I held my first Scrapbooking for Beginners Class today and I was the teacher. It went really well. Hard to believe that at one time in my life I wanted to throw up and pass out at the thought of standing up in front of people. My how things change.
This elderly lady was one of the 7 people that came into the class today. She has never scrapbooked before but really wants to put together a scrapbook of her granddaughter. When the class was over, she stayed behind to ask some questions. Because she was new at this and had a deadline to get this done she was anxious to get started right away. While we were talking, she was very emotional. At first I didn't understand why talking about her granddaughter had made her seem so sad. We were going through the pictures of her granddaughters childhood trying to pick the ones that she wanted in the scrapbook and filter out the huge pile. While we were going through the pictures, she was telling me about each moment. You could tell that this woman totally admired and adored her granddaughter. In conversation she told me that her granddaughter had undergone a few heart surgeries during her life. Her granddaughter is only 24.
When this woman mentioned that her granddaughter was getting married in April she stressed how important it was for her to get this scrapbook done in time for her wedding. Without any experience, I could tell that she didn't see that happening. Gently I put my hand on her shoulder and told her that she needed to come in during the week and I would help her with whatever she needed. She was so grateful and thanked me many times. As she was getting ready to leave, she apologized for being so emotional. She then told me that she is very sad that her daughter and her granddaughter are estranged. In fact, she knows that her daughter will not be at the wedding and it breaks her heart. This woman expressed how much she believes in forgiveness and how life is too short to carry anger for so long.
My heart broke. All I could think of is how fortunate I am to not only have a wonderful relationship with my mom but to also have had a long time being so close to my grandmother before she passed away. I could feel that this woman wants her daughter and her granddaughter to make amends before anything were to happen to any one of them. Her granddaughter having heart problems has her even more scared of less time for forgiveness to come about.
My hopes to help this woman create a scrapbook of her granddaughter is only a minor thing I can do to help her. What I want to do is wrap my arms around her and tell her everything will be ok. One thing I cannot stand is to see someone emotionally hurting. She feels so trapped in the middle between two people she loves with no way of bringing them together. Tonight I will pray for her and for her daughter and granddaughter. If the relationship has no chance of changing, maybe at least the grandmother can be freed of her sadness. We all need to take to heart the relationships we have and know that we will not live forever. Do we really want to leave this earth angry, feeling guilt, emptiness, sadness, and being stubborn when we had so much time and many opportunities to change things?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
What I am thankful for today....
Today I am blogging about what I am thankful for. I am mostly doing this to feel better since I am tired and crabby. I am not getting into it since I know it is me. So, here it is....hopefully it helps...
- I have my own business which allows me to do what I want, with my business and my home life.
- My friends and their silly emails, great advise, and lots of laughs.
- My family, including my pets.
- Coffee.....Lord knows I needed it this morning!
- Butterscotch Krimpets.....just had one......YUMMY!
- Time I have spent with loved ones.
- Lion's Club breakfasts, in which I went to this morning....
- The 41 degree weather we had today.
- My husband 'getting handier by the day'.
- My bed...which I want to be in right now.
- Candles because they symbolize peace (for me) and smell soooooo good. LOVE PARTYLITE!
Now I feel better! I am telling ya, if ever you are not feeling 'great', you need to write or think about the things you are thanful for. It helps you think happier thoughts and gets your mind off the other crap. LOL!
A good day
Today was a good day for me. Nothing exciting really happened besides that my photography class went really well. I think I am considering it a good day because I was fortunate enough to see a lot of people and talk to people who really mean a lot to me. Some of my best friends were here to take the class then some stayed and scrapbooked with me....it was just like it used to be in my dining room before I had my store. My mom was here helping put out retail, answer the phone, etc
I had a nice talk with my friend Melinda on the phone when everyone left. I would say old boss, but she hates when I call her that. She is the one I have to thank for teaching me everything I know about having a successful business. Well, her and her husband are both to be credited. I have seen her go through so much crap, so many wonderful times, meet some awesome people, then of course meet some real idiots. However, Melinda never lets anything get her down. Her and her husband always manage to keep everything together. They have always achieved every goal they have dreamed of. I admire both of them very much.
