Have a winning, positively centered mindset everyday

(un-proofed entry.)
Tim Russert passed away on Friday so suddenly. It was like someone just sort-of yanked a rug from under me. Another pleasant person suddenly gone. I didn’t realize how much I was affected by this. Of course, I didn’t know him personally but what a !@#$^x%x downer. I watched tributes to him on Saturday and Sunday and on the Today show his son was interviewed by Matt Lauer.

What a great example and reinforcement of the type of person Tim Russert seemed to be, reflected in his son Luke. Watching the attitude displayed by his son, was just inspiring and even uplifting.

Luke Russert’s confidence and his demeanor and poise exuded on the today show. Confident, “at-home”, demeanor just like his dad. He was very positive and when this young man talked about his dad, he had that same way of just enjoying the experience and good-hearted memories of his father. – What I saw today is how I envision my children to be.

Tim Russert was so hugely respected and widely appreciated for his personality, attitude and standards of reporting news. Every single “rival” news network ran a considerate piece on Tim Russert’s life (Larry King, Donny Deutsch, Chris Wallace….) It was pretty amazing to know – ok: other people admired this man as well.

To see how the effect of a good positive, straighforward, fun-loving attitude can even indirectly affect sooooo many people was also inspiring and touching. I wish to have that affect.

Why Tim Russert left an impression:
It’s a disappointment that Tim Russert has left. As I wrote on Youtube – “I remembered the 2004 elections…” (I said in error – I meant the 2000 elections) when Tim Russert had all of his markers and little board tallying his stats on the election to the audience. It was evident to me in that time, that this was not just a job for him, this was something that he really loved -Because of this – I think in retrospect, an unconcious high level of trust for his reporting and journalism evolved in me. I knew since he took so much pride in his work that the end product would be “quality”.

In addition, It may sound weird, but It was actually a small pleasantry seeing how much this journalist completely thrived, excelled and purely enjoyed breaking down, explaining and clarifying politics for us.
You’d look at this guy and say – Wow, he really loves this stuff – that’s really nice. -and so for me, the thorough Tim Russert kind of became, “EF Hutton” – when he spoke: I listened. with him, you were getting, “complete, concise, accurate, “

So I cannot lie; this was just a sour bit of news for me. I’m also surprised that I’m discovering a large sense of disappointment here in his death. The competence, level of professionalism and solid sense of integrity from Tim Russert in working with holding these politicians accountable, boiled down to be a level of protection and care for people of America – and the world. Asking the questions that TRULY mattered…

AND so it just completely SUCKS – that such a good person -a “gatekeeper”, if you will, has had to depart from us.

Again, I am still discovering how much the passing of Tim Russert has left a void – for more political crap and nonsense to go un-checked, as far as I’m concerned. It’s just particularly disheartening that Bush and this administration can commit so many wrongs and be so corrupt (I’m not being “leftist”...etc. It’s just based on all the events.) and yet someone, a seeming force of integrity, has had to depart.

I say to Tim Russert:
Thank you so much Tim for your hard work, thorough questioning, standards and examples of professionalism, sharing the pleasure taken in your work with the audience, always striving to get answers to the RIGHT questions and being a solid source of information.

Blessings to you and your family. I never knew extent to which thought so much of you – but when I look at what I have seen of your persona and the very personal stories from colleagues and politicians, I’m not surprised.

-Two weeks ago was the final time I saw a Tim Russert, in a multiple interview with Brian Williams, Keith Olberman, laughing, engaged and committed to the work in this election, seemingly excited about the history and events occuring and passing along great information to viewers – with a great, winning personality – and always a smile.

Best.

It’s clear to me that I haven’t experienced Spring in it’s entirety in years. That was validated today. Within the last 4 days Spring has been set in motion and everything is in blossom or bloom. I love the fragrance of the trees in the area, the Baby green of the new leaves, the Gentle Powder Pink cherry blossoms that I stood under on Sunday – hoping to be showered with petals so I could check off that goal on 43things- LOL!

Today I smelled freshly cut grass whose scent came floating into an open window. In the past that was not a smell I particularly preferred as it’s a bit strong – but I sincerly appreciated it today. I just realized, in the city I was obviously disconnected from the seasons. Today, I felt I took in the scent of “life”, or birth – hate to sound so “LALALA” I guess(??)But there’s life all around me, It’s giving to me beauty and joy in all stages and forms of it’s expression and existence – and it’s nostalgic. It’s everything I knew as a kid. Flowers of all colors, bees buzzing about doing their work, freshly cut grass almost stinging the nose, the smell of even wild scallion in the air. The epitome of Fresh-ness and “Cleanth” – (I just made that word up opposite of Filth) I was so isolated from life, in the city – the more and more I’m out I realize this… and I love Spring so much and I’m so grateful that I am here in my new location to experience it.

