Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there; they serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become.  You never know who these people may be; your roommate, neighbor, professor, long-lost friend, lover or even a complete stranger who, when you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

Sometimes things happen to you and at the time they may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower or heart.  Everything happens for a reason.  Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck.  Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.  Without these small tests - whether they are events, illnesses or relationships - life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere.  Safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.  The people you meet who affect your life, and the successes and downfalls you experience, create who you are; even the bad experiences can be learned from.  In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to.  If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally; not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love, and they are opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.Make every day count.  Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.  Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen.  Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.  Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself; for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you, either.  You can make of your life anything you wish.  Create your own life and then go out and live it.

Can you remember the time when you first discovered a big dream in your heart? Maybe you were determined to excel in your career, or as a parent, or maybe you were focused on deepening your walk with the Lord. You probably started out with enthusiasm, but maybe things got a little difficult or didn’t happen as quickly as you would have liked. Oftentimes, when things don’t go as planned, people decide, “I’m just going to settle here. It’s not exactly what I wanted, but at least it’s good enough.”

Today , in this new season,lets recognize that we were made for more than “good enough.” We were made to increase, to excel, to grow and stretch. Why don’t we take a step of faith this year and embrace the new life He came to give us. Not only does Christ offer new life in eternity, but He offers new life here on earth. Let's pick up those dreams and be determined to see them through. It’s a new day, and He is making everything new in our life!

.

I have learned over the years that if you keep these promises all will be well for you and others !!

I promise…”

1. “I will accept everything I am, and everything I am not.” – Self-worth comes from one thing: thinking that you are worthy.  So be confident.  Too many days are wasted comparing ourselves to others and wishing to be something we aren’t.  Everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses, and it is only when you accept everything you are, and aren’t, that you will truly find happiness and success.  
2. “I will appreciate others for who they are.” – Sometimes the way you think about a person isn’t the way they are.  On the outside, maybe they laugh, and maybe they cry; but you would be surprised at everything they keep deep inside.  So pay close attention, and love the people you care about for who they are, and not for who you want them to be.  In the long run, this is how you will get the best of them.
3. “I will speak kindly and consciously to others.” – Open your mind before you open your mouth.  Don’t mix bad words with a bad mood.  Just be calm and deal with your emotions.  You’ll have many opportunities to change your mood, but you’ll have an extremely tough time recovering the words you have spoken.
4. “I will speak kindly and consciously to myself.” – Wait, what did you just say to yourself?  Were they the inspiring, comforting words  you would speak to a friend?  Or were they the belittling remarks you mightshout to an enemy if you had no heart.  Or the negative assessments about life you would utter if you had no faith?  All day long we speak silently to ourselves, and a part of us believes every word.  So stay mindful, and ask yourself, “If I had a friend who always spoke to me in the same way that I am speaking to myself right now, how long would I allow that person to be my friend?”
5. “I will stop trying to control everything.” – I hate to break it to you, but you can’t control everything in your life no matter how many safeguards you put into place.  But thankfully, you don’t have to control everything to find peace and happiness.  It lives with you always, deep within.  More than getting into the nuances of control itself, you should be more interested in encouraging yourself to commit to giving it up, on purpose.  See what happens when you loosen your grip, throw your hands into the air, and allow life to just happen and flow as it does, without constant micromanagement.  
6. “I will appreciate the beauty of small moments.” – Positive minds live positive lives.  There is always, always something to be thankful for and something to smile about.  The happiest people are not those who get everything they want; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, notice and appreciate the beauty and sweetness of everyday moments.

Living Proud * Living Loud !!!!

{Inspired by the project for September’s Chronic Pain Awareness Month 2012}

I am a person of deep faith. My faith runs proud and it runs loud and brings to my life a constant sense of Hope and Dreams. Having hope allows the possibility of my dreams to sustains me. I have finally found a way to own that.
To Live It Proud,  To Live It Loud. (in my heart)
I believe in the spiritual power of Hopes and Dreams. I believe that keeping Hope alive is as essential to my life as is breathing. The times without hoping for dreams are as dark as they are bleak. Time’s of my past, I know My faith needs to include hope for dreams, and now shines lightness and brilliance.
I am not so naive or such an overly positive person that I do not know things, events, life can get in the way and dampen the lightness & sparkle. There was a time when I believed chronic illness had wiped all those dreams and my hopes away. It was like a light had been switched off suddenly, and life became smothered in darkness.
Without HOPE dreams are useless.
Yet dreams are persistent in some magical way. maybe they never  really do leave you alone. Instead, possibly when the light went out it only shadowed all my dreams, I believe in all possibilities.
With light being what light is, it spilled glancing glows despite myself, showing me that it is I that has been completely unaware, and had turned away; reminding my soul that it is up to me to see and to feel the castings of the small glimmers of hope. “They are there” a reminder from the universe. A reminder glimmering in the shadows.
Possibilities?  Dreams? Hope?
Was it possible that I was not seeing that dreams were still there in the shadowed light? Could it be all along that they have always been right there under my own nose? Just because I was not seeing? Or refusing to admit what I was seeing was real.  Hope & Dreams” as I thought they should be, meaning = I was not seeing them at all. The Should have’s, the could have’s, the what if’s  all got in the way, they have no place in Hope & Dreams,  that is where I became confused.
Listening to my soul is an option. There are no should haves or would haves, there are no what if’s or could be’s.. It just is. That is what my faith is. It’s all, or it’s nothing with soul talk, no more second guessing, the light shines brightly through and I see it.
My eyes are opened wide today. Soul talk is a powerful thing. It takes a leap of great faith to listen to the soul sometimes when it feels frightening. I’d quite rather be frightened with a deep faith in something more powerful than I than to be without. This spirit feeds me, why would  I ever question it?
Today I Live Proud.  I Live Loud.  I Live again with my Hope for Dreams.

Is it possible to think that we’re happy, that we are living our best possible life, and not ever know that there’s so much more out there for us?
Scientist and author Dr. David Hamilton suggests listening to your heart: “Ask yourself, ‘If there were no limits and I had all the resources I wanted, what would I do?’ When we live our passion, life takes on new meaning because what we’re doing is aiming in a particular direction. The first step is really to ask ourselves the above question. The second is to ask, ‘What can I do today that can move me in the direction of living my passion?’ The third is to do it.”
I strongly believe that we all have a particular talent or skill and we are here to use it and share it with the world. Living out our passion, the thing that sets us alight, really makes us shine. This light attracts every perfect and synchronistic opportunity to us and when we are living on purpose, aligning what we are meant to do, to what we actually do,’ then everything falls in to place easily.  When we shine, others will be able to live in the light.
Coach and author Suzy Greaves shares that “Many of us grew up living our lives by someone else’s rules, playing the roles that society demanded we played in order to be 'happy.' We did all the 'right' things, lived by all the 'right' rules. So we can’t understand why we are resentful and exhausted. To start living a passionate life, you need to dig around and start getting back in touch with what you love, what you enjoy and what makes your heart sing.”
It’s really important to know that when it’s right, it will happen. Celebrity hypnotist and author Joseph Clough agrees – it’s about drawing a line in the sand: “We can find our passion by seizing this opportunity. All change starts when we take responsibility for this moment and make the empowering decisions from here on. The crucial first step is to know that we believe in you, to take responsibility, and that now is the time to take inspired action to make this happen today.”
One of the big things that keeps us down is a lack of energy. We’re so drained by our lives, our responsibilities, that we can’t muster the enthusiasm to shake things up. Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach explains that “One of the main problems that most adults struggle with is lack of energy when it comes to pursuing something bigger or better. Rejuvenating ourselves from the inside out can help to boost our energy and enthusiasm for life so that we can seriously entertain our passions. Decide to be healthy, decide to become all that you can be, decide that your life is worth living in its shiniest most exciting version, because you really do get to choose.”
Business coach Laura Leigh Clarke adds that “When you look inside and take note, and then go do fun stuff, you can’t help but run into your passion along the way! When we live our passion we become more of who we are. Bizarre synchronicities happen to make our dreams unfold in the reality in front of us. We have more energy. We attract more people to our cause.”

We are each responsible for our own happiness, for demonstrating what can be done when we shift our beliefs for the better and truly know what living our life on purpose means.

Did you know that God has equipped you with everything you need to fulfill your destiny through His Word. That means you are well able to do what He has called you to do. You can accomplish your goals. You can fulfill your dreams! You have the ideas, the creativity, and talent to be successful. You can overcome any obstacle. You’ve been armed with strength for every battle. Not only has God equipped you, but He is also working on your behalf. He has already gone before you and lined up the right people and the right opportunities. You have everything you need to live a victorious life — you were created to excel! You may not have seen it in the past, but if you’ll stay in faith, it’s just a matter of time; victory is on its way. Don’t settle where you are. Don’t have a weak, defeated mentality. Have the attitude, “I am anointed. I can accomplish my dreams. I can overcome any obstacle. I am empowered by the Creator of the universe, and I am thoroughly equipped for every good work that God has called me to!”  Help me to stay focused on Your Word and Your plan for me today. Help me to walk in Your anointing so that I can do all You’ve called me to do. I bless You today and every day!!!

What is happiness? Let me share this little story with you .

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, one of the staff members provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

“I love it,” he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

“Mr. Jones, you haven’t seen the room; just wait!!”

“That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” he replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged. It’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away. Just for this time in my life.”

Why not start building your happy memories today by choosing to be happy. Take charge of your thoughts today. It’s not your mind if you allow anyone and any media to fill it indiscriminately. It’s not your choice if you’re choosing between the options programmed for you to choose between. It’s past time to become the programmer of your own mind. To own happiness you must first get beyond all those negative thoughts and feelings that have been foisted upon you as a part and parcel of your enculturation.

Begin today by finding the good in all if it requires saying to yourself, “I can’t wait to see what good comes from this.” Hold onto that gratitude attitude and happiness will follow. Help another and the speed by which happiness arrives will be accelerated. Do a good deed every day and you will glue that happiness to you.

To let go is to open a door, and to clear a path and set yourself free.

To let go isn't to forget, not to think about, or ignore.  It doesn't
leave feelings of anger, jealousy, or regret.  Letting go isn't about
winning or losing. 

It's not about pride and it's not about how you
appear, and it's not obsessing or dwelling on the past. 

Letting go
isn't blocking memories or thinking sad thoughts, and it doesn't leave
emptiness, hurt, or sadness.

It's not about giving in or giving up.
Letting go isn't about loss and it's not about defeat. 

To let go is
to cherish the memories, but to overcome and move on.

  It is having
an open mind and confidence in the future. 

Letting go is learning
and experiencing and growing. 

To let go is to be thankful for the
experiences that made you laugh, made you cry, and made you grow.

It's about all that you have, all that you had, and all that you will
soon gain. 

Letting go is having the courage to accept change,
and the strength to keep moving. 

Letting go is growing up.  It is
realizing that the heart can sometimes be the most potent remedy.

To let go is to open a door, and to clear a path and set yourself free.

written by Louise L. Hay I had to share this , it was in my daily reading and I adore her writing!!!

I will let the fear pass through me

And only I will remain."

The important point of this statement is that fear comes, passes, and leaves.   It does not adhere to us unless we grab hold, hang onto, and internalize it.

Facing our fear may also involve embracing it and letting it go.  Looking it in the eye, acknowledging it, then setting it free as being something that is not solid or lasting but meant to pass through and on.

When we identify with our fears by making negative statements about ourselves, we have forgotten who we truly are.

Each of us is a precious one-of-a-kind event that is necessary for the world to move forward.  There is something that only we can do, a destiny that we create and fulfill for ourselves that impacts the whole.

We may not feel that we are worthy or entitled but that is simply a byproduct of fear and as unsubstantial. It simply is not true.

We have more impact on the lives of others and the way things play out than we can ever imagine.  We have more power than we can contemplate.  Perhaps understanding the magnitude of this is the greatest fear of all.  For then we understand that we are responsible for our own destiny and must let go of any thoughts of blaming anything outside of ourselves for who we are.

In reality, this understanding sets us free.  For though we rarely can control the situations that come to us in life or the word and actions of others, we can always control what we do with them.

Situations come to pass, they never come to stay.  And when we allow them to pass and disappear into the past like shadows, our vibrant spiritual selves remain, powerful in the present moment. That is the constant, the unchanging, in an ever changing world.

Have a great day and be good to yourself.  

You truly deserve it!

 

Believe in yourself !!

