Rather than bore you with all the door-opening I did today (although one was mildly interesting as it involved balancing an umbrella, two bags and a coffee cup), I wanted to share a good deed of my husband’s. (Don’t tell him I’m broadcasting it online, though.)

After taking out a bag of trash at my in-laws’ seniors’ residence, he started chatting with an elderly lady who was having trouble with the laundry machines on that floor.

She said she usually had help doing her washing, but the helper was off that day. She’d started her load but was a little confused about how to get everything finished. (Making matters more difficult, she found it hard to stand for very long, even with her walker.)

My naturally good-deeding hubby took matters into his own hands, checked out the machines, transferred her wash to the dryer and made sure it was on the right cycle. He then let her know when it would be finished.

“You have done such a good deed for me today,” she told him. “Your parents must be very proud of you.”

They were. And I am.

Need one more Thanksgiving idea for the holidays? Try Secret Acts of Kindness!

Write the name of each family member on a separate slip of paper and place them in a bag. Have each family member draw one name of another family member. That is now their secret person to bless.

The next day they are to do something to show that person that they appreciate them; BUT —  this is to be done secretly.

Think simple acts of kindness. Write a note, make a gift, do a chore for that person, etc. Teach your little ones how good it feels to show appreciation for others (without getting credit for it). Who knows — these random acts of kindness may just become a habit.

Blessings!

j

Go to Peggy’s site and read about her friend and the friend’s family. An amazing story about the power of love and adoption. Send as many cards as you can to Ryan!

Ryan Huddleston
% DCP – Chad Unit
7200 E. Indiana Street
Evansville, IN, USA 47715

So what am I thankful for?

You.

The people who make me near piss myself in laughter.

The people who make me f-bomb storm angry.

The people who make my heart break a bit.

The people who make me feel like love can last.

The people who make my curiosity burn.

The people who indirectly make me step out of my box and just leap.

The people who make me care.

So from me to you, this is Kendall Arrington wishing you a happy Thanksgiving (or just a happy weekend for you outside the States) and offering virtual hugs to you all.

See you on Monday.

We prefer a lot of different things.  I am a Coca~Cola man myself.  Pepsi won’t do.  I prefer Coke.  Why?  I could probably name a lot of reasons for it, but I simply just like it better.  But you know, preferring (at least if we’re going to apply scripture here) has more to do with a choice to put something first.

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;” Romans 12:9,10 NKJV

When it comes to people, we are to prefer them.  Prefer them over what?  We need to prefer them over our own selfish interests.  Put them first.  It’s hard when you don’t like somebody.  I tell you the truth though, the Gospel moves more quickly and effectively when our love towards others is “without hypocrisy”, when we do “good” things, “be kindly affectionate”, and honor others by “giving preference”.

Preferring it doesn’t mean you like it.  It means a choice to put others first even when you don’t want to.  You’ll find that this thing will often (not always) work both ways.  But that’s not why we do it.  We do it because God tells us to and because we want others to receive the Gospel.

Bet you’ve been wondering about me…or not!    I’ve been livin’ in my little house on the prairie, had an absolutely smashing garden this year (so much so that I’m probably going to write a squash cookbook), and have recreated a 1920’s art house in my little corner of the world.  In the past year, I lost my beloved doggie Deva, moved, started working the “Coast to Coast” shift, and had some great times learning about do-it-yourself-ing and gardening/yardwork with my super-amazing parents.  Mom and Dad and I just hosted the HMR 163 Marine Reunion in October.  Veteran helicopter pilots (called the “Ridgerunners”) from the Korean War and their lovely wives came to OKC to find out Okies ain’t hokey!  Our joke on them!  We had a fabulous time showing them some cool things (Chihuly glass, an incredble Western art–fine art–museum, the Winnie Mae plane that Wiley Post flew ’round the world in 8 days) and some intense things (the Murrah Building Memorial to the OKC bombing) and a revitalized and beautiful, thriving downtown that is completely PAID FOR.  I’ve had people tell me they are sorry for me that I live here, but ya know, as long as they got Guinness here, it’s okay with me!   I’m not being deprived, let me tell you.  And if you are a football nut, this is the place to be.  I’m not, but I love the Big Sky and the red dirt.  (and it’s cheap to live here.)   It’s been a crazy couple of years, and I want to reassure you that the hardest part–the not-knowing, the no-logic/no solution part of living since 2007– is going to shift in January to bring a year of opportunities for all of us.  We just have to make it through November and December, and the end of the year promises to be a testy time with friends and loved ones.  For some of you, it will bring you to the breaking point, and for others, it will force you to expand and grow!  And I mean more than just the waistline!  As they say, when one door closes, another one opens, and although there will be some door slamming this holiday season, there’s going to be some great wide open spaces coming in January, and we’ll all feel some relief that we haven’t felt for two and a half years. Yes, we still have some pressures, but the sun’s gonna shine, and the trees are gonna bud for us sooner rather than later, so have hope!   That said, with the rocky rockin’ holidays ahead of us, please do your best to be kind to the people not only in your home but also on the frontlines of retail and service occupations.  I just finished a one and a half year stint in a service occupation call center doing tech support, and it wasn’t pretty.  Sometimes those people who you hang up on, swear at, or get frustrated with are struggling to help you and to hang onto a job.  I received weeks of training, but nothing could have prepared me for the things I heard on the other end of the phone— people having sex, physical abuse, even kidnapping–while on the phone!  I learned swear words I never knew, and, true to call center protocol, continued to say, please, thank you, yes sir, no ma’am while customers screamed threats at their children, employees, and me.  Never hung up.    What I want you to know is how difficult that job can be.  In that environment, our tools for helping you the customer were so poorly configured, it was like searching for a needle in a haystack to get the answer to your issues.  Not your problem, I know, but it definitely was OUR problem, and we got very little help to solve the issues. We spent alot of time trying to teach customers to say we solved something we didn’t solve!  (surveys, ya know!) The people who fix your TVs, computers, websites, and phones over the airwaves really have to have fabulous memories and amazing mental and emotional stamina.  Your service people–even the ones helping you with your catalog or online orders–are being timed, listened to, recorded, browbeaten, and pressured at work to sell or be fired, fix it or be fired.  Try fixing a network from your chair at home in front of the TV.  Can’t do it?  Why not?  Because we all know we’re asking the wrong person to fix it.  I think that’s the worst thing–not the being timed, not even being pressured by bosses and abused verbally by customers.   Unless you are an engineer, you can’t conceive of the sequence of myriad technical events that have to occur to enable me and you to get on the web to search something or make a phone call in 2 seconds.  Folks, I wish I could have helped you.  We all wish we could have helped you.  And you really made my day when I was able to help you.  But life in those jobs is hell.  It’s like being in prison.  You are locked inside this building, being taped, recorded, video-ed, eavesdropped, written up, punished, threatened, taped, recorded, and threatened again.  And that’s even if you ARE doing your job, showing up to work, and being friendly and helpful to customers and fixing their problems.  And not hanging up.   Next time you grouch because of a long line or having to repeat something or because a customer service person doesn’t seem to understand you, please be kind.  First off, maybe they really don’t understand you!!!  It’s not their fault that the company out-sourced.  It’s not their fault that the company fired all the knowledgeable people for ridiculous reasons and provided the newcomers with a maze of indecipherable tools.  It’s no reason to yell, because getting louder doesn’t make anyone understand you better.  No reason to swear, because swearing isn’t explaining the problem.  No reason to grouch, because you’re wasting everyone’s time, including yours.  Explain it again, and if that doesn’t work, ask for your service person to get help from their supervisor.  Be a kinder, gentler customer.  Your customer service rep may have had bad news today, may be pressured, and may be just plain tired after a hard day.  Wouldn’t you want the same respect?    I have been in customer service industries a long long time, so I can be critical of certain behaviors too (like someone not doing their job), but if a person is trying, please give them a break and also mention your gratefulness for their efforts.  It goes a long way towards making all of our days better ones.  And you know, we can even use the tactics called kindness and patience at home!  Think how that could change the stress of this holiday season!   That said— Have a wonderful holiday!  Yes, I’ll say it, Happy Holiday!  Merry Christmas!  Happy Kwanzaa!  Happy New Year!  Happy Yule!  Happy Hannukah!  (I’m not being politically correct.  I’m just being NICE.  How ’bout you?)   Love ya (truly),  Andrea the Booklady   Please try these stations to get some real news in your day:  http://www.kpft.org ,  http://www.alternativeradio.org, http://www.fsrn.org (Free Speech Radio news), and http://www.freespeech.org.  These organizations provide news untainted by commercials and corporate pressure.    Make a difference for Christmas:  Go to http://www.wn.org or http://www.heifer.org and give someone a livelihood for Christmas.    “Let Love in. Send Love out.”
http://www.loveinloveout.com   http://www.activateoklahoma.com  http://www.creativequills.com http://www.activatehouston.com   http://www.myeccentricaunts.com   http://www.thebooklady.info   http://www.communicateok.com

Have you ever felt like you are being pushed against a wall that you feel like screaming when someone says to you that they know you very well? Do you know anyone so well, can you swear for someone and can you assume you know someone? They try to belittle you in ways to bend you into their perception of you and you may bend to the accusations. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway

There are times when people assume that you are someone you are not probably because they are like the same which they have accused you of or have judged you on your past misdeed. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway

Don’t be moved by others perception of you. What’s important is what you believe; who you genuinely are, your ideals and principles and most importantly your truths about you. Not what others perceive you to be. Not their assumptions or preconceived notions of you probably judged on your appearance and your past. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway.

There are others who wish to see you fail in life and falter simply because they can’t believe that you are who you say you are. They like to climb their ladder of success while they keep pushing you down. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway.

They are going to assume everything inconceivably bad about you and if you love and believe in yourself, you will never be moved by it. There are those wanting to find some bad things to whisper against you, that they will make up a story about you, so convincing that it becomes believable rumors and gossip. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway

There are those who will look for every corner to lay obstacles in your path to see you fail and beware some are done by your close friend as they may know you very well. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway

They’ll even set you up with friends to see that you are stained, and when all fail they may create strife between you and the ones who are closest to you. Be aware of those. Reminding you again, they maybe your close friends and family. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway

There are those who will smile with you and will stab you in the back as soon as you have turned you face/back with idle whispers to another. The two-faced ones. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway.

There are those who hate to see you climb that ladder of success, those who would see you down and can help but won’t because you will become a better person and will be a challenge to them.

There are those who hate that you are well educated and has become a force to reckon with as you are no longer spoon fed with their garbage and has become well informed and no longer depend on them to ‘nurture your mind’ like babies. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway.

Importantly, watch your friends who really befriend you to maliciously want to know about you, so they can talk of your confidential whispers to them. You usually know your enemies but they are sometimes in the midst and closest to your heart; the ones whom you trust with your innermost thoughts and secrets, entitled friends, but are really ‘fiends’ in disguise. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway.

Probably something they tried for years at and never was successful at and you did it with one whiff of a breath and has become envy and jealous of you. They may overlook the fact that what they had tried was not for them but was meant for you but some tend to walk around all their lives believing that life is unfair to them, when things they wanted were not meant for them and envy you all their lives, carry around bitterness and animosity towards you all because of jealousy and envy. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway

Instead of finding our purpose and enjoy and fulfill it. We tend to envy others and what they have; their jobs, status, finances and even their children/family to try to be like them or be better than them; poisoning selfish greed. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway

Sometimes people are jealous of you that they would cause you to lose your job, and family with false accusations leading to strife in family and jobs. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway

I am always happy for others and their achievements in life as long as it’s done honestly. Your accomplishments are yours, your gifts are yours, they are distinct gifts from your design. I don’t envy others, I may see something and wish for it, but I don’t envy. There are times when you must let go off those wishes which are sometimes borne out of envy, jealousy, selfishness and greed because you want to be better than someone. However, everyone can achieve success in life.

Just don’t assume that your next door neighbor’s success will be same as yours. Try and find your purpose and distinct niche. Not saying you can’t achieve success like someone else, just don’t dwell on becoming exactly like someone because you may get what you wish for and don’t know what to do with it nor able to handle it because it was not meant for you like the one you envied as all it really was simply greed.

Don’t get discouraged by someone’s perception and opinion of you. Everyone will not love you but some will and when others find lies and misconceptions about you to make you feel small, the ones created in their minds. Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway

Who cares of others opinion of you? Don’t stress nor lose a wink of a sleep on it, that’s their perception and that’s their business, not yours. Know who you are and believe who you are. Live who you are and love who you are. Only try to change the negative things you could change about yourself. Stop convincing others of who you are.

Stop living up to others expectations of you. Aren’t you tired of living up to others expectation, impression, perception and opinions of you? That’s their opinion. That’s their business, who cares?

You can’t please everyone and don’t go changing to fit someone’s personality, you are who you are and uniquely so.

Stop pretending to be who you are not, to appease their minds and please them.

Stop trying to keep up with the ‘Joneses’ on the outside while you are ‘bankrupt’ on the inside. Simply be the very utmost best you can be.

Stop hiding your face and hiding your face behind somebody. Show your entire face, be bold. Walk in/with your own shadow, not anyone’s.

Believe in yourself and love yourself anyway.

I love who I am. Every pore, way down to my core.

Written by Donique C. Perez Copyrighted 2009/11/24 All rights reserved

I hope I win the lottery.
The Leafs are hopeless.
I hope she likes me.
That boy is hopeless.
Hope is a dish best served with love.
Hopelessness is a dark, lonely place.
I need hope.
I have no hope.

Hope is, in and of itself, such a simple concept isn’t it? I mean it is all about looking forward. A positive spirit. A light.

Having hope implies a future. It is like a light at the end of a dark tunnel. We use the word hope endlessly. And actually I believe it is a most overused and bastardized word, much like love.

For some reason we, as a society, have a tendency to take words of depth and crush them into absolute meaninglessness, mostly by sheer overuse. Love is the example because we love chocolate and we love teddy bears and we love chicken fried steak and we love money. Teenagers are in ‘love’. Couples think sex is love. The divorce rate shows the truth in that. Teen pregnancy rates show the truth in that.

Hope is a critically important word, like love. There is depth and meaning, emotion. Something ‘more’. A spirit if you are so inclined. And we hope for so many things these days don’t we?

I hope we have McDonalds for dinner. I hope that cop doesn’t pull me over. I hope I can finish this in time. I hope my boss doesn’t get mad.

I hope that I don’t die in Afghanistan. If I do, I hope my family will be able to survive and move on.

I hope that a heart becomes available. Am I selfish to think that? Someone has to die to save me. I hope they don’t suffer.

I hope my legs work. I hope I don’t have to be in a wheelchair and be taken care of.

I hope someone can spare me some change. I haven’t eaten in two days.

I hope my dad doesn’t drink tonight. I’m so tired. I don’t want his ’special’ time any more.

Hurts doesn’t it? Hurts to think we are so shallow and self absorbed. Hurts to forget there are people in this world who are barely hanging on and need real hope.

So what is hope?

Hope is the concept of having a future. Hope is knowing you have a present. And hope implies ‘better’. If you are not in a good place, hope is that things will improve. Whether that means survival, less pain, full belly or something more.

So if you are in a good place, if you are happy, what does hope mean to you? I mean, you could hope that it continues. But really, isn’t that just another selfish statement. So what does the happy person do with hope? This is the crux. This is the great, killer part of hope.

You need to share it. You have to take your joy and send it out into the world. You need to make your hope someone else’s. You need to put your joy on the market for those who need it most. Because you will stagnate without making use of that hope.

Hope is a spirit, no matter what your belief system may be. Hope is the manifestation of joy. So the two groups need each other. The hopeless need the hopeful. There is no hope alone. Hope requires help. Hope demands you make use of it. And the hopeful need the hopeless. Because there is an economy in hope. In order to maintain your stash of hope, you have to invest it. In others. And you will receive it back in spades.

In this society that preaches me above all. In this neighbourhood that requires we look away when the old man next door waves. In this corner of town where we look down on the homeless. In this mall where the snicker at the poor schmuck in the wheelchair. In this school where we tease the girl with the strange bruises. In this park where the teenage boy is drunk and we want him arrested for his anger issues.

Where is their hope?

Here’s a mirror. Do you see it? It’s you. You are their hope. You are their moment of kindness. You are their salvation. You are their light. You are their love.

Yes, I said love. You don’t need a bible to figure out that love is the basis of every gift. Love makes you want to help. If there is no love in your heart, there is no hope. And those hopeless souls who need help, need a hand, need someone will remain.

Hope is the basis of society as is love. It is the ‘we’. It is the ‘us’. We are one. Unfortunately that basic truth is a lie. Right now we are far from one. But it sits upon each of our souls to take back that darkness. To rip open the shroud and show the light.

I am you and you are me and we are all together.

Aren’t we? I live in hope…

Hello everyone!

As part of our behavior modification plan for our expressive 3 1/2 year old, we have read and instituted the plan from Don’t Feed the Dragon! by Sandy McDaniel. One of her suggestions is to have two rules, one of which is to be kind.

In thinking about this concept, I would like to bring more kindness in my life by hearing about it happening in the world  and I need your help!

Your mission, should you choose to take it, is to post kind happenings observed, experienced, and practiced.

Please feel free to post often, nothing is too insignificant.

Dear Princeton Review,

I know you’ve said “Town-Gown Relations Are Strained” between Evanston residents and Northwestern students. But I just want you to know I think you’ve underestimated Evanston; anonymous local do-gooders have gotten this hapless Northwestern student out of many a scrape now, most notably going out of their way to return both my lost wallet and my lost phone to me, completely intact. Maybe in the past there have been some scuffles between the institutional Northwestern and the institutional Evanston, but on the real-life level, this NU student can honestly say she would be all but hopeless without the warm-hearted folks of this windy little North Shore suburb.

Love,
Ashley

Because Sunday I just couldn’t, and I really need it today – something healthy to reflect upon that is – how about you?

When eating a fruit, think of the person who planted the tree.

- Vietnamese saying

Expressing everyday gratitude

How often do you remember the people that have made little things possible for you? It’s easy to take our privileges for granted. Today, be more aware of your surroundings–everything from your shirt, house, food, and car–and who has made them possible for you. Who has made it possible for you to experience such wonderful things? One way to let someone know that you truly appreciate their efforts is to send them a quick note or return the kindness in your own way.

Brought to you by SPARKPEOPLE.
____________________________________________________

Happy “short” week of the holiday! Can I thank the pilgrims? Thank you for making this holiday possible. Can I also thank all the turkeys out there? No, not your ex-boyfriends. The bird! No, not “Let’s all do the bird”, dance with Morris Day and the Time, or THE BIRDS by Alfred Hitchcock. I, totally, just dated myself.

I mean Turkey, and dressing served on platter. Yes, Yum! Happy Thanksgiving! I am so happy, and thankful – I swear it’s not just the extra days off (I think?).

This post is really about everyday grace, and not just the time of the year. My first thought that comes to mind is my mom. Hey, she wasn’t perfect by any means, but she PLAYED with us. She instilled manners, respect, morals, and fun. She is still fun, and she STILL plays. I love her! My delightful child-like mother, who encouraged independence, love of children, and animals, forever in my sentiment. Thanks mom for being you.

I am thankful for my health, and my limbs. Yes, that is what happens when you are raised by a handicap father. Suddenly, having healthy working legs is a BIG deal. How easy it is to take our mobility for granted. How quickly it can be taken from us.

Having and keeping a job in this economy. Can I just say, “WOW!” I never worried about my job during the Gulf War. I never worried when airlines stopped paying commissions to travel agencies, and the owners flipped their lids, and we had to start charging fees.

I was not even concerned when the internet arrived with Orbitz, and Travelocity, and the airlines following close behind, this book your own moxie. Why use a travel agent? But I knew not everyone would, especially larger corporate companies, which was my specialty. We were still needed.

Then, the devastating blow of 9/11 sucked the soul out of us, but not the heart. In spite of all that, NOTHING has compared to this last year in the travel industry. Nothing. So thank you, dear job, I am so grateful for you.

My sister, no we don’t live close. We are not close in age. I barely remember her living with us growing up. She was more of a little mommy than a sister. But oh, she is my livelihood. How I adore her, and look up to her, even now that I’m grown and can see, she actually has flaws. She will always be my big sister, and my best friend. God made us sisters, our hearts made us friends. That saying is so true with us.

My dear Jason, far and above, the most paramount man, I have ever met or known, besides my step dad. The thought this man puts into every single thing, a quiet responsible purpose of pursuit, with patience and utter endurance, just to offer the best of himself to those he loves.

Yet, he is always willing to listen to my flash bulbs of babbling brilliance. They pale in comparison to his “bigger” picture brain and burn out just as quickly in light of his deep embers. I can’t imagine a more fitting complement than what we are to each other.

Out of 9 MILLION people on Facebook, I found you, the one, and only you. How small I am compared to the grander illustration painted for both of us.

My daughter Sydney, you amaze and entertain me. Your quick wit, and non-typical teenage antics. By far you are more stylish than I ever could, would, or should be in this lifetime. Thank GOD, you know which shoes go with what. I will forever embarrass you with the wrong outfit just so you can say, “Mooooooommmmmmm, no.”

There are so many others, the scope of which encompasses to an eternity, and I hope you know who you are, because I don’t have enough words to attribute.

I hope I show my kindness to each of you in return. I hope you know how much you mean to me. I hope I express it, not just in words, or deeds, but in every hug, and in every email, text, or comment. I know where my appreciation comes from. It comes from YOU. It comes from your heart. It comes from where YOU came from. What a blessing you are. I am overjoyed to be in your life.

Graciously, I go into this wonderful week with you. Please share your gratitude with me. I’d love to hear it. And I know it will make you feel good (besides, I bet you have already typed it out, HA).

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice.” ~Meister Eckhart

In the world of storytelling in which we work, we often find ourselves sharing stories of need punctuated by endorsements of thanks: An organization which offers a much needed service of support, shaping lives for the better, which then in turn asks for a community’s support so that they may continue to thrive.

The video below was created to highlight a few of the individual success stories of participants in this summer’s Next Generation Zone program. Each year, over 2000 young adults in need of employment assistance find help at Spokane’s Next Generation Zone, which works in partnership with the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council. The successful Summer Youth Employment Program depicted here was made possible by a one-time grant under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

It is a humbling story that we tell again and again, of folks who have found their vocation in creating opportunities or offering support to those who are struggling. As we approach the holidays, we all have the chance to reflect on what we are thankful for, and to explore our own struggles and generosity.

Kindness and gratitude, when they go hand-in-hand, can be such a divine experience. It is the spark of light in what could be a dark time, when someone is there to say “I want to help.” And the circle is made complete when we give thanks. We each find ourselves in the position of needing and giving at various times in our lives, and it is that lovely dance that connects us all. For that, I simply say thank you.

My work with children often takes place in school libraries, an ideal environment for using metaphor and story-telling to help change state. Often this enables a fresh learning of profound truths.

And so this morning I was very interested to read an article by children’s author (and the man behind Purple Ronnie cards) – Giles Andreae.

The article title?

‘I lost the gift of joy for a while. Now I want to preach it from the rooftops’.

He courageously writes personally and honestly about his recent experience of clinical depression .. and how he began to ‘feel the sunshine’ again.

You can read the article in the timesonline here

And as part of his desire to spread his new found joy, Giles has written a delightful story which emphasises the values of kindness and compassion for both ourselves and others; ‘The Pig of Happiness’ – the animation is here ..

Working with children in the school library, as I do reminds me of the power of story telling to change state, and to teach profound truths.

On the train this morning I read an article by chidren’s author (and the man behnd Purple Ronnie cards).

The article title?

‘I lost the gift of joy for a while. Now I want to preach it from the rooftops’.

He courageously writes personally and honestly about his recent experience of clinical depression .. and how he began to ‘feel the sunshine’ again.

You can read the article in the timesonline here

And as part of his desire to spread his new found joy, Giles has written a delightful story which emphasises the values of kindness and compassion for both ourselves and others; ‘The Pig of Happiness’ – the animation is here ..

Have you ever gone out with your husband, significant other, or friends even though you really didn’t feel like being social. Perhaps, you were feeling bloated, you were having a bad skin day, or you just didn’t have anything in your closet that made you feel awesome enough to go out into the world and be your confident self. But the person dragging you out told you that you were crazy, that you looked fine, that you were just overreacting, and they probably told you how beautiful you are and to get your head out of your ass. So you went!

And while you were out you saw other women out too and they surely weren’t bloated, they had perfectly perfect skin, and had on the most unintentionally cute outfits. They were after all really awesome women and you admired them for their uniqueness.

And then you realized something; as you sat and admired the eclectic mix of awesome women around you; laughing, conversing, and being engaged in their lives with what seemed like not a care in the world; these women were all unique and beautiful in their own way. None of them were perfect, yet they were all perfectly amazing. And then it hit you; you too were one of those perfectly amazing women.

It has been said that we are our own worst enemies and we are kinder to our friends then we are to ourselves. Perhaps this is why we need friends to remain truly happy. We need someone to remind us of our goodness. But if you are ever having a moment; remember there is always someone around you that thinks you are radiant, smart, a creative dresser, a kind person, a witty joke teller, a thoughtful mom, a good cook, a warm and nurturing person, a talented decorator, an excellent decision maker, and a committed friend.

Don’t be your worst enemy. Be your AWESOME BEST FRIEND! ♥

Redemption – Obedience – Grace

The Master of Self

Grace

Answer the questions, which follow the Scripture Verses below.

John 1:14-17 John expresses the grace of the Father, both in Jesus and us.

¹⁴And  ²⁵³² the Word  ³⁰⁵⁶ was made  ¹⁰⁹⁶  ₅₆₃₃ flesh,  ⁴⁵⁶¹ and  ²⁵³² dwelt  ⁴⁶³⁷  ₅₆₅₆ among  ¹⁷²² us,  ²²⁵⁴ (and  ²⁵³² we beheld  ²³⁰⁰  ₅₆₆₂ his  ⁸⁴⁶ glory,  ¹³⁹¹ the glory  ¹³⁹¹ as  ⁵⁶¹³ of the only begotten  ³⁴³⁹ of  ³⁸⁴⁴ the Father,)  ³⁹⁶² full  ⁴¹³⁴ of grace  ⁵⁴⁸⁵ and  ²⁵³² truth. ²²⁵  

¹⁵John  ²⁴⁹¹ bare witness  ³¹⁴⁰  ₅₇₁₉ of  ⁴⁰¹² him,  ⁸⁴⁶ and  ²⁵³² cried,  ²⁸⁹⁶  ₅₇₅₄ saying,  ³⁰⁰⁴  ₅₇₂₃ This  ³⁷⁷⁸ was he  ²²⁵⁸  ₅₇₁₃ of whom  ³⁷³⁹ I spake,  ²⁰³⁶  ₅₆₂₇ He that cometh  ²⁰⁶⁴  ₅₇₄₀ after  ³⁶⁹⁴ me  ³⁴⁵⁰ is preferred  ¹⁰⁹⁶  ₅₇₅₄ before  ¹⁷¹⁵ me:  ³⁴⁵⁰ for  ³⁷⁵⁴ he was  ²²⁵⁸  ₅₇₁₃ before  ⁴⁴¹³ me. ^{3450  16}And  ²⁵³² of  ¹⁵³⁷ his  ⁸⁴⁶ fulness  ⁴¹³⁸ have  ²⁹⁸³   all  ³⁹⁵⁶ we  ²²⁴⁹ received,  ²⁹⁸³  ₅₆₂₇ and  ²⁵³² grace  ⁵⁴⁸⁵ for  ⁴⁷³ grace. ^{5485  17}For  ³⁷⁵⁴ the law  ³⁵⁵¹ was given  ¹³²⁵  ₅₆₈₁ by  ¹²²³ Moses,  ³⁴⁷⁵ but grace  ⁵⁴⁸⁵ and  ²⁵³² truth  ²²⁵ came  ¹⁰⁹⁶  ₅₆₃₃ by  ¹²²³ Jesus  ²⁴²⁴ Christ.

Scripture Text – [KJV – with Greek Reference Numbers]

Q-7 from John 1:16

What is it we have all received from Christ’s fullness?

Q-8 from John 1:16

Why do you suppose we have received this gift from Christ?

Q-9 from John 1:17

What was given by Moses and why?

Q-10 from John 1:17

What was given by Jesus Christ and why?

Q-11 from John 1:17

What was the purpose of one and then the other?

Philemon 25 Paul’s beautiful salutation to Philemon should be ours to each other.  

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Q-12 from Philemon 25

Can you appreciate what Paul was saying in this verse when he said “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” If so, describe what that might have meant for the recipient.

November 19

John Fitzgerald Kennedy
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

When I read this quote and took a bit of time reflecting on exactly what it meant, I had an ahhh moment. Do we live a life of gratitude?

Thanksgiving has evolved over the years to be more than a feast and a celebration. It is a day to show gratitude and appreciation for those in your life. My question is this, do we live by these words?

Are there people in your life you maybe take for granted? Do you say thank you out of habit? Do we actually live a life of gratitude? Do we teach others how to be thankful or what gratitude is? I have found over the years many have never been taught how to be grateful for the things in their lives. We can all be great teachers by living these few words, thank you and gratitude.

Today I would like for you, no matter where you are in your life journey to take a few minutes to think of the great teachers in your life. It may be a third grade teacher, a Sunday school teacher, a best friend’s mom, a parent, a friend. Reflect on why they had an impact on your life and if they are alive I suggest telling them thank you for being a positive influence for you.

When creating my own list I have found the more I write, the more people I think about. How wonderful, as it has flooded back many memories throughout my life of people and places I had forgotten about. There were many to choose from here is one I would like to share with you today.

I was a small child when I would visit my Grandma Mack. I don’t remember much about her since she passed away when I was young. She was a single mom in very difficult times as her husband died when my father and his twin sister were quite young. There were two other children as well. I can you tell from experience raising four children alone in these times is not exactly easy, but in those days of hardship it had to be a challenge. My memory of her is being a wonderful teacher to a special needs child named Bobby. He had Downs Syndrome and was at her house often. I remember her caring, loving him and teaching him. These memories have stayed in mind my entire life and had a special impact as it has helped mold me into the person I am today.

It may not seem important at the time but things you do now can impact others without your even knowing it!

I suggest you think of the people and children in your life and how you have made an impact. Do you have teachable moments where you can make a difference in the life of a child or an adult? I believe we all do if we live a life of gratefulness and thankfulness. I encourage everyone to make their list of people you have gratitude for in your life. I have a little different perspective as I start my day because I have remembered some wonderful memories and am amazed at how many people have made an impact in my life. What a wonderful way to start my day!

Susie Austin

We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobile rather than by the quality of our service and relationship to humanity” [Martin Luther King, Jr.].

Success is such a fleeting concept. What it means to me, sounds foreign to my neighbor. And what my friend considers success, I might classify as torture!

