Monday, September 30, 2013

Those Angels That Move...



"Angels come in many forms. if you are waiting for the white winged, fluffy, newly laundered ones, you might miss the kick-ass muddy angels who literally move things along in useful ways."

Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Our Intuition...


"My Intuition is always on my side. 
I trust it to be there at all times."

Louise L. Hay

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

The Start of Amazing...


"You have seeds of greatness inside of you. Today can be your new beginning. 
Today could be the start of something amazing."

Joel Osteen 
My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Sunday, September 29, 2013

That Knock on the Door...


"That’s the way it is with dreams. They scratch at your door. You see them through the peep hole. A stray dream looking for a home. You think it might go away if you ignore it. Wrong. It’s still there when you open the door, smiling. And waiting for you."

Monique Duval

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Start a Revolution...


"The greatest challenge of the day is how to bring about a revolution of the heart. 
A revolution which has to start with each one of us."

Dorothy Day

Let's start a revolution together!

Who's with me?

Much Loves,

Angela.
My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Walk of Life...


"Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts,
and we are never the same."

Franz Schubert

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Saturday, September 28, 2013

This is My Dream...


"This is my dream. And I decide where it goes from here."

Alice in Wonderland

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Random Thoughts... Of a Journey...



Looking back at yesterday, I realised how subconsciously, I had chosen words and quotes about the paths we take in life. Our journeys and the choices we make at the crossroads we come to.

It was twenty four years ago that I packed a suitcase and I filled it with dreams, hopes, a few fears, a bit of  naivety, curiosity, a longing and a deep desire. It was twenty four years ago that I found my way to Europe and leaving "home" behind.

I don't think I was aware at that time, that I was choosing a path. I believe I simply responded to a call within, and I let myself be guided. Yes, I responded. As though it was a responsibility to myself. And for me, the personal definition of responsibility is the ability to respond.

And over the past twenty four years, I believe that suitcase I once packed has symbolically accompanied me over the years. Sometimes I lost a few of those "belongings". Sometimes I found them again. There were new "belongings" that came about, and some were replaced. Yes, maybe that is the way we have to embrace all our dreams and hopes, even our fears and our naivety and curiosities, our longings and deep desires. These are all our belongings. They are more our belongings that anything we can only symbolically hold and touch and feel.

I still call "home" just that. Canada will always be home for me. Thankfully and beautifully home. But finding my way to Europe, and here to Germany was also my "homecoming". The years and the stories and the generations and all those ancestors before me, maybe they lead the way.  Maybe they took me by the hand and guided me. And after all these years, as I stand here with a glance back over my shoulder, I can say more and more, yes I have been guided. By an inner voice and an intuition. I have been guided by my "belongings". But most importantly, I believe it is about allowing myself to be guided.

I lead my life, but in that same breath, I allow myself to be guided. I allow that inner voice to speak. And sometimes it only just whispers. And sometimes it roars. And maybe somehow that is where the wonder and the secret lies. Realising that when we allow ourselves to be guided by that inner voice, our intuition and that tender pull of the heart, we actually take the lead.

So here is to all of our journeys. Here is to all those moments we stand at these crossroads and choose to walk the way the heart pulls and that little voice calls. Here is to our courage and our dreams. And here is to trusting all of our "belongings", to trusting ourselves. Here is to leading, and here is to being guided.

Hold your hand out. Your heart knows the way.

Much Loves, and a lot of Gratitude,

Angela.
My Beautiful Words on Facebook

It is Possible...


"Yes, it is possible. No, it's not always easy."

Karen Salmansohn

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Friday, September 27, 2013

That One Step...


"The journey of a thousand miles 
begins with one step."

Lao Tzu

That one step. That first step.

Yes, sometimes it might even be the hardest step.

But it's the step that begins the journey. The step that changes everything.

And I hope you let your heart lead you, every step of the way.

Much Loves,

Angela.
My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Two Roads...


"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, 
I took the one less traveled by. 
That has made all the difference."

Robert Frost

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Shine...


"Shine, like the whole universe is yours."

Rumi

PS. Just to let you know, the whole universe is yours.

Much Loves,

Angela

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Have the Courage...


"For what it is worth, it is never too late to be whoever you want to be. There is no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people who have a different point of view. I hope you live a life you are proud of. And if not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again."

Eric Roth
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Create Yourself...


"The most creative act you will ever undertake 
is the act of creating yourself."

Deepak Chopra

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The Butterfly...


"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, 
but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."

Maya Angelou

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Follow Your Bliss...


"Follow your Bliss.
And the universe will open doors where there were only walls."

Joseph Campbell
My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Your Passion...


"Passion is as much a necessity  for all you dare to do And all you dare to be, as Love is. Passion is your driving force. It's what brings you home. It's what calls your name with faith and trust, and it longs and yearns just as much for you. It's what sets you on fire and keeps you alive. It's your curiosity, your hunger and your thirst. And only you, you alone, can bring the passion to life. And your Passion is why you are here. Let it be your guide."

Angela Gwinner 

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

The Unexpected...


"No matter what, expect the unexpected. 
And whenever possible, be the unexpected."

Lynda Barry

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

I Wish You Enough...






I wish you enough.
Of all you need. And all you want.
I wish you simply that. Enough.

I recently read these beautiful and hearttouching words from Bob Perks. I needed and wanted to share, as my wish for you... And for all of us. That we always have enough.

