Author: maryedegregorio

HOLY THURSDAY

Hey, my friends, today we entered Holy Week. The holiest of weeks in the Catholic Church. At Palm Sunday Mass today, we participated in the narration of the passion, which will be good fodder for our entry into the Triduum on Holy Thursday evening, which ushers us into the holiest, sacred time of the year. The stage was already being set on Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday. But the intense suffering started on Holy Thursday through Good Friday, where Jesus suffered a great injustice for which He was betrayed, imprisoned, mocked, whipped, spat upon, and then forced to carry his own cross to Calgary. We journey this sorrowful but beautiful journey with our Lord during these days. The most sorrowful being what happened to our beloved Savior and how it happened, but so beautiful at the same time. This sacred section in time is why we call Jesus our Savior, and this time teaches us so much about love, life, and death and why Jesus is the life, the truth, and the way.

This brings me to that first night of the Triduum. Holy Thursday. Thinking of the the pure selflessness and thoughtfulness of Jesus on this evening moves me to tears. Here he is, embarking on the most painful portion of his 33 years of life, and he is thinking of others. Even amid His betrayal by one of his own. Did he stop the betrayal? No, he let it play out. Why? Not only because God’s plan unfolded but also because he loved his Father and us so very much. And there was no anger nor vengeance. There was only pure love and that free will that God gave us. Judas had free will to choose and decided to be selfish, whereas Jesus chose to be selfless. On that sacred, meaningful night, He gave, to all the world and all future generations til the end of time, a most beautiful, loving gift. The gift of Himself in Eucharist. He came to the world as a babe born in a stable, not as a king in a palace, and he left the world nailed to a cross by the Sanhedrin’s account that he was a blasphemer. They crucified an innocent man for her told nothing but the truth. He left the world, but he did not leave us. He told us himself that he would not leave us orphans. He came to us and continues to come to us under the guise of simple bread and wine, but it is not bread and wine, but truly his body, blood, soul, and divinity. He comes to us every single day, even multiple times a day, where we can receive Him and be filled with his love and grace. In one chapel not far from my house is Our Holy Redeemer, where you can go 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You need a key to get in.

Today, Jesus is housed not in a stable but in a house of gold in every Catholic Church. You can stop by when the churches are open and sit before him to pray or meditate. Some of my most precious times spent with him were when a priest friend would lock me in the church where I could sit for hours alone before the tabernacle with the red light’s glow signifying He was there with me. The glow in the darkness was beautiful and significant for me, as it is to all of us. We should all spend time in the darkness with the light of our Lord, the only brightness present. And speaking of priests, Holy Thursday is when Jesus instituted the priesthood. It was certainly a night of many gifts.

Before giving this beautiful gift of himself in the Eucharist, he washed his disciples’ feet. A common practice when someone came for dinner. Jesus, the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings washed their feet meanwhile, we have King Herod, who Jesus was brought in front of the following day, who mocked him, along with his soldiers, dressed him in a splendid robe and sent him back to Pilate. One King washed the feet of his soldiers, showing humility and respect; the other King mocked Jesus, showing complete pride and disrespect. Such a contrast here. This is a simple but provocative thought that is food for meditation.

Meditation is significant in cultivating a relationship with God, particularly in some spiritual traditions. One tradition that my son and I do every Holy Thursday is the Visitation of the Seven Churches. This tradition can be traced back to St. Philip Neri in the 1500s. You go to Mass and then visit the Altar of Repose, where they have plants and flowers to represent a garden, as in the Garden of Gethsemane. You kneel, make the sign of the cross, read the appropriate scripture for that visit, and then pray and adore our Lord. 

I am sad that many churches close early, making it difficult for us to participate in this beautiful tradition. Some close as early as 10:00. Thankfully, a few stay open until midnight. I wish they all stayed open until midnight. That would allow us to tighten our journey and leave more prayer time for each church. This year, I wanted to see how much I could tighten up, as 10 minutes of prayer at each visit was not sitting well with me. Fortunately, the beloved parish I grew up in has its Holy Thursday Mass at 7:00 instead of 7:30, like most churches. There is another church nearby that does the same. So we will go to Saint Williams Mass and adoration (the adoration will be in the chapel in the convent, which is very small, but oh so very dear to my heart as it was: 1. The first chapel I have ever been in, and I was enchanted by it. The strong iron gates in the convent at the chapel entrance evoked a sense of peacefulness and protection. It also gave me the feeling I was entering a very sacred space, and indeed, I was. 2. It was before my baptism. They did not have RCIA in 1973, so I studied with a nun, Sr. Nanette Marie. She was my first experience with a nun. She was young, beautiful, gentle, and kind. She would take me into the chapel to pray for my mother. That had such a big effect on me. She could have just prayed with me in the room where we met, but no…she took me to this special chapel, this hidden beauty tucked in behind iron gates because it was vital for her to take me there for such an important intention. She knew the effect that would have on me. That was my first introduction to Jesus as well. No wonder I have such an attachment to that chapel. The perfect place to start off our visitation of the seven churches.

My re-routing gives us 15 minutes at each visit with leeway. Each church we visit is a church where we have been to Mass. Our last church will be a choice between three, and our decision will be made at the last minute, depending on how much time we have. I wish Holy Thursday Mass started earlier or the churches stayed open later, as there is a church we would love to end at, but it is about a 35-minute drive, and they end before midnight. Regardless, I am very grateful that we can do this. You cannot do this in many places as the Catholic Churches are further away from each other.

Last year, I could not find our copies or prayers for each Altar of Repose visit, so I found a new one and put it in a Google doc. If you plan on going and would like a copy to bring with you, I can share it with you, or if you are doing it from home, I can give you the website. I say from home because maybe you cannot do the seven churches physically, or they are too far away. Just google images of “Holy Thursday Altars of Repose” and pray before each one.

If you don’t go to church but are a believer, just at least immerse yourself in some meditation of the beautiful gift of this holy week. Maybe do the prayers at home. Holy Thursday is one of my favorite, if not my very favorite. I love everything about it. Even the sadness I feel. For I know that sorrow will turn to rejoicing only three days later. And that is truly the best gift. Jesus’ resurrection. He had to go through so much agony to get there. But he got there, and he did it all for us. How grateful we should all be.

If you liked this blog, please let me know in the comments. I appreciate all feedback, even negative, as without feedback, I will never continue to grow as a writer.

I went to a wake today for an old friend from my school days. We never really hung out much. I really cannot remember too much. I remember a few occasions (which is not unusual for me). I remember some dances at middle school, which he brought up when we became Facebook friends, but my memories are hazy. I do remember he was very sweet and kind. It was in being Facebook friends that I really got to know him though and yet I still didn’t know him that well. Through his posts, I could see what a genuinely lovely person he was. He was great at responding to my posts. He always had something sweet to say, something positive, or something to make me feel good. He seemed to be like that with everyone. That was Charlie. And it never felt fake. It was always genuine.

I had posted on Friday asking for prayers, and he responded to my post with “I’m saying prayers for you, Mary,” and then later with a heart with “love you” in it. That was Charlie. Unfortunately, I was not feeling so great, so I never responded. I missed an opportunity to say “love you” back. Ahhh, life…always missed opportunities. I believe that they are lessons learned. Well, one week later, I got to say it today, kneeling at his coffin. I know he heard me. Of course, he heard me. Those family and friends we loved/loved us never leave us. While his lifeless body was lying in that coffin, he certainly was not. Nope. He was probably like, “What the hell are you looking in there for…I am right here!” and maybe even making faces at us, knowing we couldn’t see them. He is right here, his beautiful soul that will never die, looking at all of us, listening to it all…smiling at all the lovely things everyone had to say, laughing at the funny stuff as well, and taking into his heart hearing everyone say how much they are going to miss him. No, Charlie was not in that coffin. He was standing hugging his loved ones, including his beautiful sisters, “Charlie’s Angels.” He will never leave them. He will never leave any of those dear to his heart, especially his daughter and son. Hold those Charlie stories close to your heart. Do they things you used to do in memory of him. Most importantly, take all that is good, sweet, kind, and fun, Charlie, and be that part of him to all you encounter!

Like everyone, Charlie had struggles in life. The journey of life is hard. But another thing Charlie had was a huge heart. After hearing story after story about him (I cried through it all), I found out just how huge Charlie’s heart was. I believe Charlie was an empath. He was highly attuned to others emotions and may even have taken on those emotions. I think his heart was actually too big for this world. Those thoughts of what a great person he was were validated (not that they needed to be) through all the loving words he said about him today. There is no doubt in my mind about that. It got me thinking. Charlie’s heart was made for heaven, not earth, but it had to be here on earth first to pour all his love on those who needed it. The world needs more people with Charlie’s heart. In heaven, his heart will be right at home. He needed to be here on earth for the time he was there. Because the love he poured out was needed by those who received it. The world needs more people with Charlie’s heart. Charlie, your big, beautiful heart is now in a place with no more sadness, no more worries, no more stress, and no more picking up everyone’s pain because where you are, there is no pain. There is only love, peace, and joy, … you fit right in!

Love you too, Charlie.

We will forever remember your kindness and the beauty you bought into this world. It was a gift to many.

To his children Melissa and Chuck, You put together such a beautiful tribute to your father. You know he is proud. My heart breaks for you both, his sisters, and his all who loved him

Note to myself and really to everyone. Don’t pass by opportunities to say I love you, to tell someone you care, or to be present in all conversations. Sometimes we need to really forget about ourselves and truly put the focus on others.

Special thanks to Joe for the swift notice of his Charlie’s passing. You too have a big heart Joe. Love ya and I am so very sorry for your loss. I know you treasure your memories. Keep them close.

What does it mean to live a poetic life? It means to find beauty and meaning in everyday experiences, cultivate a sense of wonder, and express yourself with intention and care, seeing the world as a source of inspiration and creation. 

My life is a testament to living poetically. I’ve always found beauty and meaning in everything, nurtured a sense of wonder, and seen the world as a wellspring of inspiration and creation. These experiences have shaped my understanding of a poetic life, making it as enchanting as it sounds.

So get on your wetsuit because we are going to dive into the essence of a poetic life much deeper. Explore with me living a poetic life and the role of symbolism. As you read, let the words resonate. Feel them. Experience them. Let them wash over your soul like a blanket of love. 

The following is what AI had to say. My comments are in italics:

What does it mean to live poetically? 

A poetic life involves finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, noticing the beauty in everyday moments, and appreciating the small details that often go unnoticed.   There is so much beauty every day. Don’t let it go unnoticed. What a waste that would be. It is still dark when I leave for work at 6:30 A.M. I love that drive in the dark while a lot of the world is still sleeping or not out and about yet. Cars are still on the road, but the world’s roar has not yet gotten loud. What a beautiful way to gather yourself as you go about the start of your day. I also love coming home in daylight at 3:30 when I can then share more actively in the beauty the world around me offers, like going for a bike ride or a walk, taking photographs, soaking in some sun on a sunny day, having a picnic, earthing on grass or the sand at the beach and seeing a sunrise, catching a sunset, going on an adventure. Always go on adventures and explore. Explore everything. Life is beautiful. Enjoy it all while you can, and find other things to enjoy when you can’t. There is always so much to enjoy. Even if you are sitting outside your house watching nature. There is always beauty!

