We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on a nice vacation, or when we retire.

The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way.

So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with...and remember that time waits for no one. So, stop waiting....

• until your car or home is paid off
• until you get a new car or home
• until your kids leave the house
• until you go back to school
• until you finish school
• until you lose 10 lbs.
• until you gain 10 lbs.
• until you get married
• until you have kids
• until you retire
• until summer
• until spring
• until winter
• until fall
• until you die

There is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

So...work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching.

Copyright © Crystal Boyd

A friend of mine told me about this church. It is in my town and not too far away. He said it was wonderful and that I should check it out . 

I knew yesterday that today was the day I would pick to start my journey. The search for  THE CHURCH  of my choice. Not one chosen by my parents or by the corresponding zip code that I am in that tells me where I should be.

I got up early. checked out their web site and found it very interesting. I got dressed and drove to it with calm and ease. As I walked to the door, I was greeeted by two people and they actually spoke and said hello.

Immediatly someone screemed DEBBIE!!! An old photographer acquaintance of mine and her husband go to this church. What a great welcome!  After we said hello, I proceeded to sit down. 

What happened in the next 1 1/2 hours was just the measure of a miracle. WE sang songs and when I say WE SANG SONGS  I mean EVERYONE  sang the songs! It was amazing. I grew up Catholic and never heard others sing along with the songs.......always puzzled me. These people were not ashamed to be heard. 

Then the assistand pastor gave us the most amazing   lesson I have ever heard. It made me laugh and it made me cry. It had me mesmorized and  I got more out of this sermon today then in all my years of going to church put together.  I did not look at my watch,did not yawn,it was almost as if time stood still. He spoke of being content. WE seek contentment from 'things' such as drugs, money, material things.............never really knowing that what we seek is the contentment that only Jesus can give! After the service was over, I stook in my place, frozen in disbelief that a simple service could give me so much.  That the Lord is alive and well and that I am alive and well and we are ok TOGETHER.

I grew up Catholic all my life. Struggling with the why's and the fears and the dreaded confessional. I do love the mass but I wish I could do it my way. I longed in my youth to be a priest. I was told countless times it would  never happen.

I am content today. A contentment that only Jesus can give me. I don't have much but I have it all. Most of all I have so much  love and so much peace. 

I have found my church, there is no doubt. I will grow and learn and teach and lead but most of all I will LOVE  and GIVE  and WORSHIP my GOD  they way I want my HEART  to.....I  will LOVE  my neighbor as much as I LOVE myself. I will grow in the Lord and walk in the light.

I am writting this NOT for the world, but as a journal to and of  my journey. Thanks to TOOLS and the choice I made  to finish it and I thank God for the contentment He has given me.

I am human

I am me

NAMESTE

The Thing I Value Most
by: Author Unknown

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man.
College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In
fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his
dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little
time to think about the past and often no time to spend with
his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing
could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last
night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through
his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering
his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I
thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died
years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask
how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you
spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told
him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped
in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she
said.

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't
be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of
time teaching me things he thought were important... Mom,
I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next
flight to his hometown.

Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no
children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed
away. The night before he had to return home, Jack and his
Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.
Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was
like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through
space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered.
Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of
furniture... Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

"The box is gone," he said.

"What box? " Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of
his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was
inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'"
Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack
remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from
the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack
said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home,
Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning
home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox.
"Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please
stop by the main post office within the next three days,"
the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package.

The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a
hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read,
but the return address caught his attention.

"Mr. Harold Belser" it read.

Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the
package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope.
Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside."Upon my
death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack
Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small
key was taped to the letter.

His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully
unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold
pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely
etched casing, he unlatched the cover.

Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your
time! Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most... was... my time."

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his
office and cleared his appointments for the next two days.

"Why?" Janet, his ass
read more...]]> 2008-02-21 03:28:54 GMT http://toolstolife.com/users/moonshadow/blog/viewpost/9425/ http://toolstolife.com/users/moonshadow/blog/viewpost/9410/ thissis for all of you that did not get a chance to see the eclipse tonight......

 this was the end of phase 1.............and a beautiful eclipse it was...........next one 2010

HOW AWSOME IS MOTHER EARTH.....

First of all

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUTUMN MIST.......WISHING YOU ALL THE VERY BEST LIFE CAN GIVE! YOU DESERVE IT AND MORE!

