tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52910827067570718712024-03-14T10:46:44.652-04:00Write Your VisionBefore you can get what you want, you first have to KNOW what you want. As a believer in the power of the spoken and written word, my goal here is to encourage everyone to think about your dreams, write them down, and then believe in their reality.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-69742009611312233552018-11-11T12:05:00.001-05:002018-11-11T12:13:06.833-05:00Reflections on a Crisp Sunday Morning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's hard for me to believe I've not written anything truly personal in almost a year. No blog posts. Minimal journaling. Reduced voice on social media. Despite intense emotion, memory catapults crashing through my present mind, and searing opinions I've been more <u>silent</u>. Quiet. Sad.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><i><b><span style="color: purple;">2018 began with incredible promise</span>:</b></i></span> a new life - new city, new job, new friends, new closeness with family. HOPE & JOY. Almost immediately however that unprecedented joy was tempered with grief. Kristin and I moved to Pittsburgh to be closer to our families. A month after we relocated, our little dog <i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Aspen</span></b></i> died unexpectedly. Next Kristin's Gram - the person she was closest to aside from me - was hospitalized. <i>Painful family drama ensued... </i>Kristin decided we needed another Maltese so she found our Ollie (<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><i><span style="color: #741b47;">Oliver Fitzgerald</span></i></span>) and his energy and happiness renewed our hearts. Within days however we discovered my sweet companion and protector, <i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Austin</span></b></i>, our lab mix had a brain tumor. He died followed by my parent's dog Yoda. Despite this also unexpected grief, we opted to go to Italy on vacation in June. We took my parents also as it was their 50th Anniversary... we arrived home and within days, Kristin's <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Gram</b></span> passed away suddenly. By chance or grace, she was alone by her bedside that early Thursday morning. The following Monday, our lab <i><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Chloe</span></b></i> passed away, adding insult to a depth of injury that felt as if we were being pushed underneath murky flood waters. No breath.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe Aspen and Austin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoda</td></tr>
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Death always causes a reaction, usually bringing out either the best or worst in people. Regardless, it demands reflection from those it impacts. Memories. Dreams. The disruptive change it explodes into your world consumes it.<br />
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And yet,<br />
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<b>God in His infinite wisdom provided us with a way of escape.</b> In our case it was a small 5 lb. white furball, healthy, playful, and loving along with a joyful new nephew named Jett whose dancing eyes and magnificent smile made your heart sing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ollie Fitz</td></tr>
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All that within four months.<br />
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July - September felt like a blur. Going through the motions. Working. Solving. The grief fog permeating, suffocating in this new reality. Step by step, we kept moving along - forward, backward, sideways or still.<br />
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In late September I began a new journey with a group of local leaders in a community focused program called <span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><a href="http://www.lpinc.org/" target="_blank">Leadership Pittsburgh</a></span> where I was blessed by the opportunity to interact with more than 60 new colleagues all of whom were chosen to make a positive, community impact on our city. <b>Incredible gift.</b> At work, I was also blessed with unprecedented grace and favor where my ideas and experience are being welcomed to shape and support change and growth so much so I am being promoted into a newly created role written for me. Another <b>incredible gift</b>.<br />
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Now, here we are about to celebrate the holiday seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas (for us). We have another new baby girl who joined our family yesterday - pure joy - while we also prepare for my Mother's knee surgery this week and other hurtful trials whose verdict will impact our family (YES, asking for prayers!).<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>With all this swirl of emotion, memory, and life I am reminded this morning yet again of the enormity of <i>God's grace and love</i>. The power of that love and the <u>faith</u> that propels action. </b></span></span></span><br />
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It is so easy to view the world's chaos and deafening confusion as more powerful when the lies that it creates appear to win the day.<br />
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I watch and am often saddened by the hateful actions caused by weaponizing words designed to create fear, anger, and despair; the dehumanizing of individuals that are deemed '<i>different</i>' and the voices that render that diversity with the verdict of "<u>unacceptable</u>." I see so many people of faith missing what Jesus said were the greatest commandments: (Matthew 22:37-40)<br />
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<span class="text Matt-22-37" id="en-NKJV-23910"><sup class="versenum">37 </sup>Jesus said to him, <span class="woj">“‘You shall <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>love</b></span></span> the <span class="small-caps divine-name" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-22-38" id="en-NKJV-23911"><sup class="versenum">38 </sup><span class="woj">This is <i>the</i> first and great commandment.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-22-39" id="en-NKJV-23912"><sup class="versenum">39 </sup><span class="woj">And <i>the</i> second <i>is</i> like it:</span> <span class="woj">‘You shall <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>love</b></span></span> your neighbor as yourself.’</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-22-40" id="en-NKJV-23913"><sup class="versenum">40 </sup><span class="woj">On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>LOVE.</b></span></span><br />
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Love - not judge. Not divide, dehumanize, or destroy. <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">LOVE</span></b>. You <u>shall</u> love...<br />
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There is no fear in perfect love. <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Love is the single, most powerful force in the universe.</b></span> Love overcomes. When love is lost, the pain of that grief is deafening because the love was so strong.<br />
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When you witness single acts of hate such as the mass shootings or hear our leaders disparaging remarks, it is again tempting to believe the lies that the negative forces of hate and the deception those things perpetuate... but then in the midst of evil's destruction <span style="color: purple;"><b>GOD</b></span> shows up in a flood of compassion and strength to <u><i>resist that evil</i></u><i> </i>forcing it to flee. And it does flee... our battle is to recognize and resist what attempts to kill, steal, or destroy that LOVE and the actions such love demands: and I remember <span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">MERCY</span></span> (link to teaching: <a href="http://subspla.sh/tcmzvzf" target="_blank">The Way of Mercy</a>).<br />
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As I share my reflections on this crisp Sunday morning, I want to encourage us all to KNOW that His love is the fulfillment of the law, the rules... transcendent in it's simplicity and call to action:<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Love does conquer all.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Joy is our strength.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Life doesn't stop for our grief... but God does always provide a way of escape, helpers along the journey to sustain us.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">THERE IS HOPE.</span></span><br />
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Today I choose to embrace that FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE.<br />
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Today I choose to learn something new about a neighbor, coworker, classmate, or simply someone new I encounter to better demonstrate LOVE and to live in JOY rather than fear or despair. I choose to embrace that <b>power</b> rather than perpetually living under the oppression of criticism, judgment, death or unworthiness spoken to diminish the light burning within.<br />
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Today I choose to <b>LIVE</b> in fullness and peace. Strength. Wisdom. Joy and abundant favor. Blessing. <b>LOVE</b>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">THINK</span>. WRITE. <span style="color: #0b5394;">BELIEVE</span>. <span style="color: #b45f06;">ACT</span>.</b></span></div>
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<i>Be who you are meant to be, not who others attempt to shape you into: </i><span style="color: purple;">Resist</span><i>.</i></div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-60694545918241408112017-12-03T14:09:00.000-05:002017-12-03T14:15:18.935-05:00Plato's Chair<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Plato was a Greek philosopher who lived somewhere between 428-348BC in Athens. He was taught by Socrates, another philosopher who established a tradition of skepticism founded on the principles of constant change. Nothing is permanent and in fact our senses, things we believe to be eternal can actually deceive us.<br />
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For Plato, despite this ever-changing world which would appear to be unreliable, he believed there was more to the story. He argued in fact that there was a "<i>more real world</i>" of Forms or Ideas that existed in their own realm and that what we <u>perceive</u> or <u>conceive</u> is only an abstract facsimile of the <i>perfect example</i> of the given thing, form or idea. So in effect, when we look at or touch a chair, we are only experiencing an <b>imperfect representation</b> of the perfect Form that exists in our minds.<br />
Therefore, real <b>knowledge </b>is gained only by those who can comprehend and understand that there is a true reality that lives behind our everyday experiences in this world. Plato further explains this in his analogy of people who spend their whole lives living in a cave (Allegory of the Cave). All they ever see are the <i>shadows</i> on the walls created by their campfire. This is their <i><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">perception of reality</span></b></i>. In truth, there are real things that make the shadows in the cave but we all must step out into the <i>sunlight</i> to clearly SEE, otherwise we live our lives believing the shadows (perception) are what's real.<br />
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People in the cave only see the reflection of a chair on the cave wall, not the chair itself.<br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Plato's point? </b></span><i>Only those with the ability to step into the sunlight should rule...</i> the ideal ruler is a philosopher-king because s/he has the <i>ability to discern the Forms</i> and when such a person comes to power, the citizens of the state will have the opportunity to <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">step out of the cave and see the light</span>.<br />
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As 2017 comes to a close, I wonder:<br />
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<li>What reflections I am seeing on my cave wall? </li>
<li>Have I challenged myself to see past my perceptions - to strive to comprehend the real Forms behind what I think I see?</li>
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Despite being bombarded by the shadows - all the negativity we hear, see or read in our culture today - I pray for the wisdom and discipline to step back and to step out into the light.<br />
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There is so much we can learn from one another. We have so much work to do to fulfill our life's purpose. I believe <span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>God is calling us all to remember who we are and more importantly to remember who HE is</b></span> as we begin each day.<br />
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Going forward, I challenge myself to be better, to do better. I challenge myself to <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">LOVE</span></b> more, to <i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">forgive</span></i> freely, to <b>be open to change</b> and to <u>resist</u> the temptation to be afraid, to blame, or to rationalize, justify or explain. We are taught in <span style="color: #674ea7;">Matthew 5:37</span> to let our "YES" be yes and our "NO" be no.<br />
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I am excited to walk the path God has for me knowing that He has plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11). I will go wherever You send me, Lord. Help me to see past my own reflections and walk into Your Light... to step forward boldly and with joy.</blockquote>
May we all take a moment today to breathe, smile, and look past our own limited cave walls!<br />
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THINK. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-42864883484194355092015-12-28T13:25:00.001-05:002015-12-28T15:40:12.748-05:00Shalom<div>I read this devotional today and it helped me. I pray for Shalom: "<i>may our lives become all they should be so we may experience perfect peace." </i> </div><div><br></div><div><b>Shalom</b></div><div><br></div><div>We know that the world’s original harmony was wrecked by sin. Like a Molotov cocktail thrown into a backyard garden, sin exploded the world that God had made, fracturing and dividing it. Instead of wholeness, brokenness; instead of health, illness; instead of friendship with God, alienation; instead of peace, strife.</div><div><br></div><div>Because we live in this fallen world that is yet to be fully redeemed, we can only glimpse the fullness of God’s peace. Scripture tells us, however, about God’s original intentions for the world he made. Consider the Hebrew word shalom, which is often translated “peace” in English translations of the Bible. While such a translation is accurate, comparing the word peace to the word shalom is like comparing a twig to a log or a boy to a man. <u>When we think of peace, we tend to think of an inner sense of calm or an absence of conflict.</u></div><div><br></div><div><b>Shalom</b>, however, means these things and more. It means <i><b>“wellness,” “completeness,” “perfection,” “safety,” “soundness,” “success,” “wholeness,” “health,” and good relationships between people and nations. </b>When there is shalom, <b>everything is as it should be, our lives are as God meant them to be, our world is in the order he intended.</b></i> To experience such peace in its fullness is to experience healing, satisfaction, prosperity. To be at peace is to be happy, fulfilled. It is a sign of the blessed life of the new creation. Peace has a whiff of paradise about it. It offers us a taste of the world to come.</div><div><br></div><div>Sometimes we sense this kind of peace as we worship with others, or as we pray quietly, or when forgiveness is asked for and received. Bent things are straightened. Hurt things are healed.</div><div><br></div><div>The Bible locates shalom in only one place — in God himself. We find such peace by living in harmony with him. As we do, our divisions, both external and internal, start to heal. We become fulfilled, complete. The harmony we have with him in turn produces harmony with others and harmony within ourselves. This is peace beyond our circumstances or feelings. </div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>This is shalom—life as it should be.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>THINK. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><img src="webkit-fake-url://63eeeb40-fb36-44e8-8500-517a75190b32/imagejpeg"><div>I'm reading the @YouVersion plan 'The Peace God Promises'. Check it out here: http://bible.com/r/Wy</div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0Huntersville Huntersville35.437752 -80.901316tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-79718379945544065132015-08-23T11:57:00.001-04:002015-08-23T11:57:44.144-04:00Reflecting On the Past<div>Thank you Lord, I needed this direction today... You always know exactly what I need to hear and I am grateful, humbled, and blessed.</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks Riverbend Church Austin for your faithfulness.</div><div><br></div><div><b><u>REFLECTING ON PAST</u></b> </div><div>Sermon by Pastor Dave Haney</div><div><br></div><div>Pt 1) <b>THINGS TO FORGET</b></div><div><i>Forget 'the good old days" & its insidious soft lens, which anchors us to the past.</i></div><div><br></div><div>1. <i><u>Embellished accomplishments</u></i> - always better in our memories than reality (threw TD pass but on bench).</div><div><br></div><div>2. <i><u>Exaggerated expectations</u></i> (root cause marriage - not what you expected, fantasy not reality, unrealistic expectations that you've attached to these to people) often cause separation -- prisoner of past, Spouse fell short of 'supposed to be' then one leaves for greener pastures bc they are unwilling to see you're best days are ahead of you together.</div><div><br></div><div>One thing @ life that will never change is that it will always change!</div><div><br></div><div>3. <i><u>Endless grievances</u></i> (real wounds), some scars remain, like divorce, abandonment, rejection etc are visible lessons; never get over it but now need to free ourselves. <i>Others for example, kid borrowed $0.15 for lunch in 3rd grade</i>. Get over it!! ;) that's not to say that there are Grievances that mean you're never good enough! You Exceed your quota but then your boss, your spouse, etc add more, keep raising bar so you're never good enough. They finally set a bar that you cannot attain no matter how hard you try... So now you Can't move forward bc you're stuck in this pain. Result -- Attach ourselves to past bc think our best days are over... Future holds less bc you remember when bar was lower and you felt loved by that person, felt good enough... Let this go! Release yourself from those words, wounds...</div><div><br></div><div>Pt 2) <b>THINGS WE SHOULD REMEMBER WELL</b></div><div>1. <i><u>Fingerprints of God</u></i> -- catastrophic moments that show you God's intervention again and again making you who you are. God moved according to a plan God had better for us, to use those painful circumstances to teach us and mold us. How God has seen us thru. He's done it before and will do it again! Be encouraged and press on. Trust He will see us thru again, better....when it seemed hopeless, God moved. He Knows and He is at work for us behind the scenes changing our circumstances in ways we cannot imagine (secret desires of our hearts we don't dare breathe or speak).</div><div><br></div><div>2. <i><u>The Ones That Made Us Better</u></i> -- people who make us stronger or better; circumstances they influence that make us better. Never forget the cost (on you or others) of what it took to get us where we are - never want to go thru the heartache and darkness again. But don't forget... Remember the Angels along the way. People who believe in us! Who encourage us...who loved us. Remember the people who loved us so well and were so good to us even when we didn't deserve it. Remember well those angels in disguise in our lives. They mattered...</div><div><br></div><div>3. <i><u>The Difference You Make -- (legacy)</u></i> -- our impact. A difference was made by you. <b>Question</b>: did your lesson, your choices damage another? If yes, repent and seek real forgiveness. If not rejoice in how God used you to make a difference in someone else's life.</div><div><br></div><div>There are things we must let go of to move on to our higher calling and there are things worth holding onto to build on. Time to build something new, release the old yes, but learn to remember well. </div><div><br></div><div><b>Champion 2nd Chances</b> and believe your <i>best days are before you</i> not behind you!! Allow for your 2nd chance with someone you dearly love or loved. Don't let your pride or anger keep you from your future.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Remember Well.</b></div><div><br></div><div>Remember with thankfulness and gratitude; remember well for the opportunities that lay ahead and <b>leave a legacy of love...</b></div><div><br></div><div>Express the Truth - say I miss you. I love you. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He told jokes in midst of circumstances - Dr Gerald Mann: today he would still say: </span></div><div><br></div><div><b>"You're Not Done Yet! PRESS ON!"</b></div><div><br></div><div>For more please go to www.riverbend.com </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div> Think. Write. Believe. Act.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDTa_L78OfcP8QBTAbsG1Hf2FdZbazJYVYdXPw0uuoUOLKaj_tKpzcT7AE4mnPdGYsrqP0BepgHs5s5SP3Dgh8GIkzeQwbyWpf5X2PC5in7c-hxbUyX-Ti4bBwDhZ3Gw38-WuvFMot8Ak/s640/blogger-image-1639525701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDTa_L78OfcP8QBTAbsG1Hf2FdZbazJYVYdXPw0uuoUOLKaj_tKpzcT7AE4mnPdGYsrqP0BepgHs5s5SP3Dgh8GIkzeQwbyWpf5X2PC5in7c-hxbUyX-Ti4bBwDhZ3Gw38-WuvFMot8Ak/s640/blogger-image-1639525701.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0Huntersville Huntersville35.437826 -80.902148tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-44378535956912682032015-06-24T23:16:00.001-04:002015-06-24T23:19:00.087-04:00Learning through Pain<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Being human is okay... No one is perfect. Keep trying. Keep believing. Keep trusting regardless of the circumstances.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I am learning.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Thanks @MaxLucado for the wisdom in your words!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">"Joseph couldn’t make up his mind! He welcomed them, wept over them, ate with them, and then played a trick on them. <b><i>He was at war with himself</i></b>. These brothers had peeled the scab off his oldest and deepest wound. And he would be hanged before he’d let them do it again. On the other hand, these were his brothers, and he would be hanged before he lost them again.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><i>Forgiveness vacillates like this.</i> It has fits and starts, good days and bad. Anger intermingled with love. Irregular mercy. <u>We make progress only to make a wrong turn.</u> Step forward and fall back. But this is okay. When it comes to forgiveness, all of us are beginners. No one owns a secret formula. As long as you are <b>trying to forgive, you are forgiving.</b> It’s when you no longer try that bitterness sets in.</span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Stay the course. You’ll spend less time in the spite house and more in the grace house”</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Excerpt From: Lucado, Max. “You'll Get Through This.” Thomas Nelson, 2013-06-01. iBooks. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">This material may be protected by copyright.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Check out this book on the iBooks Store: <a href="https://itun.es/us/VpgML.l" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors-result="3">https://itun.es/us/VpgML.l</a></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbWmJ1SLYD-dgW8RSFlsV2Sp5QzbNFEMh6bodlmRz2alSU12sd138zlmsX6QxKDCXZPIUtnARsFew5zRNRtOioTgAhvX1D_E_ZnRa7PC3eKYIVHrqjlReWtNHg2arGssQ1euGI2xkjWqo/s640/blogger-image-547523408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbWmJ1SLYD-dgW8RSFlsV2Sp5QzbNFEMh6bodlmRz2alSU12sd138zlmsX6QxKDCXZPIUtnARsFew5zRNRtOioTgAhvX1D_E_ZnRa7PC3eKYIVHrqjlReWtNHg2arGssQ1euGI2xkjWqo/s640/blogger-image-547523408.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Week 2</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0Huntersville Huntersville35.437981 -80.901849tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-29675227475563752852015-06-14T13:21:00.001-04:002015-06-14T13:21:47.438-04:00I believe and declare...<u><b>All of us</b></u> suffer loss, endure injustices, face setbacks, even forks in the road designed to test our faith, challenge our beliefs, and try our patience and peace. Today again I am grateful for the lessons.<div><br></div><div>The Word tells us His ways are higher than our ways. I've never known this to be more true than this moment.</div><div><br></div><div>I have always believed in praying specifically so God could receive the glory for His work rather than victories being chalked up to chance. Part of me though was deceived into believing <i>free will</i> was greater than God's power and plan. That slight misunderstanding caused me such sorrow and suffering.