Quote of the day...

Life is like photography. You need the negatives to develop.


~Unknown 

MY BEST JOB EVER

By Linda Hastings

By all accounts, I am an ordinary, middle-aged woman no different from millions just like me. Over the course of my lifetime I have had my share of jobs (and I use the word "job" because I can't really say I ever pursued a "career" in anything).

I am an Executive Assistant. When I got my first job, and for the following fifteen or twenty years thereafter, I was called a "Secretary". They don't call it that anymore, it's not politically correct and although I never really understood why it was necessary to change it, 'they' did.

In addition to working in an office, there were other jobs that included waitress work (now called 'server') and a host of factory and manufacturing jobs during the summertime of my high school years. I have always given my employer the best I had to offer, remained loyal, trustworthy and punctual and worked 50 weeks out of the year. Besides a paycheck at the end of the week and those two glorious weeks out of the year they call "vacation", most jobs have been pretty mundane with self-effacing rewards at the end of the day.

However, one job in particular that I have held throughout the last 32 years has proven to be the most rewarding, most fulfilling and most important to me. That job was given to me when I became a Mom. Seven years and eleven months to the day from when I got married my new 'job' was given to me wrapped in a little pink blanket. Ashley Christine, followed by a baby sister 23 months later created the job of a lifetime and had all the makings of that dream job you hear others talk about and envy.

Like the reward a NASA engineer must feel at the completion of a spaceship that will travel into orbit, I have built two beautiful people who have given me such pride and happiness and who have fulfilled my dreams beyond my imagination. While other moms complained of all the work, money and effort that went into raising their kids, I lavished the idea.

From Mommie, to Mom, to Mother, each step of the way has been enlivening. Starting even before that first step without holding on to the coffee table, which was followed by the babbling sound of MaMa and DaDa, kisses blown from a tiny little hand, falling asleep in my arms, Christmas mornings, the first day of Kindergarten, learning to swim, blowing out candles on a birthday cake, braces in middle school, their first kiss followed almost immediately by their first broken heart, softball games, dance recitals, cheerleading practice, learning to drive, high school football, the prom, graduation, packing for college, buying their first car, college graduation, moving back home, getting engaged and planning a wedding, it was my privilege to do my job and be there filled with pride each step of the way. Each and every day was not just another twenty-four hours, but another chance to make a difference - to teach and train, to mentor and to learn and grow along with them.

Now as I sit here at my desk, pushing paper from one side to another, answering the endless ringing of phones and watching the clock in anticipation of 5:00, I stop for a moment and day dream of all those precious memories that held my fascination and kept me coming back day after day, year after blissful year for more, as I performed the greatest job of my life - the job of being a Mom.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linda has been writing for a number of years now and writes about true experiences that are near and dear to her heart. Many of her stories are tributes to family members. In addition to writing, Linda is a full time Executive Assistant, who is married with two grown daughters. She enjoys spending leisure time on the lake or on their Harley Davidson. Linda's love for writing stories began when her children were small; she would create tales to entertain them using their names and their friends as the characters. Linda's stories have been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, the book and the weekly newspaper syndicate, Fort Worth Business Press and you may recognize her name from other stories she has shared on MyDailyInsights as well. She can be reached atlghastings@embarqmail.com

Quote of the day...

Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add but when there is nothing left to take away.

~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Quote of the day...

Everyone's life is under someone's control - it might as well be under your own so that you can direct your destiny.

~ Harry Tucker

Quote of the day...

A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.

 

~ Benjamin Franklin

Quote of the day...

Your self image is your pattern! 

Every thought has an activity visualized. 

Every activity belongs to a pattern. 

You identify with your pattern or thought.

Your patterns leads your life.

~ J G Gallimore

Quote of the day...

Success comes from taking the initiative and following up... persisting... eloquently expressing the depth of your love. What simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life?

~ Anthony Robbins 

Quote of the day...

If your position is everywhere, your momentum is Zero.

~ Michael Korda

Quote of the day...

The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will 
interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.

~ Thomas Alva Edison

Quote of the day...

The size of the future you actually experience will 
largely be determined by one factor: the people you 
choose to connect with. When you invite people who are 
truly committed to growth into every aspect of your life, 
your own potential for growth becomes truly 

unlimited.

