I Am Writing With A Heart FULL Of Hope...

that each and every one of my friends (YES...that means YOU!!!) has a wonderful, joyous, safe, and BLESSED holiday season. You know...this is the time of year when I really give a lot of thought to what exactly it means to be...a wife...a daughter...a sister...a sister-in-law...a neighbor...a friend...and well...a human being.

We wear many hats in this life and serve many purposes. Sometimes our situations are ones of our own choosing and we are honored to take part...and sometimes circumstances are thrust upon us regardless of our wishes and we are forced to learn lessons that we did not even know we needed to learn. We are, however, lucky that we have the ability to understand that sometimes what we need is not necessarily what we want and vice versa.

This year, I consider myself lucky to have learned many lessons. Some came very easy and by choice...and some were more difficult to see and to understand. I learned some things about myself...both good things and not so good things...and I learned some things about others. I learned that I am resilient and strong...but also sensitive and emotional. I learned that while I am spiritual and god-fearing, I know that this earth needs us to care for its well-being and to take care of it so that it may continue to take care of us. I learned that having faith and believing in a higher being (whatever it may be) does not mean that you cannot also trust in science and the facts of this world that science brings forth. These two things are not mutually exclusive. I learned that faith is a gift that we give to ourselves...whether it's faith in others or faith in yourself, you must always believe that you are capable of anything your heart and mind desires and that this world IS capable of love.

I learned that you must be careful of who you put your faith in but do not be stingy with your trust. Trust is the most wonderful gift that you can give to yourself and to others and not putting it out there closes and weakens your heart. Do not be afraid to be hurt...be afraid of regret and let the fear of regrets push you into making the leap into relationships and adventures that you have been too scared to try. Trust me...adventure is worth it. LOVE is worth it.

I have learned that being a good wife...sister...mother...daughter...friend...ect...is not 100% about one person. A relationship is a two way street...but to be able to give fully to another means first giving fully to yourself. Questions are good for the soul. Never be afraid to ask for what you want...whether it is from another person or from yourself. Often times, the only thing that is really keeping us from reaching our full potential is that we have never asked ourselves for permission to succeed...

and most importantly, I have learned to NEVER...EVER EVER EVER...be afraid to fail. In failure is when we should see the brightest hope and the chance to try again. Failure is not an end...it is most certainly a beginning!! Never be afraid to try...the only real failure is to give up.

This holiday season, it is my wish for all of you, that you ask yourself the question, "What do I want from this life?"...and that you give yourself a truly honest answer. You may be surprised at what flows forth from one simple question.

Take care, all of you, and be SAFE in your travels this season!!! I hope that Santa brings you all the wondeful fishing gear and lures and poles and jigs and reels that your little hearts desire and that, above all, you count your blessings and see that there is always a bright side to this life!! Have fun and God Bless!!!

Happy Fishing and Happy HO! HO! HO! ~

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe