December 31, 2011

BE DETERMINED TO MAKE 2012 THE MOST POSITIVE YEAR OF YOUR LIFE!!!

LOOKING BACK AT 2011 AND HOW MY GOAL CAME TO PASS!!!

Wow!!! I did it!!! I set a goal a year ago to make 2011 the most positive year of my life, so I started this blog! My goal was to post an inspirational saying each day for an entire year, and I am here today posting my 365th inspirational saying! This blog has changed my life in a positive way! This blog forces me to recognize all my blessings in life! So, I am challenging YOU to do the same thing in 2012! Be determined to make 2012 the most positive year of your life!!!

Let's look back at how this all started! On November 10, 2009, my husband was diagnosed with stage three stomach and esophageal cancer. He began chemotherapy treatments that year on Christmas Eve. He had major surgery which removed his entire stomach and half his esophagus on April 8, 2010. He started extensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments on July 5, 2010 which lasted for seven weeks. We travel 75 miles one way every three months for check-ups to make sure the cancer has not returned. During the entire time, my family (the 3 of us) dealt with all this on our own. Not many people came to visit, and if they did visit it was once every three or four months. So, you can see that it would have been very easy to get down and depressed and feel sorry for ourselves during this trying time, and I did. This is why I had to do something to keep focused on the positive in my life!

You are probably sitting there thinking, "Yeah, right! Like everything you went through in 2011 was positive!" Well, you are right! My family faced many struggles. My husband and I stressed about paying the medical bills that are racked up into the thousands of dollars, and this stress caused many arguments. I stressed about finding a good job, so that I could contribute to our debts. We nearly lost our home due to all the debt that has accumulated in the last few years since my husband became ill. We sat back and watched our family and friends turn a blind eye to our problems. I nearly died in a severe car accident in August. However, we had a lot of positive, fun, and memorable times in the past year.

Let's look at some of those positive experiences. My family was blessed with meeting Patrick Kinkade, the brother of the renowned artist, Thomas Kinkade! We got to spend the evening with him at an art gallery while laughing at the stories he told us about growing up with his famous brother. We were blessed with meeting several cast members from the hit t.v. show, The Dukes of Hazzard! The people we met included Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke) and James Best ( Rosco P. Coltrane). We laughed nearly every day regardless of the stresses me may have been facing. We grew closer as a family even though our family is small and only consists of the three of us. And the best positive experience of 2011 was that my husband remained cancer-free for the entire year!!!

As 2011 is coming to a close, I am actually looking forward to how 2012 is going to transform me into an even better being!!! I look at all the things I have learned this past year, and I have grown in leaps and bounds. I have learned so many valuable lessons....too many to list because it would end up with me writing a book. One thing I have learned is Let Go!!! There are things beyond our control, and there is no way we can fix certain issues in our life. We just need to Let Go and Let God deal with these situations. I have also learned that we cannot force people to like us. We may wish everyone on this precious planet will like us, but that is not reasonable, and if that is what we expect, we will be setting ourselves up for disappointments. I have learned it is essential to love a little more, laugh every day, and never take our loved ones or our time with them for granted!!! Life is a precious gift! Leave the past where it needs to be which is in the past, live for today, because we are only promised NOW!!! Focus on the people who love you and less on those who don't. Walk away from drama, because it can only exist if you allow it in your life. 

My prayer for you is that you experience a wonderful, positive year like I have done in 2011!!! God Bless everyone who took their time to read my words! May 2012 be the year that changes your life for the better!!! God Bless You!!!

December 30, 2011

AS WE JOURNEY INTO A NEW YEAR, LOOK AT ALL THE BLESSINGS THAT 2011 BROUGHT YOU!!!

As we look back over the last year, we need to focus on the blessings in which we were granted. I know my own family was blessed with many miracles this year. For instance, my husband remained cancer-free throughout 2011!!! Another miracle my family witnessed was God spared my life in the horrible car accident back in August. Another blessing my family was granted was being able to refinance our mortgage, so we were able to keep our home and not lose it due to all our medical bills. Even though our finances were extremely tight this year, and they caused my husband and I tremendous stress, we were able to pay our bills each  month without falling behind. As I look back over 2011, and I remember why I started this blog in the first place....to keep me focused on having a positive year.....I realize that even though my family faced several struggles, and we got into a few arguments throughout the year, for most part, this year turned out to be a very positive year!

As you look back over the year at your own life, recognize all the blessings you were given this year! I set a goal last year to post an inspirational message each day for 365 days, and I am almost there! This blog helped me to transform my life, and it helps me to look at my blessings opposed to the negative sides of life. 2011 was truly a blessed year!!! 

December 29, 2011

JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE TREAT YOU RUDELY DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU HAVE TO TREAT THEM THE SAME WAY!!!

In the past several years, I have dealt with a lot of rudeness from many different people. Now the way I reacted probably wasn't the best way for me to react to their rude behavior and words. Looking back at my situations, I realize now that I could have handled the situations in better manners. Instead of treating them badly like they were treating me, I could have acted the complete opposite, and I could have embraced them with kindness. 

I know that probably sounds really ridiculous especially if someone is screaming in your face and attacking your character. However, wouldn't it throw them completely off guard if you came back with a remark such as, "I am really sorry you feel that way, and I totally understand your frustration. You have every right to feel the way you do, and I hope we can remedy this situation." I think they wouldn't know what to say. Instead of adding fuel to the fire the next time someone verbally attacks you, ask them how the situation can be fixed.

In the New Year, I am going to do my best at holding my temper if and when someone attacks me or belittles me. I have to keep telling myself that I am a good person, and just because someone may see me as something different doesn't make their view of me my reality. Sometimes people don't want to see us as who we really are. Sometimes people get stuck and view us of who we used to be 10 or 20 years ago.

Just remember....if people are treating you rudely, you do not have to treat them the same way!!! Sometimes people verbally attack us because they are looking for a fight, and they know they will get their way because of how we may have reacted in the past. Don't give them their way! Be the better person!!! Smile and show a little kindness!!!

December 28, 2011

STOP!!!

YOU CANNOT FORCE PEOPLE TO LIKE YOU!!!

Do you struggle with certain relationships? Do you find yourself going out of your way in order to get certain people to like you? I have been going around this mountain for 21 years with certain people in my husband's family. My husband and I have gotten into arguments over his family's lack of interest in me and their unwillingness to allow me to be part of the family. He has told me over and over again that I cannot force people to like me, and I believe after 21 years his words are starting to sink in. Regardless of how good of a person we might be, there are going to be people in this world who do not want to have anything to do with us, so STOP trying to force these people to like you!!!

Some people can only see us by the mistakes we have made in the past. Some people may view us through our religious status or nationality. Some people will not like us because of the choices we make in life. Some people may simply not like us because they feel threatened by us in some way. It doesn't matter the reason why these people walk away from us, but we need to have the strength to let them walk.

The other evening my husband asked me why it bothered me so badly that his sister and niece have me blocked on Facebook, and I could not give him an answer. I simply did not know why it bothers me so badly. I started to ask myself questions, for instance, did I once have a close relationship with these people? The answer was no. Then I asked myself, Why do these people's opinions of me matter? And I suddenly realized that their opinions of me should not matter. I have been allowing a few people's opinions of me wreck havoc on my marriage and my life. I need to stop trying to force these people to like me, because their feelings for me will never change. The best thing I can do is let the situation alone and move on with my life. 

December 27, 2011

MAKE A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE IN A POSITIVE WAY!!!

With the New Year a few days away, people will start thinking about making some resolutions. Last year my resolution was to have the most positive year ever which resulted in me starting this blog called 365 Days of Inspirational Sayings and Blessings! Even though I followed through with my resolution there were some aspects of trying to stay positive in which I failed at; however, I kept moving forward. I did not allow those brief moments of negativity to stop me from meeting my goal. This New Year why don't you make a resolution that will change your life in a positive way!

