Don't Be Afraid

If someone were to ask you to do something that you have either never done, or told yourself you would never do, what is your first reaction? Most people would probably say "no way" or something very similar to that. I know a man who lives by the words "Don't Be Afraid". He believes that when it's your time to die, that's when you will, whether you are driving a car, walking across a street, skydiving, riding a motorcycle,cliff jumping, or swimming in a pool. He believes fear is what causes people to tread gently and safely through life, and that that fear prevents people from living life to the fullest.

If you were to talk with this man, you would, very quickly, know what his philosophy is. He loves life. He sees an opportunity for adventure when others see a dangerous situation. He takes calculated risks and chooses to live his one life as vividly as possible. Although a few people might think he is just plain crazy, most would say "I wish I had your nerve and your outlook on life". If you were to ask him why he takes the chances he takes, he would, very matter-of-factly answer "If you're not living life on the edge....you are not really living life".

He isn't easy to get in touch with, because he is usually off on some adventure. In his early 60's, he enjoys visiting exotic destinations to go scuba diving, jumping out of airplanes, cliff diving, riding his motorcycle cross country and re-planting the rain forest.

When he looks back on his life, thus far, he has no regrets, only an amazing portfolio of life changing memories. He believes that regret comes from not taking chances. Living comfortably may be fine for some people, but not this man. Taking chances and doing things he has never done before, keeps him from becoming comfortable, and he is just fine with that.

So, if your life needs a little pick-me-up, and you are tired of the same old things, and you want to truly live life, take a chance and don't be afraid.

Go Bowling

Pick a night, invite some friends, and go bowling. For those couple of hours, you will have a fun time, good conversation and a lot of laughs. And, we all know that laughter is good for the soul. If you aren't physically able to bowl, pick some other nonsensical activity like going to a game room or playing putt-putt or going to play bingo. The point is not what you do, but, instead, it is gathering your friends together to do something stress-free, that will become a fun and funny memory. And, if you are really daring, repeat your activity on a weekly or monthly basis.

We all have stress in our lives and we all have responsibilities that we manage every day. Planning a regular escape from those things will give you something to look forward to and it will lighten your heavy mind. Whatever activity you choose will be the right one if you have your friends at your side.

So, get out there and have fun. You will be amazed at exactly how much fun you can have with your friends in just a short time. And, you will be even more surprised at how that one time will be something you will want to repeat on a regular basis.

Written by: Nurse Dawn

Never Give Up

Remember this story when you feel like giving up:

A woman, who had not been out of work for 32 years, found herself out of a job and facing the agonizing journey to find another one. At first, this woman was actually excited about starting a new position and maybe trying something different. She looked forward to interviews and getting up to check the computer for new job listings. After a while, she started wondering why she was having such a hard time finding something.

She was evicted from her house, her truck was repossessed and she had to sell everything she owned to survive. She was getting calls and going on interviews, but nothing was materializing. Things were starting to get very frustrating and worrisome for her.

Many interviews seemed positive and this woman got her hopes up a number of times in the 10 months she searched for work. After completing 158 applications, going through 17 phone interviews, 23 in-person 1st interviews, 8 in-person 2nd interviews and still no job, this woman was starting to lose hope. She really started questioning what was wrong with her. She had the education and the experience that these companies were looking for, and yet, she was being passed over. Was it her age? Was it her looks? What was it?

Some days it was difficult for her to get out of bed, because it would be another day of disappointment and failure.
But, instead of giving up, she dug her heels in deeper, and found the motivation she needed to keep trying. Some will say it's because she is stubborn. Others may say it's because she is not a quitter. It probably comes down to the fact that she needed to feel like she had a purpose and she wasn't about to stop trying to obtain that feeling.

After 10 months of rejection and negative outcomes, her persistence finally paid off. She never gave up. She never stopped climbing over the obstacles in her path. She pushed herself to stay positive and she found a job.

The moral of this story is to never, ever, ever give up, and continue FOREVER MOVING FORWARD. No one and nothing can stop you from achieving your goals, except you. So kick your own butt into gear, stay motivated and never give up : )

Spring Flowers

Flowers know, with help from God, when to go, and when to stay
There is no memo to tell them, that the cold weather is coming their way.

But every year they seem to know, it’s nature’s magic working
The flowers retreat, without a fight, for they know the cold is lurking.

They go to sleep and then one day, as you step outside of your door
They have bloomed, once again, to announce the Spring, and to say that Winter is no more.

Welcome back flowers, we have missed you so, we hope you stay for a while
For when you are blooming, your beauty inspires us and your fragrances lead us to smile.

written by D.Evans, RN

Happy Easter

I hope everyone enjoys a blessed Easter and that the children have good weather for their egg hunts : )

Easter Blessings

Tomorrow has very special meaning to the Christian community, and most people will share that meaning with family. It is a time of joy and gratitude for the biggest sacrifice ever made for us. It is also a time to reflect on the blessings received from family. There are people out there who do not have families to share Easter, or any other special times with. So, as you gather to celebrate Easter with your family tomorrow, remember not only the true meaning of Easter, but the true meaning of family as well, and be grateful for both.

Happy Easter Everyone.......and God Bless : )

Did you ever have one of those days?

You wake up, and from the moment you put your feet on the floor, it's one of those days. You trip over a shoe on your way to the kitchen and then you find out you are out of coffee. You go to get the paper and it's lying in the middle of a puddle and then, to top off your morning, your cat has knocked over a plant in your living room and there is dirt everywhere.

Well, you are not alone. Many people have less than perfect mornings, at times, and yet something motivates them to face the rest of the day's challenges. Small nuances like these can be overcome with a small amount of motivation.

Larger problems, such as job loss, family problems, financial struggles and illness, can seem nearly impossible to overcome. Finding motivation to cope with these issues requires much more than every day motivation. They require extreme faith as well.

If you are forced to cope with one of these larger issues, you will need help from your support team of family members and friends, and you will also need to believe that there is something, or someone, out there, who is much larger, and more powerful than you. It is that blind faith, that will motivate you to face not only this challenge, but every major challenge that you are faced with.

So, if you are having one of those days, remind yourself of how very lucky you are, at this very moment, not to be facing a much larger challenge. That grateful moment will be the motivation you need to face the rest of the day's challenges.

Get Motivated With Support From Friends

I know, that I, personally, have a difficult time getting motivated on my own. So, I decided it was time to ask for the help of others, by starting a women's support group. Starting next week, we will be getting together, regularly, to discuss weight loss, exercise, nutrition and how to get, or stay, motivated to reach our goals. Just knowing there are others out there who are just like me, is so reassuring. I am very excited about this new group and can't wait to attend our first meeting. Together, with others, in your same boat, you can not only survive, but you can thrive and grow and reach your goals in record time. Support and motivation are very powerful tools to have. If you can find a group to join, that meets your needs, join it. If not, start your own group. You will be surprised how many people have thought about the same thing, but have not acted upon their thoughts.

If you are in the Lake County, Ohio area and would like to become part of our Womens Health group, please join us. Our first meeting will be Thursday, 4/28/11, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm at The Stadium Grill on Tyler Blvd in Mentor, Ohio

If you are not in the area, but would like to become an on-line member, with access to our website and all of the information discussed in group, please e-mail me directly at dek1064@yahoo.com.

Thanks,
Nurse Dawn

An Oldie But a Goodie.....

Every day, we are given the opportunity to change things and make them better....for ourselves and for others. And, as is usually the case, the hardest part is finding the motivation to do it. Whether you want to repair a strained relationship, or look for a new job, or start exercising, getting started is the hardest part. By taking one step at a time and putting one foot in front of the other, as the song suggests, you will be on your way to accomplishing whatever you have set out to do. So, STAND UP, TAKE ONE STEP, and then CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD.

Eating Healthier will Increase your Positivity

If you eat a lot of carbohydrates, you could be slowing down your mind, your body and the positive forces trying to help you. A well-balanced nutrition regiment may be just the thing you need to pump up your positive energy. For healthy recipes and information on nutrition topics, please visit my other site, entitled "All About Healthy Eating" at:

http://allabouthealthyeating.blogspot.com

Everybody Needs A Hug

It's Contagious...Try It

Have you ever noticed that when someone yawns, you tend to yawn? Well, just like yawning, smiling and laughing are contagious. Just try it. Make it your own personal research project for one week. Smile at everyone you see and see if they smile back at you. And, whenever you get an opportunity to laugh, do it. Chances are that others around you will start laughing as well. While you are conducting your research, you will feel the energy you are creating. And, with very little effort, you will be improving your mental health as well, because research shows that laughter is good for the soul : )

Band-Aids

One day, a little boy was riding his new bicycle, that he had received 3 days earlier, on his birthday. He was so excited because this was the first time he was riding, without training wheels. He was a little wobbly, but that didn't matter. All that mattered to the little boy was that he was doing it. He was riding all by himself and his big smile showed just how proud of himself he was.

His Mom and Dad watched, and as they watched, the little boy got braver. He turned around and headed back towards his Mom and Dad. He stood up, like he had seen his big sister do a thousand times, and, before his parents could stop him, he veered off of the sidewalk and into a bush.

At first, the little boy was stunned, and then he began to cry. His Mom and Dad picked him up and checked him over and asked him if he was ok. The little boy sniffled and said "I cut my knee. I am so dumb". His Dad asked "why do you say that?" The little boy brushed himself off and answered " I am dumb because I can't ride a bike and all of the other kids are gonna make fun of me". His Mom knelt down next to him and turned his face towards hers. She realized her son was embarrassed and said "You are not dumb. You are very brave. Yesterday you needed training wheels. Today, you didn't. It is ok that you fell. Now you know not to stand up while you are riding".

The little boy looked at his Mom and said "but other kids do it all the time and they don't fall". His Dad replied " Maybe not now, but, believe me, they fell off lots of times before they learned how to do it." The little boy thought for a minute and then said " Then I will learn how to do it". Then the little boy turned around and asked, "Mom, do you have a lot of band-aids?" His Mom chuckled and asked him why he asked that question. The little boy, matter-of-factly answered, "Cuz if I'm gonna fall a lot, I am gonna need lots of band-aids".

In life, we all have to fall and make mistakes and fail, in order to learn how to stand strong and succeed.

________________________________________________________________________

Change It Up

There is a saying that goes "If you always do what you have done, you will always get what you have gotten". I'm not sure who the author is, but I do know that it is a very true statement.

Mistakes are supposed to be learning experiences, but if you keep repeating the same mistakes, obviously, you haven't learned from them and you need to do something different. Everyone around you sees the mistakes you have made or are making now. If they are part of your core support group, they feel helpless, because, chances are, you aren't in a "place" to listen to them with an open mind. And, the reason for this, is because you are embarrassed by your inability to make a good decision.

Do not shut out your support system. They have your best interests in mind and only want to help. They don't care about the mistakes you have made in the past, only that you stop making them. They want you to see that you are not alone and that they believe in you.

Once you can put your pride away and just be honest with yourself, you will be able to learn from the mistakes you have made and begin doing things differently, in order to get a different outcome.

Written by Dawn Evans, RN 4/13/11

Top Stories

Daily Quote

"It's impossible." said pride.
"It's risky." said experience.
"It's pointless." said reason.
"Give it a try." whispered the heart.
(author unknown)

A Poem To Ponder

Some Days

Some days, it’s hard, to get out of bed, your day might be too hard to take.

But you know that you must, so you do, just because, and the bed, you hastily make.

You walk through the house with your eyes partly closed, for the light is just too much to bear.

After coffee, two cups, you trudge back to the bedroom, to stress over what you should wear.

Your mind is racing, for there’s so much to do, and your hair will not do what you say.

You walk out the front door, and get into your car and realize the keys are inside on the tray.

Upset and frustrated, you go back in the house, grab your keys, and slam the front door.

You get back into your car, put the keys in the ignition and matter-of-factly, let out a roar.

"Finally", you grumble, as you back into the street, very nervous that you’ll be late for work.

But you didn’t see the little girl walking by, with her dolly, in a little pink skirt.

As you slam on the brakes, you hear the little girl cry, and for a moment, you are frozen so still.

Your arms feel so heavy as you open the door, and the moment barely seems real.

As you reach the back of the car, and see what you've done, the emotion brings you straight to your knees.

The little girl is okay, but by the grace of God, but her dolly was thrown into the trees.

The moral of this story is to never be so busy, or in such a hurry that you do not know what is going on around you. Nothing is that important.

Poem written by Dawn Evans 4/11/11

Spring Cleaning

As the warmer weather approaches, many people start thinking about spring cleaning, yard work and gardening. It is also a very good time to start "Spring Cleaning" your life. Maybe there is someone, in your life, that you haven't spoken with in a long time. Pick up the phone and call them. Or, maybe you have been holding a grudge for a very long time. Let it go. Grudges are dark spots on your heart. Or, maybe you feel you haven't spent enough time with someone, because life has gotten too hectic. Take time out of your schedule and spend time with that person. Take a good look at yourself, inside and outside and decide what changes you want to make. There is always room for improvement, whether it be emotionally, physically, or intellectually. Your house may need spring cleaning, but, my guess is that, in one way or another, so does your life.

Family

Getting ready to go to my Mom and Dad's to celebrate 2 of my 3 children's birthdays. Danny will be 26 on the 12th and Amanda will be 22 on the 12th. The whole family will be there, except for my daughter, Sarah and son-in-law, Daniel, because they live in Florida. Family times should be cherished, and I am so glad my family is close. We do everything together and I wouldn't have it any other way.

How do you spend time with family?

Spring is here

Good Sunday morning readers. I was pleasantly surprised to find out it is warm outside. I went to get the paper and just stood there for a minute, taking it all in. I saw a couple working in their yard, a cardinal looking for worms, 2 squirrels chasing each other up a tree and a car drive by with its windows down. So, if you haven't already, step outside and feel Spring : )

And, if you feel inspired by the weather or anything else happening in your life, please share your story. I truly want this site to be interactive. The more people that share their words of wisdom, or inspiring stories, the more others will be inspired. You can comment on posts, answer the community question, or post something of your own.

Have a great day everyone : )

Writing is good for the soul

Way back when, I used to write a lot, and it was always what I turned to when I needed to relax. It didn't matter what I wrote. Whether it was a poem, or a song, or a letter I would never send. Getting my feelings down on paper was always good for my soul. Recently, I started writing again, and I haven't been able to stop. There are so many things I need to say and so many ideas I want to share. I wake up every morning and can't wait to write something, anything. When I put this site together, it inspired me and it gave me something to get excited about. So, if you are feeling sad or anxious or happy, write about it. Just start writing and don't stop until you have said everything you need to say. You will be amazed how comforting and soul-cleansing writing can be.

Today.....

Today… I make a promise to myself to not let someone else determine how I feel.
I pledge to stay focused, be a good person, keep a positive attitude and feel sorry for those around me who are unable to do the same.

Welcome

Welcome to Forever Moving Forward...I hope you will find inspiration here and, in your journey, maybe succeed in inspiring others.
Dawn Evans


We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.
Ralph Waldo Emerson