Serenity, Family and The Jewish New Year

This evening starts the celebration of Rosh Shana - the Jewish New Year.  It's a time to think about what has happened throughout the past year and look forward to the upcoming year.

This past year has brought forth a lot of change in my life - a new residence, new jobs for all of us (both kids and my husband), and health issues, but through it all I have tried sometimes successfully to maintain my level of serenity and happiness.

It has been comforting to be near my mother and sister and my children.  I have gained a lot of respect for my children both are now adults, my daughter recently changed her career path and is second in command/COO of a start-up Internet company, my son is currently an unemployed but brilliant artist whose has created posters and album art for several bands, he is currently trying to find work and applying for Master's Degree programs. I am very proud of them and honored to their mother.  Currently they are both hanging out in my living room involved in an in depth discussion of football (they are Fantasy Football opponents).

To me this is serenity - being surrounded by my family and celebrating the holidays.  As a part of this evening I will be hosting dinner at my home - it will be filled with family and friends, enjoying, eating, reminiscing, laughing and celebrating.

At this time of year I can overlook the meanness, the biting words, being ignored or dismissed and look only for the joy and happiness that I hope this year will bring.

But winning PowerBall would be a help as well.

To all that read this blog - L'Shana Tova - Happy Jewish New Year.
May your life be filled with happiness, health, joy and of course - Serenity!

Serenity is Mine to Keep: Serenity, Family and Mother's 83rd Birthday

Serenity is Mine to Keep: Serenity, Family and Mother's 83rd Birthday: Yesterday was August 4th, a very special day in my family.  In 1929 Doris Martin was born at home, the youngest of 3 sisters.  My mother and...

Serenity, Family and Mother's 83rd Birthday

Yesterday was August 4th, a very special day in my family.  In 1929 Doris Martin was born at home, the youngest of 3 sisters.  My mother and her sisters were first generation Americans, their father and mother were Russian Jews whose families were persecuted.

We celebrated my mother's birthday they way she wanted surrounded by family and friends at her synagogue on Sat morning and she was called up for an honor and to read from the Torah.  In the evening my sister had a relaxed dinner at her home ending with mother's favorite cake - Italian Rum Cake.  It was a day filled with laughter, chatting, eating, drinking, love and appreciation.  The only thing missing were 2 grandchildren who couldn't get away.

I have come to the conclusion that spending time surrounded by my family for the most part can be serene with moments of chaos.

By the way, last weekend I spent in New York City visiting and having fun and relaxation with my daughter.  The question on my mind how can anyone be serene in New York City, talk about chaos.  I know that the parks within and throughout the City provide a basis for a sense of serenity, but the city itself, no way.  So the key word in the paragraph was relaxation, not serenity.  I love New York City as a fun, exciting place to hang out, visit and play, but I am very happy to return to my home in the 'burbs, surrounded by greenery, grills, birds and the quietness of my home.

Serenity can be found in family, found in friends, found in religion, found in within your home and absolutely within yourself.

Serenity & Being 55

So, yesterday I turned 55 and it's strange but it doesn't bother me in the least.  Even when I turned 50 to me it was just another birthday.

Over the past year or maybe it's a little longer, I have worked at being happy with who I am and by doing that I have found 2 career paths that give meaning and excitement to my life.

During that time I made a decision to stop feeling sorry for myself, stop comparing myself to others around me, stop always needing approval and stop trying to fix everything.  I have chosen to be content with who I am.  What I can't figure out is why it has taken me my entire life to figure this out, but at least it happened while I am still fairly active and capable of making intelligent decisions.

I am looking forward to the next adventure that my life brings.  I look forward to surprises (like the dancing lessons my husband signed us up for - my birthday present), I look forward to family and friends and I look forward to the every day serenity in my life.

Join me in being happy with who you are, don't compare yourself to those around you.  The only person that you need to be happy with is you.

Find your serenity in the life that surrounds you.

Serenity is Mine to Keep: Serenity & The Best of Mother's Day

Serenity is Mine to Keep: Serenity & The Best of Mother's Day: Today was and for the most part still is Mother's Day and I spent it surrounded by my mother, my siblings, my husband, sister-in-law, brothe...

Serenity & The Best of Mother's Day

Today was and for the most part still is Mother's Day and I spent it surrounded by my mother, my siblings, my husband, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, a nephew, niece and one of my 2 children.  It was an afternoon of blissful serenity, loud conversation, good food and a beautiful sunny day.  We just missed 1 daughter and 2 nephews and a niece.

I have to admit that while it's work to feed this extended family, it is absolutely worth the job when it celebrates mother.  I remember that as a kid my mother taught Sunday school and each year brought a large box of colored tissues, pipe cleaners and a bottle of cologne so that the kids in her class could make their mothers beautiful flowers.  This year my brother brought roses for our mother, tulips for me and my sister so rather than beautiful paper flowers the house was filled with real flowers.

While family can be frustrating, sometimes aggravating, sometimes annoying they also are an infinite source of serenity and occasionally they are filled with humor.

Thank you to my family for helping me to maintain my sense of self, to maintain my focus and to loving me in spite of my inadequacies or maybe because of them.  You help me to maintain serenity in my life.

Thank you mom.

Serenity is Mine to Keep: Serenity can be Found in Family

Serenity is Mine to Keep: Serenity can be Found in Family: The past couple of days have been filled with family, friends, food and celebrating the holiday of Passover.  It's a lot of work, a lot of s...