It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

May 2012. Fullness of Joy. The deepest of Grief. Witnessing a daughter get married is truly one of the proudest moments for a mother. It is part of the full circle of life. Having lost my father, being "Daddy's Baby Girl", is truly one of the saddest moments of life. It is part of the full circle of life. My vision page for May was about being Cheerful. Smiling at myself in the mirror. Giving smiles as a gift to the world. A quote on my page, " Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind, and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity." Ahhh... these pages were so prophetic. It certainly was a month that needed serenity. I spent much time chewing on a book entitled "Happiness Now!" It published by Hay House. I bought the book a couple years ago, but it wasn't in a place to appreciate it and I shelfed it. Some highlights that I gathered from the book this month: -You cannot be happy and guilty. Stop feeling guilty. Practice Acceptance. God does not condemn us, because he does not judge us. He just loves us. You either love or judge. I learned from Deepok Chopra to make my mantra this; "I practice non-judgment." That allows me room in my mind and heart to 'dismiss judgement and invite love' ( a little mantra that I came up with this month). I stop judging myself (my weight, etc). I love myself unconditionally. I stop judging others and their intentions and invite love into the situtation. The author of Happiness Now!, Robert Holden, created a course called The Happiness Project. His quote, "Whenever you are not wholly joyous, it is because you have reacted with a lack of love to one of God's creations." (Often for my that applies to a reaction to myself!) Fear preys. Love prays. There is so much to share from this book- for my own reminders and I shall do just that with more blogging. I think of my favorite scripture. 2 Corinthians 7:4 Paul says, " I am greatly encouraged! In all my troubles my joy knows no bounds." Paul reminds me that my joy is not based on the weight on the scales, or the money in my bank account, or the pile of bills, or how someone interacts with me, or the weather, or if something breaks down." Nope, no matter what- my joy is limitless. Happiness is always inside me to withdraw on. It is not from some outside source or condition. So my lovely daughters. We begin another beautiful month with the Power of Three. I am so grateful to have you join me. It gives me such joy! I look forward to being reunited with you this month. But whether together physically or just in hearts- The Power of Three continues on....It is part of the circle of life. PS- I have to give credit to my six 6 year old Great nephew, Andy. When I got in the car at the airport, the day my Dad died. I expressed my sorrow and Andy's little soft voice came from the backseat with a sigh, "It's part of the cirlce of life." Ahh, the wisdom in a child. Shanna's wedding jewerly- the cirlce in the tierra, earrings, necklace, sachet and her ring- a reminder that life continues on with Magnificent Outcomes even beyond the things we intentionally design. God's design for us is truly a circle of love and joy. This is where I pray we continue to spin. Selah.