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HEARTfelt Help ~ AMY UPDATE

4/30/2013

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This is my second blog post of the day. Not something I normally do. BUT, this is an Amy Update.

While chatting with her this morning I found out that her husband's company is closing and he will be out of work effective June 21. Great. JUST great.

Amy is in Indiana. I am in New York. It makes it hard for me to do a whole lot except share her story and get the whole wide universe sending her blessings, prayers, good thoughts, healing light and all things miraculous.

And then I thought. Crowd sourcing for fundraising. BINGO. I can do that. I can set something up and there will be instant monetary help from those who CAN.

So, without further ado, I ask you to check out the link and give what you can. No amount is to small. I mean it.

http://www.gofundme.com/amyanders

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to all!
xo
Maggie

To quote my friend Mary, "Be socialable. SHARE!"
By the way, if you are a mid-westerner, or have a connection in the mid-west  here is what I can share with you about Jeff's job skills - this is in no way a formal resume as you will figure out in two seconds or less.

Jeff is in trucking and freight. He has a Class A CDL and right now is running an entire trucking terminal, so he can do it all. Sixth company we have worked for in 12 years that has closed. Hard to make a resume look good because it looks like you skip jobs when in truth the companies close.

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It's a New Day

4/30/2013

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I woke up unnaturally early this morning, at 4:25am with no alarm clock. Since I was meeting Janet at 5:30 I figured, what the heck, I'll get up anyway. I made a cup of coffee in the Keurig for a quick fix and a pot for later. When I went outside the sky was getting light, the birds were wide awake, it wasn't too cold, it was, a perfect new day.

On Bella's first day of First Grade we had the following conversation when she got off the bus:

Bella: "I was on the behavior chart today."
Me: "Really? Already? Why?!"
Bella
: "Because I was talking too much and not listening enough."
Me: "Oh...that's too bad."
Bella
: "It's no big deal, Mommy. Tomorrow is another day and I get to start all over again."

I most certainly didn't teach her that. She was SIX! But she figured it out. I told both her teacher and the principal about that conversation. THEY were impressed. I still tell that story; I think it defines my girl to a T.

 Bella still is chatty. I cannot, for the life of me, fathom where she gets that from. I texted this to Bella the minute I saw it. She laughed because she knows herself very well.
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Bella lives by these principles she came into the world with. She is a shining example of how every day is a new day. I learned a huge lesson that day, from a very little girl, with a very impressive grasp of life.

Let's all follow her lead today, shall we?
Because we all need a little Nina Simone now and again.
http://youtu.be/CJA69C6SlRk
AMY UPDATE: There is no rest for the weary, people. As of ten seconds ago via text, Amy has a mass of fluid on her chest above where they cut her sternum. The hope is that it is NOT an infection, otherwise, they have to go back to surgery and drain it. REALLY? Seriously?! You are well versed in the drill. Let's make that fluid disappear so Amy can get home. Pleaseandthankyouverymuch.
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Post Dance Euphoria

4/29/2013

8 Comments

 
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Bella surrounded by her equally beautiful friends
During intermission of the second show, my friend Don Rizzo said to me, "Maggie, I think I got THE perfect shot of Bella."

THANK YOU, Don, I believe this shot truly captures the beauty of this number so eloquently and I am so appreciative of it.
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Here's the truth about a well directed dance show. You are never bored. The numbers flow seamlessly. The music absolutely transports you. The dancers keep you riveted to the stage. You hold your breath as they leap and turn. And when they babies come onto the stage, the audience always, ALWAYS, exclaims a collective, "Awwwwww."

I was transported to ALL the places these talented dancers went yesterday. From the opening act until the closing act I ooohhed and aahhed and gasped and clapped and hooted and hollered and wept.

It. Was. Awesome.

From a mom's perspective, it is amazing to look at Bella and think, "I gave birth to this kid." Holy Hannah. She is a beautiful dancer. I was never able to do what she does. People were complimenting me on her stage presence yesterday and I said, "Thank you."

