LISTEN UP ...the Universe is Speaking ...

Though there are many things that I am grateful for and truly know I have been blessed with. This knowledge and acknowledgement does not prevent the darkness from taking over on occasions. As up beat as I have been trying to keep my writing (posts) I must confess that things have certainly not been good. I seem to have misplaced my rose-colored glasses for looking at life.

When one loses their rosy-colored glasses it is easy for the darkness to take over and feed the fears, that lay just beneath the surface.

But the universe, tries to send us messages... be it by a song, a word(s) that keep repeating throughout the day, something you read, it's endless the way messages are sent ...

When I started off to post today... it was going to be something along the lines that I would be taking a little blogging break. But as I clicked through the internet these are the things that kept coming up...

Quotes found here

It appears my rose colored glasses have somehow dropped into my computer... and helping me to see that I have much work to do.

So, my friends I will not be taking a blogging break (though I may post a little less), I will be focusing on how to keep moving forward creating a me and a life that fits. I will be focusing on being more inspirational not just by words and small actions ... but by example and actions...


I hope that the quotes that have turned my day around will also (if you are having a dark day or just need a gentle reminder) turn your day around!


I am thankful for not only the great things that today is inspiring me to move forward, but most of all I am Thankful to be given the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others.







Joining:

Never Growing Old

What does it mean to be happy?

This little guy pretty much sums up how I have been feeling the past few days. So I have been going through notes and letters friends sent me over the past couple of years to reflect on. I came across the letter below and it helped put a little bounce back in my step. I hope it inspires you, if you are having a sad day.

The definition of Happy is different for each of us but we share a common need to feel good about ourselves and to be content -- no matter how that translates for each of us.

The next time you're having a bad day, remember that there are a myriad of ways to indulge in life's simple pleasures.

Sometimes all you need to improve your mood is to slow down and remember that life is full of simple pleasures. Tomorrow morning, make the choice to have a wonderful day. A few minor changes to your approach may be all you need to take your day from good to great!

To get started, here are 16 ways to have a better day. The suggestions are simple but the rewards can be meaningful.

1. Get up on the other side of the bed. Go ahead! Break your routine! The monotony of a habit can be a source of frustration, so try something new, even if it's as simple as this.

2. Replace coffee with a cup of green tea. Used since ancient times by the Chinese for its many health benefits (from ceasing headaches to easing depression), today's research also indicates that green tea can play a critical role in disease prevention. Plus, since green tea has less caffeine than coffee, you're likely to get a better night's sleep!

3. Enjoy some alone time. Whether it's curled up with your favourite book or enjoying your latest CD purchase, spending time alone, doing something you love to do, is a superb way to clear your mind.

4. Don't lie. It's not that you're a compulsive liar but sometimes, before you know it, a little white lie has slipped out of your mouth. Don't do it. Just tell the truth -- it's liberating and gives you one less thing to worry about during your day.

5. Call your mother. Or someone you've been meaning to call for weeks. Staying in touch with the people who matter most is an important way to stay grounded and remind yourself about the things and people you care about.

6. Buy fresh flowers. Don't wait for someone to buy you a bouquet. Treat yourself. Stimulate your senses with brightly coloured, fragrant blooms. Do they make you smile? Mission accomplished!

7. Play with a cat or dog. Pets have a wonderful way of alleviating stress, preventing loneliness and reminding you of life's simple pleasures. In fact, according to the Medical Journal of Australia, pet owners involved in a clinical trial had lower levels of accepted risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Pets can relieve tension by providing a welcome distraction.

8. Do a good deed. There are so many ways to perform good deeds throughout the day, but oftentimes we're just too busy. If you're in a drive-thru line, why not pay for the customer behind you? It may cost you a couple of bucks but it'll make their day -- and yours!

9. Go for a walk. Whether with a friend, your spouse or alone, walking is a wonderful activity that is easy and cheap. Bathe in the fresh air and allow yourself some time, if only for 10 minutes, to clear your mind.

10. Spend time in your garden. Surround yourself with nature's beautiful bounty. If you don't have a garden of your own, walk around your neighbourhood or visit a nearby park.

11. Chill out. Stuck in a traffic jam? Breathe in deeply and relax. There's nothing you can do about it so don't get wound up. Enjoy the time to listen to your favourite CD or catch up on the news of the day. Better yet, turn off the radio, take in the silence and enjoy the view.

12. Write a letter to a friend. In this electronic age, personal letters that arrive in the mail have become relics of the past –- but make no mistake, their charm hasn't diminished one bit! Set aside half an hour to write a letter to someone. The gesture is sure to be appreciated and is a great way to share your thoughts with a friend in a personal way.

