Extreme simplicity.

  Good morning all!  I sit here going over the last couple of weeks that have passed.  I can see, you know, that hindsight thing, that like most people I have all the ingredients to an absolutely fabulous life.  Even more!  I also realize that I have a lot of anchors that hold me down.  Some of it stuff, the nastiest part is of course what exists between our ears.

  I am so blessed with an amazing wife and wonderful kids.  I have been given enough mental faculties to be able to address each day as it arrives. I also have the ability to love and be loved.

  So like so many, why do I let the drama, meaning problems of the mind and of over thinking life, get in the way of living?  We had so many people over and the opportunity to enjoy the presence of others this last week.  How amazing it all was!  I am so grateful for everyone I know and appreciate all that they bring into our lives.

  Yet, I realize that I find myself yearning for something different.  Why?  I have always been facinated by those who could simplify to the extreme and find great joy in just being, in just living without distractions.  I ask myself, am I capable of such extreme simpleness?  Is there balance that can be found where we live the essential and deal with some of the complexity of modern life?

  I believe the answer to be yes.  Yes, I am capable of simplifying to the extreme.  Yes I am capable of finding balance.  I also know that balance would be better as I am not the only one who relies on me to provide for their needs.  I also know that life is not just about myself and so a hermit's life would not fulfill the purpose for which I have chosen to live.

  I do know that I can make changes that will allow greater simplicity and as such, greater joy and presence of being with less distraction.  Like most, the path is actually quite available and yet like most, I have not taken enough courage to make such changes.  So where does one start?  First, I have to admit. You have to commit to it and then just start moving! Every single day, do something that moves you in right direction.

  How do I know this? Well, I have made major changes in my life before with great success and also had those efforts fail.  It works the same way each time. Change the recipe and get different results.  Stick to the recipe and get the proper results.  Now to apply it to a different goal.  It's time folks.  What do yo want out of life? For those of you who want to write, start by committing to writing every single day at least 5 days a week. For those who wish to speak, talk to others that you meet every single day about what you truly believe in.  Ask for opportunities!  Pursue them as if they are the meals you need to feed your family.  Persistence seasons well a hard fought meal.

  Can you really feel what you want? Does it keep you up at night sometimes?  For those among you who want to see your works on major websites and in major retail outlets, what are you doing each day to get there? Those who wish to create greater environment for family, what do you do each day to create the ideal place and atmosphere of love and acceptance? I am by no means perfect.  I have not yet achieved all that I can imagine.  Isn't it grande?  There is still so much more for me to live and do and experience and it is all up to me!  It's up to you.

  What do you truly desire?  What does it take to get there? Does it require a miracle or just a little bit of daily application?  Which has greater power to create lasting change?  The compound effect of daily application or a big shift in fortunes?  I can assure you that the best windfalls come from consistence belief and effort than by chance.

  Go live life!  I wish you the very best in all of it!  I know that there will be skinned knees and broken hearts.  That which does not kill us makes us stronger and how real it becomes as we live through it, day by day.

  Peace, good fortune and great challenges of worthy rewards to you, my friends.  We are not alone, we are in this big adventure called life together.  I cannot wait to sit down with you and enjoy a meal and some conversation about your adventures.

Billy B

Our Christmas Tradition.

  I hope that you and your family has Christmas Traditions that enrich the experience and teach the up and coming generations that you revere Christmas and to find solace and comfort from this special season as they spend it with the ones they love.

   Above is John Berry's version of O' Holy Night.  Colette and I bought his Christmas CD when we were still very young as a family and fell immediately in love with this particular song.  It stirs me and I cannot help buy shed a tear of joy each time I hear it.

   Each Christmas and Christmas Eve morning, I get up and make a big breakfast for everyone. We sit down and spend a long time together, just talking and sharing.  It's the company that truly matters.  The food is the tradition and much care is given to the preparation and presentation but still, it is the details of the gathering, not the reason.

  May the life of Christ shine as an example to you and your family.  May you find great joy this year in the gatherings you have.  May you share love and appreciation for each and every person this Holiday Weekend.
May you shed tears of joy and love.

Peace.  Love.  Grace to you and yours.

Jesus thinks you are to die for!

Billy B

Everything in life worth doing is messy

source google images

   They tell me there is a time and place for everything.  Today is the time and the place is now.  When you woke up, did you you find yourself somewhere other than where you were?  Seems like a silly question yet, it does happen.  When I woke up yesterday, I was already at work even though my body hadn't left yet.

   This time of year seems to create the most wonderful opportunities to learn.  Often times it is because of perspective changes, wanted or unwanted.  This has proven to be the busiest Christmas that I can remember.

   Colette (the pretty and charming half of this marriage) and I bought a business earlier this year that she had already been managing for a while.  We did it because the business was not going to stay around if we didn't buy it.  The owner was older and her health was failing.  We believed in the cause of what this business brings to the community and what it does for the members (it's a gym for women).  A place where women can go to get fit and do something for themselves without judgement and pressure to be anyone other than who they are.  It brings great blessings to them and my lovely wife as she fills her role as their friend, coach an listening post.  We knew it would be work.  We did not expect it to be so much emotional work.

   One of my favorite funny quotes is "Everything in life worth doing is messy."  No clue who said it, just that it is definitely true!

   My message today is; When doing something that you know is right, do not seek the reward, seek only to do what is right and the rewards with mete themselves.  Those rewards will be much more to you than the ones you thought you would receive.  What you thought would be there and what you receive will most likely be much different.

   It's like praying.  You go in looking for one thing and most often receive something completely different because of the bigger picture that has not yet come into view.

   Presence is like that as well.  Learning to be present versus being present.  Silly to say, it's like relearning to be a child and once there, we cannot imagine why it took so much effort and focus. ;D

   Today, all I ask is that you take a moment to smile, feel the breeze on your face and notice that you are wherever you are. And for just a moment appreciate the life that is you.

   Do you find that you are most often in your head, somewhere other than where you actually are?  Does it effect your ability to deal with the moment.  You are the most valuable person in your life. Do you give yourself the presence that you deserve?

   Peace, presence and love be yours.  I respect you, you can too!

Billy B

You?

source Sailboatlistings.com

   There are those alone moments that are so critical to our own spirituality.  We need them whether for prayer and reflection or for just creating the quietude required to find our foundations.  Perhaps just to step back from it all and gather some needed perspective.  

   There is also the danger that we may use these quiet times to feed loneliness.  During this time of year, many people due to loss of loved ones, feeling overwhelmed, feelings of inadequacies, loneliness or anything that can attack our perspective as innate parts of the whole, as children of God and members of families and important influences to those around us.  There are those times when anyone of us can lose sight of the sacred nature of our lives.  Remember the purpose of life is a life of purpose.  Moments that we forget these things can be very trying, especially for those who have not yet discovered or realized the true nature of their worth.

   I offer this post as a plea.  A plea for those who we may know that are alone, emotionally or otherwise.  A plea to not forget that it is not about us.  Please do not let any child be alone this Christmas, emotionally or physically, no matter how old they are.  Remember that each one of us is a child, a child of God.  You may find yourself tempted to feel lonely or down,  you will find great joy and company in bringing love and attention to those who need it more than we do.

   When Jesus was invited into the home of Simon the Publican, a sinner came into the his house and washed his feet with ointment and her tears, using only her hair, hands, her tears and lips she washed his feet.  

   "Simon, I have somewhat to say to you."

   He proceeded to lay out before him in just a few words, an image that helped Simon to realize that we can only be thankful for what blessings we realize we have.  When we assume, such as thinking it is an honor just to invite someone into our home, we might over look treating them as an honored guest.  We might forget to make them feel important.

   Let's not forget the ones who are struggling this season.  Those who may be fighting to have enough.  Those who may have plenty in the way of worldly things yet be lacking in spirit or friendship.  Those who might be lacking in company or companionship.  Those who might just be suffocating without enough love.

   I pray that no one will go lonely this Christmas.  I pray that we will be a blessing in disguise to those in need.  I pray for Peace on Earth and Love to all men.

   Who do you know that could use an invite into your home?  Who do you know that needs a hug, some warm company or just a meal and a conversation?  Who do you know that could benefit from sharing their heart and time with another?  You?

   Peace, Love, Companionship and goodwill to you and yours.

Billy B

       

Goodwill.

Source Sailboatlistings.com

  Every now and then all of us would love a break. After the last 2 weeks, I would love one!  Business at my day job has been VERY busy and it is demanding a large portion of my waking hours.  I apologize for not being able to post more often.

  Lessons learned during my hours spent at work over the last couple of weeks.

1.  Be grateful for what blessings you have.  I have met several people that have had an awful lot less than we do and in-spite of  their circumstances where quite happy to just have their health and well being.  One person had everything in their car that they could say they owned.  Having lost their home in the last 3 months and now they had car problems and almost no money to work with, they still had a positive demeaner and outlook!  Luckily, I was able to help arrange some help with a business that did the work for free and convinced the parts providers to donate the parts required so that she could get back on the road. (Big warm smile.)  That makes me feel very lucky for the home and many blessings we have.

2.  Never under estimate the ability of "the drama" to try and mess with you and to bring you into it's realm.  One of the many things that I have learned repeatedly over the years in the auto industry, cars really don't matter and the drama accomplishes nothing of value.  They are all just cars no matter what size, color, brand or price the are.  The only thing that one car versus another may say about you is that you care about what you think it says about you.

3.  No matter how busy you are or how wrapped up you are in the demands of the moment, there is always time to be nice and share a smile with people you meet.  If you feel that you are to busy to offer a smile or a kind word, then you are caught up in thought and not what really matters.

4   Being grateful is it own reward.  There is great peace and comfort that comes from taking a minute to appreciate life itself and the many blessings that are poured out upon us that we, in and of ourselves have never merited.  Although we may not deserve them or done anything to justify being as blessed as we are, the good Lord blesses us anyways.  Why he sees fit to bless me the way he does,  when I know that have not yet learned or done nearly what I imagine he wshould expect,  he still keeps blessing me.  When it is all said and done, I hope that he will accept me as his own.

5.  Love is something that can be found in any moment, any situation and any place.  No exceptions, you only need look inside and you will know that you are not left alone or unloved.  Even more important, if you feel that there needs to be more love in your life, give love and it will come back to you in spades!  Odd how the best way to increase the amount of love in your life is to give it away freely.  Love is attracted to those who share it without reservation!

  Do we really even see or perceive all the blessings we have?  When was that last time you took a survey of the things that are truly the most significant influences in your life?  Did they come freely to you or did you have to go and find them?  Isn't love grande?

  My wish is that each one of you will feel the Christmas Spirit this Holiday.  That it will influence you to warm the hearts of those around you and to appreciate the many, many blessings that are yours.  Share the love.

  This year, there are more people than ever that need some comfort, some assistance, some love.  Please don't keep it all to yourself.  Many of the greatest gems of living life can only be enjoyed by giving freely all that you have.

  Thank you, Dear Lord for everything.   Peace on Earth.  Goodwill towards all men.  That no child feel alone this Christmas Season.

Billy B

Happy Christmas and Merry New Year! ;D

 
Cold hints things to come
Peppermint fudge and good eats
Shared with those you love

   This time of year seems to really press us.  The time when we should enjoy things the most and spend time with the ones you care most for.  Enjoying time together, favorite foods and traditions.  Saying thanks in your own way to those around you so that they might enjoy the time as well.  To send "I'm thinking of you." to others who have moved far away or letting those who cannot be near know that you love them.

   It's also the time of year when we get tested on things like patience, and time management.  We all get so caught up in preparing for or dealing with and just plain trying to make it to the gatherings themselves.  It can be so easy to over look that the customers are your lifeblood and that family is the why-for.

   This Holiday season, don't forget the real message, brotherly love, thanks giving for the birth of our Lord and Savior.  Celebrating the perfect life he lived as and example for us.  We have to deal with others who have lost sight of the purpose of the season, it does not give us leave to do the same.

   Have you shared some good will today?  Do you have plans to do something of good intent for others and not just party planning?  Are there those less fortunate than us that could use a smile, a helping hand or even a hand out?

   Our brother, Jesus gave us his whole life and energies so that we could find peace in our Father's Kingdom.  Take time to remember that it is not about us, it's about others.  Someone once said "The principle of self aggrandizement is a true principle.  It works only by lifting up another."

