Knowing when to call it…Putting God First

This morning, I found this article to which really got me thinking.  Conclusion: Money isn’t everything if you aren’t happy or satisfied with what you are doing.  Offensive lineman John Moffitt of the Denver Broncos has decided after season 3 to retire.  Money wasn’t everything to him to sacrifice his body for the name of the sport when the passion or happiness factor wasn’t there.  Smart man.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/offensive-lineman-john-moffitt-walks-away-nfl-says-211429267–nfl.html

How many times have you sucked it up and thought you were doing something that you WANTED to do?  How many times have you realized what you thought to have been a very rewarding decision and choice really wasn’t what you thought it was?  The fact is, life is really about making every decision count.  We make right decisions and we make wrong decision.  Life is about learning.  Life too must be lived ON purpose.  If you don’t live a life worth your passion, sanity, and one that is desired then maybe it is time to look at priorities.

I was always raised to put God first.  As human beings….as selfish human beings…we always try to do it our way.  We try to make everything about what we want to get out of life.  That is a little backwards in my opinion.  Life really isn’t about us anyways.  Sounds like a contradiction, ehh?  Let me explain.  God created each and everyone of us with a specific purpose and need in mind.  He didn’t intend for money to be everything.  He should be our everything.  It is through our relationship with God that we come to know the person He created.  We find out about our strengths and weaknesses and just how much we should be depending on God for our guidance in this journey.  We will not find our way by chasing what we think will make us happy.  We will never be fulfilled by putting ourselves first.

Here is a really amazing blog post by Joyce Meyer’s Ministries to which explains what I mean.  http://www.joycemeyer.org/articles/ea.aspx?article=putting_god_first_in_your_priorities

When you put God first, you start to notice things that maybe you wouldn’t have even glanced or thought twice about.  Take for an instance, walking around.  Have you seen the same street bum begging on the corner?  Have you ever really thought about why this individual is there?  Or what their story is?  Or do you consider yourself an elite individual with your clique of friends only.  You keep a tight reign and no one else can be let in to the “inner circle”.  News flash…there is always someone that is feeling left out.  Have you noticed that person lately?  Have you taken into consideration their feelings?  Have you decided to do anything about it?

When you put God first, you realize that He loves each and everyone of us as though we are the only person that existed.  He never abandons us and many times falls quiet as to test us.  When you feel that He is the furthest away–He is simply right around the corner.  I think for me, one of the hardest things to realize is that Jesus is in every single person.  He is!  Have you looked deeply into a strangers eyes?  Have you ever just felt this calm love?  Or maybe not….I guess that would be kind of weird, right?

I do feel that when I am having a rough day, He sends little angels to remind me “Hey goof…life is not all bad!  I am still right here walking this road with you!!”  It never seems to fail when things go array, I am always exactly where I need to be.  Whether it is for my benefit or the other persons.

When you put God first, perspective comes.  It is not right away or with ease to which that happens, but eventually it will come.  When you put God first, your passions meet obedience.  We are so narrow-minded as human beings as to think we can put limits on God’s love for us.  God can do anything.  TRULY.  God will guide us toward our passions and love if we simply ask and follow Him.  This is a hard thing for an extremely independent little woman to get through her thick skull.  I need to stop whining and just go bring everything directly to God.  God has always been there consistently.  Why do I always forget that?

http://pniridescent.com/2013/07/16/when-we-put-god-first/

This week has been a stressful week.  I put a lot of this stress on myself without realizing my load is nothing compared to others.  My cross to bear, is my cross.  I need to remember not to push my cross on others as I do not want to tip them.  I am grateful that others allow me to vent.  I am grateful that I have such a support group and cheerleading section making sure that I am still sane.  I am so grateful for the reminders God places in my life to which keeps me afloat.  But, I need to remember to know when to call it for my sake.  I needed to remember that God comes first and know to call it quits to me being selfish.  It’s God’s will not my own.  He will always provide as long as I am listening and obedient to Him.

Today I want to challenge each and every one of my readers, do you truly put God first?  Are you truly seeking Him and His plan for you in each decision?  Are you using your gifts to the best of your ability?  Just look at yourself reflectively today.  Be thankful for who you are today.  Be thankful for where you are at on your journey.  Be thankful for your support group.  Becoming is a hard long road of faith.  The end result will be well worth its while!

CatMan

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Life is so funny….Tears of Laughter Proceed!

Oh life can be so funny sometimes.  First of all I want to say, just when I think things are figured out–here comes a curve ball!  At this point, I should just expect it.

Car problems.

Late last week, I had a warning light come on ever so often when I was out driving.  BRAKE in red would flash three times accompanied by three obnoxious beeps.  BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!  Then, it would stop.  I thought it might have been the break fluid that needed changed or adjusted so I just wrote it off.  On Sunday, my dad and I played mechanics and lifted up good ol’ Midnight Cruiser’s hood.

For those of you who don’t know, I drive a VW Beetle.  Year 2000.  The mechanic’s that work on my car have only now started to believe me that it might just so happened to be possessed.  For an instance, my radio stopped working.  I drove for 6 months no radio and for entertainment purposes I would practice my Karaoke.  My brother bought me another radio, had it installed and it decided to work for a good while.  Well I took my car in for some work a few months.  When I picked it up, my mechanic informed me that the radio decided to stop working and that he saw there was a radio in the trunk so he swapped it out.  Guess what?  It started working fine!  The radio that was in my trunk…..that was the original radio.  So random warning lights turning on for a few seconds one day truly doesn’t phase me as crazy quirky situations happen to me all the time!

As the light and the beeps became more apparent and more frequent….my fist would clinch a little tighter.  I began feeling my anger raise a bit and I found my hand about ready to do something not so nice to Midnight Cruiser…I almost hit my dashboard.  I was already talking to it like I was going to make it pay for being bad.  I looked like one of those crazed drivers with their blue tooth pieces in carrying on about this, that, or the other thing flailing arms and all!  That’s when I realized I had a problem.  So it was “DAD HELP!!!” mode for this CatMan.

Dad and I had the manual out, hood up and our thinking caps on…we found what we thought was the break fluid compartment.  So we unscrewed the cap, poured the break fluid in and I was on my way.  Well I thought that it was weird as it didn’t make the problem go away!  What the heck!?  I continued to drive it with every intention of getting it in to the shop come Monday morning.  I followed through with it.

Damage?  You ready for this??  Wait for it……(phone conversation)

Mechanic:”You need new brake pads, rotors, and there is a leak in the caliber in the back…also, we noticed that your power steering fluid was over flowing!  So, I would suggest a flush…you wouldn’t have by chance filled the break fluid in the compartment would you have??”

Me:  “did it have a green top on it?”

Mechanic: “yes…and the break fluid compartment is confusing to get to as you have to use a funnel to fill it.  You didn’t use a funnel did you?”

Me: “Green top?  Uh yeah maybe….and definitely didn’t use a funnel….what’s the damage?”

Mechanic: “$$$$”

Me: “it’s only money….sigh…proceed”

As soon as I hung up the phone, I seriously laughed until I cried!  I know, I know it sounds like an oxymoron….but I DID!  I couldn’t believe what happened. I mean I could, but seriously just couldn’t stop laughing.  When I told my dad what had happened, his response was so priceless.  “OH sorry!  My bad!”  It wasn’t his fault because his guess was as good as mine was.  I was not even mad about this and in the end everything turned out fine.

As time rolls on, I have chilled out about a lot of things.  I would like to say that thing is this phenomenon called PERSPECTIVE.  That is one principle that I have always had trouble with even when I was little.  I love art, but once again perspective challenges me again!

Above you will find the straight up definition for perspective.  Perspective is something I need to continue to work on and perfect.  I have always been able to find humor even though perspective in a sense has been skewed.  Humor is my chosen form of therapy I am afraid.

To be moved to tears of laughter, that is a powerful and wonderful moment!  Be grateful to have a moment such as that.  I love to laugh.  I love to get a good ab work out too (which when you truly laugh it kills two birds with one stone!).  🙂

When life throws you a curve ball, just roll with it.  Keep things in perspective and remember to laugh until you cry!  Life happens 🙂  AND thank goodness for me going to school for Cosmetology not Mechanics……hehe.

Life is so funny, don’t ya think?

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/oklahomastencilcompany/2788256/stencil_funny_pirate_ship_life_humor_quote_saying_16_x_5_inches/supplies/handmade_supplies

Comfort and Laughs, please!

“When we face the most difficult and painful situations, when it seems that God does not hear, we must not be afraid to entrust the whole weight of our overburdened hearts to him, we must not fear to cry out to him in our suffering, we must be convinced that God is close, even if he seems silent.” -Pope Benedict XVI

Today has been one of those days.  Oh Debbie Downer, how beautiful you are!  I have been really trying to pick myself up after beating myself up.  Not my fault but no one else is taking responsibility and explaining to people what is up so might as well.  Here is some humor for you.

