Brave Heart, Brave Soul. She who is brave is free.

“If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents, and all the generations of your ancestors. All of them are ALIVE in this moment, Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh Fate. It’s an ominous word if you really think about it. I mean destiny can seem out of our hands, much like who and where we come from do. From the moment we’re born our lives are set out on a path and not always the one we’d have chosen if we’d been asked, right? Whether our ancestors called it God’s will, divine decree, the Fates or Norns, determination, resolve and backbone still shape who we become.  Merida, of Disney’s Brave fame is a good example of fearing fate, and in many ways running from who she was born to be. She’d lost track of where she’d come from, neglected her family's struggles, overlooking and disregarding both her mother and father's sacrifices before her and in turn the effect her actions had on her own d...

“Make your heart the most beautiful thing about you.” `Unknown If I told you my story without leaving out any of the sorted details, you'd probably think I was crazy or certifiably coo coo.  And I really wouldn't blame you. After all, some of my chapters are a bit far fetched. Page after page filled with nothing but drama, loss, dismay and dark humor. I mean seriously, I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried. My life, well it’s been action packed from the get-go. My mama can sure attest to this fact too. The night I came into this world was just as eventful. As usual, I was running late. Seriously, even in the womb I was stubborn. So much so, despite being two weeks behind schedule, my mama was unconvinced she was in labor. As her contractions worsened, mama swore up and down she was in false labor. I had other ideas. I was coming into this world, like it or not, head first. Mama might a had doubts but her nurse had none. I was on my way. And like a good southern woma...

"Every test in our lives makes us bitter or better, every problem comes to break or make us. The choice is ours whether we become victim or victor." ~ Unknown This month marks my 11th year recognizing BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. To be honest the color pink is not really my thing these days. I'm more than a number and far more than any color can define me. I'm a Survivor, and as such I understand the importance and necessity of honoring and recognizing all those who have fought and won this battle as much as remembering the lives of those taken far too soon. And so today I want to share some personal thoughts with you. Truthfully, I'm in a much better place than I was a decade ago. I've learned to accept my scars and to live free from fear. But this hasn't been an easy task, let me tell you. So today, why don't you come with me, back a ways. I think maybe it's time my story is told fully, not as a victim but as a woman who's com...

“If you could change you fate, would you?” It’s a fascinating question asked in one of my favorite movies, Brave. I love Merida, she’s a spitfire, strong, sassy, opinionated and of course a redhead too. Merida’s also very determined to write her own story. As the tale of Merida plays out she is given a choice to make, she can change her fate or not.  She is warned by the Wise Woman but she fails to understand, “Fate be changed, look inside. Mend the bond torn by pride.”  In the process by working to “fix” her life, the fate she’s been dealt, everything in Merida’s life falls apart.  The fact is it’s not what she wants that ultimately sets her off course, it’s in the way she attempts to get it. This is the thing we fail to realize many times, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” C.S. Lewis nailed it right on the head didn’t he?   I have thought about what life would have been like without breast cancer many times. Beli...

I’m going to step out of my box today. I’m going to speak boldly, courageously. I have something to say and I need to clear my chest so to speak. I think too many times those of us with strong, independent and sensitive souls are misunderstood. For the most part we’re liked and yes loved but there are those who have no taste for us in the least. For years I tried to please everyone. Not only is this impossible, it’s toxic to our well-being. I didn’t handle rejection very well at all for a long time.  I was crushed, undone by the brush-off.  In recent years I have come to understand, it has nothing to do with me. It comes down to apples and oranges.  The reality is I'm never going to be everyone’s best friend. And you know what, that’s OK! Life lesson #45:  I'm more than what you see. I am strong, I am kind and I am giving.  What I am not is a doormat. Many times we feel we have to stay quiet while others seek to provoke us. In life we are alwa...

When the Fates step in, they can bring many things our way...beauty, joy, sadness, death or a mixture of emotions for that matter.  We may feel she has not been fair to us, given us the short end of the stick or maybe we are left standing on green pastures rather than infertile land. Maybe they bring goodness and kindness our way today rather than the fear and worry of yesterday. Either way, if we are relying on the Fate alone to chart our path, then we are gambling with our lives and with our joy, happiness and the inner peace we find in knowing our lives are in God’s hands. Now does this mean we are always happy where God is leading us or some kind of angelic peace takes over the worry our lives create? Nope, not at all, life is tough. No one is given an easy road even if they are born into what appears to the outside world as perfect. Money, material things and beauty are not the answer nor are they the key to finding happiness. Happiness, true happiness comes from another p...