My Sandbox
"Making Gratitude Contagious"
Which began in 2014 to INSPIRE
Now it is "Gratitude Intensified"
Which began in 2014 to INSPIRE
Now it is "Gratitude Intensified"
  Death Teaches us how to Live
I’m not fixated on Death, my faith allows me to have hope beyond the grave and including reuniting with loved ones, for that I’m so very grateful and it allows me to live aware, to live alert, intentional living. "No One Said Easy", a Choice. Choosing not to drift along life’s journey. I have had a number of loves ones who have died, family, close friends and in relating how Death teaches us how to live, when my husband of 19 years, a friend for many more, a father to our 2 sons, his life was taken, he was murdered by a 17 year old predator who shot him in the back with a military assault rifle and left him to die on the street, (a detailed story is shared on the under Living in my Truth. It was not just a few pages in my life’s journey that was written, but a chapter in my life’s journey, by itself a chapter on Death teaching me how to live. Gratitude was Gracious because it was how we lived, because of the conversations we had, because of the moments we shared, even in spaces of frustration in our married life, we chose to give space, not anger, I can honestly say that I have no regrets regarding our life, our time together, I lived saying those things I wanted to say, I did those things that I wanted to do and no matter when the departure would have come, the separation by death between us, it would have been to soon, he is missed and my heart is tattooed forever. I chose to live a life with Gratitude, to have a home that operated in that space “by choice”, not easy, a choice and that choice returned to me while in a tragic place, sharing that I gained in my present days of having No Regrets, no burdened heart of separating in a bitter place, or things that were left unsaid or apologies unspoken. **If you are now living with Regret, you have to let it go, you can not change what has happened but you can take that, you can take that energy and make the remainder of your days operating and sharing how not to live in that way that created regret in your own life. Don’t allow the burden to be a weight, Take what happens and do something with it, whatever allows fulfillment in your life, whatever allows for you to make a difference in the life of someone else. This is one of the many reasons, I have intensified this movement "Making Gratitude Contagious", it started as a Sandbox just sharing a perspective of lessons learned, from our generation to the next, now it is a movement and I’m calling on everyone to support the movement, support happens in many ways and that is outlined on the website under Eagle Call with ways you can do so. My ask is that you join with me, find your sweet, genuine spot of connection and support and join in with me in that area. Join with me in Planting Seeds of Gratitude, we are tending a garden and Yes that includes we are pulling weeds, but we are planting seeds at the same time. Anything you plant, Anything that you plant...will grow, right?! It may take time but it will surely grow. Death teaches us how to live In relation to my sons, losing their father was the first acquaintance to death directly affecting their lives and what was important to me was that they understood the Grace of God that we relied heavily on during that chapter and will rely on for a lifetime of moments, it was important to me that the faith that they were raised in what this meant, how it related to our lives in that moment and continues to present day. It was important to me that They understood the analogy of an Eagle, something I’ve shared many times throughout their youth, more details of that experience is shared on my Podcast.. Why an Eagle? Along the journey, storms come and this was a Hurricane, it was tragic, but as Eagles we understand that we have to continue to Soar above storms. To recognize that storms will come, not if storms come, but when they do, that you can rise above them, not shut down and not overwhelmed by them but use the winds to rise higher above them and continue forward. I didn’t say Easy, I said Possible, I said that you can. Grieving is healthy, tears, sadness, reflection all good things to release and that includes cherishing memories and conversations for a lifetime. What may not be healthy is when you get stuck in a chapter for years and years and you can’t escape the emotion of that chapter, it is one thing to reflect, to cherish, to share, to shed tears even but to be stuck where you no longer function day to day is not healthy. If this is YOU, please find the help you need, we all need help at times, just do it, don’t allow weight, don’t allow depression to smother and choke you to death. I recognize we don’t all have someone to reach out to so in those cases, I always suggest the suicide prevention line, they are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this is not about anyone else, it is about you being here. That number is 800-273-8255 Death teaches us how to live... The greatest question we can ask ourselves, What am I willing to die on? What is my belief that I live on a daily and willing to die on? Those questions form how we live, how we treat others by our words, by our actions. Those questions allow us in every moment to Take a Pause and to decide our reaction with things that challenge us, Those questions provide the strength to confront and continue through the many things that we can’t control, Those questions determine how we interact with those we know and with those that we don’t know. Those questions allow us to dig deeper on what is precious, what is priceless, what matters in our lives present day. What is “our why” of what we choose to do what we do? Death teaches us how to live... it allows us on every departure, a moment to assess our own life, our own journey, our own legacy, our own belief, it allows us to reflect on the words and actions that we will leave behind when our time comes. In reflection, along my journey, I believe that for every loved one that has transitioned from this life, there was a lesson, their were words of wisdom left behind, that I reflect on and in some cases adopted new actions that I exercise in my own life, one is telling those around me I love them, when parting ways. I was not aware of that process intentionally, but in review it has become very clear that each departure has left words to reflect on from many conversations that were had, from moments shared, from observation of many faces who in some cases could not speak but it was expressed on the face, in the eyes, an observation of those in deep thought or reflection of moments in their own life. A lesson, words of wisdom, dreams and plans shared. Hopes for those around them and for generations to come. The observation of faces that held concern, worries, fears of what if, if this, then this, an observation, a lesson, wisdom shared from observing, from listening, from asking questions, or hearing stories along life’s journey. Reflections that travel with me present day. Death teaches us how to live... how to treat other people, to have patience with those who may be moving a little slower, or who need support in any given situation. We all have to be aware that no one promised us that tomorrow will look the same as today, no one promised us that our journey will end a certain way, no one promised us that our lives would not be challenged in some way, none of us know what we might face, but we do know that we can be kind, we can be patient, we can live with an empathetic heart, we can choose to operate in the best version of ourselves. WE can choose to be the change we want to see starting in our home, with our own family, with dear friends, at work, in the community, in the neighborhood that surrounds us. If not you, if not me, if not us then who? Death teaches us how to live... When we choose to live with an open heart, we are open to operating with kindness, being respectful of those around us, operating in love, no matter our differences, operating in love no matter our differences, again operating in love no matter our differences. When you live chaotically, stressed, overwhelmed, vengeful, angry about something, frustrated about everything, then the world you see will be chaotic, you will live with no peace. Is that the plan? Is that the plan to live a life of no peace, angry about something, mad at someone about what? Is it? Is that the plan? You have to choose to exercise in the moment, making the best decisions in every single moment by your words and your actions. We are emotional beings and when, not if, and when, not if we are not in a good space, it is okay to take time to get ourselves on track, to regroup to regain our perspective before delivering weight to someone else before showing up providing tension. We have a choice, Someday is today and it will Always, always be a choice. I did not say It would be Easy, I said it will always be a Choice Death Teaches us how to live... We can decide what we tolerate and what we don't, Consider, someone is listening, someone is observing, someone who we may never meet took something with them from the action or words that we expressed in a given moment. If we understood how our lives can affect the lives of others, consider the young eyes that may be watching, the older eyes who are observing, Who knows but if we carried the weight of just that, we would have to consider the responsibility of that and it would make us more alert to our decisions, alert and aware of our conversation. I hear, but you don’t know what I’ve been through, you don’t know the injustice, the things that surround me or that I lived with? Yes, you would be correct but from a person’s life who was disrupted without notice, whose door was kicked down and everything known or planned changed in an instant, who current day is building along the way and traveling now rerouted in a different direction. Allow me to say, it doesn’t matter what happened, my only question is what are you going to do with it? How are you going to choose to live your life, what chapter are you willing to get stuck in? What do you gain from a life of choosing to be a victim? It’s a choice, we all have a story, we all have a story, we have storms, we all have valleys, so the only question is what are you going to do with yours? That is a direct question to You. Are you going to allow your life, to be robbed of precious moments, of laughter, of joy because of what happened? Death teaches us how to live... Death it is not a respecter of time, or age, or environment, or color, or location or status, Death is not on our timetable of When. If we could just embrace one thought that everything we choose to do in any given moment, is a seed being planted somewhere, that seed will grow in our lives, it will grow in the tomorrows we pray to have, into the lives of those around us. The seeds of words we speak and the actions we take in our home, around our family, where we work or along the travels we take throughout our day. Every word is a seed and it is going into the heart of someone. What are You Planting along your journey, what is growing around you, what is the harvest that you are creating in your life and in the lives of those around you? What are you planting? Death teaches us how to live... How are you living? Do you know your why, do you know what you believe and are willing to die on? I’m not providing answers, I’m providing words to consider, today, not tomorrow, not someday. Today In the scheme of things we attend the services of those who have died, transitioned on and we are guests and will be a guest at many more until we are the honoree and what will they say about how you or I lived? What will they say about the garden that we left behind? Death teaches us how to live... Thank you for being here, Thank you for supporting this movement to continue forward, by your donations of kindness, by your purchases on the Online Store, by purchasing the book, Live Heart Inspired, by Sharing the website, by reposting, commenting, and sharing in the Community Social Media Village, You just being here for every part of it, I’m very grateful, your support is continuing planting seeds in "Making Gratitude Contagious" You are appreciated..Thank you for traveling this unfamiliar path with me. Death Truly Teaches us how to Live...
Comments
 When you work, share or are on the path to making a difference sharing your own experience, driven to be a blessing to someone else, it should be of no surprise...when "Distractions" show up to disrupt ~ HS
So True..."No Surprise" Distractions for me have always been an indicator that I must be traveling in the right direction. Someone reached out to tell me that they had been contacted by this community directly?!, which I appreciated because it allows me to address the issue head-on. This community is transparent and as I've shared numerous times, this is a buffet table, take what can be an asset and leave the rest behind. It will always require Your Diligence to do what you're led to do...YOU will never receive a direct message from me or anyone representing Helping Build Bridges Across asking for anything from anyone. If you do receive any requests, please send me the information directly, screenshot, copy and paste, take a photo of the request. "Send Anything" ever received "stating" it comes from this community and I will deal with it head-on. Community Email: Hbbacommunity@gmail.com Thank you kindly, Donyale PS: I don't take these things lightly and I have no issue confronting "foolishness" This day and for the remainder of my days #MakingGratitudeContagious is "only" and always the intent  Words written and spoken: Donyale Authorized by iTunes Purchase, Song: "After the Storm" by Mumford & Sons
Making Gratitude Contagious is always the intent
This post is being published on the US day of celebration for Fathers. June 16th. 2019 but allow me to say Internationally “Happy Father’s Day” to all who celebrate a day dedicated to Fathers.
I thought this would be a great day to share my Son’s voices: A moment with Todd’s Sons: One of those things that I enjoy is listening to the perspective of others, it’s how I grow and learn more about the perspective of others. With any conversation, you can decide what can be an asset to your journey. For some, what is shared may not resonate in the present season that your journey is in, but it is fulfilling to just listen without judgment, without correction or persuasion on the view of someone else. For me, it is sharing my perspective always with the words "Consider" and listening to the many voices of others on how they see it, experience it, etc In fact, one of the things that brings my life Peace is that we each have our Journey to walk and I use daily what my faith has taught me and that is to Treat Others the Way I want to be Treated. To operate with Love and Respect. Love to me symbolizes, not delivering pain or weight to someone else those you know and those you don’t. To be alert to the words that you speak, the actions that you choose to take. In my Faith, God is Love and there is no Darkness in Him. The scripture that relates exactly to that point in my faith is 1 John 1:5-6 (NLT). In fact, if you don’t share the same faith or are searching for what you believe, Love should be Universal, always in operation, not attacking someone else because they don’t believe what you believe or not sure what faith is yet for them. Not beating someone else up because they don’t share the same language of expressing God. In my heart, God is the creator of all Creation and He speaks the language of every heart and if anyone knows the language that You need to find your peace, surely God would know Best on How to speak it. For those who know; my work is that my sons can know that Flowers can grow out of ashes. Their father was killed on Sept 7th, 2016, the story is found under Living in my Truth I will share, It was our Faith, it was God’s Grace that allowed us to walk through those ashes, to rise above to higher ground above that Tsunami of a storm that hit our home. It was storm designed to destroy our lives and including generations because of the unexpected devastation that it delivered. In fact, it had a ripple effect on the lives of many, on all of our family which reached so much further than just our own home. But God, but God’s Grace walked us through and God continues to be with us every single day. Thank you Jesus. The audio, the podcast above is me asking my sons; What has an Eagle meant to you; I told them often when they were younger they were Eaglets becoming Eagles, signifying Rising above Storms when, not if, but when storms come in life. To learn early that it’s not what happens to us, it’s learning to soar to higher ground above it, looking back, I believe these lessons was the Wisdom of God that taught me to share that with them as younger boys and can confirm that we continue to Soar to Higher Ground. The podcast is my work, it’s my fulfillment and I want to invite other guests to share their work, to share their heart,so allow me to say if you have a Story, an experience that can be uplifting, encouraging reach out to me, the door is open for those who feel led to share. Go to the website and submit that request on Share Your Story. That can be a story, a work, that you want to bring awareness to. As I build on this road of other voices, I have to learn the operation of something new and I thought my son’s voices would be a treat to start in the lesson of connecting other voices on the Podcast. This podcast, I'm asking Todd’s sons, my sons; Why an eagle? What does an eagle represent to you in your life, regarding your Dad or just your life, whatever is comfortable in this moment to share. I will share they are Teenagers, they are boys and this is totally Mom’s project, but I told them both "Thank you" for being considerate enough to simply share a few words of whatever “THEY WANTED TO SAY” not a production or a lesson, a simple share of what words they had to give. A great help to me, as I learned how to incorporate guests on the Podcast so a special moment of it being my first and a win-win in the process of this unfamiliar path that I’m traveling on. Thank you for listening thank you for being here, Thank you for traveling this unfamiliar path with me Eagle Hugs, Donyale #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent 
