happiness

He Gone

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by Bernadette A. Sahm

You can’t open any news source without learning that celebrity couple Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman have split after 19 years of marriage. Like most people I am a bit shocked and saddened as it appeared they were a happy and loving couple.

This celebrity news has caused more than a few “couple conversations” with my husband. We have been together for 34 years now and married for 28 years. It is not always easy, but we are committed and stay in love. I hate the term “work at it” as I would rather say we try to keep it fun and happy. We enjoyed each other’s company and like many of the same things. We grew up during the same time period.

They say Keith moved out from the family months ago and are just now making it public knowledge. My husband’s immediate response was “somebody didn’t want it” in regard to their marriage. It made me think that yeah, the only “secret” to a happy marriage is that both people have to want it.

When a man moves out of the family home and purchases his own private residence you can almost guarantee it is because he has found a new partner. I am willing to bet that Nicole has been replaced with a younger version. We have witnessed this show before …

I am a firm believer that when it is over, it is over, both people have to want it for a marriage to succeed. I can’t imagine what is more difficult to leave or to stay in a relationship that you don’t want to be in and are unhappy.

What I think is that he is gone and in my life experience Nicole will find someone or someone better!

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

Wave Watcher

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by Bernadette A. Sahm

“When I sit here by the sea and listen to the sounds of waves, I feel free from all obligations and people of this world.” Henry David Thoreau

Wave watcher

Am I

Soft foam

Gentle wave

Unique forms

High tide

Wave watcher

Am I

Fierce crisp and cold

So many sounds and shapes

Not alone

Gather here

Celebrate there

Low tide

Ebb and flow

Wave watcher

Am I

Never gets old

Does not disappoint

Always amazing

Sunny hot

Dark and cold

Wave watcher

Am I

Winter Spring Summer and Fall

Flows and goes

In and out

Today, tomorrow and forever

Wave watcher

Am I

Follow Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and Instagram @bernadettesahm

#ocean #life #love #peace #sea #beach

Enough

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by Bernadette A. Sahm

For some time now I have been contemplating the phrase “less is more” and “down-sizing” and neither felt right. They seem negative to me like its “less” and less than what I am thinking about and trying to convey. We aren’t living with “less” we are living with enough! Doesn’t that sound better “enough is more” enough is enough!

Not that long ago we owned two homes and three vehicles for just two people. It was enough and it was more than what most people accumulate. Then one day as we approached retirement, we questioned what do we need? What do we want? We decided to “edit” and make decisions on what was best suited in our new lifestyle. It seemed like the common phrases of “down-sizing” and “less is more” were the common definitions for most people. Yet it didn’t sit well with me because I felt so happy and so content. It is living with enough … we really don’t need so much to live well and to be happy. Honestly it feels more liberating, deliberate and natural. It easy and less stressful.

How do you define “enough” … think about the amount of energy and responsibility it takes to manage more than enough and how much more enjoyable we can be when we come to view our lifestyle choices as “enough”

Peace and blessings on this rainy Sunday afternoon!

Bernadette

On Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and Instagram @bernadettesahm

#Enough #Grateful #Appreciation #Joy #Peace #Grace #Livingwell #Blessed

The Slower Life Gets

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By Bernadette A. Sahm

The slower life gets, the more it feels like living. I heard the birds chirping this morning. I smell the fresh ground coffee beans dripping fresh brewed coffee. The curtains are gently swaying with cool crisp breezes trickling through the open windows. The sky so lovely bright blue with soft white cottony clouds.

The slower life gets, the more it feels like living. Quiet is the fun new excitement. Stillness is the new action word. Peace is the mantra for these days. Loving is the overall theme and daily goal.

I’ve slowed down and I have never felt more alive. The slower life gets, the more it feels like living!

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

Instagram @bernadettesahm

#peace #love #life #living #retirement

Aging Backwards

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by Bernadette A. Sahm

My husband tells me that I am “aging backwards” I’ll take it! And he would know as we have been together for 34 years now, together since we were just 32 years old. Although this is not the first time I’ve heard this, it is the first time I actually believe it.

I believe that I had aged pre-maturely in my early twenties as I was widowed at age 23 and left alone with a two-year-old toddler to raise. It felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders as I tried to navigate single motherhood and earning enough to support us. This was definitely not what I had signed up for at such a young age.

“I was so much older then, I am younger than that now” by Bob Dylan

Then came years of a different level of stresses in a new marriage and taking on the mother role for newborn infant twins, as I tried to work my way up my chosen career paths.

Yet today as a retired senior I feel and look better than ever before! There are no “secrets” to living a good healthy lifestyle as so much of it is just common sense.

If I had to make a list of what I believe has contributed to my happiness and wellness, this list would be much of it.

1) Live in love and let go of all that no longer serves you well

2) Eat the good food/eat fresh

3) Exercise and get those 10,000 steps a day

4) Take your vitamins, I am big on taking magnesium and a low dose of aspirin daily, it works for me!

5) Get outside in the fresh air

6) Keep gratitude top of mind as there is always something to be grateful for

7) Live under your financial means so that you are not financially struggling

8) Laugh often it feels so good and is so good for you

9) Get a dog or two!

