Positive

I am definitely one who looks on the positive side of things as often as possible.
No matter the situation, no matter the calamity, no matter how dire . . .
there is a silver lining somewhere.
I spent my younger days having my heart broken.
I did not have many boyfriends - precisely TWO!
One I dated for about three years and the other for about two and a half.
I am an all or nothing sort and they decided to take all and leave nothing.
I harbor no ill will.
With each step backward, I gained the strength to take ten to fifteen forward.
Pain, and the overcoming of it, make us stronger, more durable, more resilient and better people.

Twenty-four years ago today, there was a horrible earthquake in San Francisco.
It was devastating.
It was the earth realizing that it could no longer keep me down.
It was the day my Victor asked me to marry him.
Such a revelation that the world shook!

Of course, I am joking.
But in the midst of a terrible tragedy, I became engaged to the most amazing gentleman I know.
He is my best friend, my play mate, my rock, my life.

Maybe . . . just maybe, it was all the earth trembling and falling, finally, into place!

Find the positives!

Hope

Some days, there is the anticipation of something wonderful that gets you up and out of bed.

Other days, we may lay there wondering what chaos we will face.

Those days, we must look toward HOPE!


"The capacity for hope is the most significant fact of life.
It provides human beings with a sense of destination
and the energy to get started."
~  Norman Cousins


Today . . . I pray that you are filled with HOPE!
It is a vast and expansive entity.
Fill it with whatever your needs might be.

If not you . . .

Sometimes, volunteering can be very draining.
It takes a toll not only on your spare time, and even your work time and family time, but also on your emotions and faculties.
There have been many nights of no sleep, and many days of simply running around in circles.
There have been plenty of "No's," "No Thank You's," and "Not at this time's".
There have been lots of empty pockets and empty hearts.

But one must persist . . .

If you want to make a difference, you really do have to BE the difference.
Lead by example.
Give freely of yourself.
Give freely of your time.
Give freely of your talents.
Give freely of your heart.
Expect no reward, no kudos, no grandeur. (That's what "freely" means!)

I have also been blessed with joyfully tearful stories of families we have helped.
I have been overwhelmed with thanks and gratitude.
I have been the recipient of prayers and well-wishes for philanthropic prosperity.
I have been astounded by "Yes's" and overflowing pockets and hearts so filled with an eagerness to assist, it has truly been amazing.

We are one little family.
Four little people.
We have raised tens of thousands of dollars.
We have helped bring joy to many children facing terrible odds.
We have helped bring awareness and opened the eyes of folks to a world they knew nothing about.
Who are we? We are no one special.
We just wanted to help.
If not us . . . then who?

If not you . . .

Cue the Rocky Music

For those of you who remember the 'Rocky' movie series, you'll get it.
You could also apply to Mike Tyson.
Or, perhaps, even yourself . . .

A true champion is someone who gets up,
when he can't.

Gathering and garnering the strength and tenacity to pick yourself up just ONE MORE TIME than you've been knocked down is truly the feat of a superhero.
We all have that ability within us.
It takes no training.
It takes no positive-thinking books.
It takes no special breeding.

All it takes, is the will to believe in your beautifully, amazing self.

Smile

Smile, though your heart is aching.
Smile, even though it's breaking.
Turn your frown upside down.
You're never fully dressed without a smile.
Everyone smiles in the same language.
A smile is an inexpensive way to upgrade your wardrobe.

There are so many little quips and quotes and songs about smiles.
It takes so very little to express your joy.
And, when you do . . . the world smiles with you.
When you share your happiness with a pearly grin, the ripples created are endless.
It's truly a miracle to behold!
If you don't have a smile, I'll give you one of mine!

"Smiling is infectious, you can catch it like the flu.
Someone smiled at me today, and I started smiling, too."

Start a ripple today.
Smile! And see how far you can pass it along.

And, perhaps, the best reason EVER to SMILE . . .
it'll drive your enemies crazy!

YOU

I don't think there's a human being out there who hasn't wished, at some point, that they were a little less heavy; a little more muscular; had a better haircut; had a better smile; could have a super-stylish outfit; have a little more bling; could wear the most fashionable stilettos; could date some hunky movie star; or something along those lines.

We wish, on occasion, we could be as thin as Susie; or as shapely as Debbie; or a number of other things and we seem to knock ourselves down the peg board of humanity just a little.

This needs to stop!

What you don't realize is that there is someone out there who is wishing they could be more like YOU!

YOU are exactly who you are meant to be. YOU exist for a reason and a purpose and a value and a mission. It may be to effect just one little life. It may be to effect millions. But YOU are here to make a difference and YOU are brilliant just the way you are!

Embrace your wonderful self!
The world needs YOU!
Go be YOU!

You are Beautiful!

Not sure if this will work, but I'm going to try to get this out there!'


http://youtu.be/C5w6uSrceo8


This really is powerful.
And, for my male friends, I apologize that this is not directed at you, but . . . it is!

You are Beautiful!

Thank you Nancy and Jamie ~ two of the most powerful, amazing, beautiful, awesome, incredible women I have EVER had the privilege to encounter!