365 days of Thanks!

As of Tuesday it has been 365 days since I started my blog. In honor of THANKS giving, I will now try to describe 365 things I am thank full for! With apologies to Don Williams, some of it can be sung to the tune of "I Believe in You" (sorta?) any of you know that song?

I am thankful for Rainy Days,                            
Mondays and Holidays                                                    
Tuesdays and the right to bless
Wednesdays and Wackiness                            
Thursdays and thilliness
Fridays and a frilly dress
that swirls when women dance
I am thankful for circumstance
                                                                 

                                        

I am thankful for YOU!
I'm thankful for babies
Giggles and Moms and Dads
I am thankful for YOU!              
                                                 

                              

Saturdays are the best of all
Sundays and playing ball
January and the snow
February, with lights aglow
March, and the first of spring
April, flowers that make me sing
May and warmth, but sometimes not
June, because it makes me hot
                                                   

                                      

I AM thankful for you!
I'm thankful for music
I'm thankful for magic
And I'm thankful for YOU!
                                                               

                                    

July and parades of clowns
August with wedding gowns
September, and a soccer ball
October, the smell of Fall
November, and turkey smells
December, those jingle bells
Christmas and God above
New Years, a kiss, and gloves
                                                     

                                    

I am thankful for LOVE!
I'm thankful for grandmas
I'm thankful for grandpas
I'm thankful for YOU!


Swimming pools, the smell of barbecue, kids that laugh, warm blankets, sleds, kayaks, comedy, good movies, pizza, pumpkin pie, smiles, books, traveling, trains, horses, snowshoes, loons, quiet ponds, my friends, a letter, funny jokes, happy people, kindness, milkshakes, my health, indoor toilets, children, the color red, rainbows, a warm breeze, tulips, a cozy bed, hiking, passion, forgiveness, bubbles, stickers, artist,
musicians, lullabies, warm socks, shoes, jackets, hats, tea, airplanes, cars, the moon, the sun, wildlife, nieces, nephews, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, dancing, singing, kazoos, silly noises, chocolate, apples, oranges, banana bread, palm trees, mountains, the ocean, beaches, canoes, waking up, dogs, cats, kisses on the cheek, holding hands, baseball, basketball, math, email, texting, computers, drawings, leaders, workers, ice cream, Carbon Leaf, summer camp, Easter Seals, Islands, freedom, choices, my legs, my 5 senses, birds chirping, dew, fresh air, trees, leaves, bridges, rocks, Calvin AND Hobbes, Dr. Seuss, Jesus, water, laughter, funny lyrics, songwriters, The Grand Canyon, rivers, swimming, slides, swings, teenagers, cookies, pretzels, pain, tears, color blindness, gooey things, Christmas music, coffee, creamer, salt and pepper, cilantro, chefs, waitresses, silence, yoga, whoopie pies, making whoopie, soft pillows, board games, writers, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, poker, chess, bikes, National Parks, fish, nursing, raindrops, roses, peanuts, peanut butter, apple butter, butter, popcorn, oregano, basil, lemons, limes, coca cola, blue eyes, red hair, blondes, brunettes, caring people, loving people, fresh baked pies, baking cookies, rain forests, folklore, Maria's Children, sacrifice, hymns, glue, sleep, dreams, tools, home, neighbors, diddies, big fluffy snow flakes, worms, caterpillars, spiders, snakes, butterflies, summer rain, change, Winter, Spring, Summer AND Fall, pink, purple, blue, green, yellow and orange, red noses, stethoscopes, plungers, ice, couches, recliners, showers, perfume, the love of a woman, harmonicas, guitars, violins and cellos, teachers, doctors, nurses, fire fighters, police officers, construction workers, librarians, outdoor venues, concerts, sweat pants, sandals, dolphins, whales, zip lines, scuba diving, snorkeling, cabins, fires, smores, chai, scones, the New England Youth Theater, Central Park, Key West, Beslan, Volga River trips, Rwanda, SACCA, pandora, cds, dvds, walks thru the park, playgrounds, frisbees, Spiderman, Batman, Superman, imagination, insight, hindsight, chickens, eggs, lessons learned, poetry, fleece, bears, soccer games, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, markets, stuffed animals, a finger squeeze, cooing babies, women, courage, electricity, grass, soft earth, meadows, wildflowers, sidewalks, trails, lakes, pickles, grilled onions, cheesesteaks, cheese cake, cheese, milk, bowling, tacos, education, massages, hanging out, photography, cameras, paintings, sand, dirt, mud, elevators, radios, TVs, bread, peppermint, lobster, theater, juggling, balloons, life AND death, funny people, the ability to read and write, goofiness, calmness, cheeriness, happiness..... AND of course

                                                       HUGS!!

Ok, there you have it.... 365 things I am thankful for. You can count them if you wish, but really... WHY?
I hope you all have a thank full day in so many ways.

Now Go Out and Hug Someone and Thank Them for It!!!

SMILE

Smile, what a powerful thing! Even the word smile, evokes feelings of happiness. A smile is one thing you can give to someone else and almost instantly make them feel better. A hug of course works too! And neither one costs a thing. All you need is a little time, some sincerity, and the courage to do it! It truly is an easy recipe.

However, did you know that not everyone can smile?! There are people in the world who are born with deformities and are unable to actually smile. Yes, they can smile with their eyes and in their hearts, but not everyone sees those smiles. Luckily, there are ways to help people smile. My friend Donna went to Rwanda on an Operation Smile mission. She wrote a  blog post about her experience and I would like to share that with you, with her permission of course.

                            http://www.operationsmile.org/blog/2013/reflections-from-a.html

My favorite kid from Rwanda in 2006, Mokunzie! Mokunzie was challenging behaviorally, possibly autistic and spoke no English. But boy could he smile!! How can that smile not make you smile?!

I LOVE to smile and try to do it as much as I can. I implore you to do the same. Smile for no reason. Smile at yourself in the mirror to start your day. Smile at ANYONE and EVERYONE. I guarantee you, you will lift their spirits and make them want to smile too! Go ahead, try it.

My favorite story about smiling also comes from Rwanda. I went to Rwanda back in 2006 with my dear friend Kelly. We were walking down the street in a small town called Rwamagana. 2 gentlemen and a lady were walking towards us. They all looked solemn or just not interested in us or life. The man in the middle was tall and looked, for lack of a better term, scary! He honestly looked like he could be the meanest person I had ever met. Well, as we approached them I decided to smile and say "hello" in their native language. I only knew 3 words at the time, but "hello" was one of them. And I know how to smile in ANY language! His reaction was priceless and is forever engrained in my mind. His face lit up with the BIGGEST smile I have ever seen! That is not an exaggeration either, you can ask Kelly if you like. He said hello as well and they kept walking. As we passed each other, the 3 folks were chattering and we could hear them chattering for the next block or so until they were out of ear shot. One simple hello with a smile and it changed the whole scene. It made me realize the power of a sincere smile! That happened 7 years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday!

Israel was another amazing kid. He spoke 3 languages, while growing up on the streets! How he learned 3 languages while growing up on the streets is a mystery to me. Yes, he grew up on the streets in Rwanda and yet he still      SMILES!!

Another one of my favorite smiles! Katie and her first clown experience. This was at her bachelorette luncheon. Her smile is contagious for sure!

Put your smile to the test and tell me about your experience with it!

Now Go Out and Hug Someone With A Smile on Your Face!!

Open Doors

I opened a door back in 2011, unbeknownst to me, when I traveled to Brazil with my buddy Danny Donuts. We decided to couch surf and in doing so we met an Angel on earth named Aline. Aline's life philosophy is about Open Doors and the video below explains some of her philosophy and how she put it to the test this past year! I recommend we all adopt this philosophy into our own lives!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgh-aFOLLIw&feature=youtu.be

The music in the video is played by Aline's boyfriend Evan Megaro, who we met in Brazil as well. He is an American who was getting a master's degree in music in Brazil when he met Aline. Aline is an AMAZING pianist herself. Probably better than Evan even :0). I am sure Evan will agree with me on that.

 

An Open Window of sorts. This where Aline allowed me to sleep one night while we stayed at her apt. It was one of the most amazing nights of sleep I have EVER had!!

Aline opens her doors to A LOT of people. She has hosted hundreds of people in her home in Brazil and all without payment of money. Her life is rich because of her Open Door policy!

I never realized that Open Door can go both ways. I can open my door to others or when I travel I can just view everything and everyone as an open door! What a great way to think! I guess it could be linked along the lines of having an open mind, but I feel it goes even deeper than that. I hope I can practice this philosophy more readily, thanks to Aline!

          Aline and her piano in her apt in Lapa. LOVE her smile, and yes it is contagious!!

                  Now Go Out and Hug An Angel Today!!!