Yellow Pieces of Paper: Because Things Change

Yellow Pieces of Paper: Because Things Change: Welcoming in a new year can conjure up feelings of anticipation and excitement, or not. :( As we walk out our daily routines, our comfort ...

WHATS IN IT FOR ME

Are you truly about 
others when you greet them?
Or does it give you a narci twinge...

when they pinch"your" social cheeks!

Some of us just by-pass a few of those who adore us, almost with abandon.

During this Holiday season we will be greeting those that may not be our favorite friends
or family.  As easy as it may be to hurry by, consider a tender thought.

If its out of your comfort zone...just relax, look at that Auntie, God-parent or family friend in the eye and spend an extra few moments with them.  For some of us, the effort will be significantly more than just crossing the room to talk with someone. It may mean allowing water to pass under a bridge... For others it may be demonstrating the "kindness" of holding their hand, even though they hurt you before...as you listen to their well wish's and maybe...a few woes. But what ever the jesture, if you will open your heart, you will come away with a spirit lifted and joy given!  And an attitude prepared for something new, different!  Coming away knowing you have found... "what's in it for me"!

When You Least Expect It

We often walk right by. Not a thought, not a twinge.
Yet something of significance is waiting to be discovered.


We underestimate what life has in store, thinking we have it all planned.  Being prepared...but are we...

Its signs are subtle.  Like a cool breeze or warm sunshine...
Yet the delight is unmistakable.

Like the joy of surprise...
It happens, when you least expect it.

Lifetime Season or a Blink

Friends...what do the look like?  Are they friends for a lifetime, a season, or a blink?  Are they "old friends", "good friends" "some" friends or what!...Do you keep them, or do they keep you? 
Are they digital, virtual, or "old school" pen-pals? You know, someone you never really met except on facebook. Or, how about the one you wonder...what ever happened to them...Are you connecting or re-connecting? Its really hard if you are a connect kind of friend.   Recently, I met up with an old friend.  Someone I can say Ive known for years. The scenario was the same. Its like every five years or so we reconnect purely by circumstance. Its quite a Joy! Something special.  Some how, our friendship has been all of these... 

Yet there is one that remains...

One Drop of Grace

Its like watching Olympic figure skaters display such strength and control.  They seem to glide effortlessly as they display the results of countless hours of practice.

Style, elegance..."Grace" 

Knowing the right thing to say can be a challenge at best.  When a  friend is down, or project has been rejected.  Maybe a relationship is failing, or distance has taken its tole. What we say, "or" don't say doesn't matter as much as "how" it is spoken ... "Grace"

Tempering your own response when you have been offended..."Grace"  

Thinking more of someone...                                                                                          

One Drop of Grace...
enough to make a difference!


God is able to make all grace abound to you!

Hang On Move On

Looking for a certain something to fill a hole, or fasten you together? Feeling lost?  Something missing? 

                 

 Like, "all the kings horses, and all the kings men...can't ..."


Depending on another for personal value and strength never works. Its a recipe for defeat, depression, division...disaster. You really are asking them for something they cannot provide. And, you go around, and around...and around again. As much as you try, it seems to no avail. It becomes exhausting... Try something else.  Something you may have been avoiding...


Revisit the God you once trusted and find value and strength again. He's been there all along.

Because Things Change

Welcoming in a new year can conjure up feelings of anticipation and excitement, or not. :(

As we walk out our daily routines, our comfort generally depends on consistency and security.  And, if we live life on a positive track, we press forward with strength.

But when we walk with defeat, we hold hands with it, and we struggle.

Anticipating life like you do while planning a vacation or a special event,
 can be fleeting...

So, if life isn't what it was, what you expected, or what you want, take inventory.

What are the constants in your life? The secure things?

Change what you dwell on, think about, and dream about.

Lick your wounds, Love yourself again, and begin to move forward, you'll soon be surprised....

Because things change...


                                       Luke 2:   And it came to pass............

Make Time?

 It's so precious, fleeting, and valuable!

We all seem to say, "I don't have time".  Yet we all, no matter our station in life, have the exact same number of hours in each day.

