simple truths

Wikipedia Defines:  Reciprocity (res-i-PROS-sity) or RECIPROCAL  ( ree-SIP-ro-cal)  As a social construct, in response to friendly actions, people are much nicer; conversely, in response to hostile actions they are much more nasty.  The Bible, in  Luke 6:38 says;  " Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you ." My Take On THE LAW OF RECIPROCITY  In communications studies, this "Law," is the foundation for forming new relationships and for healing the old ones as well. How do you know when too much is too much, or when you're not giving enough? The "Law of Reciprocity" (pronounced Resi-pros-ity) is a great way to measure your actions. When I call someone, we chat, we hang up and then....do I call again, do I wait? When I offer some personal life details to a new friend, do they counter with a story o

BE POSITIVE Written by Rochelle Willis in the year 2000 Think positively, Look at the glass of milk 1/2 full instead of 1/2 empty. Take time to smell the roses, but keep the motivation to get things going. Make priorities you can handle. Work before play. Make sure you play. Go places. See things with friends and family. Meet new people and get to know your friends better. Be yourself. Everyone has different looks and personalities. You are unique. Get to know yourself, and Always, Always, be honest with yourself and others. Things always work out. Be a leader and a role model. Try your hardest in everything you do, and you'll be proud of who you are. Most Importantly... Be positive. then this, FROM MY 23 yr. old self..... _Try to Be Positive_ Why is negativity so appealing? It captures our attention like nothing else, and is the inspiration for so many of our actions. I can list right now over 50 words associated with negative emotions but damned if I can come up

I began to explain my earth-shattering, paradigm shifting experience; where I met God, to my Facebook audience. Ha, ok, first mistake. First response, from my sister; "????? What Happened." Shit...how do I explain that.

I've heard, "Follow your passion." But often passion does not open the door to opportunity. It's part of the key, but why am I picking on this phrase? Synonyms for passion include: fervor , obsession , infatuation , enthusiasm , zeal , craze  and other words that do not invite the picture of a driven, level-headed individual working toward their dream.    Following your emotionally crazed and blinded self into your passion is not always wise! (We've all had those relationships, right?). As for "following" such a thing, well I never liked that word "follow" anyway....So I would like to re-coin the phrase if I may. "Let your passion lead you."   My recent venture into the business world, opening "like GrMa clean,", taught me a tremendous amount, mostly about myself. We all need these overwhelming, frustrating, victorious and humbling experiences at least once in life. These sludgy "learning" curves come wh

"When it rains it pours." Car problems then a ticket then an auto accident. A forgotten bill then a new debt then you lose a job. One problem precedes the next in kind, not necessarily causing it, but certainly compounding it! Or, more positively... You find a new job then a debt is paid back then an unexpected check arrives. You hear from an old friend then another shows up at your door then you meet a new friend. One gift precedes the next, not in direct relation to, but in relevance to the whole. Why does this happen? Coincidence? If it were, that phrase would not exist. We have all found this phrase to be true at some point. "When it rains it pours" "Good things come in threes." etc. A simple term would be the Law of Attraction. When you begin to think about a certain thing- or more importantly to feel the reality of that thought, you attract other things like it. "Like attracts like." The moment you thought of car troubles, you attrac

It's almost a cliche...between work and home, relationships and self, we are told to find balance. As if balance were a state of being rather than an act. When you balance, are you not constantly readjusting? Give a little to one end and take a little from the other. If we view balance as something to be sought after and achieved, then it will be a disappointment each time we must adjust. Balance  is not a homeostatic state to be achieved, not a goal to strive for and not a place you will arrive.  Rather.... continuously, weights are measured, debts and credits compared. Adjustments must be made, it is simply part of the act  of balancing. In adjusting and adapting, be open to what weights are placed on your scales- but be ready to counter them as well.  Balance is a way of living, not a position you're likely to find in yourself. Also known as.... Equality - Equilibrium Mental/Emotional Steadiness Power or ability to decide an outcome Difference between Debt

When you are full, and your cup overfloweth, do pieces of your soul, your chi, your love flow over the edge in a silent waterfall to be forever separated from the self Or do the raging waters, flowing full speed in a torrent of tragic proportions reach your cup with mercy and abundance forever expanding and enriching the self And rather than any piece fall away over edge may it be... the fresh waters clarify your deeper intentions creating your soul, expanding your chi giving you love.

