R E A L I Z E

To realize the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed a final exam.
To realize the value of one month:
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize the value of one second:
Ask a person who has survived an accident.
To realize the value of one millisecond:
Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

Risk Taking Is Free

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool;
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental;
To reach out for another is to risk involvement
To expose feeling is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas and your dreams
before the crowd is to risk their loss
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk failure.
But risk must be taken,because the greatest hazard in life
is to risk nothing
The person who risks nothing, does nothing,has nothing and is nothing;
They may avoid suffering and sorrow,but they simply cannot learn,feel change, grow, love,
Live
Chained by their certitude, they are a slave,they have forfeited freedom;
Only the person who risks is free.

LIFE (one of my favs)

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a war, fight it.
Life is a book, read it.
Life is precious, save it.
Life is a mystery, find it.Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is a reward, avenge it.
Life is funny, laugh it.
Life is chocolate, crunch it.
Life is an ocean, swim it.
Life is fragrant, smell it.
Life is warm, snuggle it.
Life is debt, pay it.
Life is a rainbow, perceive it.
Life is a pool, float in it.
Life is wide, accommodate it.
Life is expensive, price it.
Life is a puzzle, solve it.
Life is a question, answer it.
Life is a road, travel it.
Life is romantic, love it.
Life is a diary, fill it.
Life is a rollercoaster, ride it.
Life is an ice cream, enjoy it.
Life is a fight, face it.
Life is a wish, get it.
Life is time, change it.
Life is a melody, dance it.
Life is bold, dare it.
Life is a treasure, find it.
Life is God, worship it.
Life is life, live it.

THESE THINGS SHALL NEVER DIE !!!

The pure, the bright,
the beautiful that stirred our hearts in youth,
The impulses to wordless prayer,
The streams of love and truth,
The longing after something lost,
The spirit's longing cry,
The striving after better hopes
--These things can never die.
The timid hand stretched forth to aid
A brother in his need;
A kindly word in grief's dark hour
That proves a friend indeed;
The plea for mercy softly breathed,
When justice threatens high,
The sorrow of a contrite heart
--These things shall never die.
Let nothing pass,
for every hand
Must find some work to do,
Lose not a chance to waken love--
Be firm and just and true.
So shall a light that cannot fade
Beam on thee from on high,
And angel voices say to thee--
"These things shall never die."

Believe **

Believe in rewards that await you,believe in the harvest in store.Believe that the spring will awaken,believe you'll be sowing once more.Believe that there's a tomorrow,where no one cares if you can't dance.Believe in the future's promise,each new day brings a new chance.Believe you can make you goals happen,they're just dreams with a deadline attached.Believe that you have the power,believe that you're more than a match.Believe in a shared existence,you're not alone this is true.Believe that right now there is someone,who believes in the wonder that's you.

Planning Brings Your Future Into Present

It isn't enough just to want something. You've got to ask yourself, "What am I going to do to get the things that I want." You're going to need a plan.
Your problem is to bridge the gap which exists between where you are right now and the goals that you want to reach.
With a definite, step by step plan, you cannot fail, because each step will carry you along to the next step, like a track.
All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination. Knowing where you're going is all you need to get there.
You can't get lost on a straight road.

NO MATTER WHAT!!!

Scream to my soul and poison the veins

Open an artery then drink its remains!

Light my blood through the fire it sings

Then stab my heart for the love it brings!

Kill me with a kiss and one shall not crave

A touch of elegance upon my forgotten grave!

Ring a chime of hatred that tomorrow stole

For you can incinerate my feelings, but never my soul!

Wash a prayer in acrylic acid it shall be cured

Then hate me with everything those tears endured!

Change matters not to the one who sees so blind

You can control my life and even distort my mind!

Call on the ghosts of past and future changes

Haunt all fear with wasted word of exchanges!

Then light a candle for my chains it shall sever

Dead or alive I only exist to love you forever..

Satin Sheets to Lie On

Scent, Chanel No.5
faux perhaps, just like her Gucci
knock-off version of a lady
illusion Queen - she is
Slippery as the sheets
she LIES on
Reminder ?
A taunt ?
She was there, before me
today ...
Grace,
Dignity,
Love engraved upon satin sheets
Reminder !
Statement !
that I was there
...long before she

* Some people will do anything to get what or who they want .... even change who they are and hurt anyone in the process .... And some people don't see the devious ways of another ... until it's to late and can't be undone*

Nonna, I miss you

Tears flowing freely
They don't have to ask any more
They come and go as they please
Memories play back in my mind
OverAnd overAnd over
Seeing you smile
Hearing you laugh
It's all gone
All that is left is the memories
Time flew by
Going way to fast
With no chance of slowing down
Everything seemed perfect
When out of the blue
He took you
Why would he do that
It's just not fair
You were ours and we were yours
I didn't even get to say goodbye
Your icy cold skin penitrates my warm lips
An angel frozen, lifeless..
There you lay
Soaked in my tears
While I bleed in sorrow ..

TAKE TIME!!!!

Take time to Work - It is the price of success.
Take time to Think - It is the source of power.
Take time to Play - It is the secret of youth.
Take time to Read your Bible- It is the foundation of knowledge and feeds the soul.
Take time to Worship - It is the highway of reverence and washes the dust of earth from our eyes.
Take time to Help and Enjoy Friends - It is the source of happiness.
Take time to Love - It is the one sacrament of life.
Take time to Dream - It hitches the soul to the stars.
Take time to Laugh - It is the singing that helps with life's loads.
Take time to Pray: It rids us of our excess baggage.
Take time to Plan - It is the secret of being able to have time to take time for the first ten things.

Lessons from the Real world

-Living well really IS the best revenge.
-Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
-You only need two tools: WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape.
-When baking, follow directions carefully. When cooking on top of the stove, go by your own taste.
-Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you respond to it.
-The two most essential phrases for a happy relationship: "I apologize" and "You are right."
-Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you decided to see beyond the imperfections and be happy anyway.
-If you woke up breathing, be thankful! You have another chance!
-Being miserable because of a former relationship just proves that the other person was right about you.
-Real friends are those who, when you make a fool of yourself, don't feel you've done a permanent job.
-If he or she says that you are too good for them - believe it.
-You don't have to attend every argument you're invited to.
-You should lead your life so you wouldn't be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.
-Learn from the mistakes of others. [You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.]

WHO AM I ?

Ok..so I decided to do something different...
I'm posting a riddle to see if anyone can actually answer it.. In all honesty..if you get it right--we are either getting married, or your my new best friend ! :) COMMENT BACK WITH YOUR GUESSES! Good Luck! [think hard]
I am your constant companion, I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command.
Half the things you do might just as well turn over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.
I am easily managed - you must merely be firm with me.
Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons, I will do it automatically.
I am the servant of all great people; and alas, of all failures as well.
Those who are great, I have made great.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a human.
You may run me for a profit or run me for ruin - it makes no difference to me.
Take me, train me, be firm with me, And I will place the world at your feet.
Be easy with me, and I will destroy you.
WHO AM I?

Savvy Sence

For those of you who know me..know that my father is a HUGE part of my life..and I value every bit of advance..every word from his mouth..So when he wrote this and sent it to my from work via email...it reallyyyyyy touched me.

The most destructive habit = Worry
The greatest joy = Giving
The greatest loss = Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying worl = Helping others
The most endangered species = Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource = Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm" = Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcom = Fear
The most effective sleeping pill = Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease = Excuses
The most powerful force in life = Love
The most dangerous pariah = A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer = The brain
The worst thing to be without = Hope
The deadliest weapon = The tongue
The two most power-filled words = "I Can"
The greatest asset = Faith
The most worthless emotion = Self-pity
The most beautiful attire = A smile!
The most prized possession = Integrity
The most contagious spirit = Enthusiasm

Seeing Clearly

Next time you wake up,instead of dreading the day ahead, rise and shine andexpect something wonderful to happen today!
When you go outside,notice people going about their lives, and wonder toyourself what they're thinking, and if they're happy.
Feel the rain or wind on your face,don't hide from it. Isn't it refreshing?
Smile at everyone you meet.It is a fact that people tend to respond to thelook you are wearing on your own face!
Wiggle your toes if you are bored.Be happy that you have toes to wiggle!
Be polite, and say 'please' and 'thank you'.That girl taking your order at the fast food placeis a human being too, be nice to her.
When you are eating, really slow down and enjoy every bite! It's good... well, and even if you don't like it,isn't it great that you have food?
Never underestimate yourself!You are always growing and learning. Just because youdidn't succeed at something in the past doesn'tmean you can't get it right this time around!
Stop complaining about your life.Never take for granted all the joys and blessings you have.Remember those who have less.
Tell everyone who is important to you how youfeel about them! You do not ever want to spend yourdays regretting things you never told them.
And last but never least,remember that life is about love.Give love when you can, and it will be given to you!

Something to think about...

