Balance

Balance is the key to any breakthrough, or next step in your journey.  If you are off balance, you will keep hitting the same issue at hand over and over until you resolve it.  So many people, myself included have had moments in their lives that they get "stuck".  I like to call it stuck in a rut.  I also see many people on a daily basis, that stay stuck in their negative patterns.  On the bright side I see many people on a daily basis that consistently grow into the person they are meant to become.  Although they have their bad days, and good days, they seem to have an air of true peace around them, which infiltrates other people around them.

I look back at some pictures of my life just a few years ago, what could go wrong, did, or so I thought at the time.  What I didn't realize then, and what I know now, is every situation that occurred made me stronger, and taught myself to be me again.  The balance followed.  Since that time, I have not looked back.  Every so often I think back to the good and bad times, in my previous marriage, in how I reacted to things in my life, and you can still feel the moment.  It passes and it reminds me of this new era that I am in now, one in which I am happier now in so many ways than I ever was before.

A lot of it was a change in my thinking, in my reacting.  Although I never thought of myself as a victim (although I had much right to think I was!), I realized more than anything I was a survivor.  I have been through loss of a child, emotional abuse, even physical abuse.  I have met with failure, and out of failure persevered to accomplish great things.  My goals now...well let's just say I compete with myself, to become better than I was, and am.  I am still a planner, but I can remember a time when I planned everything down to the minute.  The other day I was driving with my mother in the car, and she reminded me how I was, and how far I have come from the struggles that I have been through.  I don't plan like I did, oh yes I am still responsible, I still plan things, don't get me wrong.  I learned to relax and realize that in this life, I do not have any control.  You can control your thoughts, your actions, but what the universe gives you, what God has planned for you...you can't control that.  I learned to take things a day at a time. (Name of my blog if you notice!) and I take each challenge as it comes to me.  I face it head on.  I think if I was still in the life I lived before, the marriage I was in before, I would be like this bird in a cage that couldn't fly.  What I mean by that is sometimes people can hold you back, you love them so much that you don't realize that they are suffocating you...from you.  In a way it is a type of control.  I see it in work situations, in life situations, in relationship situations.  At some point a true meaningful relationship is two people coming together as two individuals that honor and respect and love one another, and agree to disagree at times.  You are equals to one another and you know that you have each other's back.  You will be there through the good and bad times.  I think a true loving relationship with a significant other should be this way, as should a true friendship.

I can count on one hand the true friends I really have.  I have lots of friends, and acquaintances but a true friend, hell they are hard to come by.  I also hope that the next love relationship I am in, will be one that is meaningful and will take things a day a time.

Well I hadn't planned on writing tonight but the thoughts just rolled in, and here we are.  Until next time....

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer has touched my life so many times.  I have had so many friends that have had this terrible disease.  2 years ago, my mother had breast cancer, she is now a little over 2 years of being a survivor.  Please make sure to get your yearly mammograms, it does not have to be hereditary or run in your family for you to get it.  There has been an increase in the disease due to our environment, the way we eat, so many factors.

I met someone one time at a function who had breast cancer, not once, not twice but three times.  She is a survivor, heck that word doesn't even describe her.  She has faced it head on three times and survived.  Now for a living she works helping others who have or had breast cancer with programs that are available out there for you.  One thing she said that really stuck with me was that she said she would not let cancer beat her.  She my friends, beat cancer.  There are no guarantees that you won't get cancer, there are no gurantees you won't get a form of cancer again.  There is a guarantee that you can fight with all your hope, faith and strength, with the support of your loved ones, your faith in our father above, and your inner strength that knows no bounds.

This month make a point to speak to a loved one that has it, give them encouragement, remind them how their struggle has made all the difference in your life.

I guarantee you they will change your life.

School days and other "thangs"

I have really (let me repeat) REALLY enjoyed having a break from school since I graduated with my associates in science in May.  Alas, now my first week at Strayer University to finish my Bachelors Degree (Business Administration with a concentration in project management) starts Monday.  According to plan if all goes well I should have my BS degree in about 2 to 3 years, and my masters between 4 and 5 years.  What a long term goal I have to look forward to?

Let me remind those of you reading this that having a degree is wonderful and it is hard to work for and takes a lot of patience and perseverance.  Keep in mind this though, a degree does not mean you are smarter or oh so wise.  I see many that have degrees and have no common sense or street smarts.  

I still believe the school of hard knocks teaches the life situations best. Just my two cents!

I work hard and that is what has gotten me farther in life.  The degree will only help to take me further :)

Ok so now the other "thangs". This week was an eye opener into the way some people can be. It amazes me how disrespectful those in authority can be or just plain disrespectful anyways.  If you got "thangs" going on in your life, take a breath and think how your actions and negativity affect others around you.  I think at the same time when you have someone acting this way and taking things out on others etc, you have to remember you deserve respect and you don't have to take it!

Word of advice, don't react to it, walk away, distance yourself from the person or persons.  If you are asked for your thoughts, give them. Otherwise be the better person and don't sink to their level.  

I think the world needs a changing because some people out there are just plain crazy!  Abuse comes in many forms, and one of those that many people overlook is emotional or intimidation.  Anytime you feel that then not only are you letting others suffocate you emotionally, but you are allowing that person to control you in a negative way.  DO NOT LET THAT HAPPEN.  

October is breast cancer awareness and domestic violence awareness month.  Remember those in Pink and remember that violence also comes in many forms and if you don't feel comfortable than its abuse in its own way.

Chow it is time for this gal to go to sleep, I would hate to think you keep seeing me mumble on and on and on.... ;)