Creating Positivity

We are stronger and more resilient than we believe ourselves to be

2013-11-23T10:38:00.002-05:00

Yes! There is power in this little quote that really makes you stop and think for a minute. If it doesn't jump out at you, just pause for a minute and let your mind ponder it.

We all are walking our journey, both feet planted to the ground, sometimes walking bravely, other times, in the midst of fear, unsure which way to go.

Sometimes, our load becomes heavy and we begin to question 'why is this happening to me', 'when is this going to end', 'why can't my life be easier'? While on one hand I will say, these are some great questions. My question is, while you are asking these questions, 'are you really ready for the answers'?

You see, this is all happening to you because you are strong enough to overcome it!
It will end, the moment you proclaim... 'You've had enough'!
Your life doesn't really get easier, you just get tougher, wiser, braver!

Getting stuck in the 'why' mindset can stunt your growth, and prevent you from moving forward. This is why. You get stuck in the questions and are unable to see the answers, because you've developed a 'victim' mentality that, well, to put it mildly, keeps you stuck. Period!

In order to persevere, to move out of the 'why' spiral, you have to start asking yourself 'why not'. This statement is more powerful than the 'why' because it generates results by eliminating the questions, because you have now begin to hold the idea, that just maybe, you ARE built to handle this, strong enough to live it, brave enough to face it and courageous enough to overcome it. Your self worth is reborn. Each obstacle looks smaller because you are choosing to look at them through new eyes, a new perspective.

You begin to accept whatever life throws your way, because you know that:
YOU are strong enough to live it.

Every experience you have in life is designed to teach you something. Learning that something and incorporating that learning into who you are and how you experience your own life will always move you beyond your current circumstances. That movement will always change your life into a new experience – even if that new experience is simply a different way of looking at the same thing.

So the next time it seems like it's all falling apart. Don't

ask 'why me' - ask 'why not'

Always be aware that:
YOU are strong enough to live you Life!

For your unselfish efforts… Happy Veterans Day!

2013-11-11T11:30:00.003-05:00

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!
Maya Angelou

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.

Cynthia Ozick

The more we sweat in peace the less we bleed in war.

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

Heroism is endurance for one moment more.

George F. Kennan

The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom, courage.

Thucydides

Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.

G.K. Chesterton

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Thank YOU!
We salute YOU!

It all starts with you and it's an inside job

2013-10-30T11:07:00.000-04:00

The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm.

Swedish Proverb

Most of the issues that cause us worry and anxiety are normally out of our control. Recognize that, and refocus your thoughts and energy on things that you can control and areas in your life where you can create change. Focusing on improving yourself leaves little room for you to focus on 'changing' others.

Become aware of the self- talk(s) you are having with yourself. Are they constructive or destructive? If you find you're being too critical, say something nice about yourself, compliment yourself, be gentle with yourself. Your words have power. Negative breeds negative, Positive breeds positive. Use encouraging, positive affirmations throughout your day.

Slow down a bit. Rushing causes anxiety. BE in the moment. Feel what you are experiencing. Don't be a spectator in your own life, participate. When we slow down, we get to really enjoy things in our life because we are focused solely on that. We taste and digest our food better, we become better listeners, we become better communicators because we talk more slowly. We solve problems more effectively, jump over hurdles with more ease. We're not doing a million things all at once and can fully ingest all the joys of our experiences. Be easy!

We are equipped with the necessary tools that so many of us spend a lifetime searching for. Everything we 'think' we need in inside of us, right in our reach, waiting on us to pick them up and use them accordingly, to help us navigate through all of life's experiences.

We often get caught up in helping others, that we neglect our own individual needs and wants. Over time, we begin crumbling because the weight has become too heavy and a burden to carry. Lighten your load. You are so powerful, so insightful and so awesome. Train yourself to tap into those areas and watch great things manifest in your life.

Helping yourself and maintaining a healthy, happy, peaceful, confident you, will allow you to continue to be of help for others in times of need.

Open your door and step outside. Don't miss this Amazing day.

2013-10-27T10:43:00.000-04:00

Reflect on your beauty within and live it.

Perdita Fisher

There is a butterfly inside each one of us waiting to come out; the challenge is to recognize that truth with grace and in faith to experience the transformation.

Danielle Coulanges

Celebration can come from any source, at any given moment: find delight in the moments of your life.

Sherry Richert Belul

Each and every one of us is a greater and infinitely more positive force than any circumstances we can encounter.

Geoff Canavan

In order to better yourself, and live your best life, you must be willing to learn, and grow to appreciate and care for yourself from the inside out.

Andrieka Austin

Help a complete stranger if you can, because the blessings will come back to you tenfold and you can impact their life (as well as yours) in a positive way.

Renee McClure

What you are looking to create is a positive, happy life: the more you intend that your thoughts are positive and happy, the more that is what you will create.

Tony Burroughs

Our true nature lies within us, waiting for us to awaken to its existence. Once we wake up, it's impossible to look at life the same way.

Tammy Mastroberte

You are magnificent. What makes you magnificent is everything you've previously believed is wrong with you.

Cheryl Hunter

We may not have control over the obstacles that life presents us, but how I face those challenges is mine to determine.

Soania Mathur

Find your own light and then use it to illuminate the path for others who are still struggling to find their way out of the darkness!

Jon Ketcham

Be your own kind of Beautiful

2013-10-20T20:43:00.000-04:00

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Make the most of Today! Do what makes you come alive!

2013-10-11T10:47:00.002-04:00

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

Marianne Willamson

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive.”

HowardThurman

Get EXCITED about your Life! Do things that make you come ALIVE! Embrace each moment, breathe in each second, experience your Life as a Blessing, manifesting Love in every aspect of it.

I'm happy to be alive, I'm happy to be who I am.

Michael Jackson

If you're alive, you can be sure, there's a purpose for your life.

Rick Warren

Every day I've got to be thankful that I am alive, and you never know - the cliche is, I guess, you could get hit by a bus tomorrow, so you'd better be at peace with whatever you got going at the moment.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Unknown

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive.

Eleanora Duse

I acknowledge the privilege of being alive in a human body at this moment, endowed with senses, memories, emotions, thoughts, and the space of mind in its wisdom aspect.

Alex Grey

Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars.

Henry Van Dyke

The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be.

Oprah Winfrey

Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!

Dr. Seuss

Attitude of Gratitude

2013-10-02T16:28:00.002-04:00

It's that time of year again. The freshness of fall. I love the beautiful changing of the colors in the treetops, bonfires, baking and the all around feel good emotion manifesting in my daily Life.

I like to consider myself a Thankful person. Having struggled with many difficult issues in my Life, I have come to realize that: Life is way too short to waste on negativity and way to Beautiful to live it complaining.

When you're constantly grateful for all that you have in your Life, you will find that you actually enjoy your Life more and feel more in the present moment, not so much in the state of 'wishing' and 'wanting'.

No matter how gloomy Life may seem, our attitudes reflect how we will experience it all. Being Thankful allows us to open up to all the positive aspects of life and we view it with compassionate eyes, ears and with a grateful heart.

What are you Thankful for?

The Gift of Life

2013-08-14T14:06:00.001-04:00

We should be inspired by people... who show that human beings can be kind, brave, generous, beautiful, strong-even in the most difficult circumstances.

Rachel Corrie

Photo via :

Click and read a truly amazing story
Admirably Diverse : Just Like Me: When I went to my appointment at the Medical Center of Plano on July 10th, the Labor and Delivery nurses told me about a lady (Kim) who deli...

Anger is a poison that hardens the heart!

2013-08-12T10:18:00.001-04:00

I know from personal experience how damaging it can be to live with bitterness and unforgiveness. I like to say it’s like taking poison and hoping your enemy will die. And it really is that harmful to us to live this way.
Joyce Meyer

Angry people are some of the most difficult people to be around. They carry around so much negative energy and it's often times draining to be around them for very long. The first thing you have to realize is this person is in a great deal of pain. It’s pain the voices in their own heads inflict on them. They have no idea how to deal with it, or take ownership of it, except to blame it on someone else. It’s a sign of entitled immaturity, the sense that others 'owe' them something. In reality, no one owes anyone anything. Love is given freely.