I Wish You Enough by Bob Perks

"Recently I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her departure and standing near the security gate, they hugged and he said, "I love you. I wish you enough." She in turn said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy."

They kissed and she left. He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?"

"Yes, I have," I replied. Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me. Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell him face to face how much he meant to me.

So I knew what this man experiencing.

"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?" I asked.

"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is, the next trip back would be for my funeral," he said.

"When you were saying goodbye I heard you say, "I wish you enough." May I ask what that means?"

He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." He paused for a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more."When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them," he continued and then turning toward me he shared the following as if he
were reciting it from memory.

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."

He then began to sob and walked away."

My friends, I wish you enough!

Much Loves,

Angela.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

To Have Succeeded...


"To laugh often and much. To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children. To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty and to find the best in others. To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition. To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

A Peaceful Heart...


"All God wants of man is a peaceful Heart."

Meister Eckhart 

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

The Libra...


The Libra.
Balanced. Romantic. Full of Grace.

For all of Libra.

You are Balanced. You are Romantic. You are full of Grace.

And I would say... You are wonderful.

Thank you for being you.

September 23 - October 22

Much Loves,

Angela.

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Today is Your Day...


"Today is your day. 
Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way."

Dr. Seuss

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Monday, September 23, 2013

Gentle and Strong...


"Only the gentle are ever really strong."

James Dean 

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Being Myself...


"If I won't be myself, who will?"

Alfred Hitchcock 

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Morning Thoughts...


"Everyday, think as you wake up, 
today I am fortunate to be alive, 
I have a precious human life, 
I am not going to waste it."

Dalai Lama
My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Smile...


"Let us always meet each other with a smile, 
for a smile is the beginning of Love."

Mother Teresa

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

All That is Important...


"So fill your heart with all that is important. 
And be done with all the rest."

Unknown

And what are you going to fill your heart with?

Much Loves,

Angela.

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

A Realsitic Romantic...


"I am a realistic romantic. 
That is possible, you know."

Audrey Hepburn

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Put the Kettle On...


"Polly, put the kettle on, we'll all have tea."

Charles Dickens

I can't help it.

This one simply makes me smile.

Much Loves,

Angela.

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

The Dalai Lama's Instructions For Life...

The Dalai Lama's Instructions For Life


1.Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.


3. Follow the three R’s: Respect for self. Respect for others. Responsibility for all your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.

7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

20. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.

Just Don't Give Up...


"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. 
Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."

Ella Fitzgerald

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Curiosity...


"Replace fear of the unknown with curiosity."

Unknown 
 
My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Random Thoughts...

Today. I found myself listening to Ella Fitzgerald.

"The Best Is Yet To Come"...

It was just a simple, happy moment, taking a break from work.

Pouring a cup of coffee. Sitting in the living room.

Autumn sun shining through the window. Eating raspberries.

And then suddenly there I was.

I didn't even notice the moment.

But I was dancing. Together with Ella.

Just the two of us.


Sometimes... that is all we need.

To stand up and dance.

And let ourselves be moved by all the moves us.


And maybe that's the question of the day.

When was the last time you simply danced?

With no reservation? And no hesitation?


Much Loves,

Angela.

PS. Thank you Ella.

Learn to Dance...


"Learn to dance, so when you get to heaven 
the angels know what to do with you."

Saint Augustine

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Friday, September 20, 2013

Live Playfully...


"We do not stop playing because we grow old, 
we grow old because we stop playing."

George Bernard Shaw

I believe, it's time to start to play more often...

To passionately play.

Much Loves,

Angela.
My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Hands and Hearts...


"People do not always need advice. Sometimes all they need is a hand to hold, 
an ear to listen and a heart to understand."

Unknown

Today, let's live with our hands and our ears and our hearts.

Much Loves,

Angela.

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Thursday, September 19, 2013

It is Easy...


"When you have learned how to decide with God, all decisions become as easy and as right as breathing. There is no effort, and you will be led as gently as if you were being carried down a quiet path in summer."

Unknown 

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Ask...


"If you do not ask, you do not get."

Mahatma Gandhi 

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Your Greatest Treasures...


"I have just three things to teach. 
Simplicity. Patience. Compassion. 
These three are your greatest treasures."

Lao Tzu

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Let it be Easy...


"Let it be easy."

Mike Dooley 

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Believe in Yourself...


"Believe in yourself. and there will come a day 
when the others will have no choice but to believe with you."      

Oscar Wilde

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Look Inside Your Heart...


"If you want to know me, look inside your heart."

Lao Tzu
Painting: He Jinwei, Peking

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Dare Yourself...


"If you want something you have never had, 
you must be willing to do something you have never done."

Thomas Jefferson

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Like No Other...


"When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, 
you will command the attention of the world."

George Washington Carver

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Thank You...


"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I can say, 'Thank you. I used everything you gave me.' "

Erma Bombeck

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Rest... Breathe...


"Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day
is the rest we take between two deep breaths."

Etty Hillesum


My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Please...


"More Love in the world, please."

Karen Salmansohn

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Monday, September 16, 2013

You Are...


"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you."

A.A. Milne

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

What Lies Within Us...


"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. And if we carry this, which lies in us, into the world, wonders will happen."

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

My Beautiful Words on Facebook

Sunday, September 15, 2013