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Remembering a loved one who has already left you can be so moving and brings up all kinds of emotions, but the best ones are times when we remember the love we had for them and the love they had for us. There are times when, for no reason at all, their memory will suddenly appear and we will remember their quirky little ways or perhaps something they had said or done and it will make us smile or perhaps laugh out loud. It helps alleviate the sadness when we can focus on the happy memories, the funny stories and recall the special moments that meant so much to us, rather than how much we miss them. Their memory becomes alive and they are here with us as we relive a special memory.

Though we are physically apart from our loved ones, I believe spiritually they are here with us. We don't know what happens after a person dies, but it makes me feel better to think of them as angels guiding us through life. In the movie "City of Angels" there are scenes of angels whispering into people's ears, putting thoughts in their subconscious mind, to help guide them through their life or to prevent an accident. Wouldn't it be wonderful if that is what happens - that our loved ones become our guardian angels? If we were quiet enough and cleared our head of all those busy thoughts, could we feel their love surround us and know they were still with us? I've never been able to do that, but certainly wish I could. I believe it would help us heal knowing that they were still with us; guiding us through our life.

We are people not bound by blood, but by the unity of spirit. We are different, but yet we are very similar. We share many of the same experiences and adversities of life such as, hopes, fears and the pain of losing loved ones.

Although time seems to fly by, it never travels faster than one day at a time. You can choose any way you wish to live your life. Does it make a difference to worry about the past or the future? We cannot take back what was said or happened in the past and we have no idea what the future holds for us. But we do have today to live our lives to the fullest. "The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present." quote by Alice Morse Earle.

How much time do you spend grieving over the past? The hurts, regrets and guilt's of the past can consume you with remorse, but you only continue to hurt yourself by concentrating on the past. Let it go and appreciate the moment that you have today. Today you have the ability to right a wrong, to search out a forgotten friend, to keep a promise, to make that phone call that you've been wanting to, but keep putting off for some reason. You can move on with your life by forgiving and letting go of the past which you have no control over. One of my favorite quotes says: "If you had one hour to live and could make just one phone call, who would you call? What would you say? And why are you waiting?" If we could keep in the forefront of our minds that we are not guaranteed tomorrow wouldn't we live in the moment and relish every minute of the day that we had? Wouldn't we treat people kinder and not worry about the past or the future?

There is no greater moment then right here and right now. How we react or act at this moment dictates what the future holds for us. The decisions we are making right now will set us up for success or failure. If you are worried that you won't be able to retire with enough money, then instead of worrying about the future, think about how you can start saving more money right now. Worrying about the future is a waste of time and will not solve anything. Instead of appreciating the beauty and the gift's that today brings, your obsessive worrying is very stressful and leads to diseases like nervous disorders, heart problems and high blood pressure. Look back on your life and see how many things you worried about really happened. In most cases, it will be none or the end results weren't as bad as your imagination was. Abraham Lincoln once said: "Thank God the future comes one day at a time." Rest in the now and see how beautiful life can be. Do the things that you can today and never wait for tomorrow.

Most people spend so much time regretting the past and worrying about the future that they have no time for today. Do not let your today be stolen by the ghost of yesterday or the "to-do's' of tomorrow! Learn to appreciate today and the beauty of the people around you for you cannot relive this moment of your life. Commit to making the most of each moment of each day. Leave nothing undone since we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Jesus said, "Don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time" (Matthew 6:34). Are you able to live one day at a time and enjoy life to the fullest? If not, perhaps you can start today.

Once upon a time you had a dream, but you didn't have the faith and courage to see it through and so it died. However, in the back of your mind you still wonder . . . what if . . . what if I would have started that business or what if I would have moved to Paris or what if I would have married that person, I wonder what life would be like now? Would I have more money for my family . . . would I be happier . . . would I have succeeded? Is it too late to follow your dream? Only you can answer the last question.

God plants seeds in our hearts and then reveals to our minds creative ways to go about attaining the fulfillment of those desires. I believe you are never given a dream without the power to make it come true - provided if it's a career choice, you have the talent for your dream. You have to be honest with yourself and realize if your goals are realistic or a fantasy before you begin your journey. As I watch American Idol, I see the disappointment on the faces of the people when they are told to consider another career - well at least they had the passion and desire to try. There is magnificent talent on American Idol, but they may not have the uniqueness that will carry them to stardom. I believe you still need to pursue that dream, if it is your passion, but you may be limited as to how far you can go. Money can't be everything or else you'll die sad.

If we listen to that little voice inside us, it will lead us down the path we are meant to go down, but you need to have the courage and passion to move outside your comfort zone, walk down that path, open the doors as they become visible and have faith that you will succeed. Only you know if it's the right thing to do. I believe if you expect defeat, your subconscious mind will make sure you fail; however, if you want to succeed and you maintain positive thoughts then your life will move in that direction.

When we are young we work and dream ambitious wishes, but the older we get, the more we start to lose our vision and dreams. We go through life never really satisfied, but accepting the life we've chosen; however, in the back of our minds we always remember the dream we once had. When we begin to walk the final episode in our life we struggle with the unfulfilled dream . . . a dream we abandoned many years ago.

If the Lord has placed a vision in your heart, pursue it. Dare to dream and take that first step, because you never know until you try. Believe in yourself and you will succeed - it will take hard work and perseverance, but it's better to try then to live with the "what if's" all of your life. So what is your dream? It is my hope that you have the courage to live life to the fullest and follow your dreams, so that you will not live with regrets.

"Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and
belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication.
Remember all things are possible for those who believe."
~ Gail Devers

Can you imagine the great changes that would take place in our world if everyone started treating each other and the Earth with respect? If everyone followed the "Golden Rule" of "Do onto others as you would have them do onto you" (Luke 6:31). There would be no need for military forces, or police or court systems, etc. Our stress levels would decrease and therefore our health would improve. Our climate and pollution levels would improve since we would respect our planet. What a wonderful world this could be.

Although it is impossible to go throughout your life without disrespecting others, you can make a conscious effort to be better. How many times were you in a rush to get somewhere that you didn't realize someone was behind you and the door closed in their face? How many times have you cut someone off in traffic or reacted in a cruel way if they cut you off? How many times were you vindictive, due to something someone said or acted towards you? Do you respect your pets and make sure they are loved, played with, fed and brought in out of the cold and rain? How many times were you rude to a waiter in a restaurant or a retail store. How many times has someone bumped into you, not watching where they were going or they were busy talking on the phone, and you gave them a dirty look or said something that wasn't very nice? Regardless how you are treated does not mean that you have to react in the same manner. You never know what adversities someone is going through in their life for them to act the way they do and with you choosing to react with love and respect, rather than mirroring their attitude, may help them to realize that they have disrespected you and help them become a better person. Most of the time when someone acts out of disrespect it isn't about you, but something that is going on in their life and they are unconsciously taking it out on you, but then again there are some people that are just plain rude and disrespectful. As the saying goes: "You get more from honey than vinegar." Since you have no control over how someone acts, getting upset about it doesn't help your stress level or improve the situation, so act out of kindness and love and keep that stress level down.

There was a time when children spoke to adults with respect, but there has been a severe decrease in respect for their elders in recent years. Teachers today are especially affected by this. One can only wonder what children will be like as adults if they continue down this path.

Do you know that it takes five to twelve years for a cigarette butt to biodegrade when thrown on the ground or out your car window? Not to mention the fires that cigarette butts can cause when thrown out a car window. Image how long it takes candy wrappers or other items that are dropped on the ground to biodegrade. I see recycling bins all over strip centers and in some cases your neighborhood has a recycling program, but I wonder how many people really take advantage of that program to its full extent. It is far easier to throw a can into the rest of your garbage rather than rinsing it out. However, it is wonderful to see the "Go Green" campaign taking off and people are becoming more aware of their environment. It's so important to respect our environment and protect it for future generations.

When you leave this world you will be remembered and judged by how you treated people and the world. Respecting others, at times, is hard to do when people can be so cruel and disrespectful. You do have a choice to walk away from any situation and not get involved or ask for assistance until you have calmed down. It seems to have become a "me" society where the most important thing is what I like and what I want. It would be wonderful if we went back to the teaching of God and "Do onto others as you would have then do unto you."

45mph…………………God Will Take Care of You

65mph…………………Nearer My God To Thee

85mph…………………This World Is Not My Home

95mph…………………Lord, I’m Coming Home

100mph……………….Precious Memories