Worth Repeating

In my line of work both as my vocation and avocation(s) I come across the words that generate negativity.

Words DO bring action and actions are the outward appearance we show others (and thus our selves)

Someone asked "R.J. you've been through a rough spell this past week and looking back, a lot of your life has some major downturns (HIV/AIDS, broken bones, addiction, loosing money on start up businesses, relationship failures) HOW DO YOU KEEP an upbeat attitude and life?

For me, it's mind over matter or better said, what matters more is what I mind!!

One of the top 10 Buddha quotes is this
 “We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world"

My real life hero, Troy Perry has said and says often "Keep the main thing the main thing"

Today, my main thing is keeping a good out look, focusing on being happy and upbeat and hoping that you can & will too

Please, help me help others

This November I'm riding from Miami to Key West to raise money for agencies that help people with HIV/AIDS

SMART Ride 9  Rider #223

http://tiny.cc/RJRidesforAIDS

Gratitude

It seems like FOREVER since the break in and lap tops were stolen.
I mentioned my dilemma on Facebook to my SMART Ride team: not to ask for help but to vent with friends


Here's the upside of my vent: two people stepped up and one will give me a flat screen TV this week and today, another team mate brought a brand new laptop to the fundraiser we had.

She said "You do so much for our team and the Center, it's yours"

If you've been keeping up, I'm in grad school while working part time: meaning cash is a precious commodity  so these two acts of kindness sure do help

Oh, I almost forgot: For my Monday class, the professor said about the class fee this time is GRATIS


I do feel as if angels are watching over me and there is that rainbow following a storm

Sadness

I've missed posting for a few days due to a break in at my home. Oddly two days before a renters insurance took affect But That's OK

My large screen TV, both laptops and assorted small items were taken But That's OK

Being both a grad student and working part time, money is TIGHT but it's OK

Greatfully  a new friend offered a smaller yet working TV and others are looking at laptops


My dear friend and room mate is scared beyond all get out and thats NOT OK

But we'll make it. Today the window repair person came to measure for the fix that will be in place this weekend.

Sure I live in a "not so savory neigbhorhood but this isn't the first time. Overall I'm happy here with a lot of room for guests and a nice back yard. That's all OK

I'll admit it's been a frustrating few days & that too will change.  Tough way to learn a lesson though But That's OK

What, Me Worry?

Alfred E. Neuman made the line "What, me worry" extra famous.

I'll add to it.  I've found that I can't change a thing  with worry. I've lost my car keys, bike keys (those are worse for ME) health insurance, etc. and worried  for just a moment.

Now I'm not pulling a Bobby Mc Ferrin here: just that worry only creates an non balanced life.

I can and do have concern, and that is done with thinking things, problems through and NOT worrying

Look at the previous blog "Freshly Squeezed" to see that what I put into my thoughts is what will come out

While your at it, look around you; some one may be having the same difficulty or worse.

Look at the good things you (and I) do have and live off of those,

"The past is the past & the future has infinite possiblitities"

Fresh Squeezed

"If you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out"

That's so much like our thinking.  When I expect bad things to happen, odds are I'll see the bad or non productive/non positive outlooks, hopes & plans

As Dr. Bailes writes "If we build an awareness of our own true worth, Power flowing through that thought about ourselves will manifest it in our experience."

Today I'll think of what can be, how I can make my own thinking be upbeat and share those feelings

I am the thinker of my own thoughts

Take Me As I Am

I might not be someone's first choice, but I am a great choice.

I may not be rich but I am valuable. 

I don't pretend to be someone I'm not, because I'm good at being me. 

I might not be proud of some of the things I've done in the past, but I am proud of who I am today. I may not be perfect but I don't need to be. 

Take me as I am, or watch me as I walk away!!!

Change

Growing up, I played with a Slinky (r)  Not too often and not my first choice of toys but with "One long staircase...just going up" <yes, I channeled a Broadway musical for this> for a short period of time watching a metal spring go down steps ALL BY ITSELF seemed magical.  OK I was no more then 7 when this was a lot of fun.

Now I realize it's just a spring and gravity pulls it down. The spring never changes

I've moved on.  Slinky's are now nothing more than nostalgia or a part of my past.

There are/were relationships like that: fun while it lasted. It's a toy that I have no idea of its current location nor do I care.

Right now I'll admit, it's time to do that with other things in my life: move on recalling how much fun it was IN MY PAST.

Are you able to move on, too? Let's try it together

Let's all SPRING onto something/someone new: besides those stairs we'rent  all that long to start with!!!