 Reprinted with permission Dear Natasha, Scott and I were so happy you were our waitress the first time we went to First Watch. You were the perfect combination of friendly, engaging and professional. Providing amazing service while letting us have our space to talk isn’t easy. We asked you your name to make sure we requested you each time we came after that. With all the guests you serve, I couldn’t figure out how you remembered exactly what we both liked every time. You make us feel so welcome and special each time. When you aren’t working it just is never quite the same. It was like we were visiting someone we knew when we saw you. A few weeks ago I happened to wear an NA t-shirt I had recently gotten at a convention I attended. You immediately noticed and said something about it. Scott and I both said we were in recovery and your face lit up. You admitted that you were an addict and had been going to meetings at one time and needed to get back to them. We were excited to tell you about our home group that met on Friday nights knowing you only worked days. You said that was a perfect time and you would be there next week. I gave you my card and said you could call any time. We left excited that we were able to share a message of hope with you and there was a meeting 5 days later. The next time we were there you apologized for not being able to make the meeting. We said we would be there when you were ready to come. You said you would be there Friday and would give me a call and again Scott and I were excited knowing we would see you in a few days in a meeting. You didn’t come to the meeting Friday night, but at least you knew where we were. We came over Sunday and they said you were working later than your normal time. For a moment I thought that was strange since you only serve breakfast and lunch, but didn’t give it another thought. Once again breakfast wasn’t the same without you. There’s something about you that lights up wherever you stand. Your warmth was felt by so many. I guess that’s why so many people request you. Scott went there without me yesterday morning. A couple of the waitresses walked over knowing we always sat with you. They let him know that you overdosed and died on Sunday, the day they told us you were coming in to work later. I can’t imagine what it was like for him to hear that in the very place we met you. He knew how excited I was that you wanted recovery. There aren’t many women in our meetings and the idea of you joining us was part of the reason we started the meeting. We wanted a place for anyone seeking recovery from addiction to have a place to hear the message of Narcotics Anonymous and know that a day at a time, they never had to use drugs again. I don’t know how he found the words to tell me what happened to you. I sat in shock unable to process what he shared. He said you have a 9- and 11-year-old. How are they going to grow up without your love? I’m sorry that you were so in the grip of your addiction that you didn’t call or come to a meeting. We would have helped you; I promise. All you needed to do was pick up the phone or shown up at the door. Now nobody else, most of all your children will ever see the twinkle in your eyes, feel your warmth or be excited just knowing you are in the room. I hate this disease and what it does. What I hate even more is that this past Sunday it won and took you. Rest well Natasha and know the world glows a little less bright now that you are gone. I will miss you. Please, if you or someone you know has or thinks they may have a problem with drugs, pm me, no matter where you live. I will help get you in touch with someone in Narcotics Anonymous near you or let you know about online meetings. They are available 24/7. Help is available and NA is free. Out message is simple…an addict, any addict, can stop using, lose the desire and find a new way to live. Give us a chance…. what do you have to lose? Karen is so sincere that she gave me her cell phone to put on this blog: is 1.404.626.0946 or you can email her at [email protected]. The link for NA is www.na.org. Please "Like" and share this post. Sharing this message could save a life. Photo by Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash.com
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 Sometimes life sends you a whammy and it doesn't feel good at all! Someone says something that hurts, or looks at you in a way that stings. Sometimes people are rude, or the project you're working on isn't working out. Or maybe you worked hard on something and it seems like every obstacle that could possibly show up, does--and then some! Hard stuff.
Hang on! Take a deep breath. This is a test, it is only a test. The purpose of the test is to help you grow. The 'Universe', God, Spirit, your Higher Power, what ever you want to call it, is sending you a lesson so that you can become stronger and grow. It doesn't matter who you are, what you do, how much you weigh, how tall you are, male, female, or how old you are. It doesn't matter if you are experienced or not. Life will send you lessons and they will NOT be comfortable. And guess what? That's OK! It really is. Because if you're reading this right now, I'm here to tell you, you can get through this test and you can use this experience to make you stronger. You can use any experience to your advantage and flourish in AMAZING ways. Amazing! Do you hear me? Amazing! I'm not exaggerating. What ever tests life presents you with are there for a reason. In the end even the hardest stuff will turn out to be for the best because you'll be a better person. You can learn and grow and you are always stronger in the end, even if it doesn't feel like that's possible right now. When you find yourself in one of the 'tests' of life, hang in there. If you don't 'get it' the first time around, it will come around again and you can catch the lesson the next round. All along the way, remember that you are not alone. Everyone else is being tested, sometimes the same tests, sometimes different, but we're all tested. Even the people who look like they have it all together... you'd be amazed at the stories each one of us carries. You can handle anything that comes your way. Keep breathing, ask for help when you need it. Be good to you and those around you. With lots of love and some cyber (((((hugs))))) too! Aunt Laya I love this video.
Use everything you have going on in your life for the good... Did you watch the video? It's funny. Watch it. Love, Aunt Laya Please "Like" and share.  What is the secret to happiness? It's not really that complicated.
Step into gratitude. I just heard the quote, "If you're grateful for everything, you're grateful for nothing," and that means get detailed with your gratitude. I just took a workshop that taught us to be very detailed with gratitude. How detailed? Well, think of something you're grateful for. Do you love to paint? How about the hairs of smallest brush you have or the color carmine red? Are you grateful for summer? Well, how about gratitude for the leaves of your favorite shade tree, or the pulp in lemons? Are you starting to get the idea? So here's the thing: You have to practice gratitude every day; really do it. Personally I usually start each morning with a very short prayer of gratitude for coming back into the world. I like to go to sleep listing things I'm grateful for as I fall asleep. When I'm really feeling down, I like to play what I call "The Gratitude Game" with my husband or a friend. Take turns listing things you're grateful for. If you find it hard to think about what you might be grateful for, then this is really the right exercise for you. Think about the sparkle on the greeting card you got. Think about the knobs on the drawers that make them easy to open. Think about the filter on your faucet so you don't get sand in your water. Still not sure? Experiment with this daily for a month and I guarantee your life and attitude will change for the better. You will feel better and happier. Start now.  There are a number of things in life that you might want to release: Grudges Bad relationships Difficult past Failure Disappointment Anger Resentment Jealousy I'm exhausted just thinking about this partial list of possibilities. Right now is a great time to "change" your way of doing things if you need to let go of the old crap and bring in more of what you really love. What ever "it" is that you want to get over, there are things you can do to let go. The question is, do you really want to "get over it"? Do you really want to let it go? Sometimes there is an aspect inside of each of us that is actually served by holding on. Could it be that you just know what "it" is and letting "it" go means you have to go into new territory? You could just keep going until you are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Probably you've gotten over disappointments or upset in your past. There is probably something in your life that you can look back on and not feel so upset thinking about it. So you know it's possible. Now, you just have to decide that you want to let go and the opportunity to release will show up. Maybe this blog post is just that for you! So if you're really ready experiment with these few tips and see what happens. Let it flow, then let it go, also called free-form writing or automatic writing. Put all the upset onto a piece of paper; then destroy the paper. (This is best if done by hand.) Don't read it, just destroy it. Believe me when I tell you that if you keep it and later find it, all the upset can come flooding back. If you destroy it, you may actually forget the details of your upset! Steep yourself in the new thought. That means that you surround yourself in an environment that squeezes out the old, unwanted thoughts or even emotions. I keep ideas in the back of my mind to go to when I find myself thinking things I don't want to think. You can do this with uplifting music (or even one song that you can go to), a favorite food (someone I know uses sushi), or pictures you cut out of a magazine. Try taking photos of the things that make you the happiest in your daily life, then print them and surround yourself with what you love. Ask. Who are you asking? Ask the highest aspect of your soul, or ask God; ask your angels (you do know that everyone, everyone, has angels around all the time, right?). What are you asking? Ask for Divine assistance in releasing what needs to be released. Ask to forget the things that upset you. Memories can and often do fade with age. Some of those memories are worth forgetting. Declare that you are releasing, letting go, or getting over it. Until it is real because it will become your new reality if you really want it to. Seriously. This doesn't necessarily all happen at once. It can, but if it doesn't, know that the movement into being free from "it" is happening step by sweet step. You can do this! Do something right now (baby steps!!) while you're thinking of it. Love, Aunt Laya Please "Like" and share!
 Everyone knows that a happy person attracts more happiness. Only sometimes ya just don't feel like acting all happy. That's OK. You don't have to feel all perky all the time. On the other hand, you don't have to hang on to bad moods either. Here's a tip: one of the fastest ways to lift your spirits is to do something to lift the spirits of someone else.
For great inspiration, stories, need downloads, go see this website http://www.actsofkindness.org
If you have a hug to give, give it. Use your stubborn streak forGrab the good in life like a dog holds onto a bone! Love, Aunt Laya photo by taliesin at morguefile.com, thank you |
Live the extraordinary life you deserve.
Aunt Laya
Aunt Laya inspires and encourages you to live the life you want for yourself! She'll tell you the truth, even when it's not always so easy to hear so that you can learn to handle the hard stuff of life and be your best, happiest self. Always with love and caring. Archives
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