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A Gorgeous Morning

I made it early to the fields this morning and the sun was already high up in the sky after hiding for several days. We’ve had rain, wind, and more rain. I decided to take advantage of the nice weather before everybody else had the same idea. Unfortunately, there were people already there with the same idea in mind!

The fields were like they used to be but only this time it looked a little untidy. What happened to the regimented way of caring for nature? The farmers around here keep it in tip-top form but it seems like they’ve let go for a little while. The Rapeseed plants are still there reaching to the skies, no longer pretty but dull and brown. The pathway I was on was narrow and on both sides the plants stood unrelenting and covering my view. A feeling of claustrophobia knocked at my door but I took a deep breath and kept on walking. I needed to be outside today and I needed nature to do its thing of calming me.

I was told to watch out for deer among the plants. It seems they sit crouched within the plants with only their brown backs showing. “Be careful,” was the message because they do jump out at times and if you’re in the way, well you know. So I kept my eyes peeled but nothing seemed to spell trouble. It was quiet out and the air was crisp and fresh, the way I like it. I decided to go by the forest way just for a change and although it is not my favorite route, I decided that the quiet and calm would do me good. It did. There was something soothing about the birds chirping in the trees and a lone Woody Woodpecker knocking at some tree trunk. I couldn’t see it but it was there and although it was loud, I took it in stride. Anything to keep my mind from thinking!

Then I saw it, a lone blue Heron standing all by itself in the middle of the field like a lone sentinel keeping watch. A sign of a good omen? Certain cultures swear that a heron sighting brings good luck. Fingers crossed! As I passed it, I sensed it watching me but it made no move to leave and I left it there to enjoy the morning as I was doing. Walks in nature are a great way to refresh the soul, to put a different perspective on things and to calm an agitated mind. It was doing all that this morning and then I noticed the dark clouds in the distance. I guess we’re not over the rain yet. Oh well, it’s time for another cup of coffee and to be thankful for all that I have especially the gorgeous fields that give me so much pleasure and peace.

Have an amazing day.

A Not So Typical Day

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The last couple of days haven’t been typical meaning that it hasn’t been normal with nothing much happening.

Most days are normal. The routine never changes and it flows with the same old stuff. Slow wake ups, a lazy breakfast in bed, hugs and kisses from Chachi, the cat, and listening to the birds creating a symphony outside my bedroom window. Just routine stuff, nothing out of the ordinary and the day follows with more of the same.

However, a routine check up last week had me scrambling. The check up itself was nothing special, everything ok according to the doctor but they needed a blood sample just to be sure. I could check the results online they told me. A few days later I did just that. Everything seemed normal except for one reading. It had a medical name so I Googled it. My heart constricted in my throat and I knew that this wasn’t normal. A few days later, the doctor called. He wanted to see me. I asked, “Anything bad?”

He said, “No, I just need to talk to you.” That didn’t settle the uneasiness I was feeling.

I showed up at his office and he smiled. “How are you doing?” he asked.

“I’ll tell you after you tell me what is wrong.”

He said the one reading showed abnormality and it needed further checking out. “What kind of checking out? Something painful?” Pain and me don’t go well together. He said it would be similar to what I had before but with radiation! What?!! He continued ignoring the panic on my face. “I would suggest that you get it checked out just to be sure.”

That set the wheels in motion. I went into a deep dive. My emotions have been doing a roller coaster ride ever since. What if it is something serious? I won’t know until they check me out and I hate that radiation part. I’m a health nut and I hate anything foreign invading my body but I have no choice in the matter. It needs to be done.

No, I can’t control the outcome. I can only control my reaction to this unwanted and unforeseen circumstance. So I’m upping my yoga practice, taking walks in nature and TRYING not to think about the worst case scenario. It’s not easy but I’m trying and that is all I can do. Life is unpredictable as I’ve said here many times before and this is one of those times.

Typical has nothing to do with it.

Daily writing prompt

Was today typical?

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Outside Your Control

“When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening. That’s where your power is.” Unknown

There are situations and circumstances in life that you cannot control. This is nothing new and those unforeseen circumstances bring chaos and turbulence into our lives. We want to take what is handed to us and to make it better, to make it alright, take it back to where we started from, where everything had sunshine and smiles around it but somehow, it just doesn’t work. What if it’s not you? What if the problem isn’t you? There are times when no matter how hard you try, there is no making the situation better. You can’t control what is outside your control.

“Nothing kills you faster than your own mind.

Don’t stress over things that are out of your control.” Unknown

What are those things that you can’t control?

Basically it boils down to, “things that have happened that someone cannot change or influence.”

It is done, it is all water under the bridge and it has moved on leaving you to deal with the aftermath. Instead of letting go and taking it in stride, the human psyche goes into damage control. Quite often it comes in the form of trying to control the situation. We want to bring back whatever we think we’ve lost. We want that person back, not that they were good for us in the first place but because we want what we can’t have. Most of all, we want to control the narrative, we want to change the story and we want to control what is outside our control.

“It’s not what you say to everyone else that determines your life, it’s what you whisper to yourself that has the greatest power.” Unknown

Let it go. Stop trying to control what you can’t control and take control of what you can. That’s a winning strategy right now.

According to diversushealth.org, determine what you can control and work on it.

Examples are:

How you respond to emotions and painful feelings.

How you respond to memories.

How you respond to negative thoughts.

IDENTIFY YOUR FEARS

Do you find your mind going to the worst possible scenario? Do you doubt your ability to cope if something bad happens?

SHIFT YOUR ENERGY TOWARD PROBLEM SOLVING

Replaying the past or dwelling on catastrophic outcomes usually isn’t helpful. Problem solving is.

FOCUS ON YOUR INFLUENCE

What can you change? To have the most influence, focus on changing your behavior and reaction to events.

DEVELOP HEALTHY AFFIRMATIONS

Scientists estimate people have about 70,000 thoughts per day. (No wonder I get headaches!) Most of these thoughts incite self-doubt, fear, and discouragement.

Think, “I’m stronger than I think,” or “I can handle this,” or even “I can do this.” These affirmations help to drown out the negativity.

“Remember you alone get to choose what matters and what doesn’t. The meaning of everything in your life has precisely the meaning you give it.” Unknown

AND

“Just keep in mind: the more we value things outside of our control, the less control we have.” Epictetas

YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE. You are capable and you can handle anything that comes your way.

Have an amazing day.

Yours Truly

How would I describe myself? Physically, I come in a petite package. Slim, fit, and still able to fit in a size 4 jeans! I suppose that comes from the workouts I torture myself with!

My hair is dark and very long. I was told many times that I have the prettiest hair around, some say I still do but it doesn’t matter anymore. I’m all about the inner beauty now. What else? I have almond-shaped eyes, small features and a great smile. That last part gets me second glances and or looks or it could be something else entirely! Attractive? I’ve been told I am but here again, who cares? I’m touting the inner beauty part of me these days.

Emotionally, I’m a wreck at times. At other times, I’ve got it altogether. I have a good head on my shoulders, a kind heart and a giving personality. I’ve been told that I’m complicated and they (the men) may be right. If complicated means you can’t get to first base no matter how hard you try then you are absolutely right. I don’t fall for just anyone and getting anywhere with me is like going through an obstacle course, too many and way too hard to get across! I agree that I’m complicated but the prize at the end might just be worth it, if you’re looking for someone who knows what she wants and has a lot to offer. So call me complicated all you want, who cares is my retort!

Get the picture? Strong-willed, complicated, strong willpower, except for cheesecake, a mind of my own, intelligent, accomplished and a powerhouse where vocabulary is concerned, add atrractive to that and you might just have the whole package or a horror in the making! You decide.

Daily writing prompt

How would you describe yourself to someone?

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The Light Within (Archives)

“If everything around seems dark, look again, you may be the light.” Rumi

Sometimes it burns brightly and at other times it flickers and there are times when it is extinguished and there is only darkness to be found. Finding your way becomes hard as darkness spreads its wings and envelops everything in its wake but that light within can be relit again. It is there and waiting for you to light it again.

“No degree of worldly darkness can extinguish the glow of a soul’s inner light.” Wes Fesler

You, my friend, are a powerful being. You have everything within you to make it through that “worldly darkness.” Did you lose someone close and your light is dimmed? Did someone walk away leaving you to find your way again? Do you feel like you don’t belong? Did someone put you down and made you feel smaller than you are? Did all these things make you feel like you are not enough? If so, reach for that light within. It is powerful and it takes more than a careless word or two, a breakup or ugliness to put out the light. Even if you take a temporary leave of absence, it waits patiently till you come back ready to burn brightly again.

“Let your light shine so brightly that others can see their way out of the dark.” Katrina Mayer

How do you get the light within to burn brightly?

It has been said through, “meditation, mindfulness, self-reflection, and acts of kindness towards oneself and others.” Practicing kindness and compassion towards others is one surefire way to light that light within and to keep it burning brightly. I give out smiles and it is a daily practice I engage in. Whenever I meet a stranger and our eyes meet, that “high-voltage” smile turns on! It has brought some unwanted attention but that aside, a smile or two comes back accompanied by this warm and fuzzy feeling and I’m ready to embrace a stranger!

“Kindness is igniting a light in someone else for no reason other than to watch them enjoy the glow.” Raktivisit.

So, my friend, be that light. It is within you and waiting to show you the way.

Did you know that, “Within your being is a source of light…..with unlimited wattage.” Put it to good use. You are powerful, you are magical, you are capable, you are beautiful and you are ENOUGH as you are. Turn on that light and step into its brightness and watch your life transform….

Have an amazing day.

Dinosaurs

What a question but I’ll give it a go. First of all, I wouldn’t bring any of them back! They are a thing of the past and I hope they stay there.

Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus, Brontosaurus, and T-Rex, we’ve had them all and more. Dinosaurs were my son’s favorite things to play with when he was 7 or 8 years of age. They were miniature forms but still they seemed larger than life as they sat all over the place in his playroom and when he finally got tired of them, he boxed them up and they are still up there because he refuses to give them away. He says, “My kids might want them so I’m saving them.”

His kids? He does the same with his books and other stuff and you’ve guessed it, they are all sitting up there waiting for one of his kids to show up and take interest! It is going to be some time before that happens or at least I hope so!

Anyway, I wouldn’t bring any of them back. Some are cute and some are downright scary but why do that when the world is a better place since dinosaurs roamed the earth? Onwards and forwards, I say, and the past can stay in the past for all I care.

Daily writing prompt

If you could bring back one dinosaur, which one would it be?

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Change Your Strategy (Archives)

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“Failure is hard. But turn those failures into learning experiences, so that you’ll look back and be happy that you failed, because you gained more knowledge from that experience. Sometimes, it’s simply an indication to change your strategy instead of giving up completely.” Albert Rogers

“Change your strategy” is often used in the business world to place emphasis on a module that is not working so it’s time to regroup and refocus your energy into bringing in new options to make whatever is not working into a workable one. This concept works in real-life as well. If something doesn’t work, change it. Seems like a great idea at first glance but hard to put into action if you love the ‘plan’ you’ve put into action and are dead set against changing it. If you’re someone who doesn’t like change like yours truly here, it is a concept that is hard to comprehend let alone to work with.

“Waiting for something outside you to change before you change is a broken strategy. Fix it by deciding to be someone different and do something different. Transformation happens from the inside out if you take action.” Unknown

Taking that into account, it seems like the most sensible way to go about changing failure into a success story. The problem is you must want to. It’s not going to work any other way. Pinpoint the problem, refocus your energy, find ways to take a failure and change it into a winning solution and put it into action. If you think you’re doing everything right and you still don’t understand why you’re failing then it’s time to really look at what you’re doing and find a different way of doing it. There’s more than one way to skin a cat as the euphemism goes and no matter how offensive that might be, being a cat lover myself, it just means there are other ways of doing something. Don’t get stuck in a rut. Be open to change and change your strategy. However, there are times when you can do everything possible until you’re blue in the face and still the same old failure concept comes knocking at your door and if that’s the case, do not despair. You’ll get there, just keep trying.

Learn to roll with the punches, keep getting back up when life knocks you down and never ever give up.

