Focusing on what really matters....

This year I have been through a lot. The beginning of the year my Dad had open heart surgery to replace a bad valve and has since had a rough-but successful-recovery. That whole ordeal was a reality check for me. Before I was able to get back into the swing of things with work and family I realized my beautiful townhome that I made into MY home was going to be foreclosed on. After finding and renting a townhome just down the street we kept running into more financial burdens. My bf was struggling at work and ended up leaving the mortgage business to pursue his passion which is caring for the less fortunate. And now to end the year we are faced with a legal battle in the very near future. We have to somehow come up with $7,500 dollars as a retainer for our attorney. It's just rough and I've decided that this year is all about family and love. No presents...no materialistic meaningless crap this year.......I am spending my days and nights hoping and praying for God to take these burdens off our shoulders and to bless everyone (friends and enemies).

I've never gone through such rough times in my life. Seems like many of us here at ageless have had bad times recently. I'm hoping that next year can be a year of new beginnings and happiness.

Blessings~

I've never gone through such rough times in my life. Seems like many of us here at ageless have had bad times recently. I'm hoping that next year can be a year of new beginnings and happiness.

Blessings~
This year has been rough for me, regarding family. Ironically business has been great. Next year promises to be a tough year, with my father chronically ill, my son becoming an adult, and health problems of my own.

But despite all, we are together, my parents, my bf and son, even my kitty cat, we are a family and that is what matters. That is a blessing in itself. :yes:

Oh, Bella! I'm sorry to hear you are having a rough year. ((hugs))

It has to get better, right?

Please know you have support and friendship here, always. :)

I am amazed and impressed by your positive and compassionate attitude in spite of your troubles. You are a blessing to us all; and an inspiration to me.

Take care. :)

I am amazed and impressed by your positive and compassionate attitude in spite of your troubles. You are a blessing to us all; and an inspiration to me.

Take care. :)

Absolutely! Your positive attitude is key to getting through this rough period. You have life and you and your family are in good health which means there is hope.

God's blessings, Ally

This year was nothing but horrible for me. But I learned a lot, about myself about others about people and life in general. This year has helped make me the person I am now and has made me stronger and smarter. I can't wait for this year to be over and to start a new one. 2007 was definitely a year I will never forget and never want to repeat!!!

I truly believe that we are sent struggles in life to help us get refocused on what is truly important, and to help empower us.

I am sorry this has been such a rough year for you, but it seems like you're really going to come out of all of these hardships as a better, more grounded individual.

In the end, we can't take our town homes or our cars with us...spending time with the ones we love and doing good deeds is truly all that matters.

Ironically, I have started to learn a lot of these lessons myself this year Bella. Living away from the rat race and seeing how people in other parts of the world struggle just to eat or have shoes on their feet has really made me feel a whole lot better about being able to drive a used car while others drive Hummers or living in an apartment while others live in mansions. So many people would DIE to have the things that I have in my life and for so long I never appreciated all my blessings because I was always focused on getting more, more, more...

I see a bright future ahead of you...keep on truckin'.

Bella, I know this is a tough time for you but, it will pass.
You will come out the other side with more insight and understanding than if the road was always smooth.
Still....tough times suck!!!!
Hang in there baby....it sounds like you are handling everything just fine and have your priorities in order:yes:
Bright Blessings, TD

I truly believe that we are sent struggles in life to help us get refocused on what is truly important, and to help empower us.

I am sorry this has been such a rough year for you, but it seems like you're really going to come out of all of these hardships as a better, more grounded individual.

In the end, we can't take our town homes or our cars with us...spending time with the ones we love and doing good deeds is truly all that matters.

Ironically, I have started to learn a lot of these lessons myself this year Bella. Living away from the rat race and seeing how people in other parts of the world struggle just to eat or have shoes on their feet has really made me feel a whole lot better about being able to drive a used car while others drive Hummers or living in an apartment while others live in mansions. So many people would DIE to have the things that I have in my life and for so long I never appreciated all my blessings because I was always focused on getting more, more, more...

I see a bright future ahead of you...keep on truckin'.

I love this post Amina. And I agree.

Thanks for the reminder both of you!

Bella, it is strange how 2007 seems to have been a horrible year for so many of us. But, I agree with Amina. Struggles are given to us to teach us what is important. And it sounds like you've learned what that is. Nothing is more important than family and friends.

Here's hoping that 2008 is a better year for us all!

To Bella and anyone else here who has been going through a tough time this year, I pray these down times don't break us, but make us stronger and that the year ahead will be filled with more good times than bad. :)

What beautiful words from everyone. See! We are a pretty good group of folks here! :yes:

Staying grounded is key and I will always look back to 2007 to keep myself in check. It's just so easy to get wrapped up in all the 'material' things...especially during the holidays. I'm trying to focus on being happy with what I already have, and maybe even get rid of a lot of stuff I have. My goal is to live a more simple, humble life. It will take a lot of discipline for sure, but I never want to become the people I see on shows like 'The Hills' or 'The Fab Life' who are so focused on owning the best of the best and looking their best at any cost.

May us all have a wonderful 2008 with more happiness and hope then we could have ever imagined!