Thursday, January 17, 2013

The Pretender

2013 has blown in with its challenges, same as always. Maybe not the same challenges, per se, but with a whole set of new ones to face, head on, moving forward.

Did I expect things to be different? To be easier? To be gifted with a "clean" slate. Not really, but I hoped that life in general would take things a bit more gently with me and those around me that I love and care about. So far? Not so much.

It takes a very conscious effort to work through each day, no matter what happens, with a positive attitude and outlook. Some days it's definitely easier; I adopt a "devil may care" attitude. That doesn't mean that I don't care, it just means that I can't solve every problem or situation that comes my way and I accept that, albeit kicking and screaming.

Some days it's almost impossible; I feel a great amount of sadness and despair. For things that have happened, for decisions that I should have made, yada, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah! I say almost impossible because it's not the whole day. It's part of the day where I may rant and rave like a total lunatic, either out loud or in my head. It's part of the day that I might cry like a baby, with or without the lunacy.

After that part is over, with a sweaty brow and/or red eyes, I push through. I put a smile on my face or I just get quiet and move along. I will put some music on, depending on my mood, and just listen and breathe. I work it out.

Whether I am posting on Facebook, writing my blog, composing an e-mail or even sending a text, I try to be truthful and compassionate, even when I'm crabby. I am not a pretender, I'm just someone who hopes that if I can help myself with the words that I write, they might make a difference to those who read them. We can identify with each other. Maybe share a laugh or a smile. I see the good. I want the good for myself and everyone around me.

A smile can be hiding a whole load of problems that don't necessarily have to be shared, and that's OK. We are very different from each other, but share similiarities. We need to be nicer to each other. We don't know what's happening in the lives of those we care about all the time. We are all working on just living each day with a sense of gratitude and survival.

I am unique, not like the others. I will never surrender; that means giving up and that's not happening. We help each other or at least we should, to grow, to learn, to enjoy and LIVE this life that is so short. They say you only live once, don't you think we should do our best to make it count? With love...



Thursday, January 3, 2013

A Whole New World

Happy 2013! It's a brand new year and a fresh start or restart for us all. I hope that 2013 has been a bit kinder to you so far and that any resolutions you have decided to make aren't too harsh. It's early yet.

I myself have decided to take a 30-day challenge and go gluten free. I have been doing some research, along with the advice of my brilliant daughter, and found that there are some benefits of doing this that will help all that ails me.

It's not been as difficult as I thought it would be. There are many products and resources out there now, it's been relatively easy, so far. I'm trying new vegetables and ways to cook them. It should clear up some of the symptoms of my various problems/diseases and help me feel even better.

It's a simple change that can't hurt me; have you decided to make a simple change in the new year? I would like to say that if you smoke cigarettes, you should really try to quit. It damages so many things in your beautiful body and snuffs out oxygen that should be pumping through your blood stream. I know it's not easy; I struggle with it to this day. However, it's probably the best thing you could do for your health and well-being.

Simple changes mean a lot more than you think they do. Exercise your body and your brain. Experience and embrace this opportunity that you have been given in the form of a new year to step in the right direction. That would be whatever direction you choose and that makes you happy and content. A little knowledge can open a whole new world of information that you never knew you were missing. Free your mind, the rest will follow...With love...