Making Gratitude Contagious is always the Intent
 Words Spoken by Donyale |
Mug with a Message | Is the Grass Greener? This was inspired by a number of conversations and it included an audience of different ages. This is shared as a perspective and not as an answer, my part is just conversation and in many ways, I'm just talking out loud, words for you to consider and to analyze and decide what matters and is best for you. Again a shared perspective. Is the Grass Greener? Along my journey, I’ve learned that Perception somehow becomes a reality and it is amazing what we, so many of us measure our lives by, what our fulfillment centers on and is measured by, on what seems to matter to us individually. The part that really got my attention is how much is spent on the Grass being Greener in someone else yard. How much of someone’s life is measured by a blueprint of someone they may not even really know and if they do is limited in the information they really have. Is the Grass Greener? Social Media what a great tool, I can tell you firsthand from someone who years ago, didn’t really get the Why of it, I have come to value it because it is a space to Share, to connect, to stay in touch with family and friends. It has allowed me to connect with my tribe, my village, my vibe with those who travel the road of Gratitude, who live with the premise of the value of a gift called time, called life, the priceless commodity of loved ones and dear friends, who live treasuring memories and who exercise in kindness. Who understand that when you don’t feel so friendly or kind, that less is more, those spaces are something that you personally work through and not deliver on to someone else’s doorstep. A tribe that really is contagious. . . . and so true at least for me that Your vibe really does attract your tribe. Is the Grass Greener? Like any and everything Social Media can provide a High and a Low and the Balance is to know your focus, to know your why and to be alert to what you allow into your heart, who you allow to speak into your life. What is the intent of the one speaking?! If not known, should it be valued, should it hold weight into what is important to you? To be aware of where you spend your time and who do you measure your life by, To be alert to that thing that can become a Distraction. Distractions are a Time Robber and when you spend “too much time” in someone else's yard, viewing someone else's life, you then give up more hours of what is precious to you. Time is a priceless commodity, you can’t get a return on what is spent. Is the Grass Greener? There are so many influences and Social Media creates such a Great Stage, a great Play with live characters who appear to have it all together, who have it all figured out. Consider who are these people before the photo or after the photo, what is the state of there lives every single day, what are they challenged with, what are they battling, what is really happening behind the photo. Is the Grass Greener? Now allow me to be clear, I as well as others share special moments in my life, my children’s life, because there are joyful moments and my intent, is to share that “moment” Keyword “MOMENT” This is being shared for the one, for the many who are Measuring there lives against a photo, photos or posts. This is for the one who is battling emotions that life is missing something. This is for the one who hurts and cries every time they see someone or others who they believe are living mountain top lives ‘all the time”, keyword “all the time”. For one who has traveled many miles and pray to travel many more, perception is not always reality and we should Celebrate each other, accomplishments, great moments, but we should not measure our lives by others, we really don’t know the full story. We should keep our focus on what is priceless to us. What brings our heart the greatest fulfillment that is a true success. In fact; 2 great quotes come to mind; Sucess could be measured by What brings Your Heart Fulfillment, What Allows Peace of Mind and provides Unmeasured Joy by ~ HS and Success is not a destination A quote to add that really fits by Arthur Ashe Is the Grass Greener? This message today is for those who I know behind your smile, behind your post you may be hurting, lonely, barely hanging on because they feeling cheated as if life has shortchanged or robbed you of something? Perception of others is not reality, don’t measure your life by measurements that are not real. As a woman of faith, Peace is a Priceless Commodity and allow me to share that the richest person is who Knows there Why? Who even in the midst of challenges can be grateful for having life and recognize that Every Day is not the Same Day and any Storm that is Will Not Last Forever. Do what you can do? Get help if you need it, don’t let anything rob you of living and Know Your Why. Is the Grass Greener? On the other side, I promise you it is not. You are always welcome here at Helping Build Bridges Across which started as building from my generation to the next and now includes any and everyone to know You are Not Alone, Travel the journey with us. Be inspired until you have your own wings to inspire someone else Is the Grass Greener? |
 | Thank you for traveling this unfamiliar path with me. We all have a Story behind a smile. Of course, I'm no different. I have many chapters of stories behind my smile. Life's journey is a road, while we make plans for the route that we want to travel, when you live long enough, you will learn that every road is not on the map, not on the blueprint for where you had plan to go. I've awaken to the chapter of living life in the fullness of who I am, embracing moments, being grateful for the gift called time. I've learned the value of celebrating others, speaking out loud the words lodged in my heart, sharing my fulfillment, sharing my perspective. My why starts with my sons and it extends to many outside of that, my work is Making Gratitude Contagious and allowing my sons to know that Flowers can grow out of ashes. Helping Build Bridges Across, sharing from our generation to the next. Operating intentionally as an Eagle, learning to masterfully fly along the journey. Please know my I'm not an expert, desiring to share answers, like you, life is a continual teacher, I'm just someone who wants to share the journey and to remind myself, to remind others that exercising Gratitude allows us to see, to hear Beautiful, to value those who surround our life and the things that surround us. Gratitude allows us to see all that we have Right Now. God Bless You. Eagle Hugs, Donyale |
#Beautiful exists in so many languages. The common bond amongst us, is that we have the "opportunity" to see it, to hear it, to share it. Why? Because so many are blinded by circumstances, by pain, some are locked inside dark, ugly, depressed places and simply can't see it. My why has grown and now it runs wider, it runs deeper, it simply started as a share from a grateful heart and then it intensified from personal pain and extremely tragic moments and now it travels with me for the remainder of my days,
#MakingGratitudeContagious is so important to me because now my fulfillment is found in helping as many as possible, to be introduced to #Beautiful. Time is a priceless commodity and I know firsthand that No One Promised Me that My Tomorrow will look the Same as Today. My heart is that many others recognize and find Beautiful.
Eagle Hugs, Donyale
~ This is dedicated to those who understand the language of Silence ~
#MakingGratitudeContagious is so important to me because now my fulfillment is found in helping as many as possible, to be introduced to #Beautiful. Time is a priceless commodity and I know firsthand that No One Promised Me that My Tomorrow will look the Same as Today. My heart is that many others recognize and find Beautiful.
Eagle Hugs, Donyale
~ This is dedicated to those who understand the language of Silence ~
Mug with a Message | Consider. . Whatever you Hear repeated numerous times Whatever you Repeat out loud constantly about your life Can become your Truth Rather it is a Lie or Not If this is an apple But I tell you “Numerous Times” that it is an orange Does it then become an orange? Is it a Lie or Not? There is a Lot of Noise that surrounds us There is a Lot of Voices that provide an opinion Including You have your own thoughts in which to decide There are times when it is vital That You Know Your Truth If you don’t know who you are If you don’t know Your Value or Worth How can someone else really give that to you?! Thoughts for your consideration To be applied where and wherever needed ~ HS |
Look what I found and I wasn't even looking for it, how fun!
It was like a Rose bush that had been growing and I had no clue that it was even out there!
An unexpected Surprise and I'm very Grateful, It made me Smile!
When this journey started Online around 2014; I used to share something
called "Think Tank Thursday". I was googling something else and came across
my old shows, imagine my surprise?!
Archived shows that apparently was discovered by PLAYER FM: They posted the following: "By HBBA. Discovered by Player FM and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Player FM, and audio streamed directly from their servers.
If you want to check them out:
HBBA "Think Tank Thursday" Archives
Eagle Hugs,
Donyale
PS: Thank you for listening, Thank you for sharing, Thank you for Traveling this Unfamiliar Path with Me!
"Journey H.B.B.A"
It was like a Rose bush that had been growing and I had no clue that it was even out there!
An unexpected Surprise and I'm very Grateful, It made me Smile!
When this journey started Online around 2014; I used to share something
called "Think Tank Thursday". I was googling something else and came across
my old shows, imagine my surprise?!
Archived shows that apparently was discovered by PLAYER FM: They posted the following: "By HBBA. Discovered by Player FM and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Player FM, and audio streamed directly from their servers.
If you want to check them out:
HBBA "Think Tank Thursday" Archives
Eagle Hugs,
Donyale
PS: Thank you for listening, Thank you for sharing, Thank you for Traveling this Unfamiliar Path with Me!
"Journey H.B.B.A"
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