Heather Moran: 2012

I'm thankful for.....

November 14, 2012

While we continue to restore our way of life on the East Coast after Hurricane Sandy, the temperatures are dropping and brilliantly colored leaves fill my yard. I can't help but to look forward to Thanksgiving to have it kick off the holiday season in a matter of days. With a grateful heart and an eager fork, my time will be shared with family and friends. Our plates will be piled high with plentiful traditional fare and our spirits will be celebrating and giving thanks.

The holidays remind me of the grand blessings that flow into our lives on a regular basis. As long as I appreciate the repeating themes of beauty in my life, they seem to reoccur like the seasons bringing relief, hope, and tranquility even through storms or setbacks in life. There is no doubt that I have felt greater JOY at some times more than others. Still, it is gratitude for little things that has allowed other blessings to be seen rather than taken for granted. I am SO thankful for my family, friends, and my dear Lulu who provide happiness and opportunities for me to bless them by just being myself. I'm also thankful for all the veterans who provide us freedom, peace, and security on our home soil. I appreciate all the first responders and others who will be working through the holidays to restore our beautiful towns and Jersey shoreline. I'm thankful for life itself and the nature present on this glorious planet.

May we all possess a grateful heart to recognize the great blessings that everyday grants to those who believe. As always, please consider supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation where champions are made each via wish children and volunteers. Click on the graphic to learn more.

God bless you today and always,

Mummy Dogs

October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween! Here in New Jersey we are attempting to recover from Hurricane Sandy, which proved to be quite destructible. I hunkered down with my family and we survived the worst together. I think I gained ~~two~~ ... um... rather ten pounds from doing nothing but eating everything in the fridge. I made a fresh chicken roast with all the sides one night. Pancakes the next night. All with a glass (or two) of wine by my side. It was a delish hurricane party to say the least!

So, on what should be a frightfully fun Halloween day, trick'or'treating here has been postponed until Friday night. Oh snap!

Well, that just means I have a few more days to make a platter of irresistible mummy dogs. Here's how they go ~ stretch refrigerated dough around mini hot dogs, making sure to let the meat show through the folds. Bake until golden (about 12 minutes) and finish with capers or dots of mustard for eyes.

Enjoy your own Halloween wherever you are!

Until the next time... My love to ALL!

FrankenBLOG

October 28, 2012

Sharpening the Saw

Amid the preparations and clamor over the "Frankenstorm" called Sandy, I've been taking stock in all the necessities to sustain comforts even if we lose access to modern conveniences. It struck me that I was worried about trees falling on my car and home. Who was worried about the trees, or animals that they harbored, if they fell? Connecting with nature and all its wonders and excitement could easily be forgotten with all the concern over managing what is beyond our control. I think my preparations could pay dividends, but was I really taking care of my happiness and sense of JOY with the approaching storm?

After what seemed like the 50th weather report and my review of my To Do list, it dawned on me that we have to take time out to feel the true power and JOY of life. To endure the surprises and conquer all the assignments in life, we need to have a lot of energy and desire. Dr. Covey described this in his famous book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He termed his seventh habit "Sharpening the Saw." Without stopping to care for the saw by oiling and sharpening the blade, we could end up spending a lot more energy to cut through those fallen trees. It feels so hard to take a break when consumed by the hectic life most of us face. Without rejuvenating our mind, body, soul, and relationships, we won't have the ability to produce all the golden eggs (successful outcomes) expected from busy geese. Honk honk!

At this time last year, I created a bucket list for Fall. Ironically, we had an early snowfall last October. This year, we're facing the Frankenstorm. I'm sharing some of my ideas for Sharpening MY Saw to regain perspective, renew strength, and revitalize JOY in our lives. It is my hope and prayer that you enjoy these ideas and that you take the time to preserve and restore happiness in YOUR life.

