​Be assured, I truly believed this was just a luncheon with my children. It had been a long time since we were all together in one room. When my son and daughter-in-law, who reside in Florida, offered to host it at their country club, I was happy to come as a guest.
 
My husband and I arrived at the Country Club, along with my youngest daughter from New York and her fiancé. My son was guiding us through the dining room.
 
My first FEELING was one of annoyance that we had to walk so far into the dining room.  (Oh well, no-one ever listens to me)
 
There were curtains ahead of us sectioning off a room of the club, and my son kept saying that he wanted us to see the new renovations the club had made.
(Oh, can’t walk so far, why do I care?)

He parted the curtains and I saw a blur of people at tables in front of me. I turned to him and said, “This is a private party, let’s go.”  Then I heard an exuberant crowd yelling,
                   “SURPRISE”……HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!”
I thought, “OMG, THIS IS FOR ME!!  
                  OMG, I SHOULD HAVE HAD MY HAIR DONE! 
                  OMG, I would have worn something else….
                  And then, OMG I never had a surprise party before…….
 
                 MY HEART STARTED PUMPING HARD! I am so EXCITED!!”
 
My daughter, who resides in Florida, came rushing towards me, hugging and yelling “surprise.” My son from New York came over and exuberantly kissed me. My grandchildren flooded towards me...….
(I can’t believe it. This is thrilling…….)
 
Then I turned to the table to my right and was totally taken aback that my childhood friends were sitting there….I hugged them and started to cry.
(How did they get here?)
 
My husband sent an uber for them. Then it hit me, my husband and I are together 24/7. How did he do this without my knowing? And my Florida son and daughter-in-law were his accomplices.” 
(Never thought anything would get by me, but….IT DID!)
 
Then I turned and saw all my beautiful family and friends that filled the room. It looked like more than 40 people.
 
STILL AMAZED, I THOUGHT, 
This is for me…..I can’t believe it.   
I am so thrilled  and so grateful for all of you in my life.
 
I GREETED EVERYONE….There was FABULOUS FUN, FABULOUS FOOD, FABULOUS PICTURES, FABULOUS CAKE, AND TABLE WTH A LARGE POSTER OF MY FIRST BOOK. WOW! EVERYONE SIGNED IT…..AND…..BEAUTIFUL GIFTS, WITH THE MOST FABULOUS HUSBAND, CHILDREN, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS ANYONE IN THIS WORLD COULD WANT.”

I was going to start with: “Imagine a large wheel with...”  I thought about this sentence and
said, “Why imagine? Let’s place this wheel here!” 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



​














​This wheel is in my home as a reference point.  It enables me to initiate multiple  moods while generating stories, discussions etc.  After all, what is a mood? Is it a FEELING or a state of mind? The important difference between the two is that FEELINGS are brief and short-term. They will morph into a state of mind, if not put in check. Your state of mind is more durable.

So, what are these short-lived feelings that control us? The six fundamental feelings in the center of the Wheel of Feeling are: 

1. Fear
2. Anger
3. Disgust
4. Surprise
5. Happiness
6. Sadness 

As you continue to revolve around this chart, and gear towards the outer edges in each triangle, you will see how these 6 FEELINGS can develop. For instance, happiness exudes a feeling of being proud and feeling accepted. They in turn, allow you to feel confident, respected, important, and fulfilled. Let’s stay with Happy.   That’s a good one!
 
With Happy in mind, what are the 5 elements to find in men in order to make a woman happy?

1. Find a man who can make you laugh.
2. Find a man who will listen to you.
3. Find a man who makes your life secure.
4. Find a man who is great in bed.
5. Please be certain that these 4 men, don’t find out about each other……….LOL-LOL-LOL

 
So sorry guys...could not resist! But to be fair, just replace the word men with women. You will see neither sex is so different in their needs.
Carol-Rose Marshall
Author