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

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

Making Mistakes... and learning from them.

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"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one." ~Elbert Hubbard, The Note Book, 1927

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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." ~John Powell

Several years ago I realized that I seemed to keep making the same mistakes in my life over and over.  So I decided to first understand why I made the choices I did, then admitting my mistakes in order to heal and grow.

Then I started getting advice from people I admired, trust and looked to; because I didn't want to make more mistakes; especially in my personal relationships.

Most of the advice and insight was very good for me because it focused on the truth about both myself and the people around me.  Helping me to become strong enough to reject negative influences and to set higher standards for the people I now allow in my life.

The downside to having insight is that knowledge changes things... both positive and negatively.  What I mean is that somethings we shouldn't know because it changes our actions, reactions and the direction we take in our lives.  Knowledge effects our choices both good and bad.

I've recently learned that even with insight, understanding and knowledge; that I still make mistakes.  We all do.  However it's how we accept our mistakes; learn from them and become a better person from being honest with ourselves... that matters most in our journey through life.   

"A man should never be ashamed to own when he has been in the wrong, which is but saying ... that he is wiser today than he was yesterday." ~Alexander Pope, in Swift, Miscellanies

What we Overcome... Helps Us Grow

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"The word 'crisis' is from the Greek, meaning 'a moment to decide.' The recurrent moments of crisis and decision when understood, are growth junctures, points of initiation which mark a release from one state of being and a growth into the next." ~Jill Purce

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"Even the most daring and accomplished people have undergone tremendous difficulty.  In fact, the more successful they became, the more they attributed their success to the lessons learned during their most difficult times.  Adversity is our teacher.  When we view adversity as a guide towards greater inner growth, we will then learn to accept the wisdom our soul came into this life to learn."~Barbara Rose 

Half Full & Aloha Friday question

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“Happiness comes from the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to take risk and allow yourself to love." ~Me

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?

“Some pursue happiness - others create it."

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 the beautiful flowers from the 'senior' students!  They graduate tonight & I wish them much happiness & success!  I'm sure going to miss this class!

• For listening to my intuition last week and avoiding a bad situation. 

• For all the new friendships I've made in the last 2 years!   Each one has helped me grow in some way. 

"Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that but simply growth, We are happy when we are growing." ~William Butler Yeats

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.

"The cornerstone of happiness is accepting yourself as a worthy human being." - Maxwell Maltz

My question:  What 'growth' has brought you the most happiness?

My answer:  Love, Understanding and Acceptance of self... which lead to the same for others.

“Growth itself contains the germ of happiness.”- Pearl S. Buck 

View from my window today.  Love it! :-)

Have a Beautiful weekend, everyone!!
Hugs and Blessings to you All,

~ Coreen XO

How I'm living my Life...

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"Risk more than others think is safe...

Care more than others think is wise.

Dream more than others think is practical...

Expect more than others think is possible."
~Cadet Maxim

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 I read this quote and thought 'this is exactly how I'm living my life'!  You can tell by the repeated words 'others think' that the author must have gotten some negative feedback or advice in her life.  I can relate to that.

I've gotten lots of negative opinions as advice in my life, as with everyone.  Over the years, I've gotten stronger, wiser and learned to do what I feel is right, no matter what others think or say.  I admit it's hard sometimes; even draining when it's people you have in your daily life.  However, as long as I'm doing what feels right; which means I'm not feeling any anxiety or guilt; then I usual prove the naysayers wrong.  Not that I get admissions very often, but I know (big smile) and that's all that matters.  

Years ago I would cringe at negative comments.  Often doubting my decision and even changing my mind at times from the pressure I felt.  I obviously didn't trust or believe in myself back then.  Maybe I tried too hard to fit in or gain approval.  I suppose it depended on the circumstances.  At any rate, that is one of the areas I've grown the most in.

This 'process', as with most, took time and self awareness.   I am very thankful for the experiences that have gotten me to where I am today.  I now take risk without remorse, care without regret, dream without limits and expect the happiness I deserve.  This is why I feel that I'm truly 'Living my Life'!

