Cherie's Random Thoughts

Around this time ever year I am reminded that this is the week before my mother's life changed forever (October 3rd) and set in motion the things that would shorten her life and end it on November 3rd, 2007. From time to time, I think about whether my mother thought her life mattered. Her 57 years was plagued with many days in the hospital, which for a physical illness or because of her bi-polar disorder. Eight years from her death I can testify that it did matter, and her life taught me and other many lessons including: Despite your circumstance your can always find joy, even in your darkest hours.  Giving back is critical to your legacy. On your death bed will people remember you for a taker or giver.  Your life is defined by the quality of your relationships you have with others.  Always be a dreamer. Live in a way that your spirit lives well beyond your death.  My mother's life and death taught me many things, but the one thing I learned is tha...

Most important line in the piece entitled, "For Every 10 Hours of Haters Spend 50 with Your Cheerleaders:  "Understand that even if they don’t say discouraging things, their negative mindset may rub off on you." So true. A negative mindset is as contagious as the flu. If not kept in check it can manifest its self in physical pain within your body. I know when I get an over exposure to negativity, doubting, or willingness to hang on to past hurts from myself or others, I get sick physically. Headaches, chest pains, and muscle aches rule the land.  On the flip side, when you do see potential in the future, can see the positive in a difficult situation, and are simply thankful (having gratitude) for life you tend to have the opposite effect: more energy, looked better, healthier, happier etc.  People often ask me why I have so much energy, it is not because of genetics. It is two fold: I have been nurtured by my parents to see positivity even in difficult things and have mo...

As I reflect on the upcoming changes in my life and work I am reminder the importance of embracing change. Change by its definition is according to Google is to make or become different. Every changing of the guard, changing in our health, and general changes in our life are opportunities to do something different. Move outside the norm and into the unknown. When resist change, we are most likely living in fear. Doing so limits our mindset and our ability to be a part of the change and often we become a part of the problem. Let's break it down by each letter to see the comparisons.  If we embrace change we experience: Creativity Hope Acceptance  Nurture Growth  Evolution  If we fear change we experience or become: Chaos  Hurt Apathy Negative  Group think Energy depleting Now the questions is do we want to go down the road that has always been or do want to go down the road that has never been. I choose the nev...

Today I was reminded of the ugly side of most people's personalities including my own: Our ability to continue to be skeptical of the new. The new can be new people to the group, new changes on the horizon, or anything that moves out of comfort zone. Often our ugly side surfaces when we are fearing change or when change is on our door step. It causes us to judge on a few interactions or experiences or even worse the word or experiences of another.  I hate this SIDE of my personality and I must resist succumbing to it. No more huddles. My head hurt for a good portion of the evening because of my participation in the "huddle." I am disgusted with this and I need to say NO MORE. I know better and should have spoken up to say-"I see it differently."  I will be 42 and need to engage in interactions that uplift, move forward, and make real change happen in my life and the lives of those that affect.  So on this day, I pledge to work real hard at not engag...

As Mother's Day approaches, I am always very reflective of the time I spent with my mother before her death on November 3, 2007. This year I have chosen to write about all the things I could not share with her that occurred during the past 8 years following her death. So here we go:  2008-Year 1: I purchased my first brand new car, a 2009 Toyota Corolla. A sweet ride that I suspect if you were here I would have given you many rides in it! I also walked in my Masters Graduation. See I promised I would.  2009-Year 2: Found Dad near death, he was diagnosised with Parkinson's and had to go into a nursing home. I suspect if you were still here we would be roomates.  2010-Year 3: The year I decided to make huge change in my career. I suspect that you would have encouraged me to do so!!!  2011-Year 4: I became a college professor and began my PhD program. Of course, I suspect you would have been my biggest cheerleader!!!!  2012-Year 5: Cool sailing. First time in longt...

I recently bought and read Rae Pica's latest book entitled, "What If Everybody Understood Child Development?" This is a question I have ponder since I took my child development course at Kutztown University in the early 90's. Rae Pica does a fabulous job of exploring several topics that often make people take sides on an issue. In her book, she connects each chapter to child development and helps the reader understand why an understanding of child development for EVERYONE is important. Some of my favorite chapters include:  Bubble Wrapping Not Required  Doing Away With the "Baby Stuff"  Terrorist Tots?  Failure is an Option  and  Bribes and Threats Work, But.... Throughout the book, Pica reminds us what happens when we do not have an understanding of child development. In addition, she provides the reader with some memorable information that should be shared with all who do not believe in keeping children, children! Such as when she reminds us that "chi...