tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52824820059860180832024-03-12T22:47:57.002-06:00Along Life's JourneyMaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-3481729162259234082019-09-26T16:45:00.000-06:002019-09-26T16:45:35.277-06:00Are You an Empath?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFJ89A7PxObOWV2t8WveyUQPfBGaz0igNhfQw0-fUhdUl-Pywq2bnItnUqrhiC3vNeEv5L8iQ8PR4kcU75CvHCVTOrC6d7zRcGoefN6cpzrOVmDwcO-SHoEoTCrQZ4MMqWI6XAImgRg/s1600/Are+you+an+Empath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="640" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFJ89A7PxObOWV2t8WveyUQPfBGaz0igNhfQw0-fUhdUl-Pywq2bnItnUqrhiC3vNeEv5L8iQ8PR4kcU75CvHCVTOrC6d7zRcGoefN6cpzrOVmDwcO-SHoEoTCrQZ4MMqWI6XAImgRg/s640/Are+you+an+Empath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="_5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 1px;"><span class="_6qdm" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t73/1.5/16/1f33b.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; color: transparent; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; height: 16px; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 16px;">🌻</span></span><span class="_5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 1px;"><span class="_6qdm" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tc1/1.5/16/1f495.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; color: transparent; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; height: 16px; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 16px;">💕Ca </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yesterday, I came across a new article on Psychology Today from one of my favorite people, Judith Orloff, MD. The article, titled </span><span style="color: #2c2d30; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-empaths-survival-guide/201909/the-importance-self-care-sensitive-people?fbclid=IwAR3vljpIbKVFsyaVYCnzNLLN9-z7bs3TCm60Qb2DTu23sCsW2o5VVPG8ca4" target="_blank"><i><b>The Importance of Self-Care for Sensitive People: </b></i></a></span><span style="color: #2c2d30; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-empaths-survival-guide/201909/the-importance-self-care-sensitive-people?fbclid=IwAR3vljpIbKVFsyaVYCnzNLLN9-z7bs3TCm60Qb2DTu23sCsW2o5VVPG8ca4" target="_blank"><i><b>The art of self-care for thriving as an empath</b></i></a>, excellently describes the empath person and goes on to talk about how important self-care is to an empath. (Self-care is VERY important! MOST essential!) </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you experience a regular high sensitivity to the feelings of other people and the world around you, I recommend reading this article and also looking up all of Judith's books. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A couple of years ago, when I first read one of Judith's books called </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Empath's Survival Guide</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> a whole new understanding dawned within my soul! This book has been immensely eye opening and helpful to me, granting me a greater insight into myself and a greater compassion and understanding for myself. </span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All my life, I knew I was a highly sensitive individual: highly sensitive to the feelings and energy of others and to the environment around me. People often accused me of being <i>"too sensitive"</i> and that I <i>"should get over it".</i> Those ignorant words only deepened my already hurting my heart. I felt as if there was something wrong with me and repeatedly asked myself why couldn't I have "tougher skin". </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Throughout my more mature adult life, I understood that I had high empathy skills, but I had never heard of the word "empath" until two and a half years ago when a friend told me about Judith's book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At times, being an empath can feel immensely overwhelming and can cause me much sorrow if I am not paying attention and being mindful to take care of myself. Yet, I also know that being an empath is a most beautiful, wonderful gift to me and to the world.</span><span class="_5mfr" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px 1px;"><span class="_6qdm" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tc1/1.5/16/1f495.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; color: transparent; display: inline-block; height: 16px; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 16px;">💕</span></span><span class="_5mfr" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px 1px;"><span class="_6qdm" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t73/1.5/16/1f33b.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; color: transparent; display: inline-block; height: 16px; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 16px;">🌻</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1c1e21;">A brief snippet from the <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-empaths-survival-guide/201909/the-importance-self-care-sensitive-people?fbclid=IwAR3vljpIbKVFsyaVYCnzNLLN9-z7bs3TCm60Qb2DTu23sCsW2o5VVPG8ca4" target="_blank">Psychology Today article</a>:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1c1e21;"><i>"</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2d30;"><i>Empaths are helpers, lovers, and caretakers who often give too much at the expense of our own well-being. Research suggests that our mirror neuron system (a part of the brain responsible for compassion) is hyperactive, which can burn us out."</i> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--Judith Orloff, MD</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="color: #1c1e21;">"As an empath, you have an open heart. You don’t have the same emotional guard up that many others do. You feel people’s pain--both loved ones and strangers--and you instinctively want to take it away from them."</i><span style="color: #1c1e21;"> --Judith Orloff, MD</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1c1e21;">You can read the article in its entirety by clicking on its title mentioned above. </span></span></div>
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MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-2408989469650022212019-09-16T13:14:00.000-06:002019-09-16T13:14:13.182-06:00Entering Deeply Into True Understanding<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFARabLCL9CBNQ8Lf1pvevx2rSqzs2Z3NZ3rjwo7BDWDaTNmK8VN7CJxtI8TBM4SZiP9NxvAHd3vJMXONeJj7RkSMrBbdY1Dco6tJy7XPkZ78gEYxKHGbxx6hGM14G0v3ouncsjgD94A/s1600/Cave+view+by+tom-gainor-1wQbtsNa5K8-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFARabLCL9CBNQ8Lf1pvevx2rSqzs2Z3NZ3rjwo7BDWDaTNmK8VN7CJxtI8TBM4SZiP9NxvAHd3vJMXONeJj7RkSMrBbdY1Dco6tJy7XPkZ78gEYxKHGbxx6hGM14G0v3ouncsjgD94A/s640/Cave+view+by+tom-gainor-1wQbtsNa5K8-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Tom Gainor on Unsplash</td></tr>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"When we want to understand something, we cannot just stand outside and observe it. We have to enter deeply into it and be one with it in order to really understand. If we want to understand a person, we have to feel his feelings, suffer his feelings, and enjoy his joy...To comprehend something means to pick it up and be one with it. There is no other way to understand something."</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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--Thich Nhat Hanh in his book <i>Peace Is Every Step</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;">We find ourselves saying we want to understand, but we fall short or are unwilling to go as deeply as it takes to truly understand. True understanding can be painful at times. Yet, it is by walking through the pain that we find healing and freedom from the pain.</span><br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(This post is also found on my other website Feisty 'n Free Wholistic Living.)</span></div>
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MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-9880110645569910912019-07-29T20:20:00.002-06:002019-07-29T20:22:03.410-06:00Poem - I Will Live<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVKQj7bQ_xAY6yncKYOQUIHyJawpOKUIkr-3nnBGI63IipEL8zT7s3S7M9-BL1SH1mIE5cA8U_KxZ_RWdGbNhc-Otow-Y0MVCASuYWxQ8uVHYOru2dyR9O8gPfmI8bPRYdnZBrocP3w/s1600/2014-08-16+13.33.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVKQj7bQ_xAY6yncKYOQUIHyJawpOKUIkr-3nnBGI63IipEL8zT7s3S7M9-BL1SH1mIE5cA8U_KxZ_RWdGbNhc-Otow-Y0MVCASuYWxQ8uVHYOru2dyR9O8gPfmI8bPRYdnZBrocP3w/s640/2014-08-16+13.33.20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">I was inspired to write this poem after reading Dawna Markova’s book: </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">I Will not Die an Unlived Life</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">. </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The poem is a culmination of all of who I am, my life, and my experiences up to this moment in time. It took four months (February-June) to finalize it from the initial draft penned in my journal. That's a very tiny fraction of time considering that the poem has been over 51 years in the making since the day I was born. Today, I nervously shared it publicly for the first time with my yoga students at the end of class. It is no longer my own hidden jewel; it now also belongs to others who touch my life and whose lives I touch. </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;">From my heart to yours, my fellow traveler on this journey of life.</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I Will Live<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">by MaryAnn Broussard</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will live<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a passionately embraced life,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">savoring every day as if<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it is my first and my last.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will be<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">graceful and confident,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">believing I am worthy and valuable;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that what I have to offer is<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">more than enough.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will walk<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">each step with purpose,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">regardless of the circumstances<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">around me or my loved ones.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will fly<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and soar the winds,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">courageously persevering through<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">storms, doubts, and fears.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will define<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">myself by my divine, infinite essence,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">rather than the titles assigned to me<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">for a brief moment in time.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will create</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a life well-lived,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">keeping my heart always<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">open and flowing forth<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">as loving and true.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will shine<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">vibrantly as Radiant Joy,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">wholeheartedly experiencing<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this miraculous gift of life.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In all of these heartfelt intentions,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will remain<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mindfully present, here and now,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">with me and you,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">trusting boundless love<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to carry us through.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-44491088496326771572019-02-11T17:45:00.001-07:002019-02-11T18:01:20.368-07:00The Ocean in One Drop<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“So many of us are afraid of meeting
ourselves, alone, without distraction. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have been taught to fashion an image of </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">who we think we are supposed
to be and show that to the world.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">--Dawna Markova in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Will-Not-Die-Unlived-Life/dp/1573241016/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=2GVOG29E5P1ST&keywords=i+will+not+die+an+unlived+life+by+dawna+markova&qid=1549931921&s=gateway&sprefix=i+will+not+die%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1-fkmrnull" target="_blank">I Will Not Die an Unlived Life</a></i>, pg 22</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We avoid ourselves
at our own peril and to the detriment of a life well-lived with utmost fulfillment and healthier relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our constant states of distraction with the world and the people around
us on social media, television, and computer screens drain and rob us of awareness,
presence, and wholehearted satisfaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Instead of
creating our own inspiring, heroic life stories, we try to wear the stories of
others and dress in ill-fitting garments which do not accurately
represent who we are now and are still meant to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little by little, we become strangers to the
very personal essence of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“who I am”</i> and
even come to develop fear and phobia of finding ourselves alone with our own
company.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">“Who am I, really, truly?”</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> is a quest of tremendous courage and
with unfathomable depths, like the deepest unexplored trenches in the mysterious
ocean.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> It can initially feel dark and scary to embark on such an adventure, but the treasures that await our discovery are more than worth it.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Through fear of knowing
who we really are we sidestep our own destiny,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">which leaves us hungry in
a famine of our own making.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">--Dawna Markova in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Will-Not-Die-Unlived-Life/dp/1573241016/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=2GVOG29E5P1ST&keywords=i+will+not+die+an+unlived+life+by+dawna+markova&qid=1549931921&s=gateway&sprefix=i+will+not+die%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1-fkmrnull" target="_blank">I Will Not Die an Unlived Life</a></i>, pg 22</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Curiously
seek to know and spend time with yourself, and you will find your life enriched in ways you never
imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only will you discover <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Who am I, really, truly?”</i>, you will
also expand your understanding of others and the world around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life will become clearer, lighter, freer, and
