When I Grew Up

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By Bernadette A. Sahm

Life seemed so simple when I grew up, there was a code of conduct and rules that we lived by, they were just common sense. Here are the ones I remember that had a lasting impact on me.

  1. Remember your P’s and Q’s (please and thank you)
  2. We are NOT heating/cooling the outside world (reference to leaving doors open)
  3. Stop crying or I will give you something to cry about
  4. Idle time is a devil’s workshop
  5. Clean your plate! There are starving people in the world.
  6. What did YOU do? In reference to any time, you complained about other kids or what others did
  7. Just because everyone else does, does that mean you have to do the same? If they jumped off a bridge, would you?
  8. Because I said so!
  9. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
  10. Doesn’t leave much to the imagination! (In reference to skimpy revealing clothes)
  11. Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

I grew up in a time and in a home where these were the lessons and the house rules. Most of these were from my parents and grandparents. They definitely formed me into the adult I am today.

Bernadette On Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

The Buzzsaw

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By Bernadette A. Sahm

You can’t speak the truth

Because they chop your head off

Keep lying stop trying

Stand for something fall for anything

They gather together

Spy on you

Keep the lie going

Keep the lies growing

That’s what they do

They are a buzzsaw

All against you

You leave and walk away

Over it and over them

Sad but true

They knew and so did you

It’s a circular cut

The blade so abrasive

She called it “love”

I had to laugh

This from the person who knew the truth

But chooses to live a lie

She called the table “purple”

Everyone could see it was white

They looked at her

They looked at eachother

Then agreed it was “purple”

You stood there loudly proclaimed

“It’s white and you are all liars”

Birds of a feather

They do flock together

Love no, not at all

Mentally not well

I will take the white table

And the truth please

No thanks on the buzzsaw

I couldn’t care less

I’m happy now living truth and love

You are sadly purple and as stuck as ever

You can’t cut me anymore

1000 cuts I survived

Stronger, smarter and healthier

Not playing your same old tired games

I look back and shake my head

And I laugh and I laugh

I thank God that I’m good

Loved beyond measure

Peaceful tranquil and content

Over it and over you

I had to leave

I couldn’t take all the lies

I tried but I knew it was wrong

And we all knew it too

Keep your buzzsaw

I am planting a garden and

Collecting sand in my shoes …

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

#truth #survival #abuse #life #lessons #reality #buzzsaw #sand #lies

Reflections Simple Pleasures During Lent

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By Bernadette A. Sahm

  1. Hand holding walks through the neighborhood
  2. Freshly painted do-it-yourself projects
  3. Amish Markets
  4. Red Candy Apples
  5. Sunday car rides to no where
  6. Hard cover books
  7. Red cabbage natural dyed Easter eggs
  8. Easter candy
  9. No meat Friday’s
  10. Prayers, peace, prayers and more peaceful reflections
  11. Budding blooming flowers and trees
  12. Waking up to the sounds of birds singing
  13. Outdoor events
  14. Palm Sunday
  15. Dedicated time for reflection and gratitude
  16. Traditional viewing of the movie The 10 Commandments
  17. Hallow prayers app
  18. Fasting
  19. Chocolate Easter bunnies
  20. Easter baskets
  21. Easter Sunday Sunrise Service on the beach

Happy Easter blessings to all! May you be blessed with a most meaningful Easter celebration!

Follow me at Bernadette on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and on Instagram bernadettesahm

#Easter #Lent #Reflection #Signsofspring

Pink Corduroy Pants

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By Bernadette A. Sahm

(Please note this is a light read. Recently WordPress sent me my site stats and one of my blogs has over 28,000 reads and hundreds of comments too. Sadly, it is a much heavier subject and has garnered much attention. All appreciated!)

Have you ever loved something so much that you went and purchased it in every color? 

Last winter I found pink and red and white and black corduroy pants from Talbots that fit me like a dream. I was losing weight and down to a size 10. This year I returned and there they were again in style and at the very front of the store. This time I purchased wine and turquoise corduroy pants in a size 8 and again they fit like they were tailor made for me.

A few days ago, I met with a professional photographer and as soon as we introduced ourselves, she said, “I love your pink corduroy pants” without skipping a beat, I shared with her, and I have them in all these colors and I love them. Then I remembered last year at the dentist office the girls in the office were commenting that they loved my red corduroy pants. Of course, it made me smile because I feel so good in them and love them too.

I stopped wearing blue jeans and wear my cords all winter long. They are so comfortable and fun to wear, they make me happy.

My husband is a long time Levi’s jeans wearer and this Christmas Levi’s had men’s corduroy pants. He tried them on, and they fit like they were made for him. Guess who is now creating his own collection of corduroy pants? He now has them in brown, black and gray and they look amazing on him.

I remember corduroy when I was a kid. I had them in a burnt orange color bell-bottoms when I was about twelve and traveled from our farm in Pennsylvania to family friends in Baltimore, Maryland. They were special and made me feel good. I also had them in overalls in a brighter orange color when I was in high school. Loved them then as well!

Apparently, my love of corduroy started when I was young and lingers on even stronger today. They make me happy! What makes you happy? What do you bring into your world both big and small that makes you smile and feel good?

So here is to all of us enjoying an abundance of all the things we love, and enjoying them in as many colors as we love …

Peace, love, and blessings in this New Year 2024!

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

One Less One More

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One Less One More
By Bernadette A. Moyer

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What could you use one less of? What could you use one more of?

One less paper cup
One less wasted purchase
One less heart break
One less angry moment
One less unkind word
One less disposable plate
One less unhappy day
One less missed opportunity
One less unprepared experience
One less fruitless exchange
One less regret

One more hug
One more kiss
One more I love you
One more flower
One more sunshine
One more friend
One more beach day
One more glass of water
One more glass of wine
One more live musical concert
One more fruit salad
One more road trip

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

All books by Bernadette A. Moyer on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Delete Remove and Replace

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Delete Remove and Replace
By Bernadette A. Moyer

fill your life with love

Sometimes in life you have to know when it is time to delete and remove and replace something or someone. Not everything and everyone is intended to stay in our lives forever or how would we grow and learn?

Change is a given and a constant, everything changes, we change. As we mature and we age we become more and more aware of how much life is already in our rear view mirror and we do our best to look ahead at what is worthy of our time and attention.

Just like our bank accounts are not without limits either are our days here on earth. Everything has a beginning, and middle and an ending. Choose to fill your life with love!

Some people enter our lives just to teach us how we don’t want to be and how we don’t want to act. Relationships that end seldom come back to their original glory, someone that has chosen to delete you and remove you from their life, does so at the risk of being replaced.

When our first Bichon Happy died we were heartbroken and sad. She was with our family for thirteen years. After several months of grieving her death we got another Bichon named “Happy Again” our second Happy was cherished even more than her predecessor because we already knew what it felt like to have that hole in our hearts. We often comment that “Happy Again” was taken even better care of than our first Bichon Happy because of our first dog!

People that love and people that give do so freely and willingly but also know that it comes with a cost and risk of being hurt.

Sometimes we are forced to give up a relationship because it just is not healthy and respectful. A person who outwardly and publicly repeatedly dishonors and disrespects you must be deleted and removed from your life. You might think that you can bring them around, but someone, anyone including family members that cannot show you the basic respect that even a stranger would command, just can’t be allowed in and eventually will be replaced with others who show us common regard and respect.

“People will love you. People will hate you. And none of it will have anything to do with you.” Abraham Hicks

The way others treat us is always, always all about them. The way we respond is always our choice and all about us. Some people will need you to be the bad guy, so they can justify their words and actions. Let them, take the high road, be the best person you can be, move on, there are really good and great people in the world. Seek them out and don’t be afraid to make room for them by removing and replacing and deleting the people and the things in life that just are not healthy, have run their course and are no longer good for you.

Make wise choices, surround yourself with the best people and the most loving and loyal people and you are sure to thrive and live a much happier life. Don’t be afraid to delete, remove and replace and to make room for all that is good and loving.

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer
Another Way and Along The Way books by Bernadette A. Moyer on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

What Do I Want

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What Do I Want
By Bernadette A. Moyer

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What do I want? What do I want out of life? What do I want out of today and tomorrow and next week and next year?

Seems like many times in life we should rethink and ask that question as it is sure to change as we continue to grow and change.

I truly believe the happiest people are the ones that are living their lives in a way that answers that question. What do I want? What makes me happy? How do I want to live my life and take care of myself? What do I need to be happy?

When we are young we are consumed with “what do I want” and answering and doing what we want then comes life and responsibilities, that career job, owning a home or a car and having children or pets all depend on us to produce and to provide. Sometimes it is easy to get lost in what does everyone need rather than in what do I want.

Having children and raising them is one of the most selfless acts and responsibility that we will ever take on, being responsible for another human being is the highest calling and requires giving and giving and giving on a minute to minute hour to hour and daily basis. It is never ending, but it also requires us to put our own personal wants and needs on a back burner. Kids have immediate needs all they know is now and later, adults can and do wait.

Then it happens the kids are raised, and full fledged adults out on their own and once again it is the perfect time for us, just us.

What do I want? It sounds so easy, right? But is it? How do you go about answering that question?

“Be careful what you wish for, you may receive it.”  W.W. Jacobs

For me its starts with a gut check, how am I feeling? Then it goes to making lists, what else do I want to do and accomplish in this lifetime? Then jumping off and staring, diving in, trying, learning, giving it a whirl.

No other person can answer that question for us and sometimes it takes thought, aloneness and quiet for us to come up with it ourselves. All I know for sure is that the only road to true and lasting happiness is finding a way to afford what you want in both time and treasure and then setting out and making it happen!

Here is to your happiness and here is to getting and appreciating all that you ever needed and wanted …

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

All books by Bernadette A. Moyer on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Happiness Heals You

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Happiness Heals You
By Bernadette A. Moyer

happiness-quotes-261

You have to want to be happy and you have to want to be healed and both come together as a package deal. Happiness heals us! It just does …

The more things that you can do that make yourself happy, the healthier you will feel and become. If one area of life isn’t going well for you then focus on the areas that bring you joy and happiness.

Happiness is infectious and contagious. There is no limit or end to the happiness you can create. Spread it around and see it take on a new life and more growth and power. What you put out into the universe comes right back to you.

We all come with our own issues, things that we were born with or things that happened in our childhood or later in life, hurts and disappointments are a natural part of living life. Most often they are here for us to learn and to grow. We can stay stuck in our disappointments or we can gather up the lessons learned and move forward with grace and love and happiness.

It is possible all we have to do is desire it and we do this by acting in ways that show our love and gratitude for the lives that we lead. Learning to live in the moment knowing that yesterday is over and tomorrow has yet to come.

We do create our own heaven or hell, it all depends on us. Every single situation gives us the opportunity to respond with love. Happiness is a choice. Love is a choice.

Do the things you love, surround yourself with the people that you love and strive to be the best version of yourself. No one can make you happy unless you want to be happy. No one can heal you unless you want to be healed.

“Folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” Abraham Lincoln

Today I pray that you have enough happiness to heal all the things that have hurt you. Seek happiness!

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

All books by Bernadette A. Moyer on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

57 Things I Learned in My 57 Years

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57 Things I Learned in My 57 Years
By Bernadette A. Moyer

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1) My life and my happiness is my responsibility, period.

2) Kids will come and kids will go, build a life that is meaningful long after their departure.

3) Don’t take it personally, nothing other people do is because of you, it is because of them.

4) Gather as much information as you can and then make informed decisions.

5) Pick the guy who believes in you, supports you, loves you and thinks you are beautiful.

6) Bad boys are just that, bad.

7) Trust few but always trust in your own inner voice.

8) Every single day is a blessing.

9) Nothing lasts forever, this too shall pass.

10) People will come into your life and people will leave your life, let them.

11) You are beautiful just the way you are, believe it! No one knows your heart like you do.

12) Work hard, go that extra mile but play hard too.

13) Nature offers peace every single day and in every single season.

14) Animals have incredible souls and are capable of the most love and loyalty.

15) Writers write.

16) Estrangement is strange. It isn’t normal and there are no winners.

17) Trust someone the first time they reveal themselves to you.

18) Marriage requires ongoing efforts and commitment grounded in genuine love and care.

19) Surround yourself with people, places and things that you love. Create your own beautiful life.

20) I was a shy kid that stuttered; today I could debate with the best. Where you start is just a start.

21) Never ever give up on yourself.

22) Campy as it sounds, “Into each life, some rain must fall.”

23) Learn from it and then get over it!

24) Beauty exists everywhere and so does ugliness.

25) Good people can and do make bad mistakes.

26) You are not defined by one person, one experience or single life event.

27) Everything that seems bad really can be turned around and into something good.

28) Be a life-long learner. There is always something new to learn.

29) Gratitude is an attitude.

30) Life goes on …

31) God is good. In an ever changing world God is my salvation.

32) Family is so much more than blood; it is the people that love, support and see the best in you.

33) Girlfriend time is always time well spent.

34) Stress less. Pray more and worry less.

35) Eat the good foods and exercise. Life is about balance.

36) Make love, lots and lots of love.

37) Negative people are just that, negative.

38) Take the time to get to know yourself and always be your own best friend.

39) There is a big difference between being alone and being lonely.

40) Peace is always possible.

41) Stability doesn’t have to be boring.

42) Make something build something bake something create more. Just do it.

43) Build on a solid foundation.

44) Embrace change. Don’t fight it be open to new things, new people and new experiences.

45) Painful lessons are lasting lessons.

46) Pretty comes and pretty goes but being nice will last forever.

47) Share as much as possible but don’t allow yourself to be taken for granted.

48) Hatred and anger doesn’t look good on anyone. Not ever.

49) Forgive but don’t forget.

50) Not everything ends with “happy ever after” but that doesn’t mean your happiness has to end.

51) Give back! Every single person has something to offer.

52) Never wrestle with a pig, because you will both get dirty and the pig likes it.

53) We all have a birth date and a death date, no one gets out alive. Enjoy everything in between.

54) Getting old is a gift, cherish it.

55) Wisdom is born with age.

56) Breathe. Take long deep breathes.

57) Most things can be cured with a long hot bubble bath, a cup of tea or a glass of wine and a big warm embracing hug!

BONUS!

#58 Just because someone said it, doesn’t make it true.

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

All books by Bernadette A. Moyer on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Simple Pleasures

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Simple Pleasures
By Bernadette A. Moyer

peaches

Simple pleasures, what are yours?

Just a few of mine include:

• That bowl of fresh peaches sitting on the kitchen counter
• My first cup of coffee in the morning
• Snuggling with my two pooches
• Watching my husband drive up after a long work day
• The look and smells of a freshly cut lawn
• Driving top down on a quiet country road with the music blaring
• Sunsets
• Sunrise
• The innocence of small children
• A clean house
• A clean desk
• Quiet time at home
• Lunch with a friend
• Writing a new blog
• The subtle seasonal changes
• Sitting on the beach
• Praying to God
• Good friends
• Happy people
• My roses opening and in full bloom
• A new book or magazine waiting to be read
• Rabbits running through the yard
• A road trip
• A live concert
• A baseball game
• Long meaningful conversations
• Fresh new paper and stationary
• Birthdays
• Holidays
• Cooking dinner
• Baking treats
• The smell of fresh laundry
• Long lazy weekends
• A tall glass of ice water

And I seriously could go on and on …

What are your simple pleasures? Gratitude is an attitude!

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

All books by Bernadette A. Moyer on Amazon and Barnes & Noble