Any Given Day: 33

Potential

We all have it. Personal potential, professional potential, relational potential...how many actually realize it? As parents, our frustrations with our children are primarily born out of our desire to see our offspring realize their full potential. We work tirelessly in order to provide them with the tools and skills necessary for successful living. The rest, however, is up to them. In the long run, we can only be responsible for realizing our own.

Realizing potential begins with recognition. A quick look to the future can paint a beautiful picture, but it also has the ability to terrify us into paralysis. Seeing what we are capable of has far reaching consequences. Our potential only matters, however, if it is a part of God's plan for our lives.

Personal potential will only be realized if we strive to be the person God intended us to be. Professional potential will only be found if it serves a purpose greater than a paycheck. Relational potential only comes to fruition if God is blessing the relationship.

The question we should ask is "What is God thinking in terms of my ability to realize my potential?" He is an orderly God. The natural order of things requires recognition first, blessings next, then action. A straight line toward achieving God-given potential requires focus and work. None of it is easy. None of it will come quickly. All of it we will answer to eventually.

A prayer for those who are motivated to fulfill their potential:

Heavenly Father, you alone know the plan that is laid out for me. You have my best interests at heart and you know my weaknesses as well as my talents. Remind me to let you lead the way, and show me what true success looks like. Provide me with the tools, people, and skills necessary to assist me in making the right choices. My decisions will one day become my legacy. Thank you for showing us how to live our lives through Your Son. AMEN

Phillipians 1:6

Any Given Day: 32

Betrayal...

There are few things more heartbreaking than human betrayal. By it's very nature, it requires a breach of trust between two people who shared a mutual bond. Regardless if it is a financial deal gone wrong between two business partners, or a knife stuck in the heart of a significant other, or a brother turning on another brother, the results are devastating.

Humans are hard wired to be connected. We build relationships as we roll along through life, some superficial and some deep. Betrayal can only take place in the deeper relationships... when something was invested, where we hung our hopes and expectations, where a foundation of trust existed. It is so painful because we rested there, in contentment and honor, and one day, the proverbial rug is pulled out. Rudely, abruptly, and seemingly out of nowhere.

It happens for many reasons, and each person has a part to play. Once the damage has been done, it creates a cascade of events...all of them based in fear. Fear of more pain, failure, sorrow, brokenness, and regret. The natural reaction is to put up your barriers, harden your heart, and base future decisions on someone else's bad ones.

What do you suppose would have happened to humanity if Jesus had followed this formula?

How sad and heartbroken Jesus must have been to know that one of His brothers, a trusted follower, would succumb to Satan and betray his Master. What would it have been like to walk alone in the garden, knowing your end was coming, feeling every human emotion... and the ultimate rejection? Jesus faced pain and suffering beyond our understanding, yet He never waivered in His love for people, even in the face of certain death. He took it like a man, He did not get angry, He did not strike out, He knew that something greater was at work. His pain ensured our Salvation...selfless to the core. He will always be the One you can count on!

For those of you feeling the sting and sadness of betrayal, a prayer:

Lord, I have been terribly hurt by someone I care for. Place your arms around me and provide me some comfort! Help me to control my reactions, and learn from my experience. Remind me that Jesus, a perfect person, was also betrayed, and knows my suffering. Please give me the patience to endure the test and become stronger because of it. Teach me how to let go of anger and build a foundation of honor again, with wisdom gained, and hope restored. AMEN

Psalm 118:8

Any Given Day: 31

Entitlement

We are entitled to basic human rights. Our country was founded on these and our constitution was put in place to protect them. Nowhere, however, does it say that we are entitled to excessive amounts of money or things. The assumption was that people would work hard, and share their wealth with those less fortunate. We would work together as a community to bring about prosperity, while preserving our rights to worship, carry arms, and go about our daily lives in the ways we felt were best for us and our families. We were expected to respect others for their differences. Somewhere we got lost...

Today, a sense of entitlement pervades all pockets of society. The lucky ones brag about how great their life is, how much money they have, or the important people that they know. Their money is spent on pursuing their own interest and they never give until it hurts, just enough to ease any sense of guilt or make them look good. These people seem happy, but it doesn't take long to realize that their relationships are shallow, and God is nowhere to be found in their hearts.

These are the folks who have all the potential in the world to make a difference. Their fancy cars can feed a family of 4 for a year, and their house has more unused rooms than the average apartment. Their worries are wrapped up in the stock market and politics and the daily stress of maintaining all their stuff. They feed off their own sense of entitlement. Their excessive lifestyle is an addiction like any other.

Many of us know, though, that with God at the center of our lives, we get what we need, when we need it. The bible is clear to be thankful for our daily bread and hand back 10 percent of what he bestows on us. Jesus lived a simple life and preached a simple message: love God, and love others as God loves you. The common folk, who struggle to make ends meet, and worry about which bill gets paid, are much closer to God's heart. A prayer for the rich and the poor.

Heavenly Father, You alone decide who is rich and who is poor. Anything anyone has is because You gave it to them. As quickly as it is given, it can be taken away. Help me to know how rich I am in Your love. Remind me that the earthly things don't matter, and guide me on how best to help others who are facing difficult times. Jesus was born poor, lived a simple life, with no material possessions, yet He had the power to change the calendar, and allowed us, through His sacrifice, to know You. Thank you for your blessings today! AMEN

Any Given Day: 30

Selfishness

There are those, who exist to serve their own self interests only. They wander through life meeting their own needs, bumping through life with no real sense of purpose. They pick up hobbies to keep them entertained, buy things with their extra money, spend their extra time in front of a TV or computer. Ironically, these are the folks with the most to give. They use up the valuable resources of this earth, and are charitable only when it makes them look good, or there is a tax deduction at the end of it. They lose patience for people who are tired from hard work, and look down on those who can't keep up. They have trouble relating to others who are hurting. They seem happy, but a closer look reveals shallow relationships, empty hearts, and a nagging sense of dissatisfaction that follows them wherever they go.

At the other extreme, there are those who can give of themselves tirelessly day in and day out. Some even give up everything, including their identity, and their health, to take care of others. They are run down and don't feel appreciated. They ignore their own problems to help others with theirs.

This isn't the way God intended a serving heart to look or feel, however. A servant's heart takes others into consideration while preserving what makes them unique and special. Taking care of themselves so that they may take care of others with energy and enthusiasm.

Striking a balance is difficult somedays but worth it, because anyone who has spent time giving instead of taking, knows that the reward is immediate and long lasting. Making a difference in a small way, can happen each day. Over time, lives change, people grow, and relationships with God and each other deepen. A prayer for those struggling to get past their own needs...

Lord, today may I go out of my way to assist someone who is struggling. Provide me with gentle reminders that the world isn't about me, but about all of us whom you love so deeply. Help me to find ways to use my time and energy in productive and positive ways. May Jesus, the king of all men, be my example of a humble and selfless heart. AMEN

Phillipians 2:5-8

Any Given Day: 29

Direction:

We begin as 2 cells that meet and divide into 4, then 16...

There is a clear path and desired outcome for about 9 months. We breathe oxygen for the first time, we get hungry, someone clothes us. Our life is a miracle, without question. We were put here for a purpose. We have strengths and talents that are designed to be cultivated over time and put to good use. We were created to bring glory to our Father and to serve man.

Along the way we get distracted. Our earthly wants over rule our spiritual needs. We set out to please others and be loved in return. We react with anger and harbor resentment when things don't go according to our plan. We fight against the natural order of things and assume our way is best. The struggle continues for some people until death. They string a trail of broken hearts and lost opportunities behind them like litter thrown from the car window.

We have been told by companies that want to sell us something what we should look like, wear and have. We get sucked into other people's ideas of what happiness is. All the while, God is waiting for us to know him. He wants us to turn to him and ask for directions. "What is your plan for me?" is a reasonable question to ask him. If you are feeling a loss of direction today, here is a prayer to can begin with:

Lord, my path is not clear. I believe you want what is best for me and sometimes in conflicts with my ideas. Please show me what you would have me do with my life. Point me in the direction I should go and light the path one step at a time. Keep my thoughts clear, my heart open, and my dreams within reach. May I do your will with courage and honor and with Jesus as my example. AMEN

Psalm 139:16

Any Given Day: 28

Fear.

There are only 2 basic emotions: Love and Fear

All other emotions are branches that reach out from them. Happiness, joy, pride, graciousness, generosity, gentleness, self control and the like, come from a basic feeling of Love. Love for God, love for one another, and love for one's self.

On the other side, anger, guilt, jealousy, animosity, revenge, self deprecation, accusation, abuse, and similar are the products of fear.

Fear is a survival mechanism that God gave us to keep us alive. It spurs us into a defensive mode and creates a landslide of physical and emotional changes designed to protect us. Fear in and of itself is not a bad thing. How we handle it, however, can be a problem.

The inability to recognize our fear, and acting out, creates the broken relationships we see all around us. Broken relationships with people we love, people we work with, and Jesus himself.

Jesus went through the scariest time any of us will ever face. Was He fearful? Without a doubt. Did he understand what the fear was? Absolutely. Did He act on his fear? No. He took His "punishment" like a man.

Today, take your negative emotions and really look at them. Ask yourself "What am I really afraid of?" Be honest with your answers and pray this prayer:

Lord, I am fearful. My experiences and situations are creating strong negative emotions that are bleeding on to others and my actions are damaging my relationships. It is time for me to take responsibility for my fear and rely on You for my safety and security. Help me, today, God, overcome my fear, so that I may become closer to you. Help me to let go of what I can not control. AMEN

1 John 4:18

Any Given Day: 27

Hope

How many times have we looked upon a situation with no hope? We worry and fret over what might happen as though our thoughts can change the outcome. Lack of hope sucks our energy, depresses our mood, and kills our motivation. "Why try?" we ask.

Hopefulness is the brother of faith. Knowing that God's will is what can and will be done allows us to relax, focus our attention on what we can do in the here and now, and let the chips fall as they may.

We want certain things. We meditate on them to the point of obsession. Hopefulness is an attractive virtue, and it is different from wishful thinking. We can wish for stuff, money, jobs, and for things to go our way. Hope requires a different perspective. Living hopefully means knowing everything we want isn't coming today, but we aren't getting down about it.

Living in the light, we can walk with a hopeful attitude, reminded always, that God has our best interests at heart. If we are living according to His plan, and really taking the time to get to know Him, we someday get to have it all!

For those whose sense of hope is waning:

Precious Father, I fear an uncertain future. Life is not right side up and I need your help. Show me what hope looks like, and remind me of the goodness of people and the greatness of Your Son! Help me to stay focused on Your plan instead of my own, so that I can walk with the assurance that a beautiful future awaits! AMEN

Romans 15:13

Any Given Day: 26

Relationships.

The first 4 commandments discuss what is expected in our relationship with God. The next 6 talk about our relationships with each other. They are simple, straightforward rules for living that we just can't seem to keep straight. Honor God, Honor each other. Period. Nothing else really matters.

Many assume that they need to die in order to "meet their maker". The bible clearly tells us, however, how important our relationship with God is right here and now! He is waiting expectantly for you to turn to him and relinquish control. He knows what is best, He knows what is in your heart, and He sees everything. You can't hide and you don't have to. He loves you and wants to be a part of your daily life.

How? By simply asking with humility and in some cases, complete brokenness. By honoring His Son, and accepting and confessing your sin, you immediately change not only your relationship with your maker, but your relationships with people as well. When you allow the Holy Spirit to work in you, family, friends, coworkers, and even perfect strangers will respond differently to you, and you to them. Defenses come down, humility reigns, and the right people become drawn to you.

Relationships with God, and people, take time, energy, and effort. The end result is a life worth living, however. Moses brought down the rules, and although we may not live them to perfection, God still loves us. When we accept Jesus, He resides in us. Everyone benefits and we all have something to gain: a new life, a new perspective, a second chance, and a best friend who will never let us down. A prayer for those who have lost sight of their relationships:

Lord, you are my closest companion. Teach me to rely on you for everything, and turn to you for the important decisions I face. Heal my life, my relationships, my mistakes, and turn my failures into the learning experience you intended them to be. I trust you, God, to show me the way. AMEN

Exodus 20:1-17

Any Given Day: 25

Generosity

An open hand also receives...

The things we have: money, jewelry, precious items, furniture, clothing, homes, cars. Heck we are even proud of our dishes! All of it is stuff and none of it matters. What is interesting is we always think we need more. If we just had this, then we would feel better about that...

In our quest to obtain more things, we forget about those who truly do have less. We hold on to our money tightly, fearing it will disappear. We keep buying stuff and end up storing it in garages and attics. Some of us even need to rent storage units!

God is very clear in many places in the bible that we only need so much. He challenges us to be generous instead of holding on and continually obtaining more. We can all be more generous, with our money, our time, and our resources. A great saying is "when you feel like you don't have enough money or time or stuff, give some away to someone who has less." You will immediately feel blessed!

God's rules for money are as follows: We are required to give 10% of our earnings back to the community. We are required to save 10% and invest it. The rest is ours. 80% is a big chunk. We really don't need all of that either.

The true measure of a person is not in what they have, but in what they give. Jesus gave His life up, inarguably the ultimate gift! Open up your hand and see if you don't receive. For those of you who have a little trouble with that one, here is a prayer:

Lord, you ask us to be generous, but it goes against conventional thought. Bless me as I give of my valuable resources today. Bless the time I spend working with others for their betterment instead of my own. Thank you for your generosity and the blessings you have bestowed upon me. Help me to see the ways you want me to share my gifts with others. Jesus paid the ultimate price. He was a King who wore peasant clothes and relied on the kindness of others for His meals. May He be my example! AMEN

Mark 9:41

Any Given Day: 24

True Love

The word love gets thrown around a lot. We love to sleep in, we love a new song, we love the neighbors' new car, we love football, food, and fun! When it comes to loving others, it gets tricky.

Love is an action verb. Many people feel it is an abstract feeling of warm fuzzies, however that may be the end result, but it is not love itself. Love is not something you say, it is something you do! You show love, you make love, you provide love. Talking about it is icing on the cake.

A person who says they love someone, but turns around and says and does hurtful things, isn't loving anyone, particularly themselves. God is very clear on what love is and is not. Jesus loved us enough to die for us. Men and women in the military love their country enough to put their lives on the line. We give money to those who have less because we love people.

Sacrifice without compromising ourselves is Love.

Giving without thought of reward is Love.

Everything else is like at best, and manipulation at worst.

God, help me to show love today. Help me to see who truly loves me, and who just needs to have the upper hand. Keep me focused on goodness and light, and sharing it with those that I care about. Thank You for loving me so much that You sent Your Son to die. AMEN

1 Corinthians 4:7

Any Given Day: 23

Persecution

Why is it that we feel the need to persecute others? When someone's way of thinking is different from ours, we immediately assume they are wrong and we are right. We base our judgement on our own reality. We scoff at their ideas, their beliefs, and their convictions. The news media perpetuates this phenomenon and it polarizes our society. Go figure...

I think we tread in dangerous territory when we start dismissing other people's beliefs and opinions because they do not match our own. Especially when it results in intolerance and a hostile attitude. Persecution is always based in fear. The more vigorously someone is pushing their opinions on others and chopping down someone else's views, the more it indicates that person's own insecurities and need for attention.

It is one thing to stand firm in your belief. It is another to persecute someone else for theirs. We need to educate ourselves and listen to the other side carefully. If we don't, it will ultimately kill the relationship. God never asks us to agree with each other on everything. There are fundamental truths to His laws, yes. The rest are details in a very big picture.

Every religion has been persecuted at various times in history. Every politician and public figure is at risk of being persecuted. Writers, poets, musicians, artists, comedians, and the like get persecuted in the public eye. They may not get stoned to death, but public humiliation and a damaged reputation are the end result.

Let's take a little time to listen to the other side. Empathize and try to understand. If you are going to state your position, double check your facts. Then if you still don't agree with what others have to say, or you are being persecuted for your thoughts, pray this prayer:

Heavenly Father, Your truths are written. Our truths are a combination of fear and misinformation when we do not submit to Your authority. Help me to teach others without preaching and stay silent when my views will not be well received. Strike my false judgment when someone does not agree with me, and teach me to be tolerant and respectful of those whose opinions differ from mine. Jesus was persecuted enough for all of us! AMEN

Matthew 5:1-12

Any Given Day: 22

Beauty.

Our definition of beauty is shaped by many things. By the age of 5, we have our definitions in place. We look around and see beauty in different places for different reasons. We may stop for a moment and marvel at a sunrise. A sweet melody can elicit a wonderful memory. A new friendship can be a beautiful thing. Physical attractiveness in another person, or a horse running across a green pasture can stop us in our tracks. Cars and houses can be considered things of beauty.

What we define as beautiful isn't as important as the appreciation of it. Taking the time to appreciate beauty is something that God asks us to do. Recognizing His handy work and giving credit to Him can play a big part in how we perceive both beauty and ugliness.

We all know people who are beautiful on the outside and ugly on the inside. After a few encounters, the individual no longer looks quite as attractive and eventually their company is not pleasurable. Of course we are all attracted to physically beautiful things, however, we must stop to take into consideration what that beauty represents. ( Satan loves to use beautiful things to keep us apart from God.) Our desire to own and control beautiful possessions can overthrow common sense and perspective. We place too much importance on the wrong things...

We spend large amounts time and money trying to improve our own physical appearance, when really, our self worth has nothing to do with what we look like. God created us in His image, therefore we are beautiful. It really is that simple! Jesus was the most beautiful person ever created. Crowds were drawn to Him everywhere He went, and no doubt He radiated light and goodness. He was dirty from walking for hours at a time, and there is no evidence that he stopped to comb his hair before speaking, yet He was attractive.

Today, when your mind gets full of judgements about physical appearance, pray this prayer:

Lord, You created me with a beautiful person in mind! Allow the Holy Spirit to work within me, and refresh my inner loveliness so that others may see it. Help me to dismiss my earthly ideas of what my appearance should be like so that I may focus on serving you to the best of my ability. I know that is what ultimately makes a person beautiful, just like Jesus! AMEN

Proverbs 19:22

Any Given Day: 21

Hypocrisy

Anyone who calls another person a hypocrite immediately becomes one. Those who throw stones usually are the ones who live in the glass houses. They are eager to point fingers and dwell on the flaws of others, rarely stopping long enough to examine their own behavior. Even with the best of intentions, many of us spend our time and energy doling out advice and telling people what they should do, how they should think, and who they should be.

We are all hypocrites to a certain degree. Our time and energy is better spend working on becoming more Christlike, rather than telling others how to. Of course, some of us are lead by God to discuss His truths. The difference is that when people seek our council, buy our publications, and tune into our shows in order to better themselves, they are asking for guidance. It is voluntary collection of information.

The best bet is not to offer advice unless it is asked for. This is something that takes practice. (Particularly for us codependent types who are compelled to solve other people problems for them.) Regardless, the most important thing to remember is that we are all sinners, and we will all be judged by God. Only Jesus was perfect, and it's ok to get tripped up. Just be careful about pointing out someone else's failures!

Dear God, help me to recognize where my soul needs work. Remind me that it is not my job to fix other people, but to love and support them. I trust You to do the work in them. Thank you for loving me and helping me grow, even if it is painful sometimes. Help me to love others as You do. In Jesus' name, AMEN

Isaiah 29:13-14

Any Given Day: 20

Forgiveness

This is a tough one. Some people are more open to forgiveness than others. Sometimes it takes a long time. Some never forgive and harbor anger and resentment the rest of their days. They walk around, head down, bitter and beaten.

We all get to a point in our lives where we have been hurt by another person so bad, and our grief is so painful, even the most mundane tasks seem impossible. We try to process what has been done, only to come up empty. Thoughts twirl and swirl in our head, we feel lost and hopeless... then we get angry. Shoving the anger down and pretending it isn't there isn't a viable solution. It will surface eventually. Many times with no warning! Then it gets ugly.

