20 years ago TODAY I entered the MTC. I loved my time in the mission field and will always treasure the people, the memories, and the opportunity to serve. #CRM

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I'm loving the team. Another USWNT player has joined Utah Royals. @kellyohara8 Welcome to the family, Kelley! #Repost @utahroyalsfc with @insta.save.repost • • •

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Ode to the Sock Thief If you are wearing a pair of socks, Beckerman will gladly take them right off. If you throw your socks onto the floor, He will take them out his little dog door. Socks tucked away inside your shoes Are merely seen as a thieving cue. He also thinks slippers are a fun foot fab He will enter your closet and go for the grab. Once he's snatched his ultimate prize, He'll swiftly bolt for his ever-loving life. He has pep in his step! There's no shame in his game! The notorious sock thief Is living up to his nickname. #beckermanmojibailey

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Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas! #Christmas2017 #beckermanmojibailey

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People! Do you know the identity of this amazing woman? If not, let me introduce you to Becky Sauerbrunn! She is one of the team captains for the USWNT and is no stranger to wearing the red, white and blue. At the age of 15, she was a starter for the United Stated Under 16 team. She stayed in the ranks until her official transition onto the United States Women's Natioinal Team. She is a humble, unselfish, and totally indestructible player who dominates the center back. She keeps her head down, gives 110% every time she's on the pitch and she never complains. Acquiring her as the first official player for @utahroyalsfc was a brilliant love. . Christmas totally came early for me. @nwsl @utahroyalsfc @reeba04

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Snow adds the frosting to the magic of the Christmas Season!' "Snowflakes are kisses from heaven." - Unknown #myneighborshavebeautifullights

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Holla! A week deserved honor @cmpulisic ! Just a kid from Hershey. #Repost @ussoccer_mnt with @insta.save.repost • • •

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As you can see by the 'joy' on Beckerman's face, he 'loved' posing in a reindeer costume next to Santa's.🎅🏽 sleigh in front of our beautiful Christmas 🎄 tree. #bahahaha 😂 #hewassomad #Ithinkhesworeatmeinbark #Helookssocutethough

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As you can see by the joy on Beckerman's face, he loved posing in a reindeer costume next to Santa's.🎅🏽 sleigh in front of our beautiful Christmas 🎄 tree. #bahahaha 😂 #hewassomad #Ithinkhesworestmeinbark #Helookssocutethough

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The best Christmas gift of all is remembering Our Savior and allowing His Christmas spirit to envelop our hearts. @ldschurch

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Ummmm . . . . . Yes. I might have cried tears of joy when I discovered that @reeba04 , @sydneyleroux , and @amyrodriguez8 just might be players for @utahroyalsfc. People, this is huge. All three play for, or are retired from, the @ussoccer_wnt !

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The Utah Royals Fútbol Club! I can't even . . . My heart is so happy. The good news keeps coming with each new bpuzzle piece: 1. @nwsl announces it is coming to the Rio-T. 2. Amazing coach is hired. 3. Insanely legit logo and team name are announced. 4. They did not spell Royals (@utahroyalsfc) with two Z's at the end. Phew! We are witnessing the dawn of a new era. #Repost @utahroyalsfc with @insta.save.repost • • •

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I am convinced that my parents are angels living among us. I don't deserve them, but I am not letting go and will selfishly tie a thick rope (figuratively and literally if needed) around the three of us so I don't lose two of the greatest gifts bestowed upon me. After a bit of a rough night, I crashed for a few hours this afternoon. My mom was aware of my frustrations so she snuck downstairs and put this beautiful table centerpiece together while I was sleeping. She, of course, made the beautiful table runner for me and I love putting it out for the Christmas season. Tears came to my eyes when I woke up and found this masterpiece put together with her magical touch. Any lingering frustrations were gone because of my wonderful mom's love and kind act of service. She knew I needed a boost and found a way to buoy me up without uttering a single word. I love you, mom. Your patience and love does not go unnoticed.

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This boy. I love and adore everything about him. He is witty, funny, genuine, and probably has a higher IQ than the average human being. He plays soccer like a game of chess; he sees the entire field and knows the moves other players will make. I love when he tells me about something he learned in school. A few months ago we had a lengthy conversation about the use of comparative and superlative adjectives. He soaks up knowledge like a sponge and then stores it in the gigantic filing cabinet in his brain. Watching him learn and grow is simply delightful. On Thanksgiving Day, @brigg_bailey had the funniest one-liner I've ever heard. My dad said a very lengthy prayer before we ate. In this prayer, he included everyone by name and relation. Part of his prayer included gratitude for his three daughters- Trisha, Allison, and Lindsay. If you are familiar with our family, you are aware that I am his only daughter; however, Allison and Lindsay married into the family and could 'technically' be counted as his daughters. As he thanked his three daughters in this very long prayer, many giggles quietly erupted around the table. When he finished Brigg said, "As soon as grandpa said he had three daughters, I thought this can't end well." I laughed and laughed and am still laughing over his comment . . . . this can't end well. I love my Big Rig and his endless supply of humor and wit. #mwbgjog

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This boy. I love and adore everything about him. He is witty, funny, genuine, and probably has a higher IQ than the average human being. He plays soccer like a game of chess; he sees the entire field and knows the moves other players will make. I love when he tells me about something he learned in school. A few months ago we had a lengthy conversation about the use of comparative and superlative adjectives. He soaks up knowledge like a sponge and then stores it in the gigantic filing cabinet in his brain. Watching him learn and grow is simply delightful. On Thanksgiving Day, @brigg_bailey had the funniest one-liner I've ever heard. My dad said a very lengthy prayer before we ate. In this prayer, he included everyone by name and relation. Part of his prayer included gratitude for his three daughters- Trisha, Allison, and Lindsay. If you are familiar with our family, you are aware that I am his only daughter; however, Allison and Lindsay married into the family and could 'technically' be counted as his daughters. As he thanked his three daughters in this very long prayer, many giggles quietly erupted around the table. When he finished Brigg said, "As soon as grandpa said he had three daughters, I thought this cannot end well." I laughed and laughed and am still laughing over his comment . . . . this cannot end well. I love my Big Rig and his endless supply of humor and wit. #mwbgjog

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It's happening, people. Also, if @realsaltlake and the @nwsl need any ideas about which players should follow in the steps of such a monumental undertaking, I am offering my services free of charge. In fact, I'll suggest three names just to get the ball rolling - (Did you see what I did there?) 1. Carli Lloyd 2. Alex Morgan 3. Ali Krieger BAM!💥

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10 minutes ago, I would have said I hate the ads on IG 100% of the time; however, when I saw this shirt as I was scrolling through my feed, my ad loathing dropped to 99.99%. I have a borderline obsession with The Golden Girls: I've seen every episode more than once and love watching reruns; I've created numerous photoshopped images over the years (this one being my favorite) and even attempted a needlework of the girls; I lasted about thirty minutes which shows significant adoration from my point of view. Did you catch the pun? Point. Needlework. Sigh! Tough crowd. Anyway, I don't expect I'll find a lot of love for any other ads soon so I'll give a big shout out to Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia- Thank you for being my friends! #mymomsfriendlookslikeBlanche

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Happy Thanksgiving! #beckermanmojibailey

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Mia - Happy 10th Birthday baby girl!I miss you dearly but am learning to find gratitude for the time you were here. I love deeper because of you. I notice beauty in the sun on my face and the shade beneath a tree because of you. I smile at the birds on the fence and enjoy the quiet peace found sitting on the porch because of you. Because of you, I know I am loved. I hope you are running through tall grass, chasing flocks of birds, and running after an endless supply of squeaky green tennis balls. And today . . . I hope the angels bake you a big cake and then release a bouquet of balloons for you to pop. If you get a chance amid the festivities to look down from those heavenly skies, you'll find me sitting on the porch thinking of you. #princessmiasarahbailey

