More on Kyle

To learn more about Kyle, go to http://www.kylelograsso.org/
From Kyle's website, his mom's favorite poem:

How we take on life now!


when the task at hand
is a mountain in front of you
it may seem too hard to climb.
but you don't have to climb it all at once -
just one step at a time.
take one small step
then another...
and you'll find...
the task at hand that was
a mountain in front of you...
is now a mountain you have climbed

Kyle's Mom's favorite Poem-Author Unknown

Kyle and his golf videos

Please notice that there are two videos that tell this story!
What an amazing story!!! Watch both videos! The little fellow's golf is just the beginning of a remarkable story of courage and healing and spirit! Do not miss seeing this! It will change your life and your perspective!

Kyle Lograsso 2

the rest of the story

Kyle Lograsso 1

You must see this young fellow play golf -- and hear "the rest of the story".

Our web site

Fun Family Reunions or 3 Wise Women -- whatever it ends up being, it is the new website of my sister, Betty, my friend, Debbie and me. If you would like to take a look, and visit with us a while, please do. http://www.freewebs.com/funfamilyreunion
The first thing you will see is a forum for family reunions. Oh, how happy we would be if you added some ideas to that. If you have never participated in forums, ours is a great one to learn on. The forum police are not watching. lol Just add an idea or two. You will soon find yourself loving the forum idea and exchanging ideas with other folks who have reunions to plan!

Debbie will soon be educating us on floral essences, a subject that intrigues me greatly. My daughter-in-love uses them and has had great success with those! I hope you will read and learn with Debbie.

We will all have input from time to time, so mark the site, participate in the forum, and join us as we learn more about the internet and family reunions! See ya there!

Pilates & Reiki In Paradise Blog: Meme (Blogger Tag) About Lynda Part 1

Pilates & Reiki In Paradise Blog: Meme (Blogger Tag) About Lynda Part 1

Here are the simplified, combined rules:
1. Post the rules before you give the facts.
2. Link to the person/people who tagged you.
3. Share eight facts about yourself.
4. At the end of your post, tag five people and list their names with links.
5. Leave them a comment on their blog letting them know they’ve been tagged!
6. Lisa added her own rule to the end, which I like: "If I tag you and you don't want to participate, no worries, no pressure."


Eight facts about me:
1. I am trying to cut back smoking, so today I am a little irritable!
2. I am a Newbie to all of this internet business, and am learning more every day than I ever thought I could.
3. I visited a virtual island last night. A real first time experience. It is part of Pat O'Bryan's Portable Empire, where I am a student! It was great fun to meet all the folks there! (Of course I took a dunk in the ocean on the way to the island, and still am not quite sure how I finally arrived in the right place.) I learned how to fly, too! And a new friend gave me a virtual typewriter and I figured out how to wear it, so when I chatted, I was not typing into the air. What fun! Second Life. Amelia Island. Portable Empire. An education for sure!
4. I am working on my first e-book, which will be 5 Methods of Experiential Prayer. At least today that is the title. lol
5. I am a grandma and I love the role!!! More than I ever imagined!!! What precious grandchildren I have! I could write a book about the two of them!
6. I am a proud parent -- with two wonderful adult kids who have both married folks I love and adore! What a blessing that is!!!!!!
7. I am celebrating 43 years of happy marriage tomorrow, Halloween Day. I am married to a practical joker, who is legally blind, who keeps everything moving at a happy pace around here! He is a serious golfer and will co-author my next e-book - which I think will be "Golf Lessons from a Blind Golfer"
8. I am thankful, grateful, for a surprise in my mailbox today -- a book from my cousin -- Louise Hay's Gratitude, A way of Life! What a wonderful surprise to find in my mailbox. I do so love good news in the mailbox!

Complaint Free World Update

UPDATE! October 30, 2007 -- Complaint Free World now charges a small fee for the bracelets. Visit http://www.complaintfreeworld.biz/ to see their new store. Cost is minimal. Response to the project was far beyond anything they expected.
Again, this project is well worth your time personally, or for your group. and remember, we used purple potholder loops! Be creative. Or order your bracelets. Either way, it works!

Bamboo and the Fern

I received this in my e-mail this morning and thought it was worth repeating here. I apologize that I do not know the author. If you do, please leave that information in the comment section, and I will give credit where it is due.

One day I decided to quit.... I quit my job, my relationship, my
spirituality.... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to
have one last talk with God.

"God," I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me...

"Look around," He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes," I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care
of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew
from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing
came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And
again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the
bamboo."

He said. "In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo
seed. But I would not quit.

In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit."

He said, "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the
earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.

But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had
spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and
gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my
creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me, "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have
been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not
quit on the bamboo I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself
to others."

He said, "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they
both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come," God said to me. " You will rise high!"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes," He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can
help you see that God will never give up on you........

Never regret a day in your life.
Good days give you Happiness.
Bad days give you Experiences.
Both are essential to life.
Keep going...
Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!
Have a great day! The Son is shining!!

God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love and so small
He can curl up inside your heart.

Family Celebrations

We attended my nephew's wedding last weekend. The wedding was about three hours from here, so we stayed in a friend's beach house. My sister stayed there with us as did our daughter and my brother's widow and her husband. My younger sister was the mother of the groom, and we visited with her as we prepared for the rehearsal dinner. My stepsister and her children were at the wedding and it was fun to see them. Of course, her oldest, like mine, is forty years old. I was struck with "where did it go?" Time passes so fast. I used to hear old people say that and thought it was really stupid thing to say, but oh, it is so true.

But that's not the point today. The point is the importance of family celebrations, weddings, reunions, even funerals. We reconnect with our roots during such events and there is a sense of wholeness about it all. So if you have a young family at this point, celebrate everything -- an A on a test, a winning game, a goal met, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween. Celebrate completion of potty training. Celebrate the first day of school. Celebrate life with your family! Streamers, a cake and a few songs can turn an ordinary day into a celebration. Celebrations contribute to family unity; when the children are older, and the "real" celebrations--like marriages and babies being born, maybe the children will reflect on those earlier celebrations with you.

Oh, and by the way, you can have a celebration of your own today -- what would you like to celebrate? Today we are finally getting some rain! I am thankful! Perhaps I will find a way to have a little 5 minute celebration of my own! A personal ritual! Yes, I think I will do just that!

Have a happy day! Find something to celebrate today!

Home Water Usage and the Drought

We are struggling with a drought here in South Carolina. Today's paper listed new restrictions and also some interesting figures on our home water usage. Did you know that taking a 5 minute shower uses 10 gallons of water versus taking a bath which uses 50 gallons of water? That is a huge savings! Brushing teeth with water running uses 2 gallons of water and running the dishwasher uses 6-9 gallons of water. Washing a full load of clothes uses 40 gallons of water. Are you seeing some ways you could cut back your water usage? I hope so! Please pray for rain for those of us in the southeast in the drought -- and for the folks in California!
And for more information on how much water you use a day, go to http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/sq3.html

An Abundance of Nature's Blessings

My sister and I are visiting Seabrook Island, SC. In the past 24 hours we have seen -- from our front row seats on the screened porch facing Gator Lake -- a fox, ten deer, one big turtle, a house wren who sang for us, four cardinals, a woodpecker, blue jays, crows, squirrels and numerous colorful butterflies. But the biggest thrill for me was seeing the alligators! Our first visitor was a medium sized one. Later we spotted a huge gator a little further down the lake. Today we have enjoyed watching a small gator, obviously a baby or a teenager. The gators are fascinating creatures. We have listened to the sounds of nature and watched patiently for our next visitor. Later as we sat on the beach, we watched seven dolphins, a dozen pelicans, a lone sandpiper, and of course the seagulls. Each creature sighting moved us more into the flow of God's Divine Order, and to a more restful place inside us. It was as if each visitor brought its own gift of peace. We have moved out of the rat race of everyday life and into a zone of nature. What a joy! We are most thankful for each of our special visitors! And we appreciate being here, on this beautiful island for these few days! This has been an experience of appreciation for the abundance and variety in nature and we are filled with awe and gratitude!

Gratitude Exercise

In Simple Abundance, Sarah Ban Breathnach taught us to write down 5 things a day for which we are thankful. I started doing that about four years ago. The simple daily exercise keeps me aware of my immense blessings and I am constantly filled with gratitude. It only takes a few minutes a day and it does change your outlook on life. I write my gratitude list in my prayer journal each day. However, you can do this any way that suits your lifestyle. Many people use a simple gratitude journal. Or you can decorate a simple composition book and use that -- or not decorate it. The important thing is to do the exercise every single day. My list often includes the simple things in my life -- a warm shower, clean clothes, a safe home.
A friend who was hospitalized and dying from cancer once told me that the thing she missed the most was the feeling of her hands in the warm dishwater. Since that day, I try to be aware - to always be thankful when I am washing dishes. Thankful for the comfort of mundane tasks, the feeling of warm soapy water up to my elbows, thankful that I am able to stand there and wash the dishes.

Today I am especially thankful for my grandson, Zach, who is celebrating his fourth birthday! Happy Birthday, my sweet little Zachary! JJ loves you sooooooo much!

Praying for a refrigerator?

Once upon a time I told my sister I was praying for a refrigerator. She laughed. She said "God is not going to send a refrigerator down that driveway." lol A few months later our aunt died. A cousin called and said "do you want this old refrigerator? lol Of course, I said yes. And sure enough, within a few days, I stood and watched my cousin wheeling that refrigerator right down my driveway!!!! :)
God works in mysterious ways. For sure!

Creating Imaging pages

I just realized something interesting. My imaging pages need more action, more emotion. So my project for the weekend is to add action to my pages. I will search in magazines for pictures of the things that I want as usual, but this time, I will be sure those are action shots -- How did I not know that after all these years?

And then the lesson becomes a lesson in learning -- that life is a continuous learning process -- improve the imaging pages for sure, but to be aware also that my learning must continue and without a continous learning process, life becomes dull and stagnant.

My pages looked dull and stagnant when I looked at them this morning.

Monday they will look lively and colorful and active! I am learning. I hope you are, too!

Thank you for continuing to read and learn with me! Have a happy day!

How To Make Your Imaging Book

Catherine Ponder talks about it, The Secret talks about it, Simple Abundance talks about it -- in fact, tons of people are talking about it -- your imaging book, your imaging posters, your wheel of fortune. Some use a poster board, some use a book, some use a journal. I will just tell you about my own experience with this process. I have made imaging posters, and I have even made file folders with my imaging pictures inside. But the method that is serving me best is paper a little heavier than typing paper, which I 3-hole punch and place in the back of my prayer journal. Sometimes I cut out pictures and words from magazines, sometimes I use real pictures. One of my favorite pages is my family page. It contains pictures of each member of my family and an affirmation -- or a prayer. Other pages include pictures of other folks on my prayer list and a prayer or affirmation. Usually I type and print the affirmation in a large, colored font, so that it is easy for me to read in the early morning. I try to balance my pages, personal wants/needs/goals, family, friends, important quotes I have found on line or in a book and printed out and pasted to a page. Are you getting the idea? I change my pages when they become too familiar or "tired" to me. I enjoy having the pages as a guide to my prayer time.

I have had some exciting results with this prayer method over the years. And my friend has a story no one would believe! lol -- but that is for another day! It is as if somehow by creating the pages, we create a mental picture of what we want and impress it upon our subconscious minds -- and the universe lines things up to make it happen. One of the most important by-products of the pages for me is on a daily level -- if I catch myself with negative thoughts about someone or something, I immediately "see" the picture on my imaging page. It just makes that mental transition from worry to release about 10 times faster!!!!

Is this helpful to you? Do you understand how to begin your imaging pages? Why not start tonight? -- make just one page. Try it for 30 days. Take your most pressing problem and create a perfect solution page. I always add "this or something better" to the bottom of my pages and I also add some religious symbol -- an angel or something else to remind myself that this is a prayer experience for me.

As with all other ideas you read about, take this one and adapt it to your own life, your own belief system. Create a page that makes you smile when you look at it. And......let me know how you do! I really want to know!

Read The Secret, Watch The Secret, Listen to The Secret

For the past six months, I have been reading, listening and watching The Secret -- yes, I was so impressed with the movie that I bought the book, and then later even bought the CD's so I could listen in my car. As a member of a little Unity study/prayer group for the past 20 years, I was already aware of the power of positive thought, and found The Secret to be a help to me in maintaining that awareness. And I am moving forward -- this blog is a testament to the lessons I am learning -- finally expressing myself for publication, even if on the computer - and having a wonderful time -- though honestly sometimes frustrating -- learning and growing!

I have many friends who have also embraced The Secret. I also have friends who have reservations about it, or who openly disagree with the concept. To me though, it is simply a matter of including The Secret in my belief system. One concept that The Secret teaches is the use of imaging pages -- or looking at pictures of the things you want. I use my imaging pages, which are in a notebook, as my morning prayer guide. I will discuss imaging pages more here at another time -- but one of my favorite prayer aids, for sure!