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.