Lily is a published author and success story in so many ways. Lily’s story is one of growth – she chose to live and build a future after a terrible family tragedy and she succeeded because she came to Vegas to build a life.
Once I decided to leave Serbia, I heard about Las Vegas – everything is there. Life is in Vegas! Both good and bad – but it’s energy, it’s life. I came to Vegas in 2007 and built a life here. I bought a house and made this my home.
“Small groups = small share”. We all have a story and we can learn from each other. The way for me to get the message out was to write the book. There are three main reasons I wrote the book:
It’s very difficult to reach people once they are already in depression. I think it’s important for people to realize when things are good and to be grateful and appreciate life and find time for each other because we don’t know what the future holds. The book is about my personal life, but reason why wrote book is because people who have beautiful life, and this will help them be thankful for the life they have. There are people who think it might never happen to me. Appreciate every day!
There are people in our community and everywhere who have also had a big loss in their lives, and don’t know how to cope. They may be suffering from depression or have turned to alcohol or drugs and many feel isolated and alone. I want to help them know they have to have hope. They can find a reason for living. Once people reach the point where they are depressed, they often think they can’t change anything, but they can! Live life fully today because our lives are not forever We all know we will die one day, but we live life like it won’t happen. Be open to allow people to help. Don’t be a victim, the kind of attention you get from being a victim will not bring happiness and is dangerous.
It is the purpose of my life to share my story.
When you lose your family, you lose yourself. Mother, sister, brother, etc. You have to begin again and find yourself. Start a new life. What do you do when you don’t have the identity of the role we used to have. “Who am I?” I would look in the mirror and say “who am I now”. You hear children calling “mama” and you realize you are no longer “mama”.
I believe in God. You don’t have to believe in my god but believe in positive things. I thought about going to a monetary but decided not to! I am here for a purpose, not to live as an isolated person. I have to share my story. Some people just talk about God – why not live your life as if it matters, be positive and help other people.
The world is busy and many people have had loss. I see many people who are single who have no family. They have cats and dogs they think they have to take care of, but actually the animals are healing them! By taking care of the animals they are taking care of themselves because they are giving of themselves. When you give you will get! You get engagement with a living thing.
I thought I was like in a “coma” but I wasn’t really. This actually gave me time to heal myself. Once I realized I was not in the coma, I made the decision to engage in life again. I said “Let’s go and play life”. In that moment my mind was clear. I opened my eyes and I could see what was important. Family and friends. I wish I had given more, but now it’s too late for my family, but it’s not too late for others. Say “I love you”. Make sure they know you are here for them. Don’t just give them money – give them your personal time and your love, that’s how you take care of them. That’s what they will remember all their life. The most important thing we can give our family is unconditional love.
One chapter of my life is over. That moment I decided, go slowly, look, watch and listen. Don’t make big actions, don’t accept any more pain from this world. Just swim – and when the wave comes to you, don’t fight it, go through or across it and you will enjoy the swim. I just have to go and help my family – not add to their burden of sorrow and pain. There must be a reason why I am alive. I say thank you to God/universe that you did not make me handicapped. It could have been worse. There is a purpose for my life. I prayed for 40 days take me but he didn’t.
“Be or not to Be” You have to find a way to Be. What do you still have to give? Find it! What is the reason you are still alive? Friends and other family.