The lesson of the five balls...

I never tire of sharing this philosophy.

This was written by Brian G. Dyson the CEO of Coca-Cola (from 1988 until 1994). Also used by James Patterson in his writings from Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas, but he switched the word Spirit with Integrity.


Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them – Work – Family – Health – Friends – Spirit, and you’re keeping all of these in the air.
You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered.

They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.

How?

1. Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.

2. Do not set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.

3. Do not take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.

4. Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live ALL the days of your life.

5. Do not give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

6. Do not be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us together.

7. Do not be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

8. Do not shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

9. Do not run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but also where you are going.

10. Do not forget that a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.

11. Do not be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.

12. Do not use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved.

Keeper of the Stars

Our song...after we had been dating for a little while, we grabbed this song as our own, it came out in 1995 and the words seemed to be what we talked about so much. We wished we had 'met' sooner and gotten together....life is too short. As it turns out, it was too short and I only had a short 16 years with Todd. He was a keeper! We made each other whole. Love has a way of doing just that.


KEEPER OF THE STARS
Tracy Byrd


It was no accident me finding you
Someone had a hand in it
Long before we ever knew
Now I just can't believe you're in my life
Heaven's smiling down on me
As I look at you tonight.

I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars
He sure knew what he was doing
When he joined these two hearts
I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I've got all I'll ever need
Thanks to the keeper of the stars.

Soft moonlight on your face, oh how you shine
It takes my breath away
Just to look into your eyes
I know I don't deserve a treasure like you
There really are no words
To show my gratitude.

So I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars
He sure knew what he was doing
When he joined these two hearts
I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I've got all I'll ever need
Thanks to the keeper of the stars.

It was no accident me finding you
Someone had a hand in it
Long before we ever knew.

Listening

Sitting on the back deck listening. Visiting with a friend listening. Sitting in church listening. Driving down the road listening. Talking on the phone AND listening to the other person.

I try to help others by my listening - a good listener is a good friend. Sometimes saying nothing at all while listening is the best. Sometimes we are prodded to give an opinion, be careful what you say; someone who is pouring out their heart does not always want a comment, they just want a good listener.

I think I figured it all out: I know how to put my own concerns and opinions aside for a while and give people my undivided, heartfelt, gently compassionate, non-judging attention. I make them feel safe...and seen, like they are very important. Which they are! I love listening to people. I am totally fascinated and intrigued by what goes on inside of people's souls and minds. And my heart always goes out to their pain and suffering as well celebrate their triumphs and their joys. I enjoy listening and listening deeply. I can get inside of someone's experience and understand what they are going through and shower them with acceptance, with no effort at all. I have been told I am a good listener.

A Good Week

An old fall photo of the deck before weather proofing; there are a lot of pickets!!









I think 'I' accomplished a lot this week. The deck has been weatherproofed with Thomspon's Weather sealer; James did the bulk of the picket railings on Thursday while Tim and I helped. I did the deck itself on Friday. It is looking very nice. I had a night out with friends at their camp at Kozy Rest on Friday night. I had dinner out with friends on Thursday night. Life just never slows down here at the Miller Homestead. Ted came and did weed-eating Thursday night, Cody and Will did mowing and weed-deating earlier in the week as well.

An AGWAY water system was installed on Wednesday as well as a new hot water tank. I can now take a shower without running out of hot water. I now have non-red water that requires a salt treatment and desanitization - the water was slimy and we put up with it for too many years; carrying water to drink and cook with. We only used it to shower and wash clothes; now I can BUY a white shirt!

Next on the agenda is the garage ceiling to be painted and Ted is lining up the scaffolding for me to make that an easier task. Then lots to rearrange and line up and organize. Someday, I hope to have a garage warming party after it is all looking nice and orderly. You all are invited!

Life is good, GOD IS GOOD, all the time.

Happy Anniversary Honey

Todd,

I was dreading this day since you passed away. Monday July 26th would have marked 14 years of marriage for us. The ups and downs, highs and lows, rainy or sunny days were lived each with you by my side. So many times now I wish I could tell you something but you are not there. I want to ask you a question and you are not there. I need your advice on something and you are not there. I think about you every day, every hour and did not realize how much I loved you until your were not part of my life anymore. Sure, we always told each other of our love, you mostly with your "Did I tell you yet today how much I love you?". I will never forget our special bond with that saying. You are in my heart and will always be part of my soul. I will always remember you as a happy man. Yes, I know you liked to argue about politics and religion and discipline and road rage.....but you could really debate like the best of the best! You taught me so many things about life. How to drive and not make the truckers mad, how to use tough love when the kids were younger, how to change the filter under the sink, how to use your tools like drills, circular saws and jigsaw... and how to be a good Christian. The list goes on and on and for that I am so thankful.

We spent only 21 months dating before we ‘tied the knot'. I remember you first told me you loved me after only about 3 weeks and you scared me. I was not ready to hear that from anyone. You convinced me you were a good man, a good friend and would make a good husband. You did not disappoint me! As we grow older, we mature and change and what you or I were like before did not matter - it only mattered that we got along, loved each other and were very compatible. We fit like a hand in a glove; where I was weak your were strong and vise versa. We made a good team. What I will miss the most is your humor - you could always make everyone laugh and enjoy life, you were so special in that way. I will miss you singing to me along with the radio in the car or making up songs to make fun of something - you were one of a kind, my sweet, sweet man!

So with each new day, I take one small step into a new world; a world without you. I will always remember your sweet, sweet smile and that special wink of yours that meant I love you. This new life will get better, with baby steps that I will take just one step at a time. I love you honey and miss you so!! You will live in my heart forever.

Your loving wife,
Julie

July - Summer 2010

Wow, I keep saying how time flies and it sure has been. Seven weeks ago today, I was readying myself to attend church after the death of Todd the night before. It was a surreal feeling, a day of new beginnings. There have been many new beginnings these past several weeks. I am making strides in picking up my life again. I think about Todd a million times a day and miss him still terribly. As long as I keep moving and keep busy, I am able to cope. At night, when I lay down is when I remember all of our pillow talks and rehashing of our day. Now, I wish he were here to visit with and hug and love...I miss it all!! He would be proud of how I am making small improvements and keeping up with all that owning a home entails; I will be getting a water treatment system and a hot water tank this Wednesday from Agway, the garage walls have been painted (still have the ceiling to do), mower is fixed and grass is being mowed, lists have been made and so much more is on the horizon. Sometimes it is overwhelming but I take a deep breath, say a prayer of thankfulness for Todd's teaching me many things and I go on with what needs to be done.
I call friends/family or they call me...I visit friends/family or they visit me...I could not get through these days without all of you. GOD BLESS all of you!!

The road less traveled

How do we know we are making the right choices?
There are so many choices to make!!


The Road Less Traveled
by Kit McCallum

How often we must bear the challenges of life;
The endless roller coaster between happiness and sorrow;
The constant ups and downs of daily strife.
And always the question remains .... why?

Life is not an easy road for most;
It twists and turns with many forks in the road,
Although always, and inevitably, we are given a choice ...

Do we turn to the right ... or the left?
Do we take the high road ... or the low road?
Do we take the easy path ... or the difficult one?

Decisions are not easy for those struggling for direction ...
And sometimes the many choices and signs become overwhelming.

While standing at a crossroads in life,
The urge is to take the most comfortable path;
The road with least resistance ...
The shortest or most traveled route.

And yet, if we've been down that comfortable road before;
Have gleaned its lessons in life, and learned from our experiences;

Do we yet again follow the known?
Or does our destiny lie in another direction?

The fear of the road less traveled is tangible and all too real;
It manifests itself in many ways,
And tends to cloud the issues that might otherwise be clear.

It is in these times of confusion,
That we must seek peace and solitude;

Time to contemplate on our life,
Our experiences and our choices past;
Time to look back, and reflect on what we have learned
Without fear or confusion.

For only each of us knows our own personal thoughts;
Our unique past and personal history;
The experiences that brought us to the crossroads we now face.

We can always learn a small degree from others experiences,
And yet ... no one person can walk in our shoes,
Others know not, the trials and tribulations faced in private ...

For each is individual ... unique ... and personal.

And that is why ... while standing at a crossroads,
Only "we" can formulate the decision for ourselves;
The true direction that lies within;
The choices we must deliberate on with clarity and wisdom.

For it is only through personal reflection,
That we can now choose our destiny;
... Our next adventure;
... And the future we will embrace.