“When you face failures, don’t change your goal, change your strategy.” Vivek Bindra

I’ve experienced life in all its wonderful and not so wonderful facets and the one that I hate or hated the most was change. My motto was, “Why fix something if it ain’t broke.” The actual thought behind that was, “I like where I’m at, good or bad and change is for the birds!” It took years of resistance, falling down, refusing to get back up and digging my heels in AND screaming, “Leave me alone!” to realize that change is an integral part of life. It teaches us in a not so nice way that it’s needed, falling makes you gain experience and you learn that YOU are not God. So move along, embrace change before it’s too late. I learned it the hard way and I still bristle when I see ‘change’ coming around but these days I’m ready to embrace it, learn what it has to offer and to accept it for what it is. A lesson learned because that lesson had to be learned.

“Failure is nothing more than a chance to revise your strategy.” Unknown

Oops! I’ve got to run. I see ‘change’ approaching wearing a smile on its face and with bells clanging and I’m not in the mood for it today. Just kidding.

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY.

Two Free Plane Tickets to Somewhere

I might just pack up my bags for that! Where to? Sri Lanka would be my destination or Grenada for that matter. Both are fabulous places and they have everything I would be in interested in.

Nature, beautiful beaches, great food and friendly people. However, my first choice would be the pearl of the Indian Ocean. I would definitely try out the Ayurveda wellness retreats, they are said to be the best in the world. A week of doing nothing stressful is appealing and meditation under the stars and getting all those wonderful massages would be definitely something I would want to do and give my “recluse” life a boot out the door for a little while at least.

Grenada is a Caribbean island and it is known as the Spice Isle. The country’s most popular spice is the nutmeg but it has various other spices as well. Besides that, it has natural landscapes, lush rain-forests, stunning beaches, 49 white sand beaches and nine black sand beaches, and add to that the gorgeous waterfalls and the friendly locals and you’ve got a dream vacation on your hands.

Those are my two picks and if it ever happens, winning those two free plane tickets, I might just consider giving up this paradise where I’m at to one that is closer to water! I’ve always loved water, I grew up on an island and I do miss the sound of the waves and the starlit skies at night.

Fingers and toes crossed!

Daily writing prompt

If you won two free plane tickets, where would you go?

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A Smile a Day

You’ve heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Well, giving out smiles does that and more. A smile is an universal language that everyone understands. Furthermore, it helps to boost your mood, reduces stress and improves physical health because it releases endorphins, the good kind, that helps to enhance your mood and hype up the happiness factor. If it does all that for you, just imagine what it does for the person on the receiving end of that smile! You, my friend, can brighten up someone’s day just by turning on that smile so let’s look at some quotes that will help us do just that.

“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.” Thich Nhat Hanh

“It seems to me what we call beauty in a face lies in the smile.” Leo Tolstoy

I totally agree.

“The smile is the best accessory a person can wear.” Unknown

“Everyone smiles in the same language.” George Carlin

“Nothing you wear is more important than your smile.” Connie Stevens

“There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all.” Unknown

Perfectly said!

“Sometimes it’s better to just remain Silent and Smile.” Unknown

“Keep smiling….and one day life will get tired of upsetting you.” Unknown

Hmm…fingers and toes crossed and I’m smiling for all I’m worth!

I love this last one.

“Smile! Happy looks good on you.”

I think it looks good on just about anybody. Pump up that smile, amp up that wattage and start giving smiles away!

Have an amazing day.

TIA

There is no real story behind my nickname. It just came to be and one day someone decided that Tia seemed to fit me and it stuck. Or perhaps, it’s because I have this exotic look about me. Whatever the case maybe, it is what I go by.

The name itself has several origins and meanings. In Spanish and Portuguese, it means aunt. In Greek, Tia is related to the name Theia, a goddess of sight and the blue sky and it also means “goddess” or “godly.” In Haida mythology, it represents the goddess of peaceful death.

I don’t think the person who gave me that name had “goddess” in mind. I was a little rascal and so I think it was a mere slip of the tongue that set well with me. Tia it was and still is.

Daily writing prompt

What’s the story behind your nickname?

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