• Embracing Creativity: It’s about expressing yourself through various forms of art, whether writing, painting, music or simply finding unique ways to communicate your thoughts and feelings. Besides being in nature, I thrive on creativity. I am fortunate to have a job where I can use my creativity and express myself that way. I love to create, and I have found so many ways to do it over the years through writing, photography, junk journaling, bracelet making, rock painting, beach combing, and decorating my room. If you have no hobbies, search your soul. I dabbled over the years with stuff, but it was not until I struggled through a hard time that I found my niche in various expressive arts. They take you out of your worries and cares, even for only an hour.
• Cultivating Mindfulness: Living poetically requires being present in the moment and paying attention to your surroundings. Be moved by the world’s beauty and wonder.   I do this all the time. I cannot help but notice the beauty in everything around me, especially outdoors. If you are always in a hurry and don’t notice, as soon as you walk outside, be more aware of all around you. The sky, the birds, the feel of the sun, The light, the dark, the sun, the moon, the stars, the heat, the cold, the trees, the flowers, the rain, the clouds, and find beauty, a busy squirrel looking for food, a robin searching the earth for its next meal, a person walking their dog, and the person may not have smiled. Still, that dog sure looked like they were smiling. You couldn’t help but smile right back at it, that cutie. Be kind and notice the kindness of others. Be the smile that might be the only one someone receives or the compliment, and wish everyone a beautiful day. Be sunshine and earnestly spread it.
• Finding Meaning: It’s about searching for deeper meaning in your experiences, connecting with your emotions, and finding purpose in your life.  Searching for deeper meaning in your experiences and connecting with your feelings makes you more apt to find your purpose in life.  It makes you more in tune with yourself. I believe it is so important to be in tune with yourself. More on this at the end.
• Being Open to Wonder: A poetic life is characterized by a sense of curiosity, a willingness to explore the unknown, and a belief in the magic and mystery of existence. I have always been curious. As far back as I can remember, I have been curious about everything, even the ants marching about, building their tunnels and homes, and gathering food. Curiosity did not kill the cat. Curiosity opens doors to beautiful adventures. I love this, especially that last bit “and a belief in the magic and mystery of existence”. Oh, the marvels of it all!

The Role of Symbolism:

• Symbolism as a Language: Symbolism allows us to express complex ideas and emotions concisely and evocatively.
• Finding Meaning in Symbols: Symbols can represent abstract concepts, emotions, or experiences, allowing us to connect with something deeper than the surface level. 
• The walls in my room overflow with symbolism displayed everywhere. The junk journals I make and the things I gather and collect are filled with symbolism. Even the bracelets I make and wear every day are symbolic, as they are Morse code bracelets, where I have silently stated something that is only meant for me and wear it as a statement to myself.
• Examples of Symbols:
  • Nature: Trees can symbolize growth and resilience, water can represent purity and flow, and the sun can represent hope and warmth.  And those three things I cannot imagine my life without. I can attach meaning to so many things that are special to me. Oh, don’t get me going now, I could go on and on. I love rocks, dirt, sand, earth, sky, rain, snow, sun, bodies of water, wildlife, and bugs (well, not the kind of bugs that bite, haha). I have to stop. This blog already seems too long of a blog and is getting more like a book. Haha. I just want it all. To sleep under the stars, dance in the rain, lay in the snow, frolic in a field of wildflowers, blow dandelions, swim in the waters of life.
  • Objects: A worn-out book can symbolize knowledge and wisdom, a key can represent opportunity, and a mirror can represent self-reflection. 
  • Colors: Red can represent passion and energy, blue can symbolize peace and tranquility, and green can represent nature and growth. A woman at work always compliments me on what I am wearing. Today, she said she loves my style and the colors I wear. She said, “You wear a lot of earthy colors…you are very earthy”. I never thought about it, but I do. I just read that earth tones are a mixture of tonalities of browns and tans and include some browns, such as orange, red, green, yellow, purple, and blue. They tend to be more muted and flat colors. And yes, I am very earthy.
• Using Symbolism in Daily Life: By paying attention to the symbols around us and within ourselves, we can better understand our experiences and the world around us. We certainly can.

Another part of living a poetic life is:

• Being in Tune with Yourself:
  • Self-Awareness: It means understanding your strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs.  How good it is to have an understanding of these. Self-awareness is so critical.
  • Authenticity: It encourages living in accordance with your true self, rather than conforming to external expectations. A big pet peeve of mine is when someone is not authentic. I believe I have always been authentic. I never tried to be someone that I am not. I don’t put on airs. I am simply me. That is why Simply Me is the name of my blog. I strongly dislike it when people are not true to themselves and present themselves as someone they are not. Go out in this great big world and march to the beat of your own drummer, and who cares if sometimes you miss a beat? At least it is your drum. Don’t worry about what others think. Just be real.
  • Self-compassion involves treating yourself with kindness and understanding, especially during challenging times. Compassion towards others and compassion towards yourself are so important. When I say self-compassion, it doesn’t mean having a big pity party for yourself. Okay, maybe wallow a little, but you cannot live there. No, you must always pull yourself up by your bootstraps and do what you must to keep on keeping on. But be kind to yourself, love yourself, and don’t let anyone crush your spirit.
  • Inner Peace: It can lead to a sense of inner peace and contentment as you become more aligned with your true self.  I agree. Doing all these things (living a poetic life) will bring you inner peace.
  • This brings me to the last but certainly not least. One thing I have not mentioned yet, and while everyone doesn’t accept it, is what always helps me: knowing that I have a loving, merciful God by my side, lighting my way. I can’t imagine not having Him.

• Do you live a poetic life? This list for a poetic life is essential. Do you view them as essentials? Let me know what you think. Leave me a message. Thanks for reading.

I see trees of green, red roses too, I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself: What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white,The bright blessed days, the dark sacred night, And I think to myself: What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky, Are also on the faces of people going by. I see friends shaking hands, saying: How do you do? They’re really saying: I love you!

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow. They’ll learn much more, than I’ll never know. And I think to myself: What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself: What a wonderful world

Hi, my name is Mary and I am a thrift shopaholic.

I genuinely feel like I am addicted to thrift shopping. I get a high off of it. Finding a great piece, be it a dress (my favorite), boots, or a jacket, for so little money makes me feel good. So, if I am feeling stressed or down, where do I head? You got it, the thrift shop.

I have always loved dresses, and when I was little, my mom and I would go shopping, and she would buy me the best dresses. Those were precious times with my mom. We would also go to the diner and have lunch. It was usually a turkey club sandwich, which we would split. My mom left for her heavenly home when I was just 13, and now I find myself getting comfort from thrift shopping and diners. Although my mom and I did not shop at thrift shops, I have become a big fan of them, so much so that I do not enjoy shopping at stores for new clothing.

Some people are closet thrifters. They do not want anyone to know that they shop at thrift shops. I don’t get it. I am proud of it. Getting a bargain is a great thing. It leaves me more money to spend on other things. I once bought a Lands End coat for something like $6.00. It was such a great buy. It was in perfect condition. Someone I knew commented on it, and I said, “Oh, I got it at a thrift shop”. She looked at me disapprovingly and said, “You shouldn’t tell people that.” I was like, “Why not? I am proud I got such a great deal. It is wonderful”. I lost a lot of respect for her that day.

What is wrong with buying clothes that were worn before? You wash them, and they are fine. I could write another blog on being yourself, but I will save that for another day. This person had an image to project, and she certainly did not want to ruin it by shopping at a thrift shop. And if you are one of those people who do shop at thrift shops but do not want anyone to know that you do. Why? Just be you. Who cares! If someone compliments me on my outfit, I say, “Oh, I got it at the thrift shop for $10.00, “with a tone of delight and confidence in my voice. The reaction I get is usually positive.
Some of my best finds were a brand new “Free People” dress with the tags still on for $20.00. In the store, it sold for $100. Another “Free People” dress for $8.00. I bought a long winter Michael Kors down coat for $40, probably for a few hundred brand new. I also recently purchased a Michael Kors short winter coat with a detachable hood for $17.00, which sold for over $100.

Today, I bought an Ann Taylor butternut leather jacket for $20, selling for over $150. Then, there were all of my favorite items that I purchased. So many are not brand names, but I loved them and got them for $6.00 or even $2.50 or 10.00. I cannot get enough of thrift shopping. I decorated my room with stuff from the thrift shop, which is fantastic.

Today, while at the thrift shop, I overheard people talking. It seems everyone is addicted. One woman told me, after my admitting that I am addicted, that she is too, and she goes there every day. I felt a little better after hearing that. We need a thrift shop anon. But on second thought, I don’t think I would go as I love thrifting. It is a passion of mine, and it makes me feel good. I no longer like to shop in stores that sell new clothing. I was in Marshall’s just today, and I couldn’t deal with it. I couldn’t find anything I loved, and everything was overpriced.

When I go to the thrift shop, I usually see things right up my alley. I love a particular style, and it makes me so happy to find that stuff in the thrift shop for a reasonable price. Last year, I got leather Ivanka Trump boots for $10. Just yesterday, I got leather Miz Moos boots for $8.00, which sell for almost $200 in the store. Yeah, how could you not get a high from that?

The downside is that I buy more than I should. I have so much clothing, but I love and wear it all. Oh, and I also purchased a cool jacket. It cost me $30. It ended up being a designer jacket that sells for $168 online. I have never been into designer things, but if you can get it for so little, it is exciting—not because of the name, but because it is well made. I could care less about labels.

I can go for a month without going to the thrift shop, which is good. It is not easy. I fight myself. I think of it as a hobby. People spend a lot of money on their hobbies. Feeling grateful and thank God that this is my “addiction” and not something worse.

Happy Thrifting!

That is all we are here for. That is what it feels like — a speck in time. There will come a day when we are no longer here. It will eventually be like we never even existed. We go through these years worrying about this, worrying about that, wanting to love, wanting to be loved, hoping to make our mark on this world.

What is our mark? Do you ever think about that? What is your mark? Mine is love. That is my mark. Is that your mark? Is that everyone’s mark? It certainly is not everyone’s mark. There are people who go through this life not really caring about anyone and only themselves. There are greedy, selfish people. There are people who turn a blind eye. There are people who just don’t care. But then there are the people who love. There are those people going through life spreading love the best they can. They have been betrayed, lied to, and used, but they don’t let it stop them from loving.

As we go through life, “love” takes on new meaning. Our first love was the love of family, then friends, and then romantic love. Love for a romantic partner should be the same love for a mother/ father/ brother, sister, or friend, but it should be even more complex because it is different from any other love.

My mom was the first person that I truly felt loved by. She loved me so much. She would tell me all “I love you” all the time and compliment me all the time. We would never stay upset with each other and always say sorry if we got upset with each other. It hurt both of us to the core of our being to be upset with the other. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for my mother, and my mother knew that. There is nothing (within her control) that she wouldn’t do for me. We were each other’s cheerleader and biggest fan. That is love. With romantic love, attraction, physical desire, and passion are added. That kind of love is unlike any other. But if there is no chemistry, it ends up just an attraction.

I recently read on a post that if someone makes you feel excited and giddy and your heart races, walk away. It says instead, you should go for someone who makes you feel warm, safe, and secure. No, I wholeheartedly disagree. If you don’t have it all, people get into big relationship problems. You need to have it all. Not one or the other. When you have chemistry and a soul connection with someone, your heart will race, and you will feel excited and giddy, but you will also feel warm, safe, and secure with them. They will feel like “home” to you. If you have chemistry and a deep connection with someone, you will have everything. I spent a good portion of my life not having it. But I have had it and am telling you there is nothing like it. When you have that, you not only have love but are in love and will remain in love for the rest of your days. Call me an incurable romantic. I am. I always will be. I genuinely believe this. But both have to feel it to work both ways. I call it soulmates.

So what happens if you have this, you know, the whole kit and caboodle love thing, and things don’t work out? I don’t know. I don’t know if that was the entire chemistry, I love this person in the depths of my soul thing. If you two are fighting and constantly getting on each other’s nerves or putting yourself, your desires, and others first, there is something wrong there. Suppose you profess your undying love for someone. Well, then, you should love them. Loving them means having patience, not yelling, understanding, and communicating. It does not mean turning your back on them, withholding your love, manipulating them, and always putting your needs before theirs. Now, if I love you, I will love you like I loved my momma — a full-on love.

I will be your biggest cheerleader and will always be there for you. If you feel the same, your heart will beat fast and feel excited, giddy, warm, and safe. That is how it will be. You will always want one thing. You will want what is best for the other person and what is best for the growth of your relationship. You would never want to jeopardize that beautiful relationship. Sometimes, we are dumb and say dumb things, but we must laugh at ourselves. Just admit you were dumb, laugh at yourself, apologize, and move on. Admit your faults. Don’t hold grudges, don’t always be right, don’t be insulting. 

I once had to do a reading at my best friend’s funeral; she picked the reading and asked me to do it before she passed. The reading was from 1 Corinthians. It is a reading that is usually read at weddings and is one of my favorites. It brings me to tears. Here it is:

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.
 Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
 Love never fails. 

