Because I'm Ready To Go and I'm Going

It's amazing how one's life can change in a day. Even one moment can change your life. I knew in my heart that I was led here to this place for a special reason. It's not my personality to be patient or venture out into the great unknown. I've always preferred the safety of the familiar, most of us do. But my vision and dreams propelled me to continue to move forward. Even when I have been at my lowest point of despair and self doubt, I've never even once considered that I made a wrong decision to be here. To keep going forward was my only option. 

Wednesday morning I met my destiny head on. It was as clear as night from day, and I've been lighter than a feather ever since then. Things have finally fallen into place. I made the right contacts, and God put things together. The door opened, and I walked in. Funny how He does that, just at the right time when you and He are both ready.  That's where faith comes in.  I always say that our life is not an ocean cruise. God doesn't have to give us an itinerary. We're not going to know where the stops are until we arrive at the port. We just have to keep the faith that God is at the helm and all is as is should be. 

I'm going to be proud to announce my new associations as soon as I get settled in. In the meanwhile, thanks to everyone who has been cheering me on, in my corner, and praying for me. I'm realizing my dream, and everyday gets better. 

Peace

Grasp the Bull By The Horns and Ride

I left home last Sunday morning heading back to Atlanta for a seminar all week. My plans were to drive back home on Saturday and spend the 4th of July at home with friends. But life had other ideas, and Thursday my body decided to take a break and be sick for a few days. Today I woke up and decided to kick my butt into gear and make the long drive home. It was very hard to leave this time, and not for any particular reason. Life has been very difficult for awhile now, I've just rolled with it and tried to make it through one day at a time. I'm in the ocean in a boat with no paddle, drifting back and forth and hoping to land sometime soon wherever I'm supposed to be. Keeping in mind the fact that I purposefully got into the boat with no paddle and pushed myself away from the safety of the shore, I'm determined that my boat will land shortly and I will be in just the right place at just the right time. I have faith that it will happen, and that all of this is for a reason. None of this probably makes sense to anyone who may be reading this, but humor me if you will and understand that this is my therapy and one of the only things keeping me sane. 

I've always been a big fan of Jim Rohn, Dennis Waitley, Zig Ziglar and Tony Robbins. Motivational tapes and books always help when I'm down, and keep me inspired. I have fought depression for most of my adult life, and in my refusal to take medication I found that this type of treatment in addition to my faith in God has allowed me to keep moving forward and achieve my goals and dreams. Some people resist it, believing that they don't need to change who they are. But it's not about 'self help' or 'changing me into someone else'. It's about business and life strategy, coping skills, seeing things from another point of view, and common sense. It's about understanding 'why' and 'how things work'. It's understanding human psychology which helps us understand how to deal with people. It's also about wisdom, and listening to wise people share theirs. 

Today for 6 hours I listened to some seminar's on CD of Dennis Waitley and Jim Rohn and it got me extremely motivated and excited. I'm ready to wake up tomorrow and kick some major butt! I've wasted enough time on bad ideas, bad decisions, bad relationships, and ones that are never going to go anywhere. I'm tired of being hurt, getting my hopes up and being crushed, trusting and believing in people only to find out that nothing is really what you have been led to believe it is. God is the only one who will never let you down, people can turn on you in a second and give no thought to your feelings. You can't feel confident and safe with anyone except yourself. 

Dennis Waitley told the story about his dad, who left when he was 9 yrs old. He had promised to take him fishing, and he was waiting for the call that never came. He said, " I discovered when I was 9 that every incoming call wants something, and every outgoing call creates something. No one will ever take you fishing, but if your ready to go, you have to go. I became proactive and realized I didn't have a father to take me there so I'd have to take me there myself." This was so powerful I had to pull off the road and find a paper and pen to write it down. I only wish I had learned this lesson at the age of 9. I do realize now that you just have to do what you have to do, you can't wait for someone else or something else. 

It's a very powerful thing to realize that you and you alone hold the key to your own world. (with the exception of God of course) I'm taking control, I'm harnessing my power and deciding my own fate. I will take me there myself, because I'm ready to go and I have to go. 

Peace

Derek Bradford

Last week my ex-husbands daughter Renae was my house guest for 8 days. We had a great time, although it was difficult for me to not be a 'mom' and just be a friend. She's all grown up now, married, and I am so proud of the life she has made for herself. Renae has had every obstacle placed in her way to use as an excuse to do nothing. But her drive and determination to overcome and do something with her life has been inspiring. I can't take credit for it, but I do hope that at least a tiny bit of that drive an determination and belief in herself came from me. I'd like to think my impact on her young life was positive in some way.

Her visit was perfect timing for me too, helping me to adjust to my new life of being 'alone'. I really enjoyed our time together. Saturday was her last day, and we made the most of it spending most of the day on the beach. (sorry about the sunburn Renae!)

That evening, we decided to make a quick trip to town so she could get some souvenirs to take back with her to KY. And to make a long story short, random occurrences put us in the path of a young man who needed our help. It seems this young Army Private, Derek Bradford, had been stranded at the gas station by my house and needed a ride. We piled his possessions, including his army fatigues, boots and helmet into the trunk of my car and headed down the road. I told him I couldn't take him all the way home to Marianna, but I would take him as far as I could.

It was an interesting drive. I found out that Derek had joined the army because he had a desire to serve his country. No one in his family supported him, or was proud of him. That made me very sad. He had just returned from serving his first tour in Iraq. I could tell that this 21 year old kid had experienced things I could not even imagine and that it had really affected him. But he was very excited and anxious to go back and do it again.

If you know me very well, you know that I am very patriotic . It's always an honor for me to meet and be able to thank a soldier. You can be sure that I expressed my thanks to Derek sincerely, and the boy made a real impression on me. He was extremely polite and courteous, but I wouldn't have minded if he hadn't called me "ma'am" so many times.

I suppose my point of this is just to say thanks again to you, Derek Bradford, for being there that evening. It was such a blessing to me to be able to do something for you. After all, you have put your life on the line for me and you had never even met me.

Sometimes God knows just what to send you to help you realize how blessed you are and to stop you from feeling sorry for yourself. It had been a particularly difficult day because I knew I was taking Renae to the airport early Sunday and then hitting the road myself to head back to Atlanta for the week for a seminar. I love Atlanta, but I just was NOT ready to travel again so soon. But here I am in the Big City. I've got a lot of learning to do this week, and thanks to young people like Derek Bradford, I have the freedom and opportunity to do it. 

God Bless You Derek Bradford. I will be praying for your safe return to your family. And God Bless Our Troops!