Random Thoughts... for 2012

"Our life always expresses the results of our prominent thoughts." ~Soren Kierkegaa

This past year has flown by faster than any I can remember.  As a new year it about to begin, I have hundreds of thoughts and memories running through my mind each time I sit to write in my journal or work on my book.  Since I've been too busy to blog much in the past year, I thought I'd add a few of them now.  

• 2012 started Happy, had highs & lows & ended Great.
• The trials in between had much needed lessons.
• Everyone has experienced trauma in their life.
• We should all have more empathy and compassion.
• Traumas can transform if allowed to push us forward.
• I have shared experiences with my best of friends.
• We must leave our comfort zones in order to grow.
• That was needed for my new career and direction.
• We often stay in jobs and situations out of Fear.
• Have Faith! You don't know, what you don't know.
• Sleep deprivation is everyone's worst enemy. 
• Negative environments are not worth the damage.  
• Unhappy people find fault with each other.
• Hurting people, hurt others.  Don't let them hurt you.
• Showing kindness, can stop the negative verbiage
• Standing up for yourself shows self-respect.
• Immature people push blame and want revenge.
• Mature people try to understand why things happen.
• Respect, the words used and tone of voice do matter.
• It takes 10 positives to make up for 1 negative.
• Nikki Haley is my example of strength and leadership.
• She has character and someone I'd like to emulate.
• Being strong annoys the people who want control.
• We're suppose to put our children First!
• No amount of critisisum over the years helped us.
• Volunteering and getting involved is so rewarding.
• I meet the most amazing people when I volunteer.
• We all need our own friends, interest... Lives.
• No one should depend on you for their happiness.
• Anymore than you should depend on someone else.
• When you're direct and honest; don't ever feel guilty.
• It's more important what someone does than says.
• I'm not emotional any longer because I'm not afraid.
• I'm not afraid of dying or the future; I have Faith.
• When I see death, I pray for the souls and families.
• Kindness and Compassion are a Hugh part of my job.  
• The last job prepared me for my current career/job.
• Having the passion for it, makes me really good at it.
• So much accomplished... so much more I want to do!

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see." ~John Burroughs

 What we overcome... helps us Grow

Footprints on our Heart...

"Be mindful that today is a gift and tomorrow isn't certain.  So lets try to leave loving footprints on the hearts of every soul we meet." ~ME

Footprints In Your Heart

Many people will walk in and out of your life,

But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

Handle yourself, use your head;

To handle others, use your heart.

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

If someone betrays you once, it is his fault;

If he betrays you twice, it is your fault.

Great minds discuss ideas,
Average minds discuss events,
Small minds discuss people.

He who loses money, loses much;
He who loses a friend, loses much more;
He who loses faith, loses all.

Beautiful young people are accidents of nature,
But beautiful old people are works of art.

Learn from the mistakes of others.
You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

Friends, you and me.
You brought another friend,
And then there were three.

We started our group,
Our circle of friends,
And like that circle -
There is no beginning or end.

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is mystery.
Today is a gift.

That's why it's called the present.*

Eleanor Roosevelt

Christmas with Love...

"Christmas is a time for unconditional Love for yourself and all those around you!" ~unknown

What a wonderful, happy and fulfilling couple of days.  Feeling very Loved thanks for my special friends and amazing sons.  Love and appreciate you All so much!!  XOXO

 "May the festive season of Christmas make all our relationships grow stronger and longer.  Reminding us to appreciate and love each other all through the year." ~ME

Our Faith in Christmas 

Searching for Happiness

"We search so much for the right choices, the right paths to walk through, the right time, the right reasons, and the right person.  But life isn't just about searching for things.  It's also about letting the unexpected happen and finding joy in things and people we never searched for..." ~Author Unknown 

"While we search our whole lives to find happiness, we sometime miss the opportunities around us.  We're too busy searching for something specific that we think will make us happy.  We need to stop searching long enough to appreciate and enjoy the spontaneous surprises of each day.  Only when we embrace all of life's experiences, large and small, can we find what we.re looking for... happiness that's already inside each of us." ~ME

Good over Evil

 "I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.  This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

In my lifetime I've seen so many tragedies resulting from evil in this world.  From the horrific events we all see in the news; to the very personal ones that have happened around me. 

