Mama's advice & lemonade

in lieu of my sour attitude due to life's current downpour of lemons i've decided to not let them go to waste and to start mixing up my favorite summer beverage. yep, lemonade (which after about 2pm is best enjoyed with a splash or two or three of FIREFLY!!!!)

my Mom's go-to word of advice whenever me or one of my siblings come to her with a complaining, self-loathing, depressed plea for sympathy is, and has been for as long as i can remember:

Go do something for someone else.

Get your mind off of yourself...

i always HATED hearing that. but it's so true. and it really does work.

i often gave this advice to high school students seeking direction within the confines of my counseling office. it was always scary and hard for them to start volunteering or helping somebody out of their "comfort zone," but once they did it, their spirit glowed with a renewed sense of purpose.

what is it about helping others that gives us so much life?

think of the last time you blessed someone. maybe you baked someone cookies, maybe you complimented a stranger, maybe you let someone go ahead of you in the grocery check-out line...

i don't know about you, but in the smallest of kind or thoughtful gestures that i have offered, my heart smiles.

now try to remember a time that someone blessed you (hopefully you don't have to think too hard!). remember how good that felt? like the world is wrapping you in a big embrace and whispering in your ear see, i'm not that bad....

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why do we constanly forget how greatly appreciated such little acts of kindness are?

most likely because we get too consumed with "us." with life. with routine. with "stuff."

ponder what would matter to as you breathed your last breaths. it wouldn't be your money, your car, your 401K, your appearance, your stretch marks (ha!)...it would be people, and what you DID with your life, not what you HAD or BOUGHT.

thank you Mom, for instilling in me the important value of serving.

it's really at the core of living a purposeful life.

and something i know i can do a whole lot more of...

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"The happiest people I know are people who don't even think about being happy. They just think about being good neighbors, good people. And then happiness sort of sneaks in the back window while they are busy doing good. ~ Rabbi Harold Kushner