When random isn't random

I don't believe that things happen just because or that there is no connection between events, people, etc. However, yesterday it came to me about something else - I found a connection (although it may seem silly) between two sayings that I have said over and over in this blog but did not realize what they had in common. My belief is that we can only control two things in our lives - ATTITUDE and EFFORT. I have encouraged you to believe the same, because really the rest is out of our control, so we need to let that part go. Another saying that Rocky and I have is - ANYTHING and EVERYTHING - and this is what we believe about us. Regardless of what it is, we are there for each other. Then, it hit me. I can't even really explain why or how since I wasn't thinking about either saying or trying to come up with something cute to say. Yet, there they were. One phrase that I encourage and belief about life has the same two initials as what we encourage and belief about what we mean to each other. How many other things happen every day...EVERY DAY...that do not seem connected in anyway? Pay attention to what goes on around you. See people for what they say and wear and make notice of it. One day at work, it seemed like everyone wore purple - no, there was no interoffice memo. But isn't that interesting? I saw more people wearing purple that day, that one day, than I think I ever noticed before. Things happen for a reason. People say things for a reason. There is someone else that has a plan for us and we have to be willing to be open to it.

Your "BEST" self

This has come up in recent conversations in the morning when Rocky and I are out and it got me thinking. Why are we afraid to show the world our "best" self? Why is putting up walls and protecting more of our focus? Shouldn't we be willing to live our lives first and foremost, for us? Yet, we don't. We still believe other people's opinions before we believe our own. Why is it that we can totally be our "best" selves around some people and not others? The answer is very simple and one we probably would not like to admit - we are afraid and have been hurt before. Then, I started thinking about forgiveness and if these same people have hurt us, why don't we forgive them? Why is it easier to forgive some people and not others, even though the pain might have been just as grueling? I believe that I serve you and those around me and I am being my "best" self when I truly am just me. My heart sings (because I can't), my step is lighter (ok - maybe borderline skipping), and I am joyful. Truly joyful. I appreciate all that has been given to me and look forward to each new day as a gift. There are some people that I can just be my "best" me around and I don't think about it or label it. It just happens. I have visited more recently with women about where we are in our lives and why we think the way we do. We are so entrapped into our own web of shrugging off our dreams that we become complacent. We feel like we cannot stray too far and any slight movement in a totally opposite direction will be worse than if we had just stayed still. But that is no way to live. I existed that way for a very long time and although it is difficult to explain to my husband, I have to follow what my heart tells me to do. I have to always be my "best" self and be willing to take a lump here or there and fall because I will be better for it in the long run. Make this your goal today - be your "best" self in everything you do and everyone you see. It is not that hard because you know all the answers already and you have to trust them. Your attitude carries you through everything. Then, when the day is done, take a few minutes and look back and remember how you felt and how other people reacted to you. Why would you choose anything but that? I know you will smile when you give someone a compliment or a couple dollars to a complete stranger or you let someone use your phone because they are lost. You are your "best" self - but don't I deserve that? I deserve all that you are and will love it because it is what makes you you. BEST = Believe Everyone Stands True.

When Things Fall Apart

We have all felt that way, at one time in our lives. When even with the best intentions, things go wrong and we are unsure of how to fix them. Sometimes, there are words that cannot be unspoken or deeds cannot be undone. Other times, time is not on your side and you will never be able to make amends. Situations happen that are out of your control or you have let them get so much out of control that now going back is out of the question. What happens next? What do you say when you are in front of that person again? How do you make it better? What happens if you doing the best you can to rectify this issue only makes it worse? What if you do nothing? We keep trying!! We do everything we know until our hands are raw with the emotion they carry and our hearts are done bleeding because there is nothing more. We do what we think is right even if it turns out wrong. Things fall apart all the time in life - it is inevitable. How we deal with those times determines what goes on from there. We pick up the pieces and move on. It may not be the way it was before, but it just might be the little wake up call you needed to get a grasp on what matters most. Usually, when we are down, we have others right beside us waiting for that moment when we can help you stand back up again. We will help carry the load and be there when you need our help. Don't be afraid to ask for it. Nothing ever stays the same, anyway. Things falling apart and being put back together are bound to happen. Welcome to life.