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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.

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

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

I saw this on Facebook the other day. Practice the pause. What good advice. Hard to practice, but possibly something to be more mindful of. According to this article, it only takes 90 seconds for your brain to process emotions. If you are stuck in a state such as anger or sadness, it is because you are processing that emotion over and over in your head; therefore, you get stuck. If we can recognize our feelings of anger, sadness, or resentment, we can pause, feel it, and then let it go. We don’t need to be stuck in a state because of our own minds. So practice the pause.

Practice the Pause. Pause before you assume. Pause before you accuse. Pause before you react out of emotion. That Pause can save you a lot of regret.

~ unknown

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy

Over the past few years, I have seen many friendships change. And I have come to realize that life is busy. We are all busy. We all have too much to do and too many places to go. But what I do know if you have true friendship, you are never too busy. There are always five seconds in a day to say hello, even if you haven’t talked to them in three months. If you want to continue the relationship, you make the effort. And if it is true friendship that it will stand the test of time and months of not talking but when someone reaches out or when you get together, it’s like no time has passed at all.

Life is already hard. And I don’t want to be around people who make it even harder. I need people who feel like home, who bring comfort, calm, and a sense of peace. That’s the kind of energy I need in my life.

~ Robert Wilkinson

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy

I saw this chart on social media and had to share. It’s such a true statement and something to live by. Our trainer at our gym in Pennsylvania always says that nutrition is so much more important than the exercise. You need to find something you like to do to stay active but if you truly want to lose weight you need to focus on nutrition. When I saw the rest of the list, it hit home that the 80/20 rule can be applied to many aspects of life and I think the rule will make your life that much better!

Health:

80% Nutrition, 20% exercise

Conversation:

80% listening, 20% talking

Success:

80% action, 20% vision

Love:

80% giving, 20% receiving

Growth:

80% effort, 20% ideas

Master the 80%. The 20% will follow.

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy