25 Brene’ Brown quotes on living…
1. We need to change what we say and what we allow to be said in front of us.
2. There are infinite numbers of do overs for your teen girls.
3. The most powerful teaching moments are the ones where you screw up.
4. Do you light up when your kids are coming in the room or do you become the instant critic?
5. If we own the story then we can write the ending.
6. Every time you watch the Jersey Shore, a book commits suicide.
7. You need at least one friend who will help you move a body. No judgment. There in a second. No explanation.
8. Midlife: when the Universe grabs your shoulders and tells you “I’m not f-ing around, use the gifts you were given.”
9. We have to be women we want our daughters to be.
10. Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.
11. It’s no longer a question of can I do it. It’s a question of: Do I want to do it?
12. There’s nothing more daring than showing up, putting ourselves out there and letting ourselves be seen.
13. In our moments of most intense joy, we realize how vulnerable we are.
14. You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story & hustle for your worthiness.
15. What would you be glad that you did…. EVEN if you failed?
16. We are sick and tired of being sick and tired.. Definition of courage: Tell your story with all your heart.
17. We cannot give our children what we don’t have.
18. You are imperfect & you are wired for struggle; but you are worthy of love & belonging.
19. Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage.
20. Talk about your failures without apologizing.
21. It’s not about “what can I accomplish?” but “what do I want to accomplish?” Paradigm shift.
22. Think about what’s pleasurable, not just what’s possible.
23. Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging have the courage to be imperfect.
24. You can’t dress rehearse the bad moments.
25. Want to be happy? Stop trying to be perfect.
One Of Us Is Heading Home – Perfect Song- Take a listen if you like!
Jerry Jeff Walker – revised only slightly by Gail and Cindy 
We’ve been here a month or so,
Now it’s finally time to go.
Can’t believe how quickly time has flown,
Packin’ up the bathin’ suits,
Getting out the cowboy boots,
That’s a sign I must be going home….
Time just stopped for a little while,
We were part of a tiny island.
Made a lot of friends we’ll keep for life.
When I get back to Mississippi,
And they ask me what I missed most,
I’ll shrug my shoulders, and I’ll smile….
Early mornings on the long boat dock,
Drinkin’ coffee as the sun comes up
Lazy days napping in the big deck chair.
Late night dancing on the soft sand bar,
Walking home underneath the stars,
Man it’s like some dream we live down here….
Last night we ate conch and lobster.
Cindy said it was her favorite dinner,
Maybe even the best one of her life.
Dining underneath the stars
Chillin’ wine and cute cigars,
I smiled at her and said you could be right….
And she got real quiet, and she said you know,
hell I worked hard all my life,
Haven’t made much dough.
I’ve been everywheres,
I don’t think it gets any better than down here.
I mean the warmth and love of the people here,
No crime, no hate, or fear
I don’t think I’m ready for the world waiting for me back there….
I need me just….
One more morning on the long boat dock,
Drinking coffee as the sun comes up,
Drinking Blasters in the big deck chair.
Late night dancin’ the soft sand bar,
Having lots of fun under the stars,
Man it’s like some dream we live down here….
Walking home underneath the stars,
Hearing voices from that empty bar,
Man it’s like some dream she lives down there….
We’ve been here a month or so,
Now it’s finally time to go.
Can’t believe how quickly time as flown.
Packin’ up the bathin’ suits,
gettin’ out the cowboy boots,
That’s a sign I must be goin’ home….
Road Trip
Gail, Susan and I struck out on a road trip yesterday. Our first destination was to be Sandy Point. It is far south from where we are. 
You will have to enlarge map to get the idea. Sandy Point is about 50 miles south of Marsh Harbour, which puts it about 30 miles from Little Harbour. We were able to borrow the Pierce’s Jeep, which is always fun. I want one!
Right after you approach the “Welcome to Sandy Point” sign, on the left you will find, if you don’t blink, the Sandy Point Airport. United will NOT be flying into there I promise. Next, is the Ferry office, where you can purchase tickets to go to Nassau. (Don’t have any desire to go there myself…yuk… too many people.