Today while out picking up some work supplies, I decided that I had enough with the birds using my car for target practice.  I stopped by the car wash.  I was very leery of this as I have been having issues rolling my drivers side window up.  I roll it down (Good), paid the man for the small ride thru (as I press my window-up button and was pushing up the side of the window to ensure it was up all of the way–OK GREAT! CHECK!) and started on in….the gentleman started knocking “Ma’am your window is down!”  DARNIT!  Yes my passenger’s side window was cracked as suds started flowing into my car.  THANKS MAN!  You saved the inside from getting washed too!

The cheerleader was defeated today.  I am so very frustrated.  Work, family, etc…everything just seems to be piling up!  It is frustrating to feel that my hands are tied.  I am burned out.  I hate when this happens.  This transition that I am in right now is a very difficult one at that.  I am starting school this fall again.  I have always wanted to do Cosmetology.  This is something that has been with me since I was a child.  I love the idea of being able to help people look pretty even when they are having a rough day.  It is healing to me to sit and talk thru other people’s stuff as it gives me greater insight into my own life.  I shouldn’t really be complaining, but emotionally I am just over so much right now.

I miss my Granny Grunt dearly right now.  She died when I was in college.  I feel her so strong right now.  I watched a special on the Queen of England and just felt so connected in many ways.  Maybe it was because my Granny Grunt’s Mom was from England.  Or maybe it is because I am destined to marry Prince Harry…who knows!  Yorkshire, that is where my Great Grandma Nellie was born .  Does anyone know what is there?  Maybe Granny is trying to tell me something?  Who knows.  

http://www.eclectique916.com/2008/11/26/family-ties-part-2-thanksgiving-celebrate-castigate-or-just-do-it/      Don’t you sometimes just feel like she does???? Dressed up stupidly and not able to speak up for yourself…..sigh…..

 

Even though today was hard….it will not be my hardest day ever so therefore I simply rejoice and give all my burdens back up to the God that gave them to me.  I pray not for a lighten load and not to complain with what I was given, but to ask for help and broadened shoulders and strength along the way.  That is the best for keeping things in perspective.  I must keep today in perspective.  I know God hears me.  I know He grants me comfort and laughs too.  I just want a little more comfort and laughs please!  🙂

 

Age gracefully……

As a woman, I feel this extreme pressure to constantly feel like I need to look younger.  Tone up, if you will.  Make sure that I am in “perfect” condition for everyone.  Sure we all might feel like we are at our best when we look our best, but where do we draw our line?

I am young.  I am happy with my body as far as I recognize I have my problem spots and I know what I need to do to get them back in shape.  It is MY responsibility to get my body to the shape that makes me feel the best…not someone else’s expectations of “you should be as skinny as a rail, 100 lbs, your stomach’s getting pudgy work it out, you should wear make-up to the gym because heaven forbid you actually run into someone you know there, oh and your hair…um yes…grow it longer because short hair it just isn’t what women should do…it makes you look like a mom.”  I am tired of the pressure frankly.

Why is it so hard for people to face their music?  Why are we dragging our feet? Why do we feel like we have to look younger all the time?  Why is it so hard to find a wrinkle and be proud of it?  Well maybe it is a sign of people’s lack of appreciation for their age.  Do you fully embrace where you are at in the present moment?  Do you say, thank you for making me 25 years old at this very moment in time?  Or maybe your 10 or 70 years old in some cases!  No regrets, right?

To me, it is a lack of personal gratitude and appreciation for life’s journey when we force ourselves to “look” younger.  We start off as children and we “wish we were older” always….then we hit a point where we wish we could go back to that innocence.  We sit there and wish our lives away.  Seems rather silly doesn’t it?

I want to offer a little bit of “natural” solutions to looking and feeling younger (not found in a bottle of anti-aging cream or diet pills).  In no particular order:

1.  Surround yourself with people who care about you.  They support you.  They genuinely love you.

2.  Smile more.  If you smile for no good reason, I guarantee you will find a reason.  Plus, smiles brighten other’s days.  It might actually change someone’s bad day into good!

3.  Never actually act your age.  My good ol’ friend Herb taught me that.  Surround yourself by young people and you will forever feel connected and youthful.

4. Make sure that you wash your face, brush your hair and don’t smell like body odor.  One of the best ways to feel good about yourself is just simply keep good hygiene.