   I am so thankful for my family, presence and health.  For the example and sacrifice of our Savior.  For you and everyone who visits my little blog.  I am thankful for all good souls who do their best every day.  May all of your enjoy a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Peace to you and yours, Goodwill towards all the souls of men.   May peace one day reign.  May we all be loved and give love in return.

Billy B

A simple thought.

   Today is the best opportunity you have.  Yesterday is gone never to return.  Tomorrow is not yet here and when it does show it will wear the garb of Today.  Today is the best opportunity you have.  Make the most of it!

;D

PS:  Glad to have you along for the ride!

Passion and purpose.

    Sometime all it takes is good nights rest to help one realize that it is all just perception and that the new day is a complete new opportunity.  The picture above was the drive in today.  What a beautiful morning!

    I have made the recommendation for a book called Everyone's a Coach by Blanchard and Shula.  They make 5 points to follow for effective team building.  I like to think that a family is a team too!

1. Conviction Driven

2. Overlearning

3. Audible ready

4. Consistency

5. Honesty Based

    I do not need to go into all of them even though I do believe that they all apply and are relevant to the family and life in general.  I feel very strongly about #1.

    What is your goal and purpose in life?  Do you have a purpose and are your goals defined?  A lot of this may sound like rhetoric or something that a thousand people have spoken and written about yet, in your life, have you taken the time to decide what your greatest motivating factor is?  

    Do you have something that you are passionate about, have conviction as the utter importance of it?  So much so that you would pursue it, share it and work at it even when the odds, time availability and money all seem to be against it?

    Is there something in your life that is so intertwined with how you see the world that you can not not live life without paying attention to it?  For me, it's the need to create love, balance and presence opportunities for others and hopefully someday, for humanity.  I also have a deep passionate belief in the role of family and would fight many battles for it's protection, encouragement and developing  these family relationships.

   Is your life conviction driven or driven by the winds of drama and everyday nothingness.  That may sound harsh yet, I know from experience that the majority of what we spend our time, efforts and energies on simply do not matter in the grand scheme of things.  The big picture is often eluded and avoided simply because we do not see the unimportance of our daily pre-occupations.

   Do you agree or do you disagree?

   My point here is very simple.  Life is best lived passionately.  The best lives are lives of purpose that is pursued passionately.  Whether that is the purpose of family, art, human value, entertainment, writing, communication, gardening or whatever.  As long as it creates value without ignoring the consequences, how can it be wrong?

   What can I do to help you in living your life with purpose and passion?  If I can, let me know.

   To each and everyone.  I hope you find your passion if you do not know it already and more importantly, I find a way to pursue it with your whole heart!

Love, peace, passion and purpose to you.

Billy B

   

Disquiet

   I wanted to say "Thank you!" to everyone who visits my blog regularly.  The blog has become important to me for several reasons.  The interaction, meaning all of your comments and what I learn from them.  Also, the opportunity to get out what has been biting at me for so long.  The need to communicate the message within and to share with others that greater life that is to be lived when we are truly awake to it.

   I apologize to those of you who have seen that I have not been able to get on as often and enter my thoughts.  Life can take a lot of time when things start to happen.  A lot has been happening lately.  I will continue to blog and pour my thoughts and epiphanies into the blog.  I will do my best to get 4-5 entries in each week.

   I have a lot on my plate and must prioritize and this little online journal and running conversation is important.  I have also been feeling some disquiet within lately as I figure out how to set the priorities straight amongst the demands of my time lately.  I hope to be able to come out of this with renewed vision and direction.  This winter will be demanding is some ways and whenever there is new demands and challenges, there are new blessings and lessons to be be gained.  I would suggest that life is in transition for me.  In a very good way.  It is my genuine wish that it will lead to some greater opportunities to pursue my life purpose.

"It is my intentions and purpose to create real enduring value for others and humanity."

   Thank you again for you time and your consideration of my thoughts and insights.  Thank you for your comments and wisdom, I appreciate it much more than you know.  I hope that you will continue to do so and that more people with take this journey along with us.

   I wish each and everyone of you a fabulous day and a great quality of life that can only come from being right where the action is, in the present moment. ;D

   Peace and good fortune, love and enduring presence to all of you.

Billy B

A dusting of snow

A light snow morning

Dusting dawn

Glorious they meet

   A beautiful light dusting of snow was there to greet me this morning as I let the puppies out for the first time today.  A rare chance to be home right after sun up.  Get to spend some time with my wife today (I do so enjoy the time we get together!)

   I wonder, do we really appreciate the time we get with our loved ones.  There are moments that I would give almost anything to be able create such times over and over again. Perhaps this is why I desire to build my little sailboat so much, it's the thought that having a great little sailboat that will hold the family (and for those times when needed, just me) so that we can pile in and just be together out on the water.  A picnic basket, something to drink and just drift around finding out where the wind wants to go.  The quiet motion of the waves and movement created by wind and surface.  No loud motor to interupt the moment or interlude with nasty smells.

   I would give nearly all the world just to do something that truly matters, helping me to live a purposeful life creating real enduring value for others and humanity while still providing for my family and to provide time with my family for just such things.  A campfire and the smell of smoke on your cloths first thing in the morning. The crisp air and noises of nature as you wake.  Food that might be a little burnt on the outside and a little raw on the inside but, just the way we like it because we share it together.

Small talk of no direction

Laughter floats around

Spending time with family

   I hope that eaxch of us gets to show appreciation to the ones we love and enjoy a moment or two with them not caring about the drama we call everyday life.  In the end, a wise man (Eckart Tolle) said "The world is here to frustrate us, to make us want to move beyond the drama."

   I agree with him, only when we grow tired of the drama that is "normal" can we return to what it is like to be a small child, simple and joyful.  Living each moment as if it is the only thing we have.

   What little activities work best for you to connect with the ones you love?  What makes those moments different for you even if the activity is unimportant?  Does it matter if the moments are planned or spontaneous?

   Peace, love and good times spent in the presence of loved ones for you and yours.

Billy B



Consistency issues.

   It has been suggested that there is a dramatic difference between action and productivity.  I would agree. I would also suggest that the difference is in the details.  Which details though?

