A Photo is A Glimpse of History Allowing the Present Moment to Be Captured
Personally- I have so many Photos that I don't know what to do with all of them
Some of My Favorite Photos Are
A Photo of Me as an Infant and My Mom Standing Next to Me A Photo of Me and My Dad at Elvis Presley's- Graceland A Photo of Me as a Toddler in a Bright Yellow Outfit A Photo of Me Swimming with the Dolphins
Now, Most of My Photos are in A Box Some are In Frames Some are Posted Online Some are Lost and Waiting to Be Found
Nowadays, I am focusing More on Quality than on Quantity
Also, I am Focusing on Being in the Now And Capturing the Memory Without A Photo
As I Simplify My Life and Go Through Photos....
May I Be Reminded that- If I have a Photo or Not...
The Memory Will Always Live Within Me Got Photos? Wellness For You First Melanie R. November 8, 2008
My Aging/Ailing Father who lives in Another State My Work and All that It Entails My Home that Needs to Be Cleaned My Neighbors Who Are in their 80's & 90's Who Live Alone My Hobbies & Passions My Family Across The Country
For Today
I Will Focus on Wellness For Me
For I Know That I Can Only Do My Best Focusing On All those Other Things
When I Focus on Myself First
It's Been Awhile Since I have Really Focused On Me So I Need To Remind Myself What That Looks Like
For Now, I Will Focus On
My Physical & Mental Health
How Will You Focus on Wellness For You First ?
Got Focus? Wellness For Me First....
Got Focus ? Wellness For You First Melanie R. November 9, 2008
This is a Reply to Your Last Email to Me Dated October 12, 2008
Going back through my emails... I noticed that I did not reply to you...
If I would have known..... it would have been your last email to me...
I definitely would have replied.....
Please Forgive Me...
Since that Email.... You had Unexpected Massive Heart Attack and Died...
At the Young Age of 42.
I found out the news of your sudden death by going to your Facebook Page to write you a Wall Post...
I even wrote on your Facebook wall without realizing what had happened....
I wrote on your Facebook Wall on November 22, 2008 the question....."How Are You?"
I saw a lot of posts on your walll that said "We will miss you man, I'm Sad-so sad, We will miss you, etc..... "
When I first glanced at your Facebook Wall- I thought you left your job because at one
time you talked about getting a new job.......
In your last ever email to me you wrote about how you had traveled to 24 countries
including Italy, France, Syria, Mexico, Scotland, Greece, Turkey, and so many others...
As I look back at some past emails..... I remember you... Remember You as a Beautiful person... Remember You as a Dear Friend...
On June 15, 2007- You wrote "Pictures from your birthday party are excellent. It appears you had
a great group of people there. I especially appreciated how the cake featured your classic line....
Wellness For You"
On June 16, 2007- You wrote in response to a poem to my friends that I included you in...
"The poems are great. Nice effort. Your creative juices are undoubtedly flowing over.
Thanks for such a well-crafted description for me. "
On November 17, 2007- You wrote "Thanks so much for writing. It's uplifting to hear from you.
I'm very sorry to be out of pocket for so long without touching base. No, I'm not married. It's
A reflection of my hectic job. Unfortunately, I'm not living a very healthy lifestyle these days.
Not exactly the ideal example of wellness living. I work and travel all the time... and haven't
had real vacation or time off.... I don't sleep much these days either."
On March 13, 2008- You wrote ... "Sorry I haven't contacted you lately. I have been very busy.
I hope to attend one of your Laughter Yoga classes at some point. It sounds like so much fun.
I bet you are a great leader. Wellness to you my friend.."
On May 29, 2008- You wrote...."Greetings. Sorry it's taken so long for me to respond.
Thank you so much for your birthday invitation.... Happy Birthday and many more... Peace. "
On July 3, 2008- You wrote... "I am so sorry that I have not been in touch or answered your
previous emails. It's not been my intention to be unresponsive. I hope you will stay in touch.
I think highly of you and would like to continue our association. "
On July 5, 2008- You wrote regarding your visit to the hospital due to pneumonia ...
"My hospital visit was a wake up call. It was a horrible experience and a stark reminder
to take better care of myself. I have been eating better since...."
On July 6, 2008- You wrote in regards to laughter yoga.... "I will try to make one of the
upcoming dates. Thanks for your concern about my health..... "
On July 26, 2008- You sent me a message on facebook... "It's good to be on Facebook.
You were the first person to write on my wall. "You will go down in History."
On October 12, 2008- In your last ever email to me you wrote.... "On a negative note, I had
to put my dog and longtime friend to sleep... she was clearly suffering. On a happier note, I
checked out your laughter yoga website and it appears the classes have really taken off.
Congratulations. I know you are very dedicated to Wellness and those classes seem like
a perfect outlet...... . Thanks again for your email. It was nice hearing from you.
Stay in touch and be well. Take Care, Evan... "
On December 5, 2008-
Dear Evan, I am writing in response to your last email to me on October 10, 2008.
Thank you so much for your friendship. I enjoyed the many conversations we had.
Your sudden, untimely death at the Young age of 42 has reminded me of many things:
1. If I want to email someone- Do it today. Do not delay as you never know what tomorrow brings.
2. Thank you for your kind words over the years we have known each other- Your words have always made a difference in my life.
3. If you have a passion- Go for it. Your dedication to travel always reminded me of my passion for travel.
4. Take care of your Health & Wellness today. Often times- we wait until tomorrow to take care of ourselves. Your un-timely death reminded me to take care of myself TODAY....As I am the only one who can take care of myself.
5. Be Well. You have always known my user name as "Wellness For You".... One of your last words to me was "Be Well"
Today, I spend a moment in silence to remind myself how precious & short life is and remind myself what
"Be Well" means to me......
Wellness For You First :))))
Melanie
Got Emails? (Dedicated to my friend Evan, 42, who passed away on November 9, 2008) Melanie R. Wellness For You First December 5, 2008
Like I have never seen or have been aware of Before
All Year I have observed
Individuals, Businesses & Communities Give from the Heart In A Big Way
Earlier this Year The Extreme Makeover Show
Aired the Extreme Makeover Of A Local Musician & Hero Patrick Henry Hughes (www.patrickhenryhughes.com)
It was a Heartfelt Event & Airing
It Made Me Think How Wonderful It would be to Walk Down the Street And Knock On Someone's Door And Tell Them They Were Chosen For An Extreme Home Makeover
The Feeling Of Giving Is So Powerful
Also, This Year, I watched All The Episodes of
Oprah Winfrey's Reality Show Big Give
It Opened My Eyes To Giving Big
It was Ordinary People Like You and Me
Coming Together
Giving From the Heart
Giving In Ways
That the Meeting Of One or More Minds Created
Many of these Gifts Were not Monetary
These Big Gifts Included
Helping the Elderly
Giving Roses To Strangers To Remind Them They Are Loved
Tending to the Sick
And So Many other Examples
Often Times The Big Give Challenge Was to Start With A Small Amount Of Money
And Come Together To Create Ways to Multiply The Money
And Be Creative in Ways To Give Big
Give Big to Individuals, Give Big to Families, Give Big to Communites.... Give Big From The Heart
Giving Big From the Heart
Could Be as Simple As
Sharing A Smile Saying A Kind Word Sharing Your Creative Gifts With the World Saying I Love You From the Heart Calling a Friend or A Family Member
Recently I Had to Say Goodbye To A Family Member
I Said Goodbye To My Daddy, Dad, Father
Who Passed Away in December 2008
He Was An Individual Who Gave A Lot Over the Years
He Gave Encouraging Words He Gave of His Laughter He Gave of His Smiles He Gave of His Joy He Gave of His Perseverance He Gave of His Determination He Gave of His Strength
In Fact, If It wasn't For My Dad Giving Big
I Would Have Not Been Born
He Gave Big To My Mom When She Was Going Through A Time Of Great Personal Challenge
As 2008 Comes To A Close I Reflect on This Life Changing Year
I Reflect On those Who Have Given Big To Me I Refect On those Who Have Given Big To Others
I Reflect On those Who Give Big With Limited Resources
I Also Reflect on A Workshop I Recently Attended
The Question was Asked
Are You are Giver or are You A Taker ?
At First, I wanted to think I was a Giver
But the More I thought about It
There were more ways in my Life
that I have Been A Taker
That Awareness Shifted My Life Profoundly
Now, I Choose To Be A Giver And To Give Big To Give Big From My Heart
Including
Giving Big of My Love to A Precious Friend Who Was Recently In the Hospital
Giving Big of my Creative Gifts, Time & Energy Through My Website And Service of Laughter Yoga
Giving Big To Friends & Family In New Ways That I Have Never Done Before
Giving Big Has Allowed Me To Grow Big
Grow In Faith Grow In Surrendering to Something Greater Than Myself Grow In Love Grow In Joy Grow In Abundance
I Choose To Give Big From The Heart
Now And Always
Are You A
Giver or A Taker ?
My Wellness Wish For You Is that You
Give Big From The Heart
Giving of Your Smiles Giving of Your Talents Giving of Your Love
I Give Big Of
My Love My Laughter My Joy My Wellness My Heart
From Me To You......
