Learn to LOVE one another no matter what

Love is the universal language.
Love is what it's all about.
Love is kind; love is gentle; love is generous
Love is unconditional; love is beautiful
Love is the best feeling in the world
Love is so special and such a wonderful gift
Love is a gift to oneself and to others
Without it, it can a very lonely world to live in
A lonely world within ourselves
We must learn to love one another no matter what
Everyone deserves to love and to be loved
God's gift of love is the highest
May we all embrace him in our lives
May we follow in his footsteps loving everyone and everything unconditionally
In his eyes we are all equally deserving of his love
Love makes someone happy, makes someone cry, makes someone feel
such unbelievable raw emotion
Love brings joy and laughter, beauty and breath-taking delight

Love gives new life and put smiles in people's hearts
Love knows no color, love knows no gender and love knows no limits
Allow yourself to embrace LOVE and all the magical wonders of it
We must learn to LOVE one another no matter what

Enjoy the Silence

Ahhh, peace and quiet
As I sit in a room all by myself
I am able to gather my thoughts
I can hear nothing but my breathing
Inhale and exhale as I try to concentrate
In a room all by myself
I can feel my body start to relax
I learn to appreciate the calmness within
All I can think of is making the most of this time alone
Finding peace and serenity as I accept it in
My heart beats to it's own flowing rhythm
My mind is released of tension and resistance
My body reposed
I sit here in a room all by myself
As I Enjoy the Silence

SELF-LOVE, is it possible?

SELF-LOVE~
Does anyone ever really find it in their lives? Is it possible?
Some of us including myself find that it is possible to love oneself but may take a whole lifetime. It makes us wonder, between what we had gone through in our past and the past relationships we had, could it ever come to be.

I had shown one of my recent blogs entitled "IN TIME" to a dear friend of mine who is one of my biggest fans.  I was sitting there with her as she read it out loud.  When she reached that line where I said "I knew in time I would have self-love" she stopped and got very emotional and began to cry.  Her feelings overwhelmed her and she wepped.  It seemed to have been to my friend a very sensitive and poignant line that really touched her heart.  I had begun to get emotional myself.  My eyes welled up as I comforted my friend and put my hand on her arm and shoulder to let her know it was okay.

Some of us do find "IN TIME" that self-love is indeed possible.  And when we realize that we have entered into this new way of thinking and feeling about ourselves there is never any turning back.  Self-lovin' is the best lovin' as a friend once told me.  I think if we get to that point where we realize that

the instinct or desire to promote one's own well-being is imperative in order for us to live the best lives we can in this world, there is nothing stopping us from reaching our goals, our dreams or even our desires.

 

This all just comes full circle when I reference back to the main title of my blog.  "When do you realize you want more out of life".  When do you realize that self-love is a number one necessity in order to be fully, truly and honestly loving someone else, taking care of one's health and living life to it's fullest capacity.  That is quite a tall order.  But yet is so very possible.  Now for me, it took about a years worth of therapy, a new view and focus on life, and maybe could use some more therapy.  I am not saying I am the epitome of self-love.  Lord knows I am not.  But I am an example that it is possible.  With the much needed help and guidance that is required, because we all know it is very difficult to get there alone, anything is possible.

 

This is the dreamer in me talking now, but if we all were able to find self-love knowing what that leads to; a deep and sincere love for others, kindness, compassion and a gentleness towards ourselves and others, wouldn't this world be a better place?  To have that belief that people are good-hearted, loving, caring, sincere in thought and action, peace would be a much more common and used word in our everyday vocabulary.  A girl can dream, can't she?

 

 

IN TIME

I knew at one point in time my life would be different.
I knew in time I would see things in a new light.
I knew in time that brick would fall from the sky
and hit me in the head.
I knew in time that I would get a better focus on life.
I knew in time that I was destined for change.
I knew in time with the much needed help I would be
on the right track.
I knew in time that I would find self-love.
I knew in time that my life would be what I make of it.
I knew in time I would find me.
I knew in time that I would find joy within
I knew in time that my life would never be the same.
I knew in time I would know God's love.
I knew in time I would be inspired.
I knew in time I would love life again.
I knew in time I would be grateful for all of his blessings.

I knew in time I would be Laura again.

LEARNING TO BE THANKFUL

I have been on a role these past few days wanting to get out all my thoughts and feelings right here for all of you to see.  I guess you could say I have been in need of some self-therapy.  Since I had begun this whole "Blogging" experience this past March,  I found that writing has become such a therapeutic way of expression.  I find that as I start my new entry the words just somehow flow and my fingers just start typing away.  As I look back to a time where the thought of even considering to write anything was so torturous for me.  The closest I got was keeping a diary or journal.  But back then that is what young girls did.  We kept a diary. 

Now, so many years later, here I am doing something I never thought I would do.  How cool is that!!!??  I think a lot has to do with this time in my life.  Questioning things around me for example; situations, conversations, current events, etc.  Maybe by getting older or maybe a little wiser, you realize that there is so much more out there to understand, to learn about or even become passionate about.  Finding a passion for something that brings total joy and love to your heart. I love it!!!

I have been quite intrigued by the writing of Virginia Swift, in particular,entitled The Awakening. I wanted to share with all of you the last few paragraphs which I feel is so poignant for me.

"You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy, and resentment must be understood and redirected, or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you."

"You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.  You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about a full refrigerator,clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.  Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself, by yourself, and you try to make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart's desire.  And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.  And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility."

"Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can."

This totally just blew me away.  When I first came across this by Virginia Swift, I was excited to see what it was all about.  Little did I know how impactful it would have been for me.  I was just so happy to find something that described exactly what I was feeling.

I am so very thankful for all I have gone through to get to this point in my life.  Everything happens for a reason.  I truly believe this.  It is so heartwarming to know that there are such wonderful people in my life who love me for who I am, who I was and who I have come to be.  This journey of self-renewal has been a trip like no other. I love being able to inspire others and in return become inspired by them.  This is what life is all about.  Being thankful for all that you have and all that you are.  Being able to love life and love all that you have experienced and have yet to encounter. 

The Awakening for me has given me a new realization of what I had been going through.  There is always a reason why things, people, situations come to us out of the blue.  When we least expect it.  Isn't that even more of a rewarding and cherished reason to be so thankful for the lives we live while here on earth.  Learning to be thankful each and everyday for God's beautiful blessings.

Life can be crazy at times

Life can be crazy at times.  One day you are okay and happy go lucky, the next you are upset, pissed off, in agony or just plain mad.  What are the triggers of life that set you off?  What is the very thing that can push you over the edge?

In my opinion, a lot has to do with the type of person you are.  Are you high strung? Are you a worry wort? Are you just a glutten for punishment?  Or just love to be angry at the world all the time?  Who the hell wants to live like this???

It exhausts me just talking about it all.  I am the type of person who has always been a worry wort.  So nervous about every little thing.  Things that may not be happening for days, weeks or even months down the line, I would be setting myself up already for the what if's.  I can't even begin to tell you what a horrible way to live.  What a horrible way to think.  It disgusts me to even admit that I was once so wrapped up in this miserable way of thinking.  It consumed me.  The feeling of nausea, jitters, nervousness, and just worrying. 

I used to work myself up into such a frenzy.  Forget about it, when that day actually arrived when I had that thing to do, or go somewhere or travel.  I truly hated living like this.  It takes the whole enjoyment out of everything.  How could I ever honestly say that I was happy, really happy.  I wasn't at all.

This had all been lumped into PANIC ATTACKS and ANXIETY.  It upsets me that I allowed it to take over me.  Over my life.  I knew there was something wrong here.  Each new day was torture.  There was no pleasure in it at all.

I had realized after quite a while that a lot of what I was going through was triggered by what I was eating.  Besides me being a nervous wreck all the time which did not help matters in the slightest.  I started to eliminate foods that may have been the cause to all this chaos in my life.  Once I removed them, I had noticed those feelings of nausea, stomach pains, jitters and panic had started to subside.  I had realized that those foods were gluten and wheat products along with a sensitivity to caffeine.  I was so happy to discover this.  It had definitely changed my life. 

What seems to be happening all around us each and every day, is that we get very easily caught in the negativity of the world.  What and who are around us that we choose to allow ourselves to be influenced by. 
Life can be crazy at times.  Certain circumstances that arises, whether it be your health, relationships, workplace,  or the environment we live in.  

It is easy for me to say to everyone, get your act together and get out of this funk.  I find it easier to say that LIFE is good.  There is a lot of enjoyment to be had.  Things to discover and learn about.  Interesting people to meet that you may be impacted by or vice versa.  You just never know what God's plans are for us.  You have to allow yourself to be open to different experiences.  Allow yourself to be in the moment and completely understand that whatever will be will be.  We don't have control over things.  This reminds me of the Serenity Prayer.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Life can be crazy at times.  Just don't let it take control over you. 

ONE MORE STAR in a MAGNIFICENT UNIVERSE

When we begin to think more about the interdependence of things, we take our place as one more star in a magnificent universe, rather than as the sun around which the universe revolves. Our heart grows peaceful. ~Joan Borysenko

What a beautiful bright star we are

Shining so brightly and yet so far

The brilliance our beauty brings

Within each of our hearts it sings

Allowing our radiance to shine

Forever knowing in time

This beautiful bright star we are

~Laura Trovato

THE STRENGTH OF A WOMAN

I never realized that I would see the day where I would realize how much strength I do have.  It is about time!

The strength of a woman is most extraordinary.
The beauty of a woman is exquisite.
The love of a woman is immeasurable.
The character of a woman enhances her beauty.
The heart of a woman is where love grows.
The eyes of a woman speak volumes.
The lips of a woman share a kiss like no other.

Embrace and acknowledge your strengths and beauty.  Open yourself up and allow all that has been given to you.  All that you have come to accept and believe you are to be.  The strength of a woman can carry the weight of the world.  The powers we possess are far beyond what we think we are capable of.  Know that you are beautiful in mind, body and soul.  Let your light shine like it has never done before.  Let the world see it and let it take you to new heights. 

With all my love,
Laura

Embrace Change

I CHOOSE to embrace change. I CHOOSE to make a difference. I CHOOSE to be me.

I am embracing changes that are happening all around me.   I wanted to share with everyone that change is GOOD.  It shows that you are able to glide along within the universe with confidence, understanding or at least accepting what is happening everyday. 

If you allow yourself to be open to change and welcome it within yourself, it becomes the very much needed "something different" you may have longed for.  I put those words in quotes to represent what my son, Luke, often says.

Along with change comes several factors such as FEAR and POSSIBLE FAILURE.  I have for the most part been open to change.  As time has passed, at least at this stage of this game called LIFE, I am embracing my changes.  I am proud of who I am as a woman.  We all know with change comes a whole lot of POSITIVITY too.  The first step, overcoming fears that may have held you back in the past.  Secondly, taking small steps toward that change.  Thirdly, a positive attitude, being and staying motivated.

Allowing change to happen is half of it. The other is accepting and embracing it.  We need to do what makes us happy as long as we are on this earth.  If some people out there only know the old you and don't know how to understand the new you, too bad. Their loss!!!

I found this most magnificent quote by Mahatma Gandhi and I believe it to be true and absolutely possible. "BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD".  If this world we live in is not meeting your expectations, then do something about it.  Be that change you so desperately want to see.  Be that dreamer who believes that making people smile and spreading happiness brings us all together.  Make a difference within the universe.  Anything is possible as long as you EMBRACE CHANGE.

I strongly believe that if we CHOOSE to do whatever we feel in our hearts, we cannot go wrong.  The change(s) that will occur, will be the ultimate of experiences that we never could have imagined before. 

Love is a many splendored thing

Today July 12, 2011 and my topic of the day is LOVE. What a small and simple word but it's meaning can be interpreted in so many different ways by many different people. 

I believe that love has different meanings and different levels for each individual person in one's life.  I believe that the love I would have for my son is a completely different love I would have for my spouse,my parents and my friends. To be able to love another truly can only be possible if we are able to find that love for ourselves. 

To be able to fully understand the capacity in which to love another can only be understood with self love.
I have been able to understand that within the past year.  It seems that since this journey I have been on, I have been able to break down some walls that were up around me.  Whether it was for my own protection or for some not to be able to look in and make judgement or just being in total denial of all that was around me.

I am sure all of you are familiar with the Wizard of Oz and what the Wizard says at the end of the movie. When he is handing out all the wishes to each of the characters. The Brain, The Courage, For Dorothy to go home and last for The Tinman to get his heart.  The Wizard says  "A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others."

I never completey agreed with this.  How can a heart be judged this way?  It disturbed me.  But now that I am older and a little bit wiser, I realize this statement has validity.  When someone looks at you who has no idea what you are about but sees the LOVE that others have for you.  Then that someone understands that you must be a really special person who has been able to touch so many hearts along the way.  So, I get it.  I also believe that it is just as important to have that ability to show that love toward others.  That extraordinary way one possesses, to show much he or she loves another.   They are equally important in my eyes.  I don't know if I am the only person who has ever given so much thought to this particular line in one of my all time ever FAVORITE movies.

LOVE is such a wonderful word with such heartfelt meaning.  It brings so much joy and happiness to one's heart and soul.   How fantastic to be able to experience it on a daily basis.  With all the people we choose to surround ourselves with along with our beautiful families who we have been blessed to be a part of.   God is good and his LOVE for us is like no other.  Let us live each and everyday with the love we have in our hearts and don't ever forget to tell the special people around us how much we love them.  LIVE FULFILLED, BE FULFILLED and just BE!

I am still trying to figure it out...

I am still trying to figure it out.  The answer or answers to my question.  The main one which is the title of my Blog.  I am sure a lot of us question this each and every day.  You have to take yourself outside of any given situation and look at it through a different scope.  You have to examine everything around you.  Family, friends, workplace and any other significant part of your life and question, is there more?  Is this everything I had ever hoped my life would be like?  Could there be more?  At what point in your life does it make you question is this all? 

What I have come to realize is that at a certain point during this time span something clicks and a light bulb pops up above your head.  I feel it did for me.  I see things differently in a way.  Something changes inside of me and makes me feel that any obstacles that I let be obstacles in the past have now disappeared.  You know that saying "The world is your oyster".  You realize that anything is possible.  And you learn to Never say Never.  What was once seemingly impossible has now become completely and undeniably possible.  You create your world you want to live in.  It does not create and control you.

I feel a lot of this is all because of FEAR.  FEAR is a very strong and powerful word which can easily control us if we choose to let it.  It is a response or an emotion that can completely take over someone.  It controls each and every thought, decision, action and reaction.  False Evidence Appearing Real, the meaning of what fear is if you break it down each letter. This was told to me by a dear friend and how true it is.

I think that if we learn to not let FEAR rule our lives and the way we handle the different situations,  we allow many doors to open.  We acknowledge we now have a new perspective which permeates our every thought and every action. 

I began this entry talking about questioning when do we realize we want more out of life which coincides with fear and that ability to either control us or not.  When you realize that you refuse to let fear take over you, you realize what you are capable of  in this world.   It is just a matter of taking that first step.  That pathway  that will lead you to something you could've never imagined.  WOW, the possibilities are endless!!!!

MY AWAKENING

I haven't written in a little while. But in actuality I was planning for my next entry being something I discovered.  My Awakening. 

I had been on my search for words, sayings and quotes that inspire me like I do each day and I came across something written by Virginia Swift called The Awakening.  It was a very lengthy read but what caught attention was the very first paragraph which states "A time in your life when you... finally get it.  When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out- ENOUGH!" Of course, to my surprise I had realized she was talking about me.  I had finally figured out what has been happening to me. "The Awakening".

There is an actual name for this.  I was always wondering through out these past years when that brick was going to come falling from the sky, knock me in the head and put some sense into me.

The continuous years of self-sabotage, lack of self-acceptance, self-worth, self-confidence and I could go on and on.  How much self-abuse can one take? I was really convinced that the day would never come that I would awake with a whole new sense of self.  I had in my mind that God was punishing me and this was the way it was going to be forever.  But what I understand now is that he isn't punishing me at all.  He has always been watching over me and was going to answer my prayers when he felt the time was right.  I am so glad he realized I was ready.

To be able to stand here knowing so much more that I had.  To be able to realize that I am beautiful and worth all the wonderful things that life has to offer.  To know I deserve to feel happy, to be happy and be loved.  "You learn that  feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK... and that it is your right to want things that you want and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.  You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity,and respect,and you will not settle for less."


I love this particular paragraph where Virginia Swift states "And you learn that your body is your temple.  You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water, and taking more time to exercise.  You learn that fatigue diminishes the spirit and can create doubt and fear, so you take more time to rest.  And just as food fuels the body,  laughter fuels your soul, so take more time to laugh and to play."  It is within our control to take care of ourselves, our souls.  Our radiant light that shines within all of us.

I have made a promise to myself to keep trusting and stay open to every wonderful possibility.  "Finally, with the courage in your heart and with God by your side, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can."

I want to thank Virginia Swift for writing this perfect explanation of what has happened to me.  I totally get it now.  Just another one of Life's Lessons Learned.  One that has made such a deep impact.  One that I wanted to share with you.