Routines, routines....

I realized way too late last night that I never promoted yesterday's blog. Prior to the tower taking a dump, I had my routine. I woke up, got ready, headed for the downstairs, and blogged. Seemed like after a good night's sleep, I was always able to write. After writing and publishing the blog posting, I'd head over to the FB page and set it up so that the blog would show as a status at some point during the day.

In the two months that my tower was in the shop, I fell out of that routine. I became a morning sloth, making sure I play each of my Snoopy games on the iPad before heading out the door to work. Even this morning, I fell short of getting back into the routine. I did my morning 'get ready' routine and then came downstairs and made sure Snoopy's Candy Town and Snoopy's Street Fair were all taken care of for the day. As my daughter came downstairs, I realized I had a blog to write!

Trust me, I do feel a strong urgency in writing. Since my routine was messed up, the urge to write comes at weird moments, when I am not able to access the blogger site. I've started resorting to writing things down as they strike me, perhaps that's what writers do.

It is amazing to me how we get tied to our routines and once they are messed up, forget it. Seems like it takes three times as long to get back in the swing of things. I find that happening more and more in my life. I've put weight back on (not happy about that), fell out of the walking/exercising routine, stopped reading, and even slowed down with my writing (although that wasn't entirely my conscious fault). All these routines that I had once been so fervent in following are all seeming like distant memories to me right now.

Perhaps I need to become more of a 'go with the flow' kind of person, but I guess I have come to realize that I need my routines. I need to know what I'm doing at what time. I need to have a plan and stick to it. I'm thankful for some eye opening realizations.

Until tomorrow, my friends......

Think Thankfully

Today I will

What an empowering three words. TODAY I WILL. Just saying it makes me feel like I can conquer anything I put my mind to! When I wake up in the morning, trudge off to the bathroom to get myself ready for the day, I give myself a little pep talk. It usually starts with.....TODAY I WILL.

Three little words. TODAY I WILL. Three little words that make a lot of difference if used on a daily basis, honestly. TODAY I WILL. In using daily intentions (such as "TODAY I WILL") we are helping ourselves to work toward becoming the person we truly and honestly want to be, doing it one small step at a time. TODAY I WILL…three little words that encourage us to declare our intentions for the day ahead, reflect on progress we may have made up to that point, and subsequently live life a little better than the day before it. TODAY I WILL.

I have often encouraged my friends to keep a gratitude journal. Whether it be when the mood strikes you, or at the end of the day, jot down some things you are thankful for in that day. Recognize that even the bad days produce things to be thankful for. Sometimes, this is a difficult task for people to do. Believing they may sound silly at being thankful for something as silly as toothpaste, they feel that their expressions of gratitude have to be something of a grand scale. Now you and I both know that this is not the case, but some people just can't bring themselves to be thankful. Perhaps starting with a daily intention journal in the morning may help on the road to being more thankful. Wake up and immediately set your mind to the day's intention. TODAY I WILL.....be happier, not let people get to me, sing a song out loud, say hello to a stranger, pay it forward with a random act of kindness......ANYTHING! Just tell yourself that TODAY I WILL and then go out and DO IT! Make it happen!

As I was scrolling through my personal Facebook page (which I am so very close to eliminating from my life), I saw a status update from a special relative of mine. He posted his very own thankful post today. It meant the world to me to see it today, because I know he's been struggling a lot these past two months. I know how he is feeling because I was in his shoes four years ago. When I commented to him that his post made my heart happy, he responded with this: It's hard to think thankfully. Not giving a sob story but my family and friends know that there are to many demons in my head. Right now, I see your post and I decided that maybe it will turn my head around.  So thank you...

My friends.....THIS is why I do what I do. It is my hope that TODAY......someone else will realize the benefit of Think Thankfully. TODAY......someone else will join our journey and become a more thankful person. TODAY......I will continue writing and posting in the hope that I will be able to reach just one person who needs it the most. TODAY, I WILL continue my own Think Thankfully journey (and I sure am glad you are all on this journey with me.). TODAY, I WILL................

...... what will you?

Until tomorrow, my friends........

Think Thankfully

Write what you love....love what you write!

Happy last day of March 2014! I can hardly believe that the last time I truly sat down to write was February 11. I remember the day well, as it was my birthday AND the 1st angelversary of a special little girl in my life. Here we now are, the last day of March, and I have a 2 hour delay! WOW!

So, let me take this time to tell you, I had an extremely amazing experience during the time we were apart. On March 20, I was asked to go along to a Contemporary Christian concert featuring the Casting Crowns. Of course, I said yes....Next to MercyMe and Third Day, I was a fan of Casting Crowns. WOW! I can hardly contain my feelings when I think back to how amazing that concert was! I was so eager to write about it, so eager to put into words what I was feeling. To say it moved me is an understatement. I'd be willing to say it did more than just move me....it pretty much lifted me and replanted me!

Also, during our time apart, we celebrated birthdays in the family! My mom and dad both had birthdays in the Month of March! I'd tell you how old they are, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't believe me anyway! It always amazes me that my family sticks to tradition and always looks to have cake and ice cream for the birthday boy or girl. Doesn't matter how old you are, we still celebrate! Also, my beloved Grandma would have celebrated a birthday this month, too. I can say, with all honesty, this is the first year I wasn't all heartbroken over not having her here. Her birthday was recognized and honored, but it wasn't a day of sadness. I think I'm completely at peace.....

Write what you love.....love what you write. This whole Think Thankfully journey did not stop because I was missing my desktop for so long. The wonderful app developers at Facebook updated their page manager app and I am now given the wonderful choice of setting up the Think Thankfully Facebook page days in advance. I can schedule posts so that I don't have to feel ball and chained to the page. I collect my images and schedule for two days in advance. Our followers are almost up to 600! Our Journey to a Thousand Thankful Hearts is well underway! I love writing the positives. I love writing about things that make my heart smile. I love writing about the happy world around me. In keeping up with the page and now being back to writing again, I realize just how my life has changed. My happy days far outnumber the unhappy days. I've pushed mistrust and insecurities to a far, hidden corner of my world. I've realized that in order to live a happy life, we must BE happy....and it starts with ourselves.

I still see the 'whoa is me' statuses floating around on Facebook and it makes me sad. I still see people worrying so much about what others are or are not doing and it pains my heart. I truly wish people understood the message. If you want to be happy....then BE HAPPY. The only thing stopping you is YOU. I've lost some more 'friends' on Facebook because people think that if I don't comment or respond to things they post, I'm ignoring them. Not true. I've learned I am NOT living my life if I keep strapped to Facebook. I don't see a lot of things because I have significantly limited my time on it. Facebook is not life. My life is very busy. In addition to working 5 days a week, I still have a non-driving teen at home who is very active with sports and life. THIS is where I am needed. THIS is where I choose to be.

Write what you love, love what you write.....it feels so good to be back!

Until tomorrow, my friends.....

Think Thankfully!

Feels good to be writing again!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Feels so good to be back and able to blog again!

Let me start by apologizing for the lack of blog posts since February. My desktop tower finally konked out on me and until I was able to finally get it repaired (rather than replace it), I wasn't able to do my blogging. Sure I have an iPad, but it really isn't easy to blog on. Even tougher yet, is trying to blog on my phone. I guess I am one of those people who, once I do things on a certain platform, am completely unable to adjust to change!

A lot has happened since the last time we were together! I'm not even sure where to begin, so I will just say, I'm back and ready to write again!!!!  A lot of things have been swimming through my head and I am eager to get back to writing on a somewhat daily basis!

Thanks for waiting! Sorry to have left so abruptly!

Until tomorrow, my friends.....

THINK THANKFULLY!

Live like ELLA ♥

I cannot think of a better blog entry today, my birthday blog, than to honor the life of my little Cancer Warrior Princess Angel, who is celebrating her first angelversary today. Last year, I can remember sitting in my classroom, celebrating the big 4-0 with my students and getting a text message that would put my celebrations into a tailspin. I received word that my little CWP had lost her battle with cancer and was now an angel. I was heartbroken, yet so very happy, all at the same time. My little friend whom I had never actually met, Ella Grace, was now an angel.

Truth be told, that little girl was an angel here on earth. I’ve blogged about her before, but today, February 11, I choose to blog about her again, because she deserves to be remembered today and forever! It is not our job to even try to begin to explain why some things in life happen. I wish I knew why a little 4 year old girl was taken from us. I wish I knew why that blasted C word won that battle. I wish I could explain the reason for all the nonsense. Any time you hear of a child losing their battle with a horrible disease, a whole host of emotions enters your world. We seem to feel angry, sad. We begin to question God and why he allows little ones to suffer. But Ella, well, that little girl taught a lot of people a lot about living. Ella never complained, always wore she smile (probably because it was the best accessory for her tutu and flowery headbands), and inspired people to be the best they could possibly be. I'm pretty sure that little girl went through what she did in order to teach us all a lesson about living, loving, and accepting our fate, come what may. I had the distinct pleasure of doing the Warrior Dash two years ago as Ella’s Warrior, raising a ton of funds for St. Jude’s, all in the name of Ella Grace Luchansky. It became a yearly tradition for me and my daughters, as each year we WARRIOR ON in Ella’s name!

When I look back at the life my little Cancer Warrior Princess Angel Ella Grace lived, I cannot help but be thankful for the gift of that little girl in my life. Without ever meeting her, she has inspired me to be a better person. She loved her tutus, headbands, purple, and glitter. She giggled and smiled and always thought of others. She truly LIVED her life. So many of us go through the motions of day to day living, completely overlooking the things that are truly important in life. Ella Grace lived her little life to love others, regardless of the battles she faced each and every day.

As I head out to work today, wearing my purple sweater (because purple is my favorite color, too), my Live Like Ella shirt underneath, and my purple converse, I am encouraging each and every one of you to go out and LIVE LIKE ELLA today and every day. Honor the life of a special little girl.

Until tomorrow, my friends……

Think Thankfully

You gotta keep your head up!

@FlyingDog Brewery (From Underdog bottle)

So, I told you that inspiration hits me at the weirdest moments! Remember the blog that was written from the bleachers of a high school basketball game? Well, this one is not much different. The inspiration for this blog comes from a beer bottle. Yes, you read that right, a beer bottle! The above image was taken at the Lizard Creek Tavern last night, as my best friend got a bottle of Underdog beer by Flying Dog Brewery. I always like to read their bottles, because they are quite inspirational, and much to my expectation, last night was no different!

And what a message it brings! Don't be the underdog! Keep your head up, stand tall, and carry on! Rule the board! Become the Kings and Queens of the game! WOW! Imagine if we all lived THIS life! Imagine if we all lived as big as we dreamed. Imagine if we all lived as if we truly had it all together and knew we couldn't fail! Imagine if we kept our heads up, stood tall, and carried on?!?! I was so inspired by the label of the bottle, I just had to snap it and use it. I wasn't sure if I wanted to use in ON the Think Thankfully Facebook page or here in the blog. I guess you can see which won out!

Today, my thought to you is short and sweet and it truly comes from the label of a bottle of beer. DON'T BE THE UNDERDOG IN THIS CRAZY GAME CALLED LIFE! NOW IS NO TIME TO BE A PAWN! THE KINGS AND QUEENS RULE THE BOARD, SO THAT'S WHO YOU'VE GOTTA BE!!!!!!!!!

It begs another little ditty to put into your head today.....Andy Grammer's Keep Your Head Up! 

But you gotta keep your head up, oh,

And you can let your hair down, eh.

you gotta keep your head up, oh,

And you can let your hair down, eh.

I know it's hard, know its hard

To remember sometimes,

But you gotta keep your head up, oh,

And you can let your hair down, eh.

Make today a great day! I'm pulling for you! Think Thankfully!!!!

Sorry, I've been MIA, but I'm back! Did ya miss me?!?!?!

Hey there! Did you miss me? Sorry I've been MIA and I sincerely apologize for the big delay in blog postings. I've been a combination of busy AND had a bit of a lack of motivation. I warned you that the beginning of the month of February was a rough time for me. I've spent a lot of time this past week (or so) simply thinking. Thankfully, I did not allow myself to drown in self pity, sadness, or wallow in grief, but I did take some time to really think.

Last Sunday was a very emotional day for me. It marked 4 years since my grandma passed away. It is always a very tough time for me, as I was always a grandma's girl. No secret there. My grandma was my world. I know I post a lot about her and you have heard it a million times. It really is no secret. Losing her felt like losing a huge chunk of my heart. I was pretty sure I would NEVER get over it. But I have. Now, in saying that, I do not mean that I am over the fact that I no longer have my grandma in the physical here and now, but I am over the deep sadness and loss I have felt for 4 long years.

There are a few truths I am able to accept with regards to losing my grandma. First of all, my grandma is where she wanted to be since April of 2007. She is at home and with my grandfather. Second, she wants me to be happy. And third, she will NEVER leave me. It has taken me quite some time and a lot of thinking (plus a few 'visits' with the help of my wonderful friend who is a spiritual medium) for me to realize that my hurt and grief are all so selfish of me.

So, as I sit here tonight, I can honestly say that I am no longer angry and bitter at losing my grandma. Not even one little bit. I'm thankful I have her with me all the time, watching and guiding me. I'm thankful I can still 'talk' to her and that she hears me. I'm thankful that I have a 'connection' to her and when I most need her, she makes herself known. I'm thankful that I've been shown the 'light' and have come to accept this. AND, I am also thankful I do not have to drink another Moxie (unless I really want to!!!).

I guess it is safe to say, I'm back! Did ya miss me???

Think Thankfully!