Positivity Run

I did a thing this morning. I decided to celebrate every little thing I saw and thought of.

With absolute horror playing out in the world at this moment, it seems insensitive to post anything happy. Positivity helps though. People are depressed. Last night, I learned of an online friend who took their own life. 

It's also understanding how seeing nothing but happy smiling faces can precipitate sadness when it seems like you're the only one who is NOT happy. Many of us have come to know that social media can set a false standard and add to a sense of isolation. On occasion, I've posted examples of life's trials and imperfections. 

                                                                                       

Just now, tears well up in my eyes as the little refugee boy walking alone cries. We are living in terrifying times. Below is a link from The Mayo Clinic with advice on how to identify and support friends and family who may be depressed.

Click here for The Mayo Clinic's "Depression: Supporting a family member or friend" Page

As for me, I'll search for smiles and positivity. I'll post and share. I'll do it to strengthen myself as well as others. My sincere wish for us all is that we can strengthen ourselves enough to participate in the battles to come with strength and perseverance. Any way you look at it, there is a long road ahead. I hope we can find ways to secure our own oxygen masks, and be able to assist others with theirs - so to speak.

Love you all.

I'm down for stretching as far as I can without breaking. Don't break. Keep going.

xo,

T

Simple Joy

Sometimes, even when the world is going crazy, I'm reminded that the purest of joy can be found while simply jumping off of a rock.

In short... go jump off a rock.

LOL

Love you,

T

Defiance

Happiness is this week's most gratifying act of defiance for me. 

Last week I got SLAMMED with hate. My "Vote Blue" video inspired opposition, insults, accusations and threats. Whew! I was deleting left and right! The thing is, it didn't bother me at all. If people were trying to intimidate me into silence or submission, then the result is actually pretty funny. It only fuels my resolve to speak out more. 

There's no way I'm going to waste any time being upset about it. Half of these people aren't even real! It's amazing how the most vocal and aggressive opposition comes from accounts that have no name, no content and no followers. I suspect even ones that have some (minimal) information are fraudulent. 

#BeeHappy

Some people just want you to be angry. I'm not going to give anyone that kind of power over me. I can fight harder and more effectively when I stand in a place of strength. NOTHING has more strength than Love. Nothing. Moments of happiness, laughter, joy are more than precious. They are potent nutrients, powerful beyond measure. Follow these. Stand on these. Balance on these. Fight with everything you have for these. They bring peace. They are transformative. If we root ourselves in these Truths, these shimmering golden moments - we can change the world and that is EXACTLY what we are going to do. 

Keep the faith. 

Love,

T

The Decision Is Real

I'm going to call it a decision, rather than a struggle. The decision is real because when I woke up this morning, the first thing I saw was this draft (for Instagram) that I had planned on posting today:

"Hello Sunshine! Have a beautiful day! 💛 ☀️ xo!
#sunshine #flowers #goodday #positivity #positivevibes #positiveenergy #instamood #smile #Love"

Within seconds, I also saw the news. Trump supporters had rolled into Portland, instigating violence and antagonizing others with paint guns and bear mace. One of them had been killed. The president tweeted sympathies. (Stop.) He has displayed a complete LACK of sympathy for COUNTLESS others killed while peaceful protesters have been demonized, abused and murdered as well. NOW there is a sympathy tweet? "HOW DARE YOU?" - was the most polite thought that came to mind. How dare you use someone's death to feign concern, then hide behind that facade when those you ignore and oppress are rightfully enraged by your complete BULL. Meanwhile, scores of spin doctors go to work propagating false narratives designed to take advantage of our basic human frailties and desires to lash out and blame someone. They turn Truth inside out and have people fighting AGAINST their own values!

I maintain that our actions and our mindset are choices we make. THEY do not have to be a struggle. We can choose to act with positive energy, self care, happiness, kindness, understanding and Love. This DOES NOT mean we need to be silent or complicit about any of the issues we are passionate about.

We can fight hard and also adjust the level of our personal emotions to whatever degree we choose or can tolerate. We know our own breaking point. Let's keep the gauge within the realm of survival, and stand strong. Our interiors need strength in order to make "good trouble" externally.

I posted my original "sunshine" post. NO ONE is going to stop me from spreading Love.

Thus fortified, my eyes open wider to injustice and deliberate deception. It absolutely disgusts me to see opportunists selling what I call "fake empowerment." How on earth any person or group of people can manage to take their hate and craving for power and supremacy, repackage it in the form of self-righteousness and Christian values, then capitalize on people's fear, frustration and sometimes ignorance, is almost beyond comprehension. As sickening as this is, we can not allow it to make US sick.

Nourish yourself - then fight like hell. Stand in your truth and stand in Love. Find strength in positivity and happiness. Follow joy. Don't be afraid to glow. SHINE ON. Don't get lost in it. Feed on it. Balance. Then take that strength and...

KICK.

HATE'S.

ASS.

We are tasked with healing the world.

Love,
T

#Biden2020 #DumpTrump #Vote #StayStrong #StaySafe

Joyous

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Remember the magic of a really big Christmas tree? (They're all big when you're little.)

The LEGO Store, Rockefeller Center

Even a small one is magical, especially if it's made of Legos.

How about the first snowfall of the season, your first train ride, gingerbread, blueberry pancakes on a snow day, or your mom's fresh baked cookies that are still warm from the oven?

I get to see life through the lens of that enchanting time when you're a kid and everything is brand new. Just riding up and down the escalator is a thrill and sometimes merely a goofy sound can summon up fits of giggles.

One of the readings at church instructed the congregation, "Do not complain..." and it's easy for us all to remember the last time we did THAT. Do we remember the last time we got lost in a moment of pure happiness?

With Rob of the Dancin' Machine disco band

Many Christians celebrate this third week of Advent by recognizing the spirit of Joy. I am so down with that! Let's find things to be joyous about and have a fabulous time this week! There's time for everything else later.

With Gregory K Lathan of the Dancin' Machine disco band

We had a great disco gig on Friday and this week is going to be SO MUCH FUN! I insist.

Love,
T

Focus!

Daddy played at Madison Square Garden.

Nile Rodgers and Chic at MSG

There was the matter of Christmas decorations.

Mommy played in Atlantic City.

Alright. Now that THAT'S done, let's get to work. With so much happening, I really have to make a focused effort to make any progress on my own projects this week. That's the plan.

I'll make a list. I'll check it twice.

Because when you cut out all the noise and lights, and focus on one thing at a time...

You can really accomplish a lot.

Fa la la la la... la la la la...

Here's to making happy moments through this crazy, hectic and often stressful holiday season!

Love,
T

The Flow

Here's what I'm thinking:

There is a control center, a mechanism deep within us. If we get in touch with that and make one small adjustment in our own thinking, we will watch amazing changes in our life take place. We have to go deep, and then focus our mind and our energies in the direction we want to go.

1. Access that control panel.
2. Adjust SLIGHTLY (This is a powerful tool).
3. Start to flow in that new direction.

Remember:

No one controls you but YOU. The power is contained within.

WE CAN DO THIS! I'm sure of it. Sidestep the obstacles, unlock the door, and have a fabulous time enjoying the new flow! Ain't no stopping us now!

Why were these my thoughts this week? (Hmm...) There must be new adventures ahead! 

#LetsGO #ImReady #ReadyOrNot #BeReady #BringIt 

I just remembered that there is a book called "Flow." Just found this short piece with the author. I'm diggin' it!

Click here for Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on Amazon.com

Have a fantastic week! 

Love,

T

The Bright Spot

Earlier in the week I jotted down a note: "The Bright Spot." The thought occurred to me while driving to a doctor appointment, when I saw a lady crossing the street and talking on her phone. She was beaming. Whomever she was talking to, whatever they were saying had her completely transformed into a ray of light. I thought she was in "the bright spot."

How nice - that we have the ability to do that.

Here's wishing we can all follow our happiness and whatever it is that leads us to our bright place this week. It'll be great. :) #shinyhappypeople #followthelight

Love,
T

Into the Sun

I literally flew toward the sun.

Then traveled via car toward it.

I was moving toward something that I love...

and surrounded by good people.

Later in the week, I was talking to a friend about focusing on the positive aspects of what they were moving toward. (Smile.) I think I'll take my own advice and keep going toward the sun and all things happy.

A heartfelt wave of gratitude for my gig with The Original Stone City Band this weekend! It's an honor and a pleasure to be working with such talented and truly wonderful people. Love all you guys - and all you ladies working hard backstage too!

