Extraordinary Life

I own all of my experiences. And i am well.

Those who may read the words i have written in the past, and identified with me through the ups and downs of life, may not understand or agree with me now. The good thing: I don't care. Life is constant evolution, if we but allow it.

My experiences and how i perceive them are mine. I am blessed beyond...my wish for all is to be yourself, and know You are an Extra Ordinary Special Unique Being...just the way you are...

I have learned through many life lessons not to judge, inflict my opinion, or assess another beings experiences, telling them they are wrong. They are not, you are what you believe. I believe we were meant to be happy...and sometimes sad.

In my mind, everything happens for a reason and pieces of the puzzle that make up the stories of our lives unfold as necessary. Some chapters of our stories... delightful, some painful, some insignificant and others extraordinary.

Faith is hopeful belief about the future. See it as you wish and i hope you recognize...

And who is "THEY?" and why do we allow 'them' any power over us??

Don't Back Down

I am a believer that there are many things that happen in life that do have significant meaning, if we but look, listen and learn. After tonight i won't back down!

BE inspired. Watch this and... Stand Your Ground!

I have malice for no one. I am strong. I follow my conscience and stand up for what is in my heart. I wish the same for you in your journey!

What's hiding be Hind the Expert?

  It is a Sunday afternoon; I sit peacefully in my living room with Zion faithfully at my feet.

 

Crazy times with fam at 4th of July parade

It has been a week full of fun, laughing, visiting family, talks with my boys, long hours working, disappointment and hope.

I have attended parades, parties,
been in a court room, conducted meetings, reconciled bank accounts, posted payroll and played affectionately with the Grandogs.

I have wondered...the Ups and down(er)s of life, "are we pro-active or re-active to them?" I ask myself this question and i ask it of those i choose to be involved with. You may do the same?

I live deeply and passionately, no matter the direction life is taking. I love life. I am blessed with spirit and challenges that exercise my strengths. I ask myself, "what and whom am i responsible to? How can i improve my life and positively effect and influence those around me?" Being pro-active in the affirmative to answering these questions make me happy, even if circumstances and situations are not perfect.

You JUST MAY not know EVERYTHING

I don't live in a perfect world. If you do, could you invite me in to visit for but a moment? Interesting question because everyone has their own definition of "perfect" and possibly, just possibly... everyone views it differently?! What i find interesting and quite comical in a room full of 'EXPERTS' on any given subject is, how arrogant and opinionated they may become!

To put oneself in another persons shoes is compassion. To evaluate or judge without experience is egotism.

As for me, I am approaching my 49th birthday with great zeal, knowing that the more i learn the less i know; the more life i face willingly the more authentic i become.





I wish you enough challenges to make you strong;

enough humble pie to teach you to cry,

enough sun and children in your life to make you smile...











and of course...a dog that pierces your heart so even when you're grumpy, you feel love. All ways.

















Lori~

Until Tomorrow

What's important to you?  
What motivates you? 
What do you fear the most?

What brings about those fears? Often we fear what we do not know or cannot control, last time I checked no one has a crystal ball that actually works, do they?



We as human beings have a tendency to compare...be it our material possessions, our appearance, our status, even our children! We jockey one against another and it is all to our self detriment. It is human nature to be self interested and it is also human nature to steer away from pain...for these reasons we conflict in so many ways.

Our family is no different and we have gone through divorce, death, bankruptcy, religious dissension, and political dogma.

We roast each other for our foibles and sometimes hurt each other's feeling...and we get over it...






our family is a group of communicators, and through pain and strife, we end up working it out.

My Mom and Rondy Mom2 sharing laughs about the grandchildren

Love conquers all.

I am going to take some time off from wildflowers and weeds blog. I have some people, projects, and priorities that I would like to give complete attention to. There is a time and a season for everything. Summer is my favorite season; I intend to enjoy it.

I don't know what's ahead. No one ever does, but I trust and move forward with complete faith and optimism for what ever the future holds is... as it should be.

The Answer Always Lies Within

One month from now I will have completed four consecutive semesters at the University of Utah. My life and perspectives, my routines and overall thinking about many things in life have changed, quite dramatically.

I was introduced to Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs 25 years ago when I attended Weber State College and was lucky enough to get more acquainted with several different approaches to understanding myself and others behaviors on this go around at school. 

I suppose at some time or another we evaluate what we want, how we are doing, and if, and CAN we make changes in our lives to improve our lives? All of these questions can be asked and answered depending on where we lie in this pyramid from Abraham Maslow. If your love/belonging needs are not being met your motivations will be much different than if it is esteem you are seeking. It is highly doubtful you will be worrying much over what others think of you when you or your family is starving.

