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MIND BODY AND SOUL FOOD

9/15/2018

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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 chai 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:
 [email protected]. 
                                                Thank you!  ​
​               ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~           
​                                   All Rights Reserved
                 Copyright © 2013-2018 Pennie Hunt
         This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt.
Feel free to forward and share this post.  Please keep the entire message intact, including  contact, logo, and copyright information.
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Q-TIP IT!

8/11/2018

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Q-Tip It!

Years ago when my husband and I were dating I learned a powerful lesson.


He would occasionally say something like,
      “I need a couple of days.” 

Of course I immediately took this personally and thought something was wrong.  I would call him and stop by his house to see if he was okay, after all I must have said or done something to upset him.

 He would assure me I hadn't and that it didn't have anything to do with me or “us.” 

I soon realized he was right.  It didn't have anything to do with me.  We just have different ways of recharging.
He needs downtime.
He needs a quiet respite to rest, relax and regenerate.

For me, when I need recharging I feed on the energy of being with people.  Talking, laughing and companionship regenerates me, so of course when he would tell me he needed time to himself I felt pushed away.
I took it personally. 

How many times in life do we take things personally and the reality is that it has nothing to do with us?  Whenever a stressful situation occurs many of us default immediately to the negative.  We blame ourselves.

Let’s look at it differently.
Let go of the immediate assumption and realize it isn't always about us…it could always be something else that causes someone to be cranky, in a hurry or snap at us.  

Here is a trick to help with this self-inflicted internalization of stress.  Q-tip it!  Yes, Q-tip it!
        Quit Taking It Personally!

As a reminder, take a couple of Q-Tips and tape them to your computer, your bathroom mirror, or your car visor.  Look at them often and when something happens in life that sets off your internal blame game, remember to Q-Tip it! 

The lesson I learned from my (now) husband all those years ago has saved me from many hours of needless worry.
It isn't always about me.
And guess what, now we recharge using what works for both of us.  We recharge together, laughing, talking and in the quiet space of each other’s companionship.  
                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
       “When the stress of life sets off your  
         internal blame game, Q-tip it!
             Quit Taking It personally!”
            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to think about why things upset you... are you taking it personally when it has nothing to do with you?  

Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
 And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                        Thank you!  
                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~           
​                                   All Rights Reserved
                 Copyright © 2013-2018 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.
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RISK FOR LOVE

2/16/2018

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RISK FOR LOVE

My husband has been called a Stand-Up-Guy. 

He is grand in stature, grand in his life accomplishments, grand in his thinking and quietly grand in his giving.

He has a saying,
     “If you’re going to risk, risk for love.” 

We have many opportunities in life to risk- the stock market, gambling, new business ventures.   But let’s look at the times we risk for love.  

When you tell a potential life partner that you love them or ask them to marry you there is a chance for rejection.

We risk life as we know it when we bring a child into the world.  And once they are here we would risk anything to help them and keep them safe.

If you tell a friend you love them there is a risk of shocking them, being uncomfortable or being told you are odd.  People are not used to this kind of verbal affection. 

We risk our emotions when we adopt a pet knowing they will reach in, imprint our hearts and then leave us long before we are ready to see them go.  

When loving ourselves we are critical and question whether we are good enough or deserving of self-care and self-love.  

Even when doing acts of loving kindness there is the risk of being misunderstood or having your motives judged.  

When you love there is risk.
Love anyway.
Love loud.
Love  bold.
Love in every moment.
Love with all the breath you have in your soul.
Love until it trembles your very reason for living. 

My husband is a Stand-Up-Guy.  He lives his life in a conservative understated way.  He believes in researching, weighing all options and knowing the odds.

He rarely takes chances; however at a time when we thought our relationship was over he took the risk.  He made the phone call.  He began the conversation which led to our happy marriage.
He believes in risking for love. 
                         ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie's Life Lesson -
    “If you’re going to risk, risk for love!"
             ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pennie Heart to Heart
 RISK FOR LOVE 

 YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to fill yourself with love and if you are going to risk for anything - make it for love!  
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .  And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                              Thank you! 
​​​   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
​                                   All Rights Reserved
                 Copyright © 2013-2018 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: [email protected]
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PUT DOWN YOUR MENTAL RED PEN!

1/21/2018

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PUT DOWN YOUR 
MENTAL RED PEN!

Do you remember in school when your assignments were returned to you after the teacher made corrections with a red pen?
Those red check marks, circles and comments cut right to your heart as if a neon sign was flashing “FAILURE!” 

Could this be where we learned the concept of judging?
We have been conditioned to point out what is unacceptable, wrong or incomplete.

We all have a mental red pen that constantly searches and rates everything within our focus.

We judge others on their clothes, income, status and even the behavior of their children.
We judge restaurants by how good the food is, how clean the floor is and how immediate the service is.
We judge the weather by the temperature, the wind speed and the humidity. 

And the mental red pen does double duty when we judge ourselves.  The number on the scale is too high; there are too many gray hairs; accomplishments are not grand enough; on and on and on.  

What if we stepped back from the mental red pen?  Stop the check marks, circles and comments and adopt the phrase,

           “Isn't that interesting?” 

The next time you see a girl with blue hair, tattoos and piercings or want to thrash yourself for the two pounds you gained on vacation, step back, take a breath and say, 

            “Isn't that interesting?”

This is not saying you condone everything you see and every action you or others make.
It is just the calm acknowledgement of observation.
Not good.  Not bad. Not negative. Not hateful.  

The phrase, “Isn't that interesting?” may become a buffer between you and confrontation.  It may become a kinder frame for self-talk instead of the negative chatter we are used to hearing.  It may become a new perspective into non-judgment of others.  

The mental red pen can become the means for feedbackand not failure.  

Can you live one day without judging yourself or others?  Try it.
You will notice just how often you do engage that mental red pen of acceptability or failure.

After you complete one day, try for two, then three.  You may just step back from this exercise and say, 
            “Isn't that interesting?”
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
        "Put down your mental red pen.
        Instead of judging yourself and  
        others say,
              “Isn't that interesting.” 
               ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pennie Heart to Heart
PUT DOWN YOUR MENTAL RED PEN

YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to help all of us see our own mental red pen and to try an alternative to judging-- try observing.

​Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
                [email protected]. 
                          Thank you!  
                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
​                                   All Rights Reserved
                 Copyright © 2013-2018 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: [email protected]
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THE SPACE BETWEEN

10/27/2017

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      THE SPACE         
      BETWEEN

Have you ever thought about the space between?

The space between the thought and
​ saying it.  
The space between the idea and doing it. 
The space between the ring of a phone and saying hello.
The space between the moment of opportunity and the miss.

The space between is that sacred second of decision? That instant when you make a decision to do something – or not.

Hawaii has a phenomenon known as the Green Flash.  It is a blink-of-the-eye blaze of intense emerald green that occurs in the second that the sunsets on the horizon of the ocean.  The mystical space between day and night.
​
The Green Flash is just that – a flash that lasts a second, or maybe two.  It isn’t visible with every sunset and because of the quickness of its presence it is easy to miss.

We are given “the space between”  many times in our days and our lives.  When missed, we feel regret, remorse and sorrow.  We fear we will never have the chance again to say the words, implement the idea, pick up the phone or grasp the opportunity. 

The space between often times is not something we can predict or create again.  We don’t always get a do over, but we can hone our sense of understanding of the Green Flashes in our lives.
 Never allow closed eyes to stop you from seeing them and never allow fear to keep you from taking action.

Use the space between.
Use your sacred second to take a breath and…
Put your thoughts into words and say them out loud.
Take your idea from your mind to reality.
Answer the call.
Recognize the opportunity and jump when you see the opening.

Don’t blink in that split second when the sun sets.  Open your eyes and be ready for yourGreen Flash.
                    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
​ “Never allow closed eyes to stop you from seeing opportunities and never allow fear to keep you from taking action.”
​                 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~       

Pennie Heart to Heart
​Why I wrote:
THE SPACE BETWEEN

My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to watch for your sacred seconds of decision - don't miss a Green Flash in your life! 
YOUR TURN - 
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
                [email protected]. 
                          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: [email protected]
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TURN ON YOUR BLIND SPOT MONITOR

10/6/2017

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TURN ON YOUR BLIND SPOT MONITOR

My car has a feature called the Blind Spot Monitor. 

When turned on, this life-saving invention warns you when a vehicle is detected in your blind spot.  You know, that spot to your side and just over your shoulder that you can’t see.   When a vehicle is detected a warning light flashes in the side mirror to indicate a potentially hazardous lane change.  The light stays on until the vehicle in the blind spot is safely ahead or behind you leaving you free to change lanes.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we all had a Blind Spot Monitor?  Think about all of the things we don’t see that are hidden in our personal blind spots. You know, that spot to your side and just over your shoulder that you can’t see; OR choose not to. This spot is probably overflowing with items in three categories: actions or failures to act, tolerations and grace.

Actions or failures to act.
When was the last time you did something, even unintentionally, that caused direct or indirect pain?  This is the cause and effect syndrome.  Examples of this include: not following through on promises, telling small untruths, or arriving late to an appointment or event.  Hidden in our personal blind spot is the hurt we cause others by our broken promises, untruths, and undependability.  All of these type of actions that we either take or don’t take fall into this first category.

Tolerations. 
Yes, I may have just created a new word.  Definition ala Pennie:
   Tol-er-a-tions: the people, places,     
   circumstances or things that cause us
   to participate in the act of tolerating. 
This could very well put us on the opposite side of the scale from the first category.  We permit people to take advantage of us by breaking promises or telling lies.   We tolerate laziness, sloppy work products, and misbehavior by ourselves and others by pushing it into our blind spot and telling ourselves it isn’t a big deal.  We ignore our own health, fitness and happiness. All of these tolerations fit nicely into our blind spot.

Grace. 
This may be the saddest and most important category of all. The idea that so much love, laughter and goodness in life slips into our blind spot where we don’t appreciate them.  They become wasted grace.  Close your eyes and feel hugs from your partner, the laughter of a child, the smile from a stranger, the smell of morning coffee and the wag of your dog’s tail. Yes, I said feel because I want to intentionally stir the emotion these examples of love and grace create.  How many times does grace go unnoticed in a day and huddle in our blind spot?

Now imagine with me what life would be like if we turned on our personal Blind Spot Monitor.  It would flash a beacon in our mind to indicate a potential hazard and guide us into the lane of safety.  When we came close to not following through on a promise the beacon would spark to warn us to change course.  When we tolerated our slipping health or unhappiness the beacon would remind us that loving ourselves is a priority.  And most importantly with every act of grace we encountered the loving light would spotlight the event so we wouldn’t miss it.

Yes, I believe we all have the capacity of this personal life-saving feature.  We all have a Blind Spot Monitor. We just need to turn it on and watch for the flashing beacon.
 
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie's Life Lesson:
​ “Turn on your personal Blind Spot Monitor to enjoy all of life through  open eyes.”
                 ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Pennie Heart to Heart
The reason I wrote:​​
TURN ON YOUR
​BLIND SPOT MONITOR

​My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to be aware of all that goes on in your life...little and big.  Do not allow your blind spot to cheat you out of the wonderful moments of grace that surround you.  Turn ON your blind spot monitor!

YOUR TURN - 
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
                [email protected]. 
                          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: [email protected]
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PEACE FEELS LIKE...

