How to Be Happy Again: Like My Life.com inspirational stories: QUOTES

Well, that's a little deceiving...

Likemylife.com is just me and the kids. The stories, though, are about all those people we've met on our Journey.

The Journey

from where you are to where you want to be

Stories to inspire and warm your heart

Meet the folks at likemylife.com

All About Judy Mae

Once upon a time, I knew a girl whose laugh could make you melt. Her smile started at her toes and beamed out through her eyes. Ask people what they remembered most about her and they agreed, her smile.

I wanted to be that girl again.

I needed to be that girl again, but I couldn’t find her.

Somewhere in the dark I let go of her hand and lost her. . . . .

I tried working hard, thinking I’d find her there since she had been no stranger to hard work. Work didn’t help. I caught a glimpse of her as she volunteered for this cause or that cause, but it was only a reflection of her old self—that person who was no more.

The children. She was always the attentive parent, so I thought, surely, I could find her there, inside those children’s lives, but the only woman living there didn’t smile much; she was too tired.

It took a year of doing nothing to find her, but this is what I learned when I did . . . . It was never dark outside. I just had my eyes shut.

Once I opened my eyes, I found myself, just where I had left me.

I’m not certain of many things anymore, but I do know this; I like me better when I laugh and I think you like yourself better that way, too. So together, we're going to take the journey . . . from where you are right now to where you want to be.

I found myself

just where I had left me

on vacation in Florida

Learn more about the three of us

in the box to the right . . .

Learn more about how I began this Journey in the story below . . .

When I've told friends the name of this website is Like My Life, I've often gotten a grin and "Do you?" back in response from them.

Some days, I do like my life. Some days I like it a lot. Other days, like you, aren't nearly as fun. It was on those rough days, I often looked for comfort from an inspirational book or the company of a good friend. And, it was on those days, I often found escape from sadness through writing.

Somehow, all the struggles and disappointments and joys and triumphs found release in the written word. . . and, I soon found out that what started as therapy for me was also comfort for my friends and neighbors.

Early adventures in life found me writing material for the 4-H program. Later, I penned family stories for a cattle publication I co-owned with my husband . . . .until divorce ended that partnership.

Numb with fear (how could I have been so strong, yet so quickly afraid?) I approached the hometown newspaper editor for a job which I was thankful for every day. . . . not only for the money (which I desperately needed) but for the opportunity to write.

There was no way to keep my emotions and struggles out of my column, but I learned I was not alone. . . the world was full of people looking for hope and meaning and joy. It still is.

In time, I left the paper to begin a weekly inspirational newsletter called Tributes. The stories were honest and sincere, and the publication found favor with the tiny communities of the area.

And now, Tributes has evolved into a website . . . this website . . . because I believe that pain and sadness are not just found in this town.

People everywhere need hope. They need to believe they matter. They need to know someone understands and shares their pain and that they are not alone in it.

And, finally, they need to know that it will be all right . . . you will be all right.

I promise.

Judy Mae

You may want to start your Journey by reading the new articles listed just this week. Click here to go to that page.

Jenny is a college sophomore studying speech pathology. She is a talented singer and performs for many occasions during the year. She was very active in 4-H, sports, theater and fitness.

Jenny has taught me about courage. No matter how difficult the challenge, somewhere inside her, the mightiest of strength emerges. She often reminds me that nothing is a crisis unless I make it one.

Wil is a high school sophomore. He runs track and cross country. He shows Angus cattle. He enjoys youth group. He is active in 4-H, especially in the art, photography and computer projects.

Wil has taught me most about kindness. In my sadest moments, I would often feel his tiny hand patting my head or rubbing my shoulder right before a butterfly kiss landed upon my cheek.