Let Your Family Know You Love Them More Than Your Phone

New technology is taking up so much of everyone's time. Teens, Parents, etc. 

Between cell phones, iPads, Tablets, laptops or computers, everyone is always on something - most commonly the cell phone. 

While you are sitting there texting or playing your games or whatever it is that you do, there are people around you talking, carrying on conversation/socializing and wishing you would be part of the group. 

When is the last time you called/checked on your parents & other loved ones? How often do they hear from you? 

How is your child doing in school? I don't mean just grades; Are they having problems with bullies, or other problems that they can't come to you about because you're too busy on your cell. (or computer, etc.)

Don't drown out the world, especially not your family and the ones who love you dearly. 

One day, when you finally look up from your phone, (computer, etc) they may no longer be there. 

Then you will have many regrets to live with. Time that you could've spent with them but didn't. Times you could've called them but didn't. 

Don't live with regrets later, love your family now, before it's too late. 

Drama Queens and Busy Bodies

Some people evidently lead such boring lives, that they have nothing better to do besides snoop in everyone else's business. 

These are the kinds of people you really want to stay away from. 

You could barely know them and they would be asking you all types of personal questions. (Whether it's about you, your family, etc.) 

If you're like me, you would have the urge to tell them it's none of their business. However, the most polite way to handle this is to say, "That's a personal question, and I only discuss those type of things with those who are close to me."

This way, they have nothing to go back and gossip about, exaggerate, etc. 

Drama Queens and Busy Bodies are everywhere now days. It's hard enough to figure out who you can and can't trust, without having to worry about them, too. 

Just keep in mind though, they are really lonely people. They have no real life of their own, so they get their amusement from discussing others lives. Avoid these types of people - if and when possible. 

Be Yourself

You were put on this Earth to be yourself, to be Real. You are not here to be what others expect or want you to be.

No one is perfect; not you, your parents or anyone else. We are all human and all make mistakes. That is part of Life, so is forgiving, forgetting and moving on. 

The one thing you should always do, is Stand Up for Yourself and the ones you Love. (This doesn't mean physically. You can let others know that you will not tolerate gossiping, etc.)

No one has the right to judge you (or your loved ones), they do not know what you're going through nor what you've been through to get to where you are in Life. 

Always stick close to those who have always been there for you. Never turn your back on a best friend or a close loved one. You never know when you will need that person again.

When Life Gives You Lemons

Everything in Life happens for a reason. The majority of the time, we do not know what the reason may be.

It could be to make us a stronger person or to open our eyes to things that we weren't noticing before.

Then we learn to appreciate the good times, the good things and the good people/friends in our life.

Life is full of ups and downs, lessons and tests. How we "act" and how we "react" - both says a lot about us.

I've learned to never take anything or anyone for granted. Those that are close to us need to know regularly that we love, need and appreciate them.

And, as the saying goes, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!"

Don't Worry - Be Happy

Happy people are happy because they Choose to be happy.

They do not let others rain on their parade. They do not hang on to anger or grudges. (This would cause them to be unhappy.)

It takes a lot of Strength and Will-power to get through some things in life, but for those who are determined to be happy, that is not a problem!

Then you have the Other kind of people - the Bitter people.

These people are rarely truly happy because they hang on to anger, hold grudges, they are unable to forgive. They do not have the strength nor the will-power to let go of the past or let by-gones be by-gones.

These type of people also usually have very few friends. (No one wants to be around someone so negative, someone who creates drama or is always miserable.)

On occasion these types of people can temporarily mask their true colors. But it doesn't take people long to see their true colors and to avoid them at all costs.

Be yourself - but Choose to be Happy.

Top 5 Signs of Depression

Many of us have gone through a depression at some point in our life. Sometimes Life throws things at us that we feel we can't deal with. 

It is harder than you think for a person to pull themselves out of depression. If you've never been there, then it'd be almost impossible for you to understand. 

Anyway the Top 5 Signs of Depression are:

1. Sleeping too much (When they are sleeping, they do not have to deal with reality)

2. Not getting enough sleep (Their mind is racing about everything and they cannot make it stop long enough to get a good night sleep)

3. Talking about Committing Suicide (Even though over half of them would never actually do it)

4. Loss of Appetite (Stress can cause you to have no appetite at all)

5. Eating too much (Using food as a drug, hoping it will somehow make you feel better, if only temporarily)

If you know someone who is depressed, the WORSE things you can say to them are

"Oh pull yourself out of it"

"Get over it"

Or anything similiar to these statements. These statements prove you have never experienced major depression yourself, and you only make the depressed person feel worse. (Your words are proof that you aren't understanding and make them feel as though their feelings are unimportant to you & perhaps to others as well)

The best thing you can do for a depressed person is let them talk when they are ready. Be a friend, lend an ear, a shoulder to cry on, don't be judgemental. 

If the person isn't already on medication for depression, you may want to gradually and gently recommend that they talk to their Dr. about their depression. (There are many medications now days that can treat it.) 

If they are already on medication, perhaps it isn't strong enough or they may need a different type of medication. 

Regardless, try to be more considerate and understanding. 

Do You Control Your Life? Or Does Someone Else?

If you are a grown woman or man, you should be in control of your life.

Never give anyone control of your life. Never let them make your decisions for you. Never allow people to give you ultimatums. (Especially when it comes to "You choose between me or so-n-so!") This applies to Friends and Relatives. (Not cheaters)

When you give someone else control of your life, they will mess it up for you - and the problem is that YOU are the one who has to deal with the consequences. (They will not care about the damages they have caused.)

YOU will be held responsible for things that you did not do, decisions YOU did not make.

Over my many years I've been on this Earth, I've met all kinds of people. And I can tell you for certain the saying is true: "You can't judge a book by its cover."

I've met people who looked like they were homeless or hoodlums, but turned out to be some of the best, most honest and trustworthy people you could ever meet.

And I've met people that were beautiful/handsome, well dressed, etc. They would appear to be shy and/or sweet, but turned out to be some of the most dishonest and untrustworthy people you could ever meet.

Do not put your life in the hands of someone else for them to control you. (No matter how much you think you can trust them.) Do not be someone else's puppet. I promise, in the long run, you will eventually regret it.