As You Give Big From Your Heart
May You Receive Big
In 2008 and Beyond....
Got A Heart of Giving? Melanie R. Wellness For You First www.wellnessforyoufirst.com December 20, 2008
Thank You God for creating Me, Thank You God for my sight and allowing me to See,
Thank You for allowing me to Write, Thank You for my Height,
Thank You for the love in my Heart, Thank You for always helping me get through the challenging times with a fresh Start,
Thank You for allowing me to Hear, Thank You for close family and friends- whom I hold so very Dear,
Thank You for the pain that has helped me grow Strong, Thank You for allowing me to forgive- even when I felt I was not Wrong,
Thank You for my automobile, Thank You for the gift of touch and allowing me to Feel,
Thank You for my job that I have Today, Thank You for my lightheartedness and the ability to Play,
Thank You for the abundance of opportunities that are all Around, Thank You for my life journey- which has been quite Profound,
Thank You that I can read and I know my ABC's, Thank You for my manners and the ability to say Please,
Thank You for the the warmth and comfort of my clothes- that I am wearing right Now, Thank You for reminding me to have a grateful heart and showing me How,
Thank You for my income which allows me to pay my Rent, Thank You for places that I can go to- when I need to cry and to Vent,
Thank You for my TV and my computer- which helps me stay connected to the world at Large, Thank You for those things in life that are still free- with no financial Charge,
Thank You for all the choices in food that I am blessed with Everyday, Thank You for reminding me of the hungry- who live in a much more challenging Way,
Thank You for the Oneness that connects us All, Thank You for helping me get up- when I stumble and Fall,
Thank You for the sky which is so big and so Vast, Thank You for this day of Thanksgiving- everyday of the year- please let it Last,
Thank You for the Animals and all the love which they Show, Thank You for this year and the opportunities in which- have allowed me to Grow,
Thank You for allowing me to see the good- even when things look Bad, Thank You for all my emotions- including angry, glad and Sad,
Thank You for my Body- which has varied from small, medium and large- at different throughout the Years, Thank You for all the memories- love, laughter and Tears,
Thank You for Wholeness and Wellness- for all who read or hear this Poem, Thank You for reminding them of the Love in their heart- a special place to call Home,
Thank You to everyone- whom I've had the opportunity to Know, Thank You for allowing their Love and Gratitude in their lives- to continue to manifest and Grow.
Thank You Melanie R. Wellness For You November 22, 2007
For Those of you who have Abandoned Me Thank You for reminding me of All Those Who Are Abandoned around the World
For Those of you who have Broken my Heart Thank You for reminding me of my own inner strength to heal myself
For Those of you who have Laughed with Me Thank You for helping me Tap into My own Inner Laughter & Joy
For Those of you who have Hurt Me Thank You for reminding me of Compassion and reminding me that you were only acting out of your own Hurt
For Those of you who have cried with Me Thank You for tears- tears of compassion, tears of joy, tears of pain
For Those of you who forgot about Me Thank You for reminding me how easy it is to get busy and forget about others
For Those of you who Love Me Thank You for Your Love- It is appreciated and Noticed
For Those of you who have fed Me Thank You for nourishing my body
For Those of you who have attended workshops with Me Thank You for being supportive and helping me learn new tools for my life journey
For Those of you who have prayed for Me Thank You for Spiritual Support
For Those of you who I have never met in person but you have crossed my path Thank You for reminding me that our connections come in all forms
For Those of you who have visited my website Thank You for being curious and reminding yourself about Wellness For You First
For Those of you who I haven't talked to in years Thank You for helping me with my memory and reminding me of the lasting memories
For Those of you who may not like me Thank You for reminding me to love you too
For Those of you who have sang with me Thank You for reminding me of the Heartsongs we all have within
For Those of you who have danced with me Thank You for dancing through life with me
For Those of you who I have met who were born in other countries Thank You for reminding me that we are all more alike than different
For Those of you who have passed and are no longer here physically Thank You for now being my angels and protecting my path
For Those of you who have believed in me Thank You from the bottom of my heart as I wouldn't be here with out you
For Those of you who I am yet to meet Thank You for being a part of my Life Journey
For Those of you who are only Thankful on Thanksgiving Thank You for letting me remind you of Thanksliving everyday (inspired by my friend Harry Pickens)
For Those of you who are reading this poem Thank You for being you and being part of my Life Journey
For Those of you who believe in God, The Divine, Spirit, or a Greater Spiritual Source, Thank You for continuing to send me Love, Blessings, Joy, Laughter, Protection & Peace.
Namaste.
Thank You Melanie R. Wellness For You First November 28, 2008
