Positive Thinking....It is a Can Do Kinda' Mindset
Beauty, Breath~Taking Beauty Brings Joy
What is your reaction to life-altering change?
Does it leave you questioning, angry, and ready to dredge up anything that has ever gone wrong in your life? "O Why me? Everything so hard!!!"
Do you process it and find a way to live with it as part of your new reality?
These are questions we need to answer for ourselves.
No need to tell anyone else our answers...they will see by our actions.
It Does Come Whether Welcome or Not
One of my friends is a few years from retirement She has worked for the same company for over thirty years. And just a few days ago, her schedule and work load were changed dramatically.
And it threw her into a tailspin. She is a survivor, not a whiner, but this has thrown her out of whack, at least for now.
Today I found myself writing her a little message to let her know she can survive this.
She is an eight year survivor of an aggressive breast cancer. She has had many surgeries and many illnesses since her battle with cancer.
But this is a new challenge that she has not quite come to terms with yet. My money is on her. She may never like but she will move on.
Caring for Living Things is A Welcome Diversion
Coming to Terms with Change
Into each of our lives change comes.
Not a profound statement there at all...only stating the obvious.
Change....
Often it means a whole new way of doing things if it is work-related.
Something as simple as rearranging a home's furnishings spells change and a temporary upheaval in the way things work.
Renovations at home mean even more interruption to normal routines. When I was a young girl, my parents sanded and refurbished our dining room floor (the wood was from a bowling alley). After it was all prepped several coats of gym seal were applied And it needed to dry completely between coats which took several days.
Of course this meant our usual traffic pattern to other parts of our home were changed. And while it may have been a bit inconvenient, we managed. One of the alternate routes was through the bathroom which had two doors...and that could be a bit tricky if it was occupied
No problem...we would just go outside and enter through the door leading into the back porch.
Funny how some changes stick around--all of these years later and this memory is still so vivid.
Change: inconvenient, unexpected, unwanted (at times) ---possible to endure. Every time, no matter what.
EVERY TIME, NO MATTER WHAT.
Finding Alone Time When Facing Change
Many times Coming To Terms is NOT Easy
Believe it or not, I can hear what some of you are thinking, maybe even saying out loud~~
Okay I can buy that adjusting to change of some sort is doable.
Move that chair, I am good with that.
Put in a new door, yep. I can deal with that.
Go ahead, change my work load and my hours...I will not like it one bit , but change is change and I will deal with it.
Then come the big ones.
Even bigger than moving to a new home.from one you have lived in FOREVER AND LOVE
You know the ones.
The diagnosis of a disease that will ravage the body and try to get at your soul-those words that are spoken that no one wants to hear--your own diagnosis or that of someone precious in your life.
The deaths that come, expected or not.
What will we do now??
Come to terms with it. Make peace with whatever it is.
Yeah, right. And that's possible how??..
How can I know what YOU may be thinking? Because I have been there and there have been mountains that have come that I thought I may not be able to climb.
A Magnificent Butterfly Knows About Change
It is Really About Choosing
Choice defined in some dictionaries is ..."right, power, or opportunity to choose; option"
That definition sounds pretty much to me as though the proverbial ball is in my court, your court, our court.
It is up to us to decide how we will begin to make sense of this new intrusion that has come into my life, your life, our lives.
The good news is we can take as long as we need to process what is coming or has come.
It is our choice how we find a way to make peace with change. Not someone else's imposed take on how we should be acting, thinking, or feeling.
No one else can really understand how we feel. Even those who have experienced what we are experiencing rode it out in a different way---their way.
One Young Man's Journey
HOW??
It is my belief that how you will incorporate a change into your life that involves a life-threatening disease or an unexpected (or, even expected) death will be the most important choice you make.
What you decide will be a personal decision made with or without input from someone else. If you wish to have someone else to confer with that is again your choice.
Those of you who have read many of my submissions here on HubPages know that stuff has happened to my family, just like it does to other families. And finding a way to process it and learn to live with it has not been easy.
Powerfully Expressed....Letting It Go Can Be So Freeing
This Keeps Everything in Perspective for Us...
(Most of It) Really Is Small Stuff
Coming face to face with life-altering challenges taught us how to live.
And the first thing it taught us is what is said in Richard Carlson's series
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff.
So often things that cause tension are about the small things, the things that really are inconsequential in the long run
Asking ourselves..."Does it really matter?" often will help us to decide if we need to make an issue of some small thing that can escalate into a huge thing.
"Ain't no thing" is often used around our home as is "in the scheme of things, it just is not important".
As a result we have learned to live the way life should be lived (for us)....one day at a time..no. looking back and not trying to second guess the future
KInda' Like Kenny says...
And We Went to the Wailing Wall
Before we chose to embrace each day and wring every bit of living out of it, we went to the wailing wall.
We cried tears that came from places in ide of us that we did not even know existed. Sobbing uncontrollably until no more would come. Catching our breath, trying to understand this new unwanted invasion , to process it, and allowing even more cleansing tears to flow.
As if to wash away fear and sorrow.
And then we moved on.
There are times, private, when we do crash and burn. When some new roadblock appears, we privately scream and holler and shed more tears.
And sometimes we take some private time away for others for a bit to let it all sink in.
And then not wanting to waste another second, MOVE ON.
Easier....not Easy
There have been a number, many even, of life-altering changes that came into my life and into the lives of my daughter and eldest grandson.
How have we made it through 15 years of a roller coaster that no one would wish to ride?
Angels God Faith Hope Love Belief Prayer Friends .....all of these come to mind.
But first we made a choice.
This choice we made has been written about on many occasions. As a matter of fact it has come to be our:mantra:
- Embrace today.
- Wrap yourself up in every minute of loving and living with your family every single moment of every day.
- Do not waste one minute worrying about tomorrow....today is what you have.
Every day is precious ...a gift waiting to be opened and treasured. Make new memories today.
Finding Answers and Solace Through Music//The Way...Feel the Message
"Imagine there is a bank account that credits account your each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to used during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course? Each of us has such a bank, its name is time. Every morning, it credits you 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off at a loss, whatever of this you failed to invest to a good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows
— unknownMaking Sense of the Journey
- Living our lives as we do works.for us
- To be brutally honest it is the way we have remained sane in light of all that has happened over the years.
- Refusing to give in to fear and despondency has kept us afloat.
- Our mindset is in reality a 'can do' kinda' mindset.
- We have learned we can do this...whatever 'this' is.
- Nothing that will come now will shake our resolve.
- We welcome the dawning of each new day.
- We climb mountains that are in our paths each day.
Some of the mountains are old ones, dressed in new attire, but we recognize them for what they are and are unafraid, undaunted.
Refusing to miss one single moment of any day keeps of focused on our love for one another.
The important thing for you to remember is to find a way to make the pieces of your daily life come together so that it is fulfilling and brings joy.
Choose a direction and path that makes sense for you and your life.
Thank you ~~Sweet Hubbers
The war continues to be waged by daughter especially at this time against her cancer--there is almost nowhere in her body that remains free of cancer cells.And that is why we LIVE today tully
I can say thank you thank you, a thousand times thank you...to each of you who walk this walk with us.
Your encouragement and prayers keep us uplifted. We are so blessed to have your support and concern.
We have so many friends and relatives whose faces we see and hands we can hold. Having the love we feel from those of you we will probably never meet is so very humbling.
Again...thank you. Please know that Angels are on the way to bring love and blessings to each of you.
Our Hope for You
Sharing the journeys that I have about my grandson's and daughter's cancer here on HubPages (in other hubs) has been cathartic for me but there is a greater purpose for them.
The intent is that even in the darkest times HOPE will keep you strengthened.
How many times we have been told that the end is near when some new deadly assault has come on both of their bodies. And thank God, they are here on the planet.
The time will come when their bodies can no longer rebound but that time is not now.
HOPE reigns.
Know that HOPE will help see you through whatever you face.
© 2015 Patricia Scott
Related
Comments
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Hi Peggy Thanks...yes, I/we really try to be positive..we are so blessed. Thank you for stopping by
Angels are once again headed your way ps
Hi Patricia,
I thought that this was the perfect hub of yours to stop by and wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your day together.
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To be honest with you, breathing, had I, we in my family, not adopted this way of living I believe our lives would have taken a much different turn, ou know?
Believe that we can overcome and not try to see the negatives keeps us centered and focused.
Angels are once again on the way to you ps
- Author
thank you breathing for stopping again to read. Thinking in a positive way has been one way we in our family has chosen to live and it has been a most important way for us to traverse troubled waters.
Angels are once again on the way to you ps
Indeed a great article on positive mindset. Most of us now greatly lack this very important quality. Just a few simple things and we can have great effective changes in our life. The author has posted a few important questions that we all need to think about and find answers in our lives. The example illustrated by the author can be an enlightening incident for us to find the answers of these questions. By finding the answers of these questions and start the change in our lives accordingly, we can lead a better and happier life. So we should all try to take important lessons from this post. Thanks again for encouraging all of us!!
- Author
How sweet of you Marlene. Every single minute of each day is a new time to rejoice and be thankful.
Thank you for your kind words.
Angels are on the way to you this evening ps
I am sending up many prayers for you and your loved ones. It takes a lot of strength to share something so difficult to endure, but your sharing gives us all strength and hope. Thank you.
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Thank you AuFait for your meaningful comment. It is so appreciated. We all learn from each other on this walk and I am so blessed to have those like you who stop and thoughtfully read and leave comments such as yours. Thank you too for your votes ....
Know that many Angels are on the way ps
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Thank you AuFait for your meaningful comment. It is so appreciated. We all learn from each other on this walk and I am so blessed to have those like you who stop and thoughtfully read and leave comments such as yours. Thank you too for your votes ....
Know that many Angels are on the way ps
Everything you say here is so true and will be a great comfort, I think, to all who read it. There are people who don't understand that whining and crying is of no use. Yes, there may be some crying, but at some point one must get up and move forward. How one moves forward is a choice to some extent, but the actual moving forward is not a choice.
I told my daughter long ago that certain tasks must be done by everyone. Love them or hate them, they must still be done. How one chooses to look at those tasks will not change the fact that they must be done, but it can change how miserable one is whilst doing them, how tedious they are, etc.
Making the best of certain tasks is a benefit to the person doing them, making it easier on themselves. Some people will never understand that and will insist on doing everything they hate while hating it as much as they can and with their heels dug in against it.
What is the point of trying to push a car out of the ditch if you have all the brakes on? How much easier to take the brakes off and then push. Still not all that enjoyable, but so much easier to accomplish one's purpose.
Then there are the life changes you talk about. Time stops for no one and so finding a way to live with the 'new normal' is essential to sanity if nothing else. It's important too, that a person find a way to live with the new, for the sake of all those people who depend on them, especially if any of them are children.
So often people will say, "Why me?" Given the number of people in this world and the likelihood that sometimes bad things will befall many of them, perhaps the question should be "Why not me? Who am I, so special that I shouldn't have to deal with the same things most other people must deal with?" Everyone gets their turn. It rains on the just and on the unjust. It isn't a matter of karma so much as the luck of the draw. We are not yet in the rewards and punishment stage.
My heart goes out to you, having to deal daily with the knowledge that anything could change at a moment's notice. Of course that's true for all of us really, but often things happen unexpectedly, where in your situation things have already happened and I can imagine you worry what next and when. I'm glad to see you aren't going to let that worry about the future eat you up and spoil the beautiful precious moments you have now.
Back in Jesus' time it was customary to celebrate a person's death, not their birth. Jesus not only died physically as we all will, but He also died the second and permanent death -- and yet He overcame that permanent death so that we will never have to. He has gone on to a far more glorious life than He ever had here.
Tillsontitan wrote a beautiful article about butterflies which I had the privilege of reading just a short while ago. As a result I thought about the metamorphosis butterflies go through to their intended goal of becoming one of the most beautiful creatures God has created. Could we humans be doing the same thing?
May God bless you and your family as you go through this very difficult time and help you to recognize and cherish the beauty in every moment while at the same time helping you to see the amazing transformation that is coming for all of us.
Voted up and BAUI, pinned to Awesome Hubpages, and sharing with followers.
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Thank you, Theresa, for your kind words. this is my mantra pretty much...things can only get better.
Please know that Angels are on the way to you ps
- Author
I went through periods in my life like that until I crashed and burned....big time. And once recovered resolved to have a whole new take on everything
Angels are on the way to you ps
So often I'm a defeatist when faced with adversity. Thanks for this article on how to overcome.
Patricia - What a wonderful inspiring, encouraging hub. I once heard a preacher talk about the original Greek roots of the word encourage. I believe he said it meant "one who comes alongside, to share the burden to help carry the load." I loved that way of thinking about it and you are clearly in the Biblical sense for so many of us on HP an encourager. Thank you for writing this Hub. Blessings. Theresa
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You nailed it with your comment, Deborah Dian. It keeps us energized and alert and ready for what comes next.
Angels are winging their way to you this morning ps
Change can be challenging, but it can also teach us just how strong and capable we are, and build our confidence. Life would be boring without it, too!
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Peggy You always say such lovely things. Living our lives this way helps us to keep things in perspective. With full plates just as so many others we have had to learn that most of the 'stufff' is really just little stuff.
Angels are on the way to you this evening ps
Read this again and since I did not mention sharing this good message of how to deal with the trials in our lives, will do so now. You have coped so admirably and are an inspiration to many. Taking one day at a time and not "sweating the small stuff" is such good advice. Tweeting, G+, pinning and sharing with HP. Blessings and angels are wished your direction!
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Thank you Jodah for visiting....when I need to do a little backing up and regrouping I write about it Each new challenge gives us a time to evaluate our feelings and reaffirms our belief that embracing each day makes sense for us.
Angels are on the way to you this morning ps
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You are so welcome...new health issues for girl my have come since I posted this a few days ago...it just keeps reminding us to not miss one single moment of any day.
Angels are on the way to you...so nice to see you ps
Thank you for sharing this beautiful and inspirational hub Patricia. Blessings to you and yours.
Your beautifully written hub is an inspiration, dear Patricia. Thank you for sharing your message.
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For certain writing is very freeing Minnetonka....It helps me to take a look at my feelings and serves a reminder of what is important
Angels are on the way to you this evening ps
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Thank you for your kind words, Alicia
When I am able to share it helps me to reassess how I am feeling and to them overtake us that is the challenge.
I appreciate your visit
Angels are on the way to you today ps
- Author
Thank you so very much for taking the time to share your thoughts, Kiss and Tales.
We are indeed blessed to have so many who care about us as we care about others
Angels are on the way to you today ps
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Thank you , Deergha
Wishing for others that they too can find ways to deal with change and choices they face.
Life throws us curve balls and we do have to make a decision how to face them ....I feel blessed that my family and I have done so.
Angels are on the way to you this evening. ps
Patricia, a well-written, inspirational, 'refuse to be beaten'kind of Hub, and full of hope and the gratitude of which you speak. Amidst this all, your fortitude and trials have not gone unnoticed, and I send you healing and loving thoughts.
I tell you that I know of no greater love than what our Lord is constantly giving to us every moment, seen and unseen. Put simply, it is infinite and immortal. Yet I remain practical, conscious of your situation; recognising that we are all weak, and will grow in Grace and strength, only according to His goodness and mercy.
Your Hub inspires Love and will help many. I know nothing else to heal you permanently than the sweet Mother-Father God, but I also send you my pennies worth of inner goodness, and much empathy. May our Lord bless you all. In Peace.
Manatita
This is a beautiful and very inspirational hub. It's filled with good advice and encouragement for dealing with the problems of life. Thank you very much for creating it, Patricia. Blessings to you.
Oh Dear Patricia-Your families' journey with illness has been such a reminder to all of us, about how to live life. Every day, every minute is a blessing. Your stories have been inspirational and I thank you for sharing. I understand the healing that writing is giving you. There are days I wonder how I would get through hard times without my companion; writing. God Bless you and your incredibly strong family.
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You are correct DDE we do react differently to situations and what works for me may not work for you.Angels are on the way to you...thank you for visiting ps
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You are so right, Jackie. Bravery is half of the battle...even if we do not recognize that is what we are being.
Facing each new challenge makes us wiser and stronger.
Angels are on the way to you today ps
- Author
You are such a doll, Peggy. I DO feel the love from all over the US ---how blessed we are. I will indeed contact you if I get to your neck of the woods.
Angels and blessings aplenty are on the way ps
- Author
Yes indeed. We need to dump the small stuff and move forth with the lvin ttiers.
thank you for stopping by
Angels are on the way to you today ps
You are inspiring ,and even through your problems and pain you are able to be strong in writing and sharing with others, I appreciate your strength and positivity no matter what you are facing.
As fellow humans who share many things in common with you
I can say true pain and suffering is not an easy road to travel, but there is a scripture that comes to mind. That is found at Reference Bible Ro 8:22 For we know that all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now.
Ps 37:28 For Jehovah is a lover of justice, And he will not leave his loyal ones. To time indefinite they will certainly be guarded;
Notice to time indefinite they will be guarded , notice today people have short lifespans.
But to our creator we will always live in his mind and heart to time indefinite, which he has the means to return our life back, to live to time indefinite.
Which means sickness and death is our weakness that we as humans can not handle or undo.
But there is nothing impossible for our Heavenly Father, he made us possible, and we can continue to live possible to time indefinite ,
Reference Bible Mt 19:26 Looking them in the face, Jesus said to them: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Reference Bible Re 21:4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
And if death should happen ,life can be returned in the near future.
Reference Bible Ac 24:15 and I have hope toward God, which hope these [men] themselves also entertain, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
These scriptures are our hope for the future no matter what happens
We can be sure just as the sun and moon are faithful to us every day of our lives ,the Heavenly Father who created them is Grander and Faithful to his word,
Reference Bible Heb 6:18 in order that, through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to the refuge may have strong encouragement to lay hold on the hope set before us.
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thank you for stopping by jhamman...this was a hub I felt I needed to share...so many times it is easy to get lost in the changes that come but I wanted others to know we can survive.
Angels are on the way to you today ps
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Thank you tirelesstraveler for the prayers and we KNOW that God answers our prayers....returning them to you along with many Angels ps
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Dear Sweet Faith
Thank you for the votes and share…I get the not freaking part---it changes nothing and just makes us an emotional wreck. I
So recognizing whatever it and moving it is that comes is how we have learned to manage and have a better life.
Know that many Angels and blessings are on the way to you and your precious family this morning ps
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Thank you Jamie for stopping to read and comment. Wishing that others find a way to make peace with whatever mountain comes into their lives.
Angels are on the way to you today ps
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Venkatachartm Thank you for stopping by. Hoping someone feels some comfort from our experiences.
angels are on the way to you today ps
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Each time I sit down to share how I am feeling it is a time to reflect and be thankful.
I am so appreciative of your kind words, Pamela.
Know that many Angels are winging their way to you today ps
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thank you for taking the time to stop and read. Writing about how change and choice serves as a reminder to me to stay focused on what is really important
Angels are on the way to you this morning ps
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Thank you Benny01 for stopping by to read and comment. Each day that I have to love and adore my family and friends is a blessing. Choosing to make the best of any situation works for us.
