Writing MY Vision

IThis week I launched my own business finally!  It's something I didn't realize I wanted so much until I started seriously looking into it.

Have you ever experienced those moments where you feel as though God has opened the universe just for you?  The 'flow' is easy and doors are opening... Yep! That's how my week has gone.  Everyone and everything I needed to be successful.

When times like this happen, SAVOR THEM & be grateful.  

Getting here has been a little like being a pinball, bouncing off walls (closed doors), flippers knocking me back into the game (like a headslap from a friend), and flashing lights and bells that both distract and guide...you get the idea.  Thing is, it's been quite a ride!  How cool is it that all those things came together to precisely put me on this path?  I'm just grateful I was slowed down enough to pay attention. (Yes thanks for the changes - all of them)!

How often are we SO busy that we careen through life without paying attention to the flashing lights and bells around us?  There really is something to hitting the pause button long enough to look up and look around.  If you don't do it on your own, I can assure you God will do it for you one way or another.

Rather than be afraid of change, whatever it is, choose to see the opportunities.  There's no telling where your road will take you if you're OPEN.  

Pause.

Look up.

Ask what's up (frequently).

Dare to be Open.

You'll be so glad you did!

Check out http://PerriSolutionsLLC.com 

THINK.   WRITE.   BELIEVE.   ACT.

Simplicity First

How many times have I said, "there really aren't enough hours in the day?" or "I just don't have time to...?"  Countless times.

The laughable thing is that no matter how much time I have, there never seems to be enough to do everything I want or need to do.  I find myself rushing about trying to take care of all the little things first as if completing those somehow makes my list shorter.  The truth is that no matter how many little things I get done, there's always, always more to do.  You'd think after 45 years on this earth I'd have learned this by now, right?

Nope.

I still catch myself caught in the trap of the miscellaneous TO DO's which distracts me from the simple things of life necessary for my health and well-being.  What are those simple things, you ask?

• Meditate / Pray for 10-15 minutes each morning
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily
• Exercise at least 30 minutes a day
• Go to bed and rest at least 8 hours a night
• Eat vegetables
• Eat 5 times a day to maintain my metabolism
• Stretch throughout the day
• Hug someone I love at least once a day
• Work doing something I love 4-5 days a week
• Play with my dogs daily
• Take long, deep breaths at least 4 times a day (about 60 seconds each)
• Smile often

These things are so simple.  So easy... and yet, so hard to do consistently.  I've no idea why I let other things distract me from these basics but I'm happy that I can get up each day and try again.

If I can discipline myself to remember:  SIMPLICITY FIRST and then prioritize everything else then I'm certain I'll be living my best life.  Healthy.  Happy.

Time for lunch - some veggies, another glass of water and a stretch!  ;)
Exhale.

THINK.     WRITE.     BELIEVE.     ACT.

I Believe

Conventional wisdom would say "there's no way" whenever the circumstances appear bleak.  Glass half empty mindset.

I've been Writing my Vision for most of my life.  That involves taking our Lord at His Word by following His principles and trusting that God is bigger than anything I may ever face.  Even when it hurts... I trust Him.  I BELIEVE He can turn ANY circumstance around for my benefit & create something far, far better than I could have ever imagined.

I have witnessed this time and time again...and I have years of prayer journals with Answered Prayers checked off as a reminder that He is faithful.  I write these requests in detail so when they happen there's absolutely no doubt who made them so.  He is, after all a jealous God who wants credit for His work.  It's not random chance nor luck but His moving on my behalf.  

This reality increases my faith with every checked answer.  This also helps me trust when I don't know what I want...

Today I find myself still wondering what I'll do next?  I've followed my own advice and focused on deciphering what I DO want vs what I don't; and yet I still can't SEE what that means exactly or how it will translate into my next job.  What I do know is that I must continue to do my part and patiently trust that God is in control and working all things together for my good.  So I am activating my faith again:

"Lord, continue to prepare me and all things for my future.  Open the doors You would have me walk through and make it clear to me so I may go only where You would have me go.  I trust You have already created my place and prepared every detail on my behalf including where (commute), what responsibilities You want me to have, my team's attitude and my boss's style, my travel schedule and daily activities, my salary, and every other minute detail that I've not yet considered.  I thank you for this and that Your timing is perfect.  Show me what I need to do today for You. I love you... Thank you.  In Jesus' Name, I pray.  Amen."

