Shealyn and Shelby... My Angels

Tis the season for all things FALL! So many anticipate this time of year full of pumpkins, decorating, cooler temps, hot chocolate nights and much more. I love it all too! But this season brings so much more than that for me. My precious Shealyn and Shelby both lived their lives through these months. Shealyn lived July til Thanksgiving day in November and Shelby lived May til Halloween day in October. So these months are full of precious memories and "movie clips" running through my mind at any given moment.

All of a sudden, the laughing, cheery, smiling Heather disappears and a more subdued, quiet, reverent Heather appears. Actually, it comes and goes. I'm not like that everyday at every moment, it's just during that time I never know when it is going to hit me. A memory will hit and that movie clip just plays at a moments notice. I can never pinpoint when this transition will come. Sometimes I know its here because while walking though Walmart a chord is struck the moment I see pumpkins out that triggers those tears to stream down my face out of nowhere. Sometimes, it's when the kids say, "Mom, are you listening to me?" They can tell that I am in another place in my mind! Sometimes, it can be hard to be around many people that haven't known me for long because they think I'm depressed if I have one of these moments hit me or they don't know how to take this side of me because they are used to my "happy-go lucky self". But, it's OK...it will pass shortly and I soon won't be tearing up out of nowhere! haha!  I actually appreciate these few weeks or months (different every year) to reflect on this special phase.... for some reason it always hits me in September. 

I'm grateful to be reminded of how far I have come from that 19 year old mother laying on the floor crying for weeks in front of an empty cradle by the christmas tree or the tears that streamed down my face at the sound of crying babies in church that only reminded me of my empty hands.  And many, many, many more experiences through those younger years when I was learning how to live with my losses. 

Because the truth is that as the years went on I learned that it wasn't loss at all but a great and special opportunity to grow into someone that I would have never become without the experiences that a loving Heavenly Father chose for me to go through. As a 40 year old, I know that my heart was crushed to understand the beautiful JOY that is accessible in this life. I was broken down as to understand how incredibly important dependency on God through this life is.  And also a relationship that we should all strive for so that we know Him and strive to be like Him. I wouldn't trade the lessons from loss for anything. For I have gained so much and the lessons have also shaped me and molded me to be a better me.

This IS NOT a sad time for me, yet simply an exploring of my heart, thoughts and feelings. I never knew when I lost my first child so many years ago and then the second child 4 years later that it would have been such a life-long trial for me. Loss of children or loss period has so many stages and phases. I love seeing what messages the Lord will bring to me each year through this season for me. I learn something new every year. 

I have spent the last 20 years trying to figure out and explore the new phases that hit year after year especially during this fall season. One thing for sure is that this trial of loss has kept me close to my Heavenly Father and has helped me live a life that is focused on what matters most. God, family and serving others. I may shed tears, and I may talk about them more during this time than the rest of the year....but one thing is for sure! I'm grateful for eternal families and the knowledge that I have that we will be together again if I live my life worthy to receive those blessings. 

Speaking of service, I have found a way to turn those hard cycles that used to hit me every year into positive ones. I started an annual fundraiser last year in memory of my sweet daughter,  Shealyn and my precious son Shelby called

"PAJAMA PAGES".  Since they spent their little lives in pajamas...I collect pj's for the children that spend Halloween in the hospital. And I collect books because I was either reading to my babies or to Hayley when she came to visit us in the hospital for months. This year I have included stuffed animals.



We also collect funds to go to the red wagons at Children's Medical Center. Shelby used to ride in the wagons to his therapy treatments and it was the one thing that Hayley could help with by pulling her brother around. 

Starting this service project during this season warms my heart and feels so good to turn that loss into something positive. Then on Halloween... the day Shelby went to heaven we donate all of the collected items.


 Last year I was able to collect $2000 worth of pajamas and books. I was also able to collect enough for one red wagon that costs $200 per wagon! It was a special day and I had two of my best friends Monica King and Amylia Coover and my daughter Hayley go with me to donate the items to the hospital. A very heartwarming and special day!

If you would like to donate BOOKS, PAJAMAS or STUFFED ANIMALS
Please message me for my address or if local I can arrange to pick them up! If you would like to donate funds for the red wagons or would like for me to purchase pajamas and books...Please PAYPAL me as a "gift" to livinyourlife08@gmail.com.

If you feel inspired to help me in my efforts to collect for this purpose...please feel free to reach out to me. Your donations mean more than you will ever know! 972-533-3158 or just message me on FB.

