Be..

Be my song, be the words that I sing
Be the truth, be the one in my dreams when I sleep
Hold my hand,in my heart your fears I keep

Be my laughter, be the smile that brightens my face
Be my soul, be the one to hold me when my heart aches
Hold my hand, I am here whatever it takes

Be my friend, be the one I share my desires with
Be my hope, be the one that shows me a new way
Hold my hand, be the last person I see at the end of my day

Hold my hand and just be

~ TLF

Learning to let go

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.
-- Joseph Campbell

Letting go, always a challenge in life. It is human nature to want to plan our life out and have it happen just the way we want. However life intervens. We got through pain and hurt, love begins and love ends, people we love get sick and die. We realize we have no control. This all drives us crazy. I hate not having control, but have found peace with letting it go.

It is what it is. *laugh* that statement drives some people crazy, but it is true. Some things are out of our hands. What we can do is wake up each day and say to the world "what have you got for me". Walk the life we feel is best, love others and live honestly. That is truly all we can expect from people.

I can not make someone like me, or make someone my puppet to do what I want when I want, feel what I want when I want them to feel it. This is not reality.

I instead walk each day knowing that I will have the best in life, and so will those that I care for.

Recipe for success

A GREAT RECIPE...

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about
what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
My purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for______________'

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that
is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues
of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead
invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12.You are not so important that you have to win every argument.
Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years,
will this matter'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends
will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time.? You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25.When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings.
You'll be smiling before you know it.

A refreshing realization

It is amazing to me that at 32 I still learn things about myself that perhaps at first I am not happy with, but as the discovery unfolds actually makes me like myself more. I know the older we get we will learn more about the mistakes we have made in the past and the choices that led to some of the things that happened. I just never realized just how wrong I was in some areas of my life. I have not regrets to the things I have done because they have all made me who I am and I can look in the mirror and truly appreciate who I have become as a women.

A very close friend recently made me aware of something. I am not going to go into detail as it is very personal. However the moment she mentioned it, I took my blinders off and realized she was right. I was avoiding truly recognizing the disconnect in that area and it made me look at the situation a different way. I will have to thank her when I see her, because she was absolutely right.

Today I woke up with a really big smile on my face, since that realization has lead to another eye opener. I am not even going to think about it anymore, I am just going to enjoy this ridiculous grin and this even more ridiculously beautiful day.

I guess, my moral to this mysterious story is that we should sometimes step outside and listen to a friend pointing something out. They really could be on to something. Beautiful surprises are around every corner. If we take the time to see what is blocking us from them perhaps we would all be smiling alot more in life.

"Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead."
Charles Bukowski (1920 - 1994), From "Betting on the Muse"

Maine, Thinking and Horses.. Oh My..

HELLLLOOOOOO!

Did you miss me while I was gone?

I was on vacation last week, way up in Greenville Maine. That is Moosehead Lake Region and it was absolutely just what the doctor ordered. I spent time hiking, going for a bike ride, horseback riding, and spent Thursday doing absolutely nothing but reading on the deck all day before meeting my comrades for dinner a a BBQ place down the road. It was amazing. I dont remember a day when I did that. I was so still at one moment that a bird landed on my knee, the moment it realized I was a person it took off pretty fast. It was so quiet, and I could hear the birds chirping and at one point heard possibly what was either a moose or a dear eating bark out past the yard.

I had been going nonstop since I can remember, and to take the time to just not doing anything was amazing. I decided then that I was going to take one day out of every month and do just that.

Oh, and I actually did some work on that book I am trying to write, I think I might be on to something.

I did alot of thinking up there, and really regrouped and realized the things that are important to me. I came back feeling happier then I have been in a long time. A peace that was so refreshing. I know the things I want to work on personaly and professionally, and also that I need to learn to slow down sometimes. Life is not a race, it is the journey that is the most important.

Well I will write more later this week, but just wanted to drop a line and add a picture or two!

Til then, be good to each other.

Summer fun with friends and family

This weekend was really lovely. Saturday I went to Salem NH, to my best girls and her fiancees house on the lake. She had a cookout and they always prove to be great times with amazing people. I got to see my nephew, sister and brother in law and my mother. It was really nice to catch up with everyone and just enjoy some relaxation. It made me really look forward to my vacation. I leave for Maine on Saturday morning and I could not be more ready to get away, clear my head and regroup. It is time for that once again. I am packing my bike, lots of books and bringing my computer so I can get some writing in. I hope we have good weather, but when it rains I will take advantage of that quiet time.

I got some kayaking in at Heathers and it was so nice. I am thinking I am buying myself one for Christmas this year. I really enjoy it. It is so peaceful out on the lake.

Enjoy some photos from the day!

Oh Life.. what a funny funny thing

I woke up today happy with some choices I have made. However sometimes even though I know they are right it does not make it easier.

I am solid and secure in who I am and what I have to offer this world. I vowed a while ago to always be true to my feelings and what I need. it is not always easy to walk away from certain situations, but when you know it is for your own good it makes it more bearable.

I dont want to live life with regrets, everyday should be lived as real and as honestly as possible. Being true to your heart is hard, because we try to rationalize alot in life, when in the end if we just listen to our heart it always has the right answer in there somewhere.

life is definitely a funny thing, I have peace of mind in knowing that making solid decisions in my life has led to not only the happiness I have now but will lead to continued happiness in my future. I am surrounded by angels in my life, friends and family, and blessed to know what love is from all different angles. I am a very lucky women and thank God everyday for what I have. I know that my tomorrows will be filled with ups and downs, but that the downs will always be outshined by the good times.

We need to not look at situations as a roadblock, but to find the way around it and to use it in a positive way in your life. Put the lessons learned into action.

Enough of my ramblings for one day, I am off to enjoy this beautiful day and spend it with some of my favorite people. Be well, and be good to each other.

*sigh* Sorry boys.. I am now off the market! :) ha!

Yes.. Bret is my new Boyfriend. *laugh*

It was a GREAT night, my Friend Susan and I had a bit of fun! Okay, a heck of a lot of fun!







Now though.. Tara is VERY tired!

Thursdays with Tara

Morning!

Thursday August 7th, really?? where did the summer go, it seems to just drift by. Could be that I am much more relaxed this time of year, and always in better spirits when the sun is shining. Today however is a rather gloomy day, and I hope it improves a tad.

Tonight my friend Susan and I are going to Poison, Dokken and Sebastian Bach. Thats right, it is back to the 80s night for us. Should be a GREAT show, and then we are actually going to Bret Michaels after party which should prove to be an interesting evening. No worries, I have my camera here and I will be taking many pictures! :)

I have been having a really busy week. Sadly my band found out a few weeks ago that we are losing our drummer Paul. He and his family are moving to Texas. We have spent the last 3 nights auditioning drummers. It has been interesting and included a guy that "drove big trucks" (yes my friends, that is a direct quote). However, last night we had a great guy come in and audition. We are hoping it will be a good fit for all of us as we move forward into our fall gigs.

Overall the last few months have been great. Good times with friends and family, and just enjoying the last few weeks of summer. I do have to say I am looking forward to the fall, I love the leaves changing color and apple picking. Being able to put on a warm sweater and watch the sun go down. Ah yes, sorry, I am getting all romantic on you here.

Enjoy Thursday my friends and be good to each other!

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
-Eleanor Roosevelt

The best way to know the answer...

Is to just ask. Now with that being said I know most of us avoid uncomfortable conversations becuase lets be honest, it is easier sometimes not knowing the answer. Also another reason is we dont want to make someone else feel uncomfortable. However at the end of the day you have to think of what is important to you. Do you need to know? If so then the only way is to ask. It is better to say what you feel, what is on your mind then to keep it in. I know for me, this drives me batty, I hate the not knowing. Sometimes the answer is not what we want to hear, but at the end of the day I know I never regret asking.

Honesty is always the best policy. You do have to be aware of other peoples feelings, however you have to be upfront with them and yourself. I find that we tend to bottle things thinking it might work itself out. Some of us are lucky and it does, while others just become passive.

Open, and honest communication is always the best policy in my life. I know that, and still I also fight it. It is a constant learning experience.

They did say to enjoy the ride! :)