the most beautiful people...

Quotes

"Communication is a skill that you can learn. It's like riding a bicycle or typing. If you're willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life."

- Brian Tracy, Author

reflections on the Book of Ruth

I was listening to a message on the book of Ruth.  It was interesting to get some of the points out of it that I had not gotten before...maybe it was because of the way the speaker spoke or the things that brought them to focus.  


What is the bigger picture of the details in our life?  We live in the details, data and happenings of our life.  Do get the meaning?  There is a pattern and meaning.  You have to look at the context.  Every detail and every choice of every day is being woven into the work of the story of your life.  The book of Ruth shows that in its short story.


Naomi didn't want to be called by her name because she felt the Lord had inflicted her and brought misfortune on her.  These circumstances made her very bitter.  She felt God was punishing her.  She wanted to be called Mara instead.  I find it interesting that she was complaining to the the Lord in her heart, attitude and words; instead of being grateful that she had family to go back to.


Ruth was an outsider to Naomi's relatives and family.  She showed faithfulness to her Mother In Law.  She was bold in her message of wanting God to be her God, she doesn't care about the stigma of going back to Israel.  Boaz instructed her to glean of his fields, not others.  He instructed the men to not lay hands on her.  He was impressed by what she did for her Mother In Law and wanted her to be blessed of the Lord.  Boaz was known to be hardworking, generous and protective, an older guy, not thinking he was very attractive, but he built a reputation of doing what is right.  Naomi was impressed at Boaz's care shown to Ruth and gave instructions to Ruth to dress up and go and lay at Boaz's feet when he was sleeping.  Ruth had been wearing plain clothes, no perfume and oils because she had been in morning over the loss of her husband and Naomi wanted her to not go to Boaz in that type of attire.  Ruth fights customs and shows that she wants someone to protect her.  Boaz knew the chain of command and knew that someone else was ahead of him in the family line.


When you think about these events, what would have happened if Ruth had not gone with her Mother In Law?  Ruth made choices.  God worked his story in the "random" details of their choices.  Those small decisions were how God worked out the big story.  His story of Redemption.  Do you look for the finger prints of God in your life, everyday? How is God working in my life?  How is he using the people in my life to build the bigger picture?  Let the Lord's word bring illumination to the details of my life.

verse for the day...

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health,  your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.

       - Proverbs 3: 5-12 (The Message)

another round of Yoga

Yoga. I missed you.  At the same time, you are killing me plank pose. Totally!!! But I know I will be missing you again when this Groupon Fort Worth is over. Some things flat out just cost too much. 


[sigh]

Quotes

We must all suffer from one of two pains. The pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is that discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.
- Jim Rohn

maybe swimming soon?

24hrs later....lots of shock...it is starting to look a bit more inviting!!!
Pool time coming up as soon as its ready. 

want to go swimming?

[

Want to go swimming?  No?  ...Don't be jealous of my pool!

Just wanted to remind you what my pool looks like when we get a torrent of rains in Texas and you have drainage issues in your yard.  Yup...this is what you get...a mess!  I get comments frequently:  "You have a pool?  Wow!"  You could too if you bid on a HUD Home like me. :)

my heart sings...

song ~ fall apart

Fall Apart
by Josh Wilson


Why in the world did I think I could
Only get to know you when my life was good?
When everything just falls in place
The easiest thing is to give you praise
Now it all seems upside down

'Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel you now more than I did then
How can I come to the end of me
But somehow still have all I need?
God I want to know you more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find you when I fall apart

Blessed are the ones who understand
They've got nothing to bring but empty hands
Nothing to hide and nothing to prove
Our heartbreak brings us back to you
And it all seems upside down

'Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel you now more than I did then
How can I come to the end of me
But somehow still have all I need?
God I want to know you more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find you when I fall apart

I don't know how long this will last
I'm praying for the pain to pass
But maybe this is the best thing that has ever happened to me

'Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel you now more than I did then
How can I come to the end of me
But somehow still have all I need?
God I want to know you more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find you when--
You will find me when--
I fall apart

thought for the day...

Through his Word, everyday are his promises, Praise the Lord.


- Once-a-Day

{favorite things} naps

I love naps!  About 2.30pm - 4pm, they are awesome!!! I don't get them very much, but when I do, I count them as one of my FAVORITE THINGS!

Quotes

Fear only attacks the things that matter.


-Jon Acuff

your debt is not my debt

I never dreamed I would be doing this...but once again, sometimes you don't get to make those choices, life makes them for you, so I am.


You gave the Collection Agency my contact information and they called me last Thursday looking for you.  They would not release any information to me due to HIPAA.  I asked them how they thought I was going to release any information to them in light of the fact that I too am VERY aware of HIPAA Laws because of the industry I work in.  They stated I didn't have to answer the question, but they were going to ask.


I called you and got your answering machine and was in the middle of leaving a message and you picked up.  You are screening your calls.  I gave you the message that someone was looking for you and you needed to contact them.  I asked you why you gave them my information to which you replied: "Do not give them any information honey."  I don't have information to give them.  It is your debt, I know nothing about your personal finances.  I also am not your Power of Attorney.  


It angered me that you would do this to me, however, I should not be surprised.  You are my parents, but you are not acting in ways you taught me as a child.


The only way I know how to help you is to send you Dave Ramsey's book: The Total Money Makeover.  Will you read it? I don't know.  Will you listen to the Audio Book included?  I don't know.  Will you make a budget?  I don't know.  Will you attempt to pay down your debts, sell things you don't need, live on less than you make?  I doubt you will do any of this, but out of the Love I have for my Lord and Savior, this is the only way I can help.  I will serve Him because He has done so much for me.  You may hate me.  You may continue to say awful things about me and tell my brother to tell me them, I expect that.  I will send this to you anyways...even if your debt is not my debt.

Quotes

“Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.”
― Ruth Ann Schabacker

you want to be my friend?

I have been reflecting some on friendships.  There are times they are puzzling to me.  There are times I wonder if I have done something to hurt someone or cause them to pull away.  Friendships go through cycles.  I have written about friends a few times on my blog (Friends and what is a Friend to you).  Today I share a few more things.


Proverbs 18:24
A man that hath friends must show himself friendly


What does that mean to show yourself friendly?


friendly = like a friend; kind, helpful; favorably disposed: inclined to approve, help or support; not hostile or at variance;  amicable



So if you want to be my friend, why would you deride me for not writing you? Not calling you?  Not coming over?  Not texting?  Not staying in touch whatever form is our typical format?  Why would you not just write me, call me, text me, try to arrange a time to meet up...just to be a friend, show you care, just to see what might be going on in my world to prevent me/us from loosing touch?


You tell others that I seem to be caught up in my own world.  Have you never been caught up in your own world?  Have you never had time for the things you want to be doing because life demands such as a new baby, sickness, discouragement, having company or a really busy spell with work (or a million other reasons)...which meant you could not remotely connect with your friends?


I know for me, there are times these things can be very hurtful.  I want to remind myself that I may not always know what is going on in my friends life and to be friendly anyways, to be kind anyways, to be helpful anyways, to support anyways, to not do anything that could be taken as condemning, hurtful, rude, uncaring, unloving, and without understanding.


What are ways you show yourself friendly?

learning life's lessons

We all have learning as we go through life.  As a child I didn't like that when my parents told me such things.  You seem to think that you go through school to be educated and learn and once you "learn", why do you have to learn more?  Aren't you done with that at some point?  Maybe we are done with book learning, specifically the stuff on the English language and math...but there are other learning things.


I am 35.  I am learning things.  Sometimes I feel like I am taking college courses the learning is so intense.  Some days I find it exciting.  Some days I find it tiring.  Some days I wonder if I will pass my test.  Some days I think the course is too hard.  Some days I am ready for the next chapter.  Some days I dread opening the book to study. 


In order to really learn the lesson, we can't have fear of it.  We have to embrace the fact that we have lessons yet to learn.  Embrace the reality that some of them will be downright tough.  Some of them will bring challenges but once we get past them and look back, we will see accomplishment.


