Hey Hey HEY!!

  *woooosh, woooooshie*...that's me blowing the dust off of my blog.  It's been too long friends, too long!!  I do apologize for being MFB (that's Missing From Blog) with no explanation.  I love you no matter what, but December was chock full of everything!!  My head spun around a few times, but in a good way, not that sort of 'exorcist creepy way'.  In life, or in my blog for example, in order to get the best outcome in the long run, you may have to step back and take a deep breathe before you proceed.  I wanted to be able give all of my thoughts, without short changing you...you know with this economy and all.  On that note...da da daaa daaaa, drumroll anyone?  I am back!!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, and a VERY Happy, Happy New Year.  I hope you treat everyday like it's a new year.  It's a new day, a new 24 hours to change the world!!  I know what you're thinking, "Liz, I can't change the world?"  I say, NAY!  Aaaand away we go, this is a great lead into my thought of the day...

  How will you leave your personal footprint?  That's the question for the day.  No, silly, not your 'Carbon' footprint, the good kind...you're personal impression on this world.  I have been searching religiously for this one quote that I saw a few weeks ago, but I just can't find it.  I will try to paraphrase as best I can, 'It's not about the materials gifts you give, or how much money you have;  it's how you made a person feel that will be remembered."  People may not remember what you gave them, but they sure will remember how you made them feel with a kind word or a pat on the back...OR dare I say it, LISTENING to someone with an open heart and a closed mouth. 

  Even if you don't think you're leaving an impression, well friends I have a news flash for you, you are.  That is something I can promise you.  Things we do in the hustle and bustle of the day to day, we leave an impression.  Or in fact we are doing something because someone had made an impression on us...it's the TRUE circle of life.  I had this epiphany yogging in the park.  (Yogging...it's this new thing, apparently you just run).  Don't worry family, it was during the day :-)  Running is my thinking time, and since I need constant stimulus like a 3 year old child, I am always searching around for something interesting to look at, or indulge in my favorite sport of people watching.  (I am an All-Start athlete in the people-watching arena).  I am running past the water fountain that the bird lady was near in Home Alone 2 , I look to my left and saw a beautiful memory being made.  A dad riding his bike alongside of his young 5 or 6 year old son, teaching him how to ride own his bike.  Let's name him Lenny for the examples sake.  Lenny was a little wobbly, so Lenny Sr. was holding on to the back of his shirt to guide him along.  I realized, not only will Lenny be so happy to feel a sort of independence to be able to ride his bike to new adventures, but also he will always remember how to ride a bike.  People say, 'You know, it's just like riding a bike.'  Riding a bike is something that will always be engraved in your memory.  It's the little things in this life that are remembered.  Many times we get stressed out about what we can get a person for a gift, I am sure most of you are happy the holidays are over for that reason alone.  The funny thing is, the holidays are about giving love, friendship and laughter.  Over the years, this message has been lost in the tangled lights.  I do understand, gifts are important, but don't just give a random gift, give a gift with purpose.  These relationships that you have with family and friends are important, and a gift with meaning spreads farther than a gift with a high price tag.  (Spreads like buttaaah)

Every day, you have the opportunity to leave your mark on this world...how will you leave your personal footprint?  You know how yawning is said to be contagious, well so is a smile.  Leaving your footprint on someone's heart, is as easy as giving a smile...AND IT'S FREE PEOPLE!!  I am excited for you to go out today and change this world, one footprint at a time.  I leave you today with this gem of a quote from Samuel Taylor Coleridge: