Day Nine -- Post some words of wisdom that speak to you

The power behind words is often misunderstood or even not noticed. But many incredible things can be relayed via word – written, spoken or even sung. On any given day, we will run across a quote or something that may cause us to pause and cycle the statement over in our minds. Some quotes that we read or hear may even end up staying with us for a lifetime.

One of my most favorite quotes, and one I consider a ‘word of wisdom’, was made by legendary women’s basketball coach, Kay Yow. As she battled cancer for many years, she held true to her faith and never wavered. A statement she made has impacted many around the world and continues to be relayed even after her passing in 2009. It is as follows: “When life kicks you, let it kick you forward.”

Such a simple yet such a profound statement! We are all going to get kicked or have moments when we fall down or feel as if we are at our lowest. We have two choices: get knocked down and stay down and just dwell in the darkness OR get knocked down and pick yourself back up. No, it may not be a complete bounce-back recovery that happens overnight, but gradually, if you start to pick up the pieces, you can climb back. When we get knocked down, don’t give up! Don’t ever lose the fight. Dig deep within and know that you can face whatever you are facing. Let whatever situation it was that caused you to fall into the abyss, allow that situation to be a stepping stone in your life. Take one baby step and keep pushing forward. Let that moment be a changing point in your life. As hard as it may seem, good things can come out of dark trials. Somewhere along the way, someone has either faced what you are facing or there is someone, somewhere who is facing something much worse.

I was always so amazed by Coach Yow. She battled cancer for over 20 years with numerous re occurrences of the dreaded disease. But yet, she didn’t give up. She kept pushing forward. She may have not felt like coaching, but she continued for as long as she physically could. She motivated, and still motivates, countless numbers of individuals from players, coaches, fans and just anyone in general. Her motivation and determination to fight her battle with cancer gave hope to many others who are battling the same disease to not give up and keep fighting forward. That same thing can be applied to our lives, as well. Don’t give up on whatever battle you are facing. Sure, the battle may be tough at times, but just keep pushing forward. It’s okay to have your down moments, but don’t get stuck in the rut or your tires will keep on spinning. Put it in four-wheel drive and push through the mud and head onward.

May Coach Yow’s words of wisdom live on for many, many more years to come!

Day Eight -- Share something you struggle with

As living breathing human beings, in our lifetime we will all face something that we are going to struggle with.  That is just human nature.  Sadly, to break some of your hearts, no one is perfect, so we are all going to have our faults and face periods of times where we struggle.  People may have simple struggles to face while others face larger scale ongoing struggles.  We never know what each other may be facing on a day-to-day basis, but needless to say, we will all face something.

I know for me, I constantly struggle with many things.  For instance, I am one of the biggest worry-warts on the planet.  I will worry over the pettiest things that I really should not even give a second thought to.  It is something I have probably struggled with off and on my entire life. Sure, I give myself pep-talks and try to encourage myself to let things go and not fret over it, but that is much easier said than done.  Worrying is a constant struggle that does more harm than good.  It causes all sorts of additional side-effects that can even be hazardous to our health.  It is something I am constantly trying to reign in, and in hopes of one day overcoming that struggle.  

In the past, I used to struggle with self-esteem and constantly worry over how I looked.  I would have to have a purse, shoes, and jewelry to match whatever outfit I wore.  I could not leave the house without any make-up on or without looking nice.  As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come realize it really doesn’t matter.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in reality, it is what’s on the inside that should really matter.  I’m not saying I still don’t try to look nice and occasionally wonder if some of my outfits match or look decent, but I’ve gained more self-confidence in trying to not let that bother me.  If people don’t like what I wear, then that’s their problem and not mine.  So, that’s one struggle that I have managed to work on more successfully, although occasionally, I still do have a few slip-ups here and there. 

No matter what you are struggling with in life, just know that you are not alone in your journey.  We are all facing something and more than likely someone somewhere is facing the same thing that you are.  Find a good friend or someone you trust and open up to them and confide in them with your struggles.  Sometimes talking things through with a trusted confidant can really help you overcome your struggle.  You never know what each other is struggling with, so treat each other with respect and kindness as it may be beneficial for them and you may never know how it may even impact your own life!

