There are many in our lives who inspire us, but there are a select few, who just by caring for us make us want to be more, do more, and live more. When these people touch your life - it is not a touch that is brief and then gone forever. Rather it is a touch that lingers on leaving it's fingerprint on each thing you do in your life.

When you are struggling - you feel them right there alongside of you - pulling for you, silently cheering you on so consistently that your heart can feel them even when they are not with you.

When you do your best they make you want to do better, to learn more talents, acquire new skills, achieve new heights, help more people and pay it forward daily.

These select few become your life long mentors even after they have journeyed on to the other side of the veil. They are the one's who you turn to for advice - by asking yourself, "What would he or she do in this circumstance".

They leave you a legacy rich in their acceptance of you in whatever stage of life you are in. They also leave you with an unconditional love, for you can feel their love in every fiber in your body. It is there in the quiet moments of the morning when you think about the tasks at hand and a quiet voice says - "You got this!" It is there in the moments when you are rambling on trying to make sense of something and you hear a quiet voice say, "Shut up and just do it!" It is there in a quiet moment of shared memory of lingering to watch the ocean waves, a fishing trip, the water swirl in the rushing creek, the flames leaping in a campfire, the streak of dawn or dusk across the sky or the blinking star in the darkest nights.

You sense that they share every joy, or the wonder of watching your newborn child or grandchild, feel your pain, understand your confusion and your loss. These people are always with you, even when they have went on in their journey across the veil. There are countless times when your thoughts will unexpectedly turn to them and a feeling of warmth of that love will tingle through you and lift a smile in memory. These are the ones who were PRESENT for you in a way that few are.

How can we better honor these than to be mentors for others in just such a way? Paying it forward by being present, seeking to understand rather than judge, to inspire rather than doubt, to love unconditionally, to listen without an agenda, to accept with love even if we don't understand and to know that LOVE is enough as long as it is given freely. If your life has been touched by a mentor the best way to thank them is to pay it forward every chance you can. Seek to inspire.

Motivating Moments!

I have been wanting to do a series called Motivating Moments. I believe totally that too many people feel powerless in their lives. They feel trapped in an existence that it far a cry from the life that they dreamed of. Life has become a routine of never ending to do lists and dreams being put on hold. At first we were too young, then we had "responsibilities", then there was no time, no money, to many things we said yes too - that were other people's priorities, so we looked forward to doing it Someday.....then one day we look around and we are on the wrong side of 40 and we start asking ourselves, "Are we to old?" So we start looking at the bright moments in our past and start wondering if that is all there was?

However we can change this for ourselves today!!! No I am not suggesting a mid-life crisis. I am suggesting that we recapture the day..... Today! The past is PAST! The future is yet to be written!
Martin Luther King, JR reminds us that "I have a dream!" Today is the only day when you can start making that dream come true! Today I challenge you to get back in touch with your dream!

Today set your soul on fire! 

Today Be:

Passionate! Present! Aware of the moment! Disciplined and Consistent in your goals!

Who am I? I have been many things in my life, a native Montana ranch kid, a small business owner, a farmer, a rabbit farmer, a waitress, cook, dishwasher, retail manager, writer, store owner, truck driver, newspaper publisher, newspaper owner, certified nurse's aide. I am a 55 year old caregiver, a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and yes now a grandmother and a great grandmother. I am independent, think outside of the box, a traveler, love fishing, exploring, country music and square dancing as well as reading and personal development. I love the water and find it calming and peaceful!

I am a diabetic, have COPD, fibromyalgia, RA and a host of other medical conditions that have lead me to appreciate the peace of pain free days and the wonders of modern medicine. Being deaf in one ear and having spent time in a wheelchair and being on Oxygen 24/7 have taught me much about appreciating the little tings in life, like the ability to walk and breathe freely! 

As a CNA (certified nurse’s aide) I have taken care of a lot of people who are facing the end of their lives. They talk about a lot of "If Onlys" That they wish they had done: Conversations they wish they had had, or not had, things they wish they had taken time to do. Health and time are truly the most precious gems there are in this world.

They talk about wishing that they had reached for their dreams and not just accepted the expectations of others.

How many of us are going for our dreams? How many of us are accepting the stance of No "If Onlys" will be accepted, because we will go for our dreams and reach for the stars!

We can’t live the life God wanted for us if we are trying to be the person that our parents want us to be, our friends want us to be, and or our spouse of loved ones want us to be. We have to be true to who God has called you to be! HE wants you to live your unique mission, and purpose and expand your talents! You are unique! Your story is your story! Don't let others keep you from being who you really are.

You need to explore your unique abilities and talents and share your story with others in a way that will inspire and motivate others to be the best, unique self - they can be!

As you focus on your dreams and your role and develop your talents then GOD will begin to bless your life and others lives through you! Some will not understand your journey, but that really is their problem not yours. As you seek to improve yourself you may inspire them to seek to be better as well. Encourage them, pray for them, but don’t let them keep you from YOUR destiny and your Purpose in life. Is there somebody that you are allowing to control you or make you feel guilty if you don’t live up to their expectations? Cut the apron strings and focus on your priorities. Don’t miss your destiny trying to please others.

2015 is a brand new year and each day you will write another page in your life story. Don't let someone else be the leading character in your life story!