Looking for the good ...is always a better choice!

I am grateful for any example of those people in the world...who look for the good in others. I think it is always a better choice and a great way to live our lives!
Have a great day dear friends!
Open Letter to an Unknown Driver in Woodstock, Virginia

Dear Unknown Driver:

On September 10, 2014, sometime between 8 and 10 p.m., you were driving northbound on Rt. 11 – Main Street – in Woodstock, Virginia. You were right in front of our quaint, small town movie theatre in the heart of Shenandoah County.

Of course, you know that part already.

You drifted to the right on the two-lane road, side-swiped my parked car, and sent my side mirror sailing 40 feet down the street.

You know that part, too.

What you don’t know, because you didn’t stick around, is that I was inside working just a few feet away and wouldn’t discover the damage until I left for the night. I rarely work late, but I’ve been crashing on a couple of deadlines and needed to stretch my day.

After seeing no note, no business card and having no clue who might have breakdanced with my car, I made a call across the street to the police station. Not surprisingly, they were there in two minutes.

The officers were consummate professionals. They circled the car, took pictures and asked questions. Despite it being fairly minor, they treated it with both seriousness and courtesy.

When I expressed surprise that someone would cause this kind of damage without taking responsibility, the men shook their heads and one of them said, flatly, “People just aren’t honest anymore.”

Soon the officers rolled on and I was crawled in my car window to make the short drive home. Sure, I was frustrated to know I would be dealing with police reports, insurance and a body shop for the next week, but what really bothered me was their assessment.

“People just aren’t honest anymore.”

It’s been two days and I can’t stop thinking about it.

I also can’t stop thinking about what would have happened if you’d left a note, called the police or even knocked on my office door. (Mine is street level and the lights were on.)

You don’t know this, because you didn’t give me a chance, but I would have shaken your hand and expressed gratitude that no one was hurt.

I would have asked for your insurance information, and, if you were uninsured, I would have helped find a solution. If you’re a teen and you were driving your parents’ car and worried about the fallout, I would have offered to make the phone call for you.

As we gathered up the glass and broken bits, I would have asked about your family and told you about mine. I likely would have made a dumb joke about my daughter’s small Drivers Ed dent in the bumper that pre-dates your late night automotive side-hug.

Maybe you don’t even live in the area. Maybe you were passing through, staying at a local hotel or visiting a friend. If so, we could have played the who-do-you-know game and been reminded what a small world we live in.

Most importantly, I would have thanked you for being honest and for doing the right thing. I would’ve told you that the world is too cynical and in my experience, most people are inherently good. There are exceptions, naturally, but most people thrive when we assume the best in them.

The words still ring in my ears. “People just aren’t honest anymore.”

With all due respect to these fine police officers, I disagree. I think the planet is brimming with good, honest people who far outnumber those who cheat, lie and steal.

We were raised by them.

We work with them.

They’re our neighbors.

They’re everywhere!

Look – how many times in my own life have I needed a few more minutes than most to choose the right? Plenty.

It’s never too late to do the right thing. And just because it’s the oldest cliché in the book doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Thankfully, life isn’t scored by the halftime tally. We’ve all got until the final whistle.

Look me up on Facebook, drop me an email or knock on my office door and we’ll do our very best to work it out. We can even compare all the dumb things we’ve done. I bet my list is longer than yours.

“People just aren’t honest anymore.”

Malarkey – let’s prove them wrong.

Sincerely,

Jason

You can read more of Jason's article HERE:

Happiness!

Loved this quote, oh how true that is. Happiness can not bought or borrowed! It really is a choice, and an inside job.
May we all stop for a moment and see if we are truly happy in our lives ...and if not, may we have the courage to change that!

Fall is coming, what is there NOT to be Happy about ?

Taking the TIME to be healthy!

As you can probably imagine, life has been really busy getting ready for Lauren and Nik's wedding (which is next week ).
One thing I have noticed since we have been going so fast and furious getting everything ready...is that our food choices haven't been the best.
Funny how easy it is to grab something not as healthy...as something healthy.

I have always been concerned what goes into my body. I haven't done necessarily bad foods, but just having chosen as many fruits and veggies as I usually do. Or the the worst thing I do for my body, is get so busy that I don't eat. Then my blood sugar level drops too much and I start to feel terrible.
Then I am really hungry and tend to grab things that aren't the best for me.