10/1/2017

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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.” 
               ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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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:
                [email protected]. 
                          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: [email protected]
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THE ROAD TO TRANQUILITY

9/23/2017

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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:
                [email protected]. 
                          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: [email protected]
0 Comments

TEN YEARS

9/9/2017

7 Comments

 
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TEN YEARS 

​Sitting in my car I look up at the apartment in front of me. 
Top floor.
Center window.
Looking for answers, memories, for him.

It’s been ten years.
Ten years since my son lived there.
Ten years since he tickled me with his beard and gave me one of his giant bear hugs.
Ten years since I have heard his guitar and his voice.
Ten years since I walked past the yellow caution tape and through the door in search of a “feeling” of him.
Ten years since I packed his things into boxes.
Ten years since grief and pain invaded my body.
It’s been ten years since I wrote my son’s obituary.
 
My son was pure magic. 
He was funny, talented, caring and kind. 
He turned heads with his infatuating energy and turned hearts with his never ending love.

He died in that apartment. 
He was an addict.
 
I felt desperately alone.
Addiction is a circle of shame – for the addict and the family. 
His very inner circle of family and friends knew.
Only MY very inner circle of family and friends knew.
 
His addiction was kept private. 
No one knew he smoked pot for the first time when he was 12.
No one knew the first rehab was when he was 16.
No one knew he became addicted to an anti-anxiety drug a doctor prescribed for him.
No one knew he went to rehab the second time.
No one knew he began using prescription drugs again after having his wisdom teeth pulled and prescribed pain medication.
No one knew he went to rehab the third time.
No one knew how hard he tried to get better.
No one knew the cycle, the rollercoaster, the nightmare.

No one knew his pain or mine.
No one knew what caused his death.

The rumors, the gossip, the questions only made waiting for the autopsy more difficult.
It didn’t make sense to me, but I wanted to believe it when I read:
     CAUSE OF DEATH- Bronchopneumonia. 

I locked the rest of the report in my home safe and in the safety of my heart.  I didn’t want to say out loud that there was Methadone in his system within the normal toxic range, but it was also in the therapeutic range for treatment. 
I didn’t want to see the small amount of Diazepam (Valium) in his system.  Both prescribed to him.

I have learned that toxicology reports are only accurate if done swiftly.  If there is a delay the results are skewed.  In these cases the cause is almost always reported as- Bronchopneumonia.  My son’s autopsy was not conducted until four days after he passed. 

For most of these years I have only spoken about the details with very select people, in private settings of safety.

After ten years, it is time for me to stand in the truth.
My son was an addict.
Addiction and drugs killed him. 
 
The image of an addict as someone found lying in an alley with a needle in their arm needs to be redefined.  
Addicts are our brothers, our sisters, our parents, our best friends and our children.  They are on every level of economic status and emotional strength.  They collide with addiction in an infinite number of ways. 
 
I’ve spoken to rehab groups.
I’ve met with parents of addicts. 
I’ve held the hands of others who have lost children. 
I have quietly watched the reports of more and more dying.  More and more families struggling.  More and more people criticized, shamed and shunned for suffering from addiction.  

The struggle is real.
My son was not alone. 
His story is the story of so many others. 

We need to talk about it.  We need to build a better network of ‘immediate’ treatment and support.  We need to celebrate success and recovery in the same way we celebrate winning a battle with cancer… knowing that recurrence is possible, but support and hope never fades.

This epidemic needs to stop!
No one should have to hide behind shame and stigma when they desperately need help.

No sister should have to tattoo her brother’s memory on her wrist.
No brother should have to lose his best friend.
No Mom should have to write her child’s obituary.
No parent should have to close another casket.
 
I look up at the apartment in front of me.  Top floor.
Center window.  
Looking for answers, memories, for him.

I think of a conversation I had with my oldest son after the funeral.  
     “Mom, what will we do when it’s been
       ten years and we forget him?”
My answer was the same that day as it is today,
     “Oh, honey, ten years is a long, long
      time, but we will never forget him!”
 ​   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“No matter how long it takes to stand in your truth, step past the fear and stand in the light.” 
​         ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~

LINKS TO SPREAD AWARENESS AND HELP 

Please visit and share this link to Celebrating Lost Loved Ones.  A map to build awareness and  celebrate the magical lives lost to this epidemic:
​ http://arcg.is/2dduJah
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In memory of my J.T. 1985-2007
 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pennie Heart to Heart
The reason I wrote:​ TEN YEARS

            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
My intent in sharing this with you is to speak your truth - especially if it can help others!  

YOUR TURN - Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
                [email protected]. 
                          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: [email protected]
7 Comments

The Three Strike Rule

6/18/2017

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The Charlie Hunt
3 Strike Rule
​
My Dad had a rule of giving businesses and people three chances. 

He felt that anyone can have a day when things just don’t go right and shouldn’t be judged on one interaction or experience.  So he would allow three times to get it right. 

He wouldn’t discount a restaurant if he had a bad meal the first time he visited, or complain if a sales clerk didn’t treat him kindly, or judge a person by on misguided choice. 

He would give them a second chance. 

And a third. 

But, if on the third chance they were still inadequate or unkind he would feel confident that he gave them enough of his time to show their potential before he decided they would not be a part of his life.

My Dad passed away in 2005.  Now when I have an unpleasant experience I try to remember the Charlie Hunt 3 Strikes Rule before I immediately form an opinion. 

The second or third pitch just might be a home run!    

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
      "Don't judge on the first experience
                          or the second  
  - the third pitch just might be a home run." 
​
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to remember that everyone can have a bad day, an off moment, a slip in judgment.  What if you gave them three changes, before you judged them?

Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .  And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                                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: [email protected]
  
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THE MAN   I NEVER KNEW

6/10/2017

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     THE MAN
   I NEVER KNEW

It was the third cemetery I had walked through in less than 24 hours. While visiting the state where my grandparents lived, the passing of time lead me to where snapshots of my childhood were now tucked within the granite speckled grass.

