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Tag: #Thankfulness

Carousel of Life

Published by Autumn Brooke on October 15, 2016

carousel

Lately I have seen a lot of memes across various social media platforms that depict an individual tripping and falling, or sliding gainfully downhill reaching wildly at side lying branches to stop their fall or at least slow their descent.  These images come with the caption of “My Life” or “My Day” or even “How my Month is going.”  We see these on our friends posts and tend to Like, Comment, Share as we have been automated to do.  Today, I saw one and laughed, as I too, chose to re-share it in a private message thinking how much it related to the chaos of my life and knew my friend would understand the humor in the meme.  Then, I couldn’t get the image out of my head and the more I thought on it, the more I realized that I didn’t think it was funny and certainly wasn’t true.  I have blogged before about how crazy and chaotic my life can be and there are days, weeks, months that seem like I just may not be able to keep it altogether.  Like everyone else in the world we all have times that we slip and fall, sometimes far and fast and on those times we shouldn’t laugh, but be there to help our friends in need.  Maybe by simply asking “What can I do to make your day better?”  Our lives should not resemble a slippery slope but that of the carousel .  Everyday is full of ups and downs as the circle of life takes us round and round but we continue and if we stay focused we can make sure that we enjoy the ride.  The music, the lights, the laughter of those with which we share the adventure, these are the memories that we need to remember.  Stay True to Yourself, Be Kind to Others, and Never Give Up.

 

 

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Dance in the Rain

Published by Autumn Brooke on September 17, 2016

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“It is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning how to dance in the rain.” 

This is the quote that I have framed next to the mirror in my restroom so I can’t help but see it every day.  Such a simple concept, right?  Take joy in the here and now, no matter your surroundings.  I foolishly believed that this was how I already lived my life, or at least how I tried to live my life.  Life has a funny way of taking everything that you think you know and changing it up on you.  Just when you think that you have it all figured out, all your ducks in a row, waiting to take on the world….. you trip, that stumble turns into a fall, and suddenly everything is in a downward spiral no matter how hard you try to hold on.  I work hard to keep myself motivated, mostly because I am a mother and I can’t afford to fail.  I am determined to be all that I can be for my sons, so that they will know that I never gave up, no matter how complicated and difficult the situation. 

Which brings me to why I am writing today.  The last six weeks of my life have been a roller coaster that took me on such ride that I can barely tell one day from the next, as it feels like, in between the highs and lows, I must be on a merry-go-round of dizziness.  I didn’t expect to dance, because I couldn’t even walk in the rain, I was being soaked to the bone in this storm.  Finally, I cried out to God why He couldn’t give me shelter, a raincoat or umbrella to fight some of the wet and cold.  I stood in my independence asking God what I had done to deserve all that was happening.  I felt as if I was following His Will, I was certainly trying hard.  I questioned how much I needed to endure before I could feel His grace.  That was when I heard it……  I heard Him tell me to just look up, and I saw His hand extended to raise me off my knees.  I felt contrite, but still arrogant, as I placed my hand in his, immediately warm and dry, although the storm was still over us.  Yet, He did not just help me to my feet, He held me in an embrace so that I could once again, dance in the rain.  I leaned my head against His shoulder and realized my foolishness.  God does not ask us to struggle on our own but to lean on Him.   He is my Father and when I was too young to dance, he held me up so I could stand on His feet as he would spin me around.  Now, I am older and I tend to look to Him less and less, forgetting that He always held me up, instead blaming Him for not being there, when it was I, which failed to pay attention to His offer of support.

It is through the Joy of Christ that We learn to Dance in the Rain. 

 

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Let your voice be heard….

Published by Autumn Brooke on March 2, 2016

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I definitely identify with this quote.  I believe it is typically the source of my “writers block.”  I can be on a roll and writing to my hearts desire when I take a break and the doubt sets in.  The “No one wants to read this” is certainly one that hits me on a daily basis, it is quickly followed by the “What makes you think that you are good enough to be a writer.”  It takes some serious soul searching and strict pep talk to get me back on task.  One of the reasons I actually have this Blog is so that I am forced to share my writing with the world.  I have to fight through my denial and understand that I won’t please everyone, and certainly can’t expect that all will be a fan or even enjoy my writing.  I have been fortunate that I have not ran in to too many critiques or negative criticism, but my blog is in no way inundated with hundreds of followers.  As my tagline reads, I write words from my heart, mind, and soul – for me this essentially means that what you read is what I am feeling at the moment.  This is not always personally related.  More often, then not it is simply because I read about a topic or know someone else that may be able to benefit from my words and I hope to reach more then one.  I understand that my blog posts are not written for the masses but for those that support me personally or the few that do enjoy my writing, or even my point of view.

I have a goal, and that goal is to be formally published.  I long to write that ‘Great American Novel’ but because I live in the “real world,” I will settle for a publisher, agent, and to have people read my book.   I stand firm in the belief that even the unlikely is possible.  I will always believe that those that follow their dreams are braver than most.  So, how do I relate a writing post to those few that bother to read my blog, I think that we all have that inner voice.  That doubtful inner voice that makes us doubt ourselves forcing us to give up on our dreams.  Don’t let that happen to you!  You can do whatever you set your mind to do, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.  We all have a story to tell, I will support you as you  tell yours, whatever it may be.  Everyone has a purpose and only you know what your purpose is in this world.

#standstrong, #livelikeyoumeanit, #beinspiredtoinspire, #letyourvoicebeheard

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Superbowl 50

Published by Autumn Brooke on February 9, 2016

how-to-watch-super-bowl-headI watched the Superbowl yesterday for many reasons.  One being that I’m a NinerGirl and it was held in our stadium, I take pride in all that relates to my team.  I also made it an ever because it was Superbowl 50 and that will never happen again. It was a historic event,  a moment in history that my children will remember.  When Superbowl 75 comes around my adult children will recollect what they did for Superbowl 50 and although they were not fully into the game, they will remember the company, the food, the experience of the day.  I don’t expect that they will be the diehard football fan their mother is, but I encourage it and they will atleast be educated in the rules of the game.

I see a correlation between the players as a team, as opponents with that of friends and family.  As a single mom with four sons, we have to work together as a team to make it through our days.  Chores are shared, everyone has a job to do but it works better when we are in sync because one person cannot carry the team alone.  This is true in their sibling relationships as well.  They stand stronger when they know they can rely on one another.  Learning this in a family dynamic, they can take it and apply it to their outside friendships too.  They have had to learn that on occasion someone makes a mistake and there is a flag on the play.  This penalty can be costly and there are consequences. It can be easy to want to give up and walk away, but that affects the team.  The best choice is to accept the call and play on, unless you can throw a challenge flag.  This doesn’t always work, but each situation is different and should be evaluated for fairness. I think that we often jump to conclusions, feelings get hurt, people get defensive and nothing is solved.  If we communicate as teammates, we can work through difficult encounters and maybe even turn them into positive learning lessons.

For what it’s worth, I enjoyed the game. I was surprised by the performance of the Panthers after their unbeatable success all season,  but that is part of the reason I love football. Anything can happen and it’s never really over until it’s over!

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Rainy Days

Published by Autumn Brooke on November 2, 2015

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I woke up to the sound of rain and snuggled further under my covers, reminiscing about the simple pleasure of lazy, rainy, days.  Enjoying the cooler weather, the sound of rain hitting the window panes, curled up with a warm drink, cozy blanket, and a great book or movie.  However that was not to be on my agenda for the day because the boys did not have school and were already beginning to make sounds of boredom and hunger.  Breakfast solved the hunger pains and created a false sense of quiet, that I quickly took advantage of as I made my way to the patio with a cup of coffee to enjoy the much needed rain in the Central Valley.  The tracking device installed in every mother alerting her offspring that she is currently enjoying alone time brought the children outdoors, but I did not mind the interruption of peace as I saw the awe in their face as I granted permission for them to play in the rain.  The youngest ran to tell his older brothers to come jump in the puddles, which they did with such abandonment and delight, I was envious.  Reminded me of days past and the joy in the simple life.  They did not need TV or video games to be occupied, they played for an hour with one another, using their imagination to make up games.  The six year old even mentioned how the rain was good for California because we were in a drought, and how he had missed the rain, serving to restore my faith that he is being well educated.  A few minutes later, however, he came to tell me how the homeless were all able to get free showers today if they had some soap.  All are inside now but still playing well with each other, as I contemplate what soup or stew I should make on this rare rainy day, and thanking God for reminding me that some days we all just need to Dance in the Rain with the innocence of a child.  And just to keep it ‘Real,’ I currently  hear the discussion of what video game should be played happening in the playroom, which means an argument will soon ensue as one or two don’t get their way, and the tattle tales begin with that old faithful call of “Mom….. they won’t let me Play……”

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Winds of Change

Published by Autumn Brooke on October 7, 2015

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It is that time of year again, and I am definitely feeling it this season.  The weather is changing, the wind is blowing, it leaves a series of leaves and debris in its wake or it blows it all away.  I am struggling with where I am in life and my approaching birthday; with the age of my children and their demanding needs.  I remember when I made all the decisions, even if it was for them, such as, soccer, dance, drama; they were still designated around family time.  I had complete control over the when and how of what went on in our family, but now I am an open book, my schedule, my calendar are completely at the mercy of what opportunities open up for my boys.  Please don’t get me wrong, this is not a complaint, only an observation of how life is never what we plan.  Actually if we try to plan everything out, I think that it is destined to switch up and change on us.  It is the unexpected that approaches, must be embraced, never anticipated.  For if we do, we are disappointed because life, like the wind, can change direction at any given moment.  So expect the unexpected and learn to live life serendipitous.  I remember when I first learned the meaning of that word and even at the tender age of 16, I recognized that it was not human nature.  We plan each and every moment of our lives, forgetting to live in the moment.  That is one thing I hope to instill within my children, even as I struggle with my own OCD, and nature of an Only child, with my need to control everyone and everything,  It is a learning lesson for all of us, and in the end we will be better for it.  So, I leave you with this thought……  at the wind blows, take it in, accept what may come, and then breathe it out.  Life is Not what we make of it, but what we make of the hand that is dealt us, with the understanding that all of it can change at any moment.

#letlifestripyoubare #timingiseverything #serendipitiouslife

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My Crazy Life

Published by Autumn Brooke on September 26, 2015

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As I woke up before the sun once again today, I took a moment to look around my shadowed room.  The mountains of clean clothes piled in various locations has grown to monstrous proportions, reminding me that I am behind in many areas of my life.  This blog being one of many.  I have not had time to post, although I think about it daily, much less catch on bills, or the daily household chores of dusting, vacuuming, or the aforementioned laundry.  I could go on but the guilt ridden mom heart set in and I took immediate stalk of my life and where it was going.  Was I doing too much, my relationships are suffering, but how about my relationship with my children, were they nearly as neglected as the house?  I breathed a sigh of relief as I could immediately recognize that my stress and constant chaos was because of the kids.  We are together more then ever now with weekly three hour trips down south so that they can pursue their dream of becoming child actors.  It is a demanding industry that does not allow for downtime, and I made the commitment to give them a real shot before deciding if it is a lifestyle we continue or not.  This may not be one of my most interesting or educational blogs, but I decided to share, maybe more for my own piece of mind, but I know that there are many families that can relate with kids in sports, or any extracurricular activity that causes parents to give up whole portions of their life to focus on the pursuit of their child’s dream.  It is a sacrifice that we gladly make, so those awaiting chores can continue to haunt me in my sleep, because they matter very little compared to the happiness and future success of my children.

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The Interview

Published by Autumn Brooke on August 6, 2015

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Although it is slow going and writing is often a lonely process, I have to say that this experience of book writing has been a dream.  I have been given some incredible opportunities and being interviewed by Greg Mack was extremely cool.  I tend to talk a lot, so much so, that people often wonder when I will quit, or encourage me to “get to the point.”  Lol!  I don’t get offended, I am a storyteller, I know that I give too much detail, but this interview had me incredibly nervous.  I was flustered, couldn’t put two words together even though Greg Mack is funny, professional, and works with you to make the process as painless as possible.  At least I know now what I need to work on to improve my public speaking skills.  I am including the link below to the YouTube site where you can hear the interview and see more pictures.  Please feel free to comment, but remember to be kind….  I am learning.

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Worst Blogger Ever

Published by Autumn Brooke on July 31, 2015

Yup, that’s me!  I spend so much of my day writing and even promoting my blog, but forget to actually write on the actual page.   And to think that when I started the blog I was afraid that I would write too often and bombard the internet world with all of my thoughts and feelings.  Honestly I believe that has been such a fear for me that it is why I avoid the site.  I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve and I don’t assume that many want to hear about the in’s and out’s of my day.  Like at this moment my oldest child, who will be turning 13 in a month, is currently standing in my kitchen making toast with his little brother’s Mickey Mouse mask over his face, simply because he found it on the floor.  Or why the next in line, the 10 year old used hair gel as shower gel in the shower because he didn’t bother to read the bottle and I simply said there was new body wash on the counter.  Yes, that really happened!  The two youngest age 8 and 6 are this minute arguing over butter for their toast.  How do you argue over butter, you wonder, well let me tell you.  The 8 year old, can’t find butter, the 6 year old pulls the Brummel & Brown butter container out of the fridge.  The 8 year old says, “No, that’s yogurt.” The 12 year old chimes in, “It is made with  yogurt.” The 8 year old, “Really, they do that?  Gross!”  Leave it the 6 year old, “If it looks like butter, tastes like butter, It’s Butter!”  All of this within the first 15 minutes of them being awake this morning, and this is how my day will continue.  If I just wrote about the conversations I overhear between these four boys, I probably could feel an entire blog, my mother used to encourage me to do that from the time they were small.  Maybe one day, I will do it, I imagine that it will be a lot more interesting as they get into their teenage years.  For now I will just designate an actual writing day and time to keep up with my blog, unless I am suddenly hit with creative inspiration.  Otherwise I will entertain you with another antidote from my life of living with 4 boys, but I promise, I will try not to do that to you!

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Memorial Day

Published by Autumn Brooke on May 25, 2015

My Birthday is on November 11th, so maybe that is why I have always known the difference between Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day.  My extremely patriotic mother was proud that I was born on an Air Force Base to an Active Duty Military Father and Veteran Mother, and even more so when I followed in their footsteps, serving one term on Active Duty in the United States Air Force, too.  My mother never let me mistake that Veteran’s Day was to recognize all that have served past or present and Memorial Day is to honor those that have served and fallen for this great nation.  To remember their sacrifice and that of their family that loves and misses them everyday so that we may enjoy our freedom with our loved ones.  This lesson was never lost on me and I have made sure to teach my children the difference, unfortunately I have realized that a lot of people have not been taught as I was and today say Happy Memorial Day, or Thank a Veteran for their service.  What is one to do in this situation?  I can write and post that this is not the appropriate response on this day, but do not want to insult the person that was never taught differently.  I guess my goal with this post is to spread the word, as I did with an article on my facebook wall, and hope that the more people I reach will continue to share so we can educate the world one person at a time!  I am sharing a link with a video that will put it all into perspective, a beautiful reminder of the dedication of our fallen heroes and the respect and gratitude we owe them, not just today, but every day of our lives!

http://www.littlethings.com/saluting-marine-rolling-thunder/

 

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