The Right Circles...

"Friendships that support you and your values, are your needs answered."~Danish Proverb

This is so true.... sticking with those with shared values, morals and principles is important for so many reasons.  You also find your voice, confidence and courage to stand up for what you believe in when you are surround yourself with liked minded people with principles and integrity.

"Your voice is your tool and represents you.  It's important to have a good circle of friends where you can use your voice, be understood and supported."

"One piece of log creates a small fire, adequate to warm you up; add just a few more pieces to blast an immense bonfire, large enough to warm up your entire circle of friends; needless to say that individuality counts but team work dynamites."~Jin Kwon

Facing our fears to move Forward

"Sometimes you can't move forward until you come face to face with the fears that have been holding you back."~Me

coryreese.blogspot.com

My greatest weakness in life has been the ability to stand up for myself.  It's been pointed out to me time and again that it's because no one ever stood up for me as a child.  That is when children are suppose to learn that vital skill by watching adults stand up, even fight for them.  That would explain why it's always been difficult for me and why I would rather be the peacemaker than the fighter.

After feeling suppressed and even trapped at times, I needed to leave my comfort zone in order to get to a better place both physically and emotionally.  Being pushed to overcome fears in order to stand up for myself and move forward.  Fears of consequences, making the wrong decisions, steep learning curves and even security.

I can clearly see now where facing each of those fears has been the best for me every step, every time.  
I shut the door on people and environments that were not good for me; opened up opportunities; gained more job skills; and stood up for myself more times than any other period in my life.

In every situation where I face a fear and put myself in a new situation or environment, I meet amazing people that inspire me to find my voice more and more while fighting for what I believe in.  I've formed new relationships with people that have the same values, morals or beliefs that I do.  Those with the integrity and character that I strive for and want to associate with.

There have been no regrets when looking back this past year.  I believe I needed each experience, situation, person and lesson to be where I am right now.  Every fear I face leads me to opportunities to use my voice to fight for what I believe in.  Facing our fears does move us forward!

"It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hid them; more strength to relate to people than to dominate them; more integrity to have thought-out principles rather than blind reflex; more character to do what's right than to follow the crowd."

Every Life has Value

"Every life has value, and so the message of pro-life is not just about abortion, it's about celebrating every life as having great value, a gift from God with a special purpose." ~Gov. Mike Huckabee

with Gov. Mike Huckabee

"He who saves one life saves the world.  That one life does matter."~Gov. Mike Huckabee

 I volunteered at a Celebrate Life event over the weekend.  I subject and cause very close to my heart and soul.  There were some amazing people who spoke about both heart-wrenching and heartwarming stories.  Throughout the day I was moved to tears many times, as well as cheers at other times.

Gov. Mike Huckabee was the special guest and key note speaker.  What a down to earth, genuine good soul and unwavering Christian man.  He drove himself to the event, then walked in the front door of the church with no entourage or fan fare.  He immediately started shaking hands, posing for pictures and talking to everyone for as long as they wanted to talk to him.

His key note lasted about a half hour and moved everyone in the audience.  He spoke from a Christian prospective, explained the value of life... all human life and why we can't waiver or compromise on what we know is right.  At one point he said if the 'tent' doesn't stand with those values... then he'll leave the tent and put up his own... adding that we all need to do what is right and not waiver on what we know is wrong.  Inside every human being, no matter how small or what problems they may have, have value and treasures to be unlocked.

"I think at the heart of the pro-life movement is the idea that all people are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights starting with life."~Gov. Mike Huckabee

"I'm pro-life because I believe begins at conception, and I believe that we should do everything possible to protect that life because it is the centerpiece of what makes us unique as American people.  We value the life of one as if it's the life of all, and that's why we go out for the 12-year-old Boy Scout in North Carolina when he's lost, that's why we look for the 13 miners in Sago, West Virginia, when the mine explodes, that why we go looking for the hikers in Mount Hood, because we value life, and it's what separates us from the Islamic jihadists who are out to kill us.  They celebrate death.  They have a culture of death.  Ours is a culture of life." ~Gov. Mike

Celebrate Life Event Videos

True Leadership with Intergrity

"Let this be our time in history so that someday we can tell our children and grandchildren that we were there, that we changed the course of history for the better." ~ Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

Naomi and I with Gov. Scott Walker

"We need leaders who think about the next generation (our children), not the next election." ~Gov. Scott Walker 

Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, is a person with conservative values, integrity and one whom does not sway from their principles or beliefs; despite relentlessly hostile political environments at times.  He and his family have been stalked and threatened; yet he did not back down or go against what he felt was right.  

He has taken often difficult, bold steps to bring economic freedom and prosperity to the his state.  Never giving up or giving in, makes him a true fighter and a great example of leadership.  It was a thrill and honor to meet and speak with him tonight.

"Looking at American's history, ordinary people did something extraordinary.  Leaders risked their lives for freedoms that we take for granted today.  That's what instills confidence.  That's us.  We will move forward and prosper because that's who we are as Americans." ~Gov. Scott Walker

Gov. Scott Walker Recall Election Victory Speech

Rules of Life... such good advice! :-)

"The values by which we are to survive are not rules for just and unjust conduct, but are those deeper illuminations in whose light justice and injustice, good and evil, means and ends are seen in fearful sharpness of outline." ~Jacob Bronowski

A New Year is a Fresh Start

"A New Year represents a Fresh Start.  It is where the slate from the previous year is wiped clean of mistakes and trials; leaving only the lessons.  Each new year is full of new beginnings." ~ME

We should take advantage of every opportunity to make every day a fresh start.  Resolve to make each day the beginning of a new year, a new morning, a new adventure... believing there are infinite possibilities.   

Look at a New Year as wiping the slate clean and taking us back to zero where we can be filled up again with faith, hope and love... enough for everyone we meet throughout the year.

Another fresh new year is here...

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest...

To daily grow and try to be

My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree,

And sing more joyful songs!

~William Arthur Ward

Random Thoughts... for 2012

"Our life always expresses the results of our prominent thoughts." ~Soren Kierkegaa

This past year has flown by faster than any I can remember.  As a new year it about to begin, I have hundreds of thoughts and memories running through my mind each time I sit to write in my journal or work on my book.  Since I've been too busy to blog much in the past year, I thought I'd ad a few of them now.  

• 2012 started Happy, had highs & lows & ended Great.
• The trials in between had much needed lessons.
• Everyone has experienced trauma in their life.
• We should all have more empathy and compassion.
• Traumas can transform if allowed to push us forward.
• I have shared experiences with my best of friends.
• We must leave our comfort zones in order to grow.
• That was needed for my new career and direction.
• We often stay in jobs and situations out of Fear.
• Have Faith! You don't know, what you don't know.
• Sleep deprivation is everyone's worst enemy. 
• Negative environments are not worth the damage.  
• Unhappy people find fault with each other.
• Hurting people, hurt others.  Don't let them hurt you.
• Showing kindness, can stop the negative verbiage
• Standing up for yourself shows self-respect.
• Immature people push blame and want revenge.
• Mature people try to understand why things happen.
• Respect, the words used and tone of voice do matter.
• It takes 10 positives to make up for 1 negative.
• Nikki Haley is my example of strength and leadership.
• She has character and someone I'd like to emulate.
• Being strong annoys the people who want control.
• We're suppose to put our children First!
• No amount of critisisum over the years helped us.
• Volunteering and getting involved is so rewarding.
• I meet the most amazing people when I volunteer.
• We all need our own friends, interest... Lives.
• No one should depend on you for their happiness.
• Anymore than you should depend on someone else.
• When you're direct and honest; don't ever feel guilty.
• It's more important what someone does than says.
• I'm not emotional any longer because I'm not afraid.
• I'm not afraid of dying or the future; I have Faith.
• When I see death, I pray for the souls and families.
• Kindness and Compassion are a Hugh part of my job.  
• The last job prepared me for my current career/job.
• Having the passion for it, makes me really good at it.
• So much accomplished... so much more I want to do!

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see." ~John Burroughs

 What we overcome... helps us Grow