2.0.1.6

Happy New Year! I hope  you and yours had a lovely evening, celebrating or not,  as I know for people like myself I do not make that big of a deal of New Years as I once used to.

I still like to reflect,  to think about new "resolutions" or progresses in my case. As much as sometimes we like to think that because the year is behind us, nothing will follow, it will. However, like yesterday and every year before that it's how we manage the crud that comes our way that really characterizes who we are, how we see ourselves, how we want to be seen, and I was really down this New Years, I'm not going to lie. I cried on and off about things I still am unsure about, but deep down I know there is only one solution for those things: face my fears in whatever capacity that may be...

When I think to 2015 the bravest, or most courageous acts were likely, starting my own business, starting a foreign, yet somewhat familiar path in education, and standing on a stage telling people my life story.

I have accepted that everything happens for a reason and with that said, whatever comes-will be. Rather than trying to constantly think "what should I be doing?" unless its the beginning of my day, I'm going to try my hardest, feel fully and simply payback whatever knowledge or skills I've acquired for the next guy. My family is happy and healthy and that's all I could really ask for!

I start placement in 5 days...I did not think I would get here, but here we are! Enjoy every moment of it!

TO ANOTHER NEW YEARS EVE- SOBER! YA BEEEEEOTCH! AND THE SUN IS OUT!
LOVE,
DOROTHY

Baby Love

I've got so much love around me and I'm not ashamed to admit it's by the plenty. Mainly male...BABIES! Oh my goodness.

And the best part is that they all call me "CoCo" ...don't even need a Chanel bag! It melts my heart, especially when this little guy calls me uncle CoCo. 

He's only 2. He'll get it one day! 

An everyday reminder

This encompasses what I feel in one day and need to be reminded that it's ok. This simply means I'm human. 

#DorothySays @lifeofdorothy on Twitter and Instagram ....we got this 

QUOTE ME!

"I'll leave this one up to your interpretation"

 I need quotes. They are my rational voice, I simply cannot live without them. It can reaffirm and still give me new perspectives on ides both bad and good--trust me. There are quotes that I look at and think to myself "Colleen. Why'd you go ahead and do that? or Be that person?" GUESS WHAT? I'M NOT HOLDING MYSELF HOSTAGE TO THAT PERSON ANYMORE! She GONE!

This quote reminds me to just live. I genuinely need to be reminded not to take life so seriously sometimes. It has nothing to do with my age, where I live, or what I have- rather with the simple thought that things are they way they are because that's just what it is. What is, will be- or won't. I need the reminder that not every moment defines who I am because even that changes on a regular basis. I'm a female with emotions, what do you expect? One thing that I want to share with whoever reads this: whatever feels tough and mucky right now isn't forever. It is and only ever will be temporary, if you're willing to have faith of course. ONE.DAY.AT.A.TIME. every day is another day to start over and if you have faith you can live that life--where you wake up and feel like every day is another day to become whatever you want it's your life! You are in complete control of every choice and taking risks, well, that more than often means you're about to do something really brave.

"Be Brave enough to Break Your Own Heart"

I JUST WANT TO BE LOVED! There is no greater feeling than love. And this is by no means any real guideline, but I like the idea behind it. I have people for all three categories, which doesn't mean I'm a grown up. I'm far from it and that's ok! I don't want to grow up any faster than I already have. But what I really get  from this quote, which I'm happy to share, is that in hindsight you too will realize the silver lining of each ending of relationship.  at least that is my opinion  on the scenarios, whether it ended good, ugly or just bad we always learn about ourselves- what we like, don't like, or have to accept despite what our hearts feel- and so long as we're evolving, we're doing the best we can to take a step forward. Love is only a concept and it cannot be defined... it is so unique to each individual it is..beautiful mess of chaos. THAT'S real love anyways..fight for what you want #DorothySays 

Love, Dorothy Colleen xo

All I Want For Christmas

Is for friends, family-- blood related or not, to come together and be just be present--live in the moment and enjoy it for whatever it is worth. Forget about the presents, though they're a total bonus. I think its fair to presume that our culture is often caught up in the media televised ideas of christmas versus creating their own tradition whether that be travelling, donating clothes or food, helping out at shelters-- it's a time to make everybody feel like a somebody and feel joy for no other reason than simply being alive. 

