My Thoughts

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we're frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We'll certainly be happy when they're out of that stage.

We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.

The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

So work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching.

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with...and remember that time waits for no one.

So, stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you're off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you're born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.

To let go does not mean to stop caring,
it means I can't do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off,
it's the realization I can't control another.
To let go is not to enable,
but allow learning from natural consequences.
To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means
the outcome is not in my hands.
To let go is not to try to change or blame another,
it's to make the most of myself.
To let go is not to care for,
but to care about.
To let go is not to fix,
but to be supportive.
To let go is not to judge,
but to allow another to be a human being.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,
but to allow others to affect their destinies.
To let go is not to be protective,
it's to permit another to face reality.
To let go is not to deny,
but to accept.
To let go is not to nag, scold or argue,
but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires,
but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.
To let go is not to criticize or regulate anybody,
but to try to become what I dream I can be.
To let go is not to regret the past,
but to grow and live for the future.

To let go is to fear less and love more

Sometimes people come into your life
and you know right away that they were meant to be there,
to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson,
or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be. Possibly your roommate or neighbour,
professor or long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger.
but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment
they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you
that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first,
but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles
you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason.
Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck.
Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness,
and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.

Without these small tests, whatever they may be,
life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere.
It would be safe and comfortable,
but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life,
and the success and downfalls you experience,
help to create who you
are and who you become.

Even the bad experiences can be learned from.
In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.
If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart forgive them,
for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to when you open your heart.

If someone loves you,
love them back unconditionally,
Not only because they love you, but because in a way,
they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make every day count.
Appreciate every moment and take from those moments
everything that you possibly can
for you may never be able to experience it again.

Talk to people that you have never talked to before,
and actually listen.
Walk the footsteps of a stranger
and you'll learn things you never know.

Let yourself fall in love, break free,
and set your sights high.
Hold your head up because
you have every right to.

Tell yourself you are a great individual
and believe in yourself,
for if you don't believe in yourself,
it will be hard for others to believe in you.

You can make of your life anything you wish.

Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

"The past is a guidepost, not a hitching post."

Author Unknown

This was sent to me at a time in my life when I needed it most. It gave me the courage I needed to move on, to look at what had happened in my life and make some kind of sense of it. I found it today when I was doing some housekeeping on my old laptop and felt it was time I shared it. If you are reading this now, maybe it's because you need to be reading it too. After all

'Things happen for a reason'

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

Author Unknown

The good you find in others, is in you too.
The faults you find in others, are your faults as well.
After all, to recognize something you must know it.
The possibilities you see in others, are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.
The world around you is a reflection,
a mirror showing you the person you are.
To change your world, you must change yourself.
To blame and complain will only make matters worse.
Whatever you care about, is your responsibility.
What you see in others, shows you yourself.
See the best in others, and you will be your best.
Give to others, and you give to yourself.
Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful.
Admire creativity, and you will be creative.
Love, and you will be loved.
Seek to understand, and you will be understood.
Listen, and your voice will be heard.
Teach, and you will learn.
Show your best face to the mirror, and
you'll be happy with the face looking back at you.

- Author Unknown

> > TIPS FROM USA POLICE
> > This is a good reminder for all of us. You can never Read this too> > many times!
> >
> > 1.Tip from police: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If
> > you are close enough to use it, do!
> >
> > 2.If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO
> > HIM. Toss it away from you.... chances are that he is more interested
> > in your Wallet and/or purse than you and he will go for the wallet or
> > purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
>> >
> > 3.If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car: Kick out the back
> > tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like
> > crazy. The driver won't see you but everybody else will. This has
> > saved lives.
> >
> > 4.Women have a tendency to get into their car after shopping,
>eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their check book, or making a
> > list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is
>the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a
>gun to your head, and tell you where to go.
> >
> > AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.
> >
> > 5.A Few Notes About Getting Into Your Car In a Parking Lot, or
> > Parking
> >
> > Garage:
> >
> > A.Be aware: look around you; look into your car, at the passenger
> > side floor, and in the back seat. (And check out under the car as you
> > approach.)
> >
> >
> > B.If you're parked next to a big van you should enter your car from
> > the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by
> > pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get
> > into their cars.
> >
> >
> > C.Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle and
>the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your
> > car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a
> > guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE
> > THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
> >
> > 6.ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are
>horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot).
> >
> > 7.If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control,
>ALWAYS RUN!
> > The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times;
>And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ, RUN!
> >
> >
> > 8.As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP IT! It may
> > get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a
> > good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies
> > of unsuspecting women?
> >
> > He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into
>his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next
> > victim.
> >
> > Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her
>porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late
> > and she thought it was weird. The police told her "Whatever you do,
> >
> > DO NOT open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the
> > baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would
> > crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, "We
>already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He
> > told her that they think a serial killer has a baby cry recorder and
> > uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone
> > dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had
> > several calls by women saying that they
> > heard baby cries outside their doors ! when they're home alone at
> > night. Please pass this on! and DO NOT open the door for a crying
> > baby.
> >
> >
>> > This e-mail should probably be taken seriously because the Crying
> > Baby theory was entioned on: America's Most Wanted this past Saturday
> > when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana.
> >
> > Please forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A
> > candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle.
> >
> >
> > I was going to forward this to the ladies only, but guys, if you
>love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it on
> > to them, as well.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER...
by Erma Bombeck

I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was
stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried
much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the
fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about
his
youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer
day
because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it
melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about
grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and
more
while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the
earth
would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the
day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical,
wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished
every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was
the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later.
Now
go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love yous".. more "I'm sorrys"... but
mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look
at it and really see it... live it...and never give it back.

* In memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.
Note: Erma Bombeck needed an organ transplant, and even though she could have been moved to the head of the waiting list, due to her prominence and wealth, she refused to do such, and subsequently, died from organ failure.
Isaiah 53:5 ' But he was wounded for our trangressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.' MAY THE PEACE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST PRESEVE AND KEEP THEE TILL HE COMES TO TAKE US HOME.

I was a troubled teen and tried to commit suicide a few times. Now I am a grown adult who has a calling to help teens like
I was. Please let me know if this is the place for me to do this.

=====

Yes, I believe this is a site that you can help. I have read a variety of things people are requesting help for. Maybe there are other people you can help. I have come across people I want to help but not quite sure how to help them. I found this site by accident, but I feel if I help at least one, that would mean alot. I am a cancer patient with T cell lymphoma thinking I was in remission after a Bone Marrow Transplant 6 mo. ago to find I have to have another one in the next month or so. I have found a site for support and hopefully I can help others facing the same situation. Good Luck.
Sharon

"Anyone who owns a dog knows of the unconditional love and loyal devotion they give us. The love that can touch a soul and the eyes that can melt a heart; they have the power to speak a great language. For a house is not truly a home without a dog."
Dedicated to the obvious light of our lives ~ Sheba
Cheers
hugs
Chrissy

Goodness, first time on this site. read some of the ads, and my heart goes out to so, so many of you. I need assistance with my home and work, but after reading some of the ads......I'll pray and help you in any other way but money.as this I don't have, but can pray for you....