August 31, 2012
Magnificent!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Good Evening All,
I am excited for this evening. We have the opportunity to experience the “Blue
Moon!” I expect it will be a blue
moment! A beautiful sight to see! I love the power of anticipation…the energy
makes you feel alive. Tonight, perhaps,
all of us will be looking up at the sky and will experience a blue moment,
together.
Yesterday I had a wonderful day. I was with my friends, Anita, MG, and
Danielle on the Avenue! We were in this
little boutique looking at all the beautiful clothes and accessories and
listening to the sounds of the 70’s and the 80’s! When the song “Afternoon Delight” by the Starland Vocal Band came on the
radio I started singing along. A fellow
shopper by the name of Linda, smiled at me and started singing too! I said, “this music really takes me back.” Then
when the “Hustle” came on the radio we actually started doing the line dance,
in the store, which spilled out onto the sidewalk. Linda’s friend Laurie was with her and I
thought how special it was that we were spending such a wonderful day with our
friends! In that moment, I was so
grateful for the fun I was having and the joy of experiencing it with my
friends.
I read this quote, “The world is a great mirror. It reflects back to you what you are. If you are loving, if you are friendly, if
you are helpful, the world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to
you. The world is what you are.” Thomas Dreier
It was such a pleasure to meet you Linda and Laurie! I had so much fun meeting you and celebrating
Life….so happy our paths in life have crossed!
Speaking of mirrors….there is something about “THE MIRROR!”
When my girls were little, I used to say, if I can look in the mirror as
I am taking off my makeup at the end of the day, and am satisfied with my efforts
to mother them, it was a good day! I
would think, I am ok in my mirror. It
was my conscious, my visual barometer.
When my girls were
venturing out with friends in their teen years…. I would advise them, when
experiencing peer pressure, to go into the bathroom and look at yourself in the
mirror. Ask yourself, is this action
something that I would be proud of in my life? Would I want to be remembered in
my life for doing this action? Would
this action make my parents proud? Is
this something that I would regret doing, or not doing in my life, because the choice is yours. I think the mirror is empowering.
More recently, I said to my doctors, namely Dr. Bill Scarlett,
I need to be able to look at myself in the mirror following my breast cancer
surgery and feel feminine and beautiful.
I said to him, I have seen your work, you have shown me what you can
do. I am calling you to your excellence,
to your GREATNESS! This diagnosis was
so devastating that I prayed that I would find the doctors to cure me and make
me whole again. Now, one month past all
my reconstruction, I said to Bill Scarlett….
You are not a plastic surgeon.
You are a magician, for you were able to artfully and skillfully take a
broken woman and piece her back together again, so that when I LOOK IN MY
MIRROR, I can actually feel beautiful again…
It is a miracle. Oh the blessing
of Bill Scarlett and Beth DuPree… what
an amazing team of doctors! Thank you!
And so for this evening, I wish for you a mirror that
reflects back to you all the gifts that you bring to the world and that you
love what you see in your mirror. I wish
that you will get to experience the blue moon… My friend Tim said the next time
it will come back again is July 2015. Looking
at it now…. It will be worth the wait! WOW! It
is breathtaking!
En` Joy,
Marialyce
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Good Morning,
Another beautiful day! Thank you to all of you who responded to my blog. I am very appreciative of all your kind words and welcome your suggestions for improvement. I know this sounds a bit odd, or different, but when I am given constructive criticism, I not only take it under advisement, but believe that you are a part of my tapestry, a piece of the puzzle that will make my life even better. All the words that you share with me, all your heartfelt sentiments inspire me and if and when you disagree, you are helping me to do better. So, thank you.
In January 2012, I went to many of you, my dear friends and shared openly with you. You were so patient with me, compassionate and allowed me the benefit of handling things in my own way. You shared your thoughts, asked me questions and listened so intently to me that I was aware of the closeness of our relationship. Your love was palpable to me. I decided that I would write down all the words that all of you said to me. I keep them in my book and I refer to them when I need to be uplifted. You make me feel worthy of your friendship and confidence. I am truly honored to have a meaningful relationship with you. Ralph Waldo Emerson said these words and they are among my favorites to live by.... " The only gift is a portion of thyself. " Imagine all the tangible gifts purchased throughout your life. And imagine that when it is all said and done, the gift of YOU is the best gift that anyone could ever receive. Giving of yourself is what you do for me, and I realize that my relationships, friendships with people are what make me feel alive. Thank you for the gift of you.
