Can I Make My Life Count?....My Bucket List!

In life's journey there comes a time when we reach a point where we are in a crossroad taking assessment of our lives. We look back and ponder upon all we've done and wonder if there is more we need or want to accomplish.  We ask ourselves if there is anything different we would've done.  Have all we've done thus far served a purpose?  Do we have any regrets?  We feel time passing by and fear we'll leave this earth without reaching all our goals or dreams.  Did we surrender our true passions and dreams only to conform to societies norm of sustaining a job we're not happy with just to pay bills and have a roof over our heads?  Are we happy?  Are we proud of who we are?  Have we made a difference in life?  According to the psychological stages of development, the ever existential question at this point in life is Can I Make My Life Count?   I believe to find myself at this very crossroad and have decided to search for the answers...for my answers!
 

Psychology teaches that there are 8 stages of psychological development.  I remember studying these stages back in college, but for the life of me cannot retrieve this information from many years ago.  So I took a refresher course (thank God for the Internet) and found that I am at the crossroad of #7...Generativity vs Stagnation.  Also that I've not mastered #6...Intimacy vs Isolation (but I'm working on it).  However, the study of the psychological stages also teaches that mastery of one stage is not required to move on to another. The significant relationships listed for stage #7 are household and workmates which is a good thing because I do have a household, well technically had a household (recent empty nester here) and I do have workmates, lots and lots of workmates.  And as far as to the existential question Can I Make My Life Count?, well I am sure going to give it my all to find out.  

The study of the psychological stages also provides a list of tasks associated with each stage broken down by age group.  It provides information on what psychologically development is occuring for each age group to determine "healthy" developing from infancy to adulthood.  In each stage one confronts new challenges.  Following is a list of the "tasks" associated to stage #7 (middle adulthood 25-64 or 40-4 years) which I have taken the liberty to  "check-reference" accordingly to my life: 

Express love through more than sexual contacts. - check

Maintain healthy life patterns. - ummmmm check

Develop a sense of unity with mate. - thought so at one point, but nope, no check here

Help growing and grown children to be responsible adults. - check, check and still checking

Relinquish central role in lives of grown children. - um, does really trying count??? Hey, you can't blame me they're my babies!

Accept children's mates and friends. - difficult, but do "accept", as for "like", not all the time

Create a comfortable home. - for the moment...check

Be proud of accomplishments of self and mate/spouse. - check to proud, but more to accomplish! as to mate/spouse...divorcee and widow

Reverse roles with aging parents. - both parents deceased

Achieve mature, civic and social responsibility. - check

Adjust to physical changes of middle age. - ummm I guess I'm gonna have to

Use leisure time creatively. - nope, no check here! this is where my focus will be!!!!! thus...

My Bucket List! yep, I sure do got me a Bucket List! 

Here's a starter list of a "few" things I wanna gonna do!  I'm starting off light, with little things I feel I've missed out on, but just want to have fun with and experience...

Get my sexyy on with my alter ego "Mariposa" on the Dance Pole! 

Already checked off....stay tune for picture segment!

 Fly High Free in the Sky!

Never worn false eyelashes...gonna see what it's all about!

  

 Ooooh! Nope! Too weird; definitely do not wanna try these!!!

  

Okay, getting closer, but not quite there yet! 

Wow! Pretty...a definite maybe! 

but I think...

I'll just leave it as a mystery and make my search an adventure!

I also don't know what wearing a wig for fun feels like...

There are so many to choose from...

 I think I'll just clown around and have some fun with them before the final choice!

Which ever I pick, will represent a little of the whole ME!

 

Do you find yourself asking these questions too?  Have you found YOUR answers?  What things do YOU feel you've missed out on and would like to do?  Do you have a your very own Bucket List?  Tell me, I'd surely love to hear all about it.  You just never know who you may inspire with your story or simplyy by sharing your views, thoughts and comments.  Hey, you just may very well end up inspiring yourself!  As always, thanks for stopping by to visit.

