How Life's Challenges are Like a Baseball Game

I never liked baseball.

When I was about nine or ten years old I sat through the World Series with my twenty-something uncle.  

All I remember is how at the end, he swore he’d never watch another baseball game with me again. 

(Guess I asked too many questions.)

Fast forward twenty-nine years later… 

My kids are on baseball teams, my fiancée plays baseball and I’ve attended two major league games and one minor league.

What’s not to like about baseball!?

 Maybe it was the frequent exposure that changed my mind, or maybe having experienced baseball on a grander scale that made the sport more interesting. I’m not sure.

In the game every player gets an opportunity to bat eventually.

They can never tell what they’re going to get from the pitcher. 

They couuld be batting against a crappy slow ball or swinging at 

(and striking out on) a 99-mile-an-hour-top-notch pitch.

No matter how that ball comes at them, they always have two choices:

Let it go or give it their all. 

Then comes the next inning and the next one and the next...

The team could be down for 8 innings and suddenly, it all comes together in the ninth…and not only does it come together, but they end up grabbing an extra inning out of it, and use it to win the game. 

It's incredibly exciting! And actually, it reminds me a little of how we deal with life's obstacles .

Not everyone gets their chance in the beginning, but eventually, we all get to bat against our demons.

And if we lose, we get to wake up the next day and do it all over again.

Some games (and seasons) seem to go on forever (as many of life's problems do)...but maybe that’s a good thing…

As they say, ‘practice makes perfect’ and at least we get another chance. 

It could be preparation for the next time around. 

When we've learned something about how we handled the last pitch, how we reacted to it and whether we took action or not.

The next time you are faced with a curve-ball, will you strike out again because you used the same strategy as last time, or will you analyze the pitcher, anticipate his pitch accurately this time around, and send it into the stands?

Don't ever give up. The next game will be here before long, and you never know, you might just hit a home run.

Truly,

Amber

America is Accepting Gay Marriage

I have met many people in my life and most have become my friends.

Some are bi-sexual, some are homosexual and there are those that some would consider straight

(as if to insinuate that those who do not share the same ideals about relationships are 'not right' in their thinking).

I never understood fully why anyone would assume that a person of a different sexual orientation should be treated any differently.

People are all the same to me and none should not be denied love, acceptance and friendship. 

So, regardless of their lifestyles, and sexual orientation, my friends will always be straight with me.

And here’s to them:

A beautiful collection of wedding photos that shows how America can truly be accepting, loving and fair.

These couples were able to share their love for one another with the rest of the world, just like many other U.S. citizens can...and rightly they should :)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Truly, 

Amber

Sometimes The Truth is Funny

My Favorite Blog Took a Break

One of my favorite blogs took a break and nearly broke my heart this summer.

Okay, well maybe the devastation was not quite so severe, but I was pretty disappointed...at first.

I look forward to reading Rowdy Kittens and I love what Tammy reflects on and how she shares.

Back at the end of June, when Tammy posted her 'Taking a July Digital Sabbatical: Why and How?', I think I nearly fell off my chair!

She was leaving the Internet and her blog behind for an entire month! HUH!?

How would she survive this? How would her readers not go somewhere else?

Why would she do that?

After a long and (semi) patient wait, she returned from her vacation, and I received her August 1st post!

And now I know why she did it.

An inspiration to everyone wanting to relax, reconnect (and not via the Internet), read, write and just 'be'...

Read her blog today...A Beginner's Mind: Insights from my Digital Sabbatical

Thanks Tammy!

(Going away for a month did not make me forget about your messages...it made me look forward to them more;)

Truly,

Amber

Lost (RePost w/Link)

Ever get lost? 

Sure there’s Mapquest and GPS navigators and good old fashioned maps…so you shouldn't get off track, but have you ever just taken a wrong turn? 

Or, you know, when your GPS doesn’t realize you've just passed the road you should’ve turned down?

It stinks when that happens and can get quite discouraging if it happens more than once.

Usually it’s not too much effort to get back on track, but it does occasionally take longer than expected.

