Day 420 ~ #13 of My 30 Days of Truth

My 30 Days of Truth challenge   I will admit that I changed one question and changed a few curse words... other than that the challenge is intact. 

Day 13:  Write a letter to a band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days.


As far back as I can remember the same person keeps coming up...

Dear Stevie (Nicks):

I wanted to thank you for being there for me.  You and Fleetwood Mac.  You are probably wondering what for...

Your album Bella Donna helped me through some tough times growing up.  I remember being about 19... I had just had a major fight with my dad (a common occurrence) and there it was laying on my turn-table.  I reached for the arm, and placed the needle ever so gently on the vinyl as it went round and round... (as you and I know compact discs were not out yet) the words were so awe striking "Just like the white winged dove..." ... I don't know what it was about your words, as well as all the music on this album... but it soothed me. It made me feel as if I was not alone.

A warm thank you and a big hug back at you.  Thank you for lifting me up with your beautiful angelic voice.

Forever a fan... 

Carla.

So there you have it.  From a gal who reached adulthood in the 80s and lived to tell about it.  Literally! 

Well then suddenly...  There was no one... left standing in the hall... yeah yeah...
In a flood of tears...  That no one really ever heard fall at all
Oh I went searchin' for an answer... Up the stairs... and down the hall
Not to find an answer...
Just to hear the call of a nightbird... singing...
Come away... come away...

~ Stevie Nicks 

Where I've been and where I'm going next...  

Day 01 : Something you hate about yourself.

Day 02 : Something you love about yourself.

Day 03 : Something you have to forgive yourself for.

Day 04 : Something you have to forgive someone for.

Day 05 : Something you hope to do in your life.

Day 06 : Something you hope you never have to do. 

Day 07 : Someone who has made your life worth living for.

Day 08 : Someone who made your life hell, or treated you horribly.

Day 09 : Someone you didn't want to let go, but just drifted.

Day 10 : Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.

Day 11 : Something people seem to compliment you the most on.

Day 12 : Something you never get compliments on.

Day 13 : Write a letter to a band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days. 

Day 14 : Write a letter to a hero that has let you down. 
Day 15 : Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you've tried living without it.
Day 16 : Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 : A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 : Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 : What do you think of religion?  Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 : Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 : (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 : Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 : Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 : Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 : The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 : Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 : What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 : Name a decision you made that caused a chain of events that would not have happened if it wasn't for that decision.
Day 29 : Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 : A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

Hey if you want to join along... well let me know in a comment and I'll visit your challenge each day.  We could even link up our blogs.  wink, wink.  No.. seriously we could.

Here's to 30 Days of Truth!

I am second.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 304 ~ "G" is for Grrreat!

Hahahaha!  Grrrreat is right!

Remember, (if you've been reading my A to Z Challenge, this question would apply to you as worded, otherwise this would be new information to you) ... I first stated that I was not going to read the blogs of my blogging brothers and sisters who are participating with me in the Blogging A to Z Challenge April 2012... only until I have posted my post first... then definitely I will read the posts.

Well... I went and did it!  I didn't mean to... but.. while participating in my daily blog hops I stumbled on three blogs in a row who were participating.

You're probably thinking, what's the big deal?

Thing is, I had sat down to write this post and I could not think of a single word that I would want to write about that started with "G" for the life of me!  I'm not being a drama queen either... really... I was thinking about it all day ... and nothing... zip... zilch... zero... nada! 

So I decided to visit my favorite li'l community ... voiceBoks...  such a great place to share your blog, meet other bloggers and read their work as well.  Well, enough with the free plug there... lol.. just kidding.  Anyway, I was making my daily rounds and then all of a sudden I stumbled on the first blog, their word was Grateful... OH CRAP!  I yelled.  While Calley hollered at me from the other room for swearing,  I realized what I had stumbled on.  How did I not think of that word?  I thought.  

I wonder if I would have kept thinking, would I have thought of that word?  Rats!  Now I can't use that word.  As ridiculous as that may sound, I couldn't even read her post yet.  I can't go back to check.. it's just that I do not want anyone's post influencing my writing.

Okay you're right, I thought.  I was being ridiculous.  SO I decided that I would come back later and to read the blog [I'll even come back and let you know the blog's link after I read it.]  I didn't think twice about continuing my daily rounds ... and then WHAM-O!! Another blog, this time their word was Gratitude.