Some day I really need to tell you the funny stories that I have about switching my kids over to no sugar, no dairy and no red meat diet, when they all were young. Or maybe I should let them tell you, they have a funny memory of those days!
For my defense they all were on allergy shots, and we had bottles and bottles of that PINK ANTIBIOTICS in the fridge, and still they weren't feeling well at all. So for the next whole year I began to study about food, allergies, stress, mind body connection and everything else I could, in order to help my kids be as healthy as possible. I also looked into all of us going to a Homeopathic Doctor.
So naturally I was really interested in this article that my son had on his blog, about why the French Children don't have weight problems and are healthier. ( Below is one of the lunches that they serve at school.) I guess my favorite part of the article was this...

"So what can we do to promote better eating and moving habits for our children stateside?

It all starts at home: We know what healthy foods are, and we need to use our positive influence to feed our kids healthier foods and and teach healthy eating and exercise habits by example.

Home-cooked meals based on plenty of fresh produce, and a weekly family walk, hike or game of tag are simple lifestyle habits that make a difference in a child's life over time."

You can read it HERE:cho

So true it does takes time, but aren't our kids and ourselves...worth it?
Have a great day dear friends!

Key to your Happiness!

So need to remember this quote!
Good Night dear friends!

Flexible

Flexible, some times I think I am, but then other times....I think I have a hard time changing something when I have always done one way. Like Thanksgiving for example, as much as I love Christmas, I love Thanksgiving too! We have never put up Christmas before Thanksgiving. Yet this year...I almost did! Not that it is bad, but I love the Fall, and the season of Gratitude. Why did I almost change it?

Well, every year we have a Christmas Open House for our Neighborhood, we have done it for 15 years now and I think the only year we didn't have it...was 5 years ago, when I was diagnosed with cancer for the 2nd time. I had a mastectomy just 3 weeks before when the Open House would have been and I just couldn't do it.

This year Thanksgiving is later in the month than usual, which means I will only have 4 days to put up Christmas and be ready....that is impossible for me! So I thought maybe this week I should take down Thanksgiving and start Christmas so I had a few more days to decorate. I was so sad about that, couldn't imagine having Thanksgiving without all the decorations. Lee brought up all the Thanksgiving and Harvest boxes ( storage containers that I keep it all in ) and then he left for work. I found other things to do instead of taking it down, just still didn't feel right but knew if I tried to put up Christmas in 4 days, I would end up sick from over doing it. ( Remember I am good at that !) Anyway, right before I started to take down the Thanksgiving stuff, I called to talk to Amy. After I told her what I was going to do, she protested saying  " But Mom, you have never put up Christmas before Thanksgiving!" I agreed with her but tried to explain how desperate I was. Then she gave me another suggestion and being the FLEXIBLE PERSON that I am :), I agreed!

She suggested that since we haven't sent out any invites yet, why don't we do it a week later on Dec 9th? She reminded me it wasn't that much later and so ...that is what we are going to do. So as I sit here tonight and smell the pies in the oven, I am grateful that I am flexible...at least this time. I am also grateful for this beautiful time of the year that we get to celebrate and remember!

Good night dear friend

 

Life lines....

Does anyone remember this Game Show? Now we don't do a lot of TV maybe I should ask... is it still a Game Show? The name of it is Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? I only watched it a few times but my favorite part was when they could use their Lifelines for help.

One of them was...
You can phone a friend.
Then there was one where you could ask the audience.
Then you could eliminate 2, giving you a 50  50 chance.

I am not sure if there is another one but still I like the whole idea of the Lifelines.
I wonder myself, if we use our Lifelines in Real Life as often as we should?

I compare the phone call to Pray, our Heavenly Father is only a prayer away and wants to be there to help and teach us, if we would only ask Him.
I compare the ask the audience to Asking your Family, if you are blessed to have a great family then for sure you should ask for their help. They love you and usually will tell you the truth no matter what, you can trust their opinion. ( Remember, this is only IF they are a good and healthy family)

Then the eliminate 2 so that you have a 50 50 chance, I think of is more like blindly choosing and hoping that luck will be on your side. Instead of this one, I would add another Lifeline called Call a Counselor or at least talk to someone that has been there. I used to think that getting counseling was weak, and I still think a lot of people think that. But because I have been to counseling and have had first hand experience of how it can really help you, I would say that should be one of our Lifelines, if we have tried all we can do and are still stuck or struggling.

