Gladsome, Guided, and Grounded By Love

While with a canine companion by my side I have always felt well-grounded, the best-laid plans of a woman and her dog do not always come to pass on the long and winding road of life.

On a gladsome note ... Shortly after a glitch in the plans for me and my dog to move to the state of Washington occurred, I received an unexpected text message, followed by a telephone call, from my son and feel as if I have been granted a genuine chance for mother and son (and grandson!) to reunite as a real family.

I guess things really do happen for good reason. While I am feeling sadness about not going to Washington (meeting my friend Karen there and my friend Nancy along the way) I am feeling gladness about being guided to return to my home state of Ohio.

I look forward to working hard at repairing my damaged relationship with my son. And of course, I am feeling great about getting to know my grandson before he's all grown up.

I am also grateful to my previous boss (and friend) in Ohio who is giving me back my old job. I will at least have an immediate income. It's a start at a new beginning.

If not for the generous giving and support of others (via the Fundrazr set up on our behalf) this move would not be possible. I will be forever feeling gratitude for those who have made it possible for me and my dog Valentino to travel this leg of our life journey ... Together!

My plans to go west have been thwarted, at least temporarily. However, preparing to head north on the road of life, I am feeling...

Gladsome, Guided, and Grounded by Love!

We Thank You Postcard by dogpawsitivetidbits

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and Zazzle and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

This week my topic for the 26-Week ABC Challenge begins with the letter "G" — feeling GLADSOME, GUIDED, and GROUNDED.


Read all about the ABC Challenge and join us right here each week as we write and share emotions from A to Z.

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I Think I Can Meet Challenges Feeling Confident

Believe You Can Sign

Sometimes more easily said than done, the best way to meet a challenge is by facing it head on with an "I can" confident feeling.

Ease Fear and Self-Doubt

Often the uncertainty of a life circumstance can leave us lacking confidence in ourselves and others. However, there are things we can do to ease our fear and self-doubt.

• Over the years I have had plenty of practice to perfect the appearance of feeling confident. I have mastered this by walking with head, heart, and shoulders held high, even when life throws me a curve ball. 
• When I catch myself wavering in my confidence stance, I seek a bit of sunshine and solace from my resource bank: my trusted friends and family, a walk with my canine companion, and the strength held within from a lifetime of survival.
• Think back to a life challenge that you have previously experienced. Recall what it is that pulled you through, enabling you to come out the other side feeling confident for the next mountain to climb. (Yes, there will forever be challenges!)
• Trust others as one of your greatest resources. Get out there and cultivate relationships with those who build you up rather than pull you down.
• Much like The Little Engine That Could in books for kids, an "I think I can" attitude can propel us to push past our fear, enabling us to try. Read the book again and again and you are sure to feel your self-doubt dissipating with every turn of the page.

Get By With A Little Help From Friends

I Knew You Could!

With a little help from trustworthy friends we can move from I think to I know I can. The friend who supports us with an "I knew you could" assurance is a good friend indeed. These are the life companions we need to reach out to when our confidence needs a boost.

When challenged, I know I can feel confident — with a little help from my friends. All I am required to do is to ask and I shall receive that which I need.

FundRazr for Valentino and Ruthi

That said, here is my present life challenge and I assure you, I am feeling quite certain that my needs are being met in order for me to move forward with confidence.

This article is part of the 26-Week ABC Challenge of emotions. This week's topic begins with the letter "C" — in my case, for CONFIDENT.

Read all about the ABC Challenge and join us right here on this blog each week as we write about emotions from A to Z.

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