Romans 12:18 says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." This scripture reminds us to live peaceably with one another and not be the ones creating strife and anger all the time. We should strive to be the diffusers, not the igniters of any situation. But what happens when we do not have control over maintaining that peace in our relationships? Well, we can relentlessly try to live peaceably with everyone. But, unfortunately, to some, no matter what we do, we will never be right or good enough. That is when the words "If it is possible"  becomes the pivotal part of that scripture because, unfortunately, it is not always possible and does not always depend on you only. 

When we find ourselves in toxic relationships and have done all we can to make it work, but the other party is not on the same page as us—it's time to love them from afar. Unfortunately, that may involve a sibling, parent, friend, or lover. Our peace, joy, and, ultimately, our health are too precious to be abused. 

"So live and enjoy your life's journey, but don't forget to do something special for someone along the way!"
~Barbara
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"The Cure is in the Living is a remarkable book that will benefit those battling cancer or any other illnesses." That was a quote from Pastor Michael Neely, Senior Pastor of New Millennium Community Church, Tampa, FL. My book was the inspiration for his sermon of the same title, as he delivered his message in hopes of encouraging those battling a cancer diagnosis. 

To think when I wrote this book a year ago, The Cure Is In The Living: My Journey With Cancer, I never imagined my story being the backdrop of a sermon. But on this beautiful Sunday afternoon in October, I was blessed to hear someone else lay out and share the pages of my heart with a congregation. Hallelujah, somebody got it!

As passionate Ministers of the Gospel, listen patiently to the bad news from someone with life-threatening illnesses, it creates a different realm of devastation. The uncertainty at times of not knowing what best to say can be disheartening. Most often, it is not because of their ability. But because everyone deals with their diagnosis differently, and the Minister knows that just saying " let's pray about it " is just not enough.  So lets pray for our Pastors - (yes I know, that is not enough either).

Pastor Michael Neely is also the author of "Black Eyes and Sweet Talk."

"Go live and enjoy your life's journey, but don't forget to do something special for someone along the way!"
~Barbara

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You will never know what you don’t know until you know what you did not know. So be purposeful in learning something new daily, and keep your brain engaged.
“while you live your life, don’t forget to do something special for someone today!”
~Barbara

Some life changes we take great notice of, and others subtly happen and become a part of our lives before we even figure out there was a change. Deciding to live a healthy lifestyle after years of abusing our bodies, is a change that can be a life-or-death decision.

After a while of practicing a healthy lifestyle, you might question your prior life's decisions and ask how could I have lived that way in the past? Examine your eating habits, sleep, or unhealthy practices and commit to change for the better.

"So go live and enjoy your life's journey, but don't forget to do something special for someone along the way!"
~Barbara

The water on the beach today was warm and inviting but what caught my attention even more, was the sound of the waves, the seagulls, and the brisk breeze as it passed ever so gently over my skin. Without thinking, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath thanking God for his beautiful creation.

My friends, a mind shift from our pain and daily anxiety to something positive can be helpful, especially in desperate times. Identify the things that make you think beyond your current situation and find joy in them. Our minds are very powerful instruments, and if you think gloom, you are almost guaranteed to get it, so why waste that time? Shift to the positive thoughts.

"You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you." Nehemiah 9:6

"So live and enjoy your life's journey, but don't forget to do something special for someone along the way!"
~Barbara

​That initial cancer diagnosis can be devastating. Truth be told, it can slam you into a state of feeling worse than you did before you heard the news.  No wonder – I mean, the history of the disease has painted a picture of death in the mind of most.  Hence, the first question that is usually out of the patient’s mouth after they have picked up their heart off the floor is ‘how long do I have.’ 

But why? Why do we ultimately think our life is over? I know, your answer to that might probably be “because it is?  But is it really?  Who knows for sure what a person’s mortality really is? What makes one sickness more devastating than another.  Why one person survives, and others die quickly from the same disease while getting the same treatment?

​There are so many other things that can and have happened to a person in this life that they did not have the time to ask “how long do I have?” So whatever time God allows us to have, live it to the fullest. 
“To everything, there is a season. A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die…” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

“So, go live your life, and don’t forget to do something special for someone along the way!”

​~Barbara