Are you genuine?

Genuine-- 1) authentic; real 2) free from pretense, affectation, or hypocrisy.

     Why am I quoting the dictionary, you may ask...It actually all started with a discussion with my husband.  We were talking about a friend of his family's being a good role model for his kids, and how this guy is just an all-round, good genuine person.  He loves life. He believes in his convictions, but is not in-your-face about it.  He is just "real".
     That got me thinking about the people that seem to impress me the most.  Whether they are people that I have known for a long time or have only met in the last few years, they have affected me more than they know.  I want to live each day being more genuine.
     We spend our early years trying to be popular and just like everyone else.  Even, as adults, we spend much of our time trying to be what everybody else wants us to be.  But, it is our life and we need to make sure that we are living it for ourselves.  Be there for your family and your friends, but don't be what they expect you to be. 
     Be yourself... Do what makes you happy, not what is popular....Be real, genuine, authentic.

     I am going to end this post, with a wonderful quote that I found a while back.   Mull it over a little in your mind and tell me what you think. 

"It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly,
than to live an imitation of somebody else’s life with perfection."

-Bhagavad Gita

My apologies...

    I just wanted to take a moment to apologize to all of you.  In the last few weeks, I have had several computer issues and have not been home to deal with them.  Therefore, I haven't had very much computer blogging time lately.  It looks like all of the issues have now been resolved, so I should be able to start getting back to normal.  Now, if I could just slow down the life a little bit, that would be wonderful!  But, that will come soon... 
     But in the meantime, I have lots to be thankful for today.  I have a great family, wonderful friends, a warm house, a job, food and vehicles that run.  Even though it doesn't feel like it outside, it is spring on the calendar.  I am thankful that the days will should be getting warmer soon (LOL) and everything will start blooming again. 
     So, everyone, tell me what you are thankful today.  I know that some days, we are most thankful that it is just over.  If that is the case, you can even tell me that! What are you grateful for today?
     It is late and I am tired...right now, I am also thankful for my lovely pillow!!!
   

Inspiration can be anywhere...

    You never know where you might find inspiration!  I was just watching TV and a commercial came on the air.  I won't say which commercial, but it just hit me the right way.  They said to "play the lead in all your life stories".
     A lot of us forget that.  We let our bosses, family, circumstances, etc. play the lead.   But it is your life and you are the only one that can star in it. Everyone else is either a bit actor, extra or a supporting actor. You decide which part everyone plays and who is the star!

Trust your Gut Instincts...Seize the Moment!

     Today, I am going to borrow from Paula Deen.  When she decided to start her catering business, she was a single mom and money was tight.  Even though she has admitted to suffering from panic attacks and agoraphobia, she trusted her gut instincts enough to believe in herself and her talent.  Many years later, we would all have to agree that she is a success and loves what she does!

     "I believe the dumbest mistakes we make in life come from not seizing the moment ~ even if the moment looks a little scary.  I have learned to respect my intuition and I have flown by the seat of my britches so many times, they're stretched out.

  When I first started The Bag Lady,  I had no experience-none, zilch, zero.  I was forty-two years old and I knew I had to do something even if it was a wrong move.  So, I flew by the seat of my pants everyday I got up.  I went with my gut instinct." 

~Paula Deen "It Ain't All About the Cookin' " page 269