Life Lights

 

Everybody has a talent if they look deep down inside their soul. I think mine just might be writing. 

My life began in a flurry of dysfunction.  My saving salvation was writing things down long before journaling became a fad. It provided me a chance to sound off unfiltered to myself, the only person who really cared to listen to me.  Overall the years, tears and fears, I somehow found myself and began to learn to love myself with the passion I had been craving outside of myself. 

But that does not take away the value a small act of kindness by another.  Mrs. Cobb, the first counselor my sister and I’s family had all those years ago.  She told us if she could provide us with a little light of hope in the darkness around us, perhaps that was enough.  It was

I’d like to think that her legacy lives within me; that is the ability to recognize those individuals across my path in life that reach out and turn the light on. And sometimes, though spread over years, identifying them and valuing them for their presence may be one of the biggest blessings in life. So keep your eyes and heart open for them!

Open the Mind

 

With a world full of strife, I am amazed at how cruel people can be towards someone for just expressing their views.  Everyone has one, we all know the expression.  But are we being cognizant of others right to express it even if we disagree? Not much in life is black and white.

If you want to grow on life’s journey, be open for varying views and don’t always assume yours is the right one and anyone who disagrees with you is wrong. We should not at leadership levels and down to the little people (us)  stop listening, stop caring and stop growing.

Cancer Survivor's Aim

 

Cancer is the gift that keeps on giving.  Shucks, I finished treatment for the second diagnosis of cancer after two years of drugs, treatments, radiation and surgeries. Blah, today I open up an email with my “Long Term Post Plan”  from a survival support with my oncologist's office.  It is lengthy, detailed and tedious with tons of recommendations post-treatment. It reads like a laundry list of what I just went through.  Seriously,  how about I just concentrate on the moment and live more fully?

If you get the diagnosis go through the treatment protocol recommended for you,  after asking many questions. You may even want to get a second opinion; insurance covers this. But, at the end of the day, post treatment for cancer, don’t put yourself in a box. Living with fear and tons of regulations and restrictions is not living. Embracing your life is what you fought for.  Put away the boxing gloves of fear and fight and chill. Then walk out that damn door and live!  Don't force yourself to do things you don’t enjoy, e.g. lifting weights is not my thing!   Congrats on crossing the finish line, surviving treatment!!!!

There is life after cancer if you choose it.  Choose wisely. 

Note to Cancer from me: You picked the wrong bitch!  

Keep Sales Local

 This holiday season I have made a point of going out shopping to some stores.  For far too long, so many of us have stuck with online shopping. It was necessary during the peak period of COVID.  However, that time has passed and by sticking with online purchasing only, many retail stores have been hit hard.  Many went out of business.  

Shopping online doesn't require the number of workers in stores, thus it affects our job market and economy at the local level.  Shopping exclusively online makes it super hard for small locally owned stores to stay afloat.  I know the inventory online is larger and at times, needed but if we all try to increase local spend dollars in retail stores in our communities, it will go a long way. Yes, you may pay slightly more for something but indirectly you already are when the economy is bad due to less job openings.   So whether it is the mom and pop's locally owned stores and/or retail chains, please carry the idea of shopping in stores (when you can!)  into 2025. Direct or indirectly, we all benefit! And does Jeff Bezo really need all of our hard earned dollars?

Bottom Line: When you shop in stores in your area, you are supporting the local economy.