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…
I like to periodically do a self-check to ensure that I am mask-free. That I am being honest with myself and with others. No matter the cost, I strive to honor what I see as the truth. Realizing that my perceptions are just that, what I believe to be true. What others see may or may not be what I perceive they are understanding. It’s risky to take off the mask and show my true values and stand up for what I feel is ethically correct. There is a risk to being real. Making myself vulnerable to…
What a gift it is to be given another chance, a redo. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all the moments when I have done or said something less than desirable, yet have been given grace by those around me. The times I have been given grace have strengthened my ability to be both forgiving and thankful. But most importantly, I learn from each experience and pay it forward. With close friends, it is easy to see past some minor hiccups in one’s behavior or words. I know the value of friendship and understand the…
When I feel like there’s no choice, I choose hope. It is by faith that I, without doubt, know and believe that if I choose to surrender to Jesus, I will persevere through all struggles and find peace. When we choose Jesus, suffering does not disappear. Often, suffering becomes more intense. Surrendering to Jesus does not mean life will be any easier. What it does mean is that all the suffering one endures is eased with inner peace. Suffering without surrendering is like climbing a mountain with a mudslide. Each time you power through one obstacle, you slide back…
A tentative plan has been invaluable to me throughout my life and continues to enhance my day. A plan has allowed me to live in the moment and change course when necessary. In order of priority, I write down what I need to accomplish and the deadline. The plan can be altered at any moment. When running a company, my goal was to be flexible and adapt to the highest priority. Living in the moment allowed me to be proactive. Minimizing the necessary tasks for the day, leaving time for problem-solving. Issues could then be addressed immediately, without risking…
We make decisions constantly throughout our day. How do we navigate those decisions? Have we set ourselves up to succeed in our daily decision-making? I spent some time teaching myself to prioritize being thankful, prayerful, and living with a perspective of love and compassion. All of these things help prepare me to make better decisions. Being thankful allows me to approach decision-making with a positive perspective. Love opens the door for compassion and brings depth to my understanding. Prayer centers me and guides my decision-making process. One of the reasons I made a decision to learn how…
It’s not too late to change. Maybe others can’t change us, but we can make changes within ourselves if we so desire. First, we need to realize there’s something about ourselves that we would like to change. If I don’t know what I need to change in my life, I ask Jesus through prayer to show me what I need to do differently. Then I listen. If I’m being honest with myself and listening, I see various replays of different circumstances in my life and how I reacted to each of them. Once I see…
How do we encourage ourselves to see people as people, withholding judgment, encouraging acceptance, and inclusion? I’ll never forget the day my daughter came home and was accused of plagiarism in front of the entire class by a teacher. She asked the teacher what part of her work was not cited properly or paraphrased. When the teacher showed her, she said, “I am so sorry, but I did not plagiarize. I forgot to change the font when I transferred the information from my computer notes to the paper. Those are my words.” The teacher was unable to find any…