" in the air - an eerie atmosphere. It was before the water-dropping helicopters began for the day. Our neighborhood is normally quiet, except for the occasional car driving by. However, on this morning, there were NO cars on the streets - no birds singing. The QUIET was so abnormally loud. It was strangely comforting when the helicopters began their daily routine.



Murray and I walked to the corner, and came face-to-face with three frightened baby deer. A sadness came over me, as I thought about the wild animals who've been displaced and driven out of their mountains by the fire and smoke.


Although it was still scary on Sunday morning, I removed many of the items from the car, organized it and re-packed it in a more orderly fashion. The longer we stayed, the more treasures I found to add to the car. With all the photos being priority, how could I have forgotten our wedding albums? Jewelry?



But, the area inside the cars reached capacity. It was then I realized what's REALLY important.


Excess clothes in the closet, extra shoes, collectibles, baseball cards, old toys, my old children's books from the 1950's, other sentimental items - no longer was any of this "stuff" the treasure we had cherished in the illusions of our minds. Surprisingly, reality set in. And, in reality, it's just simply "stuff".


Something I've learned to focus on, and believe in my heart ~ ~



There is ALWAYS something for which to be grateful - even in the midst of the crap and challenges of life.



Fleeting thoughts that passed through my mind, as we experienced last week's wildfire ~~

1. Gratitude for having donated many usable items to charity only one week earlier.

2. Gratitude for a disaster bringing neighbors together; for getting to know neighbors down the street, to whom I've never or rarely talked. We have some awesome neighbors on our street! I'm grateful to now know them.

3. Gratitude for the awareness of what is really valuable to me.

4. Gratitude for finally looking through the numerous old family photos, instead of allowing them to remain hidden and packed away. What's the point of having a treasure, if it cannot be enjoyed?

5. Gratitude for the peace and serenity of our neighborhood, which appears to be back to "normal" - unless, of course, your eyes happen to gaze upon the burnt charred mountains in the background, or you detect the faint traces of lingering smoke.

And, most of all, I am grateful for the firefighters, who worked so very hard to prevent any structure loss and to help keep our neighborhood safe; and who are still fighting this same fire in other areas, as it's only 49% contained.

The firefighters are amazing! To see them in action is unbelievable.

Although it's understood that they are our heroes............. it's much more apparent now, to me. I've always respected them, but now I have a whole new increased respect and appreciation for our heroes.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE FIREFIGHTERS - EVERYWHERE! Your hard work is greatly appreciated!

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Pictures with Burnt Edges - Gratitude in the Aftermath of Southern California Wildfires

Blessings Among the Devastation - Sincerest GRATITUDE

Last night I happened to catch the last half of a show on PBS, "So Cal Connected". People that once lived in the mobile home park in Sylmar California were interviewed as they searched through the charred ashes of what used to be their homes.


Tears welled up in my eyes, as I reflected on so much I take for granted. When I arrive home from work every day, my home is still standing. One hundred years worth of family photographs are still intact. My computer is still here. My clothes are still hanging in the closet, along with my shoes and drawers filled with other items. And, all the "stuff" and "junk" that is so unnecessary. Things - just things - just material "stuff" that is kept - just because. Why do we keep so much? Why do we feel we need "stuff" to compliment and complete our lives?


These victims of the Sylmar fire were such an inspiration. Imagine, after all they've been through, going back to the devastation - the site where their homes once stood that now looks like a war zone - simply in hopes of finding even one special memory amongst the rubble.

Seeing it on the news is tragic enough. But, I drive by it each morning on my way to work. Trust me when I say it's much more upsetting to actually see it.


And, yet, as painful and sad as it was for them, their spirits were admirable. Yes, they were heartbroken, but they maintained a sense of gratitude that shone brightly beyond their unhappiness.

"I found my grandfather's rings", cried one woman, with such appreciation in her voice.

Another man was amazed at his discovery. He held up his burnt photo albums with a huge smile on his face. As he opened the albums, tears streamed down his cheeks and you could just feel the joy that filled his heart. The photos inside the albums had been saved. Some had burnt edges, but the pictures were in good condition. "Look at this", he exclaimed, "the color is still in the pictures!"

Each person I saw was incredibly filled with gratitude for each tiny memory they had been able to find. Instead of being angry for their huge losses, they were thankful for the little bit they still had. It wasn't much. But, as insignificant as one might imagine, when these items are hidden between the layers of "stuff" in our homes and in our lives, these finds were genuine treasures to these people.

Then the host of this documentary explained that fires are nature's way of cleaning the earth. This is just something that happens. In urban America we've managed to cram ourselves into neighborhoods without allowing room for these natural fires to occur, without horrific loss.

Just as many of these fire victims said, "We cannot focus on what WAS or what we HAD, but we must move forward and go on with our lives."

We all have frustrating days. We become annoyed or angry with others who get in our way. We easily manage to find things to complain about. We allow such trivial situations to invade our serenity. We become offended at what others do or say, rather than shake it off. Anger sometimes fills our thoughts, just because something didn't go exactly as we wanted it to. And, often, we gripe and grumble because we WANT MORE. Sometimes it seems we never have enough. But, in reality, we have so much - much more than these people now have - much more than we need - and so much for which to be thankful.

What is something that bothered you today? If nothing bothered you today, that's great! But, what is the last thing that caused you distress? Was it truly as significant as the illusion in your mind? Or was it inconsequential in the big scheme of things. How important was it - REALLY?

Society has conditioned us to believe that we must find perpetual happiness. Think about the messages that are being sent to our subconscious with TV commercials and magazine ads. But, that's just not reality. Nothing is perfect. And, everything is temporary. While we will experience happiness, we must also experience unpleasant events and feelings.

When we understand and accept this concept, our lives will have less suffering and more contentment.

We will discover "the photo with the burnt edges", secretly hidden within the displeasure, irritation or annoyance - or even deep within tragedy, depression or misery.

What are you grateful for in this one

NOW temporary moment?

The Gift of Gratitude

The gift of gratitude is a life-changing miracle, and meant to be shared with as many as possible. Share it with those who cross your path.

Sharing GRATITUDE and helping others learn how to discover it is the purpose of my blog - it's the purpose of my life.

There are blessings in everyone's life, regardless of any difficulties you face. Even amongst the most severe adversities, blessings can be discovered. They are there - always - but sometimes hiding. All you must do is become aware and you will find GRATITUDE - I promise you that!

The more your mindfulness blossoms, your radar for finding GRATITUDE will strengthen. With a dash of committment and a sprinkle of effort, before you realize what's happening, you will be grateful to count your blessings each day - each moment.

To begin - only a little action to help you become aware of what you already have for which to be grateful..........................

1. Purchase a journal book - or any lined bound pad of paper - or dedicate a file on your computer for this.

2. Beginning immediately - today - write 5 things about today for which you are grateful.

3. Each and every day - write 5 things about your day or your life at that moment for which you are grateful.

4. Understand that this may be a little difficult at first, especially if you're experiencing challenging times right now. But, don't give up - this is the best time to begin. You will notice a transformation in your life - you will witness a miracle - all within you, which will manifest all around you.

When I began my first Gratitude Journal, I was at one of the lowest points (in almost every way) in my life. I had read about keeping a Gratitude Journal in a book that was given to me as a gift.

The first evening, I pondered for a very long time. All I could focus on was what I had been dwelling on for such a long time - all the crap that was in my life. I used to have pity parties for myself, asking "why me?". But, finally, my first entry was made in my new journal. It seemed silly, but it pushed me into motion, progressing forward each day - from sadness, depression and feeling sorry for myself - to becoming mindful that my life was filled with blessings and benefits I had been neglecting to notice.

Once my new attitude kicked into high gear, I realized my life was overflowing with so much for which to be thankful. All that I was missing and "thought" I wanted or needed, no longer seemed important.

I maintained my first Gratitude Journal for more than a year and it changed my life forever. There are not enough words to explain how effective this simple practice is and yet how huge the rewards can be! It simply must be tried.

Won't you please just give it a try?

After learning the simplicity of counting my blessings, I am able to discover blessings mixed in with even the big huge challenges in my life. I prefer to call them challenges, because it sounds a lot better to me than problems. It's possible to turn an adversity into a blessing. But, I'll share that on another day.

For right now, please just give a Gratitude Journal a try...............

But, I must warn you - it can become addictive. Can you think of any other addiction more rewarding?

I look forward to sharing more about GRATITUDE and how it has changed my life. I believe I've finally found my purpose in life - to share what I've discovered about GRATITUDE and to help others learn to be fulfilled with this simple act.