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WE ARE GETTING A PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S TEAM! @nwsl Arriving April 2018 #Repost @realsaltlake with @insta.save.repost • • •

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My parents and I LOVE the food at Tio's Mexican Restaurant in Soda Row, so last night we decided to call in our order and then pick it up. My dad took the slow, scenic route so Beckerman could tag along for the ride. He made sure to announce his presence to every jogger, bike rider, skateboarder, stroller pusher, and lake walker. Dogs, birds, and wind-blown leaves received louder and longer notifications. I don't speak bark, but I'm pretty sure he told everyone and everything that he was the shizzle because he was in a car with his head out the window. He probably emphasized having his head out of a car window to his furry friends. As we pulled up to Tios, we found a good place to park. Beckerman and I stayed in the car while my dad went to grab the food. As you can see from the photo, Becks made sure he kept a lookout. Less than five minutes later, my dad came back and received close to 50 licks and 50 tail wags. I adore their bond

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Using Aristotle's Appeals

Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

West pulled every possible appeal from Aristotle's list from me.
1. Logos- I not logical at all when it comes to reading. Okay, so logic in general is the appeal I struggle with as a writer and a reader. There is a part of me that doesn't understand how logic and art can exist as one; however, I know that many see literature, the humanities and other artistic genres through logical lenses. I didn't use these lenses while reading this text but I could identify her use of effective, persuasive reasoning and understood its importance.
2. Ethos- As an educator, and one who loves to read and write, I make the effort to see all sides of the content I research. When grading persuasive papers, I often find myself stretching my own personal ethos in order to see what the writer is trying to convey. I don't always agree with my students, but I don't grade based on common interests; if they have the sources to back up their claims, my opinion doesn't matter.
There were a few areas in West's book that pushed my own private boundaries, but it doesn't mean she doesn't have a moral compass. In fact, her drive and determination to share her message speaks volumes; she knows who she is and what she believes. I admire her courage for tackling issues that have become way too easy to sweep under the rug. We live in a country where we can read what we want and say what we think. Stashing frustrations and concerns into the closet when company visits may seem safe and/or tactful. I, myself, have stood back, sat quietly, or refrained from sharing my opinion for fear that I may offend the company I keep. Ethos doesn't expect one to shout from the rooftops. That very act would be a page taken from the book of pathos. A well thought out comment filled with consideration would make Aristotle proud.
3. Pathos. My Achilles heel. I love and hate. I am full of sadness and then overwhelmed with joy. I am a mountain climber who isn't afraid to cannonball into a deep, dark chasm. I live in the mob mentality and tend to let my feelings borrow the keys to my heart without taking the big picture into consideration. I've learned over the years that controlling my sensitivity sensor is a necessity. When I sit down to write, I emotionally vomit into the computer; I have to purge my inner passions before I allow ethos and logos to enter the building. 'Shrill' is full of pathos, which is probably the main reason I shouted "Amen!" and "Hallelujah!" as well as expressing a series of four-letter words when I felt an uprise or protest was a possibility. Raw, authentic awareness is a great way to persuade and/or appeal to the reader's emotions. West reeled me in with wit and candor. I could include a plethora of quotes to show how I was beguiled but I believe one quote will suffice: “For me, the process of embodying confidence was less about convincing myself of my own worth and more about rejecting and unlearning what society had hammered into me.” The honest, genuine, terrifying truth in that statement speaks volumes.
West is brilliant. This text is magnificent. There were a few areas where her language or blatant honesty took me by surprise, but I won't condemn it. When recommending her book, I do include a brief statement regarding the language and subject matter. I don't include that clause to discourage future readers, I enclose it because the logos and ethos inside of me feel it is important; Aristotle would expect nothing less.

This boy.

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Beckerman loves to have his ears scratched. He'll let all of us rub and scratch his cute, floppy ears but when he's looking for the ultimate caressing job, he stands in front of my mom and puts his head down. She rubs and massages his head and ears and neck and he finds no shame in standing there for 5+ minutes while grunting in utter satisfaction. About a week ago, I sat on the floor in front of my mom's chair while she gently massaged the tense muscles in my neck and shoulders due to a miserable migraine. All of the sudden, Beckerman started to paw at my hand and leg. It wasn't until I stood up that I realized what he was trying to convey . . . he was jealous. Here are a few possibilities of what he was thinking at the time: A. Back off Trish. She's mine. B. Your time is up. Move over. C. Did you even consider asking for my permission? D. All of the above Before he had my mom work her magic, he made a statement by sitting on her lap. As you can see in the picture, he thinks his silly protest put me in my place. Little does he know I will not back down! 😃 Bahahaha! #challengeaccepted #beckermanmojibailey

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I found my mission call about a week ago while looking through some old photos. I smiled when I looked at the date; exactly 20 years ago - today - I opened my call to serve. I remember the excitement, the nerves, as well as an overwhelming feeling of peace. I knew the location of Disneyland and I knew I loved the beach, but I had no idea where Roseville was nor did I know how much I'd love the time spent near the Redwoods with people I still love to this day. Shortly after I arrived, it became crystal clear that this was the mission I was supposed to serve in and the people I served with were meant to be as well. I learned more from those I taught than they ever learned from me. When I reminisce about my time in the California Roseville Mission, it often feels as if it was all a dream; I'm guessing that has to do with the fact that I'm getting old. 😅 I loved my time there and have so many good memories, but I would be lying if I said it was easy. It wasn't. In fact, I can remember a few times when a bus ride home seemed like a good idea. It may have been the hardest thing I've ever done, but it was, without a doubt, the best thing I've ever done. I am humbled, grateful, and consider myself very blessed to have served in the California Roseville Mission.

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No words are needed.

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Towards the end of WWII, Elie Wiesel was among the 1.3 million prisoners who suffered under the oppression of the Nazi German concentration camp in Auschwitz. When the war ended and the allies freed the survivors, 1.1 of the 1.3 million prisoners had been killed. Wiesel was one of the small percentage of prisoners who walked out alive. Although he vowed to wait 10 years before writing about the horrors of Auschwitz, he knew his story needed to be told so the world would not forget the inhumanity and suffering of his people. The banning of the book 'Night' by Elie Wiesel is a difficult pill for me to swallow. I am well aware of the fact that this memoir is detailed and descriptive. Discussing the Holocaust is not a light topic and, in my opinion, should not be taken lightly. Before we know it, the small number of Holocaust survivors will be obsolete. If we stop talking about inhumanity, if we stop reading about the Holocaust because we don't like the violence or feel the memoirs written by survivors condone violence, I feel that we are doing a great disservice to mankind. I think Wiesel said it best in his acceptance speech for the 1986 Nobel Prize. "We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the center of the universe." #bannedbooks2017

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'A Light in the Attic,' Shel Silverstein's book of poems – a classic if you ask me – was banned due to concerns that it promotes violence and disrespect. I'm guessing they didn't like my favorite Silverstein poem: Hug O' War I will not play at tug o' war I'd rather play at hug o' war, Where everyone hugs Instead of tugs Where everyone giggles And rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses And everyone grins And everyone cuddles And everyone wins. #bannedbooksweek2017

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Banned Books Week is here. I love the awareness this debate brings and always find the reasoning behind wanting to ban a book quite intriguing. I think most people would be surprised by the books that have been on the list. The ALA (American Library Association) reported that, "One of the most challenged books on record is the Harry Potter series, which topped the aggregated 2000-2009 ranking of the decade." Harry Potter? The lightning bolt scarred, butterbeer drinking, broken glasses wearing wizard, who became every nerd"s hero, was hexed over and over again. I'm not lying people. Google it. Hermione Granger, a mere half wizard/half muggle who loves books and libraries, quickly became my favorite in the series. She didn't believe in breaking rules but she got the banned book boot. In 1999, the book was challenged 472 times. It rose to 646 in 2000. 17 years later, the books are still being challenged, making it the #1 challenged book of all time in the US. I'd like to raise a glass of butterbeer (does not contain alcohol) to all of my HP friends who bravely read and loved J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. #freedomofspeech

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A sleepy boy . . .