Exercise until exhausted

Improve what you eat and drink

Learn (read, listen to audio programs, attend a seminar)

Think deeply about your motives

Meditate and take a quiet moment away from distractions

Write in your journal

Have a deep conversation with someone

Review your goals

Organize your home, office, or calendar

Go on a date that requires conversation and movement (dance, walk, play tennis)

Clean some things off your plate (complete a task that you've been procrastinating)

Let your worries go

Connect with nature

God bless all of you who are about to endure (or have been enduring) the wrath of Hurricane Sandy. It's just about to hit here in New Jersey. I pray that my family, friends, and everyone will stay as safe as possible. Godspeed!

Opportunity Knocks

October 22, 2012

Recently I was diagnosed with pre-cancer colon cancer. Only 13% of those in their 40's (me, I'm early 40's) are diagnosed with such. Was I surprised? Yes. A bit scared? Yes. On treatment medication? Yes. Have an educated and talented doctor? Yes! Have you noticed how many famous quotes use doors to illustrate both opportunity as well as barriers in life? I believe our ultimate success is a matter of how we see closed doors or even ones that get slammed in our face at times. A wise saying goes something like “when one door closes, another opens.” What is often not included from the remainder of this quote is “but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which is open for us." In life, it takes actions in addition to faith to open doors. Our attitude can lift our eyes to see the passage forward, whether through another door, or over a challenging mountain, or even through a valley of despair. In the past, I’ve written about my own setbacks and disappointments. As terrible as it feels at the time, my real challenge comes from whether I can get past my setbacks that occur in my life. I mean, haven’t we all been our own worst enemy at times when it comes to dwelling on troubles or failures? I know I have!

We’ve all felt a door or two close on part of our journey. Maybe what we see as failures was only meant to lead us in another direction on a path to the happiness and success we seek. I’ve noticed that the longer I look back, the less I can see what is still in front of me in life. It is my hope that we can appreciate what we have and also see the abundant JOY that is in store for us when opportunity knocks. Because it will!

God Bless,

RELATIONSHIPS

October 10, 2012

After a recent outing with a girlfriend, I was struck by how human relationships are like moving objects. Of course we’ve all felt the ebb and flow of relationships in our lives. We seldom see a BFF from high school or college after taking a “different direction” in life. As friends get married or “move away”, they often start living their own lives. And yes, some people and even family members simply “grow apart”.

I’ve noticed that in life, we are always moving due to forces and individual events. Whether with friends or family, we have choices to make about our close relationships. It seems very rare that we can stay on the same path, direction, and speed as others. In reality, we make many decisions about how we interact with others as we attempt to find and maintain our own happiness. The consequence of our choices is emotional distance in our relationships. Will the path and actions we take bring us closer together or farther apart from those in our lives? Will a distraction slow our movement or bind us to unhealthy relationships while others seem to pick up speed? Personally, I think it’s a great idea to surround ourselves with those who will support our dreams and provide us lasting JOY, wherever that takes us! It is my hope that we can take account of the distance between ourselves and friends or loved ones. With prayer and effort, may we draw closer to those we need the most and attract others with whom we want to spend precious time in this life!

Please continue to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. No matter what state you live in, YOU can make all the difference in the world to just one child who is suffering from a life-threatening illness. Thank you for being their wind beneath their wings!

RESILIENCE

September 11, 2012

September 11, 2001... a day that I will forever remember where I was when the worst happened. You too? I can imagine. As if to improve my memory of those events, my mind seemed to take extra pictures eleven years ago on this day. A day much like today in fact ~~~ a Tuesday with clear bright sunny skies. Without conscious thought or effort, my brain knew what was happening was important information and I stored it in such detail that I will always remember the events. After those horrible moments that were further imprinted by television and the internet, I knew that our lives as Americans would never be the same.

Since that ill-fated day eleven years ago, many of us have suffered personal losses. Loved ones have passed away, relationships have failed, or our health declined. Many have lost jobs that add to despair and make us long for times before the financial strain that affects our great country. Despite having vivid memories of the fierce adversity we face in life, I believe we can learn from challenges and attain new heights.

Like a monument to our resilience, the Freedom Tower continues to grow in view of one of history’s most devastating events. As I boarded the Queen Mary 2 last month and sailed beyond the water's edge of NYC, the gleeming Freedom Tower (now called 1 WTC) was a vision of what has risen from devastation. May we, too, rise above setbacks as a tribute to those who have fallen and may we exercise our strength and persistence in the face of whatever we encounter in life.

God Bless America and
God Bless You,

Small Stuff

September 3, 2012

After an incredible Transatlantic cruise from New York City to England with my mom a few weeks ago, she paid me a compliment that got me thinking. She said, "Heather, it's great that you don't sweat the small stuff in life." Since retiring as a Doctor of Infectious Diseases, my mom has continued a life of contribution that almost demands sweating the small stuff for others. She admires a trait in me that comes naturally for some but eludes so many other blessed people in this life. I find that worrying does little to change the outcome of my concerns. In fact, worrying about every little thing only seems to exhaust my willpower and reduces my capacity to resolve the real challenges I face in my life. An example I have from the luxurious cruise came after being blocked from using my iPhone. I discovered very expensive data charges that were unfairly added to my bill despite acquiring a plan to cover cruise related costs. Some might not understand how I could get past an unsatisfactory resolution to restore my phone service after returning to the states. In the grand scheme of things, the phone charges have little influence over me unless I decide to worry about something over which I have only partial control. Instead, I decided to concentrate on the beautiful experience my mother was providing to me with her generosity and didn't sweat the worry of dealing with AT&T until I arrived back in the states. (My father, too, was so very generous to assist me in paying the hefty bill.)

I find that SO much of our lives COULD BE spent sweating all the things "going wrong." And yet, isn't it so much better to look up and see the sun shining or birds singing; such little things that we often take for granted. We can choose to smile and be happy on the journey even when we encounter bumps in the road. I like to remember the wise saying The Journey is the Reward. My wish to you all is that you may have peace and joy that comes from appreciating the small things rather than worrying about all the wrong things in life.

All my love,

LIMES into SMILE

June 3, 2012

When life gives you

L I M E S, rearrange

the letters until they

say S M I L E.

Recently, I heard a saying that caused me to consider the power we have to change our behavior in light of things gone sour in our lives. “When life gives you LIMES, rearrange the letters until they say SMILE.”

How can we rearrange our response to events that cause bitterness? I believe it starts with how we learn to accept the taste of things that aren’t always sweet. Many of life’s greatest lessons are found in bittersweet moments that teach us the nature of limes. When I feel hurt by someone’s words, their unkind treatment, or their lack of thoughtfulness, I’ve found an apology can put a smile back on my face and also on the person hearing it no matter how bad the situation was. Even in the face of an ungrateful response to our efforts, we can still feel the pleasure and smile that comes from doing what is good and right.

Just as limes can add another flavor to super-sweet desserts or drinks, things gone sour can provide greater perspective in our lives. Without the bitter, how can we know the sweet for which we smile so freely? May we see opportunities to change our perspective and actions when we experience distasteful moments that come with life that is otherwise too sweet to imagine J.

Continue to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Every little bit helps!

Happy Mother's Day

May 13, 2012

Mother’s Day is an absolutely splendid time of year. I’m so blessed to have my beautiful mom near me, thriving in her busy retirement years. She has been a guiding light to me since the day I was born and continues to this day to love me unconditionally despite my ~~crazy~~ wonderful ways. J I admire her. I appreciate her. And, I love her with all my heart!

Here’s a delicious Pound Cake recipe to make for your mom. It’s my favorite and has been a stand-out in my recipe book for years.

Butter Pound Cake

* 3 cups all purpose flour
* 2 cups Sugar
* 1 tsp baking powder
* 1 tsp salt
* 1/2 tsp baking soda
* 1 cup buttermilk
* 1 cup butter, softened
* 2 tsp vanilla extract
* 4 eggs

Heat oven 325 degrees. Generously grease and flour 12-cup bundt pan. Beat sugar, butter, & eggs. Add remaining cake ingredients and beat 3 minutes on medium speed. Pour into prepared cake pan. Bake 55-70 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. DO NOT remove cake from pan. Cool completely and then remove from pan. Sprinkle with Powdered Sugar. The butter pound cake recipe is ready to serve...enjoy the cake!

Please continue to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. No matter what state you live in, YOU can make all the difference in the world to just one child who is suffering from a life-threatening illness. Thank you for being their wind beneath their wings!

UNLIMITED

May 9, 2012

UNLIMITED, My Future is Unlimited!

Many who battle health challenges often feel their lives have limits. During these tough physical trials, too many of us could abandon hope. Without the support of family, friends, and modern medicine, lives can be utterly wasted. It's like throwing away a car because it has a few dings or needs a repair. By putting "limits" on what might be possible to recover the condition of our bodies, we can also abandon life as "totaled" or hopeless.

If instead we choose to believe we are UNLIMITED in ourselves and our capabilities, anything is possible. Eventually, we all face some health challenges in our lives. It's when we understand our UNLIMITED ability to improve or restore our health, that nothing seems too hard to fix! The battle for our well-being starts in our minds where we are capable of removing fear and negativity that harms faith in ourselves. By first thinking we have UNLIMITED capacity for healing, we free our minds from boundaries or limits imposed by doubt. We already have the God given traits to survive and thrive despite occasional bumps, bruises, and even serious medical conditions.

One of my favorite Broadway show tunes that continually sings in my mind regarding this very subject is from the hit show Wicked. In the "Wizard and I" Elphaba sings about her future being UNLIMITED. I know personally that we all can be changed For Good by simply being kind to others, supporting one another, allowing each other to grow, and appreciating others for the amazing individuals they are. May we all practice such kindness and belief in others and by doing so change the way we see our own UNLIMITED potential to cope with whatever challenges come our way!

May God continue to bless your life!

We Are All Champions!

May 3, 2012

The advice that a great champion gives another great champion is usually good advice for all of us. We can learn from the example of iconic tennis champion Billy Jean King, who gave Maria Sharapova such advice before an important match. She suggested that, "Champions take chances and pressure is a privilege." When you think about it life is the greatest "match" of sorts and and the highest privilege imaginable. Yet life, in all its splendor, presents challenges to us every day; the onset of disease, or the loss of family or friends, or even financial difficulties. Viewed like a champion, these pressures of life come with the privilege of basic living. In fact, our challenges are only what we make of them. Some in life are reluctant to face challenges fearing possible defeat or embarrassment. Champions, on the other hand, take risks. Come what may, they take chances and face life's pressures with vigor!

Champions have the ability to cope with all sorts of challenges and become stronger by not letting adversity define or destroy them. We should ALL learn to work through limitations and the pain imposed by setbacks in our lives. Depending on how we react, these setbacks can serve as new starting points in life or present new heights to climb and achieve. The power to face our challenges on this journey of life comes from the cheering we do for ourselves and for others. May we always be anchored by faith and have the hope to face pressures and challenges befitting the champions we all are!

As a Lupus Champion I'm wearing PURPLE this month in honor of Lupus Awareness Month.

As always, please consider supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation where champions are made every day via wish children and volunteers. Click on the graphic to learn more.

God Bless,

Stand Out

April 30, 2012

I've been reflecting on a line from a movie I was watching this past weekend. Like so many gems in life, it was hidden among so many competing scenes. It posed an important question for all of us to consider. Why do we try so hard to fit in when we are made to Stand Out? Think of the time, money, and energy we spend complying with the ever-changing expectations set by others. I believe we are so much more powerful and independent when we are made to answer the person staring back at us in the mirror. Why judge ourselves through the lens of others views and thoughts?

We've all been blessed with individual talents and appearances. Therefore, any "one size fits all" approach does not provide the custom fit for all personalities and challenges. Certainly we can learn from others and emulate those we truly admire. Conforming to pack standards, however, will never provide the opportunity for growth and personal development that comes from standing apart from the crowd. Have you given away your self-determination to a total stranger or some group? Rather than working so hard on fitting in, wouldn't you rather spend peaceful company with a person who matches your own style? I say give yourself a pat on the back for wearing those comfy shoes or for striking out in a new direction. Life is too precious to allow others to live it for you. It is my hope that you take control and feel good about yourself before trying to please the crowd!

