Before Your Love

"Before Your Love"

Kelly Clarkson

I wonder how I ever made it through a day
How did I settle for the world in shades of gray
When you go in circles all the scenery looks the same
And you don't know why
And I looked into your eyes
Where the road stretched out in front of me
And I realized

I'd never lived
Before your love
I'd never felt
Before your touch
And I'd never needed anyone
To make me feel alive
But then again,
I wasn't really livin'

I'd never lived...
Before your love

I wanted more than just an ordinary life
All of my dreams, seemed like castles in the sky
I stand before you and my heart is in your hands
And I don't know how
I'd survive without your kiss
Cuz you've given me
A reason to exist

I'd never lived
Before your love
I'd never felt
Before your touch
I'd never needed anyone
To make me feel alive
But then again,
I wasn't really livin'

I'd never lived... before your love
I'd never lived... Before your love

And I don't know why
Why the sun decides to shine
But you've breathed your love into me just in time
I'd never lived
Before your love
I'd never felt
Before your touch
I'd never needed anyone
To make me feel alive
But then again
I wasn't really livin'

I'd never lived
I'd never lived
Before!...
Your!!...
Love!!!...

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Holiday Cards

Addressing and mailing holiday cards can become an overwhelming task. 

 

Here is an idea that has helped me over the years.

 

When writing out holiday cards the thing that takes the most time is addressing the envelopes.  If you have a database allow your computer to print out labels.  If not set some time aside to address them.  It is basically a mindless task and you can even do it while you are watching TV, 

 

DO NOT FILL OUT THE CARDS!  Just address the envelopes.

 

Typically there are three different types of people we send cards to.  As you are addressing your envelopes separate the envelopes into three piles as follows:

 

 

Type 1

 

People we see all the time and just want to let them know we are thinking about them. 

A signature inside the card is usually a sufficient closing for this type of card.

 

Type 2

 

The people we see once or twice a year and enjoy this time of year as yet another way to keep in touch.

We might want to write a short note or update on recent events.

 

Type 3

 

The type of people who we hold on to but never get to see or talk to.  They are important to us.  So much so that the card we send once a year is all we need to know that they are still out there.  This card often requires a paragraph or two.

 

When you have finished addressing the envelopes, if there is time, start filling out the cards.  When you run out of time put a rubber band around each pile.  Find a small shopping bag, I like to use the small paper kind with a handle on them.  Put one pile of envelopes, their matching cards, stamps, a pen and return address labels into it and put it in your car. 

 

As you go about your day when you know you are going to be in a situation where you will be waiting, bring the bag with you and start filling out the cards, putting them in the envelope and stamping them.  You can choose to mail them as you go, or wait till you have the whole batch done.

 

I like to get the easy ones out first and I mail them as they are finished.  This makes it seem like there is less and less to do each day.

 

Here are some hints for places you may be caught "waiting".

 

In the car for your kids to come out of school.  At the Doctors office.  At your child's holiday concert.  Breaks at work.  Before meetings.  On the bus or the train.  The list is endless. 

 

 

 

Tags: Believe, Inspire, Hope, Stress, 5659

Don't See Red

Holiday Hint:

Don't See Red

This is he time of year that businesses go into the black while the consumer goes into the red.  The most common cause for this is the use of a credit card without tracking purchases.

 

The best way to avoid overspending is to start with a plan.  Know ahead of time how much money you can afford to spend on purchases.  Budget by creating a list of those you wish to give a gift to and how much you are able to spend on each person.  Then stick to it!  If you only allow yourself to use cash you will be less likely to over spend.

 

If using cash is impossible and you must use a credit card, track your spending each shopping trip to make certain you stay on budget and hold onto your receipts.  If you overspend and you know you can't afford it, tracking your purchases each shopping trip will call this to your attention allowing you the opportunity to exchange your purchase for one that is more affordable.

 

Tags: hope, inspiration, believe,

In case you were wondering

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I had planned on letting you know on Monday that I was going to take a week off for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately my day got away from me.  It started with three hours in the Doctors office and went down hill from there.  The good news is I'm going to live.  The bad news is that I was unable to provide news of my "vacation".

 

The holiday season is upon us so over the next few weeks I will offer some suggestions on how you can help the days ahead go more smoothly and be less stressful.

 

Hint:  The people that love you, LOVE YOU.  Give them the gift of your time.

 

If someone speaks ill of You

 

If anyone speaks ill of you,

Praise him always.

 

If anyone injures you,

Serve him nicely.

 

If anyone persecutes you,

Help him in all possible ways.

 

You will attain immense strength.

 

You will control anger and pride.

 

You will enjoy peace, poise and serenity.

 

You will become divine

 

 

 

-         Swami Sivananda

 

 

Tags: Forgiveness, Hope, Believe, Inspire, Love, 5659

A Gift To Yourself

Forgiveness.

 

With the season of giving upon us, consider giving yourself this very special gift.

 

Hate, anger and vengeful thoughts serve us well in that they protect us from getting hurt again, however they can also kill us.  Holding on to the anger may seem like you are protecting yourself and hurting the person or people you are angry with.  The truth is the one you are hurting is yourself and your loved ones.

 

Learning to forgive will help you live longer and be healthier.  There are proven studies that show you not only benefit from increased good health, you reduce your levels of stress, boost your immune system and have a larger circle of friends.

 

Forgiveness doesn't mean you need to be friends with someone you despise nor does it mean you give up your right to seek justice.  Forgiveness means that you let go of the bitterness, anger and vengeful thoughts.  You put it behind you, learn from the experience and move forward.

 

A wonderful method of learning to do this is called the Sedona Method.  You can learn about it here:

http://www.sedona.com/index.aspx

 

Tags: Forgiveness, Hope, Believe, Inspire, 5659

Forgiveness Myths

I would like to share some Myths about forgiveness. 

 

 

Myths about Forgiving:

Here are 4 myths about forgiving   what it does and doesn't mean. These come from Ladies Home Journal:

Myth #1:Forgiving means forgetting. WRONG. You have to remember so you can protect yourself in the future. But it does mean changing your perception. If someone doesn't return an important call, view him as overwhelmed instead of rude.

Myth #2:Forgiving means you're a push-over. WRONG. Forgiveness puts you in a position of strength. You still hold people accountable for their actions, but you take away their power to hurt you anymore.

Myth #3:Forgiving means you can't get angry. WRONG. By forgiving, you acknowledge that you don't have to suffer forever, but you're still entitled to your anger, and you're not weak for showing it.

MYTH #4:Forgiveness means reconciliation. WRONG. Reconciliation may be inappropriate, because sometimes you have to give up a friendship, or even a marriage. However, forgiveness gives you the space, strength and confidence to decide what's best for you.

 

Myths about Forgiving

Tags: Forgiveness, Hope, Believe, Inspire, 5659

Forgiveness

With the holidays coming, most especially Thanksgiving, I thought it might be a good time to focus on forgiveness.

 

Forgiveness comes easily to some and for others it seems like an impossible task.  Forgiveness is a very personal business.

 

What hurt, pain, or injustice are you holding on to?  Why are you holding on to it?  Take sometime to explore it. 

 

Tomorrow I will offer some thoughts to help you decide if it is something you may consider forgiving.

Tags: Forgiveness, Hope, Inspiration, BELIEVE, 5659

Veterans Day

My heartfelt thanks go out to all of those who have defended my freedom and who continue to do so.  Thank You for all you do so that we may continue to enjoy the bounty that this great nation allows.

You are always in my prayers

Wild Nights!

 

Wild Nights! Wild Nights!

Poem lyrics of Wild Nights! Wild Nights! by Emily Dickinson.

Wild Nights! Wild Nights!
Were I with thee,
Wild Nights should be
Our luxury!

Futile the winds
To a heart in port,
Done with the compass,
Done with the chart!

Rowing in Eden! 
Ah! the sea!
Might I but moor
To-night in Thee!

Tags: Passion, Inspiration, Hope, Believe, 5659

Coaching Question

What ONE change you can make in your lifestyle that will begin to propel you toward the life you dream of?

Tags: Believe, Dream, Act, 5659

Coaching Question

What are you doing today, to make your dream happen tomorrow?

Tags: Dream, Believe, Inspiration, Hope, Action

Horny and Lazy Win!

Well, polls and e-mails all tallied up it seems most of us will be going to hell because we are horny and lazy. Not so bad, not so bad at all!

Also, sorry about the post yesterday.  It seems when you copy and past a document from Microsoft Word, into AOL Journals you get the lovely little alphabet salad that manifested itself in my poem yesterday.  I even tried to fool the system by copying the poem out of word, pasting it into a AOL e-mail, mailed it to myself, then copy and pasted the e-mail into the journal.  Nope, still got alphabet salad anyway!

Have a great weekend.  See you on Monday!

YES!!!

 

.....and then I asked him with my eyes

and then he asked me would I yes.....

and first I put my arms around him yes

and drew him down to me

to ask again yes

so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes

and his heart was going like mad

and yes I said yes I will Yes.

 

         James Joyce

         From Ulysses

Tags: Believe, Hope, Love, Inspire, 5659

Comfort VS Confront

The other day I was working with my daughter on her vocabulary words and she was having a difficult time understanding the difference between the word Confront and Comfort.  At first I thought it odd that someone would have a hard time understanding how different these two words are.

 

As I began to explain their meaning to her I realized that there are many people who have a hard time understanding the difference between these two words.

 

Think about your fear.  What are you doing about it?

 

Are you comforting it or confronting it?

 

Are you making excuses or solutions?

Tags: Dream, Believe, Hope, Inspire, 5659