The Most Powerful Human Quality is Choice

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. When you are seeking to bring big plans to fruition, it is important with whom you regularly associate. Hang out with friends who are like-minded and who are also designing purpose-filled lives. Similarly, be that kind of a friend for your friends."

Mark Twain

Author Caroline Myss said in her work "Sacred Contracts" that CHOICE is often more powerful than LOVE because we get the CHOICE to BE LOVE. 

To love doesn't mean that you're going to be happy all the time. Love is dedication through good & bad...loving in light & in dark.  LOVE IS A VERB!

Every action causes a reaction. Every choice that we make affects our life in the present & in the future. 

"Throughout our lives, many of us will face circumstances that seem unfair, painful and traumatic. And, in the moment, that is true. But as we grow and evolve, we get to see that once we accept what happened, we now have the power of choice to be able to redefine the meaning of the event. Was is GRACE or was it disaster? Was it the worst thing that happened to you or was it an amazing lesson? Was it a tragedy or an opportunity for you to be able to see how loving you can be? Was it a dark chapter in your life or was it that the events had to happen in order for you to discover your light."

Mastin

If we can evolve & realize that every choice in our life matters we can rise above the insanity and be the presence of LOVE we so desperately need in our world today. We CHOOSE to see each situation and each day as a gift. We CHOOSE to love. We choose to be a blessing. We CHOOSE to accept people as they are. We CHOOSE to know that we are stronger than our circumstances. Joyce Meyer once said "You can't do anything about how you feel, but you can do a lot about how you act." THAT is a choice. We CHOOSE our actions. As soon as we embrace that fact, the things that seemed to be so overwhelming will be put into perspective. Lives will be happy and relationships will thrive!

Let your past empower you, see the present as a gift & choose to BE LOVE.

(This blog was inspired by The Daily Love. Subscribe to the blog and receive inspiration through daily emails)

Sticks & Stones

Whoever said "sticks & stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" is full of crap. Seriously, how many of you have been hurt by words. There is so much power in a simple word. One word can lift someone up or break them down. This goes back to my previous post about choice. We can choose to use positive and uplifting words or we can choose to tear others down with hurtful, negative words. One word is all it takes. 

Maybe someone in your life embodies so much negativity that's its hard to see anything good about them, but I assure you, it's in there! Speak words of encouragement & love and eventually the hard shell will crack & light will come shining through! Calling someone a bad name or criticizing them isn't going to make them want to mold into your standards of who & what they should or shouldn't be. Being a loving inspiration, using kindness & encouragement, choosing your words wisely & being a good example is what will help anyone who is struggling. 

Think back to an event in your own life. What made you push harder to be better, to do better? Was it someone poking fun at you? Talking down to you? Pointing out all your flaws (or what they see as your flaws)? Being a BULLY? I'm guessing the answer is a resounding NO. Ever heard the phrase "you catch more bees with honey than you do with vinegar"? It may sound silly but it's true!

Making fun of people, putting others down & speaking words of negativity over someone isn't cute, it isn't clever & it certainly isn't making you any friends! (Thank you Jaqui Bell for the latter part of that phrase!)

You would have kept those words on your tongue

If you had known the hurt they had done

While your fist laid right by your side

Your words they cut me deep inside

I'd rather have sticks and stones and broken bones

Then the words you say to me

'Cause I know that bruises heal

And cuts will seal

But your words, beat the life from me

- Dave Barnes -

Singer/Songwriter

"Sticks & Stones"

For those of you feeling victimized by someone's unkind words, remember: we weren't sent here to impress or have approval from people but only to love one another. 

Be Love.

Happy Tails!

After adding Memphis to our family (see previous blog "Diary of a Furry Baby") last August, Dean & I have become so passionate about animals. That's when my friend Harriet Dowlin told me that she & animal activist Ashley Pickins were starting a non-profit organization called Paws & Hands United, we jumped at the opportunity to help in any way we could. It's an amazing rescue that places animals in need with foster families until they can find their forever homes, rather than using the traditional rescue facility methods. Each furry baby has a photo with an information card, but more than that, PHU has a personal relationship with each dog/cat so it's much more intimate than most rescues. PHU partners with GoFetchforDogs.com which has all your pet needs in one place! Find products that are green and eco friendly, dog park locations, answers to pet questions, top recommendations & much more! 

Our fostering experience:

As I was going through my Facebook updates, I saw where Ashley has posted that we were bringing a 12 week-old Jack Russel/Hound mix into the PHU group but needed a foster family. She had the sweetest face & her story really touched me so as usual, I shared the info in hopes of finding a match for her & went on my way. A little bit later I found myself going back to the photo of her over & over again. I felt a tugging at my heart & I knew what we had to do. I went to Dean and asked him what he thought & fortunately we were on the same page! Whew! That day I told Ashley & Harriet that we wanted to be a foster family for the pretty little pup and the ball began to roll! 

Our first meeting! She came right to me and, well, peed on me a bit! Hahaha But she was (and still is) such a sweet girl. We decided to name her COOKIE because she has circles that look like cookies on her back & spots on her belly like chocolate chips!

Cookie enjoying her new pink bed & first bone in her new home! 

The introduction....needs no explanation...

She is definitely enjoying herself! 

After watching Memphis play fetch for a few days, Cookie decided to give it a try! 

The pups enjoying some tasty treats: puppy ice cream! They went ballistic! 

Good girl! She's already learned to sit! She came to us underweight & sick with tracheal bronchitis, but as you can see, she is healthy & happy now!

Chasing big brother around! He loves to be chased & she loves to chase so it's perfect! Memphis was really apprehensive at first but after about 3-4 days he has warmed up to her & they've become quite attached, which is why...

THAT'S RIGHT!!!! We are "foster failures!" Haha Dean, Memphis & I decided to make Cookies' stay with us a permanent one! Welcome to the family little miss Cookie Z! How could we resist that face?

Momma & baby! She is such a love bug!

Going for our morning walk! She does pretty good for being so young & she always looks to her big bro for guidance! 

Side by side!

Thick as thieves! 

Snuggle time is our favorite time...

...but sometimes she gets CRAZY! 

Daddy & big brother are happy about our new addition to the family too! Hahaha

For me, I feel like adding a furry baby (or two) to our family has made me a better person. I'm more patient, compassionate & responsible not only with animals, but with people as well. 

If you are considering adding a pet to your household, please contact Paws & Hands United:

Pawsandhandsunited.com

Pawsandhandsunited@gmail.com

Or Paws & Hands United on Facebook

Don't forget to check out GoFetchforDogs.com !!!! 

::Stephi's Portfolio::

Stephanie B. Richardson

"Stephi Shoog Richardson"

5'5". 120lbs

Dancer, Singer, Actor, Choreographer, Instructor, Model

stephishoog@gmail.com

Currently employed by:

Legends in Concert. Branson, MO. Singer/Dancer

&

Xtreme Racing Center. Branson, MO

Spokesmodel

Photo credit: Simply Stated

In a New York state of mind...
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Jumping bean!
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Soaring high!
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Promo shot for Xtreme Racing Center in Branson, MO
Meadows Images

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40's style
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Ain't nobody's business if I do...
inspired by Miss Lady Day
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Live shot from "Dancing With The Stars Of Branson" fundraiser
Meadows Images

The Starlettes: Live at Club 57 Branson, MO

Dancing With The Stars Of Branson fundraiser
Photo Credit: Amy Berhardi

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Promo shot for Xtreme Racing Center in Branson, MO
Meadows Images

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Live: Dancing With The Stars of Branson fundraiser
Meadows Images

Photo credit: David Edmonson

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Australia 2012
Photo credit: Dean Z

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Promo shot for Xtreme Racing Center Branson, MO
Meadows Images

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Release!
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Promo shot for Xtreme Racing Center in Branson, MO
Meadows Images

Whitton De Fleur Collection
Hand crafted by Stacey Whitton Summers

Graphic design by Dean Z
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Image credit: Dean Z
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Promo shot for Xtreme Racing Center in Branson, MO
Meadows Images

Hey Baby, Hey Baby,  Hey!
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Having a ball!
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I believe I can fly ;-)
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Graphic design by Dean Z
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