The power of the human spirit

Make your heart smile and watch this is incredible video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY

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Fragile

Over the last few weeks/months I have experienced some things that have made a profound impact on my life. I have been forced to deal with issues that I didn't think I would have to face so soon but as life would have it my lesson started early. Thankfully I have wonderful people that have assisted me and I think that a few of them didn't realize their role or the impact they had on me. It's another lesson in human connection and the importance of living each day with compassion and love towards others. We never know who is watching us or how our life impacts someone else and the print we have left behind. Although I feel better I am still aware of the impact the various situations have had on my life.

Life is so fragile and we seem to drift along barely bumping into one another keeping our distance to ensure that our heart doesn't show or our true self isn't revealed. I have often wondered how many masks people wear and how they keep them selves hidden from others in fear of exposure. I too have done it. I'm guilty. It's the uncomfortable feeling of telling too much and wondering what the other person thinks & if your information will be perceived the way it was intended. It's the realization that maybe our words should be well chosen and thought out in depth before speaking to ensure the intention is pure.

***Long sigh*** LIFE...no one said it was going to be easy. No one said it would last forever. It inevitably ends, some times before we're ready, sometimes before we want it too. These have been my thoughts and my feelings lately. I have been fooling myself thinking that I had worked through it but I haven't because as my fingers touch these keys tears stream down my face. In March my mother became ill and was hospitalized. The fragility of life started to present itself then. I witnessed someone I love dearly twist and turn facing the harsh reality of change while I sat on the side powerless to assist the person who gave me life.

Then my great uncle passed away. Death. The passing on of someone else leaving us behind is hard in itself. Thankfully, I didn't view it like that. I know the reality is everyone dies, some sooner than they should. But in this situation he lived a long and great life and it was his time. As I drove to Pennsylvania for his funeral I thought about him and his impact on my life. I thought about my aunt and the tremendous sadness she would be faced with. For 59 years she devoted her time, life, and love to this man. They raised 5 beautiful daughters together, nurtured them, gave them wisdom and instruction to become amazing people. I thought about what she was going to do now that he was gone and how empty she would feel, her life turned upside down. Weeks (a month) later I still wonder. I feel such compassion for her and although miles separate us she is forever in my heart and my arms are around her even if she can't physically feel it.

Then my mother had a mini stroke. Again I was powerless. It is tremendously hard to experience this and I hope that I do not have to face this again anytime soon. As a child we think our parents will live forever. Then we are faced with the reality that someday they will leave us and we will be separated from the persons that gave us life. I am here to tell you it's not a fun feeling nor is it a joyous occasion. But it is part of life and the journey we walk...no one said it was going to be a bed of roses without thorns.

I started this entry on 5/14 and tonight I am finishing it (5/27)....13 days later. I am stronger than I was when first typing this and I feel more in tune with my emotional state and the circumstances creating them but still have more work to do. I need a little time and a few moments to breathe and recenter myself. The simple act of breathing really does wonders.

So here's my advice to myself and anyone who chooses to listen. Life is short, it is fragile. Don't be a robot! When you say, "Hello, How are you?" MEAN IT! Take the time to listen, the person you are speaking to may need you more than you know. There is tremendous power and strength in human connection. So for all of those out there....

I am sorry if I was in a rush and didn't take the time to listen when you needed me.

I am sorry if I portrayed that I wasn't interested in the importance of your words.

I am sorry if I didn't connect with you when you needed me to.

I am sorry if I acted like a robot instead of like a human with real emotions exposed and vulnerable.

I am sorry if I gave you unwanted advice.

I am sorry if I responded when you just needed someone to listen.

I am sorry if my actions affected you adversely.

I will try to do better and be more mindful of my thoughts, words, and actions.

CONNECTION: The state of being connected; union

Life is fragile and all of us need human compassion and connection....

My mother and I on mother's day 2008

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Support handcrafted items

Tomorrow is the GRAND OPENING of CJ's Boutique in Clemmons, NC

Wired Art from Whimsical Jewels copyright 2008

Top : Peace, Love & Harmony wired word art with red & black acrylic paint

Middle: Frame with wire wrapped glass

Bottom: Wired Sun with blend of red and yellow acrylic paint

Grand Opening is Friday 2/1 and Saturday 2/2 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Location: Meadowbrook Mall, Suite 7A next to Curves in the mall and across from The Village Inn & Conference Center

Why am I writing about this?

1) Because my wire work is at the boutique

AND

2) it's a boutique for ONLY Handcrafted items!!!

Here is some of my wire work items currently at the boutique along with items above:

Copyright 2008: Whimsical Jewels

Me & a cup of joe wired card

The Song of my heart wired card

Midnight Star wired card

Flower wired card

We are all connected wired card

Java? wired card

Please keep checking back for updates regarding the boutique. I hope to feature some of the boutique's handcrafters on my blog over the next few weeks with pictures of their items and a little bit about them.

The boutique has:

Jewelry, wire working, candles, fused glass pendants, americana, baby accessories, recycled knitwear, custom embroidery, wine charms, oil paintings, basketry, woodworking, fiber art, silk screen tees, pyrography, painted gourds, handbags, custom pillows, glass painting, pressed flower art, greek design, vintage children's wear, personalized painted children's items, pottery, soy candles, silk painting, primitives, florals, ceramic tile art, crib sets, phone charms, stained glass, framed prints

AND

Ladies designer consignment clothing

Phone to boutique: 336-766-9355

Nice people still exist

In the rush of life and this season, with happiness in my heart I can say nice people still exist. Sometimes I wonder if this statement is true but before I know it life reminds me and I have to admit my soul overflows with joy. I know I am a sentimental fool but I like it that way. I thinks it's better. Maybe those slinging the accusations that I cry to easily or that I'm "mushy" are just jealous that they weren't more sentimental at times. If it's not true I chose to believe it is. (LOL)


Anyways....here are some acts of kindness I have witnessed in the last few weeks.


Today I was driving home after the chaos of the mall and saw a true act of kindness that made my heart leap. A handicap lady in a wheelchair was driving her chair on the side of the road and had apparently dropped some things. She was trying her best to pick them up but was having a lot of difficulty. A gentleman stopped his car and picked up the items for her.


Another small act of kindness....I was dropping off my daughter at school this week and a family I am friends with had made hand painted ornaments with their kids to give to the families at the school. I thought the gift was extremely thoughtful and very kind.


A couple of weeks ago I was with a friend who had dropped a money envelope containing over a hundred dollars in the parking lot of Wal-Mart. She naturaly was absolutely distraught that she had done it. We asked around and apparently another lady picked it up and returned the money to her with every cent still in the envelope. Honest and kind.....


I could make my list longer and as I am writing this I can think of at least a dozen more acts of kindness I have witnessed or had happen to me in the last month. I think kind people are always there we just fail to see them because we are wrapped up in life, our thoughts or what's going on around us. I have to admit that it happens to me sometimes but when the ray of light shines on me and I am able to be aware and see the act of kindness my heart leaps and smiles and I am forced to remember that it was always happening I just failed to see it.

New shop items!

Here are some recent additions to my etsy shop:

*~*~*JEWELRY*~*~*

Unity Necklace: http://www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com/

Copyright 2007: Whimsical Jewels

Made as part of my harmony series inspired by segregation that continues to exist in our country and across the world.

Caramel Drop Earrings: www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com

Copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007

Tiger's Eye Necklace: www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com

Copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007

*~*~*Home Decor*~*~*

Peace, Love & Harmony: www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com

Copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007

Part of my harmony series in celebration of peace for all mankind.

Colorful Candle Holder: www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com

Copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007