There's Nothing Routine About It!

Until You Spoke

2012-02-02T23:53:00.001-08:00

Today a friend of mine called me at the same time I was trying to call him. That's the second time that happened this week. We exchanged hellos and said a few words and then he said something that from anyone else would've seemed insulting and my response was I missed you until you said that. We both laughed because we have that type of relationship but, it got me to thinking about times I've missed someone or was happy to see someone until they started talking. I guess what I'm trying to say is be mindful of what you say. Sometimes your words can be so negative, judgmental and/or self - serving that they're unproductive and unnecessary as well as reasons for people to avoid you.

Joy

2012-02-01T23:52:00.001-08:00

There is a lot going on in the world and in our lives. It may be easy to take a woe is me attitude but, it's just as easy to take a this isn't going to steal my joy attitude. If you allow yourself to, you can find many reasons to smile. Those reasons, warm your heart, comfort you and fill you with joy. Stock up on them, save them, reserve them for rainy, gloomy, dreary days. Use them when you find yourself feeling sorry for yourself, when someone or something tries to get the best of you or just because you know your joy can't be taken away unless you allow it to.

What Matters Most

2011-11-07T07:19:00.000-08:00

Today when I woke up, my earache reminded me it was there. When Brit came in my room, I told her I was going to lay down a little longer but I was still coming to her games. I reminded her to pray for safe travel and I did the same followed by I love you and I'll see you soon. Yes, I could've chosen to let my earache get the best of me but if I had done that, I would've missed out on a what matters most moment; time with Brit, time with the girls. We only get so many moments to be there. There is wherever they are; being there for them, supporting them, nurturing them, and enjoying them. It seems as if wherever there is, is just a place, but it's more than that, it's a feeling, a connection, a memory in the making, a moment with the ones you love / care about. It's a smile, a reminder of how much time has already passed. It's what matters most to all involved, at least it should be because when all is said and done, the moment will have passed and you can't get it back. Yes my ear still hurts, I'm a lil tired and I missed the first game but, I'm here for the last two and when I walked in the gym, I was greeted with hugs and smiles that I graciously returned because the time I've been blessed with has shown me that showing up, being there, and being an active part in life and the lives of the ones you love and care about is what matters most. It does all involved some good:)!!!

Why I Still Believe

2011-11-04T21:39:00.000-07:00

I've seen and been through my share of trials and tribulations. I've faced loss, death and grief. I mourn the loss of my son daily all while rejoicing the life he lived and the things we shared. That is why, I still believe. There are so many go to moments that I can think of. Some bring joy, some bring sadness others laughter and then there's the pain, the let downs, the end of the world breath taking can't go on moments that we survive. We get through them because we've been blessed. People have been placed in our lives, memories have been made, time has stood still and gone by to fast. Our tears have been dried. Wounds have been healed and we have overcome things that we thought we wouldn't make it through. All of this is the result of faith, family, friendship and LIFE. I put that in caps because each day of this life we live is a gift,for every hurt there is a bandage of some sort that brings comfort, healing and strength, for the let downs, a lesson, for the storms a calm which is the umbrella that we've been blessed with through living, giving and being. Yes, there are days that I cry my eyes out but I can still SEE. Days that the heartache seems unbearable but I make it through. In spite of me, In spite of you. The blessings, our blessings are abundant, we just have to believe and keep on going even when it seems like all hope should be gone.

This Life We Live

2011-10-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

On a daily basis, we face / go through so much. A good day can have some not so good moments but, the way we choose to deal with what we face / go through makes a big difference in the outcome. I have found that optimism is my friend. The downward spiral of pessimism and worry, takes too much energy. Each day, I imagine the possibilities. I may or may not act on them but I know they're there.Once again, my option to choose is present. Basically, we can choose our path, our actions. our outlook. It is up to us to make the best of this life we live. We have to decide what's important to us; what matters most. When we do that, we consciously and actively live. We leave existing for those that chose to accept where they are as where they're destined to be. A day doesn't have to be bad and life isn't meant to be wasted. Choose to find the positive, the lesson, the blessing, the opportunity, the reason to make the most of all you face. At the end of the day, you will find that your day was what you made it; what you allowed it to be. Enjoy your days! Enjoy your life! You and only you can let someone or something steal your joy but if you think about it, it's not worth it because this life we live has no guarantees so make the most of your options while you can.

Friendship

2011-10-02T08:53:00.001-07:00

Friendship is something that many seem to take for granted. Normally we say don't take people you care about for granted, but friendship may be the exception. I don't mean use them and take advantage of your friends. All I'm saying is that being friends does not require us to try hard in order to have a friend. Just be yourself and allow your friends to be themselves. As a matter of fact if you allow your friends to be themselves, it's actually more fun than if you are alike. Most of the time their way of being is what makes them so fun to be around. I have a friend who I laugh at/with (whatever you want to call it) on pretty much a daily basis. If you can't laugh together or at each other without hurting the others feelings then you do not have a true friendship. So, don't try so hard, don't take things personally, but DO have friends that you can take for granted. They won't mind, trust me. --MC, Reno, NV 2011

2011-09-30T22:15:00.001-07:00

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." - Winston Churchill

2011-09-29T23:26:00.001-07:00

"Your life is what your thoughts make it." - Marcus Aurelius

Something I Believe

2011-09-28T22:42:00.001-07:00

"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of what they have."