You may be sitting there and you may be thinking what on Earth could you do to change your life in a positive way. Well, my friend, only you can answer that question. Only you know what will better your life. I cannot tell you what to do, because what might be right for me might be all wrong for you. One of my New Year's Resolutions will be to stop allowing people's opinions of me, insults, and hurtful comments to get the better of me. This is one area in which I struggled with this past year. Several people came against me with hurtful comments and insults, and I allowed those insults to eat at me, and they still do till this day. What I need to do in the New Year is to not focus on those negative remarks and focus instead on the positive remarks people have made to me over the years. I have to make up my mind that one hateful insult should not obliterate a lifetime of compliments that others have given to me. 

This New Year make a decision to make a resolution that will change your life in a positive way!!! It may be very challenging at first, but if you take it one day at a time you will change your life for the better! Happy New Year!  

December 26, 2011

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LET YOU DOWN!!!
GET OVER IT AND MOVE ON!!!

I have been dealing with a situation that upsets me very badly for a few years now. Several of my husband's family members have me blocked here on Facebook. What upsets me is that every time my husband speaks to these family members who have me blocked, he NEVER asks them WHY! Even if Facebook is brought into the conversation, he will not ask them why they feel the need to block me out of this aspect of their lives. I have learned that people are going to let us down even people who are close to us, so all we can do is get over it and move on!

Even though I am angry right now, because my husband had the opportunity to ask his sister tonight why she feels the need to have me blocked, but he chose not to bring it up even though his sister was talking about Facebook, I am not going to allow this issue to bring me down. I just need to ignore it and possibly even ignore them! I am not sure how other people would feel if they were in my shoes, but I don't think it is too much to ask for my husband just to ask a simple question. However, as I learned tonight, it will never happen. It's time to move on and accept the fact that people will let us down!

December 25, 2011

CHERISH ALL YOUR MEMORIES AND BLESSINGS THIS CHRISTMAS DAY!!!

Christmas is such a joyous day! Sometimes we receive pleasant surprises that we were never expecting. For instance, maybe we will receive a gift that we really wanted or maybe a surprise visitor will stop by to just say hi or maybe we give a special gift to someone we love and the expression of happiness on their faces when they open it brings joy into our hearts. All these joyous blessings happened to me today. I received a gift that I really wanted, I surprised my husband with a few gifts he wasn't expecting, and we received a surprise visit from my brother and sister-in-law! This Christmas Day was packed with memories and blessings I will cherish for a lifetime!

Cherish all your memories and blessings this Christmas Day!!!

December 24, 2011

SHUT OFF YOUR COMPUTERS AND HAVE A 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Today is Christmas Eve, and I have been busy all day long getting ready for tomorrow. I have been cleaning the house, catching up on last minute laundry, baking pies, wrapping gifts, etc. I finally sat down at 8:30 p.m. to write my blog, and I wasn't sure what to write about. So I thought that it would be nice to write about shutting off our computers tomorrow and simply enjoying our day with whomever we may be celebrating with. 

Tomorrow I will be celebrating with my son, husband, mother, and cousin. I probably won't have time to turn on my computer tomorrow, because I will be too busy cooking Christmas dinner. Then in the evening I hope to enjoy a nice movie with my family. I may log on late in the evening to update my blog; however, if I miss it for one night, it will be okay, because Christmas only comes once a year. 

Take time to enjoy the holiday the way it's meant to be treasured. Turn off your computer and savor every moment of this joyous occasion. 

December 23, 2011

NOT EVERYONE YOU MEET IS GOING TO LIKE YOU, SO STOP TRYING TO WIN EVERYONE OVER!!!

There are going to be people in our lives who will never like us regardless of how we try to win them over to our side. We may not even know why these people do not like us. Most of the time we have done nothing wrong. It may just be a conflict of personalities. The best thing to do in these situations is to let it alone. Don't try to force people to like you! It will only make matters worse!