There may be days when you get up in the morning and things aren’t the way you had hoped they would be,
….that’s when you have to tell yourself that things will get better.
There are times when people disappoint you and let you down,
but those are the times when you must remind yourself to trust your own judgments and opinions, to keep your life focused on believing in yourself and all that you are capable of.
There will be challenges to face and changes to make in your life,
and it is up to you to accept them.
Constantly keep yourself headed in the right direction for you. It may not be easy at times, but in those times of struggle you will find a stronger sense of who you are, So when the days come that are filled with frustration
and unexpected responsibilities,
remember to believe in yourself and all you want your life to be, because the challenges and changes will only help you to find the goals that you know are meant to come true for you.
Keep believing in yourself.

image by:idleherts.com

When you thought I wasn't Looking

When I think of ALL my family I wanted to write this:

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick,  and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good-night, and I felt loved and safe.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say,  "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

 

Life is TOO Short…to NOT Know Where You Are Going!

Having a vision is a beautiful thing. It makes dreams feel more concrete and obtainable. It gives you focus, direction and a barometer upon which to make life decisions. With a vision. you live with intention and purpose because you know exactly where you are going. Without the direction of a clear vision for guidance, it is unlikely you will feel fulfilled because you will not base your decisions on what you want and where you are headed, but instead you will base them on circumstances of the moment.
Try creating a vision of what you want your life to look like in all areas of life, and picture it in your mind everyday. Then create your plan to get there, take action with a resolve not to quit, and watch what happens. Even the smallest steps will lead you to your goals.

Today lets start living out loud !!

To me Living out loud means having the courage to be exactly who you are without apology.  It means admitting your mistakes without beating yourself up.  It means not taking who you are and what you have for granted.  Release all shame!  Release all guilt!  You cannot live out loud if you are hiding behind what was.  Living out loud means focusing on what is, right now, and that is you!

To live out loud means showing up as your authentic self !! It means acknowledging your shortcomings and celebrating your strengths.  Living out loud means broadcasting your needs, your likes and your dislikes as they relate to your fears and frustrations.  It means that you let people know exactly who you are and expect them to be as thrilled as you are about who you are.

In order to live out loud you must have faith in yourself and in the process of life.  You must have principles you live by and standards by which you can govern and gauge yourself.  Most important, in order to live out loud you must love yourself enough to tell yourself and everyone else the absolute truth about you.  When you can do that, you can live out loud and be very proud about what the world will hear about you.

Until today, you may have been living your life in a whisper.  Just for today, take one step toward pumping up your volume.  Stand up in yourself!  Stand up and be yourself!

Everything works out to enhance your life - even if it appears to be distinctly the opposite !
All you need to do is trust in this natural law as an unfailing truth and have faith that change can never threaten who you deeply and truly are inside.
You can come through the worst hardships and triumph over your troubles.
You will find in every apparent disaster the seeds of new choices and an incredible future.
I have been shown innumerable times that my faith in a supreme truth is completely well - founded.
But I've also had to take committed action to get there, learning from experience along the way.
My faith in the eventual outcome provides me with confidence to accept each chapter in my life story as vital to my growth and my journey toward the goal, no matter how difficult that episode may be.

  The means create the ends - and the ends will be great if the means is LOVE.

Note to Self: Don’t Quit

This is a poem I first heard many years ago; it came to my mind the other day amid experiencing the trials of life. There are many who have quit and so many more who are contemplating quitting. My only advice is…hang in there, trust God, and DON’T EVER QUIT!!!

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow–
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out–
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown

Today I will have the ability to laugh today, if not audibly, then in my heart. God, help me to
lighten up and find some relief in humor when things get too intense, show me how to be sensitive
to others and to to gently lead them in the direction of a SMILE!!. Come cheer my heart right now with your own witty perspective on this day. Indeed , I can’t add an inch to my height or a minute to my existence by worrying, no matter how hard I grit my teeth and clench my fists. God, I’m chuckling now, and I’m ready to face this day you have given me !!. love you with all of me
Jill

” Of all days, the day on which one has not laughed is the one most surely wasted”

quote: by Roch Nicolas

Have you been praying and believing for something that seems like it’s taking a lot longer than you thought? Many times, people can miss God’s best simply because they give up before they see their “due season” come. Don’t let that be you! Be encouraged today, your answer is closer than you think. If it seems like things are getting more difficult, remember, when the intensity heats up, that means you are closer to your victory. It’s always darkest just before the dawn arrives.

