A Smile Will Warm the Heart

Have you ever noticed how something as simple as a smile will warm your heart and remove the woes of the day? Sometimes, it’s a little smirk or a full-on smile with all 32 pearly whites. It could be from that little baby who smiles from a tickle or an elderly person who struggles to smile.

A smile seems to be the universal language when there is a communication barrier. A smile will ease tension and allow the recipient to know it’s okay to smile back or extend a hand for a handshake.

I have learned from supermodel Tyra Banks how to “smize”,  the art of smiling with your eyes. And I have learned from the cold-hearted how to smile with my heart.

The most important lesson I have learned is no matter how I’m feeling or what’s on my plate, a smile will warm my heart even if for a minute and will momentarily take away the stresses of the day. Try on a smile and see how you like it.😃

Friendship is Such a Delicate Term

The word ‘friend’ is such a delicate term. This word may be defined and applied in various ways, depending on the user. Once you are bestowed with a friendship badge, you should hold it in high esteem and wear it with honor.

For me, a true friend is found in someone who is always there for you, with NO expectations. They connect with you on personal level and understand you, even at your weakest moment.

Friends do not judge you, they support you and lift you up. You know you’re in the company of friend, when you feel at ease being you, you let your guard down and expose your true being.

Friendship does not have an established criteria, it’s based on what you find important in defining friends in your life. I have found some friends to be too draining and needy, so I released them from my friendship pool. Who needs a friend that is envious, uncaring, and all about themself, and even worse brings constant negativity into your life…not me.

Every so often, a ‘friends cleanse’ is required to determine who stays and who goes.  At this point in my life, there’s no need for me to have the most friends to be considered popular, I choose quality over quantity.

Who Doesn’t Love Friday?

We all love Friday, right? You start with that happy dance the plays in our head when you wake up, and then turns in to a full on concert as the day progresses. Put on your dancing shoes and let the weekend begin…enjoy. 🎶

Ginger is the Smell for Me

Smell You Later

In response to the Daily Prompt, “Humans have very strong scent memory. Tell us about a smell that transports you.”

One memory that stands out for me, is the smell of ginger.

One year while on vacation in Maui, Hawaii, we thought what better way to enjoy the beautiful clear water than to go in a snorkeling excursion. We made our way by boat to Molokini Crater for a day of adventure.

After several hours into our excursion, it hit me, I was sea sick beyond the point of control. One of the kind crew members offered me some ground ginger and said it was the cure all, when sea sick. I mixed it in my water, took one sick, and being to vomit to the point of full on embarrassment. I ended up sleeping until we returned to shore.

To this day, I absolutely hate the smell of ginger. It takes me immediately to my snorkeling adventure.

Molokini photo credit:
Ron Garnett/HTS

A Fair Wage

Dear Leader

In response to the Daily Prompt, “If your government (local or national) accomplishes one thing this year, what would you like that to be?”

Increase minimum wage.

There are too many hardworking people that fall under the category, “the working poor.”

We should make sure everyone is paid a livable wage and not judge those working for minimum wage and their circumstances.

An increase in minimum wage, may also free up money allocated for government programs.

To Lie or Not to Lie

Truth or Dare

In response to the Daily Prompt question, “Is it possible to be too honest, or is honesty always the best policy?”

I believe it’s best to be honest when someone asks your opinion. However, there are times when you must be careful in how you express the information and how much to divulge.

Sometimes, being honest may cause you to feel uneasy, but in the end it may cause the person asking to truth you and have more respect for you.

I find that when people are honest with me, I appreciate it. However, I have had people be too honest without using that good old mouth filter, called tact, which led to me feeling hurt my their honesty.

Ultimately, it’s all in how you say it.

Mini Hiatus is Over

I have been on a self imposed hiatus due to a life change with my mother and sister that required my full attention. Now that the dust has settled, I’m back and ready to focus on my blog and release my inner voice. My blog brings me peace, while allowing me to take a little break from the real world. I look forward to sharing with you again.

Honoring My Mom

During a recent road trip and overnight stay at the Comfort Suites in Gallup, New Mexico, I came across this picture hanging in the hotel lobby. It made me feel a sense of pride as I thought about my mom who was a member of the military in the early 1960’s, before I was born, and served as a reservist during my middle school years.

I would often quietly observe my mom in her uniform with her tiny combat boots, and wonder what her weekend would entail as she headed off for her weekend duty. I always admired her, but even more so when she was in uniform.

I recently had the fortune of going through my mom’s footlocker to sort and retrieve items from the past, like the Thanksgiving program from the mess hall and a brief letter home. It was a such special time for me. I always wished I could have been a fly on the wall to see my mom in her youth, this was my opportunity to see a piece of it.

I am grateful to have a mom that served her country. She was the foundation that kept our family together. My mom is such an important part of my life and I am so fortunate to share a new life journey with her.

Happy Mother’s Day mom!❤️

It Starts with Customer Service

Today, I had the opportunity to observe a gentleman who worked as the gate agent for an airlines, demonstrating what I consider exceptional customer service. Although it was 5:35 a.m., he was very engaging, attentive, and had a ever steady smile. His customer service  was outstanding, and a few of us waiting passengers took notice.

He was an elderly gentleman (I have a soft spot for the elderly) and was so kind to the other elderly passengers, making their wheelchair decent to the plane entertaining. When another elderly gentleman approached, he mentioned, it’s so nice to see someone like me still working. The gate agent responded in a positive manner.

I am a big stickler for customer service and had to let this gentleman know he had great customer service. He thanked me with the biggest smile that warmed my heart. He was my inspiration today and brighten my day, even though I was half asleep when I arrived at the airport.

When you see someone exhibiting great customer service, let them know. The service they provide is for us and they should know when they’re doing a great job.

I Found My Soulmate

Have you ever wondered if there was any truth to finding your soulmate? I always believed we each have a soulmate, however, it may take time to find him or her.

My soulmate reality came to fruition, while working several years ago. I saw a man in my work location and immediately felt something in my heart that made me feel he was the one for me. I never had such a strong feeling of connecting with a person, I did not know, and a need to meet him…maybe it was love at first sight.

I’m was so grateful and nervous when I finally had the opportunity to meet him. I found out he had a “little” crush on me too. He apparently had seen me out and about, but never approached me.

I’m happy to say, my soulmate is still here by my side 23 years later. We have such a great connection, and the ability to laugh and support each other during the best and most difficult times.

I know he is my soulmate. He is always in my heart and I still get butterflies when we’re away from each other for a few days.❤️