Strong Women....

Be Strong.

Be Beautiful.

Be the Woman you are.

I Celebrate with You, all of the Strong Women in our Lives.

They are, who we as Women, should strive to be.

"Love and Affection"....

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection”

Siddhārtha Gautama

Hugs.......

My husband just shared this with me and I thought that I would pass it on to you, dear reader.

May you always have someone around to hug you.

May you always have someone around to hug.

Please accept this hug from me to you!

Changes are coming.....

Change is an inevitable part of life.

Better to embrace its challenges than to resist in futility.

Learn what you must through the process.

Making one full circle instead of many.

May you go through change with grace and gratitude.

Come Fly with Me.......

SET YOUR SIGHTS HIGH!

ALWAYS LOOK UP!

LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING!

THE SKY'S THE LIMIT!

KEEP YOURSELF OPEN TO THE MESSAGES FROM ABOVE!

IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE STORM..........

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE PEACE OF MIND IN KNOWING THAT STORMS HAVE AN END AS WELL AS A BEGINNING. MAY YOU WEATHER THROUGH THEM ALL WITH GRACE AND COURAGE.

BE WELL. BE OPTIMISTIC. BE STRONG.

Dealing with Regret and Moving Forward on a Brighter Path....

 

Regrets are a form of emotional baggage carried by us all. Some, the figurative size of backpacks, others, the enormity of a full set of luggage all compartmentalized into each individual suitcase. This type of baggage is a heavy load to carry along life's path, holding you back and perpetually increasing in volume and mass if not addressed.

 

I would like to say that I have no regrets but then again, I'd be lying. And so would you if you said the same. If we were given the opportunity to turn back time and undo a choice or action, the vast majority would jump at the chance. Unfortunately, that cannot happen. You cannot turn back the hands of time. You cannot have a "Life Redo". But what you can do, is to revisit these adverse choices and their subsequent consequences with an honest and open heart.Then, choosing to learn from these mistakes and appreciating some of these self inflicted advertises as gifts of wisdom and knowledge.This helps us to not dwell on them. These experiences (in part) have led you to the place you are at this very moment in time. They are the culmination of who you are.

 

Reflecting on these circumstances will aid in your coming to peace with them. If you do not given them the proper acknowledgment you will be cheating yourself out of a future which includes good choice making skills and, in turn, the same mistakes will be repeated over and over. They may take on different forms, as time goes by but they will still, in essence, hold the same motivations.

 



 

Moving forward with a lighter load will help you to make better choices. It was also aid in drawing a more positive vibe your way. You will no longer feel held back and your self-pity factor will be greatly decreased if not all together eliminated.

 

If, during this reflective journey, you find an opportunity to right a wrong, please do. Being it as simple as an apology to some one you have hurt in the past. Validating the feelings of another who you have harmed is most important (if possible). Not only will they feel better but then so shall you.

 

I, myself, ponder my past choices quite often. I try to use them as good current decision-making tools. I can easily open my "backpack", take a reflective look, and close it back up till needed again. I make it a point to not forget these moments but to rather continually learn from them. You see, sometimes it is not as apparent as one would like, what the benefits of these adversities are until you find yourself at a certain place and time where they are called upon to show you their gifts.

 

May your load be lightened and you path be brightened!

The Precious Gift of Healing and Growth, brought to You by Your Children...

 

I have always said that the day my first-born came into the world (my daughter), I not only cried tears of joy, but also those same tears you shed when you see someone you have not seen in a very long time. I knew, at that very moment, that she was my soul mate. I was sure that we had traveled throughout eternity together and that we were again reunited.

 

When she became about 6 months old, I had the most incredible epiphany. Maybe it was brought on by me  being the empathetic person that I am, but for what ever reason, I felt extremely blessed; as I had realized that she was my gift to myself that forced me to relive and repair my own childhood.

 

As time passed and old childhood memories followed (age appropriate to her) I was able to work through the negative and embrace the positive. In doing so, my mission would be to raise my children where their lives would be a correction to mine and therefore they would be better people than myself. I would be able to gift the world much more confident, happier, and brighter individuals.

 



 

So far (they are both teens, one is graduating from high school in a few weeks), I am pleased to say that this empathetic and positive motivator has worked quite well. They both have seems to be on the right path to being amazing adults.

 

I have encountered  parents who live their lives through their children as opposed to with them. Also, I have found that some parents seems to have a need to overcompensate for their own childhood inadequacies. Of course, there are those who continue to perpetuate their own dysfunction to the next generation. This all makes me quite sad.

 

The journey of parenthood is for both parent and child. Growth should be a forward motion with a goal of enlightenment. I must share that I am most fortunate in the fact that my immediate family (mom, dad, and both brothers) are always open and loving when it comes to discussing with them any old issues that need to be revisited, discussed, and repaired. My children also see this and are comforted by it. Knowing that is one of the most healthy ways to move forward. Remember,we as parents, lead by example.

"Asking Questions"......

 Never Ever Stop Asking Questions.......

Continue to keep your mind and eyes open at all times.

And don't forget your heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saying "I Love You", Often and Honestly....

The three most powerful words ever spoken from one to another: "I Love You". When spoken with an honest and open heart, this phrase carries the most weight when voicing our true feelings of closeness. On the other hand, these same words, when spoken with a cold and calculating heart, can be the most manipulative and selfish words uttered to another.

I make it a point to tell the ones I care for deeply that I love them often. Whether it be in person, on the phone, via e-mail, text or by any other means of communication. When I speak or write these words, I mean them every time. I hold great reverence for this phrase and would never use it for any reason other than the purpose than it implies.

Unfortunately, I cannot say this for everyone. I cannot hold true that whoever says this phrase honestly means it. I have seen and heard this phrase being misused and abused by many. I have come to learn that these insincere individuals take advantage of others by using these words to manipulate and hold power. You see, dear reader, "I love you" holds much power because of its monumental meaning.

I would like you to take a bit more time to show your love and to speak it out loud as often as necessary with grace. You may find by doing this that the recipients will be more receptive to your true feelings than you might have otherwise thought. People do need to hear these words from their loved ones. It's a positive affirmation as well as a call to comfort and acceptance. We all need to be loved, and to know that we are loved is of utmost importance. Please also be mindful of those around you who are not sincere in expressing their love for you. Look to see beyond these words for what ulterior motive may be behind it. Do not allow yourself to succumb to another's lies and deceit in order to fulfill a need. It will only end in a most hurtful and painful way.

My hope for you, dear reader, is to have a life filled with love and laughter. To be happy and secure within yourself so that you can share your love with one another in a most pure and beautiful way. With only sincere intentions, and an open heart.

Happy October Everyone!

I truly love FALL.

Enjoy these photos while sipping on some hot apple cider . Or perhaps, while savoring some creamy pumpkin coffee.

Caramel muffins for everyone!

Happy October

Hope....

Without HOPE there is nothing.

There is NOTHING without hope.

Keep it always, even when it tries to leave.

Revive it when it tries to fade.

Replenish it when it starts to dry up.

Share it when it is lacking in others.

Believe it when you are at your lowest.

Know it when you are blessed.

Smiles

SMILES, are to be given freely, often,openly,and without expectations.

Colors.....

Choose Bright.

Choose Happy.

Choose Vibrant.

Choose Multi.

Choose Complimenting.

Choose Bold.

COLORS!!