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As you can see from this very fuzzy photo of Beckerman, he absolutely, positively loved every second of my forcing him to wear a Coca-Cola 12 can box. #iamameanie #beckermanmojibailey

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😊

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"Our lives are like quilts bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love." I recently walked into my tv room, sat down on the couch, reached for my book on the coffee table and then noticed this beautiful table runner. My sweet mom's amazing sewing ability, beautiful hand and needlework, wool work expertise, mad quilting skills, fun touches of seasonal decor, and overall art and craft capabilities are endless. I treasure every handmade gift she's bestowed upon me. In fact, I still have the very first doll she made for me 40 years ago. It's a Raggedy Ann doll complete with a red, hand-stitched heart and the date of my heart operation. Although it is gently tucked away in my box of treasures, I find that my level of gratitude for such an intimate and heartwarming gift grows stronger as I age and become more aware and appreciative of family, love, and tender mercies. I'm not sure my mom will ever truly know how much her thoughtful gifts mean to me, especially because there is no end to her selfless love and service. She will quietly load and unload my dishwasher when I've had a hard time getting out of bed. She'll put the clothes I left in the washing machine into the dryer. She'll bring down a plate of warm cookies and leave them on my counter. She'll clean my bathroom when she knows I've been sick or am in pain or am struggling with both. She and my dad are angels who reside 12 steps above me. I think it's fairly evident to state that life isn't easy- it has never been and it never will be. Every single human being on this earth has adversity. Everyone hurts. Everyone has pain. Unfortunately, this is easily forgotten when anger, frustration and other forms of negativity slap, kick and punch us repeatedly. I, myself, am guilty of disregarding the need for humanity which is why I'm grateful I have parents who remind me to stay the course with their kind, patient, and compassionate service. If I am able to retain even the smallest portion of their goodness, I just might have a shot at surviving this gig. I may even go as far as becoming one of the angels living among us. #notsorryforthelength #writingisexcellenttherapy

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When your cousin calls and says she won a bunch of Real Salt Lake swag but isn't going to use it since they aren't soccer fans, you: A. Berate her for not loving the world's greatest sport. B. Grab the goods and run. C. After a short minute of wondering how anyone could actually hate soccer, give her a bad time and graciously accept the goods.

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Waxing nostalgic

As I waxed nostalgic last night, three small photos fell from the pages of my first diary. I can honestly say that I have no idea why, or how long, they sat as bookmarks to the entries of my elementary school outpourings: recess, boys, friends, and an undying love for Gilbert Blythe seemed to be my only concerns in the mid 80's. 

I smiled as I looked at the pictures of my brothers, noticing some common traits between the three of them and my nephews. All of the sudden I remembered a FB memory I had scrolled through earlier in the day. I logged back on and decided to have a bit of fun with the comparisons. My brothers are all grown up and have lives of their own. The physical differences are obvious; they don't have baby faces anymore. Changes in height, weight, hair color, and facial hair are evident. However, a few things are the same: Jason still has a tender heart and also reigns as one of the funniest people I know; Brent continues to reach out to those in need and has made an impression on my niece when it comes to including others; Craig is still one of the hardest workers I've ever known. He is willing to put time and effort into his projects as well as helping others in need. I'm older than all of them, but they take care of me. They are good, kind, loyal men and I am proud of each one of them. My three brothers aren't perfect, but I wouldn't change the memories we've made for anything.

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My main man

We shared an apple, bowled with all of his favorite toys, played outside with tennis balls and squeaky bones, took a walk, and then after one more round of throwing tennis balls around outside, we came inside and he stretched out, rolled onto his side and was snoring in no time. This man of mine makes me laugh, keeps me preoccupied, and has found a permanent home in my heart.

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Beckerman and the Vegas boys

After almost a full week of fun with his Las Vegas boys, Beckerman was tuckered out. They played tug-of-war, chased each other, jumped up and down, wrestled, threw toys and tennis balls, went for walks and picnics, took trips to the park, watched fireworks, laughed and giggled, dropped plenty of treats for Beckerman to enjoy, and then fell asleep each night, only to awaken the next morning ready for more adventure. It's safe to say that Becks is attached to his Vegas buddies since he tried to sneak into the van as they were getting ready to leave. He loved being around boys and can't wait for their next visit. Thanks Jackie Chan, Owie-O, and Graham-mar time for including Beckerman in all the fun. We all loved having you here. 

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California love!

California has a special place in my heart. I served in the California Roseville mission (north of Sacramento to the Oregon/California border) 1,000 years ago, and although impartial to the redwood trees and NoCal feel, I have grown to love SoCal as well. 

My parents know of my love for Cali and knew I needed a respite/a getaway/a reset. They booked a 5 day trip for my mom and I without my knowledge. It was what I needed and I am truly humbled and grateful for their love, patience, and understanding. 

You see, I'm not easy to love right now; but, they continue to support me and haven't given up on me. My life has made some unexpected terms and I'm blindly grasping for every ounce of hope I can find. I'd be lost without them . . . a

statement I can make both literally and figuratively. Thank you, mom and dad, for all you have done and continue to do for me. And mom, thank you for wrapping your arms around my prickly exterior this last week. I will always need you: 

"She makes broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walks with the Universe on her shoulders and makes it look like a pair of wings." -Ariana Dancu

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Happy Birthday Beckerman!

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This is my brave ...

I came across a quote recently that speaks volumes. I realized that I have to include the bad (or difficult) parts of me in addition to the good. If not, I'm cheating my true self. The interpretation, of course, is different for all of us, but I think it is safe to say that our flaws and failures are just as much a part of us as our good attributes and achievements. I don't know if it is acceptance, a swallowing of pride, or a recognition of growth. I just know I can't demand the warmth of the sun without acknowledging my shadow: "You never realize how much of your background is sewn into the lining of your clothes." -Tom Wolfe 

I am in love with the power words hold. 

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Tuesdays with my boy. And yes, I bought him a purple cow with a squeaky hot pink udder!

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A year ago . . .

A year ago today, we let go of Mia. I have so many things I want to say, but the quote over the picture of Mia and the one in this post do a good job of summing up a lot of what I'm feeling. I'd be lying if I said this last year has been easy; It has been a bit rough but I'm trying to find and focus on the good. I'm trying to move forward. "Sometimes we make the mistake of equating the depth of our love with the depth of our pain in grief. Folks can convince themselves that if they let go of the grief, they are forgetting and dishonoring the memory of their animal pal and the relationship they had. Our animals are not asking that – they are asking us to move forward, as they have" (Roper, Janet. "The Anniversary Reaction: Grieving Your Pet,." Web log post. janetroper.com. N.p., 24 Apr. 2014. Web. 9 July 2017.) I miss you Mia . . . . to the 🌙 and back! from Instagram

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Change Requires Effort

I love this beautiful message from Maya Angelou. "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution." 

I have found that reacting with poise and grace don't always come naturally for me. I have always assumed that wisdom and patience were synonymous with experience and the aging process, but I have either not reached that potential or my assumption was off. Either way, I've decided that getting from A to Z requires trudging through 24 additional letters and, therefore, it may be best to simplify my outlook with three words- Change requires effort. The fact that these three words can be used as both nouns and verbs (and adjectives, adverbs, etc.) is a bit daunting and may just be challenge enough; however, if I can keep it simple, I may just find myself wringing out the water in someone else's dark cloud.