Some Days

Some days are better than others. Some days you can't see through the woods. But my belief is there is light at the end of every tunnel. Everything happens for a reason. In the world today, as we know it, it's not easy to get through every day with a smile. You have to keep positive and look on the bright side of EVERYTHING. Everything happens for a reason.

Some people think I have it all together. I don't but I try my hardest. I live by saying what would Jesus do (thanks mom). It's a curse I tell ya but it works for me. I have to be positive on everything I do. I tell myself this every time a crisis occurs, which has been a little too frequent for my liking lately.

Being positive, for me, comes from my faith; my faith in God and my faith in the human race. Some days I feel like I want to give it all up and just run away...sound familiar? But I can't. Other days I'm on top of the world. Some days I have to count my blessing and other days...well you get the point.

Yesterday a friend of mine who I haven't seen in a while said she loved my work (photography) and loved my little happy posting of facebook. We sat and talked about life and the world and one thing that stuck out in my mind was something I always try to remember and that is if people were more kind to each other on a daily basis, life would seem so difficult. If everyone reached out a helping hand, life would be less stressful. I know it's hard to believe. I know it's hard to do. But you have to take a deep breathe (breathing is always a good thing) and compose yourself. After all, proactive is always better than reactive.

I hope this helps you get threw your day. Remember to never go to bed angry and tell the people that mean the most to you that you love them. Say it often and mean it. Have patience when times get tough and smile as much as possible.

Peace and love to all.

This

THIS

Sometimes I can’t find the words in my head to describe what I’m thinking or feeling. Even the best of us loose it. We feel beaten and depressed. We feel old and sheltered. But this only lasts for a moment in time and then we move on. Even though while we are going through troubled times and it seems like it lasts forever, we need to focus on the real problem at hand. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed we can’t see through the woods or even see straight for that matter.

How do we overcome these times? Everyone is different when it comes to letting everything go and dealing with life. For some it may be writing, reading or going for a walk. Others work out or do errands to get their mind off what ever is troubling them. Meditation is another release which I will do from time to time.

When life is troubling me, for what ever reason it is, I sit in a quiet room, listen to some earth music and gather my thoughts. I’ll close my eyes, breathe deeply (exhaling is highly recommended) and I’ll see all the beauty that has been promised to me from a higher power. I’ll see that life here on Earth is only the beginning for me. I’ll realize that every single thing that is bothering me is just a little thing. I’ll understand what ever is bothering me is not worth getting all upset over because in the end, it really doesn’t matter.

It doesn’t matter that my kid drove the car threw the garage door. It doesn’t matter that my other son got suspended from school. It doesn’t matter that I lost someone at work today. What matters is that I have a loving family and friends who mean ever thing to me. What matters is that I’ve touched someone’s soul today. It matters that I helped someone feel good about themselves. If I’ve reached out and touched you in some way that made a difference in a positive manner than I’ve done my job for the day. This is what my ‘higher power’ has taught me.

Like a lot of you, this has been a very trying week for me. I’ve busted my ass all week and got some terrible news and the only thing I can do is pray because it‘s all in God‘s hands and I can do nothing to prevent or cure it. I’ve been the subject of jokes and made fun of (all in good humor. No worries) and today I let it all get to me. I was quiet all day and when I finally got some free time to myself , I started to write this. ‘This’, is my escape. ‘This’, is what helps me recover. ‘This’, is what is right for me. If you haven’t guessed yet and are asking yourself what ’this’ is, ’this’ is writing. I have a lot of different ’This’s’.
‘This’ helps me to focus on what my life will be tomorrow. What ever your ’this’ is, do it and do it now and often because no one likes a grouch first thing in the morning.

Have faith. Love much and often. Try to lend a helping hand. Be kind to others even if they are not kind to you.

Peace to you and all you touch.

Rick

Being Positive

I did not write this but it is worth sharing. It might just help with your day. Peace. It's a wonderful thing. Share it.

Read this�LET IT REALLY SINK IN...THEN CHOOSE

John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, 'If I were any better, I would be twins!'

He was a natural motivator.

If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, 'I don't get it!'

'You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?'

He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or...you can choose to be in a bad mood - I choose to be in a good mood.'

Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it..

Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or...I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.

'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested.

'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood.

You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.'

I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.

After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.

I saw him about six months after the accident..

When I asked him how he was, he replied, 'If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?'

I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

'The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,' he replied. 'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live.'

'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked.

He continued, '...the paramedics were great.

They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action.'

'What did you do?' I asked.

'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,' said John. 'She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity''

Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'

He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude...I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is everything.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.' Matthew 6:34.

After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Show Me The Way

I see faces in the clouds and hear whispers in the wind.

I’ve reached out to hold you but can’t touch a thing.

You are within me yet I don’t know how to open up.

You stand beside me and I know you are there

It started long ago when I was just a child

An infant in your arms I am helpless without you

Bring me the strength to bring love to this world

Show me the way so that I may bring joy.

Come to me and take my hand

Walk with me as you always have

Let me see your shining face.

Let me fly with you to ever lasting peace

New Year 2010

Well it's New Years 2010. It's time for new beginnings. A fresh slate. A new chapter in your book of life. Have you thought about what this new chapter will be about? I can only hope for the best this year. Last year was a difficult one but in the same sense, it was a joyous year for my family and me. I'm hoping this year will be better. Last year I married the greatest person I know, our ebay business turned out fabulous, I connected with friends I haven't heard from in years and I didn't have to work during Christmas. I got to see my family and friends and met some really cool people this past year. How do I beat 2009? I just keep doing the same thing; spreading the love and peace that this world needs so badly.

It's amazing to me how much we grow up and how quickly it happens. How we lose touch and get reconnected again after so many years. It's a good thing life is. Hence, 'Life is Good'.

Let's make this year a better year. Contact friends and family you haven't seen or heard from in a while. You'll be surprised with the welcome you get.

I've been doing this over the last couple of years. A few years ago my very close friend (to be considered a brother) of mine passed away suddenly. His name was Jay and he was a life time friend. I met Jay when I was 14. We had the same friends and soon became brothers.

When I went to the wake and funeral I saw friends that I hadn't seen in years. It was awesome seeing these people that I shared my childhood with. I got everyone's email address and suggested a reunion. To my surprise, everyone attended. Like the good ole days, we partied til 6:30 in the morning. We've been doing this now for 4 years (maybe 5 but who's counting).

Ya know what the great thing about my friends are? After not seeing them for years and I mean years, as soon as we saw each other, it was like we talked yesterday. I know you have friends like that.

In closing; keep in touch with the people you love. Family and friends are all the same to me. Make new friends and see your family more. Make peace. Do something nice for people and try not to get caught up in the every day life we all know oh so well.

Peace to you and all you love.