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I recently got a new version of an old camera that I used to adore... Polaroid instant film! This one is a Fuji, which takes credit card sized instant photos. I named my camera "J5", (after Johnny #5 the Robot, from the '80's films "Short Circuit", mainly because it looks like him :) In J5's short career (this past month), he has blasted off about 80 photographs, and 60+ have been given away to complete strangers. Each photograph is unique, simple, imperfect and beautiful, as those captured within the photos had a story to tell. So far, one story stands out above them all.

Last Wednesday, I was in the play area. I sat next to a woman who was there with her son. She was very classy, seemed to have it all together. I would have assumed that she had a sweet, upper-middle class life. As it turned out, her husband left her after 22 years, her entire family disowned her, even though it wasn't what she wanted. Her ex-husband got custody of the kids. She was soft-spoken and kind, very sad, and apparently the son was here visiting her. She is moving back to be closer to him.

Could you even imagine what it must be like to one day have no one there to help you? As I walked away, I turned, and saw her lovingly cuddle her boy. I get choked up just thinking about it. I went back and asked him if I could take his picture, and if it was ok with Mom. I took the photo and handed her the film and wished her all the best as she tearfully watched it develop.

You never quite know what someone's going through, and we're all going through stuff, aren't we? Someone is having a tougher time than you, and a smile goes a long way.

I got this camera for fun, and never intended for it to be for more than my own personal fun, for my own friends and family. It immediately became something magical, and has become a very cool tool to spread a little joy. I LOVE it! Thanks for reading! Off to order some more film :)

Remembering a loved one who has already left you can be so moving and brings up all kinds of emotions, but the best ones are times when we remember the love we had for them and the love they had for us. There are times when, for no reason at all, their memory will suddenly appear and we will remember their quirky little ways or perhaps something they had said or done and it will make us smile or perhaps laugh out loud. It helps alleviate the sadness when we can focus on the happy memories, the funny stories and recall the special moments that meant so much to us, rather than how much we miss them. Their memory becomes alive and they are here with us as we relive a special memory.

Though we are physically apart from our loved ones, I believe spiritually they are here with us. We don't know what happens after a person dies, but it makes me feel better to think of them as angels guiding us through life. In the movie "City of Angels" there are scenes of angels whispering into people's ears, putting thoughts in their subconscious mind, to help guide them through their life or to prevent an accident. Wouldn't it be wonderful if that is what happens - that our loved ones become our guardian angels? If we were quiet enough and cleared our head of all those busy thoughts, could we feel their love surround us and know they were still with us? I've never been able to do that, but certainly wish I could. I believe it would help us heal knowing that they were still with us; guiding us through our life.

We are people not bound by blood, but by the unity of spirit. We are different, but yet we are very similar. We share many of the same experiences and adversities of life such as, hopes, fears and the pain of losing loved ones.

Love is something we all long for and can't do without. From a small child we need and seek out the love and security from our care takers. Science has demonstrated that children who receive lots of love learn better. Children feel confident, relaxed and happy when they receive love, which promotes intellectual development. Likewise us grown-ups, we thrive, feel more confident and happy when we know we are loved.

There are thousands of songs written in the name of love; "I Will Always Love You", "Can't Help Falling In Love With You", "When a Man Loves A Woman", "Because You Loved Me", "It's Only Love", "Endless Love" and the list goes on and on. Some of the best ballads are songs about love. Love is such an essential part of one's well being, just like a painter paints what's in their heart, music artists writes what's in their heart - whether it be about new love or a love gone bad.

Although there are some people who would prefer to be shown they are loved by gifts, I believe most people prefer to be loved by touching their heart and soul in ways that no amount of money can buy. To me there is no better feeling of love then to look across the room at your loved one, making eye contact and know just by the way they look at you that you are special in their eyes and you are loved. I think love includes listening to your partners wants and needs and really hearing them, communicating daily, spending time with them, cooking together, working out in the yard, washing the car and having a water fight, sharing your life and making lasting memories that you can reminisce about as you grow old together. Putting a little love note in their briefcase to make them smile; giving a back or foot massage when you know they are stressed out; meeting your loved one at the door with their special outfit on . . . there are so many ways to show you love someone instead of materialist things. I would prefer a handmade card as opposed to a bought card, regardless of how silly it may look - it is the thought that counts and knowing that they made this especially for me.

This is a difficult one to talk about and one that might sound selfish, but loving yourself is so important; for you cannot love another if you don't love yourself. Communicate your needs to your loved ones, because if you hide your feelings, you are alienating yourself from the people who love you. I never understood the line "Well if they loved me, they should know!" Life is too short to think people should know what you want or need without you telling them - I don't know anyone who is a mind reader and if one tries, they may come up with the wrong conclusion. You can't continue to give and give and give, sacrificing your own needs, and not get anything in return - you will become bitter, angry and the relationship is bound to suffer. You owe it to yourself to love yourself enough to make sure your needs are being met too.

