let it roll...

This past weekend, we had my daughter's first birthday party.  I cannot believe she is 1 already!  As any mother does, I spent the morning of her birthday recalling every painstaking and joyful minute of her labor.  From the moment my water broke while watching hockey playoffs (have I mentioned we're hockey fans??), to the chilling silence when the doctors attempted to unwrap the cord from her tiny, brittle neck, and the moment I got to hold her for the first time--so tiny, so vulnerable, so loved.  It is incredible how babies and children change you! 

But enough of that...onto the celebrating!  We got together with some of our closest family and a few friends and partied all night long!  It was AWESOME!  At the end of the party, one of my nearest and dearest friends thanked us for inviting them and commented on how enjoyable the celebration was.  I thanked her quietly and then came up with some reason why it went so well...the stars aligned that night, or maybe it's a calm before the sugar-high storm!  You know, total avoidance of a compliment.

Later that night, after all the cake was cleaned off the furniture and the kids' sugar highs became exhausted lows, I started thinking about that compliment.  I started thinking about how much fun I had at the party and how great it was to just be with the ones I love.  Two years ago--when my son turned one, this was not the case.  I was a basketcase...so stressed out that everything for the party needed to be perfect.  I even snapped at my mother-in-law for giving my son a present out of turn...definitely not my proudest moment. 

 Ayden's 1st Birthday!  Cupcake Face.

Laney's 1st Birthday Cupcake...a little more timid.  

So, what's changed since then?  A LOT.  But mostly, I've given up trying to please everyone.  It's just not possible, nor is it necessary.  In other words, I just let it roll.  And ya know what, I'm a whole lot less stressed than I ever was before.  Let's face it, friends, life is too damn short to worry about what everyone else is thinking about you!  I have learned to define my priorities and forget about the rest.  Instead of spending my evenings glued to the tv or wrestling with copious amounts of house work, I spend my time loving up my family.  Most nights, you can find us playing together, eating together, snuggling together...anything we need to do...together.  I am fully aware that I will never get those moments back when the kids are a little older and want nothing to do with my husband and I...I am not going to let any minute pass me by.  And yeah, I realize this means that I may have to stay up late some nights to prep lunches for the next day or collect the garbage on "Oh Shit Night" (my dad's endearing name for Garbage Pick Up Eve), but it's okay with me because my son and my daughter...and even my husband...know that they are my top priority. 

Once I realized what my priorities were, life just seemed to come together.  Now, I know that my priorities will change over the years...and that is okay.  At that time, I will reassemble my priority list and make sure I'm doing what it is I need to do to let it roll! 

What are your priorities in life?  Do you live for those priorities or do you let other things get in the way?  Are you able to do what you need for yourself without pleasing others or is the control in someone else's court? 

Wondering how to prioritize your life...here's a great way to start...

Think about your personal goals for the next 5 years.  Is what you're doing NOW leading you to accomplish those goals?  If not, what needs to change?

I'd like to leave you with a few pictures that align with my priorities and goals...I hope they inspire you to think about letting it roll...

 Giving my kids every opportunity to love one another and life (I always want my kids to be close...it hurts my heart when I hear siblings aren't friends)

 Exploring my Faith each and every day (please note, I said explore...I think it is really important to explore and question...it's the only way we grow). 

 Make our house a home by simplifying it and aligning it with my priorities (simplification is very much a work in progress)

Boston Part 2

Friends! 

I apologize that it has been so long since I last blogged.  I kid you not when I tell you, we have been sick the better part of the last month!  Ear infections, viruses, stomach bugs, allergies...ear infections AGAIN...it's been ridiculous!  I am so ready for good weather being here to stay (and dandelions dying away fast)! 

In my last post, I spoke about the horrific events that occurred in Boston.  I wanted to take another moment to share my thoughts further, if you'll allow it. 

Sidenote: This post is based on the news as we have been told...unassuming of any other theories on what happened that horrific day. 


As we heard more and more about the Boston bombings, I went through many of the same emotions Elisabeth Kubler-Ross uses to describe the grieving process (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance); as I am sure many of you also went through or may still be going through as we grieve the loss of incredible friends, family members, relatives, and fellow Americans.  Then, I started thinking about the suspects and I felt something I was really uncomfortable feeling!  I felt pain and grief FOR THEM!  I didn't want to share this with anyone for fear I'd be looked down upon or hated by red-white-and-blue blooded Americans...those of whom I consider myself to be a part of!  After many days of thinking through all of my thoughts, I decided I needed to share them and explain exactly why I feel them so strongly...

I am one of three girls.  My older sister is 2.5 years older and my younger sister is 11 years younger!  It is amazing to have this age range and I wouldn't change it for the world.  As the years have gone on, I can 100% say that I would do ANYTHING for my sisters...whatever they need, I am there for them (even at 2am when I'm getting a call to pick someone up from a bar...but that's for another day).  When my older sister became a widow, I felt sick to my stomach that I couldn't help her move back home because I was still nursing a very colicky little guy.  When my younger sister was ill as a teen, I cried myself to sleep each night, praying that she would be well again so that we could enjoy all that life had given her together! 

Now that my baby sister is 18 years old and a super successful college student (hello 4.0 her freshman year...many higher level classes--sorry Em, have to brag about you); I can't imagine ever jeopardizing her education, career, life plan, etc.  I am so proud of the young woman she has become and I cannot wait to see where life will take her over the next 10 years and on!  The amount of potential she holds in her skinny little body is immeasurable and to be at a point in our lives where we can be sisters AND good friends is so great!  There is something so gratifying about having such a strong bond with someone who knows all of the things that makes you tick and loves you anyway! 

On the other hand, having the chance to be an older sister to her; to give her guidance when she asks, but also give her independence when she needs it, is a challenge!  How do you protect someone from making mistakes you have seen yourself make in the past, while also letting her spread her own wings and learn on her own!?  I guess that's what makes life such a beautiful dance...we cannot lead unless the other person is willing to follow...but then it wouldn't really be their dance, now would it?

Here is my point...as an older sibling, I try my hardest to help my sister grow on her own (even when she thinks I'm butting in--trust me Em, it could be way worse! :P) into the individual she needs to be.  At only 18 years old, I know she is only beginning to see what crazy good and evil this world has in it.  It pains me to know that with 11 years between us, she will probably see much more evil than I live to see.  If there was any way to keep her safe each and every moment, I would do that...because she is my sister and I love her. 

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19 years old, a smart, high-potential young man, with a budding scope of the world most young adults have, trusted his brother.  Why wouldn't he?  He and his brother came here together; they stayed close.  Why would he question anything his brother told him...afterall, older siblings are typically wiser...right?  Tamerlan Tsarnaev was an older brother.  He could have helped protect his brother from evil...even if he thought the US was evil, he could have shielded his brother from the things he found unjust.  He could have allowed his brother reach the potential he had and become a world-class adult.  Instead, he used his older brother rank to fill a need for himself...he manipulated a bright young mind.  And then, he let his brother take all the heat for both of them...
 What kind of life did Tamerlan have that this became his only out?  What was missing in him that made him want to do this?  What hate was he shown that made him show others such hate?  Do I show others hate?  Did these young men ever feel acceptance?  If so, where?  Do I try my hardest to help people feel accepted?  Doesn't everyone deserve some sort of acceptance?


As a religious person, I've always been told to turn the other cheek on hatred...never let anyone take away the love I have in my heart.  Stories like these pain me for so many reasons...and I ache so badly for those who were lost or injured in Boston.  I can only pray that, from this, we learn that hatred does not heal hatred...and sometimes, all we can do is pray for the acceptance of all individuals. 

Boston

I, like all of you, have been at such a loss for words over the bombings in Boston earlier this week.  I just cannot understand HOW, WHY, WHO!  It makes no sense to me.  And then I think about how some countries deal with these completely senseless bombings DAILY, and my heart hurts more than I can handle.  I plan to blog more about this topic in the coming days, but for now I'd like to leave you with a short video.  I am a hockey fan...so much so, that on our wedding day, my husband and I wore Buffalo Sabres (our favorite team) jerseys to our wedding reception!  Last night was the first Sporting event in Boston since the bombing...and it just so happened to be the Boston Bruins and the Buffalo Sabres.  I think either way, I would have watched the game; but, I was not prepared for the emotional bucket of tears I became when I watched the entire arena sing the National Anthem together.  For a moment in time, we were all united...one arena, one country, one great big support group for each other.  At the end of the game, both teams gave a salute...which I couldn't get a video of this morning, but if you can find it on youtube, please feel free to share it!

Boston Bruins/Buffalo Sabres National Anthem...Boston Strong


Thanks to John Bain for posting.

One more for Papa

Well Hello there Followers! 

I know, it has been so long since I've written.  It's been a difficult month or so.  My grandfather passed away just before the Easter Triduum, which was extremely difficult.  When you hear the word "grandpa", you  might picture an old man with super grey hair, wrinkles aplenty, and maybe even wrinkled lips where teeth used to rest.  But not my Papa.  No, not even close.  Up until close to the end, my Papa was lifting weights, investing in the stock market (ya know, just a fun pastime), and working via his home office.  He was so robust, in fact, that he and my grandmother decided to build a brand new house to be closer to family, "just in case".  My grandmother closed on their new house the day my Papa was admitted into ICU.  He never got to see  his house. 

As I searched for solace in the wake of my grandfather's death; I thought about my Papa's life.  He was an extremely religious man, even considered joining the Church before finally (and thankfully) marrying my beautiful grandmother!  And even while he gave 100% to his career in the law field, he gave 110% to his family life.  He was actively involved in our lives, attending all of our graduations, parties, and life events.  Summers were always spent together at "Papa's lake", initially a cottage he and family built, then a new cottage built after the first one burned down, and finally a house on the lake, large enough to fit all 5 children, their children, and even their children too...as long as you don't mind sleeping on a random couch or floor!  ;)  My Papa LOVED family...and it was so fitting for us all to be together on one of the Holiest of days (Easter) right in the middle of his wakes and funeral service. 

I will never forget my Papa and I will never forget all of the love he gave me and my family.  He has taught me so much and I am so proud to have known him!  My children are so lucky to have known him and loved him so unconditionally, even for just a short time. 

Grad School Graduation  May, 2006

For Papa

For the past month or so, my grandfather's health has rapidly declined.  I have been spending a lot of time at the hospital with him and with family.  Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated! 

Here are some great pics of my grandfather, Papa!  Thanks for letting me take a walk down memory lane with you (I really need to get my pics from before 2006 digitized).  

Meeting My daughter last summer!

 Holding my son at his baptism...it was snowing...in MAY! 

 Not my grandpa...this is our dog, Winston...Papa was the first person to meet him! 

 At my wedding!  Look at that smile! 

 My rehearsal dinner...that's my grandma with him! 

 At my cousin's wedding...he was the officiant!  

 At the lake...his favorite place! 

 On my grandma's 75th birthday! 

At my cousin's rehearsal...that's my mom and uncle photobombing!

5 minute retreat

Life has been so hectic lately!  As if two kids under 3 wasn't enough, my husband just wrapped up his first season of coaching basketball and my grandfather has been in and out and in the hospital again.  At the same time, Hubbs and I have been planning our first big family vacation coming in a couple weeks and trying to make big family decisions for the good of little order!  Oh, and did you hear we have a new Pope!?  Working at a Catholic school means this is HUGE news! 

While all this is going on, I often find myself thinking how it would be so awesome if I could get in a retreat.  It doesn't have to be faith-based; but, something that  really gives me a charge, a renewed sense of self.  Ya know?

Since leaving for a weekend to do so seems ridiculously out of the question at this point, I found myself trying to make my own 5 minute retreat!  Start a Journal (blog)...work in progress.  Go for a long run...well, I got 3 miles in and realized I was starting to think more about my burning chest in the freezing temps than the secret of life.  Listen to music...a typical favorite choice of mine, but now that my toddler is into tunes, hearing to Call Me Maybe on loop just doesn't seem serene anymore!  So, I resorted to one of my favorite 5 minute retreats...PICTURES!  Here are some pictures that help me gain focus and feel all warm and cozy inside...Enjoy!!

 They love each other! 

 Argento Photography...THE BEST!

 Ah yes...my super skinny, good hair, tan days! Hubbs is so cute!  That's his little cousin!

 Puerto Rico 2012 

 Nothing Better than a Florida Sunset

 My pooch...before he turned grey!

 Best Friends! 

 Lake Life is the Good Life! 

 Cute pic right?  He's actually just leaving time out for hitting his sister and kissing her an apology!

 Mom, Dad, Sisters, and Me!  My "other" best friends!

Quarter Life Crisis

My mother used to always tell her friends I was a "late bloomer".  In 6th grade, I was the one inviting only my best friend over to my house so we could play Barbies in secret.  In high school, guys would often mistake my bubbly, friendly personality for flirting.  I am told I broke a few hearts, but I had no idea there were even hearts to be broken!  When I left home to go to college (20 minutes away), I begged my parents not to leave and asked if I could transfer to community college because I would be able to live at home!  I just wasn't ready to leave my "safe place".  I guess it would only make sense that right now, less than a week into my 30's, I have begun what most people experience in their mid-20's...a quarter-life crisis.  (Maybe this means I'll just live REALLY long haha!)


My quarter life crisis doesn't involve anything too drastic, like buying a mercedes or cutting my hair all off (although, I have committed myself to some sweet purple highlights when I return from my sun-filled vacation).  No, no!  My quarter life crisis entails some truly deep thought about who I am, who I was, and who I have yet to become.  Can anyone relate?

Here's how it all started...

Almost three years ago (wow, I can't believe it's already been 3 years), my family faced one of the most devastating and unexpected losses we could ever imagine.  My brother-in-law passed away at age 29...just two months before his 30th birthday.  I was the only person in my immediate family who was not there when the rest of the family received the news.  I still have a lot of guilt about that.  

Since family has ALWAYS been the top priority in my life, it absolutely crushed me to see my family, particularly my sister, in so much pain.  It hurt even more to know that their pain was different (maybe worse) than mine because I was not physically there when they found out.  So, on my husband's birthday (two weeks after Matt died), we made the decision to move back toward family if the chance ever arose.  And it did...3 months later!  So, off we went back to our hometown to raise our son (our only child at the time) as close as possible to family.  And though I miss many things about my adopted hometown, I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have my children see their grandparents weekly (sometimes more)...something I did not have growing up.

I digress.

Now that I am 30 years old, I am officially older than my brother-in-law lived to be.  This is a very strange thought for me and one of the reasons I have begun looking so deeply into my own life.  I am a firm believer everything happens for a reason, which only makes me ponder if I am living my own life to its fullest potential...if not for myself, but for my kids, for my students at work, and for my brother-in-law who did not have the chance!

So, as a way of giving myself the power to LIVE; I have created a little pledge to myself...

My Pledge to Myself at 30

I pledge to never let electronic devices be more important than my children.
I pledge to try harder to tell loved ones how I feel.
I pledge to give as many kisses and hugs to my children as I want.
I pledge to hold my husband's hand in public.
I pledge to never let a day go by without thanking God for what I have been blessed with.
I pledge to smile often, but allow myself to cry when I need to.
I pledge to never let my wasteline define me.
I pledge to going on adventures!
I pledge to stop spending all my money at Target and start enjoying what I already have.
I pledge to be brave when faced with change and never look back with regret...for every day is a new day of life and God has a reason for bringing me to this point.



Wow...thanks to all of you who took the time to read this!  Do you have a pledge?  I'd love to hear it...

reflections

You may have already noticed that my blog has been a bit sparse lately.  I've been having a difficult time writing because I am feeling quite conflicted.  On one hand, I want to put it all out there and share what I'm really thinking and reflect on things that bring me a charge; but, on the other hand, being so open leaves me completely vulnerable.  Perhaps blogging is not for me...


...Or perhaps, I just need to take a chance and open myself up.  It is what I tell clients to do...why is it so hard for me?! 

Kindness Delivered!

If you happened to be one of the people who responded to my kindness challenge, you can expect some goodies sometime soon! 

It's sideways, I know...but look at all that yummy gooey cookie dough!

I delivered a few batches of cookies and some morning sweets to some friends!  My next mission will be to deliver to the agencies and firehouses that were requested! 

Cookie Bars!

Trust

I have been struggling to write this past week for a number of reasons.  One BIG reason: a sick little beaner with one heck of a cold!  The other big reason...wrestling between saying something safe and saying something honest!  Is there a happy medium between the two?  I'm not sure! 

Here's what I'm thinking...

Part of my professional job is to assist students in understanding what a goal is and then assisting them in building objectives to reach that goal.  Just by asking the simple question, "what are the goals and dreams you have for your life?" to my students provides me valuable insight into the person's ambitions and drive!  For instance, when a student tells me they wanna "pass school" and then proceed to tell me that in order to do this they need to "think hard and study more", I can pretty much gather that they don't trust me enough to tell me they want to be a doctor, a lawyer, or even a ballerina!  And ya know what?  That's okay! 

On the other hand, at the mere thought of a future life goal, some students start envisioning themselves scaling Mt. Everest or building time machines and lay out a very specific plan as to how they need to get to these goals (usually including nothing short of, "figuring out the secrets to life").  Those are the kids who trust A LOT.  They trust me, they trust their neighbors, they trust the stranger on the street without a bit of question.  These are the kids I know I need to help develop AWARENESS. 

