Snippets of Joy

We are all here on earth for a reason and we all have a purpose in life. Everyone is blessed, as we are born with our own beautiful uniqueness. It is that gift of uniqueness which makes us who we truly are and it guides us to find our purpose in life.

Unfortunately society of today encourages us all to spend our time comparing ourselves to others and trying to be like others. We do this to be accepted and liked. This may please those around us, but it allows us to be untrue to ourselves so that we lose our authentic identity and prevent that beautiful uniqueness within us from shining. We may, also never discover our purpose in life. This is a shame, as denying who we really are creates a life of stress and unhappiness and it erodes our confidence. Our uniqueness longs to be expressed and shared to the world.

To be true to yourself can require a lot of strength and courage. Some young people of today believe that when they follow their peers by behaving inappropriately, such as excessive drinking and partying, they will be liked and popular. Yet deep down, their instincts are telling them that their behaviour is not in alignment with their true self. This only leads to confusion, as they do not know who they are trying to please.

When you are true to yourself, you allow your individuality and uniqueness to shine through. This requires the courage to be introspective, sincere, open minded and fair. It does not mean that you are selfish, inconsiderate or disrespectful of others. It means that you will not let others define you or make decisions for you that you should make for yourself. Even if your decisions turn out to be the wrong ones, you will learn from those mistakes and grow in character. You still respect and value the opinions and beliefs of others, but you will not conform to their expectations of you or allow them to deter you from your own opinions and beliefs.

“People take different roads seeking fulfilment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.” Dalai Lama.

Authenticity is at the heart of success. Understanding and accepting who you are, the good and the bad traits, will attract people who embrace you and opportunities will appear which will move you forward on your journey.  Authenticity is looking at yourselves with growing awareness and sorting through the things that have held you back from being who you truly are.  This takes courage, perseverance and the need to step out of your comfort zone. You need to move away from the fear what others will think of you and to release the belief that you must always think and behave how others want you to. You need to accept that it is okay to focus on pleasing yourself and not always putting others first.

Even today, having always lacked confidence, never believing in myself, striving to please those around me and forever worried what others will think, I continue to struggle to live in alignment with my true self.  Throughout my life I have had moments were my true self shines. Looking back those moments have always been uplifting and fulfilling.

I discovered from a very early age that my purpose in life is to care for people and animals. I achieved this by becoming a nurse, which has given me so much fulfilment and happiness. This has not been an easy path, as my own fears, lack of confidence, self- doubt, and low self-esteem have got in the way. Fortunately my uniqueness was able to show strength, courage and determination to overcome all of these obstacles and I am a compassionate caring nurse who has made a difference to many lives. Likewise I feel fulfilled and happy being a loving wife and caring mum to my 2 daughters. My true self also has to have animals to care for in my life. I am fortunate to have shared my home with many dogs and cats over the years.

I do not know why I was created with the spiritual gift of being able to see and hear angels and spirits. This is something that has been part of me since childhood. I have suppressed it over the years, as I have always been afraid of other peoples’ opinions. Some may think that I am wacky, while others may be frightened, thinking that I am playing with the devil. I have come to realise that I am blessed to have such a gift and that by suppressing it, is only turning my back on who I really am. I have been created to be who I am. I have been given this gift to use to the highest good by bringing comfort, peace and clarity to those who are sent to me.

It is strange that no matter how hard I have tried to ignore my spiritual abilities, it has always reappeared. It has helped and supported me in many ways throughout my life, through the good times and the bad times. It gives me confidence, fulfilment and brings me lots of peace and happiness.

Finding your purpose in life means following your heart. If the passion for something you believe in or feel you must do, makes your heart sing, then this is your purpose in life. My purpose in life is to use this spiritual gift I have been blessed with. I need to believe in myself and not let others tell me any different. Everything I believe and do comes from the heart with good intentions. I am still battling to accept this part of me, but the more I do accept it, I feel that this is the true me which makes me feel free and that I am living my life as it is meant to be.

Our creator loves us all unconditionally and wants us all to live a peaceful and happy life. Life can be hard and stressful at times but we learn and grow from these unfortunate times. Our beliefs and our religion comforts us and helps us through the difficult moments and struggles in life. Religion is very personal to us and is part of who we are. It should not matter what religion we follow, even if we are an atheist, as long as we have good intentions and show kindness and compassion to those around us. If we have a loving heart we will be welcomed by our creator.

It is good to rejoice and talk openly about our religion and beliefs, but we should never impose our own religion and beliefs upon anyone else. Unfortunately religion has always been the excuse for wars and hatred for each other.

We should be more tolerant and less judgmental towards each other. Perhaps then the world would be a happier and peaceful place to live in. We are all created to have free will. Unfortunately it is man, not our creator, who destroys peace and happiness to their fellow mankind by their hatred and lack of tolerance to those who are different than themselves.   We should respect everyone’s individual religion and beliefs, as this is our beautiful uniqueness we are born with. Everyone deserves to live without judgement and fear of being true to themselves.

We should all learn to love ourselves for who we are, as we have been created that way. We should love the way we look, but if your true self tells you to change your looks to improve your health and happiness, then that is the way forward. Dress as your true self wants you to dress as this expresses your beautiful uniqueness within you. Those who feel that they are born of the wrong gender in the wrong body, should openly express their true self. Suppressing those feelings only leads to confusion and a very stressful and unhappy life.

Life is a journey of self- discovery. Go within to find out who and what you really are. Find the ability you have to change for the better by living and taking care of yourself.  In seeking other’s approval you strive to please them, but very often you ignore your own feelings. Care as much about yourself as you do for others for your own health and well-being. This is not selfish, for you are providing yourself with a healthy and happy life, so that you can help those around you.

Be true to yourself, listen and follow your heart. See yourself as a person of value who deserves love, kindness and support. Believe in yourself and your dreams, despite what others say. Your religion and beliefs are sacred to you and should be respected by others as you respect theirs. Be grateful for your own beautiful uniqueness and be proud for being you.

“We are each gifted in a unique and important way, it is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light” Mary Dunbar

So many people are unsure what an angel or oracle card reading is. Some even consider these readings to be evil or a form of witchcraft. I realise and understand that this is due to fear or possibly ignorance. This blog was written to try and reassure you that angel and oracle cards are nothing to be afraid of.