Ever notice that staying calm and thinking positive is the key to getting through it?

I had to travel somewhat far away recently. It was about an hour south of me and I had never traveled the road before.

As I drove south on the highway I got to thinking…

Just because you're going South doesn’t necessarily mean you are headed down.

It made me wonder how many people actually think that every bump in the road or wrong turn is actually a negative thing, rather than a positive thing.

I like to refer to a song that I know. 

It’s from my favorite band, Coldplay.

It’s called Lost (and actually a woman made this cool video to go along with it).

Listen to Lost -- and imagine-- what if every wrong turn or missed opportunity was meant to be. 

...That you were supposed to travel this road you're on so that you can see and/or experience whatever it is that is on that particular path.

Keep Calm and Carry On...

 

Truly,

Amber

Hackers Have Evolved

This comic shows the Evolution of the The Hacker since 1997.

Hopefully you've never been hacked and hopefully you never try Hacking..

Have a Happy Friday!

Truly,

Amber

A Clutter Review and a Secret...

If you are still struggling with clutter...

don't worry, I am too.

Well...maybe not this badly...but...

I have found these tips!

Until now I'd never heard of the One Minute rule!

AND

I just found out a secret I never knew:
Clutter is the result of an unmade decision!
(CAN YOU SAY 'AHA MOMENT'?)

These  might help you out!

(Out of your piles, that is!) 

But, don't worry, I'm not laughing at you being buried....

I'm laughing with you, because I am buried too!

Have a Clutter Free week
(Or at least try to)

Truly,

Amber

Are You Depressed?

Except for maybe on Charlie Brown, decades ago mental illnesses were viewed as taboo.

Nobody wanted to address them, let alone admitting to having one.

Now mental illness is being discussed more openly.

Even Hollywood has been sharing their battle with mental illnesses, like depression and bipolar disorder; raising awareness and encouraging acceptance and treatment. Here is a long list of celebrities who've been identified as having a mental illness.

According to WebMD the most common mental illnesses are anxiety and mood disorders, followed by psychotic and eating disorders.

No one should feel alone and it's an encouragement to society when someone well known comes forward to say they are struggling with something. Many mental illnesses should be treated similarly to other diseases.

Like cancer and diabetes they should be discussed, researched, accepted and treated.

I've been depressed before.

I could tell. In my instance I was really tired and sad. I felt overwhelmed by everything and motivated to do nothing.

If anyone says they've never been depressed, they are lying. No one can cope with everything that happens in life and stay chipper day in and day out. From time to time we will all experience feeling a little blue...but it's when more than a few things happen at one time...when people can get depressed.

The solution?
 Talk to someone. Get help.

But beware of thinking a doctor prescribing you pills is the quick fix...

In some cases, it is not a chemical imbalance, but the depression is a symptom of something else.

There could be something going on in your life that has led you to become depressed and that's where finding someone you trust to listen, understand and validate you, is helpful.

Sometimes depression can be situational.

It's where depression is caused by something in your life you feel you do not have control of is leading you to feel overwhelmed, trapped and down right hopeless.

But, once you talk about it, get through some fears, and make some changes, you feel alive again.

That is what happened to me. Once I identified what the issue(s) were in my life causing me to feel this way, and eliminated or changed them...I was a new woman!

Maybe you aren't actually depressed, and you aren't dealing with a mental illness, but you're just feeling a little burnt out or bummed out, here are a few things that can be done to boost your mood:

• STOP 'believing everything you think' (A popular quote and sooooo truthful. 'U' can be your own worst enemy)

• Start listing your accomplishments and don't stop ;)

• Get out into the sunlight (Aitamin D deficiency has been linked to S.A.D.) 

• Take a hot bath (And don't forget to add the bubbles. No bubble bath? Just uses a few squirts of shampoo!)

• Get a hobby you love and get a friend to do it with you

• Surround yourself with genuine, upbeat and supportive friends

• Volunteer at a shelter (people or animal)

• Send a card to someone who's sick, needs encouraging, or to just to say Hi to a relative you've not seen in some time...put bright stickers on it too! (No one is too old for stickers!)

