A Moment to Ponder: Maria Robinson

by Alyssa Ast

Here's today's moment to ponder:

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
Maria Robinson

This is an easy one for me. You can't change the past, only the future. The past doesn't matter, even if it's riddled with mistakes. The only thing that matters is the future, and the only way to achieve the future you desire, is to take the initiative today to make that future possible.

What does this quote mean to you?

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Giving without Receiving

by Alyssa Ast

I was raised with the belief that you should help others without being asked, and help others without asking for anything in return. Some people struggle with this concept, but I don't. What's so hard about giving without receiving? What's so hard about simple acts of kindness just to make some one's life easier without expecting some grand gesture in return?

Giving without receiving is great for feeling content with yourself, as well as the person on the receiving end of your act of kindness. If more people gave without expecting anything in return society would be a much kinder place. We could actually get back to the point where we could trust our neighbor.

Many people feel they should only help out when they are asked, or when there's something to be gained from their effort, but this shouldn't be the case. There are always moments of opportunity to give back, even when it isn't asked for and nothing will be gained from it-- other than a smile.

There are many ways you can give back to someone, they don't need to be big grand gestures. lending an ear to a troubled friend or stranger is a start. Cooking dinner for someone you know when they are going through a difficult time, bringing in your neighbor's trash can, not just because you don't wan to look at i,t but because you want to do it to be nice, or holding the door open for the family juggling their young children are all simple ways you can give back.

Giving without receiving often becomes contagious. Do something nice for someone to brighten their day, and they are likely to return the favor. If enough people begin to give back to the world, overtime, it will have a ripple effect throughout society. I don't know about you, but a future where others help people just because they can and don't want anything in return seems like a promising future to me.

So take a minute each day to help someone out. It doesn't need to be a grand gesture, but just a simple act of kindness, like returning someones shopping cart to the shopping cart caddy. It won't take much, but I'm sure your act of kindness will be a highlight of the receiving person's day.

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A Moment to Ponder: James Dean

by Alyssa Ast

Today's moment to ponder:

“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.”
James Dean

To me, this short little sentence means that your life is never complete. You can always achieve more. As long as you're still breathing, you should strive to live up to your life's potential. Don't hold off on following your dreams because tomorrow isn't guaranteed.


What does this quote mean to you?

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Corruption Lies Within Yourself

by Alyssa Ast

The way we are raised plays a large role in who we become when we grow up, but it doesn't set our fate in stone. Throughout our lives we change. Who we were as children, our morals and values, can change due to situations in life or simply by making the choice to change our beliefs. You may be raised with poor morals and values, but you can make the choice to change these factors to become a better person, to improve the world we live in. You can be raised with good morals and values, but lose them overtime, changing the good person you once were. You can blame these changes that have occurred on others, but most often the corruption lies within yourself.

For some reason, people who once carried good morals and values become corrupt. The morals and values that were instilled within them from an early age fade away and are replaced with lies, ungratefulness, deceit, and a level of conviction that shadow over who they are inside, causing the face they show to the world to be ugly and untrustworthy.

It can be difficult to see the true person with good morals and values lying inside the outer core of carelessness. Sometimes, the person that has corrupted their self may not be aware they are no longer fooling anyone, but it's just another lie they end up telling the world, maybe to satisfy their own needs or inadequacies.

At times, it may seem like all hope has been lost, and the new person that has emerged from the once pure sole has devoured the goodness inside, but it isn't always the case. A person has to realize the corruption lies within, and the only way for the good inside to resurface is to consciously make the choice to embrace the morals and values that were once instilled within them. No one can force them to make these changes. The person must decide to suffocate their toxic behavior or the selfishness that's present will continue to remain. The person may never become aware that they are their own poison, which is a sad reality to face, but it's simply what it is.

You can't force change onto people, but you do have options. You can either decide to drown in the fumes of their toxicity, or you can accept the individual for who they are and remain hopeful they may one day return to the goodness you once knew.

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Ready for another awesome year!

by Alyssa Ast

With 2011 now behind us, I'm ready for another awesome year. I knew 2011 was going to be a great year, but I didn't know it would bring so many awesome changes to my life and my family. When we started 2011, we went from being a family 0f 4 to a family of 6 in just a few short months. Of course, this was a wonderful thing, but I wasn't sure how I was going to juggle 4 kids. Now, I can say, even though it was chaotic at first, our family is complete, and I couldn't imagine life any other way.

After seven years, the relationship I have with my husband has really blossomed this year. Our confidence and contentment with each other has grown tremendously, as well as the bond we share with one another and our children. I'm so grateful we've been able to establish such a wonderful relationship, and I look forward to what the future brings us.

I've watched my children go through so many positive changes this past year. My daughter's self esteem and confidence has grown tremendously, as well as her academic ability. My oldest son, once social awkward, has come out of his shell and seems to be very content with the fact he's a little "different" than the mainstream. My middle son has gone from being the baby in the family, to an independent and happy preschooler. My youngest really enjoys his role as the baby in the family, and I loved every second of watching his personality develop.

2011 was an awesome year for my writing career. It really took off! It kind of caught me off guard how quickly it took off this year, even though I had been expecting it all along.

2011 brought changes for myself as well. I have become much more confident with who I am and where I am headed in life. I feel I've continued to mature beyond my years, and even though I feel like I am 40 sometimes and not 24, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Each year I become more and more satisfied with the choices of my past. Even though they weren't ideal decisions, they've gotten me to where I am today and I wouldn't change a thing.

Your attitude in life is a huge indicator of what will transpire for you. I started the year out positive, and had an incredible year. I'm starting 2012 out the exact same way, and I know it's going to be another great year.

How was your year? What does 2012 hold for you?