It isn't the words "can't" or "don't" that deter us. I think it is rather words like "enough" or "after."

You can't do that, or don't do that can actually inspire a person to continue. They are almost like a "double dog dare you."

On the other hand, "enough" and/or "after" can definitely stop, delay or detour us on our way to making our dreams a reality, to achieving our goals. It may be not "enough" time or money. Maybe you don't have enough expertise and have to go back to school or do additional research. Maybe you don't have "enough" help. There are countless example of circumstances when "enough" stands in our way.

The same can be said about "after." Initially, a person thinks that if "after" is the reason a person stops, delays or becomes detoured on their way, it is because they are procrastinating. Although in some cases that is absolutely true, other times having to wait until "after" is a true and viable roadblock. Sometimes life creates situations that require a responsible person to wait or change their plans until "after."

When someone continuously is derailed because of not having "enough" or having to wait until "after" it can be easier to shelve their dream or goal than to persevere. I think that is when a person's resolve and determination are tested. It is when a person most needs their fairy godmother to show up like in the fairy tales. It seems to be when an unexpected guardian angel is most likely to show up. It is when the term "support system" is most clearly understood and appreciated and needed.

No dream is too high for those with their eyes in the sky. - Buzz Aldrin

It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It is not a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for. Not failure, but low aim is sin. - Benjamin E. Mays

Confucius says, "When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps."

You never know when or where the words you need to hear or read will pop up. Today I received the following quote. It was exactly what I needed today.

July 30, 2007 - Quote of the Day

"Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome."
Samuel Johnson

"If it's sent by ship then it's a cargo, if it's sent by road then it's a shipment."
Dave Allen

No, I am not looking at the price of cars. My cobra plan expires next month and I have just been advised the cost of the conversion plan. I anticipated that it would be higher than my current health plan (already very, very expensive) but I didn't expect that the rate would be so drastically more.

Little wonder so many people have no insurance or have had to opt for only a little coverage because that is even beyond what they can afford. I live in Florida where the cost of housing is enormous and always climbing. Health Insurance is keeping pace and is the second highest expense next to the costs each month for my home. They are almost neck and neck.

I am going to continue to shop around for better rates. When I created my business plan for Ideas Unlimited I didn't take realize the cost of health insurance would increase so dramatically. There are lots of lessons to be learned as you launch your own business. One that I've learned is that no matter how much you have saved to live on and start your business, life's unexpected circumstances combined with miscalculations can throw some nasty curves. Sometimes you need to go back and get a job so you can go forward and finance your own business.

Thankfully, my own life adventure has been filled with detours and plan B so I can adapt and always remain mindful of how very fortunate and blessed I am. In the big scheme of things if my biggest challenge is financial I am thrilled.

My heart goes out to those people who are sick or hurt and in need of some sort of treatment but can't afford it or the health insurance plan they have doesn't cover the operation they need.

One of my favorite movies is "Last Holiday" starring Queen Latifah. I love it because she discovers the importance of treasuring each day she is given and living with passion. It is a lesson my dad taught me many years ago. It is the way I live my life. Unfortunately, Queen Latifah's character doesn't dare to give her life a makeover until her health care provider advises that the surgery she needs isn't covered by her plan.

It is so very heart wrenching to realize that every day people are turned away from the care they need because of the lack of money. I wish I had a solution or could offer a plan. I understand health care is expensive and somehow the costs must be paid. Hopefully, there are great minds out there working on a solution to affordable health care for everyone. Maybe we need to have a telethon for that because we can research cures for cancer, HIV, MS and all the frightening killer and disabling diseases of the world BUT these cures won't help anyone if they can't afford to get the necessary treatment or medicine.

I wish you continued good health and passion to enjoy this fantastic day.

Dear Judy,

Is the best time of your life somewhere in your rearview mirror? Maybe just maybe you have closed yourself off from positive possibilities by being focused on the past. Maybe comparisons have conditioned your expectations.

(The following is taken from the 48 Days Newsletter provided by Dan Miller, of Franklin, Tennessee. I was introduced to his ideas years ago by my son Tom. Mr. Miller works in association with Dave Ramsey of financial planning fame.)

