Why is living so big? These are the reasons.

My name is Suz but many people know me as Fuzz Bomb. Everything I create , everything I touch and everyone I am blessed to meet ends up being far softer and more loving. I live through love. I speak love. I am love. And as my inner world becomes more loving, the outer world responds in kind.

My story is far longer than this space will allow. There have been so many circumstances that others have called negative, overwhelming, challenging and unfair. In the midst of dis-ease and pain, I have found a few simple truths that my heart prompts me to share. 

I do the best I can with what I have. And that is enough. Multiple Sclerosis has limited my energy. So I have learned to use the time I have to focus on love. I focus on what is in front of me and I choose to use my energy wisely. Love is never wasted. Even the most angry person is affected. It may not change their actions but my responses change my experience. Sometimes I am called to plant seeds that I am not to see grow. Planting loving thoughts is enough.

And one more thing for now... and this one I'm still working on accepting...

My name is Karen Tyrrell, Australian survivor of mental illness.

When I was a teacher, parents at my school harassed me every day until I could take no more. I screamed out with night terrors and became Manic. Police incarcerated me into a psychiatric hospital. I wrote ME & HER: A Memoir Of Madness and ME & HIM:A Guide to Recovery, sharing my recovery and wellness tips.

I'm now a full-time mental health advocate, author and speaker empowering others to live their happiest, healthiest and strongest lives.

Please checkout: Living Is So Big story on Karen Tyrrell's website

My reason for living is sangria. If i were not living, then i would not be able to consume the best alcoholic beverage in the world. Peace. :) #SP

-Alicia Feghhi 

HI... 

LISB because in ONE moment you are happy and then the other you are sad.   ONE moment you are smiling and the other you are crying.  Another you are breathing and then you may simply be not!!!!

Now, I have known Chris since the third grade and we used to always hanging out together.  No matter what was going on, he was always my Best friend.  After not seeing him for so many years, all of a sudden we reconnected after not talking to him after for 8 years or so.

I reached his website and read his story. I just realized that Living is sooooo huge!!!  After 8 years of Faith knowing that ONE Day we would see each other again. IT HAPPENED.  The Power of Faith leads US to magical happenings .... I'm thankful for still having my Best friend and Brother!!!!!

My family: a bunch of crazies. I love them dearly. I wouldn't be who I am today without them. I will always be eternally grateful for them. My happiness is because of them. They get me through the best and the worst times in my life. I can never thank them enough.

Chris, your story touched my heart. I lost my younger brother on Mother's Day-May 13th, 2001. His name was also Christopher. He died of kidney failure, a battle he fought from age 8 to 23. He was a real fighter right up until his last day at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, NJ. I learned the following from him and wanted to share it with you and your extended LISB Family on the Internet. 

Look inside and decide what you want to be. Life can be a challenge. At times, life can seem impossible. It's never easy when so much is...

We never really know what impact we have on the lives of others, especially with what we say and do or by not doing or saying anything. Sometimes being a good friend means listening without judgment. Other times it means speaking up when we notice something is not quite right. If we choose to treat others with kindness and compassion we will attract people who are also kind and compassionate. Most people just need to know that there is someone else who cares... about them. LISB!

I'm going to take action because I have a life to live.  I realize that Living Is So Big and by knowing that... I will not waste my precious seconds that I live.  I will take action and be the change I wish to see.

Today I finished a memoir for my school. I wrote about the moment I learned about my friend committing suicide and the moments after. It was really hard for me, but he inspires me. The life he lived, his faith in God, the happiness he gave me, and the friendship he shared to me.

The first night I met him we went and saw a movie together. The second night we went and sang karaoke with another couple. We got up to sing 'Eye of the Tiger.' Now that song is sacred to me. Now looking back  on the lyrics - they touch my heart. They read, "Risin' up, back on the street. Did my time, took my changes. Went the distance now I'm back on my feet. Just a man and his will to survive." Those memories just make me smile. He just makes me smile. He's such a great person. And I know more than anything I'll see him again. I just really, really miss him.

So writing my paper was kinda hard and I shed a few times thinking back on the pain and losing him. Even through I remembered the pain, I also remembered everything I have learned from Nathan and this whole new chapter in my life. I have learned that with friendship, with people coming together so many great things can come. That together we can make magic happen in this world. I ended my paper with the following.

"It will be one year on May 12, 2013 that I lost Nathan. That day will be hard. I will recall those tears and those pains. But most importantly I will remember the life that Nathan led. His friendship is remembered daily, our laughs, our jokes, the fun times – I remember those all the time. Nathan taught me to...

To get involved in this movement happening this month, goto: https://www.facebook.com/events/525914307461498/ 

APRIL is Life Appreciation month!

I just read a Note on your Facebook fan page. It's about being appreciative and drinking a glass of water is one of those Ahhh moments.  Never noticed it until now.  

I appreciate life and now water. lol   Thanks for such a simple reminder of what to appreciate. - Randy

I have my life, I can walk... everyone should be grateful just because of that.  I know people who can't walk, do not have legs, you get the point.  Anyways, LIVING IS SO BIG!  Always, my reason is because I can walk.  

