Words

Words have the power to both destroy and heal.

When words are both true and kind,

They can change our world.

--Buddha

Everything

I was raised Presbyterian. The unique thing about this denomination is we believe in predestination; we all have a destiny that is determined in advance - perhaps you know it as fate. Your free will enters when you are presented with the different options involved with that destiny. I also believe in karma - "what goes around comes around" - sometimes better known as "you reap what you sow."

Going along with these two beliefs is everything happens for a reason. You may not always understand the reasoning, but if you are patient long enough it will be revealed to you. It has been my experience that the happening is usually for the best.

Dues

Sooner or later we learn there are no free rides in life. When we are young, we cannot wait to grow up! It is a yearning we all experience. We are told to enjoy those young years because they will end all too soon. If we are fortunate, adulthood will inevitably arrive and we soon understand the saying, "I earned every grey hair I have."

There are no elevators to success; we all have to take the stairs - one step at a time.

Can't

One of my mom's favorite expressions was, "A person who says can't is a coward too lazy to try." For years this made absolutely no sense to me. Take a moment to give this expression a little thought, though, and it makes all the sense in the world.

We can do anything we want to do if we only believe we can and try. The very moment you tell yourself you "can't" do something then you have told yourself there is no reason to even try. You may tell yourself you can and later find out you cannot or you need help, but at least you tried!

I have been amazed over the years at the things I have discovered I can do simply because I told myself I can and tried. At times it did not work out exactly the way I planned; at times I needed assistance. At no time have I been a "coward too lazy to try."

"Whether you think you can or think you can't - you are right."

~Henry Ford

Be Yourself

The only way to know who you are and what gives meaning to your life is to BE YOURSELF.

You are the one person in life you must please.

You are the only person in life that can create your happiness.

You cannot be the person others desire.

I once heard the following on Colin Cowherd's ESPN radio show "The Herd" while interviewing Tiger Woods:

"Those who mind don't matter.

Those who matter don't mind."

Aspire

To do good things in your life, you must first know who you are and what gives meaning to your life.

"Your aspirations are your possibilities."

~ Samuel Johnson

Simple As That

A Facebook friend posted this picture to his profile this evening. He followed it with this quote:

"I am good to those who are good. I am good to those who are not good. Because that is goodness."

--Lao Tzu

‎I do not necessarily agree with Eminem's music, but I do agree with this sentiment.

"Me" Time -- Part 2

Several months ago I wrote on "Me" time. I wondered how others integrate "Me" time into their daily or weekly schedules. Ideally I suppose daily "Me" time is perfect, but with our busy lives and families I feel daily is difficult. It is difficult to have time to yourself within your home - others invariably will want you for something!

Here are a few ways I have managed to schedule my "Me" time:

On Fridays I go to Starbucks at the end of my workday and just sit for at least 30 minutes with a cup of coffee; I leave my phone in the car. Sometimes I read, other times I simply close my eyes and listen to the music.

Manicures

Pedicures

Bubble Baths

At least once a week a friend and I get together for breakfast. We talk about anything and everything, complain about anyone and everyone!

As mothers and wives we are so busy caring for others. We always tend to put ourselves last. As mothers and wives we have to realize that we cannot continue to care for others in our family if we do not care for ourselves. It is not selfish to occasionally put ourselves first - it is healthy!

I am discovering how valuable "Me" time is in ones life. It is amazing how refreshed, rejuvenated, and calm you feel after just a short amount of "Me" time. I also am discovering how cheated you can feel when you do not get that "Me" time.

Please try to schedule some "Me" time for yourself. Start out small; plan small little things that are strictly for you and stick to those plans!

Begin taking care of yourself today!

What Will People Remember About You?

People will forget what you said.

People will forget what you did.

People will never forget how you made them feel.

I saw this on a friend's Facebook profile today. The truthfulness behind this really impacted me in a way I had never given thought. What will people remember about you?

Reflection

This week I have been reflecting on some changes I want to make in my life for 2012. I have mentioned before that I simply do not bother making New Year's resolutions. They are a waste of time. By February practically every one has gone by the wayside. Instead I try to just make small adjustments to my life - additions, deletions, tweaking.

Several months ago I mentioned "Me Time." My cousin attended a conference this year, and "Me Time" was one of the areas covered. They discussed how an individual needs daily "Me Time" for good mental health. I agree! The hard part is finding the time for "Me Time" in an otherwise busy life!

Recently I ran across an article addressing the best habits for a healthy mind. Essentially I feel it's addressing "Me Time." It addresses ......

Focus Time

Play Time

Connecting Time

Physical Time

Time In

Down Time

Sleep Time

Take a moment to read the article. Then take a few moments this week and reflect on how you can integrate "Me Time" into your daily/weekly schedule.