 LET GO OF THE TUPPERWARE
I opened the door and the assortment fell on my head. I picked them up off the floor, grabbed the step stool and climbed up to shove them all back into the overflowing cabinet like I had done hundreds of times. As I jostled and pushed the bowls, pitchers and pickle containers back into the black hole of plastic, it occurred to me –WHY don’t I let go of the Tupperware? Thirty years ago Tupperware parties were the acceptable girls-night-out. We all took turns hosting the gatherings where we listened to the sales pitch, ate cake, drank coffee and shared the secrets (okay, gossip) of the day and then ordered the obligatory plastic item. At the time it seemed expensive, but the justification came with the durability of it, the perceived usefulness of it, the cool factor of the new products AND the lifetime guarantee. It was virtually indestructible, but if some major mishap did occur it would be replaced. Along with this came a free add on with every item -- guilt. I am convinced it was molded into each piece during the factory creation. It was an unwritten code that you WOULD keep it forever. After all – the investment . . . the lifetime guarantee…and someday I will need it! What do you have in your home that you won’t let go of? What ties up the space in your heart and mind that is bound with the guilt of investment and a someday but, never-to-be-used promise or guarantee? Is your closet overflowing with clothes? Is there an unhealthy relationship in your life? Are you in a job you hate? Do you hold a victim story in your heart that you retell over and over? The Tupperware of our lives comes in all forms. We invest in all of them with time, money and energy in the hope of a future pay off. And then there is the elusive guarantee of need –someday, of weight loss – someday, of love – someday, of a promotion – someday and someday this victim story is going to explain why everything happens to me. Maybe it was the 700th time of having a load of hard plastic fall on my head that finally spurred me to make a change. Maybe it was the recognition that it will never wear out so the guarantee doesn't matter. Maybe it was the realization that I will never use it – not even someday. The why doesn't matter, but now it is packed in a box ready to be donated. My cabinet is organized, clean and clear. My guilt is gone. I feel free! When will you let go of your Tupperware? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Pennie’s Life Lesson: "We have things in our closets, hearts and minds that we hold on to in hopes of someday. ~ Let them go!" All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2013 Pennie Hunt This newsletter is written and produced by Pennie Hunt. Feel free to forward this post. Please keep the entire message intact, including contact, logo, and copyright information. If you have any questions or comments, or for reprint permission please email: [email protected] Thank you!
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 THE GIFT OF TEARS
“I don’t want to make you cry.” What an odd comment to make. One that echoed hollow in my ears over and over again during the weeks and months after my son passed away. My timid response became, “YOU are not making me cry. I cry every day. Let me cry. Cry with me.” I was reminded of this recently as I told a story to a young woman and watched as her eyes overflowed. I reached to wipe her tears away and I heard myself say, “I don’t want to make you cry.” Quickly she pulled back and said, “Let me cry. These are good tears.” She was right. When did tears become a bad thing? Why is the outward flushing of feelings as they flow through our emotions looked at as something that should be stopped, hushed and hidden? Tears are gifts we exchange with others under all kinds of circumstances. I gave mine freely to each of my babies as they came into this world. Over the years they have given theirs to me when they needed guidance, support and comfort. I gave them to all who have supported me at funerals and mixed mine with theirs as our grief blended in comfort. I have spilled them at weddings. I have exploded them in the midst of laughter. I have silently dropped them when the beauty of life has taken my breath away. I have exposed them during times of emotional and physical pain. In the same way a fever has heated my body to boil away the infection of illness tears have drenched the thirst of my pain. Maybe it is time to realize that tears are given to us for a purpose. They are the eye drops of all emotions. They are the flushing of our feelings; the happy ones and the sad ones. The next time someone shares the gift of tears with you, let them cry. Cry with them. Accept – and offer - the gift of tears. ~~~~~~~ Pennie’s Life Lesson: "Tears are the outward flushing of feelings as they flow through our emotions." All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2013 Pennie Hunt This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt. Feel free to forward this post. Please keep the entire message intact, including contact, logo, and copyright information. If you have any questions or comments, or for reprint permission of this newsletter, please email: [email protected] Thank you!  REMEMBER TO REMEMBER
Why do we hold certain space markers in time so close to our hearts? The stars on the calendar that designate special days and moments are there to encourage us to remember to remember. My husband and I just celebrated our wedding anniversary. As the day approached we planned a celebration dinner. Throughout the anticipation and planning of the celebration we talked about what we were doing in this space of time years ago as we designed our wedding. We talked about how he proposed, the preparation and the ceremony. But more importantly I was reminded of the feelings of that space in time. I could FEEL the excitement again. I could sense the bouquet in my hands and the smell of the lilies. I once again was holding my son's arm as he walked me through the grass to ceremony site. I could hear the ocean as the waves crashed to the rocks just steps from our vows. I could feel the commitment as my husband stated, in front of our family, why he loved me. I could see the joy in the faces of the ones who joined us as we cheered with champagne, ate and danced. I once again felt gratitude for the joining of us. It was more than just saying "Happy Anniversary." The most important part of this exercise is this— We are here to have joy. By remembering not just with your mind, but through re-feeling the joy and bringing it out of the memory space and into your emotions here and now the joy will flow through you again. The more joy you can remember, the more joy you will live in, and the more joy you will make. How can you use this daily? Remember that every moment is a future memory. Fill every day with joy worthy of a star on the calendar. The next time one of your special days marked with a star come up on your calendar Remember to Remember - not just the day, but also the feelings, the sights, the sounds and the smells. Re-feel the experience. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Pennie's Life Lesson- "Remember to Remember not just a memory, but to re-feel the joy the memories hold." All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2013 Pennie Hunt This is written and produced by Pennie Hunt. Feel free to forward this post. Please keep the entire message intact, including contact, logo, and copyright information. If you have any questions or comments, or for reprint permission of this newsletter, please email: [email protected] Thank you!  THIS IS A GOOD DAY, SUCH A GOOD DAY!
I hugged him, kissed his forehead and said good night. As I turned to walk away, he grabbed my arm and said, “This is a good day, such a good day!” It was a month before he passed away. On a day that was circled with oxygen levels, medication and a sheepskin covered recliner – the things that became his life toward the end—I marveled at those words. I looked at him in amazement and smiled at this incredible man. His mind was bright and clear but, it was as though his body was wilting as the determined disease gained control. Even though he knew he was dying, he continued to be grateful and look at life in a positive way. But that was my Dad, Charlie Hunt. He was a teacher. Every day that he walked into his classroom filled with students he felt he was making a difference in their lives. But, outside of that, I am not sure if he knew he was teaching and making a difference with others in the grander classroom of life. He demonstrated lessons in humility, kindness, dedication, and compassion. Once when I had treated him to a special gift he said, “Oh, I don’t need anything this fancy; you know we are just simple people.” My Dad was teaching even in his last days. The final lesson he taught me was that no matter what life brings your way, always remember to begin and end every day knowing “THIS IS A GOOD DAY, SUCH A GOOD DAY!” Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all live life as simple people who celebrate every day in this way? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Pennie's Life Lesson- “No matter what life brings your way, begin and end every day knowing ~ THIS IS A GOOD DAY, SUCH A GOOD DAY!" All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2013 Pennie Hunt This newsletter is written and produced by Pennie Hunt. Feel free to forward this post. Please keep the entire message intact, including contact, logo, and copyright information. If you have any questions or comments, or for reprint permission of this newsletter, please email: [email protected] Thank you! |
AuthorThere is a certain magic about where I live both physically and spiritually – on the crossroads of Spirit and Brave. Archives
August 2024
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