Got the very sad news the other day that a family who we’d been friendly with in our youth lost a brother/son. As if loss isn’t enough, it was due to a self inflicted gun shot wound. There’s some talk of it being accidental v. suicide. Like they’re not dealing with enough. Some of you may shake your head and be thinking…but Kitt, how could a self inflicted GSW be accidental? Well, I’m not privy to the details. I don’t know where he was shot, nor do I care. After having known of someone who accidentally shot himself cleaning his gun…in a major artery, I’m not going to go there. That guy lived because someone happened to be there who knew what to do and got an ambulance to him on time.
What struck me was that it had been a long time since I’d even talked to this family. In fact, as I sat here thinking about them I realized it had been nearly 14 years. The beauty in humanity is that even through all that time and distance we’re still able to feel empathy and wish to comfort. It also occurred to me that things change. I’ll be keeping that family in my thoughts and prayers. Loss is never easy. It is one of the few constants in life, though.
Instead of more maudlin thoughts, though, I’d like to share a few things with you that have inspired me….
One of the women in my writers group is a lady named Susan Davis. I find her to be very daring and exciting. This summer she took a bicycle trip from Florida up to Maine, then on to Canada! Can you imagine? She also introduced me to a process commonly known as “Tapping”. The technical name is EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). At it’s simplest it’s a combination of acupuncture points and verbal affirmations that help create positive change and growth in people. I found the whole process fascinating. She’s new to blogging and has documented her trip and how EFT impacted her personally. I’d really love it if you’d check her out… It really is pretty awesome and I know she’d love to hear from you. Her goal is to help change lives by helping people overcome the stumbling blocks to chasing their dreams through this method. Check out her post Tapping’s Not Just A Song and Dance and give her some love!
I also have to give a shout out to my awesome friend, Ande Lyons from Bring Back Desire because she launched her new book, Loving And Lasting yesterday on Amazon to amazing results!
Yup! In Hot New Releases under the Marriage category, it hit #1. But that’s not all! It also hit #25 in Best Sellers under the Marriage category AND #79 in Best Sellers under the Love and Romance category. Just goes to show people ARE interested in how to make relationships last and keep things hot and spicy in the bedroom! Anything that helps perpetrate change positively gets my two very enthusiastic thumbs up.
Another example of humor and embracing change was a guest post on LeAnne Shirtliffe’s Ironic Mom blog. If you’re not left laughing and shaking your head a little, you’ve forgotten how important a sense of adventure is when change heads your way. I love the parenting advice, too, by the way. I truly believe that a sense of adventure helps people adjust better to change and helps them develop coaching skills when things go awry (something that seems to be significantly lacking in many people these days).
Finally, you have to check out Renee Schuls-Jacobson’s post where she selects a winner to the “send my son a letter while he’s at camp” contest. Yeah, I know that wasn’t the actual name of the contest, but I’d been following this one because there were such sweet, funny, thoughtful posts made on Renee’s behalf so she wouldn’t feel bad for not having time to write daily letters to her 14 year old son while he was away. And then there was Don Of All Trades’ letter. His won…no surprise once you read it… It was definitely different than what everyone else came up with. You guys just have to check it for yourself. If you don’t find yourself thinking back to your youth with a bit of nostalgia and realizing how much things have changed, I’d be surprised.
Although so many of you have inspired me in so many ways…these are the folks who’ve impacted me this week and helped make me laugh. I’d love for you to check these folks out and tell me which of the blog posts I shared was your favorite or touched you most and why….
Please, I’m beggin’ here….Leave comments…make me smile…or share the blogs that have made your week this week!
You shouldn’t beg. Just offer us chocolate. 🙂
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Chocolate? Good luck. You’d have to pry that out of my cold, dead hands. LOL!
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Thanks for including me on your list of things that inspired you this week. It looks as though I’m in good company.
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You’re very welcome! I think what you do is very cool. Recently a friend told me she’d heard they’ve also been using this technique to help soldiers suffering from PTSD. I thought that was awesome!
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Thank you for the kind mention. You are too kind. I’m taking a bit of a blogging break right now, as I’m convalescing. I’m still reading! xo
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Hey, I getcha! You still managed to make me laugh this week…so thanks. You know me…I’m very likely to check in with you privately from time to time.
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So sorry for your loss, Kitt. Hang in there.
Thanks for sharing some positive stuff and giving shout outs to your blogging friends. You’re a genuine sweetheart.
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Thanks, Jessi. Just keep his family in your prayers. They could use it.
Hope you got a chance to check out the fun, positive stuff…
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Sad news indeed to hear about this tragedy.
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That’s why I’d much rather focus on the good things from this week.
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thanks for the connections to interesting people, sad about the young man – the world is fluid, coming and going with good and bad, isn’t it?
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It sure is! I think you’ll enjoy the bloggers I posted as much as I do if you check them out. 🙂
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Hello ! * waves *
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Hi! It’s been a while….
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I know. Been busy .
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Glad you stopped!
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Touching post, Kitt. I’m so sorry for your loss, and admire your introspection. Life is so dang precious and fleeting, isn’t it?
On a happier note, I’m thrilled for Ande Lyons. 🙂 Thanks for introducing us!
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It truly is fleeting. As for Ande? I’m so excited for her.
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So sorry to hear about your family friend. I hope his loved ones find peace soon.
I have heard of tapping!! It’s one of the things recommended to me for my RA. I’ll have to check out her blog. 🙂 Hope you are enjoying your weekend. And, who does not love Renee!!!!!! @http://rasjacobson.com/ 🙂
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She’s just started blogging, but I think her subject matter & sense of adventure make her so interesting.
And I totally agree about Renee. She’s just so loveable!
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So sorry to hear about the loss of your family friend. That is such a tragedy. It’s good to know that you have so many great blogs and books to read to keep you upbeat. Hope you have a great holiday weekend!
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You, too, Phil!
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So sorry for your family’s loss, Kitt. When we receive or hear such sad news, it stirs up so many feelings, especially past losses in our own lives. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Heartfelt thanks for sharing the LOVE of Loving and Lasting – how wonderful are YOU?! I am truly grateful for your amazing support in launching this sweet and spicy “how to” guide… MUAH & LOVE!
Ande
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Thank you, my friend.
As for Loving and Lasting….that was an assist of love. 😉
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
SAD..TOO LATE NOW.
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Thanks for the reblog. And you’re right. It’s very sad.
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