TSA...TSK, tsk tsk... Have we gone a little overboard? Just Maybe?? I am a 22 year old white female, never had a passport in my life, no arrests, no tickets, etc. Because the security level is at Orange (wtf does that mean?),  I am nearly missing my plane while TSA runs a little fabric covered wand through my bag, which is now dismantled on their table. Then they run that fabric through an expensive piece of machinery to see if I have any explosives..I don't, ok.  I can only bring two carry on items..my purse counts--though it never has before. I am now faced with merging two packed bags into one...at the same time lug around a 50lb. commercial stand mixer (which TSA had no problems with, except that I wasn't making chocolate chip cookies for them..lol). Anyway as I stand here in this damn airport, barefoot of course because my shoes might turn into a weapon as seen on James Bond, I realize that if i wanted to think hard about it I could come up with a dozen ways to take over a

Growing up, we learn honesty will be rewarded, and the truth shall set you free...right?  I find that not everyone got this message as a child, or maybe just forgot as an adult...(maybe). "Your word" as well as mine doesn't mean a damn thing. We WANT to trust our friends, our partners and even the strangers we meet, but not many are trustworthy. There are very few people you can turn your back on and KNOW they will do right. In fact, so few, that I believe it isn't worth risking your own well being to trust them in the first place. I was asked once, why I allowed a person who is known to be an unabashed chronic liar, to be my friend...my answer..."I only trust him as far as I need to..." That is the key. It IS ok to trust, only so far as you are never putting anything important on the line to do so. No one who is trust worthy would ask you to put your well being on the line anyway. If we do choose to put ourselves out there, through a want or need of o

I spent years building my home, piece by piece. I was just beginning to decorate it when a large well came up and washed it away. So completely even the foundation was invisible. I wandered and waded in the swamp that remained where my solid home had stood. I even dove under the dark cold waters to find the pieces and rebuild...but they were gone, washed away. I then began to scramble for a new home. Paddling against the currents looking for any space to hold onto and rebuild. I heard the voices around me telling me which way to swim and I was trying to listen but could not reach their voices, the currents were too strong. For a moment I thought I would drown. As with any near death experience, my life flashed before my eyes. I saw all I had done for it's reality, instead of how I wanted to see it. I cried. I cried for my losses, I cried for my wrongdoings, I cried for myself and my tears filled this swamp I had created until it became a river. Then... ...I finally gave up. I lay o

haha..."So, I've decided..." I am a flake..lol I come on here and say I am gonna start writing everyday. I say that often, yet I don't do it. I think a lot of people do that sort of thing. Intend on doing something and then never really get to doing it. How do we make that GiAnT Leap into action? I woke up last week, with the though "self-monitoring." The part of us that knows and recognizes ourselves and our actions objectively. I looked it up in my psychology book (thanks sis!) and didn't find it, but I did find "self-efficacy." Close enough I figured... Self-efficacy is the ability to believe in ourselves and take the necessary steps in order to achieve an intended result. It turns out, just by believing in ourselves, it makes us better at what we do. If I believe I will do well in my new job, because I am confident and possess the needed skills, then I will do well. If I do not believe I will do well, regardless of ability, I will not do as

Stranger: "Is this your first," staring at my round belly. Me: "No, third."...  Stranger: "Oh, my!" Every time someone asks it goes just like that I swear. I am not sure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult. Seems a bit rude to me...it's not "Oh, well congratulations!" or "Wow, are your other kids excited?" it's always "Oh, my!" and that's it... No congrats or well wishes, maybe a couple of "Good lucks" (gee thanks). I wish I knew what it was that made people respond like that. They act like I just said I have ten kids. The average American family has like 2.4 or something (.4 eventually turns into 3 ya know). Is it because I am young? Is it because I am not 300lbs.? Is it because I am no longer sporting a pretty ring on my finger? I feel they must think I am just some young unwed mother who doesn't know what causes my condition or can't remember to take the pill. (A few daring sou

When did cereal become human chow? Like dog chow, it has become ok to feed this crap to our kids pretending it's a whole meal. You all remember those cereal commercials..."This part of a complete breakfast.."?? PART of a complete breakfast. Did you notice all the other good food sitting on the table around it? Now I understand in the hustle and bustle today we may not have time every morning to fix bacon, eggs and pancakes. I understand that maybe a couple times a week this could be a reasonable substitute for breakfast- accompanied by fruit or for christ's sake at least some fruit juice. But this cereal craze has taken over an entire meal- the most important one too! On top of that, I don't see parents giving their kids Total or Raisin Bran, where at least they would receive some fiber and vitamins..no it's more like "ahoy matey this is Capn' Crunch and my sugar covered ship looking to fill you full of refined flour and high fructose corn syrup."

Why is negativity so appealing? It captures our attention like nothing else, and is the inspiration for so many of our actions. I can list right now over 50 words associated with negative emotions but damned if I can come up with more than 10 or 15 positive ones. Try, it's tough. It would be ok if we expressed more positive emotions despite having fewer of them, but we don't. People show their irritation, anger, sorrow and grief much more readily than they will show their gratitude, joy and happiness. Ok, yes, most people will smile and be polite before they will be rude and flippant, but I am talking about real emotions here not our everyday show face. Are we afraid? Afraid that if we speak of the joy we are experiencing and express it, that it will disappear? Afraid we will seem boastful or unempathetic to the woes of our friends? Maybe some feel they have no right to truly feel happy, they haven't really earned it. Whatever it is, it's certainly not contributing to