It's That Time of Year, Again

As the holiday is quickly approaching, I been inspired by John Lennon's song "Merry Christmas (The war is over)". I find it hard to believe that 2010 is closing in. I tend to wonder, Where did this year go? I am sure many of you feel the same. Then I begin to reflect, What did I accomplish this year? Did I complete the desires that I wanted? I can honestly answer yes, almost all my aspirations have been met. 2010 was a great year! I traveled to my favorite destination. I got the opportunity of meeting great people. I enjoyed the ocean, sun and shells (which are my favorite activities). I went boating and experienced reeling in a Mahi Mahi for the very first time! I took part in life!
I experienced loss, the death of my darling grandmother. She and I were very close. It still get tears in my eyes just thinking of her. I try to look at losing her and what it can teach me; versus dwelling on the pain of her death. Her love, dedication and dependability were just a few of her best traits. The characteristics of her personality are teaching me to become a better person.
The new year has almost arrived, and I am beginning to set goals and aspirations of what I want to accomplish in 2011. I believe if you want to met your ambitions; the very first place to begin is in your mind. You must visualize the dream or plan you wish to complete. This step is very important in mastering your objective. If you can see it; you can achieve it! I believe in this whole heartily!
The second step of living out your purpose is taking the steps of making it happen. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase". Start by taking baby steps and watch your plan take shape! Now it is no longer just a dream;it is becoming a reality. Arriving at this point you may start to feel excited and encouraged because your goals are now actual. They are no longer an illusion or a fantasy; the are tangible and real! Hopefully you can feel a sense of accomplishment because you are attaining what you set your mind to! It is a wonderful feeling; living the life you want to have! We are the experts in constructing the course that best for us. Only you hold the key to the possibilities!
Don't let another year come and go; start now. Welcome 2011 with a true goal you want to carry out. All of are unique and same with are aspirations. Some of you may want to go back to college, some yearn for weight loss and other's may want more successes in their trades. Whatever your ambition are; start living and doing! Get your mind in a healthy place. Start your visual imagining exercises, then take steps in doing and achieving! Make this year a good one in fact; make it the best! You can do it! Happy Holidays!

Gina

Shine Bright

I want to encourage you to develop your inner beauty, so you may project it for the whole world to see and admire! Have you ever noticed the individual who may not be "good looking" by many people standards, but they glow from their insides? This happens because their inner spirit is positive, kind, empathetic and lovely. Which in turn makes the person, beautiful, appealing and alluring.
Who we are on the inside goes much further than our exterior appeal. Our physique will fade with time. Internally we can't be weathered by a clock. I want to encourage you to grow your beauty from the inside not from your outside.
I want you to radiate to the world your happiness, cheerfulness, playfulness and joy. We all have these attributes; but are to often afraid to let them luminate. Let yourself go and don't be afraid. You may be surprised by how many people are attracted to you; your inner beauty.
I was once told by a classmate that I taught her what "true beauty" was. She told me this recently; after we had been out of school for nearly twenty years. She said that "I made a lasting impression on her; which she hopes to pass down to her daughter. She said that "I never let my disability effect who I was, that I tried everything, always had a positive attitude, made people laugh, was caring and was beautiful inside and out."
I was only in middle school when I knew her. We got in touch recently and she said after all of these years, she still thinks about me. I was amazed by how much effect I had. I am certain that it had to do with my "internal beauty and my fiery spirit." This is how people remember; someone. It isn't by their exterior; that fades from the memory quickly. But if one "shimmers intensely" that "sparkle" will be carried in memory for life. It is true. If you want to make a lasting impression; be dazzling from your being. Spread your goodness to everyone. Make each person feel special; and be genuine!
I encourage you to display your "light" so you may "shine bright" for the whole world to see. Be proud of who you are, what you want and what you believe in! Be the "twinkle" in someones eye! Be beautiful internally and your exterior will glisten!

Gina

Tribute to a Loving Legacy

My grandmother, Mercedes, passed away this May at eighty-eight years old. She was many things to many people, but to all she was; loving, giving and very dear. She was one-hundred percent Italian and spoke the language fluently. She was proud of her heritage and family. She was an incredible cook and could easily feed a small army with the quantity of food she would prepare. She had an amazing memory. She enjoyed creating our favorite dish or treat at family gatherings. No one would dare to decline an offer of a "second helping" when she asked! She would say "Manga" eat! She wanted her guests to be fulfilled and taken care of. My grandmother was a gracious host. It would be impossible to leave hungry!
Her home was built from love. There was always music playing and delicious smells filled the kitchen. She would welcome her guests with a big hug and make them feel cozy. Her hospitality was second to none. Guests often congregated in the kitchen or living room, sharing stories and laughing. She was a great listener, gave intelligent advice and was incredibly dependable. Every time I phoned my grandma, she would welcome my call by saying "Hello, honey"!
She taught me many things about life. Instilling in me kindness, love, faith, strength and shaped the woman that I have become. I owe many things to my grandmother, without a doubt, her love made it possible for me to be an affectionate woman. Her personality was witty, kind, thoughtful and loved by all whom she came in contact with. She was a "grandma" to everyone. She would even keep cookies in her pantry for the neighborhood kids.
My grandmother was an extraordinary woman. When I needed her, she was always there for me. If I needed her to listen, she did. If I needed advice, she gave it. When I was sick, she would make great food to make be feel better. I wish everyone had a grandmother like mine. I realized early on, how special she was. How rare it was to have a very close relationship and bond, very much like a second mother. If you are lucky enough to have a grandparent alive, you should tell them you love them and invest the time with them. Elderly people have a lot to share about life experiences. Many cases, they just want someone to listen to their story, the story of their life. They want someone to understand the important memories and events that defined them. They also long for visitors of family and friends.
My grandmother touched many, many people in her lifetime. She left an imprint on each one of our hearts. She was an unforgettable woman and will be greatly missed by all. I would like to end this entry by a quote from her, Mercedes, "To love is to remember and I love to remember you."

Celebrating Your Own Uniqueness

Life has a way of teaching us unforgettable lessons. These lessons can define one's character, build self-esteem and shape us into the person that we are today. I was taught a valuable lesson early on in my life, which is something I would like to share with you. I hope that this will teach you to "embrace" your identifying features, that make you, you!
I was aware early on that I was physically distinctive. I remember asking my mother when I was a child "Why am I different from everyone else?" She replied, "God made you this way, and you are perfect the way you are." She said, "Be proud of the way you were created." Then she told me "Gina, you are a gift." This was a priceless lesson given to me. From that point on, I never questioned what separated me from the rest. I was happy to be me! I celebrated my uniqueness and I appreciated my rarity. Never should we feel ashamed by our individuality! We are all beautiful in our own design! Have you ever considered the one thing that you would like to visually change about yourself, you accepted? If you shifted your thinking and blessed your special attributes, can you imagine the freedom that awaits! For once, you could display your extraordinary qualities for the world to see with dignity and confidence! The power remains with in yourself! You can do it!
I want to use the metaphor of seashells to this entry and apply it to life. Seashells look very similar from afar, but take a closer look. They are all lovely in their creation. Each one is slightly different from the other. It doesn't mean that one is more exquisite then the next. The beauty, is that they are all appealing because they are all one of a kind. Each shell varies ever so slightly, just like us.
Start today and welcome your own uniqueness, be happy to be you! Find comfort in your own exclusive qualities. Search for the "seashell in you".

Stay tuned for more adventures,

Gina

When Change Finds You, Welcome It

Do you run when a change presents itself? Do you feel afraid, anxious and suffer from anxiety. Can you see a change quickly approaching? Possibly it is changing your diet and working out to moving or changing professions. We all encounter changes in our lives, it is part of the human experience. Changes, I feel are for personal growth. This is how we evolve and learn from our world. More importantly we learn about ourselves. Changes "push us" to expand. If we change our frame of minds we can teach ourselves to welcome change, rather hiding from it. I would like to encourage you to shift your thinking and embrace the changes in your life.
Let's say your boss comes to you and informs you of a position opening up. This would be a favorable promotion for you. Instead of being pleased by your abilities, work ethic and talents, you start to feel self doubt. You begin to fill your mind with confusion, apprehension and uncertainty. These hurtful thoughts begin to snowball. Soon you are believing the myths and now you are discrediting your talents and abilities. I want to help this from happening to you. If a promotion were to "knock at your door, answer it and welcome it". Think about this for a moment, you are being offered this advance because you are capable, dedicated and skilled. If you had not proven yourself previously, you never would have been considered today. Now, fill your mind with loving and productive thoughts. Believe that you can and you will succeed. See the change as a new adventure. If you close the door to the opportunity, when do you think it will find you again? Start today and welcome the changes that find you.

Stay tuned to more adventures

Believe in Yourself

Ever since I was a child, I always knew that only I could hold myself back. There were instances in my life when I felt defeated by a situation. For instance, when I was in elementary school I saw all my classmates playing on the monkey bars. I also wanted to partake in the excitement. I didn't think I could because of only having one arm. It saddened me to know that their was something that I could not achieve. I went home that night and told my mother that I wanted to be like the other kids and play on the monkey bars! I began to cry, which is something I didn't do often. I was a happy and "bubbly" child. When I ever got upset, my mom knew that it was serious. My mom gave me some exceptional advice that day. She said "Gina, you can do anything you put your mind to, you just have to find your own way of doing things." She explained to me that I was going to climb the monkey bars the next day and I would do it "my way." So it was, the very next day I went across the monkey bars using my prosthesis to help me along. It wasn't easy but I felt so delighted knowing I accomplished my goal! After that instance, I knew that I had to believe in myself whole heartily. I was aware of how powerful the mind really was, even at a young age. If I didn't believe in me, then why should anyone else? I recognized that if I told myself that I "can" then I "would" be able to excel! Implement positive thinking to any "obstacle" in your life. If you tell yourself "I can't" or "I'm won't be able to" or " I'm not good enough", then you absolutely won't accomplish a single thing you set out to try! Can't you see, when you say such things you are "letting yourself off the hook" of life! Then you will miss out on opportunities that are presented to you.
I look at life with a positive flair. I want to show the world that I can do anything! Other's see my physical difference and realize that it isn't really a difference at all! People I've encounter are constantly telling me that I amaze them! Many are surprised that I do everything! I do not let anything stop me! I adapt to every circumstance by finding my own path. I have the mindset that I will succeed, plain and simple! Failure is not an option! Keep in mind that only you can limit yourself, your dreams and your future! I found that believing in myself was the very first step in flourishing! Take on the mindset that you believe in yourself, your abilities and your talents.
You can obtain anything that you wish for! Fill your mind with belief that you "will" succeed! I know that you can do it!

Stay tuned for more adventures,

Gina

Are You Loving Life or Just Living Life?

Do you feel like you are going through life and time is moving at a rapid pace? Do you feel like all you do is go to work and then go home? Do you gaze at your calendar and question what ever happened to the day, month or even year? Do you find yourself asking "Where has time gone?" Are you just living life and going through the motions and observing on the sideline? Perhaps you are watching everyone else and wishing you were really loving your life.
So I will ask you, "What would it take for you to love your life?" It is only a question that you can answer. Only you hold the key to what will transform your life to richer and more meaningful state. What would you do differently? What would you adjust? Try to search deep within yourself and see what will make you love your life. Could it be spending more time doing what you love? Perhaps you have a great hobby like fishing, going to the beach, reading or spending time with someone you love. For some it may be more complex such as; moving to a different location, changing careers or getting involved in the community. Would you love your life more, if you followed a dream that was close to your heart? Loving life, is loving the life you have created. It encompasses being present, passion in all that you do, love, balance of work and home. Also, not watching on the sideline's but rather to participate. To love your life you must also love yourself and your body! I want you to take the time to eat properly and exercise. Make the right decisions so you begin to feel better! In turn, your body will respond and begin to feel rejuvenated! Soon you will have more energy to enjoy the activities you once found pleasurable!
If you wish for a change in your life for the better, you can achieve it! First you must set a goal of what you would like to accomplish. Visualize what you would like for an outcome. I believe if we can see ourselves at the "finish line" we will acquire it! Then you must set a time frame on your goal. Check yourself frequently to see if you are "on track" with your deadline. Stay focused and you will attain the goal you desire! Soon you will be in love with your life and no longer just living your life!

Making the Most of Life's Moment's

It is true, we all have an expiration date on our lives. We don't know how much time we have, no matter what our age is or our health condition. I want all of us to cherish the time that we have with the people who matter the most to us. I would like to encourage you to "live in the moment of your life." Do you remember times in your life that you were present and breathing in the experience? I am referring to the instances when time stood still. When you inhale the moment and you have committed it to your memory, forever. When you reflect on this time, you remember smells, sights, sounds and every emotion that was passing through your body. These may be some of the best snippet's of your life, and how many can you really recall? Can you recall five, ten or more? Can you imagine, if you embraced each one of life moments with this passion and meaning? Instead of going through the motions, you were actually taking in the moment?
I want each of us to begin the new year out right. I want to encourage you to make the time with the people whom you adore. As you begin to create each experience, take the time to "show up," slow your mind and be present. Let yourself enjoy the occasion. Take in all that you can and make each one of life's moment's unforgettable. Who knows how many moments that we have yet to discover.

Stay tuned for more adventures,

Gina