I remember when I first became a mother. I didn't have much money or material things but I had a heart full of love for my son and the knowledge to make the best of what we had and the most of every moment. As time passed, I was blessed with a daughter. I remember telling them we were rich with love and that we had the most valuable thing of all, each other. Together, we made the most of our days and cherished our moments in time. We wrote letters and notes, spent time together, and we shared our joy and our dreams. We lived, loved, laughed and inspired each other. We made one another better people and we always had a reason to smile..EACH OTHER!

Something To Remember

2011-09-27T23:36:00.000-07:00

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other." - Abraham Lincoln

Our Thoughts / Our Actions

2011-09-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

"You are what your deep, driving desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny." - Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV 4.5

Take a Look

2011-09-25T13:37:00.001-07:00

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 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.

Don't Let Anything Stop You

2011-09-24T17:29:00.000-07:00

"Set your sights high, the higher the better. Expect the most wonderful things to happen, not in the future but right now. Realize that nothing is too good. Allow absolutely nothing to hamper you or hold you up in any way." - Eileen Caddy

Life is full of many opportunities and obstacles. Embrace those opportunities and face those obstacles with all that you have in you. Hold your head up, work hard, hang in there and live your life like anything is possible and you'll find that it is. Your faith and belief in yourself will sustain you and help you through. While going through, and doing what you want to do, have to do and need to do, surround yourself with positive people and count your blessings and acknowledge your progress no matter how minimal it may seem. Follow your heart and hold onto your dreams. See each day as a chance to change what didn't work yesterday and do what's necessary to make each day better. Believe that you can, and you will. Believe that you can't, and you won't. It's that simple!

Distractions

2011-09-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

"The best way to get something done is to do it" - I'm guilty of a few things but, the two things I'm most guilty of are procrastination and lack of follow through. I have the motivation and what it takes to get it done, I just have to figure out how to get my mindset on the same page. I set my goals and get started and then, the distractions multiply. Facebook, a text, a TV show, a nap... whatever the distraction of the moment may be, I follow it and give it my full attention knowing that I should be focusing on the project I have yet to complete. In my mind, I have plenty of time so, the breaks I take are no big deal, right?...Well, actually, WRONG!!! I say that because what usually happens; is at the last minute, my to do list ends up being a lot longer and my time frame to get the things done, a lot shorter. I end up beating myself up for not doing what I had to do when I should've been doing it. The funny thing is, I manage to get what I have to do done and breathe a sigh of relief before promising myself things will be different next time. Unfortunately, when the next time comes around, my mindset fails me once again. That is why today, I'm choosing to alter my mindset. I'm going to set my goals, pull out my to do list, and make a time line which includes my solution to my two things I'm most guilty of which I stated earlier are procrastination and lack of follow through. If you're wondering, what my solution is, it's giving myself time to waste time. This will allow me to plan my break, take it and then get back to work. Since fall is here and change is in the air, anything is possible. So, if you have a to do list, a project you need to do, a change you want to make, something you need to get done, change your mindset. Find a workable solution to getting it done and do it!

My Namesake

2011-06-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

Today one of the greatest ladies I know was born. She taught / showed me so much all while loving me unconditionally. My mom named me after her. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her / miss her. My time with her resides in my heart and my memories. I love you Grandma Margie and I miss you. Rest In Peace My Love.

My Namesake

She knew it was time
Her temple kept failing her
But she had her way

She spoke of heaven
I ignored what transpired
Wait that is selfish

She forbids crying
My reactions were silenced
I follow her lead

Her hand reaches for mine
I reach back grasping darkness
She radiates light

I look beyond me
We embrace our forever
While saying good bye

2011-05-04T23:09:00.000-07:00

“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.”

2011-05-03T22:31:00.001-07:00

“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.”

Why Is It?

2011-05-02T23:06:00.000-07:00

Why is it that as soon as we set our minds to do something, obstacles seemingly pop up over and over again. Worst case scenarios go through your head and you start wavering and doubting yourself. I don't know the answer to that but I do know that the worst that can really happen is that you remain in your comfort zone and miss out on a chance to better yourself. Be it you've put your dreams aside, you're not where you want to be in life, for health reasons, a peace of mind or just because you're worth it, choose to face those obstacles and address the worst case scenarios. I'm sure you'll find that the pros outweigh the cons.

