Thursday, December 9, 2010

The Old Folks Were Right

Hey there! How the heck are you? I certainly can't complain ... and if I did, nobody would care anyway. I am sitting here typing and laughing at myself as I think back on the many times I heard the old folks say, "The same thing that makes you laugh will make you cry." No, I'm not crying. My situation is the opposite. The same thing that used to make me cry now makes me happy.

Six years ago I hated my life. I hated not having any money. I hated not having a car. I hated waiting on Daddy hand and foot while he never said "please" or "thank you." I hated being stuck in Daddy's raggedy house. I missed having my own house. And my own bathroom. And my own bedroom. I missed my friends. I missed being able to buy whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. But after leaving home for two weeks and it somehow turned into seven weeks, I feel like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. I am waving my hand in the air proclaiming, "There's no place like home." Well, I'm not waving because I'm actually typing but hold on -- okay, I just got myself a good wave in.

I appreciate all of you who emailed to find out why I had been silent for the month of November. Well, what had happened was...

~~I left home on October 7 for the October 9 Breast Cancer Awareness Conference. If you missed it, err ahh, you missed it. [Click here to safely download a copy of the Conference Magazine.]
~~While in Maryland I got news that a relative was ill. After returning to California, I spent the next three weeks at her home. She passed away peacefully and we celebrated her life with an absolutely lovely service on November 4. (She was only 42 and had four daughters ages 15, 16, 17 and 21 so keep the family in your prayers.)
~~A few days later it was time to pack another suitcase. Earlier this year I had planned a November trip to visit my Daddy's big sister. I was physically and mentally exhaused from the previous five weeks so I called my 90-year young aunt trying to reschedule but she wasn't having it. In fact, everyone in Orange, Texas knew I was coming to spend 10 days with her.
~~While in Texas I got a text from Europe requesting my services for a Thanksgiving dinner so I returned to California and spent three days in someone else's kitchen.

Boyyyy, let me tell you, when I pulled up to 16302 at 3:00 a.m. on last Friday morning, shoooot, I have never been more happy to see my home, sweet home! If you had told me back in 2004 that the day would come when I'd be looking for an excuse to stay up in here, up in here, lounging around in my pajamas all day long (like I did today), I would have thought you lost your mind.

The moral of this story is simple: when you can't change your situation, try changing your perspective. How did I change my perspective? I realized that for the time being, I'm stuck here -- whether I like it or not. And I made a decision to enjoy the rest of my journey!

Be All You Can Be!

Your friend til the end,
YoBo

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10 comments:

  1. From Marilyn:
    Thanks so much for your great attitude Yo! It helps out more than you can imagine! You're just wonderful! I think if you hadn't been forced into that situation and taking care of your parents, you woulnd't be doing all the wonderful work you're doing and helping out so many other people. God has a way of getting things done.

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  2. From Booboo:
    OH YO THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!!!

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  3. From Terry:
    As always. . . you bring a wonderful perspective!!

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  4. From Speaker-Teacher-Mentor:
    Timely (article), and point well taken.

    The Human Connection™ | An Outreach Of The Let's Talk Live Company®
    W: www.Lets-TalkLive.com | Ph: (215) 469-4903

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  5. From Marilyn:
    I believe God places us where He wants us to be although we might not like it and fight it and go against His wishes. There's always a purpose and a reason for the things that happen to us although we might not know it then.

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  6. From Cheri:
    Thanks Yo.
    Girl you always make me think and reminisce. You know I’ve lived in big beautiful homes, small apartments (in the hood), and in someone else’s house (with hubby and kids) and one thing I realized, is that it doesn’t matter what kind of roof it is, how big it is, or what’s in it if you’re not happy. When you’re some place you’re not happy, you certainly don’t want to stay there. I would trade in a mansion any day for love, laughter and freedom to be me. I’d rather live in a shack (that I would fix up nicely) as long as I have the things (food, water, clothing, money) and people I need that make me happy and whole. Misery will make you think of all kinds of stupid stuff to do to yourself and others to think you’ll feel better. That thing aint no joke.
    Cheri

    “Be Happy On Purpose”

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  7. From Barbara P.
    "Thank you so much for sharing your story. I really needed to hear that.

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  8. From Sonia:
    "Thank you, Yolanda! You were right on point with something I'm going through right now. Your newsletter couldn't have come at a better time."

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  9. From Joneane:
    Hey YoBo,
    I did miss seeing you but I didn't know you were globe trotting. I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one and I will keep her family in my prayers. I have to say, sometime we may not understand why we are on a certain path, but I do know that God is in control and we have to learn to be progressively content until we arrive to a desired season. I have quite a bit going on but I trust God and I know that anything I experience is for my good. There are times when I catch myself complaining and I immediately ask the Lord to please forgive me when I whine (Dolly taught me to do that when I was just a girl). The truth is we are very blessed in spite of.....I pray that you have a wonderful holiday season and welcome home! Luv ya&God bless

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  10. From Jackie:
    Yes, there is no place like home!!!!!
    My prays go out to the girls that lost there mother.
    I really enjoy reading your email!!
    Keep up the good work,
    Have a great holiday!!!!!
    Resting in God arms, Jackie

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