Thursday, December 22, 2011

Merry Christmas To All....

It is hard to believe that Christmas is only three days away!  Every year is the same for me.  One or two days before Christmas I am running around the city like a mad man trying to get those last minute gifts bought.  I always say I will do better next year, but I never do.  I think I actually like the craziness of it and having to fight with all the other last minute shoppers to find that perfect gift!  Tis the season!

I wanted to take a minute and just say "thank-you" to everyone who has read my blog over the past year.  Whether is was only once or if you have kept up with me throughout the year, I really appreciate it!  I love doing this and am already working on ways to improve it for next year.  In January, the blog will have a new look and I also promise to have a new picture of myself as well - I am SO tired of seeing the one now (sepia is so last year) and I am sure you are too.  My intention for the blog is to simply encourage you in your journey as I share what is going on in mine.  My plan next week is to take some time off from writing and work on revamping it so that it has a fresh, new look for the new year!  I am extremely grateful for all who read it and give such encouragement to me - and even those who give "constructive criticism" as well. 

I wanted to end this post with a couple of things.  One is the Christmas Story.  No, not the movie about the Red Rider BB Gun - although that movie is a classic.  The original Christmas story that reminds us all of why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.  Afterwards, I included a video from YouTube that you may have seen before.  It shows the Christmas story if it happened in today's culture with our connection with social media.  I found it very creative and wanted to share it with you as well. 

The Christmas Story -

1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancĂ©e, who was now obviously pregnant.
 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
      and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

A Social Network Christmas -




I hope that all of you have a very Merry Christmas and that the New Year brings joy, hope, and a fresh start to a deeper, more fulfilled life!  See you in January!!


Today, I am grateful for:  1.  Christmas - the chance to be with family and friends  2.  The gift of God's Son to give us hope  3.  All of life's lessons over the past year  4.  Excitement of a new year and a fresh start  5.  Everyone who has read this blog over the past year

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Remembering a Miracle....

Have you ever witnessed something so amazing that it was simply hard to explain?  Have you ever been a part of a situation that at the time seemed almost hopeless and then the answer you hoped for happens and the only way it can be explained is divine intervention? This happened twenty years ago in our family and it continues to be something we celebrate and are extremely grateful for each and every year. 

It was 1991 and my sisters and I were sitting at the table with Mom about to eat dinner.  I am sure that we were all talking about our day but when Dad came and sat down we knew something was wrong.  He had been on the phone and had just found out that our cousin, Amanda, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor.  At the time, she was only seven years old and we all just sat there in shock and disbelief that this could be happening to such a little girl.  As Dad prayed, I can remember us crying and wondering what the future would hold.  When these situations happen, they are always horrible, but it seems even more unfair when they happen to a child. 

The tumor did affect Amanda with some physical limitations and the doctors decided that surgery would be the best option to see if it could be removed.  The surgery was planned and we all began to earnestly pray for a miracle.  I remember that as the news spread, we realized that people all over the country were praying for this little girl.  If prayers were visible, I am confident that on December 19, 1991 - the day of Amanda's surgery - it would have been a beautiful sight to see so many voices united and being lifted up to God on Amanda's behalf. 

On the day of the surgery, the doctors told Amanda's parents that they would call the waiting room when the surgery was complete.  There was the chance that when the doctors went into Amanda's brain, that they would not be able to remove the tumor and other options would have to be explored.  After a certain amount of time passed, the phone rang and Amanda's mom answered the phone and the doctors said the surgery was complete.  It had not been long enough and everyone in the waiting room feared the worst.  However, the surgery was a success and the tumor that had been robbing the life of a seven year old was now gone!  We later learned that the doctors were amazed at how easily the tumor was removed.  It was definitely a miracle and we all knew that a divine power was also at work in that operating room that day!

I remember that following Sunday, my dad standing before our church and thanking them for the prayers that were lifted for Amanda.  As quickly as news had spread in the prior months to pray for Amanda, it was now spreading like wildfire that a true miracle had happened!  That was twenty years ago and Amanda is now married and a mom to the most beautiful little one year old, Ella James.  You would never know that she suffered such a traumatic event so early in her journey but her love for life now is evident that she is truly living and not taking any day for granted.  Her mom said it so well on facebook yesterday -

Today is our Miracle Day! On Dec 19, 1991, God spared the life of a little 7 year old girl with a brain tumor. We will never forget to give praise and honor to Him on this day. 20 years have gone by and that little girl that fought for her life, is a wife and Mom with a joy for life that is seen by all those around her. I thank God for allowing us to keep her and for how He continues to bless her. I love you Amanda Stallings Warrington. You are a miracle!

I hope that Amanda's story will inspire and encourage you to make the most of your own life and to continually be grateful for each day - because it is truly a gift! 


Today I am grateful for:  1.  A wonderful weekend with family  2.  My nephew Wylie turning one year old!  3.  Seeing good things happen to other people  4.  Motivations in life  5.  My cousin Amanda and getting to see a miracle happen in her life!



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

What's Your Favorite Christmas Memory?

I have said before that Thanksgiving is quickly becoming my favorite holiday, but the past couple of weeks have reminded me of why Christmas will always be my favorite time of the year!  Yes, it gets hectic.  Yes, it can be stressful.  Yes, it somehow brings out the best and worst in people.  However, Christmas is that time of year when so many memories are made and we relive those each year thereafter.  Whether it is a gift you received, an event that happened, a tradition that was carried on, or just something that helps make Christmas merrier - we all have memories that add to the fullness and depth of this time of year. 

I have lots of Christmas memories that are brought to my mind's surface every year.  As a kid, I remember the year I got an Atari - remember those?  The first gaming system pre-Nintendo days.  Back in the day, we thought it was very high-tech to play games like Pong, Pac-Man, and Pitfall.  I also remember the year I got a lot of He-Man toys.  He-Man, Skeletor, the castles - it was all great until I turned and saw that my younger sister, who was such a tom-boy, also received a He-Man toy from Santa Claus!  How could Santa do such a thing?  I remember the year I woke up to my first keyboard and the year our family got its first computer - very big and bulky but I was so excited! 

More than the gifts, Christmas carries a lot of traditions growing up.  Christmas Eve always included our family gathered around the piano singing Christmas carols.  We all had to perform a solo or duet - which meant Mom and Dad sang O Holy Night together, Cara sang her choice of song - loud and proud, I would wow the audience (my family) by tickling those ivories, and Christy would... well, whatever song she chose to sing was so quiet that we could barely make it out.  We would usually finish the night with a Christmas movie, some snacks and then the big finale.  As my sisters and I were nestled and all snug in our beds, Dad would walk the hall reading Twas the Night Before Christmas.  After we fell asleep, Mom and Dad would open their gifts to each other and the next morning we would wake up early - eager to see what had been marked off of our lists.  The other tradition carried on every Christmas morning was Mom's once-a-year big breakfast cooking! 

As years go by, certain Christmas seasons stand out from the others.  I remember the Christmas programs that we used to put on at my grandparents' house.  There are a lot of grandkids so we each had a part.  I usually held the prestigious role of the narrator and one year I can remember one of my sisters playing the role of the donkey.  I am sure there is a good joke there, but I will just let it go this time.  Since we do not always get snow in Tennessee, most white Christmases stand out as well.  I remember the last Christmas with my dad before he passed away.  Although it was a very hard time, I believe that the truths of Christmas shone even brighter that year because it was not about the gifts, but about being together as family - which are priceless moments that no material possession could ever compare.  Now that there are little ones running around in our family again, Christmas has brought back some of its excitement and magic.  I love watching Martha Ann open her gifts and seeing the excitement on her face.  (Or as in the case last year when she opened my gift of a baby doll that I was told she really wanted - and very quickly made a frowny face and threw it across the room!)  As Wylie gets older, I know that he will be just as excited to rip open the paper and see what Santa brought! 

Christmas brings up many emotions and memories for everyone.  I love reliving the old memories and making new ones.  I hope and pray that the good memories far outweigh any bad and that the best ones are still to come!




Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Random Thoughts....

You know you are getting old when certain words will just not come to mind.  I knew that today's blog would consist of a lot of unrelated thoughts that had been going on in my head - but I could not think of the word to describe that!  Rambling kept coming to my mind.  I knew it started with an R but for two days I could not think of it.  It was only after reading someone else's blog that that I saw random in their post and I finally breathed that sigh of relief that this most important word found its way back into my vocabulary.  So here are some random thoughts about the last few days....

1.  I had a really good weekend enjoying some "me" time.  It has been awhile since I have had the house to myself and Saturday night I decided to make the most of it.  Here are some components that make up a really good Kevin night:  I spent the first part sitting on the couch with just the lights of the Christmas tree on (mesmerizing - to use my word from a previous post), drinking hot chocolate and watching Oprah's lifeclass.  I was one happy guy as I sat hypnotized by the lights, warm from holding my oversized mug of hot cocoa, and inspired by the stories from my girl, Oprah!  Can't you just picture it? 

