DOWN TO EARTH: So God Made A Farmer by Paul Harvey

DOWN TO EARTH is a regular feature that shows my passion for everything related to the Earth.  I am also a HUGE fan of Paul Harvey...so this is a double bonus for me. 

Most of you may remember this advertisement from the Superbowl commercials this year.  I hope the voice and words of Paul Harvey speaks to you with the same understanding, sensitivity and reality of what tough job Farming really is.  It takes a special person to do this job, it is essential to our lively hood and for that I commend every farmer. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuzhwkaNC40

MINDFUL MONDAY-APOLOGIZING

Thank you for joining me again today.  This week, MINDFUL MONDAY is about Apologizing.  Life's too short to have regrets. Sometimes we say or do things, whether purposefully or not, that can hurt another's feelings.  We all make mistakes but how often to we actually apologize? 

I'm about to share with you an embarrassing story... thankfully you were not there to witness it person.  I was going through a rough patch a few years ago.  One night I was out at a bar and I made a complete Ass (yep, no sugar coating that) out of myself to a stranger.  This guy didn't deserve my attitude or excess baggage that I was carrying & unfortunately he got the brunt of my pain.  I've seen this young man volunteering at the Salvation Army in Royal Oak, MI several times since then.  Whether he would remember me or not, I don't know.  But I've felt sick to my stomach about my behavior ever since that night.  Several times I've tried to work up the courage to apologize, but haven't yet.  I need to be a bigger person by recognizing my faults and correcting them- so that is why I'm writing this today.  I promise the next time I see him I am going to apologize.

Above all, the lesson I learned was to be quick to apologize.  You may not get another opportunity to clear the air and caring around excess baggage is unhealthy-physically, mentally, emotionally.  Try to find the time this week to reflect upon who may need need an apology & offer it up.  Remember, all actions have a ripple effect. Maybe you will receive an apology too. 

See you next Monday for another MINDFUL post.

MUSIC TO INSPIRE by John Denver - Annie's Song

I LOVE this song!! 
It's so inspiring, pure and lovely...It fills my senses! I hope it makes you feel as good as I do when you listen to the voice, melody and lyrics sung by the late John Denver.

You may need to sign into YouTube to view. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C21G2OkHEYo

MINDFUL MONDAY - OPENING DOORS

Welcome back for MINDFUL MONDAY!! Ahh the joy of warm weather is here & today Mindful Monday is about Opening Doors.

It's a wonderful gesture that produces a positive ripple effect.  In my job as a sales rep, I quite often have my hands, arms & shoulders full of product.  I am always so thankful when someone helps me out by holding the door for me. In turn, I also do this for others because I know how good it feels and it is a simple & easy gesture. 

So this week, while you are out & about- try to practice this Mindful Monday tip.  Maybe it's a mom with a stroller who needs assistance at the store or maybe it's someone who, like me, just has their hands full.  Whatever the case, big or small, open the door for someone.  I can guarantee you that most people will smile at you & say "Thank You".  Some will even be caught off guard by this nice gesture from a complete stranger!  

Chivalry is dead- unless we continue to practice it!!  Have a great week.  I hope that this exercise of opening doors-literally  -will transmute to opening the doors to our own awareness, attentiveness and caring for ourselves and others. 

DOWN TO EARTH: Mushroom Season

Growing up in my house, Morel Mushrooms cause quite a stir.  For as long as I can remember my mom, aunt, step dad, uncle -and anyone else who wants to- head out to the forest for mushroom picking. 

Morels are picked by thousands of people every year simply for their unique and exquisite taste, plus the joy of the hunting them is fun too.  There's nothing that compares to the flavor of these little guys.  I love being in the woods and this is a great way to enjoy a family tradition.  Although the season is short and sweet, I look forward to the frenzy every year and savoring each bite.

On a side note, I wanted to mention one thing to be aware of before heading into the woods.  When gathering morel mushrooms, care must be taken to distinguish them from the poisonous "false morels"

The key differentiating features of false morels in comparison to morels include:[26]

• The false morels can be told apart from the true morels by careful study of the cap, which is often "wrinkled" or "brainy", rather than honeycomb or net-like. It has a cap that is generally darker and larger than the true morels.