"In the 1960's Martin Seligman studied optimism and pessimism. In his experiments dogs would hear a tone and then be given a mild brief shock. Each dog was then placed in a box with 2 compartments separated by a low wall. When the tone sounded, the dog was supposed to expect a shock and escape by jumping into the other compartment. Control dogs that had not been shocked would easily move from one compartment to another. However, Seligman found that the dogs previously shocked, upon hearing the tone, would just lie down and whimper. He hypothesized that they had "learned to be helpless." They never learned that they could easily avoid the shock by simply moving to the other side.

The conclusion of the research was that we often respond to our expectations rather than to the actual circumstances that surround us."

We must be careful about what we "expect" sometimes extraordinary is found in the unexpected.

I love the following quotes...

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in the world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them." George Bernard Shaw

I love that quote. Changing circumstances, finding a Plan B is what I call creating an adventure. For years the more conventional term has been making lemonade when life gives you lemons but that is too traditional for me (smile).

"Take time to accept responsibility. Your life is exactly that - It's your life. It is created by YOU. You are constantly making choices, constantly creating new experiences. And although we can be affected by circumstances which seem to be completely out of our control, essentially, we decide the direction in which we walk." Nicolas Watkins

No matter what is happening in your life right now, the way you deal with things, your attitude is happily under your control. Keep in mind that during those times when you are in darkness or "expectations" seem bleak, faith can light the way.

Days Later is a country and "classic" Rock & Roll band. I think you will enjoy them.

Once upon a long ago lifetime, I was related to the lovely and terrific Cora Bowers. Her husband, Scott Bowers currently performs keyboard, rhythm guitar and vocals with the band Days Later. Their site address is http://dayslater.net/ It contains video samples of the band. If you are looking for a group to entertain or enjoy their music and want to receive a CD or some of their gear contact them today.

Wishing you a wonderful week of music and sunshine.

Yeah!

I finally found someone who cut my hair. Until yesterday I was only finding people willing to cut my hair a little (2-3 inches) or "trim" it. I wanted it to be cut so it would be cooler. Today it is.

I like that I can make it tousled and sassy. Perhaps it isn't age appropriate but it is fun. As more and more people are growing their hair long and adding extensions it is only appropriate that I would go shorter.

Wishing you a fantastic Friday and wonderful weekend.

Wow, I had such fun with my son Jim and his family Carol, Jake and Jonah. The only way it could have been more perfect would have been if Tom and his family Shelia, Hope and Noah would have been able to join in the fun.

It began with a Luau at the Polynesia Resort at Disney and ended playing in the Gulf. In between there was breakfast with the Disney characters at the Animal Kingdom, fun at MGM and the Magic Kingdom. There was exploring resorts thanks to the monorail. Playing putt putt golf, not once but twice. Jake was the winner and actually a hole in one star the second time we played. There was lots of delicious food. In fact, thanks to their visit I now have two new places to dine that I never knew existed before Carol and Jim discovered them.

Jake, Jonah and I built and destroyed sandcastles. Jake and I fought the waves and invented the "butt bounce" to shore. We even used Diet Coke to create our own sand volcano by the light of the stars. There were boat rides and jumping dolphins. Playing in the pool. Coloring and drawing tips from the illustrators at Disney.

Fireworks were visible in all directions from my balcony and Jake was fantastic at twirling sparklers.

Jim shared his expertise with WORD to help me format my manuscript for submission to the publisher and showed me where to access templates for my website.

Jake and I saw Ratatouille and played video games. I even have a list of some Nintendo DS games I can find and send to Jake.

Jonah is about to take his first walking steps. He has a fantastic disposition and loves his older brother. Jake likewise admires his cousin Noah and talked often about wanting to go to Tennessee and visit Noah and Hope.

I don't know if Carol and Jim "chilled" very much during their 2 week vacation. They resembled the energizer bunny on the go maximizing every minute. It was fantastic to be included in the fun.

I am sure that they will post pictures on their blogs. It was a special gift to be able to share so much time with my loved ones. I am looking forward to sharing time with them again soon and to making a trip to Atlanta to enjoy Six Flags with Tom and his family before the summer runs out. Happy me!