Thursday, March 29, 2012

Wellx Article #14: On Simple Smiles

Happy Thursday all!

As I always do, I will begin by pointing you in the direction of my first twelve articles published by Wellx here.


Today my fourteenth article was published. You read it here first earlier this week...but WellnessX wanted to republish it today.

I am so happy to continue to work with WellnessX and share my thoughts with you and wellness professionals around the world.

Today, a simple message about how we never know what others are going through...and how a simple smile may be just what they need.

Here's the link!

Assume and Smile By: Lora Rossi March 29, 2012


Thanks as always to Mel and everyone at WellnessX for continuing to share my work and for their on-going support and great work with the wellness community!

Smiles,

Lora

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Raising Boys World Article #3: For Mother & Son

Hello readers!

Today I bring to you my third piece for the great website Raising Boys World (RBW)!


To read my first two articles, please check them out here.

Some of you may have read my piece about my friend Clare - a wonderful woman and mother of a young son who passed away last year after a valiant battle with cancer.

I talk about Clare and share the poem I wrote for her and her son Nathan for RBW this month.


Lullaby of the Sun  By: Lora Rossi  March 28, 2012

Just a quick note about this piece. I am not getting any payment for this from RBW. If I were, I would donate it to The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation or to Nathan for his education when he is older. This poem was written for Clare and her son. My sharing it is only meant to bring more awareness and to honour Clare's memory and amazing spirit.
As always, thank you to Renee, Tara and all the great folks at Raising Boys World. I enjoy being a regular, contributing author for this wonderful resource!

Smiles,

Lora

Monday, March 26, 2012

Assume and Smile

"A smile is a curve that sets everything straight."
 - Phyllis Diller


Ya know that dude who flips you the bird when he thinks you are driving too slow?


Maybe he is a jerk. But just assume he just lost his job and needs a smile instead of seeing your finger.


Ya know that Mom who is screaming at her kids in the grocery store and you are thinking "sheesh...simmer down now woman! They are just little kids!"


Maybe she is a crappy mom. But just assume she just found out her own mother has terminal cancer and she is just trying to buy some food for her family and hold back her tears so her kids don't see she is crying inside.


Ya know that dude in the suit who is busy texting on his phone and rushing through the door of the office building and you are behind him and he does not hold the door even thought you are coming right behind him with your hands full?



Maybe he is thoughtless. But just assume that he just received a call from his wife who told him their baby is in the hospital after a bad fall and he needs to get there ASAP. He is worried sick.


Just assume that all of these people need a lift.

Just assume that they are all having bad moments in a tough world.

Just assume...and give them a smile.


Because ya know that person...that one you look at in the mirror...the one that is a good person...a nice person...but has bad moments...bad days?


How does that person feel when someone smiles at them when they are weeping inside?

A smile from me to you.


Exactly.

So to you...as always...I sign off with...

Smiles,

Lora

Thursday, March 22, 2012

The Fire of Desire

"I hope that I may always desire more than I can accomplish."
 - Michelangelo

Desire.

It is a word that can apply to so many things.

When I hear the word "desire" I think of passion, sex, ambition, wanting something deep within my soul.

Now being human, sometime I ambitiously, from deep within my soul, want passionate sex.

Sorry Mom...but it's true.

But again, this is for another post (and I will warn you Mom when that comes....)

Sorry to get you all excited there.

This is a great song. For another post as well.

To get anywhere in life...anywhere meaningful, desire has to be involved.

You have to want it.

For example, my sons play hockey and my middle boy's team are currently in the finals.

In order to continue to win, they as a collective...as a team...have to want it.

They need to have that desire to win.

And when they do, they play like mad and they do.

And when they don't, they play like "meh" and they don't.

As another example, I am trying to lose weight.

I want it...yes.

But some days I want chocolate more.


Some days the want...the desire...gives in to instant gratification.

This can be applied to the bigger things in life as well.

Like marriage.

Do you desire a strong, healthy partnership? Do you want it badly enough to work at it? To go though the ups and the downs that every marriage goes though?

Is it worth it to you?

To some, the answer is "yes".


To some...well...instant gratification interrupts this flow and that passionate sex I was talking about before? Well...that happens. Outside of the marriage.

Exhibit A: Bad Tiger.

Desire can pull us in all sorts of directions and can be very confusing. Sometimes it is extremely conflicting.

It is like fire.

Warm and comforting one moment, and then hurtful and destructive the next.

It is all in how we channel and focus our desires.

If we do it right and with balance, we can accoplish many great things.


Money is another thing many desire.


It can turn into many a good thing...and it can destroy lives. It all depends on how it is dealt with.

And so the fire of desire burns for all of us.


We let it roar and get hurt.

Ouch.

We tend to it carefully and we hear and see the beautiful flickers of light and colour that make life beautiful.


So tend to your flames.

Don't start a forest fire.

But don't let it burn out all together.

Smiles,

Lora

Monday, March 19, 2012

Standing with Arms Wide Open

"First it is necessary to stand on your own two feet.
But the minute a man finds himself in that position, the next thing he should do is reach out his arms."
 - Kristen Hunter



Everyone goes through tough times.

I have gone though tough times.

Of course, it is all relative. Many have gone though times I can not even fathom going through.

But so many have gone though the unthinkable...and yet they make it though.

I don't know how in many cases, but they do.

And then what do some of these amazing people do?

They take their experiences and turn around and help others because of those experiences.


For a moment, let's look at a few extraordinary examples - and some of my personal heroes.

Terry Fox. A Canadian Hero if I ever did see one.

Terry Fox

Helen Keller. A truly amazing human being.

Helen Keller

These are just two.

And these are famous examples.

But everyday people...you...me...can do extraordinary things as well.

This is extraordinary. But not really what I mean.

The people I mentioned above touched millions.

We may only touch one other...but that...can be extraordinary.

Because people do pay it forward.

See what I mean?

People who are given a helping hand in times of trouble often take their hand...once they are standing again, and follow your example.

So when you feel grounded...when you are standing on your own two feet...help someone else.

Lift them.

Carry them.

Be there for them.

People have done this for me...continue to do this for me...and I try and give back.

Trust me.

You will not only help that one person...but so many others.

Smiles,

Lora