L I V E ~ O N

So if anyone knows a little bit about me, I grew up just with my mom. My parents divorced when I was three years old and my dad got remarried and had three kids. Now, my brothers were never really in my life until about a couple months ago... why? God only knows. I was just a kid... of course growing up I   favored my mom because she did stick it out and raise me this entire time. But it wasn’t fair to me. I wasn’t really allowed to be a part of my brothers lives. Now the big question is why? I could go on and blame my dad and his wife but the real answer is that I couldn’t tell ya. Time went by, I got older. The oldest brother actually reached out to me. It was like he knew it wasn’t my fault, because it really wasn’t... I wanted to be there... I prayed about it every night. All I ever wanted was to be around and have that brother/sister relationship, be that good role model, be there for THEM. Like I said a couple months ago things changed. My dad reached out, he apologized, he s...

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Photo captured 12/21/2008 December 23rd, 2008. You were shoveling snow, The white slushy snow.  You expressed once, "my back hurts"  Smoking your last cigarette of the night, In the cold, dark garage.  You expressed twice, "my back hurts"  Finally saying, "goodnight" and went up to bed. December 23rd, 2008. The day I found you lying on your back, gasping for air. The day I was told you wouldn't be coming home.  December 23rd, 2008.  The day I lost one of my favorite humans.  You were funny, you were kind, and you always knew what to say.  Your laugh.  The laugh that put a smile on everyone's face.  All the music,  All the cleaning,  All the Sunday morning breakfasts,  Everything.  I wish I could call you, ask you for advice, just hear your voice one last time.  December 23rd, 2008. The last time we said "goodnight". -- Thank you for 10 years of parenting. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for your hard work, ...

                                          Alright so I’m here... finally made it here. At this point in my life where I’m living the city girl dream, where I’m a full-time working adult, and where I’m partnered with one of my good ole college pals and writing this introductory blog post... WHY? Throwback for a second, when I was in high school I wanted to be a motivational speaker. Yes, me wanting to go out there and inspire the world... BUT at that time in my life I felt like I didn’t experience anything THAT serious to be a motivational speaker. Then I graduated high school and the tables turned.  Now, before I go in and tell you how and why the tables turned, just know no matter what I’ve been through, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way because I wouldn’t have ended up living the life I’m living today. Now, my story isn’t insanely drastic, but it’s a STORY let me tell yo...

Health care workers are so very important! Especially during this time right now with everything going on.  AM I RIGHT?! They save lives each and every day. These professionals go to school for years and years to help others, and I thank them for that. Like I said, they are very important... but so are you. There are instances when medical attention is needed. Though that is true, we all know this, some people just need a pal. Someone to listen to them, someone to tell them that they are worth it, because you are ALL worth it.  I am going to tell you all a story. A story I believe will inspire you to speak up. A story that I think is important to share. The things that seem so minute to you may be an angel in disguise for someone else.  The other day, I am just tapping through Snapchat and came across a story that popped out to me for some reason. I usually skip Snap stories with a longer text if I don't know that person. Keep that in mind, I didn't know who this girl was...

The Jess & Lyss friendship goes WAY back to our college degenerate days. We both joined the same sorority our sophomore year of college, had the same major, and of course jammed out to the same music. We became closer, made the wildest of memories, and eventually had Jess & Lyss therapy sessions together. We live very similar lifestyles but at the same time, we have VERY different experiences that have shaped us into who we are today. These experiences have brought us closer together to form a friendship neither of us would replace. This blog was originally a one man show. By adding another blogger, we aspire to reach a larger audience as our ultimate goal is to motivate others. Live On is now reconstructed to share our stories, our DIFFERENT stories, that we hope one day someone can benefit from. To let someone know that they are not alone. To encourage others to keep on going. To maybe even save a life. This world is full of obstacles... challenges... but hey, we're in it...

It's that time of year when you just can't shake the funk. It's that time of year when it gets dark earlier, the temperature drops dramatically, and motivation gets lost. Above all, it's that time of year when you miss your loved ones the most. If this is you, good news... we have something in common and this may be the sign you have been looking for all along.  - When it gets dark at 4:00pm, I don't know about you but I feel like I am done for the day. For some reason, once it gets dark and colder outside, I want to just drop everything and crawl into bed and run away from all and every responsibility. That sucks for me because time doesn't stop once it gets dark. Although I am no expert, I am pretty positive these feelings are normal. The ideas I have considered doing to help this (have not yet gotten to all of them, but would like to know if they help anyone else) are the following:      - Purchase a light therapy lamp      - Find a new hobby...

For everyone who does not know me, My name is Jessica. I have recently graduated for Northern Illinois with a BA in Communication Studies. I was born and raised in Chicago Illinois suburbs and now live in the City of Chicago. A fun fact about myself is that I was adopted into a very loving family at five days old! Some of my siblings are much older than I am but I do have a younger brother as well. I work as a technology consultant as of right now in River North.  The reason I decided to create a blog is simple, I need a hobby. I have always enjoyed writing and I hope that one day I will have the time to write a book. I was originally an English minor in college. I did not pursue the minor because of lack of support I received from the professors. However, that did not change the fact that I like to write. My goal here is to help someone. Whether that be helping someone look at a situation in a different light or maybe even help someone get through a hard time where they feel alone...

This is for those who cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am right there with you. You feel like there is no point, right? Or there is nothing to look forward to, nothing to add value to, or maybe you feel like you don't want to turn to a loved when you feel lost in your own mind. I am there too. You can call me Jess, and I am here to tell you the cliché, you are not alone.  You have probably been told a million times this year, "This year sucks for everyone" and you think to yourself "Sure, but I am going through it." Those words have been replaying in my head for months now. Yes, I have a job. Yes, I am paying my bills on time. The question is, am I enjoying living paycheck to paycheck and nothing to look forward to because I can't afford anything. The answer is absolutely NOT. Guess what, there is nothing to do about it besides try to control the things you can control. It is true, everyone is struggling right now. I feel alone too. I feel li...