Angel card readings are not about fortune telling or predicting the future. Instead, they are a powerful tool to give you guidance about your life, where you have been, where you are and where you are going. The messages are always divine and given with love, so they offer comfort and healing to the mind, heart and soul.

This blog is somewhat different for I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and commit it to video. I aim to explain a little about the angels that surround us and how I receive their messages through my angel card readings. I hope it portrays my sincerity and compassion and when you see that I am just an ordinary shy lady, it will reassure you that there is nothing to fear about angel and oracle card readings. Instead I hope you will see the wonderful loving powerful tool they truly are.

Life can be so stressful and hard these days that it is easy to forget to show kindness to those around us.

Recently my passion for nursing has been failing me. There is so much pressure put upon us as nurses, and procedures and policies are complicated with advanced technology and computers. Many changes are for the better, but they just seem harder to access or keep up with. More often they take nurses away from caring for the patient.

When helping out on another ward a few weeks back, the extent of this pressure was revealed to me.  Someone on this ward has set the precedent that everyone should be aware of doing everything politically correct and in the process watch out for others making mistakes.  There was no act of kindness towards fellow colleagues and willingness to help each other.  I spent the whole shift feeling nervous, doubting and questioning my own nursing ability and experience of 30 years plus.  This led to me making mistakes. If all the nurses were feeling this pressure, imagine the effect it has on their patients.

Fortunately I nurse on a ward with a supportive team. Everyone works together as a team, appreciating our own individual strengths and weaknesses and are always willing to help when needed. Working on this other ward made me value and appreciate the kind and supportive colleagues that I am honoured to work with.

I really care for all my patients and I thrive when I am left to nurse how patients should be cared for. My good old fashioned nursing was brought home to me the other day and made me remember why I became a nurse all those years ago. My passion was restored when during one shift all of my patients in my care complimented me on the care that I had given them. In fact they all thanked me for being kind to them. I did not do anything special and I certainly was not expecting any thanks, as after all I was just doing my job. I had just shown them compassion and empathy when they were feeling at their most vulnerable. But surely this is how all nurses should be to their patients. According to my patients that day, not all nurses are. One patient eagerly told me that one of my colleagues had informed her that everyone liked working with me as I was always cheerful and willing to help them.

I do not nurse to get such thanks and recognition as I received that day.  I nurse because I generally like to help and care for people. I like to make a difference to as many lives as possible. I think the universe wanted me to hear all those compliments that day. It made me feel good about myself, and appreciated for all the commitment I give to nursing. It restored my passion for nursing, but it also made me realise that being kind to those around us will make a huge difference to so many lives. You do not have to be a nurse to achieve this.

As I mentor nursing students I hope I pass on my old fashioned nursing skills to them. I nurse from the heart so I hope they learn from me the ability to be kind by showing compassion and empathy. These student nurses will be the nurses of our future. It is easy to show kindness to others and I hope by writing this I can spread a little kindness into your heart, which you will pass on to those around you.

We can show kindness with words and the way we communicate them. Words are so powerful and must never be underestimated. The saying: “stick and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt” is not true. Words can have an everlasting damaging effect. The trouble is once words have been spoken, they are like a bullet being fired out of a gun, as they can never be called back.  Parents who tell their children that they will never achieve anything, allow their children to grow up believing that. These children will establish a very low self- esteem and negative attitude to life. On the other hand if the parents have told their children how brilliant they are, the power of the words take over and the children grow up feeling good about themselves. They will have a more confident and positive attitude to life.

It is good if we are able to think before we speak. This can be hard.  We can all learn to demonstrate more kindness and compassion through our communication, if we form the habit of using positive words instead of negative words. Words of encouragement and kindness are uplifting to those who are feeling vulnerable or low in mood. Negative words will only destroy their spirit and could cause devastating damage.

There are nine words that demonstrate an act of kindness. They are: Thank you, I’m sorry, you’re welcome and I love you. These words when spoken can have a powerful impact.

Showing gratitude and saying a simple thank you to someone else generally empowers the people around you as well as being an empowering feeling for you too.

When someone receives gratitude it releases all the feel good hormones in the body. Both the giver and the receiver can experience a healing connection were they feel free from stress or discomfort.

Saying sorry to someone not only makes the recipient feel comforted, it allows the giver to let go of feelings of anger and resentment. Hopefully if forgiveness is granted everyone concerned will be healed of all of the above emotions.  Forgiving shows compassion and brings comfort. Sometimes it is necessary to forgive yourself before you can say sorry. It is understandable that it is not easy to admit when we are in the wrong. Some people act that they are always right and some act as the victim. We must remember that no-one is perfect. Admit that you have made a mistake to yourself.  Say I’m sorry to yourself and really feel the forgiveness from within.  Forgiving yourself means softening your heart to your emotions or whatever you did that was wrong or hurtful and letting go.  Once you feel compassion for your imperfect self, then you can say I’m sorry to the person you have hurt.

You’re welcome is a warm greeting to make people feel special and part of your life. It is also used in a gesture of sincere gratitude.

I love you are words which all of us like to hear in our lives. Whether we hear it spoken from partners, mothers, fathers, siblings, or friends, it conveys to us that we are loved. It gives us a sense of belonging and security.

All of these words are wonderful and are words we all love to hear. If these words are not spoken from the heart they are not genuine and do not mean anything. Some people just say I’m sorry automatically, not really aware why they are saying it. It is the same when welcoming people. You may tell someone that they are always welcome to come to stay when next visiting the area, when deep down you do not really mean it.

Gratitude also has to come from the heart to be authentic. If thank you is said without meaning the recipient will always know that it is not genuine gratitude. In fact none of these nine words can be faked.

Likewise all of these words have more of an impact when they are spoken without any expectation of getting something in return. If something is expected in return then the words lose their power as they are not being spoken sincerely. You yourself will feel disappointed and despondent. If these words are spoken from the heart, without expecting anything in return, you will enjoy the magical feeling as you watch the recipient’s response.

The words I love you are often said full of expectation and have led to a lot of disappointment.  Saying I love you has to be said from the heart and meant. Over using the words to please someone is not genuine. Showing genuine love is demonstrated through loving actions and giving time and attention to the people in our lives. It is not genuine love when someone says I love you, but does not treat you in a loving kind way. It is not healthy for any relationship if there is a need to constantly hear the words I love you from your partner. This identifies insecurity and low self- esteem. It is important to try to take care of this as it will cause resentment for all concerned. The other person in the relationship will also feel burdened.

Saying I’m sorry and expecting forgiveness in return can also be disappointing. Blaming the other person for not reciprocating will only start the hurt cycle all over again for both parties. You have done your part, so prove that you are really sorry by walking away to prevent any further hurtful words or actions. Sometimes the other person may need time to process it. Even if you are never forgiven, you know that you have done the right thing by apologising.

There are so many ways we can show kindness to others. We can visit an elderly or sick neighbour and offer to clean, shop or cook for them. We can donate clothes to the homeless or volunteer for some charity. There are so many things we can become involved in or do to be kind. Being kind to someone, though, can be done through the simple things of everyday life. Just smiling or saying hello to a stranger can light up that person’s day, as can holding a door open for someone or helping them carry their shopping bags.

Do not be afraid of approaching someone if they appear lost or confused. Ask them warmly if they need any assistance. When interacting with strangers, such as a shop assistant or waitress, engage in conversation asking how they are. Genuinely listen to them and be positive in your conversation and keep it focused on them. This makes them feel special and that someone cares and is listening to them. If you receive excellent service from someone take the time to tell them or inform their manager. Unfortunately many people of today are always too eager to complain or criticise, but they fail to give praise when it is due. Complimenting people on how they perform at their job will make them feel worthy, appreciated and more confident. Equally, complimenting people on the way they look can really help to lift their spirits.

Showing kindness is about having time for those around you, being a good listener, saying and doing nice things to make others feel special and loved. Being kind is treating people how you like to be treated. Showing kindness to others is more powerful, and rewarding for the giver when there is no expectation for something in return. This is genuine kindness given from the heart.

Being kind to others is so simple. Yet most of us find it hard to show kindness towards ourselves. Many of us beat ourselves up over things and are very unkind to ourselves. Remember no one is perfect.  We need to show more compassion towards ourselves. Compassion means loving yourself, forgiving yourself and being grateful for what you have. Practise using positive words towards yourself. This will raise your confidence and self- esteem. Try saying those nine words mentioned above to yourself. See how they make you feel. When we love ourselves we can show more love and kindness to those around us.

Let us all practise being kind to ourselves and each other every day. By sharing kindness it will spread and reach peoples’ hearts. In doing so it will bring more happiness and less stress into our lives.

Everyone has or will lose someone they love through dying. Dying is part of living and yet even in this permissive age it is feared and has become a modern taboo. Often people feel uncomfortable when they are confronted with any aspect of death and dying. We all prepare for births so why not prepare for death? Being open to talking about death and dying can help us all come to terms with our own mortality and bring comfort and hope to those who grieve for their loved ones.

Everyone is different, each with their own beliefs. Facing death is a traumatic experience for anyone but we will deal with it in our own individual ways. As a nurse I value and respect the wishes and beliefs of those who are dying. I have found that patients who are aware of their imminent death are at peace with themselves as they have had time to accept it. During this time they have made plans and their wishes have been heard. This provides them with the comfort they need.

I feel very humbled and honoured to care for people in their last days of life and to support and offer comfort to their relatives. Caring for the dying can sometimes elicit an emotional response as it means facing a personal meaning in our own life. It helps to be aware of the triggers, although such triggers appear when least expected.

This happened to me a few years back. I was caring for a lady who was in the last stages of her terminal illness. I built up a special rapport with this lady as she was the same age as me and she had two daughters of similar age to my own two daughters. I really admired her courage, as to prepare herself, her family and many friends for her inevitable death she had said her goodbyes before coming into hospital to spend her final days.  Her husband had worked away from home mostly, so even before coming into hospital she had isolated herself from her daughters so that the three of them could learn to adapt and live together when she was no longer there. Her husband visited every day. Her daughters and friends only visited now and again. She was so calm and serene. She was open in talking about her own death. She showed no regrets or anger and had a wicked sense of humour.

It was on a Sunday morning, two weeks before Christmas, when my colleague found that she could not get any response from her. We were wondering whether to call her family.  I went in to see her and as soon as I called out her name, it was as if she came back from the dead. She woke up startled but I soon calmed her. She said that she was desperate for the toilet and then was adamant that she wanted a shower. Feeling that she was very weak, I tried to discourage her from having a shower until a little later, but she was very persistent.

She actually died in my arms, as she sat on the shower chair. I felt the life slowly but peaceful drain out of her. I felt mortified that she had died in such an undignified manner. I was suddenly torn with guilt that I had woken her up and not let her die peacefully in bed. I also felt bad that I had not given her family the chance to come and say their goodbyes. We had not expected her to die that day, although her death was imminent. I was so sad, especially when her family arrived later. We took some time reaching them, as they had been out looking for Christmas trees.

I related to this family and caring for this lady triggered my personal emotions. With support from my colleagues I eventually began to realise that I had nothing to be guilty about. The lady had already said her goodbyes and had prepared her family to be strong for when she passed. When she died her husband was securing the strong bond with his daughters, which my patient had hoped for. I was honouring her wishes by getting her ready for a shower. I feel that she did not want her family around her when she died. I never know why she suddenly came out of her unresponsive state, when I called her name that morning. What I do know is that I am truly honoured to have nursed this inspiring brave lady and to have been there for her in her last moments. Those last few moments were very precious and divinely special.

I have also witnessed many patients who struggle to accept that they are dying. Some patients feel they are not ready to leave this earth as they have some unfinished business or they need to see someone.  Nursing these patients is emotionally challenging. It takes a lot of compassion and nursing experience to try and bring them peace and comfort on their final journey. It’s as if they need permission to let go.

Letting go of those we love can prove to be very distressing. It is therefore important to respect the wishes and needs of their beloved one who is dying. It will help to ease the burden for everyone concerned if those wishes have been discussed. It also helps if the family are involved and included in implementing the desired plans. Being positively active and feeling useful will ease the sadness and aid the stages of the grieving process in the final days.

When death is imminent within a family the time left together should be shared openly and sincerely making lots of precious moments to remember. Fear will only reduce the quality of that precious time left. Consider being honest where children are concerned. Children are very quick in sensing when something is wrong. There is no shame in crying throughout this sad time but there should be room for happiness and laughter. Expressing feelings to each other or friends helps to cope with the sadness.