The truth is, her ability to dance has absolutely nothing to do with me. I merely pay the bills and drive her. Bella does all the work. And trust me, dancers are athletes. If you ever want to try to dispute that I ask you to attempt to do what these kids did yesterday. You can't.

Another year of hard work, dedication, fun (it has to be or Bella wouldn't have stuck it out for almost 14 years), sprains, strains and six pairs of pointe shoes, comes to a conclusion with a marvelous show. They have a few more weeks of dance left for the year. They will dance for the joy of dancing; for the sheer love of the sport. The next full blown show will be when Bella is a senior. I can't even fathom it.

The show closed with this song. You ALL know it. Close your eyes and imagine the magnificence of dancers as they glide, leap, twist, turn, and portray, EXACTLY the places they will go.

I love HDTC. ♥

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. In a million years you will never know just what being a part of this family has meant to ME. (The heck with Bella!) 

And Jody, OF COURSE I'm crying!

Home by Phillip Phillips
http://youtu.be/HoRkntoHkIE
AMY UPDATE: Amy has an infection that is affecting her white blood cell counts. They are doing testing this morning to figure out just what on earth is happening. I got a text from her about an hour ago to say the count dropped down to 16, which I am presuming is good. Keep doing what you've been doing in order to keep her spirits lifted while the doctors do what they can to get her out of that hospital once and for all.
xoxo

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Oh, the Places You'll Go

4/28/2013

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http://www.scottjoneseventphotography.com/
Today is THE day!

It's the day of the Hudson Dance & Tumble Center's Show. This year's theme is the Dr. Seuss book, Oh, the Places You'll Go! The studio does a show every other year and let me tell you, it is ALWAYS spectacular.

Bella has been dancing with the teachers in this studio since she was two, although it might be since she was three. In any event, it's been for most of her life up to three nights a week.

When Bella first started dancing, I watched in amazement the interaction between the big girls and the little girls. I knew from the get go I wanted her to grow up in the studio.

Discipline. Poise. Kindness. Talent. Heartbreak. Trust. Beauty. Delight.

It's all there.

Bella has all that.

This year, I am not tapping. (That was a hoot)
This year, I am not volunteering. (First time ever)
This year, I am a proud mama, cheering (probably crying) in the audience for all the amazing dancers and especially, MY dancer.

Thank you HDTC!

Thank you Jody, Mary, Ms. Barthelmes, Aaron, Diane, and Claire for putting your all into this. I know how much goes into it. 

Thank you to Miss Aurette and Colleen ~ you were Bella's first teachers.

Break a leg, one and all ~ and, BRAVO! in advance.
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You must have guessed I would have used this song.
http://youtu.be/KBWfUc5jKiM

AND then I woke up with THIS song in my head!
http://youtu.be/y2SfmcNg8js
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Spring Saturday

4/27/2013

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http://bit.ly/YaB3E7
I love the spring. New growth. Beautiful flowers. Windows open.

And then there's the downside...

Allergies galore. I woke up with a wicked sinus headache. I doused it with Motrin, Sudafed, two cups of coffee, and a shower that started out hot and once again turned cold. (One more call, maybe they can fix it this time?!) The headache is still lingering. Yippee.

Last night, I had some crazy dreams. I was on a big 'ole jet airliner with people from around here and my friend Margo from Idaho (!?). We were checking out school complexes across the country. (?!) Suddenly, I was on a lounge chair on a cruise ship (??!!). While tanning (something I don't do) my phone rang with a ring I haven't heard in months (!?!?!?). The next thing I knew, I was teleported to a park hillside to chat, and in the middle of the conversation, my house phone rang and woke me up. Have at it dram interpreters...

The kids have both practiced this morning. Bella is off to NYSSMA - New York State School Music Association - to sing her heart out in a little while. Finally, all that singing in the shower will be heard from someone other than us. Her performance is judged against herself. It's a cool think they do here in NY.

Have THE BEST Saturday!

AMY UPDATE: Amy did NOT get sprung yesterday. Her white blood count spiked to double what it should be. Keep those good thoughts foremost in your mind.
She's killing me...

(I write that with ALL the love in my heart!)
I love Erasure from the days of yore.
This is a fun albeit slightly depressing ending song, but it's got a good beat and you can chair dance to it.
http://youtu.be/Cy7nMlp18ZU
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You ARE Beautiful

4/26/2013

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My friend Leigh and I are meeting on Monday to design a class. It came about from a FB post I shared about loving yourself and Leigh's quote from Jonathon Livingston Seagull in the comments. Loving yourself and how you perceive yourself is certainly being talked about a lot these days.
Have you seen this EXCELLENT "commercial" Dove created?
It was all over FB last week and one of my friends was kind enough to put it right on my wall.
Check it out:
http://youtu.be/XpaOjMXyJGk
One of the books I am currently reading is Brené Brown's book, Daring Greatly. I read this paragraph and thought, "A-ha!"

"...in practicing self-love over the past couple of years, I can say that it has immeasurably deepened my relationships with the people I love. It's given me the courage to show up and be vulnerable in new ways, and that's what love is all about."

If you aren't familiar with Brené Brown, I highly suggest her TED talk. I have listened to it at least four times. You will love her. It will be entirely worth your 20 minutes. I promise.
Here's the link: http://bit.ly/15VzWux

When I think about the words that go through my head, far less now than before, thank you very much, it's understandable why I sometimes fall apart. I am not worthy. I am unlovable. I'm not good enough. I am in far too deep than what I can handle. I don't like my fill in the blank.

LOTS of inner work, lots of journaling, lots of spiritual work, the faith of many, and finally, FINALLY, loving myself has gotten me to the place of loving myself. Some days it isn't terribly easy. I mean, come on, walking into the gym and crying is a state of unlovableness. Not terribly enjoyable at all.

SO. RIGHT NOW. KNOW you are beautiful. KNOW you are worthy. KNOW you are loved. KNOW you are enough. For the record, this applies to the men who read this. I know you're out there. 
You had to know this song would eventually make it's way here...
http://youtu.be/p3jcvgdbvo8
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Amy & Jeff
AMY UPDATE:
Yesterday Amy walked around the hospital and made her way to the gift shop where she promptly broke the bank by spending $1.99.

HUGE, huge, GIANT news:
She's being sprung TODAY!

PLEASE, keep all those good thoughts headed her way.  xo

I am finally starting to get the hang of Twitter - so, if you're on Twitter, I would love it if you follow me. I'll follow you back. Thanks.
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Full Moon ~ 4-25-13

4/25/2013

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www.ffffound.com
My friend Melissa posted this as her FB status about an hour ago:
People go look at the moon. Now.
It is a sight to behold.
As I turned into my driveway, this is the song that popped into my head.
I listened to the song, and truly, I don't know WHAT on earth it's supposed to mean, but, I loved it as a teen and I still know all the words all these years later, so that says something.
http://youtu.be/NPazGVuBXmY
Take Melissa's advice and go look at the moon!
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Practice Gratitude

4/25/2013

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Did you know that when you are grateful, miracles happen? 

It's not like you have to walk around stating everything you are grateful for, out loud, all the time. That might get annoying to others around you and THEY may not be quite so grateful.

Every morning, before I leap (not) out of bed, I spend a few moments in quiet reflection of all that I am grateful for. 

Every night, when I crash (yes) into bed, just before I fall asleep, I do the same thing.

 Yesterday, there was an extraordinary red-tail hawk circling over my head when I got home from my mornings activities. I literally just stood on my walkway and watched it. I swear to you, it was "talking" to me. I went inside, made my lunch, and sat on my stoop hoping to see it again. It wasn't meant to happen, but boy, what a fantastic message the hawk brings! To read up on the hawk as an animal totem, click HERE and then come back here, I'll wait.

I. KNOW! SERIOUSLY - how grateful am I to have had that experience yesterday?! It blows my mind how this always happens and yet, there's the miracle.


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On Facebook this morning I posted this picture with this sentence:
Think of one thing you are grateful for right now. Feel free to share here. ♥

I started the topic grateful for my health. I have seen firsthand that with poor health everything else starts to deteriorate. I am always be grateful to the PEOPLE in my life. And hot water. And a roof over my head and food in my belly.

