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People may not appreciate what you do or say when you are kind and honest. And many people may not like it when you find happiness. But you need to be true to yourself and not let anyone else bring you down.

People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

~ Mother Teresa

Photo by Viktor Forgacs – click ↓↓ on Unsplash

Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy

What we learn as we get older is that life doesn’t always go as we plan. We need to learn to control what we can and not worry about what we can’t. Life is going to throw us lemons so let’s make lemonade.

At my age, I’ve learned that most of what we worry about never happens, and most of what does happen we never saw coming. So here’s my advice: prepare for what you can, accept what you can’t, and spend more time living than worrying. The graveyards are full of people who died with perfect plans but unlived lives. Don’t be one of them.

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Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy

I saw this quote the other day on Facebook, and it hit home for me. I was just thinking now that I am 50, I have probably lived over half of my life. I doubt I will make it to 100 so I need to cherish the time I have left by living life to the fullest. I also need to evaluate what things make my life better and get rid of the things that don’t.

One day you realize you’ve probably lived more years than you have left…and suddenly you stop tolerating things that waste your life.

~ unknown

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Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy

When I first started this blog, I was posting an inspirational quote every day, as well as a Tuesday post, a Wednesday workout, and a Friday Fixin’ recipe. It gave me an outlet when my hubby was working and Gram and I were sitting around the house. When Sweet Gram passed away in February of 2021, life became very busy, and I found I was Never Home. It soon became too much; therefore, I dropped down to two posts a month and once a week, Weekly Wednesday Words for inspiration. Decisions have never been easy for me, but starting this blog was one of the best decisions I ever made.

This past year, I have found that I am lucky to write once a month, and I started wondering if I should quit the blog. Time just slips away from me. When I am home, sometimes I don’t want to do anything but lie on the couch and watch a mindless TV show. And when we are traveling, I try to be present in the moment instead of being on the computer. Anyway, I thank my loyal readers who have subscribed or clicked on the social media link when I post. I really appreciate it when you send texts or emails to let me know you enjoyed reading a story. Thank you!

It’s been five and a half years since I started this blog, Inspired And Strong, and I love it. I love writing, and I hope that some of my stories have inspired you to go on new adventures, have encouraged you to start a new chapter in your life, or have motivated you to make the world a better place by holding the door open for someone or putting your shopping cart back. Whatever this blog means to you, I do hope you enjoy it.

Recently, I have been contemplating life’s decisions. I know sometimes people have a difficult time when they retire because they end up losing their purpose in life and aren’t sure what to do. I have been “retired” from the field of education for almost 11 years now. I have done remote work for my school system, got my travel agent and real estate licenses, worked in an ice cream shop, and was a receptionist at a chiropractor’s office. Although I enjoyed all of those jobs, nothing has stuck as a career path. I love doing this blog, but it’s not a moneymaker. And I don’t need money to make it worthwhile but I get frustrated because I would love to be a better travel agent or real estate agent, but seems education is the only career in which I feel confident.

I was trained in education and had 16 years of experience. With all of the other careers I have started, I don’t feel like I have a firm foundation. I don’t feel like anyone has taken me under their wing to jumpstart my career. I am at a loss on which career path to follow.

When I had Sweet Gram, I had a purpose and enjoyed caring for her. Since she passed, I don’t know exactly what my purpose is. I enjoy being a Pilot’s Wife and am grateful for all of the experiences I have had. I can’t have a “normal” job because I have FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and definitely don’t want to miss out on the next big adventure! But I also want to feel like I am making a difference on this Earth. Hence, my dificulty with decisions!

I enjoy writing, and maybe I should concentrate on writing my book like Jake the Medium said. Or maybe I should get my real estate license again and try to sell houses. Or maybe I quit trying to force it and enjoy the journey.

In the end, one decision I did make was that I am not quite ready to give up my blog. My posts may be few and far between, but I hope you will subscribe and read them when they do arrive in your inbox. I hope they continue to inspire you. I also hope you will go back and read the daily inspirations if you’re having a down day.

Life can be hard. Decisions are hard. But somehow we all end up exactly where we are supposed to be. So let’s try to enjoy the ride.

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Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy

A lot of times, we need to realize that when someone lashes out at you, the problem is really about something that is going on inside of them. They may be having a bad day, and instead of pausing and trying to turn their day around, they take their frustrations out on other people.  Maturity is realizing that and not lashing back and not taking it personally.

Maturity is realizing most things aren’t about you. The bad driver is having their own day. The short email has nothing to do with your worth. The friend who didn’t call back is fighting their own battles. Taking things less personally is a skill that creates space for peace.

Photo by Robert Koorenny on Unsplash

Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy

Scary but true. This is a little reminder of how quickly life can change. We can be going along in our daily routine when Pow! There it is. The Thing that takes your breath away. It could be a phone call, an accident, or a close call. Whatever it is, don’t wait for your wake-up call. Live your life for you now.

Just a reminder that we’re all just one accident, one diagnosis, one phone call away from a life that doesn’t look anything like the one we’re living right now.

That’s the quiet truth we forget in our rush-how fragile everything really is.

We live as if the plans we’ve made are promises. We wake, we move through our routines, we speak to the people we love as if we’ll always have another chance.

But life doesn’t work like that. Nothing is owed to us. Nothing is permanent.

That’s why love can’t wait. Say the words you’ve been holding back. Take the leap that terrifies you. Hold the people who make your world brighter and show and let them know that they matter.

Because the clock doesn’t warn us when it’s running out. And sometimes, the wake-up call never comes until it is too late.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy

I saw this list of good habits the other day and thought it would be a nice starting point for making small changes in your life that add up to big things. Just reading nine pages of a book a day will add up super quickly. We have time for daily habits if we make time. Spend 10 minutes on meditation instead of scrolling through social media on your phone. Anything can be achieved IF you want to achieve it.

  • 1 hour of exercise
  • 2 cups of herbal tea
  • 3 liters of water
  • 4 balanced meals a day
  • 5 colorful fruits daily
  • 6 minutes of deep breathing
  • 7 minutes of stretching
  • 8 hours of sleep
  • 9 pages of a book
  • 10 minutes of meditating
  • 11 minutes of morning sunlight
  • 12 grams of nuts or seeds
  • 13 minutes of walking after meals
  • 14 deep belly breaths before bed
  • 15 seconds of cold water on your face to lower stress
  • 16 minutes away from your phone before sleep
  • 17 seconds of gratitude for what you have
  • 18 slow mindful breaths to end your day

Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy

What a beautiful quote. We just had Valentine’s Day, which can be extremely emotional for people. Some people may feel sad because they don’t have a significant other to share the day with. But let’s remember Valentine’s Day shouldn’t just be about romantic relationships. It should be a day to express love to your family and friends. Let someone you love know how you feel. Let them know how much you appreciate them and all they do for you. Remember, in all the world, we only have one life to live so celebrate it!

In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.

– Maya Angelou

Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash

Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy

Life is all about making choices. Each day, we can decide if we want to look at the positive aspect or dwell on the negative. Choose wisely.

The life you’re living is the result of decisions you made years ago. The life you’ll live five years from now is being decided by today’s choices. Connect the dots. Today is both a consequence and a cause. Make it count.

~ Positive Vibes

Photo by Sophia Kunkel on Unsplash

Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy