Life changing true stories told to encourage, empower and inspire us!

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"Fill your mind with light, happiness, hope, feelings of security and strength, and soon your life will reflect these qualities." ~Unknown

Email me anytime: coreen.velvetoversteel@gmail.com

"The Greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance!" ~Brian Tracy

All post and stories are the sole property of Velvet Over Steel aka Coreen Trost. I write and create post in order to help others, so share as you want. I just ask that you link back or give VOS credit. Some of the stories are going into a book in progress. Thank You ALL.. for your support and help!!
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." ~ John Quincy Adams

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Messages from the Universe


January 29, 2012
This is the 'message' I received in a fortune cookie this weekend; "You will discover the truth in time."  Some of you may notice the connection to some recent post of mine.  ;-)

I have written and shared several post in the past few months... about truth, honesty, and finding answers.  Most of these post were written after several eye opening experiences, resulting in revelations about both people and situations I thought I knew and understood. Realizing I didn't because people aren't always honest with themselves, making it impossible to be honest with me or anyone else for that matter.

Discovering "the truth" for both myself and several friends recently, has lead to even greater empathy and compassion.  So getting this as my 'fortune' certainly caught my attention.   

As I re-read this I catch the words 'in time'... now that could mean so many things couldn't it?!  Will I discover the 'truth' this week, next week, next month or next year?!  Curiosity has me intrigued yet again... to where I suddenly have more questions and a need for more answers.  

We all receive signs and messages throughout our days and life.  Most people just don't stop to see them or don't believe.

Do you believe in 'signs' from above?  Do you see things like this as a 'message' or 'answer' from the Universe?  

I certainly do, but must always remember that even with messages, signs, answers and even the truth... everything still happens in God's timing.  

Friday, January 27, 2012

Half Full & Aloha Friday Question!


“The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions.” ~Alfred Lord Tennyson
Half Full Friday is a series of weekly posts that Eye Girl originally started in June 2009.  Now the it is hosted by Sprinkles at Wyldechylde.  We believe that a lot of our happiness is determined by our attitude about the things that happen to us. So by participating, we are deciding to see the glass as half full, instead of half empty. We are choosing to concentrate on the positives, instead of dwelling on the negatives. Our Half Full Friday posts are a way to do just that. They are a list of the things in our life that have brought us happiness over the past week. We are determined to find the something good in every day. Are you?
“Being passionate about something is the key to success. But using that passion to help others is the key to happiness.”  ~Unknown   
For the next week, we challenge you to keep a list of at least one thing that brought you happiness each day. This week I'm especially Happy and Thankful for:
  • Another a FAST & Productive week!  
  • Learning and Growing in my job! 
  • New and exciting experiences! 
  • a Positive work environment! 
  • great training and trainers!
  • interesting conversations.... ;-)
  • having Passion for what I do!
"Great passions, can elevate the soul to great happiness." ~Me

It's also "ALOHA FRIDAY" Everyone!!  If you want to join in the fun? Post your own question on your blog and leave your link at the Aloha Friday post at An Island Life. Then you can visit the other participants if you wish...It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends or see what people are thinking about this week and join in a conversation or two if you like.
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle." ~Steve Jobs
 My question:  Do you have a passion for what you do?
My answer: I have passion for my new job; my writing; the 2 books I'm working on; and for the future I can see in my dreams!
“When you are passionate, you always have your destination in sight and you are not distracted by obstacles. Because you love what you are pursuing, things like rejection and setbacks will not hinder you in your pursuit. You believe that nothing can stop you!~Mike Krzyzewski
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Blessings and Hugs,
~ Coreen XO
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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Sometimes you just know...


"Trust yourself.  You know more than you think you do." ~Benjamin Spock
misteryoso.com
Sometimes you just know...
... someone is watching you.

Sometimes you just know...
... someone isn't being honest.

Sometimes you just know...
... when you deserve the truth.

Sometimes you just know... 
... when to shine a light on it.

Sometimes you just know...
... when to disconnect.

Sometimes you just know... 
... enlightenment is the key.

Sometimes you just know...
... that God has protected you again.

Sometimes you just know...
... you're life is on the right path.

Sometimes you just know.... 
... that you've taking your power back!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Living the Truth


"Living the Truth in your Heart without compromise brings kindness to the world and true happiness to yourself and those you love.  Attempts at kindness that compromise your heart cause only sadness." ~author unknown
pastorerickson.com
Truth
To the extent that you entertain lies and deceit, you are held prisoner in a world cut off from reality. The truth you hide from yourself, prevents you from growth and fulfillment. The truth you hide from others, keeps you distantly apart.

The truth shines a bright light on life, so you can clearly see the way to go. Success, achievement, happiness, joy, fellowship, and fulfillment, thrive in the warm and nurturing light of the truth.

