Momma Bear

Jeff and I rented this movie the other night, you can read about it here:  called WON'T BACK DOWN

It was an amazing movie, here is the PLOT...

Two determined mothers, a car dealer/bartender (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and a teacher ( Viola Davis ), look to transform their children's failing inner city school. Facing a powerful and entrenched bureaucracy and corruption from the teachers' union president (Holly Hunter)  and the school's principal ( Bill Nunn ), they risk everything to make a difference in the education and future of their children.

"Children should not be the victims of the ZIP code they live in when their education is at stake," the Eureka Republican said. "I don't think parents would go such a route unless they have exhausted all other remedies because it is a drastic remedy. But it's only going to be utilized in drastic situations. So I think parents should be the ones who are ultimately in charge of their children's education, and not bureaucrats."

I loved the movie, because it really showed what Mothers will do to protect their children. I truly believe that as Mothers..that is our ultimate job. To become Momma Bears and do whatever it takes to protect this little ones of ours. One of my favorite quotes from the movie was this one...

"You know those mothers that can lift 1-ton trucks? They're nothing compared to me!"

 

I love Momma Bears!  ( You can get this poster here:

I remember talking to a young Mother the other day, and she mentioned that she fears that she has traits and weaknesses that she has seen in her own Mother through out the years. She didn't want to be that way but was afraid to figure out why she does what she does. Yet, she wants to be strong  for her children ( by the way, don't our kids need us to be strong?)

 Well, that is true... we do need to be strong but..we are only human and we will make mistakes, we will have moments of weakness! The point of life is to figure out why we do what we do, and if we don't like what we do...then do something different!  We need to be better for our kids, we need to show them that even Mommy, some times needs help and to work on herself. Yes, we need to be strong for those kids, but also HEALTHY for them!!!!  That is really what they need is a HEALTHY, STABLE MOM! One who not only fights for them at all cost, but is willing to look at her self and be brave enough to go down whatever road it might be... to become HEALTHY and HAPPY, not only for them but for ourselves too!

It is a great movie... watch it!

Good night dear friends!

 

 "No language can express the power, and beauty, and heroism, and majesty of a mother's love.  It shrinks not where man cowers, and grows stronger where man faints, and over wastes of worldly fortunes sends the radiance of its quenchless fidelity like a star."  ~Edwin Hubbell Chapin

 

People Watching!

   Today I got to work at the Quilt Shop for the Shop Hop. I have to admit, I was so excited to go into work! I could hardly wait to get there, and had a hard time leaving when I was suppose to. I love to watch and meet people! I love PEOPLE! There is always an interesting story in their life that is playing out in their attitudes, personalities, clothing and so on. I have to admit that most people are as nice as you are to them. I was the one of the ladies who stamped their passport ( that is all Quilt/Shop Hop lingo, in case you are wondering) and gave them their free block. It was fun to have them ask about the block, and to be able to say it was mine. Then I was able to tell them step by step how I made it. They really seemed to like my block, I am so glad. When I first thought about doing a block to see if might be chosen... I was a nervous wreak. So many of the women there are amazing seamstresses and they have been quilting for years, my stuff seems so elementary compared to them. But I have learned that everyone has different talents and styles. And basically we all enjoy and appreciate each others styles and talents.

   It has been a blessing to be able to not only watch, but meet so many incredible women and even some of their families. It was also great to talk to many of them and hear about their struggles in their own life. The truth is...everyone is going through something. And those experiences and struggles are truly what shape our lives, and make us who we are. I have learned to try and not judge so quickly, because if you haven't walked in their shoes, lived their life...then we really don't know exactly what they have been through!
    Yes, it was a good day!  I can hardly wait to go tomorrow...except I a so tired! Oh well, I will head to bed soon. Good night dear friends!

"Our greatest strength as a human race is our ability to acknowledge our differences, our greatest weakness is our failure to embrace them."  ~ Judith Henderson

"Opposition is nothing more than truth; though hard that truth maybe be, it is essentially beneficial to one's self. In life your greatest enemies are in reality your greatest benefactors. Learn from them; opposition only makes you stronger and more capable."

"We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path."                    ~ Paulo Coelho

"I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort where we overlap."  ~Ani Difranco

Weaknesses can become strengths!

   Today I spent creating with a couple of friends, it was great. I am so blessed to be surrounded with so many  friends, who don't mind sharing their talents. We really had a good time, and I was grateful to feel good enough, to spend some time with them.
   Jeff sent this story to me the other day and it was inspiring! It goes to show you, that you can accomplish way more things than you could even imagine, when you just try. But kids are amazing! I spent much of my teenage years and single adult years, teaching handicapped pre-schoolers. No matter how bad their struggles were, they had a smile on their faces, and kept trying. I was amazed at how resilient and determined their were. I loved working with them and felt blessed to be able to learn from them.
I hope when you read this story, that you will remember no matter what our weaknesses are in life, we can make them our strengths! Good night, dear friends!

"Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your biggest strength.  Take for example the story of the 10 year old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.  The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo instructor.  The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after 3 months of  training the master had taught him only one move.  "Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?"  "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know,” the Sensei replied.  Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.  Several months later, the sensei (Japanese judo instructor) took the boy to his first tournament.  Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. the third match proved to be more difficult,  but after some time, his opponent become impatient and charged the boy; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match.  Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.  This time his opponent was bigger, stronger and more experienced.  For a while, the boy appeared to be over matched.  Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out.  He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened."No," the sensei insisted, "let him continue."  Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a crucial mistake: he dropped his guard.  Instantly the boy used his one move to pin him.  The boy had won the match and the tournament.  He was the champion.  On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match.  Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind."  Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"  “You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "
"First you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws of all of judo.  And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.
THE BOYS BIGGEST WEAKNESS HAD BECOME HIS BIGGEST STRENGTH.
"NEVER CONSENT TO CREEP WHEN YOU FEEL AN IMPULSE TO SOAR" Helen Keller
This young boy had a sensei or a master to teach him and train Him, we too have a Master in this great work, if we listen to Him and follow him and do the things which He has asked us to do we too will have our greatest weaknesses become our greatest strengths.

"Our strength grows out of our weaknesses"  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Build us your weaknesses until they become your strong points." ~Knute Rockne

"If human beings are perceived as potentials rather than problems, as possessing strengths instead of weaknesses, as unlimited rather than dull and unresponsive, then they thrive and grow to their capabilities."        ~ Barbara Bush