“Embrace The Small Victories In Life”

The plane crash was a huge deal for everyone involved—the people on board, their families, friends, and all the soldiers and their families who were affected. Somehow, a big American Airlines plane ended up crashing into a Blackhawk helicopter. How does that even happen? Just 3 miles from the White House, where they train all the time. These pilots are pros; they fly all the time and were in touch with both the helicopter and the plane. But then, out of nowhere, they crash? A plane and a helicopter are totally different. I’ve been on both, and they don’t just crash into each other like that. I’m not into conspiracies, but something weird is definitely up, and it feels like it’s being covered up, like a lot of stuff the government does. You might be thinking, "Here we go again," or maybe you have a different take, and that’s cool. We all see things differently, and that’s fine. If you’ve ever been on a plane or a helicopter, you know they shouldn’t just collide. I’m not trying to push politics or religion on you; we all have our own views. We’re mature enough to think for ourselves. And all this happens in just a week of Trump being in office—not that I’m all for Biden, but things are crazy, like immigration issues and this crash. But I do think some good changes are happening, like toughening up the military. There are still great soldiers out there, good leaders. Soldiers are the heart of the army, and when they lead right, things go well. I know some awesome officers who’ve shaped me, sometimes in ways that don’t fit in the real world, which feels a bit too soft now. Back to this crash, can anyone explain it better than the media does? We know the media spins stories, and the government only tells part of the truth, so we’re left in the dark. Something doesn’t add up. It’s heartbreaking to think of all those who lost someone, and I can’t imagine what they’re going through. I’m just grateful my kids are safe at home. I really hope the truth comes out and the families get the closure they need.

Let's chat about this immigration thing we’ve got going on. I know I’m gonna get some flak for this. People will either be open to reading it or just ignore it, and I might lose some blog readers. Sorry, but actually, I’m not sorry for sharing my views. I’m just fed up with folks coming into our country the wrong way and causing harm. Just do it the right way! I’ve traveled a lot, and going through immigration isn’t that tough. Honestly, it’s not. But it’s not like everyone’s bad. It’s not just Hispanics, Haitians, Africans, Russians, Chinese, Koreans, Canadians, or anyone else trying to sneak in. We shouldn’t have such open borders and a lax process for immigration. It needs to be better managed. Sure, families get split up, but if they came the right way, they wouldn’t be separated. They’d be here living the “American dream,” working, taking care of their families. But instead, some choose the illegal route, bringing in drugs, causing violence, abductions, trafficking—it's endless. It’s sad. Getting a visa isn’t that hard. Sure, it can take time, but if it were easy, everyone would do it. That’s the point. America’s too easygoing, and everyone takes advantage. There's no accountability for those overstaying or sneaking in. I’ve heard people talk about families being torn apart, kids growing up without parents. Yeah, it’s sad. But if you think about it, when Americans commit crimes and go to prison, their families get torn apart too. No one makes a fuss about those kids. Why is it different when it’s someone who’s come here and committed serious crimes? Fentanyl isn’t from America, but it’s here and killing people. Closing borders won’t stop all drugs, but it’ll help. I’m aware some Americans try to bring drugs back themselves, but when you’ve got cartels and gangs, it’s terrifying. Do you want that around your family? I know I don’t. I’m cool with any race or ethnicity living here, just do it the right way. If not, face the consequences. I’d love to be rich, but you can’t rob banks without consequences. Same thing here. Then you have celebrities like Selena Gomez posting about it when it suits them. Where are they when real help is needed? It’s just for attention. I’m sorry for rambling, y’all. I’ve thought about this a lot while living overseas. Over there, you’re tracked. If your visa expires, you have 30 days to leave or face fines and jail. You can’t just enjoy another country’s benefits without a visa. You need a job, sponsorship, and updated paperwork. You can’t just waltz in and take what you want. Shame on those who do. I remember being in El Paso and seeing people crossing the border without anyone stopping them. It brings crime and danger to our families. I get that other countries have issues, but why not come here the right way? What do y’all think? When I went to Thailand, the immigration line was long, and you needed a visa. Why can’t it be like that here? More controlled with a system to account for people. Not tracked, but know their intentions. But that means Americans need to do their jobs. I’ve noticed how lazy and entitled we can be. I’m guilty too. I took for granted things like cereal, tap water, and FaceTime. You can’t do that in other countries. They control things, but we’ve lost control here because everyone thinks they have rights. Do we really have all this freedom, or just the chance for it? Even animals and food are regulated differently elsewhere. I had to throw away stuff at immigration because of banned chemicals. America doesn’t care unless it’s convenient. Now there’s talk of an immigration ban again. I feel like I hear this all the time. Maybe they just need to enforce a plan. Proper preparation prevents poor performance.

Alright, enough with the gloom. Like I mentioned, it's all about soaking up life's little moments and celebrating the wins each day. Don't aim too high or too far because if things don't pan out, you're just setting yourself up for disappointment. I know I'm bouncing around here, from plane crashes to immigration to appreciating the small stuff, but it all connects. That plane crash—those families thought they were going home. Those soldiers' spouses expected them back that night. All the skaters, coaches, and crew on that plane thought they were heading home, but they didn't.

And it's heartbreaking, especially for the kids who can't grasp why their parents are being taken away. It really breaks my heart when people end up in jail or get deported, or when someone loses a loved one in a crash. While you're reading this and I'm writing it, I'm grateful it wasn't my family or yours. And if anyone affected by this is reading, I'm truly sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what you're going through, but we need to focus on the small victories each day and celebrate them. Celebrate surviving a tough day at work. Celebrate your kid hitting a ball for the first time in T-ball or getting their driver's license. Scary as it is, they're out there driving. Celebrate waking up in your own bed and taking on a new day. Good things happen every day; you just have to be open to them. Stay alert because you never know who might not have your best interests at heart. But don't live in fear. You can't keep worrying something bad will happen every time you turn around, but stay observant. Every day, something will happen, big or small, and you should celebrate it. For me, a small victory today was getting through my weekly appointment. They're tough for me, bringing up a lot of stuff I'd rather not think about, but I faced it. I rode the waves and came out on top. That was my win, one of the small victories, but it's something to look forward to every day. Each day has something to be thankful for. Life can beat you down but also builds you back up if you're willing to work for it. I work hard every day, not just at my job but in everything—kids, business, relationships, all of it. I give it my all because that's how you win. So, enjoy the small things. Treat each day as a fresh start and a chance to achieve something new.

Thanks for letting me go on and on. Hope you have an awesome day tomorrow and a fantastic weekend. Catch you next Thursday! If there's anything you'd like me to chat about, dive into, or research, just drop a comment. You can message me through the website or shoot me an email; all the links are on the homepage. Feel free to subscribe so you’re in the loop whenever there’s an alert or new post. The app I made is up for grabs on the App Store or Google Play, so download it and join the fun. I’d really love your input and views. Like I mentioned before, we’re all grown-ups here; different opinions are welcome, and we can share them in a chill, respectful way. If we all thought the same, life would be super dull and more like a dictatorship, which we definitely aren’t. Well, maybe we’re kinda heading that way, but that’s a chat for another time. Don’t hesitate to email me, message on the site, chat on the app, or comment on any posts. Got questions? Want me to explain or talk about something? Or maybe teach me something new? Share your thoughts and feelings on any topic. It doesn’t have to be related to this post or any previous ones. Anyway, hope you all have a great day and week, and remember to cherish the little moments every day. There’s always a win, always a victory. Enjoy them!

XOXO,

Heather