You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough! Mae West

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13. Love

"A loving relationship is one in which the loved one is free to be himself -- to laugh with me, but never at me; to cry with me, but never because of me; to love life, to love himself, to love being loved. Such a relationship is based upon freedom and can never grow in a jealous heart" 
— Leo Buscaglia

What are the things (or people or animals) in this world that you love the most?

I love my family so much. We have five sons and they have become the best men in my life! Our eldest and his wonderful wife have given us the blessing of two beautiful granddaughters. Thankfully they live a few minutes away from us so we get to see them quite often.  

I recently was able to go to a family reunion and was struck by the love I saw between my cousin and her husband.  This is their second marriage and they have five grown children between them.  They both are great step parents to their children.  I was thinking at the time that blended families should be more like them and if they aren't why not?  

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14. Marvel

“It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.” 
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

What have you done well over the past year—the little stuff and the big stuff? How do you celebrate the positives?

Despite my health, financial concerns and physical limitations, I stopped feeling sorry for myself early in the year.  "Normal" is gone, and "normal" may not be coming back anytime soon or ever.   I am learning to embrace who my outer shell is now, but I am still the same person inside. Sure when I look in the mirror at times I may not recognize the person looking back at me, but my soul continues to be full of love and joy.  

I really enjoy spending time with my family.  Creating memories for my children and grandchildren is so much fun for me.   I celebrate by thanking God every day for all the blessings He has given me. 

CIRCULAR FEAR
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15. Fear

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” 
― Nelson Mandela

The easiest way to overcome fear is to confront it. Rather than brainstorming reasons to avoid your “fear,” shift your attention to the reasons for confronting your fear. What fear would you like to overcome in 2012?

I really would love that 2012 will bring ME back. I want to stop going in circles. I think that I have cycled through certain situations over and over again in my life.  2012 is going to get me off this roller coaster!  I have always wanted to paint, write books and continue to travel the world.  I want to look back on my life knowing that I tried everything I always wanted to do. I am not sure what has kept me from doing these things.  Fear of Success? Fear of Failure? 

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16. Transitions

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” 
― Mother Teresa

Over the past year have you experienced any major/minor life transitions? How has your life changed? 

These past three years have brought some changes to my life. I used to take for granted being able to walk a few steps without feeling ill, stand, think clearly or any physical activity for that matter.  

Before my heart used to race after I ran or walked briskly a few miles.  Now I get to feel my heart twittering like a hummingbird in my chest without so much of a slight change in position. Despite all the physical changes there is a reason for it all.  I am not sure what it is yet, but I know God has a plan.  

During the month of December I have joined the Reverb 2011 Project.  Some of my posts will require much courage as I will be answering as truthfully as I can, brutally honest, reaching deep within my soul.  Something that I have been refusing to do for years. 

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• Julie Unplugged (juliejordanscott.typepad.com)
• Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should (devacoaching.com)
• #Reverb11 Day 4 Fear (reachingforpink.wordpress.com)
• Couraged by the Daily Motivator (tommyboizee.wordpress.com)
• My Favourite Poem - To an English Friend in Africa, by Ben Okri (bintercultural.wordpress.com)
• The Complexity of Fear (my.psychologytoday.com)

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