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Tag Archives: Happiness

The Best of Your Life

04 Thursday Jun 2015

Posted by Ana J. in Freedom, Growth, Happiness, Learn, Life, Live, Love

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Growth, Happiness, Journey, learn, Life, Live, Love

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Dear Daughter,

“You can miss the rest of your life, which could be the best of your life, by focusing on what was the worst of your life.” Write it down. Memorize it. Never forget it. I can’t tell you how many times I have made my “today” so much more stressful than it had to be because I refused to let go of my “yesterday.” So many missed opportunities, so many unnecessary arguments, so much negative energy wasted.

Sometimes it’s difficult to just let things go, especially when you feel offended. Trust me… I know! I, for one, can hold a grudge (with a tight grip) until the end of time. At some point, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I realized how much effort it actually takes to hold a grudge against someone. It takes effort to intentionally ignore someone when they are in the room. It takes effort to drag someone’s name through the mud trying to convince others of your point of view. It takes effort to be mad, angry, and mean. All that effort for nothing in return… It’s just not worth it!

I recently had an intense discussion with a close friend about something they did that offended me. Not only was I offended, I was extremely hurt by their lack of sensitivity regarding how their behavior affected me. It reflected in my attitude, in the way I talked to them, and in my behavior when they were around. Needless to say, it put a huge strain on our relationship. We didn’t hang out as much and we didn’t communicate as often. But what I didn’t recognize was how often I brought up the SAME issue even after it was discussed and resolved. I just kept beating that dead horse. For some reason, I couldn’t get over it. I realized it wasn’t them… It was MY issue. I had to dig deep and find out why I couldn’t move on. I had to do the heart work and it was not easy. I was missing out on the best of our friendship because I was so focused on the worst.

My Love, always remember heart work is hard work. Do the work so that you can move forward from the worst of your life and start enjoying the best of it!

Respect the Process,

 Ana J.

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A Mother’s Love

14 Thursday May 2015

Posted by Ana J. in Encouragement, Growth, Happiness, Journey, Learn, Lessons, Live, Love, Power, Purpose

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

A Mother's Love, Advice, Encouragement, Grace, Grow, Happiness, Journey, learn, lessons, Live, Love, Maturity, Mother's Day, Purpose

A Mother's Love

Mother’s Day has always held such a special place in my heart and I’m sure it has for you too. Over the last several years, it has gained even deeper meaning to me. Three years ago, on Mother’s Day, my grandmother, affectionately called Grandma Lulu, went on to be with the Lord. That day, as I reflected on the impact Grandma Lulu had on my life, I was saddened because I never told her how much she meant to me. I never want that to happen again. Experiencing such tragedy has shown me that my biggest regret in life would be to never express how much my own mother has impacted my life. In honor of Mother’s Day and your birthday (tomorrow), Mom, this letter is for you!

Dear Mom,

I would be remiss if I didn’t express my deepest gratitude to you for the example you have set before me over the last twenty-seven years. You have taught me countless lessons over the years. I have not only learned through the many dialogues and heart-to-heart chats we’ve had about life, but I would say the greatest lessons that I have learned were taught without you even speaking a word. I have watched you over the years, observing how you handle various circumstances. The most impactful lesson: grace, class, and prayer always triumph! I am so thankful that God trusted you to deposit in me the essentials of life and humanity. You taught me the importance of spirituality, but you have also instilled the importance of being the best that I can be… the best citizen… the best human… the best person… the best me.

Your character is second to none. Your love and compassion for others supersedes what I could ever imagine to be. You have delicately transformed our house into a home. “Home is where the heart is” and your heart is impeccable. Your graciousness to not only raise your own children but also extend your nurturing and loving spirit to our friends and acquaintances is remarkable. The warmth you carry with you creates a peaceful, comforting environment everywhere you go. The grace and class you consistently display, even in times of discord, is admirable.

I can only hope to be half of the daughter, sister, mother, wife, mentor, leader, and overall woman that you are! Over the years I have seen that the heart of my father safely trusts you. Everyday, you do him good and not evil. You watch over our house. You are clothed in strength and honor. You always speak wisdom. Your children call you blessed… Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. You are a woman who fears the Lord. You are praised. So, I honor you… not just today… but everyday.

I Love You to Life,

Ana J.

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The Truth About Happiness

02 Monday Feb 2015

Posted by Ana J. in Happiness, Learn, Lessons

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Happiness, Joy, learn, lessons

Dear Daughter,

There will come a time in your life when you explore the idea of happiness. When this happens, you may have feelings of confusion, worthlessness, depression, discontent, or even fatigue. You may question your purpose and why you were placed on this earth. If you’re anything like me, you may look for happiness in relationships, material comforts, or over commitment – if I’m always busy I have to find happiness in something I’m doing, right? WRONG! Just as I have learned, you too will see that none of these things will satisfy the emptiness you feel inside.

Happiness: “a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” There was a point in my life when everything just seemed so (for lack of a better term) “blah.” I was just going through the motions and keeping myself busy but I wasn’t happy. I noticed the more I searched for happiness externally, the more frustrated I become internally… leaving an unexplainable void plaguing every facet of my life. What I didn’t realize then, was that it could never be satisfied with external possessions. It just won’t work.

On my quest to be happy, I realized what I was missing… Joy: “a source or cause of delight”; a subtle change in wording but a HUGE difference in meaning. Happiness directs our thoughts to outward circumstances but joy focuses our attention to the Source. When you have joy, everything around you can come crashing down but you won’t crash and burn with it. Weeping may endure for a night but joy does come in the morning! As long as we keep our eyes on the Source and allow Him to direct our paths, our joy will sustain. My love, in every situation, never forget those who sow in tears will reap in joy… ALWAYS!

There is joy in the process,

Ana J.

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