Now, if only we could all live that Bible passage, then we could say we made our mark, and what a beautiful world it would be.
I don’t know how much time I have left. I cannot waste it crying over my mistakes. I need to love. And I need to feel love. Life is too short. So smile at strangers, open doors for them, pick something up, and offer a helping hand to all in need. Do what ever you can that will make someone else’s day better. Don’t put blinders on, don’t be a bull and want your way and what you want, don’t blame, accuse, and argue, but have honest conversations and be honest with yourself. Life is too short for anything else but love. Love, Love, Love.

I will add, though. Love does not call us to be a doormat. If you have a partner who you are loving with all your heart, and they continually walk all over you, that is not love. That is abuse, and in that case, you need help. That is why ensuring you have chemistry with someone is essential — and not fake chemistry. You will know. There will be signs it is not genuine. Don’t go into denial. Follow your gut. You will know in your soul how much you are loved. The love will be reflected in how you are treated. When dating, at the first signs of narcism, addiction, or feeling anything less than genuine care and concern for you, run for the hills. Listen to your inner voice and then hold out for that soulmate. You will know. That little inner voice is so important.

I hope you enjoyed my post on love. I don’t know how good it is; I am just speaking from the heart.
Have a beautiful day. Make use of that speck you are in this big universe. Love with all your heart and make a difference in people’s lives.

Side note: Listening to the song I can’t help to see all the photographs of years gone by flashing through my mind. And I don’t mean actual photographs (for many, many memories I have no photographs), but the images that are forever printed in my mind and heart.

Today, I salute all the brave men and women who have fought to keep America safe and free. Thank you for your service to our country. We, the patriots of America, are extremely grateful for your selfless sacrifice and dedication. Every day should be Veterans Day.

Now, I would like to turn personal and speak of a man I have known and loved my entire life who has served this country. My dad, Domenick Bellissimo. 
He was born Domenico Bellissimo and came to America at 15 years old. He dreamt his whole life of coming to America. He used to write letters to his father from his mother (she couldn’t write), and in the end, he would add himself, “I want to come to America.” He was thrilled the day his father sent for the family. He came to America and embraced all it had to offer.

Then, Just 6 years later, he was drafted into the United States Army. He willingly went to do his duty. He says they all boarded the train in their woolen uniforms, and there they went..boogie boogie boogie all the way to Mississippi. He said it was so hot there, and they were all sweating and could not wait to shower. At some point, his first Sgt. called him over and said, “Bellissimo, how old are you” My dad replied, “21, sarge,” and the Sarge said, “You are not 21; you look like a baby, go shave that peach fuzz off your face”. He also told my father to never volunteer for anything. “if they order you to go, then go, but never volunteer. At one point, my father told him he thought he was going somewhere else, and he said, “Bellissimo, you ain’t going nowhere. You are going with me. Wherever I go, you go. Got it? My dad replied, “Got it, Sarge.” 

While in Mississippi doing his basic training, they learned that my dad was not an American citizen. They were in a pickle and didn’t know what to do. He was back and forth to Washington twice, trying to straighten things out. His last time there, he asked if he could speak. He said, “I am an American. I live in America, and I am an American, and I will do whatever I have to do to protect my country. The Sgt said, “That is all we needed to hear,” so they got him his citizenship. This was the time of WWII. He could easily have gotten out of it. But no, my father wanted to do his duty.

I have heard many stories of those days in Mississippi, preparing for the Philippines’ jungles and the maneuvers in the West Virginian mountains. He drank slowly from his canteen as he wanted his water to last. Some guys drank theirs fast and then wanted some of my father’s. If they ever had no more water, they would actually look for a cow print where there would be a little puddle of water, scoop it out, and drink it. I also remember a story of when they were out doing maneuvers, and he had some spaghetti and sauce his mother sent him, and they made it. It was very dark outside, and it all spilled out onto the ground when draining the spaghetti. My dad and all the other soldiers who were so hungry all started picking a piece up. Piece after piece, they would say, “Oh, this looks good,” “Oh, this looks good,” and “Oh, this looks good” until the pot was full of spaghetti, and they ate it. When they woke up the following day, they noticed all the little caterpillars hanging from the trees and dropping to the ground. They couldn’t help but think they could have fallen into the spaghetti and must have eaten some. 

After his time spent in Mississippi, the time had come to board a ship at Norfolk and to go to the Pacific. The landed at three different places. I think the first was New Guinea, the next was Moratai Island, and then the Philippines. I am not too sure if that order is correct, but I believe the Philippines was the last one. My dad was lucky to have his first Sgt. Hardin as his Sgt. I think he took a liking to my dad and watched over him. First, he was a supply clerk and then a mail clerk, and then he became the artificer, where he maintained all the guns. They are not supposed to hand them to him dirty, but one soldier did. It was all muddy. My dad said you didn’t clean it; you need to clean it first and the soldier said, “You clean it,” and my father said no, you’re supposed to clean it. Then he grabbed my dad by the collar and held him up in the air and said, “You stupid guinea, I ought to kill you,” and my dad shot the gun towards his feet and took off like a bat out of hell. When he was called before the commander, the commander said you wouldn’t have really shot him, would you? and my dad said, “I sure would have.”
He does not talk too much about the fighting end of it. While he did fight, he was not on the front line. He did go to the front line to pick up wounded soldiers and bring them back to the medic tent. One day, they picked a soldier up and put him on a stretcher, but they were not sure which way to go. The were in the jungle. They said, “Let’s go this way,” and proceeded to go. All of a sudden, they froze. Right on the other side of some sparse bushes were about 8 or so Japanese soldiers. Thank God they did not turn their heads and look their way, or else they would have been shot dead, and I would not be here writing this blog. Another time, they were being hit by grenades, and they all lay on the ground, and one landed on the guy’s head that was lying right next to him and blew him up. Nothing happened to my dad. He was not even hit by shrapnel. He is lucky to be alive. Many of them were fortunate to be alive, but a whole lot of them weren’t. Till the end of his life, he always said that the good Lord had always protected him. I am thankful he did. So I will end this here with this little story…

One night the Sergeant heard my dad talking, so he said, “Bellissimo, who are you talking to? and my dad said, “Just saying my prayers, sarge,” and Sarge said, “Carry on.” My dad has said his prayers every night since childhood and says he never missed them. My dad was a good man. I am happy he made it out unscathed except for a bad case of Malaria that seemed to affect him his whole life. He used to complain about weak spells and always thought it was from the Malaria. He was lucky. My dad is now living out his life in his eternal home of heaven. He lived to be 100 and 3/4 years old.

