"Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.."

Those of you out there with kids, probably know where that quote comes from. Dorrie from "Finding Nemo" and I have things in common. Just ask my kids.  My short term memory is about as - wait, what was I talking about?
Dorrie does have the endearing quality of encouragement. She keeps urging on Marlin, even when he feels all hope is lost, and even when Marlin tries to push her away in frustration. I think I'm a little more like Marlin in that respect. Part of me feels like "What's the point? I'm not going to achieve my goals! Why keep trying?" I mentioned before, that I need cheerleaders. Self-encouragement is hard! Still, even on my darker days, a kind word or even just a small confirmation that someone has faith in me, brightens my day. What's great is when someone calls me, or messages me from out of the blue; someone I haven't talked to in a while. That's enough to get me going, when I find myself dragging along, or feeling defeated. I appreciate those little surprises more than I can express. That in mind, I hope that maybe I can encourage other people now and then, with a "hello" on the phone or text, or maybe a crazy blog post.  Who knows? It might be just what is needed at that very moment. Hope so.
Just keep swimming, friends...


Caren E. Salas



photo:  pixar-planet.fr

#12 Phone Calls

Don't you love when someone calls you out of the blue? I do. We all get busy, and even if we think about it, the time slips away and we've missed the opportunity to call a friend.  I usually think about it while I'm out in my car, and by the time I get home, I have other concerns and then remember again when it's too late.  Yet when someone calls me it's amazing how special I feel. I know that someone has been thinking about me. Someone cares enough to make the time, and call me. In some cases, it's someone who loves me. How great is that? Just hearing a friends voice saying "Hello! How are you?" makes my day. It definitely brings a smile to my face. It makes me try a little harder, to make the effort and call others. In a world where e-mail and texting seem to have taken over verbal communication, I still believe we need to feel the warmth of a human voice. So call someone, maybe it'll make their day. I'm making a list.