~Lessons Learned~

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!! A group of college alumni went to visit an old college professor.  After awhile the conversation turned to the stress of life, careers, and relationships.  The professor excused himself to get coffee for the group.  When he returned, he had a full pot of coffee, as well as cups made of porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some were plain looking, some exquisite.  He told his guests to help themselves to the coffee.  After everyone had cup in hand, he said, if you notice all the nice looking expensive cups have been taken up leaving the plain and cheap behind.  While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourself, that is the source of your problems and stress.  Be assured that the cup adds no quality to the coffee.  In most cases it's just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.  What all of you really wanted what was in the cup.  But you consciously went for the best cups, and then you began eyeing each other's cup.  Now con

I was asked to write on motivation.  Hmmmm. Motivation is a psychological feature that calls a person to action. It is a type of inspiration, inducement or incentive that drives a person forward. But getting motivated can be extremely difficult and the more you try to motivate yourself and then end up back on the couch watching T.V. the harder it is the next time to motivate.  Been there, done that, watched as the laundry piled up, or the dishes, etc.  Motivation is a mind set and how often do we allow ourselves to let the chitter chatter get in the way and distract us from what we need to do.  Sometimes, this causes stress because if you're anything like me, motivation doesn't kick in until the last second and then you are rushing to get things done, you feel overwhelmed and slightly guilty, because you know that you could have avoided the stress had you got up off your lazy butt.  I know a lot of you are smiling, because you too, do the same thing.  I found that if I al

~In prosperity our friends know us, in adversity we know our friends.~ True friendship-ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFTS in life.  But what is a true friend?  Do you know the difference between a true friend and a person looking for someone to hang out with?  Are you a true friend?  I look around at my friends, my close knit group of friends and realize some I talk to often, others seldom, and with a couple, it could be months before we connect.  All of them are different, some married, some single, some with kids, some with grand kids, yet the one thing that they all possess, the great quality of loyalty and love.  I wouldn't trade my friends for anything in this world.  I have friends that have been a part of my life since I was young and I have friends that have been a part of my life for a few years.  It's not the length of time a person is in your life that makes them a friend, it is about how they treat you that makes them a friend. When I look back at people in my life

A relationship is made up of more than just one person..both must be willing to give, to receive and to work on making the relationship work.  We are all unique, there isn't another one like you. Which is actually a wonderful thing. Life would become pretty dull if we were all the same.  I love the idea that I am surrounded by others that have strengths and talents that I lack.  This provides me the ability to learn and grow. Sometimes meshing the two unique beings can be a challenge, yet when you are committed, the challenges in life are what can actually bring you closer together.  The common thread I hear when two are trying to make it through a tough time, is "EGO".  Hmmmm, interesting I have been writing about ego a lot lately, maybe there is something in the air that tells us to keep our ego in check :).  Communication is always the key.  Don't look to blame the other, but stay in the moment and take responsibility for your feelings and express how things

“Be more concerned with your character than your possessions, because your character is what you really are, while your possessions are merely what others think you are.” Are you all about show?  All about what others think of you?  Do you work really hard at having all the nicest things, looking your best, spending all your money and time on you?  Does your ego inflate every time someone compliments your "material" possessions?  Do you feel a "little better than others"?  Do you dream about having it all?  Do you count your worth based on what you have?  Do you always think you can have better?  Does it make you feel special, loved? Or does it make you feel envied and shallow?  Now don't get me wrong, nice things are wonderful and everyone deserves the BEST.  However, I found in the past couple of weeks there are two different types of people.  Those that I spoke about above and those that I admire the hell out of...............the kind of person that i

Worry is that little negative chit chat that can clog your mind.  The stuff that helps create your reality.  When you put worry thoughts in your head (and yes you do put them there) you allow for negative energy to manifest negative results.  So I was asked how does one NOT WORRY, NOT STRESS, NOT THINK DEFEATING THOUGHTS!!!!  And once again I go back to choice.  You're probably stomping your foot, crossing your arms,shaking your head and saying "yeah if only it was that easy".  How do I know this?  Because for the longest time it was me.  I use to believe that if I worried and could actually look at every ugly outcome of a situation, then I would be prepared for the worse!!  I believed I was in control.  Funny thing!! I was in complete control, the only problem.............I was controlling my unhappiness, I was nurturing it, and when it actually came to fruition in front of me, I heaped more negative thoughts on myself. See "I knew I wasn't worthy, I knew only