Page 151 - Most of us have past events in our life that have hurt us. Whether we learn from these is up to us! I am lucky as I have never had anything really bad happen to me, though some of the minor events may have seemed that way at the time! Now I have said that, some may think that being diagnosed with breast cancer and having a mastectomy is really bad, but I have learnt so much from that and appreciate my life so much more! If I had run from the diagnosis maybe the outcome would have been worse? Now I live each day as it comes and make the most of it!

Surely no one escapes being hurt to some degree in life, but it can be a positive thing if we learn from it!

Page 150 - Bloom in adversity, at the time it may not feel like it, but when we look back, we may see it clearly! We never think we are beautiful, but the real person we are is seen as beautiful by others! Heroes definitely bloom in adversity, but aren't we all heroes in our own little way, maybe not hitting headlines in the papers. Our small actions may be heroic to some one! Sometimes just getting through difficult times can make us bloom, and I believe we all bloom in our own way! The only rarity is that we are all unique!

Page 149 - reach for the sky, meaning that you should aim high for what you want? If you don't try you don't succeed, and seemingly impossible may be obtained! In career, personal life and life in general! Sad day today as my aunt's funeral, but she was 96 so had a good life! Up side to it all, met up again with cousins I hadn't seen for years! So maybe I should "reach for the sky" by making the effort to stay in touch!

Page 148 - never been one for looking in mirrors, does that mean I am not vain? Of course, I like to look nice, neat and tidy, but never been a slave to the latest fashions etc! I know what I am comfortable wearing and what suits me. Have never dyed my hair, a bit difficult as I am a natural auburn colour, now it is white and am quite happy with that! Maybe I should be more adventurous! Today society seems obsessed with "looks", not just the ladies! I think at times it goes too far! Bit like a competition! Is one dress really worth over £500? Are people afraid to be themselves, so have to hide behind "fashion"?But my pet hate is the way young children are dressed as mini adults and so many have to be seen in the latest designer gear! Is this for their sake or the parents? Girls and boys having their hair dyed, girls tottering around on high heels at a very young age, the damage this can do to their growing bodies! I really think children should be allowed to be just that children! Are we encouraging vanity? They will face the pressures of society soon enough so let them enjoy childhood!

Look in the mirror, see yourself and love yourself for who you are, warts and all!

Page 147 - A long quote today! The sound of being alone might be lovely, but I really need someone to share with or life doesn't really have much purpose! Yes, alone time is good for me, and I enjoy it, but not too much! I can appreciate both small and large events much more when I share them together with a loved one. Life has grown in all ways with my dh, being able to do things together, discover things, experience life's ups and downs. And learn how to live in harmony, or at least try to! What fun is it really laughing alone, or looking at beauty alone, much better to share the fun!

But not just with loved ones, but all people we meet in the course of daily life. We are social beings and need interaction with others to learn, to challenge and to grow. To fulfill ourselves.

Page 146 - Rights and feelings, do we really understand the meaning of these words? Rights is a very political word nowadays, we all have them, surely we shouldn't need the law to assert them? It is our right! It may be our right but do we think of how it may affect others, and their feelings? Not always unfortunately. Feelings can be so easily hurt, maybe not intentionally, just because we have a right to something.I feel this quote is telling us to stop and think before we act not just in relationships but in all the things we do.

Page 145 - Space, we all need our own space! Time alone to think, to recover and grow! But we need to remember to reciprocate this to other people, especially a partner in a close relationship! I love my dh but do not feel the need to be with him 24/7, I feel we benefit from time apart and can then enjoy a greater closeness when together. It gives me time to reflect and think what we do. We do not grow if we are stifled by another person and have no mind of our own. For each person this space will be different, some need more, some less, but we all need it!