As a vital part of the healing process, anger is a defense mechanism that provides us with energy and momentum for a while. The problem is that if we hang on to it too long, it turns on us like a rabid animal. Our anger doesn't hurt the people that we are angry at, it hurts us! Jesus is very clear about forgiveness of others. When asked about how many times we should forgive the same person, his reply was "Seventy times seven." Pretty sure that wasn't the answer Peter wanted to hear.

Forgiveness requires giving up control of the situation. We think we will be viewed as weak. However the opposite is true. It takes great strength to forgive the people who hurt us. As Jesus was hanging on the cross, He asked God to forgive the people who were mocking him. We need to remember that God forgives us for everything we ask, and we in turn must forgive others. Even the Lord's prayer that many of us recited daily as kids addresses this issue.

You can not heal and grow as a person until forgiveness is possible. Be patient and pray this simple prayer:

Lord, forgive me for my anger and hostility today. I am in pain because of the actions of someone else. Free me from my addiction to control of this situation. Allow me to forgive and move on. Remind me to stay focused on the present and not the past. Thank you for sending Jesus, so that we will all be forgiven. AMEN

Matthew 18:21-35

Any Given Day: 19

Guilt

Overwhelmed with guilt? Sometimes it feels like it is coming from all sides! It is a destructive emotion that can eat away at our sense of self worth and we lose our self respect. Our fear dictates guilt. Fear of losing people we love because of our actions. Fear of not being able to change present circumstances, and fear that we will never measure up!

There are two types of guilt. True guilt is an objective fact based on real circumstance. Perceived guilt is the feeling of the pain of rejection. Both can be powerful motivators for change, but they can not build and encourage and inspire.

So how do we stop feeling guilty? For true guilt, make amends, fix what damage that we can, and move on. Perceived guilt is a little trickier because it is conditioned in us from an early age. People surround us who are experts at illiciting that feeling in us. We just can't ever seem to do anything right. Somehow we must understand that this is their way of managing their own guilt, by projecting it on to us. Some of us have been a victim of this for so long, we have actually come to believe that we are the guilty ones.

Regardless of what kind of guilt you are feeling today, the prayer is the same:

Lord in Heaven, You created us in Your image. My free will gets me into trouble time and time again. Help me to understand what my feelings of guilt really are! Help me to look at my self worth through Your eyes instead of my own. Guide me in understanding the powerful motivation that Satan has in keeping my guilt front and center. It keeps me from being closer to You and those that I love. Your Son bore the burden of all my sins, God. I am forgiven by You by Your grace and awesome power. It is time for me to forgive myself. It may be the hardest thing I ever have to do. AMEN

Romans 8:1

Any Given Day: 18

Jealousy

The fastest way to turn a beautiful person ugly? Watch that person become jealous. We all have experienced jealousy in our lifetime. Their stuff is better, their body is better, they have more money, more power, more friends...

Our jealousy is a window into our own insecurities. We size ourselves up against others and measure out our self worth. We base our happiness on how we look, what we have, who we are married to, the list goes on!

As we get older, part of the maturing process is to understand that we are all given gifts and talents and abilities that make us unique. Judging ourselves based on anything other than what is God-given is not healthy.

Jealousy turned into actions and words is sour grapes. It becomes obvious, very quickly, that adults who covet other people's earthly things, are struggling with their own self image. They may even fixate on them it to the point of mental instability. A prayer for those who are struggling:

Lord, one of your commandments given to humans early on is to not covet our neighbor. This is so hard to do! Please direct my attention to the beauty and loveliness that is mine. Teach me to cultivate and magnify the gifts you have given me. Strike the harsh words and thoughts from my mind that are perpetuated by the ugliness of jealousy. You alone are the jealous one, and Jesus alone is the one we should strive to be more like! AMEN

James 3:14-16

Any Given Day: 17

ADDICTION

Experts define addiction in any number of ways, usually with a bullet list of things to look for. God has an easier definition:

When we feel the compulsion to put anything in front of Him.

When our relationships with God and people are affected in a negative way by something we think we can control, but we can't.

When we need more and more of something in order to feel good, but it is ruining our health, finances, relationships, our reputation, and we feel worse than ever. We think only a fix will fix it.

Anyone can be addicted to anything. The reward center in the brain is a powerful thing. Some addictions are more physically damaging than others, but the key is to look at our relationships to determine if there is a problem. If there are a lot of people telling us the same thing, perhaps we should listen. They are saying it because they care, not because they want you to feel bad.

There are a million ways to get help. It is all in the asking. Admitting that we are powerless is the first step and bowing down broken in front of God can work wonders! A prayer for those of you who are battling the demons of addiction:

Lord, you are almighty and powerful. My addiction is stronger than me, but it is not stronger than You. Help me to see what everyone else sees so clearly in my life. There is something that is controlling me, I am not controlling it. Provide me with the courage and the strength to seek help and follow through. God, You deserve better from me, my family and those close to me deserve my full attention. I deserve a chance to find happiness in Your Son, rather than in my own addiction of choice. I pray for others who are struggling as well. Thank you, Lord, for loving me through all of this! AMEN

John 1:1-5

Any Given Day: 16

Burdens

Many of us carry a heavy load of responsibility. We bear the weight of the world and pick up things to add to our "to do" list out of a sense of obligation and guilt. We are happy to take them on until it becomes time to actually get things accomplished.

Some of us didn't take it all on voluntarily. We don't have family nearby or our partners and friends are unavailable or unwilling to come to our assistance. We walk around heavy, distracted, and trying our best to keep all of the balls in the air. We get angry at those who have less to do than us. We end up resentful and overwhelmed...we feel guilty if we rest!

God asks us to rest. Jesus would draw away from the crowds to rest. God rested after creation. When we don't rest we aren't as good at what we need to do. It is easier said than done for some of us however!

Heavenly father I am weary from the responsibility and burdens that I carry. I feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Remind me God, that it is important for me to lay my burdens at Your feet and take some time to rest. Remove the sense of guilt, refresh my body and mind, and provide me with the tools and skills necessary to be productive and valuable to You. Thank you for providing me with the fruits of my labors and allowing me a day of rest. AMEN

Hebrews 4:8-11

Any Given Day: 15

Revenge:

Our first reaction to a perceived wrong against us is to retaliate. We want the person or persons who did this to us to pay. Our urge is to do something to make them feel our pain...and then some! If we act on our initial instinct, we may or not feel better. Depending on where your heart is, you may take great pride in your accomplishment. It may give you a warm fuzzy feeling each time you think about it.