Back home in a town of 500, a young boy was shot for no reason by a neighbor, while visiting relatives with his brother.  I remember how fearful I was to let my children out of my sight after that.

Years later while my sons were still in school, a favorite teacher was killed by her husband in a horrific tragedy that left their 3 children without both parents in the end.  I shocking event for all the children in the school community.  

A year or two later, a beloved friend and her son tragically killed by a drunk driver.  The entire community mourned including my sons whom loved these 2 people like family.  Heart wrenching and so hard to understand why or how these things can happen.

I remember my friend and her son's funeral service so vividly.  The Pastor of our church talked about how God doesn't let bad things happen.  That bad things happen because Evil/Satan is in the world and because God gave us free will, allowing some to choose evil or make bad decisions; such as driving drunk unfortunately.  

I don't believe that God causes any of these tragedies to happen.  That is free will or the evil in the world.  What I believe is that God is there for us when those things happen; to comfort us and to bring people together.  I also believe that he uses bad, even tragic situations to teach us lessons for the greater good.  Lessons in love, compassion, appreciation, acceptance and even forgiveness.  Which help us to see that there truly is more good in the world than bad.  The evils of the world will not push me out of believing there is good in the world; or away from God.

 "At the end of the day, good will triumph, even though, we at the time, can not see it." ~unknown 

A Prayer for the Children

We've unfortunately seen many senseless acts of violence in our lifetime; however this most recent one is tearing at the souls of everyone even more because of so many innocent children involved.  I can't imagine losing a child... and as I see the pictures of both the children and their grieving families I can't stop the tears or the longing to ease their pain.  All I can do from here ho is Pray for the children, their families and the entire community.  I can't fathom such heartache...

A Prayer for the Children

On Friday, December 14, 2012, 20 children were killed in a shooting rampage at an elementary
school in Newtown, Connecticut. Seven adults, including the gunman, also died at the scene. As
the families and friends of the deceased mourn the loss of their loved ones, we pray for the
children, and for all those whose lives have been affected by this tragedy.
Our hearts are broken.
Today, in the midst of holiday cheer,
we are painfully reminded of the cruelty and fragility of our lives together.
How do we live with such unimaginable grief?
How do we comfort such intolerable pain?
How do we care for each other in a world where violence seems so readily accessible?
Great comforter and protector,
We have no answers.
No words that can heal the broken heartedness we feel.
Yet you have promised to heal the broken hearted and to bind up their wounds.
We cling ardently to this assurance.
This is the world that Christ is born into;
A world bursting with broken-hearted people.
This is the world that you call us to sing, ‘Rejoice’ in.
The pain is too fresh, the wounds are too raw,
Yet still, we light the pink candle in anticipation of your fulfilled promises.
Until then,
we will continue to pray
For the parents,
For the families,
For the victims,
For the teachers,
For the first responders,
For the survivors, and
For all who have been crushed by this shooting.
We will hold them in our hearts.
We will strive to compassionately care for each other.
And, we will honor and lift-up our children,
For in them the light of Christ beams.
Amen.

Alydia Smith
The United Church of Canada

The people we need...

"We need people in our lives with whom we can be as open as possible.  To have real conversations with people may seem like such a simple, obvious suggestion; however it involves courage and risk." ~Thomas Moore

"Maybe some people just aren't meant to be in our lives forever.  Maybe some people are just passing through.  It's like some people just come through our lives to bring us something: a gift, a blessing, a lesson we need to learn.  And that's why they're here.  You'll have that gift forever." ~Danielle Steel, The Gift

What's meant to be....

"When people come into your life for only a SEASON... It was meant to be.  They come for a REASON...  So, let it be..."

"What's meant to be will always find a way."

As the poem goes:  'People come into our life for a Reason, a Season or a Lifetime...'  It's often times hard for us to determine, in the beginning, which of those a person is supposed to be.  Primarily because we ourselves are too close to the situation to be objective.  Often times our own wants and needs, get in the way of just letting situations and relationships just take it's course..., whatever that course may be.

What gets many of us in trouble, is when our desires cause us to see situations and people the way we wish them to be and believe what we want to.  When these feeling and emotions take over, it sometimes allows us to assume and even expect something that may or may not... meant to be. 

Most of us, however, can see the truth later on... which of those 3 they were and even see why we were meant to meet that person... no matter how long or how brief.  God then hopes that we also see the reason or lesson... and there is always a reason along with a lesson or two.  

I've personally been on both sides.  When I was naive and too trusting, I was the person picturing happy, even romantic futures.  Then as I grew and became much more intuitive and understanding of the paths and lessons that we are to encounter throughout our life times.  Now a days I seem to be on the other side where I feel I'm the person who comes into lives for a reason, maybe even a season to support, direct or help in some way.  

I believe that we are all meant to be the 'Reason, Season or Lifetime' for many, many people throughout our lives.  Sometimes, unfortunately we encounter someone who misunderstands why we've met.  They assume and even expect things that are just not meant to be or why we are here for them.  They don't see what we are here to teach or show them.   

It's a touchy situation when have to set boundaries, while continuing to be a good friend and teach the lessons that God has placed them there to do.  That person has to remain strong, listen to their intuition or gut... and stay true to their heart and only be what they are meant to be for that person.  

The main lessons I've learned are: self love first; be the person you wish to find; do the things you want to do with that person someday; and above all else... never expect, never assume, never demand... just let it be and enjoy the moment, the friendship or the situation.  

"Maybe some people just aren't meant to be in our lives forever.  Maybe some people are just passing through.  It's like some people just come through our lives to bring us something: a gift, a blessing, a lesson we need to learn.  And that's why they're here.  You'll have that gift forever." ~Danielle Steel, The Gif

Love them or Leave them
Can Men and Women be friends?

Our Faith in Christmas

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind.  To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." ~Calvin Coolidge 

"Christmas is a gift of love wrapped in human flesh and tied securely with the strong promises of God.  It is more than words can tell, for it is a matter for the heart to receive, believe and understand." ~unknown

Unafraid...

"To be one's self, and unafraid whether right or wrong, is more admirable than the easy cowardice of surrender to conformity." ~Irving Wallace

"To express-unafraid and unashamed what one really thinks and feels is one of the great consolations of  life." ~Theodor Reik

"There is much in the world to make us afraid.  There is much more in our faith to make us unafraid." ~Frederick W. Cropp

Find Strength from Every Lesson

"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do.  But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength." ~Unknown

"Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness.  Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.  Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength."~August Wilson

Accept all that is given to you with an open mind.  Every event is a gift, whether it warmed your heart or brought you disappointment.  Everything is a blessing for reasons we can't always see or know in the moment.  Learn from yesterday, live for today, plant seeds for tomorrow using your inner strength to live a life worth living.

"I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence but it comes from within."~Anonymous

The philosophy of life is to make the most of it.  So enjoy the happy moments for sure, but see the lessons in the challenges thrown at you too.  Everything can happen for a reason if you view life with an open mind and heart; to see the lessons that give you the wisdom and strength to follow the paths that God leads you on all throughout your life.  

"Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them.  There are deep wells of strength that are never used."~Richard E. Byrd

Right Now by Ralph Marston

Great Video from Positive Pause

"You've done it before and you can do it now.  See the positive possibilities   Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination." ~Ralph Marston

The Power of Kindness

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."~Leo Buscaglia

Don't wait... to do what's right.

"There are many persons ready to do what is right because in their hearts they know it is right.  But they hesitate, waiting for the other fellow to make the make the first move - and he, in turn, waits for you." ~Marian Anderson

"A true hero is not someone who thinks about doing what's right, but one that simply does what is right without thinking!" ~Kevin Heath

Be Authentic

ameaningfulexistence.com

"The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering." ~Ben Okri

I've had interviews where I was the person that I thought the bosses or organizations were looking for.  However, I would end up turning the jobs down when they were offered, because they didn't feel like the right fit for me.  I could never be happy being someone I am not or having to do task that go against my character or beliefs.  We all have our strengths, so if a job is not the right fit, it's better to be honest from the beginning.  

