the Mom-Stuff Community » Inspirational

October from Leaves of the Tree of Life

the mom-team — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:17:22 +0000

OCTOBER

People weary with the world will take time off to go to the mountains for a look at the splendor of autumn leaves. In every shade of orange they proclaim their glory.

Each species has its own breathtaking pigment and each tree seems more beautiful than the last. October is for rejoicing in the majesty of tangible beauty. We smell it, we see it, we roll in the leaves and experience it. There is no practical purpose to the color changes; the trees are playing after the hard work of summer. This is the season for hayrides and county fairs and silly costumes and pranks.

Play is difficult for Americans and other highly westernized cultures. We spend huge amounts of money and time working at having fun, but play is a different thing. Play is squirrels chasing each other on the branches even as they gather winter’s store. Play is kids wading through mountains of leaves so they can be gathered again, without thought for getting the pieces out of their hair. Play is ordering ice cream on your pancakes for breakfast. Learning to play brings back the sweetness to life.

Branches are the frame work on which the seasons unfold, just as our minds form the basis for performing the duties of our lives. Branches by now have had most of the sap withdrawn from them as the tree prepares to survive the winter. Bare branches reflect the lack of circulation. As we limit the circulation of sweetness in our lives, the result can be “bare branches” too, where we become brittle and rigid in strict, joyless, disciplines. Scrooge wasn’t a bad guy, he was just misguided from years of bitterness and false priorities. The change came as a cheerful countenance and a desire to play. There was no doubt that he would continue to run his counting house, but we also know he enjoyed his abundance from that time forward. The adage that “as a man thinketh, so he shall be” sets the parameters for our play and for the degree to which we really enjoy life. For a variety of reasons, many of us grow up with basic beliefs that finding pleasure is time wasted, that this life is about working and suffering and joy and rewards are for the next, that if you’re not getting ahead you’re getting behind, and life is about getting there first. October reminds us that getting there can be a glorious ride.

With the advent of autumn, the trunk again becomes the storehouse, the primary focus of the living tree. A cavity in trees become home to woodland creatures and man, too, begins to nest. It’s finally fireplace season and time for quilts. We make hot chocolate for chilly evenings, we drink fresh cider, and we tell spooky stories and gather around bonfires. Even schools celebrate Homecoming with games, festivals and crowning of queens. Home is the source of our strength and the crown of our lives. The idea that a

man’s home is his castle rings true for us today; we may have positions of no consequence elsewhere, but we have the right to be kings and queens in our households. There is no more effective place to teach and learn the worth of souls. David O. McKay said “no success can compensate for failure in the home” decades ago, but the message holds true. October is time to come home, to settle from summertime wanderings and last month’s overtime.

The roots of the tree share the sugars with the trunk. Sugar is an analogy for sweetness in life and provides the essential fuel for our sustenance. The use of sugar in our bodies is managed to large extent by the pancreas, which produces insulin. Too many variations in blood sugar levels can have a negative impact on every aspect of body function, just as extremes of giddiness or seriousness will impair our ability to function in the world. We have seen repeatedly in our practices the relationship between the sweetness people find in life and challenges to proper pancreas function. People unhappy with themselves or their lives are more likely to be binge eaters, and are more likely to binge on sugars and simple carbohydrates. Carbohydrate addiction is finally a recognized condition, and relates not only to blood sugar (and energy) levels, but also to feel-good hormone seratonin levels. Many parents dread the time of Halloween with its sugar overload, which many find creates monsters that surpass the roles of morbid costumes. Many communities are beginning to create fall festivals, old style celebrations with apple bobbing and popcorn balls, in lieu of the more traditional “trick-or-treating”. Where “trick-or-treating” does still exist, it can be an expression of neighborhood fun and closeness as parents and children laugh together and give to each other, especially if they avoid the horror-movie lookalikes. This month is for fun and games. Celebrate living.

With the chilly air of winter approaching, leaves on their deathbeds take time to show their true colors. With the green chlorophyll withdrawn, the leaves don’t actually change colors; they simply allow their actual pigment to be seen. Penniless, they are more beautifully robed than any person could hope to be. Money is one of the things we often place in the way of our happiness. We believe that more of it would help us improve the quality of our own and other lives, yet we call it the root of all evil. It defines the value we place on objects, sometimes even ourselves. Wealth doesn’t create or destroy character; beliefs and attitudes about money do. Take away the green, and we all look like who we really are. We have paupers and financial wizards in every range, from the splendid crimson of the maples to the washed-out gray of roadside weeds.

