The Ladybug

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

Set It Off “If I wait for my circumstances to change, receive assistance from certain individuals, to have enough money, time, or even wait for everything to fall perfectly into place, I’ll never begin. The inconveniences of life are never planned. Instead of wasting idle time doing nothing, set it off. It’s about taking a bold step of faith and moving forward. The pressure is on. The time is now. Today, I’ll ignite the flame. The burning desires of my heart to begin."                                                                                                                 -Darlena Swann

Gratitude "Today, I am mindful of all the good things in life. I allow myself to be filled with a feeling of prosperity and appreciation for all the wonderful opportunities and positive experiences that life has given me. I know about life’s disappointments and past encounters; yet today, I choose to concentrate on good fortune."                                                                                                                   -Darlena Swann

Humor "A good way to relieve stress is to laugh. Think about something amusing. Having a good sense of humor is unrestricted, free and has no harmful side effects. We don’t have to be a comedian to tell a joke or do impersonations- we simply need to discover humor that’s available in life. Life is full of distractions and we shouldn’t take things so serious. When life throws you a curve ball instead of dodging it, laugh."                                                                                                                -Darlena Swann