"It is my intention to live an authentic life of compassion and integrity and action." ~Zachary Quinto

As I get ready for my first day tomorrow at my new job; I planned what I should wear, when I should leave in the morning and what I should bring.  One thing I didn't plan is how to act.  I know I got this job by being myself... my authentic self in the interviews.  Knowing that I can and should be myself is making  this change in my life so much easier; along with knowing the values and mission of the organization.  I am so excited!

"In short, we cannot grow, we cannot achieve authentic discovery, and our eyes cannot be cleansed to the truly beautiful possibilities of life, if we simply live a neutral existence." ~Armstrong Williams 

5 Things You Can Do to be Your Authentic Self

Never Give Up!

"If you fall behind, run faster.  Never give up, never surrender, rise up against the odds."~Jesse Jackson

Watch the Best Motivational Video Ever on Never Giving Up

"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."~Harriet Beecher Stowe

I'm BACK!!!

Hello!!  Oh how I have missed blogging and you ALL so much!  I have been gone way too long.

This past year has been a FLASH of events, traumas, health issues and enormous stress.  All of which piled up on me to the point of exhaustion.  I needed to take a step back and take care of myself first; then figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.  

One thing lead to another this past year causing me to learn many lessons.  In the end I regained the confidence, strength and self esteem I seemed to have lost a time or two in the past few years.  Finding my direction and voice again has led me to the real path God intended for me all along.

Next week I start a brand new journey in a totally different field.  I am looking forward to a fresh start, new adventures working for a company that helps people with Christian values.  A company that models compassion and respect to their clients and employees in a positive work environment.

Positive environments, respect and reasonable expectations play a major roll in employee morale, health and happiness.  I have learned to both treat myself and others with respect, compassion and appreciation.  

All in all, I learned to take care of myself first.  I learned I can handle more work than I ever imagined.  I learned overwhelming amounts of information and now have the skills that brought me to these new opportunities.

I had so many positives this year too.  I met several great friends who taught me true compassion with their selfless acts of kindness.   I also met amazing people while volunteering this fall; who each taught me by example.  Such as how to enjoy the moments and find the good in everyone; as well as how to handle disappointments with grace and gratitude.  

Today I said goodbye to some of those amazing people and Friday I say 'see you later' to others whom I consider my guardian angels this past year.  This week is bitter sweet, filled with lots of mixed emotions; however I feel in my heart that this is the right decision and that this move will open so many more doors for me. :-)

"When one door closes; another one Opens!"

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

masculineheart.blogspot.com

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

blog.shreevedic.com

"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

wallpaperpassion.com

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

Change in Beliefs

"If you don't change your beliefs, your life will be like this forever.  Is that good news?"~William Somerset Maugham

"Personal change is a reflection of our inner growth and empowerment."~Robert E. Quinn

Change Your Beliefs...Change Your Life
When You Change Your Thinking,
You Change Your Beliefs...!!
When You Change Your Beliefs,
You Change Your Expectations...!!
When You Change Your Expectations,
You Change Your Attitude...!!
When You Change Your Attitude,
You Change Your Behavior...!!
When You Change Your Behavior,
You Change Your Performance...!!
When You Change Your Performance,
You Change Your Life

by: Ashish Gutgutia

Change Your Beliefs to Change Your Life song & video
Change Your Beliefs - Change Your Life
Change Your Beliefs, Change Your Life
Change Your Beliefs and Change Your Life

Men's Nationals 2012.... Good Luck SON!!

