Drive Yourself Happy Newsletter 7/04/06

Welcome to this week’s DRIVE YOURSELF HAPPY Road Ramblings.

If you find value in these gentle reminders and rules for the road, please invite your friends to sign up for my free newsletter by visiting www.driveyourselfhappy.com. Also visit my blogsite, www.centerofhappiness.com.

I’d like to welcome all of our new subscribers to the DRIVE YOURSELF HAPPY Road Ramblings newsletter and acknowledge you for taking the first step toward living a better life.

Today’s rambling from the road will include:

* An Unexpected Moment by Rhonda Hull, Ph.D. * Appreciate Your Freedom by Alicia Dunham * Freedom FYI * Drive-By Quotes To Carry With You on the Journey

**************** An Unexpected Moment

Hello Friends and Traveling Companions,

What’s the big deal about meaningful moments? Everything. Meaningful moments can come at any time and be missed if you aren’t paying attention. They are those special times when we look at the ordinary and see the extraordinary. In these moments the kaleidoscope of our authentic self comes into focus. It is often the simple moments that capture us doing ordinary things and they magically turn into huge and lasting insights. They open our heart. They are what make life worth living.

Sometimes they happen unexpectedly, without any forethought, planning, or effort. Other times we nudge life to make them happen, or consciously create and celebrate them. When they call us to pause, we are pulled by and surrender to the possibility and set the conditions for love, acceptance and compassion to appear. All in an unexpected instant.

This morning I entered the elevator at the Ronald McDonald House, where I have been staying with my niece to assist in caring for her son, Connor, while healing from leukemia, and Carson, his baby brother. I was on my way to do a load of laundry, of which this situation provides an endless supply.

After a brief wait the doors of the elevator opened. Already in the elevator was a young man who was accompanied by two older people. All of them stood in silence. I was ready with a smile, but at first everyone kept his or her eyes down to avoid eye contact. I honored this and awaited the movement of the elevator. Then, with a deep sign, the young man next to me engaged me in conversation.

“I get to go home today,” he said, as if announcing his prison term was over. The long stays, many procedures, relentless change of plans, suspension of the life you knew, and the regular visits by the unknown can tangle these families in feelings of confinement, saddens, and restriction.

“Good for you.” I responded, assuming the treatment associated with cancer was over for his baby girl. An extended pause was then followed by an unexpected response. “Yes,” he said, “but the news is not good. My daughter died last night.”

It just happened instinctively. That moment appeared, my arms opened and we hugged. I felt his heavy heart through the bundle of clothes between us, and for a moment he melted into my embrace. Being strangers meant nothing for in that moment we became Universal family. Tears rolled down his cheeks as the doors of the elevator opened again and he and his parents exited the elevator and took their next steps on their path of grief and consciousness.

The doors shut. I stood in the elevator alone again, as my tears pre-washed the laundry in my arms. Such a brief connection, but an important connection just the same, and one I feel was valuable for both of us. I’ll never forget that moment that came and went so fast, and so unplanned, yet so intentional.

Happiness fits here somehow. It includes even moments like this that keep us open to all of life’s occasions and surprises. To muster the willingness to feel the depths of pain offers you the opportunity to experience the diamonds of joy honed by tears.

Life goes on, and the most challenging journey we ever face is only 18 inches. It is the one from our heads to our hearts.

In Joy, Rhonda ***************** Appreciate Your Freedom- An Update on Connor by Alicia Dunham

Hello to all,

Often when I tell people how close in age Connor and Carson are they make a comment about how crazy I must be to have two so close together. Trust me that there have been many times in the last 6 months that I have thought I was crazy to. It was not until recently that I realized why God gave me my two boys only 19 months apart, he knew Connor was going to get sick and if I didn’t already have Carson I wouldn’t have had another baby. The hurt I feel is indescribable. The only way I can keep going is to know that the boys depend on me, and it won’t change anything to be upset or angry. I try to stay focused on the end goal and vision Connor as a survivor.

I know the power of prayer is strong but even though we have all been praying for less than 1% on Connor’s bone marrow test it is not what God has in the plan for us. The doctors called me yesterday to let me know that Connor’s MRD test still showed 3% leukemia. The doctors don’t really know what this means and are trying to decide on what the next step should be. At this point we have a meeting with Connor’s team of doctors Monday afternoon and he is going to be put on a different study program with high risk cancer patients and his course of treatment will be much more intense.

A few weeks ago a wonderful woman whom I never had met before e-mailed me and asked if she could run a couple of races in Connor’s honor. Her name is Gretchen Clark-Ross and she is running several marathons this summer to raise money for leukemia research I encourage everyone to check out her web-site at www.active.com/donate/tntwaak/tntwaakGCLARK- and see another angel in action.

I have so many questions, things to be thankful for, and hopes for the future. The last couple of weeks many people have said that I am handling this with such grace, I don’t think I am doing anything than any other mother who loves their child with every ounce of there soul wouldn’t do. Connor sets the example of how to get through this, the rest of us are just along for the ride.

Steve’s next visit was going to be the middle of July but after finding out the news yesterday he will be here today to help me and to take this next step as a family that will make it through this together. I will let you all know more as soon as we find out. Your love and support mean the world to me and please know that you are all AMAZING!

All our love, Alicia and The Dunham’s

To follow Connor’s healing journey and to offer to support to the family, visit: http://www/thestatus.com. Click on ‘Visit a Patient’. Username: dunham. Password: unique-book.

***************** Freedom FYI

Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.

Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land…

Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution…

Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government…

California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…

Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe…

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy….

Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences…

Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution…

Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution…

Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance. establish this Constitution…

Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings…

Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors…

Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to chose our form of government…

Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution…

Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people o f Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution…

Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties…

Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy…

Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity … and imploring His aid and direction…

Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty…

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We…the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe … in the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction.

Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings…

Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work…

Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness … establish this Constitution…

Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution…

Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our Freedom. establish this Constitution…

Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution…

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience…

New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors…

New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty…

New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings…

North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those…

North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain…

Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common…

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty… establish this…

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2 All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences…

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing…

South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution…

South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties…

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience…

Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God…

Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution…

Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to … enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man…

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI …. Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator… can be directed only by Reason… and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other…

Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution…

West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirms our faith in and constant reliance upon God…

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility…

Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties … establish this Constitution…

***************** Drive-By Quotes To Carry With You on the Journey

“When I grip the wheel too tight, I find I lose control.”

— Steve Rapson

“The only real security in life lies in relishing life’s insecurity.”

— M. Scott Peck

“Do not abandon trust when your ego thinks things should be different than they are.”

— Wayne Dyer

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If you’re serious about learning some new rules for the road of life that will guide you in creating resilient happiness today instead of years down a very bumpy road, you may want to learn more about my book, Drive Yourself Happy: A Motor-vational Maintenance Manual for Maneuvering Through Life. In it I turn everyday road signs into signs of happiness guideposts that remind you of your wisdom literally at every turn. My book will offer you practical and powerful guidance for having joyful balance in your life regardless of your circumstances.

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The Center of Happiness P.O. Box 1667 Port Townsend, WA 98368 360.385.5850 www.driveyourselfhappy.com www.detourfromstress.com www.centerofhappiness.com