Embrace Today

It's June
Half Way
Another Year

My Mission
To Connect
Take Chances

Meet People
Shake Hands
Smile Big

Small World
Wonder Filled
Eyes Wide

Breathe Deep
Walk Forward
Embrace Today

Day One

It's a new year
It's a new month
It's a new day
It's a new hour

Let's love someone
Let's nurture someone
Let's lift someone
Let's hold someone 

We've got the chance to change the world
We've got the power to make a difference
We've got the opportunity to liberate
We've got the freedom to define

A New Tomorrow MMXI

There you are
You are a part of who I was
Who I was and who I am
I am taking you with me
With me in my heart
My heart full of unspoken secrets
Unspoken secrets because you are not here
Not here but divine and ever present
Ever present today and tomorrow
And tomorrow I will not fear
Not fear because you are there

Wild Berry Jam for Burnt Toast Days: Wild Berry Jam For Burnt Toast Days

Wild Berry Jam for Burnt Toast Days: Wild Berry Jam For Burnt Toast Days

To Infinitive

I may not be able to split the atom, but I can split an infinitive.
I plan to boldly go where no woman has gone before.

New Year's Word

I've never been one to adhere to the tradition of keeping a New Year's Resolution. In fact, as the British say, I'm "rubbish."

Don't get me wrong. I'm a goal guru setting long-term and short-term objectives religiously.

As a child, I'd resolve to keep a diary. At best I'd make it to March when entries were illegible scribbles of "ditto" just to fulfill this self-inflicted obligation.

I'd spend the next nine months conceiving a new and unbreakable response to the tired question posed every December 31st.

In 2008, life changed. So did I. Loss and tragedy ganged up and tag-teamed me until I cried uncle.

Instead of a string of carefully constructed words arranged to master a personal weakness, I decided to focus on a single word that would become my decision filter.

So 2008 became the year of "Yes."

I sovereignly silenced the nagging voices complaining about dishes and laundry.
I went to coffee with friends.
I banished apprehension and cozied up to adventure.

2009 was the year of "Jurisdiction."
The focus was on understanding boundaries. Boundaries defined not by barb-wire but by bruised bricks and mud mortar - blocking distractions and banishing foes to free myself ...to be myself.

"Balance" is the noun and verb of 2010.
Balance is other-world math. Subtracting stress-inducing elements and adding wellness has raised my sense of purpose to the power of 10.
Inviting balance into my life has afforded me the opportunity to better myself emotionally, physically, financially, and socially.
I celebrate.
I practice gratitude.
I chew slower, sing louder, and loose myself in dance.

I don't know how many New Year's Resolutions I have left. But I do know that when I am still, when I am quiet, when I am open, a word bubbles up from the depths of my soul that serves as my compass and keeps me traveling True North on this short excursion we call life.

I'm learning to not wage war with the past.
I'm learning to not wrestle with the uncertainties of the future.
I'm learning to stop struggling with forces beyond my control.

Who's crying uncle now?

Positive

Positive People Affect Positive Change ~ Amanda Scroggs

Positive

Positive People Affect Positive Change ~ Amanda Scroggs

IF

The IFs in lIFe are Irrational Fears that rob us of our capacity to live in the moment.

Expression

EXPRESSION

It’s not the thought that counts.

It’s the expression of the thought.

The physical.

The vocal.

The tangible.

It’s the head tilt, empathetic stance, warm touch.

It’s the soft tone, poignant words, love language.

It’s the phone call, the note, showing up.

It’s not the thought that counts.

It’s the expression of the thought.

Materials

Some people are cut from paper
Others molded from metal
Still some formed from ceramic
And then there are those carved from wood

All Around Me

There will be chaos and strife
Noble struggles for life
There will be heartache and pain
Eternal questions remain
And I will stand firm

There will be jealousy and spite
Fight the good fight
There will be rumors and lies
Too soon goodbyes
And I will stand firm

Name that Tune

The Art of Stillness

What's in a name? Christened Amanda and known by family as Mandy - Auntie Mandy to the most talented, gorgeous, phenomenal eight nieces and nephews plus one precious great-niece. Aunt Amanda to five adorable nieces and nephews this side of the pond.

The conception of my name birthed as my father watched the British retelling of the Helen Keller tragedy to triumph epic with lead child star actor Mandy Miller. Now, four decades later, I teach the dramatic interpretation of the young child born healthy... sights and sounds stolen before the age of two.

And I think about my name...the middle child between "Scrib" and "The Boy." The affectionate "AJ" or best friend "Manda."I think about the name I chose in 1987 when I made a solemn vow. For better. For Worse. In sickness. In health.

My life has known tragedy and triumph.

And I realize something true.

The chaos of the world steals our sights and sounds.

I am learning to pause, to reflect, to see the patterns and colors of my life, to tune out the static and find life's musical melodies and harmonies. I am learning to honor and respect the healing powers that exist in the art of stillness. I see and I hear... I recollect the most important memories in my life...shared moments...smiles, tears, laughter, and weeping. This patchwork quilt of many shapes and fabrics has been my prayer shawl and my comforter.

And in this stillness I realize that my favorite calling is not my name at all.

It's a being "Jon's wife,""Amy's mom", "Chloe's mom," and "Jordan's mom."

I found my calling...and in this sacred silent truth...I am at peace.

Judgment

My eyes have no right to criticize. You have your walk and I have mine.

My tongue has no right to condemn. You have your reasons and I have mine.

My heart has no right to blame. You have your life and I have mine.

And in this one life, I listen...not to criticism...not to condemnation...not to blame.

I am rescued, redeemed, restored.

Suitcase

My suitcase is full of memories. Some are painful. Some are joyful. All make me me.

I go to my suitcase and carefully unpack each piece.

I hold my memories up to the light and examine them.

I make two piles.

One for the intact, unblemished, shrink-wrapped memories.

One for the wrinkled, dog-eared, tear stained.

I scoop the latter and walk to the queen-sized bed. I lay them out like the clothes of a child the night before the first day of school.

I stop. I think. I remember. I feel.

I travel to a place where voices float in salty air.
Where the grass is long.
Where milk sits on the counter.

Before coffee.
Before heels.

I stop. I think. I remember. I feel. I write.