When was the first time you felt like you belonged somewhere? Does the memory push you all the way back to your childhood? Your family? Elementary school?
When was the last time you felt like you didn’t belong? Was it recent? Were you embarrassed? Sad? Lonely? Afraid?

Are you part of a group, a team, a school, a club, a crew, a tribe, a family, a religion, a generation or a community? Of course you are. We are all affiliated in some way to a collection of others with a common interest or bond. Humans have a need for inclusion and connection. We fear and avoid isolation. So we join. We conform. We wear the uniform. We know the handshake, the secret knock on the door and the private password.
 
We are taught to mirror the actions and mannerisms of another person so they accept us as a reflection of themselves. We want acceptance and approval. We want to fit in. It is why as a teenager you may have tasted your first beer when you were at a party with friends. You probably hated it but kept sipping it until the taste was tolerable. You felt like you belonged. You felt like you were part of the cool kids. 
 
We mimic the actions of others because we don’t feel worthy to be accepted and included unless we do. We adapt and accept the expectations that the group has for us to be a member. 

Some of this is necessary. In kindergarten we learned how to stand in line, raise our hand, wait our turn and share in order to function in a space of civility and kindness. As we grew, we learned the basics of polite and compassionate living to be accepted as a member of our human society. 
 
For many people the need to belong is an instinct - a requirement for human survival. It can push us to act in ways that feel uncomfortable or are out of character. When we bend and mold ourselves to be such a contorted version of who we are that we don’t recognize our own reflection in the mirror, it becomes a problem. 

What if we could be ourselves? Our crazy, goofy, wild authentic self? 
What if we looked at each other not with our eyes, but with our hearts? Can you drop the expectation you hold for yourself and others and be open to the exploration of who YOU are… of who THEY are? 
 
Stand in your own light and learn to accept yourself. Find the people who will see YOU and love YOU. You may lose some people from your life who only liked you for who you were pretending to be. But when you step into your light and let yourself free to be who you really are, you will attract the people who should be standing with you. You will attract the people that love and adore the real you. You won’t have to work so hard to fit in. You will finally feel like you belong in a way you never have before.  
 
Pennie’s Life Lesson: When you allow yourself to be the authentic person you really are, you will attract the people you are meant to be with.

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 © 2013-2022 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. ​

​EMOTIONAL BENEFITS

We are all on a search for "Emotional Benefits."
We all freely give
"I love you's" with the expectation that we will receive an I love you in return.    

Everything we do, say, act on or experience is with the expectation of making us feel good, feel happy, feel important or feel loved.

Our need to connect and belong is a driver in life.  Emotional benefit is attached.

Why do you think our world is so dependent on the buzzing of our cell phones? Because with every vibrational Tweet, every chiming phone call and every new friend request on Facebook we feel loved, needed, and wanted. We act with our heart and grab the phone!
Emotional benefit is attached. 

Unfortunately, we do very little in life without the expectation of reciprocity. We have learned this mutual give and take expectation throughout our life.

If I pick you for the volley ball team, Iexpect you will pick me next time.
If I invite you to lunch, I expect you to invite me to lunch.
If I FRIEND you on Facebook, I expect you to Friend me.
If I tell you I love you, I expect you to tell me you love me.
We expect this mutual exchange.
Emotional benefit is attached.

Imagine if we took the expectation out of the equation. Imagine if we friended, liked and loved just for the joy of friending, liking and loving.

Imagine joyfully giving without the expectation of an obligatory comparable response. 

I believe the real law of reciprocity should be based on our intent. 
If your intent is ~ 
     I will do this in order to receive that in           return -- then you are living your life in           a self-centered way. 

If your intent is ~
     I will do this with no expectation of                 return --  then you are living your life in           an other-centered way. 

You are making more deposits in the bank of emotional benefits than you expect to withdraw. 

Then the magic happens.
By changing the expectation of reciprocity, the Emotional Benefit we give to others will increase. The conditions of the game will be removed. Your own Emotional Benefit account will begin to overflow.

It will become clear that by acting with our heart in an other-centered way the search for our own Emotional Benefits will begin and end with making others feel good, happy, important and loved.
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~
Pennie's Life Lesson:
        “Unconditionally give and love
          for the joy of giving and loving.”  
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

      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.”
​                 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~       

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:
                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

WHAT I LEARNED IN A DARK MOVIE THEATER

I bought one ticket.
I bought the large popcorn and drink combo.
I sat in the last row.  Middle seat.
I had never done this before.

There is something about seeing movies in a theater.  The big screen mesmerizes me.  The sound swallows me.  The popcorn tastes like it could be the last gourmet meal of my life – to me it’s that good. I love going to a movie theater, but I had never in my life gone alone.

There was a movie I wanted to see. The timing wasn’t right, no one wanted to see it with me, so I thought I would have to wait until it was out as a rental.

