Freedom Friday: 45 Lessons

My aunt forwarded me this today. 

It had some statements that I really needed to hear right now.

This is what I learned from these lessons.

45 Lessons Life has Taught Me:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

I am learning this right now. Even though there have been a lot of unfair things lately, there are some beautiful things that happen every day that show me that it isn't the end of the world. 

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 

Okay. I get it. I need to let it go.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. 
5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 

Z. Thank you for letting me cry with you every night when I was visiting in April. It truly helped.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 

I guess that now you are in the past, I need to continue to try to make peace with what you did to me so I can move on and not feel crippled by the scars you left me with.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. 
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. 
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 

This was my motto all during the years I was sick. This is so true. I believe in it fully.
19.  It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 
23. Be eccentric now.. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 

I'm trying really hard to embrace who I am and to be solid in myself.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain. 
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. 

I've been learning this lately too. I'm trying really hard to find my own happiness.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?' 
27. Always choose life. 
28. Forgive everyone everything. 

I'm trying, God. I really am. Please help me forgive.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 

So, if I embrace who I am solidly, then it doesn't matter what people think of me. The people who matter will stay.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. 

I know that time will heal me. I never thought about giving time time to work it's magic. I need to let time pass and heal me and not hurry it up. I will heal in time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 

This too shall pass.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 
33. Believe in miracles. 
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. 
37. Your children get only one childhood. 
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 

This really hit me hard and made me think. I gave everything I had in my last relationship and I loved as unconditionally as I possibly could. Even though things turned sour, I know that I gave my all. I loved. And I guess that really is all that matters.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 

meaning: CHELSIE! DO NOT SIT AT HOME EVERY DAY AND SULK AND THINK TOO MUCH! GET! OUT!
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 
42. The best is yet to come. 
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 
44. Yield. 
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Did you get anything out of these lessons?

Freedom Friday: Inspiration

Things that have inspired me lately:

Rain that makes the flowers grow:

Sunlight that warms the soul:

Water that washes clean:

Unopened doors waiting to be seen:

Something overlooked but beautiful:

water that makes life grow:

Reflections in an incoming night:

in the dark, finding light:

new views on old things:

Alice in Wonderland:

yeah. the last part didn't rhyme. but c'mon. that kitty is SO CUTE! me want now.

Freedom Friday: Did you say it?

Grey's Anatomy gets me every time:

"Did you say it?...

                        .....'I Love You....

....I don't ever want to live without you....

....You've changed my life...'

Did you say it?

Make a plan.

Set a goal.

Work toward it, but every now and then,

Look around.

Drink it in.

'Cause this is it...

It might all be gone tomorrow...."

One of the greatest lessons I have learned from being sick was to tell the people I love that I love them. There have been many instances when I didn't take the chance to say that, thinking that I would always have the opportunity to say that to someone and then waking up one day with that opportunity gone and the words unspoken. 

Those have been some of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life and I have vowed to myself to always be telling the people I love that I love them, no matter what is happening in my own life. And I have found that taking a step back and looking at the people in my life really makes me feel so humbled and blessed to have those people around. 

So.

Did you say it? 

I love you.

Because it's true...

Things change and sometimes, it really will be all gone tomorrow. 

Freedom Friday: Prayers

I have this little poem framed on my desk that I read every time I sit down. My aunt gave it to me when I was baptized into my church when I was eight. Whenever I read it, I always think of the people who I love and miss and who I am thinking of and then I say a prayer for them. It's almost like a little reminder to think and pray for the people who I love and to be thankful for their presence in my life.

I said a prayer for you today and I know that God must have heard. I felt the answer in my heart, although he spoke no word. I didn't ask for wealth or fame; I knew you wouldn't mind. I asked him instead to send you treasures of another kind. I asked that he'd be near to you at the start of each new day, to grant you health and blessings and friends to share along your way. I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small. But it was for his loving care, I prayed for most of all. 

I know that I am not the only one who is struggling with things right now in my life. I am thankful for the people that God has put into my life at this time who have become huge supports to me. I can only hope and pray that I can be a strength to them as they are to me.

These are my thoughts.

This is my prayer.

Freedom Friday: Surrender

Grey's anatomy possesses infinite wisdom. 

"Even when our hopes give way to reality and we have to surrender to the truth, it just means we've lost today's battle. Not tomorrow's war."

These are my thoughts.

this is my prayer.