God bless my dad and all of the veterans. I pray they get the love and respect that they deserve. I am thankful that Donald J. Trump and J.D. Vance will be in the White House in January. They love and respect our military, and I believe they will do what is best for them. Hopefully, veterans will all get the proper care they need. Happy Veterans Day! and Dad..I love you and miss you so much. I am so proud of the way you lived your life. Thank you. Love always, your baby girl.

I love dancing. In my younger years, I was too self-conscious to dance without having a few drinks first. Once I got out onto that dance floor, I didn’t want to stop once I started dancing. All those nights dancing in rock and new wave clubs like Granny’s Attic, Malibu, Spit, Speaks, and the OBI were fun times shared with friends. I am glad I no longer need a few drinks to loosen up and dance. Do you remember those days? Gosh, our self-esteem really needed a good kick in the pants. Mine did, anyway. Not today. Today, I have a different mindset.

This past summer, I loved going to see live bands. One band I saw, one of my favorites, was “Just Sixties.” They played at a beach, and I danced for the first time in the sand. Just being barefoot and feeling that sand under my feet was such a new, delightful experience.
Dancing is good for your mind, body, and soul. It lifts you up and energizes you. It releases those good endorphins. I think about the different times I danced and the feelings evoked. It was all fun and happy feelings. A favorite dancing memory was as a teen dancing all crazy with my friends in my tiny bedroom, especially with Lois. Hey, if you are reading this, remember Lo? Elton John’s Yellow Brick Road album and Crocodile Rock. Also, Judy in Disguise with Glasses and all the other 45s that were in the case my eldest brother threw away, and I took like a Red Rubber Ball. We had so much fun. Last summer, when we saw an Elton John tribute band, Lois and I relived being 15 again, singing along to Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting, but with our own rendition of a specific part of it, laughing and feeling young again.

One of my favorite memories of dancing is with my son when he was little. I would put music on, and we would dance together, all crazy in the living room. It was so much fun.

And then there is slow dancing. Such an intimate moment between lovers. Being so close to each other, lost in the moment, physically moving to the music while words of love pour out from a song straight into your soul. I imagine this is the way it is with those who are so deeply in love.

The song I hope you dance is taking dance into the whole of your life. At the end of 9th grade, I recall my moving up dance, sitting with friends against the wall, watching others dance, and inside just wanting so badly to dance but sitting it out. That is the song Just Dance. Don’t sit on the sidelines, don’t sit it out. Get out and do the things you love to do. Embrace life deeply.

Live… genuinely live with your whole being. Do the things you want to do. Go to the places you want to go. Be with the people you want to be with. Don’t be on the sidelines. Life is too short. “Never fear those mountains in the distance, never settle for the path of least resistance, Livin’ might mean takin’ chances, but they’re worth takin'”. If there are things you want to do, do what you can to make those things possible. Make those things happen. LIVE!

Love… genuinely love with your whole being. Live love. Be love. Put your heart into everything. He who closes off their heart misses out on much. You take a chance on love,”Lovin’ might be a mistake, but it’s worth makin'”, and Don’t let some Hell bent heart leave you bitter, when you come close to sellin’ out reconsider”, Love others and love yourself. Love yourself enough to know not to accept ill treatment from others. and never sell out. Love yourself enough to know you are worthy of being deeply loved and love others that way. Give them your best. Imagine a world where we all loved like that. With all our hearts, minds, and souls. Where we take selfishness out of the equation and just purely love. I want that world. I desperately want that world. But that is where we are headed if we love..to heaven. Heaven is that world. Speaking of heaven, you should always “Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance”,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. if you have that kind of love with just one person here on earth, you have everything. Anyway, the point is LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! It is not always easy at all, but just try to love. Even the small ways by a kind gesture, a smile, an acknowledgement. You don’t have to do big things, like St. Terese you can do small things with great love.

Laugh… genuinely laugh. Have fun and enjoy all the beautiful moments. Laugh with your whole being. Loosen up. Don’t be so serious. There is much to laugh at. Even ourselves. Be happy. Like that song, Don’t Worry, Be Happy. Then when you do not worry you will be happy and laugh more often.

Take every opportunity to embrace the beauty in life. Take a chance on love and have faith. Go for and grab onto that golden ring.
So dear friends. Join me in not wasting a moment. Make your life the best. Don’t stay stagnant. It doesn’t mean you have to keep moving. Just keep growing. Don’t let anyone keep you down. Life is short. Enjoy every moment. Do what you love, whether going on an adventure or chilling. Just do it. Do what you love.
And get out into the great outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature. It is so good for you… body, mind, and soul. But whatever it is you want to do…Do it now.

My hope for you is that you dance! Don’t sit it out. Just dance.

I am sorry, something is not working right when I try to embed the video. Click on the link then click on you tube and then where it says watch on you tube.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/L5Smu1Xpnh0

There she was, a little girl, day after day, gazing out the classroom window, watching the plethora of dreams she held in her heart float out the window, swirling and twirling with every thought in her imaginative mind through the warm springtime air, dancing upon the flowers and rising towards the sun, just like the dandelion fluffs she wished on. The voice of the teacher was a distant wah, wah, wah.

Even in high school, she daydreamed and doodled away on her brown paper bag-covered book while she thought of many things, many dreams, many hopes. She was always daydreaming. Always imagining different scenarios. She had a vivid imagination that took her to many places. She imagined all sorts of magical happenings and fairy tale endings.

That little girl was me. I was always a daydreamer. I still am. A few years ago, one of my dreams died a painful death. As a believer in dreams and happy every afters that heartbreaking experience took that belief from me. If that dream, which I believed in so deeply, died, how could any dream come true? If that dream could die, all dreams could. No sense in dreaming anymore. Dreams weren’t safe as they shattered, I told myself, and as my imaginative mind looked upon the shards of colored glass lying at my feet, the sun glistening off them as if it was trying to keep them alive. I almost no longer believed. Without the light of dreams or hope, the world was dark.

Allow yourself to dream again.

