My Mantra

Once upon a time...

Text Box: Over a late night glass of wine Children gone down Fallen fast asleep Reflecting in the bottom of a dime store glass On the lessons of youth Shy girl sitting in the park Hides from others Makes no sound Just sits under the evergreen reading prose Of mystery and beauty Middle school graduation dress White eyelet lace Lilac satin ribbons Avid innocence, just a young fawn ready to bound Out into life’s meadows High school’s hoop earrings Excess accessories Acid washed persona More faded than her hope for something better She personifies small town Mother of two with golden hair Trying to survive Not enough hours Trying to cling to the dream she was promised A silent warrior sleeps Nearing 40 and awake at dawn Armed with wit Ready to roll Prepared for the battle to take what is hers Don’t underestimate her Julie.Avery 09.17.08 ©

My Mantra

“There is no such thing as

over qualified when it comes to helping others. For what other purpose did I learn things, if not to pass them on?”

Text Box: Upon reflection of my life, I have come to realize that every incident for as far back as I can recall (be it good or bad) was a gift. Life is a series of lessons that we can choose to acknowledge and learn from. I have never asked WHY something happened to me, instead I ask, “What was I meant to learn?” Perhaps I have learned more lessons the hard way than a lot of people, but I do not believe it was without purpose. In fact, every lesson learned has led me to this point. I am at the beginning again. I have little left but the things that truly bring me joy (my children, photography and writing). I choose to not regret the things and the ones I’ve lost, choosing instead to be grateful for the time that I had them. While I do have few possessions remaining and I have lost many things that were once my world, I still have the thing that matters most and that is PRIDE. I have a sense of pride in all the things I have learned up until this point in my life with the understanding that they would all be pointless if I could not use them to help others. Life is a journey, and mine has already been long and at times arduous, but if anything I have learned along the way will ease the journey of anyone else, I will willingly share it. There is no such thing as over qualified when it comes to helping others. For what other purpose did I learn things, if not to pass them on? Life to me is one long lesson occasionally interrupted with pop quizzes. I took notes. I’ll let you read them.

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