Terri King Speaks

First let me say thank you to everyone who has made a sacrifice for freedom and especially to those who have given their lives.

Now, let me tell you about my bear encounter on Sunday.

I was mountain biking on the north boundary of Bent Creek. I was bringing up the rear, as usual, when I heard a rustled off to the left up on the bank. I thought, “ That sounded bigger than a squirrel or turkey, maybe it was a deer or maybe…..a bear?”

See item number 70 on my list of “Things to Do in my Life” is seeing a black bear in the woods, safely. (Thank God I put the word SAFELY in there)

So I looked up as I rode by just at the chance to see if maybe….yes! It was a bear. Oh and her cub! It was so exciting. We had a moment, we met eyes. She saw me and I saw her. Of course my next thought was Oh God! I saw a bear.

After a minute or two of going way too fast down the trail, I got a handle on myself and was delighted again.

That’s when I began to think about the deeper meaning behind what had just happened. This was a “bear” sign, if you will.

Why did I see the bear and Bryan, who was riding in front of me, didn’t? Why did I even look over?

The answer….She was on my list. My subconscious mind was actually looking for her and that’s why I saw her.

So what about the other things on my list? What about the things on your list?

Could it be as simple as writing our goals down, keeping them in the backs of our minds, putting ourselves in the position to have them just literally cross our paths?

I think maybe so! We don’t have to know how or when things are going to happen we just have to believe they can.

Here’s wishing you can cross off an item on your list this week.

Terri King

Last night I watched the movie “Into The Wild”.

What I thought was going to be a story of a young man’s quest for adventure and finding himself, turned out to be the tale of a troubled kid who ran from his problems.

He was young, bright and handsome. He lost the hope of his future because he allowed the present to be poisoned by the past.

The next time you hear yourself say, “So and So used to say to me….”, or “ I’ll never forget ….”, or “ There was one time….”, pay attention to what you are bringing up from the depths of yesterday.

If it doesn’t bring you closer to who you are trying to be now and in the future, perhaps it’s better left behind you FOREVER!

The only past that has power over you is that which you give life to in the present.

Cut the throat of bad past experiences.

Take what you can learn and bury the rest.

You won’t miss it, I promise.

Enjoy today and plan big things for tomorrow. I will join you in doing so.

Terri King

I’m late posting this blog. Let me tell you why.

Last night we had a send off party for my sister’s oldest daughter who has reached the age of adulthood. She has decided to go into the Army.

My sister spent most of the day following a mental slideshow of the past 19 years. Needless to say, it was an emotion-filled experience.

As a parent, you are charged with the job of shaping the life of another human being. Preparing them for the day when they are old enough, mature enough, to take the reins of their own life and run with it. You have to let go and know the future is now up to them alone.

But we know, no matter how old they get, no matter how far they go, we are always going to be here to support and offer guidance at a moment’s notice.

Whether you have the title of parent, or aunt, or uncle, or friend, if you take the time and interest to help shape the life of someone coming up behind you, today I salute you and thank you for what you are doing to make the world of tomorrow a better place for us all.

Thanks.

Terri King

Do you find there are often times when you ask yourself questions like: What if it all goes wrong? What if the economy gets worse? What if I get in a financial bind? What if I get hurt and can’t work? What if he won’t love me anymore? What if…What if …. What if?

I know I certainly have. This is called negative what if thinking. It’s a nasty habit that most of us have.

So, what do we do about it? Well, nature abhors a vacuum, so we must do more than just remove the habit. We must replace it with a better habit, the habit of positive what if thinking.

Whenever you hear yourself starting to come out with one of those fear driven thoughts, stop it in its tracks with a deliberate power thought like: What if they love my idea? What if I look better and better with age? What if I can do it? What if things turn out better than I ever imagined?

I know it sounds simple but it will be a bit awkward at first.

I’m so good at the negative what if’s that sometimes I find my mind goes blank and I can’t think of one good thought for several seconds. Man I hate that.

We can’t live in fear of what might happen if we are to truly get the most out of this short trip they call life because guess what? Things happen.

Norman Vincent Peale says: “The secret of life isn’t what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you.”

Nothing is going to happen to you that you can’t do something about. Do your best to assess the damage, deal with it as quickly as possible and get on with your life and don’t look back.

You’re on the stage of your life. There is no dress rehearsal.

This is your one chance. So go out there and live it.

Terri King