Regardless of Sorrow

I don't know what the day will bring
can't even face tomorrow
Right now, all I know, is that my heart will sing
regardless of the sorrow.

The trials come and go in waves
The battles seem never ending
But joy and smiles can fill the days
so much that laughter is always pending.

The little things in life are key
to what really matters the most
for when you treasure these amazing things
your heart will easily float.

So take those little things that make your heart smile
and treasure with all your might
for there you'll find the strength and love
to make it through the night.

Thank You

for delighting in my delight
for noticing when I need to be noticed
for paying attention to what makes me happy
and knowing no gesture is too small
for loving me as always
and the humor that makes me giggle - sometimes 3 days later
for the hugs everyday, so little to most but so HUGE in my eyes
for calling when you can
for helping me get through the day
for always knowing...always!
for honestly communicating with me
and allowing me to see you through
for the sparkle in my eye when I see your eyes sparkle
for the words that inspire me to give more
for listening when I need to empty my heart and soul of hurt
for the guidance when I feel lost
thank you for all the treasures that you give to my heart
for the smile that lights my face each day
for the unexpected kindness you flood me with
for accepting me just as I am
and encouraging the little girl in me to run free
for your amazing smile that chases away gloom....

Thank You!

Finding JOY

It was my honor and pleasure to be a guest on the Setting Boundaries and Finding Sanity Blog Talk Radio with Diane Viere.

Setting Boundaries knows when we love an adult child whose life is out of control we can often feel helpless and hopeless. How do you step back into joy when your heart is filled with sorrow? Regardless of the type of sorrow you are feeling, there are ways of finding joy.

Finding joy among chaos and the feeling that your world is falling apart is completely possible and it was my pleasure to speak with her on that topic. This is a very honest and candid talk about being joyful - even through tears.

Setting Boundaries & Finding Sanity Blog Talk Radio Interview

Easy steps to Finding JOY when your heart is sorrowful:

• Give JOY - This should go without saying, but we often forget that it IS better to give than to receive. When we give anything to anyone, our hearts are often flooded with joy. Giving back doesn't have to always be expensive, huge gifts. Cards, smiles, hugs - simple pleasures are just as joyful as other gifts.


• Smile - Simple, yet can often can make a huge difference to a heart that is sorrowful.


• Do not compare - Don't do it. Comparing things, dwelling on the "have nots" is asking for sorrow.


• Notice and count the JOYs that are swirling all around you. - So many little things make our life big, yet we tend to miss it because we are counting our "sorrows" instead of our joys. One easy way to do this is by journaling. When you write down the JOYs, the happiness, the smile starters - you have something you can look at to remind yourself of the good times.


• Plan JOY - We plan meetings, Dr appts, visits here and there. Plan some joyful things. Plan a family night. Plan a walk in the park. Plan it and then expect joy. The only rule is that there is no discussion of the sorrow that surrounds you. PLAN and COUNT the joy.


• Remember, this too shall pass. We will have trials, tears and sorrow, but it won't always be this way. Look ahead into the future. Joy is coming.

Some Favorite quotes:

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. Thich Nhat Hanh

Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. Fyodor Dostoevsky

I could talk for days on end about finding joy, spreading joy and the like. I hope you'll be encouraged by listening to the interview and you'll start finding joy. Once you start looking for ways of spreading joy, you'll easily begin to notice opportunities for making a difference.

To easily get started, take the 30 day challenge. One act of joy a day for 30 days, to get you in the habit of spreading joy. If you think you can not afford to be spreading joy, think again! Here are 50 ways of making a difference without spending a penny.

Are you ready to find joy? If so, you'll soon realize that "There is NO joy like Spreading Joy!"

Follow Diane on Twitter http://twitter.com/partnerinSANITY as she regularly has free webinars and documents to help you while you are on the road to sanity!

So, tell me. How do you step into joy when your heart is sorrowful?

How are you spreading joy? Do you try to make a difference with someone at least ONCE daily?

Did this interview encourage you to find true joy, even through the tears? I can't wait to hear YOUR story of finding and spreading joy!

{{{HUGS}}} yall

Angels Among Us

I believe there are angels among us. Plain, simple - true. I've had too many instances that should have not ended well, but was protected. Just last year, when I was walking in my neighborhood, two huge dogs came charging across the road at me. It was happening so fast! I could hear the growling, the anger and then their size did not help my fears. The only thing I knew to do was stop walking and I uttered out loud, "Dear Lord, I need an angel!" I stood there as the dogs growled and circled me. I was fearful and felt the tears streaming down my cheek. I stood still, paralyzed with fear. The dogs quieted and simply walked away. There was no doubt in my mind what had just happened. An Angel stood between me and the dogs. I had been protected.

In December, my best friend's daughter is in the hospital having her first baby. This is special to me as well, not just because she is my best friend but because I had a part in this young lady's life. I spent weeks and weeks playing with her and her sister because I wanted to as well as being their babysitter. It has been my pleasure to remain a part of this wonderful family.

We are all chatting away, watching and waiting for baby Grayson to make his appearance. He is taking his precious sweet time. I see the monitor. His heart rate races extremely high. I walk over, not saying anything and put my hand on her tummy. I love rubbing pregnant tummies. Then I see the heart rate drop, alarming so. Still, I don't say a word. I pray.

Lord, please set an angel in flight to cradle baby Grayson and protect him.

I know the nurses are monitoring her and do not want to alarm the family. So I continue to rub and pray. The nurses do come in. I kiss my sweet girl, tell her I'm praying and that I love her with all my heart. The soon to be grandparents see the concern on the nurses faces as they say they are going to call the doctor. The nurses leave and I tell them what I had just witnessed.

I give my best friend and her husband hugs as I leave and promise to pray. These girls in this family are like my very own children, so my hearts desire for baby Grayson is nothing but the best.

Several hours later, I receive a text - along with a picture of a precious little boy, safe and sound. Prayers answered. BUT .....that is not the only reason I believe.

I visit the next day - as I have to see this wonderful bundle of joy. He is not even 24 hours old yet. I get to hold him. We are discussing how he opens one eye, but not yet both and just how adorable and brand NEW he is. I'm holding him to where I can just gaze into his precious face and start talking to him. I whisper quietly:

Grayson, you gave us a scare little boy. Did you feel the angels holding you last night?

At that point, he coos at me and opens both eyes. Instantly. I smile, he closes his eyes. I start talking about the angels again, and immediately he opens both eyes. At this point, the tears of joy are streaming down my face. I have NO idea what is going on around me because my heart is consumed with the fact that I KNOW this child was cradled in the arms of an angel just hours before birth.

It is later that I find out that my best friend took a picture of me during all of this. You can see Grayson's expression as well as the tears on my cheek. She sends me the picture stating that he looks like he is going to tell me something and I'm all ears. At that point, I excitedly tell her about how me and this precious soul were discussing how wonderful it was that an angel took care of him just before birth. The photo speaks volumes.

I'm not sure how you feel about angels, but I'm glad they are here. I'm glad they will protect us, shield us and hold us when we need it.

What do you think about angels? Do you believe there are angels among us? Do you feel that you've been protected by an angel?

{{HUGS}} y'all