The Ladybug

Message in a Bottle “I am here to create connections with other people and communicate. Communication isn’t restricted but a two way street. It involves sending and receiving messages. Through communication, we can overcome loneliness, eliminate confusion and tensions. Communication permits us to exchange information, express our feelings and touch the lives of others in an amazing way. Today, I’ll listen and adjust my method of communication to ensure I can contact the individual I need to reach.”                                                                                                          -Darlena Swann

Solitude “When I am separated from everyone else, I can hear myself. I can find my own particular space, collect my thoughts, and experience my inner peace. Presently, I search for moments of solitude that bring me a sense of calmness, serenity and put me in contact with my inner spirit. I no longer attempt to maintain a strategic distance from solitude, but embrace it like getting acquainted with an old friend.”                                                                                                       -Darlena Swann

Time for Change “Today, I give myself all the vital tools and support I need to continue this journey of transformation to become successful.  Deep inside I felt the need to move forward because I realize I couldn’t remain the same and expect to grow. Accepting reality has provided awareness and freedom. Change is the process of addressing oneself but being capable to take on new challenges while expanding new horizons. Today, I accept change and the person I am. I’ve learned to follow my own intuition and discovered more happiness and a peace of mind. “                                                                                                          -Darlena Swann

Morning Awakens “Trust that morning will break through the clouds of darkness.  Believe that a bright, new dawn awaits. See the radiance of the sun’s rays. Listen to the enchanting sounds of the birds sing. Feel the gentle breeze of the wind whisper. Know that you are loved and kept safely in God’s care in the mist of it all.”                                                                                                                 -Darlena Swann

Silence “There’s something magical about silence. It is a state of being without sound. Silence uncovers all the things that are conceivable and can’t be heard in the uproar of everyday life. My heart and soul look for silence needed for expression to address my inner thoughts. In moments of serenity and silence, I discover calmness, courage and peace. In the morning before I start my day, I set aside time to pray, meditate and think. Each day, I search for small moments of silence to appreciate.”                                                                                                             -Darlena Swann

No Worries “Worrying is a vague sentiment feeling of fear with no real focus. We worry about the unknown and preoccupy our minds with what could happen tomorrow. The only thing we can be certain of is the present state, the now. From time to time, we may face challenging situations that we have to overcome. Some things are just beyond our control. Worrying creates useless and tiresome energy. We find ourselves feeling stressed out and frustrated. Today, I choose to deal with the present day and refuse to waste time predicting unknown consequences.”                                                                                                              -Darlena Swann

Boomerang “The good you do will always come back to you, just like a boomerang. Throw a boomerang into the air at a slight angle and it channels back to you. Today, I realize that I can’t succeed if I focus all my energy and efforts on personal gratifications. I’ve learned to incorporate others in a unique way. Because I’m a caring individual who gladly helps and supports others, I transcend egotistical distractions. I am open to life and construct my relationships on friendships and mutual help. If you help someone, someone will always be there to help you; maybe not today but perhaps in the near future. I am successful because of others. Therefore I am prepared to help, encourage, and include others in my life.”                                                                                                              -Darlena Swann

Pieces of a Puzzle “A puzzle is a game designed to test your insight and patience. We take all the broken pieces out of a box and try to figure out how to assemble the pieces together again. Some pieces are easy to connect to while others are too big, too small or not the perfect fit. The mystery of life is like a puzzle. It’s amazing to learn how certain things interface together in some mysterious way.”                                                                                                       -Darlena Swann 

A Window of Opportunity “When I look outside a window, what do I see? An opportunity to treat others with kindness, empower someone to take action, share time and talents, make things happen, give back to the community and make a difference in the world. Opportunity awaits us every single day. Are we willing to embrace it?”                                                                                                   -Darlena Swann           

Age before Beauty “Now and again, Father Time seems to visit when least expected. As time passes by, have you ever paused for a moment and noticed a few changes? For instance, our vision isn’t sharp any longer. We wear eyeglasses or contacts to see better. Our hair has a few strands of silver. We utilize Miss Clairol for coloring. Our skin isn’t baby smooth. There are recognizable differences or perhaps wrinkles. The spring in our step has sprung. We move around at a slower pace. Our memory is slowly fading. We depend intensely on a day planner. Unfortunately, we can’t turn back the hands of time. We’re getting older every day. Ironically, with age comes wisdom. As we age gracefully, our inner beauty is timeless.”                                                                                                                  -Darlena Swann

Breathe “We have most likely encountered the sentiment of the warmth rays of the shining sun and a gentle breeze breaking through the mists. Finding ourselves adoring the beauty of it, we began to notice the splendor around us in the flowers, birds, trees and blue sky. We are in a state of amazement, receptive to the beauty we ordinarily take for granted. There is beauty around us each day. We have to appreciate it more so we can take better care of our surroundings. Today, I will take a moment to enjoy nature, to breathe and reminisce.”                                                                                                             -Darlena Swann

Q-tip “Q-tip stands for quit taking it personal. Behind each no, there’s a yes. Behind every failure, there’s a success. We can learn from our disappointments and mistakes, because behind the failure there is something we have failed to understand, something we neglected to accept or face, or something we didn’t want to hear. When we choose to confront it, we are open to growth and learning. Today, I see life as a huge playground where there are many challenges and different games to play. Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. When faced with adversity, think of a Q-tip.”                                                                                                           -Darlena Swann

The Timeline " What may seem pleasant or unfavorable initially might advance into something entirely different than what’s expected as a general rule. Only time will tell.   Time teaches us about choices. We can choose to be our closest friend or an awful enemy. So, I should make a special effort to make better decisions. Rather than being impulsive, I will wait to see how the circumstance will unfold."                                                                                                           -Darlena Swann

Thanksgiving "Thanksgiving isn’t just about celebrating a traditional holiday. It’s about giving thanks to God and being grateful. Each day take the opportunity to enjoy life, have fun, breathe, smile, laugh and help someone less fortunate. Make an investment to wish someone happiness, good health, prosperity, and success. Most of all take time to look around and notice how blessed you are."                                                                                 -Darlena Swann