When talking to my dear friend, Robyn, about the shattered dream and how I don’t believe in dreams coming true anymore, she said, “You just never know.” ” you just never know.” How true those four words are. A simple but compelling statement. At first, I was not ready to accept it. My dream was a big part of me. I thought of what she said, flexed my dream muscles, and found some new strength. The death of a dream doesn’t have to be the end of your hopes.

I grabbed hold of the idea of “you never know” and continued living my life and embracing the things that made me happy. New and different dreams started growing. When your dream dies, it doesn’t mean your hope dies. The death of one dream could actually lead to an even better dream. You just never know! Allow yourself to grab hold of the next dream, whatever it may be.

I believe again and am filled with hopes and dreams. So many dreams different dreams now swirling and twirling within, floating to their destination of happily ever after. Writing has always been one of those dreams and here I am now writing a blog. How did I get here? With the love and encouragement of some dear friends…you know who you are. Not sure how good I am, not too many read my blogs, or if they do, they do not comment. I only know a handful of people who have expressed that they do enjoy it. But even if I am not yet the seasoned writer I long to be, the thing is, I worked on this dream and made it come true, and I am so appreciative of those who encouraged it to take that big step. I even have two children books I have written an and have taken on writing a few more books with the dream of one day being an accomplished author. Yup, you have to have dreams and you have to believe they can come true. If you never try, it will never happen. Dream it, live it.

We all know them. I love my dad so much, and I miss him like crazy; God rest his soul, but he killed a big dream for me. I always dreamed of being a teacher. When it came time for college, he asked me if I wanted to go and what I wanted to be. I replied, “A teacher is all I ever wanted to be.” He told me no, that teachers don’t make enough money, and it is tough to get a job as a teacher, so I didn’t go to college. He was a dream killer. I don’t blame him. He was only looking out for me and doing his best. I blame myself; I should have considered ways to do that alone. I, in turn, was a dream killer as well. My daughter wanted to go to college for acting. I told her she needed a fallback. She said if you have a fallback you will fall back. I told her not to go for acting. I was a dream killer. I hate that I did that. There will always be people who try to knock down your dream or make you feel like you could never live that dream or that you just aren’t good enough. Walk away. Don’t give them any headspace. Don’t let anyone kill your dreams. Believe in yourself and live your dreams.

At almost 64 years old, I am still a daydreamer, believing in dreams, fairy tales, and happy ever-afters. I believe in the power to make yourself, and your life, the best you can. I believe in wonderful people who reach into your heart and fill it with love. You should never shut down, but keep being the beautiful spirit you are who believes in the magical, the good, the beautiful, and in excellent, positive outcomes. I believe in love, joy, hope, fun, laughter, goodness, positivity, the energy of nature, and God’s power. I believe in you. Keep on dreaming! Don’t ever let your dreams die. You may have messed up your past, but you can better your future. Don’t settle, don’t think you can’t, and don’t listen to negative, harmful, toxic talk. Be you and live your dream.

Always let your imaginations soar and take you to the highest of heights. I saw the movie “Wonka” today, and I really liked it. I especially liked that it was about imagination, making your dreams come true, and believing. I also really like this song. I encourage all of you to never give up on your dreams. I have a two friends who are wonderful writers who write so beautifully. You know who you are. You are both one of the best and your books would definitely be flying off the shelves. Anthony, and Robyn, Believe in your dreams. Everyone, believe in your dreams

How was your 2023? Are you happy or sad to see it go, or does it not matter?

2023 was a mixed bag for me. The highest of highs and the lowest of lows were reached in 2023. All in all, it was a fantastic year indeed. As the end of the year draws near, I’m trying to focus on the positive. Nothing negative. There is always a positive. No matter what 2023 has taken from me, it has given me so much more. I am closing out this year grateful and hopeful. I am grateful for my most beautiful experiences, love, friends, nature, and life.

I am closing out the year with five unfinished books I am writing. I can’t seem to stick to only one at a time. I write these books when the mood strikes. They include memoirs, a novel titled “Under the Willow Tree,” a non-fiction book called “Growing up in Seaford,” another unnamed book, and a book of poetry entitled “Dandelion Wishes.” One goal is to write a little each evening.

Additionally, I am excited to share my latest project, which involves upcycling bags. These bags will be tailored to people’s interests and preferences. The first bag I am making is nature-inspired, and every part holds a special meaning. I am also making junk journals. I am hoping to open an Etsy shop as soon as I have enough product to sell.

I don’t know if this new venture will go far, but I have high hopes and am optimistic. I have a lot of high hopes for not only me but for you and everyone in 2024. High hopes are essential. I learned that during my early elementary school years at Seaford Manor, when we sang the song “High Hopes,” I was in awe of that little old ant. We may not have had Frank singing along with us, but we learned a lesson. If that little ant could move a rubber tree plant, we could do anything we put our minds to. We just had to have high hopes. Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t – you’re right,” So think you can. It worked for that little old ant and it worked for Henry Ford, who we all know was highly successful. 

I love being creative, whether crafting, writing, photography or even at work. Whenever life gets tough, my creative self goes into overdrive. It is what saves me. Thanks be to God. Being able to express the many treasures of my heart in a tangible way through art has been a Godsend.

I spent 2023 just letting my hair down, being me, doing the things I love, and spending time with those I love. Life is short. Embrace it. Do what you love. Many people think about making bucket lists. Why not make one for just the year 2024? Why wait? You never know when the earth will stop spinning or who will be elected president in November. I have high hopes for the latter. Remember, think positive.

How are you spending the last evening of 2023? I’m glad I have my daughter here for the holidays. Having her here to close out 2023 and ring in 2024 will be wonderful. We are looking forward to our tradition of going outside at midnight, where we will bang pans while shouting Happy New Year and then light some small fireworks and sparklers while having high hopes for 2024.

My advice, for whatever it is worth, for 2024 is. Live it. That is an excellent resolution. Live your life. Live it doing what you love and giving the world your best self in every thing you do. You got this.

Are you unhappy? So many words of wisdom are all over the net. You need to search out ways to get happy. Reach out to friends and family. Do what you can to change what you can. Don’t worry, be happy! One thing I know…get out in nature…it gets your endorphins up naturally and will help you feel better. Also, don’t drink cold water. Drink room temp. Cold water takes away your happy (advice from a traditional Chinese medicine doctor). I also highly recommend speaking to a psychologist. If you are interested in that, I know a wonderful psychologist who does virtual visits. Let me know and I will give you his number. You won’t be sorry and what a great way to start our 2024.

Living your life means taking care of your health in all aspects – body mind and spirit. So try taking a step to better health by cutting out those poisons that are harming you such as processed foods, simple carbs, sugar, fried foods, fast food, and inflammatory foods. I know it is not easy. A good way to start is to really see these foods as poison to your body. When they are in your system they really wreak havoc causing inflammation which then causes disease. Also exercise and if you cannot exercise then walk if you can, walk every day. It is so good for not only your body, but your mind as well. Same with eating healthy. If anyone needs motivation, I can be your motivator. I would do that…I promise. Just like AAA has sponsors, I can be your health sponsor, lol.

Along with eating right and exercise, getting out in nature is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. Some of the benefits are:

• boosting the immune system
• lowering blood pressure
• reducing stress
• improving mood
• increasing ability to focus
• accelerating recovery from surgery or illness
• increasing energy level
• improving sleep

The longer the time I spend in nature, the better I feel. It truly does wonders. Make 2024 a year you spend more time in nature.

I have always loved John Denver. He was a big outdoorsman who felt that nature was his home. That resonates with me. My favorite song of his is “Annie’s Song”. I love how the lyrics express deep, profound love through the relationship of nature and senses. I just really love what he did there. They say you have so much more clarity when in nature. He wrote this song in 10 minutes on a ski lift. Here are his words: “Suddenly I was hypersensitive to how beautiful everything was. All of these things filled up my senses. When I said this to myself images came one after the other. The night in the forest, a walk in the rain, the mountains in springtime. All of the pictures merged and then what I was left with was Annie. That song was the embodiment of the love that I felt at the time. In the ten minutes it took to reach the top of the mountain, the song was there.” Listen to the song, look at the images and fill up your senses.

I wanted to post John Denver’s Annie’s song here, but unfortunately it is not letting me. It is a beautiful song, that I am sure you already know.

Now, what are your aspirations for 2024? to get healthier? to quit smoking or vaping cigarettes, or drinking? If you are thinking of stopping any addictions, that would certainly be a great start to 2024. Just do it! Make 2024 your year. You can do it. You can do anything you put your mind to. If anyone needs tips or someone to be there to encourage you, then message me. I will help. If you yourself, don’t struggle with these then reach out and give encouragement to someone who does.

Get out and do the things you love to do:

Do you want to camp in the woods or on the beach? stargaze? build a snowman, catch fish? run through an open field barefoot and blow dandelion wishes? write a book? buy a gun for protection? plan a waterfall trip? get on a plane to visit a loved one? learn an instrument? paint? learn another language? water ski, jet ski, kayak, or snowmobile for the first time? run in a race? build a treehouse? make your room into your sanctuary? enter a contest? do an open mic? visit a national park? plant a garden? make a rock garden? randomly scatter wildflowers? learn to dance? play in the snow? feed the homeless? drive cross country? hike? ride a motorcycle? visit every nature preserve and botanic garden where you live? go to a concert? go boating? take up archery? take a trip? go to montauk? dance in the rain? eat with your fingers?

Okay, you get my drift. Do things you love. Just as long as it is healthy for your body, mind, heart, and soul, do it. Don’t let fear hold you back. You are capable. You don’t have to be perfect. I am so far from perfect in any of my endeavors. The point is, if it brings you joy, why not just do it. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be you.

Some people do not do what they love because too many things hold them down. You have one life to live. You don’t need to do everything, but just try to do something you love every week. If you have time on your lunch hour, eat outside, breathe in the air and soak up the sun (vitamin d). You are precious and you deserve to do these things for yourself. If you like to do things but don’t want to do them alone, and no one can join you, try them alone. You might surprise yourself and enjoy it.

Side note here: wise words of wisdom from my stepmother. I was 22 years old and wanted to go to a concert that was that day. I could not get anyone to go with me. My stepmother said “Just go by yourself”. Go by myself? I questioned. She said “yes, if you wait on others you will never do anything. Go by yourself”. Guess what? I went by myself and had an amazing time. An opportunity missed if I just stayed home because I didn’t want to go alone. I went to many of these concerts alone and that was a fun time in my life. After I had my daughter, she joined me. I also became good friends with someone in the band who I still keep in touch with til this day. Those were good times. So don’t ever fear going alone. Being alone isn’t so bad…you get to hang with one of the best people you know – yourself! lol. And you never know who you might meet.

So spend 2024 loving yourself, being good to yourself , and taking care of yourself. You are worth it. Never forget that. Then Love others with all your heart and seek out those who are good for your soul. Weed out the toxic people. You don’t deserve their ill treatment. No one does. Put out the trash and take in the treasure.

Volunteer and help all those who need help. Don’t think you don’t have the time? Think of the many minutes you waste in your day. Those minutes could be very precious to another. Even a phone call to check on someone is golden.

Be well my friends. Thank your creator every day for another breath and all the beauty life has to offer. Be kind, humble, be your best self, make a difference, and always hold on to your dream. Never ever give up on your dreams, NEVER! Keep them alive and do not let anyone crush them. love and peace my friends. As George Harrison said “Give me love, give me love, give me peace on earth. May you have that in abundance in 2024.

In the poem Desiderata, I close with my more wishes for you and your loved ones for 2024.
A Happy, Healthy, Safe, New Year to all! oh and before I put up the clip let me add something from a blog I found about Motto’s to live by by Leigh Weingus.

Mottos to Live By

1. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

2. Life every day like it’s your last.

3. Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.

4. Be the change you wish to see in the world.

5. Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are.

6. If you are not obsessed with your life, change it.

7. Set some goals, then demolish them.

8. A ship at harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are for.

9. Take small steps every day.

10. If you’re tired of starting over, stop giving up.

11. Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.

12. Don’t sweat the small stuff

13. Will this matter a year from now? 

14. Always remember to fall asleep with a dream and wake up with a purpose.

15. If you are not wiling to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.

16. Always find a reason to laugh.

17. What’s meant to be will always find a way. 

18. If you can’t stop thinking about it, don’t stop working for it.

19. Life is a one time offer, use it well.