Honesty is the most direct path to wherever you want to go. Truth and honesty are often difficult, yet never more difficult, in the end, than deceit. To think otherwise, is to deceive even yourself. Hiding in the shadows of falsehood, makes it impossible to move forward.

That the truth is moral and ethical, is no secret. Yet truth is also practical, efficient, and effective in every worthy pursuit, something well known by those who enjoy lasting success.

Live in the bright, empowering light. Embrace the truth. It always serves you best.

— Ralph Marston (www.greatday.com)

“Unless your Heart, your soul, and your whole being are behind every decision you make, the words from your mouth will be empty, and each action will be meaningless.  Truth and Honesty with yourself are the roots of happiness.” ~Author Unknown
More Post 
Living a Lie
Betrayal has many forms

Friday, January 20, 2012

Half Full & Aloha Friday Question!


"A vision of a desired future allows you to engage and identify immediately in your focus with an improved condition. It changes what you perceive and how you perform - NOW. It’s not about achieving something in time. It’s rather about the quality of choices you are making in this moment – what you choose to perceive, feel, and do.  It’s about getting the most out of your experience."~David Allen
Half Full Friday is a series of weekly posts that Eye Girl originally started in June 2009.  Now the it is hosted by Sprinkles at Wyldechylde.  We believe that a lot of our happiness is determined by our attitude about the things that happen to us. So by participating, we are deciding to see the glass as half full, instead of half empty. We are choosing to concentrate on the positives, instead of dwelling on the negatives. Our Half Full Friday posts are a way to do just that. They are a list of the things in our life that have brought us happiness over the past week. We are determined to find the something good in every day. Are you?
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.” ~William James
For the next week, we challenge you to keep a list of at least one thing that brought you happiness each day. 
I'm Happy and Thankful for many things every day... especially this week:
  • For a great 1st full week at my new job!  
  • For embracing changes with enthusiasm! 
  • For getting my homework done! :-) 
  • For positive attitudes and smiles from co-workers! 
  • For another new experience today!
  • For helping with an event on Friday!
  • For exhaustion... it means I worked hard!
  • For my son's additional help around our home! 
  • For getting off early on Fridays because I have plans!!! 
“Optimism is an intellectual choice.” ~Diana Schneider
It's also "ALOHA FRIDAY" Everyone!!  If you want to join in the fun? Post your own question on your blog and leave your link at the Aloha Friday post at An Island Life. Then you can visit the other participants if you wish...It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends or see what people are thinking about this week and join in a conversation or two if you like.
"Courage is the display of a decision to let go of the familiar as you explore the unknown." ~David L. Hanson
 My question:  Are you living you're dreams, or staying in a familiar comfort zone?

My answer: I believe I am; although I admit that many times I stall out or stop moving forward.  Those are the times when I stay far too long in a 'comfort zone' keeping familiar jobs and safe surroundings; until something happens in my life that I don't expect... pushing and moving me forward to my dreams.  
“To the degree we’re not living our dreams, our comfort zone has more control of us than we have over ourselves.” ~Peter McWilliams
Have a wonderful, safe and warm weekend!!
Many Blessings,
~ Coreen XO
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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Random Tuesday Thoughts... Just so you know ;-)


"Random thoughts are received with no context for it, no pre-conceived notions or bias." ~unknown
http://diyphotography.net

Just so you know... I love my new job
... I should have taken the leap sooner.

Just so you know... I was nervous at first
... a big change is usually a little scary.

Just so you know... I like what I do
... even though I have much to learn.

Just so you know... 'Change'
... is so necessary for 'Growth'.

Just so you know... I can achieve
... anything I set my mind to.

Just so you know... I reached out
... with no response or answer.

Just so you know... reaching out
... felt like the right thing to do.

“You can’t always stay in your corner waiting for others to come to you.  Sometimes you have to reach out to them first.”  ~unknown

Just so you know... there are times
... when all you can do is pray though.

Just so you know... I believe my blog
... gives some people strength and hope.

Just so you know... I often write
... about subjects that just come to me.

Just so you know... my Intuition & Heart
... are what I listen to and follow most.

Just so you know... keep reading my blog
... I just may be writing to MORE of you. ;-)

HAPPY TUESDAY!!! :-)

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Do you need something?

"When you need something, all the universe conspires in helping you... just ask." ~Unknown
pixdaus.com

To the person who visits my blog a lot:  Can you please let me know if you need anything?

I feel you are looking for strength and hope when you read my post.  However, you've visited so often and for such a long time without reaching out; that I believe you're in a bad place or situation.  Please know that I won't judge and that you can trust me if you contact me.

I would really appreciate hearing from you in some way.  Maybe I can help you find some direction or just be a friend who listens.  I'm praying for you, who ever you are.
"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself.  And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams." ~Paulo Coulho

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Half Full Friday.... after a Very Busy Week!