 Don’t cast away your confidence today because your reward is coming. And just like a new mother forgets about her labor pain when she is finally holding her newborn, you’ll forget about your struggle when you are holding on to your promise.

While you are waiting, keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Wake up every morning and say out loud, “I’ve come too far to give up now. My due season is coming. I will reap my harvest.” Stay in faith and look for His hand of blessing because He has promised you victory, and it’s closer than you think!

Have you made the decision to forget the past? Many people don’t fully understand what that means. They wonder, “How can I forget something that’s happened to me?” But one definition of the word forget is to disregard intentionally or to overlook. In other words, you have to choose to disregard your past so that it doesn’t keep you from moving forward. That means the good and the bad. Sometimes our past victories keep us from rising higher as much as past failures. If we don’t let go of the old, we’ll never be able to embrace the new.

It doesn’t matter what’s happened in your history, it’s time to forget what lies behind. 

Today, make the choice live forward. Trust that God has a better future in store for you. Trust that He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you forget what lies behind and press forward, you’ll move forward. You’ll see increase and blessing and live the abundant life He has in store for you!

Every Day is a new beginning, treat it that way.  Stay away from what might have been and look at what can be !!!! :)

"This very instant" is all we have.  We make plans for the future, we
invoke memories of the past, but really, all we have to deal with
and to act in is the moment at hand.  We cannot stop its going; we
cannot hurry the next moment on its way.  Like everyone else in the
world, we're partners in the dull, humdrum, dazzling, fabulous,
totally unpredictable moment.
And if we have a time that is "out time," it's right now.  It has to be,
because there isn't any other.  Maybe we've had times in the past that
were special for us; maybe the future will hold precious moments.
But the only time that is truly "our time" is this time, where we
are, right now.  And what we do with this time is ours to decide.

''We can smile, breathe, walk, and eat our meals in a way that allows us to be
in touch with the abundance of happiness that is available.  We are very good
 at preparing to live, but not very good at living.  We know how to sacrifice ten years
for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard to get a job, a car,
a house, and so on.  But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive
in the present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive.  Every breath
we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity.
We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment. '' 

In life there are those we meet and then never see again, they may have even affected our lives but they become faded memories. Then there are those that we can never forget, some are one time chance meetings but most are of the long friendship type of meetings. They stay in your mind be it the front or back of it, they influence you life even if they are not present in your life at the time. Words they have said echo within your mind both consciously and subconsciously. They were your friends, neighbors, relatives and even your love interests throughout your life.  In their own way they contributed to who you are and helped you through life. Even those whom where mean and were negative influences have had left their mark in who you have become.  In turn you have played both negative and positive influence on all of the people you’ve encountered in your life, you helped each one of them become who they are in one way or another. We all a part of each other and we all are brothers and sisters in life.
By understanding both how others can influence a part of who you are and how you influence them in the same way, you learn that every word you say and every action you take makes a difference. If it is a positive or negative difference is up to you. So be very aware of your words and actions for they will not only impact those around you they will definitely effect you as well.  We are responsible for our every action we take, thought we have and the words we choose to say. For each one of them have power and can enact change and defiantly effect people.
 The power of our thoughts and words usually is overlooked as well as their effect on the world around us.
Think wisely and speak only words of truth and kindness so your influence will be positive.

Courage to be Happy

 (Photo credit: SIDΔ)

Do you live as if your cup were half full? How cognizant are you of the fact that what you say is directly correlated to the outcome you’ll get?

If you continually speak of your life as if you never feel good, things never turn out right, or nothing positive comes your way, you’ll more than likely end up being right. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that it takes courage to be happy. My great-grandmother Conchetta suffered many indignities and tragedies throughout her life, yet not a day went by without her announcing that she felt blessed with abbondanza: abundance.

You can choose to take all of your experiences and channel them into your own reality show based on fear and anxiety, or you can think of all difficulties as opportunities for creating something new. Negativity is like a big black hole with slippery sides. Once you fall in, it takes a lot of effort to crawl back up.

