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	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" August 3, 2006 moderator @ write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart." You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded their copy to you. ------------------------------------------------------------ Michelle realized the uncomfortable boundaries in her life were not what she wanted. Taking one positive step at a time she changed her attitude and her whole outlook on life. ------------------------------------------------------------ All new subscribers receive a free downloadable copy of the e-cookbook, "Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover." To subscribe send a blank e-mail to: subscribe-me @ write2theheart.com ------------------------------------------------------------- Scaling Life's Mountains By Michelle C. Ustaszeski ------------------------------------------------------------ It is the simple things in life that please me. But it hasn't always been that way. There was a time in my life when everything seemed dark. It was a time when my children were the only source of light in my life. I was disappointed in myself for descending so deeply into such an obscure frame of mind and that increasing self-resentment only made each day all the more dismal. I took refuge in the stories that I wrote, escaping my own reality by creating new ones and falling to sleep as a character with a life far better than my own. I was trapped between the boundaries that I created for myself, allowing no other feelings but self-pity and disappointment to reside and freely cultivate. It may sound quite dramatic to those who are fortunate enough to have never experienced such inner despair. Unfortunately, most people can relate to how difficult it can be to climb over the peak of depression, especially if they have been dwelling at the foot of the mountain for some time now. But with each minute, each hour and each day that we remain still, we have a greater tendency to get comfortable within those boundaries. The mountain becomes a part of the scenery that we soon fail to see and the journey we were meant to travel in order to reach our destiny becomes postponed, or worse yet, never conquered. Life began to change for me after I realized that it was not my environment that controlled me, but it was I who controlled my environment. It was I who dimmed the lights in my own world and it was I who needed to slowly turn them back on. It was during that journey when I took a second look at my life, realizing that my children needed me. They deserved a mother who would provide light in their own times of darkness, guiding them into a better life than I had allowed for myself during those times of hopelessness. They deserved a mother who would conquer and move mountains in order to share with them the wisdom that I would obtain for the day when they would have to set out on their own journeys. They would learn that happiness is a gift that we give to ourselves and that regardless of how lost we feel at times, continuous movement in faith will eventually bring us to our peak. It was at this time when I began finding the good in all things that I had subconsciously ignored. I began to notice everything that I overlooked outside of myself due to my previous self-indulgence with inner wretchedness. I found that it was the simple negatives in life that would control me and that the simple positives would, in fact, set me free. Just as I would have probed for and willingly allowed any negative to govern me, I began my search for each and every positive that would eventually set me free. I began taking one step at a time, falling on occasion, but getting right back up with my goal in mind as it became more visible with each step. Using my own internal compass and by creating my very own paths, I conquered feat after feat until I eventually mastered the art of scaling. We deal with disappointing and depressing experiences each day of our lives. Rest assured that these difficult times are your opportunity to grow and to learn more advanced strategies in order scale your next mountain more quickly. These difficult times provide you with experience and knowledge that you can pass on to your children and to the world. They bestow upon you wisdom that, when looking back, will cause you to proudly stand in awe at how far you have traveled. Only through difficulty can you rest at the peak, look out over the horizon that surrounds you, and rejoice beyond today's imagination at how beautiful life really is and how lucky we truly are. Michelle C. Ustaszeski michellecharlene @ earthlink.net You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator @ write2theheart.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- Michelle C. Ustaszeski is a writer and photographer of inspirational and motivational art. She believes that if you can prematurely feel the emotions of your desired outcome, your reservations have been made and reaching your destination is simply a matter of time. In 1998, Michelle created Sam-n-Nick's Inspirations, named after her two children, and located at http://soulfuel.com, when she combined her love of writing together with the digital camera. Sam-n- Nick's Inspirations produces and sells scenic and enlightening framed art, bookmarkers, stationary, music, books, candles, bath products and other comforting gifts to warm the hearts and souls of her customers through private home parties. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Story Submissions -------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a heart-touching or inspiring story to share? Send it in the body of a plain email, no graphics or colorful backgrounds please. Write 'submission' in the subject line. Don't forget to write a brief bio to introduce yourself to our readers. You may include your family friendly websites, information on your books, newsletters, and upcoming projects. Email to: moderator @ write2theheart.com --------------------------------------------------------------- Military Prayer Reminder --------------------------------------------------------------- As you read over this list of names, please take that moment to pray for our troops and their families: Alan Graham Julie Sagel Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ryan Larry Miele Daniel Amy John Joanne Gary Boardwine Hadassah Chanz Wackerly David Habighurst Tonia Melissa Bair Matthew Nutter Matt Hall Donald Wayne West Frank Schambach, Jr. Nick Nation Iain Kirkham Bo Lefeat Many of our troops are returning home, but remember, more are being sent overseas. Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. --------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner --------------------------------------------------------------- I thought Hurricane Katrina would be the worst thing that could possibly happen in my life for a long time. I should know better than to think such things! Things were going smoothly; we were doing the repairs that were urgently needed around our house. Here's a hint: Don't stay in your house when it is being roofed! Every bundle of shingles that are brought up to the roof, dropped and then dragged, sound just like someone falling and rolling off the roof. My nerves were shattered! And get more than one referral on a roofing company. Our first one didn't finish felting before leaving one evening and that night we got our first heavy-duty rain since the hurricane. My ceiling was ruined causing me more repairs and the main leak was over my computer. For some reason, they thought they should charge me more for the job after this, so David fired them. We were blessed that out youngest son stepped in and did the job for us, because contractors are impossible to find right now. The next project would be the kitchen floors. But, before we could get started, David wrecked his motorcycle in May. His leg was shattered, ribs were dislocated, sternum bruised and a vertebra in his back was fractured. He was transported to a trauma unit in Hattiesburg where he had to have surgery and a titanium rod was placed in the large bone in his leg. It will be another month before he might be able to put any weight on it. He has had to live in his recliner in the living room. Everything else, including the bed hurts his back. Of course you know who has to be his gofer. After having to run to get the same things several times a day, I placed a rolling shelf by him for all his miscellaneous things, put together a computer to alleviate boredom and let him play with his new Bible program, then gave him his father's day gift of a cd player early so he can listen to worship music while he reads his Bible. His friends call it command central. I call it my leg and sanity saver. God has been gracious through all of this, David is alive, praise God! He will be able to continue to minister in The Biker Church. You can read more at www.thebikerchurch.org. It has been a joy and pleasure to be able to minister in hurting lives and to plant churches. He just has to go to all the meetings and the various churches as a passenger in my Toyota instead of on his Harley! May God bless each of you! Cheryl --------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our bookstore to find books that are written, or include stories by many of our talented writers. http://www.write2theheart.com/html/book_store.html ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 2006 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors. ---------------------------------------------------------------