Take Time

Take Time.....Choose Joy......Appreciate Life....These are the my favorite things to do during the holidays. They are also the hardest to do this time of year. This year, especially, as I have my first day off in seven days. I also worked forty three hours last week in a mall. Which also means finding a parking space and walking very far to get back to my car. So what gets me through? Meditation, and I haven't had any good free ones in a long time. But, thankfully chopra came through with some good free ones for the holidays. Today was all about appreciation. I looked back for a good picture to share and couldn't help but realize 2012 was a really good year. But, at the same time it was a really bad year with the visit of Super Storm Sandy. But, I remember how appreciative I became of sunlight, without electricity. I shared a greeting card around Thanksgiving from my parents given to me for my high school graduation. And the cover was the quote picture on my blog today. And, out of all the quotes I own I like this one best. Sometimes you just have to take time for yourself. But, also I find if you find ways to appreciate those around you, that means a lot, also. So, I am looking forward to today to make some things for co-workers and thank you gifts. It's the first day of winter and time to celebrate the holiday season. I am going to make tomato sauce, and bake as many cookies and muffins as possible. I am grateful for all who read my written words. I probably won't blog as much next year. But, I do plan to take the last ten years and write a book. I was a big believer, but even more so today. I truely believe out of darkness comes a brighter light. Sometimes, we are truly tested, but looking back it shows it is true in so many ways. So, take time, choose joy, and appreciate life because better days are coming. Quote of the day: “Do anything, but let it produce joy.” - Walt Whitman Song of the day: We Are the World There comes a time When we heed a certain call When the world must come together as one There are people dying Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life The greatest gift of all We can't go on Pretending day-by-day That someone, somewhere soon make a change We're all a part of God's great big family And the truth, you know, love is all we need We are the world We are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me Oh, send them your heart So they know that someone cares And their lives will be stronger and free As God has shown us by turning stones to bread And so we all must lend a helping hand We are the world We are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving Oh, there's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all But if you just believe there's no way we can fall Well, well, well, well let us realize Oh, that a change can only come When we stand together as one, yeah, yeah, yeah We are the world We are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me We are the world We are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day, just you and mee We are the world (are the world) We are the children (are the children) We are the ones who'll make a brighter day, so let's start giving (so let's start giving) There is a choice we're making We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me Oh, let me hear you! We are the world (we are the world) We are the children (said we are the children) We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let start giving (so let's start giving) There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me, come on now, let me hear you We are the world (we are the world) We are the children (we are the children) We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let's start giving (so let's start giving) There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me, yeah We are the world (we are the world) We are the children (we are the children) We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let's start giving (so let's start giving) There's a choice we're making And we're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me We are the world (are the world) We are the children (are the children) We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let's start giving (so let's start giving) There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me We are the world, we are the world (are the world) We are the children, yes sir (are the children) We are the ones that make a brighter day so let's start giving (so let's start giving) There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me, ooh-hoo! We are the world (dear God) (are the world) We are the children (are the children) We are the ones that make a brighter day so let's start giving (all right, can you hear what I'm saying?) There's a choice we're making, we're saving our own lives Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Lionel Richie / Michael Jackson

The Sun Rises Every Morning

My journey to joy took me to view many sunrises last year. I can say I truly saw the light. I believe in the good spirits looking to the light can bring. But, once the sun rose and became too bright for me to look at, I had to turn away. The bright light hurt so much. I guess it was a reflection of what I was going through. But, now with each morning I don't have the same desire to look at a sunrise. It gave me the feeling of God surrounding me and giving me a big hug. It gave me opportunities to meet people, and see goodness in people's hearts. And, most of all feel the love of God's creation. I am thankful I have the pictures, and hope to make a book some day with quotes and songs reflecting that feeling. The opportunities to find and feel hope, faith and love are all around us. And, a year later it is still filling my heart. As we are in the season of light, I hope and pray still for a world full of kindness. Quote of the Day: “What I know for sure is that every sunrise is like a new page, a chance to right ourselves and receive each day in all its glory. Each day is a wonder. ~ Oprah Winfrey Song of the Day: Dan Fogelberg To The Morning

New Chapters

What a great week! I had a good restful and reflective week full of love. I reached out to some friends on facebook and was happy to have some visits with friends. Attend a standing concert at night and NOT have to work all day on my feet. And, best of all I have some trips in mind for 2023. I am looking forward to 2023 to have some meaningful vacations involving visiting friends and family. And, the best will be a trip to Guatemala in Anitqua to meet and learn about the indegenous crafts of the women there. I have joined Trades of Hope again. And, will be sharing in my Journey to Joy Group again in 2023. My link is: https://tradesofhope.com/geralyngray. I am already blown away by your orders! I ended up in a few days becoming a qualified partner from the work I did last year and this week. I had no expectations and couldn't believe I earned $100 coupon in free product already. I was able to buy a gift for Ian and Kaylyn for free! I also will be recognized for some goals met for December! The bottom line is: it has given me a hopeful feeling approaching 2023. My picture above is a vision board I did for this year. I am happy to have made a lot of these visions come true. I am happy in my new home watching Hallmark movies, whenever I get the chance. Christmas is approaching fast, but so much less stress of having everything done. I don't want to have a tree this year. I am hoping to find the perfect one after Christmas. I have never bought a fake tree before, and was surprised how expensive they were. I have made some felt ornaments, and that is getting me in the spirt. I hope you all are enjoying this holiday season. Quote of the day: “Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” –Laura Ingalls Wilder Song of the day: Brandi Carlile The Story

It's An Ian Thing

One of my favorite Christmas stories is about my son Ian during his freshman year at college. My daughter Kaylyn and son Ian are twins, who went to the same college in Philadelphia. It is the University of the Arts and the only four year Fine Art school, totally devoted to the Arts in the country. I remember hearing Ian on the phone, with excitement, telling us how he found out, after asking, there was not a holiday band or concert, and he wanted to start one. So, after a conversation with a professor, he put up a sign looking for band members. The next day he said he had sixteen members, all playing the instruments needed to make the music he had in mind. Next, was finding the charts and places to play. This is all while he is taking his first semester with a full load of credits. He also started working at DeBruno Brothers (an Italian market on Walnut street). The first show was to be at the first ever Christmas Market at City Hall. I believe the Market is now in the park across the way with the "LOVE" sculpture. I had read about the market and wanted to get there. Smells of chestnuts roasting, and Christmas goods from around the world were displayed in little houses, like we had seen at the eiffel tower the year before. It was amazing to see my son up there conducting a band playing beautiful Christmas music. The next thing you know, we hear, they stayed up one night and recorded songs. So, my daughter designed a logo, son made the cd, and I bought cd cards and envelopes. I was working at Paper Source at the time. I bought stickers to print with the logo to put on the cd cards. The next thing you know we had the best, most original Christmas cards we had ever sent out. We were getting calls from who recieved them, of how much they enjoyed listening to his music. He also has the music on You Tube I will share here. This year Ian surprised me again by playing the horns in Kevin Bacon (the actor) of the Bacon Brothers new song : "Philly Thing". I will be sharing that on social media today. But, it is so good to see ten years after graduating from UARTS, he still is connected in some way. And, this new music from Kevin Bacon is a great effort to help with supporting the music scene for young people in Philadelphia. A new good Christmas story for 2022! Quote of the Day: Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you. -- Thomas Jefferson Song of the Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCbE7lmp8QM&t=17s Ian Gray's Big Band Christmas Music The picture of us (Myself, Ian and my best friend ever! Laura McFarland Meschio. We were at the Bruce Springsteen River Tour in Philadelphia in 2016. You can see the city of Philadelphia in the backround. Song of the Day: Bacon Brothers "Philly Thing" He is not in any of the video, but he did confirm he recorded for this and he is playing the trombone. His good friend Jay Davidson is on the list at the end (couldn't see Ian's name because it flashes quickly). Definitely has the philly sound of Ian on the horns, though!!!)