Here is the very first session of my long thought out, drawn out, planned for, source of solving life’s issues, big and small. Here is how I learned to powerfully and effectively overcome hurdles and not let them stop me. The things I write about here are all personal experiences, and what has worked (and hasn’t worked) for my family and me. In this initial post, I’ll give you a little bit about me, and then a short synopsis of what this blog will share over its entirety. Eventually, my goal is to write a book that can be shared forever!
So, about me…. A little background as to my past and what has given me great courage and wisdom to deal with life’s major and minor issues: I grew up with a mom, dad and older brother in Michigan. We didn’t have much money, no nice house or car, no family vacations or the frills of life. My parents weren’t your “typical” parents, certainly wouldn’t compare them to the Cleavers’! As it was with us, often poverty and dysfunction go hand in hand. There were times bills weren’t paid, not much food in the refrigerator, house was unkempt, and marital arguments and drinking to excess was the norm. My parents weren’t strivers, go getters, or too interested in life being any other way. They were simple people without a goal in sight, they were merely survivors. They basically stayed together until I left home for college, and then it ended in divorce, mercifully. They were not a loving couple toward each other, but my brother and I always knew they loved us. Therefore, he and I grew up a lot faster than most kids, due to the circumstances.
From the age of 18, that wonderful time in life called adulthood, to now, at the ripe old age of 56, I’ve had lots of experiences that, again, might have you say, I feel so sorry for this person… But, again, I have learned tools and coping skills that have allowed me the opportunities to raise two wonderful kids who are happy and successful in life. Let me share that I’ve overcome being the adult child of alcoholics, sickness and death of a spouse very early in my adulthood, remarriage, divorce, again, stock market investing, building and selling homes, real estate investing, Real Estate IRAs, being a landlord, raising two children with lots of parenting advice, various jobs, starting my own business x 3, taxes & CPAs, starting my own adult assisted living business, caring for and death of grandparents and both parents, and empty nest syndrome! My resolve and drive are no mistake, as I spent considerable time learning and growing, learning and growing, and let me say this again for the people in the back, LEARNING AND GROWING. Don’t ever stop expanding your knowledge and learning new ways to make life work on our terms, of our creation, and of our timeframe (within reason).
You might think, this poor family and these kids…what a horrible life it must have been. Not really, we still managed to find humor in most things that happened, maybe not at that time, but as time went on. I’ll share some of our more comical moments as we delve into the next sessions of my blog. I always try to find something to laugh at, whether it be ourselves or situations – but humor, close friendships, and music were always my salvation. As for our family unit, we hung onto each other for dear life, depended on each other, but I definitely learned a lot from watching my big brother. He seemed so mature and able to handle tough decisions. Another source of strength, I unintentionally did, was seek out mentors and people in solid relationships, like grandparents, neighbor kids’ parents and families, neighborhood church groups and adults, anyone who showed an interest in me and I felt safe with. It’ll be hard to explain the feelings I had back then, or now as an adult child of these circumstances. It has me feeling somehow a little vulnerable, but I’m hopeful we can learn to dance through this blog – I can share what’s worked or hasn’t, and you’ll be an eager student!
I wanted to find a meaningful and humorous way to communicate these important lessons in life, so that I can help others – hopefully divert some of these lessons into forms of guidance and planning. Our lives are ours to create – and that’s the good news! Mark Twain said it best, “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” I love helping people find more efficient, easier ways to do or handle life’s tough events. Listen, we all face adversity in some level and having a powerful way to thwart problems is NECESSARY! Coping skills are something to stick in your back pocket and they’re there if you need them. A meme by @mamiMilkShake on Twitter said, “If you didn’t come from a good family, make sure one comes from you.” We can’t change the past, but we can sure create a powerful, meaningful future.