Keep coming back for more of....to Inspire and be Inspired! 

And well, of course for more of my experiences with My Bucket List!

Tootles!

SimplyyMayra

Can I Make My Life Count?....My Bucket List!

In life's journey there comes a time when we reach a point where we are in a crossroad taking assessment of our lives. We look back and ponder upon all we've done and wonder if there is more we need or want to accomplish.  We ask ourselves if there is anything different we would've done.  Have all we've done thus far served a purpose?  Do we have any regrets?  We feel time passing by and fear we'll leave this earth without reaching all our goals or dreams.  Did we surrender our true passions and dreams only to conform to societies norm of sustaining a job we're not happy with just to pay bills and have a roof over our heads?  Are we happy?  Are we proud of who we are?  Have we made a difference in life?  According to the psychological stages of development, the ever existential question at this point in life is Can I Make My Life Count?   I believe to find myself at this very crossroad and have decided to search for the answers...for my answers!
 

Psychology teaches that there are 8 stages of psychological development.  I remember studying these stages back in college, but for the life of me cannot retrieve this information from many years ago.  So I took a refresher course (thank God for the Internet) and found that I am at the crossroad of #7...Generativity vs Stagnation.  Also that I've not mastered #6...Intimacy vs Isolation (but I'm working on it).  However, the study of the psychological stages also teaches that mastery of one stage is not required to move on to another. The significant relationships listed for stage #7 are household and workmates which is a good thing because I do have a household, well technically had a household (recent empty nester here) and I do have workmates, lots and lots of workmates.  And as far as to the existential question Can I Make My Life Count?, well I am sure going to give it my all to find out.  

The study of the psychological stages also provides a list of tasks associated with each stage broken down by age group.  It provides information on what psychologically development is occuring for each age group to determine "healthy" developing from infancy to adulthood.  In each stage one confronts new challenges.  Following is a list of the "tasks" associated to stage #7 (middle adulthood 25-64 or 40-4 years) which I have taken the liberty to  "check-reference" accordingly to my life: 

Express love through more than sexual contacts. - check

Maintain healthy life patterns. - ummmmm check

Develop a sense of unity with mate. - thought so at one point, but nope, no check here

Help growing and grown children to be responsible adults. - check, check and still checking

Relinquish central role in lives of grown children. - um, does really trying count??? Hey, you can't blame me they're my babies!

Accept children's mates and friends. - difficult, but do "accept", as for "like", not all the time

Create a comfortable home. - for the moment...check

Be proud of accomplishments of self and mate/spouse. - check to proud, but more to accomplish! as to mate/spouse...divorcee and widow

Reverse roles with aging parents. - both parents deceased

Achieve mature, civic and social responsibility. - check

Adjust to physical changes of middle age. - ummm I guess I'm gonna have to

Use leisure time creatively. - nope, no check here! this is where my focus will be!!!!! thus...

My Bucket List! yep, I sure do got me a Bucket List! 

Here's a starter list of a "few" things I wanna gonna do!  I'm starting off light, with little things I feel I've missed out on, but just want to have fun with and experience...

Get my sexyy on with my alter ego "Mariposa" on the Dance Pole! 

Already checked off....stay tune for picture segment!

 Fly High Free in the Sky!

Never worn false eyelashes...gonna see what it's all about!

  

 Ooooh! Nope! Too weird; definitely do not wanna try these!!!

  

Okay, getting closer, but not quite there yet! 

Wow! Pretty...a definite maybe! 

but I think...

I'll just leave it as a mystery and make my search an adventure!

I also don't know what wearing a wig for fun feels like...

There are so many to choose from...

 I think I'll just clown around and have some fun with them before the final choice!

Which ever I pick, will represent a little of the whole ME!

 

Do you find yourself asking these questions too?  Have you found YOUR answers?  What things do YOU feel you've missed out on and would like to do?  Do you have a your very own Bucket List?  Tell me, I'd surely love to hear all about it.  You just never know who you may inspire with your story or simplyy by sharing your views, thoughts and comments.  Hey, you just may very well end up inspiring yourself!  As always, thanks for stopping by to visit.

Keep coming back for more of....to Inspire and be Inspired! 

And well, of course for more of my experiences with My Bucket List!

Tootles!

SimplyyMayra

"Collectively SAMM".....a poem by SimplyyMayra

Long, long ago

darkness and gloom

Four little caterpillars

sentenced to doom

Savage winds of malice

twisted ignorant gust

hurricanes of hatred

deranged tornadoes of lust

Clipped faded wings

covered in mud

sad deepened eyes

hearts full of blood

Four little caterpillars

tears under rain

crawl sadly apart

binded by pain

World cold and lonely

stepped on and beat

now years, years later

Four caterpillars meet

Familiar strangers

never lost love

cry out together

festering gunk

Long, long ago

darkness and gloom

four little caterpillars

surviving their doom  

Four little caterpelliars

bursting with sting

soaring high and mighty

finding their wings! 

~written by Mayra Alonso 4/28/2012~

"Getting My Sexyy On!!!" with Pole Dancing!!!

Hola Ponderer Readers!

It's Friday!  TGIF!  I LOVE Fridays because it welcomes in the weekend!  Two days of comfort and relaxation.  Two days of opportunities to do "stuff" we love to do other than our work but don't.  Two days to discover more of our greatness.  So I wish you all a great weekend full of self-discovery.  And for those who have to work on the weekends, it can still be two days of discovery!  What will you be doing this weekend?  What will you do to help discover more of YOU!?

This weekend I will be getting my sexy on! I will find my inner diva, build confidence while having a lot of fun!!!  But, ultimately I will be doing it to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and be part of the fight against cancer.  I will help find a cure for blood cancer as well as having fun!  And its a double pleasure for me because I will also be supporting a fellow co-worker who is training for the 26 mile marathon (also sponsored by the Foundation) which will be held in San Diego in a couple of months. I wrote about her endeavor with the foundation on the "Silent 4 Mile Walk/Run" here in my blog earlier this month..."Supporting 'Us Everyday People' too".  As I mentioned in my post, "She is a single mother of two boys (7 & 16), working full-time, attending school, with no family near by and willing to dye her hair purple or even shave it off to meet her financial goal to the foundation".  Well, this weekend she is out to some fun with her "gurlz"  She will be hosting a "Pole Dancing Party" at the FIMB Yoga and Wellness Center in Lee's Summitt, Missouri in support of Leukemia & Lymphoma's Team in Training, raising funds while having some fun too!  If you want to be part of this great cause and want to help find a cure for blood cancer, there is still time to help! Just click this link: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society  Remember, you will be more than just "clicking" on a link...you will be part of the help to cure blood cancer!

Of course, I will be bring my camera and will be shooting away, if picture-taking is allowed!  So stay tune for more on "getting my sexyy on", helping be a part of the cure for blood cancer, supporting a great organization and supporting a friend!  Wow! I feel good already!  So I ask again, what will you be doing this weekend? What will you do to help discover more of YOU!?  Tell it here, you never know if what you have to say will inspire someone today.

Thank you for stopping by! Your support is greatly appreciated!  Keep coming back for more of "To Inspire and be Inspired!".

Tootles!!!

SimplyyMayra

"Getting My Sexyy On!!!" with Pole Dancing!!!

Hola Ponderer Readers!

It's Friday!  TGIF!  I LOVE Fridays because it welcomes in the weekend!  Two days of comfort and relaxation.  Two days of opportunities to do "stuff" we love to do other than our work but don't.  Two days to discover more of our greatness.  So I wish you all a great weekend full of self-discovery.  And for those who have to work on the weekends, it can still be two days of discovery!  What will you be doing this weekend?  What will you do to help discover more of YOU!?

This weekend I will be getting my sexy on! I will find my inner diva, build confidence while having a lot of fun!!!  But, ultimately I will be doing it to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and be part of the fight against cancer.  I will help find a cure for blood cancer as well as having fun!  And its a double pleasure for me because I will also be supporting a fellow co-worker who is training for the 26 mile marathon (also sponsored by the Foundation) which will be held in San Diego in a couple of months. I wrote about her endeavor with the foundation on the "Silent 4 Mile Walk/Run" here in my blog earlier this month..."Supporting 'Us Everyday People' too".  As I mentioned in my post, "She is a single mother of two boys (7 & 16), working full-time, attending school, with no family near by and willing to dye her hair purple or even shave it off to meet her financial goal to the foundation".  Well, this weekend she is out to some fun with her "gurlz"  She will be hosting a "Pole Dancing Party" at the FIMB Yoga and Wellness Center in Lee's Summitt, Missouri in support of Leukemia & Lymphoma's Team in Training, raising funds while having some fun too!  If you want to be part of this great cause and want to help find a cure for blood cancer, there is still time to help! Just click this link: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society  Remember, you will be more than just "clicking" on a link...you will be part of the help to cure blood cancer!

Of course, I will be bring my camera and will be shooting away, if picture-taking is allowed!  So stay tune for more on "getting my sexyy on", helping be a part of the cure for blood cancer, supporting a great organization and supporting a friend!  Wow! I feel good already!  So I ask again, what will you be doing this weekend? What will you do to help discover more of YOU!?  Tell it here, you never know if what you have to say will inspire someone today.

Thank you for stopping by! Your support is greatly appreciated!  Keep coming back for more of "To Inspire and be Inspired!".

Tootles!!!

SimplyyMayra

"I am the Alpha and the Omega."..NOT religion!

Hola! Ponderer Readers!

First, I want to wish you all a very wonderful Wednesday! Second, there's a few things I'd like to share about ME.  I wish never to discuss religion, with anyone, here in my blog or elsewhere. I am not a religious person. I do not believe in religion. I believe religion separates people. I believe in faith. I believe in God.  I am one that does not believe in coincidences. I believe things happen for a reason and that it is up to us to be alert and aware.  It is up to us to hear the whispers; hear what it is trying to say to us.  It is up to us to trust and listen to inner voice; but not just listen...act!  Sometimes, the act can be as simple as a smile; as simple as a "good morning" or as simple as sharing.  Especially the ones that consume you with "goose-bumps" all over...inside and out!  Like for example the "coincidence" that fell upon my eyes yesterday!  I am one to listen and act and share.  So here you go readers...here is a "coincidence" fallin' upon your eyes today!  Give yourself the chance! You are worth it!

 You are in your car driving home. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air.

The sound is high above you.

A trumpet?

A choir?

A choir of trumpets?

You don't know, but you want to know....

So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up.. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky..

Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store. The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching the clouds And what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen.

As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part.... A brilliant light spills onto the earth... There are no shadows... None.

From every hue ever seen and a million more never seen.. Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky.

North.. South. East... West.

Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting,

"Holy, Holy, Holy..." The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship.

Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns and there He is.... Jesus.

Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration:

"I am the Alpha and the Omega."

The angels bow their heads... The elders remove their crowns...

And before you is a Figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know: Nothing else matters... Forget stock markets and school reports: Sales meetings and football games.. Nothing is newsworthy.. . All that mattered, matters no more.. For Christ has come.

Please let me know the exact time you read this. It is mystical--honest.

This morning when the Lord opened a window to Heaven, he saw me, and he asked: "My child, what is your greatest wish for today?"

I responded: 'Lord please; take care of my family, my friends, the person who is reading this message, their family and their special friends. They deserve it and I love them very much.

The love of God is like the ocean, you can see its beginnings but not its end.

ANGELS EXIST, but sometimes, since they don't all have wings we call them FRIENDS, SUCH AS YOU.

Did it consume you with "goose-bumps" to?  What did YOU feel?  What didn't YOU feel?  What do YOU want to share?   YOUR views, thoughts and/or comments are always highly suggested and welcome!  I invite you to share!

Thank you for stopping by!  Keep coming back for more of "To Inspire and be Inspired!"

Tootles!

SimplyyMayra

"I am the Alpha and the Omega."..NOT religion!

Hola! Ponderer Readers!

First, I want to wish you all a very wonderful Wednesday! Second, there's a few things I'd like to share about ME.  I wish never to discuss religion, with anyone, here in my blog or elsewhere. I am not a religious person. I do not believe in religion. I believe religion separates people. I believe in faith. I believe in God.  I am one that does not believe in coincidences. I believe things happen for a reason and that it is up to us to be alert and aware.  It is up to us to hear the whispers; hear what it is trying to say to us.  It is up to us to trust and listen to inner voice; but not just listen...act!  Sometimes, the act can be as simple as a smile; as simple as a "good morning" or as simple as sharing.  Especially the ones that consume you with "goose-bumps" all over...inside and out!  Like for example the "coincidence" that fell upon my eyes yesterday!  I am one to listen and act and share.  So here you go readers...here is a "coincidence" fallin' upon your eyes today!  Give yourself the chance! You are worth it!

 You are in your car driving home. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air.

The sound is high above you.

A trumpet?

A choir?

A choir of trumpets?

You don't know, but you want to know....

So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up.. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky..

Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store. The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching the clouds And what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen.

As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part.... A brilliant light spills onto the earth... There are no shadows... None.

From every hue ever seen and a million more never seen.. Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky.

North.. South. East... West.

Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting,

"Holy, Holy, Holy..." The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship.

Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns and there He is.... Jesus.

Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration:

"I am the Alpha and the Omega."

The angels bow their heads... The elders remove their crowns...

And before you is a Figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know: Nothing else matters... Forget stock markets and school reports: Sales meetings and football games.. Nothing is newsworthy.. . All that mattered, matters no more.. For Christ has come.

Please let me know the exact time you read this. It is mystical--honest.

This morning when the Lord opened a window to Heaven, he saw me, and he asked: "My child, what is your greatest wish for today?"

I responded: 'Lord please; take care of my family, my friends, the person who is reading this message, their family and their special friends. They deserve it and I love them very much.

The love of God is like the ocean, you can see its beginnings but not its end.

ANGELS EXIST, but sometimes, since they don't all have wings we call them FRIENDS, SUCH AS YOU.

Did it consume you with "goose-bumps" to?  What did YOU feel?  What didn't YOU feel?  What do YOU want to share?   YOUR views, thoughts and/or comments are always highly suggested and welcome!  I invite you to share!

Thank you for stopping by!  Keep coming back for more of "To Inspire and be Inspired!"

Tootles!

SimplyyMayra

"Meeting Joe C" of Joe's Morning Cafe!

 Buenos Dias/Good Morning Readers!

Last week you all read (hopefully) about my new and upcoming project "Joe's Morning Cafe".  Well, since I know you all are anxiously waiting for the launch of the project in full, I slaved away over the weekend, reviewing interview questions & answers, cropping and editing pictures of interviewees, as well as writing/editing the segment post!  Whoa am I glad I got thru it all, still with my sanity!  Anyway, the next segment of the project you all were anxiously looking for is now ready for reveal....."Meeting Joe C".  But before we actually meet him here is a reminder, from last week's post, on what Joe's Morning Cafe will bring to all of us.

"It's sorta like, when you grab that first cup of morning coffee and you feel it's warmth in your hands and you raise it ever so gently towards your face teasing your nostrils with it's sweet strong aroma and then you stop! And then....you breathe in the aroma and you taste it! And the aroma and taste releases in you a nice, strong sense of well-being. Ahhhhhhhhhh. Then, it lifts you up, it gives you strength! You raise your head up high now ready for the day! Ready to face any challenge that comes your way! Feels nice, doesn't it? Well, that's what Joe's Morning Cafe is all about!"

And now for the moment we've all been waiting for...heeeeeeeerrre's Joe!!!

So this is Joe, the coffee man of Suite 300 and so much, much, more!  Now that you know what Joe looks like, lets get to know a little bit more about him than just being the coffee man.  Every morning, besides making coffee for all the "peeps" in Suite 300, you will also find Joe posting daily inspirational messages on Facebook. 

A while back, when I first noticed these messages, I thought it was a one time thing. But then one day I noticed that it was an on-going process!  I am an early bird and I can honestly say that you can find a message of hope and faith already posted by ol' coffee man himself as early as 5:00 in the morning!  Oops, maybe I shouldn't have referred to him as old. You think there's a slight chance he'll go on strike? LOL!  Not a chance! Joe is a complete and totally sweet gentle man.  He is a kind soul with a big heart and a big laugh!  And boy does he have a big laugh!  Loud one too!

Here is what Joe had to say when I asked him....

Me:   "Joe, why or what motivates you to post these daily message of faith and hope on FaceBook?"

Joe:   "I do it to help me get myself prepared for the day to come.  Usually, I get inspiration from        conversations I may have had with friends and the issues they may be dealing with."

Me:   "Tell me Joe, how do you feel in the midst of your posting these messages?"

Joe:  "I feel good when I am posting because I know that others will be inspired as well.  But, more so I know that God has already answered my prayer.  He has given me another opportunity to embrace Him and His word."

Me:   "How long have you been posting these messages on FaceBook?"

Joe:  "To be honest I really don't know. I think about a year."

Me:  "Thanks Joe, I appreciate it."

Joe:  "You're very welcome." 

Here's what other's are saying about Joe and his laugh....

"Joe is an outgoing person; will speak to you, hold conversation and might even have a joke to go with it. Don't mind helping you if its something he can do. He's jack of all traits. He knows how to do practically everyone's work."~Erica

"Joe's laughs makes my day. When you're not feeling good, his laugh stills puts a smile on your face rain or shine.  If you don't hear his laugh, either he's not here or he's not feeling well, that's not often"  ~Erica.

"Joe's a happy guy, He seems to always have something positive to say about someone or a situation." ~Crystal

"When I'm having a bad day or I'm irritated with an

insurance and then I hear him laugh, that always puts a smile on my face and makes me feel good inside." ~Crystal

"Joe is a very nice stylish, funny guy. He wears really nice sweaters and shoes. Sometimes I hear him singing with his headphones on and he has a lovely voice. One morning he was singing one of my favorite Bebe & Cece Winans' song and it made me smile. Joe is just full of positive energy and I never hear him complaining. Although he wears many hats, I love that he is one of my neighbors." ~Tamar                                                                         "Joe's laugh is infectious. When I hear him laugh it makes me laugh. He has a very strong, loving laugh. Sometimes when we have visitors in the building and he still laughs loud, I really laugh because it is something he can't contain. If something tickles him he is going to burst out no matter what! We all need to laugh like Joe everyday. It is healing for your spirit. ~Tamar

"Joe has the best personality (which I personally find refreshing) and is extremely giving. Joe is, in my opinion, the epitome of an ideal co-worker...he makes everyone feel special when they're around him. For me, he calls me 'Lady T' which always makes me smile. I really enjoy Joe and appreciate all he does for our office." ~Teresa                                                                 "Joe's laugh is the BEST! I have one word to describe his laugh...CONTAGIOUS!!!!! I love it and it makes me laugh. ~Teresa                               

"I don’t believe Joe fully comprehends how much he is appreciated. I speak for myself because there has been many mornings when I started off rushing to make the time clock. And usually I’m really frazzled. When I come-in in a hurry and need that cup of Joe that I didn’t get at home, its like a sigh of relief. It's there…it's waiting…just for me!!!  I always think to myself 'Oh Joe you're an angel' so, thoughtful Joe can fix me – set me straight just like his one considerate act of starting the coffee. Ahhh the smell of relief thanks to the Joe in our 300 Suite. ~Melanie

"Over the years the thing I’ve noticed is the laugh is always the same. I smile every time I hear it. It’s like the song of the birds first thing in the morning; kinda like God's music. Joe’s laugh always brings me joy and honestly, if its been a while since I've heard it, I miss it.  So I’m always listening." ~Melani


A co-worker, who prefers not to be disclosed, but accepted to share on Joe's laugh, says:

"Very infectious, and makes you smile, if not laugh right along with him, even if you don't know what he is laughing about" ~Anonymous

There you have it!  A glimpse into Joe's world at Suite 300.  He touches many hearts with his unselfish, thoughtful and kindness act of just simply brewing coffee every morning, everyday at Joe's Morning Cafe!  Oh yea...one more thing...Joe DOESN'T even drink coffee!  Thank you Joe!!!

Weekly publishing's of Joe's inspirational messages of hope and faith coming real soon!  So keep coming back to enjoy more of the Suite Aroma of Joe's Morning Cafe.  A special thanks to Joe for being an inspiration to us all.  And to Erica, Crystal, Tamar, Teresa and Melanie and Anonymous (you know who you are), a special thanks as well for showing their love and support. 

Wishing you all a great, wonderful and blessed week!  Keep coming back to Inspire and be Inspired!

Tootles!

SimplyyMayra

***All fotos by SimplyyMayra***
                                                          

"Meeting Joe C" of Joe's Morning Cafe!

 Buenos Dias/Good Morning Readers!

Last week you all read (hopefully) about my new and upcoming project "Joe's Morning Cafe".  Well, since I know you all are anxiously waiting for the launch of the project in full, I slaved away over the weekend, reviewing interview questions & answers, cropping and editing pictures of interviewees, as well as writing/editing the segment post!  Whoa am I glad I got thru it all, still with my sanity!  Anyway, the next segment of the project you all were anxiously looking for is now ready for reveal....."Meeting Joe C".  But before we actually meet him here is a reminder, from last week's post, on what Joe's Morning Cafe will bring to all of us.

"It's sorta like, when you grab that first cup of morning coffee and you feel it's warmth in your hands and you raise it ever so gently towards your face teasing your nostrils with it's sweet strong aroma and then you stop! And then....you breathe in the aroma and you taste it! And the aroma and taste releases in you a nice, strong sense of well-being. Ahhhhhhhhhh. Then, it lifts you up, it gives you strength! You raise your head up high now ready for the day! Ready to face any challenge that comes your way! Feels nice, doesn't it? Well, that's what Joe's Morning Cafe is all about!"

And now for the moment we've all been waiting for...heeeeeeeerrre's Joe!!!

So this is Joe, the coffee man of Suite 300 and so much, much, more!  Now that you know what Joe looks like, lets get to know a little bit more about him than just being the coffee man.  Every morning, besides making coffee for all the "peeps" in Suite 300, you will also find Joe posting daily inspirational messages on Facebook. 

A while back, when I first noticed these messages, I thought it was a one time thing. But then one day I noticed that it was an on-going process!  I am an early bird and I can honestly say that you can find a message of hope and faith already posted by ol' coffee man himself as early as 5:00 in the morning!  Oops, maybe I shouldn't have referred to him as old. You think there's a slight chance he'll go on strike? LOL!  Not a chance! Joe is a complete and totally sweet gentle man.  He is a kind soul with a big heart and a big laugh!  And boy does he have a big laugh!  Loud one too!

Here is what Joe had to say when I asked him....

Me:   "Joe, why or what motivates you to post these daily message of faith and hope on FaceBook?"

Joe:   "I do it to help me get myself prepared for the day to come.  Usually, I get inspiration from        conversations I may have had with friends and the issues they may be dealing with."

Me:   "Tell me Joe, how do you feel in the midst of your posting these messages?"

Joe:  "I feel good when I am posting because I know that others will be inspired as well.  But, more so I know that God has already answered my prayer.  He has given me another opportunity to embrace Him and His word."

Me:   "How long have you been posting these messages on FaceBook?"

Joe:  "To be honest I really don't know. I think about a year."

Me:  "Thanks Joe, I appreciate it."

Joe:  "You're very welcome." 

Here's what other's are saying about Joe and his laugh....

"Joe is an outgoing person; will speak to you, hold conversation and might even have a joke to go with it. Don't mind helping you if its something he can do. He's jack of all traits. He knows how to do practically everyone's work."~Erica

"Joe's laughs makes my day. When you're not feeling good, his laugh stills puts a smile on your face rain or shine.  If you don't hear his laugh, either he's not here or he's not feeling well, that's not often"  ~Erica.

"Joe's a happy guy, He seems to always have something positive to say about someone or a situation." ~Crystal

"When I'm having a bad day or I'm irritated with an

insurance and then I hear him laugh, that always puts a smile on my face and makes me feel good inside." ~Crystal

"Joe is a very nice stylish, funny guy. He wears really nice sweaters and shoes. Sometimes I hear him singing with his headphones on and he has a lovely voice. One morning he was singing one of my favorite Bebe & Cece Winans' song and it made me smile. Joe is just full of positive energy and I never hear him complaining. Although he wears many hats, I love that he is one of my neighbors." ~Tamar                                                                         "Joe's laugh is infectious. When I hear him laugh it makes me laugh. He has a very strong, loving laugh. Sometimes when we have visitors in the building and he still laughs loud, I really laugh because it is something he can't contain. If something tickles him he is going to burst out no matter what! We all need to laugh like Joe everyday. It is healing for your spirit. ~Tamar

"Joe has the best personality (which I personally find refreshing) and is extremely giving. Joe is, in my opinion, the epitome of an ideal co-worker...he makes everyone feel special when they're around him. For me, he calls me 'Lady T' which always makes me smile. I really enjoy Joe and appreciate all he does for our office." ~Teresa                                                                 "Joe's laugh is the BEST! I have one word to describe his laugh...CONTAGIOUS!!!!! I love it and it makes me laugh. ~Teresa                               

"I don’t believe Joe fully comprehends how much he is appreciated. I speak for myself because there has been many mornings when I started off rushing to make the time clock. And usually I’m really frazzled. When I come-in in a hurry and need that cup of Joe that I didn’t get at home, its like a sigh of relief. It's there…it's waiting…just for me!!!  I always think to myself 'Oh Joe you're an angel' so, thoughtful Joe can fix me – set me straight just like his one considerate act of starting the coffee. Ahhh the smell of relief thanks to the Joe in our 300 Suite. ~Melanie

"Over the years the thing I’ve noticed is the laugh is always the same. I smile every time I hear it. It’s like the song of the birds first thing in the morning; kinda like God's music. Joe’s laugh always brings me joy and honestly, if its been a while since I've heard it, I miss it.  So I’m always listening." ~Melani


A co-worker, who prefers not to be disclosed, but accepted to share on Joe's laugh, says:

"Very infectious, and makes you smile, if not laugh right along with him, even if you don't know what he is laughing about" ~Anonymous

There you have it!  A glimpse into Joe's world at Suite 300.  He touches many hearts with his unselfish, thoughtful and kindness act of just simply brewing coffee every morning, everyday at Joe's Morning Cafe!  Oh yea...one more thing...Joe DOESN'T even drink coffee!  Thank you Joe!!!

Weekly publishing's of Joe's inspirational messages of hope and faith coming real soon!  So keep coming back to enjoy more of the Suite Aroma of Joe's Morning Cafe.  A special thanks to Joe for being an inspiration to us all.  And to Erica, Crystal, Tamar, Teresa and Melanie and Anonymous (you know who you are), a special thanks as well for showing their love and support. 

Wishing you all a great, wonderful and blessed week!  Keep coming back to Inspire and be Inspired!

Tootles!

SimplyyMayra

***All fotos by SimplyyMayra***