Do You Think it's True? Is Attitude Everything?

Since watching "Captive:  A Journey of Hope and Survival" with ABC's Robin Roberts, it confirmed what I believe to be a key factor to rising above insurmountable trauma.

Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus were kidnapped and held captive for ten years by Ariel Castro, the father of Amanda and Gina's friend. Amanda was taken the day before her 17th birthday and is now 29 years old.  They were tortured, chained, and starved.  A bucket was their toilet and they were allowed one shower a week - with their abductor.

The house where they were held captive for 10 years

From the first day of Amanda's kidnapping, she kept a diary. Over the years she used every bit of paper she acquired to make her journal entries; i.e. take-out food bags.  The journal helped keep her sane and was priceless when writing her memoir.

6 Things People Say that Drive Me Crazy

People say certain things every day that drive me crazy.  I'm wondering if you agree with me. Some of these are pet peeves of mine.  For instance, when I buy ONE thing at a store and the clerk says "All together, that will be...."  I usually look around to see what else I purchased but nothing is there.  She said that because she says it to everyone, no matter what they buy.  There is no thought to the words that come out of her mouth.

Sometimes, I find myself starting to say one of the following phrases and catch myself.   It could be construed as a lie when you are asked "How are you today?" and you answer with "Fine, thank you. And you?"  I realize we often do this to avoid pouring out our heart and saying to someone "Rotten, thank you.  You?" Although I have been known to say that on occasion, I usually do it for effect - just to see the look on someone's face.  Then I laugh and they have no idea if I was lying or telling the truth.

And what about the waitress who says "How are we today?"  I know how I am but why would you ask me how YOU are doing?

But there are certain things people say to me (or I hear them say to other people) that I would love to challenge.  I think these are usually said because they feel badly for someone and don't know what else to say.  HOWEVER, if we say these things and sincerely mean them -- that is a totally different ballgame.  My issue is when we say something for the mere sake of saying it and there is little to no thought behind it.

My Encounter with the World's Dumbest Criminals

Most of us have read stories of criminals whose actions were so dumb it was as if they wanted to get caught.  Remember Klaus Schmidt who tried to rob a bank in Berlin?  The teller asked him if he needed a bag and he answered, "Yes, it's a real gun!"  She quickly realized he was deaf so she set the alarm; the police arrived, came up behind him and he never heard a thing.

In 2008, Ruben Zarate wanted to rob a muffler shop in Chicago.  He was armed with a gun and demanded money.  The employees told him the manager was not in yet and they could not open the safe. He left his PHONE NUMBER with them so they could call him when the manager got there.

Then there was the carjacking gone badly when the thief couldn't drive a stick shift!

Recently, we had an encounter with two of the world's dumbest criminals.  That's right - two, not one. Are two heads always better than one?  Apparently not.

Does the 'What Could Have Happened' Scare You?

I love the monthly Fly on The Wall posts.   Each blogger shares what has happened around their home in the past month.  You can share a funny, sad or unusual occurrence that isn't long enough to warrant a full post.  It is a way to stay in touch with fellow bloggers to see what happened in their lives the past month.  If you haven't considered it already, please think about joining us and share the fun. 

A couple weeks ago I woke up earlier than usual but decided to get up and start my day. It was MEANT to be because if I had not, I shudder to think what might have happened to my black Lab, Mercedez.

I AM HERE - Untold Stories Of Everyday People

JUST PUBLISHED - FREE NEXT TWO DAYS

Something very exciting has happened – I have a story published in a book! It’s called I Am Here: The Untold Stories of Everyday People and is a collection of true, funny, heart-wrenching, and ultimately inspiring stories. It’s format is similar to Chicken Soup for the Soul and if you like those books, you’ll like this one.

8 Things To Never Do On Your Blog

Each of us is entitled to our own opinions and these are mine regarding blogging.  There are certain things we do as bloggers that turn off many readers. Incorporating them into our blogs are small changes that can make a big difference in keeping our followers returning .... or not. I believe there are some things we should never do to maintain that interest.

If Your Health Matters, What Are You Doing About It?

Does your health matter to you?  Do you take time for your health today so that you have health for your time tomorrow?   I believe that most of us do the best we can as well as educate ourselves in various health related matters.

I started this journey when I was in my twenties and given two years to live.  That is far too young to be hear the "C" word and told "Hysterectomy or death!"  Those were my choices and I didn't choose either one.  But that's another story and you can read how I chose to be a victor -- not a victim here.

If You Can Forget Your Struggles For A Moment, Why Not 2 or 3?

It didn't matter what kind of day I was having, looking outside made all my worries disappear for a moment.   Outside my window the Magnolias had opened over night and the magenta leaves reached for the morning's sunlight.  If only I could do that.  But wait, I could and did.  If I could forget my struggles for a moment, why not for two or three moments? Why couldn't I table my troubles?

I stepped outside and realized the signs of Spring were everywhere - from the small rhubarb plant starting in my garden to the choir of birds singing their morning song.

Everything was flourishing -- why couldn't I?

Could I turn my back on my catastrophic life and exchange it for a happy one?  Could it possibly be that easy?  

That day, I made the decision that changed my life forever. I would make a daily, hourly, moment by moment effort to see the positive in everything.  Bad things can happen to good people but they do not have to control my life; my thoughts.

When I looked outside and saw the flowers, I had my story idea for this short post which was a Use Your Words challenge.  Each month those participating in the challenge are given a series of words given to them from another blogger to use in a story. Each month I try to turn those words into a true story and this month I didn't have a clue.  

I have had a lot of trauma in my life but so have a lot of other people.  I can choose to dwell on those negatives or..... learn from them and draw strength and wisdom.  I have chosen the latter. 

My words were magenta, flourish, rhubarb, catastrophic and happy. They were submitted by Juicebox Confession.  

I hope you take a few minutes to check out the other bloggers in this challenge - read their stories, comment on their posts and let me know if you find the words I gave another blogger before I can figure it out - as we never know until they go live.

Baking In A Tornado
Spatulas on Parade
The Bergham's Life Chronicles
The Momisodes
Southern Belle Charm
Confessions of a Part-time Working Mom
Someone Else's Genius
Stacy Sews and Schools
Sparkly Poetic Weirdo
Searching for Sanity
Climaxed
Eileen's Perpetually Busy