Many people who are aware of someone dying or of people who are grieving feel very awkward and lost for words when in their presence. Sometimes words are not needed, as just being there can bring a lot of comfort. No one is expected to have all the answers, so just listening is valuable. It will provide compassion and comfort. Often a dying or grieving friend won’t ask for help, so take the initiative and take the children out, or mow the lawn.  All sorts of things can help. The simple things can be a real relief. Those who are drying or grieving often just want to feel normal, so just be yourself. Sometimes doing regular things together will help. Other times they will want their own space. It is important to respect their wishes and not feel offended if they appear grumpy at your kind suggestions.

Of cause sometimes our loved ones are suddenly taken from us. This can be from a sudden illness, a tragic accident or incident, or by being killed by some evil sick being. I take comfort in my belief that as we take our last breath, our soul is immediately taken from our decaying body by our guardian angels and beloved relatives who are in spirit. They return us to our heavenly home. I believe that the person passing will not feel any pain during this process. There are countless stories of people who have had near death experiences. They all record it as a divine experience rather than a painful one.

A sudden unexpected death is more of a shock to those left behind. One day they were there, the next they are gone. Coming to terms with the reality of it can be difficult and very painful. There will be the mixture of emotions of anger, guilt, fear and sadness. It can take a long time to get over the shock. Some say that you never stop grieving for a loved one, you just get used to the idea of not having them around. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Those grieving should be allowed to grieve in a way that feels right for them, free of expectation and pressure. Hopefully with time those grieving can look back on happy memories without too much sadness.

When people continue to be so full of grief and forget how to live and enjoy their life, they may require help in the form of bereavement counselling. Talking through their mixed emotions, which is a natural process of grieving, will assist them to come to terms with their lost. Coming to terms will enable them to find the joy in their own lives.  It is quite normal to speak to the dead. In fact this can bring a lot of comfort. This can be especially comforting if there was no opportunity to say goodbye. If you are left with things you wanted to say, find a private place, sit down and chat.

Our loved ones never really leave us and will always remain in our hearts. Believing this and learning to sense their presence supports the grieving to continue to live and enjoy life. I have discovered that spirits like to be remembered. They are persistent by irritatingly making things disappear and then show up in the most unlikely place. They let you experience a tingling feeling or a sudden shudder or shiver. Sometimes they leave their aroma of perfume or tobacco. They can offer comfort by slipping happy memories into our thoughts, or by making us aware of some meaning song that is playing. Just sensing their presence can bring so much comfort.

When I am reading cards for people, I sometimes have spirits come through. They appear when they have something important to say to the person I am doing the card reading for. On a couple of occasions those messages have brought so much comfort and healing to both my client and the spirit.

At a recent family wedding my daughter was speaking to her cousins about my spiritual gift. They were interested and persuaded me to do readings for them all and their boyfriends. I don’t know my nieces very well, as we live a fair distant apart. I certainly knew nothing about their boyfriends.

As soon as I started the reading for one of the boyfriends, I felt the strong presence of a man. As I progressed it became apparent that I was speaking to the boy’s father who had passed away very suddenly when the boy was quite young. The poor boy had not got over the fact that his dad had just disappeared from his life. His dad could see how his son’s grief was preventing him from moving on and enjoying his life. He had been trying to reach out to him for so long.  He was desperate to tell his son that he was with him and loved him so much.  He told his son that he must not feel sad anymore but to live his life to the full. The father was excited as he showed me how close the two of them had been. The boy related to everything I passed on to him.

It was a very moving and emotional reading. There was so much love in the room as the two of them were reunited. The boy hugged me afterwards thanking me. He said that he felt a huge weight being lifted from him. He had received so much comfort that he was now able to heal. His dad was also grateful for he could rest in peace knowing his son would now move forward with his own life.

Parents never expect their children to die before them. As a mum I cannot begin to imagine the pain or grief at losing a child. Young children with terminal illnesses never fail to amaze me by their courage and determination to make the most of the short time that they have left. Parents who have lost a child should be proud that they were chosen to have been part of their children’s short lives.

There is a coalition called Dying matters which is formed to help people talk more openly about dying, death, and bereavement. They claim being open will involve a fundamental change in society in which dying, death and bereavement will be seen and accepted as the natural part of everyone’s life cycle. This will have an impact on people who are dying and bereaved, as the quality of care, the range of support and care services available to patients and their families will be improved. It will also affect our ability to die where and how we would wish.

More details can be found on the following link, although I have no association with it https://www.dyingmatters.org

As a result of my interest and empathy in this subject I did specialise in palliative care and I would be pleased to offer any advice or comfort for anyone who finds themselves confronting this, either directly or indirectly.

Writing this I hope to bring death alive and remove some of the taboo and fear about death and dying. In the meantime it is important that we enjoy living and live our lives to the full. Our life on earth is a journey to learn, grow, develop and find our purpose in life. One day we will return to our heavenly home and be reunited with our loved ones.

Life can be hard at times and can present us with many difficult challenges and situations. Sometimes we may require help and advice from those around us. Although that advice is given with kindness, it does not always mean it is the right way forward to resolve those difficulties or challenges that we are facing. No one really knows or understands how we are feeling or what we are going through, unless they are experiencing it too. Everyone is different and deals with things in their own way. When faced with difficult times, it is important that we remain true to ourselves and follow our own intuition. So if the kind advice given is practical and logical, yet our hearts and general feeling is telling us different, we must not ignore these warnings that come from deep within ourselves, from our intuition.

It can be hard to know whether to follow your head or your heart. Likewise, it can be awkward to decline the offer of help from those who are acting out of kindness and general concern, especially if they are persistent, as they firmly believe they have the only solution.

I have recently experienced such a situation. The kind help I was offered, whilst it appeared to be a logical solution, it would not have completely resolved the unfortunate circumstances I am in. I listened carefully to all my options. I then found myself battling between following my head which appeared to be a practical step in the right direction, or follow my heart by declining the help offered. I did not want to hurt those who were trying to help and I feared that declining their kind offer would label me as being stubborn and selfish. I could not ignore those feelings deep within me, that were telling me despite everything, taking up this offer was not the right thing to do, and that it would only make me unhappy.

My circumstances have not changed, but I have more peace of mind for having followed my intuition. I have faith that my intuition will guide and lead me to a happier solution to my situation very soon.  I also hope that one day the kind people whose help I declined, will come to respect and appreciate my decision.

Everyone has intuitive abilities, yet unfortunately not all of us know how to act upon them. This is because we often look outside of ourselves or to others for answers. We seem to have lost the ability to look within, as we don’t know how to trust ourselves or we are conditioned to seeking guidance from others. Intuition gives us the ability to know in ways that our logical, rational mind could never know. It works with information that we do not consciously have and is often called our “sixth sense” Some may consider the concept of following our intuition is a bit wacky, but research by highly regarded universities has concluded that intuition is more effective than logical thinking when it comes to decision making. Even Albert Einstein quoted,

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift.”

Some people may not know how to recognise the voice of intuition from all of the other things that they are hearing. The voice of intuition is that still, small voice of the faithful friend within. It is never frantic or fearful, but it is all knowing. If there is a trace of fear, it is not our authentic selves, as the voice of intuition is a calm, knowing truth. We need to learn to attune to it, so we can rely on it and apply it.

Intuition comes from deep within us, as through our gut or heart we just sense when something is not right or when something makes us feel happy. This kind of intuition warns us of danger and should always be listened to.

My intuition has always served me well, but naturally I have sometimes doubted it and therefore not followed it. This proved to be a mistake and showed that my intuition is always right. Once we recognise our voice of intuition we need to have the confidence to trust in it. This is where many of us fail, as to build that trust means that we have to believe in ourselves. For some this can be difficult to do.

I have always lacked confidence. Recently I am starting to learn to believe in myself more. This is thanks to my eldest daughter who has encouraged me to. She has inspired me with her strong determination to follow her intuition. She recently followed her heart by giving up her career and heading off to France to make a life there. She had no job, no secure accommodation and could not speak French. Many thought that she was mad and they still do. Despite everything and all of those who doubted her, she has found a job, a secure home and is slowly getting to grips with the language. Her intuition and her ability to have faith and believe in herself has led her to find everything she has hoped for. She is very happy and she is at peace with herself. This is because she is being true to herself.

I do not know when she suddenly became so wise, but she constantly reassures me to have faith, follow my heart and believe in myself. She tells me not to concern myself with what others may think but to just smile politely, accept what they are saying gracefully and turn and walk away. I am very proud of my daughter and my intuition tells me that she has a very successful and happy future ahead.

Life and life’s challenges may be easier for us if we all learn to trust our intuition. Our intuition is really our soul from deep within. You may lie to yourself but your self will never lie to you. By following our hearts and soul we are being authentic to ourselves and we will find a happier and fulfilling life.

I love all animals, big and small, and have been fortunate to have grown up with cats and dogs as pets. Even as an adult I have chosen to share our home with dogs, cats and chickens, as without pets it makes life feel empty and a little less warm.

Owning a pet is a lot of responsibility, takes up time and requires patience. It can also be costly, so I understand why some people would never consider having a pet. Everyone knows how intelligent animals are and how they are often used to help man, such as guide dogs for the blind, sheep dogs, police dogs and horses, rescue dogs and military animals. The list is endless and there are many tales and stories throughout history of heroic and brave acts performed by animals to save mankind.

Pet owners know how much their furry friends can bring them so much joy and happiness and generally help to improve the quality of their life. There is no denying the unconditional love and bond between humans and their pets. There is nothing better than returning home from a stressful day to an excited welcome from a cat or dog who can provide the comfort so desperately needed. Whether we feel really happy or are feeling at our worse, our pets always remain by our sides, never judging or criticising us. Pets are often considered more than just a loyal companion, as they become another member of the family.

Not everyone understands this special bond between human and beast, or even realise how much pets do for their owners.  Recent research has proved that owning pets can actually be beneficial to our health and mental wellbeing as well as providing companionship.

Pets take away the loneliness of people living alone, or if their partner has to go away for a short time. As stated above pets are excellent companions and will be there to greet, comfort or listen as needed. Just their presence creates a warm secure atmosphere. Likewise, as the pet owner community is an incredibly friendly one, there is more chance for lonely people to make friends. In fact having pets is a great way for anyone to meet new people and create good friendships quickly, even if small talk does not come easily. Studies have suggested that it is not only dogs who help owners form relationships but other pets such as cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and even snakes can foster connections as well.

Studies have also shown that older homebound adults who own cats or dogs have better skills in paying attention, remembering details and using past experience to decide how to act, than those who do not own a pet. People like to feel needed and caring for another living thing gives a sense of purpose and meaning. Studies with the elderly and people who suffer from depression or mental anxiety, showed that when caring for pets their self- esteem and confidence would improve, unlike those who were not caring for pets.

Children also benefit from sharing their home with animals, especially children with autism, learning difficulties or if they find it difficult to communicate with human beings. They will find no problems talking to their pets, who will in return show them the love and understanding that they need. This will build up the child’s confidence and self-esteem and teach them interaction and social skills, which helps them form successful relationships later on in life.

I was touched and inspired by the heart- warming story of the little 7 year old boy, Owen Howkins. He has a rare genetic condition which made him feel withdrawn and fearful of the outside world, as he hated feeling different from other children. That was until his parents rescued an Anatolian Shepherd dog called Haatchi. The dog had suffered a rough life and had lost a leg and tail after being tied to a rail road and getting hit by a train. It was a miracle that he had survived. As soon as the little boy and dog met there was an instant bond between them. Owen happily goes out everywhere now with his best friend closely by his side. They have helped each other to gain confidence to interact with the outside world and the quality of life for them both is much happier.

Having pets in homes and classrooms help children learn responsibility in caring for things, teaching  them how to be compassionate and show empathy when needed. Dogs brought into a classroom of children with ADHD helped the children to be more focused. While guinea pigs brought into a classroom with children with autism resulted in relieving the children’s anxiety and keeping them calm. Having pets also teaches children the sad experience of loss when our pets sadly die. Death is part of living and learning to let go and saying goodbye to pets, prepares children for grieving and coping with human loss, which will happen sometime in their lives. Having pets teaches children to value life and enables them to understand how precious life is.

Evidence suggests that owning a pet can stop children from developing certain allergies as the dander in animals’ fur contributes to this. There is no guarantee that this is always the case and if someone is allergic to pets they will not suddenly become immune. Studies have also shown that the dirt and germs pets bring into the home help to improve immunity to colds and other mild illnesses.

A dog needs regular daily exercise which encourages dog owners to keep fit and healthy. Walking a dog regularly gets the owners out into the fresh air, rain, snow or shine, increasing vitamin D levels and keeping bones strong. Walking also means there is less chance to be obese, but more likely to be physically active.

