To Live For Something Greater

At various times in my life, I have encountered people who tell me they are not allowed to show feelings, they don’t know how to show feelings or they believe they can’t show their feelings, particularly when it comes to love.  Maybe when it comes to love, the issue is not simply based on feeling, but on how one defines love.  One can show love in every aspect of life.  Love can be tough love, gentle love, endearing love, romantic love, caring love, protective love, etc.  It can also be shown by simply being alert and aware of…

I definitely have love in my heart for all, but I work at loving equally, without reservation.  Loving everyone, family, friends, and strangers alike, is something that I continually strive to attain.  All we need… is a decision to love.  “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”  Nelson Mandela Having compassion towards others, displaying acts of kindness…

My daughter asked me recently if I failed often as a child. My immediate answer was, “Repeatedly, and I continue to face failure regularly as an adult.”   I have never given much thought to failure because to me it is a stepping stone to my next success.  In fact, I rarely think in terms of failure.  I tend to quickly analyze my mistakes or misfortune and continue trying to reach my goal.  When there are no more opportunities to meet the goal, I rework my goal.  I don’t spend time worrying about my failures, however, I do learn from…

The use of humor in my everyday life has proven invaluable.  Humor helps me keep things in perspective, it helps me move through tough situations, and it relieves unnecessary stress. One has to know me very well or pay close attention to recognize my sense of humor.  My brother, on the other hand, is blessed with a sense of humor that people gravitate toward and enjoy being around.  I always was grateful that he was able to take the attention off me and captivate the crowd with his quick wit.  That does not mean that he always uses his sense…

When I encounter the withholding of information or praise it always makes me feel uncomfortable. Particularly if I am the one contemplating not providing the information or encouragement.   Withholding things, in general, may seem powerful at the moment, but it is my belief that it is a sign of weakness.  A sign that one is unable to communicate effectively,  forgive, and/or find a solution to the problem.  Sometimes withholding information is a sign of avoidance and or negative use of power.    It seems as though I encounter different types of withholding on a daily basis.  Some days it might…

Nutrition has always been a priority for my family.  It is something that is important to my mother, to me, and to my children.  My mother made sure there was a balanced meal on the table, including fruits, vegetables, and protein.  As I raise my children I have the same priority, on a daily basis, I work at finding a nutritional balance for my children and myself.  It is not easy finding things my kids will eat and hopefully enjoy that build their bodies into sound machines. Foods that will prepare our bodies for the stress, sports, and activities that…

One of my daughters and I had a conversation this week that brought back memories.  She asked me what gift I received that was most memorable.  I asked if she meant the most memorable in a positive way.  She laughed and said, just most memorable.  Important to the story is my mother was very good at giving gifts.  Most of the time she nailed the assignment and brought joy to the receiver.  Excluding the year one of my brothers wanted land and she gave him a jar of dirt and a pencil box.  And of course, my 16th birthday. On…

Finding quality time for the things that are important to us takes effort and planning.  Quality time doesn’t just happen, it takes thought.  As I develop my weekly and daily schedule I carefully plan time for our family’s priorities.  At first, it takes time to figure out how to develop a schedule incorporating the things that are most important.  Over time, finding ways to add quality time to my routine has become easier because I have made it a priority.  When the schedule changes and quality time disappears, I look for alternative ways to capture time for what…

As a child, I tested my faith a few times, but I never doubted the outcome of those tests.  When I was too young to articulate my faith, I had this sixth sense that I was being guided down my intended path.  My tests were mostly regarding things that people thought I should do or not do, but all along I knew the direction I was being led.  There have been many years of uncertainty regarding where my path was leading, knowing only what I did not intend to do with my life.  What I do know is that when…