I'm not a reflection of my clothes, shoes, hair, makeup, weight... These things do not declare who I am. They do not determine who I am. I'm just occupying my body for the mean time while I'm here on earth. My soul is what truly counts! My essence of who I am. My creativity of my soul to express who I am. It's about looking beyond the physical body and going deep into the soul, heart. When I look into someone's eyes I look at their essence of who they are. Never judge anyone by their appearance they are much more then what the eye sees. ? ....

Planet Earth.  What is "planet Earth?"  Well... a planet, number one.  Number two I'd have to say it is home for many.  Number three, a place where there are a vast array of beliefs and opinions.  Earth is the third planet from the sun and the only world so far known to the public to support an atmosphere with oxygen, oceans of liquid water on the surface and life.  It isn't a perfect sphere.  I mean, there is a lot to Earth and despite Humanity making mistakes throughout history, Earth still stays strong.

I had the opportunity of meeting an older gentleman of the age of 76 while celebrating another's birthday at a ripe age of 35.  My Angelic wife, Iliana, first introduced herself to him and then I proceeded to do the same.  He was intrigued about our cause while at the party.  He wanted to know more about Living Is So Big.  So, I told him the core basis of what and why we do what we do.  

He then looked at me and said in a very calm and serious voice... "Am I too old to appreciate life?"  Then he followed through with...

Yesterday I was fortunate to attend the birthday celebration of a friend. At first I felt out of place...I'm 76 and everyone else seemed so much younger. Then, after meeting Jesus and after he pointed out his beautiful son, Chris,  across the room, he immediately told me about his gratitude for his son just simply BEING...anywhere. I was filled with gratitude for my life and for my four beautiful children.

After a while, I start wondering why I am still around. Yesterday is a reminder that I can begin each day with the realization that "Life Is So Big". To the Agudo family, thank you for all that you do.

My abilities.  These are awesome to me.  Why is living so big?  Well, I like to say because I have untapped potential with my abilities that I can tap into.  So many things.  =)

I wrote this a while back ago as a song, but then I rearranged it as a poem. It is written about my friend that I lost way too early. And these are my memories of him. I love it. I love him. I miss him dearly everyday. Just know that it is okay to miss someone you have lost; you are going to. And that is okay. And I believe they are still here. I imagine that one day I will see my friend again and I will hug him so tight. And we will talk, catch up, and reminisce on the memories we share. I know that will happen. 

That Sunday Morning

I looked up at your window as I walked past
and imagined you were up there -
Maybe you were playing your video games
or reading your favorite book.
I imagined you coming out the door to say hi -
and I felt the hug you would have given me if you were there.

I remember that Sunday I walked out late -
and you were there sitting on the steps waiting for me.
I reached to where you were and I asked,
"Do I look okay?" with a concerned look on my face.
And you said, "You look beautiful!"
Those words and your voice still echo for me to hear.

She was there sitting beside you while watching the movie
Her head on your shoulder, anticipating your every move
Her heart growing more every day for you.
We would talk about her on the car rides we would take
Wondering endlessly where your heart lay
     - and the ones that broke your heart

Are you at peace? What I'm talking about is being at peace with ourselves. How do we get there? I picture it by getting to a place where I feel at one with myself.  When I'm feeling troubled and my mind doesn't shut down, I start to paint. Somehow, no matter how I'm feeling, if I pick up a paint brush it eases my mind. It makes me feel tranquil straight down to my soul. I also enjoy the sound of the water. We have a little water fountain in the house which at times, I will turn on to feel at peace. The sound of the water trickling, it puts me in a state of mind that just soothes my mind, body and soul.

I can picture myself walking on the sand in a beach, looking up at the sky and seeing the seagulls flying by. I can feel the warm sand between my toes, while feeling the sun grazing my cheek. Now I bet you think I must be at the beach in order to feel this way? No, not at all. We can just go to this place or any other that gives us peace of mind, body and spirit just by closing our eyes and letting our mind go to these places... Let your sensory take over. ...

How often do you think about what you Appreciate in general?  It can be anything in this world or even out of it.  I believe that it is not too often for the 6+ billion people on the planet. Fact of the matter is that we have too much clutter and distraction happening to us every single moment of our existence.  This clutter and distraction is always readily available at the blink of an eye.  It is easily accessible, only requires our attention and is always there just waiting for us to consume into our minds.

Now, with that being said...  how often do you think about, more specifically, Life Appreciation? Makes you think… right?  Good! Now is the time to think and consume the appreciative things in your life.  This is why Living Is So Big exists today.  It is here to help remind anyone that needs a little help in remembering.  We all know it, we all experienced goodness, greatness, joy and happiness.  It’s just that this darn clutter and distraction is always around to make you forget.

Your next step is solely up to you of course.  Remember what uplifts and satisfy you.  Begin to search your memory banks and find what triggers certain emotions of joy and happiness.  Don’t be fooled, the joy and happiness comes in all shapes and sizes.  The joy of drinking a glass of water is a perfect example.  How often do you give a big “Ahhhh” after consuming the water?  Guess what?   You just satisfied yourself. A small moment of joy was experience.  Take it for what it’s worth.  It was joyful!....