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

You Will Rise

"If you feel angels in your hair
Teardrops of joy run down your face
You will rise" DM

A phrase that continues to run through my head....
I will rise and be stronger with each passing day. I will also be right here, in the hands of God. Those who are by my side will be those who remain my dearest friends until the end. God bless everyone who has made my life so much easier and fulfilling. God bless you for being so true to me and so loyal. I will spend the rest of my life showing you how thankful I am. I love you all.

What I am thankful for today:
music
my friends
support
loyalty
kindness
a positive mind, body and sprit
my children
Jamie
Diane
Jen
Shawn
Rachel and the time I had with her and the kids
Jeremy
new PartyLite
a clean house
Burger King chicken fries and onion rings
a beautiful day today
new customers
a wonderful day tomorrow
laughter
love