Storms were brewing for our family during 2020 and 2021. Sometimes we experienced a light shower other times a downpour. There were times when we were hit with hail and even a few tornados that spun us around and spit us out in every direction. I believe that many of those reading this blog have also had their share of storms, particularly during the past few years. The struggles and storms can attempt to throw us off track if we are not equipped with the right tools. For me, those tools are hope and love. No matter the strength of…
With the excitement of the holiday season, I like to plan for success. That doesn’t mean that the plan has to be perfect or that everything will run smoothly. What it does mean is that I have a plan that can be adapted, moment to moment, depending on how the day is going. I like my plan to be a simple one-word outline. When things get a bit out of control, I can look at the plan and make changes as needed. If things are going smoothly, I may not ever look at the plan and simply let…
Clean-up was a chore as a child, but as an adult, it sets us up for success. In December I find myself reflecting on the events of the past year with the hope of preparing for a successful start to the new year. As I start my “clean-up” or review, I like to think about what went well, what could have gone better, and what never made it to the starting line. I think about my values and ask myself if my actions support my values. Are my actions representing who I am or am I sending mixed…
My late husband taught me to slow down and enjoy life. It is something I am truly grateful for because it allows me to appreciate all the small things that bring joy to one’s life. Before I met my husband I didn’t take the time to enjoy the journey. I simply was driven to successfully complete the task at hand. Completing the task gave me a sense of accomplishment, but I missed all that life offered around me. I never knew or worried about what I was missing. I had a goal and normally figured out the most…
This week I was reminded of the beauty that comes from a loving union. One of my favorite couples shared an anniversary this week. The social media posts made me smile and gave me an opportunity to be reminded of all the joy they share. This couple radiates love and kindness in everything they do, but particularly in their marriage. It is almost as if there’s a selflessness about their acts of kindness. The acts of kindness are to each other, but somehow that magic radiates to all those around them. They are an example of how good union…
It seems like the appropriate time, blog #200, to write about the things I like to remind myself of daily. Things that when temporarily missing change the whole trajectory of my day and me as a person. Love I chose love as my #1 daily reminder. Redefining the word love totally changed the way I respond to everything in my life. When I started approaching life with love I found myself understanding compassion at a deeper level. It became clear to me that I know very little about why things are happening. When I am frustrated with what is going…
Do you foster love and encouragement or live in a world of despair? Do you have hope or do you allow yourself to stay discouraged? Do you utilize prayer or rely on your strength and knowledge? When times are tough I remind myself that I have a choice as to how I perceive myself in the world in which we live. I have been one that has had an abundance of strength, hope, and faith. I choose to find hope as I move through my day. When we struggle to function, it is important to understand that we still have…
Are you ready for a new beginning? I smiled to myself as I started to type this blog. Why? Because I was walking in the rain on a cool fall day thinking about new beginnings. “New Beginning” seems like a great title for a springtime blog, but for now, I will accept that this is the perfect time to blog about new beginnings. Do we even know what we are searching for when we talk about looking for a new beginning? How do we know where to start or how to proceed to find our next steps? What are the…
It seems so easy to say the words focus on Jesus. But what does that mean? How do I do that? The truth is I have not found the answer. But I have made strides towards achieving that goal. I have not been given a formula for a simple step-by-step process. However, I am hopeful because I have had success in building a more abundant life concentrating on my faith, being prayerful, thankful, and more open regarding love. Prayer has become something I choose to focus on throughout my day. At first, I had to train myself to…
Are you open and ready for a healing from God? One of the most difficult things for me to watch as I move through my journey is people not thinking they are worthy of healing. Sometimes it is thinking the request is selfish, other times it might be finding the courage to be open to the idea of healing. Healings can come in all sizes and are often undetected for some time. I have experienced healings of the heart, of the mind, and of the body. Relationships with friends have severed and been repaired. Emotions have run strong and been…