9.13.2013

-What. Will. You. Do?-

This is where I bear my soul...and share my life's experiences. In hopes that a little vulnerability will help even just one person along the way.

We are fast approaching the month of October...it's commonly known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an important cause, but less known as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

The latter topic has recently been weighing upon my heart. As a survivor (19 years ago and going strong!!!), I feel it's incredibly important to educate others on this less discussed but equally important topic. Still seemingly taboo to talk about.

A few facts tonight:

Imagine this: EVERY nine seconds a woman is beaten or assaulted in the US. This could be your sister, your daughter, a friend. What will you do about it?

Up to ten million children witness an act of domestic violence annually. *It's a fact.* What will you do about it?

Every, single day more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends. And this is love? 

Our teenage girls are affected as well. One in five have said their boyfriends have threatened violence or self harm if a break up occured. Imagine that being your daughter.

Lastly, it affect far more than the immediate parties involved. Domestic violence victims lose nearly eight million days of paid work per year. That's 32,000 full time jobs, people, 32,000!!
And let's not talk about the cost of healthcare and the monies spent in the judicial system. Staggering.

Serious subject. What will YOU do?

Support your local shelters, donate, volunteer. Educate yourself, not one month out of the year, but often.

    9.11.2013

    {Have you Dreams}

    Someone once asked whether or not I dream. I say, "Define Dream."

    Everyone dreams at one point or another in their life. Some dreams are obtained, while others lie long forgotten.

    Those forgotten dreams lie deeply embedded in your soul. Nagging at you to break free. It may seem that they are forgotten but subconsciously, they are always there, a part of you.

    Forgotten dreams need to be re-birthed. You will feel better for it, if you follow your heart. Trust me on this one.

    Recently I said that much of my life is not how I pictured it would be in my latter years of high school. My big dream was to graduate in Italy...head off to college in Perugia (Italy.) And live and work in Rome. I wanted to work for the USO, right down the street from the Vatican City, St. Peters Square. Oh the dreams I had then. I won't say I am discontent with the way my life is now. I've got many things to be thankful for....some things I'd never even imagined. But these dreams are still in me....deeply embedded. Oh the part about college in Italy....I'm okay with that, it won't ever happen, I'm a bit too "old" for that. But to live there again...that's a dream that will never subside as long as I live.

    Dreams are important. Some dreams are just that. Dreams. Others are meant to be worked towards and lived out.

    Pick up those forgotten dreams. Rediscover your dreams. Create new ones. Don't let them go. Do whatever it takes to achieve them. No regrets in life. Live life to the fullest.

    8.18.2013

    {Another Untitled...Random Thoughts.}

    ...Separation.......Distancing myself from what I knew. 

    Taking a different path. Switching directions. Slowly. New Things are coming.

    Sadness and sorrow. Are Gone. New birth. New Life. New Direction.

    New Path. New Goals. New creations. 


    8.15.2013

    Slowly. Pulling away. Without a sound. Further. And. Further. Away.

    Distancing. Farther Away.

    The space gets wider. The distance, longer. 

    Slowly. Separating from things that are unhealthy. Unkind. 

    Widening the gap.


    8.08.2013

    8.07.2013

    Falling.

    Falling, Falling. Slowly. Down. Down. 

    Reaching up, for a hand. Is no one around?

    Falling. Down. Slowly. Is there no way up?

    Slowly. Reaching up again.....finally found a hand....latching on. Grabbing hold. Not letting go. 

    Pulling me up. Seeing the light. There now...standing on my own. 

    8.01.2013

    Like a Wave.

    Highs...and lows...like a wave, constantly moving...flowing, up and down...back and forth. 

    So is life. Like a wave. Constant movement. Constant flow. Constant change.