The Corner of Spirit & Brave - Pennie Hunt

PEACE FEELS LIKE...

10/1/2017

PEACE FEELS LIKE…

My grandson drew a picture with a caption that read,

“Peace Feels Like Sitting in a Warm Chair.”

At six years old he understands his
Place of Peace.

It is a place where he feels safe, loved, centered and warm. His Place of Peace is in the safety of a chair with the sun warming his heart and looking into the magical wonders of the ocean.

It reminded me of my meditation chair.
It is growing old and tattered and as with the wisdom of age, has become softer, safer and stronger. It has held me for years of long hours of meditations, journaling and prayers.

The spirit of these practices layer into every aging wrinkle of the chair’s fabric. I feel a sacred sense of love and kindness every morning as I sink into its safe arms… settling into my Place of Peace.

What does Peace feel like to you?
Where do you feel safe, loved, centered and warm?
How often do you visit this sacred space to warm your heart and center your soul?

For me, I agree with the wisdom of a six year old, -
“Peace Feels Like Sitting in a Warm Chair.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Find your Place of Peace. Visit it often.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

PEACE FEELS LIKE

Pennie Heart to Heart
The reason I wrote:
PEACE FEELS LIKE

I shared this with you to encourage you think about what PEACE feels like to you.
Tell me where your Place of Peace is!

YOUR TURN -
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below. And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2017 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 please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com

THE ROAD TO TRANQUILITY

9/23/2017

On the way to my home I turn a sharp corner.
I say sharp because if I didn’t make the turn I would drive right into a barricade. The special thing about the corner is the sign above the barricade. It says,
“Tranquility”
with an arrow pointing toward my home.

Every time I drive by the sign and make the turn I take a deep breath in agreement. My home is a place of safety, peace and, yes, tranquility.

For years I have called my home the, “House of Zen.”
From the moment I enter I am greeted with the serenity of water trickling over slate stones in my waterfall. There is no television on the main floor of my home and only the sound of serene music mixes with the water. The views from my windows are of nature in its glory. In every corner are items that bring me joy and comfort.
My home is my sanctuary.

How does your home create tranquility for you?
When you walk through the threshold do you feel safe? What do you need to do to create calmness and serenity?

You would be surprised as to how the littlest things can make a huge difference.
Think of your senses.... What you see, hear, smell, touch and taste in your home spurs feelings. Music, candles, water, fire, flowers, texture..... these are things that can change the entire feel of a home and create a place of tranquility.

Isn’t this the way we should feel as we are entering our private space?

As I turn the corner this in-my-face visual reminds me to leave all my worries, concerns and negative experiences at the corner.
When I turn onto that road to tranquility I am at peace.
I am at home.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie's Life Lesson:
“Home is your space for safety,
     peace and tranquility.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pennie Heart to Heart
The reason I wrote:
THE ROAD TO TRANQUILITY

My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to create a space of calm in your home... a place for you to feel safe and loved.

YOUR TURN - Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below. And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2017 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 please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com

MEDITATION SAVED MY LIFE!

1/20/2017

MEDITATION SAVED MY LIFE!

I began meditating over a decade ago during a very stressful time in my life.

I was certain my mind and body would explode from the pressure, as I tried to handle many highly emotional life situations. Desperation set in as I struggled to gain some essence of control in my world of chaos.

My first attempt at gaining relief from this tension was when I sat down, closed my eyes and with the sound of rain falling in my headphones said to myself over and over and over again,

"Clear my mind...

clear my mind...

clear my mind."

I didn't know what meditation was, nor did I realize that was what I was doing. I just knew I needed peace in my mind, heart and soul

I lasted about five minutes, before I jumped up believing I had failed as my mind hadn't cleared at all.

Determined, I continued this routine daily and soon I became more and more successful. Some days I could actually sit for the 5 minutes and my mind would clear. The minutes turned to ten, then fifteen and at times I would sit for hours.

Meditation saved my life.

I learned how to separate myself from the world outside of my body and control my emotions, thoughts and feelings. I could handle the stress of all that was happening in a clean, clear and calm way.

After years of learning about the many various types of meditation, I have settled in to what works for me.

I believe you do not have to follow a certain meditation dogma or philosophy to receive an emotional and physical benefit. The basic premise is to quiet your thoughts and allow calm, contentment and peace to fill the space of your mind and body.

Now, whether I want to relax and release tension or concentrate on one thought, I turn to daily meditation as my life saving method.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie's Life Lesson:
"Quiet your mind and allow calm,
contentment and peace to fill you."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to find your own place of quiet, place of solitude, place of peace.

Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below. And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2017 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 please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com

TWO-A-DAYS

10/28/2016

TWO-A-DAYS

Have you ever participated in a team sport, trained for a marathon or tried to lose weight?

A common practice during these times is,TWO-A-Days. This is when a team or person doubles up on their efforts and for a time practices or works out twice in the same day.

The concept of doubling up, or TWO-A-Days, may also apply to studying during exam season or even when you have a cold and double your intake of vitamin C.

I have a new application for this concept.

There are times when your mind and soul need this same kind of extra attention. When you are overwhelmed, overstressed, or overtired—you know, those times when the faster you go the more you have to do and it seems like there is never enough time to get it all done. Your mind is racing and you feel like you are going crazy!

This is the perfect time to add TWO-A-Days to your life. Twice a day begin just sitting. If you meditate now, begin doing it twice a day. If meditation is foreign to you, just give yourself 5, 10, or 15 minutes twice a day to just sit, relax and breathe.

I realize this seems impossible when you already are stretched for time and don’t have a minute to spare. But, THIS is exactly when you need to do it the most. Giving this extra time and space to clearing your mind puts the chaos on hold and helps you gain mental and physical balance. During stressful times it also allows space for answers to come.

TWO-A-Days don’t have to be just for sports. Learn to implement this into your own life. Once you get through the stressful time you may realize all the benefits it brings into your life. Peacefulness, calm, the ability to cope, and the lessening of the physical damage stress does to your body are all benefits of this practice. You may decide giving yourself the gift of quiet twice a day is something you want to continue every day.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Give yourself the gift of quiet twice a day. You deserve the peace it will bring to your life.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to understand that during the craziest times of life, you need to take care of yourself in a calm and loving way!

***Since we all learn from each other, I would love to have you share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below or on my FACEBOOK page.
And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2016 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 please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com

DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT LOVE?

8/26/2016

DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT LOVE?

We talk about love all the time.
We love this thing and we love that person. Yet, how often do you really THINK about love?

Most people spend more time deciding what to have for dinner than thinking about love. Shouldn’t this intense feeling of deep affection rally more than an occasional thought?

