A collection of stories, thoughts and good vibes from my back porch

Did you know in a lifetime, a person has the opportunity to experience 25,000 - 30,000 sunrises and sunsets?  I've seen many of them, so have you, and I've never seen 2 the same. Did you also realize, that the whole sky can light up at sunset, not just the western sky, but all 360 degrees around us. There are so many colors, hues, shades, and intensities of each, depending on where one looks. 

Have you ever thought about how many people you will meet in a lifetime? I've read different sources, although some say it is a statistical impossibility to calculate an average, that we meet around 10,000 - 12,000 in a lifetime. I can't image it's possible to actually get to know that many people, and the few friends a person has - real friends - and those family we may be close to may be closer to a few dozen, at best. Really close people - well, honestly for me it's only a few. I've read also that a person usually has somewhere around 200-250 people at their funeral. That being said, we have the ability to exponentially affect thousands of people by our actions. Bad or good.

I would really enjoy sharing a sunrise or sunset with some of these people. Maybe even you. I'd really like it if we could talk about it together. I'd like it even more if we would remember it together.

Our basic emotional needs are to be loved, to be accepted, and to be treated with respect. That's about it. If for some reason I don't love you, accept you, or treat you with respect, tell me, and we can work it out.

Hold someone's hand that you love. Feel their hand in yours. Appreciate it. Know that one day either your hand or their's won't be there any more. Cherish it. 

We express ourselves verbally, non- verbally, or written. Some artists paint. Others make music. Others sculpt. Some love. Some touch our heart. Some don't.

Everybody is worth knowing. Even if all you know is that you don't need to be around them. 

I can tell what kind of person one is by the way they treat animals. 

I can be short, impatient, and inconsiderate. I can also be compassionate, patient, and kind. And I can choose. And I do every day.

There are opportunities around all the time. If you miss one, chances are soon, there will be another, maybe even better. Don't act too fast. Get ready, then act. 

Having principals will help you decide how to act in times of trouble, instead of reacting to trouble. When you're on top is the time to decide, not when you're at the bottom. Someone once called this the "peak-to-peak" decisions. It's easier to see ahead when you are on top of the mountain rather than when you're in the valley. One makes better decisions when on top of the mountain. Decide your principles when you can see clearly.

Sometimes the valley is green because that's where all the fertilizer is. Nevertheless, we can still remain positive in the valley when we have a plan to get out. But the climb to the next peak is always uphill and requires more effort. Being at the bottom isn't always bad if you are willing to climb. Sometimes it takes time to get to the top again though.

The only way to get better at something is to do it over and over. But doing something over and over the same way will always get you to the same place. Decide to do something over in order to get better. Figure out what you're doing right, and practice doing it better every time. This will help you avoid focusing on what you might be doing wrong. 

Life is full of things to enjoy, Find something you like, learn to do it well, and enjoy life. Then share it with someone. I'm thankful that I can share these things with you - my painting, my writing, my life, my heart. 

I enjoy touching, and being touched. A hug and a kiss is always appreciated. I hope you appreciate mine.