"Life is like a box of chocolates..."

Sometimes we all need to have a little bit of Forest Gump in ourselves to really see the beauty in things.

I spent the weekend down on 30A. Must say the weather was wonderful and the water was crystal clear. I invited my friends Ericka and Matt to come along for the weekend trip. Which if any of you know Matt, you know I was definitely in for a treat with him. He definitely keeps the laughs going. On the way down to the beach Friday night Matt started quoting scenes from the movie "Forest Gump". At which some point Ericka and myself joined in. I think we literally quoted over half of the movie. Then we jump on to the next subject.

Well little did we know that we would end up at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company on Saturday night. ( That place is Awesome!!!) If you have ever been you know about the trivia game they play while waiting for your meal to be served. Of course, we had a blast there. We even learned something about the movie that we didn't know. Ericka made the comment that she had not watched the movie from beginning to end. So where did we end up after dinner? You guessed it. Wal-Mart to buy the movie! Haha... So, Saturday night we watched Forest Gump from beginning to end. Matt and myself paid really close attention to the new things we learned about the movie. But through out the movie, someone in a scene would always say something that seemed so minor but yet so important.

Ya know, Forest wasn't as "stupid" as the kids and even the adults thought he was. His mama always said, "Stupid is as stupid does." Forest was just simple. Just from him being simple we could learn a lot from that in its self. I mean this day in time people just don't want simple. They do things the hard way or learn the hard way most of the time. I have been through enough hard times and found out things the hard way enough that I enjoy the simple things in life.

Forest never read to deep into anything! Today society does. You say one thing and well just hold on cause someone somewhere will take it totally different. We walk on eggshells so we won't hurt anyone's feeling but did Forest? Heck no! He just said it. Was he ugly? NO! He was just being honest. We are alot like Forest, we aren't trying to be ugly but the other person takes it that way. That follows with a quote from Forest, " Mama always said there's an awful lot you can tell about a person by their shoes. Where they're going, where they been."  Yep this is totally true but how often do we really stop and look at a person's "shoes"?

Maybe not in a literal sense of actually looking at their shoes but even though that wouldn't hurt either. But look at their life shoes per say. My shoes are definitely different from yours and yours are different than the next person. But like Forest said, " I have worn lots of shoes." We all have! Sometimes it feels good to get rid of certain shoes though! Haha... You must admit that you are totally agreeing with me and you know exactly which pair too!! :) But we wore those shoes for a season in our life that was unavoidable! A season that we went through for a reason!! We should be thankful for every pair of shoes we have worn. I am because if it wasn't for all the different shoes I have worn, I wouldn't be where I am today! And I am right were I want and need to be.

Sorry guys, I know this is another long winded blog but I have so much to get out. So... back to the blog.

I remember when I was in some shoes I didn't want to be in and questioned God, " Why am I here in these shoes?" I also remember how I buried deep down and didn't want anyone to know that I was wearing those shoes. When in reality, people knew anyway. I was ashamed! I will admit it. Those shoes made me feel as though I was a complete failure. But that changed!

A new pair of shoes came along so to speak. I begin to realize in myself to be proud of where I had been and where I was going. I had been in those shoes for a reason. Now I realize, a really good reason! I learned more about life in those shoes than I have ever learned in my entire life. Now I have a chance to share it and hopefully help someone else.  I didn't see it then because well quite frankly I was to busy throwing a pity party. Lots of people are really good at that too. Just sayin! But the shoes I wear now fit perfect. I think these shoes show where I am going and where I have been.

I learned a lot while wearing certain shoes. As did Forest in some of his shoes. Forest has so much to offer us in this complicated world. Forest is simple. " Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get."

How true, how true Forest!

"Don't let anybody tell you they're better than you , Forest. If God intend everybody to be the same, He'd have given us all braces on our legs." Well Forest Gump's mama was right. But look at it like this... at some point we all have braces on our legs just differs from one to another.

I am not any better than you and I never will be. Life isn't a competition. Life is about being on the same team.

I will quit rambling about Forest and how he touched my heart this weekend. hehe.. I challenge you to watch the movie Forest Gump again. But to watch and learn from Forest, not laugh at him and his simple mind. A simple mind is a simple heart which is simple love.

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get."

Life is made up of Choices

Warning: This post could be a little long!! Haha...

If you stop and think about it life really is made up of the choices we make. Whether those choices are good or bad, right or wrong, healthy or unhealthy. Basically every choice/decision will either be a positive or a negative. Well that's how I see it anyways.

We make choices that some say are the most important choices of our life, like: school, work, our family, our religion, our friends, our own health. Then there are choices people say are just everyday choices, like: what to wear, what to eat, what kind of music to listen to, what time we go to bed, etc. Those everyday choices could be listed many times, many different ways and in all sorts of manners. But what we tend to forget is that those everyday choices make up those most important choices of our lives. Well how? Here's how.

This is the top of my list because I see it the most often of all. To be healthy or unhealthy. How does everyday choices lead to an important choice in life about health. Well, pretty simple actually. We choose everyday what we will eat that day for breakfast, lunch and supper. And even our snacks. But when the times comes to choose that apple over the cookie what do you choose?  Society as a whole has put their health on the back burner or has completely turned their backs on being healthy.  You see all sorts of news stories about obesity being an issue but do the news stations ever promote a healthier lifestyle. NOPE!! Because when they go to a commercial it's usually a McDonald's or Wendy's or a video game of some sort. Which don't get me started on the whole video game thing. I have my own views about that.  Anyways, every time I go to the cardio doctor, he tells me the same thing over and over, Jessica healthier food and exercise is the best thing for you.

As a society, we watch all the makeover shows. We sit in front of the TV and say " Man, Look at all that weight he/she lost. Look how good they look now. Wish I could lose weight and be healthy." How many times have you said that or have heard someone say that? ha a lot either way probably! Well, society it's time to realize that YES you can do something about it by making the RIGHT, HEALTHY,GOOD Choices in your life from here on out.

When I started working out back in March, I was so excited that I was "gonna get in shape." Well, a little fire started to grow in me. That fire needed to be fueled. I had a desire to start changing more than just getting a good look. (ha ha) The choice to go to the gym lead to the choice to eat healthy. With the help of some awesome people who CHOSE to help me and my sweet friend Rhoda, we are making those RIGHT, HEALTHY, GOOD Choices. Of course, we have our cheat day but then we jump right back on track and keep going.

Now with all that being said, I want to follow up with this. When I started making those healthier choices for me it not only changed the outside appearance but the inside too. For starters, my body as a whole is much healthier inside and out just because I am taking care of it now. But my soul too has changed. Why well... I can for one go to the gym stressed, upset, mad, crying ( yep did that before), worried and then I get in there and basically work out all those feelings. It's much better to take out anger or hurt or frustrations on weights than on a person you care for. Going to the gym has taught me a lot about discipline and dedication. but one thing leads to another just as one choice leads to another. I chose to change for a healthier me and got way more than I ever bargained for. I see things a lot different now because someone chose to help me, I chose to change and i choose to continue. Plant a seed and watch it grow.

I can't make anyone do anything. But I hear people say well that's just not for me. Well, yea going to the gym may not be for you at first but find what works for you. Walk in your neighborhood or at the park. Run if you want to run. Do sit ups in the comfort of your own living room. Just make the right decision for yourself. Once you make a right decision you will want to make another one.

Choices are everywhere everyday. I could sit here and write about many of them but we would be here for days and this you know. But health is just one choice I have realized is important. Just as will you smile to brighten someones day or ignore the fact they are even around.

So when it comes to making "important life choices" or "everyday choices" I pray you make the right choice. Not just health wise but with anything in life. One choice changes everything! I chose to blog about it, you choose what to do with it.

My path is different from your path and that's ok!!

We have all found our self at some point in time telling a friend, a co-worker, a family member, and sometimes even a stranger that we have been in their "shoes" and that we completely understand. But do we really understand?

When I started going through the divorce it seemed I couldn't find the first person that understood what I was going through. And when I finally talked to someone that said they did understand, they had no clue as to how I actually felt in my heart. They were so far away from understanding. It bothered me that I felt alone and that no one understood. My parents have been happily married for years. They could only show me love and support in the best way they knew how.

It bothered me for a long time, I honestly felt so alone in this world. I had and still have a great support of family and friends but they can't fix something that's broken on the inside. My mind started asking questions like why am I in this situation and no one seems to understand? Then it seemed the more I thought about it, the more people would tell me they understand and had been in my shoes before. Then as most of you can guess those people started telling me how I needed to handle my situation. Wow!! Glad I followed my heart and what I thought was the right thing to do!! I am much happier with my own decision.

Bit by bit my hard heart started to realize, hey my path is different for a reason. There is a purpose, there is a plan. Then more and more my attitude changed and I really begin to notice that not one person has been down the exact path I have been on or never will they be on the same path. We all walk a different path but me and my path may be able to help you and the path of your life.

It's ok that we have a different path that's what makes us so unique. Yes we are different but it's how you handle your path and how you cut your path that makes THE difference.

I have realized that my path is my path and your path is your path. I don't worry about running into someone on my path, my path may cross yours and that's when we should help each other. I am working on cutting my own path for the best. My path is different from your path and that's ok!!!

Just remember don't judge someone by the path they have already tread, if anything help them cut the path in front!!

" Don't look down on someone unless you are helping them up!"- Author unknown

New at this blogging thing!!!

So I am completely new to the blog thing. Any help would be great!! I decided to set up a blog for a few reasons actually. One reason is so many times on Facebook I want to say something that encourages people but quickly run out of room to say what I really want to say. My second reason is just a way to reach to other family members. Lastly, I just want to write sometimes and hope and pray that it helps someone!

So, I know my blog looks boring and is missing a lot but slowly I will get it the way I want it I guess. Step by step right? haha.... I debated for a while about starting a blog because chasing after my little man takes up most of my time.

I wouldn't trade being mommy for anything in the world. My little man will be three years old in January. God truly blessed me when Stephen came into my life. Those precious smiles and the little voice that calls for "mommy" is absolutely PRICELESS!!!

It's just Stephen and me these days. I am not ashamed to say that I am divorced and a single mother. There is no reason to be ashamed of it. God has taught me so much since I have become a single mother that it would be ashame to be ashamed!! I have definitely learned how to be on my own and completely self supportive. Which is a huge accomplishment for me.

So now I will leave it at that. See if I can get this thing to look a little better....