Detours

"The journey of life is not always what we think it should be. There will be detours along the way." -Dean Sweetman

Sailing along in life, driving towards a destination; each of us will come upon a forced change in direction. That sign which tells you to go no further, this isn't the path you will be allowed to take. Understand that these will occur, embrace the change and keep moving forward with your life.

Sheryl Crow - Detours

Adjust Normalcy

"When circumstance causes change, it requires you to adjust your normalcy." -Joe Primm

Life can be a series of ups and downs; causing your world to change from what could be considered normal. Loss of a comfortable job, health issues or a marriage can drastically alter what you are used to.

People will attempt to fight the changes, trying to maintain a life that will never be the same. Recently a friend of ours passed away after a very long battle with cancer. Her fighting spirit was always inspirational (and remains so) to people around her.

It is said that during one point in her battle of descending health, she realized that what was once normal could no longer be. Her remark to a family friend was that she had to 'adjust her normal'. Her new way of life had to become normal, had to become her everyday. And she accepted and adapted to her new every day life.

When life throws its curve into your path, when the normal is no more; you have to accept and move on in acceptance. Adjust your normal and get on with living your life.

Staying Confident Through Troubled Times

Staying in a good frame of mind when things start going bad can be very difficult. It is very easy to slip into a depressing or negative mood. But in order to pull through when things are going bad, you need to maintain a good spirited attitude.

What keeps your confidence to overcome intact has a lot to do with resilience to the circumstance you are under. Resilience is the ability to bounce or spring back into shape - to recover strengths, spirits and good humor when confronted with obstacles.

When you are hit with difficulties, you have to let some of the negatives roll off your back and gain knowledge of what doesn't work so that you can be better prepared for the next step.

Here are three things I've learned to help you maintain confidence and deal with difficult times:

1. Implementation vs Procrastination - So many times people will say, "you can't do that" or "that will never work". There are many people out there whom will offer discouragement instead of encouragement. Try everything, never say never and take encouragement where you can, leave discouragement behind you.

2. Master Mentors - Developing friendships and getting to know people in varied ways gives you a wealth of experience to draw from. These people can teach you valuable lessons without 'sugar coating' the information. Mentors do not necessarily need to be a person; it can be a book or a special quote. Use and reuse those resources as age and experience change over time.

3. Control You Environment - What you think about and who you surround yourself with determine your attitude and confidence more than any other factor. If you constantly hang around negative people, you will inherit those traits. If you hang around positive and successful people, you will inherit those traits as well. I have heard it said, "you don't just pick up on other people's knowledge and experience; you pick up on their energy, too."

Flanders Field

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Today we say thank you to those that have sacrificed their lives and to think of those that have and do serve.

In Flanders Fields -John McCrae, 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.