the love of my life

"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog." - Gene Hill

today's daily dose

I've got a feeling, Tera, that 2010 is going to be your kind of year. That you'll be happier than you've ever been, laughing harder, smiling wider, standing taller, walking lighter, dancing crazier, hugging longer, living grander, loving louder, and if you want, selling the pictures to a tabloid to raise money for your new charity.

Can you feel it, too?
The Universe

daily dose

Sometimes when there's absolutely no other evidence, you can still know whether someone's telling the truth or not, from all else they've said.

Also, it doesn't hurt to consider your own motivations for wanting to hear what they say, which are not always what they appear to be. Yeah, different subject, same donut.

Happy Holidays

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." -Helen Keller

"This is my wish for you: peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!" --D.M.

There really is something about the Christmas "air" that puts you in a joyful mood. Growing up, we never celebrated Christmas. My dad is Muslim and in certain ways was, and still is, traditional. This was one of them.

So, when Christmas time came around in my years of adolescence, we were gift-less. I guess my need to fit in back then exceeded my thoughts of appreciation. However, as time passed, and I learned that I had much more than I realized, my appreciation grew....exponentially! I have a set of great parents that have provided for me till this day. It is a lot to say in comparison to others that could not have the same. They have managed to raise 3 children into adults. They have taken us on numerous international trips. They have supported us financially through school with no questions asked. They have given us rides to and from school so that we didn't have to take public transportation. They have provided us with sufficient cars,insurance included. These are just to say the least of all they have done. Perhaps the most important thing that they have provided us was the gift of giving.

All three of us(kids) are generous and always open to everyone. We care a lot for others and definitely are not ashamed to show it when we can. For this gift, solely, I am grateful. And it didn't take years of Christmas' to feel that appreciation for them and what they have given us.

This year was possibly our first Christmas of many, together. My mom and I put up a tree that she bought last year. I committed myself to spending this time with her to do it because I knew the passion she felt towards it. Her excitement put me in a better mood when I assembled the tree and ornaments. The beauty of this all is that I got to spend QT time with her and it didn't cost a dime! Many know that my mom and I have had our differences. But, we always come to a point where we have to put that behind us and I am thankful for it.

I'm a daddy's girl all the way but obviously there's certain things I wouldn't talk to my dad about that I would talk to my mom about. That's just the way our dysfunctional family functions. We don't talk much but each of us know that the love that we share is stronger than we could understand.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE OUT THERE!

Christmas Eve dose of inspiration

"If it's not yet obvious to you, the real reason for this, and all seasons, is you, Tera. A more perfect child of the Universe has never lived. Until now, only celebrations cloaked in myth and mystery could hint at your divine heritage and sacred destiny. You are life's prayer of becoming and its answer. The first light at the dawn of eternity,drawn from the ether, so that I might know my own depth, discover new heights, and revel in seas of blessed emotion.

A pioneer into illusion, an adventurer into the unknown and a lifter of veils. Courageous, heroic, and exalted by legions in the unseen.

To give beyond reason, to care beyond hope, to love without limit; to reach, stretch, and dream, in spite of your fears. These are the hallmarks of divinity - traits of the immortal - your badges of honor. May you wear them with a pride as great as the immeasurable pride we feel for you.

Your light has illuminated darkened paths, your gaze has lifted broken spirits, and already your life has changed the course of history.

This is the time of year we celebrate Tera.

Bowing before Greatness,
The Universe "

happiness is...trailer 2

today's daily dose of inspiration

When driving down the road of life, rarely do you know how good you have it, until you see it in the rear-view mirror.

Which is not to suggest that you should look back now, but to remind you that where you are today is more awesome and amazing than you probably realize.

happiness is...

“One evening a Cherokee elder told his grandson about the battle that goes on inside of people. He said, ‘My son, the battle is between the two ‘wolves’ that live inside us all. One is Unhappiness. It is fear, worry, anger, jealousy, sorrow, self-pity, resentment, and inferiority. The other is Happiness. It is joy, love, hope, serenity, kindness, generosity, truth, and compassion.’ The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, ‘Which wolf wins?’ The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.’”

thank you Mr. President

Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it's not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won't. It's whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere. -Barack Obama

Self LOVE

You do not need to be loved, not at the cost of yourself. The single relationship that is truly central and crucial in a life is the relationship to the self. Of all the people you will know in a lifetime, you are the only one you will never lose. - Jo Courdert

my daily dose of inspiration

Did you know, tera, that every time you cry there, harps go quiet here, angels stop dancing, and the stars look down in stunned silence?

Which is why we often say, "If tera ain't happy, ain't no one happy."

You are loved,
The Universe

yes, I was burned but I call it a lesson learned

"...music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music."-Billy Joel

"it's called the past cause i'm getting past and I ain't nothing like i was before."-my favorite line from the song

LIFE....

Should you choose to go, do and be at the end of your life, shocked and dismayed, you'll likely exclaim that because of all the uncanny events, wild timing, weird coincidences, and sheer chance encounters, all of your life's good fortune must have been your destiny.

Or, should you choose to wait, wish, and hope, at the end of your life, shocked and dismayed, you'll likely exclaim that because of all the uncanny events, wild timing, weird coincidences, and sheer chance encounters, all of your life's bad luck must have been your destiny.

Do you see what the difference is?