Be the Difference
“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” — Marcus Aurelius
♥ ♥ ♥
How different my days unfold when I share a kind word, carefree laughter, and positive stories. When I pause to lend a helping hand, listen to another, or support whatever causes I can. When I choose love instead of vying to be right!! With so many uplifting options, why — oh why — do I ever choose behavior that depletes my spirit?
And so…
My New Year’s Aspiration is to be:
Focused on present moment
Shunning negativity Realizing
Whatever I deem the world to be withholding
I already possess
Abundance swelling my heart
Gifting me with endless benevolence
Abandoning ego
Remaining judgement-free
Appreciating earth’s unmitigated beauty
Sincerely listening
Speaking only if my words add value
Observing more
Learning
Growing
Loving
Mindful that a smile means the same thing all around the world
Doing everything in my power to
Be the difference…
♥ ♥ ♥
Luggage Lady is off to Cuba!!!! My husband and I, along with 20 others, are participating in a “people-to-people cultural exchange” as we sail along Cuba’s gorgeous coastline, visiting Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Cayo Largo, Cabo San Antonio, and Havana. I promise to return with photos and stories. In the meantime, I wish you ALL a blissful 2015 filled with untold blessings!! 😘
(*photo from trip to End of the Road Kalapana, Hawaii*)
LUGGAGE Lady 
beautiful and strong ” “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
Hard to say how much I adore/appreciate your eloquent presence here, Dear Mihran!
Lovely post! I pray we both strive to be the difference!
I cannot think of a kinder soul I’d rather be in cahoots with than YOU! Thank you for your prayerful wish my lovely friend!!! 💞
Well how sweet a reply that was. Thank you for the compliment. It’s nice to be in cahoots with you as well, my friend. ❤
Wonderful intentions for the new year Shauna, though it sounds like a lot to me!
I’m going for simpler, focusing on peace, action and love. To be a PAL! XD
Your cultural exchange trips sounds wonderful. I look forward to hearing more.
To blessings shared for 2015!
A true PAL you already are, sweet friend!!!!! Thanks for being there for me — again and again — from the very beginning… Sending you so much gratitude it may well hurt!!
I’m glad that I am a PAL in your eyes. That’s a LOT of gratitude. 🙂 Have a great trip!
Outstanding list- I printing it out
You manage to put a smile in my heart EVERY time I see your name here. Cheers to YOU and ALL the beauty, bliss, & blessings you so richly deserve!!!
Bowled over by all of the beauty and promise in your words and aspirations. Being a difference, regardless of magnitude or impact, is noble and often immensely rewarding. Have at it, Shauna, all of it! 🙂 Of course, if I had my ‘work’ hat on I’d logically ask the question: How? Somehow, I sense you’ll figure out the associated action plan.
How do I thank thee for, not only the gift of your kind spirit, but also for your enduring confidence in me? All I can say is THANK YOU, Dear Eric, for connecting here in such a supportive, uplifting manner. You truly put the JOY in being human, and I am ever-grateful that our paths crossed…
lovely message. may the the new year be nothing but sweet…godspeed!
And for you as well, John! Thank you for always dropping by despite my sporadic presence here. Means so much to me. Wishing you peace, love, joy, and your every heart’s desire in 2015…
LL, The cool thing is you ARE the difference, my big-hearted, big-spirited friend. You are already DOIN’ it! Still, I love your insightful, galvanizing “list” and am going to print it out to remind myself how to be. Have a fantastic adventure. You give me hope for us all. xoxo
You put the “G” in galvanizing, my treasured friend! You taught me so much about how “to be.” There will be Cuban dance classes offered on our journey, and I shall lap up the opportunity, carrying YOUR beautiful spirit in my heart as I sway to life’s magical beat and count my endless blessings. As for hope? I am here only because of YOU. Love you to pieces!!! XO
Thank you for sharing! I love the difference and focus you listed here. 🙂 Happy 2015!
So appreciative of your kind visit, Amy! I love your recent volcano pictures from Kona. The picture on this post is, ironically, from our visit there last January…
Happy New Year to you too and enjoy your continuing adventures!
Beautiful aspirations, Shauna! I wish you and husband a wonderful year and a beautiful trip!
Thank you, Tiny. I enjoyed your New Year’s Eve/Day pictorial so very much and wish you and yours all the very best in the New Year as well!! 💞
I love this !! You are always so inspiring to me…..thank you 🙂
I’m inspired every time I have the privilege of flying with my Sky Angel! Thanks again for the amazing New Year’s trip. Cheers to another fabulous year of friendship — I could not love you more! 💝
Wonderful positive energy! The world really needs a huge dose of this. Wishing you a new year full of joy and kindness! And have a fabulous trip! Heading to Hawaii soon myself, can’t wait!
Cheers,
Chia
Dearest Chia, sorry for the delay…just back from Cuban adventure. Grateful for you and your positive vibe as well. Hope you enjoyed (or are enjoying) beautiful Hawaii!! xoxo
So happy you stopped by. Missed seeing your fabulous posts. Eddie
I LOVE your blog/posts — I’m just sorry my visits are so sporadic. Thank you for not forgetting me… ♥ LL