Find joy in the journey and turn hard things into positive things! Your heart will be happy!

Here is Shealyn Renee

Here is my Shelby Ray....

In memory of my angel babies SHEALYN RENEE and SHELBY RAY who died from a terminal disease called EPIDERMOLYSIS BULLOUSA (Junctional recessive)

Why I'm not Nice Anymore!

Did you see that.... Did you see how she.... Can you believe how she handled that... Can you believe that she let her kid do that.... I would never have let my child.... Can't imagine what they.... What kind of parents would let.... Did you see what she was wearing... Did you see her trip and almost fall...

Why do so many people feel the need to gossip or make fun? Why do so many feel that you need to live your life the way they do? Why are so many people so observant of what you are doing and then JUDGE you? WHY JUDGE? WHY CRITICIZE? WHY GOSSIP? WHY MAKE FUN?

I had my THIRD conversation with someone this week listening to them express hurt and pain at the hand of others! They have been affected by gossip, judging or just plain exclusion. IT HURTS!  You know we have all heard it. But the question is...WERE YOU THE ONE TO STOP IT?

The saddest part of it all is this is happening in churches, in homes, in work places, in social media...EVERYWHERE!                            It's getting worse and worse!   Being this way as a Christian robs The Lord of the church he deserves. Not to mention exposing your own heart and it discredits the gospel in the eyes of the world.  If we spent less time excluding others and judging them, then we would have more time to love and serve them! Christ wants us to bear one another's burdens for the good of the other person!  

It's that simple...Just STOP IT! Enough is enough! BE KIND! FIND ROOM FOR CHRIST IN YOUR LIFE! And if you have Christ in your life then reach out to others and be a light for them to find Christ in theirs!                                                                                                                                               

I have always heard people tell me that I am so nice! I have always thrived on being the nice! It just feels good!  As I was reflecting on the 3 conversations that I had this week,  I was reminded about a situation in high school where some girls were girls were talking about this other girl. I was right there and heard it all and I was being "nice" and didn't say one mean word. But, I don't remember speaking up and saying something to make it stop! I have also had those moments that I was the one gossiping and quickly learned that it felt terrible!  

Being "NICE" was keeping me from speaking up when something needed to be said. Being nice was preventing me from telling someone how I really felt about a certain topic. (since I didn't want to offend) Being nice trapped me at times into gossip because I was listening to someone and not speaking my opinion! (since I didn't want them to feel that I was being judgemental) Being nice kept me from saying how I feel politically or how I feel about racism or all of the things taking place in our world. Sometimes, I still get caught up in asking myself ...should I post that cause that might offend! I think I was addicted to being "NICE" and well a long time ago... I realized 

THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO BE NICE ANYMORE! But, rather.... KIND! 

 I know that I am only one small voice but  If you are reading this...Please commit to being that person that chooses to be kind and puts an end to it when people are gossiping or making critical, judgemental comments about others! I'm not talking about when you have to discuss situations that you are experiencing but straight up gossip!   People feel lonely! People feel hurt! People feel left out! It only takes one person to make a difference in a conversation! Be the one to speak kindness and breath life into another! Validate others! Be a friend! Be kind! Don't be clicky.. make everyone feel included! Do your part! 

There is no room for competing, there is no room for hating, there is no room for judging, there is no room for criticizing, there is no room to belittle others. And there is no room to be too nice and not speak up for what you believe!  Plato said, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."    Every day there is someone enduring a stressful job, demanding relationships, abuse from someone they love, someone has no idea how they are gonna make ends meet and a child that is struggling or someone with extreme responsibilities. Everyday there is someone that just got diagnosed with a disease that scares them to death, those that face uncertain futures or even struggles with self worth or loss! The LAST THING ANYONE NEEDS IS SOMEONE JUDGING HOW THEY HANDLE THEIR TRIAL!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Each and every one of us can make a difference and change the world! Making a difference often takes time! I read this quote that I loved so much..It said, "Our kindness may not grow roots until long after we've fertilized the flower beds! 

Every day there is someone, somewhere in the need of kindness!    Find JOY in loving those around you! Find JOY in being KIND! Find JOY in speaking up and making a difference!    

FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

A Boring Blog....

Who Cares? Nobody wants to read your blog? You don't get very many comments when you write... So obviously it doesn't matter if you write or not! YOUR BLOG IS BORING! People will think your idea is dumb!  UGH...Go away stupid thoughts...I AM WRITING ANYWAY!

Thank goodness I am not like this 24/7...it is hard on me to be this way! I'd rather stay in my "LIVING ON THE BRIGHT-SIDE" world! hahahaha But, thank goodness it  only lasts one month a year and at least its not everyday!

On top of the racing thoughts I emotionally eat! My mind tells me that  no one likes me and during this one month I actually care if that is true! The one thing that is awesome about me experiencing all of this is because I know people that feel this way all the time and it gives me compassion to understand people and feel what it feels like! I suffer from PTSD! I have chosen to let myself feel it all and have never taken medicine even though it has been recommended many times by a healthcare professional! I believe in feeling it and reach to a higher source to overcome! I pray to my Heavenly Father above for daily relief and I am always blessed! Then September ends and it all goes away and I slip back into Heather again until next September! It always hits early!

YEP...THIS ....IS ....ME..TONIGHT.....RAW!

This time of year can be so challenging for me! My thoughts can be irrational, I'm on the verge of tears at any given moment, I appear like I am spaced out due to memories floating on auto pilot 24/7! Really absent-minded (well that is actually all year round hehehe) I'm super sensitive, and my thoughts consume me!  It's so hard to be around people because it sooooo obvious that I am not my normal self!

Grief is hard and it really never ends. It comes every year like clock work. I was hoping that it passed quickly this year but it sneaks up when I least expect it! It isn't convenient and it puts me in a funk!

Loss creates a feeling of emptiness which creates lonliness which creates insecurity and other feelings!

I try to keep myself busy this time of year as to not get to caught up in my thoughts! I believe that Satan knows that I am weak, vulnerable and sensitive so he does all in his power to fill my head with lies! The raw truth is sometimes I believe them! I know the pattern that hits me every year so you would think that I had it all figured out by now and could resist this phase! But for so many years I felt embarrassed to admit what I faced every year! Then one day it hit me! Why am I taking criticism from someone who has never lost a child?

I remember asking my grandma before she died if she ever healed from losing her son and her response validated me! She told me that not a day went by that she didn't think about her son. Some days if she let her memories go too far she could have a tear running down her face out of nowhere!

It is such a physical thing...my body with all of it's amazing senses records the past and triggers my mind to go into a frenzy... so the smells, temperatures and visuals can spark a nerve at any moment!

THE ABOVE IS MY REALITY....BUT I AM A FIGHTER...I AM STRONG...I CAN OVERCOME ANYTHING...I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.......

So last year I decided that I was going to GIVE BACK and do something different than just getting through the month!  I decided that I was going to take all this painful energy that comes every year and turn it around for good!

Then the negative thoughts came again... You tried to do something before and you got very little response or feedback so you know its going to fail....BUT I REFUSE TO GIVE IN TO HIS LIES!

SO I AM GOING FOR IT! I AM CHOOSING VICTORY! I AM BIGGER THAN MY TRIALS!

Both my kids died on a holiday (Thanksgiving and Halloween)  Shelby died on Halloween day  and I was not in the mood to go out and do the typical festivities! So Hayley and I began a routine of staying home in our pajamas/sweats and handing out candy to all of the cute kids that came to the door! We love it and still do it to this day! Kolby came along and loves Halloween...so he gets to go off with his friends while Hayley and I continue our tradition!

So here is what I decided to do! (And I am sooooo very excited that my dear friend Amylia Coover has joined me in my efforts for this cause).... WE HAVE STARTED A NON-PROFIT BENEFIT CALLED "PAJAMA PAGES" I will be collecting pajamas and books for the kids at Children's Medical Center in Dallas...(where both my babies lived during their lives) Since the kids in the hospital can't go out and take part in the typical festivities of Halloween....I will deliver the pajamas and books on HALLOWEEN DAY! I will also be collecting any monetary donations to purchase the little red wagons that the kids are transported in around the hospital! They are $250 each!

I can't wait to begin this project in memory of my precious angel babies...SHEALYN RENEE' AND SHELBY RAY

I will be writing more tomorrow about pajama pages and where to send donations! I am really excited to launch this! I know that I don't have tons of time to collect this year but you have to start somewhere before anything can become something!

I am finding JOY in my sorrows and doing something to replace the holes and emptiness that this season brings for me! I am choosing to be bigger than my circumstances! I will nip this PTSD out once and for all!

And if I don't get any comments...I will continue writing anyway! This too shall pass...It does every year! Thanks to my daughter Hayley for teaching me how valuable vulnerability is and how empowering it is to just be RAW!

