Have you ever felt like you had already experienced something that you thought you were experiencing for the first time?

 There are times when you have a deja vu moment at the same time you are experiencing something new. It doesn't make sense at all because you are sure you had never seen or experienced it before. It's like having the same dream over and over again, which then makes you wander if it is so you will learn something from it? Or is it just a reoccurring dream like many others that you don't remember, that has no meaning at all? Some things in life there just are no answer for, not even on Google. I have always believed that everything happens for a reason even though you may not ever know why it happened. But this pandemic however, has caused things to happen that would've, could've or should've never have happened to anyone. But unfortunately it did and all any of us can do is reach out and help whoever, whenever we can. Together we can get through this if United we Stand. Which is why it is so important to lend a helping hand to others, so they can stand strong beside us. And if you want to still have your favorite restaurants to be open to visit later, you need to order take out food from them now so they will be. TO EVERYONE out there suffering that is reading this remember that even though times are tough don't do anything to get through a temporary bad situation now, that you will then have to regret and pay the consequences for your actions for the rest of your life. It is not the situations that you face that determines the outcome it is your reaction to each situation that determines the outcome. If you want a positive outcome then before you react to a negative situation STOP and figure out what reaction would give you a chance to have a positive outcome. To anyone reading this that can help someone then help them. Because you know if it was happening to you then you would hope someone would help you. Like they say....by the grace of God there go I. And we all know that karma is karma and you reap what you sow. You may not be able to take care of all of their needs but if you give them one thing they need that's one less thing they need. You may not be able to help everyone but you can and should be kind to everyone you meet because you have no idea what they may be facing. Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year. 

When opportunities knock, OPEN THE DOOR

 Opportunities don't come often but when they do, don't miss out on your opportunity. You will miss out on the opportunities that come your way if you keep waiting for the RIGHT OPPORTUNITY that may or not come. When opportunities come knocking at your door you have to open the door. It may not be the perfect opportunity that you had hoped for but nothing is perfect so stop waiting for the perfect opportunity, it doesn't exist. When any opportunity comes knocking at your door, OPEN THE DOOR. As we ring in the New Year don't forget that if you bring with you what stunk about last year, it will be the same old crap just a different year. Don't carry your past painful experiences with you like sandbags that will make your lifes journey harder. JUST FLUSH IT so you can truly have a FRESH NEW START to the New Year. Lost opportunities are never lost they are just taken by someone else. 

Enjoying the Christmas Joy despite being in quarantine

 Although we couldn't all gather together for Christmas, we found a way to enjoy the Christmas Joy with everyone we couldn't see in person. We exchanged gifts by having them pick their gifts up outside while we waved from the window inside. Then this morning they called us after they opened up their gifts. Obviously it wasn't the same not being together but we still created memories of the Christmas we had during the pandemic. Before you know it we will be ringing in the New Year. Unfortunately some of our New Years Resolutions may have to be put on hold until later in the year. But we can all make a New Years Resolution to find small ways to help someone struggling due to the pandemic. You will have to get creative with your ideas to keep your social distance to keep everyone safe. The seeds of kindness you plant in your community, will grow in your community and spread to other communities. Giving your neighbors a helping hand will create better relationships in our neighborhoods. Paying it forward pays off for everyone later. Your random acts of kindness may not seem like much to you but they can make all the difference in the world to them. Especially NOW more than ever people desperately need random acts of kindness. You may have a lot of LOVE in your heart but can anyone FEEL it? You don't have to know how to swim to save someone drowning just throw them a life preserver. Merry Christmas everyone.

Trying to do something cheaper can cost you

 Sometimes you don't bother to read the instructions because you assume it will be easy to do. This usually backfires. Just when you almost get it done you end up realizing that something isn't quite right. Eventually you look at the instructions to troubleshoot what is wrong. Only to learn that you have to take it apart because you missed an important step. In the end it turns out that if you just would have read the directions it would have taken less time and hassle. Speaking of instructions, make sure you don't throw out the instructions to anything as you open your Christmas gifts. Because you may not think so but you just might need them. And I have learned that skimping on getting the exact supplies that are recommended won't save you money in the end. Because in the end you waste your time and money when it doesn't work without the exact supplies that are recommended. Substitutes can work but only if it can be substituted. In other words, it is what it is and it ain't going to work if it doesn't work. With only one day left until Christmas it's time to get those last minute things done because you are running out of minutes. Quarantine has changed how we celebrate Christmas but quarantine or not Santa will soon be here. Wishing everyone a Holly Jolly Christmas and a happy New Year. 

Watching out for each other and flying reindeer

 It won't be long now before Christmas. Christmas Joy is in the air. Although for some people who are all alone at Christmas, it is lonely. Reach out to those you know that are alone and share some joyous holiday cheer with them. You can warm their heart as well as their tummy with a tasty desert or your famous casserole dish. If you don't have time to bake you can share a conversation, even though you have to do it from a safe distance. Your mask may be covering up your smile but they can still see it in your eyes and feel it. With the quarantine many of us will be spending Christmas without being able to gather with our friends and family. But pandemic or not, Santa will soon be here. We bought a few plants that we are going to put in people's yards Christmas Eve without telling them. We hope when they find them Christmas morning for at least a brief moment they wander, did Santa bring it? Remember the reason for the season isn't going into debt buying gifts you can't afford to buy. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas everyone AND a Happy New Year. 

How are children going to believe that Santa fills their stockings when everywhere you look it says, great stocking stuffers?

Although children love the gifts they get from others, Santa's visit is the magical part of it. As adults we know that every child deserves the right to believe in Santa Claus. But it is hard when everywhere you look in stores there are signs that say, great stocking stuffers. Really? Sales papers get delivered to your home with headlines that say, great stocking stuffers. Even commercials on the TV advertisement say great stocking stuffers available at these locations. Can't we all come up with a CODE WORD to say instead of GREAT STOCKING STUFFERS? We should, so that the children can experience a magical Christmas. It won't be long before Christmas will be here. And even though we are quarantined and I know that Santa isn't coming to fill the stockings, I can't wait for Christmas. I have enjoyed the Christmas decorations that bring the Holly Jolly Spirit feeling. Being quaratined had brought the aura of our homes feel stuffy. But the bright cheerful colors have brought a much needed change into our homes. I have also had plenty of time to look at the ornaments on my Christmas tree. I have owned many of them for decades. I realized I have some special ornaments that I had not appreciated owning to enjoy, until now. You can get caught up in the fast paced world you live in and forget to STOP so you can "smell the roses." We can't enjoy what we got if we don't take the time to enjoy what we got. Just like kids won't believe that Santa fills their stockings if we don't come up with a CODE WORD for stocking stuffers.

The truth is easy to remember

 If you want to know if someone is telling the truth just ask the question several times. Because the truth is easy to remember but they forget the lie they told you so their answer is never the same. Sometimes when I know they keep telling me one lie after another I just keep asking them the same question to entertain myself. I am amused by how nontalaunt they are at saying something different each time with a straight face looking me dead in the eye. They seem to actually think I believe them. There was a time when you could see it on someone's face when they were lying. Nowadays people are good at keeping a poker face as they lie and unfortunately you can believe them. Don't tell someone yes to something if you know you have no intentions of doing it. An honest NO let's them know they need to ask someone else. One lie just leads to another and eventually even you don't know what the truth is and you will get trapped in your own lies. Honesty really is the best policy to live by not just for others but for yourself. Karma does bite you in the butt one day when you least expect it. And right now Santa is making a list of who is naughty or nice so be good for goodness sakes. 