I really want to take down my goal of reading one page a day of the Short film text book. I just had a strong thought this morning – self-alignment is the priority(if that term makes any sense)
I need to have – I think 3 15 minute increments of time where I’m consciously taking time to reflect on what brings me Joy. Align and connect myself to what I want and release myself from what I don’t want. I’ve had negative emotion due to certain people around me with the nonsense and shenanigans – I’ve got to make a concerted effort to really keep my thoughts positive and high in great expectation.
I know! I will put the times in my phone so an alarm goes off Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Late Evening so I can take a minute to re-center and/or reinforce. I’ve got to move to the next level in breaking the chains of the past disappointments and nonsense. I think I’m doing quite well – but I want to do much better.
I’ve really realize- that after all the stress of last year. I need to be in a place the gives. I need fresh air, I need people who are open and in great spirits; I need a place where I can get purely organic food without having to go 2 towns over. I really need an environment that will support my development 100%
I may go on a retreat. I’m going to let the universe bring it to me and I’m releasing all worries about how it will happen. I JUST KNOW – I need to be in a place that gives.

(I accidentally uploaded this picture above.) I went back again and again trying to upload the correct image and it wouldn’t work – so I guess I’m leaving it here.

The other day I saw two Anime films that just lifted my spirits. Not that I was really down, but they just gave me a boost that has been long-coming I guess.

One was called “Whisper of the Heart”; a really touching, innocent, “coming of age” story involving two junior high students. On the verge of graduation, Seiji and Shizuku are trying to shape out a professional future by preparing for what high school they will attend. At the same time their budding sweet and innocent love finds a place a long the way.

I liked and respected the characters also. The determination and understanding the two had to follow their dreams, finish their studies and evolve into successful people who could then furnish a nice future together for themselves was just great.

Someone commented the ending was a little corny – but it was, to me – perfect for what Junior High love was- as I remember it: corny and awkward and absent of the complications of life experience, and therefore, special and precious. (The musical theme: Country Road, was slightly cheesy against a love story, nevertheless it grows on you.)

I didn’t even realize I had liked this film so much until it ended! (After seeing a film called “L’Eclisse” that ended up the opposite- with the lovers failing to find a mutual future – this film here, made up for it.)

Seeing this first-love film, I felt like someone opened the windows to my heart and let sweeping fresh air in. Wow! what a statement – but I had long forgotten how those days of being that young were and it was nice to be temporarily transported there and refreshed for the here and now.

Can’t stop saying how this sweet and funny story that gave me a real boost.

Britney Snow did the voice for the lead character and I think she did a great job. Her voice added a sort of dreamlike depth to the character – Can’t really explain…

SECOND FILM:
There’s also a sort of spin-off of to this movie: Whisper of the Heart. It’s called “The Cat Returns” and boy what a blast watching that was! It had a very different, but pleasantly quirky story line and an delightful ending and exit that personally took my breath away.

If anyone liked the film Spirited Away, these works are also from Ghibli Studios/Miyazaki and contain the same magic and imagination that makes you just want to go outside and do some cartwheels in the grass or something LOL! Today, I got a lot more writing done than usual – which was great. I know it because I saw these two uplifting films this weekend. ;-)

While in this post, I noticed there is a website place on this page by 43things for vital affirmation.com. It seems like a great place to get a shot in the arm in positive thinking. The affirmations are a nice pick-me-up.

http://www.vitalaffirmations.com/pool/affirmation_card_217.htm?apc=1

During my recent move and grappling with getting rid of paperspaperspapers, I found a wallet sized card with an invitation to call a prayer line for Unity church.

I called late last night oh.. just thinking I would hear a recorded prayer, – and instead a representative picked up the phone. She did not ask me to join the church or give a donation. She simply was gently – straight to the point about saying a prayer, while also giving a sense of support. She said the most wonderful, positive prayer.

I remembered, I had a relative who used another prayer line as like a life line/positivity dose, in dealing with crazy co-workers (of course not recommended as a remedy for people dealing with deep depression etc.). On all of her breaks, she would call, just to keep herself centered. I didn’t understand true magnitude of what was going on for her at the time – but now I see and understand sometimes you are in the fight of your life in trying to protect and maintain a positive attitude and not spiral down into negative oblivion – which sometimes happens.

For me this 5 minute phone call was a positive shot in the arm and can be used to help avoid the latter and to keep your spirits high.

For anyone whose into prayer, is reading this and feels they need a nice, brief, positive prayer uplift, I’ll share the number – for those who are serious only please.

This line great because they don’t ask any questions or try to get you to join their church or anything. They’re available 24 hours a day!

(If you end up using the service a lot, it would be great to send them a donation at the end of the year.)

1-800-Now-Pray
www.silentunity.org

To do this. I need to be in gentler but stimulating environments. I need to be in a positive atmosphere as much as possible and I have to be ok with having said no to people and to situations.

Then I can have as much energy as possible to follow though with my goals with as little mental/emotional interruption as possible.

I will have to search out what makes me happy and follow that path that will contribute to balance and healthy well being, mentally, physically and finacially.