I want to hear from you!!!

Every day, people all over the world wake up to the sound of an alarm clock, crawl out of bed, get ready, and set off to take on the day.  The events of that day may differ depending on the type of job one has, the duties that need fulfilled, the hours required to do the job well, and the state of mind the person is in for that given day.  Just think about all the different types of jobs there are in the world and the expectations for each of them.  People truly are amazing!

What motivates and inspires you to get out of bed each morning?  Is it someone or something, a special song, a quote you live by, a bible verse or prayer?  

I WANT TO KNOW!!!

For those who are willing, please respond in the section below.  Share what motivates and inspires you, what brings you joy, makes you smile, helps you cope with life’s ups and downs, and gets you through the day.

Look forward to hearing from you!

And that "single step" has taken me places I could have only imagined before...

Flowers on Footprints, bringing you hope and happiness for the journey ahead.

Stay tuned for the website launch and to learn how you can contribute to this page.

Livin' the "Good Life"...

Opened up my email this morning to find the perfect quote: "A Good Life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are for what you have." ~searchquotes.com/author unknown

It is amazing how the simplest things can bring about so many changes and the ultimate effect those changes can make to ones life.

Today, I can honestly say I am living the Good Life.  I smile many times each day, continue to dream big (even though it sometimes scares me to death!), laugh much more than I used to, and am so blessed to be surrounded by so many loving and supportive people.  I have become the person I always knew I could be and I'm excited to see where God will lead me next.

Up until now, my blog has been a place for me to share MY journey; my thoughts, my feelings, my fears, my joy, my sadness, and so much more.  It's been a release for me.  A place to go when the times were tough, and a place to share my hopes and dreams.

In the next few weeks, we will launch my website: flowersonfootprints.com
Something that started here, this blog and its purpose, has become so much more and I have some new plans for future posts that I will share soon.

Until then, enjoy every moment life has to offer; smile big, dream often, and live the "Good Life"...

Join us for a celebration!

I can't believe how long it's been since I've been on here to write!  With the beginning of a new school year and job, the book being delivered, and everyday life...I just haven't had an extra second left to reflect lately.  
I can't begin to express the happiness I have in my heart right now. I can only hope that it stays with me for a long time!  I have such a wonderful and supportive family, so many caring and compassionate friends, and the grace of God that has gotten me through so much.  Please join me as I celebrate all of the accomplishments I've made on this journey, including the release of There's SomeTHING in My Basement:

This Saturday, September 8th 1-10 pm

 Signed copies will be sold for $10

 10334 Sugar Ridge Way Indpls., IN 46239

 If you can't make it in person, message me or contact me: email-osborne.nicole@att.net

 phone-(317)695-8414

http://www.ibjbookpublishing.com/library/books/Somethinginmybasement.html

Can't believe the book is here!

Introducing the newly published book:  There's SomeTHING in My Basement

Written By:
Nicole Osborne    

Illustrated By:
ChristyVance

I am so excited to finally announce it is here and available for purchase!  The website is not quite ready, so I will be selling from here until we get everything up and running.  Signed copies are available for $10.00 each.  Please contact me at osborne.nicole@att.net

Also, if you know of a school, library, hospital, or kids group that would be willing to let me come and do a read aloud, teach a lesson on fear, and share my experiences, please let me know!  I'm excited to get out into the community and use this book to help those struggling daily with fear and anxiety.

Many thanks to Christy Vance, Don Bishop, and the many family and friends who helped make this dream a reality!  I couldn't have done it without you...

I wish it wasn't so complicated...

Not sure why, but I have felt so compelled to write lately.  Maybe it's the fact that I finally feel like my job will make a difference and my family (including myself) is truly happy.  It's given me time to look back on my life and face some of those hard things that I had chosen to forget; relationships, friendships, behaviors, choices.

So much time has passed since those days, and it's hard to admit that there are still things that trigger me, that take me back to the feelings I once had.  The ones that made me feel scared, and sad, and angry, and embarrassed, but mostly unable to trust.

There were so many people that hurt me and who I hurt back.  So many times I swallowed that lump in my throat and dealt with the sick feeling in my stomach.  So many memories I wish I could go back and change, take back and forget. It seems so far gone, but all so real...even now.

I want to let go of the guilt, the sadness, the anger.  I want to celebrate the fact that I am not that person anymore and  let myself be free of all those who hurt me, but it's easier said than done and I don't exactly know who can help me or how to make it happen.  I worry what other's would think or how they would react if I contacted them.  And I worry about what will happen if I don't ever get to tell them how I really feel.  I wish it wasn't so complicated.

I hope, in time, the day will come when I am able to forgive myself for the mistakes I've made, to forgive others for the hurt I once felt, and acknowledge that I am a new person.  One full of love, passion, joy, and appreciation for this life and the lessons I've learned in it...

Sometimes it's hard to share the tough stuff...

Spent some time reflecting on the past year today; starting this blog, beginning a new journey, learning to listen to myself and my needs, publishing a book, starting a new job...so many changes have taken place in my life in that year, changes that have made me a better person overall.

I've learned to listen more, talk less; to share what I love, not focus on things I don't; to face the fear instead of avoiding it; to ask questions when I'm uncertain rather than worrying about what I don't know; to take chances; to be patient; to show others compassion and love; to express myself in new and fun ways.  I am a completely different person than I was a year ago, and even more so than I was ten years ago.  And I'm really happy about that :)

But one area that still needs some work is in the way I think others view me.  I know I shouldn't be worried about what other people think or say about me...but the truth is, I do.  I often find myself asking these questions:  Will others be mad at me?  Did I offend them or hurt their feelings?  Are they talking about me?  If so, why?  What did I do?  And the truth is, it's hard to be yourself openly when there are people out there who look for ways to bring you down, ways to hurt you, or make you feel bad about yourself.  Those situations are awkward and uncomfortable and I end up wondering why I even put myself in that position in the first place.

It's true we all make mistakes.  And I'm working on forgiving myself for the ones I have made.  But it's also true we can only change ourselves.  Reflecting today gave me the opportunity to realize I have, and in doing so have a lot to be proud of and thankful for.  I am still learning on this journey and will continue to grow and change as I move along.  That's okay and it makes me feel good to say it here.

To those of you who have stood by me through thick and thin, thank you.  I'm not a perfect person, nor will I ever be.  But I'm doing everything I can to be the best mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend I can be.  And that has to be good enough, not for everyone else, but for me...