The movie chased around in my thoughts.  It was about someone who had lost a child.  Of course that is what drew me to it.  The common thread.  The curiosity.  I wondered if the movie would portray my thoughts and feelings.  I wondered if I would learn something I didn’t know about grief. 
It followed me around pulling my heart along, not allowing me to push it away.  I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to see the movie.

Driving an hour to the shopping area, my whole body smiled.  The entire day was mine. A day of “me” time.
After a little shopping and lunch at my favorite place, the movie flashed in my mind.  I quickly looked on my phone.  It was playing at a budget theater nearby and I had just enough time to make it there. 
But…I had never done this before -- gone to a movie alone. 
Is that weird?
Is it weird that I am kind of afraid to do this? Is it strange that this movie has such a grasp on me, constantly taking space in my thoughts?
My fear played ping pong with the movie. 
The movie won. 

The back row wasn’t bad.  It felt safe.  No one could see me – or the giant bucket of popcorn I balanced on my lap.  At 1:00 in the afternoon on a weekday there were 6 other people there to share my theater.  None of them came alone.  Except me.

I shut off my phone.  Two hours went quickly.  The movie was amazing. 
I cried.  I hurt.  At times I wanted to shout at the screen. There were moments I wanted to pray.
I understood why I needed to see the movie.  The message was for me.
I sat in my seat until the last credit rolled, the lights were bright and the workers came in to clean up any abandoned popcorn buckets.

A few things became very clear.
It was clear to me that I would not have received the message the movie brought to me if I hadn’t listened to my heart pushing me to see it.

It was clear to me that although going to a movie alone may seem like a silly fear to some, it was real to me.  Walking into that theater was empowering. 
It was clear I had missed opportunities in my life when I allowed fear to win.

It was clear to me that I did need to see the movie.  I needed to see it alone.  I needed to be able to cry alone.  I needed to absorb the meaning of the movie’s message --alone.

Life is magical how it manipulates us, bringing us messages we need to hear, putting us in places we need to be, pushing us to do things that we are afraid to do. 
All of it done with the intent of giving us clarity. 

And yes, I ate the entire bucket of popcorn….

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Listen when life is pulling, pushing and prodding you to do something that stirs fear.  Until you walk into it, you will never fully gain understanding, clarity and strength.”

YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to walk into your fear.  Don't allow it to keep you from the clarity it brings. 

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 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.

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:
 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 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:
 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?

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

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:
 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

Always Use The Microphone! 

After several days on the road presenting at speaking engagements I took a day, as I always do, to write follow up emails and review what went well and what needs to be tweaked.

When I speak, I hand out forms to attendees who want to be added to my newsletter list and ask for comments about my presentation.

I was feeling great, as all the remarks were positive and reinforced why I love to share my message. 

Then I came across one that stopped me.  It wasn't negative.  It was just a simple statement. 
            “Talk louder.” 

Yes, simple.  To the point. No elaboration. 
Just, 
            “Talk louder.”

This didn't cause me to pause because I was hurt by it or took it as a criticism in any way.  It stopped me on a much deeper level.  

This event had been a group of about 50 people.  There was a microphone available, but I felt I would be able to talk loud enough without it.
I critique my own success by three things: 

    ~ The reaction during my presentation- typically tears, laughter and always dancing at the end;

    ~ The hearts that I touch causing people to come up to  talk to me afterwards – typically with tears, laughter and at times still dancing;
And
    ~The remarks on the evaluation forms.

By all counts this presentation went well, but obviously this attendee had difficulty hearing.

I believe whether my message touches 1,2,3, or 500 in an audience – it touches the ones who need to hear it the most.  I want everyone to have the opportunity to hear it. 

For me, the suggestion went deeper than that. 

My mission in being a writer and a speaker is:  To help people.
My goal is:  To teach people how to love their life – No Matter What!

I believe I have important messages that not only help people understand why they need to love their life, but give techniques of how to do it. 

If I believe this, (and I do), I need to “Talk Louder!”

I am grateful to the person who shared this with me and for the lesson it taught me.  I need to reach as many people with my message as possible.

If I’m going to stand up, step up and speak up, I need toALWAYS use the microphone! 

What message are you whispering? 
What message do you believe can help others? 
It doesn't matter if you are speaking to one or a room filled with thousands, if one person can’t hear you – the microphone isn't on, the message isn't heard – you need to be brave enough to TALK LOUDER! 

Pennie’s Life Lesson: “When you have a message you believe in-- stand up, step up and speak up. Make sure everyone hears you. Talk Louder!”
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN... 
My intent in sharing this with you is to help you find your voice and speak the message inside of you.  TALK LOUDER!
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 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:
 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 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 your Green 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.”

​                 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~                  YOUR TURN...         
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! 

