Wolf in sheep's clothing

I must say this has been an on-going life lesson, the ability to trust others. But it's especially important (in my opinion) to trust (to some degree) in the people you are surrounded with most of the time. Whether that's family, friends, co-workers, there should be a level of trust and communication occurring at all times, right?

Let's just say that trust is a tough one for me in general, and I'm sure that goes without saying for most people. It's natural for one of two things to occur: to expect someone to earn it first, or hand it out initially to see if it should continue to be a regular practice with the person in question.

I tend to hand out trust initially (a certain level of it) and see if the person is responsible enough to take care of this special "gift". Let's be real though, once the trust is broken, respect is lost and it's all down hill from there.

How does one deal with a person who has, on numerous occasions, betrayed a basic trust? Hypothetically speaking, there's no fast way to avoid this person. There also happens to be no one else to turn to in order to assist in rectifying the situation. And trying to communicate effectively with the person in question is like trying to reason with a wolf in sheep's clothing, they're only out for themselves and they don't care who they hurt to get what they want.

A wolf in sheep's clothing, 2 faces, split personalities and no end in sight.

I say, figure out what that person is all about, even if it takes you getting hurt, upset, or even angered with the first negative encounter, and keep your distance. The wolf might try to lure you back in from time to time, but be careful not to get to close.

Sit back, be patient and let Karma do it's job...it may take a little while but eventually the inevitable will catch up to them. Each would handle such "victory" in their own way, but I would put up a glass and toast with REAL friends to such an occasion. ;)

Most people suck

That's all I have to say about that.

NEW BLOG PAGE!

I have a new blog page:

photobetty.wordpress.com

This is where you'll find the latest and greatest information regarding my art!

Check it out :)

"Travel"

So the phrase "travel" is strange, isn't it? I mean no one I know truly enjoys the actual act of TRAVELING, it's the exotic destinations that are exciting.

After my most recent venture to a tropical location I have come to the conclusion that despite my extreme distaste for TRAVELING, I am totally in love with being a guest in exotic and distant locations. If I could wiggle my nose or click my heals to get to a new place I totally would. Flying is literally for the birds.

Appreciate where you live, your surroundings, your fortunes, all that you have at your fingertips daily even if you daydream of being elsewhere. I can say that even though my trip was fantastic, breathtaking and divine, I was happy to come home.

What do you think about most when you are traveling, or once you have arrived at your vacation destination?

Family Appreciation

Obviously this isn't MY family but I wanted some retro pictures to depict a better time, a more innocent life in the history of our existences. A time where family bond was strong and eating at the dinner table every night was mandatory.

I recently spent some time with my mom looking at HER baby photos and old family photos and I couldn't help but get a little choked up. Family truly is special and it's amazing to learn the geneology of our roots; where we came from.

Today take the time today to remember your family ( all of them or just the members you actually love and appreciate).

Things aren't always what they seem..

Surrealism best describes today's lesson for me. It looks like one thing but if you look closer, or at it from a different angle, or even catch it on a different day, week, month or year, it can be something totally different.

Such is life. Every day is a different day and that goes the same for people in general. People change, morph, grow and do so based on experience, time, and changes in life. It's natural. Sometimes change can be hard to accept but in the long run you can always find a good lesson learned from said change or an eventful experience to discuss later on in life.

Example: Growing up you might have thought of your parents as superior beings, untouchable, super human, hero's maybe but as you have gotten older you come to realize that they are not as perfect as you've always perceived them. It's ok.

Sometimes lack of perception in regards to a certain person can be a bad thing. Perhaps you believed a friend to be true, honest, loyal, and trustworthy and they do something to betray you. You may be disappointed but you learned something from the experience, right?

People, things, and life aren't always what they seem but just remember, just because it may not be what you would do, say, act, or be, doesn't mean it's a bad thing..just as long as one is happy.

Surrealism in art is my FAVORITE all time style, it says so much and yet speaks so differently to everyone.

Accept growth, learn from change.

OOOoops!

I guess I really am more like Brittany Spears then I care to admit...

Oops I did it again. Fender bender #2 for 2010.

It wasn't my fault, I swear! It's a long story with minor damage, except to my car insurance rate which I'm sure will be a not so pleasant pill to swallow in coming months..

