Shine Bright Like A Diamond. . . . . .

Through personal crisis I have learned a few lessons that I want to share.  Before I start, I truly know that everything you go through is a lesson to be learned and the lesson is meant to shape you into a better person.  Sometimes the lessons are hard but we still learn.  I have learned that crisis brings out the true intent of people; you learn who truly has your best interest at heart; not everyone who calls themselves your friend is a friend; true friends will go to the end of the earth for you; to have great friends you must be a great friend; some people can talk a great game but actions are harder for them to act upon; and life is beautiful.  I could add more but that sums up what I have learned and it doesn’t take much to know what my words mean.  There are many things that have upset me during this time because I am one who likes to always be absolutely positive and think absolutely positive so when negative things intrude on my Pollyanna world, I become uncomfortable and it can easily turn my outlook dark if I choose to just reflect on one aspect of my situation.  In all things there is balance.  Not everything is positive and it takes the negative well to make one well rounded.  Diamonds aren’t shaped like pearls—it not years on smooth transition to form the diamond.  It takes heat and fire then the crystal is formed and once the process is over—you shine.  The interesting thing is, some people will only see the diamond that you are and never know the process that formed you.  As I sit and really become more introspective, I thank the universe and God for showing me things that I should know to be strong on this journey call life and like the Phoenix--my totem--and like a diamond—I shall rise and shine again.  I shall be the better because through my journey, I can reach back and help someone going through the same thing.  Through my lessons, I may be able to shed light on how to deal with adversity.  If I never go through it, how will I even know to empathize?  Sometimes empathy is needed not sympathy.

No Coincidences

Nothing is coincidence.  Let me repeat, nothing is coincidence.  That person you wish you had not met and the one you are glad to have met are both in your life for a reason.  The time when you answered the phone and knew who was on the other end is not a coincidence.  The time you were about to head out somewhere, just felt you shouldn’t and then you hear about something happening at the place you planned to go to is not just a coincidence.  There are so many things in life that can’t be explained.  Certain things happen in your life and you have no reason as to why it happened or a clue why it happened when it did but one thing I can assure you, all things happen at the exact right time and exactly right when they are suppose to happen.  Every person you meet on this life journey, you were supposed to meet for a reason.  For example, the stranger that happened to turn into a friend or even the friend that has turned into a stranger, you were destined to meet and it is not just coincidence that it happened.  Some people have the foresight to see why that is and see the purpose of the encounter early on but if you are like most, that purpose may not be clear until years later.  The important thing in this all is to remember is to learn as much as you can from each person you meet; make the most of every moment you have and no matter where you are in life, try to “get as much out of it” as you can because when you look back you will nod and smile and think, “. . . .if that had never. . .”  You have a specific purpose here on this journey. 

I like to think on all the people in my life and what they have contributed; they have each made me who I am in their own way. . .the poem that comes to mind is

Reason, Season, or Lifetime
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

The Important Things In Life

I felt compelled to write this today, I was going to wait but I think I shall write as it comes.  There has been a question that I have asked myself, as of late, and the answer came to me as if someone spoke to my heart.  I knew I had to write about this while I was in the midst of a conversation with a coworker whose wife is experiencing a serious illness.  I have thought about this question more and more especially since dealing with the illness of my mother and that question is, “What is important in this life?” 

I think, what is important are all those things that do not have a price.  Those are the gifts that were given to you to aid you on this journey.  Just a few include, Love, Family, and a Sense of Belonging to a Whole.  I could go on but the other things on that list follow along those lines.  When I looked at prioritizing my life, I started thinking about the things that brought me peace and happiness.  None of them had a monetary value and none of them were dictated by a time clock.  When I acknowledged the things that truly mattered, I then thought about how I can bring more of those intangible things into my life.  Reaching out and helping others; bringing myself more in contact to deal with others; and just loving those people I come in contact with are ways of doing that.  I know my blogs tend to have a certain theme but I am speaking from a place that tells me I need to keep projecting this message even if it only gets through to one person or sounds redundant.

We don’t know when our time is up here but I know that if I could have moments before my time AND KNOW that THE time was here, then the things that are important will present themselves in clarity. But why wait until then?  I will ask myself, “Was I the best mom I could be; was I the best daughter; did I help everyone that I could; how did I treat those around me; was I a good person; did I cause anyone pain while I was here and if so, I hope they know I didn’t mean to; did I tell people that I loved them; and thank those who helped me.”   As I think, there are so many things I want to make sure I do and nothing has anything to do with my bank account, a time card or my superficial status in life.

On this earth, we do not see clearly—it’s as if looking through a darkly because we can’t see ourselves as we are, who we are or what we are.  When we pass, all questions will be answered and we shall see how we have touched and influence each being while we were here.  We are going to be such creatures of love—so different than we are now--that the slightest ill we have ever done shall hurt immensely and seem magnified and every act of love will bring us so much joy.  I know I love feeling joy so I shall start collecting “my feel goods” now (LOLOLOL) because in the end, we will be accountable for all we have done here one way or another.   

First Steps. . . . . .

     Starting out this year, has become a time of soul searching for me as well as pondering a few things that aren't quite clear.  Mainly, to be more specific, finding the purpose for not only me, in my current state of being, but also everyone else.  What is My purpose and how does it affect others and their purpose?  What is the blueprint for us all? Does the blueprint really matter in the grand scope of things?  I know these questions are quite broad and my train of thought is not laser-focused on any one specific area. 

Last year, I woke up with a major case of anxiety.  I felt compelled to call someone and talk about what was on my mind, what was making me nervously pace the floor of my condo.  I called my aunt because she was one of the only ones who would not think I was necessarily off my rocker and made an imperative appeal.  I said that we are coming into an age of spiritual awakening and next year (this year) was a very pivotal and important time period.  If that time period is directly related to me, only--I'm not sure or will it encompass everyone and OUR journey--the whole--I wasn't sure about that either.  As 2013 started, all I knew and realized was the fact that we are in a new era.  I know this as instinctively as the fact that I know I am female.  It is an innate knowledge that I know we are on the cusp or dawn of a new awareness and this is the time that people should focus not only on the individual but on the collective whole.  I knew it was about my personal journey AND the journey as a collective because it is all connected.  To be more specific, questions such as where do I fit into the picture; what do I need to be doing to progress and what is needed from us constantly ran through my head.  Some people will opt to exit from here; this is not going to be an easy time.  As a matter of fact, a lot of people will opt out of this ride and those that are left will either find an enlightened path or be in an constant flux of instability and confusion.  The basic stronghold beliefs that we use as our safe harbors are going to be shook to their foundations and people are going to to be searching for answers.  I tried to put this in perspective just to prepare myself and see how I was going to deal with the changes.  That is where I am now on my search for answers and that search is taking me beyond myself.  There are things I feel we have to do as a whole.  We have become intolerable, judgmental, hateful, uncaring and selfish.  Fear is now like a virus spreading.  The atmosphere is electric with anxiety at times, a sadness.  I can feel it.  One thing I do know, right now, it is time to change that energy.  It will be as easy as changing our clothes from day to day.  It won't be done by one person.  It has to be done by many.  To get to the current state, it took many people and to change it--it will take just as many.  What we put out--our energy-- can be just as strong as anything we are encountering now.  When I started to think about this, I began to KNOW what my purpose is.  I am here to make a change, one day at a time; one person at a time; one smile at a time; one helping hand at a time; one ear to listen; and even one compliment at a time.  Help everywhere I can and try my best to make a positive, lasting impression on everyone I meet.  If I can do that, then I am contagious.  I know there will be time when I will become overwhelmed and want to go into my shell.  That is my escape mechanism--maybe the latest video game (smiles).  Sometimes it will seem too much for me because I tend to take on the feelings around me be they positive or negative but I also know, just as that virus of negativity spreads, so will my will to love and make things positive.  I feel as if that is the stronger energy because I choose it to be the stronger energy.  I will follow the one universal principle to love.  I don't care how a person comes to this revelation--what path he or she chose to get here, just that they do get here (come to this realization) and when they do--they must act on it.  If I can do that and follow through, everything that I need to do will be revealed and I will have more answers than questions.  All the tools I need will be provided.  What I need to do, I will do.  2012, I sat back and did nothing.  2013 I will actively do and be who I need to be because the universe demands it of me.

     I've met many people, made new friends and have had numerous conversations since January 1, 2013 with a wide variety of people and one thing I noticed, everyone is trying to make sense out of the nonsense.  They want to know if there is a way they can change things and better yet what is the answer.  If the little contributions they have made, really make a difference.  I am proud to say, I believe it does.  If we can make those little contributions all the time, all of us, our journey here will be one of growth and learning.  We won't be so afraid to go into the next stage because with growth  and enlightenment comes the knowing.  I choose to grow more enlightened in 2013 and the way for me to do that is to give of myself to others.  In turn, that will help me to accept things I struggle with at the same time, helping someone else in their struggles.  That is my focus for  2013 and so begins my journey.