Opportunity awaits!

FA is tough. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns. There is a lot of ups and downs. I would not wish it on my worst enemy.

With that being said I also would not trade it. Throughout my journey with FA, I have learned so many life lessons, met such strong individuals, and have had amazing experiences and opportunities. 

The Make A Wish foundation supports children with life threatening illnesses. They grant any wish a child may have. Big or small. Bringing imagination and wonder back into a sick child’s life. 

Last September I was honored to have my wish granted, and was sent on an 8 day Mediterranean cruise to Italy and many cities in Greece with my family. Even over a year later I still cannot put into words the breathtaking views, amazing people, and magical moments witnessed on this trip. I still find myself daydreaming about sitting on the beach in Mykonos or riding a water taxi in Venice.

After my trip I became a Make a Wish ambassador. As an ambassador I get to do some pretty incredible things. And I am given opportunities that I couldn’t have even imagined. 

The latest was Make a Wish gave my family and I a chance to visit Enchant Christmas premier in Arlington Texas. Making its debut in the USA, Enchant has the worlds largest Christmas light maze, ice skating, food trucks, and all things Christmas. 

It definitely put me in the holiday spirit and it was a wonderful way to bring in the Christmas season. 

Go to enchantchristmas.com and snag some tickets for you and your family! A portion of your purchase will be donated to Make a Wish and other charities!

-M

ask and you shall receive

Whenever I feel called to write a post on my blog or to share something on social media I always want it to be positive and have a positive message in the end. Sometimes I will already know exactly what I want to say and other times it will take me a week to find the words that I want to say. Often times I will pull inspiration from pinterest and the tie it in personally to what I am feeling or what I think it is that people need to hear at the time.

I came across this and it pretty much stopped me in my tracks and sent a chill up my spine. 

I was guilty of this. And I am sure you are too.

I kept telling myself that things just happen but God's voice was intended to be much louder than mine. The questions that I had been asking, God would answer them. But I would ignore them because I didn't want those signs and red flags to be true. 

His answers were not what I wanted but they were what I needed.

The Lord knows exactly what you need, he knows what your heart needs, and what your soul needs.

God does not shout or yell. His words won't come to you in the thunderstorms or earthquakes. But he speaks softly. When the wind blows gently through the leaves.

Expect the unexpected.

Be still and prepared to receive His word and His message.

God will send only what he knows you need. 

I hope this message finds you all well and is what you need tonight.

                                  

                                                            -M

Succulents

I might have a slight obsession with succulents and if you ask anyone around me that is definitely an understatement.

I was thinking of a way I could pull inspiration about these little plants and write about them in some kind of way.  I googled succulents and I know you are probably thinking "this girl is crazy!" Which I probably am. But hey, everyone has a little crazy in them. 

Anyway what I found was pretty cool...Other than the fact that they are able to survive incredibly harsh environments, have adapted to hold copious amounts of water, and are very hard to kill. Succulents are often attractive because of their striking and unusual appearance. 

No, I promise this is not a research paper, but the more I read about this, I couldn't help but notice all of the similarities that succulents have to myself and others. And yes I am comparing people to plants, but think about it. Why is everyone so attracted to plants, succulents, or flowers? Because it is familiar.  We have the ability to adapt to our environment even if it may be harsh. We are fighters, we are hard to kill, and we all are striking and beautiful.

The thing that attracts me most to succulents is that they are different. You see, being different is okay. I am learning to be okay with the fact that I am going to utilize the aid of a wheelchair, that I am going to be different. And much like a succulent,  I will still be striking and beautiful. I will always adapt to whatever is thrown my way and I will not be killed easily. I will always fight. Because we are all fighters.

I challenge you to try and relate something that you love or like to everyday life and it's okay if it is random like mine!

Try to see the good in everything.

-M

Mid week motivation

Here’s a little mid week motivation for you...

Give that person a smile or a wave when you pass them in the grocery store, just do it. You could make them feel amazing! And you should know that the kindness that you are spreading through a simple smile, will multiply for miles!

You never know what someone else is going through. Do everything with kindness in your heart, and I guarantee you will get some in return!

Be kind, always.

-M

Everything will be okay.

I usually don’t write posts like this, but it’s been weighing heavy on me and God has been calling me to start sharing my life and my journey in hopes to maybe help someone else. My FA is slowly getting worse. It is getting harder to do simple things and it takes longer to do everyday tasks. I am more and more off balanced every time I go out. It takes every ounce of energy to just stand up. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Yesterday was the first time that I used my walking stick to help with stability. I wasn’t sure how this was supposed to help me stay upright, but I gave it a try with a very close mind. FA takes a tole on you not only physically but emotionally and mentally too. I always told myself I shouldn’t cry, crying makes me seem weak. So I would be stoic and strong and cry alone but I wouldn’t do it often. Then I would explode...and be an emotional wreck and push the people closest to me away. Every time I have that explosion of emotions I would feel better after. I’d feel hopeful, and It seemed like after I cried I would see the world differently. Better. 

Human tears contain a natural painkiller called leucine enkephalins. Which is why you feel better after you cry. Cry. It will be okay. Having a bad day? It will be okay. FA absolutely sucks. Slowly losing my abilities absolutely sucks. But. It will be okay. I know I am strong..the Lord is strong and mighty and he only gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.

Everything will be okay.

-M