Pets are fun to play with, sometimes bringing a family together. Playing with pets can bring out the inner child in adults. Training pets can be challenging but is also fun and rewarding.

Modern life can be very stressful and high levels of anxiety can lead to numerous health problems. Fortunately by simply, stroking our furry pets or even watching fish swim around in a tank will actually calm and relax us, relieving us from all our worries and fears. Reducing stress helps keep blood pressure low, therefore aiding the prevention of a heart attack or a stroke.

Pets also prove to be good therapy for recovering from illness or for coping with pain. They serve as a support and comfort with their unconditional love. Dogs and cats always seem to know when their comfort and support is needed. Today some dogs are used as therapy dogs and are brought into hospitals and nursing homes to help reduce patients’ stress and anxiety. Allowing patients’ own pets visit them, also does wonders for the patients’ physical and mental health. As a nurse I have witnessed many patients benefiting from such visits. I remember a lady who was very poorly, being at the end of her life. When her cat was brought in and curled on her bed with her, the lady spent her last hours in peaceful contentment.

People who live with conditions like epilepsy or diabetes sometimes find that owning a dog can give them a better quality of life or even save their life. Dogs have the uncanny sense to know when their owner will experience an epileptic fit or when the diabetic owner’s blood sugar levels drop. Early detection help their owners act quickly and so prevent further deterioration. More and more dogs are being trained in this field so that people with these conditions can live a normal and enjoyable life.

Pets live in the moment because it is the only way they know how to live. Unlike humans they do not worry about the past or the future, they simply live here and now. Their focus is on whatever is in front of them. Pets appear to be simple creatures, but in many ways they are wiser than their owners. Pets can teach their owners to be mindful, so that they enjoy and appreciate the present moment.

These are the endless benefits of owning pets. Owning a pet is a lot of responsibility and they can be very challenging, but they deserve to be cared for diligently with a lot of love and kindness. Pets give so much to their owners and love them unconditionally, yet they never ask for anything in return.

Of course not everyone is cut out to be a pet owner and no one should own a pet if they cannot provide the time or care needed. To still reap the rewards of pet ownership people can foster a rescued animal, volunteer at an animal shelter, offer to walk a friend’s dog or assist to care for a friend’s pet now and again. This can help animals in need and in the process provide a sense of purpose for the person involved.

I am blessed to have shared my home with so many pets throughout my life. This blog is a tribute to all of them, to thank them for bringing me so much joy and happiness.

We must never under estimate the power of prayer. There are many stories in the bible when a miracle has occurred due to the power of prayer. In fact throughout history there are many stories recorded by people claiming that miracles have happened as a result of prayer.

In May 1940, thousands of troops were stranded in France. As the Germans advanced towards them, their situation looked very grim, and their only chance of returning home was to cross the English Channel through the French city of Dunkirk. This retreat left them all trapped  on the beaches with their backs to the sea.

After a briefing with Churchill about this grave situation, King George VI decided to address the nation and call a National Day of Prayer, which was to be held on May 26^th 1940.

“Let us with one heart and soul, humbly but confidently, commit our cause to God and ask his aid, that we may valiantly defend the right as it is given to us to see it.”

So, on May 26^th millions of people across the country responded to the Day of National Prayer. Newspapers reported that nothing like this had ever happened before, as people from all walks of life, and of all religions packed into the churches, cathedrals, mosques, and synagogues to pray for deliverance.

The first miracle happened the exact day that George VI called for National Day of Prayer, as on May 24^th Field Marshal Gerd Von Rundstedt with the approval of Hitler, halted the advance of the German tanks. Historians today still debate why this decision was made, as the German tanks could have easily annihilated the weak British and French forces. As the advancement of the German tanks were halted for 3 days it gave the allied troops time to shore up their defensive line to temporarily hold back the Germans.

When the Germans resumed their attack the second miracle happened. A violent storm broke out causing heavy rain and low hanging clouds which grounded the German Air Force, preventing them from bombing Dunkirk.

The third miracle was the exact opposite of the inclement weather, as the English Channel which is known for its notoriously choppy, rough and dangerous seas became surprisingly calm. This was the key to the fourth miracle. There were limited battleships to ferry troops out of Dunkirk, so hundreds of private vessels, rowing boats, motorboats and trawlers responded to the evacuation mission. These ordinary people of both sex and of all ages, bravely crossed the Channel, sailing back and forth, without any weapons, rescuing the stranded troops and leading them to safe shores.

Churchill who considered himself to be non religious, called this rescue operation a miracle, for how can the evacuation of so many troops in 9 days be explained! Without any one of these miracles, the operation would have failed. Was it prayer that answered this grave situation and did the power of prayer create this miracle?

Dunkirk is a testament that the bigger the problems the greater the miracles. The truth is that we can pray for anything, big or small and still see miracles.

There is some form of prayer in every religion and spiritual path of the world. Every day people are praying for health, healing and happiness. Many of us, even those who claim not to have a religion, will admit that at some point in our lives we have prayed for assistance. This is usually the last resort and the final plea to a higher power, when everything else has been tried.

The truth is, that prayer can be said at any time, for any reason big or small, as God wants to shower us all with blessings and love.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you” (1 Peter 5:7)

God wants us to communicate with him, even though he knows everything about us. Pouring your heart out to God through prayer can offer a sense of peace, as God is pure love and he loves all of us unconditionally.

It does not matter how you pray or where you pray, as God will always hear you and listen. We do not have to use eloquent words or memorised prayers to pray to God. God is more interested if we pray from our hearts and not hold back. John Bunyan says,

“In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”

Sometimes we may think that our prayers have gone unanswered, but we must remember that God’s wisdom and timings are greater than ours. We are here to learn and all our experiences in life, good and bad teach us and help us grow as human beings. God already knows what our path in life is, and we have to trust him to guide us, even if it means taking a few wrong turns. Even in our darkest hours, God will always be there to comfort us.

We must have patience and faith that our prayers will be answered. Sometimes if our prayer is unanswered there may be something better coming our way as God has bigger and better plans. As we pray we must try not to trust in our understanding but to trust in God’s leading. We need to surrender and let go.

God will provide us with lots of opportunities or place people into our lives at the right times to help us. He may also give us inspirational thoughts and that intuitive feeling in answer to our prayers. It is up to us to take action on any of these feelings we receive. Remember God is pure love and he will only open the doors that are good for us. Taking action creates miracles.