Sandy Point was hit pretty hard by Sandy (ironic huh?), but the one eat place we intended to hit and have lunch, Nancy’s, was operating. Yeah! It was amazing. Lobster, Fried Chicken, or Mutton Snapper, rice and peas, and slaw were the choices. I was very tempted to get the chicken … but… it’s a fishing village.
This is a picturesque community of about 200 that make their living from the sea. There are almost as many churches as their are houses, seemed like anyway. They are also fortunate enough to be able to work some for an Island that is 8 miles away that used to be known at Gorda Cay (now Castaway Island). A vacation destination for the Disney’s “Big Red Boats“. Yep, Disney purchased the Island and building facilities to accommodate their cruisers. Most of the labor is from the people of Sandy Point.
After our trip to E & E Grocery and the docks to get fuel, we ventured to our next stop… Crossing Rocks. Not much to say about this little village, but the beach used to be filled with sea glass. Sandy did some damage there as well. We were able to get a couple bags full for Gail to take home. Mission accomplished. On the way home, we picked up this little boy and his heavy load (conch shells) and gave him a lift home. How about that smile?
Then we took a chance from my memory and went off the road a couple miles, good thing we had the jeep, in search for just one of the many blue holes here in the Abacos. There are so many, it’s crazy. This particular hole is called the Sawmill Sink. A lot of underwater exploration goes on in these holes. Some prehistoric crap has been recovered on many occasions.
Fun day!
Haitian mishap…
OK… we get a Facebook message this morning from a friend, “Did you see the escaped boat people this morning?” I had no idea what in the world she was talking about. Finally, by the end of the day we get the story. Turns out there were 150 Haitians (kids I should say, around 18) on a boat for 10 days. They had no food or water. It costs each person/family $2,000 to get on that boat. They each had to have $50 in their hand for when they landed. They would need that to get to the Muds. The Muds is where the Haitians live here in the Bahamas. Each of these kids were on that boat coming here, looking for a better life for their family. They can find a little work here. But something went wrong, they were almost here and the boat hit the reef and sunk. Several residents here supposedly saved several of them from drowning. They were all skinning and hungry. Once they hit land, they would take off running, to hid in the bush. All of these kids need to get to town. The police discovered the situation and supposedly 40 were found. The balance, sad to say, may have drown. If caught, they are taken back to town, shipped to Nassau to put in jail. If by chance, they have money, they might could buy their way out of jail and into the muds. Most are sent back to their home country, Haiti. WOW! What do we ever complain about?
Intentionally Finding My Joy
I know you are thinking, …..WHAT? How hard could it be? You’re in paradise! That I am and loving every moment. However, I have been reading about finding joy for the last week and there is a difference in happiness, peace and joy! Joy is what I want, passionately.
Happiness is an emotion that is based on outside sources. You feel it when someone does something for you, with you, around you. It’s external and it’s a bit over-rated.
Peace is a state of serenity we can get in at times. It feels amazing, until the phone rings, the baby cries or you wake up, figuratively speaking.
Joy, on the other hand is a state of the heart that can not be affected by any outside sources. You alone can control whether you have it or not. No one can mess with your joy, unless you give them permission. So, how do I find it?
First, I am pretty sure I need to start with myself. I have this tendency to seek approval from others. Hey, I need to come to the realization that I can’t please everyone and I don’t need to. It is so not necessary. As much as I would like to be perfect, I am a long way off. I am however a work in progress. God is ok with that, so I guess I should be as well.
Second, I need to find what I treasure in life. I have found that you can treasure a marriage, kids, friends, or even things. They will all let you down at some point. Joy must come from treasuring the fact that God’s agenda is much better than my own. I am working on this one.
Third, Let go of the past. Be present in the now. Bygones by Bygones, right? Easier said than done! You can wreck your joy thinking about your past. I will try not to dwell on the shame, guilt and hurt I have experienced in my life. I know you are disappointed… but I am NOT perfect. Dwelling on those things will keep you in a deep dark hole, I know that from experience. It’s a choice.