~ Dan Sullivan

Do You Know Miracles?

By Lily Belland

People say to me, when I'm telling my life struggles and amazements, "Oh yes, I know." And what I want to say is "Really? Do you really know?" Do you know expectations, like those that come home from the hospital with that beautiful baby of what his future holds? Do you know what it is to have those expectations crossed off one by one or all at once, only to have them replaced by new ones?

Oh yes, you know expectations, but do you know hope? Do you know achievements, with all their hard work and determination, big or small or somewhere in between? Do you know what it is to spend hours on each and every baby step?

Oh yes, you know achievement, but do you know triumph? Do you know teachers and aides who give their all every day for the time they are with your child as well as hours after in planning and preparation? Do you know what it is to put 6 hours of effort into 40 minutes of success?

Oh yes, you know teachers, but do you know heroes? Do you know patience, and the endurance of cleaning up spilled milk every day for years and not crying over it or wondering if he's doing it on purpose? Do you know what it is after years of getting milk all over your hands to go nine whole days without a single drop of milk getting spilled.

Oh yes, you know patience but do you know joy? Do you know judgment, good or bad, in the looks of others as you help your child navigate his day? Do you know what it is to rise above the scorn and scowls and do what needs to be done when your child is having a "moment"?

Oh yes, you know judgment, but do you know strength? Do you know Christmas, and all its miracles and everything it stands for, or perhaps another holiday held sacred to you? Do you know what it is to almost lose everything, even Christmas, in the blink of an eye, but to have it returned to you?

Oh yes, you know Christmas, but do you know gratitude? Do you know love, and the warm fuzzy feeling that comes with snuggling with your child when he's getting ready for bed? Do you know what it is to read all the reports, and watch your child "blow it" at another chance at a relationship and significantly impact your relationships as well, and to love him anyway?

Oh yes, you know love, but do you know unconditional love? Do you know serenity, and security in watching your child sleep, knowing they are home in your safe and loving care? Do you know what it is just hours before to have the entire Police Department and all of your friends driving around looking for your child while you pray he's not broken in the middle of the road?

Oh yes, you know serenity, but do you know peace? Do you know words, and the power of communication and emotion they create, especially those four amazing ones that tug at your heart? "I love you Mommy." Do you know what it is to wait for years to hear any words and even longer to hear those magic words?

Oh yes, you know words, but do you know miracles?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lily Belland is mother to four children, including Patrick an 11 year old with autism. She works part-time as a Rehab Aide and is currently going to University towards a B.Ed degree. She hopes one day to open a therapy and respite centre for other individuals with autism. You can contact Lily atchaostheory888@hotmail.com

Quote of the day...

You cannot teach a man anything.

You can only help him discover it within himself.

~ Galileo Galilei

Quote of the day...

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

~ William James

Quote of the day...

See that any time you feel pained or defeated, it is only because you insist on clinging to what doesn't work. Dare to let go and you won't lose a thing except for a punishing idea.

~ Guy Finley

Quote of the day...

The road to happiness lies in two simple principles:

find what it is that interests you and that you can do well,

and when you find it put your whole soul into it -

every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have.

~ John D. Rockefeller III

Quote of the day...

The majority of men meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those, which fail.

~ Napoleon Hill

Quote of the day...

People who consider themselves victims of their circumstances,

will always remain victims unless they develop a greater vision for their lives.

 

~ Stedman Graham

Quote of the day...

Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously and never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop this picture!

~ Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

Quote of the day...

Always bear in mind, that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other thing.

~ Abraham Lincoln

SUDDENLY ONE DAY

By Ilene Madrigal

 

It happened. I looked out my back door this morning and fall has officially arrived. The leaves, you know those green leaves that I have enjoyed so much all summer, have suddenly burst into a collage of yellows, reds, browns, and oranges against a gorgeous background of pine tree green. It is beautiful. It was so sudden. I don't know why I say that. The leaves have been whispering about it for weeks now.

 

It's not like it's any big surprise, but then humans are just never really prepared for the end of things. For some reason in the midst of savoring all the beauty around me, my mother popped into my head. It made me think about her growing older and how surprised I was when suddenly one day - it just happened.

