The end of the Year 2011

Well it is December 31, 2011 at 8:45 pm pst.

The last week was a very hard one for some friends and I. We lost the most incredible lady I have ever known. You may have read some of the postings about Sarah Thompson on Facebook. She was our team leader, mentor to so many, best friend and a very loving Mother. It was devastating news to hear she had passed. I know that it is always hard to have a loved one move on, but this was one of those that really hurt. You really feel a loss inside; Sarah meant so much too so many people around the world. 

In May, Sarah had some very adverse health issues, several heart attacks, surgeries, internal bleeding, but somehow by the grace of God she pulled through all of that and appeared to be doing really well. She sounded wonderful, strong, and healthy on our team calls and on training calls she had completed the previous week; some really great training. It is kind of like God did not feel Sarah was ready to go in May because she had not yet completed her task and prepared us for the future.

These past few months I have had the honor of re-connecting with people that were previously friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and/or co-workers. I have been giving this some thought as to why these people are coming back into my life now. I don’t understand everything yet, but I do know that people come and go, but when your life is under duress, you lose connection with people and ourselves. 

I think because of the changes in myself these people are being re-directed back to me. It is like OK, she is now ready to be around you again. I like that; I think it is so cool that I am re-connecting with past friendships. It means that I am growing and becoming a better person. If God did not feel that I was ready to socialize he would not be putting these people in front of me.

We all go through turmoil in our lives. It is what we do with it that makes a difference. We can continue to mutter, or we can read the map, pick a road, make a plan and move forwards. Sarah used to say we all have our own Mt. Everest, each one of us has our own mountain to climb, and no one can do it for us. It is for us to do the work.

Reminds me of the story of the three men that Jesus gave money to, one did nothing, buried it out of fear of losing it, one made a little money and the third trusted through faith and made the best investments. God does not give us more then we can handle, even when we think we are carrying Mt. Everest on our shoulders.

It has been an incredible journey these past couple of years. I have gone through every emotion, feeling sadness, bitterness, resentment, anger, pity, fear, impoverished, guilt, inadequate, maybe even a little envy, and don’t forget about paybacks. But all that is past, I have conquered that part of the journey and come out on the other side of the mountain ridge. I do still have some self-doubt and negativity to get rid of, but I made it.

What do I see now; clear skies, a little chill in the air, clean fresh air and a new trail yet uncharted.

I am anxious and excited; I have new shoes to try out on this trail. My camera is loaded and ready for whatever new venture is in front of me. I hope you will come with me on the journey. 

Oh yeah, I forgot to share, my friend and I went into a camera store this past week. This past year I had purchased a Canon Powershot SX130. I asked him if he would help me with my camera and explain what I could do different. Wow, did I learn a lot. First he told me that I had a great camera for a point and shoot. That made me happy, I am not very knowledgeable in this area; something that is going to be new to learn this year, learn how to use and understand my camera and photography. It is after all a part of my bucket list.

Oh, I also want to mention working on your vision board for this year. Start looking ahead at what you want to conquer in 2012. Don’t forget to look at your book list. I have several that I am going to re-read before I invest in new material. That may also be part of my new business blog, the books I am reading and what my take on the book is.

Great things are going to happen this year; I feel it in my bones. 

I want to wish you all a very wonderful, positive, inspirational, encouraging, thought provoking New Year in 2012. May God bless your lives, instill great things into your hearts, give you wisdom and strength.

Becoming a butterfly,

Carol 

Something Important to share

I found this on Facebook and it is so astounding to me I thought it important enough to share with you…It is called Blind~~Author unknown

Blind
There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind.

She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend.. He was always
there for her… She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see
the world, I will marry you.'

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages
came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her, 'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?'

The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind.

The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that.

The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

     Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her
     saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear; for before
     they were yours, they were mine.'

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes.
Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who
was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift

Today, before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat or is getting their food from a dumpster.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven from disease, an accident, was killed or just ended it all.

Before whining about the distance you drive, Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet or rides a bicycle.

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, (such as myself) and those who wish they had your job or had the ability to work.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around, be grateful.

And while I am sharing here is another one on FB worth thinking about and I also have posted my response. 

                  

            When people walk away from you…Let them go…

Your destiny is never tied to anyone who leaves you, and it doesn’t mean that they are “bad” people.

            It just means that part of Your story is over.

Our lives are like reading a book. Every book is written in chapters. You finish one chapter and start reading the next new chapter. Sometimes we need a big box of tissue to get through some of the hardest chapters.

     Lisa Nichols once said similar to this ...

     I am not ending a relationship; I am just finishing  a chapter. 

I know that is such a hard thing to think about and remember; I struggle with it at times myself. But when we learn to change our thoughts, our emotions will change also and the old will no longer have a hold on us. We begin the process of learning how to let go.

 That is what I wanted to share today, I know the holiday season is upon us. For some it is a very difficult time. So be gracious in your thoughts and words. Remember there are those who are alone and a little companionship goes a very long way.

May this season bring you love and peace in your lives and in your hearts.

Wishing you peace, love and joy,

Becoming a butterfly    

Carol Scheid

Vision or Dream Boards

Do you know or have you heard about vision boards? Do you know anyone that uses them?

I have completed two of my vision board goals and am working on completing another. 

The purpose of a vision board is to give you a visual picture of what you want in your life. It is like an open scrap book that you can see all the time. Do you want to go on a cruise, see Italy, buy new dishes, new clothes, a new car, want more money, a bigger office, to visit a day spa as often as you wish, to travel and see the world, to learn how to cook like a chef, a new lawn mower, repair your sewing machine…you see it does not matter, because it is your vision, it is about you. 

I had placed three items on my vision board one was a cruise, now completed; one was a home for me, completed; one is getting my sewing machine fixed, in the process. Want a college degree, put a cap & gown on your board, want that new car, find a picture, print it out and glue/tape it to your board.  It is not about the length of time for the action it is about seeing it everyday, believing that you will achieve this goal and turn your life around for the good. 

          A vision board is a place where you can put 
your dreams of achievement.

This is just one of the many tools that I have used to get where I am today. Belief in yourself will take you a very long way.  

Do you have a deep desire to take back control of your life? 

Do your own research on vision boards or dream boards, seek out pictures to print, type of words that have meaning for you, make them big, bold, colorful, creative paste/tape them to a construction board, search through magazines. 

I use words like Achievement, success, happiness, courage, faith, freedom, smile, worthy, healthy, are just a few of the words I have chosen. 

As you conquer one goal take it down and replace it with another. Keep your board, fresh, moving and alive.  

Here are a couple of quotes from leaders:

“Envisioning means quite literally making something up out of thin air-and making it real. By definition, you can't do that within the confines of your skull. It needs to become physical; it needs to involve your senses. In other words, you need to write it down. Making pictures of it, which people sometimes call a “dream board,” is even better. Speaking it out loud is the most powerful of all. But at the very least, write it down. The moment you do, it has started to become real”

- Jeff Olson, The Slight Edge

“Set aside time each and every day to visualize every one of y our goals as already complete. This is one of the most vital things you can do to make your dreams come true. Some psychologists are now claiming that one hour of visualization is worth 7 hours of physical effort. That's a tall claim, but it makes an important point - visualization is one of the strongest tools in your success toolbox. Make sure you use it.”

- Jack Canfield, The Success Principles

By creating your vision board and visualizing your future, you can ultimately create the life of your dreams!  

        

Dream, Believe, Achieve and become…you can do it  

  

Becoming a butterfly,

Carol 

P. S. I would also like to include in this blog a recent audio that I have listened to to add value to this as well as importance.
New Dimensions

Pushing Through

How hard do you push to achieve what you want? 

Many times we’re faced with a situation that requires us to do more then what we think we have within us to do. It is in those times that your subconscious mind lets you know that you are not able to complete the task. However, when we become consciously aware of our thoughts we are able to override them to produce more. 

Our achievement is not only completing the task and push ourselves outwardly but our achievement is also on the inside. When we stand and fight for what we desire, we push beyond, we achieve something far greater then what is seen; we achieve greatness and increase our integrity, we raise our inner pride and that is accomplishment.

So pushing ourselves publicly is wonderful but what about those times when no one is watching? Do we follow through and push even harder for ourselves or do we give in? 

Here is an example; I committed myself to reduce my weight by 10 pounds in the month of October. This past week, I ate fruits, vegetables, drank plenty of water and have not reduced by one pound. So it is now time for me to eat. What do I reach for, Mac & Cheese? Who is going to know but me, and that is exactly the point. Do I continue and eat the Mac & Cheese while wonderful when mixed with chili beans or do I push myself and eat what I know in my heart I should be eating?

What do I really want, a week of well I tried and it didn’t work, or a month of diligence and achievement because I pushed myself and followed through? 

They say that change is within us if we preserver. It takes between 20-30 days for change to take affect. So I am only in week one and my body says heck on it. You’re not going to fool me into believing you want change. It puts up all sorts of road blocks, trying its hardest to get me to give in. My mind shows me the Texas Toast that is in the freezer, the Mac & cheese, the sugar, ah yes sugar. 

I will not give in, because I want to see results. I got this way because “I” let myself go and now “I” need to undo what “I” have done. It is my body and my brain we need to get be on the same page. 

So what does pushing through mean for you, it helps to prove to others and yourself that you will do whatever it takes to fulfill your desire. Pushing through builds integrity when no one is watching; pushing through says YES I CAN when your mind and body say no you can’t. So if thoughts become things, push through to the other side and become more then you think you’re meant to be. PUSH!

Believing in you to push,

Carol Scheid

Becoming a butterfly.

"Stinking thinking"

Thinking…

I have been told that I think too much. And yes it is very true. I think about what people say, how they treat me, how I respond, what I could have done different, what should I have done, how, what if, …..

We have all heard what you think about you bring about. Ughhh! 

So what do you do? How do you stop the “thinking”? 

Is your thinking about worry, regrets, past promises, unattained dreams, or condescending words, poor relationships, I wish I could, if only I had….? 

Or do you think about how great it is to have a job, the car you drive, the roof over your families head, the fresh clean clothes you pull out of the closet each day, happy and thankful that you had the money for those new tires, how great it was to go to the movies with a family member or friend, how great it was to go out for that once a month special meal, how nice it was to treat yourself to that special coffee.…? 

What do you “think about”? 

Is your thinking a process you use to re-evaluate an occurrence in your life? Do you use it as a tool to make better decisions, changes, or do you just mull things around and get angry? Does your “thinking” bring you resolve or ulcers? 

Sometimes it is better to really think about what we want to do then just jumping in and doing it. Then again sometimes waiting too long can also become a problem within itself; and when do you know that you have waited too long and how do you know when it is the right time to act? 

They say that timing is everything.

Stinking Thinking….so what we think about we bring about, worry; what? 

So I guess the moral of this story is to be careful what you think about, how long you think about it, what your thinking is doing for you and too you as well as those around you.

 Oh, one more question, is your thinking making you who you are today? 

Now that is something to think about. 

Please leave your comments; I look forward to reading what you think about.

Wishing you love, peace and joy

Carol Scheid

Becoming a butterfly

P. S. Here is an article I would like to share: Negative vs Positive Thinking  

A really Great Movie:  Pink Bat 

Unconditional Love

If you died during your sleep tonight would the world say about you? What would your family say about you? I went to a funeral a couple years back, now this person was not a very nice guy, but he was a great dad; he loved his daughter with all he had, absolutely no question.

So your life hasn’t been so great, you have made mistakes, you cuss, smoke, drink, argue, call some names, maybe cheat on your spouse; whatever, I don’t want to know the rest. Have you ever asked yourself why you do these things and waited for an answer? 

I watched a Christian video today and they said that God loves us no matter what. Now I have heard that, know it in my heart, but it is still hard for me to accept, in fact it makes me cry. Why, because his love for us is unconditional. Can you say that about you and who you love? I know truthfully, I can’t. Why, because my emotions get in the way and I find reasons for not loving or maybe I should say unloving. 

Unconditional love, the kind of love that you feel with your heart when you hold/held your first born. Unconditional love, when you and your mate were newly in love and just a look sent you silly. Unconditional love, when nothing else matters. 

So could your life be better, can you make it better, do you want to? 

Wishing you love, peace and joy.

Carol Scheid

Becoming a butterfly.

If you are new here, you might read my previous posts. They may or may not pertain to you, but still they may shed some insight.

A Country Garden

While I am sitting here reading my email, I thought ya know, your blog title is "A Country Garden" and the stuff you post has nothing to do with gardening per se'. I am sure many of you wonder the same thing. Why did I name my post that? Because life is like a garden, it produces what we plant. If you plant roses your are going to get stuck, if you plant grass you can be sure your going to be cutting it often(grooming). If it is full of nettle and you stick your hands in it, you get the idea….

That being said I do love gardening; and not only gardening but the science that is within it. I love to study about the structure of plants and trees. I had done a post a long while back and it just so excites me about plants, their makeup if you will. 

Long before my divorce we lived in the country. My soil was red clay shale rock. I did a lot of digging on my hands and knees. I called myself a human spoon. We brought in plenty of soil conditioners, dumped my rocks, pulled out lots of natural grasses. My garden was situated along the road way, was maybe 20x200’ long. 

I loved it there, I could look out my window and see my rose bush in full bloom, see my Bee Balm filling in the outer edge, see my paths run from one colorful room into another; all the while knowing that passersby would be able to enjoy the beauty amongst all the brown grasses that surrounded us. I miss doing that; I would spend hours on the weekends out there digging in the dirt until maybe 10:00 at night. I had my little night light on my head full of red dirt just digging away. 

Since then, I am not as able to get up and down, but I still have a little garden. I love the colors out my door, watching the Hummingbirds and a few Butterflies in the spring and summer months. The magic of plants is still there for me and I love dreaming about the forests and all their trees and all the differences between them. 

For me it is sad that not everyone enjoys the beauty that is within plants. They are not just plants; something that you put in the ground and hope they grow. They all have their own personalities just as people do.

So that is a little about me, what some of my passion is and why my blog is called A Country Garden.

I hope you enjoyed it. I hope that you too will find an interest in gardening and not just put a few plants in the ground.

Wishing you peace, love and joy.

Carol Scheid

Becoming a butterfly.

In all their glory, all unique, distinct, and different.

Make a List

     Today I want to talk to you about developing lists. And no I don’t mean a shopping list. These lists are designed for you to look at what you want in the forms of a partner, friends, relationships, and even yourself. It is writing down what you see, want and expect to find in another person and ultimately yourself. 

     So here we go. 

     Make a T on the page. Write down a name of a person that you want to explore. In the T on one side write likes and the other side dislikes. Then write on a separate page the reasons for your thoughts. What is it about the person and why do you like/dislike that attribute in them. 

     Now that you have your lists, really look at them and ask yourself do you see yourself in any of these behaviors that you like or dislike. If they are dislikes in yourself make that list because that is the list you are going to use to make changes in yourself. 

     For instance if you say that Sally makes condescending comments, look at the comments, what do they revolve around and what is it that you are doing for her to talk this way. It is said that what happens in our lives Is because that is what we are attracting. An old adage is “birds of a feather flock together.” This is so serious because if we want to make a difference we have to know what it is that we need to change inside of ourselves. 

     I current have a friendship that I am looking at and wondering what it is that makes her say the things she does to me. I kind of feel like she is my mother hen, so I have to ask myself why; I know that I have been through many things in the past two years but I am not that inept, at least I sure hope not. Then again, I also need to look at where she has been and is currently. Sometimes we speak words that “we” need to hear. We just need to shut up and listen. 

     So let me know how you are doing and what your thoughts are. It is such a huge important process and yes it does take a lot of dedication and work. But to become more you have to do the work. Of course you do have an option. You can just be what you are today, continue to live your life as it is and be O.K. with it. But for me I am 60 and I am not O.K. with what is or has been. 

Wishing you love, peace and joy.

Carol 

Becoming a butterfly