THANKS FOR READING MY BORING BLOG! If you are new to my blog and wondering about my angels you can look through past blogs to read my story!

I looked UP!

The most favorite time of the year is here for so many! The weather has finally changed. It feels so different on my skin than the sun does. I actually love this season too. But as it approaches...So does many memories, emotions and feelings.

The triggers are everywhere! The smells, the weather, the breeze, the pumpkins in every store. Everywhere I turn something triggers memories to flood through my mind. It hits me out of the blue when I least expect it. Through the years I have tried so many things to get through it or overcome it. The truth is that it comes no matter what! Its a part of my life and so this season is never the same for me.

It was never an easy trial to endure losing two of my children. (which with loss you kinda are never done enduring) Each year during this season I am reminded of all that I have become through it all. However, when I least expect my eyes might start leaking!

So the other day I woke up and could tell that that day had hit. My eyes wouldn't stop leaking. Nothing I could do stopped it! Its actually not easy for me to endure this phase because I am not my normal self. Its causes me to be the opposite of everything I normally am! I become pretty reserved and don't really enjoy being around a lot of people! I could be completely normal and all of a sudden a thought will cross my mind and the tears flow. (Yeah, like I said...hard to be around others) People look at me like I am crazy.

Anyway, that morning I had to get out and take Kolby to school and I couldn't hold back the tears. Its like my body has a memory and when the fall hits it just reacts to all that is stored, like clockwork.

I was actually praying for this phase to pass quickly! Yes, of course I am grateful for the flow of  memories and a time to reflect on my sweet babies Shealyn and Shelby.  However, on the emotional side...."Aint not body got time for dat!"


I was on the way back from taking Kolby to school and I was in a school zone with a cop clocking his radar. So like anyone would do, I was watching  the speedometer to make sure I didn't go over 20 mph. I continued through the school zone without a problem. My mind was totally somewhere else thinking of what life would have been like if my cute babies were still alive and a part of our family.  I actually longed for them as this time of year kinda does that to me! I just kinda cried a little more when all of a sudden I happened to LOOK UP!

This is what I saw! Oh WOW! All of a sudden the lyrics to Somewhere Over the Rainbow came across my mind. (which was a song I used to sing to Shealyn.) So I can hardly hear it without some special feelings consuming me and maybe a few tears.  I couldn't help but have a heart full of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for that moment. I felt so close to my babies for just a moment. For a moment I had a glimpse of that beautiful day when I get to be with them again. For just a moment I felt like I was with them! It was an answer to my prayer! FOR JUST A MOMENT I DIDN'T WANT TIME TO MOVE! It was special!

I always thought that I could control the emotions that this season brings.  But the triggers have a way of taking charge. So, like every year,  I was desiring that the season didn't get me down and that I didn't slip into old bad patterns of grief, like previous years. And with just one look upward... Everything changed!

I drove home and went to my bedroom and knelt down to thank my Heavenly Father for precious moments that were sent to me when all of a sudden my phone started to ring....It was my sweet husband! I hear..."Heather do you think its possible for you to go outside and maybe see what I am seeing?" I immediately knew what he was talking about and he was many miles away. He said, "You gotta see it...It's beautiful, you will love it" He told me it was the most beautiful complete rainbow he had ever seen! He was seeing it start to finish and there was not one but two. He said, it made him think of both our babies!

On this regular weekday morning we both had been blessed!

And of course, I balled! I know that these precious moments are tender mercies straight from The Lord. Oh how my heart was filled with JOY! Oh how happy I am that I looked up!

 I can't help but think of the analogies of choosing to look up! HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR MY LITTLE ANGELS! Oh how happy it makes me feel to know that one day we will be reunited!

My human heart was filled with hope, love and the sweetest visions of "someday"

Find JOY in the hard days and LOOK UP...for that is where we will find healing!

Somewhere over the rainbow way up high

There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far Behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh, why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow why, oh, why can't I?

Love you, Shealyn Renee' and Shelby Ray



Please excuse the noise!

