Destiny

Do you believe in destiny? In fate? Why? Why not? Do you believe that your destiny has led you to where you are, right at this moment? I believe I have lived and continue to live the life I was destined to live. There have been many times that if you would've asked me to pick another life, I might have taken you up on that offer. But then, I wouldn't be me. I did not realize that everything that was a part of my past would teach me how to get to here. Yes, it would've been nice if someone would have told me, "I know this stinks right now, but later on, it will be one of your greatest assets." I did not used to believe in destiny or fate. In fact, I would guess that I did not believe too much in anything. I don't think I was "sold" on being in this life. I was just here. Hanging out. No big thing. But then, things started happening that I could not explain and people came into my life that I did not expect. I will never forget the words that I said to a friend what started it all -- "Maybe we are ready to receive it now." That must have been someone's cue to get me to see, think, and feel like never before and it hasn't stopped since. Your destiny has been predetermined for you and you may not know where it will lead you yet, but it will come. You will not be ready for it and it will not be what you would expect it to look like, but I know one thing for sure. Once you accept it, it will totally transform you. It will become everything you believe and will define what people believe about you because you believe in it. This is what I was meant to do. To share inspirational thoughts that come and go from my head (at all hours of the day) with you. To write elsewhere and to someday, maybe write a book. To speak to others about what changes they can make about their lives. To reach out to women in the G.I.F.T. and encourage them to take one step. To open up my heart and give it to others to hold on to and treasure as much as I treasure theirs. When I think about everything I have just typed, I cannot help but almost feel overwhelmed and comforted at the same time. Overwhelmed because the task seems so big and there is so much I do not know. Yet comforted in knowing that somehow it will take care of itself. This is my destiny.

Stop...look...listen...

I was completing my morning ritual today and I was reminded of something that we do, we teach our children to do, and came up with the title for this post. This comes when we are teaching our kids how to safely cross the street to avoid being hit by a car. But, then I started thinking how that can be applied to life. We are so busy running errands, transporting kids to and from everywhere, making dinner, working, cleaning the house, etc, that we don't do any of these things very well, if at all. But what happens when we take the time to Stop...Look...Listen. We get a chance to regroup and be calm. We get to see those things we have forgotten about and maybe needed a new perspective on. We hear those tiny whispers that are prodding at us, hoping we are paying attention. Do you take that time? Why not? Those things that want our focus, will come into focus at some time or another. Sometimes, those times come when it is not convenient or hits us so hard, we feel like we are spinning around on a merry-go-round. We cannot live being on auto-pilot. Not forever, anyway. Really evaluate what you want, what you can change, who can help you, and be patient. Baby steps still gets us in a different place than where we started. Going for it takes a bit more courage as those are giant leaps. Either way, you will be somewhere different and that will teach you something. Stop...just for a moment every day. Breathe. Slowly concentrate on what is telling you something that you cannot explain. Look...at things in a different perspective. Really see them. View life and the people that share their lives with you as a blessing. Listen...to your heart. You will not be able to decipher it. It will be something you MUST trust. Once you have done all three consistently, then you will be in a place where you cannot return to your old life. You have seen more...you will want more...you will become enthusiatic about possibility...you will be who you were meant to be. It will be as simple as turning on a light swith that can never be reversed. NEVER. On occassion, people, places, and events will do that to you as well. You cannot go back. Allow yourself the time to be YOU. Stop...look...listen...

So simple...

Wow....I am not even so sure my hands can type as fast as my mind is going right now. If you could see me, I would be holding my hands up high above my head (like what you do on a rollercoaster) right now. Rocky and I do that all the time, regardless of where we are. So, if you see women talking and their hands are held high, chances are, it is us. A chance run in with great long-time friends today (JB & SB - love you guys!) literally has me reeling. Here is the funny part - just last night JB and SB were thinking of getting in touch with me about finding out more information about an organization at our boys' school. Then, we start talking about the blog and the group that I am starting in September for women. And before I know it, I am "doing my thing" (that is what Rocky calls it). And at some point, with something that I said, I look over at JB - and he has tears. Maybe he doesn't know if I notice, but, JB, I did. Oh my gosh....long story short is that I am not even hardly out of the parking lot and I have to call Rocky. HAVE to call. And I start to just ramble at about 400 miles an hour and then she tells me to slow down and start at the beginning. That is so hard to do!!! Anyway, I get her caught up. People have told me that I have impacted them, but sometimes I don't always believe it. Not because I dismiss what I do or say, but this time it is so big that it brought someone to tears. And it was a guy, too!! Oh, my gosh again! I really do not remember what specifically what I was saying that made him feel that kind of emotion and bring it to the surface. Rocky has told me many times that something I said or did resonates with people, even if I don't know it. Even if I never know it. But watching a simple tear drop make its trail down his beautiful face made it so simple. It became proof that my words triggered a connection that I will always remember. And one that he will always remember. Thanks, JB. Simple words I say are not always so simple when they cause a ripple to grow within you. When they stir up sparks that become ignited to be a fire that will not be extinguished. I cannot extinguish this flame. You never know when something you said will make a difference in someone else's life. But, it can be so simple if we take the time to invest in each other. Don't over think it...it is so simple.

