
“I want less, so that what I have I may appreciate it even more.”

“I want less, so that what I have I may appreciate it even more.”

Many people wait around for happiness to find them but if you really think about it, it’s really only a positive thought away. Being happy can be a choice you make. With all the chaos that life brings into our lives, it’s really difficult to find a way to be carefree. With so much on our minds, I can see how one can get caught up feeling stressed, angry, confused, frustrated or lost.
For me, I’m at a point in my life where I’ve come to realize that I have to stop, live in the moment and appreciate everything that I already have and everyone who is around me. I try to be optimistic even when the deck is stacked against me because there is always something positive to be gained from all the hardships I’ve gone through.
Everyday that I wake up, I thank God that I get to enjoy another day regardless of how good or bad it is. I don’t worry about the past or the future…now is what’s important to me. I look around and enjoy the small things in life that give me joy.
Yeah it’s easy to say all this and hard to do, but with enough practice it can be done. It took me awhile to get this optimistic attitude but I did it. Enjoy your life, be grateful for your family, friends and pets, be content with what you have and bask in the little things that make life worth living. You’ve come this far, just imagine what the world can offer you.
So don’t wait for happiness to find you, grow it yourself…it’ll do wonders for your life.

As I get older, the more wiser I become. It’s strange to say that because I’ve come to the realization that life teaches you many things. It helps you build strength, character and resolve. But in all my years, at home, work, school, outings with friends, just life in general, I’ve learned that it was important for me to stay true to this one quote, “It’s easy to say and harder to do, so follow through on your actions and be a person of your word.”

“As my eyes go out of focus, I see clearer.”

There were many things that I’ve seen
but none could be more important than
what was in front of me
My DAD worked hard
to provide us with everything,
so I’ve learned to be…
RESPONSIBLE
My MOM tended to
my illnesses and injuries,
so I’ve learned to be…
CARING
My SISTER had a severe handicap
and dealt with ridicule
so I’ve learned to be…
TOLERANT
My WIFE gave hugs with a smile
through all the good and the bad,
so I’ve learned to be…
LOVING
My DAUGHTER was friendly
to everyone she met
so I’ve learned to be…
KIND
My SON sought out things
that were unfamiliar and unknown
so I’ve learned to be…
FEARLESS
My DOGS kept me company
when family was not around
so I’ve learned to be…
LOYAL
My FRIENDS were there
to hear every problem and gripe
so I’ve learned to be…
a good LISTENER
My FAMILY and FRIENDS
have been with me
through every step of my life
so I’ve learned to be…
SUPPORTIVE
These people that I’ve encountered,
made me who I am today
and I’m grateful
for the lessons I’ve learned
through their
unselfish actions.

We live in a world where the hustle and bustle of life constantly keeps us on the move. It’s like we shift our focus from one thing to the next without a chance to rest. If we’re not doing something that keeps us preoccupied then we feel nervous, anxious even; a feeling of being unproductive comes into play. No matter what station in life we’re at, we should always take the time to stop, breath and soak in our surroundings. Pause our life for a moment to appreciate anything and everything we take for granted. It’s so easy to overlook the little things that’s a part of our lives…nature, air, water, family, friends, pets, the place we live, technology that helps us to communicate with others, vehicles that transports us to faraway places, electricity. It’s just some of the stuff that makes our lives comfortable. Taking a time out helps us to reflect on our lives and gives introspection on what we value most dearly. It’s a way of pressing the reset button and re-energizing ourselves to fight the good fight that all of us are doing just to get by and survive in this chaotic world that we live in. So stop and smell the roses, take in a deep breath and soak in that sunshine; relish being alive and be thankful for all the things that get us through the day.

Believe in the journey
There will undoubtedly
be ups and downs,
but have faith in who you are
Trust in your decisions
Rely on your skills
Stand tall
from the support of family and friends
And never waver in your commitment
If you follow this path
that was meant solely for you,
you will reach your dreams
and all its wondrous glories.

“Time heals all wounds” they say but a lot of us cling to the past which makes it quite difficult to move forward in life. Memories of the past is like a double edged sword. Many of the experiences we hold so dearly are often ones of joy, love or laughter that was shared with family, friends and loved ones which can never be replicated. Others are of fractured memories that bring sadness, pain and loss that we try so hard to forget but to no avail. Often times when we’re in a different setting, we encounter a similar situation or experience and expect it to follow what had happened in the past. When it doesn’t live up to the hype, to our expectations, the end feelings leave us disappointed, discouraged and depressed. Or when it brings about the same feelings of sorrow it just fuels our doomed outlook on life.
It’s truly hard to move past these things and I for one can admit that I find it challenging to do so. But everything that we experience makes us into who we are and really does help us to become stronger. Time really doesn’t fix things, it just add more to our already full plate and lessens the degree of our greatest or most horrible past memory. It really just finds a way of taking us out of our comfort zone and pushing us beyond our limits. Whether we bend or break is all up to us. I for one take it by its horn and wrestle it aside.
So if you find it hard to find happiness in life or just trying to make it day by day, take solace in knowing that you’re not alone. We’re all grinding it out the best way we can. There’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for all of us, it’s out there waiting for us to discover it. If things are not going your way or your ready to throw in the towel, take stock in where you are right now in life. You’ve made it this far, just think how much further you can go. It hard to stay positive but if you just have a tiny spark, it’s all you need to start that fire in you to go out and take action!

Every day when I wake,
I take stock in what I have…
the strength from loved ones,
devotion from my family,
support from my friends,
affection from my pets,
my strong faith in God
Because of these simple things,
I take comfort in knowing
that I can take on…
any challenge,
face any dilemma,
make life changing judgements
without hesitation and total clarity
Because life is all about…
seeing what’s around us,
having an appreciation for all that we have,
a sense of gratitude for things we are given,
and the knowledge for making a difference,
not just in our lives
but in that of others
It is only then,
when we realize this
that we will truly feel
we’ve been bequeathed with
life’s blessings.