We are people of stories. Everybody likes a good story, and everybody has a story.

Why are the tabloids so popular? People are curious about other people’s lives. People want to see into other people’s lives whom they maybe wished to be…they want the real deal; however tabloids tend to focus only on the un-noble parts of other’s lives.

We strive for connection, to find out if others really have the same struggles we do, how they got through…ultimately looking for answers.

Our, (my), favorite stories are true accounts of people suffering hardship and coming out better…the winner…helping others as a result. We want to know how they did it, what it took…their secret power.

There are no secret formulas, every life is different. The story often starts because of an intense struggle –  a fight – having a hope, a dream, a desire. The resulting story encourage us to hope and plan. We think if they can make it through, then so can I! Their ideas, their stamina, the determination against all odds inspires each of us.

What is your story, what is a part of your life story that makes you stronger, a better person…something you overcame, something you never thought possible, but it happened. Draw strength from your own struggle. Share it with others.

We each have stories to tell. Tell them!

When I was first married, my dad said he and mom wanted to be close enough to help (if we needed it) but far enough away to let us live our own lives (without being intruded upon).

Such good thinking and actions on their part! I want to be the same with our kids and our daughter/son-in-laws. I cannot relive any parts of my life through them. They get to make their own decisions for their families just like we did for ours. 

How freeing to be there to love, help, and support…not to control, coerce or conform.

So I have told my grown kids that they and those with families are their own separate units now. They are no longer under the umbrella of mom and dad. They are free to make their own decisions, live where they want, raise their kids how they want, do holidays and holiday time how they like, not having to be bound by ‘what will mom and dad want or think?’ I have seen too many family relationships destroyed when the kids feel they have to ‘attend’ every family’s dinner at holiday times. What if the kids just want stay at their own ‘nest’ without going anywhere?

I don’t think that’s being disrespectful, it’s letting them go and flap their own wings. Sure, the kids love mom and dad and want to be with family, but they cannot be shamed or made feel guilty if they choose to do something different.

This is my opinion. The End 🙂

Don’t know if I wrote on this exact title before, but it needs to be reiterated.

No one can tell you you’re insignificant. There is no such thing as an insignificant person!

God made each and everyone of us with a purpose. We have been uniquely designed to add to this world in a large or small way, but still in a significant way. (Significant means needed, planned for)

Take a look at nature, there are small leaves and big leaves; small trees and big trees, small stones and large rocks. Each plays a part to make a beautiful landscape.

How dull and boring it would be if every rock was a large rock or every tree was a large tree, or every leaf was a big leaf, every flower the same size.

What if there was only one color allowed in the world?

In some ways we can be compared to a puzzle…each brings their own piece to make the total picture complete and beautiful. Don’t despise your piece of the puzzle or think it insignificant because you’re not an edge or a corner.

Imagine a beautiful puzzle missing one or two pieces…it’s been assembled, but there’s a hole. A part is missing.

Are you… could you be the needed, missing part…planned for… but haven’t shown up yet?

Sometimes we just have to get over our feelings of inadequacy and begin using what we have.