My mind flash-danced through memories as I walked.
The laughter of my handsome uncle who I was certain I would grow up to marry, until he passed away as a result of a truck accident.
My aunt’s impish smile and her black cat-eyed glasses that were popular in the 60’s. She brought a new word into my vocabulary and world – Cancer.
My grandmother whose kind gentle hands taught me how to paint, decorate cakes and see the magical, spiritual side of life- and death.
My cousin, one year older than me, that shared my memories of homemade ice cream on our grandparent’s porch and reminded us all that life can end with one attack to the heart.
The man I called Grandad.  It was a name that fit.  He was tall, gentle, quiet and grand in the way he blended strength and kindness.  My dad was 4 when Grandad came into his life and took over the role his dad had left vacant. 

Now, on my third stop, I searched for a name that held no memories for me.  No snapshots of the past.  I searched for the man who passed away from tuberculosis when my dad was 9 months old. 

Up and down the grass I walked.  Then in the area marked by a crumbling post that once read, Section 3, I found a simple flat stone.
               Loren Franklin Hunt
                           1904-1931

I am not sure what I thought I would feel or learn from this discovery.  I am not sure if I expected a connection of heart or spirit.  I was sure that I needed to, in some way, meet the man I never knew- yet without him fathering my dad I wouldn’t be here.  I needed to feel the same love and respect for him as I did all the others I had visited in the grass that day.

I stood a long time to study his name.  I wondered what his laugh sounded like; what his smile was like; what his hands felt like as he held my newborn Dad; and I wondered  if he was as grand in his strength and kindness as the man who stepped into his shoes.

Life repeats in serendipitous ways.  When my son passed away, also at a young age, he too left a 9 month old child, my granddaughter.  I realized as I stood there why I had been driven to find the marker of a man I never knew.
It was for him.
It was for my dad.
It was for me.
It was for my son.
It was for my granddaughter.

I closed my eyes and sent a wish of hope that someday someone will care enough to search in the same way I did for the name of a man they never knew and share love and respect for his life and the generations that followed him. 

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Love doesn’t stop when you leave this life.  Send gratitude to all who came before you.” ​
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Loren Franklin Hunt 1904-1931
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to remember not only the people you knew in this life, but also the ones you didn't know. 
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .  And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                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: [email protected]

Pennie HEART to Heart
The reason I wrote this post. 

2 Comments

IT ALL COUNTS

2/18/2017

2 Comments

 
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    IT ALL COUNTS
​

I came back from my walk frustrated. 

     “I forgot to wear my pedometer, so I’m
       not getting credit for my steps!”

My husband heard my grumbling and responded with,
     “It doesn’t have to be counted by a  
       pedometer.  Your body knows and gives
       you credit for it.”

He was right.  Just because a little tech device wasn’t calculating my steps and chiming when I hit 10,000 didn’t mean it didn’t happen. 

It made me think of how this relates in so many ways to our lives. How many times do you tell yourself stories like these…

   ~ If no one sees me eat a donut then the calories don’t count…. Wrong - your body counts them.

   ~ If I am speeding it is ok as long as there isn’t a police officer in site…Wrong – accidents happen when you speed and then the police will arrive.

   ~ I don’t have to show up for school or work today, I will just study and get my project done so it doesn’t matter if I was there…Wrong – It does matter.  Other’s notice if you don’t ‘show up’ for them. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, show up!

   ~ If I think negative thoughts  it’s ok as long as I don’t say them out loud…Wrong – thinking negative thoughts is just as damaging as saying them out loud… all that negative self-talk counts.

   ~ I don’t have to tell someone I love them, they should know.  Wrong again, don’t ever miss an opportunity to tell someone you love them.  Life is precious and brief.  There will come a time when it was your last chance to tell them.
​
   ~I’m busy so I can rush by people and not take the time to acknowledge them, thank them or be kind… Wrong! Showing kindness and gratitude makes a difference.  You put out energy with every action.  By projecting kindness and gratitude you put positive energy out into the world to be felt and mirrored back to you.  What you project you can expect. It all counts!   

Every step we take, every move we make, every word we speak counts – even if no one sees us do it, hears our words or charts our progress. It counts!
 
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Every step we take, every move we make, ever word we speak counts – even if no one sees us do it, hears our words or charts our progress. It counts!”
                    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~

 My intent in sharing this with you is to help you understand that everything we do, say and think counts-- even if no one else sees or hears it.  Share your thoughts.  Share your feelings.  Make it PERSONAL! 

YOUR TURN - Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
                   [email protected]. 
                            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: [email protected]
2 Comments

THREE ABILITIES THAT DETERMINE YOUR SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS

2/3/2017

1 Comment

 
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THREE ABILITIES THAT DETERMINE YOUR SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS
​
Are you searching for the secret to happiness?

Do you wonder why other people seem to be more successful than you—even if you believe that you work harder than they do? 

It comes down to three attributes. 
Here it is 1 – 2 – 3! 

1. The ability to accept and adapt to change.

2. The ability to believe you are Good  
     Enough to  love and be loved.

3. The ability to express gratitude.

Let me break these down for you.

I learned as a little girl growing up in a military family to make friends on the playground or stand alone.  I learned that I needed to accept the changes that occurred when my father received orders that moved us to a new community and that I needed to adapt to my new environment, make friends and enjoy the new normal.

This has served me well through career changes, divorce and grief.  While others live in the Who-Moved-My-Cheese stagnation unable to accept that their life has changed and unable to adapt to the new adventures ahead of them, successful, happy people hone the ability to accept and adapt.  You may not always like the event that spurred the change, but cultivate the ability to bloom in the space you find yourself – no matter what!

We are bombarded with the message that we are Not Good Enough!  We all protect that space inside where we believe we are not thin enough, smart enough, rich enough…the list goes on and on.  The newest guilt inducers verified by the over 300,000 self-help books on the market are that we are not happy enough, healthy enough or holy enough.

