For The Love Of Dance....

Last night I attended my oldest niece's dance recital.  This is the second year she's taken ballet and tap, and the second recital...what a difference a year makes.  She's only 6 by-the-way.  She did a great job and even had to be front and center as a leader (of sorts) and did really well!  I, along with the rest of the family, was very proud of her!

Before it started, I told my mom and sister that I'd rather be backstage getting ready to perform.  That's what I'm used to...what I'm more comfortable doing instead of sitting in the audience watching.  It's what I did from as far back as I can remember...dance.  I obviously don't remember any of my earliest dances, just memories from old pictures.  And then after we moved to Texas and I started taking dance lessons down here...it was just different.  I even started initial training for the Garland Ballet.  I remember my first lesson in toe shoes and one of the senior instructors telling me I had strong ankles which was good.  Just a side note, in the last year or so I've read that Aquarians are supposed to have strong ankles.  It's part of their physical sign and personality.

Once I started training, I felt burnt out on dance and I was ready to take a break.  So, I did.  I didn't dance during my middle school days and started again in high school.  I joined the Junior Varsity Drill Team at school, which you didn't have to try out for...it was an elective.  But, I did have to try out for Varsity Drill Team.  So, I started training and dancing again!  Drill team was more than dance, though.  You had to know how to do high kicks, the splits...moreso, jump splits, and move in synchronicity with 60+ other girls.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  It was more than just the dance, it was the discipline of being on a team with all the rules and traditions, along with summer camps, competitions, fundraisers, and the social aspects of it all.  It was more than I could've imagined, but I honestly couldn't have imagined doing anything else in high school!

Yes, I miss just the simple happiness of dancing...doing it for the pure enjoyment of it.  That's what I hope my niece is experiencing now because it changes fast...into competition, into creating perfect dancers, and it starts younger and younger these days.  My sister just wanted her to have fun and smile last night.  She had fun, but didn't quite smile which is totally fine.  She did an awesome job and I could tell she was proud of herself afterwards, too!  That's all that matters!

Whatever brings you pure joy...and you may have to think back to your childhood...hold onto it, recapture it, revive it, and find a way to incorporate it into your life.  You won't regret it.  Sometimes we just need a good reminder.

May memories of pure joy bless your week ahead and may you renew your intentions to find that joy again!!

HE will provide....

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!  I hope you've been pampered, showered with special treats and felt all the love you deserve today and every day!  A special shout out to my mom and her generously nurturing and loving spirit that is the glue that keeps our family together!  Her boisterous laughter, talkative nature and supportive cheerleader has always provided an encouraging environment to grow up in and learn from for my siblings and I, and now for all her grandchildren, too.  She's the heartbeat of our family and I'm so glad I get to call her my mom!

Wishing blessings of love, joy, confidence and peace of mind to all mothers around the world!  May the coming week bring special blessings your way.  Cheers!!

Don't Forget...

If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area or even in south Texas, you are welcome to the annual Holt International Picnic on Saturday, June 1st from 12-3 pm!  It will be at Parr Park in Grapevine, TX.  Please make sure you register for the event here:  http://holtinternational.org/picnics/  

We'd love to see you and your family there!  It's for local (TX) adoptees (young to adults), as well as, prospective parents.  If you have questions about adoption or are waiting for your child to finally come home, we'd love to share our stories with you to help you along the way.  It's a lot of fun and there is a splash pad there so the little ones can stay cool.  Bring a picnic lunch for your family and enjoy meeting other families, as well.

I hope to see you at our annual picnic for some food, fun and fellowship!  Wishing you blessings that open your eyes and hearts this first full week of May!

Really? Aren't You A Professional?

Late last week, I contacted an old co-worker about connecting me with someone in his company about a current job opening.  I had worked with this person a few years ago and really only worked with or saw him about once a year at a major tradeshow.  At the event he would always flirt with me and ask me to hang out with some of the guys after hours.  I always declined.  Something never quite sat right with me, although he seemed like a nice guy.

Well, it became crystal clear in the first words of his response back to me..."Hey, white rice!"  Yes, he said that...wrote that.  Really?!!!  Are you kidding me?  Aren't you supposed to be a professional?  What makes you think that's OK or even remotely OK to say to an ex-colleague?  Perhaps to a close friend who knows you better, but there's nothing in our previous interactions that would make you think that was OK to say to me.  So, yes I was offended.  Am I surprised?  No, it's part of the stereotype that we all grow up with and face throughout our lives.  It's just sad when it does...especially as professional adults.

Do I linger on it or let it bother me?  No, because I choose to be a bigger, more understanding, more compassionate person who tries to focus on the things and people that are most important.  Don't let the little things or little people weigh you down!  Stay positive, true to yourself and always respectful of other people who are different than you...which is every one!!!

Blessings to you these final few days of April.  May all the April rain bring a bounty of beautiful May flowers!  Enjoy!!

Happy Easter!

Palm Sunday

Happy Palm Sunday! As we enter the holy week leading up to Easter Sunday (for Christians around the world), I wish you peace, resurrection and renewal for a blessed life serving God through your thoughts, words and actions. Wishing you God's abundant blessings this holy week!!