</div><div><br></div><div>Today I rebuke those thoughts and words spoken...and ask forgiveness for my failings and shortsightedness. I was resisting being thrown into the furnace, praying fervently against it and wondering why my prayers seemed to be unanswered. Now I know God's plan was not to save me from the fire as I asked but to <b>bring me <u>through</u> the fire with my bonds burned free... Bringing me through the wilderness, across the Red Sea into a NEW and better place.</b></div><div><br></div><div>Our God <b><u>is</u></b> the Alpha AND the Omega - He has already declared the day of my release - the end date for this weeping. It is coming. And when He brings me out, ALL will see His glory in the abundance of blessings and double portion of favor bestowed on me. He doesn't allow the pain, the test, the furnace without a plan for freedom on the other side twice as good as anything you had before.</div><div><br></div><div>As the tears flow, the Word says He gathers those to create pools of blessings.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Thank you Lord for the furnace.</b> In it I am blessed to stand with You, see You and be closer to you... the flames <u>cannot</u> touch me. Those chains, the bonds tying my hands, blinding my vision, and burdening my soul are the only things melting away. </div><div><br></div><div>I didn't understand it; now my heart <b><u>sees</u></b> it. I look forward with joy for the day of my release and restoration. <i>No weapon formed against me shall prosper.</i> Thank You Lord for teaching me to Count IT All JOY!</div><div><br></div><div>I believe and declare my day of release, healing, restoration and abundance is on the horizon. Not my will but Thine be done, always. Your timing, not mine.</div><div><br></div><div><b>I love You Lord Jesus.</b></div><div><i>Thank You</i> for the leap, this test of faith and lesson in <u>Trust</u>. Keep me in perfect peace in the furnace in the meantime...while You make a way where there seems to be No way.</div><div><br></div><div>I believe. I trust You.</div><div>Amen.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCU_bkTydYXIJBkkZwv1aoZHHmff8Yd9T3WoJZiriszqhyphenhyphengEC5rD6M_m7bseJjlIhMiy_UGg9K-HEiwPCfRyWxhR6ag5QV9UHF_ccQEFI6eiiqLyARefbeFD2tzQogoP1a8T3SqoR7ndL/s640/blogger-image-1645864366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCU_bkTydYXIJBkkZwv1aoZHHmff8Yd9T3WoJZiriszqhyphenhyphengEC5rD6M_m7bseJjlIhMiy_UGg9K-HEiwPCfRyWxhR6ag5QV9UHF_ccQEFI6eiiqLyARefbeFD2tzQogoP1a8T3SqoR7ndL/s640/blogger-image-1645864366.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0Huntersville Huntersville35.437982 -80.902011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-37298264888653027902015-06-11T17:55:00.001-04:002017-12-03T13:01:11.880-05:00Where to begin? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today is a day unlike any I've known in some time. It's a day of loss (6/11/15). It's a day of learning to trust the path wherever it leads.<br />
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Despite my heart's pain, I still <b>believe</b>...</div>
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Despite my mind's battle, I still <b>trust</b>...</div>
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Despite my body's fatigue, I still <i>move</i> forward...</div>
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The God of all, the Alpha and the Omega still bends down to hear my cry and catch my tears. The hairs on my head are numbered as are my days on this earth. </div>
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<b>The Lord remains my shepherd...</b></div>
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<i>...I shall not want.</i></div>
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Deliver me from me, Lord. Forgive my weaknesses and light momentary afflictions that cause me such angst.</div>
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Help me see with Your eyes.</div>
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Always.</div>
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Your grace is sufficient for me today...</div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0Huntersville Huntersville35.437879 -80.902174tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-30129878746386121192015-05-31T18:23:00.001-04:002015-05-31T18:23:03.062-04:00Destiny"For when your faith is <b>tested</b>, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed you will be strong in character and ready for anything." (James 1:3-4 NLT)<div><br></div><div>Choose this day whom you will serve.</div><div><br></div><div>Have a willing spirit, an open heart and watch what God will do.</div><div><br></div><div>No one else's choices can rob you of your <b>destiny</b>.</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-66502448037598720802015-05-21T16:09:00.001-04:002015-05-21T16:09:10.810-04:00Psalm 46:10<b>Be still, and know that I am God...</b><div><b><br></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBlEQpId15MW8Xi0B3QjHS6DjB3hHKyWOFkMyJc9rM0IDCaxU6CbzC00SHxhdi__uSiOWK0zT5ZAObq0HlUHI2kfLpsif50atTzTqMlykjH9ZJBDBEamCp7z_SG6Z4AM0diE_9e3PcCQV/s640/blogger-image-133547407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBlEQpId15MW8Xi0B3QjHS6DjB3hHKyWOFkMyJc9rM0IDCaxU6CbzC00SHxhdi__uSiOWK0zT5ZAObq0HlUHI2kfLpsif50atTzTqMlykjH9ZJBDBEamCp7z_SG6Z4AM0diE_9e3PcCQV/s640/blogger-image-133547407.jpg"></a></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-67933976836832260692015-02-10T18:19:00.001-05:002015-02-10T20:15:59.576-05:00I lived...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There's a reason <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">music</span></b> is the universal language. <br>
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How many times have you heard a particular song or lyric that moves you? makes you feel, truly feel the depth of an emotion? elicits a memory? causes you to daydream?<br>
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I've often thought music is one of the ways God speaks to us. I know it's one of the mechanisms He uses to get my attention or to remind me or prod me. These past several months I've experienced such a broad range of <b>emotions</b> and <b>events</b> I found that I needed time to absorb it all.<br>
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I've been <i style="background-color: #fce5cd;">marinating</i> for months and slowly cooking for the past several weeks.<br>
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<b>BING</b><br>
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Yes, my timer went off today. Not that I'm a completed project by any means... No, but I did have an <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">awakening</b></span> earlier today. I realized something about myself that was <i>profoundly provocative</i> and <i>wholly unexpected</i>. Apparently, I am told, that happens when you allow yourself the time and space to do some emotional work. Hmmm...<br>
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2014 was a year of <u>significant</u> change for many people. I've heard countless stories of upheaval, loss, life-altering experiences, and movement in multiple ways. This was true for me as well. Surprisingly, despite being what I thought was a well-rounded, healthy human, in the midst of all this change, I fell into some familiar patterns that caused me to then make less than positive choices. As a result, I've been working on myself in an effort to understand it all and work to continually become a better, wiser person. I've been reading, writing, talking, hiking, changing my food habits, sleep habits, tv habits... overall habits, etc.<br>
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Despite a lot of new insights I still kept asking "but why?" <b style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> "Why?"</span></b><br>
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And try as I might, the lens was always just slightly out of focus, which I have to say is maddening for a Type A personality. I couldn't quite <b>see</b>...<br>
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About a week ago, after receiving more sage advice about <i>'Letting Go' </i>and relaxing in this wilderness I'd been in, I finally quit resisting and rebelling mentally. No more mental tantrums or explanations, justifications, and whining. I finally reached a point where I said <b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"okay, enough. I surrender."</b><br>
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From that point on, I felt the fatigue in my neck and shoulders start to give way and I really did begin to relax. The fact that my physical body responded so quickly to my declaration made me laugh out loud at times. I literally said, out loud to myself in the car <b><i>"it cannot possibly be THAT simple."</i></b><br>
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But it was... and has been.<br>
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I allowed myself to go away to the mountains for the weekend to relax. I began listening to music more and started to refocus on activities that made me happy.<br>
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And today, without any drama or significant effort on my part, I got one of my <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">"Why-answers." </span></b> The answer and it's impact came to me... and I saw it so clearly for the first time that I felt the earth actually shifted. I started shaking all over at the reality of it.<br>
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I was finally at a point where I could <b><span style="color: #7f6000;">HEAR</span></b> it. It wasn't anything that someone could have told me. It wouldn't be mind-blowing to anyone else but me... but it was something I needed to know and learn on my own.<br>
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There really is truth in hearing that <i>still, small voice... </i>to learning what it means to '<i>surrender</i>.'<br>
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As I began to absorb this information shaping a new reality and awareness for me, I chose to start listening to music to resettle my mind and heart. The song that came on was by *<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0rxydSolwU" target="_blank">One Republic called <span style="color: #990000;">"I lived."</span></a><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span> It spoke to my soul, made me smile fully and sing out with all my heart.<br>
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I realized that so far, <i>I swear I've lived... </i>just as the lyrics in the song suggest.<br>
<br>
And that is a beautiful thing.<br>
<br>
I hope you take time today to FEEL and to allow yourself to surrender into whatever you've been resisting or rejecting... and I hope you'll listen to some music that brings you as much joy and release as I felt earlier.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Music really is a universal language...and making the choice to surrender really does allow you to fully 'live.'<br>
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
THINK. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</div>
<br>
<br>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*Click on the Link above to view YouTube video of "I Lived" by One Republic.</i></span><br>
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<br></div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-73494092814606793822014-09-25T22:05:00.001-04:002014-09-25T22:05:36.492-04:00Writing MY VisionIThis 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.<div><br></div><div>Have you ever experienced those moments where you feel as though God has opened the universe just for you? The '<b>flow</b>' is easy and doors are opening... Yep! That's how my week has gone<font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">. Everyone and everything I needed to be successful.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">When times like this happen, <b>SAVOR</b> THEM & be grateful. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Getting here has been a little like being a <b><i>pinball</i></b>, 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..<i>.you get the idea</i>. Thing is, it's been quite a ride! How cool is it that all those things came together to precisely put me on <b>this</b> path? I'm just grateful I was slowed down enough to pay attention.<i> (Yes thanks for the changes - all of them)!</i></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">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 <b>pause button</b> 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.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Rather than be afraid of change, whatever it is, choose to see the opportunities. There's no telling where <b>your</b> road will take you if you're OPEN. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Pause.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Look up.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Ask what's up (frequently).</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Dare to be Open.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">You'll be so glad you did!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Check out http://PerriSolutionsLLC.com </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzgoWe4vl0KB-ekhXaXX7I79bjEF00FJF_kpg_LnNNSC-LsShLyiUtDc7ZTQWuWGYs5m16PQIHluttsUKiRZXqHYPxOqVkCxNGpSQoMO1-C6TA-3DLk7sNlXXKLzL70DCNqgdIasYphjY/s640/blogger-image--1975431948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzgoWe4vl0KB-ekhXaXX7I79bjEF00FJF_kpg_LnNNSC-LsShLyiUtDc7ZTQWuWGYs5m16PQIHluttsUKiRZXqHYPxOqVkCxNGpSQoMO1-C6TA-3DLk7sNlXXKLzL70DCNqgdIasYphjY/s640/blogger-image--1975431948.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b>THINK. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</b></font></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-324947243343623532014-08-05T12:25:00.000-04:002014-08-05T12:25:40.215-04:00Simplicity First<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