A few years ago, I learned a valuable piece of information. People need three things in life and believe it or not Love is not one of them. People need to feel valued, important and needed. I remember these words and teach the principle using the acronym
VIN... Valued... Important..... Needed.
If you have the wherewithal to be aware of this when you are with others, and apply the principle of finding ways to make others feel this way, then the law of attraction is being applied. I apply this with my students, telling them specifically what they do right. I let them know how lucky and thankful I am that I know them and actually get to spend my days with them. Now, I guess in a way, that is showing love, creating a loving and nurturing environment, but when the principle was learned the word love was not mentioned. What I find these words do for others is empower and inspire them to live their highest intention.
I also learned another principle and want to share it with you. You may know it as well, people don't always remember what you do, they may not always remember exactly what you say, but they always remember the way you make them feel. I relate to this principle on an intrinsic level.
I was blessed to have remarkable parents. My dear Mother was my treasure. I love my Mom.... she passed away when I was 29 years old. I remember thinking at the time that I was thankful that I had her that long as she was ill for most of my childhood. I was very thankful that she got to see my babies. In retrospect, it was not very long at all. My Mom was my cheerleader. Somehow she always found a way to make me like myself a whole lot more when I was around her. Her enthusiasm, her encouragement, her guidance using stories of others, (which now that I am grown, have often wondered if she created just to make her point or teach the lesson) made me always want to be close to her emotionally and physically. She was most definitely my Beacon Of Light.
Another beautiful day! Thank you to all of you who responded to my blog. I am very appreciative of all your kind words and welcome your suggestions for improvement. I know this sounds a bit odd, or different, but when I am given constructive criticism, I not only take it under advisement, but believe that you are a part of my tapestry, a piece of the puzzle that will make my life even better. All the words that you share with me, all your heartfelt sentiments inspire me and if and when you disagree, you are helping me to do better. So, thank you.
In January 2012, I went to many of you, my dear friends and shared openly with you. You were so patient with me, compassionate and allowed me the benefit of handling things in my own way. You shared your thoughts, asked me questions and listened so intently to me that I was aware of the closeness of our relationship. Your love was palpable to me. I decided that I would write down all the words that all of you said to me. I keep them in my book and I refer to them when I need to be uplifted. You make me feel worthy of your friendship and confidence. I am truly honored to have a meaningful relationship with you. Ralph Waldo Emerson said these words and they are among my favorites to live by.... " The only gift is a portion of thyself. " Imagine all the tangible gifts purchased throughout your life. And imagine that when it is all said and done, the gift of YOU is the best gift that anyone could ever receive. Giving of yourself is what you do for me, and I realize that my relationships, friendships with people are what make me feel alive. Thank you for the gift of you.
A few years ago, I learned a valuable piece of information. People need three things in life and believe it or not Love is not one of them. People need to feel valued, important and needed. I remember these words and teach the principle using the acronym
VIN... Valued... Important..... Needed.
If you have the wherewithal to be aware of this when you are with others, and apply the principle of finding ways to make others feel this way, then the law of attraction is being applied. I apply this with my students, telling them specifically what they do right. I let them know how lucky and thankful I am that I know them and actually get to spend my days with them. Now, I guess in a way, that is showing love, creating a loving and nurturing environment, but when the principle was learned the word love was not mentioned. What I find these words do for others is empower and inspire them to live their highest intention.
I also learned another principle and want to share it with you. You may know it as well, people don't always remember what you do, they may not always remember exactly what you say, but they always remember the way you make them feel. I relate to this principle on an intrinsic level.
I was blessed to have remarkable parents. My dear Mother was my treasure. I love my Mom.... she passed away when I was 29 years old. I remember thinking at the time that I was thankful that I had her that long as she was ill for most of my childhood. I was very thankful that she got to see my babies. In retrospect, it was not very long at all. My Mom was my cheerleader. Somehow she always found a way to make me like myself a whole lot more when I was around her. Her enthusiasm, her encouragement, her guidance using stories of others, (which now that I am grown, have often wondered if she created just to make her point or teach the lesson) made me always want to be close to her emotionally and physically. She was most definitely my Beacon Of Light.
