I remember talking to my friend Tammie a few years ago and she asked if I'd heard about a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that had been caught in a monster storm. When I said I had not heard anything about it, Tammie proceeded to tell me that the ship had just set sail when unexpected wind and wave storms literally crippled the ship. Tammie loves to cruise. She and her family have taken quite a few cruises and she shared how the news of the ferocity of the storm scared her. The waves reached as high as the 5th deck, and the winds were so strong, the captain was unable to turn the ship. The morning after that conversation I was still thinking about that ship and storm. I sent Tammie a text thanking her for sharing- without her even knowing it- a great life lesson. Everyone on the ship, captain included, had boarded with intentions of cruising from port to port, and eventually to final the destination, with ease and beautiful, fun-filled experiences. Everyone was ready to experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. And why not? The trip and airfare were paid for and folks were packed and ready! As I reflected about that ship and storm the parallel to life became clear. We live "good" lives-paying our fare to ‘cruise’. We follow the rules, treat people nice, attend church, pay taxes, donate to charities, etc. As we cruise through life, a crippling storm can come out of nowhere: loss of a job, a loved one's death, a debilitating disease, betrayal by someone close, and the list goes on. Like that captain, we try to navigate out of the storm to no avail. The winds and waves seem too strong. Be encouraged dear reader; as was the case with that cruise ship, you will survive the storm. Remain anchored in your faith, because the storm will pass. If you notice, no matter how fierce the waves and wind were OUTSIDE of the ship, it did not sink. You see, the water outside of a ship doesn't make it sink. A ship sinks when the water gets INSIDE. Like a ship captain, you must batten down the hatches: stand firm and strong in your faith, never lose hope, and seal off openings through which negativity can seep in. You can, in fact withstand your storms. Live Golden, Dionne R. Bell
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Welcome to the Golden Side... GOLDEN Grateful. Optimistic. Loving. Driven. Encouraging. No matter what. Welcome to the GOLDEN Corner! This is the place for you to get some soothing warmth and comfort in the form of inspiration, encouragement, and positive reinforcement. Let’s face it, no matter how strong, successful, good-looking, educated, wealthy, famous, or well-intentioned we are (or think we are), we sometimes get weary, worn, and weak. All of us can benefit from a healthy dose of optimism from time-to-time. Going forward, the GOLDEN Corner will usually consist of an article. However, this inaugural edition is a bit different. This edition will contain a list of quotes. The purpose it to provide little nuggets of inspiration for your use throughout the month. If any particular quote strikes you, perhaps you can write it down, commit it memory, and recall it when you (or someone you know) needs it. Thank you for stopping by … stay GOLDEN. Quotes
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AuthorDionne Bell was born and raised in Northeast Ohio, the oldest of four children. After graduating with a degree in Sociology, she worked in the fields of chemical dependency, child welfare, and insurance claims. Dionne is a lover of music, reading, and writing – all of which she was exposed to and enjoyed since her early childhood. She is passionate about spending time with loved ones, motivating and encouraging others, and injecting humor into as many aspects of life as possible.. ArchivesCategories |