About 3 years ago I received a gift from my eldest daughter. I’ve always been an inspirational person, non-materialistic. So when I opened this note and read it, my heart was filled with more sentiment than you could ever imagine. It was a quote that she had written out on the back of a bookmark. On the front was the word LOVE that she colored in bright highlights. As much as we like things to happen quickly in our lives, they must grow slowly in order to last. While all this push comes to rushing the only life that we get to live……it’s important to remember what’s truly valuable to us. I like a lot of famous quotes, but this one here by Josiah Gilbert Holland is one of the only ones I truly live by……..thanks to my beautiful daughter.

It’s now a bookmark in my life. I used to get anxiety and stress like you wouldn’t believe. Part of that was because I lived so far away from them. When you try to be strong and hold down the fort for your own well being, sometimes it’s not enough. Maybe she knew deep down spiritually that I needed to read this. That I needed to know that everything was going to be alright. Stop trying to make things happen that will happen if they’re meant to be. I still pushed the fact that I needed to be closer to them and that will never change. As they grow older and I know they will move on to explore their own lives, but as a mother you want them to be close. Anything more than 20 miles is too far a distance. In all reality I have learned to let go of the things that I cannot change and make adjustments to the things I can. I did relocate to be in the same area as them. It was a decision we made to better ourselves and although I know this is not a location I want to live in forever, all things in succession.

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Whether in our business, personal or spiritual lives, one thing at a time. I do not need to rush anything. I honestly don’t care about a lot of things. Doug is the complete opposite when it comes to bills, being prompt and on time, making sure things get done a certain way…..and here I am, like…….it is whatever! I’m not going to live my life in stress { although that comes naturally, almost impossible to avoid at times }, I cannot risk my health. It’s already really bad at times. I can’t live in pain, fear, anxiety or stress. I just cannot. It’s just not healthy.

We can only do so much in a day, a month, a year!

If you live a structured life, much like I do…….yet you’re still feeling overwhelmed with trying so hard and not getting anywhere:

• step back – take a moment to breathe again! working every single day, worrying about ( anything ) is going to drive you mad. rest, relax and de-stress.
• I’m not much of a reader but I do love a good audio book.
• drink more water – this is truly hard for me but it does in fact help me breathe. I remember almost having a heart attack because my anxiety was so bad……if drinking water is hard for you too, simply run the bath water ( not filling it ) and just rush the water over your body with a cup.
• try something new – today instead of going thrifting, I am going to the library.

Mental health awareness is something very new to me. I know little about it. I believe we all have some type of mental health issue { at some point in our lives }. It’s learning how to cope, understanding and acknowledging.

a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community

Quotes, writing and reading ( listening to audio ) helps me deal with everyday life when it gets to be ‘too much’. I cannot express how much a little note such as this makes a person feel. It’s the little things, for sure. Mackenzie Bryanne, you are genuinely benevolent. Your gentle, caring nature is from a heart of gold. I know you have battled your own mental health issues and I wanted you to know that you saved my life so many times and I’ll never be able to repay you for that. I love you girls more than anything this world has to offer. Just knowing that I raised you means enough to me. Because I know you’re smart and that you’ll be able to conquer anything.

there is no royal road to anything – one thing at a time, all things in succession. that which grows fast, withers as rapidly. that which grows slowly, endures – josiah gilbert holland

I wanted to invite you to share your story if you would be so kind to do so! I’m leaving the books wide open. I am an open book. I love life and all it’s messes, chaos, troubles, beauty, happiness, and sadness. If you don’t feel so enticed to write publicly, it can certainly be anonymous. The guidelines on our ‘who are you’ page do not have to be followed to a T. We also do not have to link to you at all. You can post a story here for fun, for secrets, etc.

Until next time, more coffee please. If you have an idea or wish to collab, please contact us.