My Sandbox
"Making Gratitude Contagious"
Which began in 2014 to INSPIRE
Now it is "Gratitude Intensified"
Which began in 2014 to INSPIRE
Now it is "Gratitude Intensified"
 Life is not a movie...or is it?! I’m very grateful for Helping Build Bridges Across community, It started from a sandbox and now a community. It has purpose and an intent of #MakingGratitudeContagious, many connecting and joining in planting seeds of gratitude and together we observe seeds sprouting and growing. We share conversation, perspective, our experiences are not the same, our way of life or how we live may not look the same but here a common thread is operating from love and with respect to each other. We can exist agreeing to disagree and that is beautiful. My fulfillment is found as some know in sharing encouragement but that also includes conversation. The community represents for me, not sharing Answers but having a conversation, I know my truth, I’ve chosen and I know the Truth that I’m willing to die on but I believe in being open to listening, listening without a need to debate every thought, most times to “just listen” no listening to reply but to allow a space to share. A privilege to be able to share, to have an opportunity to talk, to be able to provide a Perspective, while at the same time allowing those who hang out to share their Perspective also. We all have to consider our truth, WE each have to be willing to decide what to die on...but I would share we each should do the work, our diligence on what that looks like, not just on what “they” say or what we’ve heard but to seek our own truth. A work but when you know your intent, your why, it allows you to live full, Taking a Pause, living aware before speaking having words and intentionally choosing your actions every single day. Yes, a work to be awake, to be alert to why we do what we do. I believe while each and every person determines that, in the midst of, in the middle of, if nothing else we should be able to have a common thread and that is “operating in love” being able to not live in judgment but to share a space of love and if nothing else a level of respect for each other. Life is not a movie...or is it?! As I continue, allow me to set the stage of how this Post was inspired, I posted one of my favorite images, a throwback image in the social media village a couple of days ago, the image was as follows.  One of the H.B.B.A. family, posted a reply... “This is not a movie you can’t keep killing things in your mind” Again please know, I love conversation because we speak our own truth, our own perspective and yes we each have our turn to talk, to listen and to share at least in this village of “HBBA” including the time to agree to walk away from the conversations agreeing to disagree. A tribe with a common vibe but uniquely living our own journey. I’m humbled and grateful for that. These words resonated because it allowed me to pause and consider that the posts, the images, the words, the videos are like walking on clouds to some people, as if posting, sharing means you have it all figured out. As an observer, it could be perceived that one has mastered the skills of containing emotions or living only in positive vibes. Living victorious... Life is not a movie...or is it?! Those words ...Life is not a Movie, really meaty words because you can go in so many directions on that premise. What is life in a movie? What does a movie represent, does the good guy always win? Is the perceived “good guy” the winner? is there always a happy ending? What does a happy ending really mean, or look like? Does life represent something different on the screen versus something in real life? As I considered this, I wondered what is seen, perceived, assumed in my posts that created the thoughts of... it is not tangible? I could add, there are many types of movies, genres, themes, messages but in reviewing my social media post It is not far fetched to assume that my glass appears half full, that my position appears to find the light in a dark room, to be alert to the disruptions, the weights in my life and deciding not to focus on that component, aware, very aware of weighted thoughts because I live it, because I have my own battles, including distractions. Like you many thoughts knock on my door, my heart and my mind. Along my journey, along my walk, I want always want to know the How, for those who appear to walk through, How...My share is my journey but I give so that someone can take what might be an asset along there journey. The choice I made is to “exercise” in many areas, taking the reigns on my emotions, some days, my emotions are very stubborn and not easy to grab hold of but again to “exercise”, I have things that come up that are unexpected, frustrating, so again “exercise” what thoughts are allowed to visit, what thoughts are allowed inside recognizing the intent is to set up camp, to reside in my heart. I have to decide to not entertain those thoughts. “Exercise” is for a lifetime because no matter your current state, you, I, we will battle “thoughts”, knowing that allows us to prepared “when” not if, but when they show up, “to exercise” in showing them the exit, in reaching for those things, those words, those images, that overshadow the worry, that overshadow the defeat or the sadness. This does not imply that you turn off your emotions, if you need to cry, if you need time alone that’s healthy. This is an alert to be aware to not let the faucet continue to run without addressing if more help is needed. To Exercise, to be aware, In fact, that is how “No One Said Easy” was adopted. “No One Said Easy” now that I know that I “exercise” in learning more about the Gift of Peace, to focus on, to seek, to learn more about Peace, the Peace of God, I study, it’s my Focus because like a muscle, the more I “exercise” in the burn, the discomfort. The more that this gift called Peace becomes stronger, the more that it shows up, the more that it reigns over disruptions, the more that I learn the power of Peace. Not mastered, “an exercise” in