13. Buy a new pair of shoes. Or treat yourself to a new outfit. When you look good, you feel good.

14. Tackle a nagging task. What have you been meaning to do for months? Whether it's cleaning out your closets and taking the clothes you no longer wear to the Salvation Army or fixing the leaky faucet in the kitchen, take control and get the job done. You'll feel a great sense of accomplishment when it's done and you can finally stop thinking about it!

15. Take a bath. To relax your body and mind, indulge in a long, hot bath. Soak the stresses of the day and drain them with the bath water. Doesn't a vanilla bubble bath sound good?

16. Say, "I love you". It's easy to get swept up in life's day-to-day hustle and bustle. But it's important to tell those around you, who love and support you, that you love them. Life is too short and uncertain not to let the important people in our lives know just how much they mean to us.

The Power of the Written Word ...

Some of my fondest memories are unwinding at the end of a hectic work week curled up on my couch with a wonderful book. This is a part of me I refuse to give up! Now, since my “detour in life”, my ability to retain what I have read is frustrating at times – but the feeling I experience while reading remains with me. I have gone from reading a paragraph to almost getting past a dozen or pages, before I find myself needing to look back at who is who and what has happened on the previous pages, so that what I’m currently reading makes sense.

When the impact this detour was having on my life became a reality, I never asked “why me?” I did however ask “Now what?”. So I slowly started pulling out books that people had given me while I was in the hospital and as welcome home gifts. Over the next couple of years I would read and re-read books a few times, desperate to retain the messages within. My speech therapist R. suggested that I make notes, as I read. At first it didn’t make sense, but when I gave it a try I found that my notes simplified what I had read and served as triggers to help recall what I had read. It does not always work, but, has been a step towards helping me start picking up books again.

Some of the books that that I found inspiring the first year of my “detour in life” are pictured below;

If you are seeking answers I encourage you to read these books – they will challenge you to question things around you and help get you back into a positive way of thinking – the first step in overcoming any obstacle life presents you.

My Story ... It all starts somewhere

On October 28, 2006, my day started out like most Saturdays; wake –up, chat on phone with friends, plan the day. The day would go something like this; run some errands, early afternoon meet Elsa for coffee at Timothy’s Cafe, then home to change and relax, late-afternoon meet with Janice for a quick girl’s catch up at Sassafraza in Yorkville, before heading to Rogner's and John's for dinner, to celebrate a mutual friend’s birthday.

The day went pretty much as planned. I made it to Rogner's and John’s sort of…

As I attempted to open my eyes, the light was blinding … I didn’t recognize my surroundings. Was I dreaming? I tried to focus … “she’s awake” I heard someone say– then a flurry of questions from all directions. My head, my body felt like it had gone through a meat grinder. Where was I? “you have been in a terrible accident, you are going to be ok” I heard a voice, a familiar voice, my sister – what was she doing here and where was I? What accident?

Over the next few days, I would learn, I had been struck by a car while crossing the street to Rogner’s and John’s house; that I had suffered serious life threatening internal injuries; had multiple broken bones; my right elbow was destroyed; sustained an ABI (acquired brain injury); had received over 54 Units of blood, been given a trial drug- had not been expected to live; the list of injuries went on and on; and that it was the end of November.

The next few months would become a blur as I went through various rehabilitation processes. I had to learn to speak, eat,walk and my head (thoughts) was not cooperating – it was difficult to recall things and usually what I wanted to say was not what came out of my mouth.

Returning to my home, it felt strange like I no longer belonged there. The person in the mirror was a stranger to me. My voice had lost its pitch, clothes did not fit, I had to depend on others for most of my basic needs – showering, dressing, eating and sometimes using the facilities. A whole new team of people was hired to provide on-going care and the rehabilitation I required.

The past couple of years I have underwent various surgeries – I now have an artificial right elbow to compliment the steel bars and screws in my right forearm.

In a blink of an eye, I went from a completely independent, physically fit, career- driven, fashionista, adventurous, social person to someone who was completely dependent on others, pajama wearing, with-drawn home body. There were some break through moments – when I thought I could beat this and I would push myself, only to be beaten by exhaustion, pain and frustration. As weeks turned to months and months turned to years, the pain and torment at the loss of me pre-accident did not lessen, at times it seemed even more painful than the physical pain I deal with every day.

To this day I miss me terribly, but to move forward I must find the strength to close the chapter of my pre-accident life and embrace the process of creating a new life. By sharing my struggles, and triumphs, I hope to inspire anyone who is going through a life changing experience to keep going, to not give up (myself included). For those who live with or know someone who is going through a life changing experience, I hope to give you some insight into the world of learning to live again and creating a new life.

You can read more about the event that changed my life here In God's Hands.