"Living Life" by Bonnie L. Mohr

I was doing some shopping today and came across a picture with a saying that I just had to buy. It seemed like the words were speaking directly to me, although I was not the only one in the store, nor was I alone in that aisle. I think I even looked around to see if anyone else saw it on the shelf. There were several rows of these frames and I had to take it home. It is already hung in a place where it welcomes our friends and family and it will catch their eye and they will read it. I hope you find these words as powerful as I did and encourage you to live your life.

Life is not a race - but indeed a journey. Be Honest. Work hard. Be choosy. Say "thank you", "I love you", and "great job" to someone each day. Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental - search for your purpose and do it as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you aspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them. Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself - plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy the moment."


Wow. So many words that seem so relevant to me alone, yet I am sure that that cannot be true. Hopefully, this resonates with some of you as well, regardless of what is going on in your life. As I have mentioned before, I believe that there are reasons for everything, and therefore everything has a reason. Even if we don't see the reason. There is a great plan in motion and I have learned that the more I think I am controlling it, the less I really participate in it. I was detached from living for such a long time and had let my lack of "feeling" be a way to keep me safe. There is a difference between unfeeling and uncaring - I care about a lot of things, but I really never let my heart speak for me. I always let "the logical choice" rule and never saw anything wrong with that option. Until I took more chances, even when I was fearful beyond belief, and really started living. I am extremly grateful for this new opportunity and will not toss it aside, as I have done for so long. My Life Statement is a reminder of everything I have longed for and been afraid to seek. I am living my life - as I only get one chance to live it. Live yours!

Take care of me first

I received an email yesterday from a co-worker that literally took my breath away. Now, those that know me know that I love to talk so for me to be almost speechless, it must have really set me reeling. Here it is - "Before you can be anything to anyone, you must first be everything to yourself." - Taylor Thornton. I realized that I cannot serve others unless I serve myself first. I had temporarily lost track of why I am here, writing several times a week, and what dream I am dreaming. I have to continue doing my thing and other things that are not in sync will come at their own time. I have to trust that and have faith. I have to let those things be and they will change on their own. I have no control over any of it. I know this is going to sound funny, but I am really looking forward to next week - the overnight temperatures might be in the mid 20's so I can get out and run. The elliptical is still not doing it for me like running does. I am especially looking forward to March when the temperatures will be a little more realiable. I was recently asked to participate in a half-marathon with a friend from work in October. I am so excited! I have learned over the last month that I am capable of doing more than I think I can, because I believe I can. Attitude is key when adversity shows its ugliness, when we question and doubt, when we feel lost. At those times, we might feel like a dead battery in a car - we cannot do anything, regardless of how many people try. But it is when we get a "jump start" that we roar back to life and we are back to normal. All of our lights work, and we can go places, and we function like we are supposed to again. I am sure we all feel like a dead battery at times. Every week when I say goodbye to my mom, she tells me to "take care of yourself" - I just tell her that I have to because no one else will do it and I am no good to others if I don't. Remember to take care of yourself.

Want to be there for a friend

How do you help someone who won't let you? Who won't take your calls? Who needs you? How do reach out to someone that isn't willing to reach back, even though it is difficult? How do you tell someone that you care so much? I am in such a predicament now. Most of the time, I am pretty good at hiding my emotions, but have spent my entire life doing that, so I am not doing it anymore. Even my husband doesn't usually see my vulnerable side. Last night, he asked me what was wrong and why I wasn't "myself." As I rolled over in bed, I simply said, "I miss my friend." Today, he inquired more and I told that she has closed herself off from the everyone and I haven't spoken to her in some time. In truth, I was up at 4am not being able to sleep. So what do I do at 4am? I write. I write in a journal I keep next to my bed, using a pen with a little light at the end so I don't wake my husband. Here is the irony - she gave me that pen (knowing that I sometimes have to write in the middle of the night - she has seen it first hand) and I am using it to write about her. She told me that I was stuck with her for a very long time, even when I did not believe that about anyone, but especially her. She needs to know that she is stuck with me for a very long time and her shutting me out will not ever change that. I believe that she will open herself back up to the world. I know she needs me, but perhaps she doesn't know how to start over. I wish she knew that she does not have to do this alone - that people love her and care about her and will be there for her. Two people can do more than one person can - "Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break." - Ecclesiastes 4:9. I will not give up on her just as she did not give up on me. I don't know why she didn't, even when I am sure that it was more difficult than she thought it should be and at times, maybe didn't even understand me. I want to give her a big hug and tell her that we are in this together. I am not going anywhere, and hope she reaches soon. This temporary world she has allowed herself to be placed in does no one any good. It would be like knowing you are going to run in a marathon, but doing nothing to prepare for it. Eventually, reality will show itself again. Regardless of when, please know that I am here, whenever you are ready.