Coffee Table X3d 44" X 22" X3d $85

Coffee Table x3d 44" X 22" x3d $85

Stickley Mission Oak End

Stickley Mission Oak End

These End Tables Are From Our

These end tables are from our

THE WINDOW

A Touching Story About the Pursuit of Happiness...

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man  was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour a day to drain the fluids from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and   families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military  service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the  man in the bed next to the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed would live for those one-hour periods where  his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and  color of the outside world. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake, the man had said. Ducks and swans played on the water while  children sailed their model boats. Lovers walked arm in arm amid flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite  detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.  Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive  words. Unexpectedly, an alien thought entered his head: Why should hehave all the pleasure of seeing everything while I never get to see  anything? It didn't seem fair. As the thought fermented, the man felt  ashamed at first. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He   began to brood and found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that  window - and that thought now controlled his life.

Late one night, as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window  began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man   watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room, he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running. In less than five minutes, the coughing and choking  stopped, along with the sound of breathing. Now, there was only silence--deathly silence.

The following morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendant to take it away--no  words, no fuss. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the man asked if he  could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his   first look. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

Moral of the story:

The pursuit of happiness is a matter of choice...it is a positive attitude we consciously choose to express. It is not a gift that gets delivered to our doorstep each morning, nor does it come through the window. And I am certain that our circumstances are just a small part of what makes us joyful. If we wait for them to get just right, we will never find lasting joy.

The pursuit of happiness is an inward journey. Our minds are like   programs, awaiting the code that will determine behaviors; like bank vaults awaiting our deposits. If we regularly deposit positive, encouraging, and uplifting thoughts, if we continue to bite our lips  just before we begin to grumble and complain, if we shoot down that seemingly harmless negative thought as it germinates, we will find that there is much to rejoice about.

~AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Big Things

This is what it is like in my head

I have to apologize....things have been a mite busy of late. But it will all be revealed soon....I promise!

Here is a hint. In part, it has to do with THIS.

I am very excited. (Ahem....an understatement!)

I hope you will stay tuned!

Laptop Storage End Table.

Laptop Storage End Table.

GET REAL: Being Authentic - ACHTUNG SERIES!

There is something incredibly refreshing about people who are real.  Over the years, I have found myself creating a circle of friends who are pretty real.  I always know where I stand with them.  Sure, there may be times I don’t like what they have to say and it may sting, but with time (usually 24hrs) I see their side, and often they were right. 

Sadly, far too many people hide behind masks, in an attempt to present their version of their “best self.”  What any and everyone wants is to feel like they matter…like they are important.  And through hiding behind these masks people attempt to gain that validation.  However, if you aren’t being authentic then people can’t really get to know and enjoy YOU.  Moreover, fake attracts fake… so if you are being inauthentic, well guess what?  You are going to attract friends, people and things that are inauthentic. 

Come on that’s not really living!

The notion of keeping up with the Joneses reflects this need by some to present an image of importance.  Think about it – sometimes people are so busy trying to provide the appearance that their life is so amazing and superior to others and one to be envied.  Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Myspace and other social networks have become a perfect means of self-promotion and feeding this narcissistic behaviour.  But, the truth of the matter is anyone who is concerned more with appearing important and vying for validation from others, probably should be pitied.  This goes right back to my previous blog on pride.

People who are truly fulfilled in themselves do not have to stand from a soapbox and declare their excellence.  They are not concerned with appearing superior to anyone else.  In fact, they enjoy the success and improvements of those around them.  They are clear on who they are and what they believe in.  And their actions are not second guessed by what they anticipate the assessments of others might be.  They are authentic.

Last week, we lost Betty Ford and wise and brave woman.  I have much respect and love for her authenticity.  Her ability to honestly state her position on issues considered taboo during her time.  There was no mincing of words with her and you always knew where she stood.  The world should be so inclined to experience more authentic people.

I truly believe by being authentic and real you encourage others to be the same.  And really be loved, appreciated and of importance for WHO they really are and NOT how they think they should be.

Often, when I’m not sure upon an action I’m about to take I’ll take time to question my motive.  And if my motive is about currying favour for a measured appearance, I know that that action is not correct.  I encourage you to do the same and to go so far to ask how “real” are the people you surround yourself with? 

Getting Real,

Nicole