Resolutions

It's almost a New Year, friends!
I am not really a fan of New Year resolutions.  I don't keep them very well.  The losing of five pounds will always be one for me, but it is not my resolution.  This blog keeps me honest.  When others read your words, it keeps me accountable.
1. I want to be kind to myself
2. I want to be more of an optimist
3. Learn the waiting is not a bad thing

These are my resolutions.  Friends, what are yours?
May the New Year be one of new beginnings!
R

Smiling

Happy Sunday, friends!
I will be watching some NFL football in about thirty minutes, but I thought I would share this.
After church today, I fell trying to step down from the curb.  I stepped down, and thought it would be smooth sailing thereafter.  I didn't take into account that the pavement was not in good condition, and was not totally flat like asphalt.  I didn't fall gracefully.  My hand was bloodied, and so was my knee, as I would soon find out.  I just got up, and dusted myself off.  I am fine.
I have no depth perception.  After every fall, I do not so secretly wish I had some.
I used to be so upset with myself for letting myself fall or not fall.
Today, I am accepting the I may fall, but I shall get up again.  I am learning to accept the lady who looks back at me in the mirror.  I have asked God the question of why too many times.  I lost count.  I am not Cerebral Palsy.  It is just a condition of which I do have.
All days are not this great.  I have bad days too.  Life is not perfect, and not fair.  I am imperfectly perfect.  Learning to laugh even when that is the last thing I want to do.
R

Truth and Thanks!

Good afternoon, friends!
Today, I want to thank you all for all the love following yesterday's post.  I am overwhelmed!  Everyone has their own "Accomplishment" story.  This John Keats quote sums up some feelings I cannot adequately express at the moment.
'Beauty is truth, truth, beauty'-that is ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
Have a great day!
R

Accomplishment

In the midst of cleaning this morning, I happened to see a folder on the shelf.  I decided to open it up and take a look.  What I found left me in pleasant amazement.  I found old poems from so many years ago.  I was reminded me of what worries and fears I had at the time.  I got a chance to reflect on how much I have accomplished.  I realized God has been very good to me.  He still is.  So much has changed in seven plus years.  I am a college graduate.  I am a world traveler.  I am loved.  I am a follower of CHRIST!
I once wrote a poem about my Cerebral Palsy.  I wondered if my CP was a blessing or a curse.  I still pose that question to myself sometimes, but it has for the most part, it has been a blessing.
For the most part, the only one who notices my Cerebral Palsy, is me!  I still have days where I have fear, but they get fewer and fewer.
Someone told me recently that I need to recognize the accomplishments, and how far I have come.  Today, I will do just that!
I have so much more I want to accomplish, and I will!  If it has to be done with one small step at a time, so be it.  I have a hard time being nice to myself.  Today I will say to myself:  Well done, my friend!
Any accomplishments, friends, you need to acknowledge today?  Would love to hear!
R

Friendship

Good morning, friends!

" Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light."
Helen Keller

I have some friends I would walk in the dark with without any reservations!
Have a great day!
R

Exercise playlist

Friends, I need your help!
Getting back in the exercise groove.  I want to be the healthiest version of me possible.  I love music! It gets my mind focused, and ready to move.  Do you exercise to music?  If so, what are your favorites?  Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Ready to get my heart racing!
R

Christmas day!

Christmas Day 2012 was a smashing success!  I got to see many of my family members I don't see often.  I also got to enjoy my nephew's precious smile.  Seeing him open his gifts was one of the highlights of my day.  As one gets older, the gifts don't matter much, but the memories being made sure do.  The little ones we love make us feel a childlike giddiness as well!
"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year"
Charles Dickens
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!
R

Christmas Eve

One day until Jesus's birthday!  Merry Christmas everyone!  Hope your day is as blessed and special as can be.  Enjoy!
R

Life

While there is life, there's hope.
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Have a great night!
R

Holiday memories

Happy Friday, friends!
Yesterday I was ordering magazines on my Ipad.  It was just a simple transaction, I thought.  Nothing more, nothing less.  It was much more, however.  After I finished ordering the InStyle and Conde Nast Traveler apps, I was reminded of one of my favorite holiday memories. 
Every year for as long as I can remember, Reader's Digest, has been associated with being a treasured memory.  I would receive a card in the mail says that I have a received a gift subscription to this timeless institution of reading.  Before I would get to the bottom of the card, I already knew who it was from.  It was from my Pop Pop.
Pop Pop knew and still knows today my love of reading and acquiring knowledge.  I still love to do crossword puzzles with him as well.
Readers, any treasured holiday memories?  Would love to hear!
R

Voracious reader

Good morning, friends!
Yesterday was a doubly wonderful day.  I got to spend time with a great friend, and spend time roaming around in Barnes&Noble.
I love checking out all the different books in all the different sections.  There is nothing quite like reading the book jackets to see which book I would like to purchase.
I ended up buying one book and a magazine.
Do you love bookstores as much as I do?
R

Good Day

How to know you are having a good day:

     1.  You woke up this morning

     2.  You are not hurting anywhere

     3.  You have family and friends who love you

     4.  You are in your right mind and you can wipe your own butt

     5.  No matter what happens today you remember the previous four.

R

love yourself

I have been thinking lately of trying to be a more positive person towards myself.  I have resolved to do this as a gradual process.
My first positive thought about myself is that I love it when I smile.  A smile says to the world that I am a cheerful person.
I want to be a cheerful person no matter the circumstance.  What is one thing about yourself you absolutely love?  Any favorite positive thoughts or quotes?
Be cheerful, friends!
R

Random musings

Good morning, friends!
One week to Christmas!
Gifts are not the reason for the season.  Jesus is!  However, I will share a few things on my wish list.

I would to receive a brand new book.  I love to read!
A gift card to a store of my choice
Or surprise me with something I would never think of.

Wish lists are nice, but all I want for Christmas is true joy and happiness this Christmas season!

What do you want for Christmas?
R

A thought to ponder

In light of Friday's horrific events in Newtown, Connecticut, one of Erma Bombeck's quotes summarizes what I hope to be able to do one day.
" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'"

We don't know when it will be our time.  I just hope that when it is, I could echo Ms. Bombeck's exact sentiments.

God Bless,
R

Hope

Good morning, friends!
I came across a poem that made me cry a tear of joy.
A former pastor introduced it to me.

"I Don't Regret a Mile"
by Howard Goodman

I've dreamed many a dream that's never come true,
I've seen them vanish at dawn,
But enough of my dreams have come true
To make me keep dreaming on

I've prayed many a prayer that seemed no answer would come,
Though I'd waited so patient and long;
But enough answers have come to my prayers
To make me keep praying on 

I've sown many a seed that's fallen by the wayside,
For the birds to feed upon
But I've held enough golden sheaves in my hands
To make me keep sowing on

I've trusted many a friend that's failed me
And left me to weep alone
But enough of my friends have been true-blue
To make me keep trusting on

I've drained the cup of disappointment and pain,
And gone many a day without song
But I've sipped enough nectar from the roses of life
To make me want to live on


Blessings,
R

Friday's thought

I came across a quote this morning that made me think.

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. "

                            Confucius

I complicate life too much.  Here's to simplification.
Happy Friday!
R

God's Word

Good morning!
I found this Scripture in one of my daily devotionals, and I would like to share it with you.
"He will give: beauty for ashes; joy for mourning; praise instead of heaviness."
Psalm 61:3, TLB
Joel Osteen Ministries
I need to give him my ashes, my mourning and my heaviness.  I would rather have the beauty, joy and praise only His love can provide!
Have a blessed day!
R

Television shows

Happy Wednesday!I am a television junkie!  Almost every day I find a show that I enjoy watching.  I have a few favorites, though.

• 2 Broke Girls
• Revenge
• The Big Bang Theory

What are some of your favorite shows?  Any suggestions of what I should watch?
R

Gratitude

Happy Tuesday!
Some days just leave you speechless and without words.  I realize for all my wants and wishes, it is important to remember how blessed we are that we are alive.  For nothing more than that today, I am filled with gratitude.  I am alive to experience life:  the good and the bad.  What I am realizing is that no matter how many bad things happen, I am choosing to hold onto that one bright spot in my day.  Some people can absolutely shock you with their goodness.
As Twain once said, "I am only as happy as I choose to be."  I am choosing today to be happy!
I hope you are too.
R

Inner contentment

I saw this quote this morning and it spoke to me.  I thought I would share it with you as well.
" Be like the turtle at peace in one's own shell."
Bill Copeland
If I followed this one piece of advice on a regular basis, I would probably be less anxious and fearful.  If I am at ease in my own shell, I do not worry about what the world may think of me.  Slow and steady.  Peaceful and serene.
My hope is to be like the turtle today.
R

Sweet tooth

Happy Friday!
The Christmas season seems to bring about the start of my desire for all things sweet and sugary,  I can't help but go into my local CVS and check out the candy aisle.  Candy canes, peppermint bark, and Reese's Christmas trees always seem to get my attention first.  It takes willpower to skip this aisle entirely.  I have to remind myself that my waistline will thank me later.  I do cave into these delicious  treats occasionally though.  I am not immune to the allure of that peppermint bark.
Any Christmas sweets that call to you, friends?
R

Joy

I have been thinking about joy lately.  These days, I am finding joy in the simple pleasures of life.

• A hot shower after a fitful night of sleep to soothe aching joints
• A cup of coffee to start my day
• A message to let you know you are in someone's thoughts

What simple things bring you joy, friends?
R

Fortune cookie

Happy Wednesday everyone!
I went out for Chinese food last night.  While the food was good, I always look forward to the end of the meal when the fortune cookie arrives.  I quickly opened mine up and savored what it said.  "You are tasting the sweets of success."  In some small way I am doing just that.  Writing this blog each day is a success because I never thought I would so openly share my thoughts with another human being.  This is a small and sweet victory for me.  I am keeping my fortune to remind me of the success.  Any successes for you, readers?  Would love to hear.
R

Tuesday's words to live by

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I'm possible.
Audrey Hepburn

Today friends tell yourself I'm possible!
R