Photo & text by Jen Saunders
Let me tell you about my day today.
I woke up early, turned on my laptop & made myself some breakfast.
As I sat down to my computer, I was surprised to see that I had over 100 new emails, & I don’t know how unusual that is for some people, but for me it’s way out of the ordinary!
Most of them were telling me about new subscribers to this blog, so a big ‘Hello!’ to all my new readers 🙂 You rock! The other emails were informing me of new twitter & tumblr followers, as well as facebook messages & friend requests.
It took me a second to figure out why I was so popular all of a sudden, then I remembered that my Tiny Buddha post was published today. Needless to say, I did my *happy dance* while eating my peanut butter on toast this morning!
I must say I definitely was not expecting so many people to read my post, not to mention all the re-blogs, tweets, likes, & follows! Not to mention over 1,000 blog views! Awesomeness! 😀
The best surprises of today, however, are all the super encouraging, supportive & kind comments from my readers. So many people can relate to my story, to being lost, & to feeling like a failure. And even more people can relate to finding themselves, their true path, & turning failure into success.
So, to all the people who took the time to read my post & to those who left me such amazing comments: thank you.
Thank you so much.
A lot of your words really inspired me today, & you have all made everything that has happened here in China just that much more worth it.
My passion for writing, creating & sharing my positive vibes with others has grown so much because of all your support, & I intend to make the most of it.
My whole day today has been a complete whirlwind of AWESOMENESS! It has taught me that I really can inspire & help others, that people like my writing, & that what I have to say is worth sharing with the world.
New opportunities have revealed themselves to me as a result of my Tiny Buddha post, & I can’t wait to see what amazing things are heading my way!
But for now, all this excitement has exhausted me. So Mike & I are going to order pizza & watch ‘Home Alone’ to bring in the holiday season, awesome-style 🙂
Thanks again, & Keep Smiling! 🙂
Jen ♥
My Smiling Heart 
Thank you so much for sharing your story with tinybuddha. It warmed my heart to hear how strong you are and how you reached a peaceful state throughout a time of struggle. I admire you greatly. *hugs*
Wow, thank you Ina! 🙂
Yes I was one of them who found you thru Tiny Buddha. Like so many others your story hit home for me. Two years ago I lost my job, was betrayed by my someone whom I loved deeply, lost my home & belongings in other words I lost me & my life. No I didn’t die from all this, in fact I am living as a dead woman walking. I do have good days but the ever gloom dominates my life. I am now living with my son & his wife, grandson. It is not an ideal solution but it is all I have. I am now at the “old” age stage where I am competing with young for a job. I now know what it is like to be discriminated as an old lady. Unless you have gone thru something like this, it is hard for others to understand what it is like so my support system is lacking. BUT in saying all of this…it has open my eyes to truths about myself, still hoping for a better future and have learned that material stuff and even having a partner wasn’t what made me happy. I have found out that it is ME that creates happiness for myself…others and anything else are just side benefits that can contribute to my life. I have had to UN-LEARN what I have learned, allow myself to love me with all my faults and failures and know that not everyday will be sunshine & lollipops…and that is OK!
Every morning I still hope for the best and learn to be ready to fight my demons & people that TRY to destroy my hope, my happiness and my dreams. So the battle is ever before me…but thru pain & heartache you DO grow stronger.
Thank you for blog…you have now become part of my daily intake of “GOOD FOOD” for my soul.
Hi Diane 🙂 It’s great to see that you are staying positive, you can be the rainbow after the storm! Just remember, anyone can be positive when things are going well in life, it takes real strength & wisdom to keep the positivity flowing during the hard times. And I’m so honoured to be a part of your daily intake of “GOOD FOOD” for your soul, thank you 🙂