What is love?
What does it mean to love and be loved?
Who do you love and what makes you love them?
Who loves you and what makes them love YOU?
How do you show love through actions, words, expressions and service?
Are you showing it in a way that makes that person FEEL loved?
What makes YOU feel loved?
How do you feel when you GIVE love?

When you begin thinking about Love and asking these questions your ability to express love and feel love will increase.
That only makes sense, right?

Take some time to study your habits of love. Study the way you love the ones closest to you and how they love you. Study how you show love to the clerk at the grocery store or the co-workers you interact with all day. Study how you treat yourself. Are you loving to yourself?

It is easy to create a habit of nonchalant loving without ever thinking about LOVE. Maybe it is time to begin nurturing the way you love.

Tell others that you love them. Show others that you love them. Start planning LOVE into your day.

Don’t forget to love yourself in the process!

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Do you ever THINK about LOVE?
Maybe it is time to begin!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to think - really think - about love and how you can better nurture it in your life.
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2016 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 please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com

The Memory Maker

4/21/2016

THE MEMORY MAKER

One hand carried my bucket
while the other grasped the largest stick I could find to swish away the foliage and shoo away the bugs.

I would follow my grandmother trying to match my small footprints with hers. We were on safari in this land of wilderness.

Reaching the creek, we searched for a rocky entry to the water. Stepping in, the mud squished between my toes as my feet and legs quickly became red and numb from the cold. I took deep breaths as the crawdads snapped at my feet and the sunfish brushed their thorned backs against me.

We would hike back to her house with treasures in our buckets – magnificent rocks that sparkled in the sun like diamonds and gold; crawdads to watch as they pinched and squirmed; snail shells; and flowers.
All were the riches of life and the secrets of nature.

Her property bordered a state park.
She didn’t take me in her car to the paved parking lot to play on the sand filled playground.
She didn’t take me to the groomed pebble lined paths with arrows signaling points of interest.
She took me on a quest-- trekking from her yard to the thickly wooded seclusion where trees were curled with the bending of age and the over grown creek bed was the land of nature in full celebration.

Even today, I remember the sounds of the crickets, the smell of the muddy creek water and the constant swatting of mosquitoes as we ate our picnic lunches while discussing how the flow of the water smoothed and polished the rocks.
Nothing my grandmother did with me was average or normal. It was always an adventure; an artistic creation; a moment of learned love.

She was a Memory Maker.

Making memories is the experience.
The gift of an experience is worth more than any item we can give.
The gift of an experience can even make legs covered in mosquito bites a joyful memory!

Who can you be a Memory Maker for?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Give the gift of time and experiences.
Be a Memory Maker!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to create those moments in life you AND others will always remember. Be a Memory Maker!

Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2016 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 please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com

THREE WORDS

4/1/2016

THREE WORDS

Can you describe yourself in three words?
How do you see yourself?
How do you believe others see you?

When I was asked these questions I thought of words like Mom, Grandmother, wife, speaker, writer, but I wanted better words.
wanted words with more grandeur.
I wanted words that carried with them not just a superficial description of looks or my job(s) in life, but a feeling, a purpose and a mission.

After weeks of rolling this idea through every wrinkle of my mind and struggling to create a short list of three, I decided I wasn't the most reliable person to ask.

I wanted to know how I was doing and if others would give me a passing grade or if I needed to study harder and practice more in order to be described in the way I hoped.

So, I sent out this email:

Hello,
I am working on a project and wonder if you would take a second to help me out. It is easy - all I need you to do is send me a few adjectives that you'd think of to honestly describe me. You can send me three or twenty or as many you wish to share, but make it easy for you. No, this isn't one of the silly email "forwards" -- I really am working on a project.
Thank you so much in advance for doing this!
Pennie

This is not an exercise for the faint of spirit. As I hit the send button, bubbles over my head began filling with words I wouldn't like.
What if the responses were negative?
What if they were less than flattering?
What if no one responded; what would that mean?

But there it was, heading through the mysteries of the Internet and landing smack in the middle of 100 computer screens!

I sent it to close friends and to acquaintances.
I sent it to family members.
I sent it to people who see me daily and ones who hadn't seen me in 10 years.
I sent it to those who I was confident would say glowing things and I sent it to those who I feared might not.
From young adolescent friends of my son to legislators, they held my life image at their computer keyboards.

I waited.

The first response came in minutes, others came weeks later. They came in clusters of pings to my computer and in single messages late in the night. They came in short emails with just three words. They came in lists of adjectives depicting my impression on them with long elaborations of why they chose the words they did.

The fear of what would be given me as the mirror of myself became a life opening experience.

I was humbled by the response as an ultimate washing of appreciation and love came through in the words given to me. Some made me laugh.
Some made me cry.
Some made me cry more.
Only three people asked me why I wanted to know. It didn’t seem to matter.
They just responded.

I created a spread sheet to track the words. Repeated words were given a tally mark.
The spreadsheet grew with a list of 197 words.

Very quickly 13 words began creating a pattern of repetition.   The top three winners were
   Caring, Thoughtful, and Kind.
These were followed closely with   Compassionate, Honest, and Loving.

What a lesson I had learned!
These are simple words, but I realize these are my words of grandeur; my words of feeling, purpose and mission.
These are my words to live by.

Now, I have a standard to uphold.
This is how others see me and I don’t want to let them down.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie's Life Lesson:
When you create a standard of compassion, kindness and love to live your life by- you will receive compassion, kindness and love from others.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

YOUR TURN...
I shared this with you to encourage you to think about how you see yourself AND how others see you. Is it the vision you want?

Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below . And please feel free to email me at: PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
   All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2016 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com

PEACE FEELS LIKE…

3/18/2016

PEACE FEELS LIKE…

My grandson drew a picture with a caption that read,

“Peace Feels Like Sitting in a Warm Chair.”

At six years old he understands his
Place of Peace.

It is a place where he feels safe, loved, centered and warm. His Place of Peace is in the safety of a chair with the sun warming his heart and looking into the magical wonders of the ocean.

It reminded me of my meditation chair.
It is growing old and tattered and as with the wisdom of age, has become softer, safer and stronger. It has held me for years of long hours of meditations, journaling and prayers.

The spirit of these practices layer into every aging wrinkle of the chair’s fabric. I feel a sacred sense of love and kindness every morning as I sink into its safe arms… settling into my Place of Peace.

What does Peace feel like to you?
Where do you feel safe, loved, centered and warm?
How often do you visit this sacred space to warm your heart and center your soul?

For me, I agree with the wisdom of a six year old, -
“Peace Feels Like Sitting in a Warm Chair.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Find your Place of Peace. Visit it often.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

YOUR TURN...
I shared this with you to encourage you think about what PEACE feels like to you.
Tell me where your Place of Peace is!
hare your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below . And please feel free to email me at: PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
   All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2016 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com

BREATH OF GREEN

3/11/2016

BREATH OF GREEN

So often I hear people saying they are rushed, tired and overwhelmed.

They are running from one meeting to the next, stressed about paying bills and worried about keeping others happy.

What they are ultimately doing is living in fear.
Fear of being late.
Fear of not having enough money.
Fear of disappointing others.

And the BIG one -fear of not being good enough.

Do you see yourself in that scenario? If so, here is something that always works for me.

Your mind cannot live in fear and love simultaneously. Therefore, the answer is to increase love. You must begin by increasing the love inside of You!

Begin by understanding a new concept. Green is the color of love. Yes, Green! I know what you are thinking - wait a minute, what about red; the color of valentines, hearts and roses?

Chakras, or energy centers, are located at strategic points in the body and are aligned with a color value. The heart Chakra is Green and corresponds with unconditional love, compassion and healing. Imagine a beautiful glowing emerald Green circle that radiates around your heart.

To increase love in yourself, for yourself and for others, you must fill this energy center with love. This will in turn multiply and fill you with love. Love will then spill outwardly - to others and to every aspect of your life.

This is where my "Breath of Green" comes in. How often do you see green? Green is everywhere! When you see Green, take in a slow deep breath. As you do, visualize breathing in Green; breathing in love. At first you may even say out loud or to yourself,

"breathe in love."

As you exhale imagine pushing out fear. Visualize fear as black, dirty, and ugly. At first you may even say out loud or to yourself,

"breathe out fear."

This only takes a few seconds. Breathe in fresh clean love. Exhale painful fear.
With every breath you will feel calmer. No one will even know you are doing it, but they will notice a change in you.  YOU will FEEL a change in you.

Soon you will begin to see Green everywhere. Your eyes will begin searching for it.

A woman will walk into a meeting wearing a Green sweater.

A dog with a Green leash will walk by you on the sidewalk.

The menu at the lunch deli will have the special outlined in Green.

The junk mail you are throwing away will be in a Green envelope.

You will see a Green light as you are driving -Go Now- breathe in love!

Make an effort to try this for one week.   Once you experience the cleansing of fear and feel the new calmness of love take over, you will want to continue this practice.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie's Life Lesson:
"Love and fear are not compatible.
Fill yourself with love,  in order to
   diminish fear."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

YOUR TURN...
I shared this with you to give you a tool to relax and calm your busy life-- in a quick and easy way!
How many times did you see and think Green just by reading this. Tell us how this concept worked for you! Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below . And please feel free to email me at: PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
   All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2016 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com

SOMETHING ABOUT YOGEE

2/5/2016

SOMETHING ABOUT YOGEE

I wanted a Yorkie.
Looking at the puppies I picked one to hold and see what kind of personality she had.
But, there was this Shih Tzu that pulled me closer.

My mind kept saying, I want a Yorkie.

With determination and intention, the Shih Tzu knocked the Yorkie out of the way and got right in my face as if to say,
  “There is no question here who
     you belong to…it’s me!”

Looking in her eyes I knew…
     There was something about Yogee.

She was 27 days old when she came home with me. A tiny fur ball of delight that I hid in my pet-free apartment. Well, until I received the letter stating that I had 30 days to get rid of the dog or move out.

Yogee and I loved our new home. I called it the house that Yogee built, after all it was because of her that I purchased it.

Yogee loved everyone and quickly became a part of everyone’s life. My kids, friends and the man in my life.
She was 7 when my youngest son passed away. She loved him and he loved her. Yogee sat on my lap for weeks and we grieved together.
We meditated together.
We survived together.
     There was something about Yogee.

When she was 10 she had what seemed like a stroke. She collapsed and didn’t recognize anyone or her surroundings. Rushing her to the animal hospital an hour away panic increased with every minute.   Leaving her there and saying goodbye for the night I was convinced I may never see her again.

The next day I received a call that I could pick her up. The veterinarian came out carrying a perky, tail-wagging Yogee acting as if she had just been enjoying a spa day.

For over half of her life Yogee suffered from a heart murmur and a degenerating heart valve. She would experience fainting and seizures if she became too excited. Every time I held my breath frightened and every time she would pop up and look at me as if nothing happened. Her entourage of veterinarians, dog sitters, acupuncturist and groomers were amazed at her ability to always rally from health issues.

Her favorite vet called her, “Remarkable.”
This became our mantra for her – of course she will be fine, she is Remarkable!
    There was something about Yogee.

When I married that “man in my life,” we became a little triangle of a family. Our plans, our travel, our world revolved around keeping Yogee safe, happy and healthy. We wouldn’t of had it any other way.

My husband told her daily that she was, “Everything Good” – an accurate statement. Yogee brought, “everything good” into our lives.

In her last months she began to lose weight and slowed down, but she never missed a chance to follow me around the kitchen as I cooked, greet friends and family or share my popcorn as we watched movies.

She stayed longer than anyone expected. Fifteen years, 8 months and 17 days.

I believe it was to take care of me.
Too take care of my husband and our family. She took her job of loving us as her life purpose. I believe her tenacity to beat all the odds was driven by her will to live. Her commitment to her life purpose. She did it with grace, patience and care.
She taught us loyalty was unconditional and love was forever. Through the hardest of times and happiest of occasions, she was there.

I held her as she slipped away.
I felt her little body fill with calmness –
relief – release - peace.
I had never felt closer to her than in that moment.
I could feel the tearing of my heart as pain ripped through. At the same time a lava of love began bubbling up through my breaking heart and spilling out of the brokenness in a flow of gratitude for being the lucky one that was chosen by Yogee.

Dogs don’t stay with us long enough.
I believe we are all here to learn, teach and love. Dogs love with such intense unconditional love.
Maybe that is why they don’t stay long…. They can only love at that level of intensity for a short period of time.

If we have soul families, and I believe we do, she is definitely in mine. Souls come into our lives in unexpected ways.
Yogee only knew one way – love.

She chose me to teach, to guide and to share that love with.

Her blanket remains on the foot of my bed.
I feel her in my home and in my heart.

She (and I) may have released her body,
but our souls will never release each other.
     There is something about Yogee.

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“We don’t always choose the souls that change our lives. Sometimes they choose us.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
  Yogee Soo
May 9, 2000- Jan. 25, 2016

YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to share my love for Yogee and join you in the love of your fur family.
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below . And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
   All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2016 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!

1300 LESSONS I TOOK 55 YEARS TO LEARN

1/22/2016

1300 LESSONS
I TOOK
55 YEARS
TO LEARN

1.  Make friends on the playground or stand alone - Learn to Love Change!

I grew up in a military family, which meant I would just make friends in school and it was time to move- again. At the time I believed this was child abuse, but it taught me how to build relationships, grow friendships and hone the ability to accept and love change.

