Uncertainty

The past is safe and certain, and yet it is gone. The future is filled with endless uncertainty, and yet it is also filled with limitless possibilities.
Something will happen today that you didn't expect. It might be uncomfortable, it might be inconvenient, and it might even disrupt your life in a big way.
And yet, how terribly bland and unbearably tedious life would be if nothing unexpected ever happened. Though uncertainty is a bit frightening, it also brings much richness to life.
You are designed and equipped not only to deal with life's uncertainties, but to in fact transcend them. Out of a little uncertainty you can create a lot of positive value.
If you attempt to hide from uncertainty, you'll also be hiding from the best things life has to offer. Instead, accept and embrace uncertainty, and know that you can make the best of whatever comes along. Today does not come with a guarantee. And because of that, you have the opportunity to make of it whatever you choose.

-Author Unknown-

We humans live way too much of our lives in the past; what we could have, should have or would have done. The if-onlys; why didn't Is; and the what-ifs linger in our minds constantly. Always, it seems, accompanied by regret. It sure seems like a waste of valuable time and brain cells, doesn't it? So then, why is so much time spent on yesterday? Wouldn't our time be much better served planning for the future, or better yet, living in the PRESENT?! With all of this energy spent on regretting the past, and worrying about the future, we forget to appreciate where we are in our lives! The fact that we have lived another day is another day that we don't deserve. It is another gift and it should be appreciated for the wonder it is. Those who know me will say, "Well, Cara, you should practice what you preach."
I can go along with that. I am probably the worst offender. I know that my life would have turned out completely different if choices I had made early on had been different. However, it does me absolutely no good to dwell on the other choices I could have made. There is no need to consider how l might have been as a person, if past reasoning had been different than it is now. No, I need to focus on here - and now - because that is where I am. Yesterday is over. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Today is all I have time for. During the day, minutes tick by, and with each one is a moment of uncertainty about what is coming next. I welcome those little surprises that each day brings to me, breaking up the monotony, reminding me that I'm alive, that I have feelings, and that I can still eat, see, hear, and breathe. I welcome the uncertainty of each new day for the new adventure that it will bring to my life. What new thing will I learn? What new person will I meet that will touch my life somehow? What new feeling will grow in my heart for someone or something I love? It is all so exciting that sometimes the anticipation makes it impossible for me to sit still!

If I am having a particularly horrid day, one that I want to get over with as quickly as possible, the day just seems to drag on, never-ending, and stuck. Those are the times that I have forgotten to appreciate the uncertainties around me. I've lost my focus; my drive. Those are the moments when it helps to remember that uncertainty keeps life interesting; keeps it fresh. It could be the worst day of my life. So what? "Today does not come with a guarantee." Amen to that.

I have no idea what is going to happen tomorrow. I do know that once I finish this entry, I will shut off the computer, turn out the lights and go to sleep. I know that I will dream, but of what is uncertain to me. THAT is the adventure, my friends. Grasp uncertainty with both hands, hold on tight, and allow it to take you places you never dreamed off. You will be thrilled you did.

Learn to Love

Learn to love challenge, and you'll fill your life with accomplishment.

Learn to love effort, and your skills will grow more valuable with each passing day.
Learn to love making a difference, and doors will quickly open for you wherever you go.

Learn to love giving freely of yourself, and you'll receive more fulfillment than you ever could imagine.
Learn to love being the authentic person you are, and everything you do will be infused with integrity.

Learn to love whatever work you're doing, and that work will bring abundant rewards.
Learn to love beauty for beauty's sake, and you'll discover a wealth of it in places no one else would even think to look.

Learn to love unconditionally, and there will be no limit to what your love can accomplish.
Learn to love life just because it is, and each day will be a grand new adventure.

Learn to love the moment you're in, and you'll find richness in every direction.

Learn to love the possibilities, and you'll make your way to whatever you seek.

Learn to love no matter what, and you'll discover what a miracle you truly are.

----Author Unknown

How do we really learn to love? Don't we already have that mastered? Isn't the ability to love one of those innate capabilities that every human being is born with? Well, some would say so. Some would say that to love is to live. Some would say that love is actually one of the multitudes of emotions that all humans feel; that it is embedded in our DNA. Others, like me, would simply shrug and say, "I have no idea."

