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Ralph's words are so true. You can choose to make lemonade out of the lemons that life hands you. Did you know that you can live joyfully every single day? You really can, however it does not just happen automatically. You have to make a conscious effort to choose to live joyfully. I can hear the buts and the what ifs.... But what if this happens, what if that happens? How can I be joyful all the time? Sweetie...Life happens. Things in our everyday life is not going to be all roses and cupcakes BUT we do have a choice as to how to react to what life throws at us.

Is life throwing you a bunch of stinky crap? Then put that crappy manure into your garden and make beautiful blossoms out of it! I still hear you groaning out there saying, but you don't know what I have to put up with day in and day out. Yes I do. Listen carefully here because this is key. If you are miserable in your life on a daily basis then only YOU can do something about it. Don't wait around for others to change to conform to your wants and needs. Because it is never going to happen. YOU have to be the one to take action if you want your life to improve. YOU and only YOU have the ability to make the changes in your life that will give you peace and contentment.

I hear about so many women out there who feel trapped with no way out. There is a way out, however YOU have to take action and make the change in your life. You only have one life and you are living it right now. There is no waiting and hem hauling around because you are losing precious moments each second as the time passes. Don't waste it. Make every second count. Life is too short to be unhappy and to live life miserably. All it takes is effort to change it. Don't keep standing in the middle of the muck. Take the steps to get out of it. Even if they are shaky wobbly baby steps. If you are in an abusive situation, don't be embarrassed to ask for help. Tuck your pride aside and get out before it is too late. You never under any circumstance deserve to be treated abusively.

I don't know why I am writing this today but I feel compelled to say these things. I don't question it, I just follow God's directions. Maybe it is for you. If you are reading this today and this message is for you, please, find the courage to make the changes in your life that will set you free. You deserve to live in peace. You ARE worth it no matter what anyone else has told you. You do not have to live in fear any longer. Find a shelter and don't be afraid to ask for help. You are not losing everything but you have everything to gain by taking control of your life. You can survive and make a peaceful life for yourself. You have the courage inside. Hold tight to it and take the first step to the beginning of your beautiful life.

You are a wonderful human being and you deserve so much better than what you have experienced. Don't ever forget that.

I send you blessings and love,

Gentle Bear Hugs,

PolarB ;)

WOW what a weekend!

Hello Peeps! I trust that you all had a very safe and fun 4th of July celebration.

I had a fabulous few days off. We headed to the mountains and to North Carolina for several days. It is one of my favorite places to go besides the beach. We were up and at em at 4:00 am on Thursday morning to head for the hills. This was a last minute trip and I called just a few days before to get reservations at a hotel. All of our favorite places to stay were booked solid because of the holiday, however we managed to locate a suite at a new hotel. As long as it had a pool and a king sized bed, I am good to go.

For this adventure because we were only going to be gone for four days, and three nights, we decided to leave Sophie at home. The added stress on her would be too much and she was much more comfortable at home. We made sure to put out plenty of water to last her for the three nights and several dishes of food for her. We have never left her by herself for more than overnight so we were a bit leery. With her health issues though it was better to keep her comfortable and in a familiar setting verses boarding her or going on a long ride in the car with her kidney issues. We put out an extra potty for her and she was just fine. She made it through like a little trooper and she was just as glad as we were to see her. It was great to see that she had been such a good girl and ate good and slept a lot while we were gone. Three nights is max though to leave her at home by herself. We have to enjoy this time with her because I know it is coming to an end soon. The most important thing right now to us is her comfort.

The weather was great for us traveling and while we were there in the mountains, although there was a lot of humidity in town, but overall we had great temps and plenty of sunshine. The reason for going was the annual Cherokee Pow-Wow. I have to tell you that this was such an awesome experience for me that just made my spirits soar! Lovie is not into the Native American spirituality like I am yet she enjoyed every second of it too. As we drove to Cherokee through the mountains it poured the rain so much in fact that it created a heavy fog over the beautiful mountains and we could not even see them. I was afraid they were going to call the pow-wow off but no fear... it was delayed a bit while the rain eased up and so we went into town and browsed the shops for a while.