the moments. Not mountains, moments. “An Exercise” for a lifetime. If any other emotion, worry, stress anxiety could change my situation I would exercise in those areas but I have traveled enough miles to tell you that those emotions are not game changers, those emotions do not change anything. Life is not a movie...or is it?! My God, you can’t imagine a moment in time that snatches the carpet from under your feet, that is a sucker punch and takes your breath away, that kicks you down a tunnel in an instant and at the most inopportune time, noting a loved one who dies or in this case, murdered, there is no right time. Even those who die in the elder years doesn’t make it the best time. These are loved ones and life changes when their presence is gone, that personality, that spirit has moved on and it is a noticeable change, as the years continue more of those we love will part company and every exit represents a missing chair and it is a notable moment and a noticeable change. In fact, one common thing that we share, no matter our belief, our color, our culture, our age, our status, we will attend many services as a guest until we are the honoree. “Just the truth.” In an instant, our lives changed, my sons and I and not at the best time, noting that there would have never been the right time, 13 and 16-year-old boys had lost a father, a dad who was active in their lives. Their dad adored them giving into their lives what he thought a father should be and they adored him because he was there, he showed up and was involved. So “in an instant” represents something that words cannot express. Life is not a movie...or is it?! As a woman of Faith, which is a significant statement and cannot be an honorable mention, or side note, it is the note, the title, the paragraph, the book. For me, having a relationship with my creator, one that started prior to being married, which included being married for almost 20 years, so that provides some foundation of seeking, learning more about God, my faith is Christianity and it is the Faith, the Grace that walked me through an unimaginable moment. It is the Faith that allows me to live in a Freedom that can’t be measured, which introduced me to a Priceless Gift called Peace. A Peace that can allow you to be in a space, a moment with everything being thrown around you, with noise, with thoughts intended to rob you, thoughts with the intent to kick you in a dark room and leave you there. God’s Grace, His Peace allows me to walk in a Peace that I can’t describe, that again key word I “exercise in” Like you, I’m no different and YES life delivers distractions, tries to set up tents of stress, whispers of anxiety, events create havoc or knocks things over, creates hindrances, attempts to paints pictures of defeat, intentions to rob my joy...intentions to be concerned about matters of my heart, many of which I have no control over but thoughts dance around me. The Anointing teaches more and more, the more I experience, the more I learn about this unending flow of this Gift called Peace, a Peace that allows Calmness in the midst of a storm, in the moments of valleys and uncertainty. A Peace that allows celebration in the midst of tears, a Peace aware, very aware of disruptions and noise but doesn’t allow it to reside inside, does not allow it to rob me, my family or generations that I will never meet in this lifetime. Allow me to state again, not a religion, a relationship with God. I learned throughout my journey prior to that tragic, life-altering moment, that disrupted my home, my family on September 7th, 2016, that the Word of God was and is for me a road map, it didn’t make every day easier and it didn’t shelter me from painful moments, or life-changing moments, it provided a guide of what this life is for me, this journey. It didn’t and doesn’t shelter me from tears, concerns about my family and future for my sons. It instead provided me a shelter, it explained that no matter what my present circumstances are , that a living God lives in my life, He is present, His Grace knows my name. He is a God of Purpose and He can see over the mountain and it is beyond me and beyond my understanding. Life is not a movie...or is it?! Making Pain Pay Dividends is my punch back to the evil that sucker punched me and the work centers around that, #MakingGratitudeContagious which has so many layers that I haven’t even come close to peeling back. Life is whatever movie you choose to write, like a movie it has scenes of Oh No, or How will we ever, but for most they have a thread of possibilities, of We can get through, We will make it, etc The posts, the images, the words of encouragement are the pages I write, I exercise, I choose to focus on, it is the movie, I’m choosing to focus on. To living, it is the pages I choose to write. My fulfillment is found in when crazy shows up, my muscles are getting stronger, my exercise is creating a reflex of Peace in the midst of crazy, not to walk on clouds but to be still, to be calm so that I can hear clearly the options that are available, that is just a fraction, just a fraction of what the Gift of Peace offers. Life is not a movie...or is it?! We each have to decide. We each have to decide what to focus on, what to exercise in our life. Life is not a movie...or is it?!  As I close… There is one reminder, we have a place that is “our equalizer” our Chapter that will come to a close, our movie will have closing credits. “Just Truth” lets not sleep on those words. Those words will allow us to choose he words we speak, those words will determine the actions we take, those words will allow us to Pause before making a decision. There is a cost in the process and it doesn’t make me special, accolades and applause...please know are not required. I am not concerned if “no one” ever knows my name, my focus, my drive, “I care” that I drop kick the evil that visited my home,the system and all that surrounds it, “I care” about that which shattered my heart. I care that I had the heart to start, I’m grateful and hopeful to know my sons have an opportunity and that generations will have a choice, that family members, dear friends, H.B.B.A. Family and all those I will never meet can consider that Storms are a part of our journey, that “No One Said Easy” but now that we know that we are “Not Overwhelmed” “We are not Surprised” we “exercise in what we have learned and we live fully in the gift called peace. Flowers will grow out of these ashes. Life is not a movie...or is it?! I’m “Completely” UNPLUGGED from “they”, my vision is sitting still and asking God now what, what can grow out of this madness...that is what matters to my heart. This is not a religion, this is a heart who desires to finish my part until my chapter ends. “Just Truth” The fact that so many things have been thrown my way...allows me to take it personal, “Now I Need to Know” what is trying to make me draw back, what is trying to make me retreat. Now that makes me “Exercise” more and I have no choice but to “continue forward” because I have to know. ‘Just Truth” “When You Know” Some Things are not for everyone and then there are some things designed just for you. Thank you, (you know who you are in this Village) who simply replied with these simple words and it generated a thought and allowed this to flow… “This is not a movie you can’t keep killing things in your mind” ***Thank you for speaking your heart’s truth, it allowed us to have conversation, it allowed for these words to flow. Eagle Hugs Nothing we do, each and every one of us, no matter how small it appears to be, just sharing our truth. If you feel led to say it...than Say. If you feel led to do...than Do. All of which should come from a heart with good intentions, with love and you never know what it opens up to, to what it allows to be released but when you genuine, if nothing else it allows “PEACE”  Life is not a movie...or is it?! Thank you for being Here Thank you for Reading, Listening and Watching Thank you for Sharing, Wearing and Surrounding your life with Gratitude Thank you for Traveling this Unfamiliar Path with me Live Heart Inspired Can We Talk Wear, Share and Surround your Life Listen Up In the Flow of Words Someone is on your Heart #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
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When Strong Winds Blow... Could it be designed, to make you question that what is lodged inside your heart to bring a positive change, to make a difference in the lives of others is not of any value?! Could it be designed to make you believe that the season of your life, your current state or circumstance has nothing to offer to the hearts who surround you today?! When Strong Winds Blow Consider... Could It be the direction, the path, the road That you should Pursue and Press Toward?! Consider... When Strong Winds Blow In this Season In this Moment There is a Heart you cannot see But You can speak You can share The Ointment that soothes a Bleeding Heart You can share what you have walked through Consider... Someone Somewhere Is now Confronted with Consider... God's Grace has an appointment His Ways are not our ways His Thoughts are above our Thoughts Consider... Who is Wiser Who can see over the Mountain Who knows the End from the Beginning Consider... Who do YOU Trust When the Strong Winds Blow ~HS Consider... Every "seed" that is planted has the Potential To Grow The question then becomes what are you Planting? And What will Grow? Thank you for being here
Thank you for sharing Thank you for traveling this unfamiliar path with me Consider... Joining with me Planting Seeds to make Gratitude Grow #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent  Flowers and Weeds...What in the Amazon World?! Along my Life's Journey, I describe the travel as New Chapters, new pages being written. Seeds being planted that begin to sprout which is a part of my why along this journey. You have moments along the journey, that you have to ask yourself, "what in the world" is this about?! I just had to share one of these moments because it is my Truth and quite funny. I wrote a book, "Live Heart Inspired" 2nd Edition; a collaboration of blogs written from 2014 to learn more visit the "Live Heart Inspired" page. So on this journey, I decided to write the book and then next step distribution, I jumped into unknown waters with the intent to share my vibe, sharing words that encouraged me. Simply, trying to move outside of my comfort zone, finding myself in unknown territory I made the decision to release into a market that I had no clue about. A Global Book Distribution market...Only to find out after jumping in that I selected the wrong Paper Stock for my type of book, which created the first issue pertaining to cost. Then "after submission" I learned that Amazon, sets a price above the Publisher cost in the Global Distribution market, which out of the gate, set the price at $53.00 for my book. Submission, means immediate circulation, not a pre-approval on the potential cost, which is known "after" it's in circulation. The book was in circulation, swimming in the waters with the Sharks at $53.00???!! to start. Please Note: I would not pay that for any book including even my own work, "What in the Amazon world?!" is happening. Please note, even as I share this, the price continues to rise. I now offer this book direct only from the Publisher. I just had to share "the image" above, LOL!! What in the Amazon World? Please don't take my word for it, Google the book, "Live Heart Inspired" by Donyale and share a good laugh with me. This book continues to climb in cost in the entire online marketplace, not just with Amazon who sets the market rate. Can you believe it?! This is my journey and my Truth. I can enjoy a good laugh but at least I decided to jump, to continue forward, in spite of the craziness present day. What do I say now...Simply, So be it. In fact, for me it's a game...How High Can It Go in the Marketplace??? Lol. While observing and choosing to have Fun with this, a moment back to business...Tribe please know there is a