If love is a learned behavior, who do we learn it from? Our parents? Our siblings? Our children? Our friends? From GOD? It is no wonder people get confused about the feelings they have for other people with all these different kinds of love flying around everywhere. I know that the possibilities make my head spin on a daily basis! I would love to have it explained to me. I would love to know why/how it happens - this feeling that can only be described as love. I would love to know how love can bring so much pleasure and yet cause so much pain? I would love to know where the phrase "falling in love" came from. Why is it "falling?" Is it because when you experience it, it feels as though you are physically falling, like from a great height, out of control, with no clue as to when, if, or where you will land?

Must be, because that, to me, is a very familiar sensation. Only for me, instead of "falling," it should be "plummeting."

Then to further complicate things, you can fall in love with your spouse, you can fall in love with your children (I did, the moment they were born), and you can fall in love with your friends (speaking of Platonic love, of course). All very different, very much the same.

I suppose I'm not really looking for answers. I can't imagine anyone out there has the answers to questions this complex. So, because of the depth of knowledge needed to explain away love, the ins; the outs; the whys; the hows; I will just have to leave it to God. When I meet Him someday, perhaps He will explain to me why the ones I love the most are the ones that cause me so much emotional anguish. Perhaps He will explain the reason for all the different kinds of love and how they can all be described the same.

Until that day comes, I will do my best to learn to love in all the ways the author describes at the beginning of this entry - and more, I would imagine.

So, let me begin my education by saying...

...I love you.

You Thoughts Show

Thoughts can feel like they are private and hidden deep inside of you. Yet they have an influence that extends far beyond you. What if others could know what you were thinking? Would it change the content of your thoughts? In many ways, other people can and do know what you are thinking. Because your thoughts are faithfully expressed by the life you lead. If you're constantly thinking negative, limiting thoughts, people will be able to tell just by looking at you and your life's conditions. In the same way, when you fill your mind with positive, empowering thoughts, that will be wonderfully obvious. You might be able to hide the specific details of your thoughts. Yet you cannot hide the true nature of those thoughts.

"Mind Reading 101" is a course that I have failed three times over the course of my academic career. If someone doesn't communicate to me in words what it is they want to convey, there is no way at all I am going to know! This is something I'm constantly telling my children, my spouse, my friends, even my co-workers. It amazes me how much people just "assume" I know. Sometimes it can be very frustrating. Other times, comical. Of course, depending upon the circumstances. At work, it is most annoying. We are all there to do a job. I do my part, you do yours. When we work together, the work gets done that much more efficiently, and we all succeed in reaching our goals. If one person on the team doesn't want to be "on the team," and assumes that everyone else knows this, it creates chaos. We are all adults. We can all talk it out, whatever it is.

At home, well, that is a whole other ball game. For example; my son assumes because he puts his swim gear on the hallway floor that I know it needs to be rinsed out. He flips out when he finds that it hasn't been done. My husband just assumes that I have planned supper for the evening when I just spent the last 8-10 hours in the office, thinking of anything but. COMMUNICATION, people! Communication is the key! Tell me what you want, need, will, or will not do. Tell me how you feel. Then, there will be no second guessing, no embarrassing moments when the assumption is all wrong.

On a higher level, yes, your thoughts do show in the life you lead. If you think of life as an adventure, a new discovery at every turn, you are bound to demonstrate that side of you to the world. If you barely get by, paralyzed by fear of the unknown, that too is going to show in your actions, and interactions with others.

I choose to live my life to the fullest extent. We are given but a short time here. I believe in making the most of every opportunity. I choose positivity over negativity; passion over apathy; a smile over a frown, and love - always love - over loathing. I will strive to continually guide my thoughts to positive places, and in return I believe that the whole world will follow. Yet, if I'm feeling down, the thoughts that sadness generates, does reflect in my actions. My thoughts show in my face, my speech, and my attitude. Positivity breeds a smile, a sparkle in my eye, excitement in the way that I talk, and an attitude that can be contagious. Negativity does the same.

Only you can make the choice - positive / negative? Let your thoughts be thoughts that you want everyone to see.