• The caps of early morels are attached only at the apex (top) of the cap, unlike true morels which have caps that are attached at or near the bottom. The easiest way to tell the false from the true variety, is to simply look inside the stem.

• False morels contain a cotton-ball looking substance inside their stem while true morels are hollow inside.

• The caps of the false morel can be easily twisted in comparison to the normal morel.

• False morels are often a brown, reddish color.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morchella

MINDFUL MONDAY- MANNERS

MINDFUL MONDAY is all about creating Awareness.  Today I'd like to talk about Manners.   Some people say that they are extinct... and that got me thinking.  How often do we use manners in our daily routine?  When you bump into someone, do you say "Pardon Me"? Or  when you're in rush hour traffic and someone lets you in front of them- do you wave your hand "Thank You"? How about "Yes Please", "Excuse Me" etc...

Using manners is a way of communicating respect and showing human kindness.  Plus, it never goes out of style!  One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was given to me by my sister.  I was traveling to Europe for the first time and she said "know your manners" in every country/language I was visiting.  Wow! She was so right.  Manners are universal.  (Grazie Sorella!)

So in honor of Mindful Monday, let's  focus on how we can use manners this week and set a good example, especially if we want our kids to learn them too.

~Ciao!

MOTHER'S DAY

Today marks a special time for us to celebrate the woman who carried us into the world!!  The older I get the more I realize how much of my mother is WITHIN me.  I like to think of it as a seed that's growing to create another generation.  I am starting to look more like her.  We have similar mannerisms and I have her bright smile.  So today I wanted to say I LOVE YOU MOM! And to all the Mother's out there HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

MINDFUL MONDAYS

Happy Monday!!  Today I'd like to introduce you to MINDFUL MONDAYS. I know that Monday isn't our most favorite day- but it is a good day to set the tone for the rest of the week. 

So what does being Mindful mean?
mind·ful [mahynd-fuhl] 
adjective

attentive, aware, or careful (usually followed by of ): mindful of one's responsibilities.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mindfulness?s=t

By practicing MINDFULNESS, we are showcasing our awareness. By being aware of our thoughts, actions and emotions-we are making ourselves, our life, our community and our environment better. These small actions in life are the ones that lead to bigger steps.

Thankfully, going to Costa Rica in April helped me recharge & I was able to focus on what Mindful Living means to me.  The topic can be soo vast & complex, yet simple.  I knew this was a big topic to explore and it was also very important to me....to my heart.  Thru research & brain storming, I was able to wrap my head around concepts that have meaning and by expressing our awareness and showing we care, we create a wonderful ripple effect with our actions!   Stay Tuned for next Monday as I will introduce to you the first of a series of Tips, Practices & Gestures in Mindfulness.  I hope you enjoy it.

Are you the FACE OF TODAY?

The FABRIC of REAL LIFE is LOOKING FOR YOU

I know there are so many people out there who should be recognized for their actions.  So far, I've featured two people who have been named as the FACE OF TODAY. These everyday citizens are making a difference by performing a SIMPLE ACT.  For me, they were the FACE because they did something proactive to make the world better.  Whether it be through Manners or Composting their actions and kindness deserved to be noticed. This is why I need your help!!

Are you the FACE OF TODAY?

As I've mentioned before in this blog, it's everyday people-like you and me- who make this world a better place. Citizens whose actions deserve to be noticed. The FACE could be someone who volunteers their time or greets you with the warmest smile and puts you in a better mood. They may run in charity races, have started a non-profit organization, clean areas of neglect, run for office, feed the hungry, lead by example, mentor kids, be a good neighbor..... the list is endless.

So who will be the next FACE OF TODAY?  I hope it's you!

Please submit your nominations to thefabricofreallife@gmail.com. The criteria is as follows: A description of what Simple Act you (or someone else) are taking to make a difference along with a nice photograph of this FACE. 
The Simple Act needs to be a positive action. The FACE OF TODAY does not have to be a living person and I want to highlight that no action is too small to be recognized.