Yearly Personal Messages

2012 Message

“Love not only the people you know but also the ones you don’t.”

No matter where we are in the world, we are ALL children of God / Higher Intelligence / the Almighty—whatever name you choose to call it. Love everyone, because everyone deserves to be loved.

God’s love embraces all of humanity, and so should ours.

Be kind-hearted.

Forgive—as often as it takes—until you no longer feel the sting of betrayal.

Often, the wounds we carry were never intentionally inflicted in the first place.

Be compassionate and understanding.

Don’t judge. Until you have walked in another’s shoes,

lived their struggles, and felt their pain,

you cannot say how you would react in their place.

Step outside your comfort zone. Reach out to others in ways that may feel unfamiliar.

Make mistakes, but learn from them.

Apologize, even when you’re not wrong—because sometimes,

people just need to know they matter.

Most importantly, put God first—in your heart, mind, and life.

Life isn’t easy. At times, it’s beyond disheartening.

Loss is part of life. Mourn, and move forward.

The people still in your life need your love,

and the world still needs your potential.

We cannot bring back those we’ve lost,

but we can honor them by sharing love with others.

Your heart is a capsule of infinite love—let it expand.

Remember:

“This too shall pass.”

“It will get better.”

Life is a roller coaster. There will be ups and downs.

So sit back and be thankful that you are on the ride.

No matter how bad things seem,

they can always be worse.

Never take anything for granted.

May God bless you in this New Year and all the years to come. ♥

2013 Message

A new year begins, filled with hopes and expectations—

we wish for happiness, love, and success.

But we must also accept that this year, like all others,

will bring highs and lows and everything in between.

Last year, I challenged you to love without limitations.

This year, I challenge you to expand your mind.

Learn all that life has to offer.

Experience—but don’t be consumed by indulgence.

Step outside your comfort zone.

Let determination light your way.

Set your goals with conviction,

and trust that you have the strength to reach them.

Acceptance—accept what you cannot control,

without compromising your inner values.

Remember:

Life doesn’t have to fit into your ideals.

It’s okay to open your mind and heart

and accept that how others live their lives is not your decision.

Don’t obsess over what you cannot change.

You have the right to feel and think as you do,

but so does everyone else.

So this year, in addition to love and compassion,

let’s embrace diversity—with open arms.

Until we can do that,

we cannot fully embrace God’s love for humanity.

Peace & Love to all my beautiful, wonderful wisdom seekers out there!

2016 Message

Though late, I am grateful to witness another year unfolding.

In January 2012, I suffered my first incomplete spinal cord injury,

leading to surgery in December 2012 to decompress my spinal cord.

The herniated disc had become embedded in my spinal cord.

Thank you, VA Hospital, for such despicable care—

it really is not appreciated.

(Sorry, still working on forgiveness.)

Despite this, I still wrote my 2013 message.

Then, in 2014, another spinal cord injury—

this time, due to the collapse of the previous surgical equipment.

In April 2014, I underwent another cervical spine surgery,

hoping for relief.

But I was sadly mistaken.

In February 2015, simply turning over in bed,

I broke my neck—literally.

In April 2014, I had received a tri-level titanium cage system (C4–C7).

By February 2015, my C7 vertebra fractured on both sides,

unable to bear the weight of the cage system.

And once again, thanks to the VA,

the necessary surgery wasn’t performed until December 2015.

This time, a two-level rod and screws were added from C7 to T1,

but instead of operating from the front,

the surgeon went in through the back of my neck.

Despite the severity of my injuries,

the surgeon was impressed by my recovery so far.

Yet the damage to my central nervous system (CNS) was profound.

• My upper GI system frequently shuts down, causing severe vomiting.

• I have experienced seizures and double vision.

• I have woken up completely paralyzed in my arms and legs.

• My diaphragm has stopped working, nearly killing me.

And still, the VA made me wait months for treatment.

The medical field in Mississippi—especially the VA system—

is incompetent when it comes to spinal cord injuries.

I hope to affect change at the educational level,

so that primary care providers better understand these conditions.

Moving Forward

Right now, I am focused on recovery

and staying committed to my long-term goals.

I pray that by the end of 2016,

I will have begun my internship as a psychotherapist.

I am hopeful.

I am optimistic.

But most of all—

I am determined.

So my message this year is simple:

Take care of yourself.

And remember:

Self-knowledge is true wisdom.

Blessings to all.

2011: Collage of Conscious Thoughts

Your Life Equation

Your Attitude + Your Choices = Your Life

Repeat after me:

“I am responsible for my feelings, thoughts, and actions, AND I control how I view and react to the world.”

Faith, Hypocrisy, and True Intentions

I am beyond fed up with Christian hypocrites! It’s astounding how many delusional people hide behind their religion, as if church attendance alone defines righteousness.

But in the end, it won’t matter how often you attend church.

What will matter is how you treat people and what your true intentions are.

Maybe it’s time to worry less about what people think

and more about what God would think.

Because appearances?

They can be very deceiving.

Trusting in God’s Plan

Having faith in God isn’t about begging for your way—

It’s about putting it in God’s hands

and trusting that He knows best.

Life in Shades of Gray

What is black to one person is white to another.

But nothing in this world is purely black or white.

Everything concerning human beings comes in shades of gray.

None of us is perfect, without flaws.

Living for God

Living for God isn’t just about church and fellowship.

It’s about love—loving people no matter what.

It’s about kindness—showing compassion to ALL of God’s creation.

It’s about service—helping others mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Mother Teresa wasn’t known for just going to church.

She was known for touching lives, regardless of faith.

God’s true intentions for mankind are not found in obsession with religion

but in genuine love—

Not just for those who agree with you,

but especially for those who don’t.

The Power of Thought

THOUGHT = Conscious Acts of Creation.

Being True to Yourself

I am only me—that is who I choose to be.

If I weren’t me, then who else would I be?

You can lie to others,

but never to yourself and God.

So be true to yourself.

That’s what truly matters.

Loving Myself

I love myself. Just thought I’d put that out into the universe.

To love yourself is to love God.

My World vs. Yours

I might be the weird one in your world,

but in my world, you’re the weird one.

And guess what?

I much prefer my world.

But hey, visitors welcome!

Spiritual Growth

Spiritual growth is learning to live in harmony with the Universe

through love and compassion for ALL of God’s creation.

By practicing patience, understanding, kindness, and love,

you radiate that energy into the world.

There are many paths to God—

everyone must choose their own,

with the conviction God places in their heart.

God allows us freedom of choice,

and even when we choose against His will,

He allows us to learn and grow from it.

The Human Experience

Life is the soul’s journey of growth—

helping, living, learning, loving, and understanding.

Every experience has a purpose.

And that purpose is growth.

Without suffering, the soul could never truly know compassion.

When you find acceptance,

you find understanding and contentment in your heart.

Prayer & Anger

Prayer calms anger.

It makes life mean more.

Anger is a part of life—

but how you handle it defines your character.

Love never dies.

It just changes.

Beyond Human Emotion

Emotions are so human.

Just imagine an existence driven only by love and true understanding.

Can you grasp the overwhelming peace in that?

It would be nice—

but impossible in the human realm.

The Best Things in Life

The best things in life are free!

Never lose sight of that.

No amount of money or material wealth

can replace what comes with no cost.

Patience & Tolerance

Loving from a distance is easy.

It’s loving up close and personal that’s hard.

Patience & tolerance are not my best friends.

Sure wish they were!

Hoping for a better tomorrow.

Curiosity vs. Boredom

They say curiosity killed the cat.

I say boredom did!

LMBO.

The Past’s Hold

Sometimes, it’s easy to get lost in the past.

I know we’re supposed to live in the present,

but sometimes I just can’t help myself.

So much on my mind…

Hoping it fades soon.

Sigh.

Learning & Growth

A person learns from life what their mind allows.

You have to want more to get more.

Knowledge isn’t given.

It’s taken.

Inner Conflict

There is a conflict within me—one of resistance and struggle.

I am sad yet happy.

Angry yet forgiving.

Empty yet fulfilled.

Heartless yet compassionate.

Hopeless yet full of hope.

Lost yet found by God.

Honest yet secretly hiding.

Bold yet shy.

Lonely yet surrounded by the world and God.

Needing yet giving.

Unloved yet loved.

The internal conflicts are never-ending.

But through understanding, acceptance, and release,

one finds inner peace.

It is a never-ending journey—

but it is my destiny, my goal.

Reflections & Choices

There are choices in our past

that have led us to where we are now.

And there are choices ahead

that will shape where we go next.

Understanding how we got here

can help us shape a better future.

Beauty Without Substance

Beauty without substance is like a fake diamond—

pretty to look at but with no real value.

Never Give Up

Life is a mountain,

and I am determined to reach the top—

no matter the obstacles in my way.

Lessons in Parenting

Does your child reflect who you are as a parent?

If they had to demonstrate what they’ve learned from you,

what would they show?

Mistakes are inevitable—

but how we handle them defines us.

Lift Others Up

No matter how you feel,

lift others up.

It is always more fulfilling

to make a positive difference.

Love, Hate, & Judgment

Love and be loved.

Hate and be hated.

Judge and be judged.

Show compassion,

and it will be given back to you.

Consequences & Accountability

Some people make it difficult

for good-hearted people to have compassion for them.

There are consequences for actions.

And it’s time to take responsibility.

There’s a difference

between loving a family member

and enabling them.

Learn it.

Forgiveness Challenge

Goal for today:

From the depths of your heart, forgive someone for a past transgression.

Unload the baggage.

You don’t need it anymore.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetfulness—

but when you think about what was forgiven,

there should be no negative emotion left.

Replace it with compassion and understanding.

Final Thoughts

I believe that if you dig deep enough,

you will discover that you have the power to change your life.

Just have faith in yourself.

Have the courage to embrace transformation.

Search for meaning.

Start your spiritual journey.

Once you take that first step,

each step will become clearer and easier.

Love, forgive, and have compassion for those you don’t understand—

for they, too, are simply trying to find their way.

And always remember:

You are a spiritual being having a human experience.