Life

Yesterday Dustin's girlfriend gave birth to a beautiful little girl. She named her Emily Ann. Hopefully I will get a picture and post it soon.
This morning as I was thinking about Emily Ann I thought about life in general and what a journey it is. There is so much to learn. It would be wonderful if we started out surrounded by wise and mindful people but that is seldom the case. Each person is what they are because of their life experiences. Some grow spiritually and some use others as excuses to stagnate. I have been both places. Hopefully I will grow until I am not longer on this physical earth. It is my choice. So folks, if I stumble, I don't need to be reminded. I will know by my happiness level. :-)
There are a few things I do know that have helped me become more peaceful. I repeat, What a journey!!!

That happiness is a choice. So is anger and sadness.

That starting each day being grateful for what I have gives me more to be grateful for.
Feeling deprived causes me to be deprived. Mentally and physically.

That it is not my place to change anyone. I am my only responsibility. The choices others make for their lives are not my responsibility. It is not up to me to make choices for anyone but myself.
That choices others make, they make because of what they know. And that is ok. I can choose to accept them or judge them.

That we all do the best we can with what we know.
That there is good in everyone. I choose to accept others actions even when I don’t understand. And hope they do the same with me. If they don’t that is ok.

That when the wind blows the trees become stronger, when it rains the earth is taking a drink. That I can choose to enjoy this or complain about the weather.

That when the floor needs cleaning, I choose to be thankful I have a floor to clean, instead of a sidewalk for my floor and a cardboard box for my home.
When there isn’t ‘anything’ for dinner, I can choose to be grateful that I can drive my car to the store and buy food, instead of going hungry or I can choose not to.

That being thankful for all the good in my life makes my life better.

That if I want to feel bad, it is easy to find something to feel bad about. If I want to feel good there are more things to feel good about.

That when illness strikes, priorities suddenly change. Especially if it strikes a loved one.

That loving and forgiving myself was and is the key to my happiness.

That making time to be quiet (prayer/mediation) several times a day gives me more peace.

Being aware of how I would behave if I knew this was the last day of my life. Especially to the people dear to me.

My life is mine and it is my choice to be happy or sad, judgmental or accepting, loving, understanding, helpful, generous, or not. No one has the power to decide for me unless I give them permission.
AND THIS IS A VERY GOOD THING!