I want you  to know that January and February are my deadest months for work being a photographer.  I have had the busiest January and February EVER!!! TOOLS TO LIFE  really gives you the TOOLS  when they mean  it - THEY MEAN IT!!! 

So for all you new TOOLERS  out there, do as you are told here, follow instructions well and do TOOLS  every day if you can. IT WORKS!!! 

I am  working and enjoying my life. My relationship is great and I am having fun. 

My weight is steadily coming off and I am enjoying my new lifestyle. I eat healthy and I am enjoying myself. I slacked off my drinking of water for a week while on an assignment but now that I am home, I am back on track and drinking water  again.

I met a lady the other day at a mother daughter brunch I was taking photos for and we talked about weight. she has struggled all her life and I introduced her to TOOLS TO LIFE  and I hope she joined. I will see her again soon and see. 

My most wonderful accomplishement to date after graduating is the complete loss of  FEAR OF FLYING. I flew to Phoenix Arizona and on the place I sat on the window seat...........AND TOOK PHOTOS.  I NEVER was able to even look out the window EVER before! I had complete trust and faith and no fear of dying if we went down!

This  was fine while on the first three legs of the trip. I had to switch planes one last time and my lack of fear was put to the test on my last leg home.  We hit such turbulance that the people literally came off their seats. It was like a wild roller coaster ride. I did not even break a sweat. My partner was shocked as before this she     would have been black and blue and I would have had 4 drinks to get me by.  I was calm as can be and I did not even have one drink.

WE landed and I was never more proud of myself!!! I was smiling from ear to ear but you know why????????????????
IT FEELS GREAT TO CONQUER FEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I FELT LIKE A BIZILLION BUCKS!

I WAS ON TOP OF THE WORLD!!!

Is there anything better? I conquered fear....that is pretty awsome. I thought to myself "see, if you would have had all that fear, you still would have landed..." so all that worrying would have been in vain. Even if we did not land and say we crashed, well, at that point there was nothing I could do......so I thanked the pilot on the way out and told him what an awsome pilot he was.

OK now I've sort of caught you up with my doings......I will blog more often and check in here more. I do miss you all and have been faithfully logging in and reading blogs and checking in on  my support group 'WEIGHT LOSS CHALLANGE'.

I have made goals for this year some of which are to play more  OUTDOOR sports (tennis), start hiking and oh yeah, and BECOME A MILLIONAIRE!!!!!!!

Publish a coffeetable book of photographs   and have a  art show at a gallery (which is already in the works because someone asked me to have a show with my photos in the Spring!)

Oh yeah and another thing.............AND THIS IS REALLY REALLY BIG.............

My brother said I LOVE YOU  to me for the first time in I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER how long........not once now but twice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AMAZING!!!!!!

HAVING A GREAT DAY!!!!

much love to all,

mwaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I had to come on here and tell you all of my flight back home last night. I had to stop over in Cinncinaty Ohio. I expected the first flight to  be very bumpy because I had heard about all the storms in the South the night before. WEll, the first flight from Phoenix to Ohio was great.  The second flight from Ohio To  Baltimore was the equivalent of a great roller coaster ride. WE had such awful turbulance. Now I was afraid of flying all my life. I especially did not like turbulance of any kind. 

 I boarded my flights with no fear and I had complete TRUST  in the pilot upstairs (GOD) .....if my time was up, there was nothing I could do about it SO I WAS NOT SCARED. I did not sweat......and we made a great landing......I overcame my fear! I was so powerful and even my partner (on other flights she would have been black and blue) 

was in total disbelief at how calm I remained.   

It is great to be in total control of yourself!!! I am very proud today!

I brought back photos of about every cactus I saw and nothing was left unphotographed in Phoenix. I went to the Zoo while there and it was a great zoo. Lots of photographs there.....and they have a white baby tiger.....too cute!

I want to encourage  any new people to stick with TOOLS  because no one had more fear of flying then I.............I mean if I could drive, I would......I credit TOOLS TO LIFE  with showing me how to be in TOTAL control of myself and all I do.....

KEEP GOING........YOU WILL BE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GLAD YOU DID AND A MUCH BETTER PERSON!!!!!!!!!!!

nameste,

debbie 

anyone that was born or lives here ought to be very proud. What a beautiful country we have! Phoenix is lovely and I am having so much fun. This morning we are headed for a wildlife world zoo that has a white baby tiger! I feel like a little kid and I am very excited.  The people here are quite friendly and there are parties everywhere. I am one that loves to sightsee and see the sites more then party at this point........SO MUCH TO SEE!!!!!!!!! I have taken TONS  of photos. The cactus facinate me with their shapes and stature.  Lots of construction and the town is booming!  I even went to see some model homes ...........hahahaha the most expensive one costs less then my little cabin in Virginia........it is amazing.

The lady I am staying with is 73 and is a kind and gentle soul.....high spirited and lots of fun.  Her decorating taste is inpecable and would put  the likes of Martha Stewart and many decorating gurus to shame!  Her colors are lively and she has been so much fun to be with.

I am glad she has a computer so I can keep up with my TOOLS  friends and I know I have not blogged for a few days so I thought I's do it today......everyone is still asleep. I am the ever lasting early bird!!! Wake up and clap (ever so quietly though as not to wake anyone.....lol) and I whisper my

I AM HAVING A GREAT DAY..... 

THIS IS MY DAY!!!!

   I will try and blog again before I leave on Wednesday,

 - I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly

See I was on the verge of breaking down
Sometimes silence can seem so loud
There are miracles in life I must achieve
But first I know it starts inside of me, oh

If I can see it, then I can be it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it


Hey  I believe in me

If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it


Hey, if I just spread my wings
I can fly
I can fly
I can fly, hey
If I just spread my wings
I can fly

I cried today. As I listened to Coach on my last day of TOOLS..........cried like a baby!

Good joyful tears. Tears of pure happiness because I have actually COMPLETED something. Not just ANYTHING, I have completed the best course in my life. I have the TOOLS now and I have gained so much. I have gained a new me! A better me and one that I knew laid dormant inside. I just needed someone like Coach and TOOLS TO LIFE  to help me bring her out. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I have changed and now I am ready to tackle and face the world with an attitude that only spells success and happiness. 

I will make a difference in the world. 

Some major changes have been:

I don't drink anymore.

I don't swear anymore.

I am not angry at everyone anymore.

I think before I act. 

I think of the outcome of my actions BEFORE  I do them.

I listen to my inner voice....my best friend.

I have lost 40 pounds and eat healthy and smarter.

I drink water all day.

I exercise every day.

I stretch every day.

I have more compassion for people and have turned out to be a great listener.

I don't procrastinate.

I start projects and finish them.

I wake up happy every day.

I go to bed happy every night.

I read books now.

I AM JUMPING FOR JOY ALL THE TIME!!!! 

Now, for all you new people doing  TOOLS......... I have noticed some people log on then drop off. DON'T DO THIS. KEEP DOING TOOLS!!! It worked for me and believe me, it will work for you.  BUT YOU HAVE TO KEEP AT IT.....EVERY DAY.

If you have to skip a day or so...it is alright JUST GET BACK TO IT.

Make this a priority in your life. I AM LIVING PROOF THIS WORKS!!! This is not artificial, it is the very TOOLS  needed to create a great life for yourself. I was skeptical at first but as the days went by and I started seeing the changes and results.........there was no doubt that this is THE TOOLS I NEEDED FOR EFFECTIVELY CHANGING MY LIFE.

I will continue to log on and be part of the community. I want to encourage people in any way I can.

I wish you all the happines I know waits for you and the new YOU that is within you.

Yes, I cried today, but they were tears OF GRATITUDE for LESSONS WELL TAUGHT...........THANK YOU COACH STEELE....I WILL MAKE YOU PROUD!

THANK YOU  all for your support throughout my journey in  TOOLS.  I have made friends here that will last a lifetime. It was their encouragement and support that got me through. THANK YOU ALL.

I WILL ALSO MAKE YOU PROUD!

Thank you to the universe and Mother Earth.....for making it possible for me to 'ACCIDENTLY' find TOOLS TO LIFE.  I now know this was not accident. You had planned it all along. I am grateful and I will MAKE YOU PROUD!

'

THANK YOU  TO MY FATHER AND CREATOR, ALMIGHTY GOD. For all you have given me. For your wonderful gifts. I will now go use them well and I WILL MAKE YOU PROUD!

NAMESTE

debbie   

"