Happy Days are here again!

I have so much to be grateful for every day.

I woke up.
I'm breathing.
I'm seeing, hearing, feeling and smelling (with my nose!)
I have a great family, great friends, awesome church...and so much more.

So here's my focus:

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

peace.

Math Problems

So I've decided that if 30% is what is required of my 100% capability, then I'll give 100% to that 30% and everyone will be happy. Right?

So I have 70% to save right now. Investing in the future. Filling that glass back up to the top!

peace.

My glass is temporarily empty

I've found recently that I've had a shortage of ideas. Creative, practical, artistic, fun. It's just been a dry time.

I did a lot of creating before Christmas but I've done nothing since then. Professionally, I took a hard hit in December. My work content, quality and quantity were placed in significant question by my boss. I think it rocked me more than I initially felt. Needless to say, my introspection has been deep. Was his criticism founded? How? Why?

I look back over last year and I see a great deal accomplished. 4 of 5 major projects completed. The 5th was not because it was taken off the table. These projects were on top of my daily work. So how could I be so lacking?

I'm still not sure to be very honest. I have not received any more direction or clarification so the details are out of my reach. I hope this will change, but it is not in my hands.

I guess that is where my hope comes from. It is not in my hands. Being defensive or hurt only impedes me. Although I have found my confidence shaken, my true creativity bruised, I will not let this momentary trouble steal my joy. I will not stop being and start doing because of one man's opinion. I will not build a defense inside my head or heart. I will seek the Lord, I will listen with my whole heart. I will humble myself in his sight and he will lift me up.

I will pray.

Please pray with me. This has been a difficult journey and it's not over. But I am sure of this, "He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it." Phillipians 1:6

I have hope that one day soon, my creative cup will once again over-flow. Until then, I'm drinking lots of water.

peace.

Change is in the air

Last night I fought a mental battle and won. I came home tired, it was cold and all I really wanted to do was be lazy. TV, couch, jammies....ya know.

But I had promised Adrian we would clean out the pantry and go to the gym. She had pulled everything out before I got home.

Here is my internal battle. I was tired, I shouldn't have to do this. I was feeling lazy, I work hard so I deserve my lazy. I hate wearing a bra, sorry...TMI. :-)

But I had promised.

So we cleaned out the pantry. And the spice cabinet. And I sat down. Done, right? Nope. I had also promised to go to the gym remember?

So internal battle begins again. I don't want to, I'm tired, I'm fat, I'm out of shape, what will people think, blah, blah, blah....

But I had promised.

So we made a grocery list, went to the gym, went to the grocery store, read every label, bought only healthy food. And I came home still tired, but feeling like I could beat this thing.

I can be healthy, I can be in better shape, I can be more energized and last night, I proved it to myself. The biggest hurdle of all.

God help me, I will win this battle. I will not be the same when I look back from next year's perch. Today, I will eat healthy and I will move.

Thank you God.

peace.

Something I've Noticed

I saw a 3 year old yell at his mother, "SHUT UP". Mom's response, "Your dad will be home soon and I'll tell him how you've behaved. You don't want that do you?" To which he screamed "NO!!" but not in a fearful way, in a you-better-not way. I saw the same boy hit his mom with a toy bat and run away laughing. I saw him throw things, jump on the couch, scream and yell whenever he felt like it, endanger his younger sister because he was completely out of control. And his mom just shook her head saying "I just can't do anything with him" and continue to eat her dinner.

REALLY???

Call me old fashioned, antiquated, whatever...but I've noticed something. It seems that many parents today are afraid of discipline. Narcissists who are too self-involved or who are afraid that the boundaries they would put up for their children might damage their self-esteem, their sense of self-worth, their aura...

It won't. I promise.

Kids were never meant to raise themselves. They are brought into this world with parents, people that love them like no other and who have, hopefully, lived longer and grown wiser than their 3 year old.

Kids feel safe in boundaries. As they live within them, they have peace and gain the right to be trusted when the boundaries increase. Growing up with a safety net is what a parent is supposed to provide. There are no such things as healthy, free-range children. Fences are good. As your child grows and matures, so does his "range".

One day, the gate will open, the world ahead will open and your child will navigate it well. Self-assured, valued, loved and confident that his tool belt is full of the tools necessary to be a successful adult.

At that point, you can let go. But not until, you've got a job to do.

And it is a job. It requires commitment, structure and a willingness to sacrifice for the good of your child. If it's nap time, don't drag your kid shopping. If it's dinnertime, feed them. If you don't know what time it is, make a schedule and stick to it. Put their needs ahead of yours but not all their wants. Not everything is instant or immediate. Nor should it be. Is it for you?

We live in a narcissistic society, but that is not a kid-friendly place. Raising kids is like almost everything else, you get out of it what you put into it.

If you have questions, watch Super Nanny. Or ask a parent of older children you admire or a mentor. Help is out there, please ask!

peace.