Because I've recently been in the car traveling a lot..[to and from work this week has been a 4 1/2 hr. commute] I've had the chance to: hit that little button that glows a pretty green color that says CRUISE, to have a full pack of my favorite smokes in my lap, to have a cup of my favorite tea in my right hand, to have billy joel's greatest hits at Vol.13 [low enough to hear my own voice, loud enough to drown out the trucks passing me on Rte.287] in my ear, and to be able to just THINK. Think about anything I want! What a great oppurtunity..
These are thoughts that cross my mind:
Have you ever noticed that the worst way to miss someone is when they are right beside you and yet you can never have them?...when the moment you can't feel them under your fingertips, you miss them? ugh.. I hate that ;\
Have you ever wondered which hurts the most; saying something and wishing you had not, or saying nothing and wishing you had?
I guess the most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of because words diminish them, words shrink things that seemed timeless when they were in your head...to no more than living size when they are brought out....
One thing I'm proud of and I don't regret is how I've never been afraid to tell someone how I feel. Honesty is key...I've learned that the hard way. So I know I'm not middle-aged and might not have LOTS of wisdom due to a 22 yr-old's "lack of experience" [which is complete bull], but if you only want to know 1 thing in life know this...DO NOT be afraid to tell someone you love them. If you do, they might break your heart...but if you don't, you might break theirs.
Have you ever decided not to become a couple because you were so afraid of losing what you already had with that person? [I know it all too well.]
Your heart decides who it likes and who it doesn't. You can't tell your heart what to do. You can't help who you do or do not fal for. It does it on its own.... when you least suspect it, or even when you don't want it to. [It's the truth]
Have you ever wanted to love someone with everything you had, but that other person was too afraid to let you? [Yeah..tell me about it]..Too many of us stay walled because we are too afraid to care too much...for fear that the other person does not care as much, or at all.
FEAR. We tell lies when we are afraid.. afraid of what we don't know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie.... the thing we fear grows stronger. [Isn't that funny how that works]
Life is all about risks and it requires you to jump. Jump high. Jump long..Don't be a person who has to look back and wonder what they would have, or could have had. No one waits forever..[trust me]

The Parable of the Pencil

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are five things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world.Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.
1-You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.
2-You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil.
3-You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.
4-The most important part of you will always be what's inside.
5-On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
1-You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.
2-You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person. 3-You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.
4-The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.
5-On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

20 Words to the Wise

1-God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
2-Dear God: I have a problem. Sometimes, it's me.
3-Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.
4-There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
5-Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
6-Do the math. Count your blessings.
7-Faith is the ability to not panic.
8-Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.
9-If we worry, we probably didn't pray. If we pray, we probably don't worry.
10-As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.
11-Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
12-The most important things in our homes are the people.
13-When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knots for us.
14-A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15-He who dies with the most toys is still dead. And who knows where he has gone?
16-We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.
17-Nothing is real to you until we experience it, otherwise it's just hearsay.
18-It's all right to sit on our "pity pot" every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.
19-Surviving and living our life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams we seek require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle -- it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.
20-Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

YOU are the one

You are the one who has to decideWhether you'll do it or toss it aside,
You are the one who makes up your mindWhether you'll lead or linger behind.
Whether you'll try for the goal that's afarOr be contented to stay where you are.
Take it or leave. Here's something to do,Just think it over. It's all up to you!
What do you wish? To be known as a shirkOr known as someone who's willing to work,
Scorned for a loafer or praised by your chiefRich or poor, beggar or thief?
Eager or earnest or dull through the day,Honest or crooked? It's you who must say!
You must decide in the face of the testWhether you'll shirk it or give your best.

Its Not Enough

It's not enough to have a dream,Unless you're willing to pursue it.
It's not enough to know what's right,Unless you're strong enough to do it.
It's not enough to learn the truth,Unless you also learn to live it.
It's not enough to reach for love,Unless you care enough to give it.

HOLD ON..

Hold on tightly to what is truly important in life.
Hold on to faith;it is the source of believing that all things are possible. It is fiber and strength of a confident soul.
Hold on to hope;it banishes doubt and enables attitudes to be positive and cheerful.
Hold on to trust;it is at the core of fruitful relationships that are secure and content.
Hold on to love;it is life's greatest gift of all, for it shares, cares, and gives meaning to life.
Hold on to family and friends;they are the most important people in your life, and they make the world a better place. They are your roots and the beginnings that you grew from; they are the vine that has grown through time to nourish you, help you on your way, and always remain close by.
Hold on to all that you are and all that you have learned,for these things are what make you unique.
Don't ignore what you feel and what you believe is right and important;your heart has a way of speaking louder than your mind.
Hold on to your dreams;achieve them diligently and honestly.
Never take the easy way or surrender to deceit. Remember others on your way and take time to care for their needs.
Enjoy the beauty around you.Have the courage to see things differently and clearly.
Make the world a better place one day at a time, and don't let go of the important things that give meaning to your life.

