Everyone Loses Their Way...

It's a natural fact of life. From time to time, we all can feel lost.  No one is immune. We hear, constantly, in the media, about people getting caught for something or another that they weren't supposed to be doing, from politicians to petty thugs. It's also probably true that you hear of people deviating from a path in your daily conversations. Most people have goals and dreams in mind. At some point the fire burns brightly, the embers illuminate your thinking and you are completely motivated! That thing that you want to do, so passionately, is as clear as the crystal waters of the Caribbean and sharp as a Ginsu knife. The future seems so bright. Then, what happens? For some, they dart to the goal, uninterrupted, fiercely and freely. But for others, they may not have the freedom to do so.  Life happens. Sometimes the dream is so precious, but the priorities of life must come first, and that dream keeps getting put back into the queue.  The key is to never forget the path, the goal, the dream. You must consistently nurture it. A tiny seed takes years and years to become a mighty tree, but it needs sunlight and water, and sometimes a little support to get it started, build its' strength.  Don't forget your way, your path. Remember what it is that created sparks, that made you tingle with anticipation. This is so for anything at all, from religious beliefs to a project, to a change of lifestyle, etc...  Never beat yourself up about it.  Just remind yourself, and make an effort to get back to that thing that put the wanting in your life. Desire is a great motivator. When you find yourself feeling lost, look back, find your passion, call out to it, woo it back.  Having a purpose makes you feel good, from short to long term goals.  What will you be reminding yourself of today? Be gently with yourself and remember, you were never lost, you just lost your way.

“THERE’S THIS THING I’VE BEEN WANTING TO DO…”

How many times has this fragment of a thought run through your head? We have all been there. We do many things. Our lives are consumed by this and that. Women who are highly motivated (in whatever they do) and selfless often think first, of completing tasks and taking care of others. A woman like this puts herself, her desires and her dreams on the back burner a lot of the times. However, even though the basement gets filled with these dreams, we still think about them. (Yes, I am one of these women too, even though I don‘t actually have a basement.) There has to come a time when we can elaborate on this statement. “There is this thing I have been wanting to do and that thing is…”. The statement must be completed. Not only that, it must be accompanied by a plan to execute and reach the goal, do that thing you have been wanting to do. Even though I am a busy mother, wife, volunteer and writer, I still make time to do the things that I WANT to do, big or small. Why? Because these are things that feed my soul. These are things that give me personal satisfaction and make me feel successful. Just as an example, I once stepped into a craft store. I strolled by the jewelry section and it was so glittery and shimmery full of beads and fun things to make jewelry. In that moment, with not skill set applicable to creating any piece of jewelry, I decided that it was something that I wanted to do. I bought a little kit, came home and made a few pair of earrings and a couple of necklaces! I wanted to do it, and I did it. It made me feel good. I enjoyed the time I spent making them and was proud of my pieces. As a person who loves to be creative, this was just right for me. It fed my soul. For you, it might be getting a new pair of sneakers because you want to start to jog. It might even be something so simple as a looking up a recipe for biscuits because you want to make your own instead of those that come out of the can. The point here is, you (everyone) must take time to do the thing that they WANT to do. We are responsible, singularly, for our own happiness. When we are blessed enough to share our lives with someone else, we should choose people who can enhance our lives. This is true in intimate relationships as well as in friendships. What you should never do, though, is place the responsibility for your happiness on someone else’s shoulders. It is alright to have a little “you/me” time every now and then. There is nothing wrong with doing the things that make you feel good, mentally and emotionally. So go ahead, make a list or be spontaneous. Just do the things you want to do! Life has not guarantee of time so make it worth your while and live every day to the fullest!
　

Re-Inventing!

If there is one thing in this world that I am fairly certain of, it is that nothing at all stays the same! With that thought in mind then, why should WE? It's heard all the time in relationships: "you're not the same as you were in the beginning." OF COURSE NOT! With regard to relationships, the beginning is the wooing period. But aside from that, people grow, evolve, change! It's a fact. It would be total shame if they didn't. Every experience, bad or good, is a learning opportunity. From that, you approach the next thing a little differently. Simple example: If you walk down the street and trip on a crack in the side walk, next time you are likely to be more careful and avoid that crack. Some people keep tripping, and it takes a little longer for them to register, "AVOID THE CRACK!" The point is, experiences change you.
However, aside from experience, we also posess a power. That power is free will. My daughter woke up cranky one morning. I told her that as the day passed she'd feel better and she said it wouldn't. It was then that I told her (and reminded myself in the process) that when you wake up each morning, you have the power to change your mind in any way that you'd like. Even if you wake up feeling uptight, you can DECIDE that you will shake that mood and have a great day! So we stood in front of the mirror and smiled and blew kisses at our own reflection and she started laughing, and just like that, her mood was chipper! You can decide who, what and how you want to be.
So why stay the same, when you can adjust to be your best self? Re-Inventing!!! Make a list of the things you would like to do/be. Make a list of the things you'd like to change about yourself. Then work on one of those at a time. I'd like to be more fit. So, I am making a promise to myself to exercise at least 4 times a week. No excuses, just do it! I do not like my eating habits in regards to sweets. (I have a SERIOUS weakness for cake. One slice is never enough!) So I am not depriving myself, I am treating myself, to one serving of a yummy sweet treat a day! I am re-inventing myself. I am making changes and adjustments that will make me feel good about myself. So needless to say, tomorrow, I will not be the same as I am today. I'm climbing UP the ladder, not down! So should you!!

~M.G.~

Called to Do

I've always been the type of person to try to accomplish things. I have many diverse interests, and (neither you nor) I never what hobby, project, idea or endeavor I will want to try next! I usually just go for it. I don't really believe in the word "can't" unless I've actually tried it and found that I absolutely CANNOT accomplish the mission at hand! Here's the thing...my mind is pretty much non-stop, and there are always ideas brewing in my head, so I am pretty much always into something! Once I get an idea/thought, I go full-on. The project I am currently so passionate about is starting this group called Journaling Army Wives! I'm incredibly excited about it and believe in the good it will do. But, I truly feel that this idea found its way to me, from somewhere, someone higher than me. I feel so compelled to bring this to success and fruition. I believe we, as humans, are here to execute master plans, details great and small. Every incidence of progress, creates the space for change and advancement of human kind. No one who does something from the goodness of their heart should feel like their contribution is too small, because all of those small things add up to something grand. So people I urge you to go, do, try and don't submit to thinking you can't before you've attempted. Wishing everyone success in any endeavor they are passionate about!

MG/LPS