(43-360) PEARLS...

I feel the need to lighten things up today.  Was that a sigh of relief I heard?  "My Story - Part 1 and Part 2" took a lot out of me - and I suspect you.  So today I wanna share some real pearls of wisdom that for the most part come from a rather unexpected source.

Luis joined Facebook a lil late in the game and even once he did, he rarely got on.  I'm not sure what caused his change of heart but now it's safe to say that he's definitely a fan.  More often than not, he seems to post his statuses while he's at work, so I have no idea where or how he's obtaining the gems that he's been sharing; but for the last week or so - he's had some great ones. 

Now don't get me wrong, Luis is not suddenly a poet or philosopher; I mean he IS the man who posted and I quote, "IF YOU SEE SOME ONE SEXY SAY HEYYYY.. HEYYYY POOH..!!"  ( He was talking to me, when he said "Pooh.")   He was pretty proud of this post and he told me to go look for it before I ever saw it.  He said that it was a line in a song that he couldn't get out of his head.  I later heard the song and determined that he was listening to it with his accent, because that's not EXACTLY what it said; but I was flattered nonetheless.   

The statuses that followed were the ones that I was even more impressed by.  Now he doesn't always give credit to the authors, so to some less knowledgeable Facebook friends, he may appear to be one profound dude (and he is); but my point is, I'm not going to go look the quotes up and credit the authors today.  I'm just going to share exactly what Luis has posted:

"Love others as they are, not as you want them to be."

"Books alone don't make good students. Kids need caring teachers at school and loving parents at home."

"Trust yourself. you know more than you think you do."

"There is nothing wrong by been different!"  (OK, on this one he must have been spelling with his accent because I'm pretty sure it should have said "being" different.)

"Love all. Trust few. Do wrong to no one."

" When I'm sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead."

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." 
~ Albert Einstein

"Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly."  (Now that one got varied responses...)

"If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten." 

"Courage is being afraid but going on anyhow."

Rest assured, that I absolutely had his permission to share his musings with you, (my comments and all).  And although I'm certain that it appears like I'm pokin a little bit of fun at him - trust me when I tell you that I am so appreciative of the fact that these concepts are important and noteworthy to him.  Talk about (say it with me) "The Greater good."
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-357) Follow Me

Every day I look at the numbers at the side of my screen to see how many followers I have; and for a pretty long time now, those numbers haven't changed.  I see ten followers through Google and 67 through NetworkedBlogs, and I'll be honest, I guess I really hoped that somewhere along the way, I would have picked up more; just like Julie did in "Julie and Julia."

I know that on a couple of occasions I've asked for your help before, as increasing my readership has always been one of my goals; but sadly, it just hasn't happened.  So, at the risk of seeming pushy, I'm gonna ask just one more time; since I'm nearing the end of my 366 day commitment and it's more important to me than ever that more people read my blog.  Think of it as an early birthday present for me if you will.  If each person that follows "The Bumpy Ride", could recommend it to a couple of friends that they think might enjoy it, and if even just one of those friends signs up to follow this blog, then I could actually double my followers.  Heck, I'd just settle for making it to 100 followers by my birthday. 

Making this plea, somehow reminds me of the Tony Orlando and Dawn song "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree."   If you're familiar with the song, and you've been a rider long enough, that MAY just make some sense to you, but if you've never heard the song (it's an oldie but a goodie, so take a listen.)  With that being said, if you know anyone that you think might get a laugh from my nonsense or may be  interested in my suggestions for the (say it with me) "GREATER good", then I urge you to share   "The Bumpy Ride" with them, and encourage them to sign up to follow either through  Google or Networkedblogs (on Facebook.)  If you yourself are a regular rider but you've never signed up to "follow" then I implore you to do so now, just so I will know that you're really out there. 
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-211) The Forward

I know that email forwards are frowned upon by many; and  truth be told, I often delete them without even reading them.  However, every once and a while I feel compelled to read a forward; and I have to admit that I have come across some that I find provocative, others that are funny,  and those that put a big ole smile on my face.  C'mon, who can resist those People of Wal-mart photos?  You know the ones.  The forward always includes the dregs of society, (decked out in outfits that sane people wouldn't be caught dead in;) as they peruse the Wal-mart aisles.  If you've never seen one of these forwards; let me know, and the next time that I receive one, I'll be happy to share it with you.

Well the other day, one of my co-workers sent me a forward and it said:

Give this heart to everyone you DON'T want to lose in '2011 including me if you care. Try to collect 4, it's not easy!   

Now I absolutely abhor those forwards that tell you that if you don't pass something on; something terrible will happen to you.  I mean talk about a contradiction in terms.  Here friend, here's this well intentioned email, full of good thoughts and good cheer; but if you don't send it to umteen people; in the next umteen minutes; you'll have bad luck for eternity OR the exact opposite of what you're wished in this email will happen.  YUCK!  Talk about hypocrisy.  So, if you ever receive one of those forwards; EVEN if it tells you that you're guaranteed to receive $5 million dollars or a lifetime of health and happiness; please don't send it my way.  But I digress... let's make this U-turn.

What appealed to me about the forward that my co-worker sent me (you knew I was going somewhere with that; right?)  Was not necessarily the "send it to people you don't want to lose" instruction; but what was in the contents of the forward.  So, since I certainly don't want to lose any of you; and I really believe that these sentiments can contribute to your (say it with me,) "Greater good;"  I'm going to share the forward with you.  Of course there were all kinds a cutesy photos included in the email; but I think that you can live without those; since it's truly just the messages that are important. Oh, OK; and maybe one cute little pic...  

'Be kinder than necessary because everyone you

meet is fighting some kind of battle.'

'A sharp tongue can cut your own throat.'

'If you want your dreams to come true, you mustn't oversleep.'

'Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.'

'The best vitamin for making friends..... B1.'

'The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.'

'The heaviest thing you can carry is a grudge.'

'One thing you can give and still keep....is your word.'

'You lie the loudest when you lie to yourself.'

'If you lack the courage to start, you have already finished.'

'One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.'

'Ideas won't work unless ' You' do.'

'Your mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open.'

'The 10 commandments are not a multiple choice.'

'The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime!

'It is never too late to become what you might have been.'

'Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.'

'Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you might not get them back.
Sometimes we get so busy with our own lives and problems that we may not even notice that we've let them fly away.
Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right and wrong.
Sometimes we just don't realize what real friendship means until it is too late.'

Now was that chock full of conceptions or what?  I know that not all of those suppositions may suit you; so take from that what works for you; and if you'd like to forward it; ONLY good things will happen to you for you my friend are now looking out for someone else's greater good.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-146) Proof Of KARMA

This afternoon, Kelsie and I went to Fry's Marketplace to do some grocery shopping.  I knew that I had other errands to run (YES, MORE;) so I wanted to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible.  Kelsie eyed a short line and while we waited to approach the register, I took out my Fry's card and my credit card; so I'd be ready to go.  I'm not sure what it was that reminded me that I'd forgotten something; but I told Kelsie that I needed to grab a couple of candles, so we got off of the line.

Kelsie and I headed towards the candles, and along the way, I picked up a 10 pack of hangers for $1.25 (since they had the little hooks on them that I like; and I haven't found those easily lately.)  I put the 2 candles in my cart, and went over to the shampoo aisle because apparently when I thought I bought hair conditioner last night; I had actually gotten shampoo.  I decided to pass on the conditioner, because they only had a small bottle for more than I had even paid for the larger bottle.  AND THEN; all of a sudden, I got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach; because I realized that my credit card was gone.

I had it in my hand as I walked away from the check out line; and now, it wasn't in my hand, nor my pocket, or my wallet, or my purse.  I looked in the general area where we had just been; but I didn't see it anywhere.  I tried not to panic, because I knew that wouldn't help resolve the situation.  I told myself that I could report the card as missing and dispute any charges that might have been made; but nonetheless, I went up to the customer service counter to see if anyone had turned it in.