It is proposed that many rarely, if ever reach self-actualization.

The answer to this question only lies within yourself. I am responsible only for myself and you are only responsible for you. However when we reach a point of self-actualization we 

become part of something greater than ourselves and with that life becomes something much more meaningful, something richer beyond the borders of oneself. 

It's a brain twister, but worth the thought...

Spring to Summer to Fall, but Where?

Last Fall I took a LOA (leave of absence) from my business, Phazes Salon & Day Spa of which I had been giving heart and soul to for 21 years. This past August marked our 22nd year in business. We opened in Ogden, Utah in 1987. Our second location opened in Kaysville, Utah in May 1995 and we finally were able to retire from paying rent to a landlord when we built this magnificent building and moved in 3 years ago. Designing, planning, and decorating the building all while still keeping up with normal business was a labor of love, albeit exhausting!

The first 6 months of my LOA was caught up in another business with my sister, therefore no R&R was to be had. Sherry has continued on with the business and is a fine entrepreneur in her own right. I got plenty of rest this Summer and now Fall is here and I wonder...what do I want to be when I grow up???

I am 46, no Spring Chicken anymore. Some days are good, Summer NOT! Do "they" consider 40's to be the Autumn of your life? or am I just getting started?!

Well, I must Find Another Place to Fall. I love being an entrepreneur, frankly I'm not sure I could work for anyone, but I would be a great employee. Maybe that doesn't make any sense...but it does to me! I could stay home and live the leisurely life...that doesn't make sense to me!!!

I have many interests and one in particular in mind, but time will tell. One thing I have learned is to try to let things BE for awhile and see what comes of it. Experience tells me that God has done more with my life than I have ever done for myself. I have not always been so good at patience and trust...I am learning.

Yes I could go back and plunge into Phazes, but what would really be the point? It is operating without me. I'm on the board! HA! What more could I want? It has been said, "What are you willing to let go of, to get what you want?"

Letting go of Phazes was one of the hardest things I have ever done, and yet it was really just a job. My identity, my passions, my creativity, so many things were all wrapped up in it, but that was just IT, I was all wrapped up in it!

My passion has, is and always will be helping people. If there is any Falling to be done, I hope it is others into MY arms, and that my arms are strong, loving and compassionate enough to hold them.

For everything there is a Season and a Time...

Sowin' some Wild Oats

Does anyone know what these weeds are? They are wild oats. Anyone sowed any wild oats before, maybe carrying on a little now, or have teenagers doing it at this moment? I relate, I've been there, done all of it. Wild oats, I wonder where the expression comes from???

When is it appropriate to make a decision for someone else? When you are a parent this is such a difficult decision. The love you have for your children is beyond comprehension and sometimes you can see the destructive behavior and patterns that your children may be falling into. I had some wonderful advise that stuck with me early while I was raising my first teenager that seemed to feel right to me. I suppose it was the way I wanted to be treated. It was this: by the time a child is 12-13 years old you have taught them who they are going to be. When tough situations reveal themselves, and there will be many, unless the situation is life sustaining or altering save the relationship and be their friend, don't be the heavy authoritarian. I have followed this same rule with all relationships by trying to not be authoritarian about how I do things. I am very passionate yes, and unfortunately there was a time in my life when it was more important to be right than happy! That's a strong family trait...

How about in marriage, considering one another in decisions is crucial. The ability to see each other as equals in all things remains at the core in the strength of the unity. In our business I have seen such a wide variety of people over the years and unfortunately I see all to often an inequality of respect between husband and wife. My observation is this: for those who continue to complain about the same thing over and over year after year, but have taken no action to solve or improve their situation...I have no sympathy. Things are tough, they could be much tougher!

My thoughtful husband has been concerned for me. Apparently he applied for social security disability insurance for me. He mentioned it to me but I guess I did not think much of it until I got a couple of voice messages wanting to interview me for more information to see if I qualified. I have gotten quite a kick out of this whole thing. I only told my sister, but that is like telling the whole world. Anyway, we have laughed so hard, I believe my husband will take it in the shorts but good for this one. My family can be brutal. Moral of the story, don't make decisions, even when intentions are good, for someone else.

When my husband and I filled out our Advance Health Care Directive as we prepared our Will we wanted to make decisions for ourselves as long as we are able and then, and only then, let our children step in.

I intend to be of sound mind and then be gone (good Lord willing)...or spend some mighty fun times sowin' some WILD OATS in one of them, what do they call them, FACILITIES!!! If I've lost my mind that's too bad, I won't know how much fun I'm having. If not, you should look me up, there won't be a more exciting rest home around!!!