What a night! Attending a dinner party on a school night seemed like such an illicit affair! Delicious food and even more delicious company! We sat at the dining room table and used the good china! I wouldn’t have cared if we had been served frozen waffles on paper plates. I am grateful for the opportunity to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
There was a spiritual kinship amongst the guests; five women who have reinvented themselves at least once if not twice in their lives. Women who shine because they possess the fine quality of being authentic; comfortable in the skin they embody.
At 7pm, a gong sound rang out and our “Hostess with the Mostess” let us in on a wonderful new practice. At the same time every day, the gong sound reminds her to stop and say a blessing for her friends. WOW—uber cool!
She learned of this practice while visiting a college friend and wanted to pass it along to us. This is the ultimate “hostess gift”. If you have read some of my previous blog posts, you know I proselytize the “power of the pause”!!! I absolutely love it this idea and thought I’d pass it along to you.
Let me share a few more notes from our gathering. We agreed that kindness never gets old. We discussed the importance of a “friendship network” and how confidence is the sexiest quality in a person.
Remember the phrase, “Be careful what you wish for!” I am a firm believer that the intentions you put out to the Universe will be answered but I was advised that the intentions I speak of may not be specific enough. Holy smokes, thank you. As a result, I made an appointment with the Universe today and restated my intentions in very specific terms! Phew.
I am reminded of a story where a blind man was granted one wish. You would imagine he would ask for his sight but his wish was as follows and I paraphrase, “I wish to be standing on the roof of my mansion, covered in gold, watching my many grandchildren play in the vast garden.” Was he greedy? Maybe but the moral of the story is to ask for exactly what you want. Just sayin!
Today I felt a renewed sense of creativity. Was it the result of the gathering? YES! The people you surround yourself with can lift you up or drain you. Be selective with your time.
You are your most valuable resource.
Thank you, ladies!
From the heart,
Cara
Photo credit: spiritsentient.com
Hello People, Life is Short
“You were the quiet one back then; and perfectly confident. So smart. I thought of you as perfect.” WHO ME? Are you sure you’re talking about me? I have no recollection of ever being described this way let alone feeling confident! “Now you are the life of the party, a sexy mama!” Well….. I guess you ARE talking about me! Thank you, thank you!
These comments were made last weekend at my 30th high school reunion. The common denominator is that we grew up in a small town and shared those very long and uncomfortable adolescent years together. Those were the years when you were supposed to be growing up….LOL. If only we had known that growing up was a lifelong process!
And where did that “perfect” comment come from? I told my friend that I put up a good facade but inside I wasn’t sure about anything or anyone. I was constantly measuring myself against all of the others. Confidence was my outer mask. I could play the part but not live the life.
Despite where life took us after graduation, we continue to share experiences. The most striking commonality is that we all have lost friends and family members far too soon. The reminder to live each day to the fullest couldn’t be clearer. Who cares about waistlines and hairlines or square footage and bank balances when you could tell someone how much they mean to you? One classmate lost her husband to ALS earlier this year. Luckily he was able to stay in his home until he passed. Another classmate buried her son a year ago. We also took a moment to honor the eight classmates that have died since graduation.
Hello people, Life is short.
I organized this reunion from California so that I could “pay it forward”. When my Dad passed away last year, the people of my hometown kindly came forward to help my family. In gratitude, I wanted to do something to show my appreciation. I don’t want to be remembered as the beauty queen, the smart girl, the perfect one or even the sexy mama! I hope that someone will say that I was a kind person or the person who inspired them to believe in their potential. This is what matters to me. This is what mattered to my Dad.
My Dad died at the young age of 67 and I really miss him. Remember, life is short. Please take the time to do something special for someone today. Call a friend you haven’t connected with in a long time. Hug your loved ones. Drop grudges and consider forgiveness for YOUR sake. Laugh out loud.
We don’t know if we will have tomorrow so make today your best day yet. PAY KINDNESS FORWARD!
From the heart,
Cara
