maralascottsblog inspirational stories, relationships

Sharing Your Life Story Can Help Others Heal

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We are meant to learn valuable lessons from our life and even more from the lives of others. They connect to us in some way and help us to understand that we are not alone in our experiences; nor are we meant to be. Although most people can’t understand what you’ve been through unless they’ve experience something similar, talking about it or connecting through the power of printed words can help heal and inspire.

Courage is needed to reflect upon your life and review the choices you’ve made. It takes strength to fight a battle when you have no idea of the magnitude of what you’ll face. A strong mind is necessary to overcome the intensity of excruciating pain. And it requires a loving heart to help save lives when there is no incentive other than to save lives.

This is David Tuccaro Jr., a man with a soul-searching story that will challenge you to fight through whatever it is you’re facing. He encourages you to evolve into a stronger, wiser and more compassionate individual. Like David, it doesn’t mean you will never have another challenge or feel the brutal grip of pain again, but his story will teach you the reasons why you should never give up on life.

His life story, Bad to the Bone: The True Story of David Tuccaro Jr. takes you on an unsuspecting journey. It breathes faith, delivers inspiration and reveals true love as he recounts the deep emotional pain that took root inside of him and the devastation it caused. He shares his vivid and inspiring account of his fight for his life against Leukemia. If you are being challenged or tested, David’s story is one that will encourage you to believe when there is no sign of hope.

David’s mission is to save lives through compassion and providing awareness about the need for donors. If you knew that someone, somewhere was dying, would you do what you could to save that person’s life? Well, many people are and they need your help just as David required it to live. Become a donor and give the gift of life because you can.

Visit www.davidtuccaro.com for more information and to register to become a donor. Be inspired by his story to save a life!

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maralascottsblog God, Happiness, inspirational stories

Thank You God For This And Every Day

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Every day I find ways to celebrate life but today I celebrate life for it is the anniversary of yet another amazing gift God graciously handed me! I celebrate with a passion that I hadn’t fully discovered prior to two years ago, today. I was happy but hadn’t considered how limited my time here is and like most, I don’t know when it will end.

At the point I had the most peace in my life, I found out that I had a brain aneurysm and with more tests my neurosurgeon found yet another. (You can bring about life saving discovery if you pay attention to what your body is telling you so pay attention.) I was afraid to go through with the brain surgery because of the risk and location of the aneurysms and I wasn’t ready to leave the people I love although I knew the choice wasn’t mine. I put it in God’s hands and He told me to get it done immediately. Without hesitation, I scheduled the surgery a few days later, telling only one handful of people. I didn’t want anyone to worry. The night before my surgery, I prepared with prayer. I wasn’t afraid because I didn’t have any regrets or fear but I wasn’t finished here. It was difficult to imagine the possibility of leaving those I love, although inevitable.

The next afternoon, after an extensive surgery, my eyes fluttered open. I was grateful for this continued gift of life. I took a deep breath and whispered, “Thank you God, I have so much more to do.” The scar I carry is my scar of inspiration and faith as I was inspired by God to trust Him and have faith. It’s a reminder to live and not merely exist. We don’t always get a second chance at life and leave many, many things unspoken and undone. Embrace life and make a valiant go at it every single day. Share authentic love and positivity. Find peaceful resolutions and have faith, as it will alleviate your stress if you believe. There is so much you can do to help others live a better life, so share what you can, give them what you’ve needed. Be present in life as it can be gone with or without warning.

Thank you for taking my journey with me by reading and sharing my pieces of inspiration. They are meant to give you what they’ve given me: faith, passion and words that bring about change. Thank you God for every single day! I am grateful.

With Love,

Marala

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Dear Bully,

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I want you to know that while your negative attack on me may temporarily interrupt my day ultimately your actions will fade from my memory. I will not allow you to do to me whatever has been done to damage you. I am a loving, caring, and compassionate individual that is being challenged by your low self-esteem and negative behavior yet, I will triumph over them and you. Even as a bully, you will do your part in making me stronger. Although we both know this is not your intent, it is Gods will that you will not damage me, as He will not allow it, nor will I.

You have proven that someone or something that occurred or is presently taking place in your life is devastating you enough to pass along your hatred, anger, and pain. In the interim, I will pass along your message to God and pray for you from the depths of my soul. Everyone may not be as strong as I am so I will pray for any of your intended victims and I will pray for those hurting and destroying the beautiful individual you are meant to be.

Please understand that everyone may not be able to tell you that you are in pain and that you don’t need to be. If someone is hurting you, simply ask for help, as I have done in my own life when negative situations were attempting to devastate me. Don’t accept that being a bully is who you are and meant to be instead, ask for forgiveness from those you’ve hurt and forgive yourself for what you’ve done. What I want you to understand in writing you is that it isn’t necessary for you to remain in pain. Take the love I have poured into this letter and step away from your angry and misguided lifestyle as no good will come from it. You may find yourself accidentally ending someone’s life or ending up someplace you don’t want to be because of the pain you’re in. Revenge or anger won’t replace what you are seeking.

Consider your actions, and those that don’t deserve to be hurt the way you are hurting them. If you open your heart to giving love, providing peace, and offering what you are not receiving, you too will become happy in ways you may not have imagined. I am not asking you to stop being who you are but who you are becoming due to your own circumstances. It is never too late to change, please begin today!

With Love, Forgiveness & Compassion,

maralascottsblog inspirational stories

What is the Story of Your Life?

All of us have challenges at some point. Some may appear to come daily while others are random but regardless of when they come, they cause emotional setbacks. It’s easier to address the issues that upset us or cause pain and anger but why give more credence to every negative thing that’s going on in your life. When you speak negativity you bring it into existence. When you look for it you will find it. Sadly enough, if you refuse to let it go it will consume you in ways that can devastate you, your loved ones and of course your life.

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Your life is either passing you by or you’re fighting to make the best of it. Don’t climb on board and ride your life right out of here. It’s priceless, and can never be duplicated. Change the shape of your life instead of allowing it to change you. For every negative thought, event, words that are spoken or pain you think you are supposed to inherit, counter it with strong words of faith, appreciation, passion, forgiveness and love. Fight to let painful history go and forgive others as well as forgive yourself in the process. Look to the future instead of sinking in the past. It’s not easy to let everything go and it may take time. That’s okay; because wherever you make a constant effort you’ll find progress. It’s harder and more draining to hold onto negativity. Whether or not you know it, you are living what will be your history. You’re writing your story right now. What are you going to leave behind as the story of your life?

–Marala Scott

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maralascottsblog inspirational stories, Self-Love

Don’t Inherit Pain That Isn’t Yours

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Many people have personal insecurities that originate from following a path that wasn’t meant for them to take. The decisions and mistakes that your parents or family members have made are not yours. The pain they’ve chosen to inherit isn’t supposed to be passed along to you. Any anger they’ve allowed to destroy their life isn’t waiting to destroy yours so don’t own it.

Each of us has an opportunity to create the life we want to have. It’s up to us to make choices. If one of the choices happens to be empowering others so they use or hurt you understand that choice was still yours. You are not here to relive your parent’s life or that of anyone else. You are not supposed to impede your progress and happiness by carrying someone’s pain as though it is destined to stay in your family or bloodline. You are unique. You are here to live your life, make independent choices and live freely. Your choices will bring about your own results and regardless of how difficult some may be you aren’t meant to live or bask in pain.  Own your mistakes, and learn from them. Stake a claim in faith not failure and accept that you are destined for greatness. –Marala Scott

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maralascottsblog Happiness, inspirational stories, relationships, Self-Love

Allow Rejection to Strengthen You

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You’re not here to wait and see what happens and it’s not meant for you to leave your future to fate. There are many opportunities that come and go because you waited to see if it would happen instead of making it come to fruition through your own actions. Too often, people are afraid to go after what they want for many reasons and rejection is just one of them. However, you won’t know how to change your game plan if you aren’t rejected. Rejection will strengthen you and help you become wiser if you allow it. Don’t become a product of what already is, be the product. Own your life; don’t let it own you.

