Pennie Hunt
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  • UPCOMING EVENTS

WHO TAUGHT  YOU HOW TO SMILE?

4/6/2019

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 I’m a natural smiler.
I smile all the time. 
Some people don’t. 

At 6’5” my husband’s size is intimidating.  His natural serious expression adds to this intimidating appearance and can unintentionally make him appear angry, annoyed or uninterested.

Recently, when I was encouraging him to SMILE, he responded with,
     “I am smiling on the inside.
       No one ever taught me how to smile on   
​       the outside.”

As babies, we are taught to walk by repeatedly being stood in front of open arms and encouraged to move our feet in clumsy toddler fashion until we move across the room.  If we don’t succeed, we fall and are reinforced that it “feels better” to walk than to fall. 

Were you taught to smile in the same way? Were you taught how to raise the corners of your mouth to form one smile after another like putting one foot in front of the other to walk?

We aren’t taught that even the slightest lift of the corners of our mouths lessens the creases in our foreheads, removes the heaviness on our face, and allows our eyes to sparkle. 

We aren’t taught that a smile is a gift we give ourselves and the easiest gift to give to others --It is almost guaranteed that if you give one you will receive one in return. 

We aren’t taught that smiles have the power to change someone’s day; to lift a heart; and to share love in a spontaneous way.

We aren’t taught that a pleasant resting face with the hint of a smile creates a welcoming persona when others see you and a full out smile when you meet people makes them feel important and ‘seen.”

We aren’t taught that a smile opens doors, opens opportunities and opens hearts.”
We aren’t taught that it “feels better” to smile.

I am giving you the SMILE CHALLENGE.  For one week practice smiling like you do any other health routine like exercise, brushing your teeth or sleeping.

Three times a day stand in front of a mirror and lift the corners of your mouth.  At first you may have to use your two index fingers to push those corners up, but I promise you they WILL move!

Try variations of how you smile.
A pleasant grin.
A happy beam.
A full out show-all-your-teeth smile.
Then throughout the day, let yourself smile.  Smile at strangers as you pass them.
Smile at the sunshine.
Smile to and for yourself when you are alone. 
It just Feels Better to smile! 
                      ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“A smile opens doors, opens opportunities and opens hearts.” 
                        ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...         
 I shared this with you  to encourage you share your smile with yourself and others. 
It really does FEEL better to smile! 
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 © 2013-2019 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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ARE YOU MAKING WAVES OR SAILING YOUR SHIP?

3/30/2019

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Do you argue just to be right when the outcome is of little importance?

Do you walk in happiness or do you live in the shadow of anger?

Do you demand for the sake of being in control?

Do you create kindness or cause cruelty?
 
Do you judge when you could observe and accept?

Do you force your opinion to prove you hold power or do you listen to all sides?

Do you feel jealousy or do you celebrate the success of others?

Do you take when you could give?

Do you spend more time being helpful or harmful?

Do you fear and hate when you should love?

What if all of these choices were guided by one magical thought?

Close your eyes with me now and see yourself as the captain at the wheel of a beautiful ship.  The sun lays warmly on the side of your face while with every breath the crisp air circles your lungs with fresh energy.

The diamond sparkling water that surrounds you is the sea of your life. Your goal is to safely sail your ship, enjoying the sun, fresh air and adventure without causing danger or damage to yourself or others who are navigating their own ships. 

Your navigation system tells you there are rough waters ahead. Will you increase the speed to aim towards them risking damage to your ship and the cargo you hold close to your heart or will you turn to search for a calmer, safer route?

The radar shows a small vessel to the left. Will you blow your horn demanding they move and then stay on your course causing a wake that is certain to overturn the small vessel or will you slow the engines and adjust your route to avoid making waves?

You see a flair rocket into the sky...a clear indication that someone is in distress and needs help. Do you set your course to help them and gently guide them to safety or do you steer the other way as quickly as possible-- after all what you don't see won't hurt you, right? And by doing so cover them with a spray of water as you avoid their cries for help?

Here is where the one magical thought comes in.
If you were the captain of a ship would you put more emphasis on making waves or would you concentrate your energy on the smooth sailing of the ship. 

That's it!
The one magical thought that serves as the lighthouse flashing in front of us, guiding us through the storms, frustrations and challenges to reach the other side of life with ourselves, our ship and our cargo feeling safe, loved and honored. 

There are times on the voyage that there is no choice but to batten down the hatches and go full speed ahead into the sea of uncertainty that life creates for us, but most of the time we have a choice. Do we want to make waves or smoothly sail our ship? 

With every decision and action in life ask yourself this:
"Will this action I am about to take make    waves or will it safely sail my ship?"
             ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
Pennie's Life Lesson:
         "Every moment in life we choose to
             make waves or  sail our ship."
           ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie Heart to Heart
ARE YOU MAKING WAVES OR SAILING YOUR SHIP?
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to think about your actions and how they affect you and others... use the concept above to gauge how you make your decisions.
Share 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 © 2013-2019 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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BLOCKING YOUR BLESSINGS

3/29/2019

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Have you ever noticed how people struggling with grief are in protection posture?
 
Protection posture is when shoulders curl forward, the back is hunched and often the hands are clasped together in front of the chest. They have been hurt so deeply that this stance feels like it is protecting the heart from feeling more pain.  This kind of stance also blocks blessings that could feed healing.

Have you ever been in a sad space where you don’t feel good about yourself? 

You stay home. You say no to invitations.  You don’t return phone calls or emails. You isolate from the world believing that if you just rest and sleep you will feel better.  You dread family dinners, birthday parties, and sporting events to the point of anxiety at the thought of being surrounded by people you care about and who love you.

This type of rejection of family, friends and activities creates rejection in return.  When people hear, ‘no’ enough times they give up.  The phone stops ringing.  Invitations stop. By blocking the blessings of family and friendship you get what you want.  You are left alone.

Have you avoided dating or meeting new people because you are waiting for the image of perfection you have created in your mind?
 
Days, months and years go by and you remain alone blocking the blessing of someone new coming into your life. Maybe you are too busy looking for the right person, and not trying to be the right person.

