Half Full and Aloha Friday Question of the Week

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"The pursuit of happiness requires a lot of courage. We strive for happiness in various ways: through professional and personal achievement, through love and friendship, and also through charitable effort. But to find happiness, we must first be at peace with ourselves. We must be more forgiving of our follies and appreciative of our abilities."

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?

"Yes, stress messes with your life. It messes with mine. However, that’s when you have to fight back. Fight back with everything you got. Get mad, then get even by finding a little bit a joy in the midst of your stress."

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 oldest Son arriving SAFELY in his new home, to start his new life.  I already miss him and that sweet Ms. Pickles. 'sigh'  The goodbyes were so much harder than I ever imagined... so 'tears were rolling' and 2 days later I'm still looking for that dog when I come home after work and get up in the morning. :-/

• For those trying to save the deal on my house!  Long story...  but I could end up with 2 homes or homeless, if the deals or timing don't work out just right.  So please keep praying for us! :-)

• For keeping my Faith and Hope during a heart wrenching and stressful week.  Chicago winters and Houston summers are looking better all the time.  Well... maybe. ;-)

"It’s possible to forget how alive we really are. We can become dry and tired, just existing, instead of really living. We need to remind ourselves of the juice of life, and make that a habit. Find those places inside that jump for joy, and do things." ~ Anonymous

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.

"Worry doesn’t help tomorrow’s troubles, but it does ruin today’s happiness."~ Anonymous

My question:  Do you worry about something only to realize later that it wasn't worth worrying about?

My answer:   I was worried, even down, about my son leaving and my house situation, Until  I turned on the news and was reminded about Joplin MO and the flooding in my own area. 

"When life’s problems seem overwhelming, look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself lucky." ~ Ann Landers 

I hope you all have a wonderful and SAFE weekend!!

Hugs and Much Love to you All,

~ Coreen XO

What STRESS has done to your Memory and Brain...

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http://www.topnews.in/

I'm sharing some articles below in the hope of helping others to understand the real damage that stress and traumatic events can do to our memory and brain. I came across these articles while trying to understand my own memory loss and difficulty seeing and recognizing people at times, especially in the distance. It really bothers me!

I've been told that I'm rude or spacey... because I don't wave or immediately acknowledge people I should know. Such as when I'm at a public event, mall, etc. It's because I don't recognize them right away; not that I'm ignoring anyone.

In fact, I seldom notice people in other vehicles, until I'm actually passing them and it's too late to wave back. Or I get a strong 'feeling' and look in the rear view mirror and recognize a vehicle. I know that probably sounds odd to many. However, it's not anything I or others can control. It certainly isn't 'on purpose' because we're rude or self absorbed.

This type of memory loss and slow reflex is the result of damage to our brains. Damage many times caused by enormous stress, traumatic events and even physical or verbal abuse. I have experienced all of these and still have many of the scars, although mine can only be seen on x-rays and MRI's.

Now I don't want any of my friends to be sad or upset. I would not be the person I am today without going through all that I have in the past. I also wouldn't be able to help those that I have and hopefully continue to help; if it weren't for the trials, tribulations and traumas I went through and survived. Although I would not wish any of these situations on anyone else.

I just want more people to be aware of the damage that stress and traumatic events can do to a persons brain, memory and well being. I also would like more understanding as to why some people, like me, don't have the memory, recognition and/or reflex that others do.

I am healing and doing better every year, month and day that goes by. Meditation, Prayer and self-help relaxation Cd's have helped me personally.  Today I am safe, most of the time 'stress-free' and very happy 99% of the time! I think that's all any of us can ask, hope and pray for!

Please share the list below, in order to spread awareness and help others!  Thank you!
Hugs & Much Love,
Coreen

The Human Brain and Stress
Chronic Stress Causes Brain Damage
Stress Causes Brain Damage
Brain Damage from Stress: The Invisible Epidemic: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Memory and the Brain
Can Memory Loss Be a Symptom of PTSD
Stress and Neural Wreckage: Part of the Brain Plasticity Puzzle
New studies of human brains show stress may shrink neurons