(I have great compassion for parents who have done their absolute best and still have children who make difficult, painful choices. My heart breaks for you. Please read no condemnation in this post, that is not the intent. My intent is to challenge, encourage, and simply share my observations and advice.)

New Year

Happy New Year...or at least I hope it will be. I hope for a full, blessed, wonderful year for you. But I know regardless of what comes, God is with you. He loves you.

I'm counting on it, too. So 2011, here I come. May even put my bells on.

peace.

Rethinking my Nativity

Last Sunday our pastor preached on Luke 2. He talked about the timeline things must have actually happened in and it got me to thinking, what should my Nativity contain?

And then my Andrea sent me this link. (you must watch the video)

I'm pretty sure this isn't in the picture, but who knows? I do have odd friends...

peace.

Pollyanna is back!

Maybe not in full force, but Christmas is this week, my whole family will be in my home and we are blessed.

This always help me to remember the reason for the season. Merry Christmas!



peace.

New Focus

OK, so after a couple of hours in my studio and an attitude adjustment, I threw away my snarky pants. It's really about what I'm focusing on, it always is.

My new focus: everything but me.

It works, I promise. Count your blessings, keep a gratitude journal, volunteer, do something for someone else.

Last night, I made Christmas gifts, sent cards to recovering soldiers, prayed and thanked God for every good thing in my life. Apologized to Him for being selfish and snarky.

Life is good, I am blessed. I will remember this.

peace.

P.S. If you want to include some recovering soldiers in your Christmas card list, send them here.

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue
NW Washington, DC 20307-500

Snarky

I'm not sure when this word was invented or if it is even a real word, but sometimes it definitely describes my thoughts and moods. It's those days that I burn out my sarcasm light with so much of it, mostly running through my head. I have to be careful on these snarky days, I could really hurt someone. I've done it before. It hurt me, too. More than I can ever express.

There was a young single mom at our church. We were rehearsing for a Christmas program and while taking a break, just goofing around everyone was kind of joking around and she poked a little fun at me. I poked back. She disappeared. Literally, I have never seen her again since that day. My comment was not intended to mortally wound, but even "joking" can cause great pain when it is mixed with sarcasm and truth. I didn't mean it, I wish I could take it back, I wrote her a long letter apologizing, I called and she made her mom talk to me. I groveled to the point that it didn't change anything and to this day, I regret it. I wish I had taken one moment, swished it around and decided to swallow it instead of poking at her.


Proverbs has a lot to say about the tongue. I've experienced some of these and am striving for some of these.


^12:18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.


^31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.


^21:23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.


^18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.


So even on my snarky days, I hope to be quiet more than anything. Kind of goes back to what I told my kids "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."


peace.

Inspiration

I'm looking for some. I know it's around, I've just got to find it. Hasn't been in my office recently, maybe I left in my studio. Probably near the paints. That's where I usually find it. Until then, maybe I'll just sing.

peace.

Tis the Season

I think of all the Christmas carols I know, I love this one the most. The lines in red remind me of the reasons I celebrate Christmas.

O Holy Night!

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining, 
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth. 
Long lay the world in sin and error pining. 
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth. 
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, 
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. 
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! 
O night divine, the night when Christ was born; 
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine! 
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine! 

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, 
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. 
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming, 
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land. 
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger; 
In all our trials born to be our friends. 
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger, 
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend! 
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend! 

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name. 
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we, 
His power and glory ever more proclaim! 
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

peace.

Convenient Christmas

So this year will look a little different for us. We now have a son-in-law and an out-of-town daughter. We won't have the kind of time with our family that we have always enjoyed. It will be a little more compact.

We will still have time for our traditions, which after being snowed in last year, we all missed! I am looking forward to sharing those with our family again this  year.

In years past, I've had all my shopping done by now. But this year hasn't been as convenient. We just celebrated a wedding and the cash-flow at our casa is greatly diminished. We can't just shop, we have to plan. We refuse to create debt, so we have to be creative. This has forced me to really think about the gifts I want to give. And honestly, I've loved it.

Not at first, it was a challenge. But once I got used to the idea, I began to really assess who I was giving the gift to and what they would enjoy. What would touch them or be useful to them? It has not been convenient. But it has been a gift to me in a way.

God's gift of His son was not convenient either. He saw each one of us, lost and hopeless. We were on his mind when he spoke to Mary and Joseph. When the star shone, it glistened in the tear drops on his face. Tears of pain, tears of joy, tears of hope. He shed them for us. And then gave us the greatest gift of all.

So to my family and friends, I hope this year, though our gifts to you may be small, you'll understand they contain our hearts and treasure them.

peace.

Closed Doors

I deal with closed doors much differently these days. I see them as a re-direct for my benefit. Kind of like a detour sign. They don't stop me, they just change my path.

My life verse has always been Jeremiah 29:11-14. "For I know the plans I have for you" says the Lord...."

Sounds like a promise of direction to me. He has the plans. Proverbs 19:21 says "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." I move forward, doing my best, making my plans...but when the detour sign is put out, the door is closed, I now choose to heed the warning. I don't stand there bewildered or angry pounding on the door. I've learned to see the closed door as my protection, my direction and I treasure these almost as much (just being honest) as the open ones.

So today, I'm looking at a closed door. Time to turn and keep moving. There's an open door waiting for me.

peace.

It's all about context

I've figured out that the time has come. Some of my frames of reference are just outdated. I made a funny (cracked me up) yesterday and all I heard was crickets. It WAS funny...for those of us who lived through the 70's. Unfortunately, the recipient of my gift of humor wasn't born until 1984. ::sigh::

It's all about context. I had a college professor who always said "Text without Context is Pretext". He was referring to the appropriate application of scripture, but it is true in communication in general.

Context by definition is
1. the parts of a piece of writing, speech, etc., that precede and follow a word or passage and contribute to its full meaning it is unfair to quote out of context
2. the conditions and circumstances that are relevant to an event, fact, etc.

In other words, if you don't know where I'm coming from, you probably won't understand what I'm talking about. 

Think of how often in life this could apply. We tell toddlers to use their words instead of grunting, motioning, whining etc. But how often as adults do we forget to use our words? We assume others know our context and we communicate at them, not to them. I am guilty. Especially with my husband sometimes. :-)

So here is my goal. To be sure to adequately communicate not only my immediate concern, but the surrounding context so that the goal of truly communicating can be achieved. 

Besides, that way when I'm being funny, you'll laugh!!

peace.

One Year

This has been quite a year.

One year ago yesterday, my dad passed away.
One year ago in December, my older daughter graduated from college.
One year ago in January, same daughter moved to Texas.
One year ago in February, younger daughter moved home.

Within this last year, we've seen blizzards, ice storms, tornadoes, killer hail, heat waves, floods and the most beautiful fall weather.

I've watched my daughter get married. I've welcomed a son-in-law.

I said goodbye to my dog Suki.

You just never know what a day will bring, much less a year. What am I doing with today?

peace.

ThankFULL!

We're doing something different this year. We're spending Thanksgiving with friends. Dear friends. The kind of friends who make you laugh so hard your side aches and you better not have a mouth full of tea. The kind of friends who love you. Year round, every day, every hour kind of friends. Reminds me of this.

For all the Blessings of the Year

For all the blessings of the year,
For all the friends we hold so dear,
For peace on earth, both far and near,
We thank Thee, Lord.

For life and health, those common things,
Which every day and hour brings,
For home, where our affection clings,
We thank Thee, Lord.

For love of Thine, which never tires,
Which all our better thought inspires,
And warms our lives with heavenly fires,
We thank Thee, Lord.

I am also thankful for my family and the precious gift they are to me every day. I hope your Thanksgiving Day is full of joy and thankfulness. One day to celebrate God's year-round and eternal gifts to each of us. Happy Thanksgiving!!

peace.

Keepin' It Real

 

I've kept this guy in my office for many years now. Being in communications, marketing and PR, it's important to keep track of what you say and how you say it. This simple toy is a great reminder to me of that very fact. 

You see, I was walking in Target one day and saw him. Spider Man was out in the theaters and he was cute. But when I saw the "but wait, there's more" box on the lower left corner, I had to have him. Does it really include Peter Parker Parts? What parts would those be exactly? Really Playskool?

To be honest, I've never opened the box. The ideas in my head are so much funnier than the reality, I don't want to burst my own balloon. But it was a good reminder to be careful of what I say and how I represent things. Just because it makes sense to me, doesn't mean it will to someone else. I think the church falls into this trap. We speak Christianeze. To those of us who are churched, it makes perfect sense. Trying to talk to someone who is not, confuses them and makes them feel like they aren't in the club.

So my encouragement from this Spider Spud is to keep it real. Don't make promises you can't keep and don't use language to impress. If communication is the goal, make it universal. Don't include "parts" you can't deliver.

peace.

Almost spilled the beans but...

 

CARMEX MOISTURE PLUS™ TINT (SHEER PEACH)  and  CARMEX MOISTURE PLUS™ TINT (SHEER PINK)


Carmex has added these lovely, tinted lip goodies to their line and I really do love them! I'm not a lipstick wearer, at all. I hate it really. I have pinkish lips so I don't need goo. But they do get chapped and I do need moisture. This is the best of both for me. I get moisture and a little tint of color and shine. TahDah!!

I almost spilled the beans when I was telling you about the lotions, I just get so excited.  Carmex sent me these lovely products I've showed you in my goodie bag. They even let me give a whole goodie bag away. Well, guess what?

I now have the products above as well and I have some for you, too!! Carmex is awesome and gave them to me to pass on.

Just leave a comment on this post before November 24th, and if I pick your name out of the hat, you'll have fabu lips like me!

If you don't want to wait, don't want to comment and you've got money to burn, you can buy these for yourself at Walgreens or Walgreens.com.

Just in time for the winter! Enjoy!

peace.

I'm HOOKED!!

Beyond cool! Thanks to Animusic and here's their YouTube channel.

peace.