Direct Publisher Link to purchase with common sense. Thank you for Purchasing, Thank you for Sharing. Thank you for traveling this unfamiliar path with me. Eagle Hugs. The price for "Live Heart Inspired" by Donyale **2nd Edition Direct Publisher Link is: $19.59/book Listen up, when you're pressing through, when you're sharing, if you don't think you will be challenged along the way, my dear friend you are sadly mistaken. In this community, the shared vibe, we know that "No One Said Easy" now that we know that we continue forward. It's not what happens, it's what we choose to do with it that matters. Thank you beyond words that I know how to express, my deepest gratitude, to each and everyone of you who have already purchased this book, This purchase answers an eagle call and with it you are joining with me, planting seeds of Gratitude. This 2nd Edition; "Live Heart Inspired" is a Journal book, with words to consider, with Images and Words to stop and reflect on your own Truth, a book to reflect on your own Perspective. My prayer is that it will Inspire and Encourage you. "Live Heart Inspired" final release offered now as a "2nd Edition" You can purchase direct publisher for $19.59. What in the Amazon world?! I'm not upset: I'm just sharing my vibe with our tribe and including to make sure you're aware of where to purchase it at a common sense price of $19.59/book Amazon, no fault to you, even though you would have to know a book at this price, now at $104.00 +, would never sell. Could it be that you use the traffic, to recommend other products?! It's called business, so be it. I'm a Prime member and I like most appreciate a good deal! I do know "why" you do what you do with books...it's called business, it's about taking traffic for any product, and offering, recommending other products, allowing the buyer to decide. I get it, not upset because I'm the one who dived in without understanding the full system. I accept my truth. By the Way, to "You" the future author who has something to say...Lets go, share your words, your truth and observation, that's a beautiful thing and we are all waiting. Eagle Hugs, Donyale Yep...you already know "No One Said Easy" but now that we Know that we Pick up the Pen and write this page for "this new day" #MakingGratitudeContagious is my way and will always be the intent.
Thank you for traveling this unfamiliar path with me!   Thank you God for your Grace
Thank you for in the midst of my Pain, my Discomfort, my Uncertainty you never leave me Thank you because you teach me that it doesn't matter the circumstances Thank you because you've taught me it doesn't matter how I feel What matters is the Truth of Your Word and Your Promises I can't see the full Blueprint I can't pretend to Know Why certain things are allowed or happens along my Journey But I continue to Trust You I continue to Seek You, your Word, your Truth and your Wisdom This Journey is so much more than Just about Me So much more than my story behind my smile My Journey is no longer about what I heard about or about what I've read This journey is about what I've learned firsthand which includes Peace in my life beyond my own Understanding in the midst of Disruptions even in the Midst of Uncertainty and Unbelievable Storms I Trust You God In the midst of the Storm, in the midst of Winds Raging Is this Easy?....No But You are the Potter and I am your Clay Your Creation The doors that you open No One Can Shut and The doors that you Close No One Can Open So my Journey continues In the Name of Jesus "No One Said Easy" but now that I know that I continue to write the page for this day Life is a Gift A Priceless Commodity and My intent is to Spend every moment Intentionally Being Grateful for that "No One Said Easy" but Now that I know that I choose to Make the Most of This Day This Page, right now, that is being written Eagle Hugs, Donyale All are welcome in this Community Recognizing our lives are very different Our Beliefs may not be the same Our Journey doesn't look the same Our Experiences are very different We don't think the same and everything doesn't resonate the same I understand that and I'm respectful of that But In this Community HelpingBuildBridgesAcross.com Our common core Is living our best lives and the best for our Generations to follow Our common core is that "Light Always Pierces Darkness" and "Love Always Wins"  Who Understands the "Seed" that is Planted?! No one can see it? What is it doing down in the Ground? Will it Grow? Does it Have Any Potential? Does It....~HS Making Gratitude Contagious is always the Intent
 "No One Said Easy""No One Said Easy" Why is this such a focal point? For me it helps to acknowledge “the work”, there is “work”, there is “work”, in fact, I believe there will always be “work”, a continual process, no matter the intent, the goal, the dream, the pursuit, it will and always will require “work” Intentional Living. Consider that we have to be Intentional. Excuse me while I stop to say this is truly a #NotetoSelf If there is Rock in the middle of the road that blocks my journey, to continue forward, standing in front of the rock, acknowledging that it is there, that I see it, hoping that it goes away, doesn’t make the rock move, it will be the intentional effort, the work to remove it, to allow my journey to continue. “The Work” “No One Said Easy” In pursuit of the next destination, of the next chapter, the next page, in taking on a New Day, in embracing the moment it sets the foundation, when a moment comes along to challenge our focus, when words are spoken that can easily offend us or an action that really irritates us, it is knowing Our Why, it is knowing our Why that keeps us girded, that keeps us disciplined, that keeps us focused, including for me My Faith that provides the strength, that provides the peace in the midst of, in the moment, in the pursuit and the Work that says, take a moment, if needed to regroup, but then continue the work. In Consistency lies the power “No One Said Easy” Shows it face in my life in so many ways, one of my greatest fulfillments is my sons, sharing time with my Parents, my Brother, In-laws who are family, all of my family, blessed to have many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, dear friends, celebrating or spending time together is priceless. So many faces included in that statement and that is a blessing. That is priceless to me. When my life was altered, my time was and is challenged, it is not just about what I want to do but now “much more” of what I have to do and in many ways, it robs me, the challenge of having more time for precious moments. Not every moment, but a very present awareness of the time that is taken awaken daily with the "have to". No one said Easy, in the midst of celebrations or my sons reaching milestones and or changes in their life, from the simplest things like shaving for the first time, learning how to drive, or to have to go pick out a tie, or the right shirt, for an event, moving into a first apartment, those are daggers, because in those moments I recognize, I’m reminded on how much their Dad would have loved to participate in these moments, in having a conversation, in the season of their life, of being hands-on with it. My heart gets ruffled, shaken up in these moments because of that thought and including my efforts in commenting or supporting the cause along the way. I share all of this because I know firsthand that “No One Said Easy” and to know that my share can be an encouragement or a help along the way if Fulfilling, it is priceless for the remainder of my days. My sons, going into phases of young men and the things that come with that, being responsible, being wise in decisions of dating or going certain places, or awareness of the dangers and challenges of being young men, all of which they are not naive to, in the world of Social Media and in many ways may be much more alert to it then the village can really share, because of Social Media. Awareness can be an asset. The boy’s Dad provided many talks, many not even known to me until present day and I’m so grateful to see what has grown out of those conversations, out of those seeds planted, not to mention they have a village, Grandfather, Uncles, Cousins, peers who have Men in their lives who speak to those at hand at various moments. I’m grateful for that, that is a blessing. They have Faith, a God who is a Father to the Fatherless, who keeps and cares for them by design, who knows has the plan from the end to the beginning of their lives and my life included. For that, I’m grateful, for that it allows Peace to reign in my life, even beyond my understanding, even beyond the hardest places. "No One said Easy" The battle is and always will be “thoughts’ moments that remind you, that remind me, that remind us what is missing, a mother’s heart, mixed with continual prayers, an acknowledgment of the heart, very aware of a Dad who is not present. I can acknowledge my truth and I can walk through while doing it, it is just how God created me, I don’t want a badge of honor, or words of you’re so strong, it is just one, a voice amongst many, I’m just one, who is willing to Share and who has learned something more about her herself, her faith, her pursuit of now and tomorrow, someone who learned and located about a Healing Ointment for the Heart, and that for me is to encourage, it is a seed that is planted, that returns and encourages me from someone, from somewhere every time. It is a seed, it is Making Gratitude Contagious. Give and shall be given...is very true in my life. "No One Said Easy" My heart is speaking truth when led to, just putting it on the table the thoughts, the conversation. In my home, I believe in talking about whatever memory is there….”I remember the time when, etc..” I do it, my sons do it, it not a mystery to bring up the lives that were here. That includes many loved ones, my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, childhood friends who have transitioned. They were here and sharing bringing a special joy for me. "No One Said Easy" but I believe rewarding because they did say something special or did something that made a moment memorable, it may bring tears to share, but in my view, that is a good thing. It is a good thing to release, to allow whatever flows to flow, words, tears, whatever it is, It is freeing, it allows us to breathe. The stress or the hindrance or the restraint of keeping things inside is what causes sickness, depression builds on hopelessness. I haven’t mastered this area, but I believe I live in about 80% of operating in it concerning those who have died and for me I continue to live with a belief and hope that I will die, see them again. "No One Said Easy" When you are building, pursuing a Why, a place that calls out to you, it really is challenging, you’re always looking for “that moment” of what you see but it really is continual work and the greatest challenge is when you don’t feel motivated, your why is becoming foggy, but what recharges you, what recharges me, is to exist in less than of what is my heart’s pursuit, that is not acceptable, it is the Consistency, it is the not giving up that makes getting up and being consistent possible. It makes every moment, conversation memorable, even with "the work" "No One Said Easy" Thank you for being here Thank you for Sharing, Wearing and Bringing Awareness Thank you for Answering my Eagle Call Thank you for joining in planting seeds, Making Gratitude Contagious Thank you for traveling this unfamiliar path with me "Making Gratitude Contagious" is always the Intent