more authentically lived than ever before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-27936687029368521072019-01-13T16:59:00.000-07:002019-01-13T17:00:25.967-07:00Walking My Way - Lines 1-2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2xWERQdW4cXB9BEu1WXGJvhfOWhG_oBXAT5IdC1XaV7qLBFC6HQBPh7pSrf56jtHqGsE-SDvnsDwvMk_Xlq3j3GYquVNd3urkGt7oueCcDO1VMApcgzu1ylE0lLmFgwgARN9nOVOCA/s1600/name+tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="620" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2xWERQdW4cXB9BEu1WXGJvhfOWhG_oBXAT5IdC1XaV7qLBFC6HQBPh7pSrf56jtHqGsE-SDvnsDwvMk_Xlq3j3GYquVNd3urkGt7oueCcDO1VMApcgzu1ylE0lLmFgwgARN9nOVOCA/s640/name+tag.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A couple of months ago, I came across a most beautiful book titled <a href="http://www.walking-the-way.com/" target="_blank"><i><b>Walking the Way: 81 Zen Encounters with the Tao Te Ching</b></i> by Robert Meikyo Rosenbaum</a>. The book is the author's rendering of the Tao Te Ching: an ancient Chinese text attributed to a sage by the name of Lao Tzu and providing a foundation to Taoism.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The words shared in this book by Rosenbaum are so rich and full of meaning that I find myself hardly moving forward in the book. I pick up the book and savor some of the text, think about it, and write my thoughts. When I return later, I go back again to what I've already read and written and read it all over again, think about it again, and come up with new thoughts and inspirations. For me, this book is like a tree full of endless, tasty fruit to savor and enjoy while also nourishing the soul.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMwzBtfEa9b1ezpJLoOJor9ZLz2qC1ZX15kLqsLfZw2M7u7gZbJUbunJw38Lkc1MO7AhatcCAclT6gDUFGNJYtF9gBKFPP4zn4QW2foiD3_1RYqpCb9sri4EmQn3xQnMaA5cs6GSHKw/s1600/walking+the+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="324" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMwzBtfEa9b1ezpJLoOJor9ZLz2qC1ZX15kLqsLfZw2M7u7gZbJUbunJw38Lkc1MO7AhatcCAclT6gDUFGNJYtF9gBKFPP4zn4QW2foiD3_1RYqpCb9sri4EmQn3xQnMaA5cs6GSHKw/s200/walking+the+way.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As time allows, I will occasionally share some of my most personal and raw thoughts which I have written in my journals about this book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">According to the author, the first two lines of the Tao Te Ching go like this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>"The Way that can be spoken of is not the eternal Way;</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>The name that can be named is not the Immortal Name."</b></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My thoughts:<br /><br />What humans speak of with book/head knowledge, mental logic, human reason of the earthly realm, and physically tangible knowledge is not the truth or reality of the eternal or eternal ways. The human way is <u>not</u> the eternal way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For example: Religions speak of "God" in their own man made ways, texts, and interpretations and humanize "God" and make the concept of "God" a mockery and a sham.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even our own human names are unable to define our immortal or divine aspects. They are incapable of holding all of who and what we are or of describing our immortal self, soul being, and spirit essence. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another example: My name MaryAnn means different things to different people depending on how they know me, what they know of me, and what they "think" they know about me (even if it is not true). My name is far from a complete representation of all of who I am. Yet, every person aware of me conjures up their own image of what the name MaryAnn means to them based on who they are, what they think, their interactions with me, or what they've heard or read. My name is a practical, finite, and far from perfect tool by which I make my way in this earthly world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The same holds true for the earthly names given to "God". The "God" humans speak of is not the reality of the complete and all encompassing essence and truth of the Divine Spirit of All, Source of All, Life and Breath and Energy of All. The Divine Way and the Immortal Name are: unspeakable, unmentionable, unfathomable, and incomprehensible. I've stated similar thoughts like this before in my past season of life as a Christian. Back then, I spoke of "God" in the way Christians speak of God. Now, for me, the name "God" feels tainted and carrying with it all sorts of human madness, of which I no longer choose to ascribe to in any way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What we name with a word in this human realm—how we name it and
define it—is but a convoluted speck or microcosm of what the real truth of it
all is!!! We are all exponentially more than a spoken name.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">MaryAnn</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Radiant Joy</i><br />
<br />MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-2827231657658387202018-10-08T11:43:00.000-06:002019-01-13T17:01:11.699-07:00A Shift of Perspective Brings Unity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmsuU4AOoCcKWaafQzr88_TlteSAon_qRub9TwbKZrsfmKVchaG3-pt51gwQBGVphUaBK8X-1kEbBy5EIDkSRbeIrP0fKmpI-MMUzm_Cct0M8CcipnsChEptPK7dMjDw2Zkh-5zxM4w/s1600/earth+with+stars+all+around.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmsuU4AOoCcKWaafQzr88_TlteSAon_qRub9TwbKZrsfmKVchaG3-pt51gwQBGVphUaBK8X-1kEbBy5EIDkSRbeIrP0fKmpI-MMUzm_Cct0M8CcipnsChEptPK7dMjDw2Zkh-5zxM4w/s640/earth+with+stars+all+around.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have you ever looked at a picture of the Earth taken from far out in
space and considered how beautiful our Earth is and how from that wider
perspective there are no territorial boundaries and no differentiation
between religions, color of skin, ethnicity, country, government, or any
other dividing label we place on ourselves and against others every
day?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> From way up high, implementing an expansive God's eye view of the Earth, we see that we are all one human race living on o<span class="text_exposed_show">ne
beautiful planet. We are one people. We are us. I think if we were to
regularly take some time to admire and thoughtfully consider that more
expansive view within our thoughts and actions, we could become more
united instead of continuing on so divided.</span></span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
Considering the number of catastrophic events that have occurred all
over the world in the past few weeks, many can't help but ask God why
they are going through such tribulations involving immense destruction,
chaos, and loss. Yet, it is through those very tragedies we clearly see
that we are all truly equal and through which we find ourselves brought
together with our fellow man. It is in the midst of catastrophe that
man-created divisions fall down and become insignificant and
unimportant. Tragedy gives birth to compassion and empathy and to truly
caring, helpful hands. Through all these events, we discover that
unity with other human beings is forged through the fire of suffering. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Taking a “God’s-eye perspective,” as the Archbishop might say, allows
us to transcend our limited identity and limited self-interest. One does
not have to believe in God to experience this mind-altering shift in
perspective. The famous Overview Effect is perhaps the most profound
example. Many astronauts have reported that once they glimpsed Earth
from space—a small blue ball floating in the vast expanse, lacking our
human-made borders—they never looked at their personal or national
interests in quite the same way again. They saw the oneness of
terrestrial life and the preciousness of our planetary home.
Fundamentally, the Dalai Lama and the Archbishop were trying to shift
our perspective from focusing on I and me and mine to we and us and
ours."</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> -- </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Joy-Lasting-Happiness-Changing-ebook/dp/B01CZCW34Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539020300&sr=8-1&keywords=book+of+joy" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><i>The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World</i></a></div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-88158172194518517222018-07-23T17:01:00.001-06:002018-07-23T17:06:48.687-06:00Being an Empath Requires Coping Tools<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A year ago, a new friend told me about the book </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Empaths-Survival-Guide-Strategies-Sensitive-ebook/dp/B01LW7L21K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1532387136&sr=8-2&keywords=the+empaths+survival+guide" target="_blank">The Empath’s Survival Guide</a></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Empaths-Survival-Guide-Strategies-Sensitive-ebook/dp/B01LW7L21K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1532387136&sr=8-2&keywords=the+empaths+survival+guide" target="_blank"> by Judith Orloff, MD</a>.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I glanced at the book at the
time but was too busy to dig into it.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fast forward a year, after having spent it all in heavy duty yoga teacher training, and I was in much need of some me time, self-introspection, soul renewal
and personal in-depth growth.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Something
I saw or read a few weeks ago triggered my memory of the book, and I was ready
to delve deeper.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I chuckled at myself taking the questionnaire in the book because
I already knew the answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But of
course, it doesn’t hurt to confirm it with a questionnaire, right?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes, the questionnaire shows me as a full blown introverted empath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’m not sure at what point in my life I was able to put the
word “empath” to my emotional and relational characteristics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s only been in the past 3-4 years that I
have understood the power (pleasant and unpleasant) this personal characteristic
has had over me, my life, and my well-being.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am a firm believer that we must understand ourselves in
order to grow and do better, be better, feel better, and live better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe getting to know oneself and being at peace with oneself is absolutely and imperatively critical in order to understand
others and be at peace with them and in order to have better relationships.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On pages 15-16 of the book Judith lists the advantages and
challenges of being an empath:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some of the ADVANTAGES of being an empath<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--intuitive<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--feeling the flow of energy in the world<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--able to read people<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--can experience the richness of being open to life and
nature<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--big heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--natural instinct to help others in need<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--dreamer, idealist<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--passionate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--creative<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--in touch with own emotions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--compassionate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--sees the big picture<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--appreciates the feelings of others<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--becomes loyal friend and mate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--spiritual and can easily sense energy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--special appreciation for nature and feels at home within
it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--resonates with nature, plants, forests, gardens, and water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--feels water as energizing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--strong intuitive bond with pets or other animals<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some of the CHALLENGES of being an empath<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--becomes overstimulated, raw nerves, burn out, sensory
overload<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--absorbs stress and negativity of others which lead to
physical and emotional symptoms<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--feels things intensely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--observing violence and brutality hurt deeply<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--carries the weight of the world<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--feels the pain of others<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--experiences emotional and social hangovers, sensory
overload lingers on<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--can feel isolated or lonely, perhaps due to feeling
overwhelmed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--may cause others to see you standoffish, hypervigilant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--freezes up around inauthentic people<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--may prefer socializing online to protect emotions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--experiences emotional burn out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--people flock to you so it can get overwhelming<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--must set clear boundaries with others and not over-give<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--increased sensitivity to light, smell, taste, touch,
temperature, and sound<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--must make needs known to partner regarding “space”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--must be authentic in relationships with others in stating our
empathetic needs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In reading the lists of advantages and challenges, it’s like
someone sat down watching me and took notes on my behavior and feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the exception of me NOT preferring online
socializing (that is really scary to me because people can be so mean online while
hiding behind their keyboards), the lists pretty much explain a great deal
about me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t say people “flock”
to me because my Puerto Rican “spiciness” and strong passion can sometimes
scare people off, but I have said in the past that I must have a sign on my
forehead that invites others to “tell me all about it”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had strangers tell me all sorts of
personal things out of the blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
they are able to sense that I truly care and will empathize with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“A female empath who
is balanced knows how to set boundaries with her time and energy…She learns to
give and receive in a balanced way, a powerful combination.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Pg. 20)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Being an empath is a
huge asset when you can learn to manage it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Empaths are not crazy, neurotic, weak, or hypochondriacs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are wonderful sensitive people with a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gift, but all of us need tools to cope.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Pg. 21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“…empaths often see
things as ‘all or nothing’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either we’re
on the go or retreating to the safe haven of home.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Pg. 21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For most of my life I have been an empath who did not understand
what an empath was and what I needed in order to remain emotionally healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
did not create necessary boundaries with myself or others or have the right tools to cope. That brought
me much unpleasant emotional and physical pain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am now in active pursuit of learning more helpful
skills to allow the advantages of empathy to shine brighter and to subdue the
challenges that they may be a little less powerful and painful over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think at the root of many illnesses and
diseases, especially autoimmune ones, lies unresolved and deeply stored emotional
pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Empaths must especially take care
of themselves to prevent this from happening to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m speaking from experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Being a healthy empath requires taking time out for extra self-care,
self-understanding and awareness, self-kindness, and self-love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I had known these things much earlier
in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, I know them now! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yay!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
day I am given a fresh new start with new opportunities and blank slate for new
choices in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so thankful for
that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am grateful for the gift of
being an empath; I wouldn't want to be any other way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now is the time to
begin to earnestly learn how to skillfully and healthfully live with that gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe reading this will help you too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the heart of every one of my posts is my utmost
desire to be of help to someone else while I'm in the process of helping myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10px; text-align: right;">© MaryAnn Broussard</span>MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-45674694144445992882018-07-16T16:36:00.000-06:002019-01-13T17:01:56.979-07:00Our Differences Really Don't Matter So Much<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfriCDMo4am_ruNTt1Bpk-yiB4e5ia3cgXxl1B53eNmySnBzYQIr8n0d3MirR1Dz6Y1ys6rTQwtXIU3r_U29MUyFo9dYiU2L3lgKCjBsOSP5-ZUGvN9Bg9owbUiZsKR0LSjDAcHznTQ/s1600/Thai+boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="620" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfriCDMo4am_ruNTt1Bpk-yiB4e5ia3cgXxl1B53eNmySnBzYQIr8n0d3MirR1Dz6Y1ys6rTQwtXIU3r_U29MUyFo9dYiU2L3lgKCjBsOSP5-ZUGvN9Bg9owbUiZsKR0LSjDAcHznTQ/s640/Thai+boys.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<header class="content__head content__head--article tonal__head tonal__head--tone-feature"><figure class="media-primary media-content () " data-component="image" data-media-id="ec80fbb81241f3c6d60d063a865f032becc82a19" id="img-1" itemprop="associatedMedia image" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject"><figcaption class="caption caption--main caption--img" itemprop="description">Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
<br />https://www.theguardian.com/news/shortcuts/2018/jul/16/new-photo-thai-cave-boys-ordeal-saman-kunan</figcaption>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In being with faced with heart-pounding moments hanging between life
or death and the sacrifices that come with those moments, we are given
the perfect opportunity to starkly realize that our human similarities
are way more important than our differences. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> In life or death
moments, we are faced with the blunt truth that the color of our skin,
the language of our words, the things we hold true or false, the God we
worship or don't, and the way we regularly live day to day abs<span class="text_exposed_show">olutely
matter not one iota under the desire of staying alive or being
swallowed up by death. Therefore, those differences should not matter
even more so in light of the gift of life that we are given today.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are given the gift of today that we may make our own and someone
else's life a little better and brighter. Be kind, always.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
These Thai boys have been given a life gift through the many who fought
so hard to rescue them and through the ultimate sacrifice of the man
who, in doing so, gave up his own life. That man's love and kindness
have now been passed on to these boys, and they will, in turn, know how
to offer their heart to others. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Give to others what you wish to receive yourself. Everything comes full circle. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Excerpt from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/shortcuts/2018/jul/16/new-photo-thai-cave-boys-ordeal-saman-kunan" target="_blank">The Guardian article</a> which includes the above photo:<br /><i>
"Perhaps because human beings are at their best when they
are truly tested. Perhaps also because the darkness and isolation of
being far underground in a rocky world forces a sense of our shared
existence as a species. Only the courage and love of strangers who
stopped being strangers could light up that darkness."</i></span></div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-1373893846693639132018-07-01T15:56:00.000-06:002018-07-01T16:03:22.714-06:00POEMS - Light Within<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_ot30G58j94peI5ObCWaa7LHpUUFNmwLqDW7pG61ijwNkq0W7_JPS4XTDYIMotnfQLL1xBLPE-s8y0F5HisZXIkyN1YmvlzQWyvpc8vJYMi32J5IXSbIij5Ic5AkOhRKy-_csafHIA/s1600/2018+%252806%2529+June+-+Sunset+cloudy+sky+June+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_ot30G58j94peI5ObCWaa7LHpUUFNmwLqDW7pG61ijwNkq0W7_JPS4XTDYIMotnfQLL1xBLPE-s8y0F5HisZXIkyN1YmvlzQWyvpc8vJYMi32J5IXSbIij5Ic5AkOhRKy-_csafHIA/s640/2018+%252806%2529+June+-+Sunset+cloudy+sky+June+2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Light Within<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Open your eyes to see<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The wonders of even the darkest skies<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For beyond the stormiest clouds<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Radiates an infinite light<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It cannot be extinguished<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And does not die out<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Continue to persistently seek it<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With an adventurous heart<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Though the storms may cloud your sky<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do not walk away in defeat<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And altogether miss<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The miraculous revealing<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of this vibrant light down deep<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">© MaryAnn Broussard</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">July 1, 2018</span></div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-26764693316386628072017-07-31T16:58:00.000-06:002019-01-07T16:51:55.975-07:00Learning Opportunity at the Poudre River<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZQdXhvb5RmACrroBpziTsS02-FBZ5DB4FwpkVcr6l8iDyF4EGt1b9akA4pyoLKbEnHqsl30mcMfhint0rTn3wlz8DrVPCyP297ugG0fCUcUt2aGY7IqCm6P5ZzqVrl1QOPAw-Jfrzg/s1600/FEAR+Face+Everything+and+Rise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="237" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZQdXhvb5RmACrroBpziTsS02-FBZ5DB4FwpkVcr6l8iDyF4EGt1b9akA4pyoLKbEnHqsl30mcMfhint0rTn3wlz8DrVPCyP297ugG0fCUcUt2aGY7IqCm6P5ZzqVrl1QOPAw-Jfrzg/s320/FEAR+Face+Everything+and+Rise.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"You
gain strength, courage, and confidence </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">by every experience </span></i></b><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">in
which you</span></i></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">really stop to look fear in the face."</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--Eleanor
Roosevelt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I believe that some of the greatest
life lessons with the most growth potential initially come wrapped in not so
pretty and very messy packages that we would prefer not be gifted to us.
A few days ago, I was given one of these learning opportunities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Two of my children, Braden and
Madison, were home for a few days' visit and Braden's fiancé, Alyssa, was also
here with him. We thought it would be a fun adventure to buy some
intertubes from Big O Tires and tube down the Poudre River in the Poudre
Canyon. My husband, Michael, and I had seen people doing this last summer
and it looked like so much fun! We even scoped out the river the day
before to decide the furthest possible point of entry to avoid the spillways
and take a look at the speed of the current. At that time, I made mental
notes that there were a couple of areas where the rocks were too abundant and
jagged creating turbulent rapids, and that I preferred not to tube
through those. I also made a point to express to the family that we had
to have good shoes on to protect our feet from the rocks. My expressed
concerns about the rapids and jagged rocks and the importance for shoes were a
little poo pooed at first as if I was being overly cautious, but I paid no mind
to the skeptical looks I received from some of my family members. I'm a
mom, and it's in my nature to protect those I love and to be wisely prepared
for the unknown, especially because in the Poudre Canyon there is no cell phone
service whatsoever (with any provider). So unless you find that rare call
box <i>somewhere</i> along the long stretch there is no ability to call for
emergency personnel in case of an emergency.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApttIFnB3sf0b12i8xwNLXdJuqdJUYSBJDt9FZMCSMd8Jt6FVNHKuiaiTV1SpNZFkFd-U-gqX3xB2bOf8J8p2j6VWKvydzc7qCOYPzL5InXEkMIAaeeiimQjPgQChnG-Vbr5hE27QBw/s1600/20170728_190407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApttIFnB3sf0b12i8xwNLXdJuqdJUYSBJDt9FZMCSMd8Jt6FVNHKuiaiTV1SpNZFkFd-U-gqX3xB2bOf8J8p2j6VWKvydzc7qCOYPzL5InXEkMIAaeeiimQjPgQChnG-Vbr5hE27QBw/s400/20170728_190407.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We arrived at the river midday
Monday after getting a late start, picking up our tubes, and 100 feet of rope.
I wanted to have rope tied at both opposite ends of each of the tubes
to act as handles for us to hold on to. We parked one vehicle at what
would be exit point downriver and drove the other vehicle to our starting point. We
ended up parking to enter the river at a spot I was feeling a little concern
about because of some very large rock structures we would pass very soon after the
entry point the strong water current created near them. However, I told myself I was
not going to be overly fearful, and I felt we were well prepared with our shoes
on and rope handles on our tubes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>"It's
better to look ahead and prepare </i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>than to look back and regret."</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--Jackie
Joyner-Kersee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We entered the river in a very
shallow area and had to push with our feet to try to get our tubes to stop
scraping bottom. Madison was ahead of everyone else, I was flowing right
after her, with Braden and Alyssa, and Michael coming along behind me.
My tube swirled around and I remember looking at Michael with a big smile
and singing out "Wheeee!" Then I realized I needed to rotate
myself around so I could be facing the large rock structure quickly approaching
in order to be able to push off with my feet if necessary. I swirled
around, saw myself headed straight for it, and in my effort to correct my
direction combined with the speed and depth of water at that point, I flipped
forward off my tube into the water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6W3zqCiCzM-fYDICzL-Td6TYi5ob9tSuSzltNETGwST62jQo_eYjYP2k5CPe7qvWOeeoOZYnN7Zfiy4FyyIeVKjDEdej1_FmcaXkkqSFoFLp5VN7KeLfjzb9Lm-B0RwgPCpNPhKzuw/s1600/20170728_190643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6W3zqCiCzM-fYDICzL-Td6TYi5ob9tSuSzltNETGwST62jQo_eYjYP2k5CPe7qvWOeeoOZYnN7Zfiy4FyyIeVKjDEdej1_FmcaXkkqSFoFLp5VN7KeLfjzb9Lm-B0RwgPCpNPhKzuw/s400/20170728_190643.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I went under I knew I did not
want to lose my tube to the current so I held onto to it tightly with my right
hand and the force of the water and the tube yanked my shoulder out of place.
The pain clearly told me it was a serious injury. I also knew I
must focus on keeping my head above the now deeper and rushing water and that I
must try to protect my body from slamming into all the rocks under the water
while also avoiding the looming large rock structure on the right. As I
went through the worst part of the rapid water drop off between the large
structure and that other boulder, Michael floated up behind me told me to grab
on to the tube. I held my own tube with my left hand and actually reached
out to try to grab his with my right, though the pain fiercely shot through my
arm. And that is what adrenaline is for: to help us cope and survive
during an emergency situation in spite of our injuries. In those long
seconds when all this took place, so many things went through my mind in what I
must do to prevent further injury and overcome the situation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After passing the huge rock
structure, the current calmed enough so I could make my way to the bank on my right where I was able to touch bottom with my feet. I glanced over at my
shoulder and confirmed it was dislocated in a posterior fashion towards my back.
It hurt so badly, but I focused on keeping calm and taking slow, steady breaths. Passing out was not an option under the
conditions. Much of the calmness and acceptance that I've learned through
my yoga practice over the past two and half years assisted me in facing this
situation. I rested my right arm on a rock to keep it from moving and
hooked my tube with my left arm to rest my head and hold myself up in the
water. I wiggled my fingers repeatedly to make sure blood was flowing
along my arm. And while the cold water of the river had made us gasp for
breath earlier as we had first stepped in, it now helped to keep me calm and
alert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Facing
and accepting our reality and letting go of our expectations <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and
frustrations of not having things our way brings peace.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While I felt disappointed that our hopes
for a fun family adventure had come to such a quick end, I worked on accepting
the reality of what had happened and what must be done next. Madison was
at least 100 yards ahead of us and fortunately had made her way to a calm spot
on the opposite bank holding on and waiting for us to catch up. Michael,
Braden, and Alyssa were able to come near me to assess what had happened and immediately started looking for a way to get me up and out of the river. Braden
had lost his Oakley sunglasses and injured his shins. He too had been
flipped off his tube in the same area as me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The concern on Alyssa’s face is
so clear in my memory. She looked at me with big worried eyes as I said
to her: <i>"My shoulder is
dislocated."</i> And she sadly replied: <i>"I can see that."</i> Getting me out of the river and
up onto the road was going to prove quite difficult. The only way
out was through a bunch of willows and up a steep hill of dirt and rocks.
Meanwhile, Madison was still trying to figure out what was holding us up
and trying to make an exit on the opposite bank of the river where she was at.
We hoped she could walk back up on the shore to the shallower part where
we had started and cross back to meet up with us at the truck. Michael
tried and tried to find an easier alternate way I could walk my way out of the
river and up onto the road but there was no other way. I started to feel
desperate just sitting there in the water bobbing and holding my shoulder and
loudly yelled to get me out: <i>"I
need to get out of here now!"</i> We would have to go the only way
available, one step at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPiiFC9SbSaaHUzdL8C1yFIpFduflI_IuN0TlwWQOhceivvuoOg16JkJLPGMrYal8jlYMw9pbG7cZViPt_qhc_MNGs6XfVEKngbylIsBhyphenhyphentixzqqRipEPaHpQcjDuZ8PBdyL_X48rww/s1600/20170728_191051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPiiFC9SbSaaHUzdL8C1yFIpFduflI_IuN0TlwWQOhceivvuoOg16JkJLPGMrYal8jlYMw9pbG7cZViPt_qhc_MNGs6XfVEKngbylIsBhyphenhyphentixzqqRipEPaHpQcjDuZ8PBdyL_X48rww/s400/20170728_191051.jpg" width="300" /></a><b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No
matter how difficult it seems, we can overcome any challenge, </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">trial,
or difficulty in our lives one step at a time.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Michael and Braden lovingly and
patiently helped me take that one step at a time with an immense amount of
words of encouragement and physical support. It brings emotional tears to
my eyes now even as I write this of the extensive gratefulness I have for the
way they helped me through it all. The moment I stepped out of the river,
I started to black out. I reminded myself that was not an option because
I knew how that would hinder the process of exiting the river and getting me to
the ER. I focused and controlled my breathing and kept calm. The
blackness dissipated, but instead I began going into shock with my ears ringing
and my eyesight becoming tunnel vision and seeing everything in bright white.
The leaves on the willows were bright white. The ground was bright
white. It was so strange and surreal. The whiteness of everything
looked like bad photography and felt blinding. In spite of the ringing in
my ears, I could hear the river and my husband's and son's voices guiding me: <i>"Step here. Step here
next."</i> One of them walked in front of me with hands on me while
the other one walked behind me supporting my torso to keep me from falling down
in case I stumbled or passed out. We walked through the willows and
began to take steps up along the steep hill. I was completely relying on
their guidance as to where to place my foot next. Only once did I look up
at the hill I must climb up, but I didn't dwell on it long because I knew my
perspective was skewed anyway. I knew my way out was in focusing on each
of my steps, not on how high I had to go. Every step and jolt sent excruciating
pain along my arm. Throughout the whole experience, I talked reassuringly
to myself often and told myself: <i>“Yes, MaryAnn, you CAN do this. Everything is going to be okay. You are going to be okay.”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our
ability to get through challenging and painful circumstances is strongly </span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">affected by our determination, perspective, and mindset.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7Y_jtqQcZ2Akto6qrMrct8lZiCheSjInvKJsjyW2o5TNGpN2l1bo_lmSfJFwKGIZ_02vfLGJjfT9VaQIO1BoNjQUOLtdrkn_JVIkb_blcvA6tdWoFZmocX1F0h1soIcrxUyWIY2Mmw/s1600/20170728_191046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7Y_jtqQcZ2Akto6qrMrct8lZiCheSjInvKJsjyW2o5TNGpN2l1bo_lmSfJFwKGIZ_02vfLGJjfT9VaQIO1BoNjQUOLtdrkn_JVIkb_blcvA6tdWoFZmocX1F0h1soIcrxUyWIY2Mmw/s400/20170728_191046.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That walk up and out of the river
did not seem so bad to me, though I felt horribly sick with pain. With
the help and guidance of Michael and Braden, I found each step quite doable and
even thought to myself: <i>"Well, that
wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be!" </i> The last strong
heave up to get my feet planted onto the side of the road felt intense and
threatened to cause me to black out again. Yet, it also brought great
emotional relief as I saw our truck up ahead a short distance away. My
husband guided me to it while Braden returned to assist Alyssa who unbeknownst
to us was facing her own pain when she had popped her knee out of and back into
place on her climb up the hill. As I sat in the truck, I propped my arm
with a box of tie downs (which I later referred to as my "box baby")
and waited for everyone to make it back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My husband left me at the truck and
went to assist Madison across the river. Thankfully there was also a
fisherman there who helped in that process. And the extra rope we had
bought for the intertubes came in very handy! Madison faced her own knee
injury along her trek back up the river. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Relying
on and trusting the support of others when we feel like we can't go on </span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">helps us
to persevere and make it through the toughest of times.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally, everyone reunited at the
truck and the tubes were thrown in the back (still had all of five of them!),
and we drove to the location of our other vehicle. Every bump on the road
was agonizingly painful and would cause me to cry out loudly in pain. Madison
brainstormed how she could create a sling for my arm, and Braden rubbed my head
from the backseat and spoke as many encouraging words as he could think of to
reassure me that I could get through this. Michael and I drove our other
vehicle to the ER which was about 25 minutes away. Braden, Madison, and
Alyssa had to deal with tying down the tubes in the back of the truck and
getting home. They experienced their own set of challenges on that drive
because Alyssa passed out for a short time; I think due to the pain of her knee
and her own shock over whole situation. Plus, she had already been
struggling with the high altitude change since she had arrived to Colorado.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our drive to the ER seemed to take
forever as every bump on the road continued to cause me to scream. By the
time we arrived there, it had already been at least 1 hour and 45 minutes since
the accident. That is a long time to have a dislocated shoulder.
This was my second trip in one year to the ER at Poudre Valley Hospital
in Fort Collins, and I have nothing but awesome things to say about their care
and services. They have been amazing both times and even more so this
time. I expressed my concerns about the morphine and anesthetics making
me sick to my stomach, and they took such care to avoid that! They
immediately began working on making me as comfortable as possible, taking
careful x-rays, getting sedatives prepared for the resetting of my arm, etc.
They quickly covered me in warm blankets because I was shivering in my wet and cold
bathing suit and reminded me to keep paying attention to my breath. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we waited for all the necessary
preparations, I found some humor within me to talk about my "box
baby" and to let Michael know that just because I was hurt, I was not
about to let him and Braden get out of the couples' yoga practice we were
supposed to do together later in the week. I would just have to give
really good verbal cues since my arm would be out of commission. I also mentioned
that I was now going to have plenty of opportunity to work on my left handed skills.
And I focused on having gratefulness for the care I had been and was
continuing to receive throughout this entire experience, every word of
encouragement, and what I was learning through it all. As a mom, I
considered that if anyone was going to be hurt, I was glad it had been me.
For to observe my loved ones in pain, especially my children, hurts me
more than my own physical pain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I suppose it was maybe 30-45 minutes
after my arrival at the ER that my arm was reset. A group of five
hospital staff members surrounded my bed just before resetting my arm.
They triple checked and discussed the anesthetics and how they would be
administered to me. I was impressed and set at ease by their conscious
care to make sure everything went smoothly. I looked into Michael's eyes
one last time before starting to lose consciousness and let everyone know I was
starting to fall asleep: <i>"Here we
go"</i>. It felt so good to finally allow myself to relax, forget
the pain, and let go the control of my arm for them to fix it. The hum of
their voices seemed to continue to ebb and flow in my ears and then I felt
myself coming back to awareness and said to everyone: <i>"I can hear you."</i> They were taking new x-rays, and
I had only been out of it for about 15 minutes. My arm felt exactly as
when I had gone unconscious, and my mind even imagined my “box baby” was still
supporting it. I told them while trying to smile with eyes closed: <i>"I know you have fixed my arm, but it
still hurts exactly the same and it feels like I still have my box baby."</i>
Michael told me that when they began to set my arm, I cried out in pain
and scared him that I was not asleep after all. While I remember their
mumbled voices in the background, I do not recall my own cries of pain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCSEyCIdMUHs-UYZHeCnEqz9m4XLydS4RVtaMoMBydWyTtNuWBMFYwwsK5IAWbaDhuLuCrom2yYofLSJak2sWmz4BKdQkVj7FIST09GImCONpvkUhTSt-O4baewr2-VQZu3wlYSCdww/s1600/Screenshot_20170724-195949.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="779" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCSEyCIdMUHs-UYZHeCnEqz9m4XLydS4RVtaMoMBydWyTtNuWBMFYwwsK5IAWbaDhuLuCrom2yYofLSJak2sWmz4BKdQkVj7FIST09GImCONpvkUhTSt-O4baewr2-VQZu3wlYSCdww/s320/Screenshot_20170724-195949.png" width="155" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We spent another long while waiting
for me to be alert enough to leave the hospital. With my arm in a sling, we
finally headed for home. We arrived home to hear of the things that had
happened to them on their way home and of their own injuries. We all
desperately needed dinner, so I took a quick bath to rinse the sand of the
river away and dressed to go out to a restaurant. We enjoyed a nice
dinner together and shared each of our perspectives on what had happened that
day. We smiled, we laughed, and we released a great deal of anxiety and
worry that had been with us for hours. We proceeded to thoroughly enjoy
the rest of the week together and do fun activities that did not
require the use of my arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's been a week since that day at
the Poudre River and my arm is slowly recovering day by day. The next day
after the accident, the whole arm felt so awful, and I couldn't use it at all.
It felt like it weighed a ton of bricks. I've been taking large
doses of turmeric/curcumin along with CBD oil for the inflammation and pain and
applying essential oils and homeopathic creams to the arm and shoulder.
The only pain medication I took was two Aleve's for three nights so I
could try to sleep without being woken up by pain. I've also got some other
bumps and bruises that hardly compare to the arm injury and a cut on my shin
with a bad bruise all around it that is struggling to heal. I rejoice
that by today I can actually lift my arm straight up very carefully though
there are some other things I cannot do yet. I can finally (carefully and
slowly) wash my own hair again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Little
by little, day by day, progress is made.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I started to have some post-traumatic
stress a few days after the accident. My mind kept replaying the entire
incident and causing anxiety. I asked Michael to take me back to the
river, to the spot where the accident happened, so I could take pictures and
face the place and come to terms with it. Feeling the post-traumatic
stress is another reason for me writing at length about it. It is all
part of my mental and emotional processing therapy to accept what happened,
extract and save the golden nuggets of wisdom within, and peacefully let go of
the rest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Was I disappointed that our hope for
fun turned out completely different? Of
course. I had other expectations. Am I disappointed my yoga practice and
teaching are a bit set back by my need for recovery? Certainly!
I had other plans and expectations. More than anything though, I am enormously thankful that mine or anyone
else’s injuries were not any worse and that we could all laugh and talk about
it a few hours later. I choose to have
the perspective and mindset that every experience in my life (no matter how
painful) will be of value for something positive in my present and
future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Peace will be found in the acceptance of what has happened </i></b></span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>and cannot be changed </i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>and a willingness to ride the waves of life and readjust our course as necessary.</i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10px; text-align: right;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10px; text-align: right;">© MaryAnn Broussard</span></div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-86822347264962184432017-07-18T13:14:00.001-06:002017-07-18T13:14:03.863-06:00Life Happens in the Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij67xDiDdXSta6xrEO81yx0ShyphenhyphenwzAjEoUQQavqFpLembCtqsOC6DmdBxmNxX7Vm-jM3Rco5GsHNFNzeASPEOQhf_Dn5gLJ_XVn-_6xIkLDOTs7ncUqy2vHRuZjhPhzi8afVxSJ68sBOg/s1600/2017+%252807%2529+July+18+-+Life+happens+in+the+now+HPIM5825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij67xDiDdXSta6xrEO81yx0ShyphenhyphenwzAjEoUQQavqFpLembCtqsOC6DmdBxmNxX7Vm-jM3Rco5GsHNFNzeASPEOQhf_Dn5gLJ_XVn-_6xIkLDOTs7ncUqy2vHRuZjhPhzi8afVxSJ68sBOg/s640/2017+%252807%2529+July+18+-+Life+happens+in+the+now+HPIM5825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life
happens in the now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though we can find
joy and sorrow and gain valuable wisdom from our memories, there is no active life in what has
already passed. That life has come and
gone and cannot be undone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vibrant life cannot
be found in daydreaming about or dreading the future.
