Birthday Blog

I have a birthday coming up in just a few short days. As another year in my life comes to a close, I find myself in a place of reflection. I am thankful to be growing older. Many who started out life's journey with me are no longer here. I plan to wear my age and my life experiences with pride. What I have been through, makes me the person I am today. I am far from perfection. But who I am, is a person who has been tried by fire, yet refuses to close my heart. I will actively and openly love others and perform my life's work with passion, persistence, and excellence.

It's easy to get discouraged. Disappoints arise, and by now I truly understand that life is not fair. However, I am thankful for the realization that love, positivity, and spirituality are a better way of life.  The hardships that effect me negatively may change who I am, yet I still have a say in who I am becomING. I have learned the power of 3 little letters "ING".  I throw those 3 letters in a lot of my circumstances to remind myself that my journey is process. My biggest failures and worst mistakes, are yielding a better person as the dust of past drama settles. Call it a quest for redemption, or attempts for penance if you will. But I am making good of what has gone terribly wrong whenever I can. What I have been through, what I am going through, and who I develop into are happening step by step. Thus, I must stay actively engaged and make proactive choices and decisions.

I have learned to look for the good in even the worst of situations. I have learned to hold dear to the people who love you unconditionally. I have learned to forgive people who hurt you. But I have also learned to steer clear from them. The saying is true....Hurt people, hurt people...think on that..... I have learned that there is nothing that can break the bond of love. When you love someone it is forever. I have learned that you have to stay true to the very essence of yourself. Anyone who wants you to be someone other than yourself can kick rocks! Be who you are...just be the best you that you can be.  I have learned not to judge others so harshly. There are so many facets to life of others we don't have insight to. Life is messy. Many people take action based on circumstances that you couldn't even imagine. Someone else living life in a way that you don't approve of does not make necessarily a bad person. We all have ONE judge. You're not it. Keep your finger and your nose out of other people's business, and keep working on the mess in your own life. I have learned that if I am the smartest person in the room, then it's time to broaden my horizons. I need to be the least smart person in a group, and stretch my capacity. I have learned that I am not an adrenaline junky. My impulsive quest to live life to the fullest is rooted in curiosity. What I am is an accomplishment junky. I want to do what others don't expect is possible (at least not possible from me) and do it better than they can imagine. Most importantly I am learnING the importance of fluidity. Like the fact that these guiding principles in which I operate will continue to adjust and expound in the future.

I'm hopeful that what's left of my years will be more fulfilling than where I started out, or where I've been. I'm pouring my energy into making that happen. Faith and love abound in my soul. Even that is a comeuppance from the regret, insecurity, and discontent which previously inhabited my being. Thanks so much for coming to take a peek at blog. Feel free to stop by anytime. :)

Cherish The Day

Regardless of the weather, my family faithfully attends our city's Memorial Day Parade. We feel it is the least we can do to give honor to this country's brave men and women in uniform. It's nice to have a 3 day weekend. It's one of the few holidays that I know I get to spend with my husband and children every year. But I really, try to keep the meaning of this holiday all about those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. I have an entire summer to fire up the grill. For me, a perfectly grilled meal, or well planned cookout will never take precedence over what this day is all about.

I show up to this parade, start snapping photos, and can't wait to get home and examine the faces of the brave vets. I wonder what I will be able to see in their faces. I wonder what their story is. What was the personal price they paid for my freedom? I am overwhelmed with gratitude for anyone who answers the call to serve and protect. I look in my children's faces, and wonder if it's a call that will tug on their hearts one day. I won't even pretend that the thought of being a military mom isn't frightening. It's actually more than I can bear to process with one high school aged child, and another young teenager. But, I trust that if one of my children are called to served I will be allotted some measure of God's grace that mothers in that position are given.

Here are some pictures of local heros who participated in my community parade. My son also had the honor of being recruited by a local drum corps. I can't resist throwing in a picture or 2 of him as well :) God Bless these service people. And God Bless the USA.

Life As We Know It

Life as we know it came to a close for this little lady and I last week. Before the last day of this school year came, I decided that I wanted to make our last day as bosom buddies a special one. Summer vacation has officially begun. Her brothers are home now, and we are in the crux of making this summer as memorable as any before. 

When the fall rolls around this time, my little sweetheart will be hitting the mean streets and heading to school. Nobody knows my girl better than me, so we spent the day doing all of her favorite things. She was absolutely thrilled she repeatedly asked me if it was her "Lucky Day".  I kept telling her it was her Special Day. Her elation was my motivation, because to be honest, it was much more bitter than bittersweet in my eyes. 

I am happy for my doll. She is brilliant, vibrant, full of curiosity, and quite ready to move on to bigger and better things. Yet selfishly, I mourn the loss of my roll as center of someone else's universe. I will spend these next couple of months creating as many lasting memories as possible. I chose not to focus on myself just yet... 

Don't Just Look It...Live It

Sometimes you read, or listen to someone's words, and you feel sorry for the lack of depth in them. They say ignorance is bliss, but not everyone who lives a shallow life is unintelligent or ignorant. Sometimes they have just settled for trying to look good, as opposed to living well. I am sad for those people.

I have my quirks and faults. I am extremely emotional. At times I am emotion to the point of irrationality. But I am real. I am trying to LIVE. And, if I am going to live, then I am going to have an authentic life. My experiences won't always be pretty or perfect. My relationships will be hard work....but they will be real. My life will be full and enriched, and I will work towards building things that satisfy my needs. Or I won't have lived at all. Will I?

In Your Own Mind

Refuse to rise above, and fight for what you want? 

Your a prisoner in your own mind

Spend your days showing the world how fantastic you are?

Your a legend in your own mind

Walk around focused on what injustice you've suffered?

Your a victim in your own mind

Expect him/her to obsess over you forever?

Your a muse in your own mind

Pursue your passion and give your best effort?

Your a success in your own mind

At peace with your past?

Your satisfied in your own mind

Speak light and love into those around you?

Your an inspiration in your own mind

Get knocked down and get back up?

Your a winner in your own mind

“People tend to complicate their own lives, as if living weren't already complicated enough.”  Carlos Ruiz Zafón

“We are addicted to our thoughts. We cannot change anything if we cannot change our thinking.”  Santosh Kalwar

“Everybody in the world is seeking happiness - and there is one sure way to find it. That is by controlling your thoughts. Happiness doesn't depend on outward conditions. It depends on inner conditions.”   Dale Carnegie

Turns Out

You've spent so much time trying to hurt me
I won't poison my heart with contempt, I'll wish you well
Turns out this situation made me stronger

That irritation you saw me was operating in, was a result of pain
Pain manifests physically, mentally, and spiritually...
Turns out I'm fine, they were actually growing pains

The life that I wanted was not what I needed
I have found fulfillment, purpose, and contentment
Turns out I am finally on the correct path

You're a complete stranger
Since I don't know you, I can't really mourn you
Turns out I'm not mad at you, I'm happy for me

Thank You Thank You Thank You

 I think there are some pretty important things you can do to be a source of motivation to others. What is any successful person with out a good support group? The last time I contacted my children's teachers en masse was after the Newtown, CT shootings. Sure, I keep in touch with them all on a regular basis. I do my best to be a support and work with them for the benefit of my kids. But, I also want to be a support to them just because they have chosen to affect the lives of all children. This week was Teacher Appreciation Week. I went out and bought donuts for each of my kids' perspective teaching communities. It was just a small token and really the least that I could do. It takes a special person to go into a classroom day in and day out and mold and shape the minds of the next generation. Those who do it for the love and passion of kids deserve to be honored and uplifted. I hope they are given many years, and many souls to affect. 

Motivation

We need to be a source of Inspiration

Make sure we show our Adoration

Do these things consistently without Deviation

Let our kind words be a sort of Donation

Be sure to promote other without Reservation

Find the silver lining in every Situation

Then hopefully one will feel Gratification

Never underestimate the power of THANK YOU!