 

My mother lived to be 97½ years old and all of us know that is a long life span, but somewhere along the line, it happened. I woke up one day and her eyes didn't look the same. I noticed they had that blurred look that comes with age. Now this is not a bad thing, but it seemed like it happened over night. I went to sleep and when I awoke, my mother was older. And like the leaves whose purpose has changed - no longer there to protect the branches - exhibiting one last expression of glory before they silently return to the earth - just as suddenly my mother had assumed a new role in my life. For awhile, I was almost angry with her. She was supposed to be strong - able to care for me - be my protector. It didn't matter that I was a full-grown adult; I was still her little girl.

 

The change will be rapid now with the leaves. Once they flame into color, it seems that in just moments one by one they flutter silently to the ground. In the blink of an eye their purpose will change from protecting the branches, sheltering the birds, and posing as a postcard picture of beauty, and they will lie uncomplaining on the ground gradually returning to the earth. The bare branches will tower over them watching them as they return to dust. Their mission for this lifetime accomplished.

 

And so it was with my mother. Suddenly our roles were reversed. No longer was she the strong one, my protector. I stood by her and watched as her purpose in life changed. And like the branches that will soon be bare and exposed to the elements, for a while I felt abandoned and unprotected - uncertain who this woman was reaching out toward me for my strength and protection.

 

I think about it all now - how unsure I felt in this new role of protector - how exposed to the elements without my mother to strengthen me. It was as if I had been thrust into this new place with no experience to fill it. I wonder if that is how she felt the first time she held me in her arms as a new parent realizing the great responsibility of caring for another life. Now it was my turn.

 

The change had been sudden - not really - but it felt that way - almost more than I could wrap my mind around. But gradually the roles reversed and when the time came, it was I who held her in my arms as she silently and gloriously completed her mission for this lifetime and made her transition to a new life. It was I, who was her strength and her protector as I held her in those final moments of her life - this woman who had given me life and had held me and protected me in the first moments of my life. Fall had officially arrived. And it was beautiful.

 

©2005 Ilene Madrigal

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ilene Madrigal has enjoyed a lifetime of projects, owning and operating a denture clinic, raising Labrador Retrievers and Arabian horses, farming, and operating a commercial fish farm while raising a family of five delightful children. In 1991, Ilene returned to college to obtain an English Degree. In 1992, she was awarded the "Orville Redenbaucher® Second Chance Scholarship" for her essay, "Intellectually Anorexic." It was then that she realized her potential as a writer. In 1996, after much soul searching, Ilene surrendered to her work as a Reiki Practitioner. As a result of this work, she authored A Tree of Silence, a book of simple teachings that helps one understand that unconditional love is the tool to complete healing. Ilene can be reached at gmadrigal@nc.rr.com or visit her websitewww.gypsylight.com

Quote of the day...

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.

~ Angela Schwindt

Quote of the day...

Believe in yourself and there will come a day when others will have no choice but to believe with you.

~ Cynthia Kersey

Quote of the day...

The gem cannot be polished without friction.

~ Chinese proverb

Quote of the day...

I do the very best I know how - the very best I can;

and mean to keep doing so until the end.

If the end brings me out all right,

what is said against me won't amount to anything.

~ Abraham Lincoln

Believe In Yourself

Believe In Yourself 

And in your dream 

though impossible 

things may seem, 

Someday, somehow you'll get through to 

the goal you have in view.

Mountains fall and 

seas divide before 

the one who in his stride 

Takes a hard road 

day by day 

sweeping obstacles away.

Believe in yourself 

and in your plan. 

Say not - I cannot but, I can. 

The prizes of life we 

fail to win, Because we doubt the 

power within.

Quote of the day...

A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down. 

~Arnold Glasgow

Start your day Happy!

A Morning is a beautiful blessing, either cloudy or sunny, it stands for hope, giving us another start of what we call a GOOD LIFE.

Quote of the day...

Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you;

be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.

~ W. Clement Stone

Be thankful....

Be thankful that sunrises and
sunsets are free, or else we
couldn't afford them.

Be thankful that behind every
storm is surely the rainbow
of hope and future sunshine.

Be thankful for our mistakes,
life would be boring if we 
are all perfect.

Be thankful for stress so that
we be reminded to relax and
balance our life.

Have a thousand reasons to
be thankful!

Quote of the day....

Your past is not your potential. In any hour you can choose to liberate the future.


~Marilyn Ferguson

EXPLOSIONS OF THE HEART

By Miles Patrick Yohnke

I was awakened by a loud, ground shaking BANG! Two explosions rang out! I had experienced the black car parade at the age of five, after my father was killed in a potash mine accident, so I know death intimately.

Growing up in the 70's, before the billboards, advertising and paralegal companies that sprung up creating easy divorces (i.e. No Complications. Call Now), it was still fairly common to have two parents at home. In school, I was the only one in our class that didn't have a father. Father's day was always awkward. The teacher would say, "Class, today we are making something for our Dads." "Oh, great," I thought, as I placed 'Ken' for my oldest brother on the item I made. Awkward, it was just just plain awkward.

I know depression and hatred all too well. Having a learning disorder, I was unmercifully bullied through elementary school. Not only from the fellow students, but from the teachers as well. Les e bon temps roule, Let the Good times roll. Like many, I have had my heart broken. Dumped. Depleted. Rejected. Various forms of physical anguish, different kinds of sad-various shades. However, I didn't know fire.

I was awakened by a ground shaking bang! From my deep-coma like sleep it was, "What is that?" I live in what is called the cool district of our city--the Broadway district. I live on the top floor, facing southwest. It is a great view. People tell me it looks like the cover artwork of "Hotel California" by the Eagles. Indeed it is like that.

On the morning of Wednesday, Aug 8th, 2012 at 2:52am, I was awakened by a very loud, ground shaking bang! Kaboom! Explosions rang out. I ran to my living room window to see what happened. Thick dark smoke was danced ominously about. It appeared to be coming out the new high rise that was just built. The sound of a car horn blaring. I real sense of chaos was occurring before my eyes. Something far more then me.

The new high rise has these two lights that shine up to the night sky, kind of like the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas. You could barely see them for the billowing dark clouds. The apartment complex to the north of me - one of the suites appeared to be full of fire. What was happening down below? What was happening to my Broadway district? A whirlwind of feelings. Frantic. A million thoughts flooded my mind-- Loss of life? Sorrow, gut wrenching agony, having to move--start over.

I could now feel for the first time what it would be like to be in a fire. Hearing the sound of police cars and fire trucks, the sirens growing closer.. louder. I get my clothes on and head for the area. On the street, as I rapidly approach it, I realized it was a parked car, a new car that was on fire. That suite that I thought was on fire was just a pane of glass reflecting this vehicle. The car was totally engulfed. Intense--hot fire. The explosions heard was the gas tank and too the blaring horn was this vehicle. It was so extreme. It apparently was just a wiring problem, a defect. No one was in the car. The fire was contained. No loss of life or or other property was lost.

There, on the street, with the firemen and their hoses - I thought what it must feel like for a human to be caught in a fire. The agony. The burning, seared flesh. First Degree. Second Degree. Third Degree burns. Unimaginable pain. Being in the hospital, having to debride the raw open wounds with an abrasive sponge to clean away the bad tissue that will never heal, and has to be "sloughed" off before the wound(s) can heal properly. Skin grafts, taking skin from another part of the body to cover the third degree burns, skin and nerves that been completely burned away. How quickly one's life can change. In an instant, in the twinkling of an eye. To be a burn victim / survivor. The constant reminder on one's body of those moments--tattooed on the skin.

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you could eliminate the pain, auction off your past? I sure have, though I am grateful for my youth--it helped shape me. I wouldn't be who I am today. I've been asked, "What kept you going?" My mother, some would say, isn't well spoken or well educated, but she was always nurturing, there. She is a quiet leader. Accountable. She isn't superficial or shallow. She wasn't out using men. In fact she never dated after dad's passing--she was 36. No excuses, she did her best in her way.

My teachers at Sion High School, a special small high school, built up my self-esteem. The self esteem that the teachers before them had taken. I am blessed for those teachers and that school program. I will always be indebted to them. No excuses.