These past few weeks, I have been really questioning who it is in my life that I trust.  In a conversation with a very close friend this week, I shared some of my concerns as a professional and as a mother.  She listened, as she always does, with such conviction and I could tell she was really hanging on every word before she responded.  And then she thanked me for trusting her to talk with her about these things so candidly.  Thanked ME!  On the other hand this past week, I had shared some mild and insignificant, yet confidential news with a different friend before I was ready to tell everyone just yet.  By the end of the day, another person was coming up to me and sharing that she knew my whole story.  It made me die a little inside because I realized that not everyone holds confidence and trust as high on the value pole as I do.  And then! I got to thinking about whether or not I am a trustworthy person!  Can people come to me with information and trust that I will hold it without blabbing?  If not, what can I do to gain that trust again? 

I'm not really sure there's a clear-cut answer to this question other than to "Start Fresh".  Sometimes in life we need to just STOP and take a long hard look at our lives.  Am I who I want to be? Am I someone my mother would be proud of? Can people talk to me about whatever they hold near and dear to their hearts without fearing I will pass it along?  Am I reaching those goals I so excitedly shared when I had a passionate fire under my skirt?  It's never too late to try and try again!  And this time around, I will leave those untrustworthy people behind. 


To quote numerous search engines...was this blogpost helpful?  Please share your thoughts and let me know what you think...I value your thoughts and opinions, as they help me grow and learn, too! 

Small Victories

Have you ever been discouraged?  Like, to the point where you question every decision you've ever made and wonder if it was the right one?  Maybe after a good night's sleep, you decided things are going to be okay.  Maybe you wrote down your thoughts and stored them for a rainy day.  Or, perhaps you downed a carton of ice cream and realized, life isn't so strange after all.  I like the third option best, personally!

But seriously...

Ya know those days were you just want to be amazing and do amazing things, and then the dishwasher breaks and you're right back to feeling like there's no way you'll ever reach AWESOME when all these stupid little things keep popping up!  That's been the case for me lately.

For so long now, I've been dreaming these big dreams about major life choices.  I want to write a book, I want to be a public speaker, I want to organize the coat closet, I want to run a 10k, I want to be recognized for being the change I wish to see in this world...I want to do this and that and this and that!  I have so many goals and wishes and dreams, that I become overwhelmed.  I mean really, Mother Teresa did not change the world over night, right?!  Why do I think I can do better?!

I have a favorite tv show-Parenthood (Tuesday Nights on NBC).  Long story short, I love it for the topics it addresses and the way it brings taboo topics to the forefront.  If you're not a Parenthood fan (Shame on you!), the show is about a group of siblings and their families (along with their conveniently wealthy and supportive parents) and how they cope with big life issues.  The particular episode I'm thinking of goes a little something like this...One of the family members is currently struggling with Breast Cancer and the affects of Chemo all while helping her adolescent son with Asperger's Syndrome understand why it is important to shower regularly.  At the end of the episode, the son is seen in a bath towel, fresh from the shower and asking his father to borrow some deodorant.  The mother looks at her husband and says, "Small Victories...Small Victories".

This episode stuck with me because it really put things in perspective!  First of all, I am again reminded of how lucky I am to be alive and have the people in my life that I love.  But also, I realized just how much even the little things matter.  If you're a Religious person, you might have heard the Parable of the Mustard Seed that reminds us that even the smallest of seeds becomes the greatest of trees!  In other words, even the smallest effort to achieve is a step in the right direction toward becoming successful.

So, tonight...instead of thinking about all the things that got in the way of me changing the world; I'm going to consider the small victories that happened for me today...like, getting both kids in bed by 8pm while my husband is coaching Basketball...or giving one of my counseling students the tools he needed to express his frustration in a positive way...and buying a friend a coffee--just to let her know I was thinking of her.  And even though I didn't conquer all of my goals...I will not allow myself to feel discouraged.  I will be the change...one step at a time. 



If you enjoy my blog, please let me know!  Follow me and Comment!  I love feedback!!! 

Pay it Forward

Last night, I happened to read a facebook status of a friend that said the following:

2013 Pay it Forward Challenge: the first 5 people to comment on this post will randomly receive a homemade goody from me sometime this year. No warning, it'll just show up on your doorstep! The catch: you first five must also post this and do this for five people as well! Annnnd GO!

I loved this!  How great!  5 of her friends near and far would be given the gift of homemade goodness....which I'm told is fabulous, and the pictures she posts of the food she makes leave me drooling like a St. Bernard at a picnic.  So, of course I was the first person to comment!  And then I got to thinking...WHAT IF I post this status and give myself an added challenge of kindness?!  What if I not only send homemade treats to 5 people who comment, but I also send a special treat to an agency or First Responder station of their choice?!  Oh, and these special treats will be given in the name of whoever commented as a way of keeping up with the true theory behind it--to Pay it Forward!  

Sooooo, here we go friends!  The first 5 people who read this blog and comment will receive a special homemade goody from me and an agency or First Responder Station of their choice will also receive a special treat in their name!  But don't forget to PAY IT FORWARD!  :) 

**NOTE: Please do not put your address in the comment...simply leave an alternative method for me to retrieve your address without the world of Blog knowing it (ie--junk email address)!  :)

Ready.....GO! 

Fullfilling a Need

Hi and welcome to my new blog, Kindness 364.  364?  Why not 365, you ask?  Well, it's fairly simply...365 was taken!  And, well...since it's already January 2nd, I decided that this was fate. 

The next questions you might be asking are, why this blog?  What purpose does it serve?  What can I get out of it?  Well, my friends, let me take you on a little journey into the world of Karen and her quest to find Kindness 364 days of the year.

Here we go!

As I sit here to write my first blog entry, I am cozied up in my pjs at the kitchen table that has been passed down two generations, husband sitting across from me (reading some crazy zombie book that he keeps popping his head out of to explain to me why a zombie apocalypse could actually happen) and kids nestled in their beds fast asleep (well, mostly--one is stirring as I type), I can't help but wonder WHY?!  Why am I so blessed with the gift of a house, a husband who loves me, two children, a dog who obeys commands, a car (two, actually), and so many other things when I have family, friends, relatives, coworkers, acquaintances who are faced with struggles beyond my comprehension?  How is it fair?!

A little less than a month ago, our nation encountered a horrific tragedy during the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.  Though I thank God for my family daily, it still shook me to realize how precious life is...even sweet, innocent lives such as those lost in their safe place-an elementary school.  Then, sadness hit home even more as I learned of first responders in my greater community being killed by selfish acts of hate and violence.  It just so happened that this tragedy occurred on a very close family friend's 21st birthday-who also happens to be a volunteer fireman and knew the ones who were killed.  All this got me thinking a lot about life and what it really is that I have to offer! 

As a school social worker, my job is to listen.  For 7 years in the career, I have heard stories of parents beating their children; young girls getting raped; what happens to your body when you huff too much at one time (it is horrific, trust me).  I've listened as tiny little people explain to me how "Mom is sleeping with our neighbor, and that's why Daddy doesn't love her anymore".  I've seen drawings of guns, grenades, blood, pills, and killers.  And through all of this, I have come to realize that until each of us does SOMETHING, these things will continue to happen.

Perhaps it is because I am rapidly approaching my 30's, or maybe it is just because of my upbringing; but, I can't help but feel guilty for not doing more all these years.  How can I be so equipped with the knowledge to help and sit back and just LISTEN?!  When I was in high school and college, chances are you'd find me performing some act of service somewhere for someone.  I lived and breathed helping others.  Then, as I got older and busier (read: more consumed with bureaucracy and politics of real life), I lost sight of what was really important to me for so long.

I think it was in the shower, probably while rinsing conditioner out of my thick, frizzy, brunette mane (that I love, by the way), that I came to the conclusion that I need to do more!  I need to be able to die (hopefully a long time from now) knowing my children will understand what it means to serve others and to empathize with those who need.  I need to feel like my life was more than just going through the motions, day by day.  I need to stand up and DO! 

So!  As a way of starting to DO, I will be documenting people, things, and places in my life that, for me, embrace the DO mentality.  Through this blog, I hope to inspire others to DO, and when the going's tough and it's increasingly harder to get off our butts and help others when we feel so low in our own lives, I hope this blog serves as a safe space to remember that it is never too late to try!  The other day, my sister reminded me that New Year's Resolutions "are a marathon not a race".  I think that statement speaks volumes to what I am trying to do here.  I hope, if nothing else, you can take a piece of this blog and find your own inspiration to DO and create the kindness our world so desperately needs 364 days of the year ;). 

Peace and Love,

Karen