Be not afraid

 

I really like this one.

Sometimes we are so afraid of doing something or not doing something that we freeze and miss out.  

Don't get me wrong, fear can be healthy ... to a point.  

Let's not give in to all fears so that we can achieve everything that we want.

Merry Christmas

 Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Time to take control

 I know some people think that you can "mail it in" and be good.

And yes, I have said that a good part of success is just showing up, BUT is that what you want?  Just a part of success?

Sometimes, yes, a part of success is good enough.  

It is often enough to lift your spirit enough to get to the next step, to increase your successes.  Or just show you that you CAN do it.

Be Courageous

 

      and allow your life to expand further than you can see.

Don't allow your fears to keep you in one place ... be courageous.

                   

Words to live by

Wow it has been a LONG time since I even opened my blog and I know I had said I would do better ... but like everyone else "life" had other ideas.  But I am going to try again and see if maybe 2023 will be better for me and my family so that I can keep up with this.

I was going through my pictures and saw this one and thought oh yes in deed this needs to be shared.

I don't think it has been shared before OR if it has been, it was a LONG LONG time ago and needs to be shared again.

I am committing to at least 80%, not just for today but for the coming year.  I know some people say, don't set you sights too far out, so for the next year doesn't seem too far, does it?

How about you?  

Shall we make the commitment together?

Twenty one Years Ago ...

life in America was changed forever.  

It was changed in a way that so many who are here today will never truly know.  So many were not even born 21 years ago when America came under attack.

Many of us were effected, not just because we were Americans, but because we lost Fathers and Mothers, Brothers, Sisters, Aunts and Uncles and friends.  

We must NEVER forget.

I know I haven't posted much of late, with so much going on in my personal life, but this is something that needs to be remembered, no matter what is going on in your immediate life.

  'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.
' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say,
'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK .. I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help.
'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.  'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.


I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, Afghanistan.
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face.
I knew every name - though not all knew Me.
Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames;  'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.'
Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.

But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you .
But someday your journey will end.
And I will be there for you as well.
Seek Me now while I may be found.
Then, at any moment, you know you are ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it is only 1 minute.)  All you have to do is the following:

Stop and think and appreciate God's power in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to Him. If you are not ashamed to do this, follow the instructions.

Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of Me, I will be ashamed of you before My Father'

If you are not ashamed, spread this message ... but only if you believe

'Yes, I love my God. He is my fountain of Life and My Savior. He Keeps me going day and night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do everything. Christ is my strength.'

Make each day special

 Good morning.

I just popped in to give you a little hello (yes, I know its been way too long again) and a way to make your day a wonderful one.  Are you ready?

Right now, 

think of something positive

Because just one Small Positive Thought in the morning, 

can change your whole day!

Make sure you are spending time with people

I know we are all super busy and sometimes seem to run from one place to the next...but by the end of the day, we are exhausted and haven't really gotten anything done that really matters.

I saw this one the other day and it really hit home.

I had spent an hour in the bank with my dad, as he had to transfer some money. I couldn't resist myself & asked...

''Dad, why don't we activate your internet banking?''

''Why would I do that?'' He asked...

''Well, then you wont have to spend an hour here for things like transfer.

You can even do your shopping online. Everything will be so easy!''

I was so excited about initiating him into the world of Net banking.

He asked ''If I do that, I wont have to step out of the house?

''Yes, yes''! I said. I told him how even grocery can be delivered at door now and how amazon delivers everything!

His answer left me tongue-tied.

He said ''Since I entered this bank today, I have met four of my friends, I have chatted a while with the staff who know me very well by now.

You know I am alone...this is the company that I need. I like to get ready and come to the bank. I have enough time, it is the physical touch that I crave.

Two years back I got sick, The store owner from whom I buy fruits, came to see me and sat by my bedside and cried.

When your Mom fell down few days back while on her morning walk. Our local grocer saw her and immediately got his car to rush her home as he knows where I live.

Would I have that 'human' touch if everything became online?

Why would I want everything delivered to me and force me to interact with just my computer?

I like to know the person that I'm dealing with and not just the 'seller'. It creates bonds of Relationships.

Does Amazon deliver all this as well?'''

Technology isn't life..

Spend time with people .. Not with devices.

Never underestimate

 I just had to share this one.

Know your worth

I have seen something similar to this a couple of times recently and started to wonder if perhaps the universe is trying to tell me something.  

I started thinking maybe, in addition to taking it to heart, I need to share this for someone else as well.  

If it is for you .. I hope you embrace it.

A father was very proud of his daughter, so proud of all she had accomplished so far.  He couldn't wait to tell his daughter just how much.

He said, "Congratulations on your graduation. 

I bought you a car a while back. I want you to have it now."

But before I give it to you though, I want you to take it to a car dealer in the city see how much they offer you to sell it.
The girl came back to her father and said: 

"They offered me $10,000 dollars because it looks very old".

Father said: "Ok, now take it to the pawn shop".

The girl returns to her father and said: "The pawn shop offered $1,000 dollars because it's a very old car and a lot of work needs to be done".

Her father told her to join a passionate car club with experts and show them the car. The girl drove to the passionate car club. 

She returned to her father after a few hours and told him, “Some people in the club offered me $100,000 dollars because its a rare car that's in good condition.”

Then the father said, "I wanted to let you know that you are not worth anything if you are not in the right place. If you are not appreciated, do not be angry, that means you are in the wrong place.

"Don't stay in a place where no one sees your value ."

Know your worth and know where you are valued.

A diamond doesn't shine on the bottom of a cave.

For a Reason

 I saw this one and well it just said "you KNOW this is TRUE."  We often feel like we know what is best for us, yes I know I said "we" because I know it's not just ME.  

We think we know the way, but well looking back over my lifetime (ok maybe just the past 20 years or so) I know this is not always true.

Sometimes I don't want to admit it ... because you just know I was right, until we know I was anything but right.

His way.  

His time line.

I need to keep trusting in God to make the right opportunities come my way.  You should too.  Not always easy, but it is the right way.

Admit that you make mistakes

 I do.  Well, at least I try to, and here is why.

Because ... those who admit to making mistakes are REAL.

I would much rather be thought of as real, than some plastic, unrealistic automaton who has no positive purpose.  

I'm sure you know what I mean.  I am also sure you have met those folks as well, always pointing out your mistake and telling you how they could have or have done better.

Think about it...be real, make mistakes, admit it and grow!  You just can't grow if you don't take risks and DO things.  If you never make a mistake, or admit that you have, you just aren't doing anything and THAT is boring!

If you are feeling broken

 I have found that this is a wonderful piece to keep close to your heart when those days have you feeling like there is something broken inside.

You could have that feeling of being broken because of something or someone that you lost.  It could just be because you feel like something is missing, but can't put your finger on what it is.

Be that piece repaired with the Gold of Love.  You are a special and unique beauty that needs to be regarded as such - even by YOU.

Happy St Patrick's Day

 For all who is Irish, whether you are full Irish or part Irish or even just Irish for the day....

Enjoy your day

Have fun, but be safe!

It's Monday Morning

 Just a quick reminder on this March morning

Just in case you needed to see this as the week starts.

For some of us, the cold and dreary wintery day it could be, just requires an additional "nudge" for us to get the week started.

You have been "nudged".

You are welcome.

Look for the good

 Some people it seems can only see the "bad" things in life. They seem to forget that there is always a silver lining, no matter how bad something seems.  

You missed the bus, bad situation.  

You met a really nice person on the next bus, good situation.

Unfortunately, in recent years, it seems that this needs to be reinforced in our thoughts or even taught to our children .....

Is it because we have forgotten how to see the good or because we have somehow been trained to only see the bad?

Let's start today to find the good in every situation so that each day will be something to be thankful for.  

Because, believe me, there is something to be thankful for EACH and EVERY day.

They can't dim that light

 

Keep that light shining so that others can see who you are.  

Too many of us seem to think that we are not worthy of being seen or heard.  Too many of us think that if we are quiet and don't make waves, we can't get hurt, so we try to "cover up" the light that shines within us.  That is WRONG.

Keep bringing the YOU to the table so that the beautiful light that shines within YOU will be seen.  

Don't hide.  Be seen for the wonderful person that you are!

Make a difference.  I KNOW you can!  You do just by being here.

The impossible journey

What do you think?

After everything that has happened in the last year and a half, I am  thinking that this is spot on. 

 

We need to make sure that we are out of the comfort zone that many have seemed to embrace to stay home and "wait it out".

It's time, past time, to start living again and find out footing in the world.

Sometimes THIS is my greatest accomplishment

 AND if you know me or have followed me in the past, you know that this is also the most difficult for me to obtain.

How about you?

Or do you find it easy to keep your mouth shut?

Trust your gut

 I know you have heard the saying Trust Your Gut.
There are many people who live their lives trusting their gut. 

They believe it is how they have gotten this far in their lives.

Sometimes it feels like it's the only thing that you can believe in, it's the only thing that keeps you safe.

In some instances, you could be right.  

I'm learning to trust my gut and to listen to what it is trying to telling me.