Cyberspace apparently has a Bermuda triangle

 Today when my phone updated it somehow deleted all my emails from the last month. How can my phone even affect my emails is a mystery. As I wrote a blog just now it somehow disappeared. Is it happening to everyone or just me? Will it all suddenly reappear or is it forever lost in the cyberspace Bermuda triangle? Although we are all quarantined to keep each other safe I have realized that quarantining has many negative effects. My youngest grandchild seemed as if he had forgotten who we were when we recently seen him. I can not wait to see my grandchildren whenever I want. I read a story about someone who had not seen their parent in a nursing home in months by the time they did she did not know them. I am lucky to have a chance to create a bond with my grandkids again but their mother's dimentia worsening will make it harder for them to connect with her again. I try to make sure my blogs are more uplifting but the effects from this pandemic has had a negative impact on our lives. So many businesses have closed there doors permanently. The negative personal and financial affects on people all around the world are real and unfortunately have had negative impact on our lives. On a lighter note, the day after missing Thanksgiving this year we were already excitedly planning on what we were going to do next Thanksgiving. And now that they cooked their own Thanksgiving Dinner I will have less to prepare because they all made things that they plan on bringing for us all to enjoy. Now I won't have to wish I had two ovens because I will only be making part of the meal. Now that is one positive thing that came from the pandemic. And the fact that we have all missed each other we have lots of things planned to do together as soon as this pandemic ends. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. We have already planned on things we are going to do next Christmas even though it isn't even Christmas yet. I had not made gingerbread houses with my grown children since they were young. But they have decided next year a week before Christmas we were all going to gather and make a giant Christmas Village just because next year we can. I am glad we all still have the Christmas Joy even during the pandemic. 2020 has been a terrible year but luckily 2021 is just around the corner. Although the first few months will be rough we know once we all get the vaccine the quarantine will end and then even though it won't be exactly on New Years Day, we can all gather together to celebrate the New Year. It will be a celebration that we have all dreamed about to help us get through the last year of not being able to gather to celebrate anything. Like the song by Prince says we are going to celebrate like it's 1999 in 2021. Merry Christmas to everyone and cheers to finally having a vaccine. 

No two people are alike

 We may be similar but no two people are exactly alike. Not even identical twins. We each are unique. We may agree on some things but we don't agree on everything. Our differences are what makes us unique individuals. If we were all the same there wouldn't be any new inventions. It also would make things boring when you don't have anything new to talk about. We all have things that we are good at as well as things we are not good at. Luckily you don't have to know everything because you can always find someone who does know that you can ask. We can all look at the same thing but see something different. We can all hear the same thing yet interpret it differently. It doesn't mean that someone is right and someone has to be wrong. It just means that right or wrong we see what we see and hear what we hear. Don't let a simple difference in opinion over something that isn't important, destroy a relationship that in your opinion is important. Just because one person is a vegan and the other person isn't doesn't mean they can't go out for dinner together and have a good time. 

We won't know for a long time but one thing is for sure ...

 It's hard to imagine just how different things will be when the Pandemic ends. But without a doubt life as we all knew it will never be the same. Although they won't be the same, without a doubt we will figure it out as we go. If you want a positive outcome make sure every decision you make along the way you can be proud of yourself for when all is said and done. Because at the end of the day, pandemic or not, you will have to live with the consequences for every decision you make. If you don't want any regrets, then don't do anything that you would regret. If you wouldn't want it to happen to you, then don't do it to anyone else. If someone needs help and you can help them, then help them. Because if you needed help you would hope someone would help you. Just remember that times are tough on everyone so don't do anything that makes things harder on anyone. Although we need to social distance so the virus doesn't spread, they will still see the smile even behind your mask that you are sending their way. Be kind to everyone you meet because you have no idea what they may be facing. Spread a smile not the virus, wear a mask.

They may not remember you at all but they will never forget

 You can have a huge impact on someone's life even though they may not remember you at all. There are many times when you were steered in a certain way of thinking about things that had a positive affect on you. Sometimes you don't remember when, where or who taught you it, but what you learn during a brief encounter can make a world of difference. Encouraging words help others to FLUSH away any doubts that they may have. Some people don't understand how inspiring it is to hear something as simple as YOU DID A GOOD JOB. Telling someone THANK YOU may not seem like a big deal but it is to the person who you SHOULD say it to. And when the store is out of TOILET PAPER don't take it out on the cashier at the store. You can't imagine how many times they have had GROUCHY customers that they have encountered and had them spew their FRUSTRATION all over them. And remember they have no idea when TOILET PAPER will be back on the shelves. Instead you should THANK THEM for having to work during this pandemic touching every single item that every single customer they serve has touched before them. Try to give one person WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT once a week. Now during quarantine that can be hard when we can't go out and about to see anyone to have an encounter with. But you will go somewhere like the grocery or a drive thru restaurant at LEAST once in a week that you can and should say THANK YOU to. Remember to be KIND to everyone you meet because you have no idea what they may be facing. You may have a lot of LOVE in your heart but can anyone feel it? A wise man knows that if he doesn't SHARE his wisdom with anyone then no one can BENEFIT from his wisdom. WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT will give them the COURAGE they may.need to get through the difficult situations they are facing. And now more than ever during a PANDEMIC there are many people facing difficult situations. If you don't have nothing NICE to say then PLEASE don't say anything at all, THANK YOU

Christmas is the only holiday that last for more than 24 hours

 Most holidays you have only 24 hours to enjoy them. But Christmas, it can be felt and enjoyed for an entire month. The Christmas Joy is in the air throughout the entire month. All the holiday decorations everywhere you look keeps the Holly Jolly feeling flowing inside us. The Christmas shows are popping up for us to enjoy no matter how many times we have already watched them. I think more people will hang outdoor Christmas lights to bring some holiday cheer to their surroundings as they quarantine. Our local holiday tree stand has popped up like every Christmas Season before. But this year he added outdoor Christmas decor for sale, not just Christmas Trees and Stands. He realized that their customers needed the Christmas Joy not only inside their homes but outside during the Quarantine. And of course he knew he could provide what his customers needed and make a little extra money for himself that he sure needed. This year definitely isn't going to be a traditional Christmas. You won't be able to do some of the traditional things you normally do but that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the Christmas Joy. Not even a pandemic can prevent you from enjoying the Christmas Spirit and love inside you still despite the fact that you are quarantined. It's just like the Grinch couldn't take away the Christmas Spirit in whoville in the movie The Grinch who stole Christmas. Going to break out the Christmas music this weekend so it's handy to set the mood throughout the season anytime I get in the mood to listen to them. Can't wait to hear Elvis, he is always the first one I listen to. It just wouldn't be Christmas without Elvis singing throughout the room spreading his Christmas Joy with his music. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Do you still have a record player? We do. Luckily they still sell record players and vinyl records. Heck some of those old vinyl records go for a lot of money today. Too bad most of us threw them out decades ago. There are many things we "used to have" that we threw away that are valuable today. Hard to say if someone saves everything we call them a hoarder. But they also could be someone who knows that if they hang on to something long enough it MAY become valuable someday. I definitely didn't think the clothes I wore in highschool would one day be vintage clothing that is highly sought after. I don't know how I went from writing about Christmas to clothing I wore decades ago. But during quarantine I have spent a lot more time on my phone where random things pop up sending my thoughts from one thing to another. One of the negative side affects from being quarantined for so long are bound to be caused to our eyes by spending too much time scrolling through the internet reading things that we would never read if we weren't bored out of our minds at times and need to fill it with anything to pass the time. I am still debating whether all this stuff I am reading about that I normally wouldn't read will positively inform me with information that will be useful in my life or is it just entertainment. Time will tell. Back to Christmas. Will you be hanging Christmas lights on the outside of your house this Christmas Season for you and your neighbors and the people who drive by your house can enjoy them?

You have to let it go to move on but you can't....

 You have to let go of the painful experiences in your past to get back up and moving again. But at the same time you can't forget what you learned from your past experiences in order to avoid experiencing them again. There is a difference between remembering them and reliving them. You can remember that it was a painful experience without experiencing the pain again. Your life experiences, both the good and the bad, are part of what shaped who you are TODAY. Your past doesn't define you but it does mold you into who you become. You can't change the past but you can change your future by what you learned from your past. If you remember something that you enjoyed doing then make a plan to do it again. If you remember something that hurt you, let that be a reminder not to ever do it again. We all make mistakes in life but a wise man never makes the same mistake twice.