Cherie's Random Thoughts

As Mother's Day approaches, I am always very reflective of the time I spent with my mother before her death on November 3, 2007. This year I have chosen to write about all the things I could not share with her that occurred during the past 8 years following her death. So here we go:  2008-Year 1: I purchased my first brand new car, a 2009 Toyota Corolla. A sweet ride that I suspect if you were here I would have given you many rides in it! I also walked in my Masters Graduation. See I promised I would.  2009-Year 2: Found Dad near death, he was diagnosised with Parkinson's and had to go into a nursing home. I suspect if you were still here we would be roomates.  2010-Year 3: The year I decided to make huge change in my career. I suspect that you would have encouraged me to do so!!!  2011-Year 4: I became a college professor and began my PhD program. Of course, I suspect you would have been my biggest cheerleader!!!!  2012-Year 5: Cool sailing. First time in longt...

I recently bought and read Rae Pica's latest book entitled, "What If Everybody Understood Child Development?" This is a question I have ponder since I took my child development course at Kutztown University in the early 90's. Rae Pica does a fabulous job of exploring several topics that often make people take sides on an issue. In her book, she connects each chapter to child development and helps the reader understand why an understanding of child development for EVERYONE is important. Some of my favorite chapters include:  Bubble Wrapping Not Required  Doing Away With the "Baby Stuff"  Terrorist Tots?  Failure is an Option  and  Bribes and Threats Work, But.... Throughout the book, Pica reminds us what happens when we do not have an understanding of child development. In addition, she provides the reader with some memorable information that should be shared with all who do not believe in keeping children, children! Such as when she reminds us that "chi...

In an article entitled, "Leaving Our Legacies Mindfully", the author discusses how we should think about what our legacy will be and do so mindfully. In a culture filled with selfies, I often wonder how many of us actually care about what our imprint on the world will be when we take our last breathe.  Three things resonate with me from the article: Passion, caring, and living authentically.  When we are passionate about something, we are invested and willing to go beyond the call of duty. Feelings behind our passion are often our reward for the work that we do.  When we care about others, we say to them that their lives matters. One thing that has taken a back sheet to our selfie culture is our ability to truly care about others. This can be how we treat each other on a daily basis and most definitely how we step up in a person's time of need. From caring, grows empathy, grows compassion, and ultimately leads to real change in our lives and the lives of those we come in ...

Often we allow ourselves to get hijacked by fear. Here is how that fear feels and looks like in words and pictures:  https://www.haikudeck.com/p/UzjfWv70OM/hijacked-

This evening I learned something that helped me put things into perspective and reminded me to continue to see the "bigger picture." Often in life we view life through the four corners of a box. Some boxes are small and others are big.  The walls of the box allow us to only see two things: Our current situation or the past that trapped us there in the first place. They prevent us from seeing the future that is yet to arrive and may or may not be altered by our present situation. We can speculate what the future will be, but we truly will not know until it arrives.   Also for each trouble, problems and/or situations we precieve to be a pressing problem, there is always another that will trump it. Or even worse we forget problems are truly situtations in the end. Situations that can resolved.  The question is do we want to re-live these situations like a "Ground Hog Day"- one in which you resolve, only to have to resolve the situation with the same solution over and o...

Meister Eckhart once said, "Be willing to be a beginner every singe morning." Having the capacity to see the day with renewed eyes is essential to having a productive and meaningful day. Often, we look at each new day with old eyes. These eyes often see the pain and frustration of the past but neglect to see the hope that lies in all of our futures. In order to fully begin each day with a "Beginner's Mind" you must be willing to let go of the past and embrace your future. When we do this we often allow the positive qualities Saadat A. Khan suggests when he discusses the attributes of a Beginner's Mind: The ability to be an ethusiasitc, creative individual who approaches life with great zeal and optismism. When we begin well our opportunities in life are often abundant. Reference: Your Daily Rock-A Daybook of Touchstones for Busy Lives by Patti Digh

Today my feline child, Billy Bob, died suddenly without warning shortly before 12 pm. Till the end Billy was his normal self and appeared ready to spend a lazy Saturday with me. Although our time was short together, about four years, you soul was old. From the first time I adopted Billy Bob from the Kitty Cottage I knew that his spirit was one born from a rough start. Thankful Sally Rosen Barsh saved Billy form a life on the streets and brought him to the Kitty Cottage, where soon after I shortly adopted him. Billy Bob was a black cat who proved that black cats were magical and often very affectionate. There was not a day where I was not greeted by him, whether in the morning or when I got home in the evening. He routinely slept by my side and often woke me up in the am long before my alarm clock. Always photogentic and one to tell you what was on his mind. I will miss Billy tremondously and will cherish the memories that he has left me. Although his heart failed him this morning...