My name is Donyale, Welcome to Helping Build Bridges Across. You are welcomed here! I don't share Answers, I share a Perspective, words to Consider. Lets have a conversation. The video and blog have a different Flow, go wherever you're led to go or kick back and Enjoy Both. Thank you for traveling this Being Here. Thank you for Sharing. Thank you for Traveling this Unfamiliar Path with Me. Eagle Hugs, Donyale What is Your View? What is Your Why? Do You Know Your Intent? Life can grab you and drag you along. There are moments, seasons that are overwhelming, that you put in a place of questioning where you life is headed. It is as if you are on a raft drifting, not sure where you will end up. Allow me to share YOUR VIEW has everything to do with it. You have decide what you Choose to Focus On. You have to Decide what to let in your heart or not, "No One Said Easy Then Grateful Came Along and Said Possible" Confront what needs to be confronted, it is not completed in one day, but a step in any direction is a Step. Take One, than another. Take time today, to reflect on the questions that only you can answer. Choose to live Fulfilled Today, it is not found by what you have, or if things are going perfect, it is defined by what Resides Inside. What Resides Inside. What Resides Inside. The questions to reflect, journal and meditate on today is.... What is Your View? What is Your Why? Do You Know Your Intent? When you Know and Find That very things can Rattle You. You may get knocked down, but those answers will allow you to Stand Back UP and Continue Forward. Making Gratitude Contagious is always the Intent
The Words Shared are a different Flow than the Video, please engage where you feel Led to or Embrace Both, like a Buffet Table, take what can be an asset to you. I don’t share Answers, I share a Perspective, Words to consider along your way. Welcome to Helping Build Bridges Across Eagle Hugs, Donyale Living Beyond Excuses In considering the Journey most of us are running to get somewhere, everything we pursue, work hard at, achieve is to get somewhere, which is a good thing, in the scheme of things it’s what we do. The question, while running are we allowing space to enjoy the priceless ones around us, the beauty of what surrounds our life right now?! That’s important because if you’re in pursuit you may arrive at a destination but then what will you do?! Will the ones who are so important to you be there to celebrate your moment, there to share your View. Nurturing Balance along life’s journey is important, not easy, but words to consider. The Journey provides distractions to rob you, to rob me, to rob us of our view of all that we do have. So much conversation of what is missing or what is a loss, that we can easily lose sight of what is Priceless in our Hands right now. We can take present moments for Granted. You don’t have to decide or Trade one for the other, be in Pursuit but don’t lose sight of right now. Don’t allow the Thief named Distractions to rob you of your present view of Beautiful, to rob you of what is Priceless in your life right now.  Consider, Distractions are delivered in many forms and Perception that is delivered often can easily become your truth. Live Beyond Excuses Allow me to add, Enjoying the Process, not sacrificing so much in the middle that cuts away at your values, at your core, at your belief. This is a whisper to those of you who are builders, focused to get over hurdles, to get pass challenges, or to achieve new levels, new heights in life and Yes, I get it... it does require work, we know that “No One Said Easy” but with that, our awareness has to be at a higher level, recognizing how to balance what is important in our pursuits. Not just a blueprint that can be easily ripped but awareness, the true value of Life’s Journey, in the moments. Live Beyond Excuses What is our Center, our belief, what are we willing to die on? My belief is that we didn’t just show up here if we have life, we have purpose consider there will never be another you, we have the opportunity to share who we are, to be of help to others along the way. We have life and like a Book, which has a Beginning, a Middle and an End. We should know what we are willing to sacrifice our lives for, what we are willing to give our precious commodity called time to. The Answer to this question always determines our words and our actions, what is our Truth. From there What is our Why? What is our Intent? When we get knocked down, live long enough and moments will visit, what will allow us to Get Back Up and What will allow us to Walk Through...Why do we or are doing what we do?! What are we building in our lives? Social Media allows us to set a great stage, to give an awesome Performance “every time”. We should know that our lives are more than A Post, A Video, More than a great post of a Family Vacation, or a new purchase or new Job, all of which should be celebrated, but what is going on Before the photo, what will we return to, only we know our truth. We should know what are we building our lives to, building towards, again not losing our view of present moments afforded to me and to you. Live Beyond Excuses Friend, there is a Story behind the smile of everyone. Social Media has allowed us to share our lives and that is a beautiful thing but this is shared to You, the Observer who assumes that what you see is the whole story and I promise you it is not. There is always more, so the point is don’t allow moments of those you really don’t know, you’re not in their home, you’re not where they work or have no idea of what they are currently walking through. Don’t watch the view of someone else so long that you can no longer see the beauty inside of you and all that surrounds you. You are not like..? You are an original. We want to meet and know you. Celebrate others but don’t lose sight of what you have to offer. Every gift is not required to be on a stage or have a platform, find your fulfillment, your joy, your place, operate in that zone. It is not measured by what you have, who you know, it is measured by the Peace you have within, it is about writing Great Pages in your Book called Life’s Journey. "Making Gratitude Contagious" is always the Intent
 Audio for those who prefer to Listen then Read :) Written and Spoken by "Donyale" Don't Allow "One" Encounter or Experience to represent a group. We all have moments in life, where One Troll (Social Media Term), one Encounter in the Marketplace, a Relationship, a Job, a Business, a Neighbor, the Cashier at the store.
