Warmth and Wise Words from Tuesdays

On November 29, 2015November 29, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Books, Discussion25 Comments

As a piggyback to my previous post, everyone has their struggles, moments when they feel defeated, when they need to cry. (Because of the situation, our moments will be ongoing until..well, we don’t know. We only know what we know right now, which entails a lot of gray area.) But after the moments, they get up, they move forward, and they smile again. One day at a time and all is good…thanks again to all of you who offered prayers, hugs and support…

This weekend, my daughter and I did some Christmas shopping (avoiding black Friday madness), and it was a great mom/daughter time. Santa brought me an early gift, something I needed, adding some fun (and warmth) to life…

Red slippers-001

“Behind every successful woman is a fabulous pair of shoes” 🙂

To those of you in the U.S., I hope your Thanksgiving was peaceful and special. And for everyone visiting here, I hope your weekend was the same! ♥

I’m re-reading Tuesdays with Morrie, written by Mitch Albom. Long story short, Morrie was Mitch’s old college professor, who was dying from ALS. Most of us has someone special in our lives who made a heartfelt impact. For Mitch that person was Morrie. Mitch met with Morrie each Tuesday for Morrie’s last class. The subject was The Meaning of Life, taught from experience. Although Morrie was dying, he kept a positive attitude. Through his genuine, loving, and heart-tugging manners, he taught all who knew him “how to die so they could learn to live.”

I’m ending with advice from Morrie (so much profoundness in this book). It will change your perspective on life…

Mitch asked Morrie, “do you ever feel sorry for yourself?”
“Sometimes, in the mornings. That’s when I mourn. I feel around my body, I move my fingers and my hands-whatever I can still move-and I mourn what I’ve lost. I mourn the slow, insidious way in which I’m dying. But then I stop mourning.”
“Just like that?” Mitch asked again.
“I give myself a good cry if I need it. But then I concentrate on all the good things still in my life. On the people who are coming to see me. On the stories I’m going to hear. On you-if it’s Tuesday. Because we’re Tuesday people.”

My wish is that when you leave here, you take away something positive that will benefit you in your life, in whatever you’re going through…

Much love,
Lauren ♥

Kissin’ in the Corn Maze

On November 3, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Photography39 Comments

Last weekend, my husband and I went to a corn maze that our kids raved about. The maze is on four acres of land, and the design changes each year. It only took us 38 minutes to get through-record time, but we got lost in the beginning. A very strange and almost unsettling feeling, like being in the middle of a forest, trying to find your way out.
Needless to say, we found the exit, but the experience was so much fun. We ran into the same groups of people; everyone went in circles at some point. The middle two photos were taken from a platform overlooking the entire maze.
At the end, we walked around, enjoyed the country environment, but also felt a bit old, as little kids played in the corn box and on the hay stacks (weren’t our kids that young just yesterday?).
When we were ready to leave, we spotted the pumpkins, and since I love fall colors, I couldn’t leave without a photo of the vibrant gourdes. The other odd looking pumpkins are called “peanut pumpkins”-we’ve never seen these before; have you?
And yes, when we had a moment alone, in the midst of the maze, we stole a kiss. ♥

Shelf Life & Simplicity

On October 4, 2015October 4, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Inspirational, Photography17 Comments

I think we all strive for more than temporary happiness, but I’m guilty for eagerly anticipating the weekends. Those are two days in which I can live by my own schedule and do whatever I please. That being said, I’m extremely grateful for our jobs and
on a deeper level, we should embrace each day for the gift it is.
This quote by Vikrmn conveys several points, not all agreed upon, but the larger meaning for me is to focus more on concrete happiness and to allow oneself to dream big – the photo was another gorgeous sunset from last week.

Sometimes an ordinary event is most meaningful. The photo below was taken when I visited my daughter at her work. We’re grateful she is now employed full time after graduation and she’s enjoying it. This was a simple day surrounded by beauty.

May your “today” be blessed and every day following, and may you live in the simplicity of what makes you happy. ♥

“The bigger the dream, the better the story.” ~Richelle E. Goodrich

You are Worthy and Worth It!

On September 30, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Poetry34 Comments

How often do we criticize ourselves after looking in the mirror?
How often do we respond to a complement with a simple “thank you”
instead of an apologetic excuse?
How often do we feel unworthy of being loved or of being liked?

Relationships constantly change; some grow into deeper, meaningful commitments, and others fade. Sometimes compatibility shifts, maybe commonalities become less harmonious, or people grow in different directions.

When we land in situations that create heartache and leave us feeling lonely, we need to keep our emotions intact and not be so hasty to point the finger at the person in the mirror. Negative thoughts have a large impact on the perception of living. If we allow ourselves to fall into darkness for too long, it could be dangerous. Unfortunately, my family endured a tragic loss five years ago and there were no outward signs. More often than not, those dangerous thoughts are kept safely inside of our minds. Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of courage.

Below is a poem written by my friend, Jessie Jeanine at http://jessiejeanine.com/. She is a woman of Faith, Love, and Forgiveness. Even after all she has endured, she moves forward with self confidence and perseverance, setting an example for anyone who is struggling with low self esteem. I encourage you to visit her blog for more inspiration and enlightenment.

Scars are Beautiful

Do not tell me I am beautiful
If my scars you have not seen…

The scars on my arms and legs
From being stabbed and cut with blades,
The scars on my back from being whipped,
Or the scars across my stomach from being sick

Do not tell me I am beautiful
Not until you see
Both the darkness and the light
Consuming my mind, in a fight to be free

Do not tell me I am beautiful
Until you have seen me cry
When I break down and show you
Everything, I keep buried deep inside

Do not tell me I am beautiful
Until you know what plagues me
Night terrors and horrors
Please hold me… arms of safety

Do not tell me I am beautiful
If my fears you have not heard;
If my soul you do not understand
Because of pain I have endured

Do not tell me I am beautiful
Until you have cared for me ill
From diseases I was born with
As I fight to stay well

Do not tell me I am beautiful
If my scars you have not seen…
The ones burned deep into my flesh
And my very being

However,
If after you see all of my scars, learn of my fears
And listen to even a portion of what I have survived…
If after all of that, you still accept me and think I am beautiful

If you can kiss my scars without pity
And not be ashamed of me –
If you can see how all of them make me
The perfect woman, survivor and being

Then maybe… just maybe, I will believe you.
I will believe you when you tell me that,
“I am beautiful…”
I am a beautiful woman and human being.

Scars are Beautiful

Some people experience hurt to an extreme degree, while other’s experiences are milder. Regardless, please remember that You are Worthy and You are Worth It
no matter your age; a pessimistic mindset does not discriminate. We all feel pain, but it’s up to us individually to work through it so we can live, laugh, love others, but most importantly, love ourselves again.

“One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love.”
~ Sophocles

Before you leave, please say this to yourself, “I am Worthy and I am Worth It!”

I wish you a Wonderful, Blessed Wednesday and I thank you for reading. ♥

Lauren Scott © 2015
Photo: Google Images

Celebrating 5 years with WordPress! :)

On September 23, 2015September 24, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Blogging, Discussion53 Comments

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

You registered on WordPress.com 5 years ago!
Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging!

Another year zoomed by since I last celebrated with WordPress and
I’ll repeat my story from last year…I opened this blog in 2010,
became active in 2011, so I’m always one year behind. 🙂

In addition to my “blogiversary”, I’d like to celebrate the making of new friends, the joy of learning, the amazing following, the expansion of communication, and most of all, the fun! Cheers to taking life less seriously and having more fun!

Writing for our blogs is a great hobby; it gives us the opportunity to meet new people along the way. What could be better?

So thank you, EVERYONE, for your continued support! I began this journey before I turned the big 50 and now it’s been five years? Sigh…oh well, let the fun continue…

and now please join me in celebrating by singing, dancing,

and toasting to another awesome blogging year!

Sending lots of love, Lauren ♥ ♫ xo

The End and the Beginning

On September 20, 2015September 20, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Poetry35 Comments

How can we part this way
after all the things you said?
Your words were gold and shiny,
now our love is but a thread
of loneliness and heartache
and all sad words we know,
I gave everything of me
to you; my love was bestowed

Isn’t it mysterious how relationships end when we believe all is wonderful? Whether they’re made of romance or friendship, the outcome is the same. Our emotions are activated in heart-tugging manners, questions form, and our minds are baffled. We tried our best to contribute fairly in all that is required to keep a relationship stable. We felt comfortable enough to remove the mask and be ourselves without fear of judgment.

Many factors contribute to broken relationships as J.K. Rowling points out: “Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.” We need to show up, we have to participate, and we must communicate. So what happens then when two people part? Where do they go emotionally? Is it just as hard when two friends separate than when two lovers do? More is invested into a romantic relationship because of the physical connection; however, in both cases, there is loss, which is difficult regardless of the details.

One can wade in self pity, spend many moments crying, wondering what went wrong, and all of this is fine. Yet, how much time should be spent on over analyzing? Each break up is different because of its content, but as long as we don’t strive to swim a marathon in those tears, a little bit of emotional cleansing is healthy. Then it’s time to move forward; Steve Maraboli says it well: “Cry. Forgive. Learn. Move on. Let your tears water the seeds of your future happiness.”

When these events arrive in our lives, they are another step in the growing up phase, and age bears no relevance. Let us be aware, give in to the hurt, and then carry on into a new beginning.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about past relationships, after reuniting with a girlfriend from many years ago. It was interesting to write on this topic and if any of you are experiencing a break-up, romantic or friendship, I hope my words are inspirational for your future. I also wish you much happiness, with few tears and heartaches, and I’m always grateful for your visits! Sending virtual hugs and love! Lauren ♥

Rocking Back to the Past ~ Five Photos/Five Stories 5

On August 30, 2015August 30, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Photos34 Comments

When my Mom was five years old, her father built this rocking chair; it was the year of 1926. Freshly painted bright white with animal decals were the final touches. I can only imagine the expression on her little face when “Daddy” presented this to her. It has traveled from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Mom was born, far west to the sunny state of California. All of her daughters in their youth (my sisters and I) have shared the joy of this piece of history.

This priceless heirloom has lived in my sister’s homes for their children to use and appreciate. Then when our son and daughter were born, the charm of this gift touched them, as well. Over the years and more often than not, the thought of refinishing this mini rocker had drifted in and out of our minds. Although for some reason, it never happened. Maybe we were afraid of erasing history. Nonetheless, it will remain as you see it in this photo and our hope is that in the far future our grandchildren will have the chance to rock too.

Sometimes memories are all we have of years gone by, at times photographs evoke past moments spent, and now and then, a piece of handcrafted furniture takes us back to people we love and have lost. It’s been over three years now. We miss you, Mom. ♥

I’d like to thank Jean at https://socialbridge.wordpress.com/ for tagging me in this fun photo challenge.

Here are the rules for the “Five Photos Five Stories” challenge: “Post a photo each day for five consecutive days and attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction or non-fiction, a poem or a short paragraph and each day nominate another blogger for the challenge.

For my fifth and final nomination, I am tagging Michelle at http://michelleclementsjames.com/ (Book Chat) and I look forward to her contributions if she can find the time in between her wonderful book reviews.

Facelift

On June 21, 2015June 21, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Blogging, Discussion35 Comments

Dear Friends,

After four years of blogging, I am ready for a transformation. So if all goes smoothly and WordPress doesn’t throw a wrench in my plans 🙂 my blog name will change to ‘Baydreamer’ today. For those of you who know me well, I’m sure you’ll realize where this name came from. The content of LScott Poetry will remain the same though. Also, I’ve recently done some remodeling to a new blog theme. This “makeover” is a fresh beginning to a new season and a continuation on this journey of writing, reading, and of course, meeting new friends. Thanks again for all your dedicated support to my blog.

Wishing you a smooth start to your new week and to the beginning of summer!
Much Love, Lauren ♥