Putting Things Off

2011-05-02T20:35:00.000-07:00

This is a fitting post because once again , I'm guilty of putting something off. In this case, it was yesterday's post. I am definitely a work in progress. It is my hope that posting about this shortcoming of mine will help me with my follow through and if you happen to have the same problem, hopefully it will help you too; so, here it goes.
As life goes on, we take breaks, put things off, make excuses, procrastinate because we would rather be doing something else or just get comfortable where we are although we know there's things we need to do and / or should do. Our coulda, woulda, shouldas become our what ifs and we are left wanting more / needing more while finding ways to justify obtaining neither. If we took the energy we use to make excuses and cop out to take that first step and follow through on making necessary / wanted / desired changes, we'd see that we have what it takes to do whatever we put our mi9nd to. For me, today (which was supposed to be yesterday) is the day I take my own advice. I must say so far, so good. I've accomplished a few things and am looking forward to all that is yet to come. If you to have something you want / need to do / finish, and / or change, join me.

Navigating Life

2011-04-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

As you face each day, believe that anything is possible, because, it is. Be full of wonder and willing to listen and learn. Try to see the good in all you face. If for some reason, the good eludes you from time to time, have faith that the bad will work itself out. Imagine the possibilities and let your dreams run wild. Be hopeful! Follow your heart and pray daily for yourself, others and our world. Cherish what matters and let go of the rest. Know that there are no guarantees but it takes just as much energy to be optimistic as it does pessimistic. The only difference between the two is one brings you down and keeps you down while the other lifts you up and helps you through. So, remember to find a reason to smile through all that you face. Laugh as often as you can. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Appreciate what you have and count your blessings. Give thanks, give back, hold on, and trust that although the navigation of life comes with many twists and turns as well as ups and downs, at it's worst, it's still worth living and enjoying.

Its Up To You

2011-02-24T20:41:00.000-08:00

When you have something you want/need to accomplish/change, It's up to you to get it done/do it. You can come up with excuses,you can blame someone else, you can find reasons to hold yourself back, you can even convince yourself you're better off where you are but, what you have to realize is the only person that suffers in this scenario is you. When one does nothing to better him/herself, a choice is made to accept/settle for whatever.
Once that choice is made,it becomes harder and harder to take that first step towards being the best you; you can be. The good thing is "It's never to late to be what you might have been." So, if you've put things off or have been settling, make the choice to do all you can to change what is to what you want it to be. Invest in yourself. Make a difference in your life. Who you are, what you do, where you go, where you end up and how you feel when you look over your life and at your reflection is up to you.

Time

2011-02-23T23:04:00.000-08:00

I've been told that time can be our best healer and our greatest teacher.I believe this to be true because over the years, I've heard people say,"They wish could turn back the hands of time." At one point,that thought crossed my mind as well. However, I have learned that time can not be reversed and our past can't be altered. Therefor I live for now. I make the most of the time I'm given. I start my days not regretting my past but learning from it, my mistakes and experiences.I make a conscious effort to find the joy / blessings in whatever comes my way.The realization that life is what it is and time moves on is a powerful thing.It allows us to gather our thoughts, let go, change, accept and most importantly, like time; move on.

Find What Works

2011-02-22T15:37:00.000-08:00

There are times that life seems to get the best of you. There are so many issues that one must deal with such as work, school, health issues, relationship problems, unemployment, family drama; to name a few. Each of these have the potential to become major stressors. Instead of letting that happen, find a motivating, word, phrase or action that helps you find a way through the stressor of the day. Smile until you convince yourself you're happy, laugh when you feel like crying and keep believing when you feel like giving up. There's no problem that lacks a solution. It may be a little harder than we want it to be but if we don't give up /in, we can find a way through all we face and more often than not learn a few things along the way all while becoming stronger and possibly a living testimony for someone else.

Uncertainty

2011-02-21T22:32:00.000-08:00

Uncertainty can control your actions and emotions if you let it. When unexpected things happen, we tend to create scenarios in our mind. Our fears come to life and worry takes hold. To some degree, you do have to be concerned about what is yet to come but, more often than not we give the unknown more power than it should have. Things may be harder as a result of the changes you face and adjustments will have to be made. However, if you hold on to your faith while facing / enduring the change, you will find that this to shall pass and things will work out. If your faith eludes you, remind yourself of the things you've made it through / overcame so far in your life and you will see that although uncertainty can be hard to accept / deal with the only control of your state of mind it has is the control you give it.

Special Moments

2011-02-19T10:04:00.000-08:00

Senior Night for the basketball players and cheerleaders has come and gone. Once again, the truth that our babies grow up so fast is made obvious. A mixture of smiles, laughter and tears are exchanged between the teammates, classmates, parents, friends and coaches. It is a bittersweet moment for all. The pride is evident. The thought 'a job well done' lingers and the knowledge that this is just the beginning of the next step in all that are involved lives fills the atmosphere with hope, wonder, and anticipation. So to all my seniors, their friends, parents, classmates, teammates, coaches and my readers with special moments of their own; I say,"May the joy, excitement, wonder, and expression of pride and love that is shown during special moments like this, be with you throughout all you face and do."