WALKING IN FAITH

Living a good life may mean living on purpose. It's deciding to get off the couch and out of the safety zone of our normal existance. It's waking up believing in your own ability to get past all the future obstacles, and it's daring to live to the fullest. Living a good life may mean putting your focus o...n the blessings in your life, instead of everything that has ever gone wrong. It's a matter of attitude and perserverance. It's daring to be who you are without the need of approval. To me, it's letting go and trusting in GOD. It's walking in faith, and letting loose the fears. It's all about taking baby steps and even if you should stumble or fall you just do it anyway. Wishing you the very best for a fantastic day! I want to share with you one of my all time fave song... I missed Pearl Jam Man!!! It's a Beautiful day -Make the BEST of it!!!

Peace to All-
Maria Antonette

" HOW TO SAVE YOUR LIFE "

Have you ever experienced a situation, friendship or serious relationship where no matter how much you try and care and work on making things right, that somehow it ends up back to feeling all wrong instead?

The other night I found myself feeling pretty low about someone very special to me who I was losing because of a domino effect of miscommunications. I didn’t know if this was because it's full moon which we got into this all the time each time , if I was the one screwed up, or WHAT! I just understood at the time that I was feeling very MIS understood.

I've been asking advices from great intuitive friend and she were kind enough to email me on her busy schedules...She is always there when i needed her the most. Another confirmation that we ARE each other’s angels :-)


Her thoughts were about a past break up of a very significant and special relationship to her. Over the course of time, she began to realize that despite all the wonderful goodness that existed in that connection to her lover, she simply couldn’t be her ‘healthy self’ and thrive as a joyful, peaceful, & positive person as long as they remained a couple.

Those words drove home to me a truth that I’d been ignoring about my own situation, which is very similar. Though both of us were good people, and we each had the capacity for deep love and loyal honesty in a relationship; for some reason, together, our issues had intertwined in ways where we couldn’t be ‘our healthy selves’. At least I know that due to everything I’d been going through, I couldn’t be MY healthy self.

WHAT EXACTLY IS HEALTHY SELF??

I thought of this for a long time after. I know that a big part of it is to live as close to the ideals I believe in, and to maintain a sense of inner balance and outer honesty. I need to feel free to express my unique thoughts and opinions, and to have friendships I enjoy, and to make choices that are important to my spiritual growth and life’s path.

I really, truly with great emotional effort ‘fight fair’ and try never to burn any bridges with my words and actions. When I’m interacting with someone who is working on the opposite side of how I’m striving to be, this triggers the bitchy witch side of me, the capacity within me to hurt someone’s feelings and sabotage my inner peace. I find myself doing and saying things that I don’t want to do; things which perpetuate a feeling of not liking myself very much.

Thus, if after many attempts to communicate in fairness and kindness with someone I care deeply about, yet the pattern continues . . . I must admit out loud that something isn’t working right anymore. I just can’t be my ‘healthy self’! This often finds me in an emotional trap with someone who isn’t always acting in the benefit of my highest good.

In fact, most healing and the transformation of spirit-mind-body can’t begin to occur unless I see the reflections I’ve created of myself - in the mirror of our chaotic relationship situation- unless I allow myself to back away from hurtful drama.

I’m SO not perfect & I love my friend very much. I wish it could have turned out another way because there has always been so much potential . . . isn’t there always great potential when this sort of connection exists between two people?

It comes down to the basics of soul survival 101 - I see this now, and thank you for waking me up to this my dearest friend. . . if I’d kept going in that dramatic direction I’d be compromising my healthy self (and my friend’s healthy self, too). To break off the pattern of what was occuring time and again with us - this friendship needed to disconnect, at least for now.I'm a firm believer that.... "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." You must do the thing you think you cannot do."


So cheers to YOUR healthy self and MY healthy self and to EVERYONE's healthy self on this brisk fall day!


Peace,
Ann

"There are things that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go".


I love this song and I think the song is about taking a STEP ONE....whatever your choices or purpose in life whether moving forward, taking in control of your life, stay in a relationship,etc...It's always the first step and taking action and always keeping yourself GROUNDED.Joy and Pains are always together we wouldn't truly know how to love if we wont feel the great pain that comes along with it.

FRAY- "HOW TO SAVE A LIFE"

" THE DIVINE T.I.M.I.N.G "

Today I was inspired to blog about patience and this wonderful song from my fave band...The Script- I MAN WHO CAN'T BE MOVED.

In life, we will all be faced with times when we want something to happen RIGHT AWAY and don't value the time spent waiting. It is in those waiting periods where the magic happens and anything worth having is worth waiting for if it's what your heart truly desires.

Relationships can be hard. The really good ones are worth the work.The great ones require no work at all! When you are lucky enough to be with the right person, it just flows. No roadblocks, no issues, no other partners, no running away.

Dance the slow dance with your partner instead of force marching them through life. You may just enjoy the dance!

My advice today is, don't give up hope just because the thing you want isn't being delivered to you right now. This time spent waiting will eventually be the proof that life does work out if you just have patience and see things through.

Good luck with whatever it is you are waiting for. Don't give up hope and try to enjoy this time. There is a reason why God have not given it to you yet. In his Divine time, you'll come to know why.

REMEMBER...." DO YOU WANT TO BE RIGHT OR DO YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY???"

Blessings,
Ann

COMMITMENT

" Passion is the quickest to develop, and the quickest to fade. Intimacy develops more slowly, and commitment more gradually still. "- Robert Sternberg

" One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised"-Chinua Achebe

" If you don't make a total commitment to whatever you're doing, then you start looking to bail out the first time the boat starts leaking. It's tough enough getting that boat to shore with everybody rowing, let alone when a guy stands up and starts putting his life jacket on." - Lou Holtz

"The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief - But the pain of grief Is only a shadow When compared with the pain Of never risking love." Hilary Stanton Zunin


All of this quotes I find to be very true. In a committed relationship it will take work to keep the passion going. It's like a garden in which we need to sow in seeds of love, forgiveness, etc.. A garden needs to be tilled and weeded just like a relationship does. We can become upset when one person isn't doing any work to keep the relationship going. In today's society I feel more and more people are walking away from their commitment, and usually it becomes okay when we blame our partner for what they aren't doing. Sometimes one person may feel like they have to do all the work, and certainly there are times it will be that way. Nothing worth keeping is easy. Only you can decide if your commitment is worth keeping. Can passion be rekindled in a relationship? I believe it can. I know people who have walked through fire and their marriages weren't always easy who have gotten through the tunnel and saved their relationships so ANYTHING is possible. It really depends on the individuals and how much their commitment means to them. It's not always easy, but it can be done.

Often we forget no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. We hold our mates to unrealistic expectations in which the relationship is doomed to fail right from the start if you expect your mate to be a mind reader and to know your every whim. Let's face it, Cinderella is a fairytale. A more realistic version would be Cinderella getting a broom out and wanting to knock Prince Charming over the head when he didn't meet her needs or he said something he shouldn't have and hurt her feelings. Then she goes and talks to all her fairy friends with a "You won't believe what he did now..." while Prince Charming feels like he just can't make her happy no matter how hard he tries. The thing is he stops trying to please her when he feels she doesn't appreciate anything he has done. Because all he hears in his ears are the put downs instead of any praise. So becareful of what you sow with your words into the relationship. Praise your partner even if you have to dig deep to find the praise. Your partner wants to be lifted up not knocked down. He or she can learn from you. For those of you who are saying "Oh I am NOT going to do ONE more nice thing because..." I can tell you I do KNOW how you feel, and I have been there. Yet I made a commitment and MY word should mean something regardless of how many times my partner let me down.

So to turn a relationship around we have to sow the praise, love, respect and forgive our partner for the mistakes. I believe it's a matter of taking responsibility for our own part in the relationship since it does take two. Take a look at where you began and how you acted, and then take a look at where you are today. What's changed? I really beleive with love ALL things are possible and with a deep commitment you don't just hold the other person accountable, but you also take a look at yourself. Are you putting passion into the relationship? What have you been investing? Keep the faith!

Being in a relationship makes us vulnerable. It takes a man of great courage to risk it all with the belief that good will come. I have looked at life as it's better to risk, than to be an old woman wishing I had. It's better to be the best I can be, and if I should fail.... try, try again! If I don't believe in myself, who will? This is something to ponder today.

Wishing you the very best,
Ann


“Love comes to those who still hope even though they've been disappointed, to those who still believe even though they've been betrayed, to those who still love even though they've been hurt before.”

The Scripts- BREAK EVEN....I LOVE THIS SONG!!! AND THE IRISH BAND!!!

SEASONS IN OUR LIVES...

Many times we ask ourselves, why certain things are transpiring during a specific time in our life. Why people come and go. Why circumstances change so abruptly.

Notice how God is talking about the seasons as a time in your life? That all is appointed a time to unfold? This is such a vital mindset all should look unto when we look at our own "timeframes" in our life. So many times we get a time frame and we hold on to it like it was our last breath. And when it comes and goes, we are filled with disappointment and emotions stir. That is why we should look at the journey of getting to our desired place and not WHEN we will arrive.

As we see with the seasons of nature. We have spring, summer, autumn and winter. Even the seasons do not arrive on time every year! Sometimes we have an early winter or a late summer. Do we sit there and get ticked when summer doesn't start on the exact day of the month? Do we seriously analyze the reasons WHY it did not commence on the day assigned? No. Most of us acknowledge its running late, accept it and forget about it. Why can't we do this in the spiritual sense?

Our life is filled with seasons. Through these seasons we learn and grow. So many times we try to figure out why someone didn't call or when a relationship will get back on track, we miss why the person entered our lives!

With the seasons come the lessons...

Throughout my life and the relationships I have encountered, I have seen the lesson in them all. I do admit I did not see the lesson right away in most of them. It took being pissed off, hurt, depression and down right rebellion at times. But after the emotions soothed and I could see clearly with my inner vision, I saw the lesson. Sometimes it was a lesson I needed to understand about myself, albeit good or bad, I needed to see it. Or our lessons at times are growing pains. God stretching those spiritual muscles to expand us for what is up ahead. Strengthening our foundation so it doesn't crack under pressure.

Whatever the reasons, there is a lesson. Look at why there are delays in certain areas of your life. Look at what Spirit is trying to show you. Many times when we slow down and breathe in the experience we realize this is not what we truly wanted to begin with. It led us down different waters to swim. The obstacles we once thought were there were actually our stepping stones to a greater purpose.

When you look at "your seasons" don't concentrate on the time it will arrive, believe in the purpose for its existence. As the four seasons of nature are here for the planets necessity, so is the seasons in your life.

Wishing you courage to be yourself today, and to make the changes you feel are needed in your life. Instead of making your focus all about someone else, look inside of your own self. Your choices have brought you to today. Remember it's a choice to focus on all that ever went wrong, or all that ever went right! God bless.....Ann :)

REMEMBER YOUR SOULMATES TODAY...

I thought i would share this with you so you can remember your soulmates today too.
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Once upon a time there was this Princess who had four boyfriends. (OR you could say this Prince had 4 girlfriends.)

She loved the 4th boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the 3rd boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

She also loved her 2nd boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.

The girl's 1st boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him!

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, 'I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone.'

Thus, she asked the 4th boyfriend, 'I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No way!', replied the 4th boyfriend, an d he walked away without another word.

His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.

The sad girl then asked the 3rd boyfriend, 'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No!', replied the 3rd boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!'

Her heart sank and turned cold.

She then asked the 2nd boyfriend, 'I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'I'm sorry, I can 't help you out this time!', replied the 2nd boyfriend. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.'

His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.'

The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect.

Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!'

In truth, you have 4 boyfriends in your lives:

Your 4th boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.

Your 3rd boyfriend is your possessions, status a nd wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.

Your 2nd boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the graveside.

And your 1st boyfriend is your Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.

However, your Soul is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity.

Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

Pass this on to someone you care about - I just did.

WHEN SOMEONE DOESN'T TELL THE TRUTH

You cannot not always fault someone that does not tell the truth. Many times they do this out of fear. Lies always catches up with us in the end. They are a signal that go out to the universe and than it is retracted back to us. It is sad but, true that people tend to feel as if they have to falsely say things inorder to protect something they are in fear of, and they do this without even seeing this or they do see it and they know no other way. They feel they are doing what is best for the situation but, it always comes back and bites the heck out of us. I plea with many before you decide to travel down a road of lies think it through thoroughly, because where we are at in these most important times in evolution, the quicker it comes back and people wind up really paying consequences. The truth may hurt, and it may be painful but, it is so worth what comes back to us in the end. Really think and take into consideration what could happen..Being truthful is a number one key to living a good life. So lets be honest.

In fact one of my favorite quotes from an English Poet called William Blake says "The truth when told with bad intent, is worse than lies you could invent" Do not lie to yourself, or others, it WILL come back to haunt you.....

Reality Check...PIGS DO NOT FLY!

Has anything changed in the past year?

"But I love him". Ok, fine. You love him. Even though he isn't giving you the relationship that you want, you are hanging in there HOPING that it will eventually come to you. He will wake up one fine day: stop blaming you for everything that is wrong in the relationship, suddenly take responsibility for his inappropriate actions, make you feel warm and fuzzy with security, and basically kneel down and kiss your freshly painted toenails thanking the Universe that he has you, a beautiful Goddess, in his life.

Reality Check.

What you love is the relationship - the companionship - regardless of how rotten it is - you love believing that you're sharing your life with someone. Someone that cares about you, even though he manages to hurt you in every way except using you as a punching bag (which will come down the road). The rare times he is gentle and kind... well, sure, you love that about him. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "But, he's really a good man inside". Hmmm. I'm sure that somewhere underneath all the ego-crusted junk surrounding him that there is a decent individual hiding there. "But, he just has 'issues'" ... yup, pretty much.... and he will vent those "issues" on you every opportunity that you give him.

What about the times that you've been alone crying your eyeballs out of their sockets because he didn't call like he said he would; or worse yet, he's made it clear to you he's going out.... you're not invited to go, so he insinuates that he's out trolling around. Granted, he probably isn't even out looking for a replacement for you - it's the IDEA that he might be that hurts you. And he isn't doing a thing to make sure your relationship OR you feel secure. He thrives on the idea that you are at home glued to the phone!

This kind of relationship is not going to bring you inner peace and tranquility. Oh, this isn't what you want... you are caught up with "wanting the man you know he can be".....right? Because THAT man brings you joy and happiness on the few ocassions that he actually IS kind and loving.

Reality Check - yet again. The dude is pretending to be what you want to keep you in this twisted controlling relationship. Fact. Yes. Hard fact to swallow, but it's there. Everytime you cave in and accept the unacceptable behavior you give more control to him, while chipping away at your self esteem and your ability to actually engage in a healthy relationship.

It's your choice. Stay and insist to yourself that because you want this so badly things will change.... or walk away from it and recover, knowing that the next one will bring you what you "love" about your current destructive relationship - without the drama and controlling games.

"How can YOU possibly understand this?" Because I've lived it, folks. And that, my friends, will be in another blog.... "How I found the courage and strength to say ""NO MORE!"

HEALING FROM THE EMOTIONAL AMOEBAS

Do not feel like an idiot. You are not losing your mind. You are fabulous. It isn't YOUR fault that the person you are in love cannot return the love in the manner that you want, hope or expect. You are giving and giving, trying to breathe life into a blob, but it doesn't change. So, you change. and Change. And change. Until who you originally ARE gets totally lost, and even YOU don't recognize who you are when you look in the mirror.

Again, you are not stupid, idiotic, or derranged. The only thing you need to understand is the blob you're putting so much effort into does not have the capacity to evolve beyond the amoeba state. He (or she) can't participate with you in a really mature and close emotional relationship. He swims at the surface, thus his relationships are superficial.

Once an amoeba, always an amoeba - at least with YOU. And, who can blame your outrage, after ALL the time and effort, energy, love, and nurturing that you've invested into your amoeba when he suddenly "gets it"...but it's with someone else? (Actually, what he "gets" is someone less evolved than you)

Congratulations, Young Grasshopper. You teach well, and even amoebas have a tiny capacity for learning. Heal your heart, there's actual life coming to you. Look forward to what I call your "relationship equal" ..... and it won't be an emotional amoebic-blob.