Today I went to my scheduled massage appointment. I walked in and checked in like normal. As I sat down and waited for my name to be called. I quickly noticed  a couple upset clients at the counter. One lady was talking so loud it made me feel uncomfortable. I felt so bad for the girl behind the counter. She was so angry and I wasn't sure why! I noticed on the counter a small sign that read... Please excuse the noise. I didn't hear any noise... So I was clueless what was going on! Then I heard her say, "That was the worst experience I have ever had and I want my money back" The associate was trying so hard to validate her and calm her down but nothing worked. (I don't know about you but I always say a little prayer in those situations)

My name was then called and I went back for my massage. As I walked to the room, the therapist said, "I apologize ahead of time for the noise...There is construction going on next door and it is not your typical massage experience...So I am telling you now in case you would like to reschedule"

I was thinking, how bad could it be?? Well, it actually was minimal for a moment so I figured since I am already here...lets just go for it! So I get all prepared and the therapist comes in and begins the massage. All of a sudden I hear a jackhammer and about 20 different people hammering at different times and saws and metal and banging... almost enough noise to make it comical! The therapist said, the offer is still on the table if you would like to reschedule. I thought for a moment and decided I would just go for it! I just said turn the music up as loud as it goes.

The massage begins and the noise only got louder and more consistent. I could hardly relax and it truly was rather annoying!  So then I thought to myself what if I focus my attention on the music and the massage and try to  tune out the construction noise. I tried and I immediately hear a jackhammer begin...I try again and I hear banging  louder than at first! But I had already made a decision to stay so I just dealt with it.

I laid there and continued to focus on the music and the coolest thing happened... When I let go and chose to relax anyway (no matter how noisy it was) and chose to tune into the music instead of the construction noise the hammering noise phased out and the music seemed louder. I focused on the massage and enjoyed every minute of it! I realized that I actually was enjoying the massage more than normal.

I couldn't help but think about the world we live in and how there is so much noise. So many things that are pounding and banging for our attention. So many things going on and we cant seem to feel the peace and quiet that we desire. We want all the bad to go away and don't want to have to endure the hard.

But actually what I realized was that I couldn't make the noise go away. I could either check out or endure it. Since I chose to endure it... I learned a valuable lesson! Isn't that how life is too! Even though we have to endure hard things we always learn valuable lessons that make us stronger than we were before.

Every single day we hear of more and more "noise" that we can't make go away. But we have a choice to check out or endure it and make the best of it! With the construction noise full blast today I learned that focusing my mind and attention on the better part (which today was the massage and the music) that the bad part just kinda crept away. Still there... but  did not affect me! In fact, it was one of the best massages I have had.

And now the best part... I walk out to the counter, and the same girl that was getting chewed out by the upset lady before I went in asked me how my massage went. I told her that it was wonderful! She looked at me with a crazy face...she was not expecting that response at all. She smiles and says you are the first person to say that! I said well it was a bit noisy but I just focused on the music and it was wonderful! The manager was right there and comes over and does something on the computer. She says mam..he just gave you a free massage!

Another reminder that the reward is after you endure!

Find JOY amongst the noise and
seek the GOOD no matter what!

I have TWINS!!!

Eight years ago when Hayley was in the 4th grade. I picked her up from school and on the way home she was telling me about a boy in her class that was really funny. She began to talk about him and said she feels bad for him a lot. I proceeded to ask her why. She told me that he always gets in trouble and he doesn't even do anything! She said it reminds her of her brother Kolby who would often get in trouble and everything was always blamed on him! I listened to her and told her that was sweet of her to be nice to him despite how other people treated him.

Hayley continued to come home talking about this boy. I didn't even know his name. So after a week of hearing her talk about him I felt like maybe there was something we could do to help him and maybe ease Hayley's heart!

One of our traditions every single Friday was to go to Braums for ice cream. Hayley and Kolby always looked forward to this and they knew having a great week at school earned the Braums trip. So I told Hayley to tell the little boy at school that if he could do good for a whole week and not get his name on the board that I would talk to his parents and see if he could come with us for ice cream.

Hayley was so excited to go back to school to tell him! She came home that day and reported that he was soooo excited and was gonna be good. Well, it was a success! He didn't get in trouble!!! Friday came and as I walked up to the school Hayley , Kolby and two boys run up to me. The boy from Hayley's class is smiling from ear to ear and he says, "HI, I'm LaMorie and this is my twin brother Morie." I respond, "Oh!!! Well, did you do good this week?" He said, "YES" So I told him well then you get to come too!

And it all started from that day! Everyday after that Morie and LaMorie came over to our house after school. They played and ate dinner and even began to bathe and get homework done at our house. Shay would load up their bikes in the back of his truck and take them home every night. For the rest of the year that was what we did.

The coolest thing was they had the same exact birthday as Hayley...September 22! So we celebrated three birthdays on that day!

