UNSHATTERED by Carol Decker and Stacey Nash

UNSHATTERED Overcoming Tragedy and Choosing a Beautiful Life by Carol Decker and Stacey Nash. This is an incredible read of exactly what the title says. I know Stacey and have met Carol on several occasions. Both are amazing women. To be able to come back from what happened to Carol and turn life into a beautiful experience is truly inspiring. It puts a lot of things into perspective. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Anyone can learn from Carol's experiences and how to overcome tragedies in their lives and choose beauty. 

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On June 10, 2008, Carol Decker walked through the hospital doors a healthy woman with flu-like symptoms and early labor contractions. Three months later, she returned home a blind, triple-amputee struggling to bond with a daughter she would never see.

Unshattered: Overcoming Tragedy and Choosing a Beautiful Life recounts Carol's fight for survival against sepsis and its life-shattering complications. From excruciating skin grafts to learning how to function in daily life without lower legs, a left hand, and her sight, Carol takes us on a personal and raw, yet inspiring journey. She travels through the darkness of trauma, anxiety, and depression to arrive, literally, at the peak of a mountain with a heart full of gratitude and love. More than a story of triumph over tragedy, the book offers inspiring life-lessons and insights which can help readers to do more than endure unimaginable pain and darkness in their own lives. This book can give them the perspective and strength to pick up the pieces of their own tragedies and choose a life of healing, purpose, and joy—a beautiful life.

Lessons learned:
• There is always hope, even if it sometimes feels small and hard to find.
• Even if you're the most capable person, you can't do this life alone. We all need a support system. It is okay to ask for help.
• Happiness takes work. It doesn't just happen.
• The human spirit is able to endure and withstand great adversity.
• Even the smallest broken pieces of a life can be put back together.

THE BEAUTIFUL BALANCE by Michelle Wilson — @authormwilson #reviews #books

THE BEAUTIFUL BALANCE by Michelle Wilson. I have loved this book from the very beginning. I had the priveledge of reading through several of the first writings of this book and it has been so much fun to see it evolve and grow into what it currently is. Michelle shares such a beautiful message in a fun, approachable way. It is a great reminder of where one can and should be in their relationship with God. Even this time as I read it, I was again brought to see more improvements that I can make in my life. Lavinda and Carol's stories are truly inspiring. As I read what she wrote about my story, I see where I was and it puts my personal doubts and questions at ease. This is a fantastic read that I recommend for anyone and everyone. We all feel out of control at times (at least I hope I'm not the only one) and this book shares a good way to claim that personal control once again.

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Whether in your family, your ward, or your community, you've observed them: those noble individuals who are strong, patient, and stalwart in the face of adversity. When times are tough, how do they manage the challenging shift from victim to victor? Chances are they have figured out the balance of control—what they have charge of and what is in the Lord's hands.

Trying to manage the ups and downs of life can feel overwhelming, but fortunately we're not alone on this journey. With inspiring doctrinal insights and a healthy dose of humor, author Michelle Wilson inspires readers to let go of fear and find peace, even in the midst of lost jobs, health challenges, or everyday chaos at home. In a world that seems so tempestuous, The Beautiful Balance is a sweet reminder of exactly what we can control—ourselves—and what God controls—all the rest.

*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Tour Schedule:

Aug. 22nd

http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/
http://fireandicereads.com/ 

Aug. 23rd

http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/
http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/adults

Aug. 24th

http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/
http://rockinbookreviews.com/

Aug. 25th

http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/
http://www.iamareader.com/

Aug. 26th

http://sweetlymadejustforyou.com/blog/
http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/
http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/
http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/ 

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CONFESSIONS OF A MOM — The Hershey Kiss

I had a hard time coming up with a picture to lead into this post, but I think this one will work well.

This is how the conversation went with Tigger the other night.

"Can I have one?" he asked.

"Not right now," I responded. (He was giving me a hug right before bedtime.)

"But I really want one."

"Great. Not right now."

"But I won't eat it."

"That's great. Not tonight."

"But I'm just going to take one and save it for the morning."

"No you won't."

"But I'm just going to put it on my dresser."

"I said no."

"But . . ."

By this time I have to admit that I was less than patient. It had been a long day, and Tigger was stalling for bed. I had gotten them out because I needed some chocolate therapy. I knew I should have hid them but I was slow on responding to my thought. So once again I lost my patience.

After he was in bed and my thoughts returned to this situation I felt bad for my lack of control. And, as it often does when I find myself in this situation, my thoughts turned to my relationship with my Savior. Do I push my Savior like Tigger pushed me? Do I refuse to take the first answer given to me? Do I continue to push after the same answer has been given multiple times? Does my Savior lose His patience with me?