Again with the voices in my head.  How did I not think of that word?  I thought.  I wonder if I would have kept staring at my screen... would I have thought of that word?  Rats!  Now I can't use that word.  That's a good one.  I'm grateful, I would have thought of either words.  Would I?  

I didn't want to be ridiculous, so without thought I just went on my merry way... back to my rounds.  AND AGAIN!! BAM!!  It was instantaneous.  Listen, I can't even tell you the word, because as soon as I saw the "G" I went back to the previous page.

I immediately came back to this page.. Oh  great!  I wish I hadn't taken a break!!  I wish I had not ... blah, blah, blah... and then all of a sudden... out of no where... I just let out all this air.. and out came a big roar... Grrrreat!

Then all of a sudden I thought... Grrrreat?  

YES! Grrrreat!

Grrrreat, is my "G" word.  (Big smile... why not?)  wink, wink

 When life gives you lemons, make lemonade...   ~author unkown

Blogging A to Z Challenge April 2012... What will "H" have for us on Monday?

Blessings to all!!

61 days to go...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Taking Back My Life ~ Making It My Own.  U.S Copyright laws apply.  ©

Day 289 ~ I Choose Happiness

My lesson today was how to rise above it all!  

Let me see... "my point" at the end of last night's post was, "how we choose to handle situations that come at us is what can make or break our day."  

So today I had a few choices... 

1. cry at the sight of my new hair cut, 
2. go to another hair salon and have my hair reshaped, +number (1), 
3. spend all day trying to curl my hair, roll it and twist it until something made sense, +number (1), or 
4. as my husband suggested, be patient, hang in there, wait a couple of weeks and revisit the situation, "your hair really looks cute, besides I never told you I liked short hair...", my husband continued,  +number (1) and (3)

There were times today that number (1) felt like the only thing I could do, although at one point today I jokingly contemplated covering ALL the mirrors in the house!  As funny as that sounds, I actually entertained the idea.  However, I finally decided to play around with my hair more and take the wait and see approach, which was (3) and (4), with a touch of (1) and being very grateful for hair growing fast!... 

A few times today, I caught myself missing my hair.  It was a little bitter sweet... but I guess I must admit no regrets in my deciding to take the high road, once again.

I'll share pictures down the road... right now, it's still a little too painful to share.  lol.

A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.   ~Ayn Rand  

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.   ~Norman Vincent Peale  

Blessings to all!!

76 days to go...

PS... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Some images courtesy of google and bing images.  U.S Copyright laws may apply.  ©

Day 263 ~ Each Day I Am Thankful for...

I don't know what made me think of this, but I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me.  Oh, sure, I do not mind an occasional stay strong, or I could not imagine what you are going through, and possibly a my heart goes out to you.  After all, I know that I am sharing with you some personal thoughts, my trials and tribulations that I have survived, as well as troubled times I may be struggling with at the moment.


My motivation to share all this with you is not for pity, but to get my story in written format for two reasons... one... for my kids, a legacy of sorts... I want them to know who I am, what I did and why, and how I survived... and secondly... I honestly want to get my story out in hopes of helping another mom out there somewhere.  Someone who may be going through her own "troubled" times, or simply in need of a friend.

Even though I do not want people to feel sorry for me, I do not want this coming across as if I don't want your comments.  I love and welcome any and all comments.  Actually, I look for them everyday.  Big smile.  Funny.. I never know whether or not to comment back... so most times I don't, mostly because I don't think anyone comes back to read them... is that weird?  Come to think about it... now that I am writing this, maybe I should start responding.  At least the comments won't seem unappreciated or un-noticed.  I think I am going back and responding to all of them! ;)

I know I am going through a "troubled" time with my son(s)... however, I am also working on staying positive and being grateful for what people I do have in my life.  wink, wink   

After all, I do have you!

Each day I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings... friends that turned into family... dreams that turned into reality... and likes that turned into love.  ~ unknown author

Blessings to all!!

102 days to go...

PS... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Some images courtesy of Bing images.  Others are marked accordingly, and are property of Carla Barila Karam and Taking Back Life ~ Making It My Own, this blog.   All U.S Copyright laws apply.  ©