Amy M. Schaefer
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From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
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Day Ninety-four: Attention Human-Your Presence is Requested. Signed, the Universe

2/4/2015

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PictureNellie Marie Fillini Brown November 1992
"You will get there when you are meant to get there. So relax, breathe and be patient." ~Mandy Hale

Many people I know and love are going through some tough stuff right now (...including myself & those closest to me). Health issues, loss, grief, loneliness, relationship problems, frightening uncertainty ahead of them and a host of other struggles they are all scratching and clawing to overcome. For me, it feels like the more chaos added to my life, the calmer I become and the more centered my soul anchors itself.

I was thinking earlier today about a conversation I had with my Nana, who had her share of big time hardships in life. When she was in her early forties, my grandfather died. They had eleven children, eight of which were still at home (...three already mostly grown and out of the house), Nana had no job and hadn't finished her college education. Nobody would have blamed her if she'd just given up, too overwhelmed by a seemingly impossible situation. But she wasn't hardwired to quit (which is one reason why she's always been an inspiration for me). She picked herself up, dusted herself off, and tackled one problem at a time. On a Thanksgiving not so long ago, I asked her, "Nana, how did you get through all of that?" She replied, "I didn't let myself think about all of it at the time. I just did it...one day at a time and before I knew it, many years had passed and everything worked out. If I'd thought about it too much, I'm not sure I could have managed it all without breaking, but by taking it one day at a time, I made it through." Now that she's in Heaven, I feel her and others I love watching over me, reminding me of things to get through the obstacles I'm facing, nudging me gently in this direction or that, and I am so grateful for those angels who remind me all the time, "It may not feel like it right now, but you got this Little One".

My take-away from my Nana? Show up every day. Deal with what's happening right now. Find the happy to be had in EACH day (...that one is Aunt Mattie's voice). And be grateful for the big and little blessings you have. None of us knows the future, nor are we in control of the cards we're dealt (...yes Michael, in this case it truly "is what it is"). All we do is now. All we have is now. What we can control is what we do about those cards tossed in front of us and our attitude about...well, everything (i.e. Aunt Mattie's, "Life is what you make it and the world is how you take it."). So, here I am, Universe. I got dressed and showed up to today! I'll do the same tomorrow...and the day after that, and all the days I'm allowed to have for the rest of my life (...even the yucky ones that make me want to run away, change my name, and press the "reset button").

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4 February 2015
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    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

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  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery