Friday, December 31, 2010

I look at the end of one thing, actually being the beginning of another

This is what I woke up to at 6 am this morning, the last day of 2010. It was breathtaking and in 2011, I am going to get up every morning and look at life as a fortunate, breathtaking opportunity. What a year. I lost a dear friend in March. She took her own life.  It is still too difficult to talk about - I miss her so much. I can only hope she is at peace, finally. Another dear friend lost her only son - her sadness cannot be described, my thoughts are with her and I send her waves of hope and strength everyday. 
I am going to spend today, the last day of the year watching the ocean move slowly with determination and gusto. The water is always a great place for me to re-find myself, rejuvenate and re-start....
I hope you enjoy this last day of the year and begin tomorrow with determination, gusto and lots of love surrounding you!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Happy Holidays to All!

"It is so much easier to love what you have, than to yearn for what you don't have." Meryl Streep - One True Thing, 1998

...it was just a thought

November and December are usually the happiest time of year for me. I love the energy surrounding the holidays. I cherish the smiles on the children's, and the panic on the parent's, faces!

The invention of online shopping has been my savior! There is nothing worse than being in the holiday spirit and having to trudge through the bustling crowds at the mall or walking down freezing ice edged streets trying to find a little something unique for a few exceptional people. No way, I love sitting by the fireplace, gazing out the window at the new fallen snow and catching a glimpse of the Christmas tree, while every so slowly, finding the right gifts - online. Not that I don't indulge in shopping, but when I do, I make sure I don't need to buy anything. I enjoy window shopping, walking along Madison Avenue (the new Ralph Lauren stores are comparable to a vacation destination!) or scouring the quaint shops in SOHO. ABC Carpet is one of the best destinations to preview...then stop in the restaurant and enjoy a lite lunch. Palmer Trading Company is a miniature RL (style) store offering fascinating vintage finds. If I need something to eat, The Clinton Street Bakery & Restaurant or Ed's Chowder House, located in the Empire Hotel will satify my needs. If I am in the mood to have a cocktail and sit by the fireplace, I go to Jimmy the James Hotel or One if By Land, Two if by Sea - both offer fireplaces and fine, expensive food and drinks

When the shopping is done, a good classic movie is what completes the holiday feeling. Holiday Inn (1942) with Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Virginia Hale, Christmas in Connecticut (1945) featuring Barbara Stanwyck and Sydney Greenstreet and The Shop Around the Corner with Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan are tops on my list. The every joyous musical, White Christmas (1954) is another that churns my memories.

Connecting with good friends is the most blissful element of the season! Oh, I know we cannot all meet for lunch or chat for hours every night on the phone or email our daily doings. But just the thought of all of my dear friends warms my heart. I have found so many colleagues on Linkedin.com and many have found me. It is a delight to know that friends from 30 years ago still hold a spot in their hearts for me, as I do for them! Facebook is another story...too much information, if you ask me. Although, I am grateful for the people who have connected with me over the last year or so.

This year, I sent as many people Christmas cards as I had addresses. I took pleasure in the personal connection. One of my goals this year is to obtain more addresses, not email addresses, but home addresses, so that next year, I can expand my reach and touch more people who have touched me throughout my life.

The quote at the beginning of this post reached deep into my soul. For the many years we are given as the gift of life, we often spend most of our time yearning for something more. As I get older (yes, we old people reflect a lot!!!) I see what a waste of time that can be. I am not saying we should not reach or improve our lives. What I am driving at is this: If your children are driving you nuts...imagine what life would be like without them. If your husband is close to being put out on the street...think about what made you fall in love with him in the first place. If you think your mother is being too interfering, (go back to the children above), think about how they see you and imagine a life without your mom. Is the dog hair all over the place and driving you insane? Look into your dog's eyes and take in the unconditional love she gives you...who will love you that much when she is gone?

Do I still yearn to be alone? Heck yes! but I know that a small amount of alone time is all I want and what I need is the hectic, chaotic, noisy life I actually have everyday!
So next time you feel at wits end, think about loving what you have, not what you don't have.
Have a Happy New Year!!!!