5. Try to make a point of doing one random act of kindness for someone daily.  When you give your effort and time to others it really pays back.  That little act could mean the world to someone.

6. Keep in touch with your friends.  Keep in touch with those who are distant old friends more so.  Just call to see how they are doing.  It makes a world of difference in your appreciation of that person in your life as well as talking about your past times keeps you youthful.

7. Talk to people of all ages.  There is someone always that has either been in your shoes, is walking your walk right now, or will be in the future.  Learn what they did, are doing, or what they might do to make the situation a little better.

8. Keep things in perspective always.  Is this really a big deal?  Is this really something that I need to worry about?

9.  Take care of our body, mind, and soul and seek balance always.  If you need to work out more to keep yourself in balance, then do what YOU have to do…keep your mental and physical health in check always.  Remember no one is perfect, so find what works for you!

10.  Pray daily and keep your God and creator at the center of your focus.  He will point you in new and amazing (sometimes amusing…) directions which will keep your mind off the aging process.  🙂  This part is the liberating part!

11. Love others genuinely with all your heart.  Keep your pride down and really work on looking past one another’s flaws.  It makes life so much better!!

Source: http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/2008/09/8-Steps-for-Aging-Gracefully.aspx

I would like to end with this article I came across that I think will shed some light upon how to embrace growing older…http://www.psychologies.co.uk/news/how-to-embrace-growing-older/.

How are you going to embrace where you are at and in this very present moment?  How are you going to embrace this aging process that people consistently fighting today?

❤ The CatMan

Restore faith in yourself…

–One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.– Lucille Ball  (LOVE HER BY THE WAY….)

Image from: http://www.hissandpop.com/celebrities/b/lucilleball/

I lOVE Lucy….no not the show, although I watched it frequently as a child.  Lucille Ball is one of my favorite all time actresses.  I think because I can relate with her uncanny timing, laughter, and “well poop” situations.  It never failed that she could always get herself in trouble.  But, the witty actress had a great humor and could get even the deepest ‘Negative Nancy’s’  to laugh.  Humor was a great way this star kept things light.  It never seemed to fail that she was going to find herself in a predicament and then you would  hear a  “LLLUUUUUUUUCCCCCCYYYYYYY” (of course) in a Cuban accent.   She never gave up on herself and never gave up faith to keep being a great actress.  She kept a great outlook along the way…

One very hard thing to understand is why things happen the way they do.  Why is it that good people have bad things happen?  Well that is just life.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig4jbcU9db0 .  So in order to “cope with life” we must keep things in their respective places with perspective.  Let’s not make anything a bigger deal than what it is and if we have a problem with someone or something let’s strive to get past it.  Holding on to those negative feelings or ideas will never ever do anything for you.

Today as we go through our life and coping, if our perspective is out of whack, then let’s shift our focus inward and see what is REALLY going on!  Normally when my perspective is off kilter, it is nothing the other person or thing has done at this point.  It is nine times out of ten my lack of understanding that is what causes it.  The initial bad thing happened.  OK it’s done and let it lie there.  No need to continue dragging the event out past the initial.  So then that needs to be filed away, but keep in mind if a certain person is always causing you grief it might behoove you to reexamine this relationship with them in regards to your own personal and mental health.

Next, when you feel life is shaking you from your very core, remember your values and believes.  If you have a solid foundation then stand up and stand firm!  Stand strong.  Nothing can harm you at this point in the game.  Finally, restore faith in yourself and like Lucille Ball said, “…it doesn’t pay to get discouraged”.  Stay positive and you will go far…

Step 1:  Keep everything in perspective.

Step 2: When something goes wrong, find a solution, don’t dwell on it and move on as quick as possible…

Step 3:  Stand firm in your values and believes.

Step 4:  Have faith in yourself and don’t get discouraged.

What can you do today to keep yourself in check?  Stay positive?

❤

(Princess)Ogre…to Birthday!

Room clean……..check!

Party had…………check!

Teeth brushed……check!

Old………..check, check!

Saturday-ay? was a wonderful day.  Truthfully.  Aside from the minor attacks from the neighborhood dogs, cake attacks from the siblings, or the blind dodgeball game my little brother and our cousins decided to play……OR flat out being called an OGRE in the middle of the mall today!  That was probably the highlight.

So, this will definitely make you pee your pants with laughter…adult-dipers in place….check!  Ok you ready for the story?

I met my friends Katherine (Special K) and Catherine…..which is confusing on its own accord! (the really bad thing is that I am by birth right a Catherine too!  ThankgoodnessIgobyyyyysomethingelse!) at the mall today.  I was finding them a million and one things to try on–they all looked fabulous!  So needless to say I was enjoying playing Barbie’s and getting them new clothes.  Well as you can imagine yelling “K/Catherine, how’s it going?” over in the changing room direction would be not so smart.  I did that about a billion times!!  I really don’t know what my deal was!

So then we walk into this accessory store and I am looking at rings.  Then this little almost 4-year-old girl walks up and we start to converse.  Mind you, I was half asleep when I got dressed this morning…but I was wearing a neon green shirt and a grey zip up.  I also was holding my bright green puffy jacket.  Our conversation literally moves from “wow, that ring is beautiful!”, “oh I do like that one, but this gold swirly one is pretty neat too…WHOA YOU LOOK LIKE AN OGRE!  I quickly proclaim….”AN OGRE????? What constitutes ME looking like and OGRE?”  She then states, I am wearing all green.  I gave her the “I am offended” look and she goes, “NOOOOOooooooo! You look like princess Fiona!”  OH Great…at least now I am Princess status!  As I was walking out she blew me a big kiss and it made things all better!

Aren't I beautiful??? hehe....that stance is very familiar to the feisty CatMan...dun dun dun!

Well I must say I had such a wonderful birthday weekend.  I went shopping with my girls.  What could be better??  All of Sunday was really low-key.

SIGH. 🙂

Went to church and family breakfast.  I then had my cousins help me clean up my house from the party we had the night before….next SUNDAY NAP!  Oh that was totally my favorite!  Next, my mom asked me what I wanted to do for dinner because it was my day.  That was really sweet of her to ask.  🙂  I love my mom.  Well I briefly told her lets just make all the left overs up and let’s have a feast!  No fuss just company and good food.

I was trying to get a group of girls together to get some wine…nothing worked out and everyone was so busy.  I must say I really didn’t get all that disappointed!  Well I invited my friend Laugh-a-lot out and the two of us ended up at the most random of spots!  We laughed, chatted about all of the idiot boys in our lives who will never realize how wonderful we really are….and ease dropped on the table behind us talking about onsies….”They have a onsie for that!”  It was such a random and beautiful day!

It was an amazing transition to a Quarter of a Century!  YAY!

I realized that I am above all blessed with such great people in my life.  I love my girl friends for all that they are and what they give me as far as perspective and hope goes.  Truly, to all the men who think I’m going to give you the time of day when you treated me like I was no greater than a speck of dust:  Skip You!

I just thought this was funny.... hahaha!

LOVE YOU GIRLS!

xoxo

You can’t teach compassion!

You can’t have a light without a dark to stick it in.
– Arlo Guthrie

Today I start with this quote.  I say this because I am sick of being in a funk.  Bad days….good days…its life!  Life is all about what you make of it.  Part of this funk includes a harsh realization of who my friends really are and whom of which I can depend on…which surprisingly enough are a TON.

Friends make everything better.  If they are sincerely your friend, they will be there with you in heart, soul, love, and in your life!  When they exit, they really aren’t leaving for good but just taking a vacation.  So many times we get bogged down with the everyday grind that it’s difficult to see the light.  Friends get you to refocus yourself back on the light.  They can untangle the mess your in and help you get back on track.

Isn’t it amazing how well things work out when we keep things in perspective?  That bad day we had three weeks ago doesn’t seem all that bad now.  You survived!  It is inevitable that you are going to have more bad days to come…can you survive those too?  YES!  Yes you can.  Keep yourself in check and support those in their efforts.  Be a friend.

There are different levels of friendship but a friend is a friend none the less.  Keep an open and understanding heart to all those who are in your life and even to those who aren’t.  Did you know that you can be a friend to a complete stranger?  Amazing isn’t it?!  Stay positive for yourself first and foremost.  Stay positive and strong for those around you.  Be kind to everyone…not just those who you consider friends.  I love this quote by Plato, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle”.  But, most of all have compassion toward all.

 

Aren't the hands of kindness so beautiful?

 

 

Everyone struggles with their life.  No one said life was going to be easy.  Doing the right thing, being there for someone even when it is inconvenient for you, loving someone even though they don’t love you back…these are all hard things to do but, if practiced often it helps keep things in perspective.  When practiced, you shift your whole outlook on humanity, yourself, others, your relationship with others…etc.

I cannot teach you to be positive.  I cannot teach you kindness.  I cannot teach you to be compassionate.  I can show you how to be positive, kind, and compassionate though!