I have to say that when I first met Melinda I was very intimidated by her. She was so strong, and very to the point. She never held anything back either. I however, was not very strong and I never told anyone how I really felt because I hated confrontation. Being around Melinda for over 13 years, changed me A LOT! I know she has changed a lot too. Both of us managed to meet somewhere in the middle over time. I am now very strong, I do not allow people to take advantage of me anymore, and I go after what I want. Melinda, is a lot more easy going and now she thinks before she speaks.....at least most of the time....LOL!
If it wasn't for Melinda and Marty, I would not own my own business. I also would not be the person I am today. Tonight on the phone with her she actually mentioned that she was envious of me. I am looking back at the conversation thinking......envious of me? I always was envious of her! I guess full-filling your dreams isn't always exactly the way you pictured it once you have achieved it. She has mentioned many times in the past how she wishes it was just her and I at a small salon like it used to be. She did the hair, I did the nails. Now, I am referring to her spa-salon as Steel Magnolias. If you are not sure what I am referring too, you need to rent the movie. Mirror Images has gone from a small apartment to a farm house. I hope you understand the metephor. This is what she has always wanted. Maybe Melinda was not as lucky as I am to have such a mentor when she first started out. Now as my mentor she tells me all the time that I'd better learn from all the crap that she has had to deal with. At least we can laugh about it.
Personally I think that negative people have a lot to do with someone being unhappy in their lives. Once we filter out the bad, we have more room for the good. There are many people who I once looked to as a friend until I realized how miserable they made me. It wasn't until I got rid of them that my life actually picked up and got better. If you are living your dream and still are not happy, then something needs to change. It doesn't have to be drastic. I know Melinda will achieve the happiness she is lacking and fall in love with her dream again. Why? Because she always achieves everything she sets her mind to do. And, she is very lucky to have Marty who is by her side the entire way.
Today is a good day because I know that I helped her feel better by being the kind of friend that she has always been to me. And today, I was reminded of how lucky I am to have had her in my life. If it wasn't for that little salon that she started her dream in, her and I would not be where we are today. I know she wants a time machine to go back to a less stressful and simpler time. But, I also know that she would only be happy there for a little while.
Today I am thankful for my friends and for all of the advise, support, laughter and love that they have given me throughout the years. I am entirely grateful for all the experience I have had working with Melinda and becoming very close to her and her family. If you open your mind and your heart and let go of all things negative, you have the opportunity to learn and experience great things.
I had a nice talk with my friend Melinda on the phone when everyone left. I would say old boss, but she hates when I call her that. She is the one I have to thank for teaching me everything I know about having a successful business. Well, her and her husband are both to be credited. I have seen her go through so much crap, so many wonderful times, meet some awesome people, then of course meet some real idiots. However, Melinda never lets anything get her down. Her and her husband always manage to keep everything together. They have always achieved every goal they have dreamed of. I admire both of them very much.
I have to say that when I first met Melinda I was very intimidated by her. She was so strong, and very to the point. She never held anything back either. I however, was not very strong and I never told anyone how I really felt because I hated confrontation. Being around Melinda for over 13 years, changed me A LOT! I know she has changed a lot too. Both of us managed to meet somewhere in the middle over time. I am now very strong, I do not allow people to take advantage of me anymore, and I go after what I want. Melinda, is a lot more easy going and now she thinks before she speaks.....at least most of the time....LOL!
If it wasn't for Melinda and Marty, I would not own my own business. I also would not be the person I am today. Tonight on the phone with her she actually mentioned that she was envious of me. I am looking back at the conversation thinking......envious of me? I always was envious of her! I guess full-filling your dreams isn't always exactly the way you pictured it once you have achieved it. She has mentioned many times in the past how she wishes it was just her and I at a small salon like it used to be. She did the hair, I did the nails. Now, I am referring to her spa-salon as Steel Magnolias. If you are not sure what I am referring too, you need to rent the movie. Mirror Images has gone from a small apartment to a farm house. I hope you understand the metephor. This is what she has always wanted. Maybe Melinda was not as lucky as I am to have such a mentor when she first started out. Now as my mentor she tells me all the time that I'd better learn from all the crap that she has had to deal with. At least we can laugh about it.