• Help out a friend with a project you have experience with 

• Listen to a friends problems or worries (You will immediately forget your own)

• Turn off mellow, or melancholy, music and turn on upbeat songs you can sing cheerfully to!!!

• Watch a comedy or read the funnies (Laughing will improve your mood instantly)

•  Evaluate things in your day to day life: if something is VERY broken, fix it. Don't wait.

• And yes, the infamous thing we never want to hear- exercise! It's a fact that it gets the blood flowing to the brain and is a natural way to boost mood!

Take this Depression Test to see if you may be depressed.
(This is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis; if you feel you may be dealing with some type of depression or mental illness call your primary care physician and make an appointment. He/she may refer you to some one who can correctly diagnose you.)


'Noble deeds and hot baths are the best cures for depression.' -Dodie Smith

 

Truly,

Amber

Tropical Puzzle

The internet and gaming units have been popular because of their ability to entertain us and keep our attention.

I have always enjoyed good old fashioned puzzles though, and recenly I wondered, with all of this fangdangled technology now-a-days, is this type of puzzle dead? (If the tropical one does not load right away, use the slide tab below the photo to chooose the 19th one to the right...or browse the others!)


I was amazed! I could actually do a jigsaw puzzle on the computer!
I didn't need to go to the store to buy one! (Gotta love the internet.)

Problem is...I almost cannot sit still enough to complete it!

You try...and see how fast you can do this puzzle before your attention span expires!(Gotta hate the internet!)

Happy Friday!

Truly,

Amber

You Need To See This Guy's Positive Attitude!

Bad things happen. 

They can make us feel defeated, hopeless or discouraged.

If we look around us, there's almost always someone who has it worse than we do.

And sometimes those people still keep positive attitudes...

We wonder how? Or why?

Watch this video then come back and tell me if you still feel like having that Pity Party.

Truly,

Amber

Time Got A Hold On You?

‘How do I manage time when it always seems as if time is managing me?’

Do you find yourself saying this exact sentence more than once a week? 

How about more than once a day?!?

It seems that time is something that is never on our side.

Though, it is.

We get plenty of it. 

Years, hours, minutes, seconds.

So why does it seem as if we don’t ever have enough of it?

Because, it boils down to our choices of what to do with it and not all of us are great at successfully organizing it.

At home I squander time as good as anyone. I can always find the lesser important tasks to work on...but it never works to my benefit.

Over time (no pun intended) I found these five things to be quite helpful when organizing my day:

1. Prioritize: Do the tasks with shorter deadlines first
2. Do the harder things first: It gets them out of the way and ensures they get done (and don’t get procrastinated upon)
3. Delegate (this takes admitting you're not superhuman): If you have too much on your plate call on a family member, friend, spouse or better yet, if you have kids they would love to help
4. Get organized (and stay organized): Everything has a place and everything in it’s place.
5. TIO (Touch it once): this is an oldie but goodie. Never put something down unless it’s been dealt with.
6. Say No to things that are not priorities or which do not resonate with your purpose in life. 
7. Beware of Time Stealers: Yes this could be considered Facebook (it happens to me), but this could also be T.V., generic/no purpose internet surfing and sleeping late (yes I do abuse this when I can-but I feel best, and I'm more productive, when I get up two hours prior to the time I would normally get up and get ready for work.

We have all probably heard of tips like these before, though  it’s good to revisit them now and again. 

 

Need more help?

Eat That Frog! Book by Brian Tracy

Online Exercise & Strategies (plug in the time you spend on each activity): 

Time Management: My Daily Hourly Schedule Exercise

“Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.”

                                                                                      – Earl Nightingale

What Color is Your Personality? Take this quiz to find out!

My favorite colors are yellow, black and white.

I have always been drawn to purple as well.

I have never been very much of a pink person.

I took this fun personality quiz which is supposed to reveal my 'color' and after checking off 

some traits, moods and attributes....

I was shocked to find out that....

I'M DEEP PINK!  WOW!!

you are deep pink #FF1493

Your dominant hues are red and magenta. You love doing your own thing and going on your own adventures, but there are close friends you know you just can't leave behind. You can influence others on days when you're patient, but most times you just want to go out, have fun, and do your own thing. Your saturation level is high - you get into life and have a strong personality. Everyone you meet will either love you or hate you - either way, your goal is to get them to change the world with you. You are very hard working and don't have much patience for people without your initiative. Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

(Well, that explains my secret like for a few things in my life pink;)

As much as quizzes are not the true determining factor of who you are...they sure can be fun!

Click HERE to find out what color you are!

Truly,

Amber

Some things are just universal...

Whether you are young or old, female or male, college educated or not, there are some things that just apply to  life no matter what...

20 Quotes on Life shared by Alvin on All-Swagga

I encourage you to read them all, but #20 is surely a winner in my book.

Truly,

Amber

Say it with Photos

Sometimes we need to silence our minds to see...
And other times art silences our minds for us.

Check out these links for some photos that are sure to take your breath away and make you think.


http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/19IpZp/www.greeksky.gr/files/photos/atmospheric/20110616Storm.htm
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/16SgaK/yurioff.35photo.ru/photos/20100830/169919.jpg
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2iQh1j/oddstuffmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ready-for-close-up.jpg
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2tEs3u/www.behance.net/ShirleyAnnDick/frame/263281

The last one is my favorite.

Ever wonder what your purpose is in life?
Looking at art can sometimes help you define that.

Truly,

Amber

Mind Over Matter

Every Path Has Its Puddle ~ Proverb

It's All How You React To It

Truly,

Amber

You Won't Regret It

A July sunrise at Put-in-Bay, Ohio

'Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.'  

- George Halas

Truly,

Amber

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I usually do not post on Tuesday's

But I thought I should since it's my birthday.

I am 38 today!

In past years I've had no real issues with getting older and
have welcomed July 12th with open arms for as long as I can remember.

I recall how it felt to turn16...
I was ecstatic, of course!

 At 18, no different...

At 21, still not much difference...

At 25, a little proud actually.

At 30, Amazing!

And even at 35 I didn't mind
I was quite happy with my age and my accomplishments.

But it was at 36 that I began to wonder...

What's going on here!?

Where is the time going!?

How is it that 36 years has gone by so quickly?
Let's slow it down a little bit...
Because....

I have gray hair (yes, I do).

I have smile lines that don't go away after I stop smiling...

And I am not able to eat anything I want anymore....
Grrrrr.

And most importantly...
I haven't reached all of my goals yet.

On one hand birthdays can be an amazing time of celebration of
our birth, our life and who we are.

We are wiser, better and more aware of ourselves,
what we want and where we want to be...

But,
They can also be a burden when we think of all we've not done.

We are reminded of all of the

'didn't do's', 'should've dones', and haven't yet's.

 I have come to this conclusion...
I will celebrate, not regret.
I'd rather be 38 than 16, 18, 21, 25, 30...

I finally feel like I have a clue in life now...
I have finally figured out a lot of things!

Why in the WORLD would I want to go BACK!!!???

So, bring on the gray, the wrinkles and the payback for eating a big bowl of ice cream more nights
than I should, because I am happy with who I am.

This year I will have 38 candles on my cake...
(though I truly hope not..lol)

And I will celebrate all 38 years of my evolution....

It's because I'm getting older...

That I am who I am today...

And I am one in a million!!!

Truly,

Amber

I Can't Do It All

Everyone's different and I figure that if I can't motivate you, maybe these people will.

My mission is to help those who want it...no matter how I do that.

So, check these links out and see if anything strikes your fancy...or lights a fire under your bottom;)

http://www.persistenceunlimited.com/2007/07/the-top-50-blogs-that-will-unleash-your-motivation/

Truly,

Amber

Be Careful What You Wish For...