I have many things I am still working to overcome from my childhood...but one thing I am learning is to listen to my body.  It sends you messages to help you treat it well, to assist in taking care of it, to not ignore the messages or you will face further consequences.  This has been a tough one for me!  I was pushed to continue regardless of how I was feeling.  Pushed to do more when I thought I would collapse.  Pushed to limits beyond what a child is capable of.  Don't get me wrong, we do have to stretch ourselves beyond what we think is possible or we become stagnate and don't grow.  We can't stop when it gets hard.  I am not referring to this.  I am referring to when enough is never good enough.  I am referring to the signs that clearly state someone is worn out and needs rest but you demand more.  I am not for one second going to tell you that I have "learned" my lesson, but I will voucher that I am learning and doing better than I used to.  You want an example?  Sunday I woke up with a throbbing headache that made me see dots.  I knew I could push myself, or I could pull up the covers and say "No, I can't do it today.  I am staying home."  I did just that.  I am learning.  Its been a tough road.  But I am learning.


Want to share with me a lesson you are learning?

thought for the day...

The Voice of Comparison...is deadly.  It makes you look at what you want not what you have.


-Jon Acuff

verse to reflect on...

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 


-1 John 3:18 NIV

Quotes

Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it with use.

- Ruth Gordon, actress

song ~ let it go

Let It Go
by Tenth Avenue North


I've been holding on so tight
Look at these knuckles
They've gone white
I'm fighting for who I wanna be
I'm just trying to find security

But You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one's who lose control
You say you will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul
You say let it go.

Well it's hard enough to hear 
Harder still, to move beyond this fear
We know there's nothing I can bring,
So tell me what do you want from me?

But You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one's who lose control
You say You will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul
You say let it go, You say let it go

What do I love?
What do I hate?
What will I lose? 
What will I gain?
How do I save my soul?
What if I bend?
What if I break?
What will it cost?
What will it take?
For you to save my soul.

You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one's who lose control
You say You will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul

You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one's who lose control
You say you will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul
You say let it go, You say let it go

Let Go. Let God.

Things come in your life many times just when you need them.  I believe that with all my heart.  It has happened too many times to not believe it!!!


I got a letter from my brother this weekend.  He attempted suicide recently, yet again.  When he was here in Texas in December 2009 - November 2010 you may remember a post in which I put up an item obtained after doing Family Counseling with the Counselor at the Hospital (after his 6th attempt at suicide, my 1st to experience 1st hand)...it was called Letting Go.  In the letter my brother said not to feel like I needed to share with anyone about this...but  my heart grieves for him.  I haven't known how to respond to the letter...and today a friend had this picture on her Facebook page.  Did she know I needed this reminder yet again?  No, I doubt she did because I didn't post anything about my heart, about my pain, about the feelings I was feeling all over again.  But the One who knows my thoughts, my prayers, my feelings before I can utter a word.  He knew I needed the reminder again.  Let Go.  Let God.



Thank You to my girlfriend for bringing me what I needed! 


Thank You God for being an all knowing God.  


Thank You God for being my friend.  


Thank You God for giving me comfort.  


Thank You God for giving me a way to Let Go.

Parenting & Being a Leader

I am not a parent.  I don't know what it is like to hear the word "Mom".  I don't know what it is like to be needed 24/7.  I don't know what it is like to go from being proud of your child to being humiliated.  I haven't faced seeing the reflections of you in them and their mannerisms, many of which will haunt you.  I haven't experienced these things...


But.  I am starting to understand parenting more.  I am getting more of a clue about what it takes to be a leader.  What is required to achieve the results you want.  I am learning a lot about me.  You ask, How when you are not a parent?


In my profession, I am the leader, director and manager of my employees.  It is up to me to guide them and make sure the job gets done.  It is up to me to educate and provide the training on the skills to perform the tasks.  The job requires them to follow through with my instructions.  I teach my clients employees skills, provide resources, information and understanding on various subjects related to the industry and their job duties.  This is what I do, it is my job, it requires skills and challenges in many ways related to parenting.