Exhale.  

He's got it so I can release it knowing His grace is sufficient for me today.  He knows the desires of my heart.  It's that simple.  Now I wait expectantly on Him, watching for my open door.  ;)

What are you waiting for today?  

I've no doubt that God has your answer.  Activate your faith!  And then SEE what He does... I promise it may not be what you expect but it will be above all you could ask or think.

THINK.     WRITE.     BELIEVE.     ACT.

Letting Go vs. Saying Goodbye

There is something fundamentally shattering that happens to a person's soul and psyche when tragedy strikes; and yes, we all define tragedy differently.  Universally the underlying feelings are grief, sadness, anger.

This week my 49 year old Aunt Dianne passed away.  She was my mother's baby sister and one of the lights in our family.  The cadence of her voice, her spot-on wit and humor, and her infectious smile made all those near her grin because you couldn't help but to chuckle.  For me, I'll miss her random calls that went something like this:

"Hey Angela... it's your Aunt Dee.  What up kid?  I was just thinking about you and how beautiful you are... how special you are.  I really admire you niece.  Gimme a call sometime or come see me.  Love ya kid."

 Now, there are very few people in my life who can get away with calling me "kid" without a retort of some kind from me.  But she was the exception.  And true to form, she was the exception to most rules in life.  She absolutely positively did whatever she wanted, however she wanted and to hell with anyone or anything that disagreed with her.  She was in charge of her life.  Chips fall where they may...  I guess that's why we all somehow believed she'd beat cancer.  Despite being in the hospital and on more drugs than the hospital had EVER given to any patient in her condition (without them being comatose), she danced to the "HAPPY" song by Pharrell Williams in her bed and put on makeup the night before she passed.  She was still directing us all.  The hospital staff all told us that there was no way she'd survive but silently we ALL believed she could do it.  Even her nurses thought "maybe???"

It wasn't meant to be.

Her funeral is tomorrow and all week long as we've looked through old photo albums, cracking up laughing one minute only to sob out loud the next, we're reminded of the fragility of life... and to see how unfair it can be at times.  Life can be hard.  But to quote a line from one of my favorite movies, "the HARD is what makes it Great."

It is really true that the depth of love you have for someone will always equal your depth of grief upon losing them... and that too is what makes life worth living.  As much as we've all cried this week, the truth is that she's worth every tear.  She LIVED.  She LOVED.  And for a while, she was OURS... and now she's left us with a legacy of one-liners and half smiles, beautiful children and some of the best, most fun memories / experiences of my life.  For that and so much more, I am incredibly grateful to have had her as my family because she was honestly ONE OF A KIND.

And with that I realize today that there is a difference between "Letting Go and Saying Goodbye."  The world would have us believe it's one and the same but I'm here to tell you that this is in no way the case.  Aunt Dianne has left us for a far, far better place but we'll meet again I'm certain.  There's a freedom in release.  Something beautiful.  Something miraculous in letting go of a gift so precious to you that can bring simultaneous joy and sadness...

Goodbye is final.

Thankfully there are No More Goodbyes in heaven.  No More Goodbyes when LOVE is involved.  There is only the ache of loss that lingers; and that is all too human.

Aunt Dee, we are all struggling to Let you Go but none of us are saying goodbye.  Thank you again for showing us the way:  Dignity and Strength despite incredible pain and suffering.  Smiles and even a "happy dance" before leaving this party early making us all want more.

You are beloved.

A Phenomenal Woman

When I heard today that Dr. Angelou died, I got tears in my eyes.  I never met her although I hoped someday she would be a person I could meet.  I first learned of her when a friend gave me a copy of her "Phenomenal Woman" poem as a birthday gift.

Words can change lives.
Her words did.

Thank you, Dr. Maya Angelou for teaching us all.

Link to YouTube:  Oprah's Master Class - Dr. Angelou

Phenomenal Woman

BY MAYA ANGELOU

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size   

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,   

The stride of my step,   

The curl of my lips.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,   

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,   

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.   

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.   

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,   

And the flash of my teeth,   

The swing in my waist,   

And the joy in my feet.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered   

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,   

They say they still can’t see.   

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,   

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.   

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.   

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,   

The bend of my hair,   

the palm of my hand,   

The need for my care.   

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

It Ain't Yours To Throw Away...

Each and every one of us has been given a gift, a talent or a skill.   We all have a part to play in the Master Plan.  We all have something special that the negative forces of this world tries to destroy in one way or another.  We all face battles.  We all face trials.

We win some.  We lose some.
We live.
We learn.
We endure.

Sometimes it feels overwhelming... we long for sleep or rest.  It seems easier to give up or give in than to continue to fight.

When you feel like that.  Remember you have a choice...

and I hope you'll listen to this song: 

(Sung by Sam Palladio & Clare Bowen, Nashville Season 2 Finale #222)

youtube link to video

IT AIN'T YOURS TO THROW AWAY:

That same road that brought you here

Will sure as hell take you home

The life you left behind will have you back

You're tired of paying dues in worn out shoes

and Broadway blues

And any fool will tell you

the damn ol' deck is stacked

What if you're just a vessel

And God gave you something special

It ain't yours to throw away

It ain't yours to throw away

Every time you open up your mouth

Diamonds come rolling out

It ain't yours to throw away

No ...

And all of the players, the movers, and shakers

The star maker suits have gone home

You drew the last slot

You thought it was your shot

But now it's just one more chance blown

What if you're just a vessel

And God gave you something special

It ain't yours to throw away

It ain't yours to throw away

Every time you open up your mouth

Diamonds come rolling out

It ain't yours to throw away

No ...

And our town is cold as January

Life comes true, and dreams get buried

Every day ...

Destiny won't be denied

It ain't yours to throw away

No, it ain't yours to throw away

'Cause every time you open up your mouth

Diamonds come rolling out

It ain't yours to throw away

It ain't yours to throw away ...

Throw away

We are all meant to DO something special with the gifts we are given.  We each have a destiny.
Fight the good fight.  Resist the urge to give up or run away... because it ain't yours to throw away.

THINK.     WRITE.     BELIEVE.     ACT.

Wisdom 101

Ever have one of those days where, as  you reflect, you smile at your current circumstance? or chuckle at the most recent turn of events?  Have  you learned something new about yourself lately?

I have.

Our lives really are amazing.  Even when something bad happens, something good can come from it if we are open to the possibility of seeing through a different lens.  Anyone remember post-Polaroid, cameras with actual FILM?  Pre-digital when you had no idea if you took a good shot until you developed the roll...  Remember those really fancy cameras with multiple lenses (still present today only digital)?  You could change lenses and see from an entirely NEW perspective.  Change a filter and further adjust what you saw... and in that moment alone, you could SEE.  You didn't get any other instant gratification of a saved image until the roll was developed so you had to rely on that moment's perspective and memory.  Then be struck again by the beauty of the photo if it was properly shot and developed.  In those days, when you received your photos, you could relive the memory of that moment.  Today, you still can but it's immediate.  NO waiting involved.

Lenses.
Filters.
New perspectives.

Your perspective really IS your reality.  Thing is, if you close one eye or tilt your head even slightly, that perspective changes dramatically.

What I have learned today and continue to learn is to expect new perspectives and to embrace them all, enjoying the journey of new experiences or information as I discover these variations that come if you look for them.

Life can present some wonderful lessons through varying perspectives IF you slow down long enough to SEE them.  Ponder them.  Absorb them.

PERSPECTIVES...

Look around your life today.

Choose to SEE with a different lens... and I'll bet you'll see something new that you've never really noticed before.  Something wonderful.  Understanding that your singular perspective may not always be accurate is, I believe the first step to real WISDOM.

THINK.     WRITE.     BELIEVE.     ACT.

Recalibration: I want a GREAT life!

I have had an incredible amount of change in the past few months.  This is definitely the year of the horse... my year of Jubilee! and simply my recalibration year.

Recalibration.
I like that word.

I had known for a while that my life was getting away from me.  Somewhere amidst the weekly travel to parts unknown on a mission to regurgitate to all who would listen how great my employer was, I lost "me."  I got so busy putting the 'health of my organization' before my own seeking approval from potential clients that I couldn't see my own jeopardy.  I kept reassigning an 'end date' in my mind, invoking my favorite catch-phrase of "AS SOON AS..." to keep me going.  Constantly pushing, influencing, teaching, catching, organizing, talking, testing:  Plane to rental car to hotel to meeting to car to hotel to airport.  Rinse, repeat.

I was so zoned into my pattern that even when I was walking to get a sandwich before a flight and was hit by car (teenager texting and driving in a parking lot)... I didn't stop.  I kept going.  I slowed down for a day or two, but didn't stop.  I couldn't see the warning signs of system shut-down that were inevitably coming.

But God, with His infinite wisdom and humor, was determined to not only get my attention but to point me in a new direction.  Time to recalibrate.


Funny thing about God is that, He will knock.  He will absolutely speak in that still small voice.  However for those of us with thick heads and impaired vision, He may just invoke the use of a rather large wall to block your path on all sides and down... to force you to look up.  Blink.  And see the light...

huh?

Then His voice goes something like this:  "Child, I want you to devote that talent and endless energy for MY purposes.  So, I've stopped you.  Picked you up and pointed you in the direction of the path I have for you.  It's your choice, however, to WALK down it or not."

My Response:  "Ohhhhhh, hi Lord.  Wait.  What?!?  What new path?  I was on the wrong path?  Uh, ok.  Well, what do You want me to do then?"

His Response:  "Rest now."

My Response:  "Rest?  I don't have time to do that..."  LOL - tip:  Don't ever tell the Almighty that you don't have time for something because He will open up Heaven and clear a path for you to have exactly that.

He gave me time to rest.  Time to recalibrate.  Time to listen.

It's definitely NOT how I would've done it but His way was certainly quicker and He took what was a bad situation and turned it around for His and my greater good.  Taaaaa Daaaaa!  Next, He sold my house in less than 48 hours and moved my brother's heart to invite me in to stay for a while.  My job and I have divorced one another... and now I've spent the last month or so going to doctor, dentist, and other wellness appointments to gain my health back.

He's preparing me for something GREAT!   I can feel it...

Interestingly enough though, I have no idea what IT is.  I have an inkling on the tip of my brain but it's not yet in focus.  At this point, I've learned enough to know that He will show me when He's good and ready to show me... so no point squinting to try to see it.  I'm better off just working through NOW and waiting on Him.  (Lesson Learned).

Right now, He's parted my Red Sea and I'm walking.  I'm outside of Egypt, not yet to the Promised Land.  I can look all around me and see the wonders of the sea life surrounding me, awestruck by the incredible journey I'm on and awesome Power of God.

Through all this, I've been reminded of my past and my present as I look toward my future.  In that, I reaffirmed that I WANT A GREAT LIFE!  Not just a mediocre one in ANY area of my life.  I want GREAT Health.  I want a GREAT Marriage.  I want a GREAT career that is mission-driven by Him.  I want a GREAT Home... and GREAT relationships with those I love.

I want it ALL.  And that means shedding anyone or anything that does not value me for me... because we all know that to grab onto a new life, you have to release the old one!

Today, I am richly blessed and so humbled to see God moving in my life in such a profound way.  He really is AWESOME!  His grace is definitely sufficient for me.

Whatever you are facing, ask yourself:  Is this wall I'm trying to scale or knock down really an obstacle to be overcome?  OR was it deliberately put there to force you to LOOK UP?  A tool to make you stop so you can recalibrate. 

You tell me.    ;)

THINK.     WRITE.     BELIEVE.     ACT.