Hey Hey Everyone!!

  Yet another hump- a- lump day!!  I am sorry I have been a little spacey lately...my brain hasn't been in smile-lution land.  Last week was a bit of a whirlwind, and sometimes, it's hard to find the words to make someone else feel good, when maybe I am not feeling so great.  (hey, hey, come on...I am human too). 

Ahhhh I digress...I hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far.  Even if it's not so wonderful, pick ONE good thing that happened, and be thankful.  Once you're in that thankful realm, let the thankful-awesomeness wash over you (Yup, it feels aaaa nice...).

 

  I have been thinking a lot lately about regret.  Have you ever gone through a state of regret that it impacts your daily life?  You feel that life could have been entirely different if you choose the right side of the fork in the road rather than the left??  What if??  Is one side really easier than the other??  Today, I regret not taking my umbrella with me...even though I did get a tad rained on, I dried off, and forgot about the monsoon trek to work within 20 mins after sitting in my cube...I have bigger fish to fry at Oxygen :-)

 

Ok, I'll be honest, I think the biggest regret I have is not going to the West Coast for college.  This isn't something that I am extremely upset about, but I do wish I seized that opportunity.  I love California, it's where my soul rest...well part of it anyway.  Looking back, I know that it all worked out for the best.  Even though I wasn't able to live in California, I was able to have a great taste by staying out there for the summers in college.  I was able to live on the East Coast and be with my family through some tough times.  I honestly do not think I would be the person I am today if I went out to the west.  And who knows, I may be able to mosey out to the West Coast in the future...

 

Let's change it up a bit (wicki wicki...remix!!); regret always has a negative connotation.  If you take regret, and learn from that mistake or choice, then you will be able to make a better decision in the future!!  WaaaaaPOW!!  Regret can now be positive!!  Through experience, good and bad, you start to learn the beauty of consequence.  If you are faced with a decision, and use your past experience, hopefully that will set you up for a choice that is best for you.  Don't get down on yourself for past mistakes... keep moving forward.  In the words of Dory from Finding Nemo...'Just keep swimming...'

 

Even though it has been raining today, take advantage and go out and jump in the puddles or frolic in the rain. (I've always wanted to frolic!!)  We are never too old to play!!

 

I have this quote in my cube, along with a few others, and it is perfect for today's Smile-lution.

        "Never regret.  If it's good, it's WONDERFUL!!  If it's bad, it's experience." 

What will you do with your past experience??

 

Don't forget to tell those you love, that you LOVE THEM,  AND don't forget to cheer on your Phillies :-)

 

Love you all!!  Have a wonderful day!!

-Liz Dugan  xoxoxo

 

 

Hey Hey Everyone!
  I hope you're all having a wonderful Tuesday!!  Tuesday is one of those days that is just well...blaaaah.  But think of it this way, you're already through the "Monday's", and tomorrow is HUMP DAY wooooop wooop!!  Take this Tuesday, and don't just go through, but live it!!  You will never get today back...  in the words of Garth from Wayne's World "LIVE IN THE NOOOOOW!!".
 
  Something tragic happened this weekend to the McHugh family (my mom's side), that really got me thinking.  My Aunt asked me on Saturday, 'Liz, how can you stay so positive with all the aweful uglies of the world?'  The only logical explaination is that things happen, good and bad...that's life. (sorry, that sounds a bit rough, but it's reality)  It can be ugly, but life can also be beautiful.  What it boils down to, is how do you spend your days?  When these events happen in life, you need to grab hold of your family and friends.  In times of strife, you need to feel somewhat normal and those you love will bring that comfort. 
 
 As you go through your day, realize that everyone around you has their ups and downs.  Plato had a beautiful quote 'Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle'.  I love to people watch (best hobby ever!!), and wonder where that person is on their journey of life.  We don't know how others are feeling, so why not play the safe route and be nice to everyone we meet.  By you opening a door, or saying 'I love that dress', you may have helped that person smile and feel good for a minute.
We can not control what happens to us (as much as we'd love to), but we can control our reactions. 
 
 In times of trial, comparing your circumstances to others is very common.  When I was a counselor at a camp in Lake Tahoe a few years ago, I heard this beautiful story.  (I am going to talk in terms of God, but you can use whatever higher being you believe in.  Remember we don't judge here in Smile-lution land)
There was a guy named, ahh let's call him Joshuaaaaa, he asked God to take away his cross (his burdens and trials) and switch with someone else bc he just couldn't bear the hurt any longer.  So, God lined up the crosses of the world and let Joshua choose which cross he wanted to carry.  Joshua chose the smallest of crosses....and God turned to him and said, "Joshua, you just chose your cross'.  Think about this for a second, even when the worst of the worst has happened in your life, someone else has also felt that pain.  Find comfort in the fact that you are not alone.  Open up to your friends and family, for they too have had hard times. 
 I leave you with this little comforting little rhyme, "In time of test, family and friends are best.". 
 
I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday...open up to those around you, and be kind to those you do not know. 
 
**Please keep in mind my cousin Matt and Kelly who recently lost their angel Mia Rose.  Mia Rose was a light to them, and we can be a light to Matt, Kelly and our family in this horrific time.**
 
 I love you all!!
xoxoxo
-Liz Dugan
 

  Happy Tuesday!!  It IS a Happy Tuesday, Phriends...for any Philly Phans out there, keep those heads and foam fingers up high, b/c we are still going strong after last nights WIN!! WOOP WOOP!!  And for anyone that doesn't like the Phills, you should prob join the parade of joy, b/c they are pretty awesome!

Just kidding, everyone should have their own opinions...but seriously they are awes!

 

    As I was watching the Phillies game last night, the announcers repeatedly stated how patient the Phillies are when they are at bat and behind in the game.  FUN FACT- they have the highest % of comeback wins in the NL. 

Last nights' game was a great example of this 'winning' quality.  Let's break it down for ya...

It's the 9^th inning the Phills are down 4-2, Utley and Victorino are in scoring position.  And the big man and winning run, Howard knocks a double off the right field fence to bring both Vic and Ut in to score!  It is now tied, Werth is up, and also hits Howard in to score.  For all you math-a-magicians out there...that means the Phillies are up 5-4.  I am not going to give the great details of Lidge's close, b/c we all know how it ended :-)

 

Let's look at this play-by-play in this weeks breakdown (Tosh.0 anyone?)...

    Even though the Phillies were behind in the end of the game, they kept their cool and their heads screwed on tight.  Their patience helped them win the game.  They didn't settle for a 'bad' pitch, they waited and waited for the PERFECT pitch...and viola WINNER, WINNER!!

  I think we can all use a little patience in this wild chaos of life.  We all need to take a chill pill, sit back relax and learn some patience.  Myself included!  My mom use to call me a "bull in a china shop"...b/c I was always running around knocking things over.  I am usually the blur in pictures when I was a child.  (Actually, did I say 'use to', she still calls me that endearing little nickname...)

Everyone wants to have some control over his or her fate.  That's why it is so difficult to wait things out...what if it's not what you want??  In all honesty, it may not be what you want at the time, but it's the best thing for you (most of the time you realize that funness after the fact).

   I'd like to think that anything worth having is worth waiting for...(I am trying to embed that into my brain...so I say it a lot!)  But, tell me this, why is it so hard to let things just happen?  I'd LOVE to know.  Humans want everything right now, and they will do anything to get it.  Sometimes the reason why things don't happen fast enough for our liking, is probably b/c it's simply just not the right time. 

As your going through that life transformation, all you want is to know what's going to happen.  The best parts of life are those unpredictable, unnerving situations.  Embrace it!!  Like I have said before...be vulnerable!

My little nugget of truth today, let things happen... don't force, b/c that's when you will fly out.  Wait for your perfect pitch, and don't settle for the low and inside (that was always my weak pitch).  I promise you this, when you wait, you will be happier.  When you force a situation, usually you regret it. 

 

I leave you with this gem of a quote...

"Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past.  Rather, it is a spirit that bears things - with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope."

 

Have that childlike faith today...and everyday day you feel you are being tested with your patience. 

 

Love you all!!!!

I hope you have a wonderful night!!

 

-Liz Dugan

Xoxoxo

 

**GOOO PHILLIES!!**

HEY EVERYONE!!

  WOOOOOO, you smell that??  Nope, that's not fresh baked chocolate cookies...it's the WEEKEND!  We've made it through yet another week...and believe it or not you're still alive and kicking!!

I hope you're getting ready for a gorgie weekend ahead that's full of friends, family, significant others and, OF COURSE, some Fall festivities!!

 

Here's the thing, not every day can be great...we have all experienced that more times than we'd like to admit.  Last night at 2:30am, I was wildly wide-awake with my brain just GOING.  I hate when my brain wants to think, and my body wants to sleep...I had to go with it though and seize the thought process!! ,

In times of difficulty and despair, we will need to lean on someone.  Let someone take your hand and help you along, it's doesn't make you weak...it makes you human. (I know, you have emotions...weird, right?!!).

 

In the past 6 years, I have moved in and out of 7 different houses/apartments/dorms/suitcases/pillowcases and now living in my 8^th place.  I really have moving down to a science.  It is sort of liberating to get your life down to the bare essentials.  I am what you call a modern day nomad.( Yea, I goggled it)  The only way I was able to get through this was with the help of my friends and family.  However, there was one time...I will explain with a simple story.

I was playing softball, and we made the playoffs, which meant the team had to stay at school after everyone let out for summer.  The girls in the freshman dorms had to relocate to another dorm.  Not only did I have to pack last minute bc of softball, I also asked no one to help me.  This was not anyone's fault but my own.  I thought "Hey, I am an independent WOMEN, I can do this ALL alone."  I realized I needed the help of someone, ANYONE, as I am throwing bags and bags out the window. (Bc if I walked up and down the dorm stairs one more time I would have had a meltdown.) 

 

Here's the thing, if I just asked for help, it would have gone way smoother and I wouldn't have been so frustrated with life that day.  It's OK to ask for help, it's actually good!    Think of someone close to you, if they were struggling; physically or mentally, wouldn't you want them to be able to ask you for help?  Life is too short to struggle alone.  Even if you feel like you're crazy for stressing over something;  you're friends and family love you and listen with an open heart no matter what...well usually :-)   I have this problem, since I feel I am pretty independent, it's hard for me to let others in...let people see my faults and insecurities.  But, when you sit back and think, those are the things that make you, well...YOU!!  Let people in; let someone take care of you.  Your friendship, love and bond can only become stronger.  When you are open to possibilities, that's when life happens.  Be open to help, and be open to help.  (Say it a few times...it makes sense, I swear!) 

I want to leave you with a sweet, sweet quote I came across today.  It's lame, but my eyes filled up, and when that happens, I know it's a good one!!

 

 

"Are you upset little friend?  Have you been lying awake worrying?  Well, don't worry...I'm here.  The floodwaters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you." -Charlie Brown to Snoopy.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday!!  Go out this weekend and enjoy the weather, it will only last so long :-)


I love you all,
-Liz Dugan
xoxoxoxoxoxo

HAPPY MONDAY!!  I hope EVERYONE had a wonderful weekend.  It's time to get ready and raring to go for this sweet week ahead.

It's funny, but usually I don't see 'HAPPY' and 'MONDAY' in the same sentence.  BUT, if you think about Monday as a fresh new start, then you can absolutely use those two words in a sentence...anything is possible (ANYTHING!!). 

 

Yesterday, I was able to go to our annual family party.  This is a time to get the whole McHugh pack together before the Holidays hit and we branch off into smaller sections.  To give you an idea of the beautiful chaos, there were about 20 adults and 10 kids under 6 years old.  There was everything from a moon bounce and trampoline to blowing bubbles and playing wiffel ball.  I was stuck in the moon bounce with kids flying EVERYWHERE.  When in the distance I see Tatum crying b/c her big brother Aiden threw her bouncy ball out of the bounce.  Aiden had no idea, and went back to flying around.  Chase stops and sees how sad Tatum is, hops out of the bounce and grabs the ball and gives it to Tatum.  Now, Chase can't even really speak yet, but he knew that would make Tatum happy.  It was a beautiful thing to see, and made me realize that it doesn't take much to do a kind deed for someone else.

 

I grew up in a Catholic family, and one of the main things you are taught at an early age is 'The Law of Love'.  Now, I am not pushing any belief or religion on you, but this 'law' can be assimilated into anyone's life.  Think about it, "Love Your Neighbor As Yourself".  Do you want others to gossip about you?  Do you want others to make you feel unwanted, or unloved?  I can confidently say, NO!  So, why make someone else feel bad??  This goes back to the previous statement about complaining, think before you speak. 

