The Charm Bracelet

You bring your own weather in your life.

Love, laughter and great memories – wasn’t that what life was truly about?

I shake my head, thinking of times past, before everything had happened. I wish I could take back all of the times I complained about being too hot, or too cold, or being bored, or too busy. I wish I could have all those times back, and just be happy to be in the moment. All of my little complaints seem so silly, so trite, especially now.

I simply nodded. ‘I disagree actually. I have read that those people who are surrounded by love, compassion and the positive attitude of others - while also believing in their own ability to heal, or having a type of dedication to a greater energy, be it karma, God, magic, whatever - have a surprising survival rate. Hence, I choose to make sure my interests in this area are equally balanced.

It’s a part of life. You never know what you are going to get, you just have to be strong enough to deal with it. Keep a positive attitude and have a little faith.

After all, I was a woman who regularly ran into things, who tripped and who sometimes felt frazzled. I found that some of the best things in life happened when you accidentally bumped into them.

But even the bad stuff in life can teach you something, shape you.

If you live every day like it's your last, then you have no regret, because each new dawn it's a blessing in itself — a gift you didn't know you were being given.

one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Give your full heart to whatever you do. It will ensure that you are always rich in happiness. If you have that, then you will always be exactly where you are supposed to be in life.

Do your charms only highlight the happy times though?’ I asked. She thought for a moment and then looked down. She played with a charm or two and then settled on a pair of dice, twirling it around her fingers. Then she returned her gaze to me. ‘No, they’re not all happy, but even the bad stuff in life can teach you something, shape you. After all, every story has both good and bad in it, and life can be like that too. I guess it’s what we take away from it that counts. You wouldn’t be able to appreciate the happy times, if you didn’t sometimes experience some sad times as well. At least, that’s what I think,’ she added, blushing a little self-consciously. ‘What about you?

She had to admit, pregnancy had been an experience. Not that anything bad had happened, it was more that she felt constantly in awe of what was taking place in her body, and she couldn’t believe that soon she would have a son to call her own.

For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’ The mustard seed signified inner strength.

Anyone who ever said having a child was easy was clearly crazy, or a liar,’ she muttered under her breath, remembering what her mother had said when Holly first told her that she was going to have a baby. ‘You never stop worrying, ever,’ Eileen told her. ‘From when they are just a tiny baby, to the time they become a teenager and then an adult. It never stops. You’ll see.’ Holly swallowed hard and fought back her tears, remembering several moments where this particular sentiment rang true, but then she remembered something else and modified the thought. Her mother was only half-right. It wasn’t just when they were babies that you started worrying. It was long before that.

You wouldn't be able to appreciate the happy time if you didn't sometimes experience sad times as well.

After all, every story have both good and bad in it, and life can be like that too. I guess it's what we take away from it that counts.

It's a part of life. You never know what you are going to get; you just have to be strong enough to deal with it. Keep a positive attitude and have a little faith.

Life was too short to spend in a cube.

That books should provide for learning, but that they should also provide for enjoyment