Angels are on the way to you this morning ps
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Thanks for visiting Mark. Writing about what I feel helps me and my wish is that it offers hope to others.
Angels are on the way to you this morning ps
A very inspirational hub to start my morning. My prayers and thank you. Jamie
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You are right Pamela.
Attitude is everything. It keeps us focused on what really matters.
Thank you so much for stopping to visit.
Angels are on the way to you ps
That is beautiful. Your hub is, pstraubie48. I read it like I am into it.
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Whenever I feel stuff is getting a bit too much, I write about it and let go
Thank you for stopping by read and comment.
Once again Angels are on the way to you ps
I think your suggestions are great, especially when you are going through such a difficult time. Attitude is everything. We all face difficult problems sooner or later, so we have to make a choice of how to adapt. I trust God to help me through those tough times, and my prayers are with you and your family. I love your article and angels are on the way to you also.
Very interesting and beautiful hub on facing changes and problems in life. Great message in your article. Thanks for sharing it. Voted up.
Direct from your heart dear friend, this hub is just like walking with you through all your memories that you are making today and yeah i can't agree more...Hope, prayer, angels etc etc ...are coming to mind too when i went through your hub here. God bless you, your daughter and your grandson....many many prayers with tightly folding hands and many wishes are on your way sure. Change is the only constant thing in life it seems but we have to go on...and I can understand the time which is so very precious for you and living every moment with your loved ones is such a joy beheld which make us afloat really, You said it so correct. Hope all is well at your. You are very brave and your daughter and grandson too. Take care dear and just a wish to make you know that from afar.... all of you will be in my prayers. Hugs
Deergha
People react differently to different situations. I try to be calm on some situations. Too much of concern or worry can make one feel ill. Changes in our lives can make us feel not within ourselves. I like the way you approached this title.
We just have to make the most of what will be. You advised your friend well. Being brave is more than half the battle. It takes faith to be brave,,,we have to have that.
Great article. Hugs ^+
Lifting Stephanie in prayer,
Dear Patricia,
Those of us who have been following your journey can only hope that you feel the love, prayers and support long distance whether we have met in person or not. I hope that you know that you are loved and held dear in our hearts as are your family members fighting their battles with cancer right now.
When and if you ever decide to come to Houston, please let me know. Hugs and blessings to you.
Good evening, pstraubie48; moving, touching and true. They all apply. Bill's right, you're right, his mentor was right, it's all stuff - the small and large are how we process it, but when we do, we get through. I'm unfamiliar with your daughter and grandson's illness but blessings and thoughts to you and yours. ~Marilyn
Beautiful message of hope, dear PS! Yes, it is a matter of choice indeed. This life can certainly throw us some doozies at times, but it is our choice if we allow fear of the unknown to rule our lives or to cherish each moment we are given. I love your bank analogy there. That really puts the perspective on things.
I remember when I was young and flipping out over stuff that really did not matter in the grand scheme of life. My daughter noticed a change in me after having breast cancer, for after someone tells me some "terrible" news for the day, I do not freak out or anything, I just think, well, we will be alright and get through this new trial. She tells everyone, my mom just does not freak out anymore about anything. LOL
Up ++++ tweeting, pinning, G+ and sharing
Hugs, Angels and many prayers going your way, dear friend.
Wow! I love every piece of this write up, its educative, thanks.
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It is always good to see you here, Bill.
Yes it really is small stuff. We could waste so much time on inconsequenat things that matter mater not at all.
thank you dear Friend for visiting and know many Angels are on your
way ps
I had a mentor tell me once to not sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff. A fairly simple philosophy to life, but it came from a man who withstood the hounds of hell during his lifetime, and he came through it all loving the very act of living. Yes, there are life-altering changes in our lives. How we react to them says a great deal about the type of person that we are. Love your message, dear friend. Blessings and hugs are heading your way.
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