Make it Count

Life is short, so don't waste it with meaningless squabbles, arguments or fights that can change the course of your life forever. We get road rage, stupid battles with the spouse and feuds with family. But what for? Is it really worth the price when it's all said and done? Does it even matter who was right or wrong? Let it go and make it count. Don't look back and have a life filled with regrets, full of should of's and would have's. If it doesn't matter, then don't let it matter. 

Mental Illness

Why is mental illness in society almost a taboo word? It tends to be heard with awkwardness or even embarrassment. And you may even question their sanity or are afraid they're crazy. But if we heard someone had cancer or heart disease, it would be treated completely different?  Why is our nation afraid of mental illnesses? Why is this illness treated differently than others? And what can we do to help? I realize there is no simple textbook answer, but it does have to start with knowledge and escaping the fear of ignorance. If you are battling a mental illness then you need to know that there is help, don't be afraid to ask for it. And just as with any illness, don't wait! Get help, talk to a professional, your family, anyone you trust. It's time that we speak up and speak out. 

Keep On

Isn't life in general just plain tough sometimes? We have so little control in such a big world that it often seems so chaotic. Why do things happen? For what purpose? There is no easy answer.  We can't always control what's happening around or even to us, we can however control how we choose to react to it. I once heard that how you live your life is 10% action and 90% reaction.  We can choose to whine and be foolish for what is not fair or we can choose to be steadfast, mature, and loving. While this world can be tough, sad and just difficult sometimes, it can also be amazing, beautiful, and priceless.  So keep calm and carry on. 

Suicide

I just found out that a close colleague and friend killed himself yesterday and of course the first question you always ask yourself is why?  Then you question why they didn't say anything to yourself or family? Why do we always look in the aftermath to seek answers and never find any? A million thoughts run through your mind and we feel so much sadness for the one we lost, but it's the family and friends that are the ones left to pick up the pieces. How could we have stopped it or would it have happened anyway? Was there signs that were missed or ignored? And how can we prevent this in the future? There are no simple answers, but I can definitely say one thing that is definitive: if you are one that is compteplating suicide, then you need to know that you are cared about and you are needed in this world. There is only one you, you are special and unique. There is no going back after you end your life and while you may be trying to escape the pain, you will also be missing out on a future that you will never know. Talk to a professional or a friend, family, anyone. Even though you may feel like there is no other way out, it can get better, you just have to be willing to look for it. 

Start Somewhere

As I have gotten older I have started to notice that my clothes have started to shrink while they have been in the closet! I am sure the lack of exercise has nothing to do with it :-   So I have decided to try the shrinking thing on my body instead of my clothes. I am not one to be unrealistic, so I understand my limitations and if I say I am going to wake up at 5:00 am to go jogging every day it's just not going to happen. However, I have started to make smarter choices and have implemented short exercise routines in my day. I'll be quite honest that the first day was more like fifteen minutes, but I figure it was better than nothing and the next day it was a little easier and longer each day and now up to at least thirty minutes every day. I am simply sharing this with you in case you are like me and a bit discouraged, don't give up!! And don't worry about starting small, we have to start somewhere and anywhere is better than nowhere. 

Make Dreams into Reality

I started reading a certain book today, and even only 2 chapters in, I must say it is quite a book so far.

I'm not going to explain what I've read, but I wanted to talk about the point of it. The desire to have and be anything you want.

People so often let their dreams fall short, but why? Money is a common problem and excuse as to why some don't go after their dreams, however, some of the most successful people had the same problem once upon a time.

Don't let things stop you, not even money. You may not see it easily, but there is a way around all the negative things stopping you. If you desire something badly enough, you can have it! You can't give up, you can't let things get in the way, you can make it happen.

Whatever your dream is, not only tell yourself, but believe that you can make that dream come true. Because you can, and you will as long as you know nothing can stop you.

Those obstacles that come your way are only obstacles, not defeat. Find a way around the obstacles and keep going because you can. Take your dream, and make it a reality.

Path With A View

I was sent this picture shown and thought how often I catch myself doing this. Worrying about the proposed doom and gloom of things I often make bigger than they probably are. I often have to stop myself and just listen and look and even smell all the things out there. The squirrels running around, the kids carefree and playing, and smell of the freshly cut grass with the warm sun shining on. I am not trying to sound like a greeting card, but just want to take those moments and look at the other side, the brighter side.  I decide my perspective, my attitude and my reactions. I just need the right one a little more often. 

Pass It On

As I was watching a teen show today, I was pleasantly surprised to see our First Lady make an appearance on the show. While you don't see that thing everyday, I thought it was awesome to see such a role model talk up the kids.  You see so many popular people in today's world doing stupid stuff and even getting kudos for it, it's just nice to see some good in the world. I think it would be nice just to see a news story about a football player saving puppies from a fire for a change! But it easy to make excuses, and we can all do something good, however small, and it can start with just one person at a time. While I may never make the six o'clock news, I hope I make the most of opportunities to do good and pass it on. 

Domestic Violence

Having thankfully never been in a situation, I don't know how it feels to be abused by the one you love. Granted not all domestic abuse is toward the woman, but it is more common. But as a woman, I know we are strong, smart, and much more capable than we are sometimes given credit for. So think about who you are and what you are capable of when you feel that you are not worth it or you think it's your fault, it's not! Domestic violence can't be tolerated, help must be sought for those in need, and others must be there for support, because you are oh so worth it. If anyone reading this feels they are in need of assistance, you must take the first step and reach out to someone you trust. There are so many ready and willing to help!! 

Anxious for Anything

Yes, I know we are to be anxious for nothing, but sometimes easier said than done. I have often envied those that never worried about anything, no worries and all that good stuff. If you have anxiety, than you know what I mean. The pit in your stomach feeling that you get over just about anything that does not according to plan. Is it healthy, of course not but neither are a lot of things in life. It is something however that you can learn to control so it does not control you. It is not easy, but if this is you, then you know you are not the only one and you can do it. Consider talking to a professional or at least family or friends, you not in this alone and it can get better. 

No Pressure

Everyday we are under pressure to do things. Whether it's pressure from parents, peers, or school, we tend to feel that we always have to do something to make other people happy. News flash to everyone out there: You can't make everyone happy. So don't live your life trying. At some point you have to stop and live this life for you. I'm not saying to be selfish and never think of anyone beside yourself, because no one should live their life that way either. What I am finding out is that you will always have pressure, so take a deep breath, carry on and choose wisely.  No pressure!

Hope

Hope is a big thing. It helps us get through things, but hope can be there in good and bad times.

Sometimes, bad things come across our path and we hate it, but we can't always change it so we just have to hope it will get better. It always gets better.

Don't let the negative things in life take over, you just have to push it out and bring in the positive! Keep the hope flowing and think good things. It's not just a mind changer, it's also a life changer. 

The Little Things are Big Things in Disguise

The smallest things in life can be some of the greatest things in life.

You can be having a bad day, and then someone says something nice to you, that little thing can mean more than every bad thing that happened that day. You can get 4 big presents and one small one, and that small present can be worth more than all of the big ones put together. The little things in life are what makes us truly happy. Those little things keep us going.

The small things that people do for us tend to leave a mark, a good mark. And when people do those small things, they add up. And it grows and grows, and they aren't very little anymore.

Don't forget those small things, and don't forget those small things are worth giving as well.