When you encounter this type person, no amount of retaliation, jabs or pokes will phase them because they are beyond affected anymore. They have in their minds suffered so much pain in their lives, they are numb and so the wall is put up so that absolutely no one will come in and inflict anymore pain onto them. They will fight you tooth and nail to protect that wall at all costs of being hurt.

The irony here is that, no one IS hurting them. They are so blinded by the weight of their anger, they cannot see or recognize when someone is genuinely showing love, care and concern. In retrospect, it is they who are hurting themselves by choosing to hold onto the anger and resentment. Refusing to feel that pain again, they often fail to see the damage and pain that they inflict onto other people, making it extremely difficult to maintain a positive composure.

So many times, we want to reach out and help, but sometimes, all we can do is remove ourselves or put some distance between us and the angry person. If someone is unwilling to help themselves, it will be impossible for us to help them. No need to get angry and reciprocate those hurtful feelings, just walk away, maintaining your dignity and peace of mind.

Anger is so toxic! It destroys our insides, and manifest on the outside in some very mean, and nasty ways. We have to find ways to forgive ourselves for allowing it to consume so much of our daily lives.
Life is too short to hold a grudge.
Let it go!
Forgive

Slow down a bit and see Life's beauty

2013-07-25T15:09:00.000-04:00

Slow down * Pause * Breathe *

There is so much beauty in a world full of chaos. Take a moment out of your day and really notice the small things in Life. Slow down. Breathe!

Our problems and solutions lie within each of us

2013-07-25T15:06:00.002-04:00

It is wise to direct your anger towards problems -- not people; to focus your energies on answers -- not excuses.

William Arthur Ward

Use the broken pieces to create a beautiful masterpiece

2013-07-19T10:09:00.000-04:00

Sometimes our lives just seem to fall apart. It may seem like it's ALL falling apart, but really it falls apart one piece at a time. Piece by piece; one experience, one situation, and one circumstance at a time, until we find ourselves standing in the midst of a heap of broken promises, splintered relationships, and shattered dreams.

It's often painful to endure.

Maybe then, our lives are meant to fall apart at times, so that we are able to rebuild.

Don't lose hope when it seems to be crumbling before your eyes. Think of it as an opportunity to gain something far greater than you could ever have imagined and more glorious than ever before.

We all at certain times in our lives find ourselves broken. True strength is found in picking up the pieces.

We may not be able to put the pieces back exactly like they were, but we can take each broken piece and re lay the foundation and create something even more beautiful than that which we started with.

Freedom is the oxygen to the soul

2013-07-04T09:44:00.004-04:00

Let freedom ring!

You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.

Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

2013-06-28T19:34:00.000-04:00

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.

Unknown Author

Using our tools for the better

2013-06-27T15:56:00.001-04:00

It's amazing how powerful we are. We have so many tool that are with us at all times, yet strangely, we still end up feeling powerless at times.

Imagine how sweet Life would be if we took time to teach ourselves to use each of these tools constructively? I can imagine that. In fact, I will show you simple techniques that will help guide you to living a fuller life.

The Voice

So often we speak before we actually think. And sometimes, the words just come out all wrong, but once said, it's hard to take them back. It's difficult if you think about it, to think before you speak... most people just start talking, but if you train yourself to speak encouraging words, you'r e creating a ripple of kindness in your dialogues. Having to think before you speak is no longer necessary because you never have to second guess your words, you know, with confidence that they are going to be kind.

The Ears

We all hear so much throughout our day, some of which we wished we didn't, hehe.. But listening, aah now that's just a little of the same with a touch of caress, more depth, hence, a feeling of compassion for another being tingles inside. We create an emotional connection.

Hearing and listening both allow us to hear what is being said, yet to truly listen to someone, means to care enough about that persons experience, because you can place yourself in their shoes, relate yourself to their story and lend compassionate ears without the intent to speak or inject your own thoughts and opinions,,,,Just listening...compassionately.

The Hands

We do a lot with our hands from building skyscrapers, to writing best selling novels to life guarding at the beach or giving a back rub. All of which may bring forth great, instant gratification, all stemming from a career or life choice, that you are passionate about and chose to follow. Not everyone is a builder, writer, protector or healer. One thing that we all collectively share is the ability to give freely.