Many people like the security of the darkness. So if you’re down their, you’ll have lots of company. However, when you decide to come back into the light, the others there won’t help you. They’re stuck in the quagmire and want you there with them, too.

It takes a lot of vigilance to be the guardian of your thoughts, words, and deeds; and you’re often at the mercy of years of conditioning that make you operate as if you’re on autopilot. When you use language such as If only, I wish, or I can’t, you’re dismissing the possibility of today. Why maintain the familiarity of the past or nurse a fear of the future? You may think it’s easier to stay in an unhappy relationship or job or maintain habits that don’t serve you, but ultimately you’ll suffer. In fact, it’s easier and takes less energy to feel good than it does to feel bad.

“If today were my last day on earth, would I want to do what I’m about to do today?” Try asking yourself the same question. It might end up being a huge wake up call.

photo by: Loretta Larroche.

Sea Shell Queen ~~~~~~

I looked to my left at the little boy running in the sand and then at his mother under her umbrella she seemed discontent But I understood
His father was nowhere to be found
I rolled over
And continued to read of the renaissance architect
How I had never heard of Bruneschelli I don’t know
Tossing out names
Recalling the moment
It seemed as if Seymour should have been next to us
Depressed because his life was too easy to figure out
How I used to idolize his fictitious self
I’m much wiser now
I built a small tower out of sticks
And another next to it connected by a bridge
Nothing like Bruneschelli of course
But it pleased me
From my stomach position
The back of my legs began to burn
And I heard the most marvelous of sounds
The crash of the shore
I turned and stared into the never ending
What a gift from above
Gravity, the moon
Affecting the tide
The cause of this marvelous sound
From the sea green blue
The white tipped waves
Comes such beauty, such power
I thought of God’s imagination
And smiled
I pushed myself into an almost seated position
And glanced over towards her napping form
She is beautiful
Glistening in the cloudless shine of the sun
Her lovely wicker hat and her lovely swimsuit
Only added to the enamored moment
She is beautiful
But in such a different way than the waves
(Reflecting now
We are beautiful
Us humans
Our biology, our genetics, our minds
What intricate, mesmerizing oddities we are
She is beautiful
Drawn on His easel
Sculpted by His hands
An infinite amount of time ago
Well I guess He’s rather outside of time
But she was thought of and created
By only Him who watches over us)
A tan young man
Not much younger than I mind you
Walked passed us, paused, and sneaked a peak at her
He realized I knew where his eyes were
And then quickly exited our scene on the sand
I grinned and laughed to myself
By this point the heat was beginning to singe my skin
She suddenly woke feeling the same
And grabbed at me
As we made our way for a dip to cool off
I felt like a king
She, my seashell queen
As all those around
Watched our procession to the ocean
But our toes were barely in the water
When a small shark swam passed our ankles
I asked her if she had seen it
She had
And refused to go any further
I exclaimed that its bite couldn’t be worse than a dog
But it was a shark nonetheless
(She’ll vouch for me)
And I agreed with her
We returned to our beach towels and blanket
Gathered my shoes and her sandals
And headed for home
(God made this world for us to live, for us to enjoy
And what a day it was to do so)

 author unknown;

one of my dearest and nearest wrote this~ so beautiful~ I thought it should be shared: her name will always be within!1970-2010

Bloom

I remember walking in the woods one time when I came upon a clearing filled with weeds. As far as I could see, these dead, dried-up weeds had covered up everything. As I walked a hundred yards further in, I saw a single, beautiful flower that had grown up among all those weeds. It was so colorful and so different from everything that surrounded it. I thought, “That’s what God wants us to be: vibrant and blooming wherever He’s planted us.” No matter what season we are in today, God wants us to bloom right where we are. That doesn’t mean  we are going to always be in that situation. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t dream big or plan for the future. It simply means that we are going to choose to be our best on the way to where we are headed. It means we go out each day with a smile on our face and a spring in our step. It mean we can give God glory in everything we do.  Let's Always remember,  to bloom where we are planted and let Him work in and through us all the days of our  lives!!