So this year, I started MY own tradition, which was to involve myself with the Angel Tree Christmas. Though these children are getting presents, they represent a tangible items of hope and love, as their parents are inmates or ex-offenders. This program seeks to reconcile and restore the lives of these families, as they are in the midst of what often feels like brokenness and loss. 

 

Does it make a difference for these families? Here is a glimpse of what one of our Sponsors from last year said about their experience as they delivered gifts:

“I had a wonderful experience! This was my first time participating, and it was the first time for the recipient as well. When I made the delivery during the week before Christmas, the recipient, who was very grateful, conveyed to me that their incarcerated loved one had asked them to watch for a special call/delivery, and even subsequently checked up to find out if it had occurred. I was encouraged by the keen anticipation on the part of the inmate and blessed by the realization that I had been given the privilege of playing a part in fulfilling the request -- what a testimony to the God who hears and answers the requests of ones who may feel forgotten! Thank you for the opportunity to be blessed!”

And here are some notes we received from inmates applying to the program:

“Thank you for your kindness. This is a very difficult time for my daughter and I. She suffers even though she did no wrong. Thank you for helping to make her Christmas special. You have no idea how much it means to me – and I’m sure to her as well. May God bless you”
“As a mother unable to spend Christmas with my son I deeply appreciate what you do for us who are in prison. No child deserves to suffer for our mistakes or circumstances. I’ve spent three Christmas going on 4 now without seeing or being with my son.”

These are just some examples of the simple yet profound way a loving gesture, like what is expressed through Angel Tree Christmas, can have a positive and meaningful impact in the life of a child and a family-- these are the lives, after all, I'm dedicated to serving. 

Enjoy your holiday season, friends! 
Dorothy Clause 

Business Casual

I love dressing up. I especially love dressing up because it always empowers me! I embrace my height, at times my curves (can't always see them in my clothing) and just being me-a poiny tale head back!

I love red. I think it's a power colour and I'm fortunate that I feel confident in it. 

Introducing, #DecemberDorothy

#DorothySays #EnjoyTheHolidaySeason 

Mind the dishes 

Cinderelly

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you will lose your heartache
Whatever you wish for you keep

Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through

No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
the dream that you wish will come true

A dream is a wish your heart makes

When you're feeling small
Alone in the night you whisper

Thinking no one can hear you at all
You wake with the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you

Don't let your heart be filled with sorrow
For all you know tomorrow
The dream that you wish will come true

When you can dream then you can start
A dream is a wish you make with your heart
When you can dream then you can start
A dream is a wish you make with your heart

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you will loose your heartache
Whatever you wish for you keep

You wake with the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you
Don't let your heart be filled with sorrow
For all you know tomorrow

The dream that you wish will come true
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

When you can dream then you can start
A dream is a wish you make with your heart
When you can dream then you can start
A dream is a wish you make with your heart

When you can dream then you can start
A dream is a wish you make with your heart

......Sundays I listen to the words of Disney bars. IT'S OK!  That is me. I love disney and I'm dying to get there, especially Cinderella's castle. 
When I went there once upon a time ago, my mother often reminds me how disappointed and sad/mad I was that I couldn't go into Cinderella's castle; I'll never forget the day I saw the commercial for the first time-- almost like an Ellen giveaway-- and it said something along the lines how you could win 2 night stay in the castle ...I swear I wasn't dreaming. Tres (very) expensive, however. 

I like that I still have the kid at heart in me, I really think it's one of the most valuable human character traits- take me back. 

reminder: be kind always. Or try. 

Love always,
Dorothy