Day Seven: List 10 songs that you're loving right now.

Music, music, music – one of the things that I absolutely love and cannot live without!   Nearly anytime of the day, somehow or somewhere, there is music playing near me: in my car as I drive to and from work, in my earbuds as I sit in my office cube working hard daily, in my stereos or speakers throughout the house.  I just love, absolutely love music.  I don’t have one particular favorite genre of music, so looking throughout my playlists offers you a mixed barrage of anything you can imagine.   I say all that to say that when you see my list of songs that I am loving right now, they may be a mixture of all sorts of genres and decades.  Don’t hold it against me, as I said, I just love music!  And, these are in no particular order whatsoever! 

1.  Hello by Adele – I am a huge Adele fan, so I was thrilled when she released her latest album “25” and of course, the debut single off that album is the incredible song Hello.  Adele has such a powerful and recognizable voice.  There are not many of her songs that I actually don’t like.  Hello is another of her greatest songs and it is definitely one that I am absolutely loving right now! 
2. Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk – Some of you are probably saying by WHO?  Yes, I honestly, don’t know much about this artist (aside from the fact that she is from Canada), but the first time I heard this song and her soothing, melancholy voice, I was just entranced and immediately downloaded it on my iTunes!
3.  Queenie Eye by Paul McCartney – Y’all know any music list wouldn’t be complete if Paul McCartney or The Beatles were not included in some way!  Even though it’s been over a year since I saw him perform this song live in concert, I am still addicted to Queenie Eye off of his 2013 album “New”.  I don’t know what it is about the song – from the beat to the song itself, I just find it a highly energetic song and one that I genuinely adore!
4. I’m Shipping up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys – To be quite honest, I have no idea what in the world the words are in the song (maybe I need to look that up, ha!) but the Celtic, Irish background music is what I absolutely love the most.  The beat and classic Irish rock is just so fast-moving, it makes me alert and want to keep moving.   Maybe once I learn the words (if they are appropriate, ha!), I will enjoy it a little more.  But for now, I’ll keep jumping around to the Irish beat!
5. Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton – The legendary Dolly Parton has to be one of the greatest entertainers of all time, as her music is so true to her roots and her heart.  Her song Coat of Many Colors is such a touching song as it depicts how something so simple held such value to her and her family.  The TV movie about this that aired December 10, 2015, was just so touching.  What an inspiration she is!  Dream big and you can achieve it!  
6. If Heartaches Had Wings by Rhonda Vincent – No list would be complete without something from the Queen of Bluegrass Music, Rhonda Vincent.  She is one of a handful of people that I could listen to constantly because she has one of those voices that I just love listening to.  I absolutely love her song If Heartaches Had Wings.  If you listen to the lyrics, it is such a powerful song, and Rhonda is the perfect choice to sing this incredible song with her amazing voice!
7. 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman – Wow!  What a wonderful praise song!  We have beyond 10,000 reasons to worship and celebrate our wonderful Lord.  I just absolutely love this song.  I don’t think I could ever get tired of singing it.  It is humbling because it makes you realize how thankful we really should be!  We have so many, many things to rejoice over!  Bless His name!
8. Informer by Snow – Okay, yes, this may be one of the craziest songs I add to my list because I honestly have no idea what in the world Snow is even saying.  When I first arrived in Canada this summer, this was the first song I heard playing on the bus as we travelled from the airport in to the city.  The beat of Informer literally wants to make you constantly be on the move.
9.  O, Canada by Daylight for Deadeyes – Yes, this might be another bizarre entry because it is the Canadian national anthem, however the Canadian Rock group, Daylight for Deadeyes, did an amazing rendition (both in English and French) of O, Canada.  Most of the time we hear national anthems performed, they are usually done very slowly or performed by an orchestra or marching band.  Well, Daylight for Deadeyes, did a smashing, upbeat rendition of O, Canada and I could literally listen to it all day long
10.  It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams – Yes, I am loving this song and not because it is nearly time for Christmas!  I listen to Christmas music all year long, but this is by far one of my favorite Christmas songs.  I think Andy Williams has one of the greatest voices of all-time and by far it is so perfect on this song.  Do make this the most wonderful time of the year and keep your music going 24/7/365 (well, 366 for 2016!