Here’s the thing – WE ARE ALL GOOD ENOUGH!!  Just by the pure biological chance that we were created proves this –it is no accident!  We were all meant to be here! I can tell you this all day, but YOU must do the work on this one.  YOU have to believe right down to your inner core that YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!

It doesn't matter what trauma you had as a child or what wrongs you have committed, you must come to a place of knowing that you are Good Enough to love and be loved.  If you don’t believe it no one else will believe it of you.  Relationships, love, happiness and success will avoid you—after all you are sending off the vibe that you aren't Good Enough and don’t deserve it!

Lastly, you must express gratitude.  You will never receive more if you are not grateful for what you have.  If all you have is a pair of shoes and a burger to eat, be grateful for that! Be grateful for every step, every breath, and every moment you are given and for all that your life is filled with.

Don’t just say, “Thank you,”  feel gratitude with every cell of your body.  Tell others why you are thankful for them.  Write thank you notes, make phone calls, journal, pray, sing, dance – whatever moves you to a loving place, do it!

You cannot hold on to a negative like hurt, anger or fear when you are filled with gratitude.  Practice the ability to express gratitude until it becomes your DNA. 
                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pennie's Life Lesson:
“To be happy and successful cultivate these three attributes:
The Ability to accept and adapt to change; The Ability to believe you are Good Enough to love and be loved;
The Ability to express gratitude.”
                                            ~ Pennie Hunt 

                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~
 My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to practice these three attributes until they become part of your daily living! Monitor how this positively affects your life! 

YOUR TURN - Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
                   [email protected]. 
                            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: [email protected]
1 Comment

MEDITATION SAVED MY LIFE!

1/20/2017

0 Comments

 
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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:
 [email protected]. 
                                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: [email protected]
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THE WALK

1/6/2017

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THE WALK

I began this year with a walk.
I had walked around this lake many times, but this time was different.
It was cold. The wind raw.
Not my typical walking weather. 
I bundle up in layers of protection and begin. 

A wind gust stings my face and I think of January of 2016 when my dog, Yogee, passed.  Like the wind, the memory stings my heart.  I draw my scarf tighter around my neck and dig deeper to pull warm memories of her around me.  Happy memories of her.

I turn a corner and remember March, when a new joy filled my heart. I named this fur child, Gracie.  I smile at the way she has added love, energy and, yes, Grace to my life.

A sequence of three planes fly over me.  I look at them remembering all of the flights I have been on, the trips I have taken, and the adventures I have enjoyed in life.

Couples walk by and I think of the paths I have walked.  Sometimes with a partner holding my hand keeping me stable, safe and secure.  Sometimes alone struggling to see the road ahead.  Equally teaching me and taking me to my next destination in life.

Cars rush by on one side of the lake and I feel the rush of my life.  How I have pushed through spaces in such a hurry to move on… missing the little things, the important things, the meaning of things.

I hear a squeal and turn to see children running across the frozen lake, their dog chasing them in a game of frozen slip and slide.  I reach for my heart fearing the thickness of the ice may not be strong enough to hold them.  Then I see myself, ice skates on racing across the ice, circling my brother as he ice fishes and my dog running close behind.  I feel the pain of the times I fell, laughed and bounced back up. 
When did I grow up?
When did I become afraid? 
When did I learn fear?  
When did I stop enjoying the game?

Halfway around the lake the bitter wind makes me want to turn back.  The distance ahead is shorter.  I’ve seen what is behind me.  My only choice is forward. 

And then I stop.
The sun is reflecting off the lake and shining in my eyes.  The frozen water dances like glitter and warms me.  I close my eyes and remember my times being at the ocean, watching the sun shimmer across the waves.  To me each sparkle from the reflection is a person who was here and gone….jumping and shouting at me,
“love this time, enjoy this life and even though you can’t see us we are still here!”
I feel them with me as I push forward.

Coming to the end of my circle I reach a bridge. Stepping on its wooden frame I see the bridges I have crossed when life gave me no other choice than to jump the gap below.  I see the bridges I have burned and the ones that have burned me. I am silently thankful for being brave enough to cross all of them.
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Running down the slope of the last hill the walk goes faster, the memories flash quicker, time speeds by.  I think of things I have done that I wish I could undo.  Things I have said that I wish I could take back.  I think of things I have accomplished and people I have helped and my heart hopes that my honorable actions outweigh my wrong doings.

January 1st is no different than December 31st or any other day. Sunrise to sunrise the days blur. 
The years pass.
The walk continues.
It isn’t the turning of the calendar page – its memories that turn time. It’s how we loved and how we were loved. It’s the hearts that met ours to create the scenery in our journey.

Geese fly over sounding their horns of celebration.  Celebration of joy, of love, of life.

I began this year with a walk.
t was cold. The wind raw.
I bundle up in layers of protection and continue. 

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Be grateful for this walk you take through life.  Enjoy every fall, every bridge, and every step.” 
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to experience this walk we take through life.  Be grateful for all the paths, the falls and the steps forward.
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                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: [email protected]
0 Comments

WHAT DO YOU DO?

10/15/2016

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       WHAT DO
        YOU DO?

We are all so tied to that question.  It is in the top three questions we ask when we meet someone new.
It is stamped on our business cards, on our income tax form and in our hearts. 

Executive Director, Counselor, Teacher, or Plumber – it doesn’t matter what you label it with- it probably isn’t accurate.
When I left my position as “Executive Director,” I struggled with a new label, a new title and a new identity.

It took me some time to transition, but after careful thought I came up with my new response. When I was asked that ever popular question, I began proudly stating,

      “I am a Speaker and an Author.”

That was followed with the question,

      “What do you speak and write about?”

I realized that calling myself a speaker and author was not an accurate description of what my life mission is.