A joke worth reading...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/7gzIw8/stories-etc.com/ostrich.htm

 Happy Friday!
Hope I made you smile;)

Truly,

Amber

What it costs...

"What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it." Author Unknown

Freedom Means Different Things to Different People

I am an 80's child for sure.... 

I was raised on rockers with big hair (which I sadly copied), idols who had gutts and I was still in that generation where anything was possible.

Politically correct wasn't invented yet and having big ones was respected not criticized.

Here is a quote that I wanted to share, because I believe

Freedom is not just what our military and country afford us, but Freedom is also within us...

It's being who we are, who we were meant to be and believing in what we understand to be our truth...

'Be strong, believe in freedom and in God, love yourself, understand your sexuality, have a sense of humor, don't judge people by their religion, color, or sexual habits, love life and your family.

- Madonna

Seems simple enough. 

Truly, 

Amber

Mistakes Make You The Expert

Mistakes and fumbles along the roads of life teach us who were are and help us learn what we need to become.

This blog post says it all...

I am not perfect and I am certain that I am better today because I screwed up yesterday.

I admit it, I love to tell others how to fix things...but that's because I have messed up so much in the past now I feel I am a wealth of knowledge on how NOT to!

I found the title of this blog post intriguing 'Martinis, Mistakes and The Experts' (I knew I could totally relate...)

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2LFCz8/livethecharmedlife.com/2010/08/100-ways-to-uncomplicate-your-life/comment-page-1

Happy Mistake Making!

Truly,

Amber

Take My Advice

How many times have you been in a particular situation and asked a friend for some advice?

How often have you actually taken the advice?

Why is it that we could be brave enough to ask for help, but when given a wise word, promptly ignore it and do what we want anyways?

Turn the table and now your friend comes to you for guidance...

It seems so simple to assess their problem and advise them what to do.

Of course I realize that when we aren't emotionally involved it's easy for us to dissect the problem and figure out the next step. We don't have to worry about the consequences or the hard work involved.


Though I think it is also quite easy for us because we can see the situation from the outside of the persons life; making our choice based upon just the issue at hand not the rest of the puzzle.

With that being said, notice how we cannot do that for ourselves?

When our own emotions are involved they say it's too close to home for us to look at things objectively.

I have many friends and not all of them ask for my opinions and/or advice. The ones who do grow at great rates! Those who don't I imagine it's because I do not beat around the bush and I refuse to sugarcoat.

I look at it this way, if I tell my friends what they want to hear I am doing them a disservice.


A friend should not shelter you, they should be curt, frank and on occasion, painfully honest with you because that is what you really need to hear and it's what's best for you.

If you have friends who tell you what you want to hear than:

A) You are robbing yourself of great change and rewards and...

B) Your friend is not as good a friend as they could be


In high school I remember listening for hours to friends with problems. At their request I would really, truly, pay attention to what they were saying. I would understand what was bothering them, I would ask a few questions about how they felt about the situation they were facing and where they wanted to be...then I'd offer them my personal opinion...

How discouraged I would be to see them stay on the path that they were struggling with...even though I gave them the keys to get out of it.

I kept thinking, 'If they trust me enough to ask for my advice, than wouldn't they follow it?'

We do the same thing to ourselves sometimes, we ignore the signs that guide us and tell us what to do next. We deny that changes need to be made.

And Lord help us when somebody says something we don't want to hear. We retreat and/or rebel.

If you are at that type of place with a friend, and you don't particularly like their advice, next time that you are in a pickle and have to make a decision which seems difficult, ask yourself what advice you'd give your them.


Don't sugar coat it and don't be afraid to offend or insult. Sometimes we need it straight because we aren't seeing things clearly.


And the next time your pal tells you something you don't particularly want to hear, don't get angry and pull away...they are only trying to help you...

Just relax and take your own advice.

 Truly,

Amber

'When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody’s bothering to tell you anymore, that’s a very bad place to be. Your critics are the ones telling you they still love you and care.'- Randy Pausch

'Get a feedback loop and listen to it... When people give you feedback, cherish it and use it.'- Randy Pausch

Engagement Photos Gone Wrong

It's Fun Friday, and as much as I hate making fun of people, because it's rude, it is a form of bullying and it is just downright wrong...I do get a kick out of the natural funnies in life that people offer me.