Above all the most important prayer is to give thanks. God has given us the greatest gift of all and that is the gift of life. We only have to look around us to witness miracles every day. The blue sky above us, the fresh air we breathe, or the delicate flower with its heavenly fragrance. We should appreciate and love all of this beauty before us. We do not need to wait to pray for big miracles, as we must appreciate and give thanks for the little miracles that happen in all our lives every day. We must express appreciation for all the blessings in our lives. Even the challenges we face can be blessings. This helps us feel humble which keeps our hearts and minds open to God’s answers.

I know that I am blessed to have a wonderful husband and two lovely daughters. I have worries and problems, as most of us do, but I am happy and truly grateful for the life that I have been given. I give thanks to God every day and I ask him to show me how I can serve him and what he wants for me. I have faith that he will protect me from harm and guide me to my life’s purpose.

Remember never to underestimate the power of prayer. God always listens to our prayers and he works in us and through us to create the big and the small miracles.

As soon as children are born, it is our responsibility as parents to nurture and teach them, so that they will eventually grow into independent, caring adults.

I am fortunate to be the proud mum of two lovely daughters who have grown up to be just that.

No one prepares you to be a mum, it is something you generally learn through trial and error, usually suffering a lot of sleepless nights, tears and sweats as you cope with the varying challenges and worries as the children grow up. Despite this, there is nothing more rewarding than the joy, happiness and love that being a mum brings. No one also, prepares you for the day when you have to let go, as your children leave the nest to become the independent caring adults that you have been nurturing and training them to be.

When my eldest daughter went to university five years ago, she was already independent to a point as she was always determined to do what she wanted. This made her ready to leave home and in return it prepared me for her leaving. In fact, I was filled with excitement for her and I did not feel any of the sadness or worries that other mums in the same situation as me, were experiencing. This was not because I was happy to see my daughter leave, as I missed having her around, but I knew I had to let her go so she could grow and develop and discover for herself her true purpose in life.

As my girls were growing up I learned the value of giving them space, by respecting their privacy so that they could make their own decisions and learn by making their own mistakes. I also give my girls lots of love and I am always willing to listen to them, advising when needed without being too domineering (I hope!).  Both of my daughters know that I am here ready to offer whatever support is needed.

Letting go of your children actually forms a healthier, more trusting, loving and closer relationship with them.  I have been fortunate to have experienced this as my eldest daughter fled the nest and left home. She has never returned home to live, as she values her independence and enjoys life to the full. She has grasped all the opportunities that have come her way, resulting in doing well at university, having fantastic experiences of travelling to and working in different countries, and succeeding in a good career. I am very proud of her and grateful for the special bond that we share and for all the lovely moments we spend together.

A couple of weeks ago I waved goodbye to her again, as she headed off on an adventure to follow her passion and live in Paris. This passion only presented itself to her a few months ago, when she was travelling in Europe with a friend. Her friend is from Brazil, but she can speak English and French fluently. When staying with family friends of her Brazilian friend in Switzerland, who were French speaking, it made my daughter feel embarrassed that she could only understand English.  However, one day, they all went to visit a French village which my daughter instantly fell in love with and she knew then that she had to go and live in France, and learn how to speak French.

It’s strange how opportunities fall into place,  as when my daughter’s rental on her flat was coming to an end, and her flat mate was moving back home, her Brazilian friend was going to Paris to study for a month, and she asked my daughter to go with her. My daughter grasped the opportunity and handed in her notice with her employer so that she could go to Paris. With the help of her friend, her aim was to try and find work there,  get to grips with some of the French language, and hopefully settle there.

This time I found saying goodbye to her was not easy. My heart felt so empty leaving her at the airport, and returning home to see all her life’s belongings, which she had left behind cluttering up the house, left me feeling sad and lost.

The house seemed strange and quiet which added to my sadness. I could not understand why I felt like this, as I have said goodbye to her numerous times over the last five years, and I am used to her not being around.

This empty feeling could be due to anxiety, for my daughter does not have a secure plan in place which she has always had in the past.  Also, even though my youngest daughter is still living at home, she too is not around as much as she used to be. She works really hard and long hours as a health care assistant, but on her days off she enjoys life to the full, spending most of the time with her boyfriend.  While I miss my youngest daughter’s company, and the special bond we share, it is lovely to watch her blossom and grow into the caring independent lady she is. This is probably preparing me for when she too leaves home for good. In the meantime, it feels as if I have suddenly said goodbye to both my daughters at the same time, and it seems as if the chatter, laughter and fun has disappeared from our home.

Such thoughts are purely selfish, though nearly every parent experiences this feeling of loss, when they see their children reach independence. We all have our own journey in life, taking different paths on our way. Life is entwined with loss, as we say goodbye to our children many times. We lose them as babies, then as toddlers, then infants and so on, as they are always being made anew and yet they remain the children who we love with all our hearts unconditionally.

We must let go every time, and our children will one day have to learn to let go of their own children. Transience is what makes life beautiful and worth living. Life is loss and letting go, for without it, life would be valueless.

We mourn our children leaving, as they are loved more than anything we have loved in our lives. Maybe we also mourn the passing of a role in ourselves as protectors, and the need to be needed. Seeing our children leave home and gain their independence can also, make us aware of our own mortality. One day our children will have to let go as their parents pass out of this life.

I think my husband and I have succeeded in bringing our daughters up to be caring independent young ladies. It is lovely to see my youngest daughter grow from a shy girl into the confident happy person she is today. She continues to blossom as she journeys towards her purpose in life. I will have to let go completely soon, and although I will be sad I will also rejoice as she follows her heart and her path in life. I have no doubt that she will be successful in fulfilling her dreams.

I am full of admiration for my eldest daughter, as she has had the courage to follow her heart, even though it meant taking a leap out of her comfort zone into the unknown. Life is too short not to take the opportunities that come our way. We will only live to regret them later on in life.  Once that leap is taken, it is surprising how things seem to come together, sometimes even better than planned. It does not matter if we fail, as we learn by our mistakes and become stronger and better people.

Some people may think my daughter is mad or others may think that she is lost, searching for happiness. It does not matter what others think, as she is being true to herself by following her heart and her own path in life. She is happy and full of anticipated excitement as she takes every step of her uncertain but exhilarating journey.  I am confident that she will be successful in finding her purpose in life, and I wish her all the best.

