It is possible to be speechless but totally at Peace.
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
-
Author Archives: carmelasnelbaker
-
Speechless
Posted at 10:01 AM
Aug 12th -
Thank You Make It Ultra :) I Am Glad You Are Out There!
Posted at 1:15 PM
Aug 9thI must tell you I feel very Blessed today! Life is so hard sometimes, and very sad. When you wake up each morning with a core attitude and longing to be respectful and loving to others, to share genuine and authentic Universal Love with others you sometimes get hurt.
I have supported and been trained to work with people with autism, mental health diagnoses’ as well as many different levels of intellectual abilities. I have lived through a black eye, many scratches, hair pulls, wrestled to the ground and spit on and peed on, and learned to very quickly dodge a picture frame. 🙂
There is a very fine line some times between aggression and affection. I am here to tell you that I do not understand it (AT ALL), but I truly have witnessed people acting out with aggression who I know really only truly wanted from deep within to feel genuine love, acceptance and affection from another human being.
What makes us so confused?
Why do we give the opposite of what we really want?
I have been looking for the answer to those questions for quite some time. I haven’t found anyone that has been able to answer them yet. 😦
What I have found though, is ….
~Talking with people and expressing your concerns
~Listening to other people’s experiences and thoughts about similar happenings or concerns
~And most importantly Being open to realizing and admitting when you have been wrong or have misunderstood someone or something …………
By doing these three things it helps us
~get through life
~become a bit wiser
~and most importantly…. when we share our genuine love and opinions with respect and learn to ask, respect and value others’ opinions as well, this is how we all can grow and get through life a bit wiser while feeling valued and loved.
I am very glad that I found a place in the Blog world where Sharing thoughts and opinions and growing wiser is very much encouraged and supported! I am so glad that it is out there and I truly look forward to the many informative and encouraging bits of wisdom Eric leads people in sharing!
A Blessing in action….MakeItUltra is!
THANK YOU FOR BEING OUT THERE MakeItUltra and thank you for the award! Below is my response. I hope you enjoy it and it make you smile 🙂
I must say I am very honored to accept this award! I would like to thank my Mom and Dad and the many Therapists who have gotten me this far. (wait a minute, that doesn’t sound right…..there really haven’t been that many therapists.) and Mom and Dad you really did do a good job…… accept maybe that leash you used to walk me on. 🙂
And here it is, the Story Of Me…..
Name: Carmela
From: Pennsylvania
How long have you been blogging and why did you start?
My first blog post was in 2013. Why, I am not exactly sure, I suppose I must have an inner story longing to be told, or maybe just a lot of silliness that needs to get out?
What are you the most proud of?
I believe I would have to say that I am most proud of being able to act as a catalyst for positive change in several situations that included concerns for people unable to speak up for themselves.
Although it is not easy creating change from the lowest position in a company, and often times temporary enemies are made along the way when conditions are brought to light. I have found myself advocating for those without a voice and although improvements came eventually the events that unfolded were not easy to change and continual daily interaction and confrontations were emotionally draining.
Feeling the pain that is in someones’ situation, wanting to improve it immediately but having it take weeks till you see plans in motion for improvement is difficult, but rewarding in the end when a successful resolution to the situation happens.
So stated simply, I am most proud of speaking up for others, and not resting until positive change happens.
How do you spend your free time?
Reading and learning are always important and enjoyable to me. I also enjoy being active physically, enjoying family, outdoors and nature.
Nominate 1-8 blogs that you feel deserve the award and provide links.
I am passing on the MakeItUltra Award to Mara Eastern because Mara’s posts on “What I Hate The Least Today” have been know to curve my lips into a smile and put a chuckle into my day with her often sarcastic humor and comments.
I hope she takes the torch and runs with it, maybe making us all think twice about what she just said and then smile. My dad had that talent as well.
Provide 5 random facts about yourself (optional)
My somewhat silly random facts about me are listed below. Because of the fact that Eric from MakeItUltra (a soon to be Dr. of Psychology) nominated me for this award I felt the need to explain my thoughts on the psychology behind my 5 random facts 🙂
The first random fact about me is that I was born on my sister’s 3rd birthday.
My take on this is. Since that day was already taken as my sister’s birthday, this must mean that I technically do not “have” an official birthday…… Does this mean I was actually born as a gift to another and I get to live forever young, technically not aging, simply growing in wisdom?
The second random fact about me is that apparently as a youngster under the age of five, (as stories go) I must have been very fast and loved to explore….. thus causing my parents to use a child “harness type leash” to keep me from getting lost in crowds and to keep their high stress and fear of loosing me at bay.
My thoughts on this fact is …… If I truly was that fast and my parents would have encouraged me in running, instead of tethering me….. I may have been able change this random fact about me into earning an Olympic Gold medal in running.
The third random fact about me is that I must have inherited my dad’s sense of humor and his intellectual curiosity.
My dad had the ability to make a serious response or statement that could put a lighthearted twist on a simple situation that would cause you to chuckle. He also had a true unstoppable longing for unending knowledge. Even well into his eighties he enjoyed reading, researching and learning.
The fourth random fact about me is that I have a love and deep respect for animals, pets and wildlife as well.
I often told my dad I was sure that my love and compassion for animals must have been a result of the toddler years that I spent “walking on that leash”.
My dad however, played a very big part in my interest and education about animals. He grew up on a farm and shared much of his knowledge of animals and wildlife with me. I remember his help in saving a baby pigeon that I found, it was too young to even have feathers yet. The pigeon had fallen from a nest very high in the rafters of the barn. Because it was impossible to return the baby to the nest his only hope for survival was with our assistance. Dad taught me how to feed it with an eye dropper.
My efforts were successful and the baby grew to be an adult. I am very grateful for the fact that my dad took the time to acknowledge my interest and concern, and for the wisdom and knowledge that he was always interested in passing on throughout his entire life.
The fifth random fact about me is that I taught myself to ride a unicycle when I was 12 years old. Not sure why I felt the need to know how to ride a unicycle.
Maybe this was linked to the fact that I also wanted a pet chimpanzee as well (which my parents said NO too!)
I am guessing I must have had a subconscious interest in joining the circus? I am sure my parents must have thought buying the unicycle was a much better decision than increasing the family size by adding a chimp!
What are your blogging goals?
I hope readers feel free to learn from MY mistakes. If I can make life a little easier for someone I would Love to do so!
I hope the blog is a positive influence that helps keep readers
~searching
~recognizing
~acknowledging
~ creating
~supporting
~ and initiating positive experiences in their own lives as well as others.
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
-
Genuine Unconditional Love For Each Other….Our Four Legged Therapists
Posted at 12:20 PM
Jul 19thThis photo makes me think of the Jason Mraz song. “Love, is a funny thing. Whenever I give it, it comes back to me. Animals have a way of seeking out humans in need and filling the emptiness of a heart that is breaking. Pure Unconditional Love the connection of the heart without the spoken word.
At the lowest of times when it appears that all human supports have failed us or we fail to reach out and trust people, Love and Companionship is available to those who need it and it often shows up in the faithfulness and unconditional love of a pet.
Is it the non-verbal ability of pet that gives a person the confidence to be completely honest and “unload” their deepest fears and emotional concerns? The four legged therapist in the photo above even has that eye contact that says “Tell me about your day”.
As a child I was fortunate to have had many different pets throughout my life. I remember each one. The heart connection you make with a pet is a very special one. I also believe that connecting with a pet also gives us a unique ability to understand non-verbal communication.
As we are exposed to caring for a living creature who can not verbally explain what it’s needs are, it is necessary for us to learn by observing the “body language” of the creature to understand what makes them feel happy, content or safe, and what make them feel afraid, angry or unhappy.
I recently had to say goodbye to my elderly dog Bernie who I was blessed to have known, adopted and shared several years of my life with. Bernie was elderly when I adopted him. He was found along a mountain road with no ID and appeared to have been dumped and left to fend for himself.
A friend picked him up, searched for possible owners and turned him over to local lost pet shelter. I called the shelter and after the intake and attempt at finding original owner was complete, he was officially able to be adopted.
I then adopted him. Bernie was the second dog that I have owned that was found fending for himself on the streets. Both of them were so loving and grateful for love attention and a warm home. Danka’s story can be found here.
It has been my experience that the shelter pets I have adopted seem to have a heightened sense for understanding “life’s difficult days”.
Both Bernie and Danka came to my attention in the middle of my work days, as I was transporting an individual to an appointment. I was not in search of a dog, but I had the ability to take the dog in and acted upon it thankfully, and my life was improved by the experience!
Both Bernie and Danka traveled with me in my care-giving work whenever it was possible and it was as though they had a “inner longing” to give love and appreciation back to people in need. They both seemed to be able to seek out and improve the day of a person whose heart was hurting. They truly were canine miracle workers in my own life as well as many other people’s lives!
I am truly grateful for the dogs that I have been able to share my life with, and when I see photos of loving interactions of true companionship and unconditional love from both dog and human it warms my heart and makes me certain that some dog connections are truly heaven sent miracles in action!
Petting, scratching, and cuddling with a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer. ~Dean Koontz
Please say a prayer for people and animals in need of unconditional love, follow your heart even when you are not searching for a dog if they find you (as my Bernie and Danka did) it just might be your heaven sent miracle. Those who give love will receive love.
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
-
You’re The Reason For Every Good Thing
Posted at 7:58 AM
Jul 10thLife is difficult. Many of the things we experience we may have made choices that have led us to the result, and some experiences may be no fault of our own we simply happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Whatever the cause for difficulty and struggle when we place our lives and faith into God’s hands we will have the strength, wisdom and peace to continue on and overcome adversity.
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
-
My 11 Heavenly Sent Geese Return Again God’s Whispers From Heaven
Posted at 1:23 PM
Jul 9thToday as I sit at my assigned post at work I had another visit from my 11 heavenly sent geese. My location is about a mile or slightly more from the lake that I last seen them and photographed them at. You can read about that experience here. Many geese showed up at my location however it was these 11 once again who broke off from the crowd and came right down to my exact location to seek me out.
Keep your eyes open for the messages from Heaven.
Thank you Wy, we Love you!
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
This would have been Wyatt’s choice of song to share on my post
-
Allow The Drops Of Sorrow To Cleanse The Rage, Pray For Peace Through Acts of Love
Posted at 9:54 AM
Jul 9thDeep wounds cause pain. Everyone reacts differently to pain, some scream in pain, some lash out and try to inflict pain onto others, some stoically endure pain. If we are unable to explain why some individuals lash out so violently, how then can we ever hope to live in peace with others?
My heart hurts equally for all who have endured pain and loss this week. My heart longs to understand why people react so differently to pain.
Understanding the reaction to pain emotional or physical is what could bring peace.
Fear enrages pain, and Love calms pain. As I am writing this I cannot stop thinking of the elderly lady I met many years ago. The detailed story you can read by clicking here. This beautiful lady lived through the murder of her daughter. Her explanation of the events that she recounted to me seemed too unbearably difficult for anyone to get through.
I talked with her about how she was able to keep the rage, anger and unfairness of the hate filled act that took her daughters life from taking over. Simply hearing the series of events she explained made me wonder how any mother could live through such horror and not be consumed with rage and anger. She very simply said it was my faith that got me through it. Her Gentle spirit continued to explain to me that it was not easy but she had many loving people who supported her and she prayed.
This also makes me think of the Amish School shooting and the reactions of the Amish people after the horrific act, in offering forgiveness.
It is through faith and love from within the heart that cleanses the rage and allows the sorrowful drops that emerge as tears to wash away the need for rage-full acts of revenge.
Humans beings need and long to be heard. Everyone has a story that needs to be told. Expressing our feelings and having another person listen with respect and concern makes us feel valued and loved. When this does not happen our self esteem is compromised. When we do not feel and live with self respect how then can we show and share respect for others and life itself.
It is never to late to reach out for Divine Wisdom Strength and Love. Whenever you feel pain of any kind pray, breath, and Believe in Divine Strength to endure. The answer is never in hurting someone else because you are hurting yourself.
When you give love it comes back to you. Even if you do not feel the love returned from the person you extend love to, your life will still be filled with Love and Peace. No person who acts and gives Love ever lives without Love. Love is multiplies when it is given.
When you are at your lowest and pray for guidance to a higher power outside of your limited human abilities, the strength to act in love will take over to tame the emotional pain and rage.
It is the brokenness of a soul staying stuck within the human confinement of the body, and not looking to heaven for strength and guidance to get through difficult and painful events, that causes a person to want to inflict the same pain they are experiencing on another individual.
Before God we are equally wise—equally foolish. ~ Albert Einstein
Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. For the Lord grants wisdom! ~Proverbs 2:2,6
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
-
We Believe In Freedom And Love
Posted at 11:41 AM
Jul 4thAs individuals we need to quiet the noise of the world and contemplate Love and true Freedom from within. The word freedom can have numerous definitions as any word can. Situations and experiences within individual’s lives hold many different depths of meaning. What one person may explain as imprisonment another person may envision as being free.
Human life and human emotions all vary and take on individual conclusive wisdom relative only to the situation and experiences we grew up within. If we were not exposed witnessed or taught to look outside our limited human abilities and seek wisdom and enlightenment from God/Deity, our experiences will be limited to human ability,conduct, and fear.
“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
By seeking out Divine Love and opening your heart and mind to Divine Guidance our hearts are filled with Hope and we are guided to act in Love.
“There is no joy without hardship. If not for death, would we appreciate life? If not for hate, would we know the ultimate goal is love? At these moments you can either hold on to negativity and look for blame, or you can choose to heal and keep on loving.”
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (The Wheel of Life, 1997)Holy Spirit You Are Welcome Here………. My heart becomes free and my shame is undone…..
Invite Love into your heart. Choose to act in Love, and hold onto Hope.
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
-
Increase Your Joy by Bringing Joy to Others
Posted at 4:34 PM
Jul 2ndIncrease your Joy by bringing Joy to others.
Light is love, darkness is fear.
A smile is God’s cosmetic. Let your inner light shine brightly, share kindness, love and compassion with a genuine caring smile, and help others find their way out of the darkness and seek Divine Love and Guidance.
There is no room for darkness in a room filled with light.
This post was written for the Daily Post prompt Burn.
With Respect, Hope, Joy, and Love, Carmela
-
Somedays When You Really Want To Cry You Just Have To Make Yourself Laugh :)
Posted at 10:30 AM
Jul 1stThis morning I was not in the best of moods. A combination of grumpy, overworked, sad, I guess a good term would be just sort of edgy. I am uncomfortable being grouchy, but thankfully I have friends that get grouchy with me and when we get together and grumpily discuss, silly options and solutions to our most pressing stresses it helps to calm the edgy demeanor and make us laugh.
Sometimes when sad events or memories creep into the mind it has a tendency to have a domino effect that can cast a shadow of sadness onto any experience if you allow it. The best way to counter act the domino effect is to make yourself laugh.
I found the Laughter Yoga video’s a few years back when I was working with adults with disabilities. It became a very fun way to distract or redirect negative behaviors on difficult days.
I hope you will watch the video completely….I am sure you will find yourself laughing along with the video. Silliness is a good thing.
When my children were young we loved the VeggieTales Bob the tomato, Larry the cucumber, could always spark a few giggles as well as relay many important positive messages and techniques for getting through life.
Hopefully you will take a moment to enjoy their silliness.
Larry shares one of his deepest fears with his therapist……. If my lips ever left my mouth, packed a bag and headed south…..
Thank you to my silly friend’s early morning phone call that sends me into the day envisioning silly options to the monotony of reality.
And thank you to Marianne’s along side of the road post for making me seek out some more silliness today 🙂 I hope you will click on the link and read her post. I am sure you will enjoy it!
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
-
Meet Negative Resistance With Steadfast Mighty Conviction
Posted at 1:00 PM
Jun 30thFrustration is brewing in my thoughts and emotions today. Have you ever expressed concern and suggested a possible solution only to have it be met with a list of the many reasons why this could never happen. I am a firm believer that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
I often find myself advocating for improvements to prevent possibility disasters, and am usually met with negativity. So…. does this make my thoughts of needing to prevent disaster negative or their thoughts for resisting change negative?
My past has taught me that bad things can happen when you least expect it. You can be living your life, not taking risks, not in a threatening manner and happily enjoying your existence only to wake up one day to find your world is completely upside down.
There is no promise that living a peaceful existence, following your heart and attempting to make a positive influence, and improvements as you live out your days will come easily.
Patience, persistence and entrusting your life to Divine Care and Guidance will give you the wisdom strength and patience you need to endure.
Never Give Up on Your Dreams
Dare to dream. Be brave and move forward with each day.
Anything is possible when we ask for and allow Divine Guidance to lead us.
Focus only on Peace and Love.
Act only with Kindness and Compassion.
Meet resistance with Mighty Strength and Conviction 🙂
Make a positive impact.
Communicate positive resolutions and peaceful solutions.
Be respectful of all opinions and beliefs.
Pray for wisdom and resolution of the negative resistance.
Never give up Hope.
Always Hope, Dream and Pray for Love, Peace and Contentment for All.
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
-
Carmela Snelbaker 