Lesson for today, be grateful for the small things, in this instance, no one was hurt and the damage is merely cosmetic.

The pisser? I wasn't texting, talking, rockin, or drinkin! CRAZY I SAY!

Patience

Today is good Friday and I hope every one's day is off with a bang! (Not literally of course)

Today's lesson for me shall be patience. I think my early morning spin class stirred up some dormant aggression and I've found myself huffing and puffing, with a side of eye rolling a bit today..

Through the annoyance, the frustration, the lack of empathy for the ignorant folks that surround you today, dig deep and find your inner patience! My best advice is to remember that everyone has a story, a background and you never know what that might entail. Sometimes a person might come across as a complete bumbling idiot but they may have had some major situations occurring in their life to make them be perceived that way at that very moment.

I know I appreciate other's patience with me when I'm experiencing one of my "off" days so lets try and extend (if possible) that courtesy to others!

It's Good Friday so give it a whirl, BE GOOD, and work on your patience today.

life is simple

After watching an episode of one of my favorite shows of all time (hint: its off the air now), I had a huge revolation! Life really can be simple, its easy if we just take everything back to the basics. What do I mean? Well, for example; if you've invested a good chunk of your time, energy and life into a relationship with someone and it ends, sometimes we beat ourselves up over the "what-if's".
You know, what if I were more attentaive, what if I were more sensitive, what if I were less independent...
I say forget the what-if's! If said ex is now happily involved with someone else, its more than likely not due to all of your, what-if's, its because some people kust like vanilla!
Yup, that's it. Sometimes a little texture,a little flavor, that little something different is just too much for one to handle.

This theory also applies in the work setting; there is always the ass kisser, the bully, the boss, the drama queen, and the trouble maker. I say in this case choosing vanilla is the best choice. The neutral, the number, the nameless employee with no known personal life to discuss.

Ok so maybe I'm tired, or maybe all the healthy food has gone to my head..nah, maybe it was just a really appropriate tv episode that played for me tonight.

Either way, when life seems extra complicated, try and bring it back to the basics, even if you end up being the crazy flavor that someone just chose vanilla over

Motivation is Key!

The desire to be healthy is a decent form of motivation for working out and eating better but...




Sometimes you need a little more in the way of motivation...

For me, that extra push came when I've been noticing young women my age, graduated from the same school, same year, shedding their extra pounds in rapid form. I know, I am not to be compared to others, I get it, but there are certain folks (face it) that you just rather see mildly miserable and insecure. It's not nice to say but it's true so I'm just going to be real here.

With that being said.. What motivates you? What get's you up off of the couch and into the gym? If you have other goals that don't include getting healthy or going to the gym, what motivates you to set and reach those goals?

Today I am grateful for those (newly) skinny girls (a few in particular) who have jump started my passion, my urge, my envy to get back to my fighting weight. Thanks ladies! Let's make it happen!

its the little things!

I'm keeping this one simple, its the little things in life that make people happy. Bringing ny mom dinner tonight and going to the store for her meant so much.
Helping a resident carry a large box out to her car, smiling at a stranger who looked like thet could use it, or remembering a birthday.
All of these things are not painful to follow through with yet we seem to lose this gentle side of ourselves over time. We are desensitized to kindness.
What would make you smile today or tonight? Getting a text from an old friend? Having the dishes washed for you after dinner? A hug? A smile or a sincere inquiry
About how your day went?

Think about what small gestures would make you smile and pass it on! Shoot off that text to a friend, hold a door open and the easiest one of all...smile once in a while : )

Face your fears!

I am not a fan of flying, whatsoever but tonight I leave for California for a couple of days. It is a beautiful day and the winds have died down so everything will be fine. With the powerful nature of positive thoughts I will deal with my fear of flying, take off and land safely and return home in perfect shape!

What are you afraid of and what do you do to ease the anxiety when it comes time to face your fear/s?

Today challenge yourself either in a small or large way..the only way to grow in life is to take chances!

Just because

Good friends are hard to find and even harder to keep. Sixteen years and counting Cat has never left my side. I am fortunate to have an amazing set of friends and even though time and distance may set us apart sometimes, they will always be just a phone call away. Love you all!





