My Wish For You

I hope your Christmas and the coming year, is full of love, peace, joy, laughter, memorable moments and a whole lot of stuff to smile about.

"May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, The gladness of Christmas give you hope, The warmth of Christmas grant you love."

Author Unknown

"When you have brought up kids, there are memories you store directly in your tear ducts. " ~Robert Brault

"Christmas Gift Suggestions:"

"To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.”

Oren Arnold

Some other suggestions:
To a stranger, a smile.
To the ones you love, time.
To others, acceptance.
To every day, thanks and effort.
To your soul, renewal.
To all, prayer.
To life, faith, hope, determination...

Memorable moments and laughter are good ideas too.

"Life is to be enjoyed, not endured" ~ Gordon B. Hinckley

Stormy Weather

“Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass,it’s about learning how to dance in the rain!” ~ Vivian Greene

"Weather is a great metaphor for life - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and there's nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella." ~ Terri Guillemets


Bad weather comes and goes just like life's ups and downs.It's the way you look at the weather that defines how you feel about it. For rainstorms, you have umbrellas and for life storms, you have prayer.

Minutes Add Up

Each day
brings
promise
chances
realizations
opportunities
and
1,440 minutes
to
make it
memorable
and worthwhile

It Is What It Is

"These are the worst of times; these are the best of times." ~ When it's all said and done, it's how we look at our life that defines how we feel about it / interpret it. I for one lean more towards the best of times side because they are the times that I'm a part of, the times that make me who I am and my life what it is. I consciously try to make the best of them as well as find the good in them (even though from time to time, that is easier said than done). I bet if you do the same, you'll find that the best of times out weigh the worst of times in your life too because whatever the situation it is what it is and it could be worse.  

"I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

~ Henry David Thoreau

  "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

~  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Don't Settle

As the days pass and you think of the coulda, shoulda, wouldas, remember that once a day comes and goes and time passes, you don't get a do over, a rewind, a delete so make the best of each day you're blessed with. Follow your dreams, spoil yourself, finish what you start, give your all , try new things, take chances, show your love and appreciation for yourself, life and others. Don't settle because:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

— Mark Twain

 

Inspire

A smile, a word of advice, a hug, belief in someone, time, praise, encouragement, love, friendship, acceptance, faith, hope...
share what you have
give what you can
Make a Difference:)!!!

Remember

"Acceptance is not submission; it is acknowledgement of the facts of a situation. Then deciding what you're going to do about it." ~ Kathleen Casey Theisen

"No matter what accomplishments you make,(have made)somebody helped you." ~ Althea Gibson

"Children have more need of models than of critics." ~ Carolyn Coats

"In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us." ~ Flora Edwards

Stay Positive

"For every mountain, there is a miracle." ~ Robert H. Schuller

"Problems are possibilities in disguise."  ~ unknown

"Why let worries weigh you down when hope can lift you up?" ~ unknown

"Believe in yourself and have faith in your abilities."  ~ Norman Vincent Peale

Choose Your Battles

Some battles seem unending but they must be fought. Others are fought endlessly when a truce should be made and some are misunderstandings, differences of opinions or the end result of some one's instigation. Whatever the cause, source and / or reason, take the time to choose your battles wisely. Not all things are worth fighting for or over but if you find that something / someone is worth fighting for / over, know why you're fighting and what you're fighting for and make sure it's worth it.  

Daily Encounters

They say that everything happens for a reason. As I grow older I see that this holds true. Whether its with sports, with the people we come across throughout our days or simply everyday happenings they all intertwine to form our destiny. Even though we cannot say for sure where we will end up, the paths we take and the choices we make in life will guide us to that destination. One way or another we will come across our soul mates or meet our life long best friend, or maybe even help a stranger that may even return the favor down the line. Life is a journey, full of known unknowns, so with every step be aware and be mindful of the things you do. Like Forest Gump says life is like a box of chocolates..you never know what your gonna get.
-bhudd.. leggo

Its Up To You

If your life is full of stuff that makes you unhappy, you have the power to free yourself from whatever it is that contributes to you feeling that way or you can accept it and block your own happiness.

One Way To Look At It

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." ~ Anne Bradstreet

Love

Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, It does not boast, It is not proud.... ~ (1 Corinthians 13:4) 

Love has the strength to make you grow. It has the power to carry you through your darkest hours, yet in the same sense, Love is capable of putting you in your lowest place. It is great and almighty for It has the power to hold your heart in its hands. It promises to protect and cherish; however, at times, it seems that those promises are meant to be broken. It can shatter as hard as glass or stand tall like a mountain. Love is all seeing and all knowing, existing all around us. It is present in our hearts, enabling us to hear its cries, yet we refuse to listen. We ignore the warm feeling of its gentle touch and its sweet smell because we are afraid of It. We force ourselves to lock it away, refusing to accept what it has to offer. It waits patiently with open arms until we are ready to allow ourselves to succumb to its beauty. When the moment comes and we learn to trust, we find that Love is as vulnerable as we are. Upon opening our eyes to what is in front of us, we realize that Love is willing to put forth all its strength if we give it a chance. In turn, we discover that it exists in our minds and in our hearts and what we really fear is what we think it is instead of accepting who it is and what it has to offer.  ~ Bailie Hagerman

Find Your Way

"From small beginnings come great things." ~ Proverb

"Our visions begin with our desires." ~ Audre Lorde

"What you see depends mainly on what you look for." ~ John Lubbock

"Man can only receive what he sees himself receiving." ~ Florence Scovel Shinn

Quotes About Life, Change, Fear...

These quotes were taken from a book of quotations compiled and arranged by S.F. Deger and Leslie Ann Gibson. I found them to be thought provoking and interesting. I thought I'd share them with you because life is full of changes and fear can keep us from trying new things.

"Courage is fear that has said its prayers" ~ Dorothy Bernard

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. ~ Anais Nin

"An error gracefully acknowledged is a victory won." ~ Caroline L. Gascoigne

"Everyday life confronts us with new problems to be solved which force us to adjust our old programs accordingly." ~ Dr. Ann Faraday

"You don't have to be afraid of change. You don't have to worry about what's being taken away. Just look to see what's being added." ~ Jackie Greer

"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." ~ Karen Kaiser Clark

"Fear is created not by the world around us, but in the mind, by what we think is going to happen. ~ Elizabeth Gawain

"Sometimes what you want to do has to fail so you won't." ~ Margueritte Harmon Bro

The Life We Live

In the course of our lifetime, we have the opportunity to take chances, make choices, follow our heart, live our dreams, make friends, be a friend, fall in love, dream and make a difference. As we find our way we'll make mistakes, not so good choices, be a slacker from time to time but, if we treat others the way we want to be treated, keep our word, do our best, admit our faults, learn from our mistakes and never give up, we'll find that life is full of so much and whatever course our life takes, we'll still see it as the blessing it is. So, dream big, choose well, do good, be good and have faith.

This Time Of Year

This time of year our children do their best to pacify us a little more than usual. They attempt to be on their best behavior and every now and then, they do their chores without being told over and over again. However, in my house no matter the day or the season, one thing hardly ever changed; their room.

Their Room
scattered remnants decorate their floor
while the scent of yesterday drifts through the air
there was a time that we cleaned together
and
everything had a place
now
life has brought collections of possessions/memories
theirs clash with mine
I see yesterday
while thinking about today
their things are strewn everywhere
I close the door
only to open it
when I realize
all to soon
everything will have a place again

When I wrote this, I remember looking at my kids and thinking how much they had grown, how much they had changed and wishing I could turn back the hands of time while realizing my babies would soon leave home and start life on their own. My son has since went to heaven and I still have a little more time before Brit moves on to the next stop in her life :)!!! but, I can go into their room and see / feel the love that resides there, the memories that were made there and hear the laughter that echoed throughout the house and turned to giggles when I told them to "keep it down in there." It was their place, they had each other and not even the threat of Santa leaving them coal mattered when it came to their room and their time together.

A Few More Reasons

A Smile Can
open doors
make you feel better
melt someone's heart
get you in trouble
get you out of trouble
brighten a room
make someone's day
restore hope
leave an everlasting memory
make you smile
and
break barriers...
because
"There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all." ~ Anonymous

Starting Tonight

They say it takes thirty days to make something a habit.I don't know how true that is but, I'm about to find out. I've been putting off exercising for far to long so, since today is Dec. 1st, I figure it's as good a day as any to give it a try. It is my hope that I develop a new found habit of taking better care of myself that I can carry into the coming year. I'll keep you posted on how it goes and if by chance there's something you want to do but have been putting it off, why don't you join me?

Forgiveness

With November coming to a close, all I can think is where did this year go? All to soon, December is going to come to an end and the new year will be here. I'm not sure what it will bring but I do know what I don't want to take into it. Past transgressions and the hang ups of being / feeling wronged require and take too much energy and time. Energy and time, that I for one don't have to waste on something that has already happened or someone that evidently didn't have a righteous place in my life anyway (yes, I believe that God weeds our garden) and that he reveals what we won't allow ourselves to see. Because of my beliefs,I wrote Betrayal yesterday and choose these quotes today. I truly believe that vengeance and payback aren't mine. I also believe God's word and it says; "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:19-21
 

“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” ~ Catherine Ponder

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.  ~ Lewis B. Smedes, "Forgiveness - The Power to Change the Past," Christianity Today, 7 January 1983

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. ~ Paul Boese

Forgiveness is the sweetest revenge. ~ Isaac Friedmann



Without forgiveness life is governed by... an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation. ~ Roberto Assagioli

Who Pays?

Betrayal

Betrayal is a betrayer
It serves as a permission granter when your impulses run wild
Instinctively
It conjures up images that haunt your being
Betrayal is a betrayer
Living becomes existing while you exorcise the demons away
Exorcism is a betrayer
It leads you to believe that deception is okay
Impulsively
You become a betrayer
No better than the one who betrayed you
But
  Since
Betrayal is a betrayer
Once in its' grasp
You claim justification for impulse rather than control

Make Memories

Sometimes our life is about necessities. Our wants become our dreams and our needs our realities. We can confuse that with we can't afford to do anything, we're stuck! Don't let that mindset take over. There are so many things that can be done that don't cost a thing. Keep in mind, your focus shouldn't be on what you don't have. Instead, make use of what you do have. There are so many ways to make priceless memories you just have to open your mind and heart to them. Once you do, you'll see how much the little things mean and how big of a difference they can make. 

Know

Know that no one is perfect
we all have flaws
Know that kindness shared
is multiplied
Know that some days are better than others
but we still have many reasons to smile
Know that prayer changes things
and that God loves us as is and unconditionally
Know that we have to make choices
and live with the choices we make
Know that you are capable
of anything you put your mind to
Know that life is to short
not to live it and enjoy it
Know that you and only you are responsible for your actions
Know that today is an opportunity
to complete something, do something, start something
Know that someone's life wouldn't be the same without you
and yours without them
Know that your blessings will always outweigh your burdens
and that some how things always work out 

Today and Always

"Act on your positive thoughts.Ignore the negative ones!"

A Thankful Heart

Life as we know it, can be difficult, bittersweet, complicated, overwhelming,challenging, unpredictable and full of ups and downs but for the most part, I find it to be rewarding, inviting, joyous and full of possibilities. It is with a thankful heart that I say, I have so much and so many to be thankful for. So to God, my friends, my family, my readers, my moments in time, all that have been a part / have yet to be a part of my life, the good, the bad, the not so good, the not so bad, the trials and tribulations and the blessings to numerous to list / count, THANK YOU! I am and always will be thankful for every aspect of my life and everyone in it because life as I know it has been and continues to be quite a journey. I hope and pray that your Thanksgiving is full of laughter,joyous, memorable, blessed and fun and that your heart is full of reasons to be thankful. 

Matthew 19:26

Believe...
Hold Fast...
Hope...
Have Faith...
Rest Assured...
With god all things are possible.

What Helps Me

Grab your favorite writing utensil and start writing. Keep a journal, list things you're grateful for, write about your dreams, your private thoughts, write a letter, doodle or just vent. Let out the things you wouldn't dare say to anyone. You can choose to share your thoughts or keep them to yourself. While you write, laugh, cry, remember, dream. You'll find that as you write, thoughts of things you've done / want to do, your blessings, reminders of good and bad times, things you reminisce about, things you thought you had forgotten / gotten over; an overview of your life in general will come to mind...If you're not a writer, find another way to express your self openly, freely and completely. I'll be willing to bet that you'll be glad you did.

I Liked This

"You're Braver Than You Think! ~ You've made choices and taken chances. You've met challenges and weathered changes. You've opened your heart even when you knew it could hurt, and you've faced obstacles that might have stopped others in their tracks - but not you!...Life takes courage. You've got it!" ~Woman's World  11/29/10 ~

Something To Think About

"There are seeds of self - destruction in all of us that will bear only unhappiness if allowed to grow." ~ Dorothea Brande

I Have To Agree

"The greatest healing comes from friendship and love."  ~ Hubert H. Humphrey

When I saw this quote, I thought about so many people and smiled. I like many others, have been through a lot in my lifetime but I can honestly say that through it all, God's love and the love of my family and friends and friends that have become family and strangers that have become friends have made many days easier and brighter. The healing from these relationships, comes in many forms. Each one comforts you and makes you feel better, stronger, safer, happier and restores hope and faith. I thank God for his love and his infinite wisdom. Through his goodness and grace, he blessed me and continues to bless me with his will and so many wonderful people / friends that love me as much as I love them and the best part of it all, is that the love we share is unconditional and that has proven to be the best medicine of all time and time again.

Family Time

All of us have busy schedules. Work, life, family, chores, responsibilities, parenthood and all that comes with it and sometimes just getting through the day, takes a lot out of us but we need to make time for things that really matter. Start by picking a day and a time. Get everyone in your family involved. Don't worry about what you don't have; focus on and make use of what you do have, each other. Spend time with each other by playing games, watching movies, going for a walk, going to the park...(the possibilities are endless). Use your imagination and creativity to come up with something. Turn off your cell phones, laptops, computers, ipods, televisions and listen to one another. Share your hopes, dreams, fears and accomplishments. Catch up on each other's lives. Take the time and make the most of it, it's one of the best things you can do for your family. It gives everyone a sense of belonging and unity and the fun, smiles and laughter that you share will be an extra benefit.

Speak Up

"Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone." ~ G.B. Stern ... The love and kindness we receive should be acknowledged. Giving thanks and showing appreciation returns the joy and happiness we receive and spreads it as well. It also gives us something to smile about, strengthens us and lifts our spirits when we recall the various things and people we have to be thankful for. Share the joy that you've been given by saying thank you through your words and your actions. 

Your Story

Everything we've been through contributes to how we see things and how we think things will work out for us. Each of us has a story to tell; our very own testimony. A story that can remind us how blessed we are if we let it. A story that tells us change is possible and we can overcome and get through so much. Often times, it's easier to say why me and feel sorry for ourselves because doing that enables us to stay where we are; to get comfortable and become content even when we know we deserve better and can do better. I say that because I truly believe that each of us has room to grow, something more to learn or quite possibly, our story is meant to help and encourage someone else. So, even if you don't think making the best of life as you know it  based on your past history is worth it don't let that stop you. What you can do for someone else, is reason enough to keep going and keep trying. I'm willing to bet that making a difference in someone's life, will definitely make a difference in yours. You will soon see that things aren't as bad as they seem and that they could definitely be worse. With that in mind, take your life story and all its ups , downs and in betweens and don't hesitate to share it with others. Along the way, you'll help yourself and others see how much each of you have to be grateful for all while seeing all that you're capable of.

Choose To

"Be joyful; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances..." 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 18

No More Excuses

Excuses are a procrastinators best friend. One's lack of motivation leads them to make excuses that allow  them to put off doing what they need to get done. Instead of using so much time and energy to come up with an excuse to get out of something, use that time and energy to figure out what you need to do to get the things you need to do done.

Traditions

I know Halloween brings about mixed emotions / beliefs but, I see it as a time of wonder, nostalgia and memorable moments. Every since I can remember, Dos Palos has had a Halloween parade. For those of you that aren't from Dos Palos, it's a parade that's been going on for years and people young and old line the streets to watch the students, their teachers and their principals walk by. The bands, pommerettes, letter girls and the cheerleaders perform. The combination of everything going on leads to a good time being had by everyone that takes the time to be a part of it. It allows people to see people they haven't seen in a while and smiles and laughter are everywhere. The excitement of the day continues when the students return to their classes to have their class party before going to the Halloween Carnival. Family members and friends are a big part of the day as well.Today when I walked in the parade, I saw so many familiar faces, some of them have known me since I was a kid, some were classmates and others I got to know just by growing up in Dos Palos. I even missed seeing a few familiar faces; some have passed away, moved away and some for whatever reason didn't make it out this year but, I was still reminded of what really stood out for me when I first started taking part in Halloween festivities and continues to stand out: all the smiles, treats, the innocence of childhood and the fact that you can be anything you want to be. 

Worth Repeating

"Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you respond to it." ~ unknown

Question For You

First of all, I would like to thank you for supporting and reading my blog. Now for my question: I would like to know what's on your mind, what you would like to see me blog about or simply what you think of my blog so far. So, will you please leave a comment and let me know? Thanks again :)!!!  

By Example

There are things we see in this world that we don't like / would like to change. Unfortunately, group mentality can take hold and cause us to complain about what we see and / or follow along while we ignore possible solutions. People can be set in their ways but they can also be open to change. So, show compassion, be mannerable, respectful, honorable, honest and responsible. Show discipline, and be accountable for your actions / choices. Use appropriate language and be considerate of others. Give your all and always do your best. You never know who is watching, listening and taking note so, by example be the change you want to see.

Self Censorship

I must admit, I have a lot of random thoughts and a lot of things I would like to say and although I know I'm entitled to my own opinion, I also know that I'm not entitled to express what I'm thinking / feeling at the expense of someone else and their feelings. All thoughts, words and statements are open to interpretation and reflect who we are and how we're feeling. They can also put our character into question. Then there are the things that are simply inappropriate. Our audience needs to be kept in mind. I'm not saying that you need to censor yourself completely but you need to realize there's a way to say what you have to say and that you need to discern what needs to be said and what should be kept to yourself because your words and your language; spoken as well as written, reflect you as an individual. That's why you have to be mindful of the way you express yourself and remember, not everything needs to be / should be said.

Listen

SILENCE can be deafening
WORDS overpowering
loud
and
demeaning
CHAOS can ensue
from
hurt feelings
and
misunderstandings
take the time to LISTEN
to what is being said
UNDERSTAND what is being heard
respond accordingly
which may be not at all

No Matter What

The things we experience in life, help us to realize what's really important. Some of them, forever changes us. They alter our life in a way we never imagined. We anticipate things but have no idea what the outcome will be. One thing for sure is one persons nevers may not be anothers. We have different ways of dealing with / going through things. We have to make the decisions that are right for us. When we reach out, we expose ourselves to so much. That can mean more heartache, unspeakable joy or a mixture of both. However, we have to realize that no matter what we face / go through, we have what it takes to survive whatever it is. We just have to believe in ourselves and hold onto our faith.

What It Takes

Sometimes we get to a point / place where we know the way we're living isn't working / the way we should be living. We settle and go through the motions while ignoring how we truly feel inside. Not only do we hurt ourselves when we do this, we also hurt the people around us. The real us doesn't get a chance to come out and show the world and the people around us how special we are because we're too busy accepting where we're at in life and making excuses for not changing what we know needs to be changed. Believe it or not, it takes just as much, if not more energy to pretend that everything is ok as it does to do what you need to do to make things better. It's never too late to take a look at your life and evaluate where you are and compare what you find to where you want to be. Then and only then can you pick up where you left off / start over / find solutions to your problems / become who / what you want to be / walk away from a relationship / friendship that means you no good  and open your heart / your world to all that awaits you. Allowing yourself to be a victim of acceptance / circumstance is a big mistake because there are too many possibilities out there. If you know changes need to be made in your life make them. It might not be easy at first but it will be worth it. Once you validate your feelings and your wishes and act on them, you will be unstoppable and the happiness, joy, success and love you deserve will be your reward.

Erasers

There are things
we do
we say
We leave
mark after mark
The harder we press
the deeper the image
We realize
not all things  need to be said
should be done
We apologize
We are forgiven
but
The images remain
We find
erasers
have their limit

Once something is said and done, it can't be taken back. Choose your words and your ways carefully and wisely. Let the images you leave be positive, encouraging and memorable rather than hurtful, discouraging and unforgettable.

Words Of Wisdom

Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and if you smile while doing it, you'll convince yourself that you're having fun at least that's what my friend told me and I tend to believe him because not only did he seem happier than usual, he looked cuter too. So, when you have a task that seems overwhelming, tedious or it's something you just don't want to do but have to do, put on something you feel cute in and smile.

Faith

"You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.” ~  Mary Manin Morrissey

When you have a dream you have to believe that it can become a reality. You'll have to take chances and face your fears. Believing that it can happen will inspire you to work at making it happen and when you feel that you've done all you can do and consider giving up, Your faith will sustain you and remind you that only you can get in your way. 

Our Days

Our days can be hard, unpredictable, challenging and frustrating but, they can also be wonderful, unforgettable, exciting, full of surprises and fun. No matter what type of day you face or perceive it to be, see each day as the blessing it is and make the best of it.

What I Know For Sure

There are days when I think what now? what next? and then, I'm reminded what now? what next? really doesn't matter. What matters is the people in your life care enough to tell you (sometimes without saying a word)/ show you that you make a difference in their life and you're able to tell them / show them that they make a difference in your life as well all while knowing that just as many obstacles that are ahead of you, are behind you. Dwelling on what you can't change, gets you nowhere. Remember where you came from / where you've been and remind yourself of the things you thought you'd never get through / overcome. While you do that, think about where you are now, what you survived / made it through. Once you do that, the what nows? and what nexts? lose their power to get you down / make you worry because you know that this to shall pass and most importantly, you know that whatever it is, you don't have to go through it alone.   

Growing Up

when you’re growing up

what you think you’re missing
lures you in
it calls you
With reckless abandon you answer
Where you’re headed
Who you’ll be
What to watch out for
Isn’t your concern
your desire to grow up controls you
instead of listening
you talk
when you should slow down
you speed up
your invincibility and its empty promises
assures you
it tells you that you know all you need to know
that you can do what you want
when you want
Eventually it all catches up to you
That’s when you grow up
and find
That while you were rushing to grow up
You missed out on so much

The Need To Know

There's a saying that says what you don't know won't hurt you but, that's not true. Ignorance isn't bliss. Not knowing how you're doing / what's going on, or simply ignoring the inevitable leaves you at a disadvantage. We need to take care of ourselves emotionally and physically. To be proactive with our health and our life, we have to know what we're dealing with. Unfortunately, there are situations where we end up being the last to know what's going on. Once we're made aware of the details and/ or deception, we can choose to ignore what we've learned or use our knowledge to decide the best course of action. To do that, we need to be honest with ourselves. Then and only then can we be accountable for our actions. So, don't ignore the red flags, the gut feelings, your heart or the little hints you get on a whisper. Pay attention to them and respond to them in a way that enhances your life rather than leaving you vulnerable / susceptible to  unnecessary let downs and heartbreak.

Life

"Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Past / present hurts, let downs, insecurity, low self-esteem, mistakes, losses, failures, broken hearts, failed relationships, unreturned love, heartache, doubt, remorse and grief all have something in common. They can make you  give up. They can make you believe that there's no reason to go on, but don't let them. There are just as many reasons to laugh and smile as there are to cry in this world. If we put the situations we face in perspective, we will see that all is not lost. Hope and faith enables us to see the possibilities of tomorrow. They show us that better days follow bad ones. Sometimes, we have to go through this life moment by moment and pick ourselves up over and over again. Each time we do that we become stronger. Our hope and faith intensifies and we show others and ourselves that life is worth living because there is so much out there to do, see and enjoy in spite of the hardships we face.

Life Lessons

Life Lessons are a daily occurrence. Each morning we wake up / day we face has the potential to teach us / remind us of how blessed we are/ show us something. A few givens are there's a time and place for everything and our actions and words not only affect us, they affect other people as well. Our outlook and our choices play a huge part in the outcome of our daily existence. When you begin your day, remind yourself of all the potential you hold / it holds. Strive to be your best as you do your part to make the best of each day you face.

The Way To Success

"Follow your dreams, not your doubts."

Things Remembered

If you're a parent of school age children, you know that one of the first field trips your child takes is to a pumpkin patch. The mazes, the pumpkins, the hayrides,face painting, storybook time, picture taking moments, the country atmosphere, the signs of fall and the smiles and laughter, what a combination. On top of all that, they get their very own pumpkin. The sizes and shapes vary but, they find the pumpkin that seems to call their name. Once they get it home, they are all excited and you tell them how a pumpkin becomes a jack - o - lantern. With excitement in their eyes, they help you draw a face and then you carve it. As they dig out the pulp, they say ewwww and make faces all while smiling. You smile too because you see that it was more than a field trip to the pumpkin patch it was also the basis of family time and an unforgettable memory. Once the jack - o - lantern comes to life, you decide where to put it while the ewwws become ohhs and ahhs and the laughter and smiles continues. For me, my first pumpkin patch moment took place 15 years ago but , I remember it like it was yesterday. I shared it with a dear friend of mine when he talked about taking his son to the pumpkin patch and the anticipation of his son's first field trip which was also to the pumpkin patch, he gave me the honor of carving a pumpkin with him. Tonight, I carved a pumpkin with his son and his cousin's daughter (if you know me, you know that I actually see them as my babies too).The ewws,oohs, ahhs, smiles and laughter were recorded and pictures were taken all while our pumpkin became a jack - o - lantern and together, we created a memory that was a bonus for me. I'll never forget it (hopefully they won't either) and it also took me back in time.

Do What You Can

"No act of kindness, is ever wasted."...What you see as nothing or no big deal, can mean the world to someone else. Saying hello, a hug, a smile, offering to help, asking someone how they are, simply acknowledging someone...(yes, the list goes on), are ways to show someone they matter and that someone cares. Since everyone can use a pick me up, choose to be kind. You can make someone and yourself feel good in the process.   

Seen On A Truck

Every saint has a past.

Successful

Who is to say what the exact definition of the word success is? It can be interpreted in many ways. So give it your own meaning. No matter what you definition may be, use your drives, ambitions, dreams and aspirations to get you there. Always remind yourself that the only thing that will stop you from achieving success is you! So go hard in everything you do. Contrary to the belief of many, the sky is not the limit; so don't be afraid to go beyond it. Even though it may take a while to get motivated, don't give up. More than anything else don't be lazy. I have learned that the hard way. Success is measured by what you put into getting it. Don't be afraid to fail. It happens. Just get back up and keep going and one day it will pay off in the long run. We may not see it now but like they say, lead by faith not by sight. Legends aren't born they rise, so rise in order to achieve greatness. If you don't do it for anything else at least do it for yourself. We have one life, one time so do it and do it well. Be successful.

The Right To Choose

When you're tempted to criticize someone or simply disagree with them, keep in mind, your nevers might not be their nevers. If their way of living is legal and moral and they're happy and content with their lives who are we to judge? Instead of giving them a hard time, hold them up in prayer. True, they might not be making the best of choices but if we take an honest look over our lives, we'll probably find that we don't always make the best choices either. There's a lot to consider, when we go through life. If one finds happiness in this uncertain world and dares to live their life on their terms, let them. At best, we can make the best of ours too. We don't want to be criticized just because someone else feels we're not living up to their standards and neither do the people in our lives. So with that in mind, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!"

When It Rains It Pours

They say when it rains it pours. I actually pride myself in being a pretty optimistic person and generally try to find a positive in everything I face / go through but I still believe that there's a lot of truth to that statement. I've heard it used often so, it's one of those things quite a few people believe. Fortunately for me, I also believe that this to shall pass is a true statement too. So, instead of thinking why me, I start praying. I do get overwhelmed and emotional but once I come to my senses, I remind myself that worrying and stressing isn't going to change a thing. I just have to take the steps I can to get through what I'm facing while trusting that everything will work out. Sometimes, that's easier said than done but before I get caught up in woe is me, something happens, I might read something or someone says / does something and I'm reminded that things could be worse. That's when I count my blessings because those reminders express another truth. God is sheltering me from the storm. 

More Than Words

 Dream    Believe
 Give       Share
 Laugh     Inspire
 Hope      Hold On
 Listen     Learn
 Forgive  Keep your word
 Watch    Explore
 Love      Care
 Enjoy     Smile
"Don't just exist; LIVE!"

Brace Yourself

Every given day, the possibilities are endless. There's no way of knowing who you'll encounter/what you will face/what you will accomplish. Although there are some givens, the outcomes can very easily vary. The only thing that is certain is you're in control of how you handle whatever comes your way. Make a conscious effort to make the best of any given situation. Think about what you can take from the experience and what you can do to make the outcome as positive as possible. Keep in mind, you can't please everybody/solve everything but you can walk away knowing that you didn't let someone/something get to you in a way that caused you to react in a way that you may later regret or in a way that is out of character for you. How your carry yourself is very important. You might have to make adjustments / do things differently or just kill em with kindness but if you follow your instincts and your heart, you'll know that you did all you could. So, brace yourself for whatever may come your way and if all else fails, smile and remind yourself that this to shall pass. 

Try This!

I'm kinda cute, but I have my flaws (smile). Brit and I joke about my Monday morning start up plan. I weigh myself, take a few measurements and say I'm going to stick to it this time. No sooner than I say it, I find a reason to change my mind. I find it easy to find reasons to do something or in my case, not to do something when it comes to myself but, if I tell someone else I'm going to do something, I do all I can to get it done and keep my word. I'm finding that I need to make a commitment to myself too. I already know that I can do whatever I put my mind to. I just haven't taken the time to make myself a priority. Just like I'm there for others, I can and should be there for myself. By no means am I going to stop helping / being there for / encouraging others. I'm just going to make myself a priority as well. So if by chance, you are like me, put yourself on your commitment list; make yourself and whatever you want to accomplish a priority then, give your word to yourself and keep it.

A Few Quotes

"Life's ups and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals. Think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want." - Martha Sinetar

“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”
- Mahatma Gandhi

"That some good can be derived from every event is a better proposition than that everything happens for the best, which it assuredly does not." - James K. Feibleman

Quitting

Quitting may seem like an easy way out but, it really isn't. It may enable you to get out of doing something you don't want to do or something that you think is too hard to do and it will allow you to walk away from something that requires more effort than you're willing to give but, it leaves you second guessing yourself and possibly sets you up to believe that you don't have to commit to anything because when the going gets tough, you can just move on and attempt something else. Unfortunately, that attitude can affect every aspect of your life. If you don't believe in yourself, why should anyone else? As you go through life, you will find that anything worth having is worth fighting for and the very thing that is making you feel like you should quit can prove to be your motivation and inspiration once you see it through. 

This I Know

The pain, the disappointment, the heartache and the mixed emotions that come with the situations we find ourselves in and the things we go through can be overwhelming, frightening, unforgettable and eye - opening among other things. They can cause us to build a wall, stop believing, lock ourselves in a jail of our own making, or simply just give up, but they shouldn't because once the tears dry up, or simply slow down and the wounds are bandaged or possibly healed, you will find that something good comes out of every situation, every heartache, every loss, every let down. Through them we learn life lessons, we find out who our friends are, that more people than we ever imagined care about us, that we're stronger than we thought we were, that we have so much potential, that settling shouldn't be an option and that if we trust in God and remain prayerful he will see us through whatever it is we're facing / going through. He will help us heal and put people and opportunities in our life that we will know were heaven sent.It's easy to wallow in self - pity but when you do, you miss out on so much.  

A Random Thought

Prayer and Tenacity; what a combination!

Homecoming

People that really know me,know that I really don't care for the game but, I love the players. I was and always will be Kam's number one fan and he could count on me encouraging him and cheering him on even though I couldn't tell you the position he played and covered my eyes through most of the plays I didn't miss a game. Through it all, I've cheered for both teams because I feel it takes a lot to be out there and be a part of something and most importantly, if they're out there, there grades are good.The coaches knew where I stood and that they had my support. So through the years, the coaches have become more than coaches to me. They took a wonderful freshman (as they do many) and turned him into a wonderful young man. I've come to know a lot of the players and quite a few of my babies still play so tonight, I'll be the one clappin and cheerin with my eyes partially closed and a heavy happy heart because the boys of fall will be doin what they do best, gettin it done and having a good time and I'll be rememberin a precious young man that forever changed my life and the best part of it all is I'll be with family,friends, and some of my babies and I'll get to see people I haven't seen in a while. What's even better is it's homecoming tonight. Excitement will definitely be in the air!   

Think Before You Speak

Today when I spoke to some people I work with, we exchanged formalities and said how we were.My response was, "I can't complain, no one cares anyway." Although I said it jokingly, I had to instantly correct myself because there was no truth to that statement. No sooner than I said it, I knew I was out of line. I can honestly say that I'm truly blessed and have a lot of people in my life that care and I will be forever grateful for them. It was a prime example of think before you speak because even what you say in jest, can be taken seriously, misunderstood, turned around, and possibly used against you. In this case, we laughed it off together and I corrected myself to them but, the comment I made, stayed with me. That's why I'm blogging about it. Knowing that I have a lot of people in my life that care and that the presence of God and his goodness and grace surrounds me and keeps me mindful of what is right and wrong, made me think twice about what I had said. I must say, I'm grateful for that too because it makes me aware of what speaking before I think can lead to.

Follow Your Heart

Ones hearts' desires aren't necessarily someone else's. As a result, we tend to set goals and dream dreams while wondering what someone else will think. As long as our pursuits are legal, moral and don't hurt anyone, we deserve a chance to make them happen. Too often, we become our own what if because we are actively pursuing who we think we should be / who someone wants us to be rather than who we desire to be. The good thing about life, no matter how complicated it may be, is we have a chance to do anything we put our mind to, we just have to take that chance. Our choice to follow along and keep the peace, can keep us from becoming who we're destined to be.

Change Is In the Air

My favorite season begins tomorrow and my mind is on the changes I’ve been through and for the most part survived as well as the ones I want to make, should make and need to make. While I was imagining the possibilities, and working on my plan of action, the serenity prayer came to mind; “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.” At this point, all I can continue to do is step out on faith and remain prayerful because change is inevitable and at this point in my life, it’s a must. If you’re facing changes or simply have the desire to make some changes in your life, take a chance. Step out on faith and see where it takes you. The possibilities are endless and stepping out of your comfort zone can be very rewarding.

A Bit Of Advice

"Don't be your own what if."

It's Time

Take a few moments to think about all the things you do on any given day and all the roles you have. While doing this, think of a way to celebrate being you just because you're you and make a date (in ink) to make it happen. After that, applaud yourself for all you've accomplished so far and encourage yourself to do all you have yet to do. Then, take a moment to let go of your worries and doubts. If your loved ones are near embrace them and let them know how much they mean to you. If they're far away, call them, text them, e-mail them, or send them a post on Facebook and let them know how you feel. You'll soon realize that even though things could be better and there's room for improvement, you still have so much to be grateful for.

Don't Stop Dreaming

From the beginning

we are told

sweet dreams

dream big

dreams come true

We grow up

believing what we've been told

then

life

possibly fate

intrudes

on those beliefs

we waver

wander

wonder

possibly give up

but

our dreams

are our dreams

so

we hold on to them

and hope that what we were told

is true



Reality has a way of tainting your dreams but, if you continue to believe in your dreams and work at achieving them, you can make your dreams come true. Keep believing and inspire others to do the same. Remember, it's never to late to be what you might have been, to achieve what you want to achieve, go where you want to go, do what you want to do; you just have to imagine the possibilities and establish a plan of action and take the necessary steps to make it happen.

My Go To Words

Today was one of those days that my mind wandered no matter how hard I tried to stay on task. One of the things my mind got stuck on was words. I kept thinking which words mattered most in my life. I thought about my family, my friends, my friendships, my relationships, motherhood, work and life in general and decided to pick the top 10. In no particular order, I came up with faith, forgiveness, gratitude, patience, hope, compassion, flexibility, honesty, persistence and loyalty. For me, each word has helped me in some way or another and they're words I strive to live by. I have my days and sometimes my moments  but, for the most part, I get through the things I face by reflecting on the words that mean the most to me and doing my best to adhere to them.

Dilemma

Today, a friend of mine stopped me in the hall. She wanted to share something with me but, she didn't want to hurt me or bring up memories of what I had been through. However, the weight of what was on her mind and heart was something she needed to share so God allowed our paths to cross and I'm glad they did. When we're going through something, we don't want to burden anyone so for the most part, we keep it to ourselves. Fortunately, we are blessed with friends that are willing to be there for us, comfort us, listen to us and help us through whatever we're facing. I'm glad that she cared enough to put my feelings first but, grateful that in an instant our friendship proved to be strong enough to withstand what she was holding back. As a result, her prayer chain grew and we found that in times of need the only thing that matters is being there for one another.

Time

Time is confining
It is a thief
and a liar
It says it does things it doesn't do
I needed it to be on my side
But it wasn't
in an instant
it stopped
Or maybe paused long enough
To give me time to internalize
The incident I long to forget
I call it an incident
Because if I call it what it is
I might dwell on it
And I don't have time for that
Because time doesn't heal all wounds
And I don't have time to waste  

I may be wrong but I don't believe that time heals all wounds. It's a cliche', but at the same time, I feel that it does ease the scarring and lessen the pain if you let it. In order to do that, you have to make a conscious choice to move on in a positive way rather than continue to dwell on what's bothering you and / or on whomever / whatever hurt you. If you don't, the very thing / situation you desperately want / need to get over will control you and your actions and you don't have time for that.

Today

Today I got in contact with a friend / co-worker, via Facebook. With all the cut backs and layoffs that are going on she happened to be affected by them, as did I so we haven't seen each other since June but, she had been on my mind. I didn't want to seem nosey or be in her business so, I said nothing, although I thought about her often and asked another co-worker how she was. What I found, was she was thinking of me just as I was thinking of her and felt the same way as I did but, we had no way of knowing that because neither of us spoke up . Our posts that followed, led to my blog post today. There are times that we think of someone / see someone that we want to check on / say something to but , we think we're out of line and we say nothing because we don't want to over step our boundaries. In being overly cautious of our communication etiquette, we fail to acknowledge them and let them know we're thinking about them. Never taking the time to realize that what we say can possibly make a difference in how they're feeling, how their day is going and / or their outlook. At the very least, it will let them know that someone cares how they are doing / feeling and that in itself makes saying something worth it. 

Untold Stories

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you" ~ Maya Angelou ... when I read this quote, I was inspired to write this poem... We tend to hold so much in, or fail to express what we're feeling with the hope that someone will / can read our mind. In failing to say what is on our mind we silence ourselves and our voice. This realization gives credibility to suffer in silence. Mind you, we don't have the right to express ourselves in a way that hurts and / or disrespects others but, we should think twice before we continuously hold things in that can turn a simple problem / misunderstanding into a grudge that we internalize and hold on to.

Untold Stories
throughout life
moments pass
things transpire
emotions range
subjects are created
characters emerge
plots intensify
refusing to be locked away
catalysts
choices
consequences
come together
without warning
sometimes colliding
sometimes mingling
always lingering
creating illusions
that mimic deception
causing
true feelings
to
become created ones
speak up
release your thoughts
so YOU can be heard...

Resilience

I got the idea for this blog post through Facebook stalking as my daughter Britney calls it. Since you're probably wondering why I would admit to any kind of stalking, I'll tell you. Originally, God blessed me with two babies and then he saw fit to bless me with many. Some of them I've known since Kindergarten, some since Jr. High, some since High School and a few since College. I love them all and they all have a special place in my heart. So randomly, I check up on them just to see how they are / what they're doing and lately, their posts have been about adjusting to the steps they're taking in life and the difficulties they face. I offer them words of encouragement to remind them they're capable of so much because I know that life can be intimidating and can leave you wanting to give up but you can't, so, to all my babies and anyone that takes the time to read this post, know that you have the ability and potential to overcome anything that you face because before you is all your dreams and within you is all you need to succeed so, work hard, give your all, dream big, inspire others and believe in yourself. You may have to take baby steps, study harder / more than you want to, read a lot (which isn't a bad thing), step out on faith, ask for help over and over, prove yourself and / or put up with stuff you don't want to / feel is necessary, but it's all part of your path in life and who you're destined to be so, just suck it up and do what you gotta do and don't forget to find a positive in all that you face and a reason to smile while doing it.

Lesson Learned

Some of us don't have this problem and that's a good thing but for those of us that do, myself included, my advice is take a picture and when you do, don't automatically delete it or crop it because of some perceived flaw. So often, we stand in the background or volunteer to take the picture when we should be embracing who we are, what we're doing and who we're with. I can honestly say I've taken more pictures this year and saved them and posted them without dreading the added pounds, messed up hair or whatever detail got to me before because when it mattered most, I found that I wasn't in a lot of the pictures we had taken over the years. Pictures that I wished I was in, pictures I could hang on the wall, share with others or post somewhere, pictures that would help me relive precious memories didn't include me because I was to busy deleting and cropping them through the years. Although I'm not completely reformed, (I still delete and crop a few of the pictures I take), but now, I take the time to really look at them and focus more on what we're doing and who I'm with and I pick the best one rather than get rid of them all.