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maralascottsblog Helping Others, inspirational stories, relationships

Secrets vs. Gossip

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Have you ever been asked to keep a secret only to find out that it’s one you would rather not have been told? Secrets can be a form of burdening the spirit with guilt or gossip, especially if it’s something that is damaging. It’s not necessary to take in everything just to say, you know. Be cautious instead of eager to know someone’s secrets as they can be damaging to your own life as well as that of others. Politely say, if this is a private or personal issue someone is having, I’d rather not know. Bow out graciously from taking in gossip or knowing someone’s secrets.

maralascottsblog Happiness, inspirational stories, relationships

You Think You’re Ready to be in a Relationship

Have you ever unwrapped a beautiful gift to find the contents disappointing or not anything near what you thought it might be? More often than not, that is what happens in relationships. The exterior package of the person isn’t what will make the relationship work however, the interior mindset and spirit of the individual is.

We’re worried that if we don’t jump into a relationship when it’s offered that we’ll miss out. Many times when you dive into a relationship and learn more about the person, you’d wish you had passed on it. Take time to know the person instead of believing what they tell you. Listen a little more carefully to what they’re spewing out. One thing we say after a relationship goes south is that he or she told me that… Relying on what someone tells you as oppose to what they show you in their actions is key in having or investing in a healthy relationship. Give it time to see if their words match their actions before jumping into a relationship just to have one.

maralascottsblog God, Happiness, inspirational stories, Self-Love

Each Year Brings Wisdom and Strength From Your Past Experiences

Another year is upon us and I believe it to be a blessing to me for the simple fact that I am alive. The opportunity to experience this gift of life continues. When I look back on my journey it amazes me to see the things that I’ve done, shared, and triumphed over. I refuse to give credence to difficulties, as they are now a part of history not my present or future. Instead of burdening my mind with negative situations of the past I focus on my faith, strength and ability to combat and overcome everything that has challenged me. Yes, I say overcome because I have.

My life story is one that many deem unimaginable yet I have moved through and far past it. The horrors I was plagued with did not define me as a person yet, they strengthened me as a woman. Years later, as things began to show promise I found out that while I was raising my two beautiful children, I had multiple brain aneurysms that threatened my very existence. I had to make a choice to trust God and have the surgery or live in fear dragging my children through the emotional journey. I trusted God and had the surgery without an ounce of fear and only telling a handful of people. The reason being is I love who I am and how I’ve lived. Sure, I’ve made mistakes but I’ve asked God for forgiveness and given it as well. I live in Gods light, not my own, and if by chance it was my time, I had nothing to fear. I would have left a trail of love, inspiration, and memories that would not die.

This year I am going to continue to live in faith. I am going to remain fearless as God is always with me. I am going to continue to love and not worry about being loved as it comes naturally when you love from the depths of your heart. I am going to leave an imprint that will change lives. I am going to tell you I love you and mean it, as I want you to know that you are loved and not alone. I am going to advise you to embrace life and its lessons and go get it instead of waiting for life to conquer you. Live this year and begin in faith and clean your slate by asking God for forgiveness and forgiving those that hurt you. Dare to be your best and give your best to all!

Happy New Year!

Marala Scott

maralascottsblog God, Happiness, inspirational stories, relationships, Self-Love

This Is The Season For …

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Letting go of negative emotions and reshaping your life instead of allowing the pain from the past or current burdens to overshadow opportunities to lift your spirit. The holiday season tends to be one of the most difficult times. It is a time when we gather together in celebration of the birth of Christ, but many are reminded of the loves ones they’ve lost, being alone, or financial difficulties.