How many times have I said, <i>"there really aren't enough hours in the day?"</i> or <i>"I just don't have time to...?"</i> <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Countless times.</span></b><br />
<br />
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?<br />
<br />
Nope.<br />
<br />
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. <i>What are those simple things, you ask?</i><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Meditate / Pray for 10-15 minutes each morning</li>
<li>Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily</li>
<li>Exercise at least 30 minutes a day</li>
<li>Go to bed and rest at least 8 hours a night</li>
<li>Eat vegetables</li>
<li>Eat 5 times a day to maintain my metabolism</li>
<li>Stretch throughout the day</li>
<li>Hug someone I love at least once a day</li>
<li>Work doing something I love 4-5 days a week</li>
<li>Play with my dogs daily</li>
<li>Take long, deep breaths at least 4 times a day (about 60 seconds each)</li>
<li>Smile often</li>
</ul>
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.<br />
<br />
If I can discipline myself to remember: <b style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #38761d;">SIMPLICITY FIRST</span></b> and then prioritize everything else then I'm certain I'll be living my best life. Healthy. Happy.<br />
<br />
Time for lunch - some veggies, another glass of water and a stretch! ;)<br />
Exhale.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
THINK. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</div>
</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-41827082560058239602014-07-07T08:01:00.001-04:002014-07-07T08:01:16.054-04:00I BelieveConventional wisdom would say "there's no way" whenever the circumstances appear bleak. Glass half empty mindset.<div><br></div><div>I've been <b>Writing my Vision</b> 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 <i>BELIEVE</i> He can turn ANY circumstance around for my benefit & create something far, far better than I could have ever imagined.</div><div><br></div><div>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. </div><div><br></div><div>This reality increases my <b><i>faith</i></b> with every checked answer. This also helps me trust when I don't know what I want...</div><div><br></div><div>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:</div><div><br></div><div><i>"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 </i>only<i> 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."</i></div><div><br></div><div>Exhale. </div><div><br></div><div>He's got it so I can <u>release it</u> knowing His grace is sufficient for me today. He knows the desires of my heart. It's that simple. Now I wait <b>expectantly</b> on Him, watching for my open door. ;)</div><div><br></div><div>What are you waiting for today? </div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>THINK. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIBkpbcp7NZQP3ZWdA6d2hGncfg7rHUCNGpsX3ibgn1C7wzN5lrMafxAh2-v3UhI7sl6s_qe5-8x1sMundNyqajc3bXjiTvHq9vpow1KFoc_HUUYagdiY-BCiZI4U0X1MB6NGwVMKy9zU/s640/blogger-image-1803143725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIBkpbcp7NZQP3ZWdA6d2hGncfg7rHUCNGpsX3ibgn1C7wzN5lrMafxAh2-v3UhI7sl6s_qe5-8x1sMundNyqajc3bXjiTvHq9vpow1KFoc_HUUYagdiY-BCiZI4U0X1MB6NGwVMKy9zU/s640/blogger-image-1803143725.jpg"></a></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-4662679890596892612014-06-13T08:29:00.000-04:002014-06-13T08:29:11.395-04:00Letting Go vs. Saying Goodbye<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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.<br />
<br />
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 <i>cadence</i> of her voice, her <i>spot-on wit</i> and humor, and her infectious <i>smile</i> 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:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">"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."</span></i></blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cShNLOjUjyGnchPkighpcjTuEfwijlcft664On1xkcVAmVD6g9ZWGnAo4bVwZqOBeHVt2z1TAjtgFVvqrfNIOlyR6aub1utGCWmFMyPaS9U7GUkrUd6FGCqWJDf7IP0CQInV_DwjSay0/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cShNLOjUjyGnchPkighpcjTuEfwijlcft664On1xkcVAmVD6g9ZWGnAo4bVwZqOBeHVt2z1TAjtgFVvqrfNIOlyR6aub1utGCWmFMyPaS9U7GUkrUd6FGCqWJDf7IP0CQInV_DwjSay0/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a> 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 <b>exception</b>. And true to form, she was the exception to most rules in life. She absolutely positively did <u>whatever</u> she wanted, <u>however</u> 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), <a href="http://youtu.be/O2YCaqHfCK0" target="_blank"><i><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #cc0000;">she <b><u>danced</u></b> to the "HAPPY"</span></i></a> song by Pharrell Williams in her bed and put on makeup the night before she passed. She was <i>still</i> 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???"<br />
<br />
It wasn't meant to be.<br />
<br />
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, <i><span style="color: #b45f06;">"the HARD is what makes it Great."</span></i><br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rlqs9Kr3js5zVta6ae48iZWbYcskOPpSLj3QYeo3McttAaLTJeWuV-2e7YDDBgdnZD0z2tBEotQkfnFiMV1JdGb8aLYV0X8xSTDQlmI5ceYJeGU7xtr5IZTWKEW7owEixmiHqFXwU_vW/s1600/IMG_1915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rlqs9Kr3js5zVta6ae48iZWbYcskOPpSLj3QYeo3McttAaLTJeWuV-2e7YDDBgdnZD0z2tBEotQkfnFiMV1JdGb8aLYV0X8xSTDQlmI5ceYJeGU7xtr5IZTWKEW7owEixmiHqFXwU_vW/s1600/IMG_1915.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></a>And with that I realize <i>today</i> that there is a difference between <i><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #3d85c6;">"Letting Go and Saying Goodbye."</span></b></i> 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 <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">freedom in release</span></b>. Something beautiful. Something miraculous in letting go of a <b>gift</b> so precious to you that can bring simultaneous joy and sadness...<br />
<br />
Goodbye is final.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
You are beloved.<br />
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-8441118463992065242014-05-28T15:42:00.001-04:002014-05-28T15:57:15.322-04:00A Phenomenal Woman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Words can change lives.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Her words did.</span></b><br />
<br />
<i>Thank you, Dr. Maya Angelou for teaching us all.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Link to YouTube: </i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtdffxj7pNE&feature=share&list=PLtebP20-K5X2hD3ZYYvWE85gJXmlQJsy0" target="_blank">Oprah's Master Class - Dr. Angelou</a></span></b><br />
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<div class="tab-content active" id="poem-top" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
<h1 style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 0px 3px; padding: 0px;">
Phenomenal Woman</h1>
</div>
<span class="author" style="background-color: white; color: #4d493f; display: inline-block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; text-transform: uppercase;">BY <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/maya-angelou" style="color: #043d6e; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">MAYA ANGELOU</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<div class="tab-content active" id="poem" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
<div class="poem" style="color: #505050; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 25px 0px 0px;">
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
But when I start to tell them,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
They think I’m telling lies.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
I say,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
It’s in the reach of my arms,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
The span of my hips, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
The stride of my step, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
The curl of my lips. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
I’m a woman</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Phenomenally.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Phenomenal woman, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
That’s me.</div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
I walk into a room</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Just as cool as you please, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
And to a man,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
The fellows stand or</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Fall down on their knees. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Then they swarm around me,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
A hive of honey bees. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
I say,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
It’s the fire in my eyes, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
And the flash of my teeth, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
The swing in my waist, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
And the joy in my feet. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
I’m a woman</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Phenomenally.</div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Phenomenal woman,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
That’s me.</div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Men themselves have wondered </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
What they see in me.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
They try so much</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
But they can’t touch</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
My inner mystery.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
When I try to show them, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
They say they still can’t see. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
I say,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
It’s in the arch of my back, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
The sun of my smile,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
The ride of my breasts,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
The grace of my style.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
I’m a woman</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Phenomenally.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Phenomenal woman,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
That’s me.</div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Now you understand</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Just why my head’s not bowed. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
I don’t shout or jump about</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Or have to talk real loud. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
When you see me passing,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
It ought to make you proud.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
I say,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
It’s in the click of my heels, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
The bend of my hair, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
the palm of my hand, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
The need for my care. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
’Cause I’m a woman</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Phenomenally.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
