Through the stressful times

"A lot of emotional stress that people go through, some people figure out a way to handle it. They have a strong enough support system to keep going and keep moving forward. And some people, they feel like they don't have that outlet."~Terrell Owens

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Although I gave that type of support to my sons; I seldom felt I had it myself.  Throughout my entire life, I longed for that uplifting encouragement and protective strength of another during difficult times.  Yet I have always made it through every experience without anyone else, becoming stronger and wiser than anyone could have imagined.  I'm always determined to keep moving forward no matter what.

"Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging."~Joseph Campbell

Sometimes though, late at night and when I'm alone with my thoughts, I wonder what it would be like to have a support system.  For now I'll keep creating my own emotional support system, knowing that all the experiences are 'stressing' me into a better person, more determined to succeed while becoming stronger inside... each and every time.

10 Ways to Get and Give Emotional Support
How to Build a Strong Support System
Benefits of a Strong Support System
Establishing a Support System
Create a Strong Support System in Tough Times

Environment Matters

"You are a product of your environment.  So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective.  Analyze your life in terms of its environment.  Are the things around you helping you toward success - or are they holding you back?"~W. Clement Stone

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"Be careful the environment you choose, for it will shape you."~W. Clement Stone

I've had several jobs and lived in many placed throughout my life.  The positive, and the negative, environments in every situation tremendously effected my 'world' more than any other thing.  Not the home I lived in, nor the salary I made, has ever been the deciding factor on whether I was happy; felt balanced or even fulfilled.

One of the happiest times of my life was when my children were young; while living in a modest house and I had a home day care.  We didn't have cable TV, a dish washer, new cars and I worked 12 hours days.  However, I was very, very happy.

My environment was full of children and love.  Being a mom and babysitting for me was fulfilling and I felt appreciated by my both my own family and the families of the children that I cared for like my own.

When my children got older and didn't need me home all the time; I was lucky enough to find a job I loved and with people that were like family.  I was appreciated and felt I was very good at that job... so again I was happy and fulfilled.

Then I moved to Iowa, where I've had many ups and downs in the last 7 years.  Most of those ups and downs had to do with environments.  My son had good, positive environments in high school and college.  However, living in someone else's small town the first 6 years, and the target of some negative/evil people; left us feeling sad and even fearful at times.  Negative environments cause us to find fault with both ourselves and the people around us.  Neither of which create a positive feelings outlook.

When we moved last summer to a new home; my son and I both felt happier in this beautiful & peaceful place.  An environment we thoroughly enjoy everyday.  Now I am looking for a more positive work environment... taking steps to move toward a new career direction that will be more positive, less stressful and more fulfilling.  I know those jobs are out there... because I've had them before. :-)

"The environment you choose will effect your mood, your health and your future.  I know, it has for me every time."~ME 

How to have Positive Energy in a Negative Environment
The Importance of Positive Environments

"Somewhere along the path, I realized that I am extremely sensitive and must be careful what I expose myself to.  I believe that all of us share the same sensitivity and that ignoring it leads to vague unhappiness or downright misery." ~Silver Rose

Truly having No Fear

"Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty.  To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom."~Bertrand Russell

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In my earlier years, I had a hard time dealing with death... hitting me hard when someone close to me died, starting with my Grandmother when I was 10; friends and relatives throughout my life and then more recently, when my dad died.  I thought and felt that I and the world, had lost them forever.

"People living deeply have no hear of death."~Anais Nin

I now know and can accept that the world we know, right now, may have lost them.  However, their souls or spirits, truly are in heaven, the university... and they are healthy, happy and whole.  They are even close to us whenever we think of them.  If you believe and understand, you can even feel them sending us guidance and love.

"I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today."~William Allen White

For many years, I was terrified of dying.  Now that I'm not... I see the world and my circumstances very differently.  This is all temporary, a journey full of spiritual insight and lessons that God and the Universe want us each to learn.  When we learn what we are meant to, the best if yet to come.

"Fears are educated into us, and can, if we wish, be educated out."~Karl Augustus Menninger 

How will you know....

“How do you decide who is the right person to share your life with? You will know that you have found the right person because you will feel balanced, stable, loved and the challenges that come with this person won’t drive you away.”

So many times over the years, I've meet someone and wondered, 'are they the one?'  Only to feel very differently about them or that prospect, after a date or two.  In fact, I seem to outgrow the men I meet... at the speed of light.

"I want to know their heart.  The rest is just details."

With everyone that comes in and out of my life, I learn at least one lesson and gain much insight into why people behave and feel the way they do.  Every experience I've had, has opened my eyes and my heart to many lessons.    

“The only reason we go through a difficult time, is for us to gain something from the experience and for us to grow. We can become better people, it’s all about learning and growing…”~Jacqueline 

Each lesson has given me the insight I've needed to understand others and to accept myself, just the way I am.  The lessons I've learned have lead me to acceptance and healing; allowing me to regain my 'self-respect' and grow into the person I was always meant to be.  

“Self-respect is the biggest lesson for all of us to learn and I think it is one of the most difficult. But wow, the rewards for learning this lesson are huge!"~Jacqueline

Once we see the reality of ourselves and our current situations, we can have perspective when we observe what is going on around us is.  Having perspective and an open heart, gives us true understanding and compassion.  

"It is endless all that can be revealed to us... if we open our hearts and see the lessons."

Now a days, I'm very specific in the qualities I want in the people I allow in my life.  Knowing and understanding who I am, has lead me to finally knowing exactly what I want, don't want, and deserve in my life and relationships... all relationships.  

Then listen to your intuition and your heart.  If they make you feel good and enhance your happiness... then they can be the one.  We have many 'ones' in our lifetime... it depends on where we are in our life and growth to whom is right for us at that time.

"You will 'know', once you 'know' and accept yourself and stop accepting less than what you 'know' you deserve."~Me

7 Ways to know if they're the One
The 3 Keys to know if they're the Onc
Deeper Dating: 3 Steps that lead to Love
Love them or Leave them