The Bold Life and the Joy Thing! Keep It Going…

Hannah in her unicorn costume

 photo credit: AmberStrocel

I wrote this post a few weeks ago. We've just finished watching my daughter Kristy participate in a triathlon in St. Pete's Fl. We'll leave for our cottage in Northern Michigan on Tuesday where I hope to catch up on reading and commenting on all of your wonderful posts!

"It is not so difficult to develop a loving attitude toward yourself and others. Rather than searching for shortcomings, love watches for any sign of light and strength. It sees how far each one has come, not how far he has to go." George Elliot

Hubs and I are going to be visiting friends and family for the next few weeks. The time will be filled with both magic and challenging moments because my family, friends and I are weird, not-normal, as-is, and imperfectly perfect. Isn't everyone? 

We don't pretend to be who we are not. Knowing this I go prepared. I'm taking an extra suitcase filled with tools for the journey.

"Either we're pulling together or we're pulling apart. There's really no in-between." Kobi Yamada

Tools for my journey:

Love and Acceptance 

I'm leaving all expectations at home.We all have a yearning to connect, to love and to be loved. I plan to connect with encouragement, affection and delight.

My Journal

I'm going to journal happy moments and memories every evening. I'll express my gratitude for everyday miracles…the juice of an orange, coffee at my favorite place, gas and a rental car.

"Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way." Native American Saying 

If I'm upset I'll work through my projections by expressing my feelings and emotions on paper. There is no need to upset anyone about "my stuff."

"I've always preferred having wings to having things." Pat Schroeder

My Fun Meter

My fun meter will be running. I'm going to walk the beach. I'll visit my sister and my mom. I've packed my running shoes and will go to Reeds Lake for my old 4 mile route.

My grandson Henri is 16 months, he has learned to walk and talk since I've seen him. We'll sing songs and play games.

We'll watch a daughter participate in a triathlon and catch a my grandson's baseball game. 

My Affirmations

I see my family and friends filled with love.

I express love through my thoughts, words and actions.

I open my life to unlimited fun and new experiences.

I invite you to celebrate your world today. Celebrate life at home, at work and in your interactions with others. Celebrate today in faith, joy and peace!

"Leave your story better than you found it." M.H. Ward

What tools do you pack for your journey through life?

{ 16 comments… add one }

  • Jarrod@ Optimistic Journey April 25, 2010, 5:45 pm

    I wish you well on your journey. I think that a happiness journal is a great way to show gratitude. Often times, we let things go over our head because of so much going on that we forget what’s important to us. A gratitude journal is a great way to record those thoughts so that at a later time you can come back to it and be reminded of the little things that you have to be grateful for.

    Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  • Evita April 25, 2010, 6:44 pm

    Hi Tess

    Oh this all sounds so beautiful and I love what you packed! The best part for me were your affirmations!

    And when you said “we don’t pretend to be who we are not” – I wish everyone was like that, whether with their family or friends. Authenticity is big on my list of admirable characteristics.

    So have a great time and wishing you a super fun, relaxing, happy and healthy time
    .-= Evita´s last post…Book Review: The Book of Awesome =-.

    Reply
  • Wilma Ham April 25, 2010, 7:10 pm

    Tess, you will have a good time now you are so well prepared.
    You are bringing the best gift ever, your willingness to fill everything and everybody with love.
    You will leave behind loving feelings and how cool is that. And oh my Henri is 16 months already.
    You fare well and spread your love, I am already looking forward to the photos.
    xox Wilma
    .-= Wilma Ham´s last post…Listening beyond what your ego wants to hear. =-.

    Reply
  • Suzie Cheel April 25, 2010, 8:04 pm

    Hi Tess,

    I love your tools, not just for the journey, but for life- what could be better then accepting, being grateful. having fun and feeling joy with family friends and self
    thanks for sharing and enjoy

    Namaste
    Suzie
    .-= Suzie Cheel´s last post…Help Me Win The Next Top Spiritual Author Contest =-.

    Reply
  • Joy April 25, 2010, 9:55 pm

    So well said as always Tess!
    My tools on my journey are always:
    Faith, in God and nature, in Light and Energy, that all is as it should be in the moment I am in.
    My heart, open and ready to love fully, share generously, receive graciously.
    A piece of music that inspires me, calms me, jazzes my Spirit.
    Something to create with, preferably something to create together with–depends upon my mood–paints, glitter pens, different paper, collage items.
    My smile. Can do lots with my smile:)
    A candle. Lights up the room:)
    My ability to cook. Music, food, candles…good energy…
    Grace and gratitude. Both necessary and capable of expanding what needs to be expanded, diffusing what needs to be diffused, and far better than the right “outfit”….
    Enjoy your journey…how blessed you and your loved ones are to have this time together:)
    .-= Joy´s last post…Bridge Over Troubled Water… =-.

    Reply
  • Topi April 25, 2010, 11:11 pm

    Hi Tess,
    Travel well! I look forward to hearing your stories on your return.
    Topi
    .-= Topi´s last post…10 moments to savour during the day =-.

    Reply
  • suzen April 26, 2010, 6:03 am

    Hi Tess! How lovely that you consciously “packed” for your trip! I’ve no doubt, keeping all that with you, that the entire trip will be a blessing! Great things to pack! I take my dog for remembering present moment living – he is my huge reminder of that.
    Hugs
    SuZen

    Reply
  • Tess The Bold Life April 26, 2010, 7:32 am

    Jarrod,
    I find my life to be very abundant because I’m aware of all of my gifts and those life offers me. My gratitude journals of the past 8 years has allowed me not to be distracted by small bumps in the road. When I’m over my head I choose for it to be in abundance and gratitude instead of craziness and drams. It sounds like you experience the same and I’m grateful you took the time to share with us today.

    Evita,
    It’s difficult for me to be anyone I’m not. My mask when or if I choose to wear it never is a good disguise. It always feels so uncomfortable I take it off almost immediately. Everyone sees through it anyway. I only fool myself. Authenticity rocks my world as well. So everyone please be yourself on my blog…express what you feel…be who you are. Don’t ya just love that line?!? Thanks Evita, have a great week!

    Wilma,
    You are always such a good friend and I appreciate all the love and light you send me in your comments. Thanks for your patience while I’m on my after tax season break and I’ll be back in YOUR loop soon! xo

    Suzie,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog…it’s great to find the abundance queen here! You’re always so positive in bringing out the gratitude in others. It affects me and it affects our world. Thanks for your awesome energy and visit! Love to you.

    Joy,
    I appreciate each of your gifts and thank you for sharing them with me in our journey on and off line. Your joy is my joy and your gifts will continue to multiply because of the way you offer and share them with others. I’m so thankful you’re in my life. Let me know of any way I can help you on your new journey. It’s so fun to see you grow and spread your love, light and all with the world. Celebrate!

    Topi,
    Thanks for stopping by and thanks for your interest and support for my blog. I’m looking forward to more connectedness in our online world;)

    suZen,
    I love it…your dog and presend moment living…what else can anyone ask for or possibly need for a trip away!
    .-= Tess The Bold Life´s last post…The Bold Life and the Joy Thing! Keep It Going… =-.

    Reply
  • Belinda Munoz + The Halfway Point April 26, 2010, 10:22 am

    Tess, this is the best packing list I’ve ever seen. I’m inspired! As always, thank you for your wisdom. xo

    Reply
  • Hulbert April 26, 2010, 12:03 pm

    Hi Tess, thoughtful post on celebration and being with our loved ones. We all need a break from work, and I’m glad you’re taking some time off to visit your friends and family. It seems like you’ll be doing a lot of running and hanging out with your grandson. Thanks for sharing this and I hope you have lots of fun on your trip!
    .-= Hulbert´s last post…Steve Jobs and Innovation =-.

    Reply
  • Greg Blencoe April 26, 2010, 2:32 pm

    Hi Tess,

    I hope you have a great time up in Northern Michigan!

    I had to laugh when you said that you and your family are weird. Like you said, the truth is that EVERYONE is. And if everybody were normal, life would be pretty boring. With that being said, family gatherings can indeed get quite interesting due to all of the colorful characters that are in each of our families.

    One of the many tools I try to pack in life is my “going with the flow” tool. I didn’t always use it in the past, but I am getting much better at putting it to work!
    .-= Greg Blencoe´s last post…Relationships as mirrors =-.

    Reply
  • Davina April 26, 2010, 3:57 pm

    Hi Tess.
    Sounds like you have a wonderful time planned and well prepared for. Your family is lucky to have you I thought of another affirmation to add to the list; “My family sees me through their loving eyes.”
    .-= Davina´s last post…Don’t Block the Sun =-.

    Reply
  • Caity April 27, 2010, 6:36 am

    I hope you have a lovely trip! I love what you are packing! Such lovely things that everyone should always keep with them.
    .-= Caity´s last post…Star Wars makes no sense. =-.

    Reply
  • Hilary April 27, 2010, 9:42 am

    Hi Tess – well said .. and so well set out .. for all the family weirdies out there .. – you’ll have a ball – especially with the little one .. and watching family do their things. Have fun with your Mama .. glad to see that you’ll get to spend time with her: these days are special.

    Take your listening togs .. per Wilma … remembering the good times, all the happy moments will make your trip – enjoy the Spring, the walks, the runs through the Park .. seeing and catching up with friends and family .. just being along the way ..

    Enjoy the time with hubs – live life, love it … you do – have fun .. Hilary
    .-= Hilary´s last post…The Okavango Delta – the perfect place to Safari or holiday? = Yes for me! Part 1/3 =-.

    Reply
  • Karl Staib - Work Happy Now April 28, 2010, 9:02 am

    I like how you call your systems tools. Each tool can be used to expand your happiness.

    I’ve been keeping a one sentence journal. Every single day I write at least one sentence about my career/life. It’s amazing how this tool has helped me stay focused.
    .-= Karl Staib – Work Happy Now´s last post…Do You Need a Superpowers Coach? – $240 Contest Giveaway =-.

    Reply
  • Kalvin Chinyere April 29, 2010, 1:31 am

    The first tool I thought of was hope. But, I have recently removed hope from my tool box because “hope is not a strategy”. Life is what you make of it, not what you “hope” might happen.

    So instead I’ll take optimism on my journey through life. Looking at the glass as half full instead of half empty allows me to see the Earth and its inhabitants in an accurate and beautiful light.
    .-= Kalvin Chinyere´s last post…The Special K Diet and Challenge =-.

    Reply

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