Jessica.
One of my favorite parts about last weekend was getting to see my sister and have her come be a part of my adventure in Bellingham (which is in Washington, right near the Canadian boarder for those of you that were wondering). She drove up from Tacoma, browsed around while I taught, and then came to dinner with us at a very cool Southwestern spot.
We don't get to see each other too often. We keep in touch through email and the occasional phone call. Jess and I are just about 4 years apart in age. I was out of the house before she started high school. She has been through a lot in her 25 years. Highs and lows. Right now she is working on making decisions for herself. Looking inward. Figuring out what is best for her and the direction she wants to take her life. I admire her for her growth. For challenging herself. For just being her. Love that we are sisters - and that we are staying connected.
When we were growing up my Mom printed out this quote and hung it up around the house. It made quite an impression on me:
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude,
to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past,
than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than
successes, than what other people think or say or do.It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company ...a church ...a home.
The
remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we
will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past ...we cannot
change the fact that people will act in a certain way.We
cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the
one string we have, and that is our attitude ...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ...we are in charge of our attitudes.
Charles Swindoll
As you know, I can soooo relate. Four years seems like a lot when you are younger. It's not so much of a difference as you get older.
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Love that quote Ali. Having had an extremely crappy day (no, make that week) I needed some wise words. You have really made me feel better.
Thanks for that.
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Amazing quote. Chuck's wife did a talk one time about her life-time of dealing with depression. She said something that changed my life: "You are not irresponsible because you are ill. You are ill because you are irresponsible." When I started to say, "You can't just bounce through life from bumper to bumper." Totally encouraged me make PURPOSEFUL decisions, to confess my mistakes and to learn well from them. It also made me take a closer look at how much I actually participated in the decisions made in my own life. A complete eye-opener!!! Thanks for sharing!
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Ali,
Inspiration..that is what you are to me!
Thank you for being YOU!
I love you,
Jess
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Thanks for that quote today Ali. It's been a particularly difficult week at work, and my husband and I prayed this morning about my attitude in regards what is happening here. Now I am at work, already feeling myself being tugged... needed to be reminded that only I can determine how I will respond and that my circumstances do not have to dictate my response.
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your mom should raise her glass and be blessed a thousand times over for raising such an amazing person. dude, you rock.
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{A} - Thank you for that quote. I think that I am going to take a page from your mom and make a creation with that quote to hang in Ethan's room. I think that it will really help him to understand that he has a choice in how he feels about his own life.
It's so great that you and Jess have grown into a wonderful relationship - I think I'm going to call my sister now :)
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such an AWESOME quote. Your mom is a wise woman, and she raised two amazing daughters. So cool to meet your sister on Saturday :)
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"...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it."
life is much sweeter when we have the right attitude. i so agree with this sentiment. thanks for sharing Ali. ever listent to Lucy Swindoll. she's a riot!
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Excellent quote! I think this quote may have to find a place to hang in my home also. Thanks for sharing!
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I love having a sister. She is totally one of my heroines. There is nothing on earth like a sister. --Great quote too!! thanks-
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There is 4 years between my middle sis and myself as well. We get closer each year. Gotta love that.
WONDERFUL quote and perfect timing. I forwarded it to my husband at work. He's having a miserable day. Staff is beating up on him and he's sooo down. Hopefully it will perk him up. Thanks for sharing it! Artfully yours, - S
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Thanks for another awesome quote Ali. BTW, wanted to tell you that the new Mary Engelbreit (sp?) mag. has an article on Claudine Hellmuth, the collage artist. Check it out. :)
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Sisters are the best aren't they? Mine is 5 years younger and I love her to bits- she has just gone through a huge metamorphosis in the past 3 years a- it was cool to watch her become her own woman! Gotta love sisters!
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Thanks for the inspiration Ali! We at my house have been going through some huge decision making and this quote really hit home. Thanks again!
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Oooh...cool quote! I'm saving that. Lucky you to hang with your sis! Mine's on the east coast, I'm on the west. :( bummer.
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What an amazing quote..just amazing!
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Ali, I love that quote. I have it hanging above my computer too. It is so an attitude thing. So cool that you and your sis are connected. so important.
kah-mei
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Easy for you to say since Bo wasn't eliminated last night. I'll remind you of your post when he gets canned......
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Ali, thanks for posting that amazing quote. I've heard it before, but it never fully sinks in! So great to be reminded again...
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I *love* that quote - especially the part "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it."
I saw the entire quote painted on the wall of a high school gym this year when I was officiating a game there. I had heard that one part of the quote, but didn't know who had written it. Definitely a powerful statement!
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if you only knew how the timing of that quote was so perfect..... I've read that before in one of his books but just been a while... thanks for the reminder!
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Love the quote, and I love the tribute to your baby sister. I have one of my own that I really feel the need to call....
T
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Someone gave me that quote when I was in college. I've since lost it and couldn't remember who had written it. So glad I "checked in" today. ;)
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Family is so important, and truly a gift to have. Such a great quote and oh so true!
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