Going TOO Fast

Live your life like the wind.
Speed up when necessary, And know when to slow down.
Slow down when life pushes so hard and fast, You cannot consume anymore air.
Slow down when you can't seeWhere you're going Or where you're coming from.
Take time to stop and realize What you have right in front of you When you cannot find what you're looking for.
When you cannot find what you want in someone else, Look inside of yourself.
Don't sweat the small things, And make the best of the big things.
Cherish the experiences you've had, And use the lessons you've learned.
Our lives are rubber bands, Bending and stretching to fit Even the most awkward situations.
You can adapt to anything, Regardless of its size or shape.
You just have to realize and use What you have in your own hands.

15 Things To Remember :)

OK...well here I am again. Plain ol' Me..sitting behind this dim lit computer screen that I think at this point has given me burning-red eyeballs and a migrane [note to self:get new computer..quick].
People think I'm silly because I carry around a little black notebook and pen in my bag..everywhere I go. If I get inspired-I write. If something makes me mad-I write. If someone tells a joke-I laugh..then write:)
I love humor. Laughter -- laughter -- laughter...It's by far 1 of the greatest things in life. One thing you should always remember is to laugh.. so remember that while reading what I feel are my "15 things to remember"

1-You should not confuse your career with your life.
2-No matter what happens,somebody will find a wayto take it too serious.
3-When trouble arisesand things look bad,there is always one individualwho perceives a solutionand is willing to take command.Very often that person is crazy.
4-Nobody cares if you dance well.Just get up and dance.
5-Never, ever, everlick a steak knife.
6-Take out the fortunebefore you eat the cookie.
7-One of the most powerfulforces in the universe is gossip.
8-You will never find anyonewho can give you a clearand compelling reason whywe observe daylight savings time.
9-There comes a timewhen you should stopexpecting other peopleto make a big dealout of your birthday.That time is age eleven.
10-The one thing that unitesall human beings,regardless of age, gender, religion,economic status or ethnic background,is that, deep down inside,we ALL believe we areabove average drivers.
11-The main accomplishmentof almost all organized protestsis to annoy the peoplewho are not in them.
12-A person who is nice to youbut rude to a waiteris not a nice person.
13-Never, under any circumstances,take a sleeping pill and a laxativeat the same time.
14-There is a fine line between"HOBBY" and "MENTAL ILLNESS".
15-If you want something to happen,Start a rumor.

Failure List of the Famous

*Einstein was 4 years old before he could speak.
*Iassc Newton did poorly in grade school and was considered "unpromising."
*When Thomas Edison was a youngster, his teacher told him he was too stupid to learn anything. He was counseled to go into a field where he might succeed by virtue of his pleasant personality.
*F.W. Woolworth got a job in a dry goods store when he was 21, but his boss would not permit him to wait on customers because he "didn't have enough sense to close a sale."
*Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.
*Bob Cousy suffered the same fate, but he too is a Hall of Famer.
*A newspaper editor fired Walt Disney because he "lacked imagination and had no original ideas."
*Winston Churchill failed the 6th grade and had to repeat it because he did not complete the tests that were required for promotion.
*Babe Ruth struck out 1,300 times, a major league record.

A person may make mistakes, but is not a failure until he or she starts blaming someone else. We must believe in ourselves, and somewhere along the road of life we will meet someone who sees greatness in us and lets us know it.

Anyway

People are unreasonable, illogical and self centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The kindness you show today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be kind anyway.

Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest person with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest person with the smallest mind.
Think big anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help, but may attack you if you help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you've got, and you might get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

GROWTH

I have recently found myself questioning people when they tell me to "grow".. Not grow taller or fatter, but just to..GROW. ''GROW''--what a funny word. What is growth anyway? After I make myself a cup of black-orange ginger tea.. I sit and think..
-Growth is the result of responding to change in a positive way.Many of the things in which we face are not fun.We all go through hardships, trouble and calamity.This world is full of adversity and difficult situations.We must look at each adversity as an opportunity for growth.You may have had a situation in your own life where you thought that it was all a big waste of time, and energy.[I know I sure have]..
You may be questioning why you ever had to go through what you did.Well, for every adversity that you go through, there is always the seed of equal or greater benefit.
:::I slowly start to understand:::
A seed has to be crushed and broken in the ground before it can begin to grow.If you have been crushed lately by someone or something, it's time to GROW.It's time to look for a way to respond positively to this situation.It may not be easy, but it must be done.
Too many people spend too much time wallowing, and not moving on.Meliss, hold your head high. Rise above the situation I tell myself.

A new day is dawning. Look forward to a better time.You have done your best. Forget the rest Meliss..
THISSSSSS is growth.

We struggle, we learn, we overcome.