In my quest to be a professional and excellent at what I do, I have to evaluate the steps to this process.  It is not because I am a bad leader, I just want to be better.  If my employees are not getting it, it shows in their production.  If mistakes are continued to be made after the learning period, it means concepts were not grasped.  If the job is not done on schedule, it means they may not be being disciplined to achieve the deadline.  If they promise to be available to work and then are not, it means they have put other priorities above work and their yes is not yes.  If they don't ask questions to get clarification, they are not trying to learn.  If I see them just staring at me like a zombie, I know that they have not connected and are not engaged.  Few things are more excruciating than to be spent at trying to help people learn and them not be learning.  These types of situations bother me, deep in my soul.  I want them to get it.  I want them to not make mistakes.  I want them to be disciplined because of the results it produces.  I want to give them more work when they can prove they do the work they were given well.  I want them to ask questions because there are no dumb questions when you don't know.  I want them to have a vision and be a team player.  

When you face these moments, if you are anything like me, you spend time reflecting on how to be better.  You question your ability.  You question your method.  You question their choices.  You evaluate their skills.  You evaluate your communication style.  You may be frustrated and unsure what to change.  Good leaders however will evaluate the processes and seek support from those who can give us guidance.  Good leaders will realize that some things don't always work and new methods will have to be implemented.  Good leaders understand that you have to try to get into the employees mind.  Good leaders realize sometimes things take longer than you originally planned.  Good leaders know they have to be firm, fair and consistent.  Good leaders know that the team is watching you and you have to stay strong.

That said, given all the support in the world, even the best leader can’t force his/her employees or clients employees want to learn, or actually learn.  They make choices about what they will and won’t learn, what they will or won't do off the clock (that affects their job), what they will or won't ask, what they will or won't absorb, what they will or won't choose; we all do.  Many of these choices affect our performance and the outcome because of these choices.  The leader is not the one responsible for the results.  You are.


The leaders that have been a true source of strength, guidance and inspiration to me are the ones that asked the tough questions, the ones that kept my feet to the fire, the ones that encouraged me to think for myself, the ones that inspired me to be different, not follow with the mainstream just because everyone was doing it, the ones that encouraged me to take the high road no matter how I was treated, the ones that strive for excellence because it matters, the ones that weren't afraid of confrontation because that is apart of life, the ones that know your weak points and try to help you through them, the ones that encouraged you to say No - I don't understand or No - I can't do that, the ones that will never lie no matter what is asked of them, the ones that respected you for who you are, the ones that welcomed discussion and push you to your limits.  These are lessons you learn from good leaders and you never know when those tips will come back to you in your role as a leader...even if you are not a parent and don't have those hands-on parenting skills.

thought for the day...

Due to the events at Calvary, we are free to choose, and so we choose God. We choose his will, not ours; his timing, not society’s; and we choose to show how his ultimate sacrifice has changed us.
- Reflecting God

thought for the day...

Got 5 minutes? Got an hour? Give it to God.


- Once-a-Day

an exciting day!

Today...was an exciting day!  I got some good news in spite of bad news too.


I got the mail an Official Notice - Account Paid in Full on my 2011 Honda Civic!  Yes, you read that correctly.  I bought the car March 30th, 2011 (with 8 miles on it) and paid it off March 1st, 2012 (now at 17,484 miles on it as of that date)!  I have continued to live very frugally and it has paid off.  


It's time to celebrate!!!  

please forgive Blogspot

I don't know what is up with Blogspot...it is posting my posts for the future now.  I don't get it...just wanted my followers to know that I noticed it and will try to figure out what is going on, but for now, I just tell you to Please Forgive Blogspot.  It knows not what it does.

Quotes

The more we share, the more we have.

― Leonard Nimoy

Quotes

Listen to the one True Voice...You are Loved, Valued and Important. The voice of God.

- Jon Acuff

{vacation incentives} dream board

a reminder to take a break!

I vow...