If 2012 taught me anything at all (and it taught me a lot...) I would have to say one of the biggest "lessons" was how fleeting time is; how little we actually have; how very precious it really is.

I had some amazing moments in time. Life altering moments that allowed me to see myself in a different light. To see myself, perhaps for the first time in a long, long time, as others see me.

I looked at myself squarely in the eyes and decided what I liked about myself. I decided what I did not like. The process wasn't always easy. BUT, as of right this second, I am pretty happy with who and I and where I am headed in this crazy journey called life.

May you spend your time wisely, and if you are going to "waste" it, I am grateful you are choosing to spend a few moments a day here, on my blog, in my own little corner of the cyber universe. 

Here's to the end of 2012 and the start of 2013.

Sometimes, when life is dark and dreary, bringing your own sunshine is the best way to cope. 

When I walk, I love to smile and say, "Good Morning," to people who most definitely did not bring their own sunshine. It's always a challenge to try to get people to make eye contact...as you can imagine, I always give it my best shot.

If you are ever fortunate enough to go on a walk with my friend Aurette, you will witness how she shares sunshine with everyone, and, each person gets their own greeting. You can't help but smile when greeted with such enthusiasm. She is a sunbeam all by herself.

So, today, if you are out and about, bring your sunshine and share it. 

I'd love to know how your sunshine spreading went - come back and tell me.

When my mother was pregnant with my brother this song was played over and over in our house...after three girls in three years it was time. When said brother got married, he danced with our mom to this song. Karma.

I had a discussion with a friend about surrender this summer. 

I don't think of surrender as a negative action.

My friend didn't agree with me. (At first.) I believe they saw things from my point of view after a bit of time had passed.

My feeling is to just let go and let whatever is going to happen ...happen. 

Just be.

This is not an easy concept to grasp. 

While trying to define this to myself I came across this beautiful song. It brought me to a place of just being.

What does the word surrender mean to you? I'd love to know.

The first step in whatever journey we take is ALWAYS the hardest. I don't care what it is.

This year I changed the way I eat on a daily basis. THAT was hard; and in a full confession mode I did thoroughly enjoy a glorious six week free-fall of carbs.

I added regular exercise to my day. Sometimes it's nice to just sit myself on the couch though.

I went back to college and had to remember just what it is to study. That took nearly four weeks to get figured out.

I went into therapy and decided to be honest for the first time while under the care of someone who really only wants me healthy.

I said the words, "Glass House" out loud and look where I am now.

No, this journey to becoming me hasn't been paved in easy, but it is most certainly worth it. 

Feel free to join me. 

                                                        I welcome the company.

We all know someone who we are drawn to like a moth to a flame. 

The person who shines.

I try to be the person who shines. 

I am genuinely interested in people. I listen well. I am a good judge of character. I have great friends from all over the country and from all different times of my life.

I want my classes, events and retreats to be something special; something that you are drawn to like that moth to the flame. As I prepare for the first ever GHR I would LOVE it if you would let me know what you would love to experience at a retreat. I know what I would love. I am curious what you would love.

I know most of you are like me - you read blogs and don't necessarily write to the authors - you read it and go about your day. That said, I would love it if you would please comment here (or email me) about what YOU would like to experience at an upcoming retreat. I would sincerely appreciate it!

Now...go forth and shine!

We are ALL born with a passion.

Sometimes it takes a while to find it. My own life is a perfect case in point. 

If you take the time to get to know yourself you never know what little ember of burning desire has been buried in you. It is enormously exciting when it ekes it's way into your conscious. 

I think TGHR has been in my head in some way, shape or form for years. Apparently, this was the year for it to make it's way forward and happen. It is thrilling and exciting and I look forward to doing something regarding it each and every day. Picking the Facebook quote of the day. Writing the blog. Finding the song I want to share. Creating classes.

My biggest thrill is designing the first retreat. I hope to iron out all the details and roll it out soon.

Welcome to my year of miracles.

“One day it occurred to her that a coincidence was just a miracle in disguise. And, as she opened her eyes and saw all of the small miracles that were happening to her everyday, she was delighted to realize that the world was more full of magic than she had thought.”

I certainly could never have anticipated the changes that have happened in me and in my life one year ago.

Take take to enjoy your everyday miracles.

I suspect we have all been depleted of our light at some point or another. Sometimes we don't even realize just how little flame is left in us.

And then, seemingly out of the blue, someone enters your life and you get that flame back. It may take a little while to even realize it.

But when you do...  

I know, it's crazy how energized you suddenly seem!

I recently thanked someone for having faith in me when I didn't have it in myself. I was told to "stop it." The person didn't want acknowledgement that they had made a difference in my way of thinking. I told them anyway. Several times. So they could own it and understand that I was indeed very grateful.

And then, of course, this song came on. 

I spent the day doing Christmas shopping, food shopping, visiting friends and cooing at a three month old named Nora. The bonus was watching Nora fall in love with my daughter.

I have decided love can fix everything.

Years ago, The Judd's decided the same thing.

On the day I started The Glass House Retreat this "Spread Love" photo was my logo until Kelly rocked the "real" one.

Although it's not the logo of TGHR, it IS my motto. 

I took this picture in late August after a conversation with my mama about coincidences (or the fact that there are no such thing as coincidences...) after a night/morning of them. She was explaining to me that the universe ONLY worked in love and I needed to know and believe that. 

After our chat, I went off on a walk. I was listening to my iPod. The One Direction song "Moments" came on (the joy of having a teen daughter is you can listen to her music and love it) and when I looked to my left THIS was spray painted on a wall. 

Of course it was... 

Beautiful, non-coincidental graffiti. 

The weekend I took this picture was a pivotal one for me. It was beautiful on a million levels.

Oddly enough (ha!) I woke up this morning and the lyrics to this song were in my head. (I can't be the only person who wakes up with a song in their head or their heart, am I?)

While going through Facebook this morning I came upon this article about Ann Curry's one simple tweet about performing 26 acts of kindness that has gone viral. It brought me to tears. I was thinking how I love to perform Random Acts of Kindness (RAKs) on a pretty regular basis. This morning I proudly watched as my daughter brought in 14 gluten free cupcakes to her Italian class (for the 16 minutes they will be there) because she wanted to. She now only makes them gluten free so her friend can always have one. I think about my sister stopping by with a gift yesterday just because I finished my school work. I send massive blessings to my Jen's who have RAK'd me all year. To Kelly, whose sheer love created the glorious GH logo. To all the rest of the people who make my heart happy. 

So today, share some love. Then if you are so inclined, tweet about.

I don't normally write twice in a day. I try to keep my thoughts concise so that you don't drop into a coma while reading. But today I am compelled to share love. To remind us all that the universe only works in love. 

The world didn't end. 

Just so you know...

I love you.

Just listen - the pictures are for the teen girls.  ;-)

The Winter Solstice is a time of resting before rejuvenating for the spring. If you can, take a moment to share a positive thought with the universe.I believe collectively, we can create a major shift in the earth by manifesting a ton of positive energy.

Big blessings. 

Much peace. 

And of course, lots of love.

Today, rather than freak out that Christmas is on December 25, which is TUESDAY (how it sneaks up on us...) I will take a few moments and experience joy.

Joy is contagious. My friend Col-Robin went through a joy phase a couple of weeks ago and I liked it. So, I've decided to go through a joy phase myself. In turn, I am sharing it with you. I know we can certainly use it.

As an added bonus you even get a musical interlude to go with it.

Take a few deep breaths, listen to the song, live in the present and go forth and have a joyous day.

All you need is love. Love is all you need.

Is it really that simple?

Did you see the article on Huffington Post yesterday? My sister posted it to her Facebook page and it pointed me in the direction of today's post. In in, Terry Jones, is spewing his venom. A lone voice starts to sing, "All you need is love." He sings it over and over. The crowd, no doubt nauseous listening to the rants of a madman, picks up his cue and sing over the narrative of his hurtful, hate-filled, nonsense. (It was filmed in Times Square in NY; we are NOT going to put up with certain things.)