Take a moment to look forward instead of back and develop a plan that will help you progress out of the negative state you are in. Understand that this life is a gift. Yes, we will have things that happen but they are not meant to destroy us. We will have times we may find ourselves alone but that time is meant for reflection to plan and progress without making the same mistakes. Financial difficulties may challenge and shake our core and threaten our family but not our very existence. Thinking outside of our comfort zone can help us to rebound and end up better than we were because we were made stronger because of the very experiences that appeared to weaken us. Look behind you as a reminder of the things you’ve made it through. Let this be the season to display strength and courage as Christ did for us. Be fearless in knowing He is with us and ahead of us in our endeavors. God knows the outcome that we do not. Follow Him in faith.

maralascottsblog God, Happiness, Helping Others, inspirational stories, Self-Love

Understanding the Inevitable Act of Letting Go

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I was doing some Christmas shopping with my beautiful daughter this evening when a young woman behind me in line took a moment to tell me how much she loved the unique design of my cream designer handbag. Her brown eyes lit up as she admired the details. I smiled and said, “Thank you,” as I lifted the strap over my shoulder and began to empty the contents of my new bag. “Since you like it …  you can have it,” I told her. She took a deep breath and stared at me in disbelief before exhaling heavily. Nevertheless, I continued to pass along the contents of my purse to my daughter, and then handed the woman the bag.

“No, you can’t do that, can you? You’re really doing this aren’t you? Where are you going to put your things?” she continued.

“In my pockets,” I replied.

“Why would you do this?” she asked.

“Because you like it. Merry Christmas,” I said with a light wave as I walked away without looking back.

It’s quite easy to find things you love and become attached to them, but sometimes the attachment isn’t always good. When we leave this earth there is nothing in it that we will take with us. Part of the beauty in life is sharing what you do have while you’re here by learning to let go of the things we love most. It doesn’t mean you go around giving away everything, but try it. Take something you love and see if you are able to walk away from it without a second thought or a single regret. When you can you’ve learned something valuable.

Everything in this life is really on loan from God. When we leave, it will stay here. People we love are the biggest test of this while being able to part from material things are a test of our spirit and prepare us for being able to understand the inevitable of letting go. Material things don’t define us and people don’t belong to us. Learn to let go while you can as it makes it less difficult when you don’t think you can. We are forced to let go of things in many unforeseen ways, such as natural disasters. But I’ve seen many do it with grace and begin to rebuild from scratch when it is one of the most difficult things they’ve had to do. Random acts of kindness remind us to let go freely. Don’t wait until you are forced to do so in order to learn this.

maralascottsblog Forgiveness, God, Happiness, inspirational stories, relationships

Overcoming Opposition

There’s always that point when your life begins to show promise and progress. Happiness begins to fall upon you, love opens a door allowing light to enter, and success in your career or relationships with friends strengthen. Without warning, something comes along to jeopardize what you’ve diligently worked to build.  At times when you already have enough to deal with, it seems situations that cause stress have the tendency to surround you even more. As relentless negativity keeps piling on your weary and fraught shoulders it has the ability to make you feel broken, if not break you. It happens and it will continue to happen if you decide to keep playing that game.

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When you’re making a diligent and consistent effort to change your life with positive strokes of progression know the opposition will be waiting for you the same way it’s there in any game. Opposition is meant to keep you from winning, so it does its best. Keep in mind, when the opposition fights you harder and gets stronger it’s because you’ve become a real opponent. If you don’t want to miss what God is trying to show and do for you, then stop listening to and giving your opponent your attention. Stay grounded with faith. Don’t waste time playing a game that you may lose, when you can win if you stay on the path you were destined to travel.

maralascottsblog God, Happiness, inspirational stories, relationships, Self-Love

Learning To Use Faith

There are many different ways to use the word faith but the meaning is still the same and ends in one having belief, complete trust, and sincerity in his or her intentions. Faith is a firm belief in something for which there is no proof but you remain unyielding. When it comes to doing something you believe in at times you may turn to the person closest to you for support and if they don’t believe that you can accomplish what you are attempting to do, you may not find their faith in you present. Although this can be disappointing you can alleviate that by having faith in yourself as well as in God. If you leave it to someone else to encourage you and they pull that away you do not want to find yourself standing alone void of what’s necessary to continue on what may be a lonely road. Step out on it. Yes, faith. The results will be astounding. Don’t turn back or give up, as at times you may have to walk more than half way to see your goals in sight. How can you expect others to have faith in you if you don’t have faith in yourself? When you have faith you are affirming that God is with you on your journey.

maralascottsblog children, Forgiveness, God, Happiness, Helping Others, inspirational stories, relationships, Self-Love

Your Life In Review Before It’s Too Late

When it’s all said and done and your life is over here on this earth, how will people remember you? Will they speak of you as a giver or taker? Were you a lover or did you seek out fights because you were angry? Were you someone who was fair or biased about everything that benefited you? Did you care about others or could you care less? What I want you to ask yourself is, are you on track to leave this world with a memory that you would be proud of? If you have children, will they be proud of you and have loving thoughts that no one can remove? Is your powerful imprint resting on the hearts of many or are many waiting to erase what you have left because it’s too painful? Before the time comes for you to depart from this gift of life, repair, change, and forgive, if even yourself. Take this moment right now to determine that you will live and give to the best of your capability. Make the choice to leave an impression that reflects the person you want to be and are. It’s not too late to begin again.

maralascottsblog God, Happiness, inspirational stories, relationships, Self-Love

Family Is …

Many times people keep ties or close relationships with family members that are emotionally unhealthy because they feel they don’t have anyone else or they are supposed to simply because it’s family. Although it’s often said that, “blood is thicker than water,” to the contrary, water is more pure and so are many relationships that are not of your blood.

It’s one thing to love your family in a healthy manner but to have love out of obligation that is only masked behind hate, anger, and resentment is detrimental. Whether it’s you carrying resentment or other family members throwing a series of jabs, if you can’t work it out you’re really doing yourself and them a disservice.

Fighting to keep your relationship intact just to continuously fight brings damaging emotional results, as well as, much wasted time. Make conscious efforts to work towards resolutions and compromise to alleviate stress. If there is something standing in the way of a better relationship with your family that you or they don’t feel can be resolved, then step out of the fight. You may never agree, which means the battle will be ongoing.

Putting your energy into healthy relationships can often bring you more peace, love, and support. God puts good people in your life so appreciate them as you would family because family isn’t always of the same blood. People that love you, show respect, help you thrive, encourage faith, and believe in you are those you hold onto and do the same for.  Don’t stay in a relationship to cause hurt or take it. Sometimes space brings time to reflect and ultimately appreciation.

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Navigating Around Your Opponents

There’s always that point when your life begins to show promise and progress. Happiness begins to fall upon you, love opens a door, and success in your career or relationships with friends strengthen. Without warning, something comes along to jeopardize what you’ve diligently worked to build.  At times you already have enough to deal with, situations that cause stress, have the tendency to surround you even more. As relentless negativity keeps piling on your weary, fraught shoulders, it has the ability to make you feel broken, if not break you. It happens, and it will continue to happen if you decide to keep playing that game. When you’re making a consistent effort to change your life with positive strokes of progression, know the opposition will be waiting for you the same way it’s there … in any game. Opposition is meant to keep you from winning, so it does its best. Keep in mind, when the opposition fights you harder and gets stronger it’s because you’ve become a real opponent. If you don’t want to miss what God is trying to show and do for you, then stop listening to and giving your opponent your attention. Stay grounded with faith. Don’t waste time playing a game that you may lose, but you will win if you stay on the path you were destined to travel.

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Your Journey in Life

I know where I’ve been and after some time to reflect, I understand the significant labors of my journey. I remember the days that were most challenging for me because they brought the greatest degree of pain. They were the lessons that were the hardest yet, they were my lessons in life. I’m certain I have more to learn and accept the gift of this challenge. As I have, I pray that throughout your journey, you will learn if you choose:

  • To overcome fear;
  • Fight with passion;
  • Not to return fighting with hatred;
  • To invest in yourself to break cycles of destruction that will impede, if not end your life and devastate others that love you;
  • Feel emotions that enrage you to know end but you will let them go so they don’t destroy you;
  • You will not remain a victim regardless of how much pain you’ve endured because;
  • You will put your faith in God and leave the consequences of dealing with others to him;
  • You will lose people you love with every breath you take, but never the powerful memories of them;
  • You will meet others that will bring you solace in your greatest times of need and welcome their strength until yours returns;
  • You will forgive and free yourself from becoming emotionally hostage to circumstances;
  • You will laugh from your soul again;
  • You will dance from your heart with joy;
  • You will continue on with this journey carrying strength, faith, and passion;
  • If he or she hurt you to your core, it doesn’t matter because you will love again and be loved the way you deserve for the rest of your life;
  • Because God will love you forever.

