Appletini Times

Happiness

Happiness is petting my cat. Happiness is talking to my children and grandchildren. Happiness is getting a job well done. Happiness is belting out a song in front of a bunch of strangers and drinking in their applause. Happiness is dancing to my favorite music and banging on a tambourine with the band until my hands are blistered. Happiness is loving others as well as loving myself.
Last night I thanked God for giving me more time in my body so that I can experience this amazing gift called life.

Keep on Dancing

At this time of year for most of us there is the prospect of joyful celebrations and time with family members and friends. For some reason, we seem to cram it all in during just a few short weeks at the end of the year and then we make plans and resolutions for the year to come.
Lately for me, there have been things that have gotten in the way of celebrating every day such as grieving the loss of a loved one or a long term relationship. I also have been kicking myself for the mistakes I have made in the past which keeps me from living in the present.
Living through cancer has opened my eyes to the gift of life more than anything has before. I am getting stronger each and every day. This past year has been an amazing time of self discovery, love and hope as well as stumbling on the dance floor a few times.
After a few embarrassing falls, I am learning to pick myself back up, straighten my skirt and keep on dancing.

Orion

Traveling can be exhausting but it doesn't come without perks. I am fortunate enough to have worked and visited many cities and towns around the world. This week, while at a conference I have enjoyed the white sand and aquamarine waters of the Gulf of Mexico in Sandestin Florida, just about 4 hours east of New Orleans. The weather is balmy with warm moist air and the red tide looms a few hundred feet out on the shore. Since I moved to Arizona, I have been searching for my favorite constellation in the heavens and without success. Last night, I sat on my 12th floor hotel room deck after a long days work and listened to the soft waves rolling over the sand. I looked up to my left and to my surprise saw Orion in his full glory glistening in the sky. It felt good to have finally found him again and that he is still brightening the heavens with his twinkling sword, bow and arrow.

You are loved

Yesterday afternoon while the sun was setting on the Arizona horizon, I painted a simple heart on a river rock that I picked up while hiking along the Verde River in Cottonwood. It was the perfect shape for what I had in mind and these days I have been very aware of rocks shaped like hearts. Since my heart is full of love these days, I painted a vibrant red one and surrounded it with a serene color of blue and aquamarine. On the back, I wrote "you are loved" which is a reminder that love has always surrounded my life no matter how hard things may seem to be and giving love is the best present I can give to myself as well as others.