GO Stand Out!

World Wish Day

April 29, 2010

What do Justin Bieber, John Cena - WWE Universe, Miley Cyrus, The Daily Show's Jon Stewart, Buddy Valastro, Nigel Barker's Beauty Equation, and Tiffani Thiessen all have in common? They are all wish granters, celebrating World Wish Day 2012. Today is World Wish Day, an international celebration of wish granting. This is the day the very first wish was granted to the very first child to receive such an honor ~ on April 29, 1980! Chris Greicius' wish to be a police officer came true just days before he lost his life to his major health disease. Since that day more than 280,000 wishes have been granted around the world. YOU can help us grant wishes by getting involved today. Donate $5, donate frequent flyer miles, start on online fundraiser, or get your company involved as a corporate sponsor. Anything and everything helps!

Thank you for supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation! Click HERE to learn more!

Potholes in Life

April 27, 2012

While I didn't encounter any real potholes this morning, part of a recent conversation spurred the notion of how we all need to repair the holes in our lives. Have you encountered a personal pothole on your journey of life? Perhaps you have a chronic or sudden health issue, trouble with a loved one, or challenges at work. Like real potholes, they continue to grow and erode the pleasure of a rewarding experience on our journey. Rather than skirt the damage from personal holes, we must eventually face the menace with something other than simple patches. Have you ever seen the same pothole, filled with a temporary patch, only to discover it a short time later in a worsened state? Our dentists know that a strong and sturdy filling must first address removing underlying decay. Capping something that is rotten or dead in our lives is a recipe for repeated trouble on our journey.

Perhaps the personal hole in your life can only be corrected through comprehensive change. While some repairs in life cause pain and inconvenience, the answer really comes in thorough examination and solutions that remedy the source of our holes. Maybe we need to take jack hammers to parts of our lives, rooting out the problem, and replacing a whole section of the journey. Only by repairing problems, rather than using bandaids and pain killers, can we find peace, health, and contentment. It is my hope that you can plan and execute whatever actions are needed to restore that part of your journey that can bring lasting JOY and happiness again.

Women Empowered

April 18, 2012

One of my favorite all-time mentors has always been Maria Shriver. She's pretty terrific; don't you agree, Ladies? Well, I've been following and supporting her for years and have always been amazed by her "Architect of Change" platform. In addition to that she developed her very own WE programs that directly empower women 365 days a year. I owe Maria all the credit in inspiring me to develop my very own WE idea called ~ WOMEN EMPOWERED. If you're anything like me then you lead a very busy life full of family, friends, work, volunteering, working out, and occassionally competing in a pageant competition every so often. Whew, that's a lot! So, I created this super cute logo from scratch as a means to represent the modern day woman (all of us) who is doing just that. Stay tuned for upcoming blog posts for further WE info. In the meantime, please click on the little Facebook logo below to take you to my Facebook page and "Like" my new neat idea.

The Wishing Place

February 12, 2012

The Wishing Place ~ the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey's new beautiful office. The MAWFNJ has granted over 7,000 wishes to date and are growing stronger than ever. Now, they have made their own wish, to construct A Wishing Place to call their own where children across New Jersey can gather and begin their magical wish journey. The Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place is complete and the act of wishing is now taking place in a thematic environment free of limitations, confinement, or stress.

A HUGE Congratulations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey for realizing their dreams through the amazing donation of Samuel & Josephine Plumeri. May another 7,000 wishes be granted and more!

WISHES DO COME TRUE

The creator's gift of life unmatched in its celebrity

In hope that all can recognize purpose and opportunity

To care for others found in need of a person, place, or thing

Little ones who want to grow to be a princess or a king

To be special in the eyes of all, police officer, athlete, or mother

Yet so precious that family and friends would have no other

To swim with nature's brightest in exotic realm

Giving hope and strength with love at the helm

Every 40 minutes, a blessing given to sponsor, presenter, or cake baker

Joy felt by all those who observe the works of our great maker

To give and to receive are both His work and intent