Art art art! I found this image very interesting, very creative and I think if more people let go and allowed creativity to be a bigger part of their lives, the world would be a better place. Use your imagination in some small medium or large way today!



Being a little fish in a big world can be fun! Make the most of yourself, big impact or small.




Find something that makes you laugh today.. laughter is the BEST medicine!

Human beings are NOT invincible

At the top of the food chain, most powerful creatures to walk this earth, we are human beings, invincible right? Yes, we can cause destruction to ourselves and those around us. Yes, we run the show here on Earth but we are not invincible.

Don't take this planet, this life, this air we breath, for granted. Life can change at any moment and we must be respectful of this world we live in. I am not saying that human nature caused this earthquake, or the one that hit Hatti last month, I am merely saying that our planet is just that..a planet. And even inhabiting this soil for millions of years, we still do not know enough about it to determine it's longevity.

The past is still a mystery and the future will always remain unknown so I say GO GREEN as much as you can possibly stand to do so, respect our environment and be good to our planet every single day. Just as karma in life, I believe in karma of our planet..we mistreat our earth, it will mistreat us.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people and pets within the impacted areas..so close to home and so very scary.

Did you do something to help the environment today? If so, what was it?

REMEMBER: Recycle, reduce, reuse!

Eh, why not?

Yes, there are plenty of things I could have done with my $45 today that would have been better spent than at Michael's craft store. I could have donated that money to charity, I could have filled up my gas tank, I could have sent that money to a friend in need..Haiti perhaps..but no. I purchased much desired and sale ticket items at Michael's instead.

Today I say screw it! Take your two pennies and spend them on something frivolous! What if this is it folks? What if this is your only life you get to live? Why not spend your hard earned money on something you truly WANT but don't really need. There are plenty of things I am still in need of, such as a new cell phone, new work clothes, contacts, and doctor's appointments but all can wait in the name of ART!



What will you spend your money on today and why?

Cancer is a b*tch

Today's lesson so far is simple. Cancer is a bitch.

We've all been affected by cancer in one way shape or form in our lives so it's no secret how devastating it can be. Taking lives, limbs, and pieces of people every day.

Two people that I love dearly have recently received news that their loved ones may have or have cancer. Both could be potentially terminal.

Take today to think of that certain person you know (or knew) that had cancer. Think of a memory you have of them and hopefully it will make you smile. Though our loved ones may no longer be with us, they live on in our lives through our memories and in our hearts.

Today I am remembering my Grandfather. Thank you for your unconditional love, your kindness, and patience, you are my hero.

There are so many more loved ones I could speak of but I said just one for today :)

No warning lable on this being an "Adult" thing.

I wish there were some sort of warning label on the years that go by. I think there should be a little hand out that you can receive with every birthday.

For example: Sweet 16 huh! Get ready to start worrying about a car payment, insurance and stressing about other bad drivers on the road.

Finally 18! Now you can vote! Now you are a party to all of the bad decisions made in the government and responsible for your own actions in your personal life! Behave or you could GO TO JAIL!

Yipee, 21! It's all down hill from here. Yes, very exciting you can drink now. Thank goodness because life throws you some real curve balls in your adult hood and you will NEED that drink most nights to help you through.

Just sayin.

You've heard it a million times but.. Life's Short!

As I scrapped up the little bit of energy I had left after attending David's birthday dinner last night I dragged myself into work this AM.

The first action of the day was witnessing the police and fire department entering our communinity..the coroner to follow.

Money problems, domestic issues, stresses of life..who knows. At 29 years young, one of our residents passed away in his sleep last night, leaving behind his 3 year old daugher.

Now, I am only helping out at this property today so I did not ever get to meet this resident in person. It doesn't really matter though, a life is a life and loss is a reality check for us all.

Take a moment in your day today and think of 3 things you are most thankful for and smile. Each day is a gift, whether it's a bad day or a good day, we are just lucky for each day.

Today I am thankful for my mom, without her the Kim as you know her wouldn't exist (in every sense of the word)
Today I am thankful for my job, even though I am not at my "homeland" property, I am thankful to be in a beautiful office, sun shining, and paycheck cooking!
Today I am thankful for my kitties, they truly are the highlights of my days and nights.