Water in October is largely confined to streams and other bodies of water. The moisture stored in the leaves is gone, which is why they begin to fall. As we age, a similar process takes place, which is why we wrinkle and get creaky in the joints, but the true mark of our age is in our brittleness of spirit. This is the time to be a child, regardless of how many

birthdays you’ve had. Everything in the earth is playing, and to keep pace with the earth is to play along. Making bouquets of dried weeds and stomping in puddles and rolling down hills helps us to keep perspective. There will always be more work and more troubles, but there will never be another of this moment. Streams work over and around everything in their beds this season, but sing along the way. Zinnia flower essence captures the importance of play; there is no perkier blossom in creation. Even the word rolls off the tongue with a lilt.

This is a time to play. Follow a child around a playground for an hour, doing everything that they do. There is no more thorough exercise program! Roll down hills, skip around a fitness course, do your jogging backwards in a bright orange hat.

For all of the glory in the branches, the earth has finished her work of production. We celebrate now with what we already possess; we make cider from the apples we’ve picked and store the squash for the winter. We have such security in our substance that we will play with our food, carving faces where candles can glow in a pumpkin that will never be eaten. In consumer psychology, the orange colors of October inspire ideas of warmth and richness, a concept seized upon by advertisers of brandy and other upscale foods. They also physically stimulates the pancreas, which produces digestive enzymes for digestion of starches, sugars and fats in addition to insulin. Fast-food marketers have capitalized on that bit of information, which explains the remarkably homogenous decorating schemes of the major chains. From candle-glow to decorative orange leaf bags, everything proclaims glory in October.

Mom-Stuff Updates

the mom-team — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:11:00 +0000

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a donation of $2,000 worth of pet food, and I’ve helped to forge new friends from other countries who all care about the same things I care about. And it all started with a simple posting on Facebook because I wanted to help a local animal shelter. It’s been magical.” . . . keep reading

Scheduling for the REAL Mother

the mom-team — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 22:14:31 +0000

The following is a nugget of truth that was posted in a Executive Moms group at Linkedin about scheduling our time. The author, Jamee Tenzer, is a professional certified life and career coach for working mothers and women in the entertainment industry.

Have you ever had one of those weekends where you were just having too much fun? You attended three 8-year-old birthday parties, went to dinner with friends, cheered the Dodgers at a game and hosted a brunch with the extended family – only to wake up Monday morning thrilled at the thought of dragging yourself into the office, to REST. Sometimes we group our “fun activities” in such a way that we are having so much fun, we are too exhausted to enjoy any of it.

In fact, instead of celebrating our time together, we are running from one event to another, doing a quick change in the car between Sarah’s Bat Mitzvah, our Sound of Music matinee and Grandpa’s 80th birthday party. The kids are fighting, no one has managed to eat (even though everywhere we go is piled high with food,) and my husband and I would give our worldly possessions for the chance to take a nap. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? Not so much fun as, let’s see, how would I describe it? Oh yes, a living hell!

So at the risk of sounding like the real mother I am – I refuse to over-schedule our family anymore. If we are buying tickets to a special event like a show or a baseball game, that’s it for that weekend and I make sure the kids appreciate that event for what it is. So many families don’t have the chance to go to a baseball game, spend the day at the beach or attend a nice party. I want my children to know (and give myself a chance to remember) how lucky we all are by helping us to slow down and enjoy each moment. Otherwise, these special opportunities are reduced to another item on the weekend to-do list – to be crossed off.

Realistically, we cannot always avoid over-scheduling. Some events will pop up, coincide and conflict with plans already made. But, with some forethought, it is possible to minimize the stressful fun and maximize the appreciation of a great life. You may not always be popular if you adopt my plan, but you will always get the opportunity to take a nap.

I Pray You Enough

the mom-team — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:12:07 +0000

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure of the daughter’s flight.

Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said,

‘I love you, and I pray you enough.’

The daughter replied, ‘Mom, our life together has been more than enough.

Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough, too, Mom.’

They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, ‘Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?’

Yes, I have,’ I replied. ‘Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?’

‘Well…I’m not as young as I once was, she lives so far away & has her own busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is – her next trip back will be for my funeral,’ she said.

‘When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, I pray you enough. May I ask what that means?’

She began to smile. ‘That’s a prayer that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.’ She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more. ‘When we said, ‘I pray you enough,’ we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.’

Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Then, she began to cry, and walked away.

To all my mom-stuff friends,

I PRAY YOU ENOUGH…….

I did not experience this, nor did I write this. I do not know who the author is. I received this in an email (one that passes around the web) this morning from my daughter. It meant so much to me I wanted to share it with all of you. Thanks for being a one of my mom-stuff friends. Dianne

Love is the Message of June

the mom-team — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:47:27 +0000

June emerges as a sea of green. Summer officially starts, and in earlier days trees would have become the heart of the community. Children would be in them and adults would gather under them to share stories and a cool drink. Some of the distinction between trees blurs with the passing of the blossoms and we see, instead, a merciful bower and quiet retreat. The trees are generous with their shade, and we can breathe a little deeper in their presence.

Looking up into the canopy of a spreading tree is a heart-filling experience. A tree can protect you from rain and yet allow a glimpse of a summer sky. Looking at the world with the heart may open a similarly uplifting view. We are sheltered from loneliness as we receive love from people in our lives, and see acts of kindness through seemingly impenetrable barriers. As we learn to receive and give love we gain the message of June.

Excerpt from Leaves for the Tree of Life by Kim Welborn and Dianne Murray

Memorial Weekend

the mom-team — Thu, 26 May 2011 18:08:19 +0000

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day.

It is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Memorial Day is a day when we pause to give thanks to the people who fought for the things we have.

It is a time when families and friends get together for BBQs to celebrate the lives lived and sacrificed for our freedom.
My Father served in WWII, My children’s fathers in the Viet Nam war, my son served in the army at the Pentagon and my son-in-law is getting ready so deploy for his second tour in Irac. I AM Proud to be an American and I AM Thankful for the lives given in service so we can enjoy a country with so much opportunity to be all that we can be.
Wishing you a Memorial Weekend with wonderful moments to cherish the freedom we have and to give thanks to the people who sacrifice so much for it. Remember the service men and woman in your prayers and help their families while they are away.

Let Your Burdens Down

the mom-team — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:43:57 +0000

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and
explaining stress management to an audience;with a raised glass of
water, and everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question,
‘half empty or half full?’….. she fooled them all…”How heavy is
this glass of water?”, she inquired with a smile.

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how
long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that’s not a problem.

If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold
it for a day, you’ll have to call an ambulance. In each case it’s the
same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She
continued, “and that’s the way it is with stress. If we carry our
burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes
increasingly heavy, we won’t be able to carry on.”

“As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and
rest before holding it again. When we’re refreshed, we can carry on
with the burden – holding stress longer and better each time
practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your
burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the
night…. pick them up tomorrow.

Whatever burdens you’re carrying now, let them down for a moment.
Relax, pick them up later after you’ve rested. Life is short. Enjoy it
and the now ‘supposed’ stress that you’ve conquered!”

1 * Accept the fact that some days you’re the pigeon, and some days
you’re the statue!

2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to
eat them.

3 * Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the
middle of it.

4 * Drive carefully… It’s not only cars that can be recalled by
their Maker.

5 * If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was
probably worth it..

7 * It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a
warning to others.

8 * Never buy a car you can’t push.

9 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then
you won’t have a leg to stand on.

10 * Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.

11 * Since it’s the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

12 * The second mouse gets the cheese.

13 * When everything’s coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.

14 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

15 * You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the
world to one person.

16 * Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

17 * We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are
pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors,

but they all have to live in the same box.

18 * A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

19 * Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you
today.

20 * It was I, your friend!

*Save the earth…… It’s the only planet with chocolate and chocolate bunnies

Mom-stuff.com wants all of our moms to enjoy life. Happiness is a state of

mind. Come and join us. Membership is Free.

Welcome March

the mom-team — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:01:04 +0000

March is the month of the buds coming forth. Quietly they have worked for months to develop, and now they are ready to burst. Most won’t actually open this month, but they are pregnant with promise. Hope is in the trees and in the birds they are now beginning to welcome to their still-bare branches. This is a time for watching the pieces come together, for potential. Life is stirring. Everything necessary for trees to blossom and leaf out is present, just as it is within us. The branches are busy now putting effort toward the blooms to come; we can occupy ourselves in similar fashion. Everyone in March thinks spring will be here any day. It’s a time inherently full of creative effort: we color eggs and hide them, we make kites and fly them, and the sky plays with new cloud formations.