The only question I can answer with assurance is the last one. No, my Savior never looses patience with me. As for how I respond to when answers are given me . . . I'm not a hundred percent sure. I would like to say that I don't push. That I do accept the answer given, and I think there are many times that I do. Then there are those other times.

Like Tigger, I'm sure that I push or I don't hear the answer given. Or I don't want to hear the answer that is given. I know that sometimes I feel I know best but I'm always humbled when things backfire. I feel like I'm drawn to this thought process a lot lately as Tigger is pushing and trying to figure out boundaries. It drives me crazy because he seems to think that anything and everything is up for negotiation, and he's good at negotiating. Hubby continually says that Tigger will make a great salesman or a great politician. His reasoning ability is amazing, and I'm finding I'm having to be very careful with the way I answer things. But I'm very grateful for the lessons he's teaching me. I'm grateful for the self-reflection that he is causing me to have. It is helping me become a better person.

So, I'm doing my best to have extreme patience at all times but I am continually falling short. It's part of the learning process. I'm working on it. But as I'm working on it, I'm reminded of the extreme patience my Lord and Savior has for me. He knows me. He loves me. He is always there for me. For that, I am eternally grateful.

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM #51actsofkindness

I had a couple of friends comment on last weeks post about the question, "How are you?" Both referred to Germany and how they don't use that phrase over there. They only say things like, "Good morning," or "hi." The only time they use, "How are you?" is when the person asking is willing to take the time to truly find out.

The couple of times I've been to Europe I've noticed similar things. Although I love my country, I do have to admit that Europeans have learned how to enjoy life. They are running around crazy busy all the time like it feels we do here in America. They take the time that's needed for different things. I believe we can learn from that. We do need to slow down and enjoy life. Enjoy this wonderful journey we're on. Enjoy the ride.

Tigger, for whatever reason, started talking about someone breaking into our house and taking him one time when he was a baby today. Considering this is one of my worst fears it made my heart rate skyrocket as I'm trying to respond and listen to him without letting my emotions get the best of me.

Now I know that for the most part he didn't really understand what he was saying at this point in time, but it scared me nonetheless. It gave me that little reminder to enjoy life. I wanted to just snuggle up with my kids and hold on tight. I want them to know how much I love and treasure them. Unfortunately we never know what is around the corner. It's so important to cherish every little moment that we have.

I also read of a friend of a friend who lost their battle with cancer—someone with little kids. My heart breaks for the family. Cherish every moment you have. Teach our little ones how to look for opportunities to be kind to one another. Teach them how to serve. Tigger brushed rocks back into our yard this week. Not a big deal, but you never know when it could be a big deal to someone else.

I guess my point is you just never know. Hold your little ones. Tell them you love them. Spend the time with them (even if your dishes and laundry pile up). Look for those little acts of kindness that might lift some one's burden. Accept those same acts of kindness. Together we can make our world a little bit brighter, a little bit kinder. Look for those opportunities and lets get our kindness on!

THE FACE WE HIDE BEHIND—CONFESSIONS OF A MOM #51actsofkindness

"How are you?"

That's probably the most common question we are asked. How many of us can say we ask question with the sincere desire to truly know how the person we are talking is doing? How many of us can say we answer that question honestly?

I think it's safe to say that most people ask and answer this question out of habit. Over the past couple of years I have learned just how much we hide behind this question. Most of the time I'm not expecting people to tell me how they really are doing, and I definitely am not honest in my answer to that question.

It's easier to not be honest in that answer because most of the time people don't really want to know the truth. We/They prefer the appearance that everything is fine. Why "air our problems" to others, especially those we don't really know?

The best example I have of this is the day after Lion passed. My mom and I went to the store to pick up some things I knew I wanted as memorabilia and for the funeral. As usual, the clerk asked, "How are you?" You can imagine my response. "Fine."

In the car my mom turned to me and said, you are most definitely not fine. You're son just passed away. You are not fine. And she was right, but I was able to put on a good front because it was easier than telling a complete stranger that my son had passed the night before. You can imagine how that would have gone.

I have found myself doing that more since then. It could be that I'm just more aware of it or it could be that I'm doing it more as a coping mechanism. I've had many people tell me that they are amazed at how well I'm doing based on what I've been threw. In a way they are right. I am doing well, but there are times I'm not.

I have felt like I've needed to be strong and hold up for those who are struggling, but here's where I admit something. It's hard to keep up the front. There are times I want to break down. There are times I struggle with it. There are times I don't want to feel like I have to be strong.

This is another reason I think it's a good idea to do the 51 Acts of Kindness. We just never know how someone is truly feeling. We never know what a little kindness will do to help someone feel like they are thought of. It doesn't take much to lift some one's spirits.

So, as you're looking for ways to be a little kinder, think about when you ask the question, "How are you?" Do you really mean it? Do you really want to know? What how the person answer and you may learn how that person is really doing, even if they say they are fine.

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM— #51actsofkindness

Do you ever have that moment when you realize you've totally overbooked yourself, your house looks like a tornado went off, and you're so tired you fall asleep after sitting for only a couple of minutes? Yeah, well, that was my week. Bear actually slept a little bit better thanks to some tender mercies from The Lord and a biocranial doctor visit. (If you want me to go into more details on that, I will another time.) I don't think my body was use to getting more than two hours of sleep because I've almost been more tired than I should be. :)

Anyway, I've thought of several other things I will eventually post about (when I can keep my eyes open for a little longer) but I've also been feeling like I haven't been able to be completely honest here lately because I haven't wanted anyone to get offended or feel bad. You know I don't use names but those who are involved in different situations obviously know who I'm talking about. It's made me have very mixed feelings about this series of posts.

The whole reason I began these was to be honest and to possible, hopefully help others who are going through similar situations know they aren't alone. I feel that in order to do that I need to be completely honest, but I don't ever want anyone to feel bad or get offended by what I say. That is not my intention at all.

So, this is my disclaimer I guess you can say. I'm going to go back (not that I have ever lied or been dishonest with what I've said, I've just not posted about some things) to sharing what I'm feeling and going through at the moment.

If you happen to figure out that I'm talking about a situation you're involved in, Please, Please, Please, don't feel bad or take offense to the things I say. That is the farther thing from my heart. I'm just trying to share the emotional ups and downs that go with life, in particular the loss of a loved one—in my case a child.

I hope this post is finding everyone a bit happier than before. I hope you're brainstorming ideas of ways to spread little acts of kindness. I know I've been more aware and tried to help those that I can. It has truly made my day a little lighter. :)

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM

Over the past several weeks it feels like I've been surrounded by the news of death and sickness. Someone's sister, a father-in-law, a husband, a son, a baby, someone starting the fight with cancer, someone with an illness that has dragged on for awhile, and the list goes on. It's been a bit of a downer. That, in combination with getting very little sleep has really made me depressed.

I want to do something to help everyone who is suffering right now. It breaks my heart to know somewhat of what they are feeling. Then the other day when I had my cello with me, someone held the door open for me. I can get through doors with him myself, but it was sure nice to have someone help me out.

As I was walking to my car feeling a little bit lighter with a smile on my face the thought "51 Acts of Kindness" popped into my head. Why 51? I have no idea. That's the number that came with the phrase. So here's my idea. Starting on April 1st (or you can start now) and running for as long as we can, I want to start a Random Acts of Kindness Campaign. I'm going to have a list of ideas for random acts of kindness. Nothing to big, but things that will hopefully make people smile. Then together we'll get the campaign going.

Each day, pick an act of kindness and do it. If you feel like it, post about it with the hashtag #51ActsofKindness. Don't mention names. Just post that you participated if you want.

So from now until April 1st I need help promoting the idea. Share this post. Talk about the campaign. Get the word out. Let's see how many smiles we can put on people's faces. We don't know what someone is going through and what a little act of kindness will mean to them. Let's lift someone's spirits. And feel free to add to the list in the comments. I'll update the list with any additions that come in.

51 Acts of Kindness (someone can be a stranger, a neighbor, friend, family member, really anyone)

• smile at someone
• hold the door open for someone
• pay someone a sincere compliment someone
• take a picture of a flower and share it
• call/text/message the first person that comes to mind
• tell someone you love them
• pull a weed or two
• pick up a piece of garbage
• read a story to a child
• help someone with their groceries
• return a shopping cart to its proper place
• take out the garbage
• empty the dishwasher
• give someone a hug
• call someone by name (read a workers name tag and call them by name)
• write a note
• make the bed
• drop a plate of cookies off to someone
• share a picture of something you love
• sweep the sidewalk
• sweep rocks back into yards
• pull in someone's garbage can
• look for someone who needs help and help them
• share an inspirational quote
• watch someone's kids
• wave at someone
• mail a card/letter to someone
• say thank you

I know there are not 51 suggestions on here, but I'm drawing a blank at the moment. Hopefully you'll help me add to the list. Happy Kindness Going! :)