Inspirational or “Better Life” Philosophy

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Dawn of a New Day

Good morning, Better Lifers!  What a glorious day.  I hope you take a moment from your busy Saturdays to simply breathe, look around you, and smile.

I’ve been rather contemplative lately.  I just feel so FULL of Life, in a quiet, contented way.  I think perhaps my senses are becoming more finely tuned to the little things in each day that bring me peace and happiness. Combined, they can outweigh the moments of the blechy stuff – the chaos and frustrations of everyday life.

Anyway, in this spirit of contented contemplation, I awoke this… Continue reading

Choosing To Be Unbusy

I’ve joked about being “island busy.” That is, my days stay full of activity, but I’m cognizant that it’s not the same stressful levels as when I lived in the States.

Lately, however, I’ve been feeling the press of those old “hectic” feelings creeping into my island bliss. You know the ones I mean:

I’m so busy. I can’t get through everything on my To Do List. I can’t seem to get caught up. There’s not enough time to do the things I want to do. I’m turning down fun offers for the tasks I feel I “should”… Continue reading

What’s So Special About French Toast?

What’s so special about French Toast? Well, nothing really. It’s delicious, but it’s not particularly unique, nor is it difficult to make. So why write about it?

I dunno, just because I feel like it.

Okay, but that’s kind of a weak answer. WHY do I feel like writing about it? Perhaps because some of you are curious about what I do in the course of any given day on the island. Others of you are interested in the concept of choosing a better life for yourselves and are searching for clues in the experience of others. And some of… Continue reading

Life Is Precious

I write with a heavy heart today.

Last year, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with one of my best friends from days gone by, with whom I’d lost touch over the years. She was intrigued by my island story and happy for my happiness, but I was equally pleased that she had such joy in her Stateside life. Newly into a second marriage, she was madly in love, pregnant with their baby, enjoying her older children and successful in her profession. Life was great.

Now, the delightful baby is almost 7 months old, and today is my friend’s two-year… Continue reading

Not Just A Pollyanna!

I’ve been ruminating on this post for a while. As you can tell, I try to have an upbeat approach to most things. Yet, sometimes, with these blog posts, I’ve wondered if readers ever roll their eyes or think I’m just some fluffy Pollyanna.

Background

Although I have always been a glass-half-full optimist, I believe that I’m also grounded in reality. I was fortunate to enjoy a stable, protected, happy childhood as a solid foundation from which to springboard into the world. As I entered adulthood and life brought its various experiences – good, bad and otherwise – my world… Continue reading

Weekend Unplugged

Dear Readers, I hope you’ve been having a wonderful, Better-Life kind of week! I definitely have. I’ve been relishing being back home: nesting, organizing closets, cooking, laundry, catching up on my “lists,” seeing friends, eating fish and lobster (lobster season is now closed but people keep some frozen to have on hand), boat rides, fishing (nothing caught, but still fun), snuggle time with Angel, planning some summer activities with the local kids, working on freelance writing project proposals, enjoying the night’s bright sky as the moon nears full, going for walks and so much more good island living!

The morning… Continue reading

Those Inner Nudgings

In my About page, I noted that spirituality was an important part of my life, although I wasn’t going to talk about God much here. I feel that is a personal thing, and each person can decide what God is or isn’t, or what spirituality does or doesn’t mean for them. My view is all-inclusive, and I don’t want to alienate or exclude anyone, especially my dear readers.

That said, something crossed my path this morning that I wanted to share . . .

I read the Daily Word most mornings. It’s a little daily devotional book (that you can… Continue reading

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