   There is a particular book I would recommend to all who would be a leader or motivator. "Everyone's a Coach" by Blanchard and Shula is an exceptional and easy read.  It outlines some very basic principles for doing well with others and should you wish to take it further, principles for leadership and motivation.  One of the principles they discuss is consistency.

   The need to be able to communicate with someone, be it friend, companion or subordinate and know that they already know what to expect from you.  Meaning that when disciplining or being challenged, your character is not in doubt.  They know what you stand for and that you stand by it.

   Let's use an example, we tell our kids to not leave shoes in the front room, we keep on them for one week and not the next three weeks, then we jump all over them about it the next week, would they feel fairly treated?  Have you ever had a boss that seemed to pull decisions out of a hat on subjects that you frequently encountered?  Did you respect their decisions when they behave like this?  Did you respect them and feel willing to go the extra mile for them?  What if you had to approach your boss because protocol dictated that you reported to him and you knew what the answer was going to be versus not knowing how he would react?  Which would be the more productive environment?

   This may seem like something about work, it's not.  The same principles apply to our daily relationships as well.  Are you consistently the same person before all men?  That question is a tuffy.  Because of society's norms, it is considered normal to be different people to different people.  Do we have to be?

   I'm keeping it short today.  I challenge you to look at yourself and the way you interact with others, can you say you are consistent in your behavior?  I'm not here to point fingers, I know that this is something that I need to work on, to be the same before all men means becoming as Christ said, not being a respecter of persons.  IE; all men deserve the same respect and not one over another no matter what their station in life.  Not playing favorites or judging.  Wow, hard I know.

   Here is my challenge, instead of looking at others and noticing the inconsistencies or judgments in them, see if you can catch them in yourself and prevent them from making it to the surface.  Perhaps you will find that someone you know is in need of your acceptance more than you ever imagined.

   Peace, freedom of heart and a great day to you and yours!

Billy B

Stormy days within.

   The last week has been busy and challenging.  I learned a very valuable lesson yesterday while at work.  Maybe I should say I was reminded of a very valuable lesson and how there is always room to grow!

   I had a customer come in with a concern, it was obvious that he was not in a very good mood.  I was as polite and professional with him as I possibly could be, he had to leave his vehicle so that we could attend to it.  Later as I followed up with him to inform him when it would be done and that we were taking care of it, he was still very rude.  I would say that he was rude and insulting as he made everything feel like a personal attack.  I was still polite however, in my frustration after a few minutes I directed a subtle jab back at him so that, in my mind, I was putting him in his place.  Boy! Did I get a response!  His response was over the top and he flew into a rage, called the powers that be and made life just generally difficult for me for several hours.

  The lesson here is DON'T TAKE THINGS PERSONAL!  Yes, I allowed him to get to me and worse yet, by being anything but neutral, I allowed him to mess with my day on a whole different level.  Just imagine how much easier it would have been to keep my simple little comment, no matter how politely stated or subtle I thought it was to myself and never let it become personal for just those few seconds.

   It's not personal. Whatever his issue or challenge that day. It was his, I was in the wrong in several ways.  First, I let him effect me. I took it personal. Second, I allowed my self to feed the flames of his bad humor.  Lastly, I allowed myself to get involved instead of keeping my professional wits about me.

   In life, sometimes the best rule is to keep our own peace, and rest in it no matter what the storms around us.  This is perhaps the best way to be a pillar to those who need us most.  Agreed this gentleman was probably looking for someone to go off on.  The problem, it should not have been me and it was my fault that it happened the way it did.  My bad, time to learn, move on and not let it happen again.

   What do you do to keep the peace within you from being disturbed by others?  How do you maintain presence when others are truly caught up in their story and drama?

   My desire for each of you is that you have a Marvelous Day!  One where the love and peace that is you, is present and untouched by the disrupted souls of others.

Peace, love and a truly GREAT DAY to you.

Billy B

Worthy of love.

   I apologize to those who are used to me posting almost everyday. This time of year get's very busy for my house.  Thanksgiving, birthdays and the many family gatherings.  I hope that everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving!  It's always good to get together and enjoy good food and family.

  Today in church the person who prepared the lesson brought up some very important points that I thought would be good to pass along.  She asked the question, how do we show love for our children?  There were many answers to this question of course, the one that struck me is that just like God allows each one of go through our challenges and struggles, he still loves us and has provided us with instruction, direction and the privilege of being able to communicate with him.  Do we remember to love our children by letting them be themselves?  Accepting them as individuals and teaching them love and respect for themselves?

   I know that when our children where younger it is easy to think that we can decide everything for them. Sadly, they don't learn much or even independence this way.  Just as God loves us so much as to let us learn our own lessons, we must also love our children enough to let them learn for themselves and still love and accept them even when they make decisions that will have outcomes different than we would chose for them.

   Some have challenged us as we have raised our children to be freethinkers and often times, non-conformists. Hopefully we have taught them to love and accept themselves for who they are and for their individuality.  My sincerest desire is that they love live, themselves and have respect for life and for others as we have for them.

  As parents, we sacrifice much for their well being, heart and soul, energy and effort, money and time.  It is these sacrifices that build the next generation.  Let's hope that we have taught them well to respect the value of their own lives and to the lives of others.

   I challenge you to look at your own life, ask yourself, what blessings do I have that show God's love for me?  How can repay him for all the blessings we receive.  I know that I can never repay him even with a lifetime's effort, I can only hope to pass what love I have received on to others.

   I am thankful for each one of you who read and consider my words and thoughts.  Thank you for visiting.  If I may ask, pass the love on.  Let someone know today how thankful you are for them, for them being just exactly who they are and that they are worthy of love.

   May your heart be swollen with gratitude this beautiful day.  May you warm the heart of another.  Most of all, may you know that you are loved and that you are worthy of that love!

Peace, love and good will be yours.

Billy B

Awards!!

   Thank you so much to Gene Pool Diva and this awesome award that she gave me!  She has a really fun blog about family and something that most of us can appreciate because family is the one place where we are all allowed to be the messed up people that we are. ;D

   "Liebster" is a German word meaning dearest and the award is given to up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers.

Here is how it works.

1 Show some love and link back to the one that gave you the award.  Diminishing Gene Pool

2 Reveal your Top 5 Blogs (with less than 200 followers) and let them know by leaving comments on their blogs.

3 Post the award on your blog.

4 Enjoy the love and support of the most supportive people on the web!
Here are my 5.


1.) Mainly Mug Ups is a great blog with both stories, folk tales and poetry.  I adore her writing style and it's hard to resist the charm of her blog.