Afterwards, I decided that I needed my fix of Blue Coast Burrito (a neighborhood favorite) so I walked to the restaurant  - correction, it was 25 degrees outside that night so I RAN to the restaurant to get my favorite chicken burrito filled with all the best ingredients - cheese, pico, lettuce, hot salsa, onions, cilantro, chives, and cucumbers.  I filled my bag with chips and various containers from the salsa bar (pineapple, tomatillo, hot, and mild) and to complete the perfect meal, a Dr. Pepper.  I ran back home which was a sight I'm sure as I held on tight to my bag of goodies, and enjoyed one of my favorite meals - I am sure it would be in the top 5 if I had to choose a last meal.  It was a much needed night of good food, good shows, and good relaxation. 

2.  Sunday was one of the most productive days I have had in a long time!  I did not make it to church (I know - gasp!) but I woke up in one of those - high energy, need to be productive moods.  I decided to start with cleaning and gave my house a "Kevin cleaning" which means EVERYTHING gets cleaned, some things get thrown away, and the result is a very visible difference!  I have also done these types of cleanings at my sisters' houses which they love - but I do tend to throw out stuff that they later ask me where it is.  I put some high energy music on and got to work!  I was dancing and singing and cleaning which is the only way to do it.  I have a lot of fun and I am sure if anyone were to peek in my windows they would have had a good laugh!  After cleaning I got all of the laundry done, all of the dishes washed, and even gave Axel (the dog) a much needed bath.  By the end of the day I about fell out, but the finished product was well worth it!  One of my favorite things to do is sit down and know that my house is completely clean and all chores have been done. 

3.  Lastly, I need to mention that I went back to the gym for the first time in about a month yesterday.  The gym I go to is at my work and recently some of the nice gym workers had been asking where I had been.  I noticed that I had started running the other way when I saw them coming - which gave me a small workout so that was good, right?  I decided to finally go back and my body was definitely telling me that I had not been in awhile.  I found myself looking for the kiddie weights and wondering why I had worked up a sweat so early in the routine!  I know the results I want for my body and in order to get there I have to stay consistent with working out.  I cannot just go once a month and expect a killer body to just appear.  (Let's be honest, I have never had a killer body, but it was at least getting pretty decent before).  I could make this a metaphor for life and I am sure a great blog is in here somewhere but let's just be practical - I am getting older and working out is becoming more of a necessity than just a desire.   

After reading back through this I noticed that maybe there is a reason why the word rambling kept coming to my mind.  This is definitely just me talking, talking, talking - but it is what has been going on in my life and I needed to get it out there.  I hope everyone has a great day and is making the most of the holiday season!


Today I am grateful for:  1.  A really great, productive weekend  2.  Christmas cards I get in the mail - they always make me smile  3.  Lots of laughter today at work  4.  A very encouraging text message from a friend this morning  5.  Finishing a great book today - Extremely Lodd & Incredibly Close

Thursday, December 8, 2011

What Do You Want To Do Before You Die?

http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=4695

The above is a link to an article that I encourage all of you to read.  It describes a creative way that one person used to help others visualize their goals and to see what really matters to them.  It just takes a couple of minutes to read so go ahead and read it now..... seriously, click on the link!

I believe that we all have things that we want to do before we die.  I know I do.  Some of mine are crazy - like sky diving, have one million dollars in the bank, or run through a nude beach (not stay there, just run through it!).  Some are very goal oriented - like having a published book, tracing my family history, or reading the Bible in a year.  Then there are those that hold a lot of meaning to me - like starting Pay It Forward events in Nashville, volunteering with local organizations, or being a dad.  Whatever your list would be - there is a reason for each one and I love it whenever I can mark something off the list!  I believe that these "life lists" help us to get the most out of life and to keep reaching for more. 

Although I do not watch a lot of MTV these days, there was a show that came on called The Buried Life.  It was based on this question of what do you want to do before you die.  Four college guys traveled around the country marking things off of their own lists.  The great thing about this show was that every time they marked something off of their list, they helped someone else mark something off of theirs.  There were great things like reuniting family members, helping others overcome fears, and giving opportunities to others for their dream jobs.  It was fun to see these guys accomplish their own goals but the idea of giving back to others and being used to help others reach their goals makes it even more encouraging.  As a certain someone that I love says many times - it is nice to see good things happen in your own life, but it is even better when you can share it with others!

I hope that we all have the intention of living our lives in a way that it gives hope and light to others.  We must exist in such a way that after we die, that goodness still goes out into the world and continues on after we are gone.  I saw an example of this yesterday that brightened my whole day.  My father passed away seven years ago.  My mom sent me a text yesterday saying that she had met a couple of guys that work for the same company that he did.  When Mom told them about dad, they said that although they never met him they knew exactly who he was and heard about all of the good things that he did while working for that company.  I was so encouraged by this - not surprised because my dad was one of the greatest examples to me of living life with purpose and impacting others - but encouraged to hear how his legacy continues on.  Although some of the things on my list are just "stupid stuff" I do hope that my life is lived in such a way that continues to make a difference long after I am gone. 

Although December causes us to first think of Christmas, it also means that another year is coming to a close and a new beginning is just around the corner.  I already have ideas and goals for 2012 which I will talk about later, but I want to challenge everyone to come up with your list of things that you want to do before you die.  Of course - I am a fan of writing it down because it is a great visual, but even if you do not, it is great to have these goals and work on crossing them off the list.  Come up with some fun things, meaningful things, and those events that would take some hard work to accomplish.  One thing I do know is that as you cross something off your list, it will motivate you to reach for something bigger!  What do you want to do before you die?


Today I am grateful for:  1.  A day off from work  2.  Getting a lot of things done  3.  Some time to relax and watch my shows  4.  Hearing great Christmas music on the radio  5.  Continuing to hear how dad's life makes a difference

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Even The New York Times Agrees With Me....

I found an article from the New York Times that was published for Thanksgiving, but I wanted to share it with everyone today.  It deals with gratitude and how it is a proven fact that it has an effect on us in so many ways.  I hope you enjoy it!