A bud contains within its tiny space a fully formed leaflet, which will enlarge and expand as it shakes off the tiny covering of scales, which protects it as it forms. We often have a similar covering on our minds. We hold back many of the ideas that come to us, even those that are truly inspired, as a protective measure for our egos or our hearts. Only by opening them up do we have a real opportunity to know whether or not they will “amount to something”. Imagination consists of courage added to an idea. Ideas are ways to integrate various parts or pieces into a new whole, the main message of this month. Courage is being the first bud to open, even if it might still be cold and there’s no one to notice. Great artists are always original. Buds don’t ask whether their leaf will look like anyone else’s.

This is an excerpt from the Leaves of the tree of Life by Kim Welborn and mom-stuff’s own Dianne Murray.

March is the time to rejoice in being a part of this glorious world. Let’s celebrate the wonderful energy of March.

Let’s Celebrate February

the mom-team — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 21:14:31 +0000

Unseen by anyone, though the deepest days of winter are present, the sap begins to rise in the trees in February. By the end of the month, the maples will be tapped for the sap to begin running, making the syrup that reminds us of the Valentine sweets. We all have heart-sap running deep, waiting to rise. When heart and mind work together, we call it intuition. This is the time to let you feel that process.

Old ideas or habits may keep you from trusting yourself and your ability to perceive your own needs and find your own answers. Learning to use heart and mind together can be daunting in a society that values scientific proof above most everything. In the movie “The Karate Kid”, a bonsai master hands a young boy a tree and pruning shears. Concerned, he asks what he should do, not wanting to damage the tree. He is told to look at the tree, to focus, and to cut away what doesn’t look like the tree. Surprisingly, the results are pleasing to him and to the master. Ours can be likewise.

Anciently, February was celebrated with a feast of purification. From that tradition came the country custom of cutting fence posts from dead wood, trimming grapevines, and pruning trees during this period. For us, it’s a great month to focus on finding and eliminating the deadwood in our lives. Pruning involves evaluation, determining the value of every branch, and foreseeing the potential for productive growth by removing whatever is unnecessary. Too much clutter makes inspiration difficult. Look at your life and at the shape you’ve decided you want it to take. What doesn’t “look or feel like” that life? So often we believe we have a goal or intent, but honest evaluation may show us that we actually spend our life energy in very different directions. Does what you are doing reflect your knowledge of who you are and where you are going?

February is always associated with Valentine’s Day. Like the winter holidays, we want someone to share the time with, and may have expectations too great to be fulfilled. Learning to listen to our hearts is a difficult process. There is definite sweetness in companionship, but unless there is an inherent capacity for joy within ourselves we can’t form lasting relationships with others. Maple sap drips slowly into the tapers pail. We find our sweetness the same way, a drop at time. Filling our emotional bucket starts deep, rising and filling out slowly as we have the warmth and light of trusting our own feelings.

Forcing ourselves into situations or relationships that don’t “feel” right violates our identity, numbing our ability to feel in the future. Filigree flower essence is a tool for gaining perspective; gentian and self-heal can support us in moving through disappointments. Asking yourself how it would feel to trust your feelings can be a great revelation. Try it!

It is difficult to feel inspired when we’re tired, cold and sluggish. The earth in February is cold, wet, and gray and it is an extra effort to get our bodies moving. Massaging the center of the forehead can stimulate blood flow to the pineal gland and other organs in the head, helping you to think more clearly. Take a long walk in crisp, cold air just to let your mind wander. Recognize that your sap is still rising, and encourage that with gentle, flowing, stretching exercises. Add classical dance movements to everyday activities to feel the movements of the muscles in your arms and legs.

Excerpt from Leaves for the Tree of Life

a woman’s guide to integration of body, heart and mind.

By Kim Welborn and Dianne Murray

Your Life Certificate

the mom-team — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:38:55 +0000

This is the perfect time of year to take
stock of who we are and where we are going.

To show my appreciation for your support
throughout the year, I’m excited to share
this incredibly motivational short video
with you called “Your Life Certificate.”

Please take a moment to sit back, relax
and enjoy:

Watch NOW

To Your Success In 2011!
Dianne Murray