2.) I Take the Pen is a fabulous little blog that will challenge you to write a quicky based off of some simple prompt words, she then hands out an award and an honorable mention based off the entries.  A fun way to challenge yourself!


3.) I know that I am breaking the rules because he has about 300 followers, I have to recommend him because he has a great blog that I pay attention to almost daily. Where Sky Meets Ground.  He was also very nice to give me the Lovely Blog Award and I appreciate his attention.  I hope you enjoy his blog as much as I do!


4.)  Skipping Stone Memories is one that I follow closely. Very down to earth, warm and friendly. Just feels like home kind of blog.


5.)  Casting Pearls is very thoughtful Christian oriented blog with a lot about family and down to earth values.  A very good vibe.


Honorable Mention!!! Em Dashes and Icecream.  Just go check it out, the rest will explain itself. ;D

   I hope that you get the chance to follow up on each one of them. If you like what you read, follow them! You will not be disappointed.

Peace, love and THANKSGIVING to all, warm beds, full bellies and appreciation to all!

Billy B

Conversations with myself.

   Every morning I take time to have some important conversations with myself to properly prepare for the day.  I can tell you from experience that when I forget or get to busy to do this, it has a very big impact on the quality of my day. 

   Now I understand that you are asking yourselves about my state of mind when I say conversations with myself so, let me explain just a little bit.  Some call it "self talk", many call it "positive affirmations" and other names exist that you maybe aware of.  I like the term "mantras" or simply "conversations with myself".  I enjoy making people wonder, get's them thinking!

   I take time every morning to confirm the quality of the day, the quality of my presence and the experience I am going to have with the day.  I prepare myself to see and enjoy how great the day really is!  These conversations have proven so important that on those days that these morning conversations have amazing energy and incredible positive force (once you do this regularly you will understand what a "great" one is), these are the days that take off and the most surprising and positive things happen!  On the days that I just don't put much into it or I just don't feel it when I go through these morning exercises, I tend to struggle or not be able to hold my emotions in check as well.  One could say, I have a bad hair day when the morning conversations do not go well.

   Each one of us has tactics and methods to help create the positive energy we need in our day to have a good day, to be able to get the things done that require our attention or to reach our goals or even to step it up and get that little bit of extra out of the day we are looking for.  This is mine and I would like to suggest that it works for just about everyone that I have met that has ever really given it a go.

   Here is my challenge to you.  Write down what kind of day you want to have, something real, write it down and a positive statement that says it clearly and simply, don't hesitate to go a little beyond.  Take these few statements, say about 4 or 5.  Clear your head for just about 10 minutes early as your day is just getting started and repeat them to yourself in a very positive upbeat way until you can "feel" them.  Take the positive energy and move forward with your day!

Example,

"Today is a great day!  Great things happen and I find it easy to be filled with joy and love for everyone I meet today!  It is very easy for me to be a positive influence in the lives of others today!  I feel great positive karma in my life today!  What a great day!"

   I will repeat that 4 or 5 times, maybe more if I am really feeling it or feel that I need a little bit more convincing.  Once you can really feel it, you will know what I mean after a practicing this for a couple of weeks, it can make a HUGE difference in your life.  

   Our minds are like computers in the fact that they follow their programming pretty closely, The great thing is that we can change the programming if we want to. This is one of the best ways I have found.  

   Give it a try, tell me if you feel it works or if I just took up 10 minutes of your morning to make you feel silly.  Either way, let me know.  I would love to hear from you and to find out if you are like me.  After all, I would love to find out that you are in control of your programming. ;D

   Put it to the test. In the end, it could make a positive impact in your life!

   May you find joy, love and peace in your life.  May you find great power in being able to have a conversation with yourself each morning!

Power to those who listen to positive thoughts!

Billy B

Adventurers.

Source Sailboatlistings.com

   I met a young lady recently that I have to admit could not see the miracle that she is!  I was truly humbled to realize that she has struggled with the value that creation placed in her and in her opportunity to experience life. 

   Do we realize that there is so much value in our presence here, this day, right where you are, that your are here!  If you were not meant to be here, today, you wouldn't be.  Creation/God does not chose by chance or by role of the dice as to whether you should be here.

   Just like the picture above represents to me, we are adventurers!  Sent here to figure out for what purpose we are here for and to fulfill that purpose.  We all have such amazing talents and gifts!  We are here to share those gifts and talents with others, to create value and joy, to bring love into the lives of others.

   This beautiful young lady has so much talent within her.  It is my wish that she discovers how much talent is within her and those gifts that help us create love and joy in the lives of others.  It is my sincere wish for all of us.  There is greatness inherent to each and everyone of us.  We are godseed, children of creation.  We are here to evolve beyond the ego and to move past self centered life (Ego-centric) and to live selfless or live nonego-centric lives.  

   How do you move beyond the doubts that limit your productivity, your relationships and your experience in life?  How do we help others to see the potential within themselves?  For those of us with children, how do we install love and respect for oneself in our children?  How can we help others to love themselves until we do? (You can take this question several ways, as intended.)

   May we all see and realize our own sacred nature, may we help to increase awareness of this within everyone we meet.  Most of all, let's not let anyone, ever, ever consider looking for a way out because they do not see the value in their own life, their own existence and presence in this life.  The only real tragedy is when we let someone believe in a lack of value in themselves.  They did not fail, we did.  

Peace, Love, Joy and sharing to you and those you meet.

Billy B

Breaking

Breaking

In moment of silence and ease
Joy fills the space between me and thee

When you don't feel you can
Even when passion has left your hand

There is no doubt from my soul
That you are the one that I love whole

When you feel all is naught and bunk
Your beauty still stuns and causes my heart to jump

Know that all that you are or will be
Is everything that I would ever want or need

Don't believe that life has failed your wish
Your loving glance is all that it takes to steal my breath

You are the one for whom it is all done
There is no other that holds sway over what is won

When you feel all is breaking and undone
Of all in the world know that you are the one



I wrote this for my wife.
Love you babes.

Peace and Joy,
Billy B

Today's Sunrise.

   Thought I would share with you the sunrise I experienced this morning. ;D

Peace and Joy.

Billy B

Warm sun fills the sky
Touching the hearts and closed eyes
Starting great new day

Gratitude Meditation.

   Keeping with the spirit of the season,  I thought it would be good to show some gratitude and thanks giving for the many, many blessings in my life and share a simple meditation that allows one to perform a quick "check up from the neck up" if you will.

   Make a short list, say about a dozen, of the the things that you are grateful for.  Take a few minutes to feel thankful for and ponder what blessings each one of the items on your list brings into your life.  As you feel the appreciation and gratitude, you will feel a release of stress as the complications, situations and challenges in your life become insignificant compared to your blessings.

Here is my list.

My lovely wife, best friend and companion.
My dear friends that wear the title of my children.
Breath, health and activity.
Employment and professional purpose to give refinement and reflection to my days.
The privilege to meet new people each day and to become acquainted with their marvelous points of view.
My many online friends whose blogs I read and enjoy, the many visits and comments they make on mine.
The friends who challenge me to find new ways to communicate this fire that burns within me, to share ideas and vision with others about the immense and magical event we share called LIFE!

   Remember, problems only exist in your head where you can't do anything about them.  Situations are what you have when you are faced with a challenge in the present moment.  Don't confuse problems with situations.  One is in your head, one is what you deal with and work through in your daily life.

   May you find out how blessed you are as you make your list.  May you show love and appreciation to God/Creation and others for your many, many blessings!  May you find peace in the acknowledgement of your blessings.  May you be in awe of the innumerable blessings you never even realize!!!

  What is the most unusual item that turned up on your list?

Peace, Love and Gratitude to you, your family and those within the circle of your presence.

Billy B.

Debate

  There is a debate that always seems to wage on about ethics.  This doesn't really make sense to me, let me explain why.  When it comes to being impeccable with our words it should start with those we have relationships with.  The one with whom we have a relationship that has the most impact on the quality of life we lead is with ourselves.

   In my experience, this is where the breakdown starts and it always amazes me that this is where most people have the biggest issue in being honest and open.  We tell ourselves the most amazing things to support what we want to believe or to justify what we want to see or don't want to see or believe.

   Isn't utterly stunning what we let ourselves believe?  I wonder why?  Are we afraid that something will change if we see/believe things differently that would effect how we value ourselves or others, or even stranger, would it effect the way we value items, titles or recognition that alters our self image or selfworth if we accept things as they are instead of as we want?

   Being honest with ourselves could be so simple as to admit when mistakes are made and not looking to blame.  Owning your own situation does not mean putting ourselves down either.  Integrity with ourselves also includes accepting ourselves as human, as imperfect beings and no different from anyone or anything else.  If you aren't making mistakes then you aren't doing much.

   Having an open or transparent relationship with ourselves would also include allowing us to accept that our perspective is limited and that the world does not see things as we do, so we take being right and wrong out of the value scale.  We simply are miracles of creation.  What an amazing miracle we are!  If we are miracles then so is everyone else.  With that said, perhaps a little personal internal honestly could go a long way.

   How can being completely honest about our place in the whole of things, accepting insignificance, have a positive influence on self image?  How could it help eliminate prejudice and assumption about others?  Do we have the right to tell ourselves untruths about our world if it limits our beliefs and value about others?

   Does it parallel Self centered vs. Selfless?

   I would love to hear your thoughts on this.  Am I being to eccentric here?

   May you find a loving and real relationship with you.  May you have a good laugh at your own belief systems today.  (It's refreshing and liberating, I promise.)

Peace and good laughs to you and yours,

Billy B

Urgent, not important.

"The world is a spiritual vessel that cannot be controlled....


Sometimes you lead
Sometimes you follow
Sometimes you are stifled
Sometimes you breathe easy
Sometimes you are strong
Sometimes you are weak
Sometimes you destroy
And sometimes you are destroyed


Hence the sage shuns excess
Shuns grandiosity
Shuns arrogance"

Lao Tzu

   I wish that my prose could communicate so much in so little.  I have been pondering the seeming contradictions of Taoist teachings.  To have, let go as an example.

   A magazine article I read several years ago still sticks with me.  It is from Sail magazine, the author wrote about someone with uncommon wisdom, that when in a situation that seemed to demand immediate action, he would sit back and consider if any action at all was really necessary.  The article has stuck with me as I learned about prioritizing using a simple system.

1. Important, not urgent.
2. Urgent, not important.
3. Not urgent, not important.
4. Important, and urgent.

   Under this basic system it is easier to sort out what needs immediate action or attention and what does not.  Some things are Urgent, but not Important. Usually something to delegate or even not attend to at all.  Say a phone call that feels like you need to tell someone something but, if considered will make little or no change or impact.  Important but not Urgent, spending time with family.  VERY Important but does not appear Urgent.  This needs consideration and planning to make sure it happens or we will end up treating it like we should the Urgent but, not Important issues.

  What system do you use to prioritize the details and actions of your life?  Do we always get them right?  I know that in my human state, I often misread such things and may even assign them the wrong priority.  I have spend years and still need to spend time correcting my priorities when it comes to family.

   I recommend that we all have a way to sort out the priorities that life hands us.  This blog has become Important, not Urgent.  My employment is both Urgent and Important, even if I feel that I should be doing something else.  Time to meditate each morning, Important, not Urgent yet, so very necessary.  Keeping employees on task,  Urgent and Important.

   When I use this little system to prioritize the tasks required of me, I am much more productive in attending to my responsibilities.  I need to make sure to use it in capacities outside of work, as well.

   May each one of us, find and live the core details of our daily lives.  May we each learn to attend to the Important and not listen to those things that demand being Urgent, not Important.

   Peace, Love, Family and wisdom to you all.  May you live deeply this day and love completely this moment.

Billy B

Gore and Glory.

Source Sailboatlistings.com

 
Cleave to the moment
Acknowledging no credit
Create do not own

   One of the greatest lessons that I have perceived from reading the Tao Te Ching is that there is grace in a life well lived that claims nothing.  Meaning, the one who does most and claims least, sleeps best.

