Presidential Election 2016

 

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

Presidential Election 2016

I don't necessarily love our President!!

In what has been deemed the most controversial Presidential Election in all of history, I must admit I am not proud of how this election has been presented to not only the American people but the entire world, who is laughing at us right now.

If ever there was a time in history we needed love, acceptance, and inclusion it is now.  Neither candidate is on the same page as me on this issue.  I'm afraid our country is headed into the worst future it has ever seen.  Neither candidate is fit to be working as the President of the United States of America.  I remember when I was eighteen voting for the very first time.  I was proud of President Reagan and what he represented.  We all loved and admired him as a nation-whether you were Democrat or Republican, we worked together to make America a Great Nation to live in.

The confusion and deception are inconceivable, and the mainstream media has seized from presenting facts.  They are now a politically driven media, controlled by the candidates and who will offer them the best monetary compensation for reporting what the candidate tells them to report-simply, but they are controlled by political parties instead of reporting the truths. Never in my lifetime have I been wearying of the future of America, nor have I ever felt like I was forced to vote for a candidate just because one is less evil than the other?

Today Frenchie and I went to the polls like we always do but instead of being proud to be an American with the right to vote, it felt as if we were marching to the beat of a different drum. Tomorrow we will wake up and must be faced with a new President of the United States-Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton-who will win?  I don't know the answer to that quite yet, but I do know no matter who wins-American's lose either way.

Love The Ordinary

 

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Love The Ordinary

     Sometimes it's good to sit back and enjoy an ordinary, normal day.  It is a treasure to be completely aware of who you are and where you are going.  I love to learn from other people, and I'd love to learn from you!

“Anyone can love a rose, but it takes a lot to love a leaf.  It’s ordinary to love the beautiful, but it’s beautiful to love the ordinary.”  --Unknown Source

As I stumble through my life, I've come to realize how many things I have taken for granted.  Mostly the 'typical' everyday stuff we all seem to skip over.  The ordinary is often overlooked for the beautiful.  There is so much to love and appreciate about the routine day-to-day affairs of our lives.  

a view from the road

Recently I was driving towards Mayo Clinic for an appointment-I take the beeline highway which I have usually viewed as not very scenic, but on this day I noticed everyday beauty.  I had seen these a thousand times on that drive, but on that day they were beautiful.  I wondered why I had never taken the time to notice the cactus or the artistry of the desert.

My personal philosophy leads me to believe our Heavenly Father, who created all things, loves ordinary people as much as he loves what the world deems as 'beautiful' people. My personal beliefs also affirm that there is goodness in all of God's creations, not just the things that are easy on the eyes. I'm convinced that both ordinary people and nature deserve much more of our attention.

I am more spiritually in tune and mature than I was seven years ago--now when I recognize beauty, I'm able to see with a different lens-viewing 'ordinary' things through the eyes of God is a beautiful sight indeed.  Wouldn't it be nice if we all could see the world through the looking glass in this manner? How lovely it would be.

--Monya

Love Your Mistakes

 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2016

Love Your Mistakes

You Will Do Foolish Things, But Do Them with Enthusiasm --anonymous 

Right now, I am here, where I am supposed to be! The boy has perspectives in my life and how I see others changed. Living with permanent facial paralysis has given me opportunities to live the life I was meant to live. I don't look back EVER! My eyes are looking forward with great enthusiasm.

One day last week, I lowered my standards and chose to react to a situation. I allowed another person's ignorant choice to get to me. I haven't felt anger like that in a long time; it didn't feel good and goes against everything I have worked so hard to change. Although I realize anger is a natural emotion that most of us have experienced, I felt shame and embarrassment for my reaction. Why? Because it is my choice to let anger engulf my thoughts and feelings, could I have handled this situation so differently? Within the moments after yes--Now? Not necessarily, a learning experience? Absolutely!

I have no control over another person's choices, but I do have over my own. Sincere love comes from inner freedom. One in which you are not controlled by the thoughts and negative feelings of others. Love leads to allowing your mind to be free of the world's view on healthy relationships. I've learned through the journey of loving myself love is kind-it's living free from the neurotic tangled messes in our heads of what the world defines love as. I have had to let go of my vulnerability and not let other people's negative influences penetrate me to the point where I lose control of that freedom.

I learned from this situation I could offer my compassion and goodwill to this person without agreeing with their decision. If I had stopped, taken time to think this person was having a bad day, or that they simply see things differently than I did, I could have avoided that useless anger I felt. This would have made a difference in their life, and I know it would have in my own life. 

My love would have been sincere, and their point of view was still validated, but without the bitterness, I felt. I have learned that what others do with the love I have to offer is on them, not me. All I could have done differently was to make that simple offering. I can love even as I disengage from tacky entanglements, wishing people nicely even if I need to step back. 

Possibilities

 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016

Possibilities

    

"For You, Whose Day It Is, Get Out Your Rainbow Colors and Make It Beautiful" --Nootka Song

Finding joy in possibility is magical. Living in a world as a child where possibilities were stripped of me, I now see endless possibilities for my life as an adult. Never in a million years would I have dreamed of authoring a book about my life--but I did it!!  

So many times, people see the gloom in life because that is what they have been taught. I hope to overcome seeing life through those lenses. I want my grandchildren to see their life with endless possibilities. They need to be taught they can achieve anything they put their mind to; they can dream the impossible and make it possible. I hope they embrace every opportunity, challenge with zest, and live in the moment.

My oldest grandson Recker was diagnosed with autism when he was just an incredibly young toddler; he is now almost seven years old; and still is non-verbal. I wish I could see life through his eyes. We, as a family, know he understands so much of what is happening around him; but communicating is difficult.

Last week, my daughter Kayla, his mother, received this from his teacher. Four out of five.

He understands more than I realized

Cubs Make History

 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

Cubs Make History

On November 2, 2016, the Chicago Cubs made history.106 years have come since the Cubbies won a World Series.

The Frenchie and I were on the edge of our seats watching the seventh game of the World Series. I told him I wonder how many people had a heart attack tonight--sounds crazy? If you watched this story unfold, you know exactly what I am talking about. Sports announcers and social media made this fact clear several times, proclaiming if you have a heart condition, you should use caution watching the game.

Going into overtime, we watched as fans from both Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians were biting their nails, sitting on the edge of their seats, covering their eyes, and some watching with blinders on as they tuned out all worries of the world to see the ending of the great Bambino Curse. A win for either side would make history, and Cleveland Indians have not had success for over 60 years. Frenchie and I would have been happy for either team, but watching grown men cry and embrace each other was touching and gave hope for people to NEVER GIVE UP.

As with all games, there must be a winner and a loser. With thousands of people watching, half would leave happy and incredibly sad, but all would leave exhausted as they cheered on their team. Knowing Dr. Kreymerman is from Cleveland, I began texting him-needless to say, he went to bed disappointed. I was impressed with the classy response from the Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona-who has never lost a World Series Game -- he gave a compelling speech congratulating the winning Cubs team.

After the game ended, Chicago Cubs fans across the nation were celebrating. They will be honoring this win for years to come. Frenchie and I attend the spring training games every year here in Arizona-with that being said...Arizonians are all Cubbies fans. They maintained a 'never give up' demeanor throughout the entire season, and it paid off--Congratulations are an understatement-they deserved to feel proud and grateful for this historic win.

The Winning Game Was Played In Cleveland-
But Wrigley Field In Chicago Was Full of Cubs Fans

Captivating Moments

Final Score

History

What is your life for?

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2016

What is your life for?

Abraham Lincoln inspirationally asked the question:

"What is your life for?"
And answered his own question with this answer:
"It is for you."

I ask, "Do you love your life?"

I bought front-row seats for Hilary Weeks' concert a few months ago, and the show was held two weeks ago. I had no idea her Song Love Your Life would be her theme. I love Hilary! She is a woman after my own heart, trying to make a difference in the world with a positive, happy attitude.

Hilary's set was absolutely inspiring.

We only have one life to live, and I want to love my way through mine. There is so much negative influence in the media you don't need to search for it. Feeding your mind with constant adverse information is not only damaging to your soul, but it also affects your life.

You don't need to be monetarily rich to contribute significantly. So many people worry they need an amazingly great idea to be famous or influential, to make a difference. This is simply not true. I've seen small children make purposeful decisions that connect them with others. If we could all see the world through the eyes of a child, we'd see some amazing things.

Sadly, many people go through life believing that no one would miss them if they were to die. They genuinely think it would have been best if they had not been born-this saddens me and makes my heart hurt. I wish so badly for everyone to know their life matters; they are essential and alone can make a difference. How? By the small acts of kindness, they offer others daily. A smile says I care, and it does not cost anything. We each have a chance to draft our own story; it does not matter what adversity or trial you have had; make a choice every day to be happy and wake up with the attitude of joy and goodwill.

Intentionally make a difference in the lives of other people and yourself by making a difference with whatever you have, wherever you are. This does not require being in a position of power; it just requires you to be you. Love your life, and I promise it will rub off on the people surrounding you.  

My life is half over, and that is if I intend on living until, I am 106...I will!! Truthfully, I have spent the first half of my life selfishly worrying more about my problems. It took a life-altering experience to change my story; I now understand the only person who can write and finish my story is me...I am the author of my life, and I cheerfully realize there is no limit to the transformations I can and will make. 

Using my own life to positively impact and help change the lives of others is exciting. How powerful is it to completely control your thoughts and feelings? Once you understand and internalize this type of thinking, there are no limits to the change you can make in the world. If you have a heart and see a need to revise, you are on to something good; go with those feelings. Make a difference. Act on your instincts. Your passion will give you the leverage you need to make a meaningful change in someone else's and your own life.

Monya Williams