Saturday's Journey to find Peace

We all need a special "go to" place where we can kick off our shoes, grab a glass of wine and a good book to just curl up with.

(Source Unknown)



This special place needs to allow us the opportunity to forget all of life's little problems and just let us focus on total relaxation.

I have found such spot and it is perfect for me...but before I get there...let me tell you how I found it...or should I say - how it found me?

One February I found myself headed to San Francisco for business and as San Francisco so often is - every hotel that I wanted to stay in was booked.  The company's travel agent found a small quaint hotel in Half Moon Bay.  Well - let me tell you - I had never heard of Half Moon Bay but it did offer a roof over my head and a bed to sleep ii n so I said "yes" to the hotel.

Little did I know that Half Moon Bay was my destiny.  I had not a clue where the directions were taking me but I knew I was driving west through the winding mountain roads between the hustle of San Francisco - and the Pacific Ocean.

When I arrived at my destination I was overwhelmed by the peacefulness of this sleepy and charming little town on the Pacific.  Little did I know just how special it would become to me.

On the day that I was due to leave the Bay Area - I left early enough to take the scenic route to the airport - north up Hwy 101.  Since I had plenty of time I decided to visit the beach.  It was a cool Saturday morning and the beach was completely deserted.  The waves were crashing against the shore and there was a bit of fog seen in the distant.  It was nothing short of breathtaking.  With each mile of my journey northward I couldn't help but feel at total peace with my life.  The glorious scenery along this path - with the waves of the Pacific Ocean reaching out to meet the rocky shores of the beach would remain with me forever. 

Source - Pat's mobile phone

Source - Pat's Mobile phone

Source - Pat's Mobile Phone

While one could say that it was the Travel Agent that introduced me to this peaceful place - I like to think that it was destiny that brought me here and a quest to find that peacefulness that brings me back time and time again.

I highly recommend that you add Half Moon Bay to your list of places to visit/see.  I don't think that you will find a more peaceful and relaxing place!

Where will your journey take you?

source unknown

This is one of my favorite poems.  Matter of fact - I had it framed and it sits in my home office so I can be gently reminded to not forget the journey of life

The Station

by.  Robert J. Hastings

TUCKED AWAY in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We’re traveling by train and, from the windows, we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures, of smoke pouring from power plants, of row upon row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of city skylines and village halls.

But uppermost in our conscious minds is our final destination–for at a certain hour and on a given day, our train will finally pull into the Station with bells ringing, flags waving, and bands playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true. So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting, waiting, waiting for the Station.

“Yes, when we reach the Station, that will be it!” we promise ourselves. “When we’re eighteen. . . win that promotion. . . put the last kid through college. . . buy that 450SL Mercedes-Benz. . . have a nest egg for retirement!”

From that day on we will all live happily ever after.

Sooner or later, however, we must realize there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The Station is an illusion–it constantly outdistances us. Yesterday’s a memory, tomorrow’s a dream. Yesterday belongs to a history, tomorrow belongs to God. Yesterday’s a fading sunset, tomorrow’s a faint sunrise. Only today is there light enough to love and live.

So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.

May your day today be all about the journey. 

The Journey of our life

 Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and begin the journey!   We do not always know where our journey will take us.  It is more about the life lessons that the journey teaches us along the way.

Goals in my Life

I have life goals...I strive to achieve my goals but I, like everyone else, sometimes fall short.  I "attempt" to review and grade myself on my goals on a monthly basis but in truth - it may only be 3 - 4 times a year.

One goal that is a constant on my goal list is:

I strive every year to travel to one place new that I have never been before.  This has to be one of the best goals on my "goal list" because well let's face it....it is fun to visit someplace different and explore!

In 2012  I had the oppoutnity to visit three new states that I had never been to before *thanks to my job*.  I was able to mark Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire off the list of states that I have not visited.

This year - well it is almost June and I have yet to accomplish this goal but I am hopeful that I will be able to travel someplace new in the next few months.

I encourage you to visit a new place this year...it doesn't have to be a flight away, it can to a town/city in your own state that you have never been to before.  It also doesn't have to be an expensive trip either - maybe a tank of gas, a night away (use Hotel.com and Priceline to find some great deals).  You might even think about making this one of your annual goals too.  Just think how much fun it could be!

Now - off to plan my next trip!  How about you?  Where would you like to go?  Who knows - maybe we will meet each other there!

Memorial Day - 2013

Today is Memorial Day here in the U.S. and there is quite a bit of history about today:

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday.which occurs every year on the final Monday of May Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

 Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service^]. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries. - source - Wikipedia~

I can remember as a little girl growing up in Alabama we would travel to the cemetery on Memorial Day (Decoration Day) where family members were laid to rest.  We would have tons of flowers and leave a flower at the site of our family member's final resting spot as a tribute to the role that they played in our lives.

You could always tell which resting spots belong to the Veteran's because there would be small American flags remembering their dedication and devotion to protecting our freedom.

A couple of years ago I wrote a Memorial Day blog that says it all:

Memorial Day 2012

For all you who have fought for us and for those of you who fight for us today - THANK YOU!

Sunday's Wisdom - Who you are

How many times have you been in a relationship where you tried to be something that you were not just so the other person would like you?

How authentic were you when you were trying to be the person that someone wanted you to be? 

By trying to be something that another person wants you to be means that you are no longer the person that God intended you to be.

Do not be afraid of being YOU!

Saturday's Lesson

Fabulous Friday!

So folks - we did it...we made it to Friday...and for most of us here in the U.S. it is a four day weekend!  BONUS!

Here is wishing you all a glorious and happy Friday.  May your day...may your weekend be full of love, laughter and joy!

Have a FABULOUS Friday y'all!

Thought for Thursday

Wednesday's Wisdom - Reflecting on Life

I found my mojo!  That little sucker slipped away and it was a heck of a hard time to find it again!

I am not sure where it has been hiding but the mojo has been found   “ I am BACK”

As we travel through this precious life of ours I think that it is much too easy for us to forget those who help mold us into the person that we have become today.  I feel like this busy life of mine has made it too easy to forget those special people in my life.  Why in the world did I allow these special people to slip out of my life?

You know – in life I have had many friends who shared so much with me -  the laughter, the tears, and of course clothes!  And let us not forget that special first love - you know that love that made ones hearts go “thump  thump”.  I also believe that even those not so nice people who may have crossed my path did so for a reason,

There is a poem that begins:

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime

Recently I have had a very good stroke of luck (or was it fate?) in locating folks that once played an extremely important role in my life.  Thanks to Facebook I have been able to renew those special friendships and times – you know those times in high school where the most important thing in your life was who would be having the sleep-over this weekend, where would you go on your Friday or Saturday night date…or even what would you wear on said date?   

My trip down memory lane with these folks makes me feel like I am back in high school and I have the world at my fingertips!  It is so gratifying to know that people that I once shared so much of my life with and loved from the bottom of my heart are once again in some form or fashion back in my life.

May we never forget those who we have loved and loved us in return. 

Those of you reading this blog know who you are.  I am the luckiest person in the world to have the privilege of having you as a very special person in my life!  Your friendship and unconditional love will always be the foundation that makes me smile!