I do not know where the years have gone since my girls were small, but I have so many fond memories which I will treasure.  I know that I am not losing my daughters by letting them go, as I am blessed because the bond between us has grown stronger and even more special.  We are a close family and the girls are good friends as well as sisters. They know their mum and dad will be here for them, and I know there will be many times that we are all together, so there will be chatter, laughter and fun again. I will savour and treasure these times as precious moments. All I wish for, is that they both are healthy, happy, successful and safe. I will always be with them in spirit and they will always be in my heart.

Thank you girls for all the endless joy, happiness, fun and love that you give me.

I am so proud of you both and love you lots and lots xxx.

If you’d like to read my eldest daughter’s blog about her French venture there is a link below

http://www.momentsforsharing.co.uk

A simple smile could change and brighten someone’s mood for the entire day and in return bring joy and happiness into your own day.

Smiling is an expression from the face and it is a sign of peace and happiness from the heart. We are not taught how to smile but everyone has the ability to smile as it is a gift God has given to every human being on this planet. We are all born to smile. Unfortunately as adults, many of us forget to use this wonderful gift as we are consumed with the ups and downs of life and sometimes we may wonder what we have to smile about.

We feel happy when we smile, as smiling triggers the muscles in your face and your brain to release the chemicals endorphins, which are responsible for making us feel happy. So if you feel low in mood a smile can actually rise your vibrations making you feel a little happier. Life can be hectic and stressful as many of us rush around juggling work and family and coping with other difficult challenging situations that creep up on us. A simple smile can reduce the stress hormones in our blood stream, helping the body to relax, feel calm and at peace. Obviously it’s hard to smile when dealing with all these challenges, and sad things happening in our lives, but if we could just stop take a breath and think of a happy memory, or do something that would make us smile, it would lift our spirits, if only for a short moment.

It does not have to cost anything, as a walk in the fresh air or reading a funny story or watching a comedy or chatting to someone close to us,, can all make us smile, which will reduce and help relieve some of the stress, anxiety or sadness that we are going through. Smiling more often, will help to heal our sadness or give us clarity, strength and courage to solve or cope with the problems that we face. It is often said that smiling and laughter is one of the best medicines.

Not only does smiling elevate how you feel but it can also make a significant difference to our appearance as it makes us look more youthful, beautiful and attractive. A happy smiling face will attract more attention than a miserable frowning face.

Smiling is the key to open the lock of everyone’s heart, so when the heart is open it is much easier for us to communicate or work with people, no matter what differences there may be between the people concerned. Smiling is an invitation to tell people that we are approachable and ready to interact with them. When we are approachable, we find that those around us feel comfortable and safe with us. This smiling from our hearts also helps build up a trust with those around us, which can sometimes be difficult to achieve.

My own experiences as a nurse have taught me how valuable a simple smile is in gaining that trust from the patients in my care and their relatives. A simple smile shows the kindness, compassion and empathy that the patient is in desperate need of, during their time of vulnerability and fear of the uncertainties that lie ahead for them.  On one occasion a lady was admitted to our ward for rehabilitation following an amputation of her leg. A few days after her admission she informed me and told all her family, that she instantly felt safe and knew she would recover well, when she saw my smiling face as I welcomed her on to the ward. Needless to say hearing this, put a smile on my face and made me feel happy. I built a strong rapport with this lady and her family, which is essential in caring for patients. The lady had a positive attitude and was soon discharged home, determined that she would enjoy life to the full, despite her life changing condition.

 

“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do” Mother Teresa

Do we really understand how true the above quote is? Just greeting people with a smile, whether it is someone we know, the shop assistant who serves us, the waitress or the person we pass in the street, is a simple act of kindness which can result in bringing comfort and hope, and even might help someone to overcome their difficulties that they could be facing at that moment.

Mother Teresa also said,  “Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”

Let us be kind to one another and start by smiling. Let our smile make a difference to someone’s life. Smiling is so powerful that it is contagious. If we smile at someone they will smile back and may feel good about themselves, so that they too may smile at someone else. Have you ever noticed how babies always respond happily to a smiling face? Even from that young innocent age, they sense the joy and love that is conveyed through that simple smile. A smile can be so powerful that sometimes it will be heard in someone’s voice over a phone, or felt through something that is in writing.

Smiling can be very rewarding for us, as every time we smile and make others feel better, it raises our own confidence and self-esteem. I felt really good about myself having made my patient feel safe and comfortable in my care by just smiling warmly at her and welcoming her to the ward. There are many other occasions in my nursing career when I have been rewarded for showing compassion and kindness. Feeling a warm glow from within, knowing that you have done something to make someone happy or feel better is the best reward anyone can receive. This is what gives me the passion for nursing and makes a stressful job worthwhile.

We do not all have to nurse or be in the caring profession to give. Smiling at people is a form of giving. Those who give to others tend to be rewarded by receiving good fortune. Smiling can sometimes attract more good things and favours from people around us. We can also give to others by making them smile. by speaking kindly to them, or praising them when they have done something good, or surprising them and treating them to something special. There are many other things we can do to bring a smile to someone’s face, but I find a simple “thank you” with a smile in appreciation for something, is the most gratifying and it certainly makes me smile.

Smiling comes from within. Smiling to pose for a photograph is not always a genuine smile, as it is purely a facial expression and not coming from the heart. When someone smiles a genuine smile it is like turning on a light. We all have a light within us and as we smile that light will shine through us brightening up our face and our whole being. A smile can lighten up our lives and the lives of others when we are in a dark place, even if it is only a glimmer of light it provides hope and comfort.

I am blessed as I am aware of the magical power of a smile, and it has been a wonderful asset for me throughout my nursing career and my life in general. Unfortunately not everyone realises the value of a smile. It’s not that they don’t want to smile, but they are either too wrapped up in their own worries and challenges that life throws at them, or they do not have a natural instinct to smile. Everyone deserves to be happy and smiling can enhance that happiness. It is important that we don’t forget how to smile and if it’s not a natural ability, practicing will make it easier and life will become more bearable and joyful. Some people may refuse to understand the value of smiling. We hope that one day they will understand and unlock their hearts, allowing the light and joy to flow into their lives.

Life is short, so we must make every moment memorable. Give happiness to others and we shall receive the same. Smiling is a step towards happiness, and is a wonderful gift you can give to others and to yourself. I hope this blog has made you smile and has brought some joy and happiness into your life. Remember to keep smiling.