The confirmation continues...

Oh My Golly!!! (OMG!!!) Where to begin?? Today was a spectacular day. An even though little things from a variety of people happened and made their presence known, I treasured each one. Of course, it started with my morning ritual with Rock. Once she called these "meetings" and they seem to become more of those recently as we discuss what happened in the previous 24 hours and what will occur in the next 24 hours. It just makes me smile. Then, I received a facebook message from someone and all she said was, "love ya, girlfriend". Now, that may not seem significant to you, but considering I have known her for a short time and we have become friends since March is a great thing. We just connected, even though in the past our paths only crossed because of work situations. Now they are about to collide, but in a very big, exciting way. Next, a young man called me to tell me that he had completed the program he was working on and promised me that he would stay in touch. I see the promise he has for his future. At lunch, I had a WONDERFUL time with SM...she believes in me and my passion and we have become good friends as we let walls down and each other in. Love it! A young man came to my office - just to visit. Not because he needed to but he chose to. I asked him if he ever thought he would be here and he said, "No." I asked him what I said that made him come back - he said, "you told me that the choice is mine." One of my favorite quotes is, "You will never change your life until you change your choices." He knows that he has potential and can see it. Finally, I gave out fun dip to co-workers...after all, it is FUN DIP WEDNESDAY. Now, you are probably scratching your head, really thinking I am crazy. The purpose of Fun Dip Wednesday is to remind us to have fun...do something unexpected...smile when you think you shouldn't. All of this tells me I am on the right track. I told someone today that I could not find my back to who I was even if I wanted to. I don't, but couldn't. I would feel more lost trying to live the life I used to live than living a life I have never lived. How ironic is that? The unknown seems more exciting to me than what I have already experienced. Not sure that this has homework for you from here...but every post is done with a reason in mind. Today's might be to just share with you that I am getting confirmation that what I am doing is right. That it has people talking. That we are not alone in our thoughts. That my willingness to bare all (ok, not all - LOL) and connect with you allows you the freedom to do the same. BELIEVE!!

When you just "know"

Have you ever been in a situation when you are surrounded by feelings of doubt and you question everything you have been taught and all that you believe to be true? We all have those moments. Have any of you seen "The Matrix"? Its premise is that the world as the the people in the movie know it, is a lie. They merely exist in a computer program and that nothing is real. Neo, the main character played by Keannu Reeves, has come to the attention of the resistance of the Matrix, and is told he is the "One". But Neo doesn't believe them; in fact, for the majority of the movie he keeps telling people his name is Mr. Anderson, not Neo. Neo means "new". The resistence still shows him things as agents keep trying to kill Neo because if he lives, the Matrix could be destroyed. But my absolute favorite part of the movie is near the end (who's isn't) when Neo accepts his name and starts to believe in his destiny. He starts to defend himself against the agents, almost effortlessly without trying very hard at all. Are you there yet? Have you been confronted with something that you are not sure how to take it so it questions all that you are at that point? I have been a thinker my whole life (and still am to an extent), but I have come to a point in my life when I just "know" what I need to do next. I know, beyond doubt, that my life needs to change and if by chance I happen to change others' lives along the way, then that is how it is meant to be. I know what I have to do and have been told that when I am "doing my thing" that it is neat to watch. I don't even realize I am doing it. I do it without thinking, without any real effort, without hesitation. I do it because I am meant to do it and am following my destiny. "There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path." Are you in the "know" and if you are, have you started walking your path?