I have stood in front of people all over the country speaking for years.
I have arranged words in creative ways beginning with writing my first story, “The Purple Easter Bunny,” in 2nd grade. 

But why do I do this? What impact does it have on others?

Now I answer that question in a totally different way.  A way that lays out my life mission in eleven words.

     “I Teach People How to
       Love Their Life –
       NO MATTER WHAT!” 

That gets right to the heart of it and begins a conversation that has depth and touches hearts.  Everyone wants to learn how to do this and immediately asks me for more information.
I do it through sharing my life stories, my life lessons and yes, of course, through speaking and writing.
But my mission in life is to help others Love Their Lives. That’s it…. Short, simple and to the point.

The labels and titles we stamp on our business cards are more of an importance booster for our egos.  They don’t really say who we are or what we do.

How can you say what you do in a way people understand?
How can you share your life mission in a way that touches hearts? 

An Executive Director – Leads people to fulfilling their goals.

A Counselor – Creates a space for others to learn about themselves.

A Teacher – Opens the minds of others to new experiences.

A Plumber – Is a Problem Solver

An Artists doesn’t just paint, sculpt or draw—they capture emotion in a way that activates emotion in others.

There are so many ways of saying what you do without the textbook titles we have been trained to respond with. The title is of little importance.  It is the reason you do it – the“why” of what you do that matters. 

The next time someone asks you, “What do you do?”  What will you say?
            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Say what you do in a way that touches hearts and states YOUR heart’s mission.” 
             ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to think about what YOU do and how you express that to others.  

***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:
 [email protected]. 
                                                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: [email protected]
0 Comments

MAGNIFICENT MOMENT OF THE DAY 

9/24/2016

0 Comments

 
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​MAGNIFICENT MOMENT
OF THE DAY 

What was your golden moment of the day?

That moment when just for an instant life is quiet and the spectacular happens.
Can you think of one?

Magnificent Moments occur all the time -- right in front of us. They happen when we least expect it in soft miniature ways and grand glorious ways. They happen as bold aggressive attention grabbers and as mystical whispers.   

It may be the unexpected bonus at work; the call from a friend you haven’t heard from in months; or the crisp perfume of morning as you water your garden in the early hours of dawn. 

It may be the breath of a baby as they lay sleeping on your shoulder; the excitement of your dog’s greeting  when you walk in the door; or the sun as it ripples diamonds across the ocean.  

You see, Magnificent Moments are everywhere and given to everyone.  When we are children we live in the time and space of Magnificent Moments where everything seems magical.

As we age we are blinded by commitments and responsibilities.  We hurry through time and space tripping and stumbling right over the magic.  

Begin watching for your Magnificent Moment of the day.  Catch that one moment when magic moves you to a place of still; a place of awe; a place of wonder.

When spectacular happens stop to breathe it in.  Savor it and at the end of the day remember how delicious it tasted.  

When you are on the lookout you will begin to notice that you are surrounded by golden moments. 

The challenge will become choosing the one that is the most magnificent!
                  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
          “Be aware of and grateful                  
                    for Magnificent Moments.”
                  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~                             
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to pay attention to the Magnificent Moments that happen in your life every day.... and experience the joy they bring you! 
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
 And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                           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: [email protected]
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BURIAL GROUND

9/10/2016

2 Comments

 
Picture
Burial Ground 

While going through old photos I found one of myself from several years ago.

​I saw the familiar outward smile for the experience of the moment, but it was the inward sadness spilling from my eyes that colored the photo with memories. 

I can read people well and always sense sadness by their eyes and in their smile.  I naively thought I was gifted in covering my own inner feelings from others.

This photo, this smile was all too clear to me.  My face was the cover of a book that held the story of a mother's despair. My smile forced, my face swollen from the pressure of holding grief. 

The photo, taken two years after my son passed was validation of the wear my pain had caused. The physical reaction to heart break.
I have searched the photo for days, re-feeling the moments after his passing....from the phone call until now years later. I've tried to grasp the transition of feelings over time.  

I have become a Burial Ground.  
We all have endured the loss of a loved one. I have experienced many, so I say this from understanding and comparison. A mother’s grief for a child is different.  We accept the gift of creating a life within our bodies, nurturing that life and bringing it forward to re-gift to the world.

We endure the shock, the pain, and the irreversible moment of having that life ripped from us.  We are mothers willing to carry any weight we must in protection and honor of our child. We plan the service, pick the flowers and stand over a casket.  We remember the smell of the soft spot on the back of their neck and the smell of the funeral home.

For many, the burial ground is a memory of freshly piled dirt that covers our child in a brown dust of isolation. Over time grass will become the green blanket that forms a backdrop for repeated splashes of colorful flowers, creating moments of beauty, while the pain remains very alive buried underneath. 

In the same way our mother bodies become a burial ground.

For years the pain shows on our faces.  Slowly we learn how to live in a new way.  Even as more time passes, as the smiles become more genuine, the eyes will always be the lenses into our eternal pain.

Our outward lives experience splashes of joy and moments of happiness, while our hearts never recover from the pain buried inside.  Hidden beneath, our child is held tightly protected in our broken hearts. We become a living, walking, breathing burial ground guarding the life that will forever remain cradled inside of us.

I scanned through more and more photos of myself and watched as the swelling receded from my face. The smile began to sparkle. Joy returned. 

Looking deeply though, I see it, the way I have always seen it in other grieving moms.  I see it in myself. Concentrating on my eyes I realize they have become my determined gatekeepers for my internal burial ground.     
                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie's Life Lesson:
     “When you look deeply into eyes,
​              you will see the pain of the past.”  
                      ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to notice the pain carried secretly inside....in you and in others.  
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
 And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                                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: [email protected]
2 Comments

THE LOST DAY

9/3/2016

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Picture
THE LOST DAY

I lost my day.
It began in the normal way.
Alarm.
Glass of water.
Cup of coffee.
Work out.
​Shower. 
Then... I lost it.
 
