Learn to laugh at yourself

Dear Meagan,

First off I just have to say, great job with your kidney surgery! I am proud of you and admire you for fighting through the challenges, knowing that god is preparing you for something great :)

So this blog is just going to consist of a quick life lesson that in my (not so professional) opinion is the best lesson we can learn:

"Learn to laugh at yourself"

Which strangely enough can go hand in hand with:

"Get back on the horse"

As you and I know NO human being is perfect, not a single one, in fact no one is even close. We ALL make mistakes, big ones, small ones, medium size ones... but we all make mistakes and often! 

When you make a mistake there are two ways to handle it...

1) Get really embarrassed, curl up into a ball, avoid confronting people your mistake may have affected, admit defeat, and feel lousy about yourself.

OR...

2) Shake your head, roll your eyes, and LAUGH! Think, "oh my gosh here I go again..." and laugh OUT LOUD, tell whoever the mistake may affect that your sorry (depending on the situation perhaps with a smile on your face) and you can't believe you are so silly sometimes... but hey your human, and you make mistakes just like everyone else. Next, think of how you can prevent it in the future, smile, and feel good about the learning experience.

I bet you know which one is the correct one :) But how does that relate to 'get back on the horse'?

When we laugh (out loud) at our mistakes then we don't beat ourselves up or get down about our quirks, instead we evaluate, smile, and move on aka 'get back on the horse.'  There is no need to be upset about a mistake you have made, even if it has happened before. Make a mental note about how you can improve in the future, smile and your good to go.

I want you right now to think about a recent mistake you made....

Got it? Now think about being in that situation and making that mistake, but don't let yourself feel the guilt. SMILE about it, shake your head and  LAUGH OUT LOUD... here we go again, right? Trust that it's OK, think to yourself what you will do next time and let out one more laugh before tucking it away and moving on with your day.

Always remember no matter how big the mistake your family will ALWAYS love you. All you have to do is laugh as you learn and try to improve in your personal growth every chance you get.

Love you sista! Can't wait to see you this weekend :)

XOXO,

Brooke

Surgery Prayer :)

Dear Meagan,

So tomorrow is the big day! I know you are excited to get it over and done with. They are just putting a temporary shunt/stint in your kidney to hopefully solve this 'blockage' and see what the deal is. So we are just hoping it works, issue solved, and when you are ready they can put the real deal in there! I love you girl, you are an absolute CHAMPION and FIGHTER and this little operation is so tiny compared to what you have already overcome!  You have shown us that the saying, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is an absolute truth.  And your strength is going to come in handy tomorrow :)

Ok so I definitely did not write this prayer entirely myself but this is what I will be praying for you tonight and tomorrow and if anyone is reading this please pray for her too! We want this shunt/stint to be the solution and for the surgery to go smoothly and quickly without complications :)  We already know Meagan can pull through everything- lets reassure that with this prayer!

"Loving Father, I entrust Meagan to your care tomorrow morning; guide with wisdom and skill the minds and hands of the medical people who minister in your Name. Lord, I trust there will be no further complications following this operation, grant that every cause of illness be removed, so she may be restored to soundness of health and learn to live in more perfect harmony with you and with those around her. Through Jesus Christ. Amen."

Love you sis! Your a rock star and you can do this <3

XOXO,

Brooke

A Hiccup

Dear Meagan,

Sooooo... we just found out that one of your kidney's isn't doing what it should (silly thing). And I just wanted to take this blog to tell you how proud of you I am for not letting this 'hiccup' effect you. 

In one week (ok 8.5 days) you'll get that little tiny shunt put in there to see if it'll help make you as good as new ;) And EVERY, I mean EVERY time I've talked to you about it, you have been so positive it amazes me!

You just say, "Ugh my kidney hurts, can't wait to get this over with so I can move on!" Now THAT my friend is the right attitude :) On your facebook wall I wrote that at this point, we know you can get through anything and I mean it!

Meggy you have overcome more than what a lot of people have to deal with in a lifetime, and your only 22! You have INCREDIBLE strength. I know it's hard to look at the good things that have resulted from your struggles.  But I hope your "I can do anything" attitude about your kidney surgery helps you realize that you have developed the ability to overcome any obstacle.

Anything that you set your sights or your hopes on, you can achieve.  Some things may be harder than others, but you have strength that I admire, all obstacles will be nothing but 'hiccups' to you! At first I was going to call this post 'a bump in the road' but honestly it's not even that to you! It's not even as big as a bump in your mind, just a small 'hiccup.'  Meggers that is AMAZING!

I love you and I just really hope you know that whatever goals you write down, and consistently work towards you can do.  I believe you will be fully supporting and taking care of yourself in the next couple months with all of the progress you have made, which is unbelievable :)

So soooo soooooo PROUD of ya sis!

XOXO,

Brooke

People Principles

Dear Meagan,

Our relationships with people are absolutely everything. Sometimes it seems IMPOSSIBLE to get along with certain people and well these principles aren't a 100% guarantee to understanding people and relationships, they sure clear things up quite a bit! We have to remember that the world consists entirely of other people except for one minor exception (you), and because of that our success, happiness, peace of mind, and (hopefully low) stress level depends on how we interact with people.

Again, I am not the expert here just quoting the experts to help you on your journey of recovery :)  I know it's hard to relate to some people who don't know what you've been through. And I know some people have been down right rude, not knowing where you've been and where your going.  These principles, written by John C. Maxwell in his book, "Winning With People" should help you figure out how to relate to people again post-surgery and post-recovery, moving back into life as we know it <3 I've included some of my interpretations underneath a select few! It's long so bare with me :)

The Readiness Question: Are we prepared for relationships?

• The Lens Principle: Who we are determines how we see others.
• The Mirror Principle: The first person we must examine is ourselves.
• Often in relationship problems (not just romantic relationships, relationships with anyone) we are quick to blame, sometimes we need to look in the mirror and figure out where the responsibility lies in us.
• The Pain Principle: Hurting people hurt people are and are easily hurt by them.
•  When someone is hurting you and it seems unfair, try to understand it is just because they are hurting, and unfortunately hurting others is how they often cope.
• ALSO, if others are offended very easily by comments it may not have to do with what you said, it may just be because they are hurting emotionally.
• The Hammer Principle: Never use a hammer to swat a fly off someones head.
• Make sure your reactions are appropriately sized to what's at hand
• The Elevator Principle: We can lift people up or take people down in our relationships.

The Connection Question: Are we willing to focus on others?

• The Big Picture Principle: The entire population of the world-with one minor exception- is composed of others.
• The Exchange Principle: Instead of putting others in their place, we must put ourselves in their place.
• Just like walking in someone else's shoes :)
• The Learning Principle: Each person we meet has the potential to teach us something.
• The Charisma Principle: People are interested in the person who is interested in them.
• Show interest in people and they will (usually) return the favor
• The Number 10 Principle: Believing the best in people usually brings the best out of people.
• People live up to our expectations of them, so make sure they are positive
• The Confrontation Principle: Caring for people should precede confronting people.
• When you must confront people, make sure you show you care FIRST.

The Trust Question: Can we build mutual trust?

• The Bedrock Principle: Trust is the foundation of any relationship.
• The Situation Principle: Never let the situation mean more than the relationship.
• Especially @ the Jersey Shore ;)
• The Bob Principle: When Bob has a problem with everyone, Bob is usually the problem.
• My personal favorite!
• The Approachability Principle: Being at ease with ourselves helps others be at ease with us.
• The Foxhole Principle: When preparing for a battle, dig a hole big enough for a friend.

The Investment Question: Are we willing to invest in others?

• The Gardening Principle: All relationships need cultivation.
• The 101 Percent Principle: Find the 1 percent we agree on and give it 100 percent of our effort.
• This is perfect for people you just CAN'T get along with, find the 1% you two agree on, and just talk about that.
• The Patience Principle: The journey with others in slower than the journey alone.
• John  Maxwell uses traveling as an example here... traveling with others may be more hectic and A LOT slower than traveling alone, but traveling with others is so much more rewarding.
• The Celebration Principle: The true test of relationships is not only how loyal we are when friends fail, but how thrilled we are when they succeed.
• <3 this one as well, you can tell a true friend by who is truly happy when you do well!
• The High Road Principle: We go to a higher level when we treat others better than they treat us.
• Next time someone is treating you bad, treat them extra nice. The reward? A better feeling about yourself AND seeing the confused look on their face :-P

The Synergy Question: Can we create a win-win relationship?

• The Boomerang Principle: When we help others, we help ourselves.
• Help others as often as you can, even when there is no promise of reward.
• The Friendship Principle: All things being equal, people will work with people they like; all things not being equal, they still will.
• Let's say you love your hair dresser, but you hear of a cheaper one down the road, chance are you will stick with your current hair dresser because you trust & like her
• The Partnership Principle: Working together increases the odds of winning together.
• The Satisfaction Principle: In great relationships, the joy of being together is enough.
• I <3 hanging w/ you! <3

Hope this helps Meggy! Thanks for reading- super long this week! I love you girl, every night I pray for God to make you a miracle :)

XOXO,

Brooke

You have to push through

Dear Meagan,

A little poem for you :)

When you are tested

When you feel rested

You should conquer what you do

But when you are tested

You have to push through

When you are feeling your best

The world will throw life at you

That’s the test

And at that time you cannot rest

You must never, never give up

Only 5% of people achieve the dreams

They push through every slip up

They know what perseverance means

Success doesn’t come to those who crumble

It doesn’t come to those who whine

It does comes to those you fumble

And decide to continue, every time

Achievement is an entity we all can own

But it doesn’t happen when we moan

It happens when we overcome struggles

It happens when we pop our bubbles

To get comfortable,

You have to get uncomfortable first

You have to push yourself

Until you could burst

The trick to being all you can

Lies in every single woman and man

When times are tough

And things look a little rough

You have to decide

That you won’t take the easy ride

You have to decide that you will get up

That you will take the stairs and not the slide

That you will take the responsibility

Instead of giving blame

You will take the high road

Instead of the shame

When you feel rested

You should conquer what you do

But when you are tested

You have to push through

You can do ANYTHING Meagan Ann from Japan :)  When things are rough, look at it as an opportunity to grow and overcome the challenges!

I love you always <3

XOXO, 

Brooke