   Many people that I converse with about the message within the prose of the Tao Te Ching have questioned the relevance in our times and conditions.  Looking at it several different ways, I think I have the answer.  It is as relevant as we make it.  No message can have impact on us or the quality of our experience that we do not allow.  An other way to express this is to say that quality of life is much more an internal accomplishment than an external situation.

   The people I have encountered that seem to me to have the highest quality of life often have little in the way of worldly possessions and even less worldly attachments and hang ups.  They recognize and appreciate all that the world has to offer and only have what they need plus a few items that they use for activity, such as specific reading materials, perhaps a boat or camper.  An item that they use as part of activities that allow them to participate in life and relationships with the ones they love.  There are some souls that I have met that have had quite a lot in the way of worldly means and possessions that also have a very high quality of life yet, these souls to do find or define themselves in their possessions.  If fact, they hold little attachment to the possessions they may have accumulated.

   In my studies it has been said that the last hurdle to true self awareness or enlightenment is detachment.  I now believe that to be detachment from things, titles and stories not participation or enjoyment of life.  It may sound at odds with one another to be detached yet fully immersed in life.  Perhaps this is the greatest mystery of them all.  How do we become fully involved and participate at the highest levels in our lives without looking for ourselves it all?

   I would suggest that it takes perspective, a perspective that allow one to be completely at ease with who they are, no need for self image or justification.  No need to be anyone or anything to anyone.  Simply to thrill in living!  Possibly the greatest form of appreciation would be to love and enjoy life without demands or seeing anything in any of it other than life in it's own glory.

   I wish I could find who the quote is from, I've had no luck in my searches.  Someone once said, "Life is not fair but, it's worth doing."  There is a very good movie that Bill Murray did that I recommend, it's call "The Razor's Edge."  It's about a man who get's back from WWI and cannot find himself in his old life or in society, he set's off for Europe to discover what life is for.  Just a good film.  In one scene he was talking about a love he had and how he, at a certain point, thought that she was a reward for living a good life only to realize that the only reward for living well is life it'self.  

   I love the phrase, "life in all of it's gore and glory"  because it is!  Life is it's own reward and what an amazing award it can be!  Have you ever stopped just to admire the smile of an infant?  Have you taken time to notice the wonderful fragrance of your lovers hair?  Have you seen the glow of laughter in the eyes of your children?  I cannot imagine, even if I tried for a thousand lifetimes, that there could be any greater reward than the gift of love from someone, to spend time with them, to be wholly present with them.  Be it any situation, around a fire and sharing a simple conversation or meal, or just enjoying a nap with them.

   Is there any greater reward than to love deeply, to be loved and to share moments with those you share love with?

   May you find a precious moment or two with the ones you love today.  May you be there completely and immersed wholly in their presence.  

    Your children need your presence more than your presents.
Jesse Jackson

   Peace, love in the fullest and most of all, I wish for you today a golden moment with the ones your share love.

Billy B

Liberties.

   We know that there are many freedoms accorded us because of the sacrifice of those who came before us. Today is Veterans Day and we show thanks to the many women and men that have served to keep us a free people.  People who have certain rights and privileges.

I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.
Voltaire

   There are a lot of quotes that can easily show support for what blessings and freedoms are ours because of the service of those that have come before us and for those who serve today to preserve it.  Whether we agree with the current political leaders or not, their service is just as honorable.  It would be a shame and disgrace for us to forget the blessings that most of the world today enjoys because of those who fought for causes greater than themselves.  Most great countries around the world have lost many generations of men and women to establish and protect the rights of others.

   To them, all of them, whether here or elsewhere, I raise a salute of thanksgiving and admiration.  Thank you for your service, your sacrifice and for your examples of being willing to do what was required of you.  Even when you yourself would not be able to partake or enjoy the fruits of your efforts.

   Thank you.

   May peace and brotherly love reign.  May man overcome his need to enforce his ideals with violence.  May we, as a species evolve beyond violence and strife.  One day, I pray, children will grow up, grow old and pass on never knowing the horrors and tragedy of war.

   This is my prayer and salute to all who have, do and will serve to protect the rights and liberties of others.

Billy B

Immediate Decisions.

   Within each and everyone of us there are struggles that go on.  Sometimes those struggles are very apparent and sometimes not.  In my youth, for whatever reason, perhaps because I do come across quite different than most people around me, (more so as a child) I was very insecure and dealt with many self doubt issues.  I think most of us do in one way or another or at one or more points in our lives.

   I read daily from many tomes of wisdom, I have realized that most of the messages they all seem to be trying to share with us is to help each one of us find our place in creation.  Helping us to see ourselves in the bigger picture and learning to be comfortable with it.  Understanding that can help, a lot.  The challenge lies in realizing it for ourselves.  One of the most amazing things about human nature is that we can accomplish so much even when we don't know how just because we believe that we can or even more bizarre, just because we didn't realize we couldn't.  I know people who have done the nearly impossible and felt as if it was "nothing really" just because it seemed quite possible to them or that they didn't understand it to be otherwise.

   How do we break free of these internal limiting factors?  A good question, a very good question.  I cannot claim to have some magic kernel of knowledge here, only to know what has worked for me in those instances where I have.  There is a a quote or statement about how "It is not about how much you know.  It is about how much you believe!".  I would agree whole heartedly.  I would also like to say that there is some truth to the "fake it till your make it" club of thinking.  Both have worked for me in the past.  

   I now face a bunch of new challenges as my paradigm has gone through a dramatic change lately.  I can feel old beliefs trying to fight their way to the surface.  I understand what a poison they could be to me and the new path I have started.  Knowing does seem to be half the battle, sadly not always the easy side. I do believe in the power of decision.  I also know that for me, sometimes it takes turning a decision into habit to get the results that I require or need.

  As an example, when I wanted to start meditating each morning.  I knew it was good for me and I had made the decision to do it, however I could not seem to get up early enough to enjoy solitude in the house many mornings until I made it into a habit.  Many of the blessing and peace that I experience from meditation in the mornings really only came once the habit had formed.

   Are there situations that no matter how much you do your best to "commit" to a decision you cannot pull it off until you form a habit of it?  Are there little differences that will help you to complete a decision on a more immediate basis?  How do you complete your decisions?

