True Story~

I have been going to Zumba classes now

 for a few months.

I would have never gone if it wasn't for 

a friend that kept at me to do it.

I am so glad that she kept 

nudging me to go.

It's funny...

I am a competitive person by nature.

I try not to compare myself to anyone,

but, with all that being said,

there is a woman in my class that 

really makes me want to step up 

my intensity while working out.

She makes every class seem so easy.

By the time class is over I am drowning 

in my own sweat.

She, barely looks like she has even 

broken a sweat...

Tonight, as I walked out of class

I was behind her and a few other 

ladies.

You could have knocked me over with 

a feather when I heard her friend say,

I hope you had a Happy 18th Birthday!

WoW!

A moment of perspective,

 hit me like a ton of 

Bricks!

It also made me realize 

that we are in two completely different

stages in our lives...

I have lived so much more than she has.

I have been in the Military,

I have traveled all over,

I have two kids.

It just was a reminder to me 

that you should never compare 

yourself to anyone else.

Just be the Best version 

of yourself! 

XoXo

<3 

New Season~

I think that for the most part,

 I am pretty up beat 

and 

more the glass is 1/2 full kind of person.

That being said,

the grey cloud covered sky's day in & day out

can wear on even the most positive person.

 I am ready for winter to be over.

Ready for the dark and dreary to be behind me.

Ready to see the sky blue,

Ready to feel the sun warm my skin.

To lay down in a field and look up at the sky above.

Ready for the next Season...

I'm doing my best to look forward.

See the Sun in my mind's eye.

Looking forward to the new adventures 

that await...

Deep Breath,

I know it will be soon...

I just have to hold on.

Hold on...

XoXo

<3 

When Your Struggling~

Lately it seems that many of us are struggling.

Friends dealing with their cancer.

A Parent, that has been in the Hospital.

Just dealing with the day to day events.

It all takes a toll on us.

We need to take a moment of pause.

Focus on our Inner Voice.

Listen to what is in our Heart.

Know that you are never alone...

Sometimes you just have to have Faith.

The road may not be easy,

but these are the times that you need to 

Believe...

Stay Strong.

It is always darkest

before the dawn...

XoXo

<3

Motivational Monday~ Children Learn What They Live

Children Learn What They Live 

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with, kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith.
In themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world
is a nice place in which to live.

By Dorothy Law Nolte ( 1924- 2005 )

Today I witnessed an accident. 

 I took the time to call it in & then wait to make my statement

 to the Police & then the State Trooper.

I was shocked, when they both made a point to Thank me for doing so.

I learned that most of the time people don't do this,

 unless they are "involved" in the accident.

I was shocked, to say the least.

Are we so unwilling to help people these days 

unless it affects us?

Wouldn't you want someone to do the same for you 

if you were in a similar situation?

It really bothered me 

& 

made me think about the world 

we live in today.

Were we not taught as children to do the right thing?!?

As you go about your life Journey,

make the choice to get "involved"...

Though it may not benefit you,

it might actually make you late or take away from your day.

Think about how it may just make all the difference,

to that one person.

Take the time, 

be kind 

&

be the change that you want to see in the world...

If you don't do it...

Who will?!?

XoXo

<3

Sleep Easy~

Let your mind go...

Let go of the day...

Whatever is still left to do,

leave it for tomorrow...

Don't let the cares of today 

carry into the night...

XoXo

<3

Song Saturday~ If Today Was Your Last Day ~ Nickelback

"If Today Was Your Last Day"

My best friend gave me the best advice

He said each day's a gift and not a given right

Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind

And try to take the path less traveled by

That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day

And tomorrow was too late

Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?

Leave old pictures in the past

Donate every dime you have?

If today was your last day

Against the grain should be a way of life

What's worth the prize is always worth the fight

Every second counts 'cause there's no second try

So live like you'll never live it twice

Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day

And tomorrow was too late

Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?

Leave old pictures in the past

Donate every dime you have?

Would you call old friends you never see?

Reminisce old memories

Would you forgive your enemies?

Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?

Swear up and down to God above

That you finally fall in love

If today was your last day

If today was your last day

Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?

You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars

Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes

'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life

Let nothin' stand in your way

Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day

And tomorrow was too late

Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?

Leave old pictures in the past

Donate every dime you have?

Would you call old friends you never see?

Reminisce old memories

Would you forgive your enemies?

Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?

Swear up and down to God above

That you finally fall in love

If today was your last day

Fantastic Foodie Friday~ Morning Glory Muffins

This recipe, a throwback to the "back to the land"'60s, 

brings together all kinds of fruits and vegetables in an earthy whole-grain muffin that, 

despite the description, manages to taste very good indeed. 

Moist and just sweet enough, 

Morning Glory are a great "eat in the car" treat. 

They need the enhancement of neither butter nor jam

 ( though either — or cream cheese — wouldn't be out of place ).

