Believe in a world where anything is possible

Sandy Hibbard — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 00:40:59 +0000

Embracing a childlike heart is where the magic is in our day, in our life. It is that hope within us that believes anything is possible! I have been intrigued by the concept of a “childlike” heart my whole life. To love, give, laugh, forgive, understand and be in wonderment of the world around us – no matter what age or what you’ve gone through. Basically, it’s keeping the bitterness out and hurdling over disappointment as though it were a small obstacle. Sometimes it’s hard, hell most of the time it almost buries us! You know the resting bitch face? The frowning old-persons face? I’m not being mean, but I’ve always wondered what is up with that upside down mouth that pulls the face down toward the ground. Life is difficult and I have seen its effect, not only in my life, but in the lives of my friends and family, and the people I love. I understand how that over time the things we experience can create a constant frown that comes from worry, heartache and disappointment. We all feel it. We’ve all been there.
I miss that little girl in me and I do my best to awaken her heart and allow her to guide me and remind me of who I really am. She is the one who dreams without barriers and who believes in magic and that she can do anything. The one that trusts that love is true and that people are wonderful. She is grownup and smart, so she gets it and knows that life is not all rosy. When things get tough, she just lays down the law and simply calls bullshit on it with a tender spark of understanding… treating it like a unique challenge that she must creatively find a way through. She pushes her way past all the clutter and noise, just like a bull in a china closet, just like a determined little kid, and raises her head to laugh and play and live LOUD. And I will let her because I choose joy and life over all else, and that is what she represents to me.

It’s not always that easy though, is it? But here is what I learn – everyday: Lift up your head, put a spring in your step (literally, get a little sassy). Swing your arms, look at the sun and think about the universe. Walk like a super model, like you have a million bucks in your bank account, put a flirty look in your eye, give a dollar to a homeless or street person, make eye contact with a few people giving them a smile when you do – and BOOM BOOM BAM! you will feel an immediate lift in your spirit right in that moment. You will begin to feel your power surge up. Do it every time you feel your gaze has turned downward. You see, much of what we feel is due to what we are dwelling on and even in our body language, so make a pose and tell your body to tell your brain it’s all going to be just fine. Keep your wonder and explore like you were a curious 5 year old, and anything will be possible!
Love and hugs!
Sandy

She’s got Chutzpah

Sandy Hibbard — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 22:17:09 +0000

I’m thinking that as you age, it must be necessary that you develop a keener awareness and a bolder, even fearless attitude – and to basically not give a shit. Otherwise, this fast and furious culture we live in would eat you up, and the resonate fear of it could drive you to want to do nothing but curl up in a ball and hide in your house. Stay with me, I’m going somewhere with this. And right now I am giggling because of what is making me have these thoughts. Let me share a darling story…

I am sitting in my car at a stop sign at a shopping center in front of Williams Sonoma, and I am observing this adorable little old gal – I’m guessing 70-ish or older. She’s dressed to the nines on this cold and windy fall day, donning a hat, gloves, her Sunday shoes, and a warm woolen coat and colorful scarf. Below her coat you can see her brightly colored dress with a yellow background and big purple flowers dotted with green foliage and blue and fuchsia smaller flowers. Her look is perfected with her 1940’s sunglasses and those thick pasty skin colored tights we remember our grandmother’s wearing – oh, and the huge handbag across her arm, I’m wondering if it is helping or hindering her balance. She is slowly making her way across the intersection, walking with the help of her walker. Judging from the stern look on her face, she is completely focused on the task at hand. However, I think she might be unaware that she is holding up traffic – about 5 cars deep at this point – no, no, I reconsider, I think she totally knows, she just doesn’t really care!

In my inpatient mind I quickly think “oh brother, lady, hurry and get across”, and then I stop myself and say “Oh my God!, no. This precious gal is doing the best she can. She knows she is slow, she knows it will take her longer to get from point A to point B, she understands there are younger, more inpatient people around her, and she is aware of the traffic, but hell, she doesn’t care! This lady was bold and brave enough to get out and take on a busy Sunday shopping center, do you think it matters to her that we are waiting all warm and cozy in our cars for her to cross? Dear Sandy, you can only hope that you will be so brave when you are her age!” She inspired me. In that moment I thought “I want to be as confident and focused as her… I want her chutzpah!”

So of course I waited patiently while this princess crossed the intersection successfully, reminding me of the small joys of life and the beauty of our elderly citizens. Hummmm… being bold and brave and not caring what other people think. I’m thinking if you can’t learn that by the time you grow up, you have totally missed the boat.

Kudos to that little lady who made my day and reminded me of how important it is to live out loud and to live NOW. My heart is deeply warmed by our friends and loved ones who know without question that they look different, they’re slower, sometimes not as agile, they can’t see as well or hear as good as they used to, but still they possess an energy and joie de vivre that tells their story in living color. Let us learn from them not to let the changes we experience in our lives (yes, and in our bodies) keep us from enjoying the gift of life we have been given. That is my take away from this moment.

Wishes for peace and love in this world… I hope you all have a beautiful evening and a wonderful week!
XOOXX
Sandy

Featured Photo Credit: MO Log: A Comic’s Journey – Check out his adorable blog post “Mo Stops Traffic“

living bold – Saturday Soul with Sandy Hibbard

Believe in a world where anything is possible

She’s got Chutzpah