I am what I am today because of where I have been; I wouldn’t change a thing. Hindsight has been a beautiful thing in my life. The reason I can persevere and move through life’s challenges is that I have true faith. Seldom do I look back on the past. Although the past has made me who I am today, I choose to focus on the present. I have beautiful memories that bring me joy at different moments throughout my life. However, I believe those moments of joy are pieces to the puzzle of my life, and I…
When I grow up, I want to be more like Jesus. I want to be able to do and say the right thing at all times, not just sometimes. Be trusted and filled with compassion for others in a way that puts my love for them over my love for myself. When love prevails, everything seems to fall into place. The moment it is taken out of the equation, everything seems to fall apart. It is very simple to say one lives with love, but it takes patience and self-control. My actions must follow my desire to live with…
If I wait for everything to be perfect, there likely would never be a good time to rebuild. It doesn’t even matter what I am trying to rebuild. Whether I am interested in rebuilding my career, a friendship, a relationship, a home, or my life, at some point, I have to examine the available information and take a leap of faith. There are different reasons for wanting to rebuild one’s life. I have always found it important to be aware of the signs or warning signals indicating that I should prepare for change. Fifteen years into my career…
I can’t imagine my daily life without love. It pulls us together and unites us as one. Helping us better understand different perspectives and the concerns of those around us. Living with love allows us to see through the eyes of compassion and react with understanding. It also allows us an opportunity to live with inner peace. Dr. Issam Nemeh spoke regarding unity and how God honors us when we have love for each other and honors us more when we love directly. He emphasized the importance of applying our love and faith to the Lord in our daily…
On one hand, I find it easy to let go of things around me, but on the other hand, I often stay on my path until I am pushed into letting it go. It’s rare for me to have a difficult time letting go of possessions, both things that I have accumulated and heirlooms that I have acquired. I find that my memories outweigh what I gain from most items from the past. That side of letting go is incredibly easy for me. I can detach myself from the possession and still find joy in that special memory. Letting…
What am I building as I move through each day? What foundation am I creating, and how strong is my base? Are my actions jeopardizing the foundation I am building? Every day, I strive to live in the moment. I focus on the present, prioritizing anything that must be accomplished. Understanding that I want to be flexible in the moment to serve. Carefully managing my time, allowing myself to act on opportunities when they are presented. All while privately being prayerful, thankful, and grateful throughout my day. Daily, I determine how I can best build the foundation of my life…
I can’t imagine living my life any other way than with inner peace. Stress and anxiety are all around us; whenever I feel their presence, I make a decision to disengage. Opportunities cross our path that we have the will to either accept or ignore. It is our decision to move into conflict or change what we are doing and move toward peace. The decision is not easy. At certain points in our lives, we may feel we don’t have the power to make this decision. I chose to surrender to Jesus and, through prayer, center myself on…
Knowing there is nothing I can hide from Jesus, there are so many moments for which I wish I had a redo. The momentary thought in my mind each time has been, “Thank goodness no one was around for that blunder.” Reality sets in knowing that the most important one sees and knows everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly. The moment that crazy thought comes across my mind, I quickly refocus on why I am involved in anything that I want to hide. Jesus already knows I am thinking about it, so I quickly rethink what it is…
I hear myself saying, “Just breathe” as we transition from summer to the start of school. Stress and anxiety start to show as the routine changes and a new normal begins. My level of comfort is challenged by the unknown details of what lies ahead. I avoid stress and anxiety by staying in the moment. Taking each opportunity and challenge as it comes. Being aware of what is going on around me, but staying focused on my intended path. The noise around us attempts to pull us off track daily. Challenged by the thought of saying “no” or missing an…
When asked about the riches in my life, I would say they include faith, love, nature, family, and friends. It is the richness in my life that has given me the ability to enjoy my career and my jobs throughout my life. My faith sets the tone and provides a foundation that is unwavering. Love allows me a perspective of compassion and understanding. Nature opens my eyes to all the wonders that God has created. My family and friends accept me for who I am, without reservation. Many point out that money is a significant factor that I’ve overlooked…