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  marcoujor's musings

mar's Desk

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marcoujor:  Promises, Promises

1/2/2017

24 Comments

 
Picture

​Welcoming 2017

In my first post of this new year, promise seemed a natural issue for exploration and thought.

For as long as I can remember, CAC has given me two bayberry taper candles for a Christmas gift. Once again, this New Year's Eve, as I lit the candles on our fireplace mantel, I spoke the legend aloud.​

​A bayberry candle burned to the socket,
will bring joy to the heart and gold to the pocket.
​For as long as I can remember, I have given my husband flower bulbs for a Christmas gift. This year's gift included hyacinth, daffodils and paper whites.

Both of these traditions symbolize hope, growth and promise for a new year with a clean slate. In times of societal and political uncertainty, it seems that promises made to ourselves assume even more importance.

​I haven't made a resolution in the new year in a very long 
Picture
Image via gururu2 of Pixabay. Click the pic to visit their gallery there.
time. Not keeping a resolution (as most of mine were rather unattainable) felt like I was breaking a promise to myself. 

I do, however, remind myself on a daily basis of some of the wisest words Mom ever shared with me...

"Whenever possible, put away your cares and worries before retiring for the night. Leave your mind free preparing the body for its necessary sleep and rest. A new day will arrive with dawn."

This song, dedicated to Sannel Larson who will be seeing Sting in Sweden in June, 2017, is a perfect pause at this point. Here’s Sting (with Stevie Wonder), performing Brand New Day.

“Tomorrow has not been PROMISED, so today I want all my family and friends to know how thankful I am for each and every one of you and how blessed I feel that you are all a part of my life.  Anonymous”
​I can hear my parents drumming these core principles in my head throughout my childhood:
  • Don't make promises you can't keep.
  • Your word is your honor.
  • Actions speak louder than words.

I went through a time in my twenties when I sounded like a note from a high school yearbook. I hated the thought of saying 'no' or making anyone unhappy with my response, if you can imagine.

"Keep in touch. Let's do lunch. Call me soon, we need to catch up."

Thank heavens for age and the perspective gained through life experiences. For I haven't had the inclination to make an empty promise in a very long time.

There are those family and friends in my world (real or virtual) that I would stop anything I was doing and make time for. You all know who you are.

When working, my clients or students come first.

With clients, I learned early on never to make a promise I couldn't keep. People depend on their nurses and our word matters. As my parents instilled the values of honor, honesty and integrity in their children, so keeping my word has always come second nature.
  • Don't make promises you can't keep.
  • Your word is your honor.
  • Actions speak louder than words.

With students, I keep my promise as evidenced by returning phone calls, helping with problems, giving constructive feedback on work and performance - all in a timely manner. Just as important, I encourage them to practice these principles - now and all through their nursing journey.
  • Don't make promises you can't keep.
  • Your word is your honor.
  • Actions speak louder than words.

Hoping you enjoy this classic by Dionne Warwick, Promises, Promises

Happy New Year
&
​Birthday Wishes

​Happy new year wishes to you, and hope you'll join me in wishing a happy 8th birthday to our Zoey.

She's meshing beautifully with the family and in the short time she's been with us, has delivered much joy and love.

Also, she's been a hit with my readers and is already developing her own virtual fan club.

​
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​ShoutOuts

☙ Air Canada via WarnerWords
☙ Who the heck're ya anyhow? Via Horse Biscuits
☙ Light Bringer’s Dawnland via flashPress

​Until next week, wishing you peaceful purpose,

mar
24 Comments
paula link
1/4/2017 08:49:22 am

Maria.....Our parents, rest their precious souls, were the absolute wisest. That they lived each day, all that
they taught us, made them also most authentic. Being able to apply their lessons in our own lives & witness the beauty of benefits, proves their value. Knowing well that we are who we are because of their continual love and guidance, assures that we will carry on, paying it forward to every life we touch. This is a promise of our daily resolution, renewed without effort, despite day or year.
I am ever grateful you have touched my life.
"Happy Birthday, Zoey".....Cheers to all the Jordans. Love, Paula/Effer/2017

Reply
Maria link
1/5/2017 07:17:59 am

Thanks for your wise insights and friendship, dear Paula.

Zoey is appreciative of the birthday wishes as well.

Love you lots, Maria

Reply
Angelia link
1/4/2017 09:44:11 am

A beautiful start to 2017 💖
So many traditions I love and miss engaging in with our elders. Paula is spot on with them being the absolute wise st. I'm thankful that their influence is yet present even in their absence.

Im grateful the absence is temporary and I'm thankful for others who fill the gaps.

Happy new year to the Jordan's and happy birthday To Zoey! 🎉🎂

Reply
Maria link
1/5/2017 07:19:38 am

Thanks, dear Ange...I am also comforted knowing we will reunite with all our loved ones.

Hoping you are feeling fine and have a peaceful day. Love, mar

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Sunshine
1/4/2017 10:06:20 am

I love you, MM. You, like Effer, somehow always know what I need to hear at the right time. Happy New Year!

Reply
Maria link
1/5/2017 07:20:45 am

What a sweet thing to say...love you and thank you, Sunshine!

Reply
Susan Zutautas link
1/4/2017 10:08:35 am

Happy New Year Maria and family, and a big Happy Birthday to Zoey!

Reply
Maria link
1/5/2017 07:23:38 am

Zoey and I thank you, dear Susan. Happy New Year to you and yours as well.

Reply
Mike
1/4/2017 10:27:59 am

Happy New Year mar. You offer up some valuable advise here in this piece. I found it funny regarding the flower bulbs, I am a Christmas flower bulb giver from way back. (You would think there would be flowers around here somewhere.)

Happy birthday Zoey. (Andy wants equal time.)

Reply
Maria link
1/5/2017 07:27:32 am

What a sweet coincidence, dear Mike. I love your beautiful sunflowers...

Don't worry - Andy will be turning THREE in March...party plans are already underway... ;)

Reply
Martie link
1/4/2017 11:27:30 am

Happy birthday, Zoey! You are sharing a birthday with my son :)

Happy New Year, Mar!

Don't make promises you can't keep.
Your word is your honor.
Actions speak louder than words.

These are most certainly three of the golden rules we should follow unswervingly!

Hugs,

Martie

Reply
Maria link
1/5/2017 07:29:19 am

How cool to have a new year's birthday...hoping your son had a wonderful day as well, dear Martie.

Thanks for your visit and support. Love you lots, mar

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Ruby link
1/4/2017 06:04:20 pm

Hello Mar. I stopped making New Year's resolutions years ago. They were usually broken within the first week, now I just try to stay fit and eat right. Your mother's words are words to live by. Happy birthday Zoey. Wishing you a wonderful new year, full of joy and love.
Love and hugs my friend..

Reply
Maria link
1/5/2017 07:32:09 am

Dear Ruby,
I think our resolution not to make resolutions is for the best.
Thanks for your visit and sweet wishes to Zoey.
Love and hugs to you too, mar

Reply
crazyhorseladycx
1/5/2017 06:08:51 pm

Howdy, Ms. Mar!

What a wonderful upbringin' ya were blessed with :) I agree, promises ought not be made wildly, 's so many're broken. I've quite a few folks who do jest that'n my life. Such can be most drainin'.

So tickled that Ms. Zoey's gettin' a followin' 'f her own!

big hugs 'n love ~

Reply
Maria link
1/11/2017 12:06:36 pm

Seems like we were cut from the same cloth, dear Lady.

Zoey would love you - and you, her, I'm quite sure.

Hope you are well and thanks for your visit. Hugs, mar

Reply
Dilon Carter
1/5/2017 08:48:39 pm

Good Evening Beautiful,
I must share that your muses are very encouraging and inspirational. You are sharing blessings all of the time with us. Just know some people may never comment on any of your muses (and that is okay) but they are still being blessed by them. Your beauty shines forth both inwardly and outward. Pleased be encouraged and realize that you share hope, joy and love. Give Zoey a big hug for me and know that you are truly love continue to let your light so shine Love Ya;)
Dilon

Reply
Maria link
1/11/2017 12:09:07 pm

Dear Dilon,
What a beautiful delight to see you here...I am aware many others read without comment and I treasure their visits as well.
Hoping I see you on campus soon so I can give you a 'new semester' hug.
All the best with your classes!

Reply
Genna East
1/6/2017 02:10:10 pm

"With clients, I learned early on never to make a promise I couldn't keep." Maria, you are a caring professional of character, which is why these covenants are so important to you. They should be important to us all. :-) This New Year found me giving thankful prayers to my parents..their many gifts, and what they taught me. I could feel them with me, as foolish as that may sound. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. And Happy Birthday to precious Zoey!

Reply
Maria link
1/11/2017 12:12:07 pm

Oh dear Genna,
There is nothing foolish about feeling your parents with you...or else, I'm the biggest fool of them all... LOL.
Thanks for your visit and insightful remarks / sweet wishes.
Love and hugs,
Maria

Reply
Theresa
1/8/2017 10:08:21 am

Dear Maria,

How blessed we are in this life that have the preciou mothers we did! They are the wisest indeed. I used to be a people pleaser too, and that was no way to live ... however, one must be true to one's promises! Wise advice for this New Year from a wise and lovely lady, you.

Happy Birthday, Zoey! So glad the family is growing in love.

Happy New Year and much love, Theresa

Reply
Maria link
1/11/2017 12:14:36 pm

Your comment is especially comforting, dear Theresa - as I know we agree on so many of life's issues.

Yes, Zoey has added lots of love and laughter to our home - you would love her.

Wishing you a peaceful week. Love you too, Maria

Reply
Sannel link
1/10/2017 12:43:06 pm

Dear Maria,

I'm awfully late arriving to your very first weebly post for this year, and I'm late wishing the beautiful Zoey happy birthday. :( Ah, well, better late than never, right? I'm sure Zoey had a most wonderful and fun birthday with her precious family.

Thank you for thinking of me and dedicating the wonderful "Brand New Day' with Sting and Stevie Wonder. Yes, I'm so excited and can hardly wait to see Sting in concert when he arrives to Sweden in June.

I find your gift giving so sweet. I don't think we can ever get enough candles, right, and I love the idea of giving flower bulbs as gifts. I should start doing that more often.

Your parents were very wise to implant the values of honor, honesty and integrity in their children at an early age, just like you now do to your students, and I'm sure, those golden rules, they will carry on to others too.

Thank you for a wise, beautiful and inspirational start to 2017, dear friend! Happy New Year and Happy Belated Birthday, Zoey!
Thank you again for the special treat of Sting. :)
Love you lots!
Hugs,
Sannel

Reply
Maria link
1/11/2017 12:17:37 pm

You are always welcome and never late, dear Sannel.

Zoey is loving all these sweet wishes - she told me she has never felt so treasured and pampered, which is music to my ears...

Speaking of which, I'm so happy you enjoyed Sting and Stevie song - as I thought you might.

Love you and Freddie lots - hugs too, Maria, Andy and Zoey :)

Reply



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    Marcoujor

    Welcome to my desk...

    I am a work in progress, so a rule of thumb is to expect the unexpected every week!

    Pull up a comfy chair and make yourself at home.

    Thank you,

    mar  



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