Times are tough right now.  However, you don't need money to do something nice for someone else.  Let's go back to what Chase did for Tatum, he didn't spend any money or go out of his way, he didn't even have to speak...he simply saw what Tatum wanted and he knew he could help her.  This was a self-less act of kindness.  I am not going to lie, when you do something nice for someone else, you will feel good about it!! (This is a sweet little bonus)

Go out today, and do one kind thing for someone.  It doesn't take much; it may just be as simple as a SMILE!!  Ok, let's make this one easy, go out today and SMILE.  SMILE to as many people as you can.  Maybe even make a fun game and see how many people you can get to smile back. ( I was only able to get two people on board the smile train this morning, but two is more than none!!)  Also, laugh...loud and hard.  Sometimes when I hear people laughing in the distance, I laugh too!! (Even when I have NO idea what they are talking about)  These simple things are fun, easy and COST NOTHING!!  The best things in life ARE FREE!! (Do I have to quote that one??  Who even said that first?  Whoever it was, was a genius!!).

I have a pretty sweet quote for you today.  This one I have known since college.  I would wake up and say it over and over again to really cement it in my dome for the day.  I have been looking for it since I graduated, and I think there's a reason why I stumbled upon it today...enjoy *

 

"Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as you ever can."

I hope you all have a wonderful start to the week!!  

I also want to say, thank you all for the encouraging words!!  This Smile-lution makes me happy, even if no one reads it.  But I thank you for reading and responding so well!!  Love you all!!

-Liz Dugan
xoxoxoxoxoxo

HAPPY MONDAY!!  I hope EVERYONE had a wonderful weekend.  It's time to get ready and raring to go for this sweet week ahead.

It's funny, but usually I don't see 'HAPPY' and 'MONDAY' in the same sentence.  BUT, if you think about Monday as a fresh new start, then you can absolutely use those two words in a sentence...anything is possible (ANYTHING!!). 

 

Yesterday, I was able to go to our annual family party.  This is a time to get the whole McHugh pack together before the Holidays hit and we branch off into smaller sections.  To give you an idea of the beautiful chaos, there were about 20 adults and 10 kids under 6 years old.  There was everything from a moon bounce and trampoline to blowing bubbles and playing wiffel ball.  I was stuck in the moon bounce with kids flying EVERYWHERE.  When in the distance I see Tatum crying b/c her big brother Aiden threw her bouncy ball out of the bounce.  Aiden had no idea, and went back to flying around.  Chase stops and sees how sad Tatum is, hops out of the bounce and grabs the ball and gives it to Tatum.  Now, Chase can't even really speak yet, but he knew that would make Tatum happy.  It was a beautiful thing to see, and made me realize that it doesn't take much to do a kind deed for someone else.

 

I grew up in a Catholic family, and one of the main things you are taught at an early age is 'The Law of Love'.  Now, I am not pushing any belief or religion on you, but this 'law' can be assimilated into anyone's life.  Think about it, "Love Your Neighbor As Yourself".  Do you want others to gossip about you?  Do you want others to make you feel unwanted, or unloved?  I can confidently say, NO!  So, why make someone else feel bad??  This goes back to the previous statement about complaining, think before you speak. 

Times are tough right now.  However, you don't need money to do something nice for someone else.  Let's go back to what Chase did for Tatum, he didn't spend any money or go out of his way, he didn't even have to speak...he simply saw what Tatum wanted and he knew he could help her.  This was a self-less act of kindness.  I am not going to lie, when you do something nice for someone else, you will feel good about it!! (This is a sweet little bonus)

Go out today, and do one kind thing for someone.  It doesn't take much; it may just be as simple as a SMILE!!  Ok, let's make this one easy, go out today and SMILE.  SMILE to as many people as you can.  Maybe even make a fun game and see how many people you can get to smile back. ( I was only able to get two people on board the smile train this morning, but two is more than none!!)  Also, laugh...loud and hard.  Sometimes when I hear people laughing in the distance, I laugh too!! (Even when I have NO idea what they are talking about)  These simple things are fun, easy and COST NOTHING!!  The best things in life ARE FREE!! (Do I have to quote that one??  Who even said that first?  Whoever it was, was a genius!!).

I have a pretty sweet quote for you today.  This one I have known since college.  I would wake up and say it over and over again to really cement it in my dome for the day.  I have been looking for it since I graduated, and I think there's a reason why I stumbled upon it today...enjoy *

 

"Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as you ever can."

I hope you all have a wonderful start to the week!!  

I also want to say, thank you all for the encouraging words!!  This Smile-lution makes me happy, even if no one reads it.  But I thank you for reading and responding so well!!  Love you all!!

-Liz Dugan
xoxoxoxoxoxo