We are all tarnished

We all have been broken at one time or another. We all have scars, some deeper than others, that may never ever go away. We all have some bit of tarnish on us that may be caked on so thick that we think it will never be washed clean. Guess what? When those times come, it is up to us to determine what happens next. We can choose to feel sorry for us (no one likes coming to the Pity Party)and live in regrets and the past or us that information and grow. How do you want to live your life? It just simply amazes me when people become so focused on the past that they forget to live today. The other group of people that amaze me are those that are so preoccupied on the future that living for today doesn't ever cross their minds. TODAY. We all have things we wish we could take back or change. Guess what? We only know that we want to change those things because they turned out bad (or at least not the way we wanted them to). Knowing that we are all in the same boat, with different oars and different skills can make this travel of ours much more easier. Doing what is right doesn't have to be difficult. It just has to be right. Accepting each other for what has brought us to this point encourages us to truly love one another without exception. Words we say, actions we take, and thoughts we think all impact those around us, including us. Your perspective changes when your attitude changes. We all have good days amd bad days. Know we are there at one time or another...we all shine, even through the stains. That is when we shine the brightest...in spite of the tarnish that comes through.

IGNITE the LIGHT

IGNITE the LIGHT!!! I met up with a colleague last night at a community function and we visited a little about work. He was catching me on the on in a young man we mutually work with and pointed out some changes he had decided to do. Now, this young man always seemed very "unmotivated" but in talking with him more, I think it was more that he did not know how to do some things, and became frustrated when people expected him to do things on his own. He felt silly asking for help, but also needed that same help. (I have been there, done that. Sometimes, I still do it.) This colleague thanked me for perhaps having a hand in getting this young man's perspective to change. Neither of us can say if anything that I said had anything to do with his change of attitude, but my colleague seemed to think so. So, this morning, I was trying to really think about the time I had spent with this kid and look back at what I might have said. Then, I started to remember...I told him that his life and the choices that he makes in it, whether they are easy or hard, have to mean more to him than they do to anyone else. I also reminded him that he is now 19 that he needs to think about his future and find out what he wants to do with with it. But it is up to him, not me or anyone else. But maybe we all (not just me) ignited the light in this kid. My hope is that it continues to brighten each day he thinks about how much his life could be. He will have to work for it - it will not just show up on his porch one day. But I believe in him and the potential yet to be unleashed - he has to believe that it exists. His future can be anything he wants it to be...the LIGHT has been IGNITED...let it glow!