There are people in my own life who do not like me. It has truly bothered me throughout the years. In the past, I would send these people emails and letters trying to fix the situation. I was always trying to ask questions as to why these people did not like me. The only thing I was doing was making the situation worse and pushing these people away from me even further. No one likes to be forced into liking someone they do not want to like. I was trying to force these people to accept me and to be my friend. 

My husband has told me over and over that you cannot force people to like you, and I think I finally understand. In these situations I need to "Let go, and Let God!" Meaning I need to release the situation to God, and allow Him to handle it. When we try to fix things on our own, it usually doesn't work. Just learn that not everyone in the world is going to like you, so stop trying to force them to like you! It usually never works out.

December 22, 2011

PAY ATTENTION TO THE DOORS THAT OPEN FOR YOU!!!
FOLLOW THE PATH THEY MAY LEAD!!!

Do you pay attention to all the doors which may open for you? Do you pass by opportunities, because the door which opens may not present the ideal situation that you were looking for? Don't be blind to what the Universe may be bringing your way just because things do not meet your criteria at the time. Watch for open doors and follow the path which may lead you to your dreams.

Today I was given a part-time permanent job. It is not the job that I want, but it provides me with my foot in the door which may lead to a full-time position in the near future.  I had to sacrifice substituting hours and take a pay cut in order to get the position, but I believe this job will lead me to something better very soon. Like another employee told me, sometimes we have to do what we don't want in order to get what we do want. 

Watch for those open doors and let them lead you to your destiny!

December 21, 2011

FIND YOUR JOVIAL SPIRIT!!!

How many times in a day do you laugh? Have you ever heard the saying that a day without laughter is a day wasted? Learn to find humor in your life every single day! Find that jovial spirit that may be hidden deep within you! 

My son and husband make me laugh every day! Tonight my son was coming up with jokes about Santa Claus and the song, "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer." His first joke was "What is Santa's favorite cereal?" The answer is Cookie Crisp. Then he made the following comment about "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer":  "Santa always has the right away! He is the Chuck Norris of Christmas! You shouldn't have been drinking so much egg nog and should have been paying attention!"

Find a reason to laugh every day! Life isn't as serious as what some people make it out to be. Find your jovial spirit and learn to enjoy your life and laugh! Find the humor in your life!!!

December 20, 2011

WAVE AND SPREAD A LITTLE SUNSHINE!!!

Do you usually wave to people you know as you pass them by either while driving or walking around town? I don't know what it is about the people in my hometown, but people I know will pass you by and act like they don't even know you. It doesn't just happen to me, but lots of people I know complain about this matter. So, I have made up my mind that I will make myself known to other people by either waving or saying hello whenever I see people I know in public. I will wave and spread a little sunshine into other's lives. 

The one thing I like about visiting the South is that no matter where you drive people everywhere will wave to you. A few summers ago my family was driving around different neighborhoods in Tennessee, and everywhere we went the people waved to us and greeted us with hellos. Living up North does not bode too well with such friendly encounters, so I am going to start spreading more sunshine by waving to everyone I see while on my journeys. 

How about if we start a friendly waving revolution...LOL! Wave to everyone you see and spread some light around the world!

December 19, 2011

REMEMBER TO BLESS THE PEOPLE WHO HELP YOU THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH A LITTLE EXTRA SOMETHING DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON!!!

Do you have people in your life who help you throughout the year? We have a neighbor who has always helped us with plowing our snow if we get a heavy dumping. The last several years this neighbor has been doing extra duty since he knew that my husband was ill and could not do it on his own. There were several times this past winter when we came home from work or a doctor's appointment to find that our driveway had already been plowed out. This brought my family such a relief, because having to hand shovel a long driveway after working all day long is not a fun task. My family tries to do something special for this neighbor of ours each year during the holidays!

You might be thinking that there would be no way that you could do anything extra for anyone in your life. You do not have to go to a huge expense. You could make some homemade cookies or a pie and share your appreciation that way. I know last year another neighbor raked our leaves, and I made them a pumpkin pie to show my appreciation. You do not need to go buy big expense gifts that you cannot afford. I am sure any kind of token of appreciation will be appreciated. Even if you write a thank you note on a Christmas card and send it to them, it lets them know that you are grateful for what they do for you.

This Christmas and Holiday Season remember those who help you throughout the year!!!

December 18, 2011

LIFE CANNOT BE LEARNED FROM A BOOK!!!
YOU MUST LIVE IN ORDER TO EXPERIENCE LIFE!!!

So many people read self help books looking for the meaning of life. I should know! I was one of those people for many years! I was always reading and searching for the path to happiness. I just knew that one of those books would tell me how to get happy. Then one day things started to click and life started to make sense. The meaning of life could never be found in any book. The meaning of life is to live life, to experience life, to enjoy God's gift of each new, bright day!

If you are reading those books and if you are looking for meaning in your life, I hope and pray that you get some valuable lessons from those books. However, what I have found in life is we learn our valuable lessons by going out into the world and interacting with others. Sure those books provide us with examples of how to find our purpose in life, but a better way is by experiencing the joy that you will find when you go out and live your life!

Do not search for all your answers in books. Books are wonderful, and they are very useful resources to better our lives, because I have used many inspirational books on my journey into a more positive lifestyle. However, get up and go out into the world and experience the beautiful life that is waiting for you!

December 17, 2011

DON'T ALLOW A NIGHTMARE TO RUIN YOUR DAY!!!

THE NIGHTMARE ISN'T REALITY!!!

What is a nightmare? When we normally think of a nightmare, we usually think of Freddie Kruger or Jason from Friday the 13th movies. We usually think of something that would scare us into waking up from our dreams. However, I think of nightmares as anything we may dream about that may bring us uneasiness. Last night I had a nightmare, and when I woke up, I was angry. Now, I have to remember to leave that nightmare where it belongs and that is in the depths of unconsciousness, because that dream/nightmare is not real. It is not my reality!

When we are sleeping our mind wanders all over our thoughts that we were thinking the previous day or even days ago. Usually we have no trouble separating our reality from our dreams, but there may come a time when a dream seems so real that you wonder if this is what is really going on in your life. Well, my friend, it's not what is really going on. It's just your mind working overtime, so don't be freaked out by your nightmares. 

They are not real, so do not allow them to ruin your day or steal precious happiness from any of your days. 

December 16, 2011

EMBRACE THE LOVE THAT OTHERS WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU!!!

As I am sitting here on my couch watching the tv show, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, which happens to be one of my favorite shows, it dawned on me that there are many people in the world who want to show others a great deal of love. This show makes me realize that there are people in the world who still do care about other people than themselves. I have to accept that my family just went through an abnormality when my husband was sick, and so many people turned their backs on us. There were a few people who helped us out; our neighbors and our co-workers really stepped up to the plate and astonished us with so many blessings. What I was missing in the last two years was that there were people who cared, and I needed to embrace those who showed love, caring, and kindness to my family!

Don't get so overwhelmed and upset by thinking about those who were not there for you in your time of need. Instead focus on the people who never wavered! Focus on the people who went above and beyond! Embrace the love that these people want to share with you! 

December 15, 2011

CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE!!!

LOOK AT THE BLESSINGS IN YOUR LIFE!!!

All my life I have been labeled a bastard just because my parents were never married, and I was conceived and born out of wedlock. It always bothered me at how other people looked down on me just because my parents never chose to marry each other. I always felt like I was some kind of devil's spawn or not a real person. I always felt like others were looking at me with disgust in their eyes, and some of them were including some of my half brothers and sisters. However, something made me look at my situation with a new perspective today. Others viewed my parent's decision to have a child out of wedlock as a huge mistake; however, that inner voice told me today that I need to start viewing my parent's decision to have me as a BLESSING! Because they chose to have me, results in me being able to have a wonderful relationship with my husband and son! 

What is it that you need to change your perspective about? Our perspective determines how we view our life and our circumstances. If we can start viewing things as a blessing, then our lives start taking a more positive direction. Tell yourself every day that you are a blessing, and that you are a blessing to others! Change your perspective and you will change your life!

December 14, 2011

BE A LIGHT TO OTHERS!!!

Sometimes the people we care about a great deal get into dark, depressed moods. During these bleak times is when these people need us to be there for them. They need us to pick them up when they have fallen down. They need us to shine a light into their dark fortress. Learn to be a light to others!

In my own personal life, I have many days when I need someone to be that shining light. Most of the time that deed lands on my husband and my son. For many years, I have been battling depression. I sometimes sink into dark abysses, and it takes me a while to climb back out. There are times when I can't get back out on my own, so I need someone to be that shining light illuminating the darkness which may be surrounding me. 

Learn to recognize when the people you care about, your family and friends, need you to be that shining light in their lives. Shine light into their darkness, and one day they will shine their light into your abyss!

December 13, 2011

BE KIND TO CHILDREN!!! 

THEY TOO FACE ADULT SITUATIONS AT VERY YOUNG AGES!!!

When adults are going through trying times in their lives, many people do not realize the toll that such situations may be taking on their children. For instance, when my husband was diagnosed with cancer, our 13 year old son was facing everything and worrying about the same things we were. And even now that we are a year and a half past my husband's surgery date, and he has been cancer free for that time period, I know that this situation still worries my son who is now 15. Children face the same fears and worries that adults do, so please treat children with respect and kindness. 

Two years ago right after my husband's surgery, I was very troubled when my son came home from school one afternoon and proceeded to tell me that the lunch lady had yelled at him and ripped his lunch out of his hands, because he didn't have enough money in his account to pay for his lunch. With everything that was going on in our personal lives, I had forgotten to write a check for my son's lunch account. I was furious that this woman had yelled at my son when his father was lying in a hospital bed 75 miles away from home, and he was fighting for his life after having major surgery which consisted on having his stomach and half of his esophagus removed. I felt like going into that school and giving that lunch woman a piece of my mind! However, I didn't, but that day made me realize that we as adults have no idea what a child may be going through at home. That is why it is extremely important to always treat children with kindness, especially if you interact with children on a daily basis. 

The reason I decided to write about this topic tonight was because as I was reading over the posts my son was making on his Facebook page, I found a picture that nearly brought tears to my eyes, and that picture confirmed that my son still worries about his father. The picture was a lady who clearly had cancer, because she had no hair, and the caption read "Please repost if you wish cancer did not exist!" I suddenly realized that even though my family is through the worst part of my husband's illness, my son still thinks and worries about cancer. 

So many children face adult situations at very young ages, so please treat them with kindness, respect, and love!!!

December 12, 2011

TREASURE THOSE WHO BRING YOU INSPIRATION!!!

Who brings you inspiration? Who do you look up to in life? Who makes you smile and laugh, and who encourages you to be the best you? In my own personal life, that person would have to be my husband. He is truly an amazing man! He inspires me every single day by the way he looks at everything in such a positive manner. I treasure my husband with all my heart, because he brings me much needed inspiration which I will always be grateful for!

My husband amazes me, because of how he overcame all the trials and tribulations he has had to face in the last several years. He could have let his cancer diagnosis get the better of him, and he could have become bitter and angry. However, I never witnessed any of that. He was always upbeat, happy, and making jokes throughout every battle he faced. He truly is grateful for each day of his life. My husband encourages me daily to let go of negative things which may be getting me down. He is my inspiration!

Treasure the person in your own life who may bring you inspiration! Let them know how much they mean to you. Tell them how they may have changed your life. Honor, cherish, and love those who have encouraged you to be the best you possible!