What I Learned

I pride myself in being an optimistic person that tries to find the good in everything I face. However, I allowed that optimism to waiver mid December. It started from not being called to work and not knowing why. Knowing vacation was approaching, I let doubt get the best of me. As a result my faith began to waiver. The funny thing is that little gap allowed an all out downward spiral. Obligations kept popping up, bills kept coming in and my work days were limited. I've never been faced with not being called before so it really caught me off guard and that is what led me to this end of 2013 beginning of 2014 post. If I had a back up plan, it wouldn't matter if I didn't get called to work. As I dwelled on this my smile hid, my outlook was grim, I got a pimple (mind you, that's a big thing because I've never had acne in my life), I cried, wrestled with my emotions, prayed and worried (even though I believe if you pray about it, you aren't supposed to worry about it) and I questioned why? The more I questioned, the further down I went. I still don't know why but I can honestly say the why doesn't matter anymore. What does matter like I said before is having a back up plan an alternative solution. This actually holds true in all areas of our lives. There's actually an old saying, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." With that said, as you welcome 2014 strengthen your resolve and don't allow doubt to alter your faith. Things are going to happen so, evaluate where you are and prepare yourself for the possibilities / potential obstacles and when you face them, face them with a smile and the firm belief that this to shall pass and things will work out.

Acceptance

Sometimes you're dealt a hand that you don't even know how to play. Things change and you don't know why. You try to make the best of it and act like it doesn't matter but it does. If you allow it to, it wreaks havoc on your day to day existence. You think about it, give it to much power and question what you did all while knowing you did what you were expected to do (sometimes more) when given the chance. The hard part is your livelihood can be affected by it. That's when it becomes a real problem. At that point, all you can do is hold on, have faith and accept that sometimes there's no explanation for what you're going through, you just have to accept that things happen and be active in finding a solution. Wherever you are; whatever you face, hang in there. Hold on to your faith, hope for the best and believe that things will work out. 

Happy Veteran's Day!!!

"A hero / (she -roe) is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to preserve and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. ~ Christopher Reeve

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she -roes!" ~ Maya Angelou
First, let me start with ~To all the veterans that have served,  continue to serve and given their life for our country and our freedom: I'm free to dream, believe, inspire, pursue, to live, love and laugh... because of YOU and I THANK YOU for that! Happy Veteran's Day to all of you!!!

Because of our Veterans and others that have made a difference in my life and the life of others, these two quotes really stand out today. We are fortunate that so many individuals serve /have served our country. Their capacity in our lives as well as our everyday heroes and "she-roes" that we  look up to and admire leave us grateful for what they have done for us, shown us and taught us.  Each of us choose our heroes and she - roes for reasons only we know.  The common thread is that they touch our lives and make a difference in it that is immeasurable to anything else.  Today as we honor the men and women that chose to serve our country for whatever reason, take a moment to truly thank them as well as any one else that has made a lasting impact on your life.

Mistakes

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." ~ Albert Einstein ... 

We are all imperfect beings, trying to find our way / our place. We make decisions and choices on a daily basis and in doing so, we also make mistakes and that's a good thing because it means we're trying something new / learning new things. As you go through life, don't dwell on the mistakes you've made / have yet to make, instead focus on the possibilities. Take a chance, do your best and learn from your mistakes. In doing this, you will continue to grow and experience new things. You won't just be existing, you'll be living. As for your mistakes, make adjustments and corrections along the way so you don't continue to make the same ones.

Triumph

Everyday someone somewhere faces some kind of loss. Whether it's loss of a loved one, loss of innocence, loss of hope, loss of faith, loss of a game, loss of belief in oneself or loss of something that really matters, it's something we all must go through at some point in time or another because the challenge of losing or having to let go is inevitable. However, it's how we handle those losses and what we gain from them that makes the difference. We must realize that every loss brings about mixed emotions and a gain of some kind. It could be knowledge that someone cares, a lesson learned, a desire to improve oneself, a hug or some form of comfort that at the very moment you receive it, you feel at the very least, a little better. The difference that is made in that moment can take on many forms, it can dry your tears, become inspiration, help you through the journey of acceptance, give you insight, restore hope, strengthen you and your faith and / or it can simply give you a reason to go on. So, take the time to recall a loss, not to dwell in the let down / pain but to realize the gains that came from it. Reflect on how you got through it or how you're getting through it and continue to believe that everything happens for a reason and most importantly that within us and around us, we have who and what we need to continue and make the best of our journey through life.

Take a Moment

Take a moment to think about your ups and downs, wins and losses, successes and failures,and your good days and bad days too. As you think about them, you'll realize they have a few things in common. They made you laugh, cry, smile, believe and most importantly, you got through them. Who you are and where you're at in life are a direct result of the things you've been through and the choices you've made. The fact that you're able to reflect on your life is a blessing in itself. Although we don't get do overs, we get a chance to make changes when necessary or simply enjoy where we're at / what we have at any given moment. The healing and growth that takes place on a daily basis contributes to our perception of our life experiences. It is my and prayer that when you take a moment to think about your life, you find that the good outweighs the bad.

Happy Halloween

Have a  "fang " - tastic and "spook" - tacular day!!!

Their Smiles

As I sit here missing her, missing him, missing them. I'm reminded of this more than ever. Being their mother is definitely a treat. 

One thing I could always count on, on any given day was Kam and Brit’s smile. No matter what we were going through / doing, we had a reason to smile. I remember not being able to look them in the eye when I was disciplining them because their smile would get the best of me and my heart would melt. Times like that, reminded me why I always told them don’t let anything take your joy. Countless situations have shown me / taught me that when all else fails or simply just because, smile; because your smile can possibly spare you the wrath of your mom as well as open doors and hearts. These days, Kam’s smile resides in my memories and Brit’s shines as bright as ever and yes, there are still times that I don’t look her in the eye but I do and always will, love their smiles.

Take A Look

Look around you.Think of where you are, where you've come from and where you've been. Think of all your accomplishments and your let downs. Think about the things that made / make you laugh and the things that make you cry (remember, some tears are tears of joy and some of them cleanse your soul). Think of the good times and the bad times. Think about your friendships, your relationships and your time with family. Think of your lessons learned and the things you long to forget. Think of your memorable moments and your cherished memories. Think of all that makes you; YOU! After you're done reminiscing, I'm sure your heart will be lighter, you'll have a smile on your face and gratitude in your heart because in this world that is full of so many unknowns, there is the reality that life is good when you take the time to experience all that comes with it.

One of THOSE Days

There are days that heartache awakens you. Your fears, doubts and insecurities collide and you are left restless. You know that you have to release your worries and have faith that everything is going to work out but that's not always easy to do. You struggle to embrace the possibilities while trying to silence all that keeps you from believing that everything happens for a reason. It's a place we end up when we face trials, uncertainties and sometimes letting go but if we think about it and take a trip down memory lane, we will see that things will and do work out. We all have a story to tell that is full of things we've gotten through, been through, survived and weathered. Knowing that doesn't make THOSE days any easier to face. It just reminds us that we or someone we know has been where we are and a way was made. We got through. They got through. With that in mind, I'm working on thinking positive thoughts, remembering good times, claiming that today is a good day and doing all I can to make it one.