Play a Song

When life seems to be playing a cruel game, play a good song. Not just any song, but a song that's going to inspire you.

One of my favorite radio stations, Positive Hits Z88.3, is available online. Their DJ's are very personable individuals and all of the songs about hope, peace, love, the human experience, life, and God. If you like popular music, light rock, or inspirational music, I'd definately recommend giving them a try. It's one of the most popular stations in Central Florida.

If you like rock or alternative music, you can try Y Rock at radioY.org.

If you prefer rap and R&B, check out Y Hot, also available at radioY.org.

Their are oddles of other stations, but I'm more familiar with these three. No matter what kind of music you like, music has the ability to ease our spirits and help us along in our daily living as well as in times of crisis.

Draw a Picture

If you like to draw, a simple pencil-and-paper illustration can do wonders to lower your stress level in chaotic situations.



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This past Wednesday, I took my mom to the emergency room. Although we did't even wait 10 minutes in the lobby (due to her simptoms), we still had to wait for, I think, about 4 and a half hours before they finally admitted her.

During our long wait time, I didn't quite know what to say. It was the same mom that I see everyday, but I just couldn't seem to find the words or even the subject to speak about (and that's really saying something). To make matters worse, she asked me to write her a poem. I love writing poetry. And it would have been nice if there was one I had already concocted for just such an event that was waiting quietly in brain for its moment to shine. But there wasn't.

I picked up my pencil and began to draw what I saw: my mom as a personicifation mortality and the frailty of human life. There she is on a sheet of paper I'd used to write a list of things to bring for her hospital stay. I was soon lost in the drawing itself, rather than in the horror of what could happen. She liked it. "Looks just like me!" And her cardio-specialist thought it was nice as well.

I can honestly say that it was a source of great relief for both of us.

Life is a beautiful opportunity and can be extremely beautiful. No matter what your walk of life, you can experience beauty, love, hope, and joy. But even so, we all experience life's lemons- the sour experiences and situations that dim the glimmer of life.

Life's lemons are always in season. They can show up in words, on paper, in your body, in your mind, or your spirit. But they are always the most painfully sour parts of living.

I have had my share of lemons throughout my life, as we all have. But I have found that lemons aren't always the totally gloom things they seem. They can also be challenges that make us think, push us to love others, and increase our gratitude.

If we don't make it through the lemon season, we don't get to enjoy the wonderful existence that lives on the other side of trials. Life is sweetest after we have pressed our way through troubles and out into the open field of life.

One popular saying says, "when life throws you lemons, make lemonade." This concept is the focus of this site. This isn't a blog of problems- it's a collection of creative ways to handle them.

It is my sincere and deepest desire that this site will help you to imagine the truth about anything that happens in your life- it