"I'm doing the best that I can, doing it in a way that I feel is right. I'm living my life!" ~ME
"There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, love & pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living."~Lisa Yance

Love takes time...

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"Love Takes Time:  Love is our strength to bring us to the place where we are eternally complete.  Love takes time to listen with an attentive ear. Love is always present when others disappear.  Love takes time." ~by James Hayes



Love takes time. It needs a history of giving and receiving, laughing and crying...

Love never promises instant gratification, only ultimate fulfillment.

Love means believing in someone, in something. It supposes a willingness to struggle, to work, to suffer, and to rejoice.

Satisfaction and ultimate fulfillment are by-products of dedicated love. They belong only to those who can reach beyond themselves; to whom giving is more important than receiving.

Love is doing everything you can to help others build whatever dreams they have.

Love involves much careful and active listening. It is doing whatever needs to be done, and saying whatever will promote the other's happiness, security, and well-being. Sometimes, love hurts.

Love is on a constant journey to what others need. It must be attentive, caring, and open, both to what others say and to what others cannot say...

Love says no with empathy and great compassion.

Love is firm, but when needed it must be tender.

When others have tried and failed, love is the hand in yours in your moments of discouragement and disappointment.

Love is reliable.

Love is a choice and commitment to others' true and lasting happiness.  It is dedicated to growth and fulfillment. Love is not selfish.

Love sometimes fails for lack of wisdom or abundance of weakness, but it forgives, knowing the intentions are good.

Love does not attach conditions....Genuine love is always a free gift.

Love realizes and accepts that there will be disagreements and disturbing emotions...There may be times when miles lay between, but love is a commitment. It believes and endures things.

Love encourages freedom of self. Love shares positives and negatives reactions to warm and cold feelings.

Love, intimate love, will never reject others. It is the first to encourage and the last to condemn.

Love is a commitment to growth, happiness, and fulfillment of one another. by Barb Upham

Forever Connected ... By: Silke Wettergren

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Forever Connected © Silke Wettergren

Every moment we spent together
Has touched our lives, our souls forever
The things that we shared and learned
Is permanent growth that we've earned.

The person that I have grown into today
Did not get there by chance, no way
I am who I am partly because of you
And you are YOU because of me, too.

The changes I see
and what I have learned about me
are a response to how we affected our lives
and what we discover in each others eyes.

It is uncertain if we have to part or one day live together
Either way, we have touched our lives forever!
No matter what the future will show
No matter what we are told.

We are connected on such a deep levels
That no one can remove that, not even the devil.
Our feelings might be different a year from now
But you are part of me forever somehow.

A part of me will always be you
and a part of you will always be me.
no matter what happens, that much is certain
our souls are one until life closes the curtain.

I will love your forever
For worse or for better.

You are tattooed in my heart
And nothing can tear our souls apart.

I will never forget you
For my love is honest and true.

© Silke Wettergren ~ Poem Source: Forever Connected, True Love Poems

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go.  Some people move our souls to dance.  They awaken us to new understandings with the passing whisper of their wisdom.  Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.  They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints in our heart, and we are never ever the same." ~ Chicken Soup for the Soul

Spring Fever

Spring Fever is always a great excuse for cleaning out the clutter in our lives too. Whatever that clutter maybe.  For me it's different every year.  Sometimes it's in my house and sometimes it's things in my life.  This year it's both.

I have been so busy getting my house ready to sell and planning my life after the move.  I am exhausted and very excited all at the same time.  I must have Spring Fever! 

I feel like a child ready for school to be out for the summer.  Looking forward to summer adventures and lots of changes and growth that occur outwardly during that time. 

As an adult I can feel and see the possitive changes and growth inside of me during the spring each year.  This is my favorite season because I can be outside again after a long winter.  Enjoying the sunshine and all the outdoor activities I love so much.  I certainly think being outside in the sunshine and getting exercise helps all of us in some way to feel better.   

Even if all our ideas, plans and activities make us crazy busy and exhausted at the end of the day.  We still love having Spring Fever every year!  Right?  Well, I do!  How about everyone else? :-)
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