Never Lost

A duck on the lake today.

Never Lost, even if it might seem to be gone no experience is ever lost. No good effort is every lost. It might not seem this way if you didn't see the positive outcome that you had expected from it. However the fact of doing and learning is a valuable gain. You might not see it now but in the future the experience will become very useful. We often live in fear of loosing something not realizing that you are not letting yourself fully experience it. When we avoid something because of the fear of failure that is exactly what we are setting ourselves up for. People and things will change, things will happen out of your control and people will come and go. But nothing good is ever lost, even if the physical evidence is gone. The good things you do will always be with you and will carry over with every experience. It doesn't really matter if what you have done goes unrecognized by others, what matters is that you hold onto it and learn from it. Capture every moment in your heart and never let it go. Life will always have it's ups and downs , it's how you deal with the downs that really matters. Remember that the downs are really not that bad and the ups are better than you could ever imagine. Nothing is ever lost if you choose to hang onto it. Don't forget to love always,forgive quickly and smile along the way. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend.

God Bless
Jason

LIEBSTER Award

LIEBSTER Award

I'm participating in this year's A-Z challenge, and so will be posting daily about a subject focusing on a letter of the alphabet.

I'm blowing big kisses to Ashley Lynn who writes A Woman's Journey Back to Army Strong, for choosing me as one of her recipients of the Liebster Award. Happpppppppppppppy dance!!

"Liebster" is German for "dearest" and it's a blogger to blogger award for those having 200 or fewer followers, so they can get more exposure. Well, I'm ALL about exposing myself, so -- I graciously accept. I will restrain myself from climbing up onto the nearest podium and tearfully proclaiming, "You like me!! You really LIKE me!"

Here
Of course, there are rules, always rules:
1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
2, Link back to the blogger who presented the award to you.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 11 blogs of 200 followers or less, who you feel deserve to be noticed, and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been nominated.
5. Answer the 11 questions the blogger presented you with, create 11 questions for the blogs you are nominating, and list 11 facts about yourself.

Ashley came up with some interesting questions, so here goes.

1. Why did you start your blog?
I began my blog in February 2012 because the last of my four children was leaving home for college and I finally had time to put two coherent thoughts together. I love telling stories, and spilling incredibly embarrassing personal details, so it was natural that I would start blogging.

2. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was in second grade, I decided I wanted to be a teacher. However, after my Pulitzer-prize winning short story was written that year (How The Mouse Got Its Long Tail), my career as a writer was born. In the sixth grade, I rewrote Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in a more condensed form, dumbing it down so my peers could comprehend it -- yes, that's just how nerdy I was. After writing for my high school newspaper, I majored in journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill.

3. What are you currently looking forward to?
So many great things are happening soon! I just did the Cooper River Bridge Run April 6, my husband and I are vacationing soon, and then best of all, my oldest son and his wife are expecting their first child together in May. Can't wait to get my hands on that grandbaby! I've got several fun runs coming up as well, including an Electric Run, a Glow in the Night run, and a Zombie Run. Fun!!

4. What is one of your current goals?
One of my goals is to run a marathon by the time I am 55, so I am eyeing Disney in January 2014. I'll begin training for it in the fall.

5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Oh dear, just one? I despise it when people are unkind to each other. It's so easy to be nice, but it seems that the culture today applauds people who insult or hurt each other. I find that deplorable. Oh, and my husband leaving the toilet seat up. That's a major pet pee-ve (groooaan).

6. Where are some places you have traveled/lived?
I was born in Richmond, VA, and have lived in North Carolina most of my life. My husband and I have been to the Cayman Islands, Ireland and Italy, and we took a river cruise from Amsterdam to Vienna. I've also been to France. We love to travel, and hope to do more of it in the future, before we become too decrepit.

7. Describe yourself in four words.
Exuberant, altruistic, funny, rebellious, and adventurous. Yeah, I know that's five -- see, I AM rebellious.

8. How did you come up with your blog name?
Actually, my oldest daughter suggested it. We were bouncing ideas around and it seemed to encompass my philosophy of embracing all that life offers.

9. What are five things on your bucket list?
Besides running a marathon, I'd like to see the Northern Lights, go fly fishing in Montana, zip line through a forest, visit Hawaii, and see Yellowstone. If it were possible, I would also like to eat as much sea salt caramel gelato as I can and never gain a pound.

