The End of a Tough Year

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." -  Benjamin Franklin

15 important things I've learned this year:

1.) Focus on the positive.  We spend too much of our day focused on the negative.

2.) You can only appreciate the highest of highs if you experience the lowest of lows.

3.) We get through life moment by moment.  Be sure to live in each one.  You never know which moment will forever change your life.

4.) Life is WAY too short.

5.) Your family is the highest priority. 

6.) This too shall pass.  (I can't tell you how many times a day I say that to myself.)

7.) Have people in your life that love you for everything that you are.  People that are there on the bad days AND on the good ones. It's easy to love and be there for someone that is hurting, but what about loving and being there for the person that is happy and content...?

8.) Commit to a cause - Please help support One Shinning Light : )

9.) Be sure to say, "I love you," and "I'm sorry," as many times as they are needed.

10.) You are what you eat.

11.) There is always a silver lining.

12.) Your mind and body are stronger than you think they are.  Give them a little credit.

13.) Focus on the outcome. 

14.) It's okay to cry and it is okay to be weak.

15.) LAUGH

Unspoken

"If I can do it over, I would trade, give away all the words that I saved in my heart that I left unspoken."

I have something tugging at my heart and I thought I would share it so that someone else could possibly benefit from it as well.

You see, we were given a mouth for many things.  We can use it as a weapon or as a gift.  Many other times we don't use it at all and remain silent.  I have the tendency to run at the mouth, but that doesn't mean that I always say how I'm truly feeling or use my mouth as a gift.  Later, I'm filled with regret. 

Losing someone you love without telling them how much you loved them isn't always the worst scenario.  What about all of those that you care for that are living?  Someone in my life took a brief moment last night to wrap their arms around me and tell me how much I meant to them and how much they loved me.  It put missing pieces of my heart back.  It was 5 minutes of their life, but probably one of the greatest gifts that I will get this year.

I don't have material things to give this Christmas, but I have a mouth and a voice.  Maybe there is someone that you feel needs to hear how important they are to you.  Maybe you think it's to late for them to hear it.  Maybe they won't respond.  Maybe it will heal their heart.  Maybe it will heal yours.  Maybe it will build a bridge.  Maybe they are only here today and this is your only chance.  Maybe it can help you both say goodbye without regret because you gave it your best shot.  Maybe it's been 20 years that you've needed to say it.  Maybe you tell them all the time, but you want them to hear it again.  Whatever the reason, this Christmas, give the unspoken words of your heart.