A New Year to Dream...

Sometimes what you are wishing and hoping for is just not what you are meant for.

Accepting this may be one of the more difficult things I'll have to do in my life.

But moving forward to find my true purpose is the first step in the journey.

So, here is to a new year.

A new dream.

And continued happiness, no matter what comes my way.

Positively Freezing

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the "Frankenstorm" and the following nor'easter which I have dubbed "The Bride of Frankenstorm" many have lost their lives, their homes and everything they owned.  My heart breaks when I see the photos of the areas hit the hardest.

My town did not suffer a lot of damage to homes, but we had and have many trees down, telephone poles down and even wires down still.  I lost my power at about 7pm on Monday October 29, 2012 and I, along with may in my town, our surrounding areas and the state are still waiting for it to come back on.

My husband and I started by passing the time leasurely.  It wasn't so bad.  You make time for things you normally don't think to do when you are distracted with work and television, etc.  We played board games, we had some fun nights drinking by the fire outside.  We even stayed up into the wee hours of the morning reading out loud to each other.  So needless to say, despite the hassle of being without the many conveniences of electricity, we found ways to spend some quality time with each other, our friends and our families.

Last night, November 7, 2012, NJ got hit with a Nor'easter.  It was also my nephews 12th birthday.  We spent some time in the warmth of my sister's house, had dinner and cake and just hung out.  When we went home it was cold and it was dark. We turned our normal pots of water on to boil and warm up our home.  Lit a bunch of candles for light and a little more warmth.  Settled in and watched a movie (via generator) before going to bed.  Even once in bed it wasn't so bad, under 5 blankets and tucked between my dog and my husband.

This morning however marked day eleven.  It's not the uneeded conveniences I miss. It's being warm in my house.  Getting out of bed and being able to see your own breath puts a damper on getting ready for work.  It got me down this morning and it was the first time this whole situation brought me to tears and made me want to throw in the towel on trying to remain positive and functional.

Now, even saying this makes me feel guilty and selfish because I know there are many hit by Sandy that are way worse off than I am. But it doesn't change the state I was in this morning.  Doesn't change that I am still just as frustrated by the fact that not only myself and my family are suffering but that so many others are suffering too.

I know that the power companies and public workers are working extra hard, away from their own families and possible damaged homes.  I know that we have received thousands of extra helping hands from all over the country to help get us all back up and running.  And I know that it is going to take time due to the massive amount of damage suffered all over the state.

But I am only human and I made it 10 days before letting it get the best of me.

Today I am looking for the ray of light to hold onto.  Clutching the small silver linings that are available to me and appreciating all those offers of help and places to stay.  We are loved by many people and we love them immensly in return.

According to some neighbors PSE&G claims to be aiming to have us back up and running by tomorrow November 9, 2012.  I am hoping and praying that is the case.  And I am hoping and praying that everyone out there has some comfort in friends and family no matter what they've lost. 

Keep positive and spread light... we could all use some!

Bumpy Roads

Life’s road is full of bumps, road blocks, detours and accidents… but if you are too busy looking out for the next pot hole you will miss all the beauty beside you, in front of you, behind you and within you.

There are always going to be difficult times and we suffer through them knowing that it is only temporary.  

Life changes frequently.  It’s your willingness to keep moving forward and your ability to adapt that will ease these times of strife so that you can reach for better days.

We can’t throw in the towel every time life hands us a challenge.  We have to fight to find a our own detour through each challenge.  Accept that you cannot win them all and enjoy every minute of the struggle as much as you will enjoy each moment between them.

If we waste too much time wallowing in the disappointment of the trying times, we miss out on all the good that goes on around us.

So I say we should all accept life’s challenges head on but live our lives in spite of these bumps in our road! 

Just a thought...

For once, let's not compare you and I. Let's not argue wrong or right. 

 

Let's just accept that what works for me may not work for you.

 

But that it is entirely OK in both cases. No judgments. No apologies. 

 

No need to convince each other to think differently. 

 

Let's just be and live peacefully.

Be...Ok.

I just want to get to a place where I am OK with whatever I am given.  

That I don't yearn for things that have not come my way.

I want to know that I am good enough with or without that which I want.  That I am given what is needed and that should be good enough.

I want to know that I am whole, just the way I am.  

I am OK with me and what I have been blessed with and that it is enough.

Happiness comes in many shapes and sizes.  What I desire may not be where my purpose lies. 

I am meant for something else and I want to be able to look at myself and know that, that is quite alright.

I just want to be OK... today and everyday.

Pay it forward!

I know that the way we each choose to live our lives daily is a choice we make each morning for ourselves and the people in our daily lives.

I know that my choice to live a more positive and loving life style is not for everyone, but maybe it should be!  Maybe we should all try to be more welcoming and positive.

If more people smiled at stragers, said good morning to their cashier or asked someone in need if they could help them.... maybe, just maybe, the world we live in could become a world over flowing with Love and Compassion.

The world as it is today is brimming with fear and hate.  There are so many things put out there for the shock and awe of the story.  We are taught to fear strangers, for no other reason than that some people are hurtful. Some people.... NOT all people.

I feel like our world is punishing the many because of the actions of the few.  People hate people because of their skin color or who they choose to love, etc.  People fear what they cannot understand and that fear manifests itself as hate.

I think we need to pump more love and acceptance into the world we live in everyday.  Your local neighborhoods, schools, churches, shops, etc.  If we start there and all make a great effort to be less afraid of the man we pass on the street every morning and make an effort to say hello, maybe even ask how they are... that could lead to a world of safety, comfort and compassion.

We've got to dimish these flames of fear and hate and spread the aceptance and love that EVERYONE in this world deserves.  If we can't take responsibility for our part in making the world a better, safer place... then who will?

It's not every man for himself... It is UNITED WE STAND!

Our task as humans is to spread humanity.  Our goal should be to know and love others no matter what.  With the power of the internet it is not hard to spread these messages and reach many people.  If we are willing to start the ball rolling than hopefully others will be compelled to keep it rolling.  We can make a difference in this world, together!

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE PERSON AT A TIME... IF WE ALL TRY.

Our Mission Everyday: 

Do something nice for someone in the hopes that they will follow your lead and do the same for someone else; so on and so forth... 

PAY IT FORWARD!

My Pearls of Wisdom...

I have used twitter and facebook a lot lately to share some great quotes by other people that inspire me on a daily basis.  Since I have been on the path of positivity it has made me see things so much clearer. 

I have been inspired a lot lately to share some of my own positive messages with the world.  I want to share these positive vibes in the hopes that they will lead someone else to this path and improve their daily living the way it has for me.

So here are my top ten most recent Pearls of Wisdom... I hope they inspire you!

1. Never cover up your imperfections, because those cracks allow your inner light to shine through.

2. Take joy in what you have and be ever grateful. For someone, somewhere is yearning for that which you take for granted.

3. Life is about finding your slice of happiness and enjoying every bite of it.

4. We are only as good as our word. Our word is only as good as our intentions. Live with good intention.
 

5. If you can change your bitterness to graciousness, your jealousy to inspiration and your envy to motivation; you can change your life.

6. Our happiness is a direct result of the choices we make every day... Choose wisely!

7. If you find yourself unhappy with something; take action or stop complaining. It's as simple as that.

8. Never hold back. Always hold on.

9. Nothing in this life is permanent. You've got to love the ones you've got, with all you have; at all times.

10. If you want to be listened to, you have to listen too.