I was Stumbling, like I often do, and I found this in the family stumbles.

A site of Engagement Photos gone BAD.

Not crude or lude and not too bad...well, at least not too many of them...

I decided to share them with you for two reasons:

1) So that you will get a little chuckle today (because I did)
2) So you will learn what not to do (or let a photographer do) during a photography session

By the way, it is ironic that I came upon this site...

I am counting down the days of my own engagement and I have twice in the past two years had my photo taken with my fiancee and I wonder whether or not they look bad...lol...and whether I should show them in an announcement...or save them for my grandkids...

You tell me...

AFTER you check these out:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2fU7hF/www.guidespot.com/guides/engagement_photo_funny_wedding

Truly,

Amber

LIfe is Short...Speak Up

A lot of people think I am outspoken, weird and maybe a bit goofy.

I just think that they are curious why I feel so free to be the way that I am.

I will tell you why; Life is too short to be someone or something else.

Ever since high school I remember having a mantra: Life is too short to be miserable...

And so occasionally I would make decisions that some might not have understood or agreed with...and I may have even come across brash and cold....but do you know what?

I do not regret a thing :)

Over the years I have lived for me and my family....not for anyone else...

Here is a  list of things you should say before you die and I believe that if you do even half, it will change your life forever and leave you feeling a lot freer than you do today....
 
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1BjvkD/www.lyved.com/body_soul/50-things-to-say-before-you-die

Truly,

Amber

One Size Does Not Fit All

One size does not fit all when it comes to motivation. 

I like to think that I motivate people, but who knows, maybe I don't.

For example, maybe it takes spending time around the elderly that lead some people to maximize their time on earth.

Others might be frozen in fear by it and maybe even depressed.

Maybe visiting countries which are less fortunate than us can cause someone  to want to help, but might drive others to be fearful for themselves and inspire greed.

I read a book last year called ‘The Last Lecture’.  

It motivated me. 

It did not push me to become someone I’m not and it did not inspire me to run a marathon either….but it did change the way that I think.

I was inspired to be appreciative for the dreams that I have achieved, be happy for the time I do have and for the blessings that are bestowed upon me…

Rather than…

Be disappointed by what I do not have, did not get and have not accomplished.

Randy Pausch’s book moved me; his wife Jai moved me. 

The story made me think the opposite of the way I used to think. 

Instead of dwelling daily on the things I’d not done and how long it took me to do the things that I had, I began to feel blessed for the things I’d accomplished and I started to realize how much time I still  have left…and not to waste a minute of it.

 

It afforded me patience to be myself now, enjoy the positive memories of the past and look forward to the future….no matter how slow it developed in my own eyes.

Here is another story that changed my thinking:

Erin Crossin Grenon’s Road to Recovery Blog

http://egrenon.blogspot.com/2011/06/tuesday-june-7th-update.html

Erin motivates me, her husband Dustyn moves me. Their story makes me realize how careful we must be with our lives, our words, our motives. And how strong we must be during tragedies and how we should always be grateful for the air we breathe and the people who love us. 

The undenying strength and unconditional love that Erin’s husband and family have for her; the ability to see past today…which isn’t lovely, to a future that will someday, hopefully, be close to normal.

Here are two other links that I like to read:

I just love this post from  May 26^th on Better Life Coaching:

http://betterlifecoaching.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/dont-press-the-snooze-button/

Rowdy Kittens:

http://rowdykittens.com/2011/06/kindness/ 

Reminds me how beautiful life is when I move out the stuff in my life. It makes me appreciate lthe things that really matter like nature and people... and that learning to live with less is practical and peaceful.

Visit these blogs, not just because I told you to, but because reading stories are the best way to gain another perspective.

We all need it sometimes to change our thinking and light a fire underneath us to change.

Truly,

Amber