College Rejections Are Not The End Of The World

April 4th, 2013
Posted By: Mary Kate Cranston

It’s that time of year.

You know.  College admissions and rejections.

You are either laughing with joy from the news of your acceptance or crying because you got rejected.

If you didn’t get into the college you wanted, it feels as if it’s the end of the world, doesn’t it?  But guess what?

It’s not.

You don’t know where life is going to take you; who you’re going to meet and where you’re going to go.  Life is full of the unexpected and the unplanned.

I am in a place I never thought I would be but it’s still good!  … Read More

85 Year Old Friends

April 1st, 2013
Posted By: Mary Kate Cranston

All of my friends are gifts. Friendships, no matter what your age, are healing and can help you maintain your mental balance.   Friends connect you to the dynamics of life and all it has to give.  Friends keep me going and remind me what life is truly about.  Hashing the ups and down of life cements my friendships, for they help me try to make sense — or least laugh — at what has happed to me or to them. It’s always great to make new friends but there is something about the chemistry of an old friendship that is… Read More

Blessed Easter

March 31st, 2013
Posted By: Mary Kate Cranston

Have A Blessed Easter  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of… Read More

Simply Notice

February 28th, 2013
Posted By: Mary Kate Cranston

Crocus Signaling A New Season The grand essentials in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.            ~ Joseph Addison (1672-1719) Today is the last day of February and that makes me smile.  I am not one to hurry time along, but in this case I am happy to see the arrival of the month of March.  I love a longer day when the sun is warmer and daylight lasts until 8 or 9 o’clock in the evening. I hadn’t noticed that the seasons were starting change until the other morning when I had… Read More

Magical Christmas Scenes

December 24th, 2012
Posted By: Mary Kate Cranston

It’s Christmas Eve!  Can you believe it? In some ways, I think Christmas Eve is more magical than Christmas Day. Maybe it’s the anticipation. . . Here are a few pictures showing the wonder of Christmas that I find comforting. I hope they bring comfort and joy to you too! Merry Christmas!! Christmas Candles Courtesy of sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net Christmas Gates Courtesy of vintagerosegarden.tumblr.com Christmas Village Courtesy of dreamingofawhitechristmas.tumblr.com Christmas Sled Courtesy of ullamaijahanninen.net Christmas Walk Courtesy of crushculdesac.tumblr.com Christmas Bucket Courtesy of robomargo.com Christmas Bow Courtesy of tumblr.com… Read More

Being All In

December 12th, 2012
Posted By: Mary Kate Cranston

This holiday season, I am appreciating the endless decorations of bows, bells and evergreens, listening to the traditional Christmas music that seems to be playing everywhere and trying to find wonderful presents for those that I love. I’ve been to a few Christmas parties and also donated to schools and other groups who are dependent upon help from others so that they may continue their community work that is so crucial to helping men, women and children who are homeless and without a place to go for regular shelter and meals. I am trying to give of myself and think… Read More

Dancing Dreams

December 11th, 2012
Posted By: Mary Kate Cranston

Pauline Clark has got it goin’ on.Today’s post is about holding on to a dream that you know is good for your soul.  Pauline Clark is my inspiration today and she is featured in the story below that I read in the New York Daily News about how Pauline’s lifetime dream of dancing with the Rockettes finally came true. I think Pauline Clark, who is 87, has definitely heard about the idea of “use it or loose it” and has taken it to heart as a lifetime philosophy. The idea behind “use it or loose it” is essentially this:  if… Read More

Being Positive

April 12th, 2012
Posted By: Mary Kate Cranston

My son came home from college for a brief Easter break and happily it caused a shift in my outlook. For me, the take away message of his visit is all about the importance of having a positive attitude.  Maybe it’s young energy or maybe it’s because he has a smaller plate of responsibilities than I do but my son has a wonderful tendency to find happiness in many things.  Just by being around him, I am reminded that being positive makes living a lot easier. Do you think that sounds obvious?  Maybe so.  But if being positive is so… Read More

Handling Those Nasty Negatives

December 12th, 2011
Posted By: Mary Kate Cranston

Like the weather, feelings are unpredictable.  Sadness and anger come and go.  So do joy and excitement. The most sensible approach to handling such feelings is to accept them…and continue doing what you need to do. ~ David K. Reynolds, A Handbook For Constructive Living… Read More