There are so many little things you and I could do that will make a huge impact. For example, giving someone a hug. Most people love hugs and it's instant gratification and you receive one right back. Giving canned and dry goods to your church, local food drive or school fund raiser is another way to contribute and you can start with what's already in your pantry. Let your friends and neighbors know too and see if they'd like the help. The more the merrier.

The Mind

Oh that beautiful mess of a mind we have. We use it to talk ourselves out of doing things. We use it to over think and create problems that weren't there two seconds ago. We worry about things that we cannot control and people we cannot and will not ever change. We use it to judge ourselves and others, telling lies to others and ourselves. What if, we allowed thoughts of compassion, love, tolerance, diversity and empathy to flood our minds. Would we then feel pulled, almost compelled to offer constructive criticism without fear of hurting another? Would we be able to tell people the honest truth instead of telling them what we 'think' they want to hear? Would we be able to to stop lying to ourselves and begin to tell the truth in all matters of our life no matter how painful it is? Oh I think so!

The Heart

When you come from the heart in everything you think, say or do, it will always manifest Love in your daily life

As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way

2013-06-11T10:23:00.001-04:00

Give freely to the world these gifts of love and compassion. Do not concern yourself with how much you receive in return, just know in your heart it will be returned.

Give yourself entirely to those around you. Be generous with your blessings. A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.

Steve Maraboli

Happiness doesn't result from what we get, but from what we give.

Ben Carson

Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.

Brian Tracy

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

Lao Tzu

No one has ever become poor by giving.

Anne Frank

Rainy days and nights

2013-06-07T10:32:00.001-04:00

So it has been raining for several days in my neck of the woods. Most of the time it comes pummeling down, other times we catch breaks just long enough to take the dog out for a bathroom break in a light drizzle. With very strong lightening, I find myself shutting down and unplugging my home computer, hoping to save the modem from getting struck so that when it all passes, I will be able to connect back to society, lol. Sighs. Sometimes, I find myself thinking, "What was life like before the internet."

Stuck inside, with the rain beating on the metal roof, which by the way is annoying during daytime hours, yet surprisingly soothing during the night, like a mobile on a baby's crib, it helps to put me right to sleep. I find myself twittling my thumbs as if I am lost, confused, not knowing what to do, then it occurs to me that I am absolutely bored out of my mind. I pace the house, looking out of every window as if the rain will stop if I just keep taking a peek. I pull myself together, remembering a saying I once heard: "Bored people are boring!" Aha, alas, I get a grip, and it dawns on me that I am the creator here. I control the situation inside my home.

I am quickly led to the kitchen, where I lay eyes on my best friend, Mr. coffee pot. I set it up and it begins to brew. With a hot cup in hand, I curl up in my chair by the window and grab the book I started months ago and begin to read. I think I must have read three chapters in a matter of minutes.

Once I become content enough to lay the book down, ideas begin flooding my brain just as the rain is flooding my front yard. It literally looks like a pond out there.

I pull out the old board games that have been sitting under the entertainment center collecting dust and gather the family around the dinner table. We all look at one another with this odd look as if none of us know what to do, like I have placed this alien object in front of us. But we open the box, set it up and begin to play. Aah...laughter, I hear. Smiles on my loved ones faces appear. The rain is falling, but we are nestled inside our home and there is Life. We are having a blast.

I can't tell you when the last time was that everyone put their mobile devices down for more than a second. We were happy, the social media networks that consumed our daily lives, moment to moment, seemed as obsolete as the dusty board games that I pulled out hours earlier.

Ya know, time is something that we all wish for and yet the irony is that when we get it, we don't quite know how to use it, what to do with it.

Thank you rain for giving us the opportunity to come together in fellowship.

What do you do on rainy days? When was the last time that your family played a good old-fashioned board or card game?

Today is yours to shape... Create a masterpiece!

2013-05-24T11:40:00.001-04:00

The beginning is always today.

Forget yesterday - it has already forgotten you. Don't sweat tomorrow - you haven't even met. Instead, open your eyes and your heart to a truly precious gift - today.

Steve Maraboli

Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.

Michael Jordan

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Infuse your life with action. Don't wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope. Make your own love. And whatever your beliefs, honor your creator, not by passively waiting for grace to come down from upon high, but by doing what you can to make grace happen... yourself, right now, right down here on Earth.

Bradley Whitford

Positive manifests Positive

2013-05-22T18:28:00.002-04:00

How true is this saying? Does it hit home when you read it?

I remember always questioning 'why me' and 'when will this ever end'. It never occurred to me that it was my exact thoughts that were manifesting in my daily life. The woa is me syndrome kept me a victim to my own circumstances and led to a very unhappy me.

Once the light bulb comes on and you finally see that your thoughts are in direct reflection to your experiences....I hope then that you teach yourself to turn every negative into positive. To always try and look for the good in things no matter how bad they may seem.

If you want to love a Happy life! Think Happy thoughts.

Only you have control over what you think, so make it Joyful!

Be Brave enough to Live your Life ♥

2013-05-22T12:28:00.001-04:00

Life has its own small, hidden forces which can have huge impacts on our daily lives and can only be discovered by living.

Time for some Mom time. Why, yes Thank You.

2013-05-20T16:50:00.001-04:00

Oh, I am sure all moms can relate. Our lives are forever changed once we give birth, yet somehow we find time to go to work, sometimes holding down multiple jobs. We bake cupcakes for the PTO meetings, whip up a batch of cookie batter or the Girl Scout bake sale, wipe little runny noses, while strategically placing a band-aid on the latest boo boo. We wash laundry, fold it, put it away, make dinner from leftovers, meet deadlines at work, referee our children, help with homework, attend parent/teacher meetings, arrange sleepovers, plan birthday parties and the countless, yet meaningful humpteen other things that moms do.

Isn't ironic then, that we can't take 15 minutes to relax in a nice, hot bubble bath, pamper ourselves at least once a month, be it a get away for the weekend or a day at the beach or perhaps if funds are available, a trip to the day spa. You may be smiling right now, thinking to yourself...
how in the world do i find time to do anything for me? Well, here's the honest to goodness truth in it's most simple form....You MAKE time. Create a place on the calendar for You.

After all, how are all of the above named, 'Mom' duties going to be fulfilled if Mom is exhausted, overwhelmed and stressed?

No matter how much our daily lives are filled with the seemingly, never ending hustle and bustle of packed daily schedules, we have to find time to rejuvenate our bodies, relax our minds, and take care of our bodies in order to keep going.

Make a promise to yourself that you are worthy of you. Find something that interests you, something that sounds exciting and go do it! Live, let loose and get some R&R. You deserve it.

Be better than you were yesterday

2013-05-16T09:14:00.001-04:00

I don't believe you have to be better than everybody else. I believe you have to be better than you ever thought you could be.

Ken Venturi

We got the Transplant

2013-05-15T18:06:00.002-04:00

Yay! My handsome grandson finally got his new liver. The phone call that we have been anticipating for over a year. It finally came. He was born with Biliary Atresia, a rare end stage liver disease. It has been at times, agonizing and definately, frustrating playing the waiting game, but the end result was well worth the wait and then some. He is now 15 months old, healthy, happy, always smiling and thriving.

Mistakes are proof that we are trying

2013-05-15T12:13:00.000-04:00

Mistakes are a part of all our lives. They are inevitable. No one is perfect. Let's try and look at mistakes from another perspective. We'll start by calling them little opportunities to learn. When we learn from them, they feel worthwhile. Remember, if you don't learn, don't kick yourself, just get up and try, try again.

Mistakes show us what areas we need to work on. Without them, how would we improve? The good news is that when we make mistakes, it just means that we have another chance, a fresh start to choose again.

When traveling down your path, do not be afraid to make mistakes. Have courage. Disappointment, defeat and despair are our biggest tools that will show us our way.

Most importantly, it's important that we forgive ourselves of our mistakes. try not to get stuck and bogged down so much in the mistake as you are in the getting back up and tackling it one more time.

Own your mistakes. This empowers you to move forward.

To All the Mom's all over the world ♥

2013-05-11T22:35:00.001-04:00

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love.

Red B. Vermont