The Afternoon Session of Men's Nationals starts today and at 1:00pm I'm going to watch my son, Michael Hafenbrack II lift LIVE at http://lnkd.in/8WEMVw  

I'm praying in the front row (of my computer) much like when he and his brothers were back in High School & College. ;-) Good Luck, Son!! 
UPDATE:  Michael had 2 personal best totals in the Squat and the Deadlift.  He came in 2nd and Received a Silver Medal... so happy for him and proud of all 3 of my amazing boys!! :-)

Liberate from our Fear

"When you're in fear, you can't grow,you can't expand, you can't relax, you can't create...  It's quite paralyzing.  Living in fear is essentially toxic to our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being and growth."~Katie Freiling

The more I watch the people around me and their relationships, the more I notice that most peoples' actions and reactions, are 'triggered' by the same emotion each time...FEAR.  

"Fear is only as deep as the mind allows."~Japanese Proverb

Fear of losing something or someone; Fear of financial struggles; Fear of being alone; Fear of not having Control of a situation or relationship.... and FEAR Fuels More FEAR...over and over again.

"Nothing in life is to be feared.  It is only to be understood."~Marie Curie 

So many times in all our lives, we react or make chooses.... out of FEAR of something happening or not happening.  Not out of stupidity or ignorance... but usually rash or poor decision are the result of FEAR.

"As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."~Nelson Mandela

In my own life, I now see why I made the poor decisions I have.  Granted, I've been naive, too trusting, and even told 'too nice' many times by my friends... however my worst decisions or reactions have by far been made out of FEAR of something.   

“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”~Marianne Williamson

Even recently I realize that the stress I've experienced in the last 10 months; have been fueled by Fear.  That the jobs I turned down... were from Fear of the unknown.  Not having All the answers or knowing Exactly what to expect from those jobs, cause be to focus on the uncertainties instead of the Possibilities.

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

In recent years, I've stayed in jobs that caused overwhelming stress or were I was unfulfilled... much longer than I wanted to.  I stayed out of Fear of 'what ifs' and the unknown at another position somewhere else.  Until... I made a conscious decision stopped letting Fear control my decisions or chooses in my own life.  I may slip at times and I may not have all the answers; however I do know that letting Fear be a deciding factor... is not the way to live a happy and fulfilling life.   Which is what I'm sure is what we all want... now is't it?!  ;-)

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-filler.

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fears.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past,
I will turn the inner eye to see it's path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
~Frank Herbert

7 Keys from Liberating yourself from Fear

Here for a Reason...

"There are no extra pieces in the Universe.  Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle." ~Deepak Chopra

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As I look over all the events that have occurred in my life, I often wonder why.  Why I had to go through so much trauma; why some things didn't work out when I had pure intentions; even why some friendships didn't last that I felt were meant to be.

I've spent much time reflecting and trying to make sense of these encounters and experiences... finally having it 'click' and all make perfect sense to me.  I can now see how each of these events, and the people I've met, all had a purpose, a lesson... a reason.

"Even when you think you have your life all mapped out, things happen that shape your destiny in ways you might never have imagined." ~Deepak Chopra

When I finally stopped planning and guiding my life out of fear of being a victim again, I was able to see and understand the meanings from the things that happened and the people who taught me the lessons I needed in order to find my own voice and passions.

All of those events and encounters ultimately lead to Deeper insight, understanding... and ultimately to my own evolution as the person I was always meant to be, in the place I was destined to be.  I believe we all have a purpose and reason with every situation in our life.

"Whatever relationships you have attracted in your life at each moment, was precisely the ones you needed in your life at those moments.  There was and is a hidden meaning behind all those events, and those hidden meanings are serving your own evolution." ~Deepak Chopra

Sometimes you just know...

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"Trust yourself.  You know more than you think you do." ~Benjamin Spock

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Sometimes you just know...

... you're not the same person.

Sometimes you just know...

... when you've healed from the past.

Sometimes you just know...
... where you're headed in life.

Sometimes you just know... 

... you were where you needed to be.

Sometimes you just know.
... you needed all those lessons.

Sometimes you just know...

... things happened for a reason.