We all seem to say, "I'm just so busy".  Yet the last time I checked,  we each make our own schedules and decisions on how we use, spend and save time.

Recently, a forward thinking company generously gave their employees 10  consecutive weeks off work with pay...to do all the things they didn't usually have time for. 

When everyone returned to work, each reported the things which encouraged time management and added value to their lives.  Many spent quality time with their family's.  Others reported charity projects that had long been neglected. But the common thread?  The renewed awareness of postponed dream's and wasted era's in our lives.  The result?  Refreshed outlook!  Most are enjoying the benefits of living definitely...purposefully.

We don't usually get such generosity from our employer's,  but "mercy" comes fresh each morning!

From the fireworks display, to the setting suns beauty, life passes far to quickly. Get creative, re-arrange your calendar.  Make time to do LIFE!


Eccl 3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.

:12 rejoice and do good in this life

Be thankful for every moment!

Nothing Personal

Ever say something...and thought...
did I "really" just say that! 


Have we lost the ... the On/Off switch
in our Manners App?

As we communicate more often by text, Fb, Twitter, etc. we use visual sarcasm and vague implication's without a second thought. We type things we would never say.  We snap things we would never reveal.

Think about it.  When was the last time you received a "voice" mail".  Or answered one?  Usually we touch "end" so fast the phone doesn't stand a chance.

Are we getting verbally "sloppy"? The more our conversations become fragmented statements, comments and "likes" the less we really communicate.  The tone of voice speaks volumes...pardon the pun...

After all, isn't it nicer to "hear"  the words, I Love You?

Nothing personal :)

Opposite's Attract

When I was a little girl, my Grandfather gave me a pair of bar magnets.  As he explained  the concept of positive and negative magnetic power, he demonstrated by holding one, just close enough to the other to causing the pull.  He moved one across the table, and the other would follow.  It was curiously fun.  And, of course, when reversed, I could see and feel the repelling effect.

I loved to play with them in church, feeling the push and pull!  Great "keep quiet" toy! 

I asked,"Grampa, where did you get these magnets?"  He explained how a Dairy farmer would feed them to his milk cows to keep metal from hurting their stomachs. And, that a friend had given them to him.

Its really quite a lesson.  Like the magnets, our inner strength and attitude attracts and repels.  Are you fixed on how negative things are for you?  Or, are you seeing, and feeling the positives...
even in the middle of tough times... 

Turn the magnet around...                    




there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother...
Prov 18:24



  

As Seasons Change

For the last two years, Springtime in Michigan came early.  Temperature's soared, lifted spirits, and confused the birds. Well, I'm not so sure about the birds, but it sure spoiled me.

I'm so glad to see Spring finally make it's arrival. Beauty popping with every bud and pushing crocus. It really was worth the wait. 

Something about waiting reminds us how much we take for granted...It renews hope and changes our attention away from E-screens...Have lunch outside and be glad!

Happy Spring!


Rejoice and be glad!



Whats Holding You Back?

We will have crossroads...  




Life guarantee's it! 

We will face choices in every area, and... they will be from one end to the other on the "degree of difficulty" scale.

Education, career, family, relationships...
Ethics, integrity, character...Spiritual...

Even turning the corner after a wrong decision, and, moving forward after good choice goes bad. We can get brain freeze!

whom the Son sets free is free indeed!

Life really has a way of caging us in!  But every new day 

brings a new choice and a new start!  What's holding you back?

"In this world you will have trouble, but cheer up...I have overcome the world!" - Jesus  

  

Wild Wild West

Thinking about something different in the Valley!

Sweet Hearts Sweet Tarts

Love is in the air and on everyones mind! Yet, if things aren't so sweet on Lovely Lane, Sweeten the

air with Sweet Words, a Sweet "kiss" and and some old school "kisses"...

Oh and, Sweet Tarts...

Sweet Hearts...

or...Red Hots

...Works for me :)

Happy Valentines Day!

Average is not an option!

Truly this first month of the new year has been really lovely in Michigan!  
So much sunshine!  I hope you have been encouraged by it!  

Are you discouraged about "stuff" that you can't control. Or, are you impatient with the pace of where you are trying to go.

If you are feeling like giving up on your "habit modification therapy" ie resolution...Don't give up!

Today is a fresh new day. 

Remind yourself that everyday is another opportunity to"continue"!
 
Get a friend to help keep you on track, Jot down your progress, and tac up a photo of that goal...
believe that...

You are unique and special...
Speak positive things about yourself...Average is not  an option!

Jeremiah 31:3
Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.

Control is a Wierd Thing

Well you can't be alive in the "D" without having to shield your eyes from the gleaming light shining from Cobo Center.  It seems the excitement of the past has returned to energize the Motor City...

The Charity Preview event is Awesome and  sure to"bust the seams"... and "Rock the House"!

For many contributors, a chauffeur will raise the the level of ...convenience, safety, and a feeling of ..."fill in the blanks"... 

As much as we love our cars...the jewel of our region...Could you allow someone to be the driver in your life?  To be a passenger actually takes more strength than you think.  At first, you feel really cool...but then a "humility" comes and fills the vacuum! And you exercise, even for a short time, surrendering control...as our fellow control freaks squeeze the steering wheel a little tighter! :) :)
It requires trust in an other's ability and wisdom.

Control is a weird thing...we don't usually notice its effect until we loose it... 

Just something to think about!







 

Habit Modification Therapy

Everyone is enjoying our January Thaw...Even as I sit here typing at my kitchen table...I'm enjoying a Beautiful Sunrise...

Well...If you are like me...My resolution keeping... 
ie: habit modification therapy... is going...
Not good - not bad...just on going!

I have some "traditional" changes I want to make...You know, loose weight, get in better shape...read more (books)...
But the initiative to foster my "live" friendships, is the one that has the greatest potential for defeat! 

We are all so busy and distracted that  fostering personal face to face friendships have almost become a lost art form!

So often we default to convenience and comfort zones!

So step out of your box, and make lunch plans or a girls night and put it on the calender.  You might be surprised how much you missed those friends...


 Prov 27:9  Just as lotions and fragrance delight the sense's, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.

New year...Here We Go...

 

3...2...1...Happy New Year...

The "ball has dropped, the confetti is swept and "some resolutions have already been broken. But it doesn't have to be you this year...Look at it a little differently this time.

Think about the change you want to make like putting a puzzle together...one piece at a time.  
 Make a

"note to self" in you phone or on your calender to help keep you on track.Think about it as sections or levels and don't stop starting over...Also...speak positively about your goal!

Negative thoughts and words are the major road blocks to success...

Let your light shine as you take each step!
remember...
Believers are salt AND light 
salt is gritty...You've got what it takes... Nothing is impossible for those who believe.

Keeping Christmas

As I wrap these last few gifts, I'm thinking about past Christmas celebrations, when I couldn't do my own shopping, decorating, wrapping, cooking....

Those few years were stolen away by stroke...

My heart was full, but my body couldn't respond. 
My Awesome family took great care to "keep Christmas" in my home and in my life.

I am blessed with healing, love, and a future. And I am so thankful...This Christmas, take thought for ALL the little things and... Fall asleep counting your Blessings.

May the Peace Christ brought to us reign in your heart as you "keep Christmas"

Westward Leading Still Proceeding

In an old Christmas Hymn, we sing about three wise leaders bearing gifts...As with any trip or journey, I'm sure many obstacles came along to block their way.  Things ment to distract and discourage.  The  things that can keep you from your destination!  Yet, in the song, we sing that they traveled far...over field, fountain, and mountain...they followed...the star.

They brought significant gifts!
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh...These symbolize
Highest Value...Sweet Fragrance...Bitter Salts...The significant things the savior would experience.

We too experience these...

So, as you walk through this CHRISTmas time, hold on to the the reason we do all this celebrating. 

The King was born to remove the barrier between men and God...As you bless your loved ones, remember you are loved...with an everlasting love... What star are you following?           

God Did not send His Son into the world to condem it...but that the world
 "through him" would be saved ...John 3:17