Phenomenal woman,</div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">That’s me.</b></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-21807323593124426152014-05-18T17:19:00.000-04:002014-05-18T17:57:14.962-04:00It Ain't Yours To Throw Away...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Each and every one of us has been given a <b>gift</b>, a talent or a skill. We all have a part to play in the Master Plan. We all have <span style="background-color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: white;">something special</span></span> that the negative forces of this world tries to destroy in one way or another. We all face battles. We all face trials.<br />
<br />
We win some. We lose some.<br />
We live.<br />
We learn.<br />
We endure.<br />
<br />
Sometimes it feels overwhelming... we long for sleep or rest. It seems easier to give up or give in than to continue to fight.<br />
<br />
When you feel like that. Remember you have a <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">choice</span></b>...<br />
<br />
<b>and I hope you'll listen to this song: </b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Sung by Sam Palladio & Clare Bowen, Nashville Season 2 Finale #222)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://youtu.be/E27Ge2rvpPs" style="background-color: #fff2cc;" target="_blank">youtube link to video</a></i></span></div>
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/E27Ge2rvpPs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">IT AIN'T YOURS TO THROW AWAY:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>That same road that brought you here</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Will sure as hell take you home</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The life you left behind will have you back</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You're tired of paying dues in worn out shoes</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and Broadway blues</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And any fool will tell you</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the damn ol' deck is stacked</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>What if you're just a vessel</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And God gave you something special</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It ain't yours to throw away</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It ain't yours to throw away</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Every time you open up your mouth</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Diamonds come rolling out</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It ain't yours to throw away</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>No ...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And all of the players, the movers, and shakers</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The star maker suits have gone home</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You drew the last slot</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You thought it was your shot</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>But now it's just one more chance blown</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>What if you're just a vessel</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And God gave you something special</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It ain't yours to throw away</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It ain't yours to throw away</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Every time you open up your mouth</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Diamonds come rolling out</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It ain't yours to throw away</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>No ...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And our town is cold as January</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Life comes true, and dreams get buried</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Every day ...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Destiny won't be denied</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It ain't yours to throw away</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>No, it ain't yours to throw away</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>'Cause every time you open up your mouth</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Diamonds come rolling out</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It ain't yours to throw away</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It ain't yours to throw away ...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Throw away</i></div>
<br />
We are all meant to DO something special with the gifts we are given. We each have a destiny. <br />
Fight the good fight. Resist the urge to give up or run away... because it ain't yours to throw away.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THINK. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</b></div>
</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-6752633163406414662014-05-14T11:38:00.001-04:002014-05-14T11:38:51.737-04:00Wisdom 101<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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?<br />
<br />
I have.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2IaA4cq1bfCbh-KJHdOxXKuaGla_9oZR6LZb2DaunW2I8iUHtJwugk1h97STF5DsoJ54I_lmUei9fjNNoL95A10wqvgnmENwJx0BzfJ029KHiUqvAHCMxg06n2aZTeZyVTa5hBXKpWgs/s1600/lenses.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2IaA4cq1bfCbh-KJHdOxXKuaGla_9oZR6LZb2DaunW2I8iUHtJwugk1h97STF5DsoJ54I_lmUei9fjNNoL95A10wqvgnmENwJx0BzfJ029KHiUqvAHCMxg06n2aZTeZyVTa5hBXKpWgs/s1600/lenses.jpeg" /></a>Our lives really are amazing. <i>Even when something bad happens, something good can come from it if we are open to the possibility of seeing through a different lens. </i> 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 <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">entirely NEW perspective.</span></b> 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.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV9iY3WQxJzNsapOyFV5f00jbzdHua84l71JmsM3ej2FB5qUA9snt6zNtXtBctAsHw_k6QRsDSjqj1POkiC2Qplkneql3HEip1HpLJLQixhx3kd_W7upd2wX0F_Kubc7xzFx-iKxexcBy/s1600/filters.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV9iY3WQxJzNsapOyFV5f00jbzdHua84l71JmsM3ej2FB5qUA9snt6zNtXtBctAsHw_k6QRsDSjqj1POkiC2Qplkneql3HEip1HpLJLQixhx3kd_W7upd2wX0F_Kubc7xzFx-iKxexcBy/s1600/filters.jpeg" height="133" width="200" /></a><br />
Lenses.<br />
Filters.<br />
New perspectives.<br />
<br />
Your perspective really IS your reality. Thing is, if you close one eye or tilt your head even slightly, that perspective changes dramatically.<br />
<br />
What I have learned today and continue to learn is to <i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">expect new perspectives and to embrace them all,</i> enjoying the journey of new experiences or information as I discover these variations that come if you look for them. <br />
<br />
Life can present some wonderful lessons through varying perspectives IF you slow down long enough to SEE them. Ponder them. Absorb them.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3btCllOMvowD_egayTATvhc6FN84i8bqeWinVpyOMNHJp1xdMTzy9c9WAslK-vIWD-2gFVltcNqX2Gbodv8MNoSmg7jy5fBY6yKCbYtSl5wo0-X8MyFcdIrbRy9VGAD9BmaNSxTYcXVZy/s1600/perspective.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3btCllOMvowD_egayTATvhc6FN84i8bqeWinVpyOMNHJp1xdMTzy9c9WAslK-vIWD-2gFVltcNqX2Gbodv8MNoSmg7jy5fBY6yKCbYtSl5wo0-X8MyFcdIrbRy9VGAD9BmaNSxTYcXVZy/s1600/perspective.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PERSPECTIVES...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Look around your life today. <br />
<br />
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 <span style="color: #45818e;">WISDOM</span>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUVsBxJTRahEufcjiwaCYXJw2xmAM6vhxzz2qtlGg16G6mghPyd0M9orkmM0LxCG37g-1X4XWNHjT1BMmFHypQ0YvBxSdVx77MeR8EHwiNBFnvxvhPfudKzhxBCueBbYcLWDdCSuO4teE/s1600/wisdom.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUVsBxJTRahEufcjiwaCYXJw2xmAM6vhxzz2qtlGg16G6mghPyd0M9orkmM0LxCG37g-1X4XWNHjT1BMmFHypQ0YvBxSdVx77MeR8EHwiNBFnvxvhPfudKzhxBCueBbYcLWDdCSuO4teE/s1600/wisdom.jpeg" height="131" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">THINK. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</span></div>
</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-27211494993073362472014-03-24T17:41:00.002-04:002014-03-24T17:41:22.765-04:00Recalibration: I want a GREAT life!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have had an incredible amount of change in the past few months. This is definitely the <i>year of the horse</i>... my <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">year of Jubilee</span></b>! and simply my <b><u>recalibration</u></b> year.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Recalibration</span></b>.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLCQgY3ibtzPln3HR3eW-ynqKpxVTVgT1Z1rFQ1a9KG1AS_M4ewctZupAhuRlYTtAn5lK_gHTZLj4-IBM28boY008YTNSkFmTCP-rPmTPDF7HUX60drnfkDzExk0a4xBlnFAr1UPtGze_/s1600/images-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLCQgY3ibtzPln3HR3eW-ynqKpxVTVgT1Z1rFQ1a9KG1AS_M4ewctZupAhuRlYTtAn5lK_gHTZLj4-IBM28boY008YTNSkFmTCP-rPmTPDF7HUX60drnfkDzExk0a4xBlnFAr1UPtGze_/s1600/images-4.jpeg" height="200" width="141" /></a>I like that word.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgme8zJVNyg5V-HdTOAcj4pwsChJpE1EcTwxe0M8hN0tm17kMI9OvYa4U5Ts8DF_Ljkwh6sFqL2mUYnNv80wIa0Lu2jEKP3tX9DrcsJs1JjSVwEYU8SSQ97XVKw2NgBk3lY_Oa1unByca/s1600/images-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgme8zJVNyg5V-HdTOAcj4pwsChJpE1EcTwxe0M8hN0tm17kMI9OvYa4U5Ts8DF_Ljkwh6sFqL2mUYnNv80wIa0Lu2jEKP3tX9DrcsJs1JjSVwEYU8SSQ97XVKw2NgBk3lY_Oa1unByca/s1600/images-6.jpeg" height="149" width="200" /></a>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.<br />
<br />
<br />
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...<br />
<br />
huh?<br />
<br />
Then His voice goes something like this: <i style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">"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."</i><br />
<br />
My Response: <i><b>"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?"</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
His Response: <i style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">"Rest now."</i><br />
<br />
My Response: <b><i>"Rest? I don't have time to do that..."</i></b> <u>LOL - tip:</u> 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.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">He gave me time to rest. Time to recalibrate. Time to listen.</span></b></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aDMNRXJ8ZJ8jC2HVpPZ7qHYepLB5X7PzFDQdh1CezleFU_QW-PvOiAkKCNjvUywJckHy9xeB9X1SRxjosv14uUNh3bOt5GnDYTX9Kvl3jcZL-flxNDpgHSgiwWMdDzQkj7xm9voo9DLL/s1600/images-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aDMNRXJ8ZJ8jC2HVpPZ7qHYepLB5X7PzFDQdh1CezleFU_QW-PvOiAkKCNjvUywJckHy9xeB9X1SRxjosv14uUNh3bOt5GnDYTX9Kvl3jcZL-flxNDpgHSgiwWMdDzQkj7xm9voo9DLL/s1600/images-5.jpeg" height="149" width="200" /></a>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. <i>Taaaaa Daaaaa! </i> 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.<br />
<br />
<b>He's preparing me for something <span style="color: #cc0000;">GREAT</span>! I can feel it...</b><br />
<br />
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).<br />
<br />
Right now, He's parted my Red Sea and I'm <i>walking</i>. 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.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3e3iyRYbGfOUMlONVlAiOuo5F3KX6T39RpdX4eR0GOJvAGqyXbHtR_oQkdtti9VEwbmgqta97pK29n_Hk4X4HyrnkkowwadiJ6oD4Yg5yZ8dAPP9eLUoYZpuDUu4pQkfL-pQpNG7P-qpx/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3e3iyRYbGfOUMlONVlAiOuo5F3KX6T39RpdX4eR0GOJvAGqyXbHtR_oQkdtti9VEwbmgqta97pK29n_Hk4X4HyrnkkowwadiJ6oD4Yg5yZ8dAPP9eLUoYZpuDUu4pQkfL-pQpNG7P-qpx/s1600/images-2.jpeg" height="90" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4P5icwD3nVvVsaPJeHyDWugkH9R7IqyACRyqwJsroxIxmeZVdisL0QomhipNM0JOiMksOQVDKlDNrXnnqmJguyz7FWkAGRbz_6jY8X5-r4nci4vUusH5LtMLXuDGPF7un1GWjDRQQYquQ/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4P5icwD3nVvVsaPJeHyDWugkH9R7IqyACRyqwJsroxIxmeZVdisL0QomhipNM0JOiMksOQVDKlDNrXnnqmJguyz7FWkAGRbz_6jY8X5-r4nci4vUusH5LtMLXuDGPF7un1GWjDRQQYquQ/s1600/images-3.jpeg" height="165" width="200" /></a>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.<br />
<br />
Whatever you are facing, ask yourself: <i><span style="color: #45818e;">Is this wall I'm trying to scale or knock down really an obstacle to be overcome?</span></i> OR <b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">was it deliberately put there to force you to LOOK UP? A tool to make you stop so you can recalibrate. </b><br />
<b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></b>
