Unanswered Prayers

 "Remember when you're talkin to the man upstairs that just because he may not answer doesn't mean he don't care.  Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers."  Lyrics to Unanswered Prayers by Garth Brooks

And that is just the song I sang to myself when I did not get accepted to the MFA program in creative writing at SNHU.

Let me back up...picture this...a young, little Kim sitting on her deck in the hot summer sun reading Judy Blume books one after the other.  Enter her Nana asking, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  Looking up over the book wide eyed and without missing a beat, little Kim answers, "A writer."

Ahhh, a fond memory indeed.  Dear reader now can you hear the breaks of life coming to a screeching halt...that is twists and turns, ups and downs of life getting in the way of my young self's dream.  Walk with me now as I finally take the plunge into applying for that MFA.  Sweat drips off my brow as I hit send.  Waiting for the call with unsettled fear and hope.  When finally it arrives.  I hear the words, "You did not get accepted."  OUCH.

But wait, I start to sing.  It's a song of a secret.  That sometime things don't happen for a reason.  My ego was hurt but deep with in I knew it was supposed to be this way.  My little kid dream of being that writer is not gone.  In fact with this happening it has fueled my fire with more ferocity.  I'm now on a mission to become that writer.  And nothing will stop me.

Everything, I believe, happens or doesn't happen for a reason.  It all comes down to perseverance and grit.  Do you have what it takes to get IT done?  You do!  Reach inside yourself and find it.  Then go and make IT happen.

CHEERS TO REVIN UP.

Happy

 Happiness is...

 A warm puppy & a book...

An ice cream cone on a hot summer day...

A cozy blanket with a hot cup of coco on a frigid day...

Children's laughter...

The song of the birds at sunrise...

A warm embrace...

A secret kiss...

Finishing a race when you thought you couldn't...

A new hair cut that you really like...

New shoes...

The first taste of your morning coffee...

Dancing & singing to your favorite song...

Watching the sunset...

Having a good cry...

Friends & Family...

Counting your blessings and realizing how rich and wonderful your life is...

What's your Happiness is...

CHEERS TO REVIN UP!

 Closing this book I had many tears in my eyes.  With the turn of each page it was like having a conversation at my kitchen table with the one and only Michael J. Fox.  He was witty and brutally honest. As the reader we are privileged to get to know Mike Fox and his beautiful family and friends.

I wanted to read this book because of the words stated on the front cover, "An Optimist Considers Mortality."  I've hit middle age so to say mortality creeps into my mind more often these days is an understatement.  

Things that I learned...

• Family & Friends are the foundation to all things that matter. 
• Love is what keeps everything from crashing down around you.
• Life is full of choices.  Choose wisely.
• Live a life of goodness.  Others maybe watching and learning from you.
• Be present.
• Learn from the past.
• Gratitude.  Be thankful for all that life gives you.
• And like Michael J Fox we all can be realists yet still be optimistic in all things LIFE.

CHEERS TO REVIN UP!  & Thank you Michael J. Fox and Family.

 

Faith

I so love this quote.  When I first opened my bookstore years ago it was this quote that hung in my office.  I could read it every day.  It motivated me through the uncertain times of opening and not knowing what is to come.  It helped sooth me in the days, years later, when I had to make the decision of closing the store's doors.  It is in the moments of not knowing that one must draw upon one's faith.  

Watching toddlers take their first step.  They have faith.

Watching birds lift off in flight.  They have faith.

Watching  baseball players at the plate ready to swing.  They have faith.

Watching ballerinas take their first leap.  They have faith.

Faith is hard to come by.  You can't see it, feel it, taste it, or hear it.  You simply must believe in it.

The staircase is your worst fear.  Have faith you can conquer it.

The staircase is your dream.  Have faith and you can achieve it.

The staircase is your passion.  Have faith and you can live it.

The staircase is your life.  Have faith and you will know peace.

CHEERS TO REVIN UP.

Dog Days

 We recently adopted a puppy.  His name is Thor.  Named after our beloved dog, THOReau, who passed away recently. We now share our lives with Thor and Kallie.

 It never ceases to amaze me at the life lessons these furry creatures teach me on a daily basis....

*Wake up!  There is an entire day waiting to be explored.

*Enjoy every bite of your food.

*Curl up in a nice tight ball on the comfy side of the couch, relax; everything will still be just the way it was after the nap.

*Never miss a chance for a car ride.  It just might take you on an unforgettable adventure.

*Each time you go outside for a walk lift your head up and sniff the air.  Breathe in.  It's a great day to be alive.

       *Play hard, play often, and play with a friend.  It's fun to be silly.

       *Stop, look out the window and watch the world go by.  Realize how blessed you are and count your many blessings.

       *Give love and affection to those that mean the most in your life. And then do it some more.

DOG spelled backwards=GOD.  Coincidence???   I think not.

CHEERS TO REVIN UP!

Embrace What You Fear

I am petrified of snakes.  I'm terrified of heights.  I am scared

of speaking to large groups of people and I am leery of dogs I do not know. 

I'm afraid to share my writing.

I'm afraid to have anyone see my paintings.

I'm afraid of failing at exercise.

I'm afraid of taking time for myself.

I'm afraid of sucking at everything I start.

But that FEAR does not stop me from writing, painting,kickboxing, doing things special for only me, and trying new things. 

The FEAR fuels me.  It inspires me to do, try, and get better.  I'm a work in progress for the good the bad and the ugly. 

You won't find me cuddling up to a snake or bungee jumping off a cliff  but you will find me sweating and shaking in my shoes when I read the story I just wrote, or turn the painting around that I just finished, or when my left jab falls short ,or I go for that walk when time maybe limited.

Come over here FEAR let me give you a big hug.

CHEERS TO REVIN UP!

JOY

I got IT. It was a disheartening truth.  I tested positive for the Covid.  Emotions of dread filled my being.  Shame and sadness too.  Isolation set in as I was quarantined to one room of the house.  Dark days were filled with both physical and emotional sickness. 

Reflection finally came to me by day eleven allowing a tiny ray of hope to shine with in.  I took out my journal and began to write....

*Family and home filled with LOVE is the most important thing in my life.

*I must return to GOD and my FAITH.  Pray more.

*Outdoors with nature fills my SOUL.  I need to go there more often to refuel.

*I am a CREATIVE being.  I must do more; photography, painting, & writing.

*Continue to work on my physical health. 

*BE in the moment; the good, the bad, the ugly.  Feel it, live it, release it.

* Choose JOY everyday.  NO matter the struggle.

For everyone, this year has been a difficult one.  My HOPE is by sharing my experience with you that I might have brought some Joy to you and your daily struggles.  Peace & God Bless.

CHEERS to REVIN UP!