It was marvelous to wake up and see what others are thankful for. THAT made me more grateful.

What are YOU grateful for?
Please share in the comments.
xo

ANYTIME you can add Pachelbel's Canon to a song, I'm in...
http://youtu.be/ZG2R25kpMpY
Which made me think of THIS version of the song by my favorites, The Piano Guys; I am so grateful for their never ending creativity. WATCH the video. You will smile all the way through. Bravo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV5_xj_yuhs
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Colorful Day

4/24/2013

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I started this post last night ~ picked the pictures, picked the song and then, the entire day got away from me! 

My day WAS very colorful and fun and busy. Gym. Walk. Reiki/Therapy. Work on volunteer stuff. Clean up the balls in the backyard for the lawn guys. Yell at the printer for not printing - WHAT is up with it? Bella's LAX game. Off to a meeting in five minutes. And then it will be bedtime.

I hope YOU had an awesome day and aren't too bummed this post is so lame. I loved all the comments from yesterday. It was marvelous to read.

Until tomorrow ~ I am outta here!
When I was in 6th grade we sang this song in chorus!
http://youtu.be/TxsHzfpjbHw
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Live Passionately

4/23/2013

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www.curlygirldesign.com
As you may recall, I am a hopeless romantic. As such, when I was younger, I thought/hoped (?) passion would be a sweeping love story, 24x7x365, epic physical connection.

Then reality hit.

That level of emotion can't be sustained when the day in and day out redundancies of life hit. At least that hasn't been my reality to date.

As I get older, I realize that passion for LIFE is a totally different animal than physical, emotional passion. And that, well that, I do have.

And now...this post will get long. (You've been warned.)

A year ago today I crossed over the threshold of a door and became part of a group of 12 women called the Ring of Health. Our goal was to eat right, exercise and participate in group therapy. 

I had been in therapy in and out over the years. I had rarely gotten to the bottom of anything. Did you know therapy is useless if you lie to yourself?

This time, I was going all in. I was going to be honest with myself and figure out just what the hell had been holding me back from the me I recalled from days gone by.

There is a certain amount of all of us that gets lost when we start a family. Those darling little cherubs require parts of our souls we didn't know existed. And we want nothing more than to give them every little part of ourselves we can. Which is great. Until it's not. 

Now, would I change a thing about how much of me I doled out to my luvvies? Not really. In the whole scheme of teenagers, I have two amazing people. A big portion of that is the insane amount of time we have put into raising them. But somewhere along the line, pieces of me were forgotten. For a while, I identified myself as an ATM and taxi, card carrying PTA volunteer.

These days, Peter drives. Both kids work. I have scaled down on my PTA activities to one giant event a year. Those labels have been removed. Do I still drive Bella the 2/10ths of a mile to school almost every morning? Yep. Her backpack weighs more than she does. Spring sports add the LAX backpack and her stick. As of last Friday, she has an inflamed shoulder and is sporting a sling. So yes, I drive her. But that will end very soon too.

In what seems like a blink of an eye, my babies are quite nearly 16 and 17. Their growth continued while mine took a back burner. I am not alone in this. Almost every woman I know has felt like this at some point. (I am more than certain men feel the same way. They don't vocalize it nearly as much as women do. That PSA is just in case you haven't figured that out. )

There are the rare few who have managed to stay true to themselves, but too many of us have put our own needs away while tending to our families. Again, this isn't a bad thing. It's just what we do.

ANYway. In this span of a year I have found that the wings I was born with, that apparently got clipped for the better part of a couple of decades, are back. They're not fully showing, but, I can feel them.

I like who I am most of the time. 
  • A year ago, I didn't have a college degree. I do now.
  • A year ago, I had never uttered the words, "The Glass House Retreat."
  • A year ago, I had an unpublished blog that never saw the light of day. Fear kept me from writing. Now, I write for me and I am just over the moon delighted others like what I write and support me. I no longer fear my truth.
  • A year ago, I was nowhere near as physically fit as I am now.
  • A year ago, I was utterly unhappy, but to see me, oh, I faked it well and you would have thought I was just ducky. (I never fully fooled my sisters...)
  • A year ago, I knew I had a book in me. It's been started. And stopped. And started. And stopped. But it's here.
There are parts of my life that I am still unhappy with. That's why I am still in therapy. Our group is in it's third cycle. We have gone from 12 women to five.

