If you have to fight for something you have no reason to give up

If you have to fight for something you have no reason to give up.

Here is another inspirational post from contributor, Stephanie Carfrae. She is a Creative Writing Graduate; you can find her own blog at www.stephcarfrae.blogspot.co.uk and I think you will be inspired by Steph's videos on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkoz1yev_apPjE8XcVrjyjA/videos

When the referee blows the full time whistle you have my permission to give up.

My point is no one has a referee with a whistle to blow full time in this life. Everyone has highs, everyone has lows. Who are you to think your lows are worse than anyone else’s?

Of course good things come to an end, and they have to so you can learn to appreciate them. The good times account for memories: sometimes that’s the best part of being alive because you know that things can only get better.

Of course there will be moments of heart ache and you will go through hard times, but just hold onto the belief that if the past good times have been that good the hard times will get better. Though at times, when fighting for something, you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel you just have to keep going because it will be out there. Somewhere.

You can’t change the events that go on in someone else’s life. Even though you might want to, particularly when you care so much about someone you just want their pain so that they don’t have to face it. But life doesn't work that way. While you can always be relied upon for moral support, oftentimes there is nothing you can do when life plays out such catastrophes. And that is painful.

Just know that you have the biggest heart and someday that will be noticed, if it hasn't already.

Sometimes there’s nothing you can do. It is hard, but that’s the way life is.

For years I blamed myself for an episode that happened when I was eleven. I kept thinking if I hadn't done things in the way I did, the bad events that occurred may not have happened.

Just as with my previous point, you can’t control other people’s reactions. Just because it’s not the way you would react, doesn't mean it’s wrong. People are different. Something that’s natural for you may not be for someone else.

You are not in charge of everyone. The only person you are accountable for is YOU. People who rely on you (kids/friends etc.) are individuals themselves and need the chance to be able to make mistakes so that they can set them right. Not you.

Imagine if you were wrapped in cotton wool all your life, without being able to make a single mistake or live.

Mistakes are a part of living, and even the most composed, self-assured person has made a mistake in their past. Just because they’re not making them now, doesn't mean they haven’t.

It might takes a lot of tries to get to where you want to in life, but if you focus on ‘how to do it better next time’ it’s so much less time-consuming and much more positive than thinking about the amount of times you failed.

Stephanie Carfrae is a regular contributor. She is a Creative Writing Graduate; you can find her own blog at www.stephcarfrae.blogspot.co.uk and I think you will be inspired by Steph's videos on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkoz1yev_apPjE8XcVrjyjA/videos

Friday Recipe - Catalan Fish Stew - Rick Stein

Friday Recipe - Catalan Fish Stew - Rick Stein This is an everyday Catalan fish soup that is more like a stew and has several variants. Like so many Catalan dishes, it starts with a sofregit of fried garlic and tomato. A hearty Catalan fish soup; a meal in bowl. Catalan fish stew Ingredients 6 tbsp olive oil 1 large Spanish onion, chopped 2 fennel bulbs, chopped 150g/5oz chorizo, diced 1 red chilli, finely chopped 1 tsp fennel seeds, ground 2 cloves new season garlic, crushed ½tsp sweet paprika powder 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves 1 tsp saffron strands (optional) 3 fresh bay leaves 1 tin plum tomatoes 100ml/3½ fl oz fish stock or water 150ml/5 fl oz white wine 500g/1 lb 2oz mussels, cleaned 650g/1 lb 7 oz firm white fish (bream, pollock, cod, monkfish), filleted, dredged in flour and fried in olive oil 100g/3½ oz toasted almonds, ground To serve 1 lemon, cut into wedges steamed potatoes and spring greens Preparation method

4 Myths about Comforting Friends

I found this useful and interesting post by Maura Kelly on the Marie Claire website! 4 Myths about Comforting Friends In two recent posts, I've talked about the advice grief educator Val Walker gives on how to help friends who are dealing with the end of a relationship , whether from a breakup or the loss of a loved one. Those posts have focused mostly on what to say . Now, let's talk about myths surrounding the art of comforting — and about a few things you should (and shouldn't) do if you want to help. Read more at How To Comfort A Friend - Comforting Words For Friends - Marie Claire Related articles Having a Bad Day - Tips For Dealing With Days When You Just Feel Down Be Successful - Making A Personal Change - Part 1 Admit A Change is Needed Are you stressed-out by your poor work-life balance?

Something Sacred To Start Your Day - Navajo Early Morning Blessing

Something Sacred To Start Your Day - Navajo Early Morning Blessing ly Morning Blessing "Hooghan" from the album Sacred Mountains by Louie Gonnie courtesy Canyon Records (www.canyonrecords.com). Graphics by Rezboyz Designz Translation "The mountains were put there - in holy way, they told us that that will be our spiritual home. In the middle of the home will be a fire burning, there will be a door, there will be a fire poker (Sacred to Dine'), You're thoughts will be good, You will have plans to make, Life will be blessed, There the hope will stay." Singing Translation The home is there, prayer in the home, pray in the home, in the beauty way with the scared pollen pathway, the home is there, the home is there!

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