Drowning on Dry Land

"But once you throw a stone, there are ripples in the pond, even if you remove the rock."

-Jodi Picoult

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

-Mother Teresa

"Judgments prevent us from seeing the good that is beyond appearances."

-Wayne Dyer

"It is just as cowardly to judge an absent person as it is wicked to strike a defenseless one. Only the ignorant and narrow minded gossip, for they speak of persons instead of things."
-Lawrence Glovasik

"Doubt yourself and you doubt everything you see. Judge yourself and you see judges everywhere. But if you listen to the sound of your own voice, you can rise above doubt and judgment. And you can see forever."

-Nancy Lopez

"Are we looking through a window which needs cleaning? Are we making judgments when we don't have all the facts? Said the Savior, 'Judge not'. He continued, 'Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?' None of us is perfect. I know of no one who would profess to be so. And yet for some reason, despite our own imperfections, we have a tendency to point out those of others. We make judgments concerning their actions or inactions. There is really no way we can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstances of someone who might say or do something we find reason to criticize. The Savior has admonished: 'This is my commandment, That ye love one another as I have loved you.' Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing his or her best to deal with the challenges which come their way, and may we strive to do our best to help out."

-President Thomas S. Monson

"You will never reach higher ground if you are always pushing others down."

-Jeffrey Benjamin

"Stop bullying. No one deserves to feel worthless."

“They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions… but before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”

-Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird

"Be who you are no matter what and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. You are the most beautiful thing in the world."

-Alex Gaskarth

"Depression is such a cruel punishment. There are no fevers, no rashes, no blood test to send people scurrying in concern. Just the slow erosion of the self, as insidious as any cancer. And, like cancer, it is essentially a solitary experience. A room in hell with only your name on the door."

"You don't always have to pretend to be strong. There's no need to prove all the time that everything is going well. You shouldn't be concerned about what other people are thinking. Cry if you need to. It's good to cry out all your tears... because only then will you be able to smile again."

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."

-To Kill A Mockingbird

People always say "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." 

That's the furthest thing from the truth.

Bones and physical injuries can heal and go away. Words can stay with you and haunt you forever.

Bullying, people who judge you and criticize you, and mean ones (people who are rude) can make you feel like you are drowning on dry land.

We live in a world that is all about judging others on every issue and it's sad. It's not right. I wish everyone would be nice and love one another--that's my dreamer side. It's awful to see someone being bullied or verbally abused. I have experienced it myself. Words hurt. 

You have to rise above. People are going to hate you, love you, love to hate you, and hate to love you. But the ones that mean the most will always be there. You are never alone.

Prayer is powerful. Faith can move mountains. To anyone has ever told you that you're not good, they're no better. It's tough to be put down and not let judgmental people bring you down, but I promise you can rise above and stay there. Be happy and life your life to the fullest doing, saying and being the true you. It's your life. Don't let a miserable, pathetic person who is judging you because they have no life of their own, ruin yours. Those who mind don't matter. Those who matter don't mind. Your family and friends will always love you and that's all that matters. Only Heavenly Father and our Savior will judge us. They are the only judges that count. So forget about the mean ones and their mean words. Spread positivity, be happy, and keep your head up high. You can't make someone like you, but you can be a person that is likable. 

State of the Nation

Dearest Nation

I absolutely love all of you--each and everyone of you who reads my blog--even if I don't know you.

If you ever need advice or have questions or need help or someone to talk to I am always here for you! I have a Facebook banner on the side of the Inspiration Nation and you can add me on there and talk to me, or you can leave me comments on my posts!

I would love more feedback from YOU. I want to know what you think about my posts. You are part of this nation. This is for me and you. I want to inspire you and be inspired by you. Tell me your stories! 

I have readers all over the world. I want to hear from you! 

The world can be tough. Life isn't supposed to be easy. Sometimes we fall down, you just have to get back up and endure to the end. It will all be worth it even if you don't understand your trials now. This Nation is to give you inspiration when you need it most, and feel free to share what I post with others. We all need some inspirational/emotional CPR sometimes when hope is lost or life seems impossibly hard. That is my purpose of this Nation, our Nation, The Inspiration Nation.

I am not posting anything but this today. 

Tomorrow I have to go get some imaging done to find out if I have another tumor. (That's a whole other story, I will tell in time). I'm praying for the best. I just want to figure out what's wrong so I can feel better again and live life to the absolute fullest each and every single day. So I have hope that tomorrow will give me some answers and relief. 

I love you all,

With love,

Charley Brooke.

Like the Kardashians

When I say "Like the Kardashians" I am referring to my family.
Okay... so not really like their family, a lot different actually, but with enough drama, craziness, rumors about us that spread around like feathers in the wind in this town (because most people in this town have nothing better to do than gossip), fighting, always changing/something new and shocking happening, and everything else that makes for a hit reality TV show. I should call up E! because my family would be reality TV gold. 
I am not exaggerating in the slightest. Seriously! 
We've moved at least 18 times... in the same city. 
My dad has been married 4 times. He married his fourth wife this year, and I am not sure that is going to last very long due to his own issues.
My mom got married last year and then divorced this year (after 3 months) and is now remarrying the same guy. 
This is just scratching the surface of the calamity.
I will have a total of 8 step siblings as of next week. And three real siblings. 
My family is beyond dysfunctional. We put the fun in dysfunctional. Seriously. Haha but it's in a good way. No one's family is perfect. A lot of people try to act like their families are perfect but everyone has problems. We don't try to hide them. We should have a reality show like the Kardashians with all the drama, craziness, never ending chaos, and unexpected twists and turns. Except it would be Idaho version which is not so glamorous, but my family is entertaining enough and there's never a dull moment. Things may not always be good but it's never boring. I love my family oh-so-much though. I wouldn't trade them for any other family (most days...kidding!) But honestly it can get stressful and hearing the crazy rumors people spread doesn't help. Although I must admit some of them make me laugh because of how out there and untrue they are (I don't know how the truth gets so twisted until it's an outright lie, but it can) and some are even crazier than the reality of the situation (which seems impossible). 
My life is like the weather in Pocatello, as in it's constantly changing out of nowhere from sunny, to a storm, to snow, without a days, minutes, and sometimes, seconds notice, and I'm just left awestruck because it's all upside down and everything I knew is no longer, and I'm struggling to figure out how to adapt to the changes although most of the time I don't like them at all and would do just about anything to go back to when things were wonderful and right, or to jump to this amazing future ahead of me. 
I am in no way trying to complain whatsoever. I am just being honest and maybe some people will think I am sharing too much, but you have no idea how much more there is. What I have discussed is nothing compared to what else I could say. I have kept a journal since ninth grade and continue to do so today. I want to publish them someday. I think people shouldn't judge because you have no idea what is going on, why people are the way they are or why they make certain decisions. Although my parents and some family members have made decisions I absolutely hate, I love them unconditionally and always will. 
I believe all the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. It's one of my favorite quotes of all time. In life, you have to learn when it's time to let go and when you have to hold on for dear life and never let go. Despite the chaos and unstableness of my life, it's made me a stronger person. I've learned from it. I may have no control over anything that happens around me, I have control of me and how I react to situations. I can be stable and try and keep it together when things are going wrong. Because I have faith and hope that everything will work out in the end. In the darkest times, there is light to be found. 
I have been through more than most people in the twenty one years I've been alive. I became an adult at the age of 12 when my parents divorced. 
I will never lose hope. I have a Heavenly Father that is always available 24/7 I can pray and get strength and help. You are never ever alone. God is there and loves you. Without Him, I couldn't make it. I am blessed to have a family that is healthy and safe. I am blessed because they love me beyond comprehension (and vice versa). I know that Heavenly Father will never put you through anything you can't handle, but sometimes He will take you to the limit but never to the breaking point. 
Stay positive and realize that life is beautiful, even when it doesn't feel like that. 

 Charley

21.

This is me. I am the oldest in the family. I am the peacemaker/perfectionist. I try to act proper and am well behaved for the most part. If you read my blog, you know me! I like to inspire people and accomplish my goals and make the best of life. But I am far from perfect!

McHale

19.

She is gorgeous! She is such a sweetheart but you don't want to get on her bad side because you will most likely never get off it. She loves the outdoors and having fun. She likes to pull crazy pranks on people.

 Jordan

16.

She is the troublemaker... she does things like steal my mom's car with her friend in the middle of the night (she doesn't have a drivers licence by the way) to go visit boys, for example. She is a dancer on her high school dance team. She's pretty and knows it.

 Christian

14.

I feel sorry for him haha being the only boy with three sisters. We spoil him, but also drive him crazy. He is a Ladies Man. All the girls love him. He is so personable. He gets along with everyone and loves to talk. He plays baseball. He has a temper and fights with all of us. He can also be super helpful. He is my twin seven years apart because we were born on the same day.

Angie (mom) (and me)

42.

My mom is incredible. She's absolutely beautiful inside and out. She is an RN and loves helping others. She is the hardest worker I know. She worked three jobs and went to school full time after the divorce to take care of us. She has had a horrific, hard life, but has remained optimistic and hopeful. She doesn't let anything or anyone bring her down. I admire her even though sometimes she acts like a teenager haha!

These are family pictures that were taken in November 2009.

Now or Never