So tonight, let's not ever think we are Alone, we always have Lifelines out there to choose, we just have to use them!
Good night dear friends!

"The ability to choose cannot be taken away or even given away-it can only be forgotten."

Values

I love this quote, it is so true. It makes life choices...so much easier!
Happy Labor Day and good night dear friends!

Don't let me down!

 Loved this video of a Dad and his son!  The song is called Don't let me down! I think every kid thinks that about his Mom and his Dad! And so they should, we are the parents...we are the ones that are suppose to make the better choices...especially ones that will directly effect their children's lives! We can't let them down!
Good night dear friends!
Watch it ....
here:

Did you have your C.O.C.?

I have had a great week, busy but good. Then by Friday my back went out again so it has been a bit of a tough weekend. Still, thinking about all the good things that happened ...and all the great people I have met or been with this week, I can say it was a Good Week!. I have made a few new friends lately ( I know you probably aren't surprised ) but I am always admiring the ones who had such a tough childhood and continue to want to make life different and even better for their children. Many of us did not have our C. O. C. ( (Childhood of Choice ) but still we have been able to learn and grow from it ...then stop the abusive or negative behaviors that we grew up with....all in the hopes to have our kids be safe and to have their lives be better than ours. I have looked up to my husband Jeff, ever since I have known him. He did not grow up with his C. O. C. either, but still he has become an incredible Dad and great Husband, despite his lack of example to teach him those things. We know others who have done the same and I really admire them and their strength and courage.
I also have talked to 3 individuals who they or someone they know have been effected by Cancer. Wow, that has been quite a few just in the last 2 months. My heart breaks when they tell me, for I can see and certainly remember the same fear in my eyes...that I see in theirs. Life is full of lessons isn't it and it is also about choices.

Just in closing, let me tell you about one simple choice that I made 35 years ago today and how it has changed my life forever. 35 years ago, this young nice looking, college guy from church asked me out. I was so excited, I had been secretly been hoping he would asked me out, ever since his old girlfriend left out of town. ( I know that sounds bad and she was a friend of mine too but...still I wanted him to go out with me!!! ) And so he did, I can still remember sitting on our porch waiting to hear his car come up the road. ( Yes, I lived a mile up a dirt road, did I mention I was from West Virginia? :) As soon as I could see the car coming, I went back into the bathroom to triple check my hair and make sure I looked as good as possible. My Grandmother was sitting out on the porch, she wanted to meet this young man that I had been talking so excitedly about, for awhile. So she was the first person he met, we still laugh to this day because my Grandmother said later, that she liked him and she thought he was very handsome, even thought he looked like Tom Selleck ( the movie star ). The reason we still laugh about it is because my Grandmother was legally blind and deaf. So Jeff didn't really think that was a good judgement of a compliment! :) But she was right, he was a great guy and one of the best that I had ever dated, plus terribly handsome! And since my dating years began way...before they should have. I had dated quite a few guys before him.
Yes, that one little decision 35 years ago, lead to another date and another date ....until 4 years later, and then we were married!  So I know it seems silly to celebrate the Anniversary of a First Date...but this wasn't any old First Date... it was the First Date with the man that I was going to marry for Eternity. Now that is worth celebrating! I still get excited when he is about to come home, still run in the bathroom and make sure I look my best...gee how fun to still be in love with someone 35 years later, actually I love him even more today!
So even though I might not have had the C. O. C., I did get the man of my dreams and that has made all the difference in my life and the life of our kids and now our Grandkids! Yes, little ( but good )  choices can lead to very big and good things!
So a good question to ask yourself tonight is .... Did you have the C. O. C. ? And if you did or didn't, how have the choices you made...been good or bad for your life? Just a thought!
Good night dear friends!

Hard choices!

I recently had to make a hard choice. One that I didn't want to make and yet...I knew if my kids would have come to me and talked about the same type of situation, I know what I would have said. I would have said, "it is time to walk away, keep things honest and simple when you do." I would remind them that they don't have to be any body but themselves, I would have reminded them that the most important thing is that they tried their best and had the right desires. And last, I would have reminded them to quit comparing themselves to Others ( that is unhealthy ).
I kept questioning myself, I kept thinking of all the scenerios of how it would play out if I did walk away. I really cared about the people who were involved ...but it just didn't work. I knew though, when I finally made the decision ...that even though there is anticipation of what others will think, that the negative energy was not healthy for me and it was time to make a choice. Life is all about decisions and choices, why are some so very hard to make?
Now the hard part comes, by holding up my head and knowing I made the right decision, and just start again somewhere else. Yes, life is wonderful most of the time... but every now and then it is really, really hard. Guess that is why the lesson from this, will be one I won't forget too soon. Still learning every day!

What's important to you?

Well, I have just turned on my computer for the first time since Weds. I can't believe that I have been disconnected from my computer and email that long! I am soooooooooo grateful for my daughter Lauren, who wrote in my blog for the days I was gone. She is such an amazing writer, not sure if you guys are going to want to hear from me again? :)  Lauren is in college, so you will have to wait till she graduates and maybe she will do her own blog. But I love what she wrote, how she thinks and definitely how she writes....so thanks again Lauren!!!
Today I read something that really struck home to me. It was this quote...


It is so true, when you really stop to think about it... you can always find time, or make time for something you really want and that is important to you. But when it is something that you really aren't interested in or something that really isn't important to you....the excuses just seem to come at an alarming rate. So it made me think, about some of my choices and my excuses and to stop and really look at them. I need to really spend time on things that really matter to me. I am famous for fretting over things that hurt my feelings or that upset me...instead of just letting them go. I need to take a stand on things, that don't bring me forward and upward. I need to stop letting things that don't really matter, drag me down.
So once again, I need to go back to the very beginning...my thoughts and how I react to them. Funny how you can be my age and realize that ....you still have so many more things to learn! Well, at least I am still learning, I think that is a positive step in the right direction!
Good night dear friends, hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

 “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

 “But until a person can say deeply and honestly, "I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday," that person cannot say, "I choose otherwise.”
― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

 Alice came to a fork in the road. 'Which road do I take?' she asked.
'Where do you want to go?' responded the Cheshire Cat.
'I don't know,' Alice answered.
'Then,' said the Cat, 'it doesn't matter.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
 

With your whole heart and soul!

I love this quote! It does make a world of difference... if we put our heart and soul into whatever we do!
Good night dear friends!

All about choices, again!

Today started out great, I had a massage and was able to quiet down some of the inflammation in my neck and back. I am telling you my massage therapist is AMAZING! I was still hurting from the exam I had to have on Monday through our insurance. I struggled to know if I shouldn't have stopped the chiropractor that was being so tough on me. I think if I hadn't even had too many neck issues...he sure would have given them to me. So for the last two days I have been in a whole lot more pain and frustrated because when I am sitting at the sewing machine  ( which is often, because that is my job ) it hurts a  lot too! So the massage was a welcome relief.
I had a great day at work and had a lot of wonderful comments on my new line of projects for It's A Girl!
Then on the way home I stopped into Weight Watchers to weigh in for the month. It has been 9 months that I have been on Maintenance and I have only gained or lost one pound ...more than once during that 9 months, I guess that isn't bad. Maintaning the exact weight isn't as easy as it looks. I knew the last couple of weeks that I felt like I had gained and ....sure enough I had. I gained 2 lbs and 1 oz! Now many of you may think that isn't much and it isn't in some ways, and in other ways it is!  2lb and if you don't get rid of that then you gain another pound or more back... and pretty soon it is 5 pounds or so.
So I need to make better choices and ones that I will thank myself for in the future! And I will!
Good night dear friends!

Life's lessons!

Now you would think at my age, that I would have figured out most things by now...but not true. Just recently I spent time with a person who makes fun of me a lot, and criticizes me a lot. Many times they are in a joking way, but I realized this week that when I am with this person ...that I always feel bad or catch myself apologizing for things; things that I shouldn't apologize for. Now I understand that we don't have to be friends with everyone. Still it hurts when you are trying so hard to be friends and spend the time with them, and you realize it is not good for you. It isn't healthy to let someone treat you that way... and it isn't a true friend IF they do. These are all the things I have taught my kids for years. Tonight I finally realized that I need to remember these quotes and apply them to my life! I think this is called WISDOM... but sometimes it hurts!
Good night dear friends!

What Happy People DO!

22 Things Happy People Do Differently

I loved this article about what we can do to be more Happy! I had to put this cute photos of my granddaughter Jenny, because even at a young age when she was upset with you....she made sure that you knew it, by the expression on her face! She still is our serious little redhead! Hope you enjoy these ideas!

There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while a homeless person could be right outside, smiling and content with their life. Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves.
The question is: how do they do that?
It’s quite simple. Happy people have good habits that enhance their lives. They do things differently. Ask any happy person, and they will tell you that they …
1. Don’t hold grudges.
Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good things in life.
2. Treat everyone with kindness.
Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that, but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build stronger relationships.
3. See problems as challenges.
The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.
4. Express gratitude for what they already have.
There’s a popular saying that goes something like this: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” You will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don’t have.
5. Dream big.
People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.
6. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Happy people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from now?” They understand that life’s too short to get worked up over trivial situations. Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the more important things in life.
7. Speak well of others.
Being nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.
8. Never make excuses.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the better.
9. Get absorbed into the present.
Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the moment. Stop and smell the roses.
10. Wake up at the same time every morning.
Have you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early risers? Waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.
11. Avoid social comparison.
Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others on theirs.
12. Choose friends wisely.
Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.
13. Never seek approval from others.
Happy people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.
14. Take the time to listen.
Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’ wisdoms and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind gets, and the more content you feel.
15. Nurture social relationships.
A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.
16. Meditate.
Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You don’t have to be a zen master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.
17. Eat well.
Junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.
18. Exercise.
Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft does. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher sense of self-accomplishment.
19. Live minimally.
Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than Americans are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive simpler cars, and own fewer items.
20. Tell the truth.
Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize for it.
21. Establish personal control.
Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.
22. Accept what cannot be changed.
Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at peace with yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus on what you can control and change it for the better.
Where to read more ...go here:

"Happy girls are the Prettiest!"  ~ Audrey Hepburn

Who is a hero in your life?

Once again, Jason Wright finds something positive to share in his weekly articles, you can read them here:

March 12, 2013

You may not know Dave McConnell of Columbus, Ohio. But odds are, you know someone just like him. You might call them friends.

I call them life heroes.

McConnell hasn't overcome disease, saved someone from a burning barn or given millions to charity.

He's just a suburban dad living in a nice Columbus neighborhood with his lovely wife, Alisha, and two happy, healthy children.

So why is he one of my heroes? Because like few people I've ever known, McConnell has found balance between providing for his family and pursuing his creative dreams.

I recognized McConnell was a creative thinker when I first met him in July of 1989. We'd both graduated from high school weeks before and crossed paths on a low-budget movie set in Sandy, Utah. McConnell had an agent, raw talent, a Hollywood jaw and dreams of L.A. stardom.

One year later we both served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil. We served honorably and though we've been home two decades, a piece of us remains with the country and people we grew to love.

Upon his return, McConnell attended school and reignited his dreams of bright lights and of making a creative difference in the world. He didn't know exactly where life would take him, but heaven made it clear he had stories to tell on the trip there.

Sadly, my dear friend and I drifted apart through the years. I saw him in a commercial or two and recognized him immediately in the 2002 television movie, "The Pennsylvania Miners' Story."

Finally, a few years ago, we each reconnected with another long-lost mutual friend who passed along our contact information. I soon found myself in Columbus, Ohio, spending the day with the McConnell family.

It was a joy to catch up. I learned that McConnell works in pharmaceutical sales and provides well for his family. But it's miles away from the dreams of his teens and 20s when he imagined being a full-time actor, writer and director.

I also learned that my talented friend has a talent agent and that he's booked many commercials and a few parts in films and television series that have passed through Ohio. He's shared a set with the likes of Ryan Gosling and George Clooney.

He's currently starring in a series of regional Wal-Mart ads. He's the man who walks with real customers through the store to show the savings between Wal-Mart and one of their local competitors.

No, it's not some soundstage on some lot at some Hollywood studio, but it's a creative outlet and a regular gig that he loves.

McConnell has also just finished his first novel. "Dark Soul" is an 80,000-word look at life and death and heaven and hell. It challenges readers to shake their perceptions of what awaits on the other side. It's earning raves from early readers and is being shopped to publishers and agents.

So what makes him a "life hero?"

McConnell and other fathers and mothers like him are heroes for their willingness to balance their dreams and the artistic passions of their souls to fulfill their greater responsibility - to provide safety and security for their families.

My good friend would give almost anything to quit his job, remodel his home office and write a New York Times best-seller or Oscar-winning screenplay. His veins run hot with creative blood that aches to tell stories on paper, stage or film.

He would do almost anything for the opportunity, but he accepts that his priorities cannot be compromised.

Our society glorifies those who sacrifice all to pursue their dreams, who never quit, who suffer to achieve greatness. But what about those who put dreams in their proper place?

Hopefully the day will come when he can say goodbye to his nine-to-five job and write or act full time. Perhaps he'll relocate from the Midwest to California or New York and support his family on his creative talents.

But what if that never happens? What if his dreams remain on the periphery, like extras in his life's movie? They'll be seen, have their role, but never dominate the screen.

What if he is only remembered as a man who worked hard every single day in corporate America and took whatever time he could squeeze from life to pursue his other passions?

What if he's remembered as nothing but a husband and father who kept his promises, loved God and loved his family and served both with all his heart? Then he would leave this life a very satisfied man.

You probably know someone just like this. Maybe they stare back at you in the mirror every morning. You might wake up in the early hours to work on that manuscript or screenplay. You sing in the shower or in the garage with your band with the hope and prayer that one day your passions will become a profession.

You accept that your dreams won't come true without true effort, but that dreams are not an excuse to shirk responsibilities of living in a modern world. It's what makes you admirable. It's what makes you honorable.

It's what makes you a "life hero."

And it's time we honor you, too.

Truly making a difference!

 I read this article the other day about this small town Doctor, who still makes house calls. As I read the article found here:
I was impressed with what this sweet Doctor, and for what he was doing for the people who are his patients in this small town of Georgia.
In my quest for Doctors throughout my life and the life of my kids...I still think it is ok to uphold some of the things (standards) that this dear Doctor does every day. I understand the world has gotten bigger and more complex... but some things should always be there, when you work with people. I will highlight a few of them in this article. I know that many of you would almost laugh when you think of ever finding a Doctor who is like Dr. McMahan. Still there have been a handful of Doctors that we have found like that... and how they have blessed our lives...has been amazing. So I am grateful for their compassion and concern (real concern) for me and my family!
 
He is there to be the best Doctor for these people, money doesn't drive him. Personal connections do make all the difference!
Imagine this: You are a young doctor who has recently graduated from medical school. An excellent student, you could choose to practice almost anywhere—including Atlanta, where your advising professor has connections. Instead, you set up shop in a small southern town, much like the one you grew up in. It's the kind of place where the neighbors all know each other, where families have lived for generations and still attend the same church. It's also a place where a young doctor is unlikely to get rich.
He listens and looks them in the eye!

  I notice that with each patient, McMahan listens intently and looks them in the eye when he talks. He acknowledges later that the eye contact is deliberate. "That's the No. 1 complaint I hear about other doctors," he says. "Patients say, 'He never looks at me! He's always on the computer.' So I always look up. I put my hand on their shoulder." He shrugs. "Sometimes compassion is even more important than a prescription."
  He uses the experiences that he has had to go through in his life, to support and understand each patient!
Such personal attentiveness does take effort, McMahan admits—especially given that computerized medical records have become ever more complicated, with dozens of menus that a physician must click through during each visit. But he's sympathetic to patients who feel as if they're being ignored. When McMahan's then 24-year-old son was diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2008, the family sought treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York, and the process deepened his perspective. "When you carry some of the battle scars that your patients carry, you meet them at their level," he says.

He goes the extra mile!
Besides running his private practice, the doctor spends one morning each week making the rounds at the local nursing homes, checking medications and visiting with patients he knows. He also treats patients at the local detention center, a mixed-use facility in Ocilla that houses immigrations and customs detainees, along with federal inmates.

He is trying to teach them to over come certain habits that are damaging their health...that is a hard sale!
Starting out, McMahan provided mostly acute care, what he describes as "lumps, bumps, rashes, colds, sore throats." These days, though, he's more likely to see patients with multiple chronic diseases: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease. Most are overweight, and many smoke. (In Ocilla, smoking is still permitted on the grounds of the local hospital—a policy McMahan has been trying to change.)

As the doctor to a high-risk population, McMahan spends much of his time trying to convince his patients to eat better and to exercise: unpopular prescriptions in the rural South. "It's like the Pogo cartoon," he says ruefully. " 'We have met the enemy, and the enemy is us.' "
  As a doctor, McMahan says, he can sometimes feel powerless in the face of people's habits. "We're a bunch of hardheaded southerners," McMahan acknowledges. "But we're talking about societal issues now. Is health care a privilege or a right, and who pays for it? And how much do you get when there's a limited resource?"

Since starting out, he adds, cutbacks by insurance companies have eaten away at the modest profit margin he once relied on. "For many family doctors, it's nearly impossible to make a living now," he says. "You have to make enough to pay the light bill, and to pay your employees—while still trying to be compassionate and not overcharge patients. That's why so many physicians these days are selling their practices."

For a moment, McMahan seems glum, but then he shrugs the mood off.
He is doing what seems like the impossible but he likes what he does and knows that is what he is suppose to do!
"The truth is, this is what I want to do," he says, as we walk out into the warm night air. "I like being a family doctor. I believe all Americans deserve a physician that they can rely on. That's one thing I'd like to publicize: You can get good care in a small town. And I'm doing what I can to keep it that way.

What a great article, and what a great concept!
Good night dear friends!
 
"A physician is obligated to consider more than a diseased organ, more even than the whole man - he must view the man in his world."  ~Harvey Cushing

 A Short History of Medicine
2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root."
1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."
1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."
1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."
1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."
2000 A.D. - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root."
~Author Unknown

I totally need to do this experiment!

 As many of you know, I started writing this blog, for no other reason than to hopefully share something positive in the world each day. I share it also, in hopes that by sharing my life's story that it may be of some help to others who might have to travel down some of the same roads. I love the challenge of daily writing this blog. Many times my daily entry will have more articles from other places that I have found than my own words. All of which I have found to be uplifting, funny or motivating. Jason Wright has been one of my favorite writers ever since I read his book called The Christmas Jar. Today was busy and in search of something that really makes you think, I chose his article, probably because I realize that I totally need to do this WITMIT experiment today, and in the future. Hope you enjoy it. Good night dear friends!

Wright Words: Could the WITMIT experiment work for you?

I’ve always been easily distracted.

You know my type. I could be running the race of my life and stop 10 feet from the finish line to pick up a shiny penny.

These weekly columns take more time than they should because I’m always going back to the beginning to remind myself what I’m writing about.

Wait a minute. I write a weekly column? When did this happen?

A couple of months ago, I was standing at my office idea board — a large section of my office wall I coated with thick whiteboard paint. It comes in handy for quick notes, sketching out plots or jotting down personal reminders.

There I stood, lost in a bulleted to-do list with more line items than the federal budget. Feeling overwhelmed, I scribbled to the side of the list: “What is the most important thing?”

I re-read my list and asked myself again: “What is the single most important thing I could be doing right now to advance my responsibilities, my goals and my day?”

After another moment, I erased the question and wrote in big block letters the acronym: WITMIT.

What is the most important thing?

I sat back down and decided to tackle a project I’d avoided for far too long. It had been the single most important thing I’d needed to do for two weeks, but I’d delayed the pain by convincing myself everything on the list was equally important.

And who am I to discriminate one task from another? I believe in equal rights for all procrastination.

When I was done with the dreaded task, I glanced back at my whiteboard and thought, "Way to knock out that WITMIT."

The experience prompted me to consider the time-management systems I’ve used over the years and the countless books I’ve read on personal productivity. Some of those approaches worked pretty well, right until I saw a shiny penny.

Sometimes the distractions are email, social media or a request from a reader to sign and mail a book. All might be worthwhile tasks and may, in fact, be quite important. But are they the absolute most important thing I should be doing in that very moment?

How many times have I found myself looking at my clock at 5 p.m. and rushing to finish the one thing that was most important for me to accomplish during the course of the day? Before I know it, I’m texting my wife to negotiate for a few more minutes.