Finish the journey with passion, fight, strength, love and respect for being here to take it.

maralascottsblog children, Forgiveness, Happiness, Helping Others, inspirational stories

Criticizing Others From The Sidelines

You’re sitting in the stands watching a professional football game and your wide-open receiver misses a touchdown because the ball slipped right through his hands. The first thing you do is groan in frustration and say, “He should’ve caught that!”Perhaps you’re right and it was an easy touchdown from your viewpoint, but you never know if you would’ve caught it unless you were in his shoes at that very moment. The problem with the call is after you have the outcome, of course it’s easy to say what should have, and could have been done, in addition to, what you would have done. However, make a note to accept that until it’s you taking that play, you don’t know what would’ve happened.

Now, translate that into daily situations at work, home, school, and anywhere else then remember not to be such a harsh judge. Think back to situations you were in when others expected you to have an outcome that you didn’t reach and remember how you felt. Pass along that consideration from your own experience to your children, friends, family or colleagues. Keep in mind that your negative words can impact the emotional state of someone in a negative way. Being supportive goes a longer way than you may realize at that time. It takes a few seconds and even fewer words to shatter someone’s confidence or hurt their feelings. Comments about failure can break people who you may never expect and hurt those you think are strong enough to handle it. Pass along kindness as your weapon instead of emotional words said in anger.

maralascottsblog God, Happiness, inspirational stories, relationships, Self-Love

The Ties That Bind Can Tear Us Apart

The ties that bind are sometimes the very ties that tear us apart, yet we stay within the proximity to allow the pain to continue on the path causing destruction. Because someone is family doesn’t mean that you should allow them to continuously plant deep seeds of negativity that will grow deeper roots of anger and discouragement inside of you. Although family is supposed to be our lifeline of encouragement, trust, protection, and love it doesn’t always turn out that way. It doesn’t mean you are bound to accept their ways as the way it is supposed to be either. You are not meant to remain a victim and let it wear you down until you can’t function to the capacity you are destined. There is much more to life than waking up each day to fight against those you love. Sometimes, a breath of fresh air and a move towards independence is liberating. Although it may seem difficult to do, it is self-destructive to continue taking. Progressing away from family, if done with positive intentions to better yourself and life as a whole, can be healing for all. It will allow you time to grow, reflect, and understand. You may never know where someone’s pain comes from but you will come to realize that his or her pain is not meant to be yours. This life is a journey and the journey is your individual imprint. Use your powerful prayers to bring God’s favor in order to help them heal.

Hard Work + Faith = Success

maralascottsblog Happiness, inspirational stories, relationships, Self-Love

Self-improvement Comes Through Self-Awareness

Self-improvement comes through self-awareness. Self-destruction comes when you’re unwilling to face reality. –Marala Scott

  The hardest thing about a friendship is that we want to be able to trust our friend with everything we share. Along with trust, we automatically have the tendency to expect friends to agree with our viewpoint whether it’s right or wrong. With a passive, and tearful voice, or angry insistence we seek support for our negative actions when deep inside, the real truth lies unrevealed. We know leaving out the whole truth will undoubtedly make their opinion biased and the problem with that is what we want isn’t friendship. Bullying, forcing, or tricking someone into agreeing with everything we feel or think like a continual support system, isn’t healthy.  In actuality, what is it you want them to support, the truth or you? Having people around to fill your need of being right is like having people on payroll with no input in how the company runs. Take a note from some of the most successful companies and welcome constructive input. If you want to hear what you need to, instead of what you want, select strong, positive, independent thinkers, as friends. We all need to hear things no one else is willing or cares to tell us. Self-improvement comes through self-awareness. Self-destruction comes when you’re unwilling to face reality. The truth may hurt but accepting a positive solution strengthens.