If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe!

1 Comment »

Sometimes when we are faced with a challenge in life, we feel so scared, frustrated and anger. We do not understand why this is happening to us or even how we will ever get beyond this.

What is interesting is we have been here before.

You see the situation, the people, the time could all be different but we have faced life’s uncertainties before. We all have had to struggle during our lives and we all made it through it. We might not remember because it was long ago and since the last time, we have moved on to happier times. Life is all about ups and downs and this is will not be the only time or the last time we are here again.

The best part is we will move on.

One perspective I like to keep in mind when life seems to be crumbling down is that it could be worst. It can always be worst. When I think about the opportunities life’s down has created for me, how it could have been harder to handle, I realize I am lucky to only be here. That there are other people in the world who would love to trade places with me.

Sometimes when times seem the worst, thinking about how it could be even darker helps us see the positive which gives us all the hope we need to push through.

Life is about moving forward. As long as we embrace this, no matter how low our life’s downs take us, we will already be on the way back up.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe!

4 Comments »

I would love to hear your thoughts:

What does it mean to be gay?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe!

No Comments »

Today I wear purple to remember all the people we have lost because of gay bullying, to acknowledge the members of the gay community who still face bullying each day, and to celebrate all of us who know it gets better.

I have shared I was bullied in school.

It started out as just a random few times a month to finally being every day and never letting up. I dreaded going to school, I made excuses to stay home and I rarely left my house in fear I would run into those boys again.

In our school, you will not allowed to say a racial slur or call a girl a derogatory term without getting some form of discipline. But it was OK to use gay slurs. Teachers would hear the students and just ignore them. Teachers and coaches in school even used them towards each other or to other students. It was accepted.

I went to the guidance counselor for support and was told, “This is a part of life. It isn’t that bad. Hopefully you will grow out of it.” I left feeling hopeless and I felt it was some how my fault.

I was so embarrassed and felt so alone. I was scared and ashamed to tell anyone. One night I finally went to my mom. I couldn’t even get the words out until I was on the floor crying. My mom was the first to listen and the first to take action.

What I learned was I wasn’t alone. As I grew up, I learned there were other people who would be support to me, stand up for me and know it was not OK to treat people this way.

Now, I am one of those people.

Life always gets better. I promise.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe!

2 Comments »

So what was the countdown to? My birthday!

Yes the time has come again to celebrate another year has past in my life as I begin the exciting new one ahead.

I think it is easy to dread birthdays for many reasons. I refuse to be that person.

I am excited as ever and I am going to make this one better than the last.

Happy birthday to me!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe!

3 Comments »

“I wish that I live a life with no regrets, that I learn the lessons from my life, that I make a difference in people’s lives, that I am healthy, happy and full of love.”

What do you wish for?

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe!

1 Comment »

How can you change your life? These are two ways I change my life that can really help you in any given situation. They may seem simple but they will help you in more ways than you will expect.

1. GO – The best way to change your life is to take action and JUST GO. Sometimes I find myself wanting to do something but get stuck before the action. I do not think I know what is best or what choice to make. I get caught up in the details, the planning and the what of the whole idea that I never seem to actually make it happen.

When I find myself in a situation where I am thinking too much and delaying the choice or action, I remind myself to just GO! I know what is best for me and either way, it will work out. I know this. If I want something to change I can not stand waiting for it, I have to make it happen by taking the action.

2. STOP – What? You just said go!! Well there are different times for each approach.

Sometimes I find myself running. I want change so bad that all I am doing is changing everything, committing to too much and making more and more goals. All I notice is I am tired, cranky and doing way too much. Because I am so in action, life is flying by and I am making poor choices because now I am making them without thought and or even thinking if I really want them.

It is time for me to stop. To relax and clear my head. To check in with myself and see what is it I really want? What is it that means the most to me? What is it I should focus on? By stopping I allow myself to slow down and reevaluate what I really want to change and make sure the change I select is really what I am looking for.

You want to change your life, either will work in the perfect situation. It is knowing when to GO and when to STOP. We do not want to be at either extreme and stuck there. We need the balance and sometimes taking a moment to do one or the other will give us the clarity to change our lives.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe!

1 Comment »

1. Miss Dicks – Yes, that is her real name. Well until she got married. I do not know if she ever did get married but she did mention to our class who quest to be married and how many times she was so close. She was my gifted teacher when I was in elementary school. She would have regular scheduled meetings with my mom to talk about my progress in the program and to help give suggestions to improve myself.

During one of the meetings, she told my mother I needed to be in sports. My mom did not understand what this had to do with being gifted. She suggested it would make life easier for me since I do not have any boy friends and seem to stay away from sports which most “normal” boys enjoy.

My mom told me what she said and told me that it was silly. It was at this moments I learned that adults didn’t know everything. I also learned that people in the world could see you as different and they will suggest ways for you to fit in. If it be by playing sports or working hard to get married.

2. Jinx – Jinx was not her real name but a nickname. When my grandparents would divorce around their 50th anniversary, my granddad would live with Jinx. Jinx was the first person I remember meeting as a child who I loved from day one. She was so warm, full of love and free of judgement. She battled cancer, survived the loss of her daughter and continued to live full of life.

I learned from her that no matter your age, it was OK to have fun, have a spark and be full of life. Life was meant for the living and you needed to live it well.

3. Hailey – My niece Hailey had a huge impact on my life. She was the first child I was around when I was adult. She might be the closest I will get to having my own child. I was shocked at how much she was like our family, the little things she said or did. We lost Hailey at the age of 8 in a tragedy.

I learned from Hailey to be grateful for life, the good and the bad. Whenever times are tough, hard, or scarier, I think about Hailey and how she would love to switch places with me. The best way to remember her is to live my life knowing it will not last forever and each day is a wonderful gift.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe!

1 Comment »

These are the 4 books you must read. I love these books and I review them often. I think there are tons out there but these 4 are my favorite and I feel they give the best insight and self reflection in our lives.

1. Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom – This book was a wonderful view of what our lives are made up of. The people which make life so interesting and the connection we have with them.

2. Happier – Tal Ben-Shahar – This is one of my favorite books because it is so simple and easy to follow. It really helps us to see that life is not about finding happiness but enjoying the journey making our lives happier and happier…

3. Dry – Augusten Burroughs – This book is a story of our lives ups and downs. I believe it not only shows how we can change our lives when we are truly committed but shows the importance of having a sense of humor along the way.

4. The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz – This is another simple book which gives you simple insights on how to live life. I think we can all look for so many different ways to make life more meaningful and better where this book creates the simple 4 agreements to do just that.

Of course we can always add my own book to the bunch – Living Life Out Loud – give it a look!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe!

1 Comment »

I have shared many different quotes I have loved over the years. You can check some of them out here, here, another one here, of course here and, finally here.

Dr Seuss has always had the simplest messages but so easierly the most powerful as well. Here are 5 of my favorite that always get me thinking about my life:

1. “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

2. “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

3. “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

4. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”

5. “If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good”

What is one of your favorite quotes?

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe!

3 Comments »