Love is so much more than buying flowers, presents or giving candy. To me sharing these happy and special moments with them is what love is really about. Happy Valentine's Day! I hope all your wishes, hopes and dreams come true and that you discover what the real meaning of love is for you.

"A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it." ~ Frank A. Clark

As the song goes . . . "I can't make you love me if you don't. You can't make your heart feel something it won't" . . . and even though we realize this, we hold on, hoping that things will change and something magical will happen to open their eyes and they will finally see how wonderful we are and fall in love with us. But, more often than not, it doesn't happen this way and our hearts get broken and the relationship ends or never begins.

"People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime." Understanding these words helped me to appreciate the time and gifts that the person brought to the relationship, learn from the experience and harbor no ill feelings. God brought this person into my life for a reason and although I may not know what that was and I will miss them, it is time to move on and let them go. It is a healthier way for me to perceive relationships since I have no control over someone's feelings and no longer lose my identity by trying to make them happy. I have learned to love myself and know when to let go when the relationship is not good for me.

I never understood the power of attraction and what creates chemistry in a relationship. In order to create lasting love you must have more ingredients than just the chemistry . . . you must connect on a much deeper level that can only be felt in the heart and soul. You must have a solid friendship, respect and a feeling of warmth and contentment that comes when they are around. Your morals must be similar and the two of you must be able to communicate on a deep level. Perhaps then if you find all those ingredients you won't have to ask the question "Why can't you love me?"

Happiness deep down within.
Serenity with each sunrise.
Success in each facet of your life.
Family beside you.
Close and caring friends.
Health, inside you.
Love that never ends.
Special memories of all the yesterdays.
A bright today with much to be thankful for.
A path that leads to beautiful tomorrows.
Dreams that do their best to come true.
Appreciation of all the wonderful things about you.

Wishing you lots of Happiness, Success, Love n Good health

Wishing you a Happy And Prosperous 2010!!!

Whether dropping vice or picking up virtue, a New Year's resolution is a good incentive for a positive change in life. 2010 is upon us and if you're like me, before the clock strikes 12:00 a.m. on January 1st, you'll look back over the past year and reflect on the changes you want or need to make, to become a better person, and you will make a few New Year's resolutions. During the course of the New Year you will end up thinking about them, but that's about the extent of it. So, the question is, do you make resolution's knowing full well you won't keep them, do you try to push yourself a little harder to resolve to follow through on accomplishing this important pledge to yourself or do you just commend and pat the people on the back that are strong enough to keep the promises they made for themselves and let them know how proud you are of them?

I haven't decided yet whether I'll put myself through making resolutions this year, but I will be thinking about it. It's not that any of my resolutions were ever unreasonable or unattainable, but I either put them off until tomorrow, which of course never came, or I decided I was just too busy to devote time to them. The problem is these changes that I need to make will make my life so much more rewarding, so I NEED to focus on them and make them a priority in my life - I deserve it and I believe so do you.

Here are some New Year's Resolutions for you to think about . . .

· Spend more time with family and friends - eat together at least once a week.

· Get a better job - while you still have a job is a great time to look for something you would rather do.

· Start exercising - start by walking around the block everyday.

· Reduce Stress - simplify your life and drop the things that don't add value to your life.

· Lose weight - Don't finish your plate, eat smaller portions and try to stay away from fast foods on the go.

· Quit smoking - you'll also save money this way.

· Quit drinking - support groups are available to help you with this.

· Take a trip - leave your cell phone and your laptop at home and enjoy.

· Enjoy life more - take time out for yourself - you deserve it.

· Get out of debt - pay a little more on your credit cards each month

· Learn something new - taking night courses will help you make a change in your career that you may be needing or improve your skills and make you a more valuable employee.

· Save money - even if it's just a few dollars or quarters a week. Put it in a jar or have it taken out of your pay check. 401(k)'s or IRA's are an excellent way to save for your retirement and you hardly miss the money and some companies still contribute to 401(k)'s which is a bonus.

· Help others - volunteer once a month, quarter or year. It's such a rewarding experience and adds meaning to your life.

· Get organized - reduce the clutter in your life and simplify it will help ease stress.

· Follow your passion - what makes you happy and are you finding time for that passion.

Regardless if you decide to set a New Year's resolution or not, take time to look at your life for a few moments. Are you happy? Do you have a balanced life? Do you like who you are? Do you live a stressful life? Keep in mind that stress leads to heart disease, diabetes, depression and more illnesses in general. Are you spending more time on others than yourself? The more you focus on others at the expense of yourself, the more likely you are to become burned out, bitter, and possibly even resentful. Look at “me” time as a priority. You need to take care of yourself before you can care for anyone else. You’ll find your efficiency level going up dramatically because you have taken a timeout.

I hope the coming year is a good one for you - a time of good heath, love, inspiration, discovery and happiness and all the things that make life worthwhile.

Happy New Year my friends!

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you to live and get well soon to have a look at all the nice things of this world.' 

Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'