Breast Cancer Awareness Month

In light of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I've posted a story below that I found today in the Philadelphia Metro. The inspirational story of which centers around a dragonfly has given strength to numerous families coping with cancer. This is a story that everyone can take something away from.

Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in a community of water beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few disturbances and interruptions. Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew when this happened -- their friend was dead, gone forever. Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top. When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided to take a nap. As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful blue-tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body designed for flying. So, fly he did! And as he soared he saw the beauty of the whole new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never known existed. Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking by now he was dead. He wanted to go back and tell them and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended. But, his new body would not go down into the water. He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he understood that their time would come, when they, too, would know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life! - Author Unknown

Moral of the story, never give up. And if you fail at something, don't automatically consider yourself a failure. Sometimes being unsuccessful is what's actually meant to be and something even more wonderful will come your way. So never give up on life. There's so much to learn, so much to experience. The world is beautiful and has something different yet great to offer to each and every person it breathed into existence. Don't be afraid to take chances like the dragonfly did, and get out there. Experience the world in a whole new light. You'll be surprised what life really can encompass. Always live on the plus side of life...just that simple change can turn your world upside down (more like right side up), and shine light into your life. And as always, like the dragonfly, get your butt outside to experience and take in the Fresh-Air!