Sometimes you just know...
... it was supposed to turn out this way. :-)

"Step back in Life... and See the Lessons.  Those lessons will lead you to Understanding and eventually the Life you're meant to have." ~ME

Connect to the Universe

"When people go within and connect with themselves, they realize they are connected to the universe and they are connected to all living things." ~Armand Dimele

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"Love is a force that connects us to every strand of the universe, an unconditional state that characterizes human nature, a form of knowledge that is always there for us if only we can open ourselves to it." ~Emily H. Sell

A Spiritual path together

"Spirituality is allowing compassion and love to flourish. When belongness begins, corruption ends." ~Sri Sri Ravi Shanka

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"The spiritual path is not a solo endeavor. In fact, the very notion of a self who is trying to free her/himself, alone, is a delusion. We are in it together and the company of spiritual friends helps us realize our interconnectedness." ~Tara Brach

Come from a place of Love

"Come from a place of Love, not anger or frustration."~Me

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I've struggled so many times in my life to find balance with keeping the power and control over my own life; while also coming from a heart of understanding, compassion and even love.  It's not always easy.

I try hard to stay away from negative and gossipy people who think they know everything about everyone.  However sometimes I admit I get sucked in to it when I have my guard down; I'm lonely, tired or just having a bad day.  Causing me to have doubts about people I care about; second guessing my own intuition and heart.

I realize now that when I allow others opinions to influence how I feel, that I'm reacting out of Fear.  Fear of making another mistake; fear of being hurt and even fear of gossip.  None of those things should control or even be a factor in what I decide or do.  I fail greatly when I let it.

"We should never react out of fear.  We should always respond out of Love."~ME

Most of the time when I feel anger, it's really from the Fear of one of those possibilities.  When I find fault and react out of Fear; that distorted sense of control never last.  It only causes me to have regret and guilt later on.  All because I allowed outside chatter and negativity get to me.

There are times when I've shut the door on friends because of the drama going on in their lives.  I believed when I was told I should be scared or even angry.  Those 'words of advice' are always coming from negative chatter; not from a heart of compassion, understanding or Love.

When we come from a place of Love, we have Understanding and Compassion.  I moved twice to give my son... understanding and compassion from teachers and staff that truly cared.   It made all the difference in his life.  That's why I'm always looking for people like that in my own life.

How does the saying go.... "Be the person you wish to find."   I agree... and in regards to all our relationships.   I'm trying hard not to be influenced by 'fear'... so I can follow my heart... reaching out to friends and anyone I 'feel' needs me to; without hesitation or fear.

Fear is the only thing that has ever held me back from coming from a place of Love.  I pray that there are special people in my life that know and understand that now.

"Negativity comes from Fear.  Love stops negativity in it's tracks."~Me

Just Listen...

Just don't think or judge

Listen

Rachel Naomi Remen: “The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.... A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words.”

Lessons from the Universe

"God does not play dice with the Universe." ~Albert Einstein 

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If you understand the extraordinary gifts every single challenge in your life makes possible, even inevitable, you'd celebrate your challenges, new and old alike, as the omens or signs that they are of new beginnings, spectacular change, and enhanced insight that gives us strength and knowledge.   Both help us grow into the person we are meant to be; bringing us the lives we deserve with immeasurable love and happiness.

Healing Energy...from my heart to yours.

"Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love.  Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy." ~Sathya Sai Baba 

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"The power of love to change bodies is legendary, built into folklore, common sense, and everyday experience.  Love moves the flesh, it pushes matter around... Throughout history, "tender loving care" has uniformly been recognized as valuable element in healing." ~Larry Dossey

To Give Love...

"The most important thing in Life is to learn how to give out Love, and to let it come in." ~Morrie Schwartz

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"From Love"by Leo Buscaglia

"In discussing love, it would be well to consider the
following premises:

One cannot give what he does not possess.
To give love you must possess love.

One cannot teach what he does not understand.
To teach love you must comprehend love.

One cannot know what he does not study..
To study love you must live in love.

One cannot appreciate what he does not recognize.
To recognize love you must be receptive to love.

One cannot have doubt about that which he wishes to
trust. To trust love you must be convinced of love.

One cannot admit what he does not yield to.
To yield to love you must be vulnerable to love.

One cannot live what he does not dedicate himself to.
To dedicate yourself to love you must be forever 
growing in love."

"Love wasn't put in your heart to lock away.  Love was put in your heart to give it away." ~Me