"The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind." ~Wayne Dryer
Half Full Friday is a series of weekly posts that Eye Girl originally started in June 2009.  Now the it is hosted by Sprinkles at Wyldechylde.  We believe that a lot of our happiness is determined by our attitude about the things that happen to us. So by participating, we are deciding to see the glass as half full, instead of half empty. We are choosing to concentrate on the positives, instead of dwelling on the negatives. Our Half Full Friday posts are a way to do just that. They are a list of the things in our life that have brought us happiness over the past week. We are determined to find the something good in every day. Are you?
"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." ~Victor Frankl 
For the next week, we challenge you to keep a list of at least one thing that brought you happiness each day. 
I'm Happy and Thankful for many things every day... especially this week:
  • For my new job!  
  • For awesome co-workers! 
  • For great training! 
  • For positive changes! 
  • For new experiences!
  • For learning new skills!
  • For feeling productive!
  • For those who helped calm my nerves this week! 
  • For getting off early on Fridays because I'm exhausted! 
"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies." ~Author Unknown
It's also "ALOHA FRIDAY" Everyone!!  If you want to join in the fun? Post your own question on your blog and leave your link at the Aloha Friday post at An Island Life. Then you can visit the other participants if you wish...It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends or see what people are thinking about this week and join in a conversation or two if you like.
"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it -- change the way you think about it." ~Mary Engelbreit 
 My question:  Do you believe negative people can change?

My answer: I absolutely do!   If one takes responsibility for the own thoughts, actions, including bad behavior; and then above all.. WANT to Change!  Sadly... few negative people do any of those things and never change.  
"People can change until they take their last breath." ~Alton R. Jorgenson
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!
Many Blessings,
~ Coreen XO
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Sunday, January 8, 2012

Letting go of our Safety Nets


“Not Listening = Safety Net = Staying Stuck 
Listening = Owning Up to Your Own Stuff 
= Letting Go = Happiness”
dreamstime
"When you're young, your whole life is about the pursuit of fun.  Then, you grow up and learn to be cautious.  You could break a bone or a heart.  You look before you leap and sometimes you don't leap at all because there's not always someone there to catch you.  And in life, there's no 'safety net'.  When did life stop being fun and start being scary?" ~unknown
I spent a great deal of my life, playing it safe.  Living each day being cautious, planing ahead my every step if I could.  I thought that if I didn't, I'd end up on a tight rope 200 feet above the dark hole of the unknown, with no one and nothing the catch me if I fell.  It's a scary place to be when you're all you have to take care of yourself and your children.  

I now see why I stayed in situations, relationships and jobs, FAR longer than I should have.  When I was married, at least I knew I could be there for my children and provide for them financially.  The same was true with some jobs over the years. 

Even though I didn't always feel safe or wasn't personally happy at periods in my life, I at least knew what to expect most days.  I was afraid to change those situations, because I had no idea what to expect in regards to actions and reactions by others... if I were to leave or move on.  

So I stayed in my 'safety net' of familiar surrounds that even if unpleasant, were at least 'predictable'.  When I've been in both toxic relationships or stressful jobs, walking on egg shells became a part of my daily routine, in order to keep the peace or minimize the drama around me.  A survival skill learned and lived for too many of us.

There comes a time in most of our lives where something is no longer working or being us happiness.  Yet so many of us stay where we do, in 'safety nets', because it's a routine we are used to.  Hanging onto 'safety nets' keeps us stuck in those situations and keep us from making needed changes. 

Listening to our hearts and being honest with ourselves, allows us to let go of the things in our lives that are no longer working or best for us.  Listening allows us to see things the way they truly are, which allows us to own up to our own 'stuff', which includes the roles we play in the situations we're in.  Admitting truths to ourselves and accepting responsibility for our own actions and non-actions, will move us forward... in a positive, healthy direction and a fulfilled, happy life! 

As the old saying goes "Change is only as painful as the resistance", which means it's all about the 'fear' around the 'change' more than the change itself.  So instead of pre-thinking all the changes, it's best to live in the moment.  Going through each day seeing what it's like, flowing with it and having faith.  Staying in the moment is not usually fearful.  It's only the fear that makes it difficult.


Now a days I'm much more spontaneous, even 'going with the flow' in my daily life viewing each day as an adventure.  I actually enjoy the changes, seeing the life lessons and focusing on positive outcomes. When we let go of our 'safety nets' and allow a change to happen, there’s always a lesson for our souls growth.  Trust in that!

“A little shake up on Earth is not going to disturb you. Stay in who you are. The mind, the thinking mind is often confused. When you don’t understand or can’t figure it out, let go. By letting go you will create the only safety net you'll ever need... the one inside of you. The thinking mind creates scenarios (good/bad, right/wrong, high/low).  So be true to your heart because the only real safety net is in your heart.” ~unknown 

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