An Unexpected Email

I recevied this email from a very old friend of mine today and wanted to share it.

Reading through this I thought about you and the strength you have to conquer all. I know that times have been rough, but you truly are an inspiration to many (including your family) for setting goals and pushing forward until achieving each and every one. I am glad to hear that things are going well for you. Hopefully the shop is staying busy. Talk to you soon.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avant garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful.
But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning that other colour, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER! FRIENDS FOREVER!

Sometimes I wallow in self pity. But it isn't long before I realize that it gets me no where. Everyday I write or say at least 50 things that I am thankful for. There is so much in my life right now that I could be ungrateful about, however I do not allow my focus to go there. Besides I am surrounded by people who support me and love me for who I am. Those who feel they know how I should live my life I have distanced myself from. So, I am in a good place. My children are happy and well taken care of and I am feeling better than I have in a long time. Everything works out if I stay positive. Although my vehicle is being used by Jeremy at this time, because of my friends and my cousins, I always have a way to get where I need too. Although I do not have a printer, my neighbor and Jeremy always make sure to print out what I need for the store. My neighbor and my friend Jen offer to watch my kids if I need someone (which is not often at all.) These are just examples of the ways people are helping me. I am so fortunate that I have the friends I have and the support from Jeremy despite our situation. I can stay focused on my store and I have been inspired to be more creative while I am there. Yes things at the store were slow. And, I believe being surrounded by negative people made it more diffcult for the positive to flow through me and through my store. New customers are in every weekend and so many people are putting my store on their facebook, passing around flyers for me, displaying my business cards and so on. I am very blessed and so thankful for each and every person who helps me, supports me, and makes my life easier. Funny thing is that I do not have to ask people, they offer. It is amazing what keeping a positive attitude can do. Of course I return the favors, what are friends for?

What I am thankful for today:
my friends, old and new
people telling me that I inspire them
creativity
new customers
my strength
positive attitudes
gratitude
those who love and support me the way I am and do not try to change me or the way I live my life.
my children
Chloe aka Monkey and how affectionate she has been towards me lately.
new classes
Makenna's school pictures which are BEAUTIFUL!
the pumpkin patch tomorrow with Makenna and Gavin
Randy and Diane for allowing me to use their vehicles
everyone who helps me with my business
music
each and every new day
my health
each moment spent with the ones I love

You Choose

The Secret

Understand that you are not condemned to being stuck in your past, you are not just your past. Sure, that’s part of you, it even helps define you and inspire you. But it’s entirely up to you whether your past acts as an anchor or a launch pad. Make the choice: you can choose to play the victim and stay the victim, or change the script, stick the S on your chest, and become a hero.

OOOOOHHH! I love this! Growing up with a friend, who is now in the past, I remembered how toxic she was to me because her negativity. I remember her constantly blaming her past for everything that was going wrong in her life. Recently I have heard that she was diagnossed with MS. And, not to my surprise.... she is not handling at all.

Now, my dad's best friend's wife...(got that? LOL!) has MS and has had it for a while now. She was a dance teacher. When I used to do her nails, I remember thinking, "Wow, she does not act like anything is wrong with her." She was always smiling, laughing, and being an inspiration to everyone around her. She actually turned a bad thing into a very positive thing. She does MS talks to those who have been diagnossed with the disease. She also still continues to teach dancing to adults. Yes, she has her daily struggles and some days are worse than others. However, she keeps her way of thinking, positive. She does not place blame, and her attitude and open mind are what keep her 'swimming.'

Here are two women with the same disorder. Each of them made completely different choices. One, will probably go down hill pretty fast because of her negative ways while the other continues to shine and make the best of each day.

We do have the choice to handle a situation either in a positive or negative way. Just like we have the choice to keep blaming our past for everything, or treat it as lessons learned and know days ahead will be better. It is all in your mind. It takes one negative thought, then another and another to ruin your day. Good news is that it works the same way with positive thoughts. Turn that one negative thought into a positive thought, then another and another. You will then see the turn around. If you cannot think positive, then write down or say a few things that you are grateful for. This will bring those positive thoughts into your head and your heart.

Stop placing blame and remember that we all make the best decisions for us no matter what anyone else thinks. Stop living in the past. You want to be positive, then do so. It is YOUR choice.

What I am thankful for today:
people who inspire me
time with Makenna
a good nights sleep last night
a great day today
laughter
friends
lessons learned
my kids
Disney movies
hot tea
omlets
practical jokes (thank you Jer..lol!)
appreciation
Melinda possibly moving closer really soon!!!!
my hair cut tomorrow...been since July!
time
energy
health
happiness
love

Psalm 91:4

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Psalm 91:4

Could this be why I am seeing feathers all the time? I read this in my Beliefnet article yesterday. If you are interested in receiving these articles, go to www.beliefnet.com They have some awesome angel sighting pictures along with articles to uplift your spirit. The quotes are uplifting as well. And, there are many suggestions on how to get through difficult times.

Last night after getting myself a cup of hot tea, winding down after an awesome day a the store yesterday, I noticed the sunset out my front window. It was numerous shades of pink and orange and very hard to miss. Whenever I see a beautiful sunset, I always point it out to my kids. It is such a wonderful thing to see all that nature gives to us and yet it asks for nothing in return. Makenna was so excited that we had to go sit on the porch and watch it. I took my tea and sat there with her. Her smile was from ear to ear as she pointed out all the amazing colors she saw. She could have stayed there all night...as well as myself. It kept changing to darker shades as the sun went down. It was amazing. Because Makenna had to brush her teeth, she went in the house with Jer. It was getting chilly anyway. I remained outside finishing my tea. I decided to take that quiet moment and pray. When I was done, I envisioned that sunset out of the front windows of my dream home. I pictured myself on my deck in a rocking chair feeling the soft breeze on my face. I could feel that I was not alone. It was a sense of peace and contentment. We all should take some time out in our day to pray and to dream. It calms the spirit and clears the mind of negativity. Give yourself that time to be thankful and ask God for the strength that you need to make the best of each day ahead. Sometimes all it takes is 5 minutes. We all are worth it.

What I am thankful for today:
The girls who came to PMS Day yesterday:
Jen
Wendi
Kathryn
Jennifer
My Best Friend's Wedding ("from the moment I wake up...I say a little prayer for you!")LoL!
laughter
sunsets
my children
my friends
my pets
energy
the health and happiness of my loved ones and myself
the power of prayer
nature
dreams and goals
being down 20 pounds!! WHOO HOO!
walks with Jen
a wonderful day today!

A Forever Friend

How excited am I right now? Not only did I have yet another fabulous session at The Healing Place today but my bestest friend in the world has moved back to the Lehigh Valley! I cannot express how happy I am to have Jamie close by. My therapist calls Jamie and I Soul Sisters. We act as one person. God has blessed us both by putting us together through our lives journey. We talk or email almost every single day. We end our conversations and emails with, "I love you." Not many are as blessed with such a wonderful friendship as we are. We have had our ups and downs, but we always come out on top. Our friendship continues to grow stronger with each passing day. It is amazing to me that we can read each other's minds, finish each others sentences, feel each other's feelings, sense when something is wrong. We share in each others excitement, cry with each other when we are sad, vent with each other when we are angry. We are each others cheerleader, confidant, therapist, angels here on earth.

Here is another poem that Jamie wrote to me:
A Forever Friend
How I wish my words could say
just what you mean to me today.
The love, support, and care we give
helps us both to better live.
Always there for you, I swear,
nothing could not keep me there.
No matter what the future brings,
you and I remain all things.
A forever friend in you I've found
to be with me til life goes down.

I dedicate this poem A Forever Friend to you Amy my best friend. With love forever and always,
Jamie

What I am thankful for today:
Jamie
our everlasting friendship
her only being 15 minutes away!!
laughter
unconditional love
loyalty
forgiveness
silly moments
wonderful memories
my friends
The Healing Place
Linda
Diane for watching Makenna and taking me to my appointment
Jen for walking with me in the wind and leaves this morning (hopefully you will not get hit with anymore acorns....LOL!)
therapy
my peaceful mind
a great conversation with Jenny yesterday
new PartyLite products
hot tea
the colorful leaves
Tiramisu (thank you Rudy for taking out Mak and I yesterday!)
clean laundry
clean bathrooms
my abundance of time and energy
my health and the health of my loved ones