 

Be an unexpected Angel...there's an element of surprise!

 

 

Reach out.  Be a friend to someone today.  They might really need someone’s kind words to help them thru their unheard battles.  They might just really need someone to listen or take interest in them.  Or maybe just a heartfelt encouraging note.  It doesn’t take much to be a friend.  It merely takes a simple act of love.  This is so fitting…http://www.actoflovefoundation.org/.

 

Expect nothing. Gain everything!

 

 

I’m getting married!!! :)

I volunteer with the Special Olympics of Allen County pretty regularly.  I have found that my athletes bring me so much joy.  One in particular is K-Man.  K-Man is a great guy…he’s middle aged, sweet as pie, and was one of my favorite athletes to assist during bowling season.  He just cracked me up!

Our routine was as follows (once he stepped in the door of course!):

-Help him put on his bowling shoes

-Get him set up on his lane (placing his ball on the ball rack was included in this task)

-Then helping him step down to the lane (even though he was perfectly capable of doing it himself) and watching him bowl.

I got to be his cheerleader.  That was pretty spectacular.  He would always ask if he was going to make 100…or if he was half way…always.  Then, he would throw in there “you goweeng to get my boweeng scorr wight?”…to which I would reply…”yes I will help you get your bowling score…but at the end!”….”ok!”  He would always have this big grin on his face and give me these big hugs.

One day he noticed my ring that I wear on my left hand…it wasn’t on my ring finger.  Then that’s where the humor came in…”Arrr you maweed?”, “No (slight chuckle) I’m not married”, “Will you marwee me?”….slight pause….”Someday K-Man, someday.”  He gave me this HUGE hug and just said were getting marweed!  He gave me the biggest kick that day.

What a precious give of grace and perspective.  These athletes–I just cannot explain or express what gifts they have given me!  They are such dolls.  I encourage you to hang out with them sometime.  They will truly change your life!

Me and the K-Man! Isn't he sweet?

xoxoxo,

The Sentimental CatMan

I heart “The Mouse”!

Tonight I turn to none other that Mr. Disney himself, Walt Disney:

“A person should set his goals as early as he can and devote all his energy and talent to getting there. With enough effort, he may achieve it. Or he may find something that is even more rewarding. But in the end, no matter what the outcome, he will know he has been alive.”

Tonight I visited the mouse!  I absolutely feel more energized and this feeling is like none other truthfully.  (Don’t think I am childish…you would feel this way too if you were here!)  I think if I could just get a weekly tasted of Disney I would be one of the happiest person’s alive.  No, but seriously……if you think I am kidding you should ask my friends.  MY TRUE friends!

My brother, sister, and I all went as kids to Disney and so began my love of The Mouse.  No joke, being a cheerleader in a UCA environment, all our competitions were at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.  I LOVED IT!  So, I am pretty sure that is all where my love of The Mouse began.

Mr. Y had never been to Downtown Disney, so we went on an exploration!  We saw dinosaur bones, dancing chickens, a man doing the “Macarena“, a Latin Party Central,  a magic store, giant Legos, a Crab Boat, a rain forest where you can eat under a huge mushroom, shops galore, and even a planet devoted to Hollywood!!!  What a treat!!!

What a beautiful reminder to set goals.  A reminder that I CAN dream and I CAN explore and most of all it’s OK!  AND the best part is The Mouse actually encourages it!!!  I have accepted that I am naturally thirsty and curious.  I am loving new environments.  AND overall that is how I learn best!  I am just so excited I was able to see Disney.  When I am there, everything is all new.  I got complemented today, I was all smiles, and I even (for a second time mind you) got compared to Mary Lou Retton!

See some resemblance?

What a precious joyous day!  Mr. Y and I met so many wonderful people today and it all was well worth it.  It was nice being down here and it was nice learning from him.  There were a few people we wrote off at the ISSA Show; they had a burr up their bum….not our fault and we definitely didn’t let it ruin our day obviously.  🙂

When you are feeling discouraged, or you feel like you aren’t as good as what you should be please remember to love yourself and who you are.  “The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.” (another Walt Disney quote!)  Second, dare to dream!  Dream like Walt Disney dreamt, and you can never go wrong.  What an inspiration to everyone and just think, if we all loved and accepted ourselves as creatures of God and dreamt a dream and we all desired to make it possible….what an imaginative beautiful way of life it would be!   That right there friends is what it is all about!

Please meet The Mouse! 😉