If your heart is with God, however, you let the feeling pass. Sometimes we shove it down, other times we let it go, but the road to healing is understanding that vengeance in the Lord's, not ours. Broken relationships are littered with the actions and words of retaliation. It may make you feel better in the short term, but we are asked by God to love all people, not just the nice ones! Love, of course, is an action, not a feeling. Showing love to those who appear unloveable takes work, patience, and prayers. Here is a prayer for the next time someone does you wrong:

Heavenly Father, my human instinct is to inflict pain on those who inflict pain on me. An eye for an eye seems the only way to make me feel better. Please slow down my reaction to wrong doing long enough for me to see that revenge has no good ending. It is Your desire for us to love one another in Your name. You have forgiven our sins so that we may forgive others. Your Son was wronged more than anyone and He died when He could have retaliated. Give me the heart to turn the other cheek today! AMEN

Matthew 5:43-48

Any Given Day: 14

Loneliness.

At one point or another, we all feel a sense of being lonely. This is very different from being alone. Some people enjoy the quiet that comes with being alone and embrace it...

Many of us, however, feel lonely even in a room full of people. Many times we feel that people just don't understand what we are going through. We may feel that there is no support system or that we have been abandoned by people who said they loved us. We take it personally when people appear too busy to care. We feel there is no where to turn...

The reality is that we are never truly alone. God is always there. Waiting for us to turn to him with our troubles. He already knows our heart and our problems. He is a patient God who will wait for us to ask for help. A prayer for those who are feeling lost and alone:

God, my loneliness and sorrow are overwhelming me. I am seeking companionship in the human form, but what I really need is You. I am desperate to feel Your arms around me. I need to hear you say, "It's going to be OK." I long to hear the words "I love you." Stay beside me today as I go about my business. Remind me of Your Presence and the wonderful gift you have given us in Your Son. AMEN

Matthew 28:20

Any Given Day: 13

The only thing constant in life is change.

Why is it that we are so desperate for things to stay the same? We hang on to predictability for dear life and resist the evolution of time, technology, intelligence, and our hearts. "Somethings never change" we say cynically, but really, life is dynamic and ever changing.

We yearn to change others, however, which is quite ironic. We are frustrated because we want things to stay the same, yet we want people to change. Curious. God created the world in which we live to proceed and grow. He created us with temperaments and personalities and talents and flaws. Each of us unique in our special way.

God expects us to change ourselves for the better over time. He never asks us to change anyone else, just be there for them when they are ready to make them. We chafe when someone wishes to change us, and we feel rejected because they can't seem to love us just the way we are.

Embracing change in life is showing honor to the One who created it. Accepting people for how they are today shows maturity and patience. Loving some one's imperfectness and accepting them as they are is relationship success!

Dear Lord, I am fearful of the changes that are happening in my life. Please help me to accept what I cannot control. Help me to understand that everything is for the betterment of my life. Teach me how to accept others just as they are. Teach me to love them the way You do. Jesus was the only perfect person, He accepted His fate, and embraced the changes that lit up the world! AMEN

Matthew 3:8

Any Given Day: 12

Anger

There is a full spectrum of this emotion. We get angry in the car when someone turns in front of us or takes "our" parking spot. We get angry at the news on TV of the needless death and destruction that is happening in our world. We get angry at our family and friends for not meeting our needs, and we get angry at God because life is so unfair.

God Himself gets angry. He created the emotion. However, His is a righteous anger where ours is a selfish one. Our sense of entitlement and our opinions about what is right and wrong can overrule our conscious thought, and we react in a variety of unhealthy ways. Lashing out and withdrawing emotionally are the usual responses when anger flairs up. Most of the time, what sets us off is not what we are really mad about. It requires quite a bit of introspection to get to the bottom of what is making us so angry. (It isn't the driver in the other car)

Managing anger requires patience and practice. The refinement of the skill takes a lifetime to master. Recognizing when you are angry is the first step. Slowing down and stopping what comes next takes strength and planning. Exercise, prayer, breath control, meditation, and effective communication will all help. If you are angry today, pray the following:

Gracious God, I am angry today! My inner seething hurts as much as physical pain. Please show me the root cause of my anger. Give me the skill set to manage my anger so that it doesn't effect my relationship with others. I am tempted to lash out and say and do hurtful things! Stop me, Lord from doing and saying things I can't take back later. Please, God, show me the way to peace of heart today! With your Son at the center of my decisions, I trust you with my emotional self. May gentleness and kindness prevail. AMEN

Ephesians 4:26,27,31,32

Any Given Day: 11

Our God is a merciful one!

As we contemplate our lives, most of us have regrets. Somewhere along the way we have made poor judgements and bad decisions. If we could go back and change things we would all agree that we would. We "should " on ourselves quite a bit and wish things were different.

We need to remember that we are human and therefore imperfect. How we handle our mistakes is much more important in the long term than the actual error itself. Even though we reap what we sow, and let's face it, sometimes it is really ugly, we can rest assured that it could have been much worse.

God is a merciful God. He doesn't dish out punishment nearly as severe as He could if He wanted to. No, He would much rather spare our lives and grow us with experience and wisdom than strike us down. He loves us, He has blessed us, and it is up to us to see how gentle He has been with us! There were so many times that Jesus could have turned the tide, murdered His accusers, and been the judge and the jury. He chose to die with honor and humility so that we could live...

Lord, when I get tempted to feel sorry for myself because of the results of my bad choices, remind me that you have been gentle and merciful with me in the past. Thank you for kindness and compassion, you have saved me from my reckless behavior more times than I can count. Please continue to be gentle with me, and teach me to be merciful and gentle to others. AMEN

Psalm 89:1-2

Any Given Day: 10

Endurance.

The ability to maintain forward momentum on a chosen path, regardless of circumstance. The ability to endure is tested during hard times, particularly when another path would be so easy. Sometimes we refer to this path as the high road. Discipline and self control are necessary to stay the course. Just as a marathon runner doesn't give up all the hard work and training at the first sign of discomfort, neither should we give up what we know is right at the first sign of difficulty.

God is known for testing us. He wants to grow and become stronger through our perseverance and our pain. It brings us closer to him. When we reach out and ask for help from God and others it increases our chances for success. If we don't give up, and we keep going despite setbacks, disappointment, and hardship, we are richly rewarded both on earth and in heaven.

If you are tempted to give up on something important, pray these words:

Lord God, it would be easy to let go of the rope and give up today. If it is Your will for me to continue, please help me see the way. Light the path clearly, remove the debris in my way, and ease my struggle. You alone know what is best for me and I trust You to guide me in what is right. The road is narrow and difficult at times, but Your help can get me past the tough parts and propel me forward. No one had a tougher road than the one Jesus walked to His death, may that image give me strength and endurance. AMEN

Romans 5:3-5

Any Given Day: 9

Faith

The dictionary definition for Faith is:

1. a firm belief in something for which there is no proof

2. complete trust.

The biblical definition for Faith is:

"It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see." The entire chapter in Hebrews then goes on to recount historical details of people with faith. Example after example of unexplained miracles that transformed history because of faith in God.

We have such a difficult time with this sometimes. "In God We Trust" is written on the US money supply and it was the foundation of discovery and expansion of America. Yet we insist that we control our own destiny and we want to solve our problems that were originally brought about by our lack of faith.

Today, if you find yourself trying to do life without the guidance and support of the One who loves you most, don't waste time looking around for proof of His existence. Look around KNOWING his existence in all you see. Just because life is not going the way you would prefer it to, doesn't mean He isn't at work.

Heavenly Father, show me how to walk in faith today. Help me to know that You are beside me and you have my best interests at heart. May I hold my head up high and go about my business without needing proof that You exist, and believing that Jesus was who He said He was. Allow me to share my faith with others without fear of human retaliation. You are first, last, and always. AMEN

Hebrews 11:1-40

Any Given Day: 8

Worried about something? Someone once said that worry was negative meditation. Fixating on a problem without taking action is wasted energy, and affects your outlook and behavior. Fixating on stuff you can't control makes you miserable. We walk around heavy and it keeps us from being our best!

There is always something you can do, however!

Pray about it. God asks us to come to Him in times of trouble. The bible is full of stories of historical figures, both important and insignificant, who come to God with their troubles and are granted answers, comforted, or issues are resolved. Solutions may not come immediately, or in the form we would like them to, but crying out in faith can work miracles! God has his reasons for things. Trusting that He not only heard you, but cares about you, is key. He knows your heart, He already knows your desires and needs. He is waiting to hear from you so you can grow in you faith in Him and His Son.

Lord, my troubles are wearing me down. I am worried and upset. I have little control over the burdens I carry. Please take them from me today. Give me the ability to walk in faith knowing that you have my best interests at heart. I trust in You and Your son, AMEN

2 Phillipians 6-7

Any Given Day: 7

The words we say can not be taken back. We know how it feels to be on the receiving end of harsh words. Sometimes the words are intended to hurt in a purposeful and ugly way. Other times, the words are meant to assist us in seeing what we are missing.

Regardless, the truth hurts and the lies hurt more. We take it personally, and retaliate or withdraw, depending on our tempermant and situation. This is universal. It takes many years of practice (and a whole lot of Godliness) to master the art of verbal self control or subsequent reaction to someone else's hurtfulness.

We have all said things we wish we could take back, and we have all heard things that ring in our ears...sometimes for years. Only God can assist us in moving forward in our ability to control our words and our reactions to others.

God, we all need verbal self-control. Whether our intentions are good or bad, stop the words before they come out. Guide us on the appropriate way to communicate. Help us to let go of the anger that is creating hostility. Quiet the voices in our head that repeat what has been said to us. The ones satan wants us to remember. May we hear only Your loving kindness, may we share that with others. In Jesus Name, AMEN

Proverbs 15:1 and 4

Any Given Day: 6

Sorrow.

We have all experienced the emotion of sadness. It seems to just hang there, ever present, sometimes. You may feel it due to a situation you can not control, a loss of a person or a relationship, and sometimes for no particular reason at all. It is always accompanied by it's evil twin, the sense of hopelessness. You can see it in another person's body language and in their eyes.

Today, God wants you to know that it is ok to be sad. In fact He created the emotion and He Himself feels it. How could He not?

Accepting sorrow is difficult, especially for those of us whose job it is to be cheerful. It can and should be embraced and recognized, but it should not have the power to paralyze you...

If today you are sad, or you know someone who is, pray this:

Heavenly Father, sorrow is a dark and lonely place. Help me to understand the emotion and accept it as something that is felt, not something that defines the person. For those struggling with profound sadness, for any reason, may they feel Your comforting arms around them. I pray for peace in our hearts today. Please allow the gift of time, and Your Love, to pull me through the darkest days and closer to You. Jesus wept, and it is ok for us to as well...AMEN

2 Corinthians 8:10

Any Given Day: 5

Obedience. Seems like a bad word. When you are a child, you are expected to be obedient. Obedient to your parents, your teachers, and whomever else is in charge. Some of us were more obedient than others...many of us rebel at some point along the way to adulthood.

As you grow older, you begin to realize that you can make a conscious decision whether to be obedient, and who or what to be obedient to. We tend to make our own decisions based on what feels good without thought to what God wants for us. We experience pain, suffering, humiliation, defeat, broken relationships, addictions, and all kinds of trouble.

When we turn back to God, he heals us over time. If we continue to be obedient, He rewards us with peace in our heart. To the outside world we may not seem very successful, and many will doubt our faith... but if we obey God to the best of our ability, we can put worry, shame, and selfishness away. Stop rebelling because you think you know what is best for you and listen to what God has to say! Today, ask him to lead the way and then follow!

Dear Lord, humans have been rebellious since the dawn of mankind and I am no different. Forgive me for my past mistakes and my personal rebellion. You know, better than I, what is best for me. Please provide the guidance and the discipline necessary to stay close to Your plan for me! Jesus walked to His death with obedience and without complaint. Give me the strength and the character that comes from You and You alone today. Amen

Romans 6:16

Any Given Day: 4

Judging others...we all do it. We all know what it feels like to be judged. When you are judged unfairly, it hurts and we take it to heart. We immediately get defensive.

Judgement is always based in fear. Judgement is usually made without proper information. Human judgement comes from Satan.

There is only one Judge. He is divine and He alone will do all the judging. He wants you to know that you can stop trying to do His job now. He also wants you to stop taking other people's judgements personally. They aren't really judging you as much as they are deflecting their own lack of self-worth and projecting that forward on to whomever is available.

Jesus walked among the lepers and ate dinner with the sinners, then He was judged, and died a horrible death because of human fear.

The day will come when we are all judged by the One who is most qualified. Until that time, let us live a life He will be proud of. Today, let's catch ourselves as we point fingers and make assumptions that are not productive. Today, let's turn out energy toward making ourselves better instead of tearing someone else down.

Dear Lord, strike the harsh judgments against others from my thoughts today. Guide my actions so that I may show unconditional love for my fellow man. Help me to live righteously without the righteous attitude! In Jesus name, Amen.

1 Corinthians 4:5

Any Given Day: 3

Some days you wake up already feeling beaten. The day hasn't started yet, and you already want to go back to bed. Nobody promised that each day was going to be fun or easy, but God does promise to be there and never turn His back. Our most powerful strength comes from Him and Him alone. If we learn to let go of the things we can't control and rely on Him for our needs, we can believe that this valley we feel stuck in is only temporary.

God has your best interests at heart, He loves you, and it is painful for Him to watch you suffer. He wants to help. Ask Him for assistance today!

Heavenly Father, I can not undo the things that have been done. I do not control the future, and I can not control other people. I will leave it to You today. Walk me through this day with your arms around me, lead me in my thoughts, words, and deeds. Take my burdens and carry them, just as Jesus carried that cross, so that I may have the energy to do what needs to be done. AMEN

Psalm 121

Any Given Day: 2

Graciousness does not come easily to most of us during hard times. The ability to maintain composure in the midst of controversy and chaos requires perspective and self control. Treating others with kindness and respect when things aren't going well is a skill that few of us can master without some Divine assistance.

Using manners in the heat of an argument is almost impossible, but it is important that we try, particularly with people that we Love.

Love is an action verb, not an adjective or an abstract feeling. It is tangible. Acting in a hateful and hurtful manner creates more ugliness and never solves the problem. In fact, it creates more of a mess to clean up.

Today, as our ability to be gracious is tested, let us pray...

Dear God, may Your light show me the way to Grace today. I pray that I can hold my head up, smile, and be generous, kind, and loving to friends and foes alike. Thank you for sending Jesus to be our example of what it means to love unconditionally. Amen

Matthew 5:22

Any Given Day: 1

He is a Loving God.

That's what He wants you to know today. You are His creation and you are most loved! You are made in His image with the same emotions and frustrations He has. Not only did He not kill off our species that He so lovingly created, He sent His Son to die for us!

He isn't mad at you. He wants you to turn to Him. He thinks you are beautiful! You were created for His Glory, not man's. His kindness and graciousness surround you if you know what to look for. Today, turn to Him and say these words...

"Dear Lord, You are my creator, the creator of Heavens and the Earth. Thank you for loving me enough to send your Son. I am worthy of love even in the most difficult and confusing of circumstances. Cover me in your gracious love today! AMEN

John 3:16

Feeling Blue?

I woke up yesterday feeling really down. Sad, frustrated, and a little angry. The reasons were valid, and I had to remind myself that I am still grieving. For some reason, I have always felt that being sad was a weakness. (I was raised to be a silent sufferer) I usually use my tools in my toolbox: prayer, thanksgiving, and focus, to draw myself out of my blues and move on with my day, and most of the time it works just fine.

Yesterday, however, I just carried it around like a lead weight. I have a feeling it was God's way of reminding me that I am not out of the woods yet. Clients noticed my heaviness and commented, and I tried hard not to cry in front of them, because I feel that is weakness too.

As the day wore on, my blues lifted, and by mid-afternoon, they were gone. Why? Simply because of the people I have in my life. My daily life requires giving my time, knowledge, and energy away to others. Pretty much from the time I wake up until the time I fall asleep, some one needs something from me. For some this sounds exhausting, but for me, it is my saving GRACE!

Next time you are down, I challenge you to reach out to others and take the focus off of yourself. Attend to the task at hand with your full energy. If your mind wanders back to why you are so sad, redirect your energy into something productive. There are others who are walking around with the same lead weight you are. Reaching out, lending a hand, and paying attention to the "here and now" works wonders.

Sitting around dwelling on how imperfect your life is never fixes things.

Dwelling on how imperfect you are leads to depression.

Obsessing on how imperfect someone else is leads to broken relationships.

Keep moving, keep God present in your daily activities, and embrace your sadness as temporary!

Tomorrow is a brand new day and you never know what good things will come your way if you are looking for them!

Dreamsicle smoothie

1 scoop of vanilla flavored protein powder per person

4 oz of OJ per person

2 icecubes per person

blend until smooth...so simple, so refreshing, sooooo yummmyyyy!!!

Ecclesiates 5:18

So after yet another lengthy text exchange with someone who thinks they know me, but doesn't, I got upset momentarily because my side will never be heard. Conversing in vain with a shadow lurker who is afraid of the light, I found myself facing shadows and knew immediately I needed to turn the other direction.

So I picked up the bible and I swear the book just opened itself. Right to Ecclesiastes. I have spend an awful lot of time beating myself up in my life and loved the points that Solomon makes.

As arguably one of the wisest kings of the Davidian Empire, Solomon wrote his wisdom down and it had been a while since I read it. In the first 5 chapters, he talks about how we worry about all the wrong things. Most of what we do and is done to us does not matter in the big picture, it is a pretty intense take on life. He talks about money and power being meaningless, the fear of God, and fools with big mouths (wince). He ends the chapter with this:

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat well, drink a good glass of wine and enjoy their work-whatever they do under the sun-for however long God lets them live. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life-that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.

Today lets all understand how wealthy we are. Enjoy what we are doing, and walk in the light! That my friends is GOOD NEWS!

Comparing yourself to others...

Comparing yourself to people you envy creates feelings of inadequacy.

Comparing yourself to people you disapprove of makes you feel superior.

I don't think either one is a good idea.

I can always tell when a woman (or young lady) is sizing me up in a competitive manner. Because I literally grew up in an unhealthfully competitive environment called the health club, I am used to it. Here is my message to those of you comparing yourself to me...

I am not your competition. I am not sizing you up in return. I am friendly and polite by nature, so I may just smile and continue about my business, or I may be so focused on what I am doing that I don't have time to respond at all.

I am my own best competition. I know what I am capable of and I am very hard on myself when I fall short. There will always be those who are better, prettier, richer, smarter, whatever. I would go crazy if I sized myself up next to them.

Know this: Envy is ugly. A superior attitude is even more ugly. Focus, determination, and a winning smile... gorgeous. Self confidence is sexy.

Male or female, young or old, next time you find yourself comparing yourself (or your stuff) to someone else, stop immediately. I guarantee you there are some very un-enviable parts of their life, just like yours.

Ah yes, the big picture...the great equalizer...

Raise the bar!

I am continually shocked by the people who lower their bar consistently and predictably. They lower their expectations for themselves, and thus the expectations others have for them. I am sure that the psychology behind it is about not disappointing themselves or others, or maybe just because they feel entitled to put forth the least amount of effort possible while using up valuable resources on this earth.

I am pretty convinced it backfires and there is a profound loss of personal respect on all ends. I have a hard time imagining a day where I wake up and say "Gee, how little can I do today and get away with it?" Absolutely blows my mind...those people exist, and to them I say...I am getting a little tired of tripping over your bar!

I have made it a personal habit of mine to surround myself with people who are smarter than me, more successful than I am, and are continually raising their own bar. I motivates me to become better and raise my own bar. My motto for years has been this:

Wake up tomorrow better than you were today.

Yes, it requires focus, determination, and good old fashioned hard work! Basic physics lesson...raising something makes you stronger. Training to jump over it makes you more powerful and confident that great things are possible.