Have you turned down opportunities because you were afraid?  Afraid to try something new?  Afraid of embarrassment? Afraid of failing?

Fear is a powerful force that creates a barrier between where you are and where you want to be.  When you allow fear to control your decisions and actions you are blocking blessings from your life.

Have you felt at times like all you want to do is hide behind a screen?

You can just sit on your couch in front of the TV, but that’s not living. When there is a screen of any kind, whether it is electronic like a phone, tablet, computer or an invisible energetic screen you put up between you and the rest of the world it blocks the blessings you could be enjoying and sharing.

Have you been in any of these spaces or know someone who is? 

Practice straightening the back, opening the shoulders and allowing the heart to breathe again.  This forces your head up to see the world and people around you.  It forces you to open your heart so that you are not living internally but instead, feeling and living in the amazing wonderful world of blessings that is open to you.

Practice moving out of your comfort zone.
Practice saying, “yes!”

The world is full of lonely people afraid to reach out, take the first step or make the first move. Don’t be afraid to join in the adventure of life. 

Pennie’s Life Lesson: 
     "Stop blocking your own blessings.
   Open the gate to your heart  allowing                        blessings to fill your life."  

​YOUR TURN...         
How often do you block your own blessings? 
My intent in writing this is to encourage you to open your heart and your mind to the blessings that are right in front of you.    

​Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
                PennieHunt@gmail.com. 
                          Thank you!  
                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                               All Rights Reserved
                 Copyright © 2013-2019 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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BREATH OF GREEN

3/17/2019

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So often I hear people saying they are rushed, tired and overwhelmed.
They are running from one meeting to the next, stressed about paying bills and worried about keeping others happy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Make an effort to try this for one week.   Once you experience the cleansing of fear and feel the new calmness of love take over, you will want to continue this practice.   
             ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie's Life Lesson:
   "Love and fear are not compatible.
   Fill yourself with love,  in order to  
   diminish fear." (Click here to Tweet!)
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
YOUR TURN...
 I shared this with you to give you a tool to relax and calm your busy life-- in a quick and easy way! 
How many times did you see and think Green just by reading this.  Tell us how this concept worked for you! 
​
 Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
                PennieHunt@gmail.com. 
                          Thank you!  
                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                               All Rights Reserved
                 Copyright © 2013-2019 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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I CAN SEE FOR MILES

3/9/2019

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I hadn’t seen her in over 10 years. Occasionally her name would appear in a comment on my social media posts. 
A smiley face here -A thumbs up there - Once in a while asking me to call her.  When I tried to call the number she posted, it was incorrect, and I was met with a recorded message that the number had been disconnected. 

Months went by and she again posted the correct number and asked me to call.  I did and left a voice mail with my phone number in case she wanted to call me back.  She never did.

A couple of weeks ago another familiar name caught my eye in a comment under one of my posts.  This time from her sister that simply said, “I don’t know if you heard but….”
My friend had passed away.

I was stunned.  I sat back in my chair reading the sentence over and over. The sentence that took me back to 7th grade when we were best friends.  When we spent summers swimming at the local pool and talking about boys.  The nights we would walk around our neighborhood and look at the stars.  The shopping, movies, phone calls and giggles. 

One day we were at a park and I climbed to the top of the playground slide. I held the sides of the ladder, looking out across the countryside and sang a song by The Who,
     “I can see for miles and miles and miles 
       and miles and miles…. Oh yeah.”
She laughed and laughed – partly at my horrible singing and partly because we really could see that far across the never-ending field and that far into the lives we had ahead of us.  


It was her laugh that I heard as I sat back in my chair not believing what I had just read.

Interestingly a month earlier, I had been contemplating how friendship can be deep and yet time, location, and so many circumstances can change the dynamic of the relationship. I wrote about the ebb and flow of friendships and how difficult it is to keep these deep connections through the years. 
            (Read that writing here.)

​I regret not trying harder to call when she asked me to.  I regret all the disconnected years since we ran through that playground.


I feel the loss.  The loss of a person who knew my teenage secrets. The loss of the person who stood up with me at my wedding in 1976.  The loss of a friendship. The loss of that laugh in my life

I hope my sweet friend is in a place where she can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles…. Oh yeah.
            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Make the phone call.  It may be the last chance you get to hear your friend laugh.”(Click here to TWEET!)
             ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
**If you don't know the song make sure to listen tot he audio above- you will hear it. 

Pennie Heart to Heart
 I CAN SEE FOR MILES AND MILES

​YOUR TURN...         
How often do you communicate with your friends?
Do you ever have a little nag in your heart that is telling you to connect with someone?
Have you ever not returned a phone call?
 
My intent in writing this is to encourage you to make the phone call.  Connect with your friends.  Share stories, heartaches and laughter.  Do it today.  You never know when you won’t have the opportunity to do it again.
It happened to me.  

​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 © 2013-2019 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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CAREFREE

3/3/2019

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​Where are you on the Carefree Scale? A quick dictionary search on the word carefree stated -
 free from anxiety or responsibility, with the following words added: happy-go-lucky, free and easygoing, casual, relaxed, serene, cheerful, happy, merry, jolly, joyful, bright, sunny, bubbly, bouncy and breezy.
From 1 to 10 where would you rate yourself on a carefree scale?

Although I hope many of those words describe me, I don’t often 
​feel free from responsibility or carefree so I would rate myself low.  In fact, I wouldn’t use the word “carefree” when describing myself.  When I dig deep into my life backpack, I think there are many reasons for this. 

I was raised in a family where productivity and accomplishing were expected. I think this may be a common trait in military families. Both of my parents worked and my siblings and I were expected to set our alarms, get ourselves up, dressed, fed and have the dishes done before we walked to school.  All this at a younger age than would be acceptable today.  There was no sleeping in, no laying around the house, no video games or computers.

I was the baby of the family and the ‘accident’ that was never planned.  The joke of Pennie being an accident became a common family story. Although I felt loved and had a great family, I think in my very core I felt like I needed to prove that I was good enough to be here. I became a people pleaser, a peacemaker and never, ever, never said, “NO” to requests of my time.

I am also a Libra, the sign of the scales. I am always weighing what I should do when I should do it, if I am doing it right, if it is fair, if I should do more… to the point of exhaustion.

Recently I have been studying the Enneagram system and I am a 2- The Helper who is sensitive, supportive and fulfilled by giving to others even if it is at the expense of my own needs. Oh, and I am also a sensitive Empath.  I can’t walk through the grocery store without feeling the emotions, fear, anger, and hopelessness of others- often draining my own energy.

Whew!  When I look at the combination of all of this I wonder where would being carefree ever fit in.
Well, the answer is, it must!

I don’t think I am alone in this.  You may not have the bucket full of situations I outlined above, but you may have your own unique list.

I talk all the time about the importance of self-care.  The danger of worry and guilt and the damage it can do to your mind, body and soul. I believe a feeling of carefree bliss must be squeezed into the fiber of our lives.  When was the last time YOU felt carefree? Even for an hour or an afternoon?
​
I believe we must first find our own definition of what the feeling​ of being Carefree means to us and then practice it like you would yoga, meditation or any exercise routine you do. Incorporate time to be Carefree into your life as a ritual.  Give yourself breaks during the day to take a walk, watch the sunrise, sunset, (or both), without a mind filled with responsibilities or worry.  Build your carefree muscle to allow the time and strength to be FREE of CARES!  
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson: “Practice being carefree. Work your carefree muscle into a ritual of being Free of Cares for a committed space and time each day.” 
               ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to practice being Free of Cares.  Incorporate time into your day as a ritual to give yourself a break from the responsibilities and worries of 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 © 2013-2019 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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THREE ABILITIES THAT DETERMINE YOUR SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS

2/23/2019

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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 
                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~
​YOUR TURN...         
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!
​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 © 2013-2019 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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THE BIG "W"

2/15/2019

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It can run your life.
It can wear you out.
 
I am talking about the BIG “W!”
WORRY!
 
How often do you worry?
How much of your life do you waste?
 
A friend told me once that good people worry.  Of course, we do. We have concern for our kids, family, friends. That is natural.
When occasional concern turns into manic worry, red flags should wave. Worry is really a negative form of meditation.  Meditation is training your mind to let go and be open to a space of peace.  When you fill your mind with worry, it fixates on negative thoughts- quite the opposite of peace.   
 
Ask these questions about the situation you are worried about:
   Can I change it?
   Can I stop it?
   Is it mine to worry about?
 
If you can change something you are worried about, then change it.
If you can stop a situation you are worried about, then stop it.
If it is yours to worry about, meaning it directly involves you and only you, then give it deep thought as to how to do the above- change it or stop it.
 
But if the worry is about another person, or an event that does not involve you – then it is none of your business to worry about.  You cannot control another person’s life path.  It is not your place to interfere. It’s almost rude on a soul level.
 
When you have no power over the situation then all the hours of worry you are donating are hours of negative meditation that only damage and stress you.
 
When you are worrying about the “possibility” of what may happen - another red flag. What are the odds of something that isn’t even reality turning into the event you are conjuring in your mind? And if it did, would it be as bad as you are visualizing? Probably not.
 
Even worse - after a life event happens, do you stir your mind with the worst scenario of what “could have” happened?  Do you relive the event, imagining a much worse outcome than what it actually was? Stop worrying about the ‘what if’s’ in life.
 
Here is a tip- find a “W”.  Yes, a “W.” It can be wooden, plastic, gold or a “W” you cut from a piece of paper.  Place it in a prominent spot in your home.  By your computer, on your kitchen counter, in your shower or on your nightstand - wherever you see it often.  This “W”  will remind you that anything you have ever worried about in your life has been resolved.  It may not resolve in the way you like, but it is in the past and you have lived through it.
 
The time you are giving to worrying is holding space that could be held by joy, laughter, fun, kindness, love or anything much more positive and productive than worrying.
 
When you see your "W"  take a deep breath and let go of the negative meditation on what you can’t control.  
                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Worry is negative meditation.
Everything you have ever worried about has been resolved and you have lived through it.” 
                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie Heart to Heart
 THE BIG "W"
YOUR TURN...         
 My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to stop negative meditation.  STOP WORRYING!   
​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 © 2013-2019 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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LOVE NOTES

2/9/2019

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Picture
I send Love Notes.  Some say,
 “Thank You.” 
Some say,
 “I’m Thinking of You.” Some say,
 “I Am Grateful To Have Met You.”
 And, some just say,
​ “Hi.” 
They all say – “I Love You.”

You see, I'm a conversationalist;
A communicator. I love to talk. I love to write. I love words and the way they somersault out of my mouth and into the hearts of those who receive them. I love to give pieces of myself to others by sending a gift that carries with it my heart thoughts.

Life may be too easy for us today.  We simply type a note through our emails or texting and it is magically in the hands of the receiver within seconds.  

I remember the magic of writing a letter to my Grandmother asking for my favorite peanut butter cookie recipe and waiting in anticipation for the postal service to deliver her response. 

I remember waiting two weeks for a letter from my sister with the much awaited pictures of my newborn nephew and then hurriedly writing her back to say,
“Send more!  Send more!”

Today we have immediacy and instant gratification.  But, there is magic in holding a note created with love; Tracing the swirl of the handwriting with your finger; Seeing the smudges of the ink or noticing the faint smell of the perfume or cologne of the sender; and knowing the message has traveled across the country or even across town to arrive in your hand. 

When I put pen to paper I spill my thoughts and emotions with the intent of someone else holding them.  My love and my energy travel with my words.  From my hand to their hand, I want them to hold the gift of me. 

Heart to heart communication cannot be generated by a machine.  This is personal. 
I send Love Notes.
                 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Take the time to write a love note to someone you care about– make it personal.”
                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~
​YOUR TURN...         
 My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to get personal!  Send a handwritten note to someone you care about.  Share your thoughts.  Share your feelings.  Make it PERSONAL! 
​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 © 2013-2019 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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THE BEAT OF MY HEART

2/2/2019

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IMPORTANT NOTICE:
This story happened to me several years ago - but I am re-sharing it in honor of Heart Health Month!
Picture
I watched the clock as I walked on the treadmill.
I had intentionally scheduled  the stress test appointment for  6 am, planning to drive the hour to my office and attend a 10 am meeting.

Suddenly I found myself laying on a hospital gurney with wires connected to a multitude of spots on my body and surrounded by a cardiology team.
One doctor repeatedly asked me how I felt.  I didn't feel bad until one of them said,
     “What your heart just did could be deadly
        and we want to take you upstairs.”

Confused by that comment and glancing at the clock once again I knew I needed to be finished soon or I would miss my meeting.
       “What is upstairs?” I asked.

The explanation came quickly,
     “The rhythm your heart just did can be
       caused by one of two things- you have
       blockages or your electrical firing system
       is not working correctly.”

Another voice jumped in with,
     “The only way we can rule out blockages is
       by doing a heart catheterization and we
       need to do it now!” 

I explained that I was an hour from home, I had come to the hospital alone and oh, by the way I had a 10 am meeting to get to. 

Once again the two doctors played tag team with their responses, telling me I needed to get my husband there and that there was little chance of them letting me leave the room with this type of deadly rhythm.  It was the third time I heard that word deadly that I asked them toplease stop saying it and that I indeed wanted to call my husband.

The group left me alone to make the call.  One cardiologist stood guard in the doorway watching me with a look of intense concern.  The minute I put the phone down the group returned.

The speed at which I found myself swept upstairs into a private room with two nurses monitoring me swirled my confusion even more. 
 
I laid there watching a different clock tick the minutes away until my husband would arrive.  Feverishly clicking away on my phone I sent emails to my staff as I typed meeting cancellations and directions for the day.  I sent texts to my children telling them the situation - at least what I knew.

Then, I noticed that both nurses were constantly monitoring me and the machinery I was connected to.  They never took their eyes off of me or left the room.
I knew this wasn’t good.

Finally I asked one of them
     “What happened to me?”
She placed one hand on my arm while keeping her eyes on the machine.
     “You experienced VTach - Ventricular
      Tachycardia.  For most people who do
       that we have to bring them back with the
       paddles  - if we get them back. 
      You are very lucky.”

My phone slid out of my hand.
​
I vaguely remember the big screen which showed the dye running through my body and the doctor saying,
     “There it goes... that is beautiful...
        not one blockage.”

The rest of the day, the follow up appointments and the new heart monitor, that I learned to wear like an accessory to my daily wardrobe, is a blurred memory.

My new “Electric Guy,” as I call him, is the Cardiologist that keeps me, my heart’s electrical system and my crazy rhythm controlled to avoid the mysterious fainting, bouts of weakness and blood pressure drops like I had experienced over the years. 

While researching VTach, I learned a few things about exercise, staying hydrated and avoiding stairs. Then I came across the meaning of heart.  Scrolling through the many medical definitions of this magical organ that pumps blood, I stopped on this:

      Heart - noun \ˈhärt\: the central or
        innermost part of  something;
        thought of as the place where
       emotions are felt

This is it!
The heart is more than the organ that pushes blood through our bodies.  I believe it is the innermost part of us.  It is the place where emotions are created, felt and shared.
 
I believe that heart health goes much deeper than changing your diet, lowering salt intake and counting 10,000 steps per day.
I believe the heart has the power to push not only physical blood, but the lifeblood of love, kindness and joy through our bodies.

The care and health of our heart begins with feeling these emotions in order for the heart to pump them through our bodies and out into our lives.  We must learn to respect these emotions, nurture them and grow them into feelings that help our heart function to its highest capacity. 

Instead of worrying, I prefer to believe my heart has an eccentric rhythm... maybe not the same as everyone else’s, but it is unique and it is mine.

In addition to the list of heart healthy ideas we have all heard about, I support its emotional health by feeding it love, joy and kindness every chance I get!

I try not to watch the clock anymore and the most important meeting I have is one where I am kind to someone, love someone and through joy feed my innermost self- my heart, the place where emotions are felt.
                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 Pennie’s Life Lesson:
 “The foundation for good heart health begins with expanding kindness, joy and love in the innermost self - our own heart.” 
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to pay attention to the messages your heart sends you; the power it holds in "feeling" the true rhythm of your life. ​
​Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
                PennieHunt@gmail.com. 
                          Thank you!  
                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                               All Rights Reserved
                 Copyright © 2013-2019 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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WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU MADE A NEW FRIEND?

1/27/2019

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​When I was a child, my friendships were created by walking together to school, sitting next to each other in the cafeteria, and being chosen for the kickball team at recess. 

Later in my life, I remember having coffee with my friends as our babies played nearby and I wouldn’t think of going a day without talking to my friend on the phone.

I made friends sitting next to other mom’s as our children played soccer and baseball.  I have had coworkers that became close confidants and soul connections.

Now in our fast-paced world do we know what having a close friend is? Do we confuse friendship with acquaintance? Is friendship defined by a blue thumbs up on social media? Do these cartoon thumbs really represent a person that touches our heart or are many of them there for self-acknowledgment – the more the better.  
I asked the question- “What is your definition of a Friend?”  to a progression of ages.

 A 6- year old answered, “They are nice, funny.”

A 9-year-old responded with, “They are nice and they like who you are, not for how you look but for who you are.”

A 12-year-old reacted with, “Best pal, your forever buddy, someone who will be there if times get tough.”

Another 12-year-old replied, “Friendship is a bond that can’t easily be broken. Friends know what you’re going to say/do before you do it. They know what you are feeling.”

A 17-year-old quickly reacted with, “Friends are people that are loyal to each other.”

A 47-year-old answered, “Friends are people who make your problems their problems so you don’t have to go through it alone.”​

A 69-year-old said, “Someone I am always there for and they are always there for me.”

An 86-year-old said thoughtfully, “I tend to like people I have always been friends with. If you live to be old and can count your friends on the fingers of one hand- great!  If you have more, that’s a bonus!”

An 87-year-old answered – “Somebody that you can rely on to ask personal questions and she won’t tell anyone else and you do things together.”

I would agree with all these definitions. 
My definition would be someone that I hold mutual support, encouragement and trust with.  Someone I can laugh with and cry with. Someone, the first one, I would call
​at 2 AM to tell good news or bad.

Friendship morphs, grows stagnates, and disintegrates during different stages and circumstances in life. There are many reasons for the ebb and flow, closeness or detachment of a friendship.

Location plays a huge role.  As a child moving across town changes the dynamic of friendship.  For me, growing up in a military family moves across the country plunked me into new schools and new populations.  I learned how to make friends on the playground or stand alone.   

Divorce will create a situation of dividing property, belongings and yes, friends.  
 
As we age, death and illness become a reality of life.  Friends may pass away before us or become physically or mentally unable to participate in a friendship.  
                        
I have lived many places and I have had many friendships. Some are lasting like my oldest friend in life – shout out to Kristi.  Some have faded due to relocation. Some have been shattered from broken trust. Some have been lost through division of divorce and separation of death.

I wonder if, as our friend circle shrinks, should we be trying to make new friends? Or is my small inner circle of trusted friends enough.
No matter where you are in this cycle of life or what your definition of a friend is my hope for you is that you have at least one. 
             ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson 
“When you find a friend hold them close to your heart. A true friendship should be valued and honored.”
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  
Pennie Heart to Heart
 WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU MADE A NEW FRIEND??
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to note who your friends are.  How many do you have? Are they real friends or acquaintances? 
​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 © 2013-2019 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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WHO ORDERS THE PIZZA?

1/19/2019

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This is the way the conversation went...

“Who orders the pizza?”
“Well, she calls and                      orders it.”
“No, I mean who decides             what kind of pizza to order?”
“We always have sausage.”
“Does she like sausage?”
“Sure, I guess.”
“But you are not sure.
     Maybe she is conceding to you. 
     Maybe she is resenting it.”
 
Later he asked me,
    “What kind of pizza do you like?”
​
I had to think about it and it took me a while to answer. I had picked sausage off the pizza for so long I didn’t remember what kind of pizza I really did like.
 
I don’t think this is an uncommon scenario. Many times it is easier to concede and let another person have what they want.
We do it out of love for them.
We do it out of avoidance- we don’t want to argue.
We do it because it really doesn’t matter that much to us.
 
On the other side, it is easy not to notice that someone is always giving in to our needs. That their needs may not be being met. That resentment may be building under the facade of agreement.
 
What is the “pizza” in your life - in your relationships? When we begin paying attention to this kind of give and take.... Or "give and give" situation, it becomes obvious that there are solutions.
Simple solutions.
 
My husband and I now order two pizzas.  One sausage for him.  One chicken and pineapple for me.  Yes, I LOVE chicken and pineapple on my pizza.  Preferably with extra sauce and extra cheese. The solution was so easy. 
 
Now we both get what we want.  There is no conceding.  There is no resentment. And there are always leftovers for lunch the next day.
             ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
Pennie’s Life Lesson ~ 
“Pay attention to “give and take” vs “give and give” situations in life.  Don’t be afraid to order your own pizza!”
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie Heart to Heart
 WHO ORDERS THE PIZZA
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to pay attention to when you are involved in a give and give situation. What solutions are there?
​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 © 2013-2019 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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To My Angel Son

1/13/2019

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​When I was pregnant, I wrote love letters to my babies.  After they were born, I continued this on their birthdays, Christmas or other days that I felt I had something to share with them.  Some were ushy, gushy with words of adoration.  Some were letters of frustration when I felt like I was failing and flailing in the world of motherhood.
This week is my son, J.T.’s 34th birthday and the 12th year he has celebrated in heaven.  Every year I write about him to celebrate his creation.  I thought this year I would write a letter “TO” him. 
​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Picture
My J.T.,

I have written you many letters beginning when you were part of my body.  I knew you would be the last soul that would share my human space.  I wanted to feel every kick, every roll and every heartbeat.  I continued writing to you until you passed from this world.

Today it is time for me to write you one more letter.
​
Thank you for the sparkle in your eye when you were born that lit my heart and frightened me at the same time.  Thank you for choosing me to be your mom for the 22 years that you were given on this earth.  
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Thank you for the bliss of nursing you in the middle of the night when the silence was magic and the world consisted of only you and me. ​ 
​Thank you for the joy of watching you dress like a little cowboy and play with imaginary friends, hit home runs and witness your daredevil skateboarding.  Thank you for the laughs, the hugs and the experience of you.
Picture
​Thank you for your patience with me as I stumbled through the journey of motherhood.  My attempt was not always pretty, not always right and far from perfect.  Thank you for understanding that being a mom is a learning process where I hold pride for the times I was successful and regret for the moments I can’t do over.

I am sorry for any moment of your life that I (or anyone else) didn’t make you feel accepted, loved or cherished.   You never deserved to feel anything less than the special gift you were.  You were Good Enough!  You were more than that… you were extraordinary!
​
It took years of trying to get you to understand the correct way to live before I realized you were teaching me that there is more than one path to follow in life.  You taught me that not everyone needs to follow the societal expectation of going to college, getting married, having 2.5 children, driving a minivan, owning a house and a 401K.   I came to realize that if you can buy your own lunch and are happy then who am I to insist on what trail to take?
​
Thank you for filling my life and my home with music.  When J.T. & The Basement Boys played downstairs my house shook with the vibration of joy. And when you sat alone on my patio playing your guitar and singing, my heart melted with the depth of your talent. ​
Picture
​
Thank you for your daughter.  When you told me you were going to be a dad at such a young age, when you weren’t doing a great job of taking care of yourself, I was afraid for you.  When you came out of the surgery room carrying that tiny bundle with the same sparkle in her eye that you had she lit my heart and freighted me at the same time.  She was nine months old when we said goodbye to you.   I held her tightly then and continue to do so now- grateful to have a glorious piece of you.  Thank you for teaching me there are no accidents in life.  Your beautiful M&M is supposed to be here because you aren’t. 
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Thank you for the hard lessons in patience, acceptance and forgiveness. Thank you for the wondrous lessons of joy, gratitude and love.  All of which you and I must have agreed to accomplish in a space and time prior to being joined in this life.  This bound us together so deeply that I felt what was happening (good and bad) in your life before you told me.  Our hearts shared thoughts and a mystical silent language.

Thank you for understanding my meditation, my thoughts on the Universe, life, death and everything in between. 

​Thank you for our last in-person conversation when we sat in IHop eating pancakes and doodling pictures of ourselves on scrap paper.  Not drawings of our outward looks but our inner souls. You were so intent when you listened to me explain how we shouldn’t look at how tall or short, how large or thin a person is – that we should look deeper at their spirit and their soul. 
​
​You laughed when I drew a star for myself and put sparkles on it because I like stars, diamonds and sparkly lights.  We watched the people come in and out of the restaurant and described their souls. 

The conversation was about life, God, and love.  It was deep.  It was strong.  It was powerful.  You were introspective in a way I had never felt before. 
​You knew.  You knew you were leaving. 
Picture
​Thank you for the dreams, the manipulation of music, electronics and license plates that you use to send me delightful messages from the magical space you are in now.  At times I feel you brush by me and stop to give me one of your unmistakable glorious hugs that only you could share – and I thank you for that.

I believe souls are joined to help us understand the value of love.  My love didn’t stop on the day you left.  My love has grown every day from the first moment I knew you were part of my body and continues to grow with every breath I take.  The golden cord that I believe connects a mother to her infant is not severed at birth.  Nor is it disconnected at death.  The thread that connects my heart to yours holds strong.
​
​The tattoo that says, “Love, J.T.” in your writing that I carry over my heart reminds me of what I always told you – we are joined at the heart. 
Always have been.
Always will be.
 
I Love you so,
                           Mom
Picture
Jameson Tanner (J.T.) 1985-2007 (Photo taken 2007)
               ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~           
Pennie's Life Lesson:      
  "Write love letters to those you care about."
                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to write a letter to someone you love - whether they are alive or not. 
​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 © 2013-2019 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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MY LETTER OF CONFESSION

1/5/2019

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Picture
​Dear Special Friend,
​
I have struggled with the concept of being Good Enough my entire life.  I have written about it and it is one of my main speaking topics.  I order my Good Enough cards by the case and have given hundreds away. 
 
Yesterday was one of those days that I felt FAR FAR from Good Enough! 
It began by me trying to sew on my sewing machine.  I hadn’t used it in several months and I immediately plugged it up with thread. I had to take it to the sewing center to have it fixed and receive a lesson on how to use it. 
 
Then I looked in the pool room and a plant had fallen over and there was dirt everywhere!  So, I think well, while I clean that up, I will multitask and put bleach in and add water to the pool.  I put the hose in the pool and turn the water on too fast.  The hose quickly reared up like a cobra snake flopping around striking at me and soaking me while flooding the room. Now I had 2 messes to clean up. And a load of towels to wash when I was done. Also, during the chaos of chasing the hose monster, bleach splattered all over me ruining the new top that I was wearing. 
 
Later, things settled down and I was telling my husband about my crazy day.
Then, I almost killed us!  
I had the Instant Pot on the ceramic stove top warming up the leftover roast I made the day before.  I had turned a burner on to make gravy.  We were sitting at the table eating salad, when I began smelling something.  Thinking the gravy had boiled over I jump up to see smoke bellowing out of the Instant Pot.  I had turned the wrong burner on- the one UNDER the Instant Pot!  It totally melted the bottom off the Instant Pot.  I unplugged it, grabbed it and ran to the garage.
 
It could have blown up as the entire bottom was melted off and all the electrical insides were exposed.  Melted plastic covered our stove top and I thought it was damaged beyond repair.  Our entire house filled with smoke - probably toxic from melted plastic- so now I am sure we all have cancer. Every window in the house was open and all fans were on for hours.   Our dogs hid in our bedroom far away from the craziness.
 
I wrapped the Instant Pot in a green yard bag and plunged it to the bottom of the garbage can while my husband worked for an hour on the stove top. He scrubbed and scraped until he had removed all the melted plastic and polished it like new again - he is a miracle cleaner!  
 
We ate a bowl of cereal and I went to bed with a blazing headache.  
~ ~ ~
Today is a new day.  
Although, I am still beating myself up for being stupid, not thinking, doing dumb things.... yes, self-talk is devastating!  
As with most of my life experiences this has turned into a shareable moment in the form of this writing for all to see. I realize how lucky I am and that many people would love my life even on one of my worst days, but yesterday I felt like a loser and far from even close to feeling Good Enough. 
I want you to know that no one has a perfect life.  Stress, frustration and accidents happen to everyone.  
Even I have days that I am challenged to still Love My Life- NO MATTER WHAT! 
              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
Pennie’s Life Lesson: “We all have times of stress, frustration and feelings of not being Good Enough. – Love yourself and your life anyway!”  
                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ​
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to admit that my life is not perfect.  I am not perfect.  I am just like you! I have days where I am challenged to love my 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 © 2013-2019 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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THE GRATITUDE JAR

12/29/2018

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Picture
        THE
​GRATITUDE           JAR
In January I came across an idea of documenting a year’s worth of gratitude.  I found a jar- actually it was a flower vase that I perched smack in the center of my fireplace shelf with a sign that read, “Be Grateful.”  I purchased a notepad and every Sunday night I wrote down what I was grateful for that week.

My goal was to fill the jar and read them at the end of the year to remind myself of how gratitude filled my life. 

Sometimes it was simple things and sometimes splashy memorable experiences.  I wrote notes of gratitude about lessons I learned.  I wrote notes of gratitude about things I shared and taught to others.  I wrote notes of gratitude about people, places and things I love.

A year goes quickly.  As the weeks and months went by my jar filled higher and higher with gratitude in the shape of folded paper.  The end of December has arrived and as I dump the jar out to read each grateful memory I relive the tasty morsels of my year. 

Reading through my jar of gratitude I realize all my notes revolve around the three reasons I believe we are here in this life….to learn, to teach and to love.  I rarely wrote notes about material things.   It was learning, teaching and loving that I was the most grateful for. 

As I look to the bright and shiny new year ahead of me, I do want to exercise, eat better and improve my health.  I also will hold a special ‘word’ for the year as my theme for the next 12 months, which I have done for many years.

What I won’t do is set myself up for broken resolutions that revolve around things, money, or unreasonable expectations.  My plan for the year ahead is simple… to learn more, to teach more and to love more.  With this plan I know my life will be full, my heart will be bursting and my gratitude jar will once again overflow.
             ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
  “Learn more, teach more and love more.                      That is why we are here.” 
                  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
PENNIE HEART TO HEART
THE GRATITUDE JAR
                  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to  think about how you can track your gratitude in the coming year.  It is worth the effort! 
​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 © 2013-2018 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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PEPPERMINT SLIME AND MARSHMALLOW SNOWMEN

12/16/2018

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PEPPERMINT SLIME AND MARSHMALLOW SNOWMEN
 
Every year I make name card holders for the grandchildren’s Christmas table.  It makes dinner special as they find their assigned seat and what is holding their name.
 
 This year I had a grand idea of using snowman ball ornaments on top of three candy canes and the loop of the candy cane would hold the name card.  My grandson, Riley, is sooo excited about the holiday decorations, so I asked him if he would like to help me make them. 
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After a visit to Hobby Lobby in search of small candy canes, scouring the lights and decorations and a stop for lunch we went home to create!
​
We found the photo on my IPad of a similar idea and started unwrapping candy canes. 
I thought it would be awesome.
Riley was skeptical.
 
It didn’t take long to realize that Elmer’s glue on candy canes creates something like peppermint slime.  Who knew candy canes and glue don’t mix
My mind quickly began thinking of what I had in the house to improvise and save this disaster! 
What will look like a snowman?
What will not melt with glue?
What will make me look a little less loser–like in the eyes of my grandson?
 
Well, when all else fails bring out marshmallows! 
Big GIANT marshmallows!
I thought it would be awesome!
Riley, who by now had eaten enough candy canes to have rosy cheeks and watery eyes from a little too much peppermint, was still skeptical.
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By the end of the afternoon we had used toothpicks and glue to attach the bodies, stood them on a base of red and green felt, gave them ribbon scarves and buttons.  It wasn’t until I broke a toothpick in half and pushed arms in the first little puffy man that I saw Riley smile.  
“Now, that is CUTE!” he said.
Wahoooo! We had snowmen!  
 
Once again I had received a lesson in acceptance.  My idea of the perfect card holder failed.  It took a little flexibility to improvise a new concept. 
They aren’t perfect. 
But by the time Christmas dinner is ready the marshmallows will be hard as stone, standing strong with the name tags sitting in front of their fat bellies while my grandchildren laugh and compare who has the funniest snowman.
           ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson- Holidays don’t have to be perfect.  Flexibility in the process may turn out to be the best part of all.  
                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to release the expectation of perfection during this holiday time.
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .  And please feel free to email me  at:
 PennieHunt@gmail.com. 
                                Thank you! ​
               ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                               All Rights Reserved
                 Copyright © 2013-2018 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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I HELD JOY   IN MY HAND

12/9/2018

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***In preparation for the new year ahead, I thought I would remind you to be thinking of your "One Word" for 2019.  Here is a revisit to the word I picked in the past.  I will let you know what my "One Word" for 2019 is the first week in January.  
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    I HELD JOY
   IN MY HAND

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

   THE WORD IS JOY! 

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

The in-my-face synchronicity was not to be ignored.
    THE WORD IS JOY!
    MY WORD IS JOY! 

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

Feeling very satisfied with my decision, I moved on to my daily routine of opening the mail.  The last envelope was a holiday card that had most likely been delayed in delivery.
I reached in the red envelope.
The silver glitter covered card reflected the sun magnifying the message into a blinding validation.
The card had one simple word on it- JOY!
Of course it did….
   THE WORD IS JOY! 
                 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Love yourself enough to know what brings you JOY and welcome it into your life!”  
                     
                           ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to experience JOY in the new year and share it with others.  What is your word for the new year? 
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 © 2013-2018 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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THE SLED

12/2/2018

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​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 snowsuits, 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.
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Picture
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.” 
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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 © 2013-2018 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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TYPOS ARE NOT TATTOOS

11/24/2018

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TYPOS ARE NOT TATTOOS 

Through the magic of text messaging I was ranting to my daughter about how I had found a typo in one of my Facebook posts.  Text only posts are impossible to edit.

I was upset with myself, after all how could I have missed something so simple and hit the post button which instantly transported my mistake to the world of Facebook and its billion users? 

After a few back and forth acronym filled interactions, she hit me with, 
          “It just shows u r human and anyway 
             people are already liking your post.” 

We were both traveling in different parts of the country and I had little time to fuss with it, so I closed my Ipad and went on with my day. 
But—the typo continued to harass my mind.  Her text, “It just shows u r human,” played mental push back to my self-inflicted criticism.  

Then it hit me – she was right! 
It was just a typo.
A slide of my finger that hit one letter over from the one I intended.
One hit of a key on my keyboard.
It wasn't as if that one keystroke was going to be tattooed on me as a permanent mark of shame across my forehead that read –
            "I MADE A MISTAKE!"

In an hour it was lost in the stream of Facebook banter and hardly noticed.  The Facebook users who received it had let it go in minutes, maybe seconds, and continued to move on through the river of messages that flowed through their screens.
So why didn't I let it go as well?

How many times in life do we turn simple forgettable "life typos" into permanently inked tattoos that mark us for months, years or longer?
So much of our life dramas are really small insignificant issues that we allow to be blown into tragedy by telling and retelling the story of how it happened, criticizing ourselves for why it happened and bemoaning the outcome as if it were a monumental life changing event.

Most of them are not.

We need to know when to call a typo just a typo and not a tattooed mark of shame
We need to allow ourselves to be seen as human. 
                              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
          “Release the small mistakes in life
                        – allow yourself to be human.”
                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ​

Pennie Heart to Heart
TYPOS ARE NOT TATTOOS

YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to give yourself a break from the constant self criticism that we all do.  We are all harder on ourselves than anyone else could be.  Show yourself some kindness!   
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 © 2013-2018 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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THE GRACE OF GRATITUDE

11/17/2018

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​THE GRACE OF GRATITUDE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pennie Heart to Heart
GRACE OF GRATITUDE

YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to understand everything we do, think and feel counts.  Our actions, our thoughts and our emotions add up and make a difference! 
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 © 2013-2018 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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IT ALL COUNTS!

11/12/2018

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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, every word we speak counts – even if no one sees us do it, hears our words or charts our progress. It counts!”
                    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to understand everything we do, think and feel counts.  Our actions, our thoughts and our emotions add up and make a difference! 
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 © 2013-2018 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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FREE FALLING

11/2/2018

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 I fell down.
I am not sure how, but my entire body fell to the ground.
My knees took a hard hit followed by the rest of my body as it stretched out on the dirty concrete sliding (less than gracefully) until I put my hands out to stop myself. My suitcase and purse fell over next to me. Lying on my belly, arms reaching forward and my legs behind in a childlike Slip-n-Slide position.
I was confused and stunned.

There were no signs of a hole or bump, nothing that I slipped on. I just fell down. One minute I was thanking the shuttle driver, handing him a tip, pushing my suitcase and the next minute I was flat on the dirty concrete.  I felt like a fish that had just been taken out of the safety of its pond and thrown floundering on the shore. 

I quickly got up, told the shuttle driver I was fine and moved toward the curbside check in. Every step I took was slow and precise. After dropping my suitcase off I found the first rest room in the airport to see if my knees were intact under my jeans and wash the dirt off my red sore hands. Minor scratches were all my body incurred, but my ego and confidence were silently damaged.

I sat on the plane during my flight reliving what happened. How it happened and why it happened. I didn’t have the answers, but I knew I felt vulnerable. 
​
I am grateful that I wasn’t really hurt. I know a broken wrist is common when you put your hands out to stop a fall. The way my knees hit I could have damaged them. I could have hit my head.
My scuffed knees and sore hands will heal and my confidence and ego will recover.

We have all fallen in many different ways. Falls happen in life. Most happen when we least expect it. We don’t see it coming. We aren’t prepared. The best we can do is slide through it as gracefully as possible, pick ourselves up, wash our hands and keep going.  This is how we learn.  It is in the falling, failing and floundering that we move forward.  
            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
         “When you fall down in life, pick                          yourself up, wash your hands
                     and keep going.”
             ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie Heart to Heart
FREE FALLING
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to understand that we all fall in life- in may areas, work, relationships, personal expectations.... it is how we get up, shake it off and move forward that counts. 
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 © 2013-2018 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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IT'S ALL COMMUNICATION

10/26/2018

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IT’S ALL COMMUNICATION
 
We sat in a circle on the floor of my office.  My daughter, her three sons, an 8-year-old and twin 5 year-olds, my 10-year-old granddaughter and me. 
In an effort to slow down the running, romping and squealing that usually occurs after dinner at my home I decided to introduce the Telephone Game.

I explained the rules –
To begin the first person in our circle would whisper a word or phrase into the ear of the person sitting next to them. They would listen and turn to whisper it to the person next to them and so on around the circle.  The last player would then say the word or phrase out loud so everyone could hear.

They thought this was simple enough and as each whisper passed from mouth to ear the certainty of what they were saying beamed on their faces.  It wasn’t until the first round had been completed and the initial
   “Gracie the dog is cute and furry”
​ morphed into
   “Gracie is a hog that eats in a hurry”
that the laughter exploded and they understood why this game was fun.  Only one word from the original message had been communicated correctly.

In a perfect world, every message would be relayed to the receiver with accurate precision.  They would understand the full meaning as the speaker expected.  The speaker would be confident that their message was heard with the correct intention. 
This is not the way communication works. 

I have this line I say almost daily,
       "It’s All Communication.” 
Everything in life comes back to communication.
We are born as communicators, crying and squealing as we take our first breath.  We learn to understand the meaning of words, facial expressions and emotions.  We mimic them in an effort to be accepted and to gain what we desire.  We learn how to use our voice and body to verbally and non-verbally communicate happiness, joy, love and fear. 

With age we learn to hide our true feelings and muffle our emotions.  Communication begins taking over in streams filling our mailboxes, inboxes and lives.  The overwhelming amount of information becomes blurred as it layers in our minds. We try to decipher what is true and what is gossip and repeat what we believe we heard. We repeat second or third-hand stories that become skewed in the retelling. 

Communication becomes complicated.

And so begins the grown up version of the Telephone Game.  Listening, repeating, listening, repeating.

We assume what we say is understood by the person we communicate with.  
Many times it is not.
We assume we hear information correctly.  Many times we don’t.
We assume what we hear is true. 
Many times it isn’t.

Communication, the lack of communication or misunderstood communication is the cause for all of life’s problems.  Fights, divorce, anger, hatred, battles – big and small all come back to communication.

How different would the world be if we asked the person we were communicating with if they understood what we said?

How different would the world be if we repeated back to the speaker what we believe we heard and asked for validation that we were receiving the message correctly?

How different would the world be if we communicated honesty, trust, respect and kindness?

How different would the world be if we didn’t repeat distorted gossip, half-truths and rumors?

How different would the world be if the whispers at the beginning of the game were repeated in the exact way it was intended creating a complete circle of accurate truthful understanding?

Words have power.  It’s all communication!
​
            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie’s Life Lesson:
          “It’s ALL Communication!”
             ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pennie Heart to Heart
IT'S ALL COMMUNICATION
YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to be accurate with your communication - sending and receiving. Words have power!
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 © 2013-2018 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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OPENHEARTED

10/19/2018

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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.” 

                    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pennie Heart to Heart
OPEN-HEARTED
YOUR TURN       
        My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to think about when you have been in "protect me" position and how did you work through it?  Or are you still in a cocoon?  
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 © 2013-2018 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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DO YOU EVER "THINK" ABOUT LOVE?

10/13/2018

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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:
 PennieHunt@gmail.com. 
                                                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.
0 Comments
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    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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