Carpe Diem...

There are times in life where everything else takes a back seat.  At least it does for me.  My family comes first.  Period.  Full stop.  Sometimes they need something and you just know you are the one who can help, so that's what you do.  I have had to learn over the years to ask for help when 'I' need it, although I must admit that I'm still not so great about doing so immediately.  I am a procrastinator by nature and I always seem to put my needs last.  I don't necessarily do this consciously.  I do this because my family is more important to me than anything, but it is the cold hard truth that I have to try harder to take care of myself because if I don't... Well let's do the math... 1 (person needs help) - 1 (person who didn't take care of themselves) = (can help) 0 (a big fat zero).

So although blogging is something I do for me, life sometimes conspires against me.  There have been a lot of major changes going on in the Lemon Stand household and I'm having trouble finding my 'groove'.  But fear not.  I have been writing little notes of treasure for future posts.  Most of which, I will enjoy writing because my family and life in general always seems to come up with the most bizarre conversations and events and life is too short not to laugh.  So I may do a couple of posts in one day and then pause for a few days to take time for the truly important things in my life.  Then it's back to my 'me' time. 

If you NEVER take anything ELSE away with you when you read my posts, take away the truth that life is too short to waste the small wonders around you.  They are always there, but most of the time we pass them by unnoticed because you've got to do this or that or you are too tired or you will take the time tomorrow.  Most miracles only take seconds or short minutes to see/hear and not only inspire you but to ease the load of responsibilities most people carry these days.  Allow them, give them permission, to color your world. 

I once wrote a post that told how I had come to learn this lesson and I sometimes have to go back and remind myself... Truthfully? I have to go back A LOT because let's face it, life can sometimes suck dirty, sweaty, gym socks.  So as a reminder, the following is just a short snippet from 'Celebration Of The Little Things':

If you want to know how this lesson solidified in my mind…the moment that I truly learned this lesson… it was the first time my husband was in the mid-east. He would send the kids and I pictures of grass. Yes, you read that right. There was this one spot where everyone threw out their wash water and eventually a straggly excuse for grass started growing. My husband had a picture of himself taken sitting in this 3 ft by 3ft patch of grass. He was cross legged and his eyes were closed. His hands were in the position of someone meditating and saying 'ooooohhhhmmm, ooooohhhhmmmm.' (Man that man cracks me up!)

He also would pick these small flowers that he would find among the rocks. Proof that life will survive in the most unlikeliest and most inhospitable places on earth. They do not stop growing because of the war being waged. Their ability to exist with such beauty is a testament to life.

QOTD: "Carpe Diem" [Seize The Day (opportunity)], Horace (65-8 BC) Roman Poet