2.  Don’t wish your life away!

I remember how I couldn't wait to be thirteen. My Mom said, “Don’t wish your life away.” That didn't pacify me at the time, but now 43 very quick years later I understand the wisdom in that statement.

3.  I love Brussels sprouts! I really do!

I hated Brussels sprouts for 54 years. The truth is I had never tried one. Not long ago I did. I have been trying to make up for lost time ever since. The moral here is – you can’t hate what you haven’t tried and you can’t judge what you haven’t lived. Let that statement simmer a minute.

4.  Don’t tell anyone you are on a diet!

If you need to make a life change like losing weight or changing jobs you may need a support group or career coach, but don’t tell anyone else. People will scrutinize every pound you lose (and gain), every job you apply for and every rejection letter you receive. If they don’t know, when you have set backs and disappointments they won’t magnify your defeat. Wait until you have good news to share and let them celebrate the victory with you.

5.  Know when to say NO and when to say YES!

For years I said, “Yes” to everyone and every request for my energy and time. After suffering a few creative stress induced illnesses I learned that I couldn't do it all and I wasn't Wonder Woman.  I learned how to say, “No” when I needed to. I also learned to say, “Yes” to myself.

6.  Not everyone likes me!

What is not to like about me? I was the people pleasing cocker spaniel that when I got kicked wanted to jump up and lick the face of the kicker to prove that I was sweet, kind and deserving of love. The reality is – not everyone likes cocker spaniels!
There are enough people who do and those are the ones I spend my time liking and loving. Don’t waste your time trying to prove yourself to anyone who just doesn't like you.

7.  Do what you LOVE!

Don’t waste a precious moment of time doing work you hate. Do what brings you joy and contentment. If you can’t do it full time do it as a hobby, but do what you love!

8.  Know when to risk and know when to let go!

I owned Apple stock when it was $22 a share and sold it at $24. Big mistake! This is a perfect example of doing this wrong. Knowing when to hold something and when to let it go is an intuitive skill that I believe grows with listening to your inner voice when it tells you to run down the street after them yelling, “I love you!” or to turn and walk away as the sun sets and the credits roll.

9.  Take care of yourself!

Being healthy matters, so control what you can. Just like you take care of your car by cleaning it, getting checkups and supplying it with quality fuel, take care of the body that carries your soul in the same way. Once you hit the mile markers of 40, 50, 55 and beyond you will be happy you did!

10. Be quiet and listen.

Meditation saved my life.
Sit alone and in silence. Listen to your heart. Listen to the silence. You will be amazed at what you hear!

11. We are all one phone call away from our knees.

It happens to everyone. When the phone rings and the message of loss is delivered, you will be on your knees. With the aid of love and grace we will stand back up stronger than before. Once this hard lesson has been learned your heart will expand with the love required to support others when they fall.

12.  Every moment we choose the path of Fear or Faith.

We are constantly given the choice of walking the path of fear of failure or the path of faith in the future. The road of faith is a much happier road to travel. Choose faith!

13.  Gratefulness leads to love and yes, Love is the answer to every question!

Being here in this body, on this Earth and at this time is a privilege. Be humbled by the magnitude of it. Do not take anything for granted. Be grateful for every moment, every breath, every experience and every lesson learned; Being grateful leads to living in a space of love.
The most important lesson and the basis for all the lessons I have learned is LOVE!
Life begins and ends with love.
Love yourself.
Love others.
Love animals.
Love nature.
With every breath be grateful for being here to love.
That’s it, bottom line… Love your heart out!

I do realize that was 13 lessons and not 1300, but most of them took me 100 or more experiences to learn, so I am giving myself extra credit.

Learn YOUR lessons well.
Happy Living!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...
What lessons have you learned? Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below. Thank you!
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2016 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I HELD JOY IN MY HAND

1/1/2016

I HELD JOY
IN MY HAND

I purchased holiday door hangers that said, “JOY” for my friends and delivered them with notes that held my wish for them to have Joy in their lives for the New Year.

I found a special ornament that said “JOY” during a shopping adventure, brought it home and hung it in a prominent place on my tree.

I even read the popular book that taught me how to declutter my closet by keeping only things that bring me “JOY.”

Every year I choose a word. A word that will guide my life for the next 12 months.
This is different than a resolution.
It doesn’t cause me guilt or shame when I give up the diet I promised myself I would maintain or the exercise program that typically lasts a month.

This is a word I try to live by for a year.
I begin thinking about it around November. Some years I struggle to find the perfect word.
Last year it came to me during a meditation.
This year it slapped me right in the face. Over and Over and Over again.

It took me a while to catch on.
Why did I decide to read the book in November that caused me to begin really thinking about what does bring me JOY?

Out of all the thousands of ornaments for sale in the stores, why was I drawn to the one small JOY ornament to bring home for my tree?

Why did I choose the JOY door hangers for my friends?

While shopping a few after-Christmas sales it flashed before me like a beacon guiding me to open my eyes. Everywhere I turned in the mountains of left over holiday items covered with words, sentiments and greetings - JOY jumped at me.

One piece pulled me closer with intentional force. I reached through the crowed isle to pluck the simple glittery word from the shelf.
I stood in the middle of the store holding JOY in my hand.
At that moment the golden statement sunk into my heart.

THE WORD IS JOY!

JOY had been trying to reach into my life in small and quiet ways. It had been whispering to me,
  “Wish ME to your friends,
     bring ME into your home,
     allow ME to fill your heart!”

The in-my-face synchronicity was not to be ignored.

THE WORD IS JOY!
MY WORD IS JOY!

I brought the golden JOY home and hung it in my office as a reminder to live the New Year in JOY.
To only bring things into my life that bring me JOY.
To seek experiences that bring me JOY.
To share JOY with others in every way and every day.
To be mindful enough to learn what really does bring me JOY and love myself enough to settle for nothing less than a JOYOUS life and a JOY-filled year!

Feeling very satisfied with my decision, I moved on to my daily routine of opening the mail. The last envelope was a holiday card that had most likely been delayed in delivery.
I reached in the red envelope.
The silver glitter covered card reflected the sun magnifying the message into a blinding validation.
The card had one simple word on it- JOY!
Of course it did….
THE WORD IS JOY!

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Love yourself enough to know what brings you JOY and welcome it into your life!”

     ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to experience JOY in the new year and share it with others. What is your word?
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below . And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2016 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

WHO IS CHAUFFEURING YOUR LIFE?

12/4/2015

WHO IS CHAUFFEURING YOUR LIFE?

Our lives are driven by stories.
We travel the road yielding to them as they climb into the back seat.

We turn left, we turn right and choose the forks in the road that we hope will lead us to our happily ever after.
With every turn we pick them up.
A story here.
A story there.

Some are interesting. Some are scary. Some are fun. Some we want to lock in the trunk and forget. They all merge together to create the book of our life.

Occasionally we are jolted to completely stop at a red light and a story forces its way into the front seat with us.

Some are powerful and push us out of our driver’s seat and takes over as the chauffeur of our lives. The story becomes the theme that overshadows all the other stories and events that we experience.

The story becomes who we are.

Every turn we make is because of the story.

Every decision is because of the story.

For you, this may be a happy chauffeur taking you to just the right places – school, a career, a life partner, children and success. The chauffeur takes you on the drive you hoped for and the life story you dreamt of.

Or, the story may be one of grief, desperation, loss, or despair. The story is sad and takes over your life. You no longer have control of the wheel.
The story has control and circles you as if you are stuck in a round-a-bout reliving the tragedy over and over. You feel like you can’t put on the brakes or turn a different direction.

We all have experienced stories of good and bad; happiness and sadness. It is up to us to melt our stories into a collective balance for our life. Don’t allow an event or tragedy to lock you into park or worse-- navigate you to a dark, dead end street.

Decide who you want to chauffeur your life. Take control of your stories.
Each one can be told from many perspectives.
Concentrate on the great stories and look for ways to see lessons and grace in your challenging ones.
Keep your steering wheel balanced and driving happily through your life.

Who is chauffeuring your life?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Don’t allow one event or tragedy to drive your life.
Take control of your own steering wheel.”

     ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to think about the life stories you repeat over and over allowing them to define what your life is and who you are. Are they the stories you want to be in control of that? Hmmmmm...
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below . And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2015 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

WALK THE HAPPY WALK

11/27/2015

WALK THE HAPPY WALK

The ocean was steps away on one side and the pool steps away on the other. In between, palm trees weaved in and out of the tropical landscape.

I was struck by the way people walked as they paraded by. Some walked briskly with a whistle in their step as if they heard the music of life in their minds. Others shuffled along, heads down, shoulders slumped barely making one foot follow the other. From teenagers to seniors the technique was divided.

I recently read an article about the correlation between the speed a person walks and their life expectancy. According to the article the faster a person walks the more days, years and time they have to enjoy life.

This concept ran through my mind as I watched the parade. I was confused by how anyone could walk with such lackluster enthusiasm in a place that would be considered paradise by anyone's standards. Why do so many walk the (Winnie The Pooh) Eeyore Walk, with the gloomy cloud of desperation circling them.

Occasionally, a child zipped through the procession - cackling with excitement and in a hurry to get to where they were going.

Have you ever seen a baby take its first steps? They don't take them with their head down in cautious fear of falling. They take the first step with their head up, smiling and bursting with accomplishment. They take one, then another in rapid succession until they reach the arms of someone waiting to catch them. Once successful they are in a hurry to try it again. They have a long, long life to live and are excited for each step. They don't really learn to walk....they learn to quick step, to stride, to RUN!

Anyone that has ever been around young children knows... we are usually telling them to slow down, don't run in the house ....... But why? They know something we have forgotten...they have a lot of days to live and they welcome them with hurried enthusiasm. They are walking the "Happy Walk" of life!

On this sunny day, I smiled for those who walked the Happy Walk. I hurt for those who let the concerns of life slow them to the walk of fear, disappointment and sadness. If only they could throw their shoulders back, lift their heads and smile as they hear the music of life in their ears and walk the Happy Walk adding days and years to their lives with every step.

Pennie's Life Lesson:
"Hear the music of life in your mind and walk the Happy Walk!"

YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to walk with happiness in your step!
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below . And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2015 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!

THE GRACE OF GRATITUDE

11/22/2015

THE GRACE OF GRATITUDE

During this time of thankfulness I ask that we, together, place our hands over our heart center and recognize how different we are –and yet very much the same.

Whatever religion you align with or light that you follow –we can all move together toward a common goal of gratitude.

As you hold your hands over your heart center, recognize that whatever our talents, our dreams, our backgrounds, or our life situations we can all join in the grace of gratitude.

Be grateful for our individuality and also for our common bond;

Be grateful for our families and friends
who are with us and those who have gone before us;

Be grateful for animals, plants and all living things that love, nurture and nourish us;

Be grateful for our occupations and the impact our work has on others – and ourselves;

Be grateful for the beauty that surrounds us created both by nature and by human hands;

Be grateful for the smallest of moments and the grandest of experiences;

Be grateful for our bodies that carry us through the lessons we are here to learn;

Be grateful for our breath and the rhythmic in and out of our life power;

Be grateful for the flow of pure love and the spirit of life that runs through us.

May our love be strengthened and our lives be broadened as we move together - in grace - toward a common goal of gratitude.

Blessings to us all.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Allow the flow of pure love and the spirit of life that runs through us all to fill you with the Grace of Gratitude.”

YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to be grateful this week and all the days of your life!
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below . And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2015 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!

LIFE IS ALWAYS FILLING

10/23/2015

LIFE IS ALWAYS FILLING

Marion is an eccentric combination of Annie Oakley, Gloria Steinem and Shirley Temple.

Like Annie Oakley, Marion understood tough times and learned to work hard in order to become financially successful.
In the 1860’s Annie, changed ideas about the abilities of women. A century later, Marion did the same.
Both had the courage to prove that a woman could stand her ground in the world that men controlled.

Marion, a single, teenage mom with an 8th grade education began waitressing in a small cafe bringing tips home to provide for her infant son and mother.

Over the years she gained her PHD in the ways of life eventually purchasing the cafe, bars, supper clubs and even a construction company.

Like Gloria Steinem, she was not afraid to speak up and voice her opinion -even when it was unpopular.
She continues to be a strong advocate for women and doesn’t shy away from a discussion about her political views.

I’ve seen Marion lock in a business deal during dinner, strongly expressing her opinion about the details of the agreement and, then, just as easily changes her composure, blinks her flirty eyes and giggles with the impish playfulness of a young Shirley Temple.

Marion is a force to be noticed.

Marion is my mother-in-law.

I delight in listening to the stories of her younger years when purchasing property was done with a hand shake and over-bearing men were no match for her.
She tells of how she has made money, lost money, felt success and experienced desperate times.

It was during one of these stories that I heard her make this profound comment,

     “I never really looked at my glass as half
      full or half empty.
      I always thought my glass was
     filling up!”

That statement should be on T-shirts, coffee mugs and tattoos!

That is not just optimistic – that is living a life of expectation.
A life of adventure.
A life of anticipation-- of learning from whatever waits around the next corner.

What if we could all see life that way?
The next time you believe you are having a bad day or living through a challenging time think of it as your life just filling up.
Filling up with experiences to learn from.

Allow your cup to fill with all life has to offer- the good and the challenging.

I hope for Marion, for me and for everyone that our cup of life continues to fill until that very last drip tickles the rim and runs down the side.
And when that happens we all wink, giggle and with an impish smile know that our life was full!

Pennie’s Life Lesson-
“Your glass is not half empty or half full –
it is always filling!”

YOUR TURN...
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2015 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!

UBUNTU, I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

10/17/2015

UBUNTU,
I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

After several years filled with emotional events, celebrations and struggles I recognized the significant role women play in a family and the strength they bring to the stability of the family tree.

Through my roller coaster ride that I call life, I know I can count on these women for sharing laughter, tears, and a hand up or at times a push forward, but always, always, love and encouragement.

There is an African Philosophy which describes this called Ubuntu.
It means -
"I am because we are."

The women of a family work together like the stitches in a quilt. Each stitch is unique-some long, some short, some tightly pulled, some more relaxed, but each add their own character to the patchwork, creating strength that helps all of life's experiences to make sense.

Ubuntu, I am because we are.

Years ago the Hunt family formed a gathering called the Women's Annual Rejuvenating Montage.  The acronym WARM was formed. Invitations were sent, a logo was created and the t-shirts were made.

The WARM Guiding Principles are simple.  A member must be a woman at least 18 years old
AND
a direct descendant of my mother;
married to her direct descendant;
or given birth to one of her direct descendants.

Ubuntu, I am because we are.

WARM was created for the women following my mother to rejuvenate, relax and continually nurture the bond we share. Our montage is the juxtaposing of diverse personalities into a single element of commonality.

We have learned to understand each other, and ourselves, better as we discover our own shared human qualities and how we all fit in relation to our quilted family.

During these gatherings we are willing to share, willing to be vulnerable, and willing to affirm and accept each other as a part of the whole.

Ubuntu, I am because we are.

This tradition will continue past our lifetimes and for generations to come. The Ubuntu belief is that our ancestors continue to exist among the living. With every new member, WARM will carry the spirit and love of all of us as we come and go, stitch by stitch, adding strength to our quilted bond.

Ubuntu, I am because we are.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pennie's Life Lesson:
"No one stands alone -
we are who we are
because we all exist together."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to look at the people in your life who make you who you are, the ones you can count on...the ones that you know that without them you would not be the person you are today. Who stands in UBUNTU with you?

Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!

All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2015 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!

MIND BODY AND SOUL FOOD

9/19/2015

MIND BODY AND SOUL FOOD
If we are what we eat then today I am oatmeal, blueberries, a turkey sandwich, an apple, salmon, salad and green beans.
Oh, and a medium vanilla chia latte and one...okay, two really tasty sugar cookies.
Well, I'm not perfect!

Think about what else we feed ourselves every day that helps to create who we are.

Did you savor the taste of love and joy?
or
Did you eat a big helping of self-criticism and negative talk?

Did you swallow shame and guilt?

How much anger and resentment did you chew on today?

What about that green smoothie of jealousy you had for a midafternoon snack?

And then right before bed did you munch on doubt and insecurity?

All of these things blend into one big combo meal of emotions and feelings that feed who we are. Have you heard the expression, "junk in- junk out?"

This is exactly what happens to your body and life. In the same way eating high calorie, sugar-filled junk food will show outwardly in the form of weight gain, when you feed yourself negativity then negativity will show outwardly to create a life of anger, depression and pain.

Isn't it time to pay attention to what you feed your mind, body and soul?

Create a menu of positive self-empowering mind, body and soul food.

Begin mixing in healthy amounts of gratitude and self-care into your diet.

None of us are perfect and along with the occasional really tasty sugar cookie there will be times that negative self-talk, doubt or shame will sneak into your daily diet.

Forgive yourself when you indulge in these and then - move on!

If you knew you had the power to create happiness in your life wouldn't you do it?

Well, you do!

It all starts with being grateful. Begin and end each day in gratitude. Just like weight lifting begins strengthening your body with one work out at a time, exercising your gratitude and self- compassion muscles will reshape your life one thank-you and one act of self-love at a time.

Gratitude leads to love, joy and kindness.   When you begin fueling your soul with these it will show outwardly bringing happiness to your life.

YOU do have the power to become what you eat!
Eat wisely.

Pennie's Life Lesson:
"You are what you eat --
feed love to your mind, body and soul!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to pay attention to your negative self talk and emotions that you consume and replace them with loving self care and gratitude.

Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below . And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2015 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!

I DRIVE HIS TRUCK

9/12/2015

I DRIVE HIS TRUCK

It sits in the garage.

Everyone wonders why
I keep it.

The dust and dirt of the seasons covers it. I walk by it every day as the months and years come and go.

Twice a year I drive it.

I slide in the seat.
The smell of him is fading and the air freshener he tucked in the vent is beginning to crumble.

I carefully back down the driveway.
The gear shift is tight with age.

The windows rattle and the water seeps in as I drive it through the car wash.

The repair shop asks me why I want the oil changed when there has only been 50 miles driven since the last service.
I don’t tell them.

When I drive I feel his arms blend with mine as our hands in unison hold the steering wheel.

I push in his Bob Dylan cassette and it crackles loudly through the speakers.
Our hands drum to the beat.

And we are off.

We drive together, he and I, through 22 years of memories; the good, the painful, the magical and the tragic.

We find ourselves in a place where here and there - now and then doesn't matter.
A place where love binds us back together.

When I carried him I wanted to experience and remember every moment of my pregnancy and every un-medicated contraction during his arrival.
It would be my last passage through the process.
I re-live these now.

His first steps, his first words and his first day of school blur into the yellow lines of the road we travel.

We drive by the baseball field where his Little League Tournaments were played and the skate park responsible for his first stitches.

We stop at the gardens where the stone holds his name and the saying by Rumi.

We pass the gas station where I bought his last tank of gas.

The wind whistles as we drive through town by his apartment and onto the interstate where we drive fast as our thoughts and pain escalate

I hear his fishing poles and baseball equipment rattle in the back.

The speed is cleansing.

Together we sing, we laugh, we shout, we cry. We say prayers of gratitude for his life, our life together, his brother, his sister, family, friends -- and his daughter.

I hear the echo from so many years ago when the phone rang with a voice telling me he was gone.

Carefully I position it back in the garage.
Bob Dylan stops.

Time is put in park as I feel his beard brush against my cheek and,

      “I love you, mom,” hums in my ears.

I answer,

       “I love you too, honey. I love you so.”

Another anniversary of
that phone call comes to
an end.

His birthday will be here soon.

Until then
it sits in the garage.

Everyone wonders why I keep it.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Love binds us together
no matter what separates us."

J.T. (Jameson Tanner) Lindemann 1985-2007

YOUR TURN...
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2014 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE TOILET OVERFLOWS

8/21/2015

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE TOILET OVERFLOWS

I felt overwhelmed.

With several speaking engagements ahead of me, blogs to write and my self-imposed deadline for the completion of my book, I felt like the toilet had just overflowed.

You know, that panicked feeling of running to get the plunger as the water overflows and every towel you own is being thrown on the floor in an effort to control.

The smell of not feeling Good Enough was quickly rising to the top of my bowl.
How would I ever get it all done?

So I did the logical thing – I turned the valve to OFF.
I stopped the gushing stream that overflowed my mind and walked away from all the fear, pressure and commitments.

I went outside and dug holes.

I put my hands in the black dirt.
I dug holes for tomato plants.
I dug holes for bushes.
I dug holes for geraniums and marigolds.

I layered each hole with peat moss, potting soil and vermiculite and then gently placed plants inside carefully pushing the earth around the roots and up to the stem.

My body eased and relaxed as I enjoyed the process of nurturing.

My mind did nothing except watch the movement of my hands. It had emptied to a space of quiet silence with no worries of deadlines or commitments.
The valve remained OFF.

Suddenly it became very clear to me how easy it would be to complete all of my obligations. I had just been “Layering” myself in a dangerous way.

Instead of layering myself with the joy of what I was doing, in the same loving way I layered the soil around the plants, I had been layering myself in a negative way… I wasn't being gentle, careful or kind.

I was being self-demanding to the point of overwhelm. No wonder I felt blocked like the water was flooding over. In the process, instead of allowing my roots to stretch in the delightful enjoyment of these life opportunities I had tightened myself into a root bound knot with two options.

I could either continue to squeeze the grip around myself forever running in an effort to control
or
I could clear my mind, do nothing and allow myself the time to relax into the joy of life.

Meditation comes in many forms. Today it arrived while my hands were in the dirt and I realized that when you allow your mind the space to do nothing – it becomes easier to do everything.

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“When you allow your mind the space to do nothing – it becomes easier to do everything.”

YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to step back when you are feeling overwhelmed. In the space between overwhelm and that step you may find clarity.
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below . And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2015 Pennie Hunt
This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt.
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Please keep the entire message intact, including
contact, logo, and copyright information.
If you have any questions or comments, or for reprint permission
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Thank you!

SEEING FOR THE FIRST TIME

8/15/2015

SEEING FOR
THE FIRST TIME

He runs in the room, stops right in front of me and says,
  "Oh, Hi!"

This is a lovely greeting that I have heard three times in the last 30 minutes. You see every time his almost two year old legs carry him out of the room and then back again he looks at me as if I have just arrived.

With every, “Oh… Hi,” his enthusiasm and excitement jumping-jacks out of his body and his expression is one of pure delight!

Everyone laughs at the charm of this, but the lesson is not lost on me.

Imagine if we saw everything in every moment of our lives as if we were seeing it for the first time....even if we just saw it five minutes ago? Can you imagine being in the present moment at that level?

Everything in our world would seem bigger and brighter.

Looking at the sky would be like seeing blue for the first time.

The sound of music would be as if we had never experienced harmony before.

We would notice every petal on the flower, every flavor in our food, every breeze that brushes our cheek.

Hearing the voice, laughter and seeing the face of those close to us would be like the moment we fell in love with them – over and over again.

We would only see what is in front of us at that very second without giving any thought to what captured us the second before or what may be waiting for us around the next minute.

Now, just right now is what fills the screen of our mind in vivid color and exquisite freshness.

What pleasure!
What joy!
What an awesome way to experience life!

Why not begin now?
Stop right in front of the next person you see and say, “Oh…Hi!” and feel the thrill of seeing them for the first time!

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Greet every moment, person, place and thing as if you are seeing them for the first time. Savor the experience with new eyes.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...
How could you work this into your life? What would you love to see again - for the first time?
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2015 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!

THE MAGIC OF WATSU MASSAGE

7/3/2015

WATSU MASSAGE

I arrived for my Watsu Massage a bit early, put on my swimming suit and sat patiently in the lounge area. I love this part of spaing.
You know, "spa-ing" as in the art of enjoying a spa...and I do see it as an art. I can smell a spa by just being in the approximate area. The blending of the massage oils, the steams, the cucumber eye circles and the eucalyptus all blend to set off the alarm in my mind that shouts, "Spa Ahead!” For me, sitting in the lounge area drinking lemon water, enjoying the tiny cup of almonds, listening to the meditative music, while enjoying the melding of smells is part of the anticipatory enjoyment of the spa experience.

After a few minutes of this relaxing time the attendant appeared. She led me outside on a stone path through green foliage, lava rock walls and tiny grass huts to the cave area where the Watsu water pool sat in quiet seclusion. There the massage therapist, Sandy, was waiting. I was happy to see she was the one who was my Swedish massage therapist the year before. I liked her then and felt relief that I would be having this new experience with someone I knew and trusted. Recognizing me, I believe the feeling was echoed.

The description in the brochure stated,

Watsu is a passive form of aquatic body work that supports and gently moves you through warm water in graceful, fluid movements. This relaxing, meditative treatment is designed to bring total tranquility to you as your therapist supports, stretches and massages you.

Meditative. Tranquility. Words that hit my heart and spirit, but . . . sensing I didn’t understand exactly how a massage in the water could be accomplished, Sandy told me there would be bending, stretching, yoga-like movements and to just relax and let go. She explained that the water is half salt and half fresh with no chlorine or chemicals so it holds a "very healing quality." She continued with a description that reinforced the meditative and tranquil qualities of the Watsu.
This was going to be interesting.

She began by instructing me to sit on a rock seat on the side of the pool while she put floats around my ankles. Then in one slow movement she took my hand and glided me into the water and quickly maneuvered me into position with my neck resting on her arm. Without stopping I was pulled around through the water feeling like Wendy as Peter Pan led her into the sky to fly.

After a few swirls my body just followed where she pulled it and surprisingly I quickly released and relaxed. It was a sensation like I had not experienced before and the definition of being in the water and/or flying was blurred. My ears were submerged so the muffled sound of water and the waterfall, which echoed through the cave, surrounded my thoughts. The sound became very ocean-like as the swirling in the water continued. The concept of being led into the sky to fly through the universe while being whirled deeper and deeper in a spiral of water continued. With all of this motion only my eyes and nose remained above water. Submerged not only in water, but in the drifting. My eyes never opened. I was not sure they could.

The worries and knowing of anything outside of me were clearing from my thoughts as if the flow to the right told me to "release," the flow to the left spoke, "let go."

Hadn't Peter Pan also said something about if you want to fly you have to give up what's weighing you down? By this point my body seemed weightless. All ideas of gravity were missing from this space. I became aware that this was a massage of the mind, not of the body. It was an exercise in letting go of control. Release. Let go. Release. Let go.