I remember when she was so ill... we knew she was not going to live much longer. I was devasted knowing that I was losing my best friend and didn't have my Mother to console me, and also because I was losing my MOTHER and didn't have my best friend to help me bear the loss. I remember telling her about this and she had the most profound response..... Marialyce.... I promise that I will always be there for you when you need me. I will tell God, you GAVE ME THAT CHILD, and she needs me now. So whatever assignment you have me on, I need to take a leave, because I have to help my Marialyce. I believed her... I believed my Mother... and honestly, I have had some major... Major experiences happen to me in the last 21 years.... and my Mother was always, Always there for me. A Mother's love never dies. So are you curious how I get my Mom's attention when I am losing my mind and at my wit's end. I will tell you. It is our code. I asked my Mom, how will you know that I am in desparate need of you and when you have to be present to me. Mom said let's have a code. She said, Marialyce you pick the code.... Our code....is
M-O-M. I say the letters out loud. Now I can tell you that I do not hear my mother speak to me. No, it is not like a conversation.... My mother guides me through a variety of vessels. Many times you have been a messenger for her. You may share something with me, and I know that it is a sign of her presence. It is a blue moment. I am thankful. Over time, I would very much like to share the ways that my mother has communicated with me. I wonder if that would interest you. I would appreciate your thoughts.
And so for today.... I wish for you to choose someone in your life...perhaps a child, a spouse, a friend, a neighbor or maybe even the cashier at the food store. Express openly that their existence matters to you. Let them know that they are important. The fact that you are crossing paths in life with them is valuable to you and they are valuable. That, in this moment, you needed them and they were there. Then, watch their reaction. See the smile on their face. Watch the joy, well up in their being. It is truly amazing. The only gift....is a portion of thyself.... rwe.
En`Joy,
Marialyce
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Good Afternoon,
Today is a beautiful day! I am sitting on my back, screened- in porch and am being visted frequently by my tiny hummingbirds. We have a hanging feeder for our little ones. The hummingbird is truly an amazing little creature, dear, gentle and charming. They are the only bird that can flap its wings in a figure eight while suspended in air. They make my heart sing! The porch is my favorite spot in our home. It is private, the ceiling fan is cooling me and my music is enveloping me. (my auditory sense is my favorite sense. What is your favorite sense?)
I feel as though I am on vacation, sitting here with the breeze blowing through my hair as I sip my iced tea. All my senses are met. The beautiful birds in my birdbath and flowers in my garden, the sounds of nature and my music, my delicious tea with lemon, and the feel of pen and paper in my hands. Well, at this moment it is the feel of the keyboard beneath my finger tips.
I love words.... Winston Churchill said " Words are the only things that last forever." I love to write and believe that my thoughts, documented in my journal will be a legacy for our daughters, Shawn and Lindsay.
In June of last year, as the school year came to a close, I decided to take the summer months and contemplate life and my place in this world. I was turning 50 in January 2012 and felt the overwhelming need to sit quietly, think and listen to my heart. What was my purpose, my calling in this life. I was having frequent dreams . I was in a huge arena, the place was packed, everyone sat quietly and I saw myself dressed in a beautiful black dress with beautiful jewelry and my favorite 4 inch black stiletto heels. There was a spotlight that was shining on me and I had a microphone in my hand. And then the dream would cut out. Interestingly enough, though, it was recurring. Over and over.... Why, I wondered? On July 30 I had my annual routine mammogram and was subsequently diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Wow! I was thankful for the quiet time that I had taken at the beginning of the summer because I realized that this diagnosis would be life changing. My life would be different from this moment on. But more about that later.
I guess what I want to share at this moment is.... that years prior I was going through a very challenging time raising my children. My heart was heavy and I continually sought answers. During this time a quotation popped into my head. I remember sitting in my friend, Karen Biglin's kitchen and saying to her, I keep thinking of these words.... "You can not be a beacon of light without first experiencing the darkness." I had no idea what those words meant. In time I didn't think of them anymore. But then, in my quietness of last summer and with my diagnosis... the quotation came back to me. "YOU CAN NOT BE A BEACON OF LIGHT WITHOUT FIRST EXPERIENCING THE DARKNESS." I remember thinking, I want to be a beacon of light. I want to be bright in my life, I want to shine, to be happy. I don't want an ordinary life.
Please God, help me to find my way.
When I googled these words, I came to realize that these words, "you can not be a beacon of light....." were mine. I was the author of this quotation. My doctor, Beth DuPree, said Marialyce, this journey that you are on, is not about Breast Cancer. What are you supposed to be doing in your life, with your life. You are being called to your highest intention. Between August 4 and August 24, the day of my bilateral mastectomies, I realized that EVERY SINGLE THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN THIS LIFE PREPARED ME FOR THIS MOMENT. I am prepared for all that life presents to me. And so are you, my friend. That is why we have our experiences that are uniquely our own. And so, I decided that I will choose happiness in my life. I will take my time and quietly discern how to accept the challenges that present themselves to me and determine how I will move forward with my days with a smile. And I decided that the way for me to do this, was to be thankful for everything, the good and the not so good because I know that my life is being used for something greater. My first life was magnificent and since 8/24/11 I am living my second best life. My life now is exceptional. It is extraordinary. I am living a life of gratitude and service. I have a friendship with Jesus that is sacred. We are companions on this journey and although I do not have a GPS, navigation system, or a map, I am confident and trust that everything will work out for the best. I am following my heart and intuition and am joyful. Exciting things are happening!
One day, my husband Jim came home from work with the Steve Jobs biography. At that time, I was trying to still find my way on the journey. I remained quiet about my breast cancer, not sharing with my family, friends and coworkers until the end of January 2012. I did not have answers for all the questions that I anticipated. I felt my time was very limited, I had a tremendous amount of work to do, and needed to concentrate on myself, to focus on finding answers to all my questions.
I want to share a synchronistic moment with you.... A blue moment, a moment that took my breath away. On a book mark, tucked inside the book, was a quote from Steve Jobs, from his 2005 Commencement Address at Stanford University.
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." ~ Steve Jobs
I knew in that moment that I was becoming a Beacon of Light. I figured out that I was being called to be an Inspirational Speaker. In March of this past year, I began to speak publicly and in July became a member of the BucksMont Speakers Bureau. I am living my highest intention. I know this because I receive signs that confirm that I am in alignment with my life's calling.
I humbly share this journey with you. I ask God everyday, to please help me get out of my own way. When I do things His way they work out so much better than if I try to navigate my own course. I believe that all of us are guided in life. We just have to listen with an open heart
My wish for you this day.... To have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.
En Joy,
~Marialyce
Today is a beautiful day! I am sitting on my back, screened- in porch and am being visted frequently by my tiny hummingbirds. We have a hanging feeder for our little ones. The hummingbird is truly an amazing little creature, dear, gentle and charming. They are the only bird that can flap its wings in a figure eight while suspended in air. They make my heart sing! The porch is my favorite spot in our home. It is private, the ceiling fan is cooling me and my music is enveloping me. (my auditory sense is my favorite sense. What is your favorite sense?)
I feel as though I am on vacation, sitting here with the breeze blowing through my hair as I sip my iced tea. All my senses are met. The beautiful birds in my birdbath and flowers in my garden, the sounds of nature and my music, my delicious tea with lemon, and the feel of pen and paper in my hands. Well, at this moment it is the feel of the keyboard beneath my finger tips.
I love words.... Winston Churchill said " Words are the only things that last forever." I love to write and believe that my thoughts, documented in my journal will be a legacy for our daughters, Shawn and Lindsay.
In June of last year, as the school year came to a close, I decided to take the summer months and contemplate life and my place in this world. I was turning 50 in January 2012 and felt the overwhelming need to sit quietly, think and listen to my heart. What was my purpose, my calling in this life. I was having frequent dreams . I was in a huge arena, the place was packed, everyone sat quietly and I saw myself dressed in a beautiful black dress with beautiful jewelry and my favorite 4 inch black stiletto heels. There was a spotlight that was shining on me and I had a microphone in my hand. And then the dream would cut out. Interestingly enough, though, it was recurring. Over and over.... Why, I wondered? On July 30 I had my annual routine mammogram and was subsequently diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Wow! I was thankful for the quiet time that I had taken at the beginning of the summer because I realized that this diagnosis would be life changing. My life would be different from this moment on. But more about that later.
I guess what I want to share at this moment is.... that years prior I was going through a very challenging time raising my children. My heart was heavy and I continually sought answers. During this time a quotation popped into my head. I remember sitting in my friend, Karen Biglin's kitchen and saying to her, I keep thinking of these words.... "You can not be a beacon of light without first experiencing the darkness." I had no idea what those words meant. In time I didn't think of them anymore. But then, in my quietness of last summer and with my diagnosis... the quotation came back to me. "YOU CAN NOT BE A BEACON OF LIGHT WITHOUT FIRST EXPERIENCING THE DARKNESS." I remember thinking, I want to be a beacon of light. I want to be bright in my life, I want to shine, to be happy. I don't want an ordinary life.
Please God, help me to find my way.
When I googled these words, I came to realize that these words, "you can not be a beacon of light....." were mine. I was the author of this quotation. My doctor, Beth DuPree, said Marialyce, this journey that you are on, is not about Breast Cancer. What are you supposed to be doing in your life, with your life. You are being called to your highest intention. Between August 4 and August 24, the day of my bilateral mastectomies, I realized that EVERY SINGLE THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN THIS LIFE PREPARED ME FOR THIS MOMENT. I am prepared for all that life presents to me. And so are you, my friend. That is why we have our experiences that are uniquely our own. And so, I decided that I will choose happiness in my life. I will take my time and quietly discern how to accept the challenges that present themselves to me and determine how I will move forward with my days with a smile. And I decided that the way for me to do this, was to be thankful for everything, the good and the not so good because I know that my life is being used for something greater. My first life was magnificent and since 8/24/11 I am living my second best life. My life now is exceptional. It is extraordinary. I am living a life of gratitude and service. I have a friendship with Jesus that is sacred. We are companions on this journey and although I do not have a GPS, navigation system, or a map, I am confident and trust that everything will work out for the best. I am following my heart and intuition and am joyful. Exciting things are happening!
One day, my husband Jim came home from work with the Steve Jobs biography. At that time, I was trying to still find my way on the journey. I remained quiet about my breast cancer, not sharing with my family, friends and coworkers until the end of January 2012. I did not have answers for all the questions that I anticipated. I felt my time was very limited, I had a tremendous amount of work to do, and needed to concentrate on myself, to focus on finding answers to all my questions.
I want to share a synchronistic moment with you.... A blue moment, a moment that took my breath away. On a book mark, tucked inside the book, was a quote from Steve Jobs, from his 2005 Commencement Address at Stanford University.
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." ~ Steve Jobs
I knew in that moment that I was becoming a Beacon of Light. I figured out that I was being called to be an Inspirational Speaker. In March of this past year, I began to speak publicly and in July became a member of the BucksMont Speakers Bureau. I am living my highest intention. I know this because I receive signs that confirm that I am in alignment with my life's calling.
I humbly share this journey with you. I ask God everyday, to please help me get out of my own way. When I do things His way they work out so much better than if I try to navigate my own course. I believe that all of us are guided in life. We just have to listen with an open heart
My wish for you this day.... To have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.
En Joy,
~Marialyce
Monday, August 27, 2012
This is my very first blog! I am so excited to be blogging! Four of the dearest people in my life suggested that I blog. I decided to honor their request. I hope that you find my thoughts interesting, and if you don't, I hope that at the very least, I amuse you.
I tell my students, please please never use the 'B' word when you reference me. They all shake their heads...Oh! No ! Mrs. Keane, we would never use the 'B' word. The 'B' word is boring. I hope that I am never boring! Ugh.... That would be a terrible thing for me to be considered.
Today was my lucky day! Actually I am lucky everyday. Life is about perspective, how you choose to view EVERYTHING! YOU get to choose. You are in charge of your life. I want to live a happy life. I choose to be happy everyday!
I ask everyday, PLEASE PICK ME TO BE YOUR MESSENGER! And quite often, I am chosen. I recognize those moments that I am chosen to do something for another human being, as divine. The moment when you feel deep within your being that something amazing is happening~
A few years ago, I read a book by Kent Nerburn, entitled Small Graces. In the book, Kent describes the Blue Moment, a moment that takes your breath away, a moment when you feel TOTALLY ALIVE! I often describe the synchronistic moments that occur often in my life, as blue moments.
On this day, my wish for you is that you experience a Blue Moment and recognize it as such!
I just decided that I will close each blog that I write, with a wish for my reader.
En Joy,
~Marialyce
I tell my students, please please never use the 'B' word when you reference me. They all shake their heads...Oh! No ! Mrs. Keane, we would never use the 'B' word. The 'B' word is boring. I hope that I am never boring! Ugh.... That would be a terrible thing for me to be considered.
Today was my lucky day! Actually I am lucky everyday. Life is about perspective, how you choose to view EVERYTHING! YOU get to choose. You are in charge of your life. I want to live a happy life. I choose to be happy everyday!
I ask everyday, PLEASE PICK ME TO BE YOUR MESSENGER! And quite often, I am chosen. I recognize those moments that I am chosen to do something for another human being, as divine. The moment when you feel deep within your being that something amazing is happening~
A few years ago, I read a book by Kent Nerburn, entitled Small Graces. In the book, Kent describes the Blue Moment, a moment that takes your breath away, a moment when you feel TOTALLY ALIVE! I often describe the synchronistic moments that occur often in my life, as blue moments.
On this day, my wish for you is that you experience a Blue Moment and recognize it as such!
I just decided that I will close each blog that I write, with a wish for my reader.
En Joy,
~Marialyce
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