10) And for me probably the most important of all is marry well, choose wisely and make sure you live in peace and love with your forever friend/partner/lover/spouse

Bonus buy the cute outfit, get your hair and nails done and take the trip … Life is for the living, live it!

This is my list … make one that works for you too. I feel great and I believe you can too!

Peace, love and blessings,

Bernadette

P.S. Thanks Brian for the inspiration!

Bernadette on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

Instagram @bernadettesahm

#love #life #liveyourlife #behappy #aging #agingbackwards #gratitude

I Want History

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by Bernadette A. Sahm

I want to have history with you, he said.

I want to take care of you, he said.

I want to love you, he said.

I will give you everything I have, he said.

Let’s do this, he said.

Will you marry me? he said.

I am here for you, he said.

We will outlast them, he said.

You have my whole heart, he said.

You are the only one for me, he said.

You are not alone, he said.

You are the love of my life, he said.

You did all of this and so much more, I love you so much! She spoke.

Follow me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook,com/bernadetteamoyer

Instagram @bernadettesahm

(Happy 33 years together and 28 years married! I think we have “history” …)

Beach Vibes

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By Bernadette A. Sahm

Endless colored beach umbrellas

Suntan lotion wafting through the air

Salty sea scent

Sandy toes

Cool breeze

Bright sunny skies

Rolling waves

Crashing shoreline sands

Seagulls and baby birds

Children playing

Adults escaping

Guards onsite

Its July

It’s the beach

We are here

Sitting on beach chairs

They have been here before

Sharing space

Sharing time

This is my lifeline …

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

#beach #summer #July #ocean #beachvibes #nature #outdoors

When I Grew Up

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By Bernadette A. Sahm

Life seemed so simple when I grew up, there was a code of conduct and rules that we lived by, they were just common sense. Here are the ones I remember that had a lasting impact on me.

  1. Remember your P’s and Q’s (please and thank you)
  2. We are NOT heating/cooling the outside world (reference to leaving doors open)
  3. Stop crying or I will give you something to cry about
  4. Idle time is a devil’s workshop
  5. Clean your plate! There are starving people in the world.
  6. What did YOU do? In reference to any time, you complained about other kids or what others did
  7. Just because everyone else does, does that mean you have to do the same? If they jumped off a bridge, would you?
  8. Because I said so!
  9. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
  10. Doesn’t leave much to the imagination! (In reference to skimpy revealing clothes)
  11. Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

I grew up in a time and in a home where these were the lessons and the house rules. Most of these were from my parents and grandparents. They definitely formed me into the adult I am today.

Bernadette On Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

The Buzzsaw

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By Bernadette A. Sahm

You can’t speak the truth

Because they chop your head off

Keep lying stop trying

Stand for something fall for anything

They gather together

Spy on you

Keep the lie going

Keep the lies growing

That’s what they do

They are a buzzsaw

All against you

You leave and walk away

Over it and over them

Sad but true

They knew and so did you

It’s a circular cut

The blade so abrasive

She called it “love”

I had to laugh

This from the person who knew the truth

But chooses to live a lie

She called the table “purple”

Everyone could see it was white

They looked at her

They looked at eachother

Then agreed it was “purple”

You stood there loudly proclaimed

“It’s white and you are all liars”

Birds of a feather

They do flock together

Love no, not at all

Mentally not well

I will take the white table

And the truth please

No thanks on the buzzsaw

I couldn’t care less

I’m happy now living truth and love

You are sadly purple and as stuck as ever

You can’t cut me anymore

1000 cuts I survived

Stronger, smarter and healthier

Not playing your same old tired games

I look back and shake my head

And I laugh and I laugh

I thank God that I’m good

Loved beyond measure

Peaceful tranquil and content

Over it and over you

I had to leave

I couldn’t take all the lies

I tried but I knew it was wrong

And we all knew it too

Keep your buzzsaw

I am planting a garden and

Collecting sand in my shoes …

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

#truth #survival #abuse #life #lessons #reality #buzzsaw #sand #lies

Reflections Simple Pleasures During Lent

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By Bernadette A. Sahm

  1. Hand holding walks through the neighborhood
  2. Freshly painted do-it-yourself projects
  3. Amish Markets
  4. Red Candy Apples
  5. Sunday car rides to no where
  6. Hard cover books
  7. Red cabbage natural dyed Easter eggs
  8. Easter candy
  9. No meat Friday’s
  10. Prayers, peace, prayers and more peaceful reflections
  11. Budding blooming flowers and trees
  12. Waking up to the sounds of birds singing
  13. Outdoor events
  14. Palm Sunday
  15. Dedicated time for reflection and gratitude
  16. Traditional viewing of the movie The 10 Commandments
  17. Hallow prayers app
  18. Fasting
  19. Chocolate Easter bunnies
  20. Easter baskets
  21. Easter Sunday Sunrise Service on the beach

Happy Easter blessings to all! May you be blessed with a most meaningful Easter celebration!

Follow me at Bernadette on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and on Instagram bernadettesahm

#Easter #Lent #Reflection #Signsofspring