When WILL they get it

There are some that would KILL anybody's dreams & steal their peace, just cuz they don't have any of their own. I've been reflecting back over my life and ya know... so many of THOSE people were in my path... When WILL they learn that I will NOT be defeated? In my first book I wrote about those experiences... My mother was just 15 when she had me. She was on drugs and we were homeless. While she was being arrested, they found me in a bundle of dirty clothes and I was very sick. The social worker that took me to the foster home said, "It will be a miracle if this baby lives". It's as though I heard her and refused to die... I spent the next 4 years in foster care... I was blessed though ~ I was adopted by a loving family... In HS I was told that I would NOT make it in college. I graduated from the University! I was told I would NOT be successful in graduate school (because I was so young). I graduated with my MA! I was told that I shouldn't bother trying to get a doctorate (because of my "beginnings"). I had my doctorate by age 25. I was told that anorexia would KILL me ~ that I'd be dead within a year... I've been in recovery 9 1/2 years! When WILL they get it? I am strong and I will NOT allow anyone to steal my dreams or my peace...

My office is READY! I'm moving in and I'm moving on to my next ~ I WILL!

Be encouraged today! You WILL too ;)

Legacy

So... I was reflecting and pondering the universe this morning... What do I want my "legacy" to be? Do I want to be rich and famous? No. Not that there's anything wrong with that...but for ME... I don't need those things to be fulfilled. I think of one (of many) of the kids I worked with... let me tell you about him...

"U" was in second grade when he was referred to ME. He was getting in fights, failing in school and starting to develope a really BAD attitude. The first day I met him, I understood him completely. He had really BIG ears that stuck straight out... he kept his hair long to attempt to cover them, but they poked out even still. He plopped down in my office and said, "when I look in the mirror, I like who I see, but when other people look at me...they say I'm ugly." It broke MY heart! I called a Dr. "friend" and asked if there was anything that could be done for the boy... Yes. Dr. M perform plastic surgery for the boy ~ pinned his ears back. The hospital donated the surgery room, the "drug" doc donated his time and drugs...Dr. M donated his talent... Dr. M told me his earlobes were actually TORN (from the kids pulling on his ears). It's been years since then... U is probably in high school now... He called me a few years back and thanked me ~ said his life will never be the same... His dream was to be on TV. Last I heard...he was making commercials and doing great!

That is the legacy I want to leave... I will continue to work with these underpriveledged kids... I tell them, "when people tell you ~ YOU CAN'T... you say PROVE IT". So many have passed through my office over the past 12 years... some didn't make it ~ some were gunned down on their way to school...some turned to drugs... but SOME made it. Those kids are the reason I continue in this work!

I recently saw the movie "Freedom Writers" ~ I SO identified with it.

Remember to be a blessing to someone today...

Who Wants To Be A... DOG?

So, I was sitting here... thinking my usual profound thoughts... In my wanderings around in my head I thought, "who would want to be a dog?" Okay, so they don't have to work or do chores... but think about it ~ when we (humans) get our temp taken ~ there are a variety of ways to do that ~ the ear, under the tongue, the arm pit or the OTHER end. But for dogs... there's ONE way! Do you ever feel like you're a dog and the people around you are taking your temp all the time? Getting tired of taking it THAT way? Then it may be time to change your social circle! Ya know?! Start by treating YOURSELF like a human. When you see 'em coming with that thermometer... RUN like a BIG dog!

Remember Me...

Some people have chosen to slander ME and spread lies... When it finally came full circle and I heard what was being said about ME, my initial reaction was to get set the record straight. But ya know? The best revenge I could get is to be SUCCESSFUL and HAPPY... to never utter her name again... to pray that the host of heaven hounds her until she feels total conviction. The TRUTH will always be revealed... But you see... If I stand here and let the grass grow under my feet, watered by my tears... she wins. If I strive for something higher than gossip and deceit... I win. Others do NOT define who I am! If she wants to lie about me ~ then that speak volumes about HER character...

So, I'm marching on in MY success and integrity ~ may all those YAHOO's remember me as the one they spoke badly about... and the one they didn't get the best of.

Dream Big ~ anything is possible!

I think of the story of the girl, with down's syndrome... her dream was to perform sign language with the great singer, Sandi Patti. Not meaning to dash her dreams, yet understanding the slim probability of that ever happening...her mother bought her a Sandi Patti CD to which the young girl practiced faithfully. One night, at a Sandi Patti concert, the girl was in the audience signing along as Sandi sang... This caught Sandi's eye and she noticed the young girl with down's syndrome. She then invited her onto the stage to perform with her... the girl's DREAM CAME TRUE. Who would have thought this was possible?! She had a passion to perform with Sandi Patti and she DID. Now she travels with Sandi Patti and performs with her regularly...

Aim HIGH and stop at nothing until the goal is reached. I've set my goal. And WHEN I accomplish it... I will look back at the silly lies told by ONE and be thankful I didn't stoop so low...

Life IS Great!

One really knows who their friends are when "life ain't so great"... They are the one's still standing beside you when "life" kicks your butt... They are the strangers you meet that show you more kindness and compassion... Life kicked my butt about 3 1/2 months ago... and I don't mean slightly, I mean completely, devastated my life. My Mom called one night and asked me what I was doing. I said, "Oh I'm just sitting here writing a country western song". Naturally she wanted to know what my song was about. LOL "Ah you know... I lost my business, got kicked to the curb (dumped), my refrigerator died, my dog died and I just lost my job." ~ ALL in ONE week. There were more days that I went hungry...because I didn't have food or money. For a while there I was "eating at cosTco". No, not buying food at cosTco... eating at the "sample stands". No heat. No money. Collecting cans for money... God sent many Angles my way though... friends that encouraged me and lifted me up when I felt the lowest. I was blessed!

Other people's lies and deceit cost ME a lot of heartache and grief. I've cleaned up my social circle and life has been so peaceful ~ despite the hard times. There simply is NO room for toxic people in MY life. I was knocked down...and stayed down for a couple weeks... but then I was up and fighting for my survival...

Since that night of my country western song ~ I have written my second book (due out in a few months), developed a plan, received funding and started MY business. I signed the papers last week! Once the construction is completed, I will move into my NEW office! (aiming for Monday). LIFE IS GREAT! If there was anything that made the difference ~ it was the attitude I CHOSE to have... I chose to be thankful for the trials, I chose to be thankful for the dear people that blessed me along the way, and I CHOSE to keep my FAITH!

As Viktor Frankl once said, "Everything can be taken from man, but one thing...the last of his freedom to chose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances." Amen to that!

And now I embark on the next season of my life. Of course there are those that I thought would be a part of this journey...and it saddens me to say...they aren't. However, I am thrilled by the new friends I have made and I'm excited!

Peace and Blessings......

Getting Started

I've never been a "blogger" before... Just thought this might be fun. Since I don't know my way around the computer ~ I'll have to muddle my way through 'till I figure this thing out. Well...happy blogging all...

Krista