• Ingredients~
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 2 cups  Premium Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups peeled and grated carrots
• 1 large tart apple, peeled, cored, and grated (or leave the peel on; your choice)
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds or wheat germ, optional
• 3 large eggs
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 
  
• Directions~
• 1) Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin, or line it with papers and spray the insides of the papers.
• 2) In a small bowl, cover the raisins with hot water, and set them aside to soak while you assemble the rest of the recipe.

  3) In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, spices, and salt.

  4) Stir in the carrots, apple, coconut, nuts, and sunflower seeds or wheat germ.

  5) In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, vanilla, and orange juice.

  6) Add to the flour mixture, and stir until evenly moistened.

  7) Drain the raisins and stir them in.

  8) Divide the batter among the wells of the prepared pan (they'll be full almost to the top; that's OK).

  9) Bake the muffins for 25 to 28 minutes, until they're nicely domed and a cake tester inserted in the center of one of the inner muffins comes out clean.

  10) Remove from the oven, let cool for 5 minutes in their pan on a rack, then turn out of pans to finish cooling. Wrap any leftovers airtight, and store at room temperature for several days; freeze for longer storage.

  Yield: 12 muffins.

  nutrition information

  Serving Size: 1 muffin Servings Per Batch: 12Amount Per Serving: Calories: 342 Calories from Fat:Total Fat: 18g Saturated Fat: Trans Fat: . Cholesterol:53mg Sodium: 347mg Total Carbohydrate: 26g Dietary Fiber: 4g Sugars: 19g Protein: 6g.

Prism~

We all have the ability to be a prism.

To take a single beam of light 

& 

refract it into a broad color sequence.

V~ Vibrant

I ~ Incredible

B ~ Brave

G ~ Gracious

Y ~ Young

O ~ Original

R ~ Respectful

Be Vibrant, 

show your true colors.

You are Incredible, 

by just being you.

Be Brave, 

even when you are challenged beyond your comfort.

You can be Gracious, 

even in the most difficult of situations.

Be Young, 

in heart and when you play.

You are an Original, 

embrace that with your whole being.

Be Respectful, 

even if you have a different opinion.

We all have the chance every day to be a Prism.

Darkness can never reflect, 

only hold you in dark.

XoXo

<3

Drop the Drama~

Drama the one thing that people claim,
 that they can't stand the most.
Yet, it is the thing that most people let
 have the biggest influence in their daily lives.
It disrupts every aspect of the day.  
It takes away from all of the joy, 

purpose
and
goals that we have.
When we let the drama become our focal point,
 we lose track of the important things.
It drains us of our energy
&
happiness.
It weighs on most like a ton of bricks.
So, why?
Why do we let things that are so 

negative 

& 

hurtful
 take away so much from us?
We need to stand up,
put our foot down
and
no longer accept what is so detrimental in our lives.
Everyone deserves to be Happy.
If others can't be happy for you,
accept you
or
your choices.
Let them go...
Everyone has their own path
a journey
 that is unique to them and them alone.
I think people need to take a look at their own lives...
Take stock in what is important.
Is it really rewarding
picking apart other people's lives?
Do you not have enough things in your own life
that you could be working on?
Seek to improve your own life.
Make it one that is so Amazing,
that you too don't have time for the Drama...
XoXo
<3 

Shocker~

I know that this may come as a suprise to some... 

Guess what...

I am Human...

I Bleed... 

Just like you...

I Hurt... 

Just like you...

I have Feelings... 

Just like you...

So, before you act.. 

Think!

Would you want those actions,

 done to you?

Would you want those words,

 said to you?

If you can still answer with a resounding, 

YES...

Then act on it.

If not...

Re-Think what your intentions are...

There is enough...

Hurt,

Hate

& 

Negitive in the World.

Do you really need to add to it?

Just a Thought...

Think about it...

XoXo

<3

Motivational Monday~ Scars

There are many scars that you can obtain 

in your lifetime.

There are visible ones, 

some that can be hidden

and 

others live inside you...

Each one has it's own story.

Each one has seen you through a rough time.

Each one is a Reminder that you got thru.

You are Stronger than you think you are...

Just look at your Scars...

XoXo

<3

Inside Out~

Listen to the voice that is inside...

It will guide you.

XoXo

<3

Song Saturday~ Little Wonders~Rob Thomas

"Little Wonders"

Let it go,
Let it roll right off your shoulder
Don't you know
The hardest part is over
Let it in,
Let your clarity define you
In the end
We will only just remember how it feels

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain

Let it slide,
Let your troubles fall behind you
Let it shine
Until you feel it all around you
And i don't mind
If it's me you need to turn to
We'll get by,
It's the heart that really matters in the end

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain

All of my regret
Will wash away some how
But i can not forget
The way i feel right now

In these small hours
These little wonders
These twists & turns of fate
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away but these small hours
These small hours, still remain,
Still remain
These little wonders
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away
But these small hours
These little wonders still remain