My day became an endless loop of wondering what I should do.  Not wanting to do anything.  Feeling disappointed in myself that I wasn’t accomplishing, achieving or making an impact, I walked from window to window looking out at the world feeling lost.  I didn’t have a plan for the day.  I was uneasy.  Restless.  Uncertain. And then, it was over.
I lost my day.

Now, holding a brand new day in my grasp and enjoying all that comes with it I look back on that day and realize I occasionally experience what I call A Lost Day.
A day lost in time that I wasted.  I’m not talking about a day spent reading or relaxing, which I find necessary to rejuvenate both mind and soul and is far from wasted.  A Lost Day is spent spinning and twirling in indecision.  Not being able to focus on a desire.

In my self-analyzation I uncovered this…
I was raised in a military family where it was ingrained in my DNA to work hard, accomplish and achieve. I often times find myself at the end of a day spewing a list of "completion".  From laundry to writing I do a mental review of what I did to add value during the day. Could it be possible if I don’t “do” I must not be of value?

Our minds are funny little puzzles consisting of pieces created at birth with more picked up as we journey through life. We maneuver the unchangeable ones to create a frame.  All other misshaped pieces are turned and tried until they fit together to create the picture of our lives.
Over time we may crinkle and bend a piece or two and might even lose one, but the frame remains the landing pad.  The secret code of our belief system’s DNA.

Here is the thing… although I was raised with the core value of hard work and accomplishment I was never taught that without doing that I was not of value.  That became one of the internal puzzle pieces that my mind created and connected to another piece as I built my life.  So of course when I have a day of spinning in indecision I feel useless and wasteful.  I experience the frustration of a Lost Day. 

The next time I experience a Lost Day I will at least understand what is happening.  I will try to lean into it with the knowing of why and the understanding of my emotions. 
 
As I write this, I sit in self-satisfaction for solving the puzzle.  Finding the piece that skews my life picture.
Today I accomplished!
I achieved!
I made an impact – if only on my own life.
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Pay attention to the puzzle pieces that create the picture of your life. Don’t force pieces to fit that don’t belong.”
               ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to think about the puzzle pieces you have allowed into the frame of your life.  How have you included negative, unhealthy ones to guide your feelings and emotions?  
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
 And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                                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: [email protected]
0 Comments

DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT LOVE?

8/26/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
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:
 [email protected]. 
                                                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: [email protected]
0 Comments

HAFTA

8/19/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
     HAFTA! 

I woke up this morning already overwhelmed.
​
Before my eyes opened I was overwhelmed.

Before my feet even hit the floor I was overwhelmed.  

      “There is so much I HAFTA do!”

My mind was already talking to me before I had time to shuffle to the coffee maker.  

I HAFTA do laundry. 
I HAFTA write a blog.
I HAFTA create my notes for a presentation next week.
I HAFTA hunt and gather, (my term for my not-so-favorite job of grocery shopping).
I HAFTA, I HAFTA, I HAFTA!   The list went on and on. 

Feeling a bit less than enthusiastic to do any of it, suddenly the bubble over my head filled with… 

“I don’t HAFTA do anything!”  I really don’t!

I decided that word should be banished from my vocabulary.  I also decided to evict the words must, should,required, and for the bonus – I threw in gotta and oughtta!

The reality is what in life do we really HAFTA do?

I had clean clothes to wear today so I didn’t HAFTA do laundry.

I wonder if I skipped a blog one week if anyone would actually notice and send me a ‘where is it’ message.

I know I could stand up and give my presentation next week without any notes.

And, I wouldn’t starve if I didn’t hunt and gather today.

Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to feel like we are obligated to do…do…DO? 

I realize we all have responsibilities in life and I am not saying we drop all common sense.  I am saying we might be happier and healthier if we added common sense to our HAFTA list.

Once we get through the one or two things that are the necessary responsibilities and look further down the list, what if we measured them by whether they feed our soul or drain our energy.  Whether they add joy or create chaos.  Whether they lift our spirit or burden our soul. 

What if we threw away our HAFTA lists and we began labeling tasks with the expressions of : like to; love to; want to; desire; crave; and even optional? 

I realized that by taking away the forced implication of feeling like I “HAFTA” complete certain tasks and changing the mindset to a joyful desire of accomplishment that is totally optional, the overwhelm I felt went away. 

Once my second cup of coffee set in I realized I like the tumbling hum of the dryer as it calms me to a place of feeling nestled and at home

I love to write—that is why I am either writing or thinking about writing all the time.

Sharing my message with people is my mission and making notes helps me feel prepared to give all I can to the people who come to hear me speak.

And after eating half of a very over ripe banana with my coffee, the vision of crackly fresh apples, baking banana bread and craving the smell of a simmering pot of vegetable soup made even the hunting and gathering outing seem desirable.  

When I released the HAFTA pressure from my mind and turned most of my day into optional thinking I still accomplished just as much…and enjoyed the process!

Now with the smells of bread and soup swirling through my heart and home and my writing almost complete, I feel joyful, my soul has been fed and my spirit lifted to a higher space than when I woke this morning.  

I don’t HAFTA feel overwhelmed. 

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
 “Change your mindset from a must do list to a want to list  - then feel the stress and pressure in your life lighten.” 
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

YOUR TURN... 
My intent in sharing this with you is to help you differentiate between what is a must and what isn't and to change the mind set of what you 'hafta' do into something you love to do.
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
And please feel free to email me  at: [email protected]. 
                         Thank you!  
                 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
0 Comments

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

8/13/2016

3 Comments

 
Picture
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE


It seemed like a giant step to the front platform of the church.

When the piano began playing it was our cue to begin singing.  Each time we visited our grandmother who lived states away, my brother, sister and I sang, This Little Light of Mine, at the Hurricane Baptist Church.

When we sang my body swayed back and forth – mostly from nerves.  My eyes linked to the glowing face of my grandmother. Her smile encouraged me to sing loud and strong. I loved her and would do anything to make her proud and happy – even overcome the fear I felt standing on a huge stage in front of a crowd to sing the same lyrics year after year. 

Not long ago I was back in the Hurricane Baptist Church.  As I stood in the pew looking at the one small step to the front platform I realized the passing of time had shrunk the size and scale of the space I stood in as a little girl.

Decades of events skipped through my mind. This was the church where my parents were married. This was the church where I cried at funerals.  And this was the church where I learned the song that I could hear as it circled my memory now.  

Occasionally, a life lesson is a long time in the learning.  Standing in that pew I realized the lesson my grandmother was very intentionally teaching.  We could have sung a different song every year, but it was always THAT song.  She wanted us to sing it over and over again until we understood the meaning. 

We all have our own unique spirit inside; a one of a kind light that needs to shine.  We must bravely allow our individual personality, our talent and our joy to be seen and shared.  We must have the courage to stand up in front of others and hold up our light.  And, never allow anyone to smother it.  What a bold and bright lesson in one little song. 

This church was my grandmother’s space; a home where she felt love and joy.  This is where HER light shinned. This is where I followed her encouragement and love to take that giant step as a little girl.  This is where I held up my little light and allowed it to shine boldly, brightly and bravely. This is where I now understood the power of my spirit and the importance of bringing it out into the open space for others to see.

Yes, this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

Pennie’s Life Lesson: “Allow your light to shine boldly, brightly and bravely…only then will you know the power of your  spirit.”   
                    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~                               
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to shine the inner spirit of who you are to the rest of the world.  It is in this light you will find fulfillment and happiness.  How do you let your light shine? 
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
 And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                                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: [email protected]
3 Comments

THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS

5/27/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS 
​
It happened in Kmart.

It was one of those moments that I can never reproduce, but I will remember it forever as an opening point-- A moment that opened my heart, my understanding and my eyes to the power of forgiveness. 

      “I blame you for nothing, I    
       forgive you everything and I 
        will always love you.” 

He looked shocked, confused and stunned as he stopped to look at me.
      “What?” 
I repeated with a little more importance on always, 
      “I blame you for nothing, I
      forgive you everything and I 
        will always love you.”

This time the face of my grown child turned to a delicious mixture of relief, acceptance and love.  He dropped the bundle of socks, toiletries and food that he was holding in his arms into the shopping cart.
The hug was long, the tears honest and the meaning understood. 

This is how forgiveness works. 

I can easily forgive others for cutting in front of me in line, taking the parking spot I was clearly heading toward or for a snapping comment that I seem to be on the receiving end of.

I assume they are having a difficult day.  You never know what the bubble over their head is holding, what is going on in their life, or what hurt they carry.  

I am happy to report that I have successfully accomplished forgiveness with most people and circumstances in my life.

The disclaimer here is that I am a soul in progress.
My humanness allows for human emotions.
I have tried countless forgiveness methods, such as: 

 The Bury and Forget It Method;

The  If I Don’t Talk About It, It Didn't Happen Method; 

And the popular

 This Person Doesn't Deserve Forgiveness, So I Am Going  To Lock Them In A Box, Put Them On A Shelf To Occasionally Take Down And Kick Them Method. 

Forgiveness is a life lesson I continually attempt to perfect. 

The forgiveness challenge for me has been with those who have harpooned my heart in a penetrating way.  When I helped someone, cared for them and trusted them to hold my heart in friendship or love, only to have them rip it from my chest, pierce it and then hand it back to me.
Is the expectation that I won’t feel the scar?

Even more difficult is when a perceived injustice is done to someone I love. 
Is the expectation that I watch with no malice felt toward the offender?   

That day in the shopping isle the answer became a clear,YES. 

I came to understand that when you forgive, relief, acceptance and love become a two-way effort.  My heart no longer carried the heavy weight of anger, betrayal and disappointment.
I no longer had to continue the painful circle of picking the scab to feel it bleed and begin to heal, only to begin the picking again.

When I felt the relief in me that day, the lightening of my spirit, and the release of the burden of carrying all those negative emotions, I realized that forgiving is a gift to myself.  I emptied my heart of the dirty work of bitter resentment and opened more space for love.

When he heard my words and dropped his bundle into the shopping cart he also dropped his fear, shame and regrets and opened more space in his heart to love and be loved. 

By forgiving,  I am not condoning, excusing or pardoning another’s actions.  I am not saying that in every circumstance I will forget or remove all awareness of the offense in an effort to reconcile a relationship.  Some relationships are best left as a lesson in our past.  

I am suggesting we begin looking at things differently and open our vision to see that blaming, resenting and revenge do more harm to ourselves than to others.
We are all learning from our humanness.
We all make mistakes.
We all feel shame.
We all inflict hurt.
None of us can say we haven’t wronged another.  

 It’s time we start seeing the power of forgiveness.

Pennie’s Life Lesson: 
“Forgiveness is a gift that opens more space for love – in you and others.”
        ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to forgive. Let go of past hurts.  Forgive others AND forgive yourself!   
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .
And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                     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: [email protected]
0 Comments

    Author

    There is a certain magic about where I live both physically and spiritually – on the crossroads of Spirit and Brave. 

    It seems appropriate that my writings be found under the sign that locates my life.  I wish for all of you the ability to live in your Spirit to experience a life filled with love and gratitude and be Brave in the learning of your life lessons. 

    Enjoy!
            Pennie

     

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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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 Copyright © 2012- 2024  Pennie Hunt -  All Rights Reserved
Photographs by Pennie Hunt and Materpiecebysarah.com 

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