I think, maybe, I could have been able to skirt around some of the difficult things in my life, if I had just trusted my gut.

How about you?

Make them feel like Royalty

 This may seem a little trite, but if you really think about it, you will admit that it is true.

If you are always making people feel like they are stupid or below you, you have to wonder why.  Do you need to make them feel bad about themselves so that you feel better about yourself?

If that is true, perhaps you need to ask what problems do you have deep down inside that makes you need to feel superior?

If what you do is make others proud to be them, they will be better able to achieve all that they can.  They can be the best possible person that they can be.

And THAT should be our goal.  

If we can make others feel good about themselves, then we too will feel good about ourselves.   

Let's face it, if we all feel good about US, the world will be a better place.

At the end of every day

 make sure that you are trying to put the hard or difficult things that happened that day in it's own space so that you can end the day being happy.

Trust me, it will make you feel better so that you can tackle whatever it was tomorrow.  Just a few hours of happiness can make those difficult things so much easier to handle. 

Happy Valentine's Day

 Didn't want the day to go by without wishing you 

I hope the day is filled with all kinds of wonderful things

because YOU deserve it

Surround Yourself

 This is something that we need to teach our children, right along side Math and Reading, as part of our Life study.

Much too often, we allow people to stay in our lives that do not help us, but actually hold us back.  

We may or may not realize it but those people need to be vanquished from our lives.  We need to be free of them so that the true beauty of our lives will unfold.

Two Dates

 

I love this one.  

I need to find something like this as a key chain or something similar so that it will always be with me.

I think we all need to be reminded that we need to LIVE each day and not just exist.  

I know you are probably saying .. but we do live each day. 

My response ... Are you sure you are living or are you just getting through the day?

And if you can truly say that you are living ... 

Congratulations.  

Please do it again tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that.

What you tell yourself

 I had seen this a little while ago, and to be honest, I didn't originally see it as a positive.

At first I was thinking this was going to be intensifying any "down" feelings that you have about yourself or a situation.

But as I have been thinking about it further, I realized that THIS is the way to turn around any "down" or "negative" thoughts and feelings you have about yourself.  It tells you that YOU have the power to turn things around, by looking at the positive aspects of any situation and focusing on those.

Once you are focused on the positive aspects, you can make yourself feel more positive.  The more positive you feel, the more positive things will be coming your way.

Think about it.

Pray for everyday blessings

I'm not saying that you shouldn't ask for things that you feel that you need.  Prayers are always used for our wants/needs.
God listens and will give you what it is that He feels you truly need.

What I am saying is that it's not the only reason to pray.

You should be praying every day, but it doesn't have to be a "formal" prayer.  God loves to have conversations with us.  

I can feel the difference when I don't reach out to him just to "chat". 

And sometimes, just sometimes, things happen that are unexpected as a result of our little chat. 

Do what is right for YOU

 I love finding little gems like this.

It doesn't mean that you are being selfish.

It doesn't mean that you are being unkind to others.

It IS taking care of yourself and being the best that you can be in any situation.  

It is THAT time of year ....

 Many of us don't want to talk about this BUT it's ... 

TAX FILING SEASON IS COMING!

I know, I know, this is NOT what you wanted to be thinking about BUT you need to start thinking about taxes now, so that you can maximize your potential refund or decrease your potential balance due to the IRS and/or State Government.  Start by making a list of all of your income and expenses you expect, based on your 2020 tax return.

PROTECT YOUR DATA

Do not be fooled by misleading websites or emails.  Any email from the IRS that includes a website will ONLY end in “.GOV”.  They will never send out an email with a URL that ends in “.COM” or “.NET” or even “.ORG”.

The IRS will also NOT call you directly without first sending a letter and setting up an appointment to talk.  They will NOT require you to make a payment via virtual currency or gift cards.  Nor will they appear at your door requiring payment in cash.  If it feels wrong, it probably is.

SECURE AN ONLINE INDIVIDUAL TAX ACCOUNT

You can Create or Access an already created account at HTTPS://WWW.IRS.GOV/ACCOUNT

Once you have created your account, you will be able to see if there are any tax balances, view any payment plans that have been set up, or make online payments.

You will also be able to see what stimulus payments, advanced payments from Child Tax Credits you have received.  Many of the notices received last filing season related to payments received that were not reflected on the tax returns, and ended up reducing the refunds expected.

UPDATE YOUR RECORDS.

Did you move last year after you filed your 2020 tax return?  To be sure that the IRS will be sending all correspondence to the correct address, you should file Form 8822, Change of Address to update your address with the IRS. 

Did you get married or divorced during 2021?  Make sure that you update your records with the Social Security Administration so as to not delay the processing of your tax return.

THINK ABOUT LIFE EVENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED

Did you get married?  Did you get divorced?  Did you have a baby?  Did you or a dependent start college?  Did you buy a house?  Did you sell a house? Did you lose a job?  Was there a death in your immediate family? 

All of these things and many more could have an effect on your tax return this year.  Make sure you take these things into account when putting your tax information together so that you don’t miss out on some credits that could increase your refunds this year.

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

Many people have been receiving Unemployment Compensation due to loss of jobs.  Most if not all States, due to COVID restriction, required you to file online.  You will need to go online to get the 1099G form that will detail what unemployment you have received and any tax withheld from the compensation.  Make sure you put this on the list required documents you need to gather.

Direct Deposit of YOUR Refund!

I know that many people have resisted having their refund directly deposited to a bank account.  But I am urging you to think about this so that your refund will arrive quicker for your use, since you are not waiting for the "extra steps" of check printing, envelope stuffing, and then the actual mailing.  And I believe it will be safer since you are not dependent on the mail, since many envelops have gotten "lost in the mail" or "stolen" or just majorly delayed.  I know I have had mail take weeks to just go to the next town...yes I should have just taken it to the company - it would have been faster.

And your tax refund is the same ... so just think about it.  Besides, wouldn't you want to have your money back sooner rather than later?  I know I would.

Let Karma handle it

I know when we feel hurt, all we want to do is lash out at whomever we feel has hurt us.  

Sometimes we feel that if we do this, it will make us feel better.
Trust me - it really doesn't.  

Maybe it will for a few days or hours, but over all, it doesn't.

Don't let the feelings of needing to give that hurt back take over.  
Let Karma handle it.  

You know, eventually it always does.

And if we are lucky enough to see it happen, all the better.

Who I admire

Have you ever really thought about who it is that you admire?
If you have, have you figured out why you admire them?  

Or have you never really thought about it?

If you haven't, you are not alone.

I think after these past months, as difficult as they have been for most of us, we can find a whole lot of people that we admire.

I am real

You are real too.

Being real is a good thing no matter how many mistakes you make or imperfections that you have.

Celebrate the realness of YOU.

Your most useful asset

 Oh I bet you thought I was going to give you some materialistic thing that you need to make sure that you acquire this year ... but surprise, I am not.

Oh there are many material things that we accumulate over the years, some we shake our heads and ask why oh why did we spend the money on these?  Then there are others that we feel like we need to spend a lifetime saving for or go into debt that will take a lifetime to pay off, because they will make us happy or give us status or ??

BUT ....

 Not all assets are material. 

Be like the Butterfly

I had seen this a few weeks ago, but I don't think I was ready to really see it.

As this year starts, I am going to embrace this and become like a butterfly.

 

I have too many things to accomplish this year, too many things that have been put on the shelf until "tomorrow".  

Today is the start of that "tomorrow".

Join me in taking back our place in the world.

Why I didn't give up

 I have to reach out and publicly thank you all who have come back from time to time to see if I have posted anything new.  If I have shared something that perhaps you could feel touch your heart or your soul.

I had thought that perhaps I should give up this blog and just fade into the shadows.

BUT, I decided that just wasn't me.  

I am NOT a quitter.  

I want to show others that they too, are not quitters.

I may not have met you in person, but it was those of you that visited and left messages or comments, that gave me the strength to come back and start again.

Don't give up

So many of us have wanted to throw in the towel and just let someone else take over.  Have someone else make the decisions for us.  It has been a very difficult 20 or so months.

And the thought of curling up into the fetal position has had its draw this past year.  To be honest, I've had my moments as well, but it is nothing to be ashamed of.

But this is a new day.

This is a new year.

As much as we want to just give up and let whatever is supposed to happen happen without any input from us, I am here to tell you don't.   

 

Let's make this year the start of something even better for all of us!  

I know in my heart, that we can and will do this.  

THIS is OUR year!

January 1, 2022 ... Its a new start

I know I have been gone for most of 2021 - not all by choice.

But many of us lost so much during this past year with lockdowns and illnesses and separation from family and friends.  Personally I've ending the last year with a pretty trying 2 1/2 months, but I am going to try and get back to my blogging roots.

I will start with today, wishing all of you a very very Happy New Year.  Lets hope that when the ball dropped at midnight last night it ushered out the bad and ushered in a new beginning of health and happiness and wonderfulness.

Here's to wishing all the best to each of you in the coming year!

Let's hope that we have all become stronger for what we have gone through and are ready to take on our futures with a smile and optimism.  We got this!