From the Pages of My Mind

        On the PB Community Facebook Page, we often discuss ways and means of finding the ability to get through and move forward after our more challenging situations we've had to face; since the most basic premise of the PB Project has been to allow people to feel they are not alone in their struggles, I have always felt it to only be fair that I share whatever I feel would help in that effort.  This week, I thought I'd share a little of my inner thought processes; this time, part of it comes not from posts I've shared elsewhere, but actually from working through things in my journal.  Perhaps it can help demonstrate some of what I've meant when discussing that topic.

Failures, Do-Overs, If Onlys, and Choices

Life is weird. 

Two, Little, Almost Insignificant Words

        "Be."

        "You."

        Two, tiny little words, used by millions of people, every single day, and often many times a day.  They are so commonly used, that most people don't even think about what they each mean, apart, nor together.  People tend to just throw them out there in conversation as though they were insignificant, little bridges to communication.

Another Year, Grateful for Another Post Accomplished

        This week's quote is going to be somewhat unusual for me, my friends.  I typically do not like to give such significant placement to a quote, but as I contemplated the theme of this week's post, it sort of just came together, a step at a time, and felt right.  So, here's what you get, like it or not! ;)

The Freedom to Be Better

        I've an interesting topic this week, my friends.  At least, I think it is.  Perhaps I should preface each one that way, since it's better promotion than starting off with, "Well, sorry, but this is another boring post."  But I was talking to a friend about choosing a topic for this week, and this friend suggested using the subject of our little chat we had been having.  Of course it was an interesting conversation, or I wouldn't have chosen it, nor would I have prefaced the post this way.  Ahem.

The Risks and Courage of Real Conversations

        Have you ever known someone with whom things just seemed to "click", as we say here in the States?  Meaning, you meet a new person whom you've never known before, and as you get to know them, it's as though you've known each other all your lives, or longer, and/or as though you are almost like the same person, or a reflection of each other?  Some call these situations "kindred spirits", or in a more romantic sense, "soul mates".

        Just wondering.

Choosing Your Own Challenge of Courage and Change

        I would like to start with a truth, this week.  I usually throw a truth or two into the mix, at some point, but this time, I want to start with one that will set the stage for whatever it is that will come after the page break.  An important one, and somewhat multi-faceted.

        The truth:  I am not good with change.

Smiling in the Face of Life's Experience

Ever have an experience in life when you've made choices that led to amazing things...

and then ended up with undesirable consequences?

Or perhaps an experience when you've felt absolutely wonderful...

and then suddenly something happens and you're left with undesirable

(even horrible) circumstances?

Well, I have some news for you!

The Magnum Opus in the Garden of our Soul

Do you happen to like butterflies?  I would imagine we might have at least that in common! ;)
Well, let's consider the butterfly, for a moment.  Might as well, right?

Caution: Limited Visibility Ahead! Get moving!

The future is unsure, so why look to it?  Why have goals and dreams?

        Welcome to the first day of the rest of our lives, my friends!  And hopefully, we can find ways to make the future a bit brighter than our limited visibility might have us believe. ;)

A Letter to the Powers That Be

Dear Life,

        Thank you for being a part of my existence.  I want to let you know some of what I think of you, and the things I know of you, based on my experience, so far, in your care.

Gifts from the Past, Imperfect and Precious

        Had to shift around some storage boxes today, and came across a few, in particular, with great, sentimental value.

Oh, Pardon Me; My Mistake!

Happy Monday, everyone!

Here's to hoping that this week is the best yet, for all of us!

Grieving The Loss of Self

Today I'm considering the loss of one's self, and the grief that accompanies it.