My body had given control of my thoughts to the quiet stillness of my mind; to the place I find myself during meditation. The space of magic when I leave the heaviness of my body to explore the vastness of all there is outside of the personality I call "me." The massaging continued, release, let go, release let go. Swirl. Swirl. Swirling.

At some point the stretching began. Practicing Yoga on a not-so-regular schedule, I knew what my body could and couldn't do; how it would and wouldn't bend. But here in the water my body seemed to bend deeper. Stretch further. A slow ballet of graceful, fluid movements, as the brochure predicted. Time escaped as the hypnotic water dance continued.

Suddenly the calming serenity was interrupted by the thundering sound of water pounding. I felt the heat of the sun on my face for the first time since entering the cave. The sound grew louder and louder as the sensation of water pelting my head rushed the coming together of my body with my mind. I felt the heaviness of my body return as the joining formed the oneness of me. The reality of remembering to remember that I had lost control of my body and myself caused me to jolt with a splash to regain control and movement of my body.

“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able
to do it.” ~ Peter Pan

Realizing for the first time in over an hour that I was not alone, my eyes opened to see Sandy pulling me away from the waterfall that had just caused my mind-body reunion. Smiling at me, she pulled both of us to the side of the pool.
Sandy thanked me and left.

Following her suggestion, but possibly more out of the need to stabilize my body and my thoughts, I sat on a bench outside the cave. The sunshine woke up my senses. The feeling was coming back in to my legs, my arms, but mostly my mind.

Release and let go became hold on and connect.

After some deep breathing the ballet of swirling, flying, and water diving, mingled through my thoughts. What had I just experienced? A work out? Not quite. A massage? Maybe. A meditation? Absolutely. Did I fly or did I dive through a tornado of water? Did it matter? What I did realize as the sun continued to solidify the connection of my mind and body is that the adventure was one of the mind. One of believing. One of the spirit. And a bit of magic.

Maybe Peter Pan was right. Could it be that “All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.”

Pennie”s Life Lesson: “Allow yourself a time to release and let go. In this place of trust you will fly.”

    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to try something new and to be open the experience.

Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2014 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!

TWO-A-DAYS

5/1/2015

TWO-A-DAYS

Have you ever participated in a team sport, trained for a marathon or tried to lose weight? A common practice during these times is, TWO-A-Days. This is when a team or person doubles up on their efforts and for a time practices or works out twice in the same day.

The concept of doubling up, or TWO-A-Days, may also apply to studying during exam season or even when you have a cold and double your intake of vitamin C.

I have a new application for this concept.

There are times when your mind and soul need this same kind of extra attention. When you are overwhelmed, overstressed, or overtired—you know, those times when the faster you go the more you have to do and it seems like there is never enough time to get it all done. Your mind is racing and you feel like you are going crazy!

This is the perfect time to add TWO-A-Days to your life. Twice a day begin just sitting. If you meditate now, begin doing it twice a day. If meditation is foreign to you, just give yourself 5, 10, or 15 minutes twice a day to just sit, relax and breathe.

I realize this seems impossible when you already are stretched for time and don’t have a minute to spare. But, THIS is exactly when you need to do it the most. Giving this extra time and space to clearing your mind puts the chaos on hold and helps you gain mental and physical balance. During stressful times it also allows space for answers to come.

TWO-A-Days don’t have to be just for sports. Learn to implement this into your own life. Once you get through the stressful time you may realize all the benefits it brings into your life. Peacefulness, calm, the ability to cope, and the lessening of the physical damage stress does to your body are all benefits of this practice. You may decide giving yourself the gift of quiet twice a day is something you want to continue every day.

Pennie’s Life Lesson:

“Give yourself the gift of quiet twice a day. You deserve the peace it will bring to your life.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to understand that during the craziest times of life, you need to take care of yourself in a calm and loving way!

Please share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below . And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~       All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2015 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 please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!

THE GIFT OF TEARS

4/3/2015

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."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to not be afraid of tears- yours and other's. Understand the natural healing that occurs through the cleansing of tears!

YOUR TURN - Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below. And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2015 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!

RELAX AND ALLOW THE PROCESS OF LIFE TO OCCUR

3/20/2015

RELAX AND ALLOW THE PROCESS OF LIFE TO OCCUR

"Relax and allow the process of life to occur."

When I said that to a friend of mine I felt the intensity of her response ripple up her back forcing her to stretch upright and lean forward.

"Relax and allow life to occur? What about work, my kids, my husband? We have Little League games on the weekends, ballet practice after school, I volunteer on Wed. nights, my husband is out of town for work this week, and my in-laws arrive for a visit this Sunday. Relax? The next thing you are going to tell me is to sit with my legs crossed and just be. Are you crazy?"

I could see she was desperately trying to control the pace and rhythm of her busy life. By doing this the scope of her world was overwhelming her.

I know the symptoms of overwhelm, because I see them often and I have felt them. The symptoms are similar-- the tired, drawn look with heavy under eye circles from skimping on sleep; the extra 10 --ok, 15 lbs that are always trying to be lost, yet increase due to eating on the run; the endless checking of emails, texts, and phone calls; the continual list making of tasks and responsibilities required to get through the day and the week; and the quick defensiveness of why all of it is necessary and important causing life to be so crazy and out of control.

Sitting with legs crossed is not necessarily the answer, although the just being part is close.

This continual out-of - breath pace that life forces us to run is counter to what we are meant to do. When we are out of breath we cannot allow life to occur, let alone relax to the place of enjoyment.

Breathing is important but remember the only breath that is significant is this one; the one we are taking right now. The last one is over and the next one has yet to fill our lungs. And it won't unless we successfully inhale and exhale the current one. You see, you can't take more than one breath at a time and the only important one is the one you are breathing right now.

If you use this concept in life you will learn to slow down and experience one event at a time. View each event and experience as a breath. Just as you will begin to focus on the breath you are taking, you will also begin to concentrate on the event you are experiencing . . . not the ones on your list for tomorrow or the responsibilities you have to others. It is this breath right now, this experience right now that is important.

You may be surprised to find that you CAN relax and allow life to occur.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~
Pennie's Life Lesson-
"When you focus on the moment
you are in, you can relax and
allow life to occur."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to relax. Is your life really that stressful. Stop right now, even if only for 5 minutes and breathe.

YOUR TURN - Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below. And please feel free to email me at:
PennieHunt@gmail.com.
Thank you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013-2015 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
please email: Penniehunt@gmail.com
Thank you!

PLEASE NOTE: This page does not provide medical or legal advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Through this site and links to other sites, Pennie Hunt provides general information for inspiration, encouragement and educational purposes only. The information provided in this site, or through links to other sites, is not a substitute for legal, medical, or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call or the advice of your lawyer, physician or other healthcare provider.

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