Day Six -- Write about one of your favorite TV shows & why you started watching it.

If you take one look at my collection of DVDs, you will see that I have a wide variety of TV shows on DVD.  Some are complete collections, while others are just a collection of the seasons that I preferred of the show.  While I have many TV shows on DVD, to be honest, there is not a current TV show that I am really addicted to.  I often find myself watching re-runs of older TV shows on satellite rather than watching some of the newer shows.  Lately, I’ve even started re-watching some of my favorites in complete episode order, and it is amazing some of the things you pick up on that you may have missed before.  Since I am currently in the midst of re-watching one of my all-time favorite shows that is the one I will choose to write on for this entry: 

The X-Files

The X-Files has to be one of the greatest TV shows of all time.  Starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, The X-Files takes viewers into a world of the unknown.  Intertwining the unknown and possibilities of alternative lifeforms, along with the high probability of governmental conspiracies, Mulder and Scully are the sole two members of the FBI that delve into the unusual and paranormal cases plaguing the nation. 

To be honest, I detested The X-Files when it first aired on FOX back in the early 1990s.  My Mother actually was the one who did not miss an episode, but I myself would turn it off and ignore the show.  At one point, I decided to sit down and watch the show completely through, and I ended up getting hooked.  In some sort of ironic twist of fate, I got hooked on the show and my Mom ended up tuning out.  Most of my friends did not enjoy the show, but that didn’t stop me, as I was determined to prove that “The Truth Is Out There”. 

The X-Files is one of those shows that some people will immediately dismiss as hokey because of the speculative topics of some episodes.  But, to me, I found that the show really opened up my mind to explore the possibilities of governmental conspiracies and many other things.  It in no way impacted my beliefs at all, but it is a thought provoking show that can challenge you to think outside of the box.  While I don’t believe in E.B.E.’s (that’s extraterrestrial biological entities, if you are curious!) or really believe in UFOs, some of the other episodes that delved into other mysteries and abilities of individuals, really made me ponder what all does go on in our world that we may or may not even be aware of. 

The X-Files had a very lengthy nine years exploring the phenomena’s of the world before it went off the air in the early 2000s.  Fortunately, there have been several subsequent movies that keep our minds speculating about the world that surrounds us.  And in an amazing turn of events, in early 2016, The X-Files will return to FOX for a few brand-new episodes.  To say that I am excited, is a complete understatement!  I cannot even wait for the return of Mulder and Scully.  Of course, I have so many unanswered questions that I hope we get some clarification of, but even if we don’t, just to have Mulder and Scully back in our homes on the small screen for a few episodes will be an amazing way to start off the new year! 

No matter whether you are a fan of The X-Files or not, the truth is out there! 

Day Five -- List five places you want to visit

One of my passions in life is travelling.  Most of my travelling has been done within the United States of America, which is just as enjoyable to me as travelling abroad as there are so many sights to see within our beautiful country.  That being said, I’ve had the privilege to visit The Bahamas and Canada to take in some of the sights there, as well.  To me, it doesn’t always matter so much where I am going, as much as what all I might see and be able to learn along the way.  Some of the best places I have visited have not always been planned trips, but random spur-of-the moment or off-the-beaten-path adventures.  So, as much as I like to travel, there are many places that I would like to see that I have not seen presently. Therefore to narrow down to five places that I want to visit exclusively will be a tough decision.  So, I have decided that I will choose the five that pop in to my head at this present moment in time in no particular order!

London

There is something about the city of London that just beckons me across the pond.  Maybe because so much of my ancestral lineage is from the London and the United Kingdom areas in general, but no matter what the ultimate reason, London has always been one place that I would like to visit.  I’ve always wanted to see Buckingham Palace in person, ride on the Underground or a double-decker bus, see Big Ben & the London Bridge (you know, I’ve got to see if it’s really falling down or not, ha!) and the many other “touristy” sites that the abundant city holds.  While all of those sites are exciting just to think about, I personally think that I would be pacified waltzing up and down the streets listening to the glorious English accents that I just love so dearly. 

Salzburg

The hills are literally alive with “The Sound of Music” and that is the primary reason I want to visit Salzburg, Austria.  As many of you know, I have adored “The Sound of Music” my entire life.  I recently was able to see the Broadway play, in addition to celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the movie all year long, and it has awaked the fire deep within to trek to Austria to take in the filming locations of the greatest movie of all time.  To see the gazebo, the church of the amazing wedding, the abbey, and the city where Maria paraded the children all throughout singing “Do-Re-Mi”, yes, I would be ever so tempted to do that myself!  Taking in the official Sound of Music tour, might just set me over the edge.  But it would be an absolute dream come true!

Ireland

No real particular reason as to why I want to visit the great Irish country.  It is just a place that I have heard some of my relatives talk about from their times spent there, and it made me want to go visit there, as well.  I actually find the idea of being chased by sheep through a green pasture to be quite riveting and exhilarating.  Alongside the English accents, the Irish accents are also quite enamoring.  I could just sit all day and listen to them tell folklore or listen to the melodious Celtic music.  I would love to visit some of the great Irish churches and castles, as well.  It just seems like such a magical and mystical place to explore!

Ottawa

Call me crazy, but I’m on a Canadian kick!  If it didn’t get so flipping cold up in the “North State”, I could easily see myself relocating to Canada.  I was enthralled when visiting Montréal recently, so I definitely want to go back to Canada.  While I would love to visit Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and many other areas within the massive country, I think the next stop on my journey would be the capital city of Ottawa.  I enjoy river cities and Ottawa sits along the banks of the Ottawa River, but it is also another “older” city.  “Older” cities are appealing to me as I just enjoy gazing at the architectural design that each city encapsulates. Especially exciting would be to see the great Parliament Hall, especially on Canada Day!  Maybe I can finally get to sing “O, Canada” while in the country on its national holiday!  But if not, I’ll settle for a trek to Canada on any day and maybe I can finally see a Mountie, eh?!

Rome

Italy has never been a “must” visit place for me, but as I’ve gotten older, the more I realize that Rome would be a location that I wouldn’t mind visiting.  So much of the world’s history evolved from the pronounced Roman Empire and so much of the history itself came from within the city of Rome.  I would love to see so many of the incredibly preserved sites within that city, including the Colosseum.  I can just imagine there sheer beauty of the city in itself, and just thinking of the variety of food options practically has me salivating as I pen this entry!  I think it would be a very unique experience to visit Rome and then take a trek up to Venice to ride a gondola down one of the canals!

Well, there you have it, the five places I would like to visit as this present moment.  More than likely, some other location will pop in to my head shortly after I publish this post and make me wish I had included it.  We have been blessed with an amazing world to live in and enjoy.  Try to take some time and explore the beauty that surrounds, even if it is just a short drive from your own home place. Try not to take what we have for granted and just enjoy the blessings that we have been given!

Day Four -- Write about someone who inspires you.

Mercy me!  I did this 30 day writing challenge opposed to doing a 30 day photo challenge on Instagram, and now I’m having second thoughts on whether I should’ve stuck with the photo challenge as these writing challenges are actually quite tough! 

An inspiring person – oh goodness!  Where do I even begin?  There are so, so many people that I could write about who have inspired me in so many various ways.  So, it is going to be near impossible to try to narrow that down to just one person, as I certainly don’t want to leave anyone out or make anyone have hurt feelings that they didn’t get included.   But, I did some pondering on this overnight and have decided on who I wanted to write this post in dedication to – my Grandma. 

My Grandma, Blannie Baker, was one of the most humble and caring people that God has ever placed on this planet, and I don’t say that just because she was my grandmother!   She was born in rural Harnett County, North Carolina, in the early 1920s.  Her family was not wealthy at all, and to some degree by tracing her ancestry, you might even say that her family tree was very mixed up!   She didn’t obtain much of an education (maybe the 8^th grade is a far as she went), but she was one of the smartest women that I ever knew.  There was not much that she could not do. 

She married my Grandpa, Charlie W. Baker, at a very young age, and together they had six children – five boys and one girl, my Mom.   My Grandma had a lot of responsibilities placed upon her.  She had to care for and feed her six children amidst working in the tobacco fields and countless other tasks around the farms which the family relocated to and from quite frequently along with keeping her house in tip-top shape.  But through it all, she always remained calm and dedicated to her family never waving in any tasks that were placed in her path. 

There was not much my Grandma could not do.  She was an amazing cook, she always kept her house very clean, she made quilts for each of her family members, she always sacrificed what little income she had to make sure each of her children, in-laws and grandchildren were given birthday and Christmas presents from her.  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She loved having all of her family get together for various holidays or just anytime they wanted to come over, she always welcomed them with open arms.  Grandma may not have had much education, but she taught my Grandpa how to read and she had more book-sense than some of the smartest people out there today.  She loved going to church and was so faithful in her relationship with the Lord. 

As the years went by and as the family continued to grow, Grandma was always the glue that held us all together.  When we all would get together for a holiday, it sometimes felt the house might bust its seams as there were so many of us.  Grandma would often be sitting in her recliner just quietly twiddling her thumbs but she was always smiling.  She was so content.  The grandchildren might have been destroying the house or making tons of noise, but she always sat there so patiently and never complained.  She was not a woman of many words, as she was a very quiet, behind-the-scenes type.  But her humble and caring spirit touched many lives.

In the late 1990s, Grandma started to get sick.  She had been sick off and on her entire life, and suffered constant battles with pneumonia or some type of respiratory sickness.  Many trips to doctors revealed that her kidneys were not in good shape (very similar to her own mothers).  She ended up going on dialysis and was in and out of the hospital repeatedly.  Throughout all of her journeys and constant trips to the hospital with prolonged stays in ICU and then in the rehabilitation centers, all to do a cycle and repeat these same steps, she never complained nor really got upset.  She always seemed to be at a completely peace. 

I remember several times visiting her in the hospital when they kept misdiagnosing her with so many diseases.  One time they wanted us to put on a full gown, mask, gloves, etc. because they thought she had tuberculosis.  I didn’t believe it.  There was no way she had that, so I refused to wear the required “attire” to enter her hospital room.  Plus, I didn’t think it was fair that she had to see her family all “protected” to visit her.  While I’ll never know if she even noticed that, I felt good inside that I wasn’t afraid of whatever disease she may or may not have had.  She was my Grandma and I would love her even if I caught the same thing!  Sadly, my Grandma ended up passing away during one of her extended hospital stays.  They ended up discovering that rather than having tuberculosis or pneumonia, she likely had cancer in her kidneys and lungs.  What a devastating blow to the entire family!  

I was a senior in high school when my Grandma passed away.  I ended up losing both of my grandmothers during my senior year in high school.  It was definitely a tough thing to endure at such a young age.  However, even as a teenager, my Grandma’s life greatly touched me.  I wish many times I had been able to spend more time with her or have her here still with me today.  She inspired me that no matter how much pain she was in, no matter how sick she was or how bad she felt, she never complained.  She kept going.  She kept God first and then her family.  She loved and cared for everyone.  Ironically, the day she passed, while she was in a comatose state, it seemed she waited until each family member had come and visited her, and once the last one arrived, she made her exit to her eternal home where she is no longer suffering. 

Her life inspired me that I need to watch my complaining.  Yes, it’s something we all do and will do, it is nature, but I need to keep a check on it.  I need to try to be more humble and caring.  I need to be less selfish and focus more on others. I obviously will never be able to cook like her, but there are many of her ways that I need to implement in my own life.  What a legacy my Grandma left for her entire family!  A legacy that will be hard to ever match.  I miss her daily, but am so glad that I know that I have the opportunity to see her again in Glory!   I love you, Grandma!