Lowering something hurts your back, makes you stoop over, and whine and complain about how heavy the bar is. Some people just don't ever pick up a bar, which causes someone else to have to do it. Then they complain again because they have no control or power.

I think you have choices in this life. Raise your bar, accept the possibility of failure and redirection, or keep lowering your bar and let others trip over it. Any time, you can decide to raise that bar. A little at a time, one day at a time, maybe even an inch at a time. I guarantee if you keep at it. Your respect for yourself will grow, and others will begin to respect you too!

Answer the question: I want to be a better ____________. Then set tangible and obtainable goals and maintain your focus!

Oh, and don't forget to ask for help! Lots of bar raisers love to help others do the same!

Raise it and praise it!

Kids today...

Anyone who knows me knows that I think kids are cool...

They are fresh and funny and smart, innocent and innovative, they know no limits...

The kids I know have attitude, for a reason. They have the world by the tail, knowledge at their finger tips, and information that creates passion... and a desire to fix the problems instead of create them.

They aren't always the most motivated people, but they sure are taking the world a lot more seriously than we did. Yeah, there are the kids whose parents aren't present, and they are bouncing off of each other, creating drama and chaos...just like we did...

But there are those who have been given the green light to be who they are, find what makes them tick, and KNOW that they were put here for a reason. We have our first ever generation of kids who grew up in:

Health club daycare: where parents took time out of their day to take care of themselves and the kids played together in a safe positive environment. What a great example!

Mandatory preschool: you learned how to share, play nice, and use glue responsibly BEFORE you got to kindergarten.

The internet generation a global perspective from the get go...wow!

A divorce situation: You may say it's a bad thing...I have 3 kids who are more aware of what love is and is not, because of it! They know what real strength looks like and it will be really interesting to see divorce rates start to drop as these kids make life decisions, I guarantee it.

A world where middle class is disappearing and materialism has had its last day People are starving, and bling is OUT! Reaching out is cool and fun.

Non Denominational Church King James, who? Real biblical principles, taught by people who made mistakes and were granted a NEW LIFE in order to teach others how NOT to make the same mistakes.

Take it from one of 'em...

Our kids are our HOPE...remind them daily... and love them, because they are unique individuals, separate from us, created to clean up our mess!

A freaking Men.

Consider yourself lucky!

Lucky you woke up this morning.

Lucky there are people and a God who loves you.

Lucky there is a roof over your head.

Lucky planes fly, cars run, internet keeps us connected.

Lucky it is them and not you.

Lucky there is another day to make a difference!

Thank you, God, because today....

I woke up knowing someone misses me.

I have more food that I can eat which means I get to share.

I have another opportunity to serve You!

I am lucky and so are you!

Body language

As you set about your day, take time to set your shoulder back, lift your rib cage, raise your chin and take plenty of big deep breaths.

By opening up your chest, and looking up at the world around you, you invite people in. A genuine smile directed at even random strangers can change your own mood.

Ask yourself what image you are presenting to the world today through your body language. Closed off and distracted, or open and loving? Even small children can sense it.

Bring good things to you today!

The little things!

Notice the small stuff today! The good stuff!

The way the house smells after you cook.

The silly things your kids do.

A flower poking out from somewhere it doesn't belong.

The hot shower you spend a little extra time in.

The soft fur of a pet who adores you.

A compliment someone paid you out of nowhere.

The smile of a random stranger.

These are the signs that God is with us. We can hear Him, taste Him, touch Him, smell Him, hear Him...

He isn't in the fancy items you paid too much for or the job you are hanging on to. He is right here, right now, and He loves YOU!

Be who you are!

Today as you go about your business, check to see how much effort you are putting in to what people think of you!


If it seems like a lot of effort, something is wrong. If you like you, others will too...effortlessly. If they don't, it is usually a reflection of how they feel about themselves.

Just go ahead and be authentic, reach out and care for others, regardless of whether it is returned. Cultivate your good points and share them with those around you.

Life is just easier that way!

Have a great day!

Make your list and check it often!

Regardless of circumstances that surround you and the trouble that may befall you, it is your choice to be happy. I think sometimes we feel guilty if we are happy when others are in pain so we wallow along with them. In my opinion, that isn't helping either one of you. I am not talking about the obnoxious goof around and hide your pain happy, there is a different kind.

A quiet happy. An inner strength that people see, but they can't exactly put their finger on it. You don't complain, you aren't bitter, you aren't seeking compliments, pity, or pain relief through addictive mediums...Happy people can listen without judgement, offer help without expectation of payment, see a big picture where the world and people are essentially good.

One of the easiest ways to become one of these people is to begin with a grateful heart. No one's life is perfect, even if it looks that way from the outside, but we all have things to be grateful for! I just got through a really tough week, I was sick and needed to go to a doctor, I didn't have health insurance and I was feeling miserable. Add to that a sick child and a lot of missed work. I found myself starting to feel sorry for myself and I caught it almost immediately! So I made a list in my head of the top 10 things I was grateful for. It was surprisingly easy, and didn't take very long at all!

Suggestion for the day: Make a top 10 list of what you are grateful for! It's nothing you need to share with anyone but God, so go ahead and write it down. It can be big things like your children and spouse or little things like a hot shower daily or your favorite exercise class! Look at it before you go to bed at night. Look at it when you wake up in the morning. Take it to work with you. Keep it in the car to read in traffic. Have it available in the places that stress you out the most. Change it as you evolve and as often as necessary. Try it.

God wants you to be happy, He really does!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

New blog!

Welcome to the good stuff! Each blog will hopefully bring you some kind of focus, inspiration, or thought that gives you the warm fuzzy and most importantly, you can pass forward on to others! I think we spend too much time thinking about all the stuff we can't control and it is eating us alive, literally.

As many of you know, my writing has come to the very front of who I am as a person. I was always a writer, from a very young age (thanks DAD!) but I didn't always write. Now I do, because God told me too. I just ended a big, sad chapter in my life. I asked God "what is next?" and He said loud and clear, "start talking about the good stuff!" Ok, folks here I go...have fun with this, and don't forget to chime in with things you have seen throughout the day that made you stop and say "Wow, that was good!" It's out there, you just have to stop looking at all the bad stuff first! Try it!

Thought for the day:

If you stand and face the light, the shadows are behind you and you can't see them.

Sometimes the light is so bright, you need to keep your eyes shielded from it, that's ok, just keep moving forward toward it, one step at a time. If you look back, you will see all the shadows, and all of the ugly people who lurk in them. It's easy to stay turned in that direction, it is familiar and comfortable, but it is unproductive and it is NOT God's will for you! Turn back around and look, toward the light. Let the lurkers lurk, let the shadows fall where they may, you have business to attend to and it isn't back in those nasty shadows...it's right in front of you!!!