Personally I think that negative people have a lot to do with someone being unhappy in their lives. Once we filter out the bad, we have more room for the good. There are many people who I once looked to as a friend until I realized how miserable they made me. It wasn't until I got rid of them that my life actually picked up and got better. If you are living your dream and still are not happy, then something needs to change. It doesn't have to be drastic. I know Melinda will achieve the happiness she is lacking and fall in love with her dream again. Why? Because she always achieves everything she sets her mind to do. And, she is very lucky to have Marty who is by her side the entire way.
Today is a good day because I know that I helped her feel better by being the kind of friend that she has always been to me. And today, I was reminded of how lucky I am to have had her in my life. If it wasn't for that little salon that she started her dream in, her and I would not be where we are today. I know she wants a time machine to go back to a less stressful and simpler time. But, I also know that she would only be happy there for a little while.
Today I am thankful for my friends and for all of the advise, support, laughter and love that they have given me throughout the years. I am entirely grateful for all the experience I have had working with Melinda and becoming very close to her and her family. If you open your mind and your heart and let go of all things negative, you have the opportunity to learn and experience great things.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Laughter is the best medicine
As I look back to the tough times in my life, I recall a lot of laughter. I lived with my friend Jamie for a while and her room-mate Amy when I was going through my divorce. I remember laughing until my ribs hurt. We would sit and talk, play games, watch silly movies and just laugh. I seriously think that is how I made it through without jumping off a bridge.
Jamie sat here with me the one evening when Jeremy was at a hockey game with her husband. We ended up laughing so hard that tears were coming out our eyes. And, all we were doing was talking! We need more times like that.
My friend Jenny laughs at everything. And, she is one of the most positive people I know. I clearly see why her life is so much different than someone who is negative. We all have our bad days, but it is how we chose to deal with it that makes the difference.
If I ever need a pick-me-up, I call or email a friend. I will send a quick silly message, even if I am not feeling silly. Or, I will just let them know I need some cheering up. It works every time.
Recently I was faced with a situation that I was really not mentally prepared for.....at all. In fact it was a very sore subject that I had tried to forget about and not deal with. In a major panic I emailed and called my closest friends. I even ran to my neighbors house to vent after venting to my sister-in-law. Almost everyone had all positive things to say. Their love and support helped me more than I can express. In some emails were things that made me crack up in laughter. Others were a combination of inspiration, advise and support. Of course I kept reading the ones that would make me laugh. It feels so good to be able to laugh off what seems a horrible situation. Now I can say that I am through the situation, over it and moved on. It is amazing the ease one can feel once they let go of something they have carried with them for most of their life. Laughter is what helped me deal and get over it.
I get these inspirational quotes sent to me everyday through email from The Secret. Today's was: Be loyal to what you love, be true to the earth, fight your enemies with passion and laughter.-Edward Abbey
Jamie sat here with me the one evening when Jeremy was at a hockey game with her husband. We ended up laughing so hard that tears were coming out our eyes. And, all we were doing was talking! We need more times like that.
My friend Jenny laughs at everything. And, she is one of the most positive people I know. I clearly see why her life is so much different than someone who is negative. We all have our bad days, but it is how we chose to deal with it that makes the difference.
If I ever need a pick-me-up, I call or email a friend. I will send a quick silly message, even if I am not feeling silly. Or, I will just let them know I need some cheering up. It works every time.
Recently I was faced with a situation that I was really not mentally prepared for.....at all. In fact it was a very sore subject that I had tried to forget about and not deal with. In a major panic I emailed and called my closest friends. I even ran to my neighbors house to vent after venting to my sister-in-law. Almost everyone had all positive things to say. Their love and support helped me more than I can express. In some emails were things that made me crack up in laughter. Others were a combination of inspiration, advise and support. Of course I kept reading the ones that would make me laugh. It feels so good to be able to laugh off what seems a horrible situation. Now I can say that I am through the situation, over it and moved on. It is amazing the ease one can feel once they let go of something they have carried with them for most of their life. Laughter is what helped me deal and get over it.
I get these inspirational quotes sent to me everyday through email from The Secret. Today's was: Be loyal to what you love, be true to the earth, fight your enemies with passion and laughter.-Edward Abbey
Laughter truly is the best medicine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