Fourth, Be present in the now! This one is a biggy! I am very guilty of NOT experiencing moments myself. I am working hard on this one though. I need to put the cell phone down when I am with other people and be all in. I need to learn to clear my mind of all the clutter going on up there. Develop new relationships by listening and sharing. Being in the moment allows you to see, hear and feel in a new way. That my friends in pure joy.
Fifth, I need to try to give something away everyday. Can’t be that hard. Give encouragement. Someone may need an extra pair of hands, I need to pay attention. Hold a baby, to give a Mom a break. A biggy is forgive. Giving something away gives you and the receiver something special, so why not?
Sixth, and lastly, Glory in what you have. Here’s a few things I glory in: Being in this place, sunrises and sunsets, music, dancing, and laughter.
What brings you joy? Just sayin’
Quiche at Pete’s
7:30 am Friday morning we head over to Pete’s house, basically to loan him a dozen eggs. He was going to cook quiche for a friend. Next thing you know, Gail and I are cooking the quiche and doing some house cleaning for Pete. It just happens that way around here. His friend Mike never showed but Heather and Fletcher came by and ate with us. The weather has been amazing to say the least. January here is usually chilly. We it’s 80 plus and light wind. That equals fishing!
Gail and I went home for maybe an hour around 11:00. We got a few things done, then headed out in our swimsuits, in pursuit of a fishing trip with Pete. We were on the boat by 12:30. We trolled a bit, then mostly bottom fishing. Just being out there on the water brings me such joy. I love to fish. The funniest fishing moment and a first for me is when Gail pulled out a book. (Wait…. why did she have a book on the fishing boat to begin with) Wait for it…..
She began reading a poem out loud! Yes, to Pete and I. You can’t make this crap up! We all got a good laugh out of it. I will say that Pete let her bring in the first fish, a trigger. Maybe there is something to this poetry reading thing. HA HA! We got several good bites, a few big ones got off but we didn’t bring home many fish. Doesn’t matter. I love fishing!
Now Greg (Pete’s son) on the other hand, caught the largest grouper I have ever seen in person. (or in fish) He went out alone and brought home the bacon. He has to. Pete’s Pub guest have to eat.
After an exhausting day of fishing we got back home around 4 and had to be at Pub by 5:50. We enjoyed a great dinner with Marie and West. (They own the cottage we are staying in presently). It was a fun night and a long day. Wow this kinda of fun can be exhausting. Both of us are sleeping like babies here in this place. Ah the Peace!
I Don’t Know – Keb Mo
You tell me that you love me
That you really care
We’ve talked it out
We did our best
And still it ain’t going nowhere
It feels like our forever
Just ended yesterday
And all our tomorrow’s
Were simply tossed away
Should I stay, should I go, I don’t know
Could it be I’ve always Known it all along And didn’t have the courage To tell you what was wrong What’s the in cryin’ Why should we be sad Maybe in the long run It really ain’t so sad
Should I stay, should I go, I don’t know Whatever I tell myself Whatever I do I can’t get a hold on nothing And I can’t break through Whenever I feel myself Slipping away I’m gonna hold on
There’s a time to walk away And a time to learn A time will come when I’ll know Just when and where to turn
Until we know the answer Faith is all we have Our trust is in the moment Fear is in the past Should I stay, Should I go, I don’t know Should I stay, Should I go, I don’t know
Should I stay, should I go, I don’t know
Could it be I’ve always Known it all along And didn’t have the courage To tell you what was wrong What’s the in cryin’ Why should we be sad Maybe in the long run It really ain’t so sad
Should I stay, should I go, I don’t know Whatever I tell myself Whatever I do I can’t get a hold on nothing And I can’t break through Whenever I feel myself Slipping away I’m gonna hold on
There’s a time to walk away And a time to learn A time will come when I’ll know Just when and where to turn
Until we know the answer Faith is all we have Our trust is in the moment Fear is in the past Should I stay, Should I go, I don’t know Should I stay, Should I go, I don’t know