We know nothing about that future, near or far, because it is not
guaranteed and not yet a reality. Dreams and ideas can
be used to inspire our actions in the present, but that doesn't change the fact that the future is still simply a fantasy
in our mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dynamic living occurs by
engaging in this very moment, with this very breath, and in the current
circumstances of life. It is in how we wholeheartedly live this moment that redeems the past and in which the future is forged.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What
will I make of my life right now?</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">©
MaryAnn Broussard</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-36232391694643292612017-04-28T12:55:00.002-06:002017-04-28T13:07:05.073-06:00Why Don't You Fly a Little Higher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfi-g37foHas39N1MnOcT1-0EOFZE_nTKBK6thnE5wsVHx3NCi1bYIRZ3b2DK5npV0ee86V8I99ECxzhTu8zi4DrICF68aR7JhLlf4Zw7lkMo7C9sN1eMbWaLtFzD_oaw5jrKymhSWg/s1600/Horse+and+%2526+Eagles+prairie-1025230_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfi-g37foHas39N1MnOcT1-0EOFZE_nTKBK6thnE5wsVHx3NCi1bYIRZ3b2DK5npV0ee86V8I99ECxzhTu8zi4DrICF68aR7JhLlf4Zw7lkMo7C9sN1eMbWaLtFzD_oaw5jrKymhSWg/s640/Horse+and+%2526+Eagles+prairie-1025230_1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This
post is dedicated to and written for my beloved daughter. </span><br />
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When the storms of life feel overwhelming and invincible,
I am often reminded of these words of scripture and the ones at the end of this
post:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><i>Do you not know?
Have you not heard? The Everlasting
God…the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. <sup>29 </sup>He gives strength to the weary,</i></span><i>
And to him who lacks might He increases
power. <sup>30 </sup>Though youths
grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly,<sup>31 </sup>those
who<sup>]</sup>wait for the </i><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> w</i></span><span class="text"><i>ill gain new strength; They will develop wings like eagles, They will run and
not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”</i></span><span class="text"> (Isaiah 40-28-31)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
eagle signifies power, freedom, and transcendence. It freely soars high above valley lows,
mountain highs, raging rivers, and peaceful lakes. As it spreads its mighty wings and flies
high, it has the ability to see the whole of the earth while also being able to
focus on even the tiniest movement and shape of its necessary nourishment. It prefers soaring with wings spread wide
rather than exerting unnecessary energy flapping repeatedly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
know all too well from past experiences that I can easily get bogged down in
the valley lows and lose sight of the grander and more beautiful view from up
high. During such times, I have to
search for ways that help me find the courage and strength to spread my wings
and gain the “lift” I desperately need to fly upwards and onwards. For me, music is typically one of those ways. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In
the last few months, I fell in love with a song called <i>Louder</i> sung by Lea Michelle.
I often sing it in the car very LOUDLY for my own encouragement and
inspiration, especially when I need that extra “lift” above life’s difficult
circumstances. Today, I sang <i>Louder</i> not only for myself, but also as
a loud and fervent prayer for my precious daughter. As I sang, I changed some of the words to fit
more appropriately the theme of soaring high as an eagle does. With my own words, the song’s title could
also be renamed as <i>Higher</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Come out of the shadows</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">S</span></i><i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tep into the light</span></i></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This can be the moment</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Are you ready to fly?</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't you know, you know</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You're not the only one</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why so low, so low?</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What are you waiting for?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Only then a hero whispers</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Only then a hero whispers</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But I just wanna see you rise</span></i><br />
<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't be afraid</span></i></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why don't you fly a little higher</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Turn it up</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know you can</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Come on and fly a little higher</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh,</span></i><br />
<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why don't you fly a little higher</span></i></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh,</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why don't you fly a little higher</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></span></i></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DJSslTNKtWs?list=PLIQUy5RAg9thzBaIw2cHHpNt2kJN9w2EN" width="560"></iframe>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wanna be remembered?</span></i><br />
<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stand out of the crowd</span></i></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't choke on the fire</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's tryin' to burn you out</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why so low, so low?</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What are you waiting for?</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Only then a hero whispers</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Only then a hero whispers</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But I just wanna see you rise</span></i><br />
<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't be afraid</span></i></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why don't you fly a little higher</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Turn it up</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know you can</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Come on and fly a little higher</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh,</span></i><br />
<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why don't you fly a little higher</span></i></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh,</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why don't you fly a little higher</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Come out of the shadows</span></i><br />
<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Step into the light</span></i></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This can be the moment</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It can change your life</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Only then a hero whispers</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But I just wanna see you rise</span></i><br />
<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't be afraid</span></i></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why don't you fly a little higher</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Turn it up</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know you can</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Come on and fly a little higher</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh,</span></i><br />
<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why don't you fly a little higher</span></i></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Turn it up</span></i><br />
<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know you can</span></i></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why don't you fly a little higher</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh,</span></i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why don't you fly a little higher</span></i></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No
matter what darkness we face in life, may we always hold on to hope and never
stop searching for the courage to spread our wings and let ourselves be lifted
up. In doing so, we will draw in breaths
of fresh air and gain sight of a completely different and grander view of beauty and blessings all around us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><i><sup>8 </sup></i></span><span class="text"><i>For we do not want you to be unaware,
brethren, of our affliction which came to
us…that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we
despaired even of life;</i></span><i> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-NASB-28810">9</span></sup>indeed, we had the sentence of
death within ourselves, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who
raises the dead;</span> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-NASB-28811">10 </span></sup>who
delivered us from so great a peril of
death, and will deliver us, He on
whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us…”</span></i><span class="text"> (2
Corinthians 1:8-10)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My beloved, amazing, and special daughter,<br />I am here for you any time, any place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love you with a boundless love, forever and always.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For
the actual lyrics to the song, <a href="https://play.google.com/music/preview/Tvn4fipzrsmbj5j7jf3xorsve2u?lyrics=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=lyrics&pcampaignid=kp-lyrics" target="_blank">click here</a>. </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></span></div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-78483624644650142852017-04-10T12:00:00.001-06:002017-04-10T12:12:09.732-06:00Purpose Draws Us Upward and Onward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrU26cuAj2WER4PCvRtuHhX-chR5_MKhnxQym7v_mA0ZqCry1g3zQ7tvQIiN2ExyDxb65EwFyCUqA7xGVSBqfggkHb2pGDosda76utw_n5xq_2LiBR5EQ5sKTIijqx8M-3W9AsWIoew/s1600/2016+%252804%2529+April+10+-+Purpose+Draws+Us+Upwards+and+Onwards+HPIM0808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrU26cuAj2WER4PCvRtuHhX-chR5_MKhnxQym7v_mA0ZqCry1g3zQ7tvQIiN2ExyDxb65EwFyCUqA7xGVSBqfggkHb2pGDosda76utw_n5xq_2LiBR5EQ5sKTIijqx8M-3W9AsWIoew/s640/2016+%252804%2529+April+10+-+Purpose+Draws+Us+Upwards+and+Onwards+HPIM0808.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some
extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bounds: Your mind
transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you
find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces,
faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater
person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be."</i> -- Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always having an inspiring and
stimulating purpose in life draws us upward and onward and makes all the
difference in how we view and embrace today. As we pursue a greater
purpose <i><u>in the daily and in the
long-term</u></i>, not only do we grow and discover more of ourselves, we also
discover more about the world and people around us. The pursuit of
something greater than “me” which pushes and challenges in multiple ways draws
us out of our comfortably mundane and self-centered “me” mindset and into an awe-inspiring
perspective. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Human beings were not meant to be
stagnant and unchallenged. Stagnation breeds sorrow, discontent, and
bitterness. In order to be
healthy, thriving people we must create, pursue, and achieve while standing
firm on the foundations of love and goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why is it that so often when a
dearly loved one dies we look for ways in which to honor their memory and
fulfill something in our life that they stood for or that we think they would
be proud of? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I believe it is because at a moment of most intense grief not only are we jolted awake to the fact that life
is a gift and can end unexpectedly, we also look for important reasons to go on
with our lives in spite of that person’s absence. We desperately long to continue to bring
value to the life they lived and the one we still get to have. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We all <b><i>need</i></b> something productive
and stimulating to do! We all crave something in which throw ourselves
into in order to help us not only make it through the ups and downs of life but also in order to have personal, tangible proof that our presence on this
earth matters greatly. Without purpose,
we wilt and wither and lose sight of the truth that life is a beautiful and
amazing gift to be enjoyed and embraced wholeheartedly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life is lived right now, not in what
was and not in what may be in the future.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life is lived with this breath, in
this very moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life is lived abundantly as we hold
hands with passion and purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The opportunities of today and
tomorrow are endless and waiting for our pursuit and discovery. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Upward and onward!</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">© MaryAnn Broussard</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-11625320075866140712017-03-24T10:57:00.000-06:002017-03-24T11:01:23.977-06:00Letting Go of Judgment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYz0ZUP4XT06OC_U6tmoSYwgSAcg9y2Ol00gYF8qOk7TJM2iuxty4Q7Q2BmPgXuW-8A5fxfSiYj15JU7C3BIhKAZiyi9PXYi9YttVlprNJx5nw3jkNiFIiuMn9qlxAHX3y4yFm3hUfvw/s1600/2017+%252803%2529+Mar+24+-+Acknowledge+judgment+and+let+it+go+DSC_2223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYz0ZUP4XT06OC_U6tmoSYwgSAcg9y2Ol00gYF8qOk7TJM2iuxty4Q7Q2BmPgXuW-8A5fxfSiYj15JU7C3BIhKAZiyi9PXYi9YttVlprNJx5nw3jkNiFIiuMn9qlxAHX3y4yFm3hUfvw/s640/2017+%252803%2529+Mar+24+-+Acknowledge+judgment+and+let+it+go+DSC_2223.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="X-NONE">Having a
non-judgmental attitude is a </span>perpetual<span lang="X-NONE"> work in progress</span><span lang="X-NONE">.</span> <span lang="X-NONE">Regardless of how far I</span> think
I have<span lang="X-NONE"> come in not falsely judging others based
on what I see with my eyes, hear with my ears, or feel emotionally, I realize I
have yet SO far to go! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We make
judgments in a split second while forgetting there is a story of a lifetime
unknown to us. We cannot possibly grasp
the full extent of what has led someone to that moment on which we are placing
our quick judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="X-NONE">I find myself regularly judging without even
realizing I'm doing it! When awareness kicks in, I understand that I'm making assumptions and
judgments based on <b><i>my</i></b> personal perceptions, beliefs, ideas, and
previous life experiences. In these moments, instead of being angry or disappointed with myself, I want to regularly </span>act on<span lang="X-NONE">
something I've learned through my yoga practice: Acknowledge all thoughts </span>of<span lang="X-NONE"> judgment and immediately let them go</span>,<span lang="X-NONE"> without continuing to give them any</span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">more attention or
energy. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The more power we give to something, the more
power it </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">maintains</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> over us.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Acknowledge, and let it go.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">© MaryAnn
Broussard</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-76397361942159111622017-03-23T15:27:00.000-06:002017-03-23T15:57:27.346-06:00Be Brave, Be You<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCI0QvteVaAsJRTBfsC1tOfcNouqEoYe69qlP6O7KQLmnXdk02h5K7zf9ud12l7xBZXPVZCobqZ3470RXTdJwZrjQrgUq5DXZR3LDfq9O8f7nSDupxQ9RN_SR0Y-yhVbRuojcQunJ_Rg/s1600/2016+%252803%2529+Mar+23+-+Be+Brave+Be+You+2016-07-30+08.fw.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCI0QvteVaAsJRTBfsC1tOfcNouqEoYe69qlP6O7KQLmnXdk02h5K7zf9ud12l7xBZXPVZCobqZ3470RXTdJwZrjQrgUq5DXZR3LDfq9O8f7nSDupxQ9RN_SR0Y-yhVbRuojcQunJ_Rg/s640/2016+%252803%2529+Mar+23+-+Be+Brave+Be+You+2016-07-30+08.fw.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bein</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">g
authentic requires an immense amount of courage! In this life, we must continually be brave,
bold, and courageous in order to be real and true with who we are. This is not because being who we are is so
freaking outrageous, but because being real goes against the status quo, the
mainstream, and the socially acceptable.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Society
screams: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Be
like this to be accepted!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Be
like this to fit in!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Be
like this to land the right opportunity or job!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Be
like this to seem normal!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Be
like this to be liked or loved!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Are
we too easily settling for living a pretend version of ourselves in order to
fit in or be accepted or deemed as “normal”?
Or are we hiding in a personal prison of constantly feeling like an
outcast thinking that who we were created to be can never be enough?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It
may seem more acceptable or comfortable to hide behind different personality
masks and our electronic devices, but that is not truly living the life we have
been given. That life is a rip off! It is a life being the walking dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Break
out of the mold. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be brave. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wanna see you and me be brave! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Being
authentic breathes life into us and into others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">© MaryAnn
Broussard</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There’s
a beautiful song by Sara Bareilles called <i>Brave</i>. This song has always touched my heart and
inspired me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dyAfjUHlFSM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>"Brave"</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can be amazing<br />
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug<br />
You can be the outcast<br />
Or be the backlash of somebody's lack of love<br />
Or you can start speaking up<br />
<br />
Nothing's gonna hurt you the way that words do<br />
When they settle 'neath your skin<br />
Kept on the inside and no sunlight<br />
Sometimes a shadow wins<br />
But I wonder what would happen if you<br />
<br />
Say what you wanna say<br />
And let the words fall out<br />
Honestly, I wanna see you be brave<br />
With what you want to say<br />
And let the words fall out<br />
Honestly, I wanna see you be brave<br />
<br />
I just wanna see you<br />
I just wanna see you<br />
I just wanna see you<br />
I wanna see you be brave<br />
Everybody's been there,<br />
Everybody's been stared down by the enemy<br />
Fallen for the fear<br />
And done some disappearing,<br />
Bow down to the mighty<br />
Don't run, just stop holding your tongue<br />
<br />
Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live<br />
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in<br />
Show me how big your brave is<br />
<br />
Say what you wanna say<br />
And let the words fall out<br />
Honestly, I wanna see you be brave<br />
With what you want to say<br />
And let the words fall out<br />
Honestly, I wanna see you be brave<br />
<br />
And since your history of silence<br />
Won't do you any good,<br />
Did you think it would?<br />
Let your words be anything but empty<br />
Why don't you tell them the truth?<br />
<br />
Say what you wanna say<br />
And let the words fall out<br />
Honestly, I wanna see you be brave<br />
With what you want to say<br />
And let the words fall out<br />
Honestly, I wanna see you be brave<br />
<br />
I just wanna see you<br />
I just wanna see you<br />
I just wanna see you<br />
I wanna see you be brave<br />
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-63274119922468684772017-03-22T08:00:00.000-06:002017-03-22T08:30:25.983-06:00Sorrow Knows No Bounds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8MU-1iXaipp3leYyZ34kS7R6VQKNZXcJPCuS45cu6LK6GQ5cQYYpc5DqWv5TmbJUSMaAigkxjqqWbQ7Lr3WcpRRgy-wziwhXRrmNyliwR8JSlCAXWF12mgX51a5z5CvN5rLNn1cJqw/s1600/2017+%252803%2529+Mar+22+-+Sorrow+Knows+No+Bounds+DSC_7645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8MU-1iXaipp3leYyZ34kS7R6VQKNZXcJPCuS45cu6LK6GQ5cQYYpc5DqWv5TmbJUSMaAigkxjqqWbQ7Lr3WcpRRgy-wziwhXRrmNyliwR8JSlCAXWF12mgX51a5z5CvN5rLNn1cJqw/s640/2017+%252803%2529+Mar+22+-+Sorrow+Knows+No+Bounds+DSC_7645.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="X-NONE"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="X-NONE">There are sorrows
in this life of which depths extend beyond </span>any <span lang="X-NONE">words</span> that could possibly be used to
describe them<span lang="X-NONE">. The death of a child is such a sorrow. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="X-NONE">My heart
deeply aches for the mother and the father who face the death of their </span>beloved
son or daughter<span lang="X-NONE">. </span>Though I’m extremely empathetic, I
am very well aware what
I feel doesn’t even <span lang="X-NONE">com</span>e
close <span lang="X-NONE">to what
they are enduring in this immensely painful season of life. </span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span>It is an action of my love and compassion to weep and grieve beside them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="X-NONE">With
all my </span>being I wish<span lang="X-NONE"> that I
could </span>somehow minimize their <span lang="X-NONE">pain and suffering.
Yet, I know th</span>is<span lang="X-NONE"> is </span>impossible<span lang="X-NONE">. Such </span>a
grief<span lang="X-NONE"> can only
be </span>supernaturally eased <span lang="X-NONE">by God</span> and time<span lang="X-NONE">, in ways </span>completely <span lang="X-NONE">unique to each </span>person’s needs<span lang="X-NONE">. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I <span lang="X-NONE">hurt and
cry tears alongside these parents and </span>their<span lang="X-NONE"> family and friends</span>, I plead with
God to bring them all abounding comfort and unexpected blessings<span lang="X-NONE">. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">“Pain demands to be felt.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">--<i>Fault in Our Stars</i> by John Green<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">©
MaryAnn Broussard</span></div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-27665394183597041142017-03-21T18:17:00.000-06:002017-03-22T08:29:23.612-06:00We Are Vulnerable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5xU8Gyw6e2yrOHegk9ojxxyy5IT5Vry9Uua_W2c8v4dDqx-XwfsemAlEOp5ydOOkYTv1j-tWprQ-7hShxbAM0CQP63_A6agsWGOJiqhlUrPkkySHlTxlQrOdjcMO8QTeuf0TnuaT5g/s1600/2017+%252803%2529+Mar+21+-+We+Are+Vulnerable+2016-09-10+12.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5xU8Gyw6e2yrOHegk9ojxxyy5IT5Vry9Uua_W2c8v4dDqx-XwfsemAlEOp5ydOOkYTv1j-tWprQ-7hShxbAM0CQP63_A6agsWGOJiqhlUrPkkySHlTxlQrOdjcMO8QTeuf0TnuaT5g/s640/2017+%252803%2529+Mar+21+-+We+Are+Vulnerable+2016-09-10+12.14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reflections from an ever
learning sojourner...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="X-NONE">Life
is what it is.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It truly is so very
fragile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We<span lang="X-NONE"> have no guarantees except that we will face
joys, sorrows, and death.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every one of us is <span lang="X-NONE">vulnerable</span>; though, many of us would
like to convince ourselves otherwise. What we take for granted today
could easily be gone tomorrow because practically every intricate detail
occurring at any moment is completely out of our control. We<span lang="X-NONE"> only have control over </span>ourselves,
our <span lang="X-NONE">attitude</span>,<span lang="X-NONE"> and </span>our <span lang="X-NONE">choices. Each choice is like a drop
of rain falling in a pool of water and creating a ripple effect.
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Knowing every choice I make
matters, I desire to conscientiously choose to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>EMBRACE</b> the <b>NOW</b>,
this present moment where life is lived<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>SPEAK</b> <b>LIFE</b> and
of the value of it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="X-NONE">L</span></b><b>OVE</b> without
boundaries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>CARRY GRATEFULNESS</b> in
my soul at all times<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>FORGIVE abundantly</b>, myself
and others<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>LISTEN</b> more <b>intently</b> and to gain thorough understanding<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>SEEK WISDOM</b> and
let it guide my steps<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>BASK in LIGHT</b> and <b>share</b> it
with others<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
© MaryAnn Broussard</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-85235025954045883182017-03-20T19:45:00.001-06:002017-03-20T19:51:00.957-06:00We Are To Live By Our Own Strength<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeJgLal9xTB2Wz4yP2FMxqHb5yYcdYcIskguNvwPfuZpiI0kGC498uqSIAhf9Dn4Ae_95wrSakMwF-ci73aJ_L77CcF6vnJrSyd_HY26PWMgvFQpLpV7DPO0iODhi0l3FyWW607oaMA/s1600/We+are+to+live+by+our+own+strength+DSC_3276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeJgLal9xTB2Wz4yP2FMxqHb5yYcdYcIskguNvwPfuZpiI0kGC498uqSIAhf9Dn4Ae_95wrSakMwF-ci73aJ_L77CcF6vnJrSyd_HY26PWMgvFQpLpV7DPO0iODhi0l3FyWW607oaMA/s640/We+are+to+live+by+our+own+strength+DSC_3276.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...<br />
<br />
We have this one Life to live.<br />
My life is meant to be lived by me. <br />
Your life is meant to be lived by you. <br />
No one else is responsible or in charge of what we decide to do with that.<br />
<br />
I was given this one special life to live wholeheartedly and to embrace with gusto and passion. I am to take responsibility for every choice I make and all the consequences that follow. <br />
<br />
So are you.<br />
<br />
We cannot rely on the strengths, the dreams, the desires, or the choices of other people to carry us through. Those personal aspects are our responsibility alone. We were never meant to go through life holding on to the coattails of successful people, or blaming others for our troubles, or allowing anyone to manipulate us when they attempt to hijack our lives. <br />
<br />
Let us be courageous with ourselves and respectful of others as we travel this journey called Life.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">© MaryAnn Broussard</span></span></div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-60989111661100154842017-03-08T14:26:00.001-07:002017-03-08T14:26:41.619-07:00A Day Without a Woman<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRhPlQXQauReZ0p2H5ydqcdjL9peqtI0IEe3yFwi1vQGk_6Co7KZQEUqePia915Z4ts06S7htRpVorecnQ1QB8-BCfxzgLhmlB8HweIBgR0J7PSr_KeKUScEYwX_eKsVrQfx2hhlADw/s1600/world-map-on-hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRhPlQXQauReZ0p2H5ydqcdjL9peqtI0IEe3yFwi1vQGk_6Co7KZQEUqePia915Z4ts06S7htRpVorecnQ1QB8-BCfxzgLhmlB8HweIBgR0J7PSr_KeKUScEYwX_eKsVrQfx2hhlADw/s320/world-map-on-hands.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's really very simple...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /> A day without women would suck and bring disaster to humanity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />A day without men would equally suck and bring disaster to humanity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We all matter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're all valuable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're all needed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The more we focus on the importance and equality of “me”
while ignoring the importance and equality of “you”, the more divided we
become.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show">The end.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-6075911182415991102017-03-08T14:17:00.000-07:002017-03-08T14:27:04.632-07:00Quotes - The Separation Between You and Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFFXS3dMNQgvuDuRVLlI9gySLrVoc26nIGNyo2XZL3-VThN8dUzaKxed0fQH43aoGCaw3PyT3VPJpu4hFahzfznnw6YCcb9ppbq_eBBXlYvKFOXL4WII5ywrOcKFlZ0pKcTJtLnpNPA/s1600/2017-03-08+20.56.37.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFFXS3dMNQgvuDuRVLlI9gySLrVoc26nIGNyo2XZL3-VThN8dUzaKxed0fQH43aoGCaw3PyT3VPJpu4hFahzfznnw6YCcb9ppbq_eBBXlYvKFOXL4WII5ywrOcKFlZ0pKcTJtLnpNPA/s640/2017-03-08+20.56.37.png" width="458" /></a></div>
<br />MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-27653723934317364502017-01-19T21:34:00.000-07:002017-01-19T21:34:43.688-07:00Quotes - If We Long to Ease the World's Suffering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBM7BAtzVV83dVIY_VMMDSEeCIG8zDII_YGshSmVKHgPZQmcrydUxEhVxFZI-vG9t8P2xVcl85-0lZU-j8BMB8wtIjhyphenhyphenxr2qCHaXQ2GqQbW1A2lHku5_-kl84U-Ds5uSllGB2zkRHVQ/s1600/Screenshot_20170104-082658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBM7BAtzVV83dVIY_VMMDSEeCIG8zDII_YGshSmVKHgPZQmcrydUxEhVxFZI-vG9t8P2xVcl85-0lZU-j8BMB8wtIjhyphenhyphenxr2qCHaXQ2GqQbW1A2lHku5_-kl84U-Ds5uSllGB2zkRHVQ/s640/Screenshot_20170104-082658.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
<br />MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-54720359885020698612017-01-19T21:31:00.000-07:002017-01-19T21:31:08.639-07:00Quotes - If You Do What You Did<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIRfBpBZgCSoPshZNoloPALTe2dxjIF1onGk01ontiD7kXLE_-tFKTh4GKyO0eZXHZdzu4EepRmxV7bIKmpxEuSycNqqD93TpjlJKlrxacvMC8Z9sQGpPzFbWLKXX4QLOgmGIK1r_rg/s1600/Screenshot_20170104-074053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIRfBpBZgCSoPshZNoloPALTe2dxjIF1onGk01ontiD7kXLE_-tFKTh4GKyO0eZXHZdzu4EepRmxV7bIKmpxEuSycNqqD93TpjlJKlrxacvMC8Z9sQGpPzFbWLKXX4QLOgmGIK1r_rg/s640/Screenshot_20170104-074053.jpg" width="410" /></a></div>
<br />MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-6996035150313936632016-10-18T10:44:00.002-06:002017-03-23T13:38:31.553-06:00Are We Facing an Election Apocalypse 2016?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><b style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“…normalizing
the abnormal causes the spirit,</span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">which
would normally leap to correct the situation, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to
instead sink into ennui, complacency, and eventually…blindness.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>-- </i>Dr. Clarissa Pinkola
Estés in <i>Women Who Run With the Wolves<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm really not a very politically
focused person. Politics tend to sadden and upset me because I see so
much corruption and abuse in that system; therefore, I try to avoid the topic
as much as possible. However, the impending election less than a month
away and the responses of our general populace have me doing a whole lot of
soul searching and hard thinking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last Friday morning, I woke up with
more election thoughts running rampant through my head. The thoughts were
of the insane phenomenon I am witnessing and the wish that others would also
take notice and rise up against it. At the same time, I was reminded we
are all so very unique with different ways of viewing things and understood my
perception of the current state of affairs can greatly differ from someone
else's. Yet, I have this blog and will continue to write about important
topics and offer different ideas and viewpoints that may bring people to
rethink before blindly following the masses in any area of life. While I
share this point of view reluctantly, I also feel an extremely urgent leading
to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The American people are being cleverly
manipulated, duped, and bullied by the two major political parties and by the
media. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ouch! That hits me like a ton
of bricks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK3Y99cxwmcguEibrPtHyk6VRJJanTmsRbo984rsct57VsrMTt_kyOEkMVXJaU4kVxsSUtjW9rTgKce_HcbfqQbWYx9DcW9IX8DmWZ7JnvFkZckWaRcoFwNpwhabuF5bkYlUEWNkC2A/s1600/VOTING+low-information-voters-zombies-politics-1356509475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK3Y99cxwmcguEibrPtHyk6VRJJanTmsRbo984rsct57VsrMTt_kyOEkMVXJaU4kVxsSUtjW9rTgKce_HcbfqQbWYx9DcW9IX8DmWZ7JnvFkZckWaRcoFwNpwhabuF5bkYlUEWNkC2A/s320/VOTING+low-information-voters-zombies-politics-1356509475.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The American people are responding
to all the pre-election insanity by behaving like Democratic or Republican
political party and media zombies. I am so very saddened by the
resignation of the people to forgo taking a hard look at and considering *ALL*
the presidential candidates in order to elect the best one for the country's
well-being as a whole (regardless of their party affiliation). Instead,
the general populace is choosing to vote for one of the two most publicized candidates
simply because it is what the masses do. The masses do this for any number
of reasons:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1) To support a political party line
because that's what they or their family have always done, and they hate the
other party<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2) Unwillingness to take the time to
do extensive research about all the candidates and all the issues at stake in
order to vote most wisely and for the best candidate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3) Feeling forced or resigned to
vote for one of two major party candidates they deem least evil so the other
candidate does not win<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4) Erroneously convinced their one
vote is not meaningful enough to bring the real change that is so desperately
needed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5) Deceived thinking the government is
in charge of solving all our problems and should provide everything for us as
handouts or entitlements<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6) Considering only their personal
comfort (how the policies will affect them personally) without regard to the
country's well-being as a whole<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">7) Distraction from what really
matters by the actions of the media circus and the ridiculous character attacks
between the two major candidates<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8) FEAR of what *may* happen (<b>F</b>acing
<b>E</b>lections <b>A</b>nd <b>R</b>esigning to vote with the masses)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">9) Being swayed by any or all of the
above<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes
there’s strength in numbers…and sometimes, there’s a </span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">great weakness in numbers which
ultimately leads to a destructive mob mentality.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>IF…</i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>* </b>you have done personal research on </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">all</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> the candidates,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>*</b> you know everything there can be
known about all of them: their stand on *all* the issues, their track record in
actions and behavior, and their overall character, and</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>* </b>you are at complete peace with all
of the factors regarding your preferred candidate and truly believe in him/her
to lead this country…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>THEN</i></b>, by all means, vote for your
candidate! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But if any of the nine points I
listed earlier are possibly driving how you cast your vote, then you owe it to
yourself, your children and grandchildren, and to your fellow Americans to
reconsider.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Strength and greatness are brought
about one bold and courageous person at a time and they cannot come about if no
one is willing to take a risk for bringing them to fruition. There is an
expansive canyon between expressing the desire for something and actually
taking the necessary steps to achieve it. The most stunning and
meaningful events which have made history in any country, especially our own,
began with just a handful of people who refused to continue to be intimidated
by corrupt and excessive power and declared "No more!". Those
people and their brave actions were the driving force that took down abusive
power, made the history books, and left legacies. Most of us read of
these stories and applaud those who bravely and sacrificially stood up and
fought for change, while at the same time we refuse to acknowledge our own
weakness and unwillingness to do the same. We are quick to complain about
the sad state of affairs in our country and in our government and how
"We're Screwed 2016" forgetting that if we are screwed, it is because
we are allowing ourselves to be screwed. The two major political
candidates did not get to where they are on their own. Everyone, along
with the two major political parties, has had a responsibility in the course of
events.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfF5BQq0Nguej9_QDUgjLDu2Fuf0ZTysETtBW_FPusOOXsNPlxI6BWffMSZmxkrJgmJ-JKO151P-mWCt84r9ILyU_lHNvSI6A4SPxGUCYa4tLEKGOW_tLyrlqjuQBSROcnd6jwFX-5g/s1600/VOTING+we-re_screwed-BS.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfF5BQq0Nguej9_QDUgjLDu2Fuf0ZTysETtBW_FPusOOXsNPlxI6BWffMSZmxkrJgmJ-JKO151P-mWCt84r9ILyU_lHNvSI6A4SPxGUCYa4tLEKGOW_tLyrlqjuQBSROcnd6jwFX-5g/s320/VOTING+we-re_screwed-BS.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How can the American people stand by
and be strategically bullied and manipulated into choosing one of the two major
party candidates and neglect altogether the possibility of a better choice?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Surely as a self-proclaimed free
nation, we have more free thinkers who will boldly step forward and are willing
to vote most wisely and intelligently? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Or have we resigned ourselves to
walk to the election booths like catatonic zombie masses in an Election
Apocalypse 2016 and vote as well-behaved Democrat or Republican children
should? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Are we resigned to behaving like
zombie voters and voting for a candidate we can hardly believe in? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Corrupt and abusive people in power
and government deviously exercise control over the people by:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ø<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Promising big government actions that may sound great for
you personally but will ultimately bring a greater demise to the country and
its people as a whole, for these people are considering their self-interest and
self-promotion more than the welfare of you and the country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ø<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Belittling the necessary requirement that, for this nation
to be led successfully and continue to be great, it is of the utmost importance
we choose a person of moral, honorable, and reputable character who truly cares
for the people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ø<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Counting on getting the votes of uninformed and uninterested
mass voters who are easily swayed by deception and propaganda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ø<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Convincing you that you are in total control of choosing who
is elected into office, when actually you are far from it! The two major
parties and their media are quite strategically guiding the thinking of the
masses and doing a damn good job convincing them that there is no other better choice.
They are making a joke and a mockery out of our election process and of
the people of the United States of America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What an immense and devastating loss
for the people of this nation to continue to allow this travesty to carry on!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How can true and great change ever
come about if none of us are willing to step forward, declare “Enough is
enough!”, and refuse to be manipulated like this any longer?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I totally understand being part of
the zombie mass voter mentality because I have been there in the past. I confess my own guilt casting my vote based
on many of the nine reasons I listed earlier.
However, the time has come when I have had more than enough of the current
madness and decided to break away from following the majority. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am following my research,
conscience, intelligence, and earnest desire for this nation to be led by
someone who truly cares for it and its people. For the first time, I will
be voting outside of the two major party lines, and this will be the most
educated and most free vote I will cast thus far in any presidential election.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our Democratic Republic system of
government was not created for the elevation and domination of any political
party. The founding fathers designed an election
process to give voice to the common people in order that the United States of
America has a government that is BY the people and FOR the people. That
type of government is a mirage and does not truly exist if we are uneducated
voters, our votes lie with allegiance to a political party, or because we are
fearful of doing what is right and instead choose to follow the masses. I
am afraid that due to deception, manipulation, and lack of education what we
have going on now is a government dictated BY the major parties and their media
and FOR those who have the best tricks up their sleeves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vHhK_3czuo1nmYLAtO6zujc_ygnKccyWvz-khhG9sIWCUF_oE6zl5lcErzqHjEid2c56YXRV7XTVIApsDQmmmwbk1l3F0Hk81OyFJLSeYWJWjm9S0oy-Dt4zFSikUi97jsFhNJ5hsQ/s1600/VOTING+mcmullin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vHhK_3czuo1nmYLAtO6zujc_ygnKccyWvz-khhG9sIWCUF_oE6zl5lcErzqHjEid2c56YXRV7XTVIApsDQmmmwbk1l3F0Hk81OyFJLSeYWJWjm9S0oy-Dt4zFSikUi97jsFhNJ5hsQ/s320/VOTING+mcmullin.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have been reading about and
watching interviews of <a href="https://www.evanmcmullin.com/home" target="_blank">Evan McMullin (Independent candidate)</a>. What a reasonable,
intelligent, and respectable presidential candidate he makes! What a
breath of fresh air and of true hope to find in him a candidate who does not
appear to have a personal agenda of power and control but instead sincerely has
this country's best interest at heart. I see Evan McMullin as a person
who is not only willing to take a huge risk for the greater good but also as a presidential
candidate who is for this country and all of its people. As of today,
Evan's name is on many state ballots or can be written in. Yes, you can write his name in! If you would
like to get to know him better before casting your final vote, please visit his
site or check out some of his interviews on YouTube. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h2w7XC4ozC4?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X7iLGshe0xM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you are thinking there is no possible
way Evan could win this election, would you please take a moment to <a href="https://www.evanmcmullin.com/youll_never_win" target="_blank">read the article: You’ll Never Win</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Evan could become president by robbing Hillary
and Trump of the mandatory electoral votes to win the presidency and sending
the decision to the House of Representatives.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This type of scenario occurred in <a href="http://www.270towin.com/1824_Election/" target="_blank">the election of 1824 when John Quincy Adams was elected president</a>.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To learn more about all the current presidential
candidates and how your beliefs align with each one of them, check out the very helpful site <a href="http://www.isidewith.com/">http://www.isidewith.com/</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is still not too late learn all
the facts about every candidate, make your voice heard, and make a difference
in the outcome of this election until after the polls have closed on Tuesday,
November 9th.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God help us all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Do not fail to do what is right in order to benefit
only yourself. Too often our decisions
are tied into self-preservation relating to our own emotional or phy<span class="textexposedshow">sical comfort or our reputation. Do not make a choice
merely based on what's right to save yourself. Choose to do what is right.
Period. It's difficult to do, but carries a much more powerful long-term value.</span></i></b><b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Related
post:<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-top: 9.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://mabsspot.blogspot.com/2016/10/eeny-meeny-miny-moewho-is-going-to-get.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Eeny Meeny Miny Moe...Who is Going toGet Our Vote?</span></i></a><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-15125307498836576342016-10-04T11:51:00.000-06:002017-07-06T11:53:59.329-06:00Eeny Meeny Miny Moe...Who is Going to Get Our Vote?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDR8v9ONL0ZgaYJHzi0LouCt-77M_2mDjk-vAEVo6sSWplHfhKPugGreW1Fp5pI_MZ_PrnZvnyXPW7ggSnOVDXYIUhxGiak9ShgWLN6mnfiLSfKOGpVzsag0cd9ScPyFcRl6hc95AcA/s1600/american-flag-waving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDR8v9ONL0ZgaYJHzi0LouCt-77M_2mDjk-vAEVo6sSWplHfhKPugGreW1Fp5pI_MZ_PrnZvnyXPW7ggSnOVDXYIUhxGiak9ShgWLN6mnfiLSfKOGpVzsag0cd9ScPyFcRl6hc95AcA/s400/american-flag-waving.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As
this presidential election looms before the people of the United States of
America, we find ourselves eyes wide open, staring like a deer in the
headlights. The choice set before us is
certainly a difficult one to make. Our
nation has strayed from the long ago established ideal that the presidential
office should be held by a person of integrity, honesty, and respect and who is
by the people and for the people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Where
is the candidate who has sincere regard for the well-being of our nation as a
whole and for the people as a whole? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Where
is the presidential candidate with the character worthy of leading our
Democratic Republic into the future? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Regrettably,
election into the office of the US presidency has turned into a ridiculous
charade of who has the most money, cronies, influence, media, and power to be
elected. All without regard to any highly questionable acts this person has
done in the past against the people or the nation. The founding fathers did not have this absurdity
in mind when they worked tirelessly to set up an intricate system which would
prevent corrupt power from overtaking and destroying our nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>We the people</i> have the responsibility to ensure
that this charade does not carry on.
Through the power of our votes, we have been given an opportunity and a
voice to speak out against such abuses of our government and election process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Voting
for our elected officials must be a matter of conscience and wisdom. It cannot be a matter of emotion and
self-service. If we truly want our
nation to be great, we must vote on the principle of our nation’s well-being as
a whole instead of purely on the weakness of our personal interest and comfort. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We
cannot vote for a candidate based on hearsay, or the type of media coverage
they have received, or because one of the many issues they stand for may not be
of our preference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It
is imperative we make a wise voting decision stemming from our educated cognizance
and intelligence! It is our responsibility to take our vote with immense
seriousness if we desire this country to be great and to continue to be the
land of opportunity, of the free and the brave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We
cannot allow ourselves to be tossed and shaken by the media and the bickering
and slandering between the candidates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We
cannot continue to find ourselves wringing our hands with anxiety and
frustration, feeling forced to vote for a candidate whose character we cannot
stand simply to ensure the other candidate does not win. This is not the
way the power of our vote was intended to be used. Our democratic process was not established in
order for us to be doomed to choose a candidate we abhor simply to keep the one
we abhor even more from gaining office.
This does not sound anything like a government which professes to be for
the people and by the people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
have no reasonable explanation for the choice of candidates that stand before
us. Their characters are equally without
blemish and lacking. Frankly, I find
myself at a loss as to how we have arrived at such a state of affairs. However,
I still believe <i>We the People of the
United States</i> can make a difference with our vote <i>if</i> we will have our entire nation’s best interest at heart and take
the time to educate ourselves about the issues at hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before
exercising the power of our vote, we must understand who the candidates are, what they believe
in, the actions they plan to take, and if they truly intend to lead in a way
that represents the people of this country instead of their personal agenda. Did you know that there are <b>*five*</b> people running for the presidency? If we have not done our homework and personal research, we cannot assume we already know everything we should in order to vote most wisely. Our friends’ Facebook posts, the media, and
campaign advertisements must not be our educational standard. For if they are, we have cast our vote based
on the ideals of others instead of making our own voice heard. We cannot allow other people to influence us
in how to cast our vote.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In
all the political madness, how can we know who we should vote for and how do we
sift out all the public’s bias to get a real understanding of where a candidate
stands on the primary issues?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
recommend starting with making use of the website <a href="https://www.isidewith.com/">https://www.isidewith.com/</a>. This website has done a fairly decent job of
taking you through a quiz asking you where you stand on the nation’s primary issues. Upon completion of the quiz, your answers
will be compared with the candidates. It
will list the candidates in the order in which you agree with them on the most
issues. The quiz results can also show
how you and a candidate compare on each particular matter. While this quiz may have its limitations, I
find it is a very helpful place to get started in getting to know with which
candidates you have the most ideas in common.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After
taking the quiz, I recommend Googling “<span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">best
ways to research the issues and positions of political candidates</span>”. Use the information from the non-profit and
non-partisan websites listed. Those
websites offer tons of information on how to judge a candidate and the
candidates’ current stand on important national issues. Some of the sites even provide information on
how the candidates have voted or spoken about the issues in the past. It is important to not only listen to what a
candidate is saying now while they are trying to gain public support and become
elected but even more important to consider their overall character, political
behavior, and ideas and actions of the past.
It is a candidate’s track record which will speak more truthfully than
whatever they are stating now in order to gain our support and our vote.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">May <i>We the People of the United States</i> always
remember and never ever forget that our government is not our salvation or a
magical solution to our difficulties. We
must take responsibility for our country, for ourselves, for our actions, and
for the deeds we plant each and every day. May <i>We
the People of the United States</i> take to heart that each and every one of us
has a very important role to play in making this country a great one. It is not someone else’s job. It is all of ours! Let us not support those who promise us strength
and greatness if they do not have the character or ability to make good on
those promises. Let us not grant our
votes to those who have lies or animosity pouring out of their lips. How can we possibly be a great nation if we
are being led by those whose hearts are full of deceit and hatred and if our
own hearts are filled with the same? May
our honorable actions speak louder than our words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For
our country’s sake, may the best candidate receive our most educated vote! </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And
may God help and bless America.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please note that as of this writing, t</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he five candidates running for president are:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hillary Clinton (Democrat)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gary Johnson (Libertarian)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.evanmcmullin.com/issues" target="_blank">Evan McMullin (Independent)</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Donald Trump (Republican)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jill Stein (Green Party)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Evan McMullin is a late runner (coming onto the presidential scene in August), and may or may not be listed on a state ballot. He can be voted on by writing his name in. He is also not listed on any of the websites which compare the candidates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Related posts:</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://mabsspot.blogspot.com/2016/10/are-we-facing-election-apocalypse-2016.html" target="_blank">Are We Facing an Election Apocalypse 2016?</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282482005986018083.post-77342017244545480122016-03-11T10:24:00.002-07:002016-03-11T10:38:35.741-07:00Book Review - When Breath Becomes Air<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25614898-when-breath-becomes-air" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="When Breath Becomes Air" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1442836741m/25614898.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25614898-when-breath-becomes-air">When Breath Becomes Air</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14031444.Paul_Kalanithi">Paul Kalanithi</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1569391592">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
What a treasure of a book! I'm so glad I read it and let it touch my heart. <br />
The author, a neurosurgeon resident, wrote this book as he battled terminal illness with lung cancer. Paul Kalanithi shares some of his personal life experiences and his questions relating to the meaning of life and the human struggle with death. His wife's epilogue brought me the most tears.<br />
<br />
My favorite excerpts:<br />
<br />
pg. 98 - <i>"...in taking up another's cross, one must sometimes get crushed by the weight."</i><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>pg. 172 - <i>"Struggle toward the capital-T Truth, but recognize that the task is impossible--or that if a correct answer is possible, verification certainly is impossible. In the end, it cannot be doubted that each of us can see only a part of the picture...the doctor..the patient...the engineer...the economist...the pearl diver...the alcoholic...the cable bguy...the sheep farmer...the Indian beggar...the pastor...It ([truth] grows from the relationships we create between each other and the world, and still it is never complete. And Truth comes somewhere above all of them..."</i><br />
<br />
pg. 215 - <i>"Paul's decision not to avert his eyes from death epitomizes a fortitude we don't celebrate enough in our death-avoidant culture."</i><br />
<br />
pg. 216 - <i>"Writing this book was a chance for this courageous seer to be a sayer, to teach us to face death with integrity."</i><br />
<br />
pg. 216 - <i>"...we knew that one trick to managing a terminal illness is to be deeply in love--to be vulnerable, kind, generous, grateful."</i><br />
<br />
pg. 219 - <i>"Paul faced each stage of his illness with grace--not with bravado or a misguided faith that he would "overcome" or "beat" cancer but with an authenticity that allowed him to grieve the loss of the future he had planned and forge a new one...Even while terminally ill, Paul was fully alive; despite physical collapse, he remained vigorous, open, full of hope not for an unlikely cure but for days that were full of purpose and meaning."
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MaryAnn Broussardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02475644332694535974noreply@blogger.com0