Friends – How Many of us Have Them

Friends RULE!

Today I feel especially warm in my heart. I have been thinking a lot about each person that is the closest to me....that has a strong impact on my life. Although I always have you in my thoughts, today seems different. I feel a new sense of realization on what each of you mean to me, my life, my survival of everything. You are my angels, my joy, my love, my strength. I hope you all know how much you mean to me and I will always do my best to show you. I LOVE YOU!!!!


xoxoxoxo
~Lovebug

Life is Dope

Today is Friday and I am in the best.mood.ever. There are so many wonderful things looming on the horizon for me and I am eager to experience them all. Days like today are perfect to look back upon in times of darkness and gloom, to help us remember why life is totally dope.

And since one of the awesome things on the horizon is the Erykah Badu show on Sunday, I will add some of my favorite lyrics from her song Appletree.

"See I picks my friends like I pick my fruit
My ganny told me that when I was only a youth
I don't walk around trying to be what I'm not
I don't waste my time trying to get what you got
I work at pleasin' me cause I cant please you
and thats why I do what I do
My soul flies free like a willow tree
Doo wee doo wee doo wee"

And another awesome thing to look forward to -- hope to see all you beautiful ladies at the Jammy Jam on Saturday!!!

<3
Becky

Take the Negative with the Positive

In my recent quest to keep my chin up, I've been tucking away some of the negative thoughts that come my way. Instead of dealing with them right then and there, I've chosen to overlook them; possibly to subconsciously hope that they go away.

Well, they don't.

The negative thoughts just sit inside my soul until I'm vulnerable to let them out in a way that may not make sense. While working on this renewed strand of positivity, I'm learning that without the negative there is no balance.

So I figure, don't just swallow the negative and let it fester. Deal with it in that moment, then continue on with your glorious smile – chin held high….

Feelin' happy today and hope you are too.
<3,
Jess

Hope Is a Four Letter Word

Wikipedia defines HOPE:

"Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope implies a certain amount of perseverance - i.e., believing that a positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary.

Hope as an emotion produces a motivation to act. For example, if one has hope a bus driver will wait for him, that person may be motivated to run towards it; but if the bus begins to pull away and the person loses hope they can catch that bus, they lose motivation and stop running. Similarly, if standing at a bus stop hopeful a bus is soon forthcoming, one may be motivated to remain at the stop. If that one loses hope that a bus will come shortly, that person might lose motivation to stay waiting and might try to hail a taxi or just walk."

I strongly believe that what drives each one of us is an underlying hope for a better tomorrow. We have come so far because we all have it deep within ourselves, and we will continue to strive for something better with the hope that we will get it.

Like a long lonely stream, I keep running towards a dream, moving on, moving on,
Like a branch on a tree, I keep reaching to be free, moving on, moving on.
Cause there's a place in the sun where there's hope for everyone,
where my poor, restless heart's gotta run.

--- Stevie Wonder, A Place in the Sun

Sending you love and hope for a brighter day,
- Becky
<3<3<3

Gratitude

Today I am grateful for.........

Take the time everyday to be grateful. Grateful for all the beautiful things, experiences and people you have been blessed with. I promise it will make you smile.

Today I stepped out of bed, took a deep breath in and the first words out of my mouth were "I am so grateful to be alive". It was the perfect start to my day. As I walked to the bathroom to do the daily routine, I kept reminding myself of everything I am grateful for. As my day continues, I continue to be grateful. And as I continue to be grateful, I continue to have a peaceful heart and a smile on my face. I am SO lucky and SO grateful for SO many things. My goal is to make this a daily routine, that will keep me from ever forgetting how great life is no matter what bumps I hit along the way.

Give it a try. It feels wonderful!!!

Much love always!
Lovebug

Combating Illness with Positivity

"Affirm the positive, visualize the positive and expect the positive, and your life will change accordingly." - Annonymous

Right now someone very close to me is falling ill once again. During these times I find it hard to think as positively as possible. Knowing in my heart that those positive thoughts can turn any sickness around, sometimes I subconsciously choose to wallow in despair.

Yesterday I made the decision to not wallow but to refocus on my strength and his as well. Although sickness is testing him and us, I am choosing to fight negative thoughts with beauty and love.

Positivity can heal thoughts, hearts, sickness and even that sour attitude that loves to linger when times are tough.

With hope for a healthy tomorrow,
Jess

Revitalize Your Soul

Life is a one way street ain't it?
If you could paint it,
I'd draw myself going in the right direction.
So I go all the way, Like I really really know,
but the truth is, I'm only guessing.
--- Gnarls Barkley - Just a Thought

No one knows what the hell they are doing in life. Even the most motivated, driven and successful people don't know what the fuck they're doing. Everything is a guesstimate. It's all a game. Don't get down on yourself if maybe you're not doing what you're "supposed" to be doing. Who the hell knows what that is anyway?? Ask yourself what is really important to you. Follow your instincts. Do what you think and feel is right for you. No one can tell you what that is. You'll have to figure it out on your own.

I have heard people say, "If only I had been more focused and didn't party as much when I was younger, I would be in a better position today." While that may be true, would you have had as much fun in your life? It's important to find a balance between completely slacking and working yourself to death.

For those of us who are approaching, or are already in our 30's, the pressure is on. Time to conform to society's views of marriage, 1.5 kids, house ownership and a successful career. When did the American Dream becomes more of a burden than a fantasy -- more of a requirement than a desire?

All in your own time. Don't feel like you have to have the salary, the house, the car, the kids by age ____. Don't put limits on yourself. It will come eventually. Keep working towards the goals that YOU want to achieve and you will ultimately find what you are looking for.

Try not to take life and all its massive confusions and stressful situations too seriously. Because in the end -- what does it all mean? Make sure you are really taking the time to enjoy your life exactly as it is right now... because it will never be the same again!

"Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted." -- John Lennon

Enjoy your life!
-Becky