It isn’t unusual to hear about sun safety on the television and radio and in particular not leaving children or pets in vehicles in the heat.  I have never actually seen anyone do this until last week.  I was on a mission to get to our local post office before closing time.  Always a bad idea as there is a lineup of people on the street.  After a good 15 minutes or so I made it to the front, attended to my parcels and headed back to my car.  As I did so I passed a vehicle in the parking lot with all the windows wound up and 2 young children sitting in the back strapped into their car seats.  They were about 3 and 5 I suspect.

I kept going to my car but then thought better of it and doubled back to see if the children were ok and if indeed I could find their parent.  As I approached the car the little boy had beads of sweat forming on his top lip and forehead and I began to panic.  I tried the door which was locked and solicited the help of a passer by.  Between us we convinced the little boy to unlock the door. As he did so and we were attempting to get some air into the car his mother appeared out of nowhere.  Needless to say she was unimpressed with our presence.  I told her how dangerous it was to leave little ones in the car on such a scorching day, she responded by telling me she had just slipped into the post office for a moment.  The same post office I had just spent the last 15 minutes in.

I watched as she spoke to her children in absolute shock, as I went to pull out of the capark she turned to me and said “It really isn’t that hot in there for them you know” – I was dumbfounded – sure it wasn’t, all the windows were wound up, who knows how long they had been in there and it was pushing 40 degrees outside.

Parenting courses – where the hell are they and why aren’t they compulsory?
Mary-Ann Roche

The mother fish and baby fish start their walk (swim)

Mother Fish: Sweetie, do you see that big coral reef? That’s where I met your dad.
Baby Fish: Wow, I guess it’s a love at first sight encounter! hahaha
Mother Fish: Yes, We both were hit by the arrows of cupid.  We fell in love with each other, the first time we met.  I can’t forget our first date. It was romantic.

They reach a very beautiful place in the ocean.  It’s like a paradise. It’s filled with colorful plants with different sizes and shapes. The water is sparkling and clear due to the rays of the sun that permeates the water above.  There are various precious gems and stones and rocks of different sizes as well.  And the most spectacular spot is a gigantic and shining shell with a huge pearl in it.

Baby Fish: Wow! Mommy, what is this place? I’m mesmerized!
Mother Fish: Baby, this is where your dad and I had our first date.  This is the most beautiful place in the ocean.  Our date was the most memorable and special day in my life! He treated me like a queen then! There was a school of fish serving and serenading us! I can’t forget that day!
Baby Fish:  Wow, I wish I were with you then.  hahaha.  Mommy, I’m so tired and thirsty! Please help me. I want to drink.
Mother Fish: My child, I can’t understand what you’re asking me. What do you want again?
Baby Fish: I want to drink Mommy!
Mother Fish: Honey, you don’t need my help for you to drink. We are swimming in the ocean.  Water surrounds us. You just have to open your mouth to receive it.
Baby Fish:  Thanks Mommy!
Mother Fish: Water is overflowing all around. Just open your mouth! You can drink water as much as you want. The amount of water you can drink will depend on how big you will open your mouth.
Baby Fish:  Thanks Mom!

And the mother fish and baby fish continue to enjoy having a walk (swim) together.

It’s sad to know that there are people who are not enjoying great things that life has to offer… there are teenagers who cannot maximize their skills and potentials…  there are adults who are not successful in their chosen career… there are married people who cannot create and maintain healthy relationships that last…  there are students who cannot excel in their studies…  there people who are poor and will remain poor forever…  there are people who always complain about their situation in life…  there are individuals who are and remain losers in life… WHY? Because of one and single reason…  They have a SCARCITY MENTALITY! They think that only few people in this world deserve to be happy and successful.  They believe that there is a scarcity and lack of opportunities in the world.  They feel that the resources of the universe are not sufficient for all the people in the world.  It’s on the first come and first serve basis. There’s nothing left to the last and the least in the world. The fittest, strongest and luckiest survive because they are the first to grab the opportunities, and the first to receive and own the resources.

But, this should not be our mindset!  The scarcity mentality lets us suffer more.  It limits our world. It deprives us of the great things we deserve to receive.  It paralyzes our heart and closes our hands, and so we lose a lot of opportunities!  It’s high time to replace our scarcity mentality with ABUNDANCE MINDSET.  The world is oozing and overflowing with thousands… millions… gazillions… limitless great and fantastic things.  Let’s learn from the story of the mother fish and baby fish.  We are swimming in an ocean of joy, peace, love, abundance, opportunities, prosperity, good health, and amazing things  in life!  We just have to open our mouth.  We just have to open our mind and heart! Be expectant always!  Be ready to receive all things that you want and need! There is no scarcity of resources, but there is a scarcity of readiness to receive them. Open now! Get ready! Behold and see miracles and wonders happening in your life!  The riches of the world are enough, or even more than, what we all can imagine and more than what all the people in the world need.  Abundance surrounds us. The amount of what you will receive will depend on the size you will open your mind and heart. Welcome to the feast! Enjoy the unlimited buffet we can all partake.  Best things, a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put at your lap!

This funny story reminds me of one of the laws of the universe. Before I discuss it with you, allow me first to emphasize the word LAW.  Compared with a theory or assumption, a law is 100% true, correct and applicable.  A law is based on natural law which no one can defy.  A law expresses how the universe works and operates. Whether you believe it or not, you can’t do anything about it.  For example, the law of gravity states that whatever goes up must come down.  It happens all the time. No one can stop it from happening. A law is absolute.  Let me share with you another law of the universe which I will focus on in this article.

THE MORE YOU GIVE, THE MORE YOU RECEIVE! Nature hates space.  It fills any vacuum that it sees.  And so, the more space one has, the more things will be poured on him.  Each of us is like a glass.  If we are filled with so much things, there is no more room to receive new and better things.  We need to empty ourselves so that we can receive more.  This explains why giving, sharing and helping are taught, practiced and encouraged in different faiths and various cultures.  It’s a law that everybody understands no matter what language we speak, what culture we live, in what place we dwell and what creed we uphold.  If you want to be loved more, share love with people around you.  If you want to have more money, share your money and gifts with people who are in need.  Give and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over will be put into your lap.  This is how the universe works and operates.

A closed hand can’t and will never receive anything.  It’s only an open hand that can receive.  Open it to reach out to those who are in need, assist those who are hopeless, extend it to those who are down, and share it with those  who lack.  In doing so, you’re opening your life to the boundless, limitless, infinite and overflowing abundance of the universe.  Receive more peace, joy, strength, healing, miracles, prosperity, love and wisdom as you empty your glass. And So, what are you waiting for? GIVE! SHARE! REACH OUT!  Great things are in store for you! Empty your glass now!  THE MORE YOU GIVE, THE MORE YOU RECEIVE!

Let me share with you another funny person I know. I always meet him in the neighborhood. Mr. X always blames other people for the problems he experiences in his life.  He holds accountable the government for his financial crisis due to recession. He condemns the owners of cars for his lung ailment due to smoke belching. He points his finger at the friends of his kids and incriminates media for the misdemeanors of his kids.  He would put the blame on other people for all the bad things happening in his life.

Sad to say, my dear friends, many of us are like Mr. X and Mrs. Z.  We do not want to be held responsible and accountable for all the things that are happening in our lives. We blame others except ourselves.  We are fond of uttering negative words when we rise in the morning until we retire at night.  We are not aware that we are the captain of our ship, the composer of our song, the artist in our stage, the painter of our canvass, the master of our life.  We create our destiny. All the things that are happening in our lives are products of our choices, consequences of our actions, results of what we always think about, manifestations of what we consistently utter and outcome of what we attract.

I will share with you 6 powerful truths that will empower you and change your life!
1.  You are what you repeatedly do.
2.  You attract all the things that are happening in your life.
3.  If you want to change your world, you need to change your world.
4.  The more you think of the things you do not want, the more you attract them.
5.  You have to power to create your own world through your thoughts, words, feelings and actions.
6.  If there is one person to be blamed for all the things happening in your life, it is you!  And, if there’s one person who can fix and improve your life, it is you!

My friends, may this video help you reshape and transform your life!  You’re life is like a clay! You have the power your create and shape it! Use your power to your advantage! May all your dreams come true!

♫ ♪ Tragedy, when the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on,
It’s tragedy. When the morning cries and you don’t know why,
It’s hard to bear. With no one to love you, you’re goin’ nowhere.
Tragedy: When you lose control and you have no soul,
It’s tragedy. When the morning cries and you don’t know why,
It’s hard to bear.
With no one beside you, you’re goin’ nowhere. ♪ ♫

What tragedy have your experienced? It may be a problem in the family, a misfortune, a loss of a loved one, a sickness, a financial crisis, a relationship breakdown, a failure, a calamity, a conflict with someone, or anything that broke your heart and destroyed your life.  Indeed, a tragedy is hard to bear. It entails a lot of strength and courage to bear, face and overcome it. This explains why many people would breakdown, lose hope and give up.  It has both emotional and psychological effects on a person, and eventually pathological effects (like psychosomatic sicknesses). It slowly kills a person. And so many cannot move on and go on with life. It is like a drug that deadens every area/aspect of a person and  kills him slowly, if he does not know how to handle and cope with it.
Here are effective tips how to handle tragedy in life.

Tell others about it. Don’t be embarrassed and shy to share it with your friends and loved ones. Look for people who will listen to you. Telling it to others will lighten your burden and ease your pain. You need to open up and release your bottled emotions and feelings about it. Don’t keep it within yourself, or else you will implode or explode.
Restore your life. Move on. Life should continue and should not stop right where tragedy hit you. Continue doing what you’ve doing. Don’t let it affect your work, career, relationships, health, etc.
Accept it. Don’t deny it.  Learn to accept that you are hurt, offended and affected. Don’t ignore it. It will haunt you. It lengthen the time to undergo the process of overcoming it.  Having the courage and humility to accept it solves 90% of the problem.
Grieve for it. Feel it. Mourn for it. Hate it.  Cry over it. Acknowledge your feelings. Let your feelings flow. The more you let your feelings surface, the better you will feel. Don’t repress your emotions.  Let it flow. Let it go. This stage takes time, but should not take forever.
Exist with it. Accept the truth that tragedy is part and parcel of life. Live with it. Accept the fact that every person in this world faces and will face a tragedy at some point in his life.
Deal with it. Don’t run away from it. Don’t ignore it. Face it.  Look for ways how you can use it to your advantage. Discover lessons you can learn from it.  Take it as an opportunity for growth.
Yearn to be happy.  Look at the positive and brighter side of life.  Life is beautiful! A tragedy is just a dust or speck in the canvass of life.  Recognize and focus on the beauty of life.

And so, next time that Tragedy will hit you, always remember and know what to do with it, T.R.A.G.E.D.Y.  Sing and take it the way Bee Gees sing it.

♫ ♪ Tragedy, when the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on,
It’s tragedy. When the morning cries and you don’t know why,
It’s hard to bear. With no one to love you, you’re goin’ nowhere.
Tragedy: When you lose control and you have no soul,
It’s tragedy. When the morning cries and you don’t know why,
It’s hard to bear.
With no one beside you, you’re goin’ nowhere. ♪ ♫

I wish you all the best in life. Live, Laugh and Love!

However, there are only a handful things we cannot choose in life, and one of which is our parents. No one in this world chooses his/her parents. Our parents are specially given to us. There should be reasons why you have your mom and you dad as your parents. No matter how unloving and irresponsible they are we cannot replace them. We owe who we are to them. They have sacrificed a lot for us. They love, take care, protect, guide and care for us.
There will come a time that our parents will grow old, weary and helpless. It’s the time for us to give back to them what they have selflessly share with us. We need to love, take care, protect, guide and care for them.  Here are some things we can do for our aged parents as expressions of love and gratitude. Let’s P.A.R.E.N.T. our PARENTS.

Protect them. Guard them from anything that will harm and endanger them. Make it sure that you’re always on guard and vigilant. They are weak and so they are vulnerable to accidents and dangers. You should always be by their side to avoid any untoward incident to happen. Don’t let them be alone.
Affirm them. As they grow old they develop a sense of insecurity and a feeling of worthlessness.  Always say positive things about them. They are very sensitive and they get easily hurt by simple words that we utter.  Let them feel that they are needed, appreciated and loved.
Respect them. As they grow old, they will lose their sensibility. They will act like kids.  We will have difficulty understanding their actuations. Always remember that they are still our parents no matter how irritating they are. They still deserved to be respected.
Encourage them. Tell them not to give up. As they grow old, they acquire sickness, pain and complications in their health. Always help them to be optimistic and see the bright side of life. Motivate them always to continue running their race till the end.
Nurture them. Feed them with love and care. Though their bodies may weaken by time, their spirits may be strengthened by our acts of love and kindness. Let them feel that you love them. Your love will sustain them till the end.
Take care of them. Provide them what they need.  Give them the best that you can give for they have given you the best that they could give. Make it sure that all the things that they need to live and survive are within their reach.

May these simple acts of love and care be our tokens of gratitude to those who once gave up everything and have sacrificed their lives for us to live and survive in this world. May your future children P.A.R.E.N.T. you as well when you turn the last chapters of your life in this world.

Dear Mom and Dad,
Hi there! How are you? I miss you so much! I’m sorry for not sending you letters for the past months. I’ve been so busy then. I have a good news for you. Finally, I will be home! Next week, I will be there. I’m so excited to see you two. Mom, please prepare my favorite dish when I get there. Dad, please prepare my car as well. I will drive and go to places. I’m so excited to be home again!
By the way, may I ask a favor from you. May I bring my friend with me when I get there. He does not have a place to stay. He was badly  injured in the war. A grenade exploded near him. And so, he lost his left leg and right arm. He does not anymore sight in his left eye. I pity him because no one will take care of him anymore. And so, I invited him to live in our house. Can we take care of him? Can we welcome him and have him as part of our family? I hope that you will consider and understand this.
Thanks! See you soon! Take care always!

Robert

The couple are so surprised with what they read. They are happy because finally they son will be back. But, at the same time, they are worried because they do not know what decision they will make about the favor Robert is asking from them. After 3 days of brainstorming, discussion and consultation, they finally made a decision. They sent a letter to Robert, and the letter reads:

Robert,
Hello son! We received your letter. We are glad to know that you will be home soon. We have cleaned your room and prepared the car and the house for your arrival. We have informed all your friends and our relatives that you will be back.  All of us are excited to see you.
Robert, with regard to the favor you’ve mentioned in your letter, we’re having second thoughts about it. It’s good to help your friend. In fact, we are really sorry for what happened to him. We pity him. But, we are worried about what our neighbors will say about our family if your friend will be part of the family. The entire neighborhood will always be talking about our family.  They might criticize, judge and belittle us. Our reputation and the good name of our family will be affected. And we can’t take it. We are sorry to say that we can’t accept your friend. There might be other people who might take care of him. We hope that you understand.
Robert, always take care there. See you soon.

Dad and Mom

After sending this letter to Robert, they have not heard anything about Robert. Days have passed… weeks have passed…. months have passed… There are no calls, no letters, no updates about Robert…

One cold night, while they are having their dinner and watching their favorite TV show, a news flash appears at the bottom of the screen. The news says “A young soldier shoots himself…” And so, they get nervous and hastily go to the address indicated in the news. When they get there, their jaws drop, hearts pound and eyes cry. They see their son, whom they love so much, lying on the floor filled with blood, without a left leg, right arm and left eye.

Friends, what kind of love do you have for your loved ones? There are people who love others BECAUSE they are good, talented, rich, lovable, beautiful, healthy, smart and other good reasons why they love them. Their love is based on these conditions that NEED to be present always in other people. Once these conditions disappear, love subsides. This explains why there are broken relationships and marriages. Many people enter into relationships because there are nice things that they see in their beloved. When these nice things start to deteriorate, love begins to break down. This kind of love does not last.
Genuine love should be unconditional. There should be no strings attached when we love others. We should love others IN SPITE OF their flaws, weaknesses and shortcomings. No problems, no challenges, no negative traits, nothing can stop us from loving others. Only UNCONDITIONAL LOVE lasts. It transcends and conquers all. Are you ready to love unconditionally? If yes, go on! If no, don’t enter into a relationship yet.

I have much more to learn from Esther and Jerry Hicks but have found it’s not something you can rush.  I need to listen then absorb, then try to put into practice before moving on to the contents of the next cd.  When I do you will be the first to hear about it.
Mary-Ann Roche.

Law of Attraction Quote:

My Life Story and the Law of Attraction…

Each and every component that makes up your life experience is drawn to you by the powerful Law of Attraction’s response to the thoughts you think and the story you tell about your life. Your money and financial assets; your body’s state of wellness, clarity, flexibility, size, and shape; your work environment, how you are treated, work satisfaction, and rewards—indeed, the very happiness of your life experience in general—is all happening because of the story that you tell.
Excerpted from Money and the Law of Attraction — 3/31/09

Needless to say as she grew up she and I experienced many challenges along the way particularly in her teenage years. She suffered a very private and horrendous tragedy whilst growing up that only became known to me in her early twenties. During this time she developed epilepsy which went on to trouble her for the next four years or so. To the point of not being allowed to drive nor able to work, her confidence was at an all time low. Difficult to watch as this beautiful 6 foot attractive blonde bursting with enthusiasm and confidence became withdrawn and angry. Lots of medications, lots of hospitals, lots of seizures until she was fortunate enough to find an amazing Specialist who recommended surgery. No guarantee of a cure of course but what was the alternative?

A difficult decision for her to make and only one that she could. She did and we went through the harrowing time whilst in surgery and for the coming weeks and months that ensued. She is now almost 12 months post surgery and doing very well. No more seizures and medication being reduced monthly. What more could one ask for.

Now she is stepping cautioulsy back into the world and beginning her life all over again. Some could say she has been given a second chance and I believe that to be true, but firstly she had to find the courage and strength to make the decision to have the surgery in the first place.

I would be interested to hear your stories on people overcoming adversity. Please feel free to email me at: maryann@completepersonaldevelopment.com

Mary-Ann Roche

Let me recommend this great book! This is Your Chance to Learn How to Control the One Thing that Means More to Your Accomplishments and Happiness than Anything Else … Your Attitude!
“Who Else Wants to Discover the Amazing Secrets of How You Can Develop a Positive Attitude, Eliminate Stress From Your Life, Skyrocket Your Self-Confidence, and Program Yourself For a Lifetime of Success!”

I believe that words are not sufficient to express how blessed, happy and grateful we are for God’s greatest gifts, our mothers. May these heartwarming messages make you feel that you’re the most special person in our lives for you occupy a very special place in our hearts.

Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.

The mother loves her child most divinely, not when she surrounds him with comfort and anticipates his wants, but when she resolutely holds him to the highest standards and is content with nothing less than his best.

Once again, we say thank you and we love you to all the mothers. Nothing can be compared with the selfless love you have for your children. May you will forever be blessed and be a blessing to your children. HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY! You’re the greatest thing that God created. You’re God’s greatest gift to the humankind!

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When you are at the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on. – Thomas Jefferson
We must not give up! Every problem has a solution. Even before the foundation of the world, God had already prepared a solution to all your problems. We must not lose hope. We must just face, undergo and overcome all challenges and trials in life. We cannot get rid of problems and difficulties in life. We need to face and surpass them. Every trial is an opportunity to grow, and become better, stronger and mature person.
When you can’t see hope and light in your condition… When you can’t find solution to your problems in life… When you can’t find meaning in your life… Just keep the faith! Just believe that you are loved by Someone greater and bigger that any problem, suffering and difficulty in your life. God will never abandon and ignore you. He will be there to assist and guide you. He will lead you to the right path and show you the way. Don’t give up! Hold on to your faith! You are loved!
Have a blessed and meaningful Holy Week to you all! God bless you!

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