Always think Positive

The secret of life isn't what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you.
Help other people to cope with their problems and your own will be easier to cope with.
Never use the word impossible seriously again. Toss it into the verbal wastebasket.
Self-trust is the first secret of success. So believe in and trust yourself.
Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven't half the strength you think they have.
Joy increases as you give it, and diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself. In giving it, you will accumulate a deposit of joy greater than you ever believed possible.
How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself - so always think positively.    

''Keep your hands open, and all the sands of the desert
can pass through them.  Close them,
and all you can feel is a bit of grit.''

Taisen Deshimaru

Rascal Flatts-I Won't Let Go Lyrics

If there was ever a time to dare,
to make a difference,
to embark on something worth doing,
IT IS NOW.
Not for any grand cause, necessarily. . .
but for something that tugs at your heart,
something that's your inspiration,
something that's your dream.
You owe it to yourself
to make your days here count.
HAVE FUN.
DIG DEEP.
STRETCH.
DREAM BIG.
Know, though, that things worth doing
seldom come easy.
There will be good days.
And there will be bad days.
There will be times when you want to turn around,
pack it up,
and call it quits.
Those times tell you
that you are pushing yourself,
that you are not afraid to learn by trying.
PERSIST.
Because with an idea,
determination,
and the right tools,
you can do great things.
Let your instincts,
your intellect,
and your heart,
guide you.
TRUST.
Believe in the incredible power of the human mind.
Of doing something that makes a difference.
Of working hard.
Of laughing and hoping.
Of lazy afternoons.
Of lasting friends.
Of all the things that will cross your path this year.

The start of something new
brings the hope of something great,
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

Love anyway. . . for no reason. . . and give. . . just because.

1.  Look at life as a journey and enjoy the ride.  Get the most out of the detours and realize they're sometimes necessary.

2.  Do your best, but if what you're doing has caused you discouragement, try a different approach.  Be passionate about the process, but don't be so attached to the outcome.

3.  Wish the best for everyone, with no personal strings attached.  Applaud someone else's win as much as you would your own.

4.  Trust that there's a divine plan, that we don't always know what's best for us.  A disappointment now could mean a victory later, so don't be disappointed.  There is usually a reason.

5.  Ask no more of yourself than the best that you can do, and be satisfied with that.  Be compassionate towards yourself as well as others.  Know your calling, your gift, and do it well.

6.  Don't worry about something after it's done; it's out of your hands then, too late, over!  Learn the lesson and move on.

7.  Have the attitude that no one, except you, owes you anything.  Give without expecting a thank-you in return.  But when someone does something for you, be appreciative of even the smallest gesture.

8.  Choose your thoughts or your thoughts will choose you; they will free you or keep you bound.  Educate your spirit and give it authority over your feelings.

9.  Judge no one, and disappointment and forgiveness won't be an issue.  No one can let you down if you're not leaning on them.  People can't hurt you unless you allow them to.

10.  Love anyway. . . for no reason. . . and give. . . just because. 

Feel the appreciation, happiness, and gratefulness for all that surrounds you and all that is within you.

Imagine having the life that you have always wanted. Then feel inside those feelings that you would have if you were already experiencing all that you desire. Combine that with these feelings of gratitude now for what you do have.
Focus on the positive things in your life. Release the negative thoughts, feeling, and actions. Release those feelings, the people and the things that bring you down or affect you negatively in anyway or at least set boundaries for yourself.
Live your life as if you already have the things that you desire. How? By believing and expressing yourself as if you had them or are living your dreams.
Be grateful for all that you have, for the life you have been given, for your family and friends, your job, and your home. Be thankful and give thanks for the abundance and prosperity that the Universe  blesses upon you each and every day.
Feel the appreciation, happiness, and gratefulness for all that surrounds you and all that is within you. !! :)

Forgive yourself for everything that was and start living for tomorrow. Create the destiny that you truly know you’re capable of.
The power to create the best you and the best life possible for tomorrow is in this moment. You can find the strength within to use the key of forgiveness to let go of the past and move into the future with a new perspective and an abundant appreciation for this fresh start. You have the opportunity to create an outcome for your life that’s of your choosing.
This is true no matter what your current situation. Say, for instance, you’re aware that you’re an alcoholic, a drug addict, a compulsive gambler, or an abusive person, but you’ve decided that you don’t want that. Forgive yourself by accepting that you’re capable of making changes, and then take control. Use the power of your mind to say:
I’m strong. I do deserve a new start. It’s okay to be me. It’s okay to have had my experiences. I accept that this is how I’ve lived, and I’m aware of how it has affected me. I forgive myself now for living that life, and I choose to never go back to it. I will break the patterns and cycles of the past.
You’re not letting yourself off the hook and telling yourself that it’s okay to be an alcoholic, a drug addict, a compulsive gambler, or an abusive person. You’re not giving yourself permission to do any of that again, believing it doesn’t matter. What you are doing is letting yourself know that the past is over and it’s okay for you to have experienced what you did because you learned your lesson. Now that it’s completely understood, you’re never going back there again. You’re not going to repeat these patterns. You’ve changed, and it’s okay to move on.
You can be happy with yourself. You can enjoy peace because you choose to no longer be controlled by your ego. It’s okay to be you. It’s good to love and forgive yourself for everything that was and start living for tomorrow. Create the destiny that you truly know you’re capable of.
You can become the person you want to be. You can change—if you do the work. Even if you’ve been very negative and hurtful, you can choose to transform and not be like that any longer. You can become a committed, honest, loving, compassionate individual; you never have to go back and re-create negativity in your life or the lives of others.
What does it mean to live in truth? It means to live honestly at all levels. It’s not just about what you say; it’s about thoughts, actions, and the way you live. This involves authenticity—to live in alignment with who you know your true self to be. What you’ll receive is very empowering. You become free to live and explore the truth of who you really are as you move toward the future. You’re at liberty to change, develop, and go further in you own life within your own true spirit and mind.

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures"
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4, NIV)
As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, I think about when they crucified Jesus. On that Friday, it was the darkest, most painful, discouraging day of His life. In fact, it was so bad that He sweat drops of blood. It looked as if His enemies had gotten the best of Him. But God had other plans. They put Him in the grave on Friday, celebrating their victory, but Sunday morning it was a different story. The grave could not hold Him! Death couldn't contain Him! The forces of darkness couldn't stop Him! On the third day, He came out of the grave and said, "I was dead, but now I am alive forevermore!" One principle that the resurrection teaches us is that God will always finish what He started. No matter how dark it looks, no matter how long it's been, no matter how many people are trying to push you down; if you will stay in faith, God will always take you from Friday to Sunday. He will always complete what He started in you!
Father God, thank You for completing what You started in my life. I trust that no matter how dark things may seem, You are my shining light of hope. I thank You for working behind the scenes to carry me through to the place of victory in every area of my life in Jesus' name. Amen  I love you with all of me!!

Have faith in yourself.

In life , there will inevitably be obstacles to encounter .
But don't worry that they will seem too great for you to handle , because you can.
You may doubt yourself at times , but know that if you have faith , you have everything.
Faith is the key to being successful.
If you know you're capable of anything because of who you are , you will always reach your destination.
It may not always be easy, but it will always be worth it.
Look ahead of you , never behind.
Have faith in yourself.
If you do, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish..

We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong.  The amount of work is the same.

There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.

Follow your heart,
never surrender your dreams.
Constantly work towards your goals.
Believe in yourself, and always be truthful.
Take time to enjoy life's pleasures.
Keep your mind open to new experiences.
Think before acting,
but don't forget the joys of spontaneity.
Make your own decisions.
Look out for yourself, but remember
that you share this universe with others.
Look for the good in others,
everybody has their own song to sing.
Live each moment to the fullest,
for a moment too soon becomes a memory.
Look for opportunities, not guarantees.
Hope for the best.
Give people a chance to love you,
for that is how you learn to love.
Live your life for yourself,
but always be considerate of others.
Believe in tomorrow, for it holds the key
to your dreams.

Every great dream begins with a dreamer.
Always remember, you have within you
the strength, the patience, and the passion to
reach for the stars to change the world.

Make every day count.  Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.  Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen.  Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.  Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself; for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you, either.  You can make of your life anything you wish.  Create your own life and then go out and live it.
Everything happens for a reason.  Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck.  Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.  Without these small tests - whether they are events, illnesses or relationships - life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere.  Safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.  The people you meet who affect your life, and the successes and downfalls you experience, create who you are; even the bad experiences can be learned from.  In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.
If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to.  If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally; not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love, and they are opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.