The sun came out and the skies cleared and we headed back to the fairgrounds where the pow-wow was taking place. I could hear the drums already playing as we bought our tickets to get in. The excitement was building within me. To describe the sights and sounds of the magnificent drums that connect to your heartbeat is inadequate. You have to feel it. You have to see it. I took my camera and probably took close to 400 to 500 shots and will be working on downloading them this week.

Lovie and I found our seats up in the stands and I took a few moments to just soak everything in with my eyes. Bright beautiful colors everywhere with all of the Native attire and costumes... large pow-wow drums surrounded the stage arena and there were probably at least twelve or more drumming groups there pounding away with their beaters. The sound was incredible. Can you remember how it felt the first time you stood under a night sky and watched in amazement when beautiful array of colors were bursting over your head watching 4th of July fireworks light up the sky? You could feel the booms in your chest and you were in awe. Well this was that same kind of feeling. My eyes soaked in everything around me and I listened as the drums were beat and the native voices sang out in chants in unison as the dancers moved and danced to the hypnotic rhythm.

At actual pow-wows there are dancers there from a lot of different tribes who travel from all over the world to be there. They compete in dance category competitions for large cash prizes. The dancing is continuous and there is a constant drumbeat in the air. Even the wee ones dance and learn from the elders. I captured some adorable pictures of the wee ones dancing in their bright little outfits adorned with feathers and bells. I can't wait to show you.

One of the other things that I was very conscious of was the fact that this is my birth mother's stomping ground, so to speak. I know that she spends her summers down in the Carolinas and actually dances in the pow-wow in Cherokee. Part of me wanted to see her there and part of me didn't. I most likely would not have spoken to her if I had saw her and it is unlikely that she would have even known who I was because I have changed so much over the years since she last saw me. I kept my eyes peeled as I scanned the crowd and the dancers on stage, however, I did not see her there and that was okay too. It would have been nice to get a picture of my mother in her native setting and attire and it would have been something that I would have treasured, however it is okay that I did not have that opportunity at this time either. God knows what he is doing and I don't question his wisdom. It wasn't meant to be this time.

This won't be the last time I go to the Cherokee Pow-Wow. It is so good for my spirit and it confirms my path in life that I am taking. My heart is connected to my Native ancestry and I know this is my path that I was always meant to take. The road is there before me and all I have to do is hear the calling and follow it. There is peace in that. I know I have a calling and I am heeding that call. There is much to learn yet there is much that I have already become aware of too. There is a heart soul connection that I feel deep within my being that I am right where I am supposed to be. It is an awesome feeling inside to know that and feel that.

Lovie and I enjoyed the dancing and the drumming all day and we loved walking around to the vendors and seeing their artwork and craft. We ate some fry bread sprinkled with powered sugar. Lovie said... this isn't as good as your fry bread. Bless her little heart! Of course she is prejudice when it comes to my cooking anyway. I feed her very well and she loves it. It was a great way to celebrate our wonderful freedom that we have here in our land.

As we ended our day, we drove back through the mountains and the skies had cleared and we got to see the magnificent vistas once again. I never tire of this scenery. My heart is here and it feels like home to me. We will move there one day when the time is right and I know that and wait patiently. All good things come to those who wait.

If you have never had the opportunity to go to a pow-wow, try it. It is really an awesome experience and one you will never forget. It is good to expand your horizons and experience other cultures traditions and ways of being. You learn and open your heart to more than just your little part of the universe. Pow-wows happen all over the United States and in other countries as well. Google the word Pow-Wow and there will be a calender listing for each state and go experience one for yourself.

I will post some pictures all through the week of my experience as I download them into my gallery, so stay tuned.

Have a wonderful week and sending you lottsa love and bear hugs!

PolarB ;)

We are in full swing with summer and right around the corner is the 4th of July already! So hang onto your hat and go full speed away! Are you ready for some questions?? Have fun and I hope today finds you smiling!