Mary Frances

Did you ever have a time in your life when you thought you “lost it”? The feeling that I just don’t have “it” anymore. Or what’s wrong with me lately? Or maybe, you’re so far into “it”, that you don’t even realize you did lose “it”.

Well, I did. And I was out there - blaming, victimized, using, taking - trying to find “it”.

So what did I lose? Well, actually I didn’t lose anything - I was just avoiding.

I am going to tell you now, even with the best people surrounding me, the best books, the best knowledge pool, there was only one thing that held me back - responsibility. Yep, that word some of us dread hearing, others box it up into it’s their own set of standards to be pulled out when it’s easy or works to make them right, and that others just avoid all together. Which are you?

What escapes us, what escaped me, is that this word is a joyous abundance of opportunity when used according to it’s true meaning. Responsibility is being at the source of your life. It’s creating, sharing, living, loving.

How amazing is it to be responsible for making your child laugh today. How inspiring is it to be responsible for creating a new solution at work. How fun is it to labor at making a beautiful front yard to share with all that drive by. How admirable it is to be responsible for sharing a “mistake” of yours so others can learn from it or know they are not alone in it. Or, how tantalizing it is to just be responsible for discovering a wonderful new flavored ice cream that rolls across your tongue.

Amazing, inspiring, fun, admirable, tantalizing - WOW! I didn’t realize how responsible I was for such great things until I got past not being responsible for all of it.

Today I am exciting about being, creating, connecting, leading, experiencing all that responsibility has before me.

I am the possibiity of action. I am the possibility of inspiration. I am the possibility that all is possible. And I AM responsible for all that and I love it!

And, I’m hear to tell you my friends, there is no waiting. You are being something RIGHT NOW so make it worth it. This is it - your moment, every single moment - your life, your world to create.

My friend - Your Life is an Occasion - Rise To It…RISE TO IT NOW!

“When King Lear dies in Act V, do you know what Shakespeare has written? He’s written “He dies.” That’s all, nothing more. No fanfare, no metaphor, no brilliant final words. The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is “He dies.” It takes Shakespeare, a genius, to come up with “He dies.” And yet every time I read those two words, I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it’s only natural to be sad, but not because of the words “He dies.” but because of the life we saw prior to the words.

I’ve lived all five of my acts, Mahoney, and I am not asking you to be happy that I must go. I’m only asking that you turn the page, continue reading… and let the next story begin. And if anyone asks what became of me, you relate my life in all its wonder, and end it with a simple and modest “He died.” ”

Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium 2007

In dedication to Joe Mirabella, my grandfather (”Joe Cool” to others), who passed away quietly on May 8, 2008. He lived life full.