I foresee huge changes still to come. Some will be very hard. Some will be delightful. And the universe will heave a sigh of relief when all of it is the way it was meant to be from the get go.

On our yoga retreat Cara recalled something she read that stated, we should all, at least once a day, cry, laugh, and tell someone you love them.

When I walked in the gym this morning I burst into tears. Lucky for me, I work out with amazing women who literally stopped what they were doing to make sure I was OK. Jen, being Jen, assured me I would be better once I worked out. Naturally, she was right. I must have laughed at something while at the gym - it is, after all, a pretty funny place. I know I will laugh way more than once today, I live with funny people. I tell my kids I love them every day before they leave for school and every night before bed. If they are out and about during the day, I say it as they walk out the door. I texted a friend I haven't seen in too, too long that I missed them. Then, I texted them to remind them I love them too. 

Try it. You'll feel better at the end of the day I bet.

JUST SO YOU KNOW... I love you.
This was the very first song to pop into my head when I started thinking about this blog. Of course it was.
http://youtu.be/5TCMpA5TfHc

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We Are All Connected

4/22/2013

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There's a great image I've seen on the Internet. It shows skeletons of every race. Funny. Once you remove our outer layers we are all the same.

We ARE all connected. Even the people who snap. At some point, they were their mother's babies. I don't personally know one mother who didn't do anything except love those creatures who they birthed; via their body or their hearts. 

I wonder where the hate is taught. I wonder where it's learned. It may very well be in the home, but some of it may be societal. Some of it may be a bad synapse. All I know is that Friday morning, when those two brothers were killed and shot, for one second, I had a fleeting thought of them as innocent babies and I all could do was cry for innocence lost. That was during shavasana in yoga; AKA the death pose.

There will always be people I don't like. There are people who don't like me. I won't share a meal with them. But, that doesn't mean I won't send them light, love and blessings when they need it. 

If we could all collectively send the people who aren't our besties some love today, everyone may seem a lot more pleasant. By sending love we get it back. That's my plan at least.

&
there is wonder &
there is bravery
& there is hope.

The hilarity of this video is it's from the movie, Barbie And The Diamond Castle 
http://youtu.be/R0Mka3pGE-8

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Amy & Charleen
AMY UPDATE:
From last nights FB status
Look (!) She's up and walking! THREE times yesterday. 

Amy's ORIGINAL release date from the hospital was three to five weeks. NOW, it could be as early as next weekend! She is a WALKING miracle.

I spoke to her yesterday for more than 30 seconds and it was all good.

PLEASE continue to keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers and healing vibes. It's still a long road road that we will help make less bumpy. xo ♥

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Relax. Enjoy.

4/21/2013

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It is deceptively sunny out today. I was dressed to go take a walk and was taken by surprise at the chill in the air.

So, instead I went to the market. I picked up lots of good for me food.

I got my car washed, this week, by the boys LAX teams. Last week it was the girls. Who knows what next week will be. I always make an effort to have my car cleaned when it's for any cause around here.

I will cook up a storm. I will dole out my portions for the week. I will walk at some point later on in the day. I will relax and enjoy. You do the same. xo

A jazzy instrumental for you
http://youtu.be/0DBO6Diwu1g
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Saturday Share ~ Suz Crew

4/20/2013

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You all "know" my friend Kelly. Well, you don't really know her, but you know her work. She is the graphic designer extraordinaire of TGHR logo. She is also the designer of the Suz Crew logo.

Ah...but THIS logo is personal.

One year ago today, Kelly's mom died after a heroic fight of her, versus a vicious cancer called LMS. Suzanne Duke is no longer walking with us in her human form she is MOST definitely alive in the spirit form.

When you lose someone you love to death, you have to get through all the anniversaries. First fill in the blank without fill in the name. Today is the last of the firsts.

I know today will be a hard day for my darling Kelly, and all of the people who love her and loved Suz; Peter, Maddie, Will, Bill, Erin, Sissy, Steve, and the large extended family that live all over the country. Join me in keeping them in your thoughts, liking their FB page, checking out the magnificent website, and of course, making a donation of any amount.  xo

From this loss came Suz Crew. 
"We're not funding the cure, but rather the war."

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"Battling cancer while also trying to keep financially afloat is a brutal reality for some cancer patients. In some instances, a patient is no longer able work, or a parent may have to cut back from their job to care for their child who is the patient. Some families will face the terrible financial reality, that while fighting for their lives, or that of a family member, they may also have the additional burden of possibly losing their home, paying for extra childcare, while struggling to stay on top of mounting medical bills.

Money donated to Suz Crew does NOT go to research. Our goal is to help struggling cancer patients with immediate financial assistance. Patients may be a friend, neighbor, coworker or an acquaintance. Whether they have found us on their own, or were recommended by others, we are here to try and ease a small part of their burden. 

We are an organization that cares and we hope to make a difference."

Check out the website HERE
Go ahead, make a donation HERE
(remember, no donation is too small)
"LIKE" the Facebook Page HERE

Music today, is once again from Bella.
Suzanne most definitely was here.
Her spirit lives on in her children, her grandchildren, and all of us who are associated with Suz Crew.
Long may we help.
xoxo

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It's Friday ~ Let's Dance

4/19/2013

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I wrote most of  this last night. I am running it because I need some dancing, laughter and love to balance out the incomprehensible craziness of this week.

Peter came downstairs this morning and says, "One's dead."  Huh? I haven't had my second cup of coffee. He has up to the second news thanks to Twitter.  The TV is not on in the morning in my house. So, naturally I turned it on. Boston is in lockdown  An entire city and the surrounding communities facing the wrath of a madman who is sure to be even more incensed now that his cohort is dead. I turned the TV off. He turned it back on. I drove Bella to school. The TV was still on when I got back from that 90 second trip. Peter left for school, I turned the TV back off.  

I. Can't. I really just can't.


I spent MANY, many, many weeks in Boston commuting from LaGuardia to Boston for work. I love the city, the people, the Boston Marriott Long Wharf, Faneuil Hall, and Marco's cousins restaurant in the North End, Lucia's - where I would meet his cousin, Lucia, for dinner every so often, to name just a few things.


Facebook status updates include parents of kids in college in Boston. Family members who live where the suspect may or may not be. Pleas for safety. Reminders of how much they love their people.

Be safe Boston. I know you're already Boston Strong. And when you're ready, I invite you to my dance party. xo


I have cried this week. I have taken more than a few deep breathes. I have watched the news media bumble the Boston situation to a faretheewell. I have gotten utterly fed up with the Senate. 

BUT ~
  • I have eaten well. 
  • I have worked out like an athlete. 
  • I have cheered on the girls varsity lacrosse team. I missed baseball because of LAX, so in case you're wondering, that team did fine too. 
  • I celebrated Bella getting inducted into the Italian Honor Society and I listened to Peter speak a language I don't understand at the same ceremony.
  • I taught a beautiful woman a vision board class yesterday. 
  • I actually read a few pages in People magazine for the first time in months. 
  • I watched The Voice, Castle, SMASH and whatever else I had lined on up Hulu. Note that none of it is "heavy."
  • I wrote a blog piece for a possible job assignment that was well received. 
  • I received likes and comments for my own pieces (feeling the love). 
  • AMY called me! 
  • Prayers WERE answered. 
  • Healers did their thing. 
  • LOVE, love, love along with peace was the call to action of my week.

And so, I say, with gusto, "Let's dance!"

Music & video suggested by Bella.
The video is a riot. Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/F3EG4olrFjY

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Peace...yet, again

4/18/2013

6 Comments

 
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OH, these are tumultuous times we live in. Uncertain. Crazy. 

And yet, I still love life. I still want my kids to embrace all it has to offer. I would love to shield them from the madmen of the planet who think it's OK to blow people up.

Peter was five days into kindergarten when 9/11 happened. He told me just the other night that he remembered seeing the towers going down on the kitchen TV. I was appalled. HOW? He said they came inside from the bus, the TV was on and I quickly turned it off as soon as I realized it. So much for innocence. 

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Thanks, Nancy ~ for having this on your FB wall today.
This was most certainly the motto we grew up with in our house. Despite three teen girls who most certainly weren't peaceful all the time...it was quite unwise to talk to me during General Hospital. Jane can certainly attest to that. But we KNEW about peace. We learned it at home. From an early age.

I know we are doing the same thing here, with our kids. Although Bella might disagree - but, she is now the teen and I am now the parent and as such, I am really just such a pain in her ass. I get it. (Oh, and road rage doesn't count, right?)
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I am as astounded as the next person with the Senate's vote yesterday. I am horrified at the bombings in Boston. I can't believe the mail system is being tampered with, yet again. I am so sad by the explosion in Texas. Seriously, Kim Jong-Un scares the shit out of me.

I can recall a conversation I had with my mother a hundred years ago. It went something like this:
Me: "I am never having children. This is a crazy world."
Peg: "It's always been a crazy world. I can't imagine NOT having children."

THAT conversation has stayed with me since we had it. And like my mother before me, I cannot fathom not having Peter and Bella.

Each of us has the power to evoke change. Even if it's just in our own homes. Not everyone is cut out to lead a rally, or march on Washington, or write a piece about peace, or speak eloquently about it. Do what you can from where you sit.

With love and peace,
I remain so hopeful for our futures,
Maggie

THIS version of "Imagine" brought me to my knees when I first saw it. I just re-watched it and wept my way through it. I highly recommend you watch it rather than just listen to it.
Bravo Glee. Bravo.
http://youtu.be/cSlGocYJ2Dk

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Breathe

4/17/2013

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So many times we get caught up in life and I think, we literally forget to breathe. Not to the point of turning blue ~ although Peter was a champion breath holder as a baby/toddler and could probably teach lessons ~ but to the point of hyperventilating.

Whenever life gets too much, and let's face it, it often gets too much, my therapist usually writes one word in a text or on FB and it is always, "breathe."

What I love about meditation and yoga is I am forced to concentrate, if only for a little while, on my breathing. I need reminders when I am working out. Exhale on the up (whatever the up is that morning).

And so, today, on this marvelously beautiful Wednesday in NY, I urge you to take a moment, and ground yourself with your breathing. It might be exactly what you need to do to regroup from the everyday life stuff we all have.

Normally I don't put the FB picture here, but I am going to go crazy and share it now. Follow the directions. GO ahead. I'll wait...
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There are SO many songs with the title breathe and with the words breathe in them. I am going to share two of my favorites.

OOOHHH (!) I know, listen to them and breathe while doing so.

Enjoy this day! xo
Breathe (2AM)
What astounds me is that Nalick wrote this when she was 20. Wise.
http://youtu.be/jHEj4cRhm3E
Breathe
And Swift, too, was (still is) a very young woman when she wrote this.
http://youtu.be/uLw3NYydHNU
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Love, Love & More Love

4/16/2013

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It has been over a year since I turned the TV on in the morning. This morning, I remembered why I tuned it off in the first place. 

It's awful to see the images of yesterday's utterly senseless attack in Boston. 

BUT, the stories of people acting out of love, compassion, kindness, and the sheer goodness make it all just a tiny bit bearable.

On the social media sites yesterday, there were multiple posts that made you weep with relief, that as a whole, our humanity is still very much in evidence. Many of the pictures we achingly beautiful.

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Wouldn't it be awesome if this is all it took to keep the bad vibes away? I say, print it out and use it.

This morning, many of my FB friends have moving posts, beautiful pictures, reminders to be kind, and quotes to inspire as their status updates.

My friend Mary Jo has a picture reminding us to perform Random Acts of Kindness. I'm with her.

I think we should all perform just one act of kindness today. There are a lot of people who read this blog; imagine all 500+ holding the elevator door, holding the door anywhere, paying for a cup of coffee or tea for the person behind us, leaving a note that says something uplifting, writing an email to someone who matters, texting someone who matters, phoning someone who matters, unloading the dishwasher even if it's "not your week," leaving quarters at the laundromat - the list is endless. Need more ideas? Go HERE and have at it.

I would love it if you shared in the comments or on FB what you did. Feel free to do so anonymously - that way it really *is* random.

AMY UPDATE: The news is good.
Amy is off the ventilator. She is awake, alert, and sassing Jeff. She is still using a feeding tube, and they are hopeful that will be removed today. THEN, she can upgrade to the ever exciting clear liquid diet. She is frightened and nervous that if she sleeps she won't wake up. I am hoping the abundance of good vibes we are sending her allows her rest - she needs it. Thanks for keeping it going! xo
Many voices, many instruments, ONE message
http://youtu.be/9ka0AEWXkE8
I cried.
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Support & Inspire

4/15/2013

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If you bounce back and forth between this blog and the soon to be renamed "53 for Me" blog, you can probably get a handle on who I am. If you know me "in real life" you can probably "hear" my voice inflections in these posts too.

My goal with both blogs is to always inspire. Some days I have so much to say I think I will explode. Other days, not so much.

The people in my life constantly inspire me.

Reading the comments on the blogs and FB page inspire me. I feel supported in this venture all the time because of the back and forth. I occasionally get an email or a text or see someone in person and they reference back to a post I wrote or a song I put up.

Use your words for great power and inspiration. I will continue to hope I am doing the same for you.

We all need someone to inspire us to do better than we know how.
~ Anonymous

I googled songs about support. I had never heard this. I liked it. A lot.
http://youtu.be/Kl3i1GMuyeU

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We've Got the Power

4/14/2013

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The wound is the place where the light enters you.
~ Rumi

AMY UPDATE: THIS is the text I woke up to:
"She is now awake and alert. PRAISE GOD."



Additional UPDATE at 10:56 AM
"Countdown...15 minutes until they take the tube out Starting to take the lines out."
When I posted the Rumi quote for FB and looked for a picture last night, I did it all with Amy in mind.

I never dreamed at the beginning of this week that my blog would feature Amy so predominately.

I never dreamed it would be read by so many willing to do healing in every capacity imaginable.

I have seen the power of prayer lift Amy more than once since I have known her. Witnessing it allowed ME to look at faith and prayers and healing from a completely different perspective than I ever had before. There was no way in the world I could deny the power.

I know, I know - I've said it before and I wrote about it HERE. But still...

Our collective energies have proven that modern medicine saves lives while the power of the human heart saves the spirit. They work well together, don't you think?

Amy still has a while to go before she can spontaneously dance in her kitchen, so we need to keep this up for a while, but, boy, OH boy, what a week!

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

For sharing these blog posts. For sharing the FB posts. For adding Amy and her family to your prayer chains, your thoughts, and your hearts.

We rocked the universe and I am delighted at the results.

LOVE. Always the most powerful motivator on the planet.

Into the night and saved by the light of a love so strong
Count on me, count on my love
Jefferson Starship "Count on Me"

This song felt EXACTLY right - and trust me, I listened to a lot of them this morning!
http://youtu.be/AOMuK7YYxeg

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Life is Beautiful

4/13/2013

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Even when it's not.

Some days, let's face it, life isn't all that pretty.

I honesty can't think of one person I know who doesn't bitch, moan, or complain about something, at some time. 

Does that mean we aren't grateful? Of course not.

We're human and thus, we vent.

Today, if you feel the need to whine, go for it.

I know when I get cranky, at least these days, I can usually reign it in. That's the beauty of practicing yoga and gratitude and meditating and journaling and blah-blah-blah. (Same song, different day.)

Life IS beautiful. YOU are beautiful.

Go now, and make beautiful things happen!
Today's music ~ a lovely piano instrumental
http://youtu.be/SmD4xPr_xTY
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    Maggie Pinque

    Believer in making dreams come true.
    Intuitive Card Reader.
    Author.  
    Inspirational Speaker. 
    ​Beacon of Optimism.

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Maggie Pinque

Feel free to email me
maggie@theglasshouseretreat.com
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