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

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
​
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

THE SLED
It held my children, grandchildren, cousins, neighbors and dogs. It has been a rocket sliding down a hill, a snow wagon and a photo prop.
 
It caused laughter, delight and joy.  It caused fights, bruises and tears.

I am not even sure if I remember the day it arrived in our home.  Most likely it was delivered in a sleigh by a man in a red suit.  I do know the sled has been around for decades. 

I ran across it in my garage propped in a corner.  The runners once bright and shiny red looked rusty.  The wood worn, the original twine colored rope long ago replaced by a red version.

With the outside temperature too cold to turn on the garden hose, I did the next best thing – I brought it in the house.
I gave it a shower.
Leaning it against the tile I took the shower sprayer down and began cleaning off the years of neglect. 
​
As the cobwebs ran down the drain I saw my children – dressed in snow suites, hats, mittens and boots.  Hardly able to move due to the layers of protection. The only skin showing was their faces with the glow of their cold blushed cheeks. 

The water poured brown and dirty as years of memories flashed through. 
The year it was taken to the lake while the men ice fished and the kids would take turns having sled rides across the frozen water.

The hill that seemed Alpine-big and served as the daredevil challenge for those days when the sled was ridden until little fingers were frozen and the draw of a warm bath and hot chocolate waiting at home became strong enough to end the fun.

The year my brother’s St. Bernard pulled the sled filled with squealing kids across Grandma’s yard.

Drying the sled off, I rubbed the runners to polish every inch while memories continued to reach every corner of my heart.

The way I felt as I watched my three most important loves, hearing their squeals of delight as I held my breath hoping they would reach the edge of the snow safely.

The way I ran to them when an unseen rock would derail their speed causing a tumble, a spill and tears.

The arguments over who would get the next turn.

Tying greenery and a plaid bow around the wooden slats, I remembered…
The day my daughter perched her babies on it to snap the perfect holiday  card photo.

The Sled.
​​Now instead of the dirty corner of the garage, it stands in a place of honor next to my antique sewing machine surround by twinkling lights.
The red and green bow a crown of appreciation for work well done.

I walk by it and see those chubby snow kissed faces.
I hear the squeals of joy.
I think of how my children are grown and their children are taller than me.
I wonder how time has slid by so quickly --
year by year,
snow by melting snow,
and one quick ride down the hill at a time.
             ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Pay attention to the little things in life
​     – they slip and slide by quickly.” 

YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to think about the special memories in your life...what object spurs them?
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!
                    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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!
                    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

OPENHEARTED

For many of us winter is long, cold and isolating.

This kind of cold makes us hunker down in our homes curled tightly in a “protect me” position.  

It is human nature during any type of cold to do this.  Weather, anger, rejection, betrayal, grief, fear all create feelings of cold and isolation.

The tight “protect me” pose closes our body posture in a way that tightens around our heart secluding it from others. 

When the end of winter is in sight and the journey through life challenges comes to a close we see the sun fill our lives once again.

As the warmth rejuvenates us, we stand up taller in a happier stance.  This strengthens and stretches our lives in a more openhearted way allowing love to flow through freely.

This openheartedness creates a glow that not only warms us, but everyone we interact with.

By pulling back the layers that protected us from the cold, like Superman pulling back his shirt, we reveal our heart and come alive once again.

Pay attention to how and when you fold into “protect me” position.

Pay attention to how and when you break free of your cocoon to spread your butterfly wings for all to see.

There is a time for both.
Power comes with knowing when to curl and when to fly. 
             ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“There is a time for both the caterpillar’s cocoon of safety and the freedom of butterfly wings.  Recognize when it is time to be safe and when it is time to fly.” 
            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                                    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
​
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!

LET ME LIVE UNTIL I DIE

The taxi ride was uncomfortable.  Heat pushed on my chest. From the driver’s window the dry wind blew in my face with relentless force.  The driver, looking at me in his rear view mirror, asked me why I was in town and what I do for a living.
I quickly gave him my elevator speech.  Struggling to send my words through the hot wind I ended with,
​
 "I teach people how to Love Their Life-
           NO MATTER WHAT!"

As I delivered the words to him, the smell of smoke from the last passenger filled my nose, a crack in the vinyl seat pushed through my jeans and I realized the situation tested my own mantra.
I wasn't loving my life right now!

He became extremely interested and told me how his aging mom was very unhappy.
Then he hit me with the question that turned the heat of the day into a quiet background of minor distraction.

       "Can YOU teach my mom how to
          live until she dies?"

Could I?
Could I teach myself that?
What would it take to REALLY live every day I have?
How could I age into the person I hope to be at 80, 85, 90 and beyond?
How could "I" live ... really live until I die?
 
I created a wish list... a request....a prayer...
 