10. What is your dream job?
I would love to be an artist and have a studio in a barn on my dream farm. I'd write poetry and novels, create mixed-media art, and continue blogging and doing my Facebook pages and groups. I'd have a lot of alpacas, rescue animals and we'd grow our own food. We might starve though, because I did NOT inherit my grandmother Vonnie Mae's green thumb. My husband says that when I go to a nursery, all the plants begin silently screaming, "No! Not me! Don't pick me!!" So maybe there should be a farmer's market close by my farm.

11. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
You know those little jagged boxes with words inside like "Bam!" that are in superhero comics? I'd have those. (Are we surprised that my superpower has to do with words???) Then, when I was out living my "normal" life, being a superhero in disguise, I'd come up against, say, hatred, with my invisible, invincible shield and "Whammo!" -- I'd obliterate it. Bigotry: "Kappppowwwww!" Rudeness: "Blammm!" And you could read it all right over my head.


11 Fascinating Facts About Me
1. I've been married to my high school sweetheart for 32 years and we have 4 children, grown now. At some point, I home schooled them all.
2. My nickname is "Bubbles," for reasons I will not disclose. Lol!
3. I'm 54 years old, and began running 2 years ago after being a couch potato my entire life.
4. In the past 5 months, I ran my first and second half marathon.
5. I am crazy about weddings! I love to help plan them, and create things for them (guest books, table cards, cake decor, favors, etc.)
6. I taught adult religious education for over 16 years as a volunteer.
7. Also about 16 years ago, I began a book club so I would have someone to talk to about what I was reading.
8. I am an idea person. I'm always thinking about new careers, inventing things, and thinking deep thoughts. It takes up a lot of time. ;)
9. I'm also a dog person. We have a Lab/golden retriever mix (Sunny) who is about 13, a pug (Vespucci) who is 11, and an English bulldog (Boudreaux) who's 9. We also have a rat, Perignon, but that's a story for another post.
10. When I commit to something, I go all in. When my youngest daughter was in Girl Scouts and had to sell cookies at Walmart, I was the one dressed as a giant Samoa cookie, dancing my heart out in the parking lot. Yeah, I sold a lot of cookies that way.
11. My grandmother lived to be 100, and I fully intend on beating her record.


Questions For My Nominees
1. Why did you start your blog?
2. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
3. Would you support me in my endeavor to be Queen of our country?
4. What is your dream that you're afraid to talk about but secretly think about all the time?
5. Of course, because I love to read, what's your favorite book?
6. If you had total control of the world, what are 3 things that you would do immediately, aside from crowning me Queen?
7. What is one goal that you achieved that you are most proud of (not counting family)?
8. What are you working hardest at right now?
9. What is the most hilarious thing that has ever happened to you?
10. Finish this sentence: In 2013, I will _____________________.
11. They're making a movie about your life. Who would you choose to play your part?

And -- ta da!! -- the moment we've all been waiting for!! My nominees for the Liebster Award are:

Movin' It With Michelle...Running, Recipes, and Real Life Adventures!
In the Box, Out of the Box
Jen's Ink Pen!
Curiosity and Cute Shoes
The Ongoing Adventures of Healthy Habit Girl
Family Travels on a Budget
I'll Recognize Me When I Become Me
http://myarmsopenwide.blogspot.com/2013/04/liebster-award.html. Arms Wide Open
Lead Our Lives
Rise.Run.Mom.Repeat.


Check out their blogs, and tell them Jason's Thought Of The Day sent you. And enjoy.

Life Is Change

One from Blue Mesa last year before the lake froze.

Life is change,life is full of change with every moment. If life can constantly be changing then why is it so hard for us to change? Well good news, it's just as easy to make changes in yourself as it is with each moment. You have to start with excepting change without judgement,fear or anxiety. All of these will do nothing but slow the process down. No matter what life may throw at you,whatever challenges you may face, always keep in mind that success is always an option with change. You might feel stuck or lost in the moment but that's not the case at all. With every moment in time there are countless possibilities waiting for you. With an open mind,a little time,commitment and effort you can make it happen. At times you might feel alone,sad,angry and frustrated. That's OK if you keep in mind that you can change all of these feelings and situations. You might be in a difficult financial situation or perhaps a tough spot in a relationship. Again you can change all this any time you want to. You have the power and ability to change with life as it comes and goes. You do this all the time but perhaps you don't realize it or take it for granted. Life is change and you must remember that you can change to. Don't forget to love always,forgive quickly and smile along the way. Happy Thursday everyone we have made changes all the way through this week and it's almost Friday. Enjoy life with every change.

God Bless
Jason

The Right Choices

A neat old tree near Battlement Mesa Colorado.

The Right Choices are not always easy to make,and we don't always make them. However if you put a little thought into your choices you will be more successful. The choices you make will make you who you are and who you choose to be. Think about who and how you want your life to be and let those visions guide you in making the right choices. Allot of our wrong choices in life are due to bad habits that bring us down. It's not easy to break a bad habit but it is possible if you put your mind to it. If you keep getting bit by the same old habit perhaps you need to try something different. Perhaps you should stop and focus on a different direction. Try a different approach even though it might not work,understanding you have nothing to loose because the other way isn't working either. Remember you always have other options and there is more than one way to achieve a goal. Making the right choices will make it easier to get there. Once you break out of your shell and find a different way you will realize that there's nothing you can't accomplish if you put your mind to it. Put one foot in front of the other and make the right choices. Don't forget to love always,forgive quickly and smile along the way. We have made it half way through another week,so keep on moving.

God Bless
Jason

Sky's The Limit

A beautiful spring day near Lake City Colorado.

Sky's The Limit if you put your mind to it. You can do anything you want to do,you just have to want it bad enough. You have to be dedicated and have courage. Dedication and courage can be obtained by staying positive and taking the "No I Cants and turning them into "Yes I Cans". In the past when you really wanted something you put a plan together and you acted on it. No matter what obstacle was in the way you found a way around it.The truth is, you can do anything you really want.Sky's the limit for anything you truly desire.Don't get held up on the lack of progress. Just know that no matter how little or big the progress is that you are one step closer to getting there.Making excuses is the first out we tend to take. However turn that excuse into a "What If"? What if I try a different approach? What if I look at things differently? This will add courage and determination and you will soon be on your way.Deep down you know that you can do anything you set your mind to. So do it today,choose to stay on track and work towards your goal. Yes in deed,Sky's The Limit. Don't forget to love always,forgive quickly and smile along the way. Tuesday is almost over and Wednesday is almost here. A great opportunity to reach for the moon,if you come up short at least you'll be amongst the starts.

God Bless
Jason

It's Your Time

A beautiful day in Parachute Colorado.

It's your time and you can do with it as you please. You can choose to waste it on worry and meaningless matters.Or you can choose to treasure every moment for what it is and get the most out of it.You can take this day and use it to move forward.You can relax and enjoy it in any way you see fit.No matter what you choose this day is yours and it's your time.Every day and every moment has meaning and value.The greatest accomplishment is to see the value and capture it in your own way.The value you put on your time will determine the amount of value that it brings to you.The more you value and appreciate your time,the more positive and worthwhile things you'll receive from those moments.Start by ridding yourself from anger,hate and envy and you'll be on your way to enjoying your valuable time. It's your time in deed,so enjoy. Don't forget to love always,forgive quickly and smile along the way.Happy Thursday everyone, we've almost made it through another week. Spring time is in the air here in Colorado,get out and enjoy the sunshine.

God Bless
Jason

It's For The Best

Sunset on our lake last week.

It's for the best in most cases. No matter what happens good or bad it normally turns out to be for the best.If you have a mind set that no matter what happens it's for the best you will find a way to make it so.It doesn't matter if you have gone forward or backwards the past few days.The truth is new doors have been opened and with every new door there is a positive right in front of you.No matter what door opened choose to find a positive approach to your next step.Sometimes you will over shoot the next door and sometimes you come up short but it's for the best.Often this will allow you a little time to make the right decision and approach the next do with confidence.Try to not set your goal to high or what you expect it to be,because there are far more possibilities than you can ever imagine.Just do your best and keep in mind no matter what happens it was meant to be and it's for the best.When something doesn't go as planned it opens up yet another door for positive opportunities.Act on those possibilities and you will soon find out it's for the best. Don't forget to love always,forgive quickly and smile along the way. I hope everyone had a great Easter with family and friends.

God Bless
Jason