The hills and Valleys make life interesting. There is never a dull moment. It can be exciting, distressing or worrisome just by the way you react.

You may know, I am working towards the goal of full timing it on the road in a travel trailer.  This blog is dedicated to the journey………

While driving my current car stopped in the middle of a busy intersection about 45 minutes from home.  I was traveling with a friend that day, and we were able to push it into a parking lot close by so I could assess the situation.

It just would not start, so I needed to get it to a repair shop to have them diagnose the problem. Because it was a busy area, there were many auto mechanics within walking distance.

After a short walk, the second garage I stopped at was helpful and got a tow truck to tow it the mile to their garage.

Even though it was an unfortunate situation, so many things worked out that day, including having another friend that was visiting out of town who was able to pick me up and take me to work on time.

The car is in the shop as I write this and it will take quite a bit to fix it but after all is said and done the resale value will increase.

As they say, I had His favor that day and His blessing shines on me every day.

Remember you have the option of looking at your challenges in a positive or a negative light.

Whats next???? Now that I have stepped out in faith and told the universe my intention, and asking the Lord for guidance.

After hitting the post button, on my previous post, I could feel my anxiety level increase dramatically for a few hours. After quieting my mind with meditation, I was reminded of all the times the Lord has worked things out, in other words, the Universe came up to meet my intentions.

Fear, coupled with procrastination has made me able to stay in my safe but unfulfilled life. I sit here in Starbucks writing this with the realization that time goes so quickly and the clock is ticking every day.

1. Make Affirmations! I am good enough!, I am smart enough! I am attractive enough! And so on…… is a way to retraining my brain especially when I start thinking negatively.
2. Write Down Goals! I struggle with writing things down, not sure why, but maybe the reason why is because by not writing down my goals, I would not have written a document to keep me accountable. For me, now writing this Blog is a way me accountable and to inspire me to keep going, to keep moving forward no matter how small. As my dear friend more like sister says, little progress is still progress.
3. Keep Motivated! I have found that I get motivation from walking or riding my bicycle in Nature and if I can capture a beautiful image its a bonus.  Also, Reading about hiking and exploring. I am in the process of making and hanging a dream board or a better word…. a goal board so that it will be a daily reminder to work towards my goals.
4. Make a step towards my goal daily no matter how small.
5. Look out for opportunities that will present themselves and not make fear or procrastination hold me back.
6. Get my mind and body mentally and physically prepared for the journey by reading and exercise.
7. Refuse to listen to limiting beliefs.
8. Don’t wait for the time is right to move forward. Jump!

For the past few days, I have thought that as my fiftieth birthday approaches and it is doubtful that I will have another fifty years on earth, how can I ensure that this part of my life is the best part of my life.

As I read the bible……. an instruction manual for me, there is no mention of retirement, you do what you enjoy until your last breath. That was an interesting revelation for me because we are taught to work hard and accumulate stuff forsaking the most important things in life that make for a happy and fulfilling life in my opinion.  Ironically enough these things do not cost a significant amount of money, and actually, most are free.

Things like meditation, helping others,  spending time with people you love both family and friends, spending time in nature every day and last but not least communing with God is just some of the things that I have found that enriches my life. Doing these things along with eating nutritious food and exercise on a consistent basis also improves my mental and physical health.

We never know what the future holds and how long we will be on this side of heaven, but we can make a difference every day. It may not be something……. in our eyes, momentous but a small thing like a smile, a touch or an encouraging word can change someone’s life without us realizing it.

I ask you…. What are the most important things to you?

Is it to accumulate more stuff,

Is it to buy the latest and greatest,

Is it to accumulate great wealth,

How about having power and status,

or Accolades from your peers

All these things were important to me at one time, but I asked myself at what cost?

The cost of my health mentally and or physically. The cost to my family by not having time with me because I was working long hours. The cost of not being spiritually maturity or enlightenment. There is always a cost……. is it worth it?

My humble opinion after fifty years of experience is that every day is precious and  I should live it to the fullest. I may live another fifty, but I may only live another minute.  The key to everything is moderation, we all have to work to pay our bills but giving up years of your life to a job or a business is not worth it, especially if it is something is not enjoyable or not fulfilling.

How do you ensure you end well……., Again I used to believe that if I worked hard and saved my money so that I could have a large bank account with many investments so that I will be able to live a particular lifestyle when I approach the later years of life.

A parable from the Bible sums it up beautifully……

Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?”

15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.

17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’

18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones.

Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.

19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come.

Now calm down! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”