   I will leave you with one last one that was immediate for me.  Soon after my lovely bride and I were married, say only six months or so.  A very attractive and charming women I had pursued in the past (who by the way had never showed any interest in me), once she knew I had married, approached me and started to flirt and come on to me quite a bit.   I remember thinking how odd that she would show interest now.  Mostly, I was a bit mad as to think that she thought something had changed to make me more attractive to her.  It took only  few moments to realize I had to make a decision.  I knew in my heart that I would never forgive myself if I strayed, I never wanted to face my beautiful wife and have to admit to any such travesty.  I made a decision that I would never stray.  That was that, although it did not eliminate temptations, as they will still come along, there is no question in my mind about them and they bare me no real credence or interest.  This one is dramatic, I agree.  It is cut and dry because the decision was never in doubt once made.

   Are there decisions like this for you?

   May we all find the key to living life on purpose.  May you find the one decision that will allow you to be completely at peace with your own, very important and immeasurably wonderful and valuable life.

Peace and love be yours.

Billy B

   

Prose for the moment

 
I read for a few minutes from the Tao Te Ching each morning, I am always impressed by the power of prose and what can be communicated in such few words.

Having always been attracted to prose, as you know a fan of the Haiku.  Perhaps today is a good day to share just a couple from my pen and see if their message rings true.

Smile and warm the soul
Lifting others from within
Sun only has more glow


Simple light
Opening eyes wide
Being there


Friends are all we are
Can you be more than heart strings
The grand sum of love

I hope that you can feel the power of connection with those around you.

May there be grace in the way you live today.  May the power of your smile light the way for others to take the chill off of their challenges this fine day.  May you have the power to love without prejudice.

Peace, love and warm smiles to you.

Billy B

One Lovely Blog Award

   First of all, I wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU!!! to Michelle My Bell and her marvelous little blog The Ramblings of a Peacock for the award!  I'm sure that if you have been by her blog you will agree that she has fun with it and definitely does her part to re-enforce the importance of family.

   I also wanted to say THANK YOU to several new followers and for those who visit regularly,  I enjoy more than anything reading your comments and getting feedback on my entries.  HOWDEE!

   It is my turn to chose several blogs I have discovered recently and give this very nice award.  This is so hard for me because there are so many great blogs out there and I have such varied tastes I barely have time to read the ones I want to!!!

Some of these are ones that I may have already mentioned.  Forgive me if I have.

1. Twain Wannabe (recently published author)
2. Whispers in the Windows (lovely poems when she does)
3. Inside Insights (her personal spiritual journey in a wonderful written style)
4. Bake-Me-Away (don't go here unless you are ok with food addictions....*smile* )
She is now posting her recipes on Misty Mornings
5. MainlyMugUps (probably have shown appreciation for her before, read her Clug stories, just fun.)
6. Skipping Stone Memories (she found me first, great blog!)
7. Diminishing Gene Pool (for when you need a laugh about life in a family setting)
8. 'Poetry'  (pretty much the name says it all ;)

Take time to visit these and follow the ones you enjoy!  It's important to support the creative side of life and those who honor the creative spirit within us all!

Remember, be a participant in your own life, not a passenger!

One more Haiku... just cause I love them and feel like one.

Create with all your heart
Live with your whole soul immersed
No sideline will do

Love, peace and joy to you all!

Billy B

Haiku for you

I wanted to thank Michelle My Bell for giving me the "One Lovely Blog Award"!!!  I really appreciate it!  I will take time to follow up it here in the very near future.  Be sure to visit her blog by clicking the link on the award.  She is very family focused and that is awesome!

Although I do not have time today, I definitely want to keep this ball rolling! ;D

Today, being a fan of the art of Haiku, I felt I would leave one for you, my friends who come and visit me regularly.

Thank you each one for your time and consideration.

Billy B


Peace faith and courage
Pieces of stillness within
A time with you friend

The Best Day!

   Today, I apologize to you who stop by regularly that I have not been able to get my entries in on a timely manner lately.  I am needing to re-arrange my schedule and habits some so that I can devote the time to it each day.  I feel it is very important to get what is in me out where others can participate and enjoy.

   Of every lesson that I have ever learned, I have learned that one has more leverage for change in our daily lives than anything else when it comes to practices and efforts.   It is consistency.  Any noteworthy practice, if given it's due over a period of time, be it weeks, months or a lifetime can create results that would be impossible by any other means.  Example, an athlete repeats  an action over and over again  in sessions over a periods of years and get's to the point that the action is now habit, thoughtless, automatic, and with this acquired muscle memory the athlete can now focus on refining the details and the outcome of the effort so that they no long have to think about or place any concentration on the action itself.  IE,  A pro basketball player making foul shots.  When you don't have to think about hand placement and foot placement or the order of movements only on the aim, the outcome.

   The question is, how does that apply to our own lives.  I'm no pro athlete, nor will I be however, I am human and have the desire to create good works and positive impact.  Reading from great works each day.  The reading becomes habit, the words themselves may with consistency fall to the wayside so the I may focus on the message, the spirit of the work or perhaps the effect it will have on my day and the effectiveness of my efforts.  Another one could be meditation or prayer (I will treat them both as the same thing for this instance). Through practice, repetition and patience of use, consistently over time one can get to the point that attention does not need to be placed on the act of meditation/prayer.  One can focus on the feeling, the intentions and the outcome or purpose of the effort.  Great masters of the human race have achieved marvels from the Buddha to Christ, to St. Augustine to everyday people who have been able to connect to the brilliance and inspiration that underlies every noble deed and life through consistent effort.

   Just as I became very good at one point in my selling because I practiced, studied and participated daily in the act there of, so can I at being a positive influence to others by practicing, studying and participating in creating good will, broader horizons, love for all humanity and open mindedness each and every day.

   Here are several items I give daily attention and consistent effort to;   Love, love one another.   Stillness, being still at my core so that I may not be whisked away into reaction instead of considerate action.  Peace, no conflict within or without.  Do not take things personally, so that I may be a participant instead of a passenger in my daily life.

   What items do you focus on daily that increases the value of your daily life?  Is there specific ones that you feel should get more attention or that you should do that your are not currently practicing consistently?  How can this have a negative effect if the wrong item is given consistent attention?

   It is my hope that through intention and consistency you are able to improve the quality of your daily life and the lives of those within your influence.   I pray for great peace, great presence and love in your lives.

   Today is the best day to start something good!

Billy B