Here's to that moment when you're about to give it your all...

Namaste,
T

#Perspective

Everything is totally different, yet everything is exactly the same.
#Perspective #Focus

How am I going to color it THIS week? (Just thinking out loud.) Happy Monday everyone. xo

Namaste,

T 

"Just thinking out loud" reminded me of this song:

Make It Amazing

Oh, it is GOING to be amazing. Why? Because I'm going to make it that way. Does the rain matter? No. No it does not. I am going to let the light filter in.

I am going to seek out the bright and happy things - and grow them.

#MakeItAmazing
#BeASeeker

Yep. It's as simple as that.

Have a great week everyone! Here we go!

Namaste,
T
xo

Land on Happy

Well, rehearsal went well. He took my mic and wouldn't give it back - lol.

First Rehearsal EVER

Then it was a good gig - good times with good people, good friends. (How many times can I say "good" in one sentence?)

With Apollo Joe

A real standout moment was when Zachary turned the wheel of emotions at the children's museum. At first, it landed on "Sad" but, without any prompting from me, he immediately spun it again.

That's right kid. Keep turning the wheel until you land on "Happy." That is the plan and I'm sticking to it. Now let's go get a milkshake! ;)

Have a great week everyone! #LandOnHappy

Namaste,

T

I Don't Want to Talk About It

I don't want to talk about the sickness, the coughing, the traveling anyway, the rusted-out padlock, the messy WD-40, the freezing cold hands or the cracked thumb. I don't want to talk about the contractor who couldn't do the job after all, or the one who stepped in and did a great job - but charged double. I'm not going to discuss the ice rain and the dog who wouldn't cooperate in it, the runny noses and the sinus rinses. There was the crying and the cracked tooth, but that's not worth speaking about here. Neither is the speeding ticket, the Novocaine or the new filling. The spilled coffee in the car, the forty dollar car wash that did not clean up said coffee, and the waking up every two hours in the night are hardly worth mentioning. There were the canceled appointments for the work I really wanted to get done, and the box of receipts that I still haven't looked at. Nope. I'd rather not talk about it at all. There's more - like the broken-down modem, the total lack of exercise and green vegetables, the migraine and the diarrhea at Lowes, but I don't want to talk about those either.

What I WILL say is that one day when I walked into the room, his eyes lit up and he raised up his arms and said, "Mama!"

Ok. I'll keep going.
;) xo

#stayfocused
#whatmatters
#eyeontheprize
#keepgoing
#theresalwayssomethinggood
#staypositive
#imtrying
#gimmeabreak
#smile
#love

Come to think of it... there were other things too. There was that perfect serving of rice pudding.

There were warm snuggles and flannel pajamas. There were hats that keep your hair dry, and nice strangers. There were tasty cough drops and warm blankets. There were soft pillows and hot water. There were dry shoes and clean laundry. There were nice stories and people who smiled. There was more.

#findmygratitude
#foundit
#thankyou

There was a little boy who said, out of nowhere, "Thank you for this day. Amen." There was a puppy. Yep.  Also, there was a box of soft tissues, orange scented hand soap and chocolate covered pretzels. Yes. OK.

#turnedthecorner
#seewhathappenedthere

A Blessed week filled with health and happiness to us... xo

Namaste,
T

Lights On

The lights went out in church. I had just finished saying a private intention for myself when the power flickered, then went out completely.

The organist moved to the piano, someone jumped in with their phone as a flashlight so she could see the music and someone else whispered to the cantor to sing out because there wouldn't be a microphone. As "Hosanna In the Highest" hit its crescendo, the lights came back on.

As I pondered the significance of the "sign" for myself, I looked around the room and realized that there were probably at least one hundred other interpretations as well. When the priest spoke again, he mused that it was another example of "Let there be light."

Here's wishing we all find what we're looking for this week. Don't forget Daylight Saving Time! #MoreLight #SpringAhead

xo
Namaste,
T

The Happy Way

That's it. I'm on vacation.

S'mores time

A friend of mine recently quoted Thich Nhat Hanh:

"There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way."

I'm down with that. So when I'm wondering which way to go and teetering on the edge of chaos...

I'm choosing happiness, peace, and serenity.

My view from the winery this afternoon

Ahhh...

Have a great holiday everyone! Happy Fourth! Next stop: the beach!

xoxo

Namaste,

T