But it’s not her fault I spent the day sorting through less important tasks and procrastinating the WITMIT until the whistle blew. If I had a nickel for every time I walked in the door at dinnertime to find my family waiting for me at the table, I’d have so much money I probably wouldn't be so distracted by all those shiny pennies.

Could the WITMIT experiment work for you?

When you’re done reading this column, take time to examine your day. What are the things you positively must accomplish before you tuck in the day and kiss it goodnight? Do you have an email to send, an errand to run or a client to call?

Ask yourself after completing each task, “What is the most important thing for me to be doing next?”

Maybe you spent the morning working on an important business proposal and your brain needs a break. Take a breather and reply to a note from the old friend you haven't heard from in months. An hour ago it wasn’t your WITMIT, but now it is.

Perhaps you need a moment to decompress after a stressful meeting by visiting Facebook and scrolling through your newsfeed. Did you survive a trip to Costco with a mini-van full of kids? You might deserve more than a moment online, your WITMIT might be to hug the DVR and catch up on “Downton Abbey.”

Has it been too long since you’ve taken your spouse to lunch or volunteered at your child’s school? If so, you may find either of those activities should become your WITMIT for the afternoon.

Imagine how productive we’d all feel every day if by lunchtime we’d knocked out those items that kept us awake the night before. Was it that letter to the IRS? What about that awkward discussion with your boss? Could it be an apology? If so, especially to a spouse or child, it should always be your WITMIT.

Sometimes our projects are multi-step hikes through an organizational jungle that will take days, weeks or even longer. Still, we should ask ourselves: What are the most important steps I can take on that trail today that lead me to a successful end?

My objective with my own WITMIT experiment is to accomplish more of the important things earlier in the day so that by quitting time, my WITMIT will always lead me home.

You may have a time-management system and tools for personal productivity that work for you. If so, keep it up! You’re ahead of the game. But if you’ve struggled to find consistency, give WITMIT a try by identifying the single most important task at any given moment.

So, what’s the most important thing I should be doing right now? I can send this column to my editor and call home to check on a child who’s been ill this week.

What comes after that?

What's the next WITMIT?

Is that a penny?

To read more of Jason's Wright Words you can go here:

"Dost thou love life, then do not squander time,
for that's the stuff life is made of."
Benjamin Franklin

Am I truly happy and am I living an abundant life?

For the past few weeks I have been struggling to fill my Empty Bucket. Many days I feel like I have done a good job of it and other days... I feel like I failed in deed. My problem on those latter days is...I was trying to do it alone. I know better, but still sometimes.... it is easier to think that you can do it all by yourself IF you just try harder and longer. The truth is ...I never have to do it alone unless I choose too. This sweet video  story that I found here:
It reminded me of this very subject, why am I such a slow learner some times? ( You don't have to really answer that? )
I hope you will take the time to watch it, and realize that none of us need to try and do it alone. We could be living an Abundant Life if...we keep Christ in our lives. Why is that so hard to remember? We seem to never forget it from after Thanksgiving and on into the Christmas Season. But it is the rest of the year that is the real test. Is Christ a part of our lives? And if not....why? And if so....how is your life changed because of it?
It truly is where my greatest happiness comes from, I just forget that sometimes. This was a great reminder!
Good night dear friends!

  “He does not believe that does not live according to his belief." ~ Thomas Fuller ( English churchman and historian that lived in the 17th century )

"Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities."

You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith."  ~ Thomas S. Monson

Choices

Someone sent this to me today. My girlfriend and I were just talking about this exact thing. I think it is a big ah hah moment in our life, when we realize this quote is true... our life is made up of choices. We have the Choice to overcome our childhood, to become better parents, to decide what job we want, what type of relationships we want and on and on.
Many people seem to get stuck in their life because they blame everything that happens to them on the things listed below...and they act as if they no choice. I don't believe that, you always have a choice...that is a gift that God gave to each of us. We just need to learn how to make better choices if we want our lives to be better and different. Seems so easy, but I know it isn't always easy... but making the right and many times hard choices...is the right thing to do.


Life truly is made up of a lot of lessons and a lot of choices huh?
Well, I am going to make the choice to go to bed, it's late and I need the rest.
Good night dear friends!