Uncategorized

I have been hooked on watching the U.S. Open this past two weeks. There are many new faces, young and hungry. One, in particular, was a 19-year-old Canadian young lady named Bianca Andreescu. She was rated somewhere around 128 when she came into the tournament and just beat Serena Williams, a tennis legend, in the final.

What struck me as being extraordinary about this woman was how calm and focused she was at such a young age. In an interview, she said at the age of 15 she wrote herself a mock check as if she were champion of the U.S. Open and then updated it each year, with the new prize money total.

“Every year,” she said.

And here she was collecting that money for real. Amazing. I can only imagine where she will be in five years. Throughout the match, I watched her parents and was very impressed by how calm they were. They never jumped up and yell and clapped and hollered. They acknowledged her accomplishment and then moved on. It was apparent why their daughter was so calm on the court.

I was inspired but also a little jealous I must admit. I am much older than 19 by a long shot but still haven’t found that inner strength that allows you to believe strong enough to keep pushing through for your dream.

I am trying and am determined not to quit because of some other “obligation.” I have had a stumbling block recently with writing and that little voice of defeat is trying to sneak in and tell me to give up. After all, that voice that lives so deep in me is trying to tell me that I’m not supposed to be a writer. And maybe Bianca Andreescu wasn’t supposed to be a successful tennis player after her many injuries. But here she is the U.S. Open Champion.

I’ll be getting that check for my writing. Let that voice of defeat be still. A 19-year-old did it. Against all odds. Let that be me. Let that be you. The world needs more dreams being met.

Where do I begin? How do you express how you feel when your grandson enters this world? I know what it was like when my son arrived and didn’t think anything else would be that magical. But to see my son with his son is worth everything. To know that Alexander has grown into such a beautiful, kind person and to know he will share that with his son…well it doesn’t get better than that.

My daughter in law Stephanie also is a shining example of what a mother’s love can be. Every moment she was focused on bringing a child into the world healthy and safe. I am so proud of how these two young (and yes they are young) people have stepped up and become parents is very inspiring. Their love for each other will be passed on to this very lucky baby.

Desi Silva Cannon was born July 2nd at 12:11 coming in at 7 lbs and 12 ozs and 21 inches long with a full head of black hair just like his papa. Without sounding like Pollyanna I can’t believe the miracle that is birth. I look at Desi and he is perfect in every way. Amazing how nature steps up and does its job in such an incredible way.

I want this world to be perfect for Desi and I know that the world has a lot of work to do but knowing that he is surrounded by people who love him to the moon and back gives him a strong beginning. What else can you wish for in beginning your life?

So in the words of Winnie the Pooh, “I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.” Dream on, Desi, dream on. Love Grandma.

I recently listened to an interview with Suze Orman, the money gal. She is the one always on PBS talking about how you can keep your hard earned money. She corrects the mistakes people have already made in their financial choices and sometimes does it in a very eye-opening way. In other words, she preaches.

Now I like what she says most of the time but sometimes I feel down right stupid when it comes to my finances. Let’s just say it’s not one of my strong points. So when I listen to Suze I don’t feel like I’m the brightest one on the block.

But this last interview really stuck with me. She talks about her eight qualities of success. I liked what she said so much I wrote them down and put them on my bathroom mirror so I would remind myself every day what it is to be wealthy.

Here they are…Harmony, balance, courage, generosity, happiness, cleanliness, wisdom and beauty.

“Now I know this seems very basic and obvious,” I said to myself until Suze started taking each word and describing what it meant to her. And that’s when I started thinking about what it meant to me. I have to say it was more difficult than I thought. I can tell myself what each of those words means to me but actually living them is a completely different animal.

Courage is the ability to make choices that bring harmony and balance. And that comes from being in a total agreement between what you think, say and do. And then to be calm about it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked myself why I said what I did and then not have the courage to own it. Feeling more ashamed and embarrassed.

Generosity is giving with no strings attached and happiness comes when all four of the above comes together. Sometimes easier said than done. Definitely a work in progress.

As is wisdom which is the ability to make the right decision at the right time. Cleanliness stems from the wisdom to clear your thoughts and access the balance and harmony to find courage.

And last but not least the beauty when you incorporate all of it to find the wealth in life. Not necessarily all about money. In fact, very little.

As Suze sees it, it’s the foundation that propels you from being overwhelmed to empowered. Gotta say I’m right there with her. And I didn’t even have to use math.