Print Last Weeks :)

Dear Meagan,

As promised, no more blogging until you print last weeks and start reading it every morning... so do so!

Love you :)

XOXO,

Brooke

Meagans Script

Dear Meagan,

So I know that you wanted a poem, I didn't give you quite that but I gave you something more important.  I know that talking positively to yourself is kind of a weird concept at first, but it is so important to do. Usually at about this time in someone's life (early 20s) is when people become more self aware. You begin to realize that how you handle situations is based on scripting that was given to you during your upbringing (hence the popular phrase, "OMG you sound like mom/dad/grandma/etc!" ). The amazing thing that not everyone chooses to realize, is that we can re-write that scripting. A normal chain of events goes like this: Stimulus... gap... response. When a person goes off of that scripting from childhood, they just allow the gap to be filled with an immediate REACTION instead of a chosen PROACTIVE RESPONSE.  We can choose how we respond. At this age, you are capable of writing your own script instead of relying on your childhood scripting. You can take responsibility and move forward. 

This 'poem' is more of a self-talk that you are to read every morning when you wake up. It is for the sparkly frame I bought you. After 3 months of reading this script when you wake up, you can write your own. Read it looking at yourself in the mirror, and with conviction. I believe in you.

XOXO,

Brooke

Meagan's Script

My circumstances and my past do not define me

I know I can re-write my script to become all that I can

Yesterdays mistakes are stepping stones

Past failures have nothing to do with where I am going

I am responsible for myself

I am responsible for my direction

I am responsible for my life

And I take that responsibility gladly

With God, only I can plan my own destiny

Every day, and every decision will from here on out

Be a constant pursuit of my goal

To become a positive, serving member of society

I will stop, 

Absolutely stop

Making excuses for myself

And letting others make excuses for me

When my own conscious tries to get in my way

By justifying behaviors that hold me back

I will choose to be proactive instead of reactive

I will re-write my script

Today I will be grateful for my experiences and what I've learned

Today I will live for my new goals and my new dreams

I am not defined by my career or my social status or my degree

I am defined by my constant pursuit of my own personal success

Today let me be mentally and physically capable

Today let me continuously find ways to improve myself,

to improve my relationship with others, 

and to improve the lives of others by serving them

I write this script

I choose to react positively

I choose to move forward

I run this show

This Weekend :)

Dear Meagan,

Yayyyyyyyyyy!!! You will be here tomorrow :) I so excited! I can't believe we get to spend four whole days together :) It's been awhile since we have gotten to do that! Your fav bro-in-law will be here too (except for Saturday during the day for work stuff boo) and hopefully Amanda can stop by on her way to CMU!

Ok so here are some options for this weekend:

1. Coral Gables for breakfast (More of a requirement)
2. Pool time!
3. Go see We're the Millers (with Jen Aniston!) at the theater
4. Do some grillin'
5. Go to the DeWitt Ox Fest for live music and food :)
6. Go to church!
7. Play putt putt golf
8. Get fro yo
9. Night on the town- Dublin?
10. Have a pillow fight (for old times sake :)

I'm seriously planning on fitting all of those in so you better bring your game face :) We are going to have a blast! Hope your hair appt went well today. Jeff & I are so excited for you to get here!

XOXO,

Brooke

Only You

Dear Meagan,

I am so excited for you and the progress that you are making. I'm proud of you for kicking mAss at your recent mAss kicker paintball event :) I'm motivated by your dreams and your aspirations.  Today I just want to reinforce that ONLY YOU have been through the exact experiences that you have been through and ONLY YOU are capable of motivating yourself to continue to move forward. I could write a blog every five minutes, you could attend survivor events every day with encouraging people, and ten therapists could motivate you to move forward.... BUT even if that were all happening and your heart still wasn't in it, then there wouldn't be progress.  Once you decide and I mean REALLY decide to draw a line in the sand and move forward step by step no matter how tired you are or how much you don't feel like doing it, then anything will be possible. Of course there will be setbacks and you just have to take those set backs as a life lesson and keep pushing forward.

ONLY YOU are capable of motivating yourself to push forward regardless of the odds or circumstances. People overcome major challenges everyday and you my friend/sister are one of those people! Keep praying, keep reading, keep motivating yourself and ONLY YOU will have the motivating and overcoming story that no one else will be able to tell.

I LOVE YOU!

XOXO,

Brooke

Inspirational Meme Day :)

Dear Meagan,

It's inspirational meme day!  Enjoy this collection of memes today and whenever you need a pick me up :)




Love You!

XOXO,

Brooke

Back To School

Dear Meagan,

I know one of your major goals is to go back to school to get a post-high school degree :) It was only your freshman year at MSU when they found the tumor and you had all of your surgeries. Finishing another degree would be an amazing achievement for you... that being said it will also be a challenge... just like anything else in life that helps us grow and moves us forward.  There are SO many options for post-high school education.  You could do a four-year degree and end up like most college grads (working as a barista at Starbucks without any real job prospects lol- sad but true). Orrrr you could get specific on what you want to do and go to a trade school or do an associates degree.  It could be anything from the health industry (pharmacy or nurse assistant, dental assistant, medical billing, etc) to working with kids (early child care education) to office work (administrative/office assistant or paralegal) to creative work (hair dresser, graphic design).

My challenge to you: RIGHT NOW spend 20-30 minutes exploring your options, then spend 20-30 minutes every day this week continuing to explore your options...  writing down anything that sounds interesting. And if you'd prefer to enter the work force and get your experience that way... more power to you! Your options right now are endless, you just need to start exploring them :)

I'll call you at the end of next week so we can talk about it and see what you think! The key here is that you do the research and choose the school or job that you would like to attend :) Simple as that meine schwester! Ich liebe dich!

XOXO,

Brooke

Back on Track!

Dear Meagan,

Ok so we came up with a new system for the blog :) Lol... previously I had posted the blog on your facebook each week but since you have not been using facebook I didn't have a good way of getting it to you and it didn't get read everytime. Now that your phone is up and running again though I will send you a link directly to your phone each week (have to figure that out still, but I'll get it!)

Due to all that and vacationing it's been about a month since I've posted a blog! WHAT? Tisk tisk bad sister (me not you of course).  This last month has been a good one though, we had a blast up north and you rocked through yet another kidney surgery and the most intense one yet! The other surgeries were quick/temporary fixes but this one will wrap up all these issues you have been having.  It was really fun to visit with you on Wednesday (even though it was in a hospital... boo) but we had a good time :) As we always do!

I know you've been talking a lot lately about moving to the EL and now that all these surgeries are past you, you can really get back on track!  As you're taking the next few weeks to really heal, if you are serious about moving then all the responsibility of finding a place, finding doctors up here, and getting a job lie on you! Do this the right and big girl way and do not rely on your parents for a big girl move!

Of course once you are here we can hang out as much as possible :) Hopefully we can get you a gym membership where I go and of course we can work at the nursery together at the amazing church we go to!

Before you jump into the move make sure you really ponder this decision and what you think is best for your growth and your life. You are the one who came to me about moving here, and I think that would be awesome but really make sure it is what is best for you in the long run!

Whether you decide to make the move or stay in Rochester it is your time now more then ever to get back on track... no pending surgeries or problems lie in front of you. Today is the first day of the rest of your life, and if you ask me, it only looks like it is getting better from here!

XOXO,

Brooke