Then one day their dad came to our doorstep and said that they were moving and where he was going the boys could not go. He asked if they could stay with us for a week or so and then when he was settled that he would come get them. THREE YEARS LATER...... The twins were still apart of our family and living with us!

I had been their legal guardian (they called me mom)  for three years while they lived with us and we were going to adopt them. Then out of the blue their mom was trying to get them back. She succeeded and they have lived around with her for the last several years.

We still got to have them on Christmas, Thanksgiving and in the summer through the years!

There is quite a bit that I am leaving out just for the sake of other peoples privacy...But the bottom line is they are my boys and we have loved them like our own since they were in 4th grade! I'll never forget that Friday and their smiles...We love them and always have!

They are now almost 19 and they still call me mom and Kolby and Hayley call them their brothers.
Sometimes you don't have to be blood to be family!

LOVE MY BOYS!

Find JOY in loving others! You never know who is meant to be in your life!

The Remote Control

I was walking through the living room this morning and noticed the remote control sitting on the side table with the back piece off and no batteries inside! This immediately told me..."Kolby needed batteries for his xbox remote and took them out of TV remote! Huge pet-peeve for Shay.

Since Kolby was gone early for basketball and not available for questioning,  I just proceeded to go get the batteries and install them into the remote.

I inserted the battery and couldn't help but notice the + and the - like I always do. Of course you have to insert the battery with the positive facing a specific way or it wont work. Or do you have to face the negative facing a certain way for it to work. How do each of us see this? Of course for me that led to what an optimist or a pessimist would think. The truth is that neither is right or wrong!

If you turn the battery with the positive facing the way you believe its supposed to go then you haven't eliminated the negative. All I have done is focus on the positive. In fact, you wouldn't want to eliminate the negative anyway because it is the interaction between the two that create the flow of energy.

We look at batteries all of the time. But this time the "positive" and the "negative" signs  on the battery spoke a different message to me.

All of a sudden I started thinking about positive and negative thoughts. I started thinking of the negative thoughts that enter my mind any given day. It took me back to a time in my life that negative thoughts consumed me after some hard trials that I had faced. I remember wondering where they came from and why they were there. How do the negative thoughts just pop up out of nowhere and cause conflict to my day. And I am a pretty positive person but this does not mean that I don't have to fight off negative thoughts.

I remember thinking years ago that I was ready to conquer these negative thoughts once and for all.  And I quickly learned that it seemed I was a failure at this attempt. The more I tried to remove the thoughts the more they entered my mind. I quickly learned  that what you resist persists.

The more I focused on trying to get rid of negative I realized that I was giving energy to the negative.  By giving all my energy to pushing away negative things I was pulling my energy away from the positive that mattered most to me.

This is when I learned how imperative and important mindset was. Really my introduction to learning about optimists, pessimists, and self claimed realists.  My husband mingles with all three. I consider myself a natural optimist.  Through the years I have learned to appreciate the perspective of all three. They are all better attributes when mixed with components of each other.

I have had many years practicing how this all works and today when thinking of the batteries it came full circle for me.

I started thinking of things that were positive to me that were negative to another... I thought of the recent craziness that came from the movie FROZEN. I thought it was great and picked up some real value form the movie. Then only to find posts about its demise. I ask myself did we watch the same movie? Or how about when you listen to two political opponents...We hear the same message from them both  and determine our opinion then plastered everywhere are the arguments against each other.

Everyone gets a different result, WHY??? MINDSET!!! MINDSET!!! MINDSET!!!!

So where am I going with all of this? You cant get rid of negative! It's around all day, everyday and it only gets worse everyday!

Everything is like the battery with a positive and a negative end. When the input or situation hits our MINDSET then we immediately determine which end of the battery will get the energy!

So maybe instead of trying to disconnect from the negative you can focus on the positive!  We  also know that the negative is still there, we just are not going to give it any focus.

We have to live in this world that is combined with negative and positive! We live in a world that has major scary headlines almost daily. It's OK! Just decide which side of the battery you will focus on...The positive or the negative?

Invest your energy in what will further you in your life! Tune your mind into showing you opportunity and passion! As you pursue the best things in your life the negativity will move out of focus and become a blur and the positive will emerge and create a clearer path!

I am so thankful for life's little lessons from ordinary things such as a remote control and a battery!
When I looked at the remote I noticed the INPUT button. It reminded me that everyday we have a choice as to what we will fill ourselves with and even the VOLUME and the MUTE button.


Find JOY every day creating your beautiful MINDSET!!!