"Measure succcess by what you gain, not what you lose."

www.publicdomainpictures.net



You know how sometimes you just know stuff, and no matter how many times other people might tell you the same thing, sometimes all it takes is reading a quote or story or whatever and all of a sudden it's like EUREKA! You finally get it. It sinks in.

I read this quote for my daily Lesson-for-LIFE by Bill Phillips. I've been so hung up on losing pounds, fat, inches, and the fact that, go figure, it's not happening fast enough. Bill goes on to say that we need to concentrate on what we gain ... gaining strength, gaining muscle, gaining emergy, gaining self-respect, gaining self-awareness, gaining self-trust, gaining self-esteem, gaining back control of you life. And you know what ... I have gained all these things...and much more.



So I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has encouraged me, told me to be patient, congratulated me on my progress, hung in there with me despite my whining and griping and obsessing.



And especially to the love of my life who watched me over the years get bigger and bigger and bigger and never put me down, never made me feel like a failure, never insulted me, because that's just not who you are. Instead you accepted me for who I was, love me for who I am, rolls and bad eating habits, and being lazy, etc. etc. etc.



But those are things in the past and I have gained so much during the past 7 months. I'm feeling like I did 20 years ago when I actually loved and respected myself. It's so great to be back ....

it's about making the most of your life...

When people send me mass emails, asking to pass it along to 5 women, 20 people, 50 goats, etc., I read the message, take it to heart and then delete. Occasionally I'll pass it along to a couple of people.

I know a lot of you have probably seen this already. And I know a lot of men will read this. It's for you too because I think we've all been touched by someone who has either struggled and lost, or fought and won, the fight again any type of cancer.

I see so many people rushing around, so busy with work and no enjoying life, or so busy taking care of "stuff" that they forget the really important things ... relationships. So I only ask that you read this and take from it what you will. But know that I am posting this because this is how I think everyone should live their life....


"Passing the Purple Hat to You IN honor of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer). I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.' But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it . . live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!! Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
If you don't mind, send this on to all the women you are grateful to have as friends.
Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier."