you are not alone

Sometimes I pretend like I am all alone in this world.  A stereotypically and instantly oprhaned Disney character left to make it through life on my own far away from home.  I do not know why I do this.  Maybe it is my creative-dramatic personality or just an independent-loner mentality.  Maybe it's a little bit of both.  Regardless, the lonely card is absolutely bogus, ridiculous untruth.  

So today I think what if I stop telling myself that I am all alone in this world?

What if I start remembering all the instances of laughter, love and undeniable this-person-is-in-my-corner-ness that is there? Oh yes, it is there... if only we will acknowledge it.  

For me lately, support has revealed itself in the following ways: 

unwavering love, support and loyalty that is my hubster

connecting with a bestie (friends since high school) umpteen years later and through it all, the love grows deeper still

full-bodied conversation with a forever friend I met way back in college

belly laughs regarding foolywank performances, Wolverine, ice sculptures and the engraving of a machete

kindred spirits traveling cross country and back with a kitty cat to boot #goodtimes 

friends forev

swimming and soaking up the sun on the 4th of July

keeping it real about struggles, transitions and life lessons

an encouraging comment or email that comes along right when I'm wondering if this blog thing even matters (You know who you are and I truly appreciate your heartfelt expressions. For reals, I do.)

witnessing a dream come true for my little one via Mam, Pap, Aunt Sissy and Kasey the Power Ranger 

connecting over coffee and goodies that were microwaved too long... legs with milk spots #LOL

safety, protection, provision, guardian angels, a cousin-sister, snuggles, chasing lightning bugs, dancing and doing the daily work of being my best self.  

All evidence of a lavish life full of love, encouragement and unwavering support.  You have it too, you know.  Yes, there is always a handful of haters fringe minority handful of haters who don't understand, but that's OK because: 

1. I don't get them either lol! 

2.  What others think of me is none of my business, 'member?

3.  Haters gonna hate, so let 'em hate while we live a life that's great (haha I rhymed! #rapperswag ... not really lol)

When I look around and see how many people I love, how many people love me and are in my corner, it makes my heart smile and then swell with love and gratitude.  Today I hope that you will open your eyes to the caring connections, lavish love and steady support that you have in your life because it is there.  Undeniably.  

your best self

Regardless of what others are doing, always purpose and endeavor to be your best self.

It is a battle--being your authentic self-- because there are ample opportunities to throw in the towel by ignoring the whispers of your soul, following the status quo herd and pretending to be something you really aren't.  We must press on in order to find our stride and after while, who we are becomes seamless and synonymous inside and out.  Please note: this is not a one time event but an ongoing process, pursuit and lifestyle.  When we stick with the journey, we become open vessels who can give and receive, authentic individuals who just live fully and freely refusing to do life in carefully crafted compartments.  We enjoy life and just live it.  Purposefully.  Intentionally.  In wide open spaces.  Aware of our thoughts, mindful of our word choice, gracious and compassionate in loving ourselves and others.  We own our beauty (or handsomeness!) and we admire and appreciate it.  We see it for what it's truly worth.  Then we are no longer threatened or intimidated by false advertisements, the manipulative media or even the beauty of others because we know there is more than enough.  That this ample universe is burgeoning to overflowing with resources and room for everyone.  Everyone who chooses to partake, that is.  And because we know that who we are is no accidental thought or passing fluke, we humbly accept the lessons that life has to offer and through acceptance, we grow in wisdom, patience and grace.  Nobody said it would be easy.  So sometimes it does hurt, but after while, the climb starts to feel so good that we can't stop.  We don't want to.  And even though we feel worn to a nub at times, we keep going because new adventures await.  Deeper knowledge. Divine experiences and greater things generally speaking.  We may glance back--from whence we came--occasionally, but the past never holds our gaze for long because we are too grateful.  Too excited about right now, today and the future.  Things are too good to stall, so as we keep moving forward, we know that our character (the way we act when we think no one is looking), how we treat ourselves and how we treat others matters.  It really matters.  And so we decide to press on regardless of what other folks are doing.  Never forgetting this fact: what other people think of me is none of my business.  

Here's to being your best self, 


XO- Sharita

gems from andy rooney

"Computers make it easier to do a lot of things but most of the things they make it easier to do don't need to be done."

"I didn't get old on purpose. It just happened. If you're lucky, it could happen to you."

"It would be a better world if everyone in it knew all the truth about everything."

"Most of us end up with five or six people who remember us.  Teachers have thousands of people who remember them for the rest of their lives."

"Death is a distant rumor to the young." 

"If you wonder what anyone thinks of you, consider what you think of them."

"Being broke is a terrible feeling but it’s probably an experience everyone ought to have once in a lifetime."

"One question in my mind, which I hardly dare mention in public, is whether patriotism has, overall, been a force for good or evil in the world. Patriotism is rampant in war and there are some good things about it. Just as self-respect and pride bring out the best in an individual, pride in family, pride in teammates, pride in hometown bring out the best in groups of people. War brings out the kind of pride in country that encourages its citizens in the direction of excellence and it encourages them to be ready to die for it. At no time do people work so well together to achieve the same goal as they do in wartime. Maybe that's enough to make patriotism eligible to be considered a virtue. If only I could get out of my mind the most patriotic people who ever lived, the Nazi Germans."

"It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."

"Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it."

Andy Rooney reminds me of the times when news reports provided facts and nothing else.  A time when common sense was valued and respected by most, if not all.  

That desk, those books and all that paper... 

This is how I will forever remember him:

image credit

Andy Rooney 

1919-2011 

Your wisdom and wit will be missed.  

jenny white and johnny black

by Eleanor Farjeon

Jenny White and Johnny Black

Went out for a walk.

Jenny found wild strawberries,

And John a lump of chalk.

Jenny White and Johnny Black

Clambered up a hill.

Jenny heard a willow-wren

And John a workman’s drill.

Jenny White and Johnny Black

Wandered by the dyke.

Jenny smelt the meadow-sweet,

And John a motor-bike.

Jenny White and Johnny Black

Turned into a lane.

Jenny saw the moon by day

And Johnny saw a train.

Jenny White and Johnny Black

Walked into a storm.

Each felt for the other’s hand

And found it nice and warm.

I adore this poem.  

It was introduced to my by a rockstar of a former student affectionately named, KatieKaboom.

I hope you like it too.  

Hugs and Love!!!

Word with the Wise Wednesday: My Dad

1. What important life lessons have you learned so far?
Take care of yourself mentally, spiritually and physically. 
Live life one moment at a time.  Resist the danger of living in the past.  
Keep moving forward and don't hold anything against anyone.  
No sense in worrying about something that you can't do anything about... worry is a waste of time.  


2. How is the world different/similar to what it was like when you were a child?
It's a big time difference regarding the economy.  When I was little, we had 5 and 10 cent stores.  Now we've got $1 stores.


3.  What has been your hardest lesson to date?  
It takes time to learn ...especially if you're into learning the hard way.

4.  What is the one thing you want people to remember about you?
That I helped others.