<span style="background-color: white;">You tell me. ;)</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
THINK. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</div>
</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-29829696367753946142013-12-28T13:05:00.001-05:002014-02-06T01:59:06.068-05:00Traditions Matter… pass them on!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This time of year many of us are nostalgic for family, traditions and that lovely Christmas feeling that would typically bring out the best in people - the spirit of the season: <span style="color: #990000;"><b>Love, Charity, Humility…</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mxXSGR-6CjBBBU7xgrZQiFAAguYtl2Moxmgl8VgyFxhgoupMnSJx8iFw3wr9LYdz54hOFns7pmtYFf4fEx4foYT3b0vjznx6zkSu-RI_u9LbvgD2UCrPYaepYS61RHWZKqdqSg-UgPKo/s1600/th-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mxXSGR-6CjBBBU7xgrZQiFAAguYtl2Moxmgl8VgyFxhgoupMnSJx8iFw3wr9LYdz54hOFns7pmtYFf4fEx4foYT3b0vjznx6zkSu-RI_u9LbvgD2UCrPYaepYS61RHWZKqdqSg-UgPKo/s1600/th-3.jpeg" /></a></div>
I always loved being home (Clarksburg, WV) for Christmas because for as long as I can remember, it always snowed that magical Christmas snow on Christmas Eve and the sky would be that incredible midnight blue highlighted by white, clear stars. Visiting longtime family friends and then walking to midnight Mass was the late evening plan that allowed us to savor all that was good and smell that clean air. Beautiful. Magical. Holy.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt_jxSiSy0Hiaet_8tEFmAYguDJH8dDDKlO0MGWJl0s3zApZAKqfqiBhJh2ORvK59-pQzjoU0IR4nKIUmKJSdhn411tThl6NdHQiVKlrh5eTAW2q2Y7EndtUTCurxokUAdKWe2SWHCtr-/s1600/th-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt_jxSiSy0Hiaet_8tEFmAYguDJH8dDDKlO0MGWJl0s3zApZAKqfqiBhJh2ORvK59-pQzjoU0IR4nKIUmKJSdhn411tThl6NdHQiVKlrh5eTAW2q2Y7EndtUTCurxokUAdKWe2SWHCtr-/s200/th-1.jpeg" height="137" width="200" /></a>The family would spend the day on Christmas Eve preparing foods (seven fishes - thanks Uncle Denny) as well as pastas, ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans… you name it and it was on the table. We would eat around 4pm and then open gifts from each other before heading out to visit friends.<br />
<br />
Lovely memories.<br />
Treasured traditions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TcYYrjvrugQPeNEGvkMimR3GHuZlNmiA8cSz-8KZZpRefibdTGjnPUnb-Fk-0DY8SkHnvnFPavJ69JAdSnSNunc2jPEDWUmIKwRTN5IhWg3K_s_H2s_YdbEuORwDY88O6MVcnAmJOTaB/s1600/th-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TcYYrjvrugQPeNEGvkMimR3GHuZlNmiA8cSz-8KZZpRefibdTGjnPUnb-Fk-0DY8SkHnvnFPavJ69JAdSnSNunc2jPEDWUmIKwRTN5IhWg3K_s_H2s_YdbEuORwDY88O6MVcnAmJOTaB/s200/th-4.jpeg" height="131" width="200" /></a>It was so fun to open the presents to see what my grandparents had gotten us because they started shopping the day after Christmas the year before and long since forgotten what was wrapped and put away.<br />
<br />
Cookie and pie baking.<br />
Taking food to the elderly or less fortunate.<br />
<br />
All activity designed to remind us of what truly mattered - family, health, loving one another, blessings, faith and more.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjme0DIlsEKZamWSu3E5Khp0sMMfeaNA_Gc_X1cD2flpbk4SE4vmHA_kixB2S9qaxk32KKP39poLVC9fU5bsc1zZTKZbjgSts_l9Wqu0MaBhMYTXJZIN6k3L54ViOr2hj8BVTsXVCmtxypO/s1600/IMG_2600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjme0DIlsEKZamWSu3E5Khp0sMMfeaNA_Gc_X1cD2flpbk4SE4vmHA_kixB2S9qaxk32KKP39poLVC9fU5bsc1zZTKZbjgSts_l9Wqu0MaBhMYTXJZIN6k3L54ViOr2hj8BVTsXVCmtxypO/s200/IMG_2600.jpg" height="200" width="190" /></a>If you watch TV or listen to how many talk about the season, you hear a lot of negativity: Commercialism, Greed, Spoiled children who have no understanding of the real meaning of the season, traffic jams, rude drivers/shoppers… the list goes on. And yes, there is some of that. We've all experienced it or maybe even suffered moments of it ourselves but I don't believe that is the majority of the time. I think those bad behaviors are the exception not the rule.<br />
<br />
I see so much love everywhere I look - when I look.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGHVoKc8u7Jb0Th39uzUT2qpBvvT2u6zb1nwI8MC_TihzuNmKtLwEcjL3gvpbBfQjrUyp4mzecN1Y401Dn7A7OnuCWvPR2vYakHuSLIHshfHOQZBzfqgffOVz8uaEkcUi9neEncRZJheA/s1600/th-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGHVoKc8u7Jb0Th39uzUT2qpBvvT2u6zb1nwI8MC_TihzuNmKtLwEcjL3gvpbBfQjrUyp4mzecN1Y401Dn7A7OnuCWvPR2vYakHuSLIHshfHOQZBzfqgffOVz8uaEkcUi9neEncRZJheA/s200/th-2.jpeg" height="138" width="200" /></a>It's that love that recalls the tradition and stirs the emotion of childhood. I find now that it's my generation who is reviving the old school traditions… It is after all, up to us to teach and reminisce with the children in our lives so they can experience what we did. How can they treasure those small things that mean so much to us if we've not taken the time to be with them as our parents and grandparents did with us: their family stories, their little idiosyncrasies that you now appreciate as Truth… the right way to do anything, etc. How can we all pass on those moments - creating new ones - while preserving former ones and thus maintaining the tradition, the love, the faith?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKmUgS2vvTDDxUJhE-WtAbQ5T4FjHJVw62rjIrrQJzNtK3t2XSX7G2sCpBg2k7NtsGNFYMw3gs1gbSDCb0DYPb1TY1EkwZTavK9t3LPRql19oDH1xU5xh42SJERMP87LJ9p4UDEIShpaN/s1600/th-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKmUgS2vvTDDxUJhE-WtAbQ5T4FjHJVw62rjIrrQJzNtK3t2XSX7G2sCpBg2k7NtsGNFYMw3gs1gbSDCb0DYPb1TY1EkwZTavK9t3LPRql19oDH1xU5xh42SJERMP87LJ9p4UDEIShpaN/s1600/th-5.jpeg" /></a><br />
Christmas traditions matter.<br />
All traditions matter really.<br />
<br />
<b>They have meaning to us.</b> So as we take down the trees and put away the ornaments, spend the same amount of time carefully wrapping things up as you did putting everything up with your kids. Do it all together. Christmas tradition becomes more meaningful when all throughout the year we take time to make moments matter.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv6vVdiCu-8pzwIcLv34jxgqLl6290T9Q6oy1L-euDkrz0XKzrK6UdfSQ63Fhs_e8IZKBO9VzMAcHAm9Daq09oZJxPOejeV02Bf72O2HRgkYLCZak24I9TnGwv_ea2f460ouTG_a-R5-7/s1600/216476_1990349879962_1279807706_2370765_6299579_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv6vVdiCu-8pzwIcLv34jxgqLl6290T9Q6oy1L-euDkrz0XKzrK6UdfSQ63Fhs_e8IZKBO9VzMAcHAm9Daq09oZJxPOejeV02Bf72O2HRgkYLCZak24I9TnGwv_ea2f460ouTG_a-R5-7/s200/216476_1990349879962_1279807706_2370765_6299579_n.jpg" height="200" width="193" /></a>As we prepare for yet another NEW YEAR with all the would-be resolutions pending with promise of change…<b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> add in one Christmas-like tradition that you can carry forward through the year that demonstrates the depth of love you feel at this time of year.</b> <u>Pick one thing to teach a child in your life </u>- by example not just by telling. ;) Children reflect back what we value. So let's choose wisely.<br />
<br />
Thanks for listening - the children in our lives are (to every word and action). I hope to hear back from all of you what your beloved tradition is… and what you may carry forward!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
THINK. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</div>
<br /></div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-58832344227392408902013-11-03T11:38:00.000-05:002013-11-03T11:38:07.497-05:00No Affect<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, it's been a while since I've written... sorry about that. Been a tough few months. Pretty stressful. A lot going on with family, the house, the dogs, friends, and of course work.<br />
<br />
<b>Everyone</b> suffers from stress.<br />
<b>Everyone</b> has issues of some sort.<br />
And <b>everyone</b> has a limit to what they can absorb.<br />
<i>Even me.</i><br />
<br />
I tend to hold myself to a reallllllly high standard, almost intolerant of my own frailties in an effort to not make excuses...or mistakes. I juggle and juggle, <i>reprioritizing</i> constantly, <i>managing</i> incessantly, trying to keep up with the perceived and perhaps real demands of every<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">one</span></b> and every<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">thing</span></b> in my life. I do it nearly 24/7 driving myself to find solutions to so many things - the majority of which I have very little control over.<br />
<br />
My goal is to <u>influence</u>. My hope is to <u>make a difference</u>. Preferably, a <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">positive</span></b> one for my effort.<br />
<br />
I've been trained to respond. To react, re-evaluate, and solve... then suggest or direct.<br />
I'm good at it actually.<br />
<br />
That innate gift makes me relatively successful - depending on how one chooses to define the term. My relationships rely on it, as do I because I've built them all around it.<br />
<br />
There's just one problem.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #990000;">Volume.</span></b><br />
<br />
Well, maybe more than one; but let's roll with this one first.<br />
<br />
Have you noticed the sheer <i>volume</i> of demands on your life, mind and time have increased exponentially? We are all bombarded with INPUTS telling us to DO more, BE more, ACQUIRE more, SPEND more, EAT more, EXERCISE more.... MORE MORE MORE. The 24/7 news cycle has invaded all areas of our lives.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">Volume drowns out BALANCE.</span></b></div>
<br />
The deluge of activity and demands can bring anyone to a breaking point.<br />
<br />
Believe it or not, I'm an introvert. I crave <span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">QUIET</span>. I need time to myself to calm my mind which in turn allows me to <i>rebalance</i>. If I don't create the space to allow myself to care for ME, I eventually shut down. It's like watching your cell phone or tablet send you warnings about battery life until it's at 10% then 5% = RED LIGHT. Then nothing. Powering down. The device no longer works. As I am nearing the end of my mental battery life however I shut down peripherals - beginning with my emotions. I control them so tightly while I'm in <b>MANAGE MODE</b> that they begin to erupt intermittently before disappearing in <i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #0b5394;">NO AFFECT-land</span></i>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlMStVAOvecCpuhOKLIDYv9kFGb7B05VGXnMrTQJxZfi9V4vePtZNmHFDSECarQVVCB_5avyBLfeW28J11H0J46g-Fal7e27BSeVqjWKH5Nboo9RW2JOYaK57B7EPQluOXHuTURKHlrHW/s1600/DangerWillRobinson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlMStVAOvecCpuhOKLIDYv9kFGb7B05VGXnMrTQJxZfi9V4vePtZNmHFDSECarQVVCB_5avyBLfeW28J11H0J46g-Fal7e27BSeVqjWKH5Nboo9RW2JOYaK57B7EPQluOXHuTURKHlrHW/s200/DangerWillRobinson.jpg" width="157" /></a>No Affect is a danger zone for me. It's when I've by-passed all healthy parameters and run full speed into the minefield of overload. I can no longer effectively decipher the necessary difference needed to prioritize activities like picking up coffee creamer vs handling a loved one's medical care coordination. ALL are priorities which means NONE are. I respond in monotone. My eyes darken. My mind dulls.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/RG0ochx16Dg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"Danger Will Robinson! Danger!"</i></span></a><br />
<br />
Life Support on back up power only.<br />
<i>Uh oh............</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Do you ever reach NO AFFECT-land?</i></b></div>
<br />
Well, IF or when you do, there's a couple of options. Once you begin to power back up, you'll no doubt realize where you are and want to leave the minefield... (or at least I hope so)! At that point, there's hope for you/me!<br />
<br />
<b>Change is good</b> in this instance.<br />
<br />
As is <b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #38761d;">GRACE</span></b>.<br />
<br />
Allow yourself a measure of grace.<br />
Forgive yourself and everyone/thing around you for failing to live in harmonious balance! ;) lol<br />
Recognize self judgment and choose to refuse to accept the negative statements that may bombard you.<br />
<br />
Instead, take a moment to breathe.<br />
Give yourself a break by allowing yourself to TAKE A BREAK.<br />
Get off the hook of "<i>must do</i>" or "<i>need to</i>" or "<i>should</i>..."<br />
<br />
DO something to relieve and expel your stress.<br />
Write.<br />
Run.<br />
Box.<br />
Ride.<br />
Play.<br />
Cook.<br />
Read.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">R E L A X</span>.......... do whatever you need to do so you can!<br />
<br />
The sun will still rise. The earth will still spin. Amazingly, those that love you will support your reprieve.<br />
<br />
At the end of the day, simply do your best. <br />
It may not be enough for some, but <b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">make it enough for you</span></b>.<br />
<br />
Release the trigger rather than pulling it.<br />
Let go.<br />
<br />
Let go.<br />
<br />
Let go...<br />
<br />
Deeeeep breath. Exhalllllllllle.<br />
Whew.<br />
<br />
If you do that, the fog will clear. <br />
It doesn't mean the cascading TO DO list will disappear. No. Unfortunately, that's just life. But it does mean, you'll be in a much better place to deal with it all again. And maybe, just maybe, the next time you begin to reach your own version of NO AFFECT-land, you'll regroup and rebalance a little sooner.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">THINK. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-1363945908919971502013-08-10T13:15:00.002-04:002013-08-10T13:15:50.980-04:00Going Home...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ever have those moments when a <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">MEMORY</span> is so vivid, you're reliving it? It's a wonderful experience when it's a beautiful reminder... not so much when it's not. ;)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Lately I've been experiencing the beautiful.</b></div>
<br />
I remember...<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>swinging through the poles of my grandmother's clotheslines barefoot in the summer's green grass, smelling the freshly clean sheets on the line </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>standing in a mountain stream in Colorado feeling the water rush past </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpUoT42IpI0G5Dpdoo91NF3CkF3ih7kXKTv5jvgEgQGZ5NNcTC-A6q_AWpkBFAQUoPyqDFK_haey6dRIuOSph7fG-qan6A_elvWXCvHpeWjJ5j_6G_e2zYy1yM8z58owIJKCc9lnJxJ09/s1600/images-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpUoT42IpI0G5Dpdoo91NF3CkF3ih7kXKTv5jvgEgQGZ5NNcTC-A6q_AWpkBFAQUoPyqDFK_haey6dRIuOSph7fG-qan6A_elvWXCvHpeWjJ5j_6G_e2zYy1yM8z58owIJKCc9lnJxJ09/s200/images-6.jpeg" width="200" /></a>
<li>catching a line drive and feeling it sting my hand (playing minor league at North View park)</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>the first time I held the clutch and brake correctly releasing it on a hill without my car rolling backward <i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">(thanks Uncle Denny)</span></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WBBA8XrwWel1KhfQpkvG2iZ0v-XMSAbWTOvo3bLHSRRO4sMTKNiS2xygA0EhAYhG39Q2BLNF6PFH5ct-yDdQEbX7Mxo7km0DwYe-E7N2diXEeaUSeetGsXdR8RE7fR7IlMbKVc6JxDRj/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WBBA8XrwWel1KhfQpkvG2iZ0v-XMSAbWTOvo3bLHSRRO4sMTKNiS2xygA0EhAYhG39Q2BLNF6PFH5ct-yDdQEbX7Mxo7km0DwYe-E7N2diXEeaUSeetGsXdR8RE7fR7IlMbKVc6JxDRj/s200/images-3.jpeg" width="200" /></a>
<li>the smell of clean mountain air during a snowfall at night, cross-country skiing to a yurt</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>walking across campus freshman year on my way to class, smelling the Fall air, feeling amazing because I was exactly where I was supposed to be</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>enjoying chateaubriand at the <a href="http://www.signatureroom.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Signature Room</span></a> at the 95th for the best first date ever</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>jumping off a short cliff at the lake in WV, flying through the air before hitting the water <i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">(thanks Uncle Bobby for taking the fab 5 out on your boat)</span></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>walking the streets of Venice marveling at the sights, sounds, and pure joy of being there</li>
</ul>
...and the list goes on and on.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaNMykJE62B0rbuyNuIBHDqhTHnOYRi6X9RhqBivYDs78BJ2aSsZ8fNho8otq_6I8eRbS6nvpUkbFCsqOh0aIdyauXQkF4ZqMgxSeMCIWwItI7mqGHFL-0NO14cLympWQ1aPKIY4lN0xe/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaNMykJE62B0rbuyNuIBHDqhTHnOYRi6X9RhqBivYDs78BJ2aSsZ8fNho8otq_6I8eRbS6nvpUkbFCsqOh0aIdyauXQkF4ZqMgxSeMCIWwItI7mqGHFL-0NO14cLympWQ1aPKIY4lN0xe/s200/images-1.jpeg" width="132" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>It's a Wonderful Life! </b> Truly...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm having a wonderful life. Incredibly blessed. That said, the older I get, the more I realize how fun life is IN THE MOMENT and how valuable HOME is. Home may be where you grew up, may be a person, may be where you are now. <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Home</span></b> should be where you feel most like your true self and where you're the happiest. Home matters.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Take a moment today to savor your home... make a memory. And if you're not home, make a plan to go home. <i> I am.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">THINK. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-30350871010091327362013-07-14T23:22:00.000-04:002014-02-06T02:02:09.565-05:00Why this verdict bothers me so much...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've heard this quoted and misquoted many times over the years: (12th Century)<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1373852234935_1" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">legal theorist Maimonides said</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> <i>"It is better and more satisfactory to acquit a thousand guilty persons than to put a single innocent one to death" </i>in reference to our legal system in the United States.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">While I understand the sentiment, it feels like many innocents are found guilty and that the thousand guilty persons keep adding up.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: white;">I also get the reality that the Prosecution in Sanford, FL did not </span><i style="background-color: #d9ead3;">"prove their case beyond a <b>doubt</b>"</i><span style="background-color: white;"> but my problem is with the </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>REASONABLENESS</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> of it. <i>Reasonable</i> Doubt? Reasonable... Reasonable... that word echoes in my mind.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I've heard those who support the NRA talk about the 2nd Amendment...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I've heard the arguments about race and profiling...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">But here's what keeps replaying in my mind:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Most pre-drivers (meaning 15 year olds or younger) tend to take the shortest route home - even if that means cutting through others yards. I did it when I was a kid. I now live in a gated community and more than once I've seen kids "cutting through" my neighborhood. It's what they do.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">I am a responsible gun owner and a member of the NRA. I support the 2nd Amendment. However EVERY single gun class, seminar, etc. ALWAYS talks about protecting yourself, your home or property. It's about defending... not being aggressive. I've been the victim of violence so I've taken self defense classes off and on for years from basic self defense to Krav Maga -- again, it's always about protecting yourself and about creating space to GET AWAY. The objective is to survive and get away.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">I've been stalked before. I've been followed. I can tell you from personal experience AND based on most statistics, when someone is following you, their INTENT is to intimidate. Most human reaction to being followed is FEAR in some form.</span></blockquote>
So here's what bugs me...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; line-height: 16px;">Mr. Zimmerman called police multiple times prior to this incident to report 'suspicious looking black men' in the neighborhood.</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">This night, he decided to <i>"follow the suspicious black man." </i></span></blockquote>
WHY do that? It's aggressive by the action alone.<br />
Common sense says that Mr. Zimmerman was aggravated by the boy's presence.<br />
<br />
Most 15 year old boys I know have some hormone issues. They tend to think they're invincible, can be rebellious and even a little mouthy. Even in the best of circumstances, teenagers don't always REACT well to stress - particularly fear.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Mr. Zimmerman had defense classes - whether or not he was good at them - he had to take a class to legally obtain a fire arm. So he'd been told and taught what to do in a confrontation. The basic principles remind us to "Get Away."</span></blockquote>
But clearly, <b>FEAR</b> won.<br />
A child died.<br />
<br />
In Jacksonville, a dispute over music, another white man claims he "stood his ground"- <b>FEAR</b> won... and<br />
A child died.<br />
<br />
We, as a society, have never been able to eradicate bias. But sadly, I have to admit that if Trayvon was the white son of a local councilman, or favored (white) teacher, cop, or fireman... despite the incredible limitations imposed on the jury by FL law... I believe Mr. Zimmerman and potentially Mr. Dunn would be serving a jail sentence.<br />
<br />
This is one of the many reasons <b><i>why this verdict bothers me so much.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
The whole thing bothers me.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">I do pray to God that He helps us as a nation heal this and so many other injustices - because only He can.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...and I do pray that anyone / everyone living in Florida will consider all this and VOTE to change your representatives and others so that your laws may better protect <u>all</u> children. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">ACT.</span></div>
</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-32082007972283094522013-04-21T09:36:00.001-04:002013-04-21T09:36:48.806-04:00Our Better Angels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Writing is one of my favorite things to do (<i>in case you couldn't tell</i>). It's my primary mechanism of expression and clearing for the clutter that generally lurks in my mind. Today is my birthday, so I hope you'll indulge me a little, because this is what's in my head:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPYB197UBgu_h7QMMd7Jt4eD_v_CZka5Ct33kSAS529Oa25CpkvZDghxpC3dUiWvfmjjdnv7SKIB9GXYWygv2Thvch7ivFBgsFfDLSfMlzzlyFVWdXYuk-IdmLCINsRgeUXT6AAMGReb8/s1600/601790_10151554489034100_439513801_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPYB197UBgu_h7QMMd7Jt4eD_v_CZka5Ct33kSAS529Oa25CpkvZDghxpC3dUiWvfmjjdnv7SKIB9GXYWygv2Thvch7ivFBgsFfDLSfMlzzlyFVWdXYuk-IdmLCINsRgeUXT6AAMGReb8/s200/601790_10151554489034100_439513801_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
This past week has been a week of tragedy and triumph with bombings in Boston at the beloved Marathon and an explosion of a plant in West, Texas... and finally, this weekend is EARTH DAY.<br />
<br />
I witnessed a car accident this week while driving to dinner... and while the driver that ran a red light that caused the accident stopped, he then sped away. Who knows why? Fortunately I was right behind him and got the make/model of his car, his license plate, and a good description of him because before he left, he got out to survey the damage to his vehicle - never mind that he hit a truck that then flipped twice in an intersection.<br />
<br />
Still despite these individual acts of fear or hatred or whatever evil intent, there were <b><u>COUNTLESS</u></b> acts of <span style="background-color: #990000;"><span style="color: white;">LOVE</span></span>, Courage, Heroism, Selflessness, Compassion and so many more words that can be used to describe what is best about being human:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">...witnesses (ordinary people) as well as first responders and medical professionals rushing TOWARD the fire to aid the injured in </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Boston</span><span style="color: #b45f06;">.</span><br /><span style="color: #351c75;">...citizens abiding by the law, trusting in law enforcement, notifying them of any/all information that eventually resulted in the capture of suspects.</span><br /><span style="color: #b45f06;">...more than 15 people at a crash site who pulled over, jumped from their cars to aid a man who had just been hit at an intersection and his truck flipped twice.</span></blockquote>
While a single, individual act caused harm - that same negative was met and overwhelmingly overtaken by multiple acts of LOVE. For me, it was those acts of the human spirit, those selfless collective responses and the outpouring of love and our need to HELP - however we could, whether it was simply sending thoughts and prayers or something more - that made me cry this week. It's usually those stories that bring tears to my eyes. More so even than my emotions from loss...<br />
<br />
and for that, I am grateful.<br />
<br />
I'll never understand evil motivation, it confounds my mind whenever I attempt to make sense of senseless things. But rather than dwell there for long, thankfully I am blessed to be able to shift into another gear that allows me to focus forward.<br />
<br />
We all have our opinions. God knows.<br />
<br />
There's ANY number of issues being debated on any given day. I work in behavioral health so I pay close attention to things like health care reform, questions regarding mental illness, bullying behaviors in children and adults. I'm a <i>Christian</i> so I listen to the opinions of so many who wax poetic on 'issues' they deem to be moral imperatives. I'm from <span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #3d85c6;">West Virginia</span> so of course, I notice any and all things from my beloved state. I'm a dog lover, motorcycle rider, gun owner, historian, sports lover, outdoor enthusiast, and a blogger. I'm a neat freak, lover of art and philosophy, of Italian-Irish, etc. decent who loves family, "good" food and small towns. I love people though they sometimes irritate me! I'm an <b><span style="background-color: #ea9999; color: #073763;">American</span></b>.<br />
<br />
That's who I am.<br />
<br />
My beliefs are relatively simple too. I believe in <b>God</b> wholly and completely. I do not believe I know or can comprehend all that He is or does... therefore I do not presume that I do or could. I believe in the power of <i>forgiveness</i> and <b>Love</b>, always Love. I believe in <b>family</b> - and that includes those who may not share my same heritage or bloodlines. I believe in <i>democracy, freedom, and the United States government </i>which means I believe in <b>service</b> also. <br />
<br />
<b>Now why say all that?</b><br />
<br />
I say it because I am absolutely certain that no matter who you are, there are any number of things that we will have in common AND any number of things we would likely fundamentally disagree on with our last breaths. My challenge to you and myself is that when judging, we both listen to our better angels and ACT from Love rather than any number of negative feelings or viewpoints.<br />
<br />
I have been blessed to be on this good Earth now for 44 years today. I've traveled abroad and in our country. I've lived in many states - both big and small cities - in apartments, townhouses, and single family homes. I have had my share of illness and tragedy and suffered loss as well as joys... and in all my collective wisdom and experience, the basics of the two greatest commandments still hold universal truth for me:<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind; and</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Love your neighbor as yourself.</span></li>
</ol>
Both begin with the <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">LOVE</span></b>. If we operate <i><u>first</u></i> from love - not fear, not distrust, not separation, not hatred - then we have a chance at understanding, forgiveness, and peace. If we each judged, when we judge, out of the principles of love FIRST, rather than ego or some other selfish viewpoint then our commonalities can help move us past our differences.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdMEW1L2h7KpOJKx5vyrMonmfbg7EQUd9h74Z5MufufOqgGRMOzxvUBbodea6FPCxplrm8oiiy50cKqo3-GTdvX-5xAs-HVlDQMZ3JwBOzgDROB8dCNSU1GGgTeCyYllUa4-i1FQgjAIC/s1600/Serenity+prayer.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdMEW1L2h7KpOJKx5vyrMonmfbg7EQUd9h74Z5MufufOqgGRMOzxvUBbodea6FPCxplrm8oiiy50cKqo3-GTdvX-5xAs-HVlDQMZ3JwBOzgDROB8dCNSU1GGgTeCyYllUa4-i1FQgjAIC/s200/Serenity+prayer.jpeg" width="160" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Life is full of contradictions, challenges, tragedies and triumphs. I'm not asking for world peace (yet)... but I am asking for you (and me) - one person at a time - to challenge yourself to operate within your world from a place of love first because I DO believe Love Never Fails. And with that, I believe love will open your mind and heart to incredible possibility and blessing in this life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Thanks for listening.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now it's time for me to get myself together so I can celebrate my birthday at an amusement park!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Happy Earth Day!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-40788321336468050342013-03-31T15:10:00.000-04:002013-03-31T15:13:18.015-04:00Time to Renew<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I do love <span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Easter Sunday...</b></span> it represents everything good. It's about <span style="color: #b45f06;">REBIRTH</span> and <span style="color: #3d85c6;">RENEWAL</span> in the most basic sense and yet it's so much more. For the spiritual or religious, it is the celebration of all we believe and hold to be true. For others, it still means much the same - rebirth.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">What is it about renewal and rebirth that is so essentially human?</i></div>
<br />
We crave it.<br />
<br />
We all long for some way to begin again. Some way to <i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">revive, renew, resurrect</span></i>. It may be a hope to fall in love again with a spouse; to start life over with a career or purposeful work vs. a current job; or simply finding a lost love like playing the guitar, rebuilding an engine, planting a garden, sailing a boat...or it may be as simple as choosing to eat healthier and exercise. We look forward to retirement so we can do just that! ;)<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #bf9000;">The wonderfully beautiful thing about being human is that we actually possess the capacity to accomplish this. </span></i> We CAN choose to begin again. To shed the old and find renewal and rebirth. In the process, we experience freedom, joy, forgiveness, peace and so much more.<br />
<br />
The good news is that we don't have to wait for retirement or an annual Easter celebration to ignite this process. But since it IS Easter, why not start now?<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What is it that needs to renewed in your life? or is it simply that YOU need to be renewed and reborn?</span></i><br />
<br />
Take a few moments today to THINK about that question and then WRITE down what you want to renew. Choose your words. Just start there... <br />
<br />
It's time to renew.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">THINK. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</span></div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291082706757071871.post-27654798159716188952013-03-24T13:55:00.000-04:002014-02-06T02:02:52.514-05:00Dolce Far Niente<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm <span style="color: #cc0000;">Italian</span> and <span style="color: #274e13;">Irish</span>... but I was mostly raised by the Italian side of my family... and I had the opportunity to go to Italy a few years ago visiting Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Venice, Naples, and the Isle of Capri. While there I was reminded of something my Gram used to say to me whenever I'd ask her what she was doing? Typically she'd be sitting on her porch when this conversation would occur... but in short, she'd grin and say <i><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>"Nothing."</b></span></i><br />
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Now this wasn't the 'nothing' in the general teenage angst sense, nor a sarcastic retort. NO, this was simply the truth.</div>
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After she'd done whatever chore she'd deemed necessary that day, she'd go out and sit on the porch (in warmer weather) or the basement couch (in winter) with a beverage, some bread, cheese, salami or pepperoni, etc. and just <b><span style="color: #e69138;">SIT</span></b>.</div>
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The last few weeks, as I've been getting over my Texas allergies <i>(yes, we have them in winter not spring)</i>, I've been rediscovering myself. Of course there's nothing like a trip to where you grew up to bring back into focus the <b>Real You... </b>who you are at your core. Anyway, in this continual journey of self discovery, I've begun 'centering' again asking: '<i><span style="color: #674ea7;">What do you want?' 'Are you happy? and if not, why not?' 'What makes you smile? feel accomplished or whole?' </span></i>and then I came to realization that over the last several years, I've nearly forgotten how to <b><span style="color: #e69138;">RELAX</span></b>. I get glimpses of this state of being known as '<i style="background-color: #fce5cd;">peace</i>' or '<i style="background-color: #fce5cd;">relaxation</i>' but overall, on a regular basis, it eludes me.</div>
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I am a Type A personality. Always seeing what else <u>"needs to be done"</u> and classically "<u>never satisfied with the present.</u>" </div>
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I'm a visionary. A dreamer. Yet, I also have the ability, talent, skill or gift needed to make most dreams or lofty goal a reality when I set my mind to it.</div>
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While that's a wonderful quality for most things in life, it is also the very thing that sets me in constant conflict with "the art of doing nothing = <b><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; color: #38761d;">DOLCE FAR NIENTE</span></b>"</div>
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What is 'dolce far niente?' It's an Italian phrase literally translated as "<b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #3d85c6;">sweet doing nothing</span></b>" but also means "<b><span style="color: #38761d;">pleasant relaxation in carefree idleness</span></b>." WOW. Look at each word in that phrase and do your best to absorb the <i>delicious</i> meaning of it all...</div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">PLEASANT</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">RELAXATION</span></b></div>
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<b><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">IN</span></b></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">CAREFREE</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">IDLENESS</span></b></div>
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<i>Seriously? Is that even possible???? </i></div>
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Not just 'relaxation' but 'PLEASANT relaxation.'</div>
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"IN" not 'of' or 'for' or 'about' but "in" as in immersed, subsumed, whole...</div>
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"CAREFREE" = without care, worry, concern...</div>
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"IDLENESS" = Stillness.</div>
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One of my favorite quotable bible verses is "<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">BE STILL</span> (and know that I am God)" Psalm 46:10. Oh how I struggle to "be still," to "wait on the Lord." Many times I seem utterly incapable of 'stillness.' Eastern religion, the practice of yoga, and so many other things from spirituality to psychology all have elements designed to tame the human mind because we equate STILLNESS with PEACE.</div>
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<i>Stillness for me is not 'emptiness' but rather calmness and quiet. And it most definitely requires PRACTICE because I'm always, always, always "doing" something.</i></div>
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hmmmmmmmm...</div>
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Once again, I'm realizing how very RIGHT my grandparents are. There is a beauty in the simplicity of being verses doing. There is something essential about taking time to be still. There is something necessary and healthy and human that requires us to relax.</div>
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In this case, I fully believe the Italians have the right frame of mind: <i>DOLCE FAR NIENTE, everyone!</i></div>
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On this Sunday - the biblical 'day of rest' - put aside your 'need' to 'do' anything today and instead seize the opportunity to do NOTHING!</div>
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I am.</div>
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It's time.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">THINK/FEEL. WRITE. BELIEVE. ACT.</span></div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332962781877324384noreply@blogger.com0