Not A Goodbye, But A Very Sincere Thank You

     Today was a day full of mixed emotions, but as always, the universe knows what's going on and I will continue to trust that fact as I move forward on my journey.

     As the minutes ticked by today, my feelings of guilt refused to subside while waiting for the meeting of the Valley Repertory Company to arrive. As current secretary and only nominated member for the upcoming year, I felt horrible about having to decline the nomination, but knew I had to do it. I know that the role of secretary is not the pin that holds the group together,  but I still felt like I was abandoning family. How can you walk away when family needs you? But at the same time, how can you commit to something when you know you will not be able to devote the time required? Either way, you feel like a horrible person. But not tonight!
     Little did I know, people already found solutions as I continued to dwell on the negative. Another awesome member of the Valley Rep family (and extremely talented too) was ready and willing to step into this position before the meeting was called to order. The weight lifted off my shoulders could rival that of Atlas. Sitting next to her, I leaned over and assured her I would pass the baton as neatly and organized as I could-knowing she will be amazing.
     And as I wrote the last notation of the meeting adjournment at 8:35 PM, I realized how much of an impact this community theater group/family has had on my life in the last three years. I walked through the doors in 2009 ready to try something new, that I had always dreamed about and extremely removed from my comfort zone. Little did I know, it would begin the most wonderful journey of self-discovery as well as some of the most beautiful friendships.
     It is because of this group and these people that I have learned to jump in with both feet and conquer my fears and self-doubt when it comes to new challenges. I was still afraid some of the time, but knowing I had people to support me, encourage me and guide me was the greatest feeling. And when I did accomplish something, it spurred me to keep going.
     And that is what I am doing now. I have wanted to pursue this next goal for over twenty years, but always feared I wasn't good enough or capable of succeeding. Looking back on the things I have learned since 2009, I now know I am more than capable of doing anything I put my mind to.
     So for this Wednesday, the 18th of July 2012, I am grateful for the family and friends I have gained since walking through the doors of The Valley Repertory Company in August 2009. I have been more than blessed to have all of your support and encouragement along this journey.

Peace & Love,

Mandy

Friday The 13th~Best Day Ever

I would not call myself terribly superstitious, although I did wear the same feather in my hair for the entire run of Chicago that I stage managed and I have a lucky undergarment for important occasions. But Friday the 13th has never been a day that I got too worked up about. In fact, giving control to the date because it falls on a certain day of the week can really limit the potential for a very joyous twenty-four hour period.

This Friday the 13th has exceeded all expectations for joy, gratitude and love. Beginning with a beautiful piece of music I stumbled upon this morning only to receive said piece of music from my sister as a fantastic surprise at work. And even though it was a working Friday, I got to be a supportive ear to my very dear friend when she really needed me. Had I taken today off to hide under the covers, there would be two unhappy people in the world that didn't need to be that way.

Lastly, I spent an evening with family that was absolutely priceless. Between the epic water balloon fight, laser bubble guns and light saber battles, tree climbing records being set, bonfires touching the sky, fireworks and watermelon~not a moment was wasted worrying about what could possibly go wrong.

As I sit here watching the last moments of this Friday the 13th tick away, I am grateful that I have learned the lesson of perspective and the limitless power I have to make any day "lucky". It is all in how you look at it and how you choose to share your energy. Today I chose joy and it was returned to me ten-fold.

So for this, Friday the 13th of July, 2012 I am so very thankful that I squeezed every ounce of joy out of this day and let everyone I care about know how much I love them.


Peace & Love,

Mandy

Unconventional Connections

We all have them. That friend you can't imagine your life without, but still find it hard to believe the circumstances with which they came into your life. Sometimes it can even be family that is brought into your life through the most far fetched situations, the only way to believe it is to be one of the people it happened to.

Today I am thankful for these unconventional connections I am blessed with in my life. I was reminded of the absolute random order of the universe when it comes to these connections while picking up pizza for dinner at a local restaurant tonight. As I went to pay for my order, I looked across the room and saw my biological father eating with his wife. We have not seen each other in over 21 years, but I know he recognized me and his face was unmistakable to me! In a span of 5 minutes, I thought of so many unpleasant things this man was responsible for not just in my life, but the lives of other people I care about.

But before I let this thought pattern consume me, I realized he was also responsible for my beautiful sister and all the joy she has given me over the last seven years. If it had not been for his self centered, deceitful behavior~neither she nor I might exist and if my life on this planet was not blessed by her, it would not be horrible, but it would definitely not be whole.

Although I will never understand bigamy, cheating and lying in a relationship~I will find the silver lining of his philandering behavior. He is responsible for seven half siblings of mine, two of whom I am fortunate enough to know personally. He may never know that we have met and formed the unbreakable bond only sisters can share, but ironically he will have my gratitude.

So for today, Wednesday, July 11, 2012, I am thankful for finding joy, love and family in the most unconventional of ways!

Peace & Love,

Mandy

What's In A Name?

I must preface this blog with a thank you shout out to a woman I am blessed to call "friend" through the most unconventional of circumstances~Mrs. Gina Marie Camp~for inspiring me to get back to writing!

Writing in the early morning is usually reserved for scribbles in my journal, but today feels different. As I drink my first cup of coffee, I am smiling thinking about today's plans. Although they include the obligatory eight hours of work, exciting adventures are planned and I am grateful.

As we go through our lives, we will have many titles...daughter, sister, cousin, wife, mother, friend etc. And one of the most special titles we can earn is "Aunt". I say earn because even though it can be attained simply by sibling procreation, it can also be bestowed upon a person because of a connection that the universe held for two people destined to cross paths and form a beautiful friendship. I am the lucky recipient of this title for both of those reasons.

Thanks to my beautiful sister, I have a niece who has grown into a beautiful young woman and is becoming a mother herself. Thanks to my cousins, their children call me Auntie Mandy and it has been a joy watching all of them grow into the amazing human beings they are. My husband made me the luckiest aunt in the world because when I married him, not only did I instantly become an aunt to his nieces and nephews, but the opportunity to be a "great-aunt" was already in place. Loving all of these children and being so proud of all their accomplishments is a blessing I cherish everyday.

My most recent acquisition of this title came in the most unexpected of places. Not only did the stars align and bring a wonderful friend into my world, but two beautiful little girls are part of the deal. Meeting them for the first time was something I could not wait for, even though I was more nervous than a job interview about it. Suffice it to say, we became fast friends, laughing and giggling about silly things that nine & six year olds think are funny and the bond was formed. Upon saying goodnight, I was stopped by a tiny voice saying "Auntie Mandy..." to get my attention before the car door closed. My heart lit up brighter than the fireworks finale we had just watched. Two simple words that hold so much joy, I was blessed.

And now, I cannot wait to see them again. On the agenda is a date for a 3-D movie adventure tonight, pizza, games & coloring tomorrow and a classic movie adventure Thursday! Three days of non-stop fun with my newest nieces, what could be cooler than that?

Although it has been far too long since I have written here, I have never stopped being grateful for everything I have been blessed with in my life and I believe that is why the gifts I receive are as beautiful as these two little girls. So for this, the 10th day of July 2012, I am thankful for the title of "Aunt Mandy" and will continue to cherish it everyday.

Peace & Love~

Mandy

Short and Sweet

Now this is really ironic! After titling this blog, I had every intention to include a picture like I usually do-but Blogger was not letting me upload one. I thought if I tried a different photo it would work, but to no avail. The I realized I was trying to upload a photo about keeping it simple, but was allowing things to get complicated.

Now that I am done smacking my forehead from the obvious, here is the short and sweet on the gratitude blog for today.

Always try to understand someone else's story because it gives you perspective on your own that you may not have had. If the opportunity to help someone arises, please take it, for everything you put out into the universe truly does come back to you many times over.

Today, on this 29th of June 2011, I am thankful for being able to help people in need and tht the universe provides me with these chances everyday.

Peace & Love,
Mandy

Walkin the talk

Saying you're going to do something is one thing, actually doing it can be a totally different story. It can be  scary as you attempt it, panic inflicting while you are in the throes of it and exhilarating when you do it!

My most recent declaration is shaping up to be all three of these. I have finally committed to my first official 5k on July 9th and all I can say is if my body could race as fast as my mind is, there would be flames on the course! I have been back and forth, up and down and round and round about if I could actually do this. I have the support of my family and friends and I have the desire, so now all I need is the positive attitude to go forward.

I have recently added several positive Facebook pages to flood my news feed with all the things I need to stay motivated. So far, it has been a true blessing. It is amazing how powerful words can be when you need them most.

On this 28th of June 2011, I am extremely grateful for I Love Life, gr8quotes, Power of Positive Thinking, Positive Living Chic, Life Is a Journey, Lessons Learned in Life, Waves of Gratitude, Love, Live Life and Happiness, I Love Life, Positive Energy, Uplifting Quotations and Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. Thank you all for helping me keep my promise to stay positive.

Peace & Love,

Mandy

Right place, right time

Have you ever been looking for something that you couldn't find only to have it suddenly appear? Perhaps you were drawn to where the item was by an outside force? I have often been the recipient of such happenstance and today was no exception.

I have been thoroughly enjoying the book Excuses Begone! and was very excited that my "brother-in-law" wanted to read it when I was done. But as I read more of the book, I realized it was going to be hard to part with it, so I wanted to get him his own copy. I was hoping there were more in the clearance section because I did not want to pay full price for his if I didn't for mine.

Upon arriving at Barnes & Nobel on a rare, shared Monday off with my husband, I immediately went to the bargain books area where I had found my copy and sadly there were none. I then went to the full price section and found a paperback copy of the book for full price. It was more than double what I paid for my hardcover book. I struggled with the thought of giving mine away or paying full price and decided to possibly check online for a deal. It made me sad because I can't wait to have a discussion about the book with him, but I needed to be cost conscious too.

As we were leaving the store, my husband was drawn to a counter full of hardcover books and said "hey, look what I found". I couldn't believe it, there was the book clearance priced right in the entrance of the store. Danny said he was looking at another book that caught his eye, but knows he was guided there to find what I needed.

I am never short of amazed when wonderful things like that happen and I welcome them as miracles every time they do. Too often, people are very busy and wrapped up in their hectic lives to give thanks for simple things like this. I, however, am always grateful when a little unexpected kindness or guidance comes my way.

Peace & Love,
Mandy

PS-Check out that book~it's awesome!