Face it the list is endless. Don't Allow "One" Encounter or Experience to Define the Group, the Many, Moments along Life's Journey When we Prejudge based on that "Time When" We lose the Opportunity to connect with Possibilities To connect and Build New Relationships Intentional Living is being Alert to Moments Listening Intently in Conversations Making Eye Contact with others and adding a Smile There are so many ways to Judge others you don't know You don't know the Story behind the Smile You don't know What Happened 5 Minutes ago, a month, this Time last Year or The News that someone just learned about the night before You, I, We Don't Know We don't have to Embrace the World I get that is not for everyone Everyone is not on a mission of Gratitude or Love But we all can be Kind, Patient and Not Quick to Assume That Anyone is Anything That Last Time that Happened...Will Happen This Time Unless You Have a Conversation You Just Don't Know Unless You're Willing to Try Again You will Never Know Making Gratitude Contagious is always the intent!   Death Teaches us how to Live
I’m not fixated on Death, my faith allows me to have hope beyond the grave and including reuniting with loved ones, for that I’m so very grateful and it allows me to live aware, to live alert, intentional living. "No One Said Easy", a Choice. Choosing not to drift along life’s journey. I have had a number of loves ones who have died, family, close friends and in relating how Death teaches us how to live, when my husband of 19 years, a friend for many more, a father to our 2 sons, his life was taken, he was murdered by a 17 year old predator who shot him in the back with a military assault rifle and left him to die on the street, (a detailed story is shared on the under Living in my Truth. It was not just a few pages in my life’s journey that was written, but a chapter in my life’s journey, by itself a chapter on Death teaching me how to live. Gratitude was Gracious because it was how we lived, because of the conversations we had, because of the moments we shared, even in spaces of frustration in our married life, we chose to give space, not anger, I can honestly say that I have no regrets regarding our life, our time together, I lived saying those things I wanted to say, I did those things that I wanted to do and no matter when the departure would have come, the separation by death between us, it would have been to soon, he is missed and my heart is tattooed forever. I chose to live a life with Gratitude, to have a home that operated in that space “by choice”, not easy, a choice and that choice returned to me while in a tragic place, sharing that I gained in my present days of having No Regrets, no burdened heart of separating in a bitter place, or things that were left unsaid or apologies unspoken. **If you are now living with Regret, you have to let it go, you can not change what has happened but you can take that, you can take that energy and make the remainder of your days operating and sharing how not to live in that way that created regret in your own life. Don’t allow the burden to be a weight, Take what happens and do something with it, whatever allows fulfillment in your life, whatever allows for you to make a difference in the life of someone else. This is one of the many reasons, I have intensified this movement "Making Gratitude Contagious", it started as a Sandbox just sharing a perspective of lessons learned, from our generation to the next, now it is a movement and I’m calling on everyone to support the movement, support happens in many ways and that is outlined on the website under Eagle Call with ways you can do so. My ask is that you join with me, find your sweet, genuine spot of connection and support and join in with me in that area. Join with me in Planting Seeds of Gratitude, we are tending a garden and Yes that includes we are pulling weeds, but we are planting seeds at the same time. Anything you plant, Anything that you plant...will grow, right?! It may take time but it will surely grow. Death teaches us how to live In relation to my sons, losing their father was the first acquaintance to death directly affecting their lives and what was important to me was that they understood the Grace of God that we relied heavily on during that chapter and will rely on for a lifetime of moments, it was important to me that the faith that they were raised in what this meant, how it related to our lives in that moment and continues to present day. It was important to me that They understood the analogy of an Eagle, something I’ve shared many times throughout their youth, more details of that experience is shared on my Podcast.. Why an Eagle? Along the journey, storms come and this was a Hurricane, it was tragic, but as Eagles we understand that we have to continue to Soar above storms. To recognize that storms will come, not if storms come, but when they do, that you can rise above them, not shut down and not overwhelmed by them but use the winds to rise higher above them and continue forward. I didn’t say Easy, I said Possible, I said that you can. Grieving is healthy, tears, sadness, reflection all good things to release and that includes cherishing memories and conversations for a lifetime. What may not be healthy is when you get stuck in a chapter for years and years and you can’t escape the emotion of that chapter, it is one thing to reflect, to cherish, to share, to shed tears even but to be stuck where you no longer function day to day is not healthy. If this is YOU, please find the help you need, we all need help at times, just do it, don’t allow weight, don’t allow depression to smother and choke you to death. I recognize we don’t all have someone to reach out to so in those cases, I always suggest the suicide prevention line, they are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this is not about anyone else, it is about you being here. That number is 800-273-8255 Death teaches us how to live... The greatest question we can ask ourselves, What am I willing to die on? What is my belief that I live on a daily and willing to die on? Those questions form how we live, how we treat others by our words, by our actions. Those questions allow us in every moment to Take a Pause and to decide our reaction with things that challenge us, Those questions provide the strength to confront and continue through the many things that we can’t control, Those questions determine how we interact with those we know and with those that we don’t know. Those questions allow us to dig deeper on what is precious, what is priceless, what matters in our lives present day. What is “our why” of what we choose to do what we do? Death teaches us how to live... it allows us on every departure, a moment to assess our own life, our own journey, our own legacy, our own belief, it allows us to reflect on the words and actions that we will leave behind when our time comes. In reflection, along my journey, I believe that for every loved one that has transitioned from this life, there was a lesson, their were words of wisdom left behind, that I reflect on and in some cases adopted new actions that I exercise in my own life, one is telling those around me I love them, when parting ways. I was not aware of that process intentionally, but in review it has become very clear that each departure has left words to reflect on from many conversations that were had, from moments shared, from observation of many faces who in some cases could not speak but it was expressed on the face, in the eyes, an observation of those in deep thought or reflection of moments in their own life. A lesson, words of wisdom, dreams and plans shared. Hopes for those around them and for generations to come. The observation of faces that held concern, worries, fears of what if, if this, then this, an observation, a lesson, wisdom shared from observing, from listening, from asking questions, or hearing stories along life’s journey. Reflections that travel with me present day. Death teaches us how to live... how to treat other people, to have patience with those who may be moving a little slower, or who need support in any given situation. We all have to be aware that no one promised us that tomorrow will look the same as today, no one promised us that our journey will end a certain way, no one promised us that our lives would not be challenged in some way, none of us know what we might face, but we do know that we can be kind, we can be patient, we can live with an empathetic heart, we can choose to operate in the best version of ourselves. WE can choose to be the change we want to see starting in our home, with our own family, with dear friends, at work, in the community, in the neighborhood that surrounds us. If not you, if not me, if not us then who? Death teaches us how to live... When we choose to live with an open heart, we are open to operating with kindness, being respectful of those around us, operating in love, no matter our differences, operating in love no matter our differences, again operating in love no matter our differences. When you live chaotically, stressed, overwhelmed, vengeful, angry about something, frustrated about everything, then the world you see will be chaotic, you will live with no peace. Is that the plan? Is that the plan to live a life of no peace, angry about something, mad at someone about what? Is it? Is that the plan? You have to choose to exercise in the moment, making the best decisions in every single moment by your words and your actions. We are emotional beings and when, not if, and when, not if we are not in a good space, it is okay to take time to get ourselves on track, to regroup to regain our perspective before delivering weight to someone else before showing up providing tension. We have a choice, Someday is today and it will Always, always be a choice. I did not say It would be Easy, I said it will always be a Choice Death Teaches us how to live... We can decide what we tolerate and what we don't, Consider, someone is listening, someone is observing, someone who we may never meet took something with them from the action or words that we expressed in a given moment. If we understood how our lives can affect the lives of others, consider the young eyes that may be watching, the older eyes who are observing, Who knows but if we carried the weight of just that, we would have to consider the responsibility of that and it would make us more alert to our decisions, alert and aware of our conversation. I hear, but you don’t know what I’ve been through, you don’t know the injustice, the things that surround me or that I lived with? Yes, you would be correct but from a person’s life who was disrupted without notice, whose door was kicked down and everything known or planned changed in an instant, who current day is building along the way and traveling now rerouted in a different direction. Allow me to say, it doesn’t matter what happened, my only question is what are you going to do with it? How are you going to choose to live your life, what chapter are you willing to get stuck in? What do you gain from a life of choosing to be a victim? It’s a choice, we all have a story, we all have a story, we have storms, we all have valleys, so the only question is what are you going to do with yours? That is a direct question to You. Are you going to allow your life, to be robbed of precious moments, of laughter, of joy because of what happened? Death teaches us how to live... Death it is not a respecter of time, or age, or environment, or color, or location or status, Death is not on our timetable of When. If we could just embrace one thought that everything we choose to do in any given moment, is a seed being planted somewhere, that seed will grow in our lives, it will grow in the tomorrows we pray to have, into the lives of those around us. The seeds of words we speak and the actions we take in our home, around our family, where we work or along the travels we take throughout our day. Every word is a seed and it is going into the heart of someone. What are You Planting along your journey, what is growing around you, what is the harvest that you are creating in your life and in the lives of those around you? What are you planting? Death teaches us how to live... How are you living? Do you know your why, do you know what you believe and are willing to die on? I’m not providing answers, I’m providing words to consider, today, not tomorrow, not someday. Today In the scheme of things we attend the services of those who have died, transitioned on and we are guests and will be a guest at many more until we are the honoree and what will they say about how you or I lived? What will they say about the garden that we left behind? Death teaches us how to live... Thank you for being here, Thank you for supporting this movement to continue forward, by your donations of kindness, by your purchases on the Online Store, by purchasing the book, Live Heart Inspired, by Sharing the website, by reposting, commenting, and sharing in the Community Social Media Village, You just being here for every part of it, I’m very grateful, your support is continuing planting seeds in "Making Gratitude Contagious" You are appreciated..Thank you for traveling this unfamiliar path with me. Death Truly Teaches us how to Live... |
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