Whenever you really think your life is hard, and you're feeling sorry for yourself at a tender age, or any age, please understand you are not alone. Help is all around us, in government agencies, social programs, or everyday people. For me in '83, at the age of 20, I was introduced to an array of insightful men: Bob Proctor, Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy, Zig Ziglar. I saved up and bought their cassette tapes (post 8-tracks) and attended their seminars. It had a profound impact on me.

Help is all around us, one has to but only pay attention. Awareness is key. The universe is constantly answering, giving feedback, but we must open our eyes, ears, and heart to receive the answers. Search for it. That's the secret: You have to go to it, and keep going to it. Knock, and the door shall be opened.

Explosions rang out in my heart that night. Like fire which grabs and feeds from oxygen, so too was my soul ignited. A reminder. We have just this one life. One chance to find away to use our breath, every single second, in a positive way. We create each day anew. Each day, like a blank paper or canvas space is a new opportunity, a new beginning.

To ignite a fire, a enteral fire from within--we need to keep feeding this. To live our dreams even with all the obstacles before us. To realize that our goals are attainable. We must adapt and persevere. As humans, we dare to become something more. We are the ones who know that every created thing is a treasure. We are the blessed ones.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
Globally recognized and award-nominated engineer, producer, writer, poet and founder and C.E.O. of 5 Star Productions, Miles Patrick Yohnke brings many years of experience to the music industry; including many awards in sales and marketing. If you are looking at developing your career, Yohnke offers consulting in person, by phone or via email. at: miles@5-starproductions.com.

Quote of the day....

Good habits are as easy to form as bad ones.

~Tim McCarver

Quote of the day...

That's why many fail; because they don't get started. They don't go. They don't overcome inertia. They don't begin.

W. Clement Stone

Quote of the day....

Men stumble over pebbles, never over mountains

~Emilie Cady

Quote of the day...

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.  Life is a grindstone. Whether it wears you down or polishes you up depends on what YOU are made of.

 

~ZigZiglar

Quote of the day...

More than anything else, I believe it's our decisions, not the conditions of our lives that determine our destiny.

~Anthony Robbins

Quote of the day...

You will face many defeats in your life, but never let yourself be defeated.

~ Maya Angelou

Quote of the day...

If you want to succeed in the world you must make your own opportunities as you go on. The man who waits for some seventh wave to toss him on dry land will find that the seventh wave is a long time a-coming. You can commit no greater folly than to sit by the road side until someone comes along and invites you to ride with him to wealth or influence.

~John B. Gough


(1817-1886, British-born American temperance orator)

Quote of the day....

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.

~Brian Tracy

Quote of the day....

The world is a great book; he who never stirs from home, reads only a page.

~Saint Augustine

Quote of the day....

Most of us spend our lives as if we have another one in the bank.

~ Ben Irwin

Quote of the day....

Persistent people begin their success where others end in failure.

~Edward Eggleston

Quote of the day....

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.

~Maori proverb

PUT THE GLASS DOWN

Author Unknown

A Professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see & asked the students, "How much do you think this glass weighs?"

"50 grams!" "100 grams!" "125 grams," the students answered.

"I really don't know unless I weigh it," said the professor, "but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?"

"Nothing," the students said.

"Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?" the professor asked.

"Your arm would begin to ache" said one of the students.

"You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?"

"Your arm could go numb; you might have severe muscle stress & paralysis and have to go to hospital for sure!" ventured another student and all the students laughed.

"Very good, But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?" asked the professor.

"No," was the answer.

"Then what caused the arm ache and the muscle stress?" The students were puzzled.

"What should I do now to come out of pain?" asked professor again.

"Put the glass down!" said one of the students.

"Exactly!" said the professor.

Life's problems are something like this. Hold it for a few minutes in your head and they seem OK. Think of them for a long time and they begin to ache. Hold it even longer and they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.

It's important to think of the challenges or problems in your life, but EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is to 'PUT THEM DOWN' at the end of every day before you go to sleep. That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh and strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!

So, when you leave office today, remember my friend to 'PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY!'

Quote of the day....

You don't have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things - to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals.

~Sir Edmund Hillary

Mountaineer and Explorer

Quote of the day....

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.

 

~Maya Angelou

Author and Poet