Lessons Learned in '09 Chapter 8

Hello - I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Back to the series;

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Welcome to my new series titled Lessons Learned in 2009. This series is a serious look back at my life in 2009. I try not to get too personal on this blog but for this series I dug deep and I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 8 - Friends

• Friends. I love them. After the toxic friend clean out of ’09 changing my perspective my whole idea of friendship changed too. This past year I’ve lost friends, made new friends and rekindled old friendships. I’ve learned how a friendship is made and how to make a friendship last. I’ve learned which friendships are worth saving and which friendships were never really friendships at all. I’ve learned when to share my opinions and give advice and when to keep my mouth shut and simply listen. I’ve learned what a friend truly is and more importantly, I’ve learned how to be a true friend. Learning to be a friend was the best gift of all; it is a gift that gives back. I am grateful for what this year has taught me about friendship. May God bless my friends in the year 2010 – I pray for happiness, health, prosperity and love. I love you all and I am grateful to have you in my life.

Click here to read Chapter 1 - Don't get too comfortable

Click here to read Chapter 2 - Perspective

Click here to read Chapter 3 - Weight loss

Click here to read Chapter 4 - Babies

Click here to read Chapter 5 - Death

Click here to read Chapter 6 - Family

Click here to read Chapter 7 - God

Lessons Learned in '09 Chapter 7

Welcome to my new series titled Lessons Learned in 2009. This series is a serious look back at my life in 2009. I try not to get too personal on this blog but for this series I dug deep and I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 7 - God

• His big lesson for me this year was simple yet powerful; “I will provide”. This year I was blessed to see God’s provision first hand through my family. God has shown me that he can do great things through great people. Sometimes we can’t see it, sometimes we even doubt it but God always provides and it always happens…just…in…time. This lesson is very important to me as this year comes to a close. Right now we are on one income and as our bills pile up and Christmas gifts need to be purchased our faith is being tested. Do we crumble under the pressure or do we have faith that God will provide? Well if I’ve learned my lesson I know that…“He WILL provide”.

Up Next, Chapter 8 - Friends

Click here to read Chapter 1 - Don't get too comfortable

Click here to read Chapter 2 - Perspective

Click here to read Chapter 3 - Weight loss

Click here to read Chapter 4 - Babies

Click here to read Chapter 5 - Death

Click here to read Chapter 6 - Family

Lessons Learned in '09 Chapter 6

Welcome to my new series titled Lessons Learned in 2009. This series is a serious look back at my life in 2009. I try not to get too personal on this blog but for this series I dug deep and I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 6 - Family

Four words; You can’t pick ‘em.

Up Next, Chapter 7 - God

Click here to read Chapter 1 - Don't get too comfortable
Click here to read Chapter 2 - Perspective
Click here to read Chapter 3 - Weight loss
Click here to read Chapter 4 - Babies
Click here to read Chapter 5 - Death

Lessons Learned in '09 Chapter 5

Welcome to my new series titled Lessons Learned in 2009. This series is a serious look back at my life in 2009. I try not to get too personal on this blog but for this series I dug deep and I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 5 - Death

I had this post all written out and ready to go but after reading over it I just hit delete. I feel like I can't find the right words to say but I'm going to give it a try...its not going to be pretty or well written. I'm just going to be blunt and get it out there...

Death is two sided. On one side you have the sorrow, the grief and the pain. But there is another side. A side that is peaceful and comforting. Several years ago I lost my grandmother to cancer. Her death was hard to watch, it was slow and painful. The hurt was so deep in me, something I had never experienced before. One day, years later I was talking to my grandmother in heaven above and I realized that she never left my side. Yes, she left earth but she is still with me. I can talk to her, I can pray to her, I can feel her. I felt comfort for the first time since her death.

Earlier this year I lost my three year old cousin Gavin and although we are all still grieving, for the first time I am able to look ahead and see comfort on the horizon. I am not sure that you ever stop grieving someones death but I am sure that if you believe in God, you never really lose someone...they are with you forever, in heaven, watching over you.

Up Next, Chapter 6 - Family

Click here to read Chapter 1 - Don't get too comfortable
Click here to read Chapter 2 - Perspective
Click here to read Chapter 3 - Weight loss
Click here to read Chapter 4 - Babies

Lessons Learned in '09 Chapter 3

Welcome to my new series titled Lessons Learned in 2009. This series is a serious look back at my life in 2009. I try not to get too personal on this blog but for this series I dug deep and I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 3 - Weight loss

• I did not meet my weight loss goal this year. In the beginning of 2009 I was off to a great start and around March/April I was in reach of the finish line! I lost 11 or 12 pounds and felt great about myself. I was following the South Beach Diet and trying to work out a little here and there. I don’t recall the changing point or why I put the weight back on but the bottom line is that I got off track and never quite got back on. I've tried to restart the diet but I haven't succeeded at staying on it for very long. I am 1 pound shy of where I started in the beginning of the year. This is definitely very disappointing and I am reminded of my shortcomings every morning when I get dressed and every time I walk by a mirror. I'd like to say that I plan on starting to diet again after the new year but I'd probably be lying. The truth is - I'm stuck.

Up Next, Chapter 4 - Babies

Click here to read Chapter 1 - Don't get too comfortable

Click here to read Chapter 2 - Perspective

Lessons Learned in '09 Chapter 2

Welcome to my new series titled Lessons Learned in 2009. This series is a serious look back at my life in 2009. I try not to get too personal on this blog but for this series I dug deep and I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 2 - Perspective

• Changing your perspective can change your life. In early 2009 I made the decision to change my perspective. I was tired of people taking advantage of my friendship so I made the decision to clean those people out of my life. I purged everything that was holding me down in anyway and causing any ounce of stress or anxiety. This was hands down the best decision of the year. You see, there are many things in life that require attention and care such as a career, house, vehicle, pets, religion, marriage and other relationships. If something is pulling me down or taking my attention away from those important things in my life –they will begin to suffer because of it. Cut the stress, cut the drama, cut the friends and family that cause you to take any attention away from the truly important things in your life. So I prioritized and put things into perspective….it has been a breath of fresh air for my soul.

Up Next, Chapter 3 - Weight loss

Click here to read Chapter 1 - Don't get too comfortable

New Series; Lessons Learned '09

I am starting a new series titled Lessons Learned in 2009. I have no idea how many chapters this series will include but I promise at least 7. This series is a serious look back at my life in 2009. I try not to get too personal on this blog but for this series I dug deep and I hope you enjoy it.

Lets start off with a short one;

Chapter 1 - Don’t get too comfortable

• It is possible to have it all and it is possible to lose it all. The kicker is that when you are in the moment you don’t realize that you have it made. Yes, I have my job and I have my health and I have my children pets. But it’s human nature to dream bigger and crave more. It’s not until some of those things were taken away from me (a beloved pet, my husband job etc.) that I realized that having just enough is having it all. My lesson learned? Don’t get too comfortable.

Up Next, Chapter 2 - Perspective