Houses, addresses, cars, vacations, salaries, collections, hobbies, activities, and name brands.  Why do we consider these to be benchmarks of success and self-importance?

Is it wise to base our value on these “things” that evaporate when Wall Street hiccups?

What about time with family and service to others and a sincere appreciation for the life you live and the gifts you have been given? Why do we tend to overlook their worth and importance?

“A wise person understands that his own happiness must include the happiness of others” [Dennis Weaver]. So, if you find yourself unhappy or unsettled or feeling hopeless and unwanted, my advice would not be to go check your bank account, or look at your car, or spend time with your trophy collection.

I would suggest you take stock of the last time you truly helped someone else. You made a personal connection, offered a kind word, extended a helping hand, freely gave of your time and expertise. Poured into the life of another.

These are the investments that are guaranteed to yield high dividends.

As Leo Buscaglia said,

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

Don’t overlook the small acts of kindness.  Especially this week, as we turn our thoughts toward home and family. Set aside unrealistic expectations. Celebrate the moment. Enjoy time with your loved ones. Strive for kindness in your actions, attitude, and conversation. How beautiful is service to humanity that begins at home — at our home — toward those we know the best.

Whatever you are, be a kind one!

Deanna

So I have this guy friend, lets call him….”Baari” he’s 27 and he’s dating this ”child” that is 20, I fondly like to call her “Toddler.” I have a problem with “Baari” dating “Toddler”, not because I’m single and jealous and not because ”Baari” is totally in love with me and resentfully killing his time with the naive toddler receptionist in his office until I come around, but because he’s stressin over a girl who can’t even place an order at a fine dining establishment without having mommy or daddy vouch for her. That…”Toddler” is not what an accomplished man of 27 dates. I mean at least go for 22, but 20? I mean do you guys remember 20? I do. (Well of the parts where I wasn’t blacking out during Spring Break in Mexico, I do.)  At 20 I was a docu-drama style dramatic, boy crazy, shizophrenic mess, high on diet pills and earining $12 an hour working at Nordstroms and going to school part time to get my Bachelors. In other words at “20″ I was a candidate for a ratings winning reality show, not a candidate for “Trophy wife of the year in the Bay Area.”

As a young girl who grew up with 4 sisters and a mom who at 35 married my dad who was 65, I was definitely encouraged to “Date older men.” I definitely can see why. Older guys have their act together, their mature, their chilvarous, they will treat you like a lady and can 99% of the time control their bodily functions in public and their urges to get you to do a body shot with them have somewhat ceased to exist. But, who gets the short end of the stick when the mature older guy dates a ditzy, confused “toddler”? The GUY.

I spend a whole lotta time on this blog putting the ladies on a pedestal and puttin’ the gents on the hot seat of  “Are you good enough for us?”, but for once I’m gonna stick up for you guys. Don’t sell yourself short. Find yourself someone of your caliber, otherwise you have this drama to look forward to….. Check out “Baari” and me chat about “Toddler” the other night on GChat. Girl has the man whipped.

10:20 PM Baari: helooooo
 me: Are you talking to the toddler again?
10:21 PM Baari: hahahahaha
  good question
  not quite yet… but check this out.
 me: im gonna be such a good mom.
 Baari: so……
  hahaha
  you are
  check it yo
 me: spill
10:23 PM Baari: like…. last weekend, she wanted to talk to me.. so we met up and talked for a while…………. basically she got back with her ex (for 2 days she says) and realized that she was not in love with him, like right away…. she felt confused and her feelings she says were just missing him and … whatever… was a month after her break up and they were together for 3 1/2 years or something… … me and her saw each other like what a month or so, and it was literally day 1 after their break up….. so anyways…. she feels bad blah blah for hurting me etc… like horrible, it eats away at her… and she just kept saying how it was bad timing, that she really thinks we had something special, and she does really like me and has for a long time…. but was just really confused…..
  she wants to “start over” and regain my trust……… and do whatever I want at my pace I guess……and she is 100% sure her and her ex are not meant to be now, and she realized she was not in love with him.
  she kept talking about how me and her had a spark or something and that her ex or soemthign were missing that… blah blah blah
10:25 PM so I told her we should not talk for a whatever, a week or two or something and then maybe we can try to be friends again first and see…..

The man is 27 and putting up with this. Gentleman, I understand you need to “Take care of business” but at the expense of a tantrum throwing, dramatic toddler who wants to play in both playgrounds? I know men like a little spice, but come on…for once be like your buddy George Bush…go blow something up in the desert if you want some drama. Just make sure the area is clear of people…and toddlers