I am with Sandbee 54… I rant and rave and scream and yell…

In hard times I work as much as I can. Because when you work, time’s passing really fast, and hopefully the hard times will be over when you stop working…

I remember this… If you woke up this morning with more health than illness…you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation …you are ahead of 500 million people in the world. If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death…you are more blessed than three billion people in the world. If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep…you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace … you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy. If your parents are still alive and still married … you are very rare, even in the United States and Canada. If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all. Someone once said: What goes around comes around. Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching. Sing like nobody’s listening. Live like it’s Heaven on Earth. AND Listen To Louis Armstrong… I see trees of green, red roses too I see them bloom for me and you And I think to myself what a wonderful world. I see skies of blue and clouds of white The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night And I think to myself what a wonderful world. The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky Are also on the faces of people going by I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do They’re really saying I love you. I hear babies crying, I watch them grow They’ll learn much more than I’ll never know And I think to myself what a wonderful world Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world. ~Louis Armstrong Smile And everything will be fine.. I have a collection of being Happy and Smiling songs and Quotes…

All of the above - in general I plan!!

It’s not that I haven’t incorporated many of the methods mentioned above; I exercise, have meditated and prayed, spent many afternoons in dark movie theaters. In all honesty, though, nothing beats the full size carton of Edy’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie Blended Frozen Yogurt, throw in a few handfuls of chopped walnuts, maybe a little peanut butter, snuggle under my favorite blanket with an engrossing novel and pity poor little me for a while. By the time I’ve finished, I usually feel better, and if I don’t, I’m too stuffed to notice.

I pray…. a lot. Things that are out of my control, I pray a higher power will handle. I also become more aware of the simple things and cherish them more- my kids’ laughter, good friends, my grandkids. It’s hard though. I’m a worrier by nature, especially about the “what if”, and “what might happen”. A warm hug from a loved one and a large dark chocolate candy bar doesn’t hurt.

Community service is where it is at.

When things are really bad, I try to spend some time with my youngest grandchildren or, if that’s not possible, almost anybody’s children will do. Children have always been able to lift my spirits and let me know that things will get better; that there’s hope for the future and that these little lives will provide a better tomorrow.

I spend time enjoying nature - something that doesn’t change no matter the economic emergencies that surface in my world.

Have a nice stiff G&T.

The Music Genome Project……Free…..Build your own radio stations…… Caution: It is a seriously huge rabbit hole to fall into, Alice……You should pack provisions for three days…..don’t forget the chocolates….. http://www.pandora.com/

My late sister Pam taught me everything I needed to know about getting through hard times - she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at age four, and fought back the limits of a dire prognosis for 22 years. These are the 5 Pillars of Pam’s Legacy, which I live by not only through hard times, but all times. WE CAN’T CONTROL LIFE BY BEING AFRAID OF IT So often we make our decisions from a place of fear. Fear separates us from our abilities. It does not protect us, nor will it alter an outcome. Being afraid is natural, but acting out of fear is not the same as using your survival instinct. When we choose to move forward despite our fear, our abilities are empowered, our faith is restored, and our hopes are renewed. THE ONLY TRUE POWER WE HAVE IS THE POWER TO CHOOSE OUR RESPONSE TO WHAT LIFE SETS BEFORE US We are not defined by our circumstances, but by our possibilities. When we cannot change what life sets before us, we are challenged to change ourselves. At any given moment we can choose despair or hope, revenge or forgiveness, fear or faith. The choice is always ours to make, and therein lies our power. THERE IS JOY AND BEAUTY IN EVERY DAY No matter what our circumstances, if we take the chance and opportunity of seeking out beauty in the world around us, there are moments in every day that can be treasured. These moments of joy may be small, but they are powerful. If you can’t find the beauty and joy in your day, create it. RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GIVING UP AND SURRENDER Giving up is an act of anger or despair. It implies there’s still some fight left, some unfinished business to complete. Surrender is a release, a letting go. There is peace and contentment in knowing there is nothing more to give, or receive. Surrender can only be accomplished with love. NEVER GIVE UP! Become a Warrior on behalf of your own life! Heather Summerhayes Cariou www.sixtyfiverosesthebook.com

Pema Chodron says, “This radical form of patience takes alot of courage and it can transform you at the core. Instead of our hearts becoming hard when difficulties arise, patience makes our hearts become more genuine and loving.”