My card was not turned in, so I went back to the check out line where I had last seen my card and I carefully looked through my purse; but the card could not be found.  I enlisted the aid of a clerk who was straightening up in the area; but nothing turned up.  I decided to retrace my steps just one more time; so Kelsie and I started walking back towards the hangers, and looked to make sure that I hadn't laid the card down when I picked the hangers up.  But no card.  We checked by the candle display and Kelsie looked in the box; but no card.  With that we walked over to the shampoo aisle, where I was sure it was not; since I hadn't picked anything up there; and there, lying on the floor, strip side up was my credit card.  Woosh!  What a sigh of relief for me!!  

I immediately thanked God, and instead of attributing my luck to a Christmas miracle; I told Kelsie that I thought that I had found the card because of Karma.  I told her that you get back what you put out in this world and since I'm always trying to work towards, (say it with me;) "The GREATER GOOD," this time I was benefiting from my contribution.  I also told Kelsie that we may have been fortunate because of all of the things that Luis finds and returns; when possible. Either which way, I do believe that it was proof of karma.

If someone asked you to describe "The Bumpy Ride," it would be my fervent hope, that (amongst other things;) you would mention it's focus on the "GREATER GOOD;" and suggested means to achieve it. Being a big (say it with me) "HUGE" proponent of working towards "The greater good;" I am a total believer in karma; and today I got myself a wonderful helping of it.

Till next time...

Queen of EVERYTHING                                                 

                                  

Take My Challenge ...

This month's "Scrapbooking from the Inside Out" kit club them is GRATITUDE; and one of our current threads is to mention something that you are grateful for. After returning from voting; I wrote "I'm grateful for the chance to make a change and the possibility of promise." And not to toot my own horn; but I thought that was kind of eloquent and profound - OK, I'm tooting; I know - but I really thought that these were ideas worth sharing - ESPECIALLY today.
I woke up at my usual 415am and I worked for a half hour before leaving to vote. I waited in line and was 19th to cast my ballot. I felt a great sense of satisfaction and an even bigger sense of hope. I am hoping that this country makes the choices that will lead to changes that will benefit the majority and put us little guys back on track to pursue our American Dreams. I am fearful that bigotry and fear will prevail. I am fearful that uninformed, voters will cast ballots or that people will make decisions based on "The worst thing that they have heard about one candidate." You know what - No one is perfect. I am supporting Obama and have I heard stories and opinions that are cause for concern - absolutely; but I have heard more of these types of stories about McCain / Palin and I would truly abhor the idea of Sarah Palin becoming our President; god forbid McClain was elected and died. I am imploring you to think of this scenario if for any reason you are undecided about how to vote.
With that said, I am VERY late for work; but I felt that it was SO important to share these ideas with you; that I'm willing to work late today so that I can get this out.
At this point I want to issue a challenge. It is one that I have already taken myself today, in a number of different ways and the challenge is "DO something that scares you a little. Step out of your comfort zone and take a leap. Do something that is going to promote change for the better in your life. Even if it is the smallest step." Now I'm sure that you're wondering where this is coming from, so please remember this is "The Bumpy Ride;" you know I come out of left field ALL THE TIME. But here it is. DO you think that 35 years ago, little Barack Obama believed that he was going to be President of the United States of America in 2009? My guess is probably not. How many chances do you think he had to take to get to this point in his career? And even if he doesn't win today, I guarantee that he is all the better for the journey. His life will never be the same; and he will not give up. These are things that I believe whole heatedly; and I would like to encourage you to follow his example and do something to promote yourself today. Dwell in the possibility of who you can become and take your first step today, or your second or fifty ninth - just don't live in fear.
So what have I done? Well, step one, I voted. I would have voted no matter what, but I had to find my new voting place today and I HATE going places that I haven't been before. It makes me very anxious; but I did it (and I didn't even take my Xanax.) Step 2, I wrote this blog, instead of working;because it is my passion and what I hope to parlay into my full time career; but also against my bettter judgment because I have come to believe that my readers enjoy the funny, Paige telling crazy stories about her life more than they do my opinions and theories on "The greater good;" but I'm taking a chance that you'll see the benefit in these words and suggestions and believe in how much I WANT for you all. So go ahead; take my challenge and let me know what and how you do. I'm sure you'll be glad you did.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING