Keep it simple

How simple the joys of Christmas really are. It's no wonder why so many of us anticipate and flourish in this wonderful time of year. What is it really, that makes this time of year so joyous?

It may be the reflecting that many of us do, on our lives, family, friends, trials and tribulations of a year coming to a close. For that matter, it may be the anticipation of a new year, a new beginning, a new hope. It may even be something as simple as the evident change in our environments, the weather maybe, peoples attitudes, or that feeling of grace and fortune that some of us are so lucky to feel.

I could not ask for anything more than my family provides me. My beautiful children, who make me smile,cry, and rejoice with pride and even laughter. Their innocence and simple beauty amazes me every day, NO REALLY, EVERY DAY. Oh yes, most of all, my superwoman of a wife. Gina is so driven and full of energy and hope. My wife manages to make each and every one of her days, a magical feat!!! It really is magic to me, how she manages our home and children. I know that I could never do it. Most days I actually feel guilty about putting in a long work day, leaving her home with our sometimes CRAZY little ones.

In the end though, all of life's trials are rewarded somehow. Through our children's accomplishments and happiness, impacting our friends and family through gestures of kindness and pure generosity, making someones day or life for that matter.

I guess Christmas is really a CELEBRATION OF LIFE, the way it ought to be lived. Life through acts of kindness,love and generosity. Life through grace, and the realization that there are bigger things out there for us, so most of the time the little things we let occupy our days, really don't matter much.

As I stood in front of my house tonight, looking at the thousands of Christmas Lights that illuminate my yard, I felt a true comfort in myself, knowing that in the end, despite the day I may have had, my family will still be here for me, my children will be running up to me with excitement and my life will simply reset itself, because of the re assurance I have in my faith in Life, Love and God.

I always hear the words my grandparents frequently used when I was a boy, "Don't worry, everything will be alright"

Enjoy this brief time of the year, the food, the laughter, the giving, the sharing and the love.

Should be like this all year long???? Right???

Love you all.

Chris

Christmas Around The Corner

I guess now is as good a time as ever to re-start my blogging.It's been a while, and most of the time I need some type of event or motivating factor to get me to start striking these keys.

CHRISTMAS is right around the corner!!!! I'm starting the spirit early, since it seems to fly by quicker and quicker each year.
It's a very special time, and made even more special since I have two beautiful kids to share it with.

Here we Go!!!!!

A story has ended

Luciano Pavarotti died last week at his home in Modena, Italy. He was 72....
He lived a life of doubt, criticism, success, failures and triumphs. He was unknown by all in his early years and later adored by millions. As a young Tenor, he spent 6 years in near obscurity, pursuing his love for the opera. He could not find his voice, developed medical problems, then vowed to give up trying. It was not until he left the opera, and stepped back into civilization that his true voice and abilities came to pass.

An interesting story of how sometimes, some of us, may need to step back and look at our challenges from a distance. Being so close to the fight, the excitement, the lights, makes us blind to what the true answer to our problems is.

I has always admired the man. He had an ability to draw you in to the simplest of stories, and with his voice and power, make you not only see the meaning of the stories, but make you feel them deep in your gut as well. Only a truly passionate person has this ability to project a message in this way. A way that makes you feel at ease with yourself and the world.

Che Gelida Manina
Nessum Dorma
Una Furtiva Lacrima
Non Ti Scordare Di Me

Just a few of the songs that put a lump in my throat when belted out by this vocal giant.

He lived large in more ways than one, and never looked back or apologized for the grandiose life he led. He lived his life as it should be lived. Striving, Laughing, Loving, Giving, Enjoying and most importantly LIVING.

How simple life can be if we just look, listen and experience the beautiful things around us.
Loving our families till we are exhausted. Living our lives as if they could end tomorrow, but all the while never thinking that something as wonderful as LIFE could ever really come to an end.

I will miss this man, and the impact he has had on my life through his music, but his voice will live on forever.

Rest in Peace Maestro

We loved you

A Messege for our circle

Let's all take a second to realize and remember how simple and beautiful life should be.
I think to myself sometimes that my every day begins with ME, if I am not good with myself on any given day, then I most likely will not be good with anything else that day.

I have grown to realize over the last 10 years that what is truly important is whats in MY heart and not in the hearts of others. Maybe this sounds selfish?? I don't think so. How can I truly love and appreciate the gifts of others if I cannot know of the gifts that I have to give?
What will make me happy?? Sometimes I just do not know......

Most of the time though, I realize that in the end, the person I see in the mirror is the person I need to please first and always.

I have experienced years of self abuse and doubt over myself, that I never had a moment to reflect on the good things, on God or on the people that truly have loved me.

I have loved and lost all by my own hand, mostly because at those times I had no understanding of myself or my needs and or abilities.

This is not a license for selfishness, it is a wake up call to those of us who may not realize the wonderful gifts we are capable of giving only if we new the benefits.

Take a moment to realize that when you are strong, you help make others stronger, and when you feel weak or full of doubt you need to open the door to those who you have given strength to.

Rocky Balboa said " Friends don't owe!!, Friends do cause they wanna do"

I am hear to DO, call on me and I will always try my best to DO for you. I want to do.

There it is, my OPRAH WINFREY moment......



Chris

What a Wonderful Wife

I really wanted to take a minute to take a minute to really THANK my wife Gina for being such an amazing and generous person and wife to me over the last few weeks especially. Gina has shown me so much patience and understanding with the long hours I put in for my career om a daily basis, she loves and takes care of our two children every day, cooks dinner for her family everyday, and still has the energy and desire to come and be part of a special day at work for me. I want her to know how proud I am of her and how much I admired her tonight, she makes me proud to be in her life.

THANKS BIRD..

I LOVE YOU

Chris

Always Possible

Just when you thought it was over, it wasn't.
Just when you thought you couldn't bear a minute more, you did.
Just when you though It couldn't get any worse, it does.
And just when you thought hope had faded into the distance, it didn't, it kept it's small light shining ever so warmly behind you, hoping you would notice it again, hoping you'd turn to it once more.

Just as Mickey said to Rocky:

" I didn't hear no bell...Now get up"!!!!

The season is changing and so are the challenges, be ready and be strong, but most of all..........................................BE COOL

I'm in the mood for a little Old School summertime music.........Journey anyone?????

Chris

Thats Life!!!

The Great Crooner, Frank Sinatra said it best, "Thats Life"!!!!!!! Whenever I come across this song or pull the CD out of my carrier, I prepare myself to be released at least temporarily from anything and everything that could be bothering me. My grandfather always tried to teach me the value in rolling with the punches and taking life as it comes, one day and one event at a time.

Nothing ever seemed to big of an issue to either one of my hardworking blue collar grandfathers.
Sick??? "You'll be Ok"... Tired???? "You had a long day, sit down and rest". Everything seemed so evenly paced and simple to them. I guess my Dad would say it best when something would not go his way, "Whatta you gonna do"? he would say as a statement, not a question. That's Life!!!

A quote at the opening of "True Romance" says.

" And til this day, the events that followed all still seems like a distant dream. But the dream was real and was to change our lives forever. I kept asking Clarence why our world seemed to be collapsing and things seemed to be getting so shitty. And he'd say, "that's the way it goes, but don't forget, it goes the other way too." That's the way romance(Life) is... Usually, that's the way it goes, but every once in awhile, it goes the other way too."

Sometimes for me the volume of everyday life is just turned up to high, and I need to hit the mute button and unwind to the sound of silence. Work, Friends, Family, just life in general has to be taken in small doses for me at times, that is how I function best. It is nice to know though, that when I am ready to put the CD back into the player, my friends and family are still there to sing and experience with me.

Take life one day at a time, absorb it, cherish it, and learn from it, fall asleep and arise in the morning to start the ride all over again. We complicate things so much in our lives. Remember and recall the good, forget the past, and dream about the future.

When my daughter Adrianna took the stage for her first dance recital rehearsal, and began to dance so simply to "Earth Angel", I choked up inside and had to hold back a tear. It was the first moment in my life that I felt "Pride" for someone so special and so much my responsibility. To see her happy and successful, meant the world to me, and instantly put me into the "simple life" mode of thought. These times are what life is all about.

I really do want all my friends and family out there to know that all of you that are involved in my families life at this time, make my life and my families life worth living. The times we share are unique and special, and have no boundaries. I truly love and enjoy the inspiration, laughter and experiences that we all may share. Believe it or not, we have created a community, a culture and a way of life for each other. So far so good, So far some sad, So far some challenges and So far so Fun.............That's Life!!!!

TAKE A LISTEN TO A LITTLE FRANK.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37-2O4XujoA

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