The Origin of a Smile

Did you ever hear the expression, “your smile lights up a room?”  It is true.  There are some people who have that special smile.

People tend to smile for many reasons such as to mask a deep wounded soul only a smile could hide.  Robin Williams appeared to hide deep depression with his smile along with a great talent to make us laugh and express a smile.  He was extraordinary in his wit and charm to fool the world for so many years.  I will miss him and his ability to make his fans laugh in joy, if we only knew the real pain he was hiding behind his smile.

This makes me wonder what is hidden behind the masks of clowns.  They bring smiles to young children’s faces with their crazy antics in circuses and private parties blowing up balloons and making them into different shapes placing delightful smiles on children’s faces.  What is hiding behind their masks with painted on smiles?  Are they really happy people or do they hide deep, dark secrets within their souls?  

I have to believe not everyone who smiles genuinely is hiding anything behind their smile.  There really are people who want to smile with no preconceived purpose other than wanting to spread happiness for their own delight. There really are truly happy people around us every day; you only have to look into their eyes because they smile with their eyes as well.

The premise for this post is to tell you, my friends, my son learned to smile at an early age.  He developed his first cognitive skill, if he smiled at someone, he would get a smile in return.  Therefore, he smiled all the time because he loved the attention he would get.  He smiled with his eyes as well.  Some would say his smile did light up a room. He could have received a gold metal with his smile.

Later on in his life I realized it was getting harder for him to smile.  You see, he smiled through a lot of pain.  It was getting harder to hide his pain through his smile.  When he no longer had the strength to smile, I truly believe this is when he knew it was time to leave.

Values

I am still working hard realizing I am soon going to officially be a senior.  Starting in August I will be on Medicare.  Also in August, it will be five years since I retired and ten years since I moved out of the city I lived in since birth.  August will be a great month to party!!!

One would think I should slow down considering the challenging life I lived for so many years.  It isn’t in my personality to slow down.

I realized I learned very important values from my father.  Many years ago after I found my first job as a medical secretary, I celebrated the enormous salary I earned, which was $85.00 a week.  I was ecstatic and told my Dad I wanted to buy a car.  

My father taught me very important values.  If I want something, I need to work to earn the money.  My goal as a young, newly employed person was to buy my first car.  Because my father was proud of my achievement and I understood the important value of earning money to achieve my goals, he offered me a deal.  If I buy the car and make the payments, he will pay for my insurance.  I didn’t hesitate to take that deal.

Now back to the present day.  I still follow the same values my wise father taught me.  I worked hard all my life.  The values I learned so many years ago is still very much part of my life.  I knew if I did the best I could to care and advocate for my son, I will suceed in life.  Succeeding doesn’t need to be in a monetary value.  For me, it is paying it back.  

Writing my book, posting in my blog, creating inspirational art for other people to enjoy, and training for a career as a motivational speaker is how I will pay it back.  This is how I will spend the remainder of my life and will continue to follow the positive values my father passed on to me.  I already know my father’s wisdom passed through generations because my son also appreciates the value of earning money in order to make his life and family happy.

Virtual Hugs Friends,

Jude

Loving My True Self

Now that I am reaching my “golden years” it occurs to me I no longer need to look over my shoulder and wonder who is talking bad about me, not accepting my choice of clothes or how or what color I choose for my hair. I truly believe when one reaches a certain age, why should they care what people think. I give myself permission to say and do what I want and be proud, content and just plain don’t give a dam.

I recently decided to let my hair grow, not color it and see what it looks like. When I look in the mirror, I see a little grey coming through, almost like it is a highlight. It looks like a silvery grey. My Aunt Ruth decided to let her hair turn grey and she had the most beautiful silver hair. Maybe I will have hair like hers.

The point I am really making here is for the first time in my life I am finding my true self. What makes me happy, not how I look to other people. If I want to have long silvery colored hair, so be it. If I want to dress like a sophisticated form of a 60s hippie with long, flowing silver hair, long tunics with leggings or tights, headbands, neck scarves and large belts, I am going to and be proud. It is my decision. It will be my style which relates to myself and personality that is slowly emerging hidden for many years in my inner soul.

Watch out world…. here she comes!!!

Virtual Hugs and Peace to you all
Jude

New Website

For the past year I was picking my brain as to how I was going to budget my business income to pay for a computer wizard to update my non functioning website. I created a website over a year ago on my own. I will be the first to tell you I didn’t know what I was doing. The website was a disaster. It was a terrible design and remained lost in the cyber world because I didn’t know what to do to help it get attention..

I received a few offers to help me with this pitiful site, and they most likely thought I would be an easy sell. No I wasn’t because I didn’t have the funds to pay for their services. I went so low as to negotiate a payoff deal with no luck.

Last month I received an email from Shopify.com. I was intrigued with their site and how it can make a difference for me. I initially started with their lowest plan at $9.00/month to run a Facebook Store.

I set up the store, followed their online help to improve the appearance, and I had my store up and running. No problem and very user friendly.

The other day I thought about updating my account with Shopify. I reviewed all their options and realized if I paid just $20.00 more per month I can have a FB store and a website with them. I called customer service and they set me up. Within one hour I had a beautiful website established, launched and my stats showed I already had visitors. Wow!!

Yesterday I followed their step by step instructions and moved my domain to my new website. I am so impressed. It has everything I wanted and much more. You can buy directly from my site.

It looks like 2015 will be a new beginning and hopefully the start of a booming business selling my fiber creations, inspirational art and my book all from three sites:
http://www.scrapperjudedesigns.com
https://www.facebook.com/ScrapperJude
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Judesfibercreations

Take Care Of Your Soul

This painting is dedicated to all women who work a thirty-five hour day or more. This includes one who works a full time job and comes home to work another full time job as a wife and mother. Right… I am referring to you dear woman. I was this woman at one time.

The painting is a gift to you to remind you to “Take Time To Do What Makes Your Soul Happy.”

It doesn’t matter what you do or how long you schedule for yourself, just take the time . Your inner soul will thank you.

Today’s women take on too much. Yes, I get it. You don’t have a choice. I understand. All I am asking of you is to find some alone time for a few minutes each day. You will see a difference.

Best wishes to all of you dear friends,

Hugs
Jude

I Missed You!!!!!

It feels as if I have been away from this blog for months. I missed talking to you all. Did you miss me? Believe me when I say I didn’t stay away purposely….I have been very busy. Let me explain.

Last weekend I attended my first craft show. Wow for me!!! I had so much fun and met so many nice people. It was a Renaissance Faire. My first one I ever attended. I am a city girl so this is way new for me.

The sad news is I didn’t make any sales :-(. The good news I received many wonderful compliments, half of my stack of business cards were taken and I received two possible orders for personal paintings. In addition it was a good networking weekend where I met other artists and received some very valuable information for future shows. Here are a few pictures.

My set up

Closer look

My sweet grandson helping in my booth

Here are some pictures of the faire my husband took.

Large chess set up

A harp player who was set up in front of my booth. I enjoyed beautiful Celtic music all day long.

For the last two days I was busy cooking for my family. I prepared a traditional Jewish New Year feast. I love to cook, especially for the holidays. We had a wonderful dinner with good friends and loving family. A great way to start a new year.

I will end by stating “L’shanah Tova”, which means Happy Jewish New Year.

Hugs to all
Jude

Reinventing My Life

Four years ago I retired after twenty-two years working for the federal government. I found myself free of everyday commitments and thought now what am I going to do with the rest of my life.

I was still mourning the death of my son. I was angry, depressed and bored. My daily life was so full 24/7 for many years. My son Michael got married and my son Jason passed away. I wasn’t needed anymore.

I let my instincts and unconscious thoughts take over my mind to see where it would lead me. It lead me to writing my son’s memoir and creating an art business. If I had insight into the future years ago and saw myself in this life, I would have said no way.

However, I reinvented my life. I started painting inspirational mixed media designs. I am booked to sell my paintings in five local craft shows through to the end of November, two of which are juried shows.

I joined the local craft guild and a professional women association for networking. I will be marketing my book next year participating in book signings and book discussions.

I reinvented my life and I am proud to say I am a professional business woman. Who would have thought?

It just proves hard work and believing in yourself is all you need to make a life you can be proud of. It is never too late. I just turned 64.

Hugs to all my friends
Jude

Life Book 2014 – Week 25

Always Believe Something Wonderful is going to Happen!

Barry Manilow – It’s a Miracle

Have a great weekend my friends!
Hugs
Jude