Love triumphs in a two minute period. 

Here's to having love triumph ALL the time.

It's taken me all morning to get my thoughts in order. 
     ~ Love ~
        ~ Peace ~
           ~ Faith ~

We are all so fragile.

I buried myself on Hulu this weekend and watched epic amounts of TV. I caught up on The Voice, Glee and New Girl. Each show had me in tears at some point for different reasons.

This morning, The Voice did it again.

So beautiful. So simple. So right.

No matter how old your kids are, today, I suspect you sent them off to school with an extra spoonful of love. A "real" kiss. A tighter squeeze in your hug. Maybe a catch in your throat.

It's what we do. 

Because we don't want them to see us weepy. We need them to see us smiling as they leave for the day.

I sent white light and healing and blessings and love to the entire school district and basically the whole world today.

I texted my sister-in-law who teaches first grade, and has four of her own kids, this morning.

I think back to when my kids were in elementary school and I remain grateful the people they were surrounded by loved them. The same holds true for middle school. And now that they are in high school, I know the same STILL holds true.

The people I know in education do it for the love of the kids. No matter what department they are in. Bless them. Appreciate them. THANK them. Because, like us, I suspect they will be smiling. That's what they want our kids to see...even if they are choking back their own tears.

This song seemed appropriate this morning.

Yesterday I took a walk at the Hudson River. I needed to get out into the fresh air and clear my head. I am beyond fortunate to have this gorgeous, healing river within minutes of my house.

On October 2, I happened upon this sculpture someone had created. It was knocked over within a week; I was glad I had taken the picture.

When I came to the same spot yesterday afternoon I was compelled to create something. I have been learning about the chakra's of the body and thought, well, let's align the universe, because, clearly, it is out of whack.

And while I was walking, a song my mama played a lot when we were growing up kept going through my head. I listened to at least a dozen versions and this is my personal favorite. 

Share the love today.

One of the funniest, most irreverent men I know, posted this on Facebook yesterday: 
"Please, no soapboxes today, just pray, if that's something you do....XO"
I prayed.

Today it's Saturday. 

For most of us there will be the typical weekend stuff that has to be done. I expect a lot of folks to be Christmas shopping. Grocery shopping. Laundry. Driving in circles to nowhere with your kids.

Tell the people who matter to you how much you love them.

We learned on Friday that in the blink of an eye, life, as you know it, can change...permanently.

That same friend shared this video.

Thanks, Mike. <3

If you "Like" TGHR on Facebook (if you haven't yet - go there and do so now - follow the link at the top of this page on the right... I'll wait), today I suggested you "RISE UP & ATTACK THE DAY WITH enthusiasm" for no reason other than it's Friday.

I know many of us are feeling "foggy" what with the whole 12-12-12 date thing, the Mayans, 12-21-12, and apparently the planet Uranus is messing with our heads as well. Good times.

So, take a moment while you're enthusiastically enjoying this Friday and do something spontaneous for you: go get a pedicure, or a manicure, or color your hair pink or purple or red; go buy a book you've been dying to read and hole up somewhere and start it; download some fantastic music and sing along; do a Random Act of Kindness - because you can!

The concert for Sandy last night decided the theme of this post. Billy Joel is a Long Island boy and I am a Long Island girl. He really brought it home for me.

My whole life is a soundtrack. Seriously. I can hear a song and I can tell you who I think about when it plays.

Music heals the battered soul. It helps piece together a broken heart. It makes you cry. It brings joy.

Music tells my story.

Does your life have a soundtrack?

I checked my iTunes this morning to see what songs have played the most. Most of the time I have my playlists on shuffle so this could have been anything at all. I can't say I am surprised it was this.

If you don't know the song, take a listen. Let me know what you think.

What's the most played song in YOUR songs library and were you surprised?