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Articles from Marlene Buffa | Selfgrowth.com
- A Year of Discovery - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2011 from Marlene BuffaWhen the clock strikes midnight at the end of December 31st, we realize that even though we may not want to move forward into the New Year, we ran out of the old year. The end of the road. It’s done, it’s over, it’s gone. When we put the new calendar on the wall, we begin with January and ...
Views: 1029 - Juggling Chainsaws - I Hate when that happens! - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2011 from Marlene BuffaYears ago, the television show Saturday Night Live, included a skit where Billy Crystal and Christopher Guest played blue collar workers discussing their masochistic habits. Describing painful physical events, absurdly orchestrated, the opposing character grimaced and replied, “Ooh, I hate when ...
Views: 1531 - Swatting at Hummingbirds - by Submitted on Oct 19, 2010 from Marlene BuffaBorn and raised in Michigan, I knew the move to Phoenix would bring profound changes to my life. Accustomed to a lifetime in a state with beautiful lakes and lush landscape, I learned to live with the native insects and wondered about the types of critter-life I’d find in the desert ...
Views: 1081(1 vote) - Hot Wax and Broken Glass - by Submitted on Oct 19, 2010 from Marlene BuffaEach morning I blow out the candle I lit the night before. A large glass globe sits inside of a metal stand and the candle, either a short or tall pillar, rests inside the base of the globe. 4:30 a.m. The dogs woke me up. I reach for my candle, carefully grabbing the metal base with both ...
Views: 1379 - Are you on Auto Haunt? - by Submitted on Oct 19, 2010 from Marlene BuffaMy favorite holiday of the year – Halloween – a time when people honestly pretend to be something other than who they are! By donning our masks and putting on makeup and costumes, we cloak ourselves in a persona vastly different from how we present ourselves every day. The new façade creates ...
Views: 1122 - Not Yet - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2010 from Marlene BuffaWhen asked if she would continue to perform even after retirement, Beverly Sills was reported to have responded, “No. I’ve done that already.” So many times we complacently stay within the boundaries of our comfort zones. Predictable outcomes spring from predictable behaviors, and set the ...
Views: 1474 - Spiritual Independence - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2010 from Marlene BuffaIn America, we look at the month of July as the celebratory beginning of our nation’s independence from King George of Great Britain. As children of the world’s then-superpower, we revolted against the constraints of the remote royal family and declared our path, thus forging a life based on ...
Views: 1658 - Hitting the Right Notes - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2010 from Marlene BuffaWhen asked his favorite instrument, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart responded, “the human voice.” Perhaps Mozart considered the voice as God’s authentic expression, while manmade instruments, although artfully played, provided simply a conduit through which true music traveled. When we think about the ...
Views: 1677 - Spiritual Landscaping - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2010 from Marlene BuffaMore and more my gardening skills lack enthusiasm. The other day, with grass freshly long from a deep periodic irrigation, I decided to mow the back yard. A few weeks ago, I brought the mower in to the repair shop for regular maintenance and the last time I used it, it started up fine. This ...
Views: 1942 - Looking for an Earthquake - by Submitted on May 04, 2010 from Marlene BuffaLast week while raking up the winter leaves in my yard, I thought of how confidently we go through life assured that the dirt beneath our feet provides us with a steady foundation. We can scrape away the surface, clean up debris, yet Mother Earth remains solid – something we depend on. Then, I ...
Views: 1037 - Mother Earth - Alive and Well - by Submitted on May 04, 2010 from Marlene BuffaThe month of May joyfully reminds us of the rebirth of nature. In acknowledgment, we celebrate Mother’s Day – honoring our birth mothers, and ultimately our spiritual mothers. Symbolizing the greater gifts of the earth as Mother to all living things, we dedicate one day to recognizing our ...
Views: 1148 - Odds are Good, but Pickins are Slim - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2010 from Marlene BuffaI recently visited a meeting on a topic of interest primarily to men. Out of 30 attendees, only 4 women attended. When a female acquaintance joined me at my table, she noted the few women at the meeting and said she thought the odds were good she’d find a man to connect with since the subject ...
Views: 1042 - Freedom in February - by Submitted on Feb 03, 2010 from Marlene BuffaFreedom: In humans, the power or capacity to choose among alternatives or to act in certain situations independently of natural, social, or divine restraints. Brittanica Online In America, we equate the celebration of freedom with July, the month of the signing of the Declaration of ...
Views: 1101(1 vote) - Thinning Down in the New Year - by Submitted on Jan 04, 2010 from Marlene BuffaA new calendar year urges us to set new intentions for the coming twelve months. Often playful, sometimes serious, these resolutions allow us to focus on what we hope to accomplish and also allow us an opportunity to ponder the possibilities we map out for ourselves. Faced with a pencil and ...
Views: 1030(2 votes) - Knock, Bump and Whoosh!Submitted on Oct 09, 2009 from Marlene BuffaHalloween brings to light our memories and our apprehensions and enlivens our imagination. Each year we honestly portray ourselves as something other than who we are, and venture out into the night fearlessly asking for what we want from strangers and friends. The chant, “Trick or Treat!” ...
Views: 1386(6 votes) - Little Red Schoolhouse - by Submitted on Sep 03, 2009 from Marlene BuffaIn the romanticism of this nation’s early years, the one-room schoolhouse represents ingenuity at its finest. Depicted in the movies as the epicenter of the small, rural communities, this learning environment united the spirits of cooperation, patience, initiative and flexibility. When we step ...
Views: 1105 - Self of Steam - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2009 from Marlene BuffaA steam engine is a device that converts the potential energy that exists as pressure in steam, and converts that to mechanical force. About.com While watching the scrolling banner at the bottom of a major network newscast, I saw an intriguing misspelling. The brief synopsis discussed hurt ...
Views: 1498 - Heated and Covered in Butter - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2009 from Marlene BuffaA Boulangerie is a bakery which sells breads and rolls. A pâtisserie is a French bakery that specializes in pastries and sweets. My friend Ann and I walk two miles to the nearby gourmet grocery store. Contained within the store, resides a most decadent Boulangerie. The bakery also sells ...
Views: 771 - Freedom of Mind - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2009 from Marlene BuffaEverything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. Viktor Frankl – Man’s Search for Meaning As our nation moves into its 233rd year of independence from Great Britain, we ...
Views: 889 - Sensory Perception - by Submitted on May 12, 2009 from Marlene Buffa“Here is my secret. It is very simple. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” Antoine de Saint Exupéry, Le Petit Prince Rich with sensory perception, our human experience allows us to take in and assimilate the world around us. Unlike ...
Views: 1153 - Beejeebers and stuffin’ - by Submitted on Mar 03, 2009 from Marlene BuffaMy father enjoyed laughing at himself. He also imparted his truisms in humorous ways, sometimes repeatedly, hoping we understood his underlying meaning. One of his silly antics included the bathroom mirror. He’d walk into the bathroom and let out a yell. “Ack!” he paused, “Phew, it’s only ...
Views: 922 - Treat the Person, not the Disease - by Submitted on Mar 03, 2009 from Marlene BuffaOften in the everyday stream of things, we enjoy comfortable assumptions which allow us to float on the river of life. Sometimes facing reefs of regret or butting against the banks of negativity, we nonetheless continue on our voyage. We see that we cannot travel backwards upstream since that ...
Views: 1788 - The Matchbox Collection - by Submitted on Mar 03, 2009 from Marlene BuffaOne time or another, we’ve all collected things. From the raised trunk elephant, to flying pigs, to railroad memorabilia, there’s a little bit of a collector in all of us. We surround ourselves with material goods fashioned into representations of things that make us happy on some level. ...
Views: 1143 - Someday, you’ll laugh about this - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2009 from Marlene BuffaOur friends provide us with the most amazing reflections of ourselves through their patient understanding and perspective. Often when things seem difficult in our lives, we pout, whine, get angry and ultimately wonder how life will ever be the same again. One quiet, sensible friend, will ...
Views: 958 - St. Nicholas, Kris Kringle, and Papa Noel - by Submitted on Nov 29, 2008 from Marlene BuffaNever officially canonized as a saint, Nicholas of Myra (a Greek speaking province of Rome in what is now Turkey), gained affection by secretly giving gifts to the townspeople. In the 3rd century, his moniker, Nicholas the Wonderworker, reflected his many good deeds and contributions to his ...
Views: 1477 - Life is a Tossed Salad - by Submitted on Oct 13, 2008 from Marlene BuffaTonight, my friend Ann and I went to a local salad bar for dinner. I said, “My salad tastes so good. I’m really enjoying it.” I quickly added, as though astonished, “Of course it’s good – I choose it myself!” Just then, I realized that every aspect of ...
Views: 1084 - Forgive and Give Thanks - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2008 from Marlene BuffaFrom stuffed turkeys to full tummies, we celebrate Thanksgiving by immersing ourselves in the moment. We enjoy ourselves by coming together and sharing our food and memories. We reflect on our country, our faith and our family. The day-long – and sometimes week-long – preparation ...
Views: 988 - Puddles, Toothpaste And The Deep End - by Submitted on Sep 04, 2008 from Marlene BuffaThere's nothing quite like getting a big spoon, and dipping into the creamy surface of a newly opened jar of peanut butter! Similarly, life opens us up to smooth-surfaced possibilities with delicious experiences contained inside. Often, our fear holds us back from lavishing in all the good ...
Views: 882 - Wash, Rinse, Repeat! - by Submitted on Sep 04, 2008 from Marlene BuffaMy niece Taylor, when asked how she enjoyed first day of school, responded with a sigh, "I went to school, I learned everything and I came home." The innocent child, unaware of her wisdom, went about her playful activities after a hard day at kindergarten. Unbeknownst to her, her declaration ...
Views: 822 - Spiritual Alchemy - by Submitted on Sep 04, 2008 from Marlene BuffaI had discovered, early in my researches, that their doctrine was no mere chemical fantasy, but a philosophy they applied to the world, to the elements, and to man himself. W.B. Yeats, Rosa Alchemica Alchemy is the art of manipulating life, and consciousness in matter, to help it ...
Views: 958 - Back To School - by Submitted on Sep 04, 2008 from Marlene BuffaThe mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. --William Arthur Ward Each year, millions of children return to school to complete another year of education in their young lives. Some anxiously await the first day of school ...
Views: 772 - Back To School - by Submitted on Jul 09, 2008 from Marlene BuffaThe mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. ~William Arthur Ward Each year, millions of children return to school to complete another year of education in their young lives. Some anxiously await the first day of ...
Views: 850 - Celebrate Freedom! - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2008 from Marlene BuffaRecorded history focuses on government and spans time by ticking the meter of war. From as early as the Bronze Age, one of the first recorded conflicts arose in Greece, popularly known as the Trojan War. As we study world history, we notice that most wars arose from either greed or ...
Views: 807 - What Are You, Anyway - by Submitted on May 20, 2008 from Marlene Buffa… for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Genesis 3:19 As we move from old thinking of limitation, lack and unworthiness, we find our outer world reflects our new inner mindset. Tired, self-deprecating slogans and even doctrine, saw our ancestors struggle with their own ...
Views: 843 - If It's Broke - Don't fix It! - by Submitted on May 20, 2008 from Marlene BuffaWe've all heard the tell-tale idiom, “If it ain't broke, don't fix it.” This wise insight instructs us to stop imposing revisions on that which already functions sufficiently – no enhancements necessary. Like a woman whose natural beauty shines forth, altering the symmetry of ...
Views: 1452 - Exercise For The Spirit - by Submitted on Mar 03, 2008 from Marlene BuffaPuzzles exercise our mind. We all know that keeping our minds stimulated increases our knowledge of the world we live in and contributes to our sense of well-being and fun. An active, healthy mind, hungry to learn more and explore new ideas enhances not only ourselves, but those around us. ...
Views: 1034 - You Can’t Tell Time By The Creek - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2008 from Marlene BuffaEver notice when you're on vacation, time really flies by? It seems like you can't jam enough of your favorite activities into one day, then the next day begins! Often we hear co-workers, upon return from a week away, say, "I need a vacation to recover from my vacation!" Usually, time away from ...
Views: 928 - Whoops! I fell In Love! - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2008 from Marlene BuffaWhile visiting my dear Aunt Frances in Hospice, I asked her, "What's the secret to a successful marriage?" "How should I know?" she replied, "I've only been married once." "Exactly," I smiled, remembering her speak fondly of her 51 years with my uncle. You can't help who you fall in love ...
Views: 932 - Abracadabra! - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2008 from Marlene BuffaHypothesized as referring to God creating the universe, Abracadabra roughly means "I create as I speak." Possible linguistic sources such as Aramaic or Hebrew also indicate similar definitions ranging from "it will be according to what is spoken" and "I shall bless, I shall speak." From Fairy ...
Views: 1338 - Secular Seasonal Sentiments - by Submitted on Dec 03, 2007 from Marlene BuffaSecular Of or belonging to the present or visible world as distinguished from the eternal or spiritual world. Not dedicated to religious uses. ---Oxford English Dictionary Proper names in the past 50 years or more, morphed into our speech patterns as common, immediately identifiable nouns ...
Views: 939 - The Road Ahead - by Submitted on Dec 03, 2007 from Marlene BuffaStuck in traffic with vehicles in the lanes on both sides of me moving slowly but consistently, I read a sign on the back of the truck ahead of me. "Inside height 110" from nose to rear" Sometimes, on morning drives to work, I find a lane and stay put. Almost driving on auto-pilot this ...
Views: 1048 - A Sense Of Gratitude - by Submitted on Oct 31, 2007 from Marlene BuffaEvery morning, I take a walk for a half hour. I usually follow the same route through my neighborhood and greet the same neighbors and dogs on their daily ritual, as well. I use my walk as a time of reflection and preparation for my day. I honor myself with time for prayer and gratitude so ...
Views: 3326 - Backwards or Reverse - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2007 from Marlene BuffaLiving Backwards or in Reverse? T.H. White in his series, Once and Future King, told the tale of the legendary King Arthur. Here, White presented Merlyn, a friend and wizard to the King, who lived backwards in time. Merlyn relied on his memory of the future to guide and mentor Arthur, all the ...
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