     LET ME LIVE UNTIL I DIE

Please let me age with grace and primp with glory.  Let me move with ease, bend to my toes and reach for the sky. Let me wear shiny lipstick and curl my hair. Let my nails be manicured and my eyes shine. Let me wear colorful dresses that swirl when I walk and red high heels that click as I step. 

Please let me be hold a fearless spirit and see adventure as rejuvenating.  Let me be the one who wants to skydive at 80 and ride a Harley at 90. Let me feel the wind of possibility twirl around me never allowing the words, "I can't" to cross my determination.

Please let me giggle in girlish delight and blush when I flirt. Let me dance with boys at 90 and dance alone in the kitchen.  Let me drop tears from happiness and lift spirits with contagious laughter.   Let me be spontaneous with kind encouragement for others.

Please let me use the lessons of my childhood.  Let me swing in the wind and slide every slide.  Let me remember that please and thank you are words of kindness. Let me forgive those who have hurt, harmed or rejected me as easily as I forgive the waitress for my lukewarm coffee or the person who pushes in front of me in line -- when I move too slowly.  Let me be grateful for the hands that hold mine and the gifts I am given. Let me be reminded to share my toys in the sandbox and share love with my family, friends and the world.

Please let my mind remember the memories.   The people who touched me, the experiences I had, the love I gave and the love I was given. Embed in my mind these visions as colorful oil painted masterpieces that never fade.  Let my mind not be so cluttered with details of despair that it fogs the joys of my years.  Allow clarity of every amazing moment I've experienced so that I re-feel them intensely and cherish them deeply.

Please let me breathe every moment. See every sunrise. Hear every song. Dance every dance. Be kissed by every snowflake and stomp in every rain puddle.  Let me joy in the joyous and sing with the song birds. Let me hold tiny hands and hug every heart. Let me marvel in every moment of magnificence, no matter how simple and no matter how grand. Let me run the race to the end, laugh until the credits roll, and love until my heart is stretched and pushing through my chest.
Please let me press deeper into peace with every wrinkle and spiral closer to my soul with every year.  Let me be patient in the process of living and accepting of the unimaginable purity of love that waits on the other side. Let me see the un-seeable as it surrounds me. Let me joyfully anticipate the unknown ahead as the known I believe it will be. Let me live with sweet peacefulness in my spirit and my soul.

Please, oh please, let me live until I die.

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
         “Cherish every moment.
​           Live, REALLY live until you die.”  

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!

LET’S GET OUR BUTTS ON THE RIDE 

My husband and I both have a fear of Ferris wheels.

There is something about being suspended in mid-air, with our legs dangling from a bucket as it swings and rotates that is not our idea of fun. 

Recently while visiting Atlanta, we planned a day of sightseeing.  We walked from our hotel to Centennial Olympic Park to visit the attractions in that area.   With a little time before our first tour, we stumbled upon something that was hard to miss.  The SkyView Atlanta Ferris Wheel.  This isn't the average carnival Ferris wheel.  This is 20 stories high; an impressive site to see. 

We read the sign about how it rotates 4 times, the buckets are actually enclosed, air-conditioned gondolas and the ride takes about 15 minutes.  None of this lessened our fear of Ferris wheels….and this was a big one.  There wasn't a line and we had some time, so we decided if we were going to do it we better get our butts on the ride. 

Without hesitation we bought our tickets, jumped in and heard the door lock.  Suddenly we gave each other the what-have-we-done look!  I’m not sure about my husband, but for the first rotation my eyes were closed, my breath was held and fear took over.  
 Reaching the top of the second rotation I opened my eyes. 

The view was incredible!  It felt like we could see the entire city.  By the third rotation we were both smiling.  After the forth we wereglad to put our feet back on the ground, yet happy for the experience. 

Isn't life so often like this? We stand by silently wishing we could jump on the ride, yet we hesitate and hush our enthusiasm.  Our fear takes over and we play it safe by just watching instead of participating.  The time isn't right, what if we would get hurt or fall off; of course we will do it another time.

Life isn't always a smooth ride.  It can go round and round with monotonous predictability, then suddenly everywhere we turn we are hit, jerked and slammed like bumper cars jolting back and forth. It can be dangerous to ride life’s roller coaster up and down through the peaks and valleys. 

In the ride of life it is in the bumps and jerks that we learn our biggest lessons.  Without the valleys of fear and desperation we can’t appreciate the peaks of being on top where the view is incredible. If we stand on the sidelines we miss the experience.

If we had thought about our fear we wouldn't have gotten on that Ferris wheel.  We would have missed the experience.  The second chance may have never come.

Now, "Let's get our butts on the RIDE!"
                     
                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
Pennie's Life Lesson:
  "Don’t stand on the sidelines of life –     jump in and enjoy the ride!”

YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to never miss the opportunity to jump into your life - never miss an 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 © 2013-2015 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!