Day 385 ~ I Am Second Challenge Day 8 of 22

This is Day 8 of my challenge... {and} my eighth video...

... Bailee Madison, thirteen in October. Actress.  She has worked with the industry's biggest stars in a variety of diverse roles.  She has worked on Brothers, Conviction, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, and currently working on Parental Guidance.  Other feature films include Letters to God, Hallmarks's Taste of Romance, Just Go With It and earned rave reviews with The Wall Street Journal. Bailee also worked on Disney's Bridge to Terabithia, independent film Phoebe in Wonderland, and appearances on Law & Order: SVU and Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place.  

Bailee Madison: I am Second

In Bailee's story, she tells of how she has had to deal with competition on the film set, to where she has been done wrong upon.  She has learned to accept and forgive.

Having personally grown up in Los Angeles, I had a front row seat to the movie industry.  I have had friends and family members in the business both in front and behind the camera.  This world is not for everyone.

This world can swallow you up and then spit you out... all without a second thought.

So to hear of a young girl being so grounded... well, I commend her parents.  

I also envy her love of God.

Not everyone in the business is blessed to be ever so humble, as Bailee is.  {and} As I said, this is thanks to her parents.  

Well done.

Here's to Baillee keeping it real and keeping God first.

He is First... I am Second. 

We are Second when we put Jesus First. Seconds are bold to lift up Jesus and tell others. Are you ready to become a stronger Second?

I challenge YOU to take the I Am Second [22] Day Challenge... Can you spare maybe fifteen minutes in a day?

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.  ~Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)

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 182 ~ Once Upon A Christmas

Ocean Fron Walk, Santa Monica, CA  cica 1970
courtesy of Bing images

I remember being around eleven or twelve, at Christmas time.  Los Angeles in the early seventies was such a charming city.  Although a little, for lack of better words, run down.  The Hollywood of the 70's, was not the Hollywood of glam of the 40's, 50's and 60's, let alone the Hollywood of late...  and Santa Monica, well it most certainly was not the Santa Monica of today.  Everything was simple, compared to today at least.  It wasn't so... Hollywood.  It just wasn't like it is today.  Let's leave it at that.

Back then... are you sitting? ... well they actually did not put out Christmas decorations, lights, let alone have Christmas sales until the day AFTER Thanksgiving.  The official start of the Christmas shopping season.  

Familiar sight to most Los Angelenos who travel into
Beverly Hills, Ca during Christmas time

I do not recall many Christmases from when I was a child, except for maybe three of them.  When I was about 6 or so, 10 and this one.  One thing my father did do for us, as children, was Christmas.  He'd put lights up on the house, a small tree to start with, and every year we would drive through Beverly Hills to see the lights and the "real" reindeer.  


One of the local department stores in Beverly Hills had reindeer in their cages, on the roof top of the store, along with a sleigh.  I think it was in the eighties that I last saw them there, if not the late seventies.  I wonder if the store, along with the city of Beverly Hills still do it (probably not,) or if People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) would allow it?  (Probably not.)  

courtesy of Bing images

I remember that my father would go as far as having us write letters to Santa, make cookies, leave them out for Santa, as well as leave carrots out for the reindeer.  Christmas morning he would go as far as making hoof prints from the patio door (we did not have a fireplace at the time) to the dining room table, where the milk, cookies and carrots were left. 

So today, I try to make every day special for my children, not just Christmas.  I wish for  Calley to have wonderful childhood memories.


On another note... just wanted to point out the day, 182... and how many days are left... 183.  This is as half way as I can get!!  WOW!!  I must say it is bittersweet.  I can't believe  that I more or less have six months left.  WOW!  Sorry to come across at a loss for words, but this has been an awesome six months that really has me somewhat in disbelief and more motivated than I have ever been!

Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace.  God is awake.   ~ Victor Hugo 

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today.  I can choose which it shall be.  Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet.  I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.    ~ Groucho Marx.

Blessings to all!!

183 days / 26 weeks to go...

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.