Posted May 13, 2018 YOU ARE BLESSED~ by Anonymous If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won't survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world. If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world. If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not. If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all. You are so blessed in ways you may never even know. Today, as I was "paying it forward" to countless people and my family which ended up being a beautiful and reflective day...one pivotal moment was when my grandmother handed me this poem and I read it. This stood out to me. I have been reading for days countless posts of negative things about FOSTA/SESTA, about the changes, no reviews, lack of websites, having to screen, working harder, lack of money, stand-ups, etc. I was unwittingly joining in the cesspool, and with one poem I got clarity. It is all about perspective. Why are we griping when we still have access to a luxury that women make decent money at(we still make more than someone making minimum wage), and men get to live their fantasy at a fee that hasn't really changed? This is a 1st world problem that we are creating! We still go out to restaurants and eat food that other countries don't even know exist nor will ever experience, we live in spacious homes that allow us to buy friviolties that a majority of countries will never see nor enjoy, and we have money in a bank that some countries do trading to survive. We don't have to worry about our next meal, if we have a home, how to protect it from our enemies, diseases that kill that we have basically eradicated, and so much more. Yet, we think we need more. We live off our credit cards, go to the mall for the next fashion piece, have an ice cream when we want, watch movies and splurge big money to hoard on popcorn and booze, dance all night at clubs, drop $100's on concert for our favorite band, and buy a car that is worth the same as a house should cost. We are not appreciative of what we work for because we don't know what it is really like to suffer. Now don't get me wrong, some of us ladies have been in dire situations and have turned it around and kudos to those ladies that have turned their lives into something more, but let's not forget that we were there once and where we have come because of this. Some guys may have had scenarios too, but honestly if you don't have the funds, you don't see us ladies. After all, that is why this is a HOBBY. The only thing that has changed is that we have to quit being lazy and actually read, advertise, listen, and work this in a manner that fits for you. Our business is, at the moment, not about the NOW but WHEN. If you are not feeling this business anymore, that is on YOU, and the only way to change that is your perspective. You don't want to work to see a lady then you get what you invest your time in. Same for the ladies, you want the work...you will have to "work it". If not ladies, then get a job. If not guys, then you need to work it with someone else in your life. This isn't going to change unless we change it, and negativity isn't going to do that. Look around you and see what you have that people only dream of achieving, possessing, earning. We are SO blessed that we have a community that looks out for each other, helps each other financially, physically, emotionally. Instead of complaining, work with what you have and be grateful that us ladies are still here and that we still do what we do. We need to be grateful that the guys are still providing us the comfort which we have become accustomed to so that we aren't homeless, starving, and without our worldly possessions. Shift your mentality to what can I do to be better as a person so that I can be of use to someone in need, and you will reap the benefits in ways you can't imagine. Clients, us ladies are still here, still advertising with our hard earned money, still emailing, screening, answering phones, still opening that door, still shopping for that favorite color of lace you requested, still on our knees, and we aren't going to back down just like we haven't for thousands of years. We are chameleons and will change with the wind wherever it leads us. Providers, keep in contact with your favorites, answer the phone, be consistent, get dressed up, screen, and know that if you build it...they will come. The clients aren't gone, they just are reflecting on their own situation too. If this means that you need to take time off, spend time with family, go on a vacation, get a job, lose a job, go through a relationship change, drink a coffee...then this is the reflection you need to change to be better and to remind yourself how truly blessed you are, that you will be okay if you believe in yourself, and work hard at achieving what you are looking for. Rise above the stigmas and hate with positive mindset so that we can show others that nothing will stop us and we will not back down against the ignorance directed towards us about a profession that the elite and few truly understand and enjoy. It is only fear, lack of understanding, and their certain set of morals that make them feel this way...remember that. xoxo, Samantha Sheppard 25 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 13, 2018 🙌🏻 🙌🏻 🙌🏻 YES. There has been far too much negativity and if this feels like a drain it might be time to take a look at making life changes. We all are so blessed. Love you beautiful and thank you for this positive and inspiring post. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 13, 2018 A positive post in a difficult time a help for all. Thank you for taking the time to bring out the good that is part of our lives you are a special lady 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 13, 2018 (edited) well posted and well said, Samantha. Words to reflect on and to live by... Edited May 13, 2018 by Winston_Smith 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 13, 2018 So well stated Samantha. You have a heart and and an understanding that goes well beyond superficial rhetoric, which is why you will succeed in this or any other endeavor. We are blessed to know you. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 13, 2018 8 hours ago, SultryKitten said: You are so blessed in ways you may never even know. Thanks, Samantha! beautiful and very useful reflection! And happy Mother's Day! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 13, 2018 Yes..Spring is here , Summers on its way..Enjoying Life and My Animal family and New Friendships 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 13, 2018 18 hours ago, SultryKitten said: YOU ARE BLESSED~ by Anonymous If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won't survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world. If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world. If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not. If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all. You are so blessed in ways you may never even know. Today, as I was "paying it forward" to countless people and my family which ended up being a beautiful and reflective day...one pivotal moment was when my grandmother handed me this poem and I read it. This stood out to me... xoxo, Samantha Sheppard Cannot put into words that are adequate. If we do not like the current situation, not only in the "hobby", but the world, work for change and but be grateful, as you stated, for what have. Thank you so much for taking time to share. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 14, 2018 Wow! Very well said Sultry Kitten. If I was techy enough I would upload the one of two hands clapping! But since I am not, you all will have to visualize it. Thank you for your great post. HUgs, BR 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 14, 2018 Can this be used in response to anyone posting a Whiney thread? Or before they join TOB they should have to read it? Love you Samantha! 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 14, 2018 6 minutes ago, Melissa Sterling said: Can this be used in response to anyone posting a Whiney thread? Or before they join TOB they should have to read it? Love you Samantha! LOL required reading, hell from what I can tell most newbies can't read at all anyways. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 14, 2018 Well said and nice to see positive words! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 14, 2018 (edited) Samantha, I hope everyone reads this. You are so correct. We are very fortunate to still have TOB here. The griping and complaining about the changes will not change things back to the way they were. We all need to move forward and embrace what we have right now and be thankful. Edited May 14, 2018 by ilovewomen 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 14, 2018 Thank you ..What a Nice Surprize To find A Poem here of such Inspiration, My Thoughts Exactly . Today Is The 1st Day Of The Rest of Our Lives..Love Love And Laugh XO 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 14, 2018 Thank you Samantha we all love you! Great words of wisdom! Tell Grandma thank you also! Happy mother’s Day! The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world my lady! 😘😍 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 14, 2018 1 hour ago, ilovewomen said: Samantha, I hope everyone reads this. You are so correct. We are very fortunate to still have TOB here. The griping and complaining about the changes will not change things back to the way they were. We all need to move forward and embrace what we have right now and be thankful. adapt and move so right on my friend!!😎 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
