Like the Changing Leaves in Fall...

Change. It follows us all our lives, waiting for the moment when it decides to pounce on us, and most of the time its never convenient. Sometimes it happens a lot, sometimes only once. Change happens without notice.

The changes in our lives make us who we are. They compose chapters that someday will complete our story. It is hard to face changes sometimes as they are not what we had planned. Embrace these moments  with a good heart and a positive mind. Resisting change is only stopping you from becoming what you will become, or finding what you are meant to find, or meeting who you are meant to meet.

As much as it hurts sometimes to accept that everything happens for a reason, it really is true to me. Life is filled with happiness and good people but it is also filled with sadness and tragedy. Sometimes the hand you are dealt is painful and it makes you hate God for ever putting you on this planet and that makes it hard for you to have faith. Every moment in our life, every second, every event, every one we meet, every step we take, its all part of our journey that we were given. Question yourself, what can I do to make this change positive, how can I make this change better me, how can I make this change better the world? Even if its a tragic event that changes your whole life, an event that turns your world upside down.... ask yourself what can you do to keep your chin up and be the strength that others will look up to.

This reminds me of a story I read about last month. A tragic accident where a 17 year old soccer player was having a fun day in Orlando with her teammates holding a car wash fundraiser. Out of nowhere, disaster struck, and she was from one moment to the next, pinned up against a brick wall and a car. The driver of the car had accidentally stepped on the gas instead of the brakes. Her lower extremities were crushed and she ended up losing her leg. As soon as she woke up from her coma and was told about the amputation of her leg, the one body part that she needs most to fulfill her soccer dreams, was gone. She reacted like no one would expect. She immediately asked when she could start rehab and when she could run again, then she proceeded to say she was still going to prom. She is now recovering and keeping her spirits high. She has never shown depressed feelings about her situation, only feelings of excitement for the future. To her, this is just another challenge in the game of life, which is fine with her. She has embraced this tragedy with a positive attitude and without even knowing it, has inspired so many. It actually brought a tear to my eye thinking about how brave and strong this girl is.

Love your life and the people in it who make it worthwhile. Make a difference. Make your voice be heard. Show others how to be strong. Embrace the changes in your life. In return, life will reward you.

Love is my Religion <3

"True religion is real living; living with all one's soul, with all one's goodness and righteousness." -Albert Einstein

When I was younger my mother gave me the gift of having an open heart and an open mind. She took me to church and taught me about religion and God and Jesus and I even had my communion as I was born into a Catholic family. However, she also taught me that I am not chained down to anything I don't really and truly believe in my heart. So I went on to learn about the religions of the world... I was inspired by every single one. In the end, although I wished with all my might that religion did not exist because of all the hate and wars the different beliefs caused, I realized everyone has their own views just as I do.

I believe in God, I believe in love, I believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that we are all put on this earth, every single person a special being, to make a difference. A difference doesn't mean to become the President or a CEO or even to travel the world feeding the hungry and less fortunate. Making a difference means simply how you go about your day, do you wake up and thank God that you have another chance? Do you smile? Do you tell someone you love them before you make your way to work?

Making a difference is a mother making her little ones a special lunch with a note to have a great day and that they can't wait to see them after school. Making a difference is helping out a complete stranger, even if its something as small as opening a door. Making a difference means looking at the sunrise and feeling like thats the best gift God has given us to remember he is there, smiling, watching over us. Knowing that, thats the difference. Thats MY religion.

I wish I still lived at the beach... to go running on the sand while the sun is coming up, wow thats a workout! A workout for my body yes, but more a workout for my soul. One time I lost 4 years worth of pictures when my computer crashed, I was devastated. Then I realized. Ultimately, what are the pictures that would stand out most? To me... a picture of the beach and sunrise, a picture of the Eiffel Tower, a picture with my family, a picture with crazy fun friends, a picture that shows love, a picture of my dog... other than that, what other memories do I need? The picture album of my life can be summed up by a few pages. And sometimes we have to step back from the little meaningless problems and look into those few pages, what really matters?

This is Me

Sometimes, in a world full of war and chaos, hatred and sadness,  a person just wants to escape and voice their opinions and their feelings. I have been given the gift of loving to express myself in writing. I have always written poetry, stories, journals, silly ideas on post-its, you name it. Some were appreciated some were shot down. In the end, I feel that if I can reach one person with what I have to say then I have fulfilled my goal.

Hi, my name is Annia and I am a lover, a giver, a dreamer. I have a passion for traveling and writing. I am open-minded and forgiving. I am a good listener and problem solver. I would give my life for anyone I love or even for an animal in need.

I like to write because writing makes me feel free. Writing gives me a reason to block every day problems out and just be me. Writing lets me gather my thoughts and re-focus. To this day, I can write to myself as my subconcious to my material mind, and bring myself to a place where ideas meet reality. Yes, I give myself advice. I force myself to remember that the meaning of life is as simple as a smile. Yesterday is just a lesson in life, something you cannot change but something that you can take with you on your journey. Worrying about tomorrow just creates unnecesary grief. Today is here, and today is what we need to worry about if we want to see true happiness.

So take my advice and forgive someone today, tell someone you love them, smile at a stranger, go above and beyond for yourself, do something good for the planet, trust me, people will see you and pass it on.

Happinness. Faith. Love. We all have the key, it just takes a little effort.