Courage

Sometimes the biggest act of courage is a small one. ~ Lauren Raffo

Patience, Gas and Grace

This past Friday afternoon,  during peak traffic time I was making several stops on what I consider an empty tank of gas. Let me rephrase that: On what my car considers 'fumes'.

I had to get to an appointment at a specific time and felt that I'd left myself plenty of room to do my errands, fuel up and be on my way without being late.

The first stop took twice as long as expected. The second stop took some extra time as well...and as I pulled into the first gas station I came to, cars were lined up all the way out into the road. (No, I do not believe this gas station was having a great sale or anything, -I WISH. I'm pretty sure most of these people just had the same idea as I did....'I'll fill up on payday'.)

I was the third car in a line of cars that were sitting in the road, and hadn't made it into the actual entrance yet, so I knew this hold-up was going to make me late for sure. I felt like I was verging on a toe tapping moment of aggravation. I quickly scanned the pumps. Each and every one had multiple cars pumping and waiting.  I kept hoping I'd find someone just leaving so I could zip in. As I got closer to the pump lines, and with traffic lining up behind me, some of the cars had my initial idea to zoom around the pumps looking for an open spot.

Something strange happened for me though...I let them all speed by me...

Then, I opted to pull up to the first pump I came to. And even though it had one of the biggest trucks at it, and was probably the person pumping the most gallons of gas- besides the giant brown R.V. to my left, I ecided to sit and wait for him to get done.

I'd learned from past moments of impatience, how it usually does me no good to rush around looking for a spot because in the end I'm usually left angry, out of luck and I end up waiting longer anyhow.

Having patience felt great! I relaxed in the car and was able to catch up on a blog I subscribe to where the topic was public speaking. As I read the post I thought, 'How perfect! This might be a while, and this blog is really great!

When I was done, I was late to my appointment, but I wasn't late and mad.

I haven't talked much about My One Word lately, but I still try daily to use it.

When I thought about my choice to use patience at the pumps, I knew immediately it meant that I was using My One Word.

I knew I didn't need to expend energy, and emotion, doing something counterproductive. Instead I could just sit still and relax. It felt good to be calm, and breathe.

I ended up having a great afternoon, thanks to My New Year's Resolution of using My One Word.

 

Truly,

Amber

I just read that YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook are merging. It’ll be called You-Twit-Face. 

- Found on FunnyInspirationalQuotesite.com...

I seriously had never heard or saw this before...

Honestly...I am still laughing...

Where is Happiness, Success and Prosperity When You Want It?

 Whether it's the right job, the right place, the right person or the right opportunity...

If you're really looking for something, seeking answers 

and searching for happiness...

You don't always have to go far...

Sometimes it's right in front of you.

Truly, 

Amber

Sharing an Inspirational Blog Post

I follow a blog called Better Life Coaching and the other day the author posted a very simple story that I would like to share with you.

Better Life Coaching (a story about adversity).

Please share your thoughts with Darren on this, I am sure he'd appreciate it.

Truly,

Amber

Fall is A Sign

I believe that when things fall into place it's a sign.

But I also believe it's a sign when things don't.

Many times in my life I've experienced moments where I should've been less stubborn and pushed less.

There's times in life where we should, and can, push hard towards a goal...and other times when we need to back off and give it a rest.

We won't always know when that is, but a good indication is when you have tried more than two or three ways to solve a problem, or achieve a goal. That is generally a good time to step back and walk away...not forever, just for a while.

Another sign is if no matter what you find yourself in constant distress and repeated road blocks. It may be a sign that this isn't going to happen, or shouldn't happen.

And you know if you push it...it can sometimes turn out badly.

Remember the old saying, 'Good things come to those who wait'...

Don't worry, you aren't giving up on your goals and dreams...

You're just having patience for it!

Flaunt It If Ya Got It...

I don't usually post today, but I felt compelled to comment on this...

Don't you think that if you didn't take any bailout money to keep your business running you'd be proud?
Don't you also think that if you were a consumer and did business with that company...you'd be proud?

Supposedly the particular topic/verbiage that was chosen during the interview was not of the truck owner's own account, but a ploy to brag, and gain sales, among other things...and it's being slammed...

At the end of that article see the Youtube video which the consumer posted on his own. Just a regular 'Joe' with his dog in the background has to defend his place? Is it a crime to be proud? Is it a crime to state your beliefs?

Is it a crime to toot your own horn if you are successful in business???

Even if this was a sales driven ploy by Ford, don't we see much worse advertising tactics out there?

I don't see the big deal...

Your thoughts?

Truly,
Amber

P.S. The article does give some credit to Ford, but only after the slamming is over.

Intl peace day

Today is International Peace Day.

What will you do to encourage peace?

Try these:

Don't judge

Don't use harsh words

Keep your patience

Forgive

Use your manners

Appreciate

Use kind tones, soft speech, soft touch

Don't abuse people or things

Don't take anyone, or anything, for granted

Help light someone's way today

Many candles can be kindled from one candle without diminishing it.~ Midrash

Thank you.

Truly,

Amber

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Test

Hat by Faith Connexion

We are tested every day on how we react, what we will say, and most importantly- what we will do.

I don't always write pretty.

Not until I sort through the ugly, anyways.

I believe it's the nasty stuff we go through that shape us into better people.

It is what it is and we learn a lesson from everything, and everyone.

The questions on my most recent test:

1) Will you 'cater to the client' to get the job?


Answer:
Yes

2) Will you change who you are to get that job?

Answer:
No

3) Will you take something positive away from it?

Always

Passed! 

100%!

(I cannot lie...I had a little help with this one...I had to pray, and I listened to the answer. I did my best. Then, I needed to ask again...and I listened to the answer again, it was louder and clearer so I didn't just listen this time...I followed.)

We learn from everyone around us, no one person is right or wrong.
 Just be yourself. Be strong and most importantly, have Faith!

I believe that the people, instead of pretty lies, should be told the truth, no matter how ugly it may be. What can we do, destiny hasn't been kind to us; but, with the help of God, we will prevail. 
        ~Alija Izetbegovic

Introducing a New Music Page!

Piano House in China

Music is amazing.

It can enhance or change our mood, it can move us or make us relax.

I cannot imagine my life without it.

Please visit the first of my:
Music that Inspires Me page, where I will be listing artists who will forever be in my library. (You may be rerouted from Yellow Inspiration, so bookmark this page so you can come back after listening.)

 I'm beginning with:

Music That Inspires Me To Be Reflective:
Jim Brickman (with Hillary Scott and Lady Antebellum)
Chris Botti
David Osborne (Known as the 'Pianist to the Presidents' Youtube-Hotel California, he does it on piano! Astounding!)

Watch for more music on next weeks new Music Page and feel free to share which music inspires YOU!

Truly,

Amber

A True Story of Unselfish People

 A beautiful wedding....

and then Irene.

Ugh.

60 people in attendance for a wedding in Vermont were stranded when Irene hit.


The could've griped but instead they helped.

Amazing..

Just proves there are still wonderful and kind people in the world.

Truly,

Amber

Who's Life is it Anyway?

Who's life are you living?

What were you put here on Earth for?

What dictates what you do and what you don't do?

I was having a conversation with my teenage daughter the other day about being open minded.
I said that it takes open-mindedness to really find out how you feel about things.

At the end of our conversation on views and opinions, she told me that I was an 'awesome person'.

To me that was the best compliment I could ever receive from one of my children. I asked her why she thought this.

Her reply:
'Because, you don't let anyone boss you around, you live your life the way you want to.'

My response was, 'I only have one life; why should I live it for somebody else?' (Of course I live very much of it for my children, but other than that, I live life for myself.)

That reply should not be taken as selfish, though maybe it is...I believe that this is my own life and I take time to understand who I am and be who I am, otherwise my life is not worth living.

'One cannot fully blossom as an individual if they are stuck in the confines of someone else's beliefs and ideals.'-Amber J Chapman

Be Yourself.

Truly,

Amber

Ten Years After 9/11

It's ten years later...

And you and I are still carrying on.

Our lives might have been inconvenienced that day, and our hearts might have been broken, but since then we have healed and are living life almost as if it never happened.

I believe that unless you are touched personally from a particular tragedy, the sting can never truly be felt.

There are thousands of rememberance events out there this week for the anniversary of September 11th, and there are so many, I don't think I know which one to participate in.

Likewise, there are so many people to pray for, honor and remember, I don't quite know where to start.

Because of that, this week I've decided to to dedicate all 3 of my blogs to the awareness of 9/11's victims. Each one being different in it's focus.

On Family Matters I've chosen to share websites on the families who are coping, organazations they have created, and the ways they are helping the rest of the world deal with that horrific day ( and the future of America).

On Divorce Dazed I have shared links where readers can get education, support as well as give back. In addition, I share a story I found, which highlights an odd trend of NY firefighters who've left their wives after September 11th to marry the widows of their fallen comrades.

On Yellow I wanted to give you an inspiring story.

Because without them, it would be a pretty angry world.

America is angry, that goes without saying, but without something positive to pull out of all of this we will surely forget the way.

This week, I didn't want to focus on me, and what I was doing that day... I did not lose a spouse, a child, a job, or my life. I was affected, yes, but not to the degree that the 'true' victims were.

In honor of the victims of the WTC Terrorist Attacks, please visit this  Family Tribute Page  to learn more about who they were. (They're listed alphabetically and some of the victims have a living memorial page.)
Thank you to all who serve, all who've lost and all who love.
May we some day have Peace.

Truly,

Amber

F.Y.I.: Fun Friday will be replaced...

This week Fun Friday will be replaced by a 9/11 tribute.

I have always said we need to have a sense of humor about things in life, and I still believe that.

Though there is not, and never will be, anything funny about the events that happened on September 11, 2001.

Please join me tomorrow when I dedicate all three of my blogs to the victims, and the public awareness, of the 9/11/01 World Trade Center Attacks.

Thank you.

Truly,

Amber

What Could Make A Difference?

 What do you wish someone would do for you right now? 

Buy you a new car?

Buy you a new house?

Give you a massage?

How about give you a diamond necklace?

But, what if they were to:

Repair your flat tire...?

Fix your leaky roof...?

Stop your toilet from running...?

Send you flowers..?

What if they just:

held the door for you...

shook your hand...

touched your arm...

Or smiled at you?

It probably wouldn't matter which of these they did for you...

either way, I guarantee you'd feel better.

We cannot always help others in large ways, but don't let that deter us from being kind.

Giving, comes in small packages as well...and like the old quote goes:

 

No Act of Kindness, No Matter How Small, Is Ever Wasted.~Aesop

Acts of Kindness, In the Nick of Time

What is 15 minutes to someone?


It gave me goosebumps when I heard it on the radio...(the team tried to keep it quiet-but they should know better;)

Read this story about how the Cleveland Indians helped out teammate Jack Hannahan in August.

Truly,

Amber