WEATHERING THE STORMS OF LIFE

Every day we are faced with different challenges and trials. From getting a flat tire to losing a loved one and we are not prepared for any of it. Each day is a new day never before seen and once its gone it cannot be recaptured. Therefore, I live each day to its fullest seizing each opportunity as a chance to grow, learn and to be better than I was yesterday, constantly striving to reach beyond my potential. "Shoot for the moon and you'll land among the stars."
I have been having a series of discussions with someone close to me about the fairness of life. When my 9 year old tells me "That's not fair." I tell him "Life isn't fair." It took me a long time to realize that it rains on the rich and the poor, the genius and the idiot, the righteous and the unrighteous. If we had not bad times, we could not appreciate the good times I saw we because I feel that I am a member of the human race; a spiritual being having a human experience. A Christian who is in the world but not of the world. I feel comfortable that in stating that my feelings are not new. If I have felt something odds are, so has someone else. My feelings are my own and I am entitled to feel any way I like and so is everybody. Its what I do with my feelings that makes the difference between good decision making and mental meltdown.
Dealing with feelings is a challenge especially being the care taking, feelings on my sleeve wearing, perfectionist that I am. I don't like emotional discomfort, pain or change and most of the people that I know don't like it either, but that doesn't change what I call cosmic reality; The only thing we have truly control in life is our feelings. We don't control other people even if we think we can. We can't control the weather or the environment. We can't control what happens in our lives because change is constant and inevitable. This is another cosmic reality. We can manage what how we conduct ourselves and interact with other people. We can control our behavior, but not our thoughts because if we could we would opt to think only happy thoughts. this is impossible because we are made up of all thoughts, not just certain ones.
Sometimes we can dwell on or remain in a negative thought process for so long that we have difficulty getting out and then we become hostage to our own thoughts. This is why I find it imperative to my growth to surround myself with like minded people who share my ambition, appreciation of life, love of mankind, etc. , so that I can obtain advice, support and strength and I can also share my advice, support and strength. "Pay it forward". I am now more settled and one of the most important lessons I have ever learned comes from an old friend named Linda Ofosu. "So a man thinketh so he is." This is a quote from the Bible, but I don't know what book. If you think you can't do something, be someone or have something, odds are you won't. the brain doesn't know the difference between the truth and a lie and it will direct you accordingly. I am no scientist, but I know that 90% of what I have wanted to do have and be in my life has come true, therefore I can proceed based on the averages that I expect that if I continue to do what I have been doing, I will continue to get what I have been getting. It is work to stay positive and motivated in this world, that is why we all need help. here is a list of some of my strategies for success. Now let me premise this by saying that life is not a bowl of cherries, it is a basket of fruit; apples, berries, pears and yes, some lemons. " when life gives you lemons make lemonade."

• Take a moment each day to connect with your inner self through prayer, meditation, a few moments of silence. Prayer for me is talking to God. Meditation or silent time is so I can hear God when he talks back.
• Take time each day to smell the roses literally and figuratively. Count your blessings.
• Smile and give someone else a compliment. It will give you warm fuzzies.
• We don't plan to fail, we fail to plan, so do something each day to work on your plan.
• take time at the end of each day to review your day and how you conducted yourself in the world. Were you honorable? considerate? loving? forgiving? tolerant?
• If you need to say I am sorry for bad behavior make amends, forgive yourself as soon as you can, don't put it off.
• Give someone a hug and say "I love you" daily.
• Talk about your dreams with someone you trust daily. this will get you to become more accountable to your goals.
• Do something fun just for you daily, so you don't lose perspective or hope.

Love, peace and hair grease.