A Serving of Gratitude May Save the Day
Thanksgiving may be the holiday from hell for nutritionists, and it produces plenty of war stories for psychiatrists dealing with drunken family meltdowns. But it has recently become the favorite feast of psychologists studying the consequences of giving thanks. Cultivating an “attitude of gratitude” has been linked to better health, sounder sleep, less anxiety and depression, higher long-term satisfaction with life and kinder behavior toward others, including romantic partners. A new study shows that feeling grateful makes people less likely to turn aggressive when provoked, which helps explain why so many brothers-in-law survive Thanksgiving without serious injury.
But what if you’re not the grateful sort? I sought guidance from the psychologists who have made gratitude a hot research topic. Here’s their advice for getting into the holiday spirit — or at least getting through dinner Thursday:
Start with “gratitude lite.” That’s the term used by Robert A. Emmons, of the University of California, Davis, for the technique used in his pioneering experiments he conducted along with Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami. They instructed people to keep a journal listing five things for which they felt grateful, like a friend’s generosity, something they’d learned, a sunset they’d enjoyed.
The gratitude journal was brief — just one sentence for each of the five things — and done only once a week, but after two months there were significant effects. Compared with a control group, the people keeping the gratitude journal were more optimistic and felt happier. They reported fewer physical problems and spent more time working out.
Further benefits were observed in a study of polio survivors and other people with neuromuscular problems. The ones who kept a gratitude journal reported feeling happier and more optimistic than those in a control group, and these reports were corroborated by observations from their spouses. These grateful people also fell asleep more quickly at night, slept longer and woke up feeling more refreshed.
“If you want to sleep more soundly, count blessings, not sheep,” Dr. Emmons advises in “Thanks!” his book on gratitude research.
Don’t confuse gratitude with indebtedness. Sure, you may feel obliged to return a favor, but that’s not gratitude, at least not the way psychologists define it. Indebtedness is more of a negative feeling and doesn’t yield the same benefits as gratitude, which inclines you to be nice to anyone, not just a benefactor.
In an experiment at Northeastern University, Monica Bartlett and David DeSteno sabotaged each participant’s computer and arranged for another student to fix it. Afterward, the students who had been helped were likelier to volunteer to help someone else — a complete stranger — with an unrelated task. Gratitude promoted good karma. And if it works with strangers ....
Try it on your family. No matter how dysfunctional your family, gratitude can still work, says Sonja Lyubomirsky of the University of California, Riverside.
“Do one small and unobtrusive thoughtful or generous thing for each member of your family on Thanksgiving,” she advises. “Say thank you for every thoughtful or kind gesture. Express your admiration for someone’s skills or talents — wielding that kitchen knife so masterfully, for example. And truly listen, even when your grandfather is boring you again with the same World War II story.”
Don’t counterattack. If you’re bracing for insults on Thursday, consider a recent experiment at the University of Kentucky. After turning in a piece of writing, some students received praise for it while others got a scathing evaluation: “This is one of the worst essays I’ve ever read!”
Then each student played a computer game against the person who’d done the evaluation. The winner of the game could administer a blast of white noise to the loser. Not surprisingly, the insulted essayists retaliated against their critics by subjecting them to especially loud blasts — much louder than the noise administered by the students who’d gotten positive evaluations.
But there was an exception to this trend among a subgroup of the students: the ones who had been instructed to write essays about things for which they were grateful. After that exercise in counting their blessings, they weren’t bothered by the nasty criticism — or at least they didn’t feel compelled to amp up the noise against their critics.
“Gratitude is more than just feeling good,” says Nathan DeWall, who led the study at Kentucky. “It helps people become less aggressive by enhancing their empathy. “It’s an equal-opportunity emotion. Anyone can experience it and benefit from it, even the most crotchety uncle at the Thanksgiving dinner table.”
Share the feeling. Why does gratitude do so much good? “More than other emotion, gratitude is the emotion of friendship,” Dr. McCullough says. “It is part of a psychological system that causes people to raise their estimates of how much value they hold in the eyes of another person. Gratitude is what happens when someone does something that causes you to realize that you matter more to that person than you thought you did.”
Try a gratitude visit. This exercise, recommended by Martin Seligman of the University of Pennsylvania, begins with writing a 300-word letter to someone who changed your life for the better. Be specific about what the person did and how it affected you. Deliver it in person, preferably without telling the person in advance what the visit is about. When you get there, read the whole thing slowly to your benefactor. “You will be happier and less depressed one month from now,” Dr. Seligman guarantees in his book “Flourish.”
Contemplate a higher power. Religious individuals don’t necessarily act with more gratitude in a specific situation, but thinking about religion can cause people to feel and act more gratefully, as demonstrated in experiments by Jo-Ann Tsang and colleagues at Baylor University. Other research shows that praying can increase gratitude.
Go for deep gratitude. Once you’ve learned to count your blessings, Dr. Emmons says, you can think bigger.
“As a culture, we have lost a deep sense of gratefulness about the freedoms we enjoy, a lack of gratitude toward those who lost their lives in the fight for freedom, a lack of gratitude for all the material advantages we have,” he says. “The focus of Thanksgiving should be a reflection of how our lives have been made so much more comfortable by the sacrifices of those who have come before us.”
And if that seems too daunting, you can least tell yourself —
Hey, it could always be worse. When your relatives force you to look at photos on their phones, be thankful they no longer have access to a slide projector. When your aunt expounds on politics, rejoice inwardly that she does not hold elected office. Instead of focusing on the dry, tasteless turkey on your plate, be grateful the six-hour roasting process killed any toxic bacteria.
Is that too much of a stretch? When all else fails, remember the Monty Python mantra of the Black Plague victim: “I’m not dead.” It’s all a matter of perspective.

By John Tierney, The New York Times, Published: November 21, 2011. 
 
 
Today I am grateful for:  1.  A productive day at work  2.  The first snowfall today  3.  Receiving a text today sharing how my dad's life still makes a difference 7 years after he passed away  4.  Phone call from my sisters and knowing they are having a fun day  5.  This article as a reminder to be grateful!

Monday, December 5, 2011

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

Yes, it is here!  My absolute favorite time of the year!  The hustle and bustle, the music (bring out Mariah Carey's Christmas CD!), the parties, the lights, the shopping, the church services, and the magic of Christmas Eve.  It is also the time for traffic, pushing and shoving in the stores, stressing over what to buy, maxing out credit cards, and yes - Justin Bieber's overly played Christmas C.D.  (Speaking of the Biebs - did anyone see Justin and Mariah Carey's new Christmas video - awkward!)  There is definitely something about December where everything seems to come alive, the goodness of humanity shines through, and a simple Merry Christmas from a stranger makes your day better. 

I have to admit that one of my favorite parts of Christmas are the lights.  I can turn all the lights off in my living room, lay on the couch, and stare at my Christmas tree for hours.  I have been that way since I was younger.  There is something about it that is just mesmerizing to me.  I love driving around looking at Christmas lights and my neighborhood is a great place to see some festive displays!  Sure some people could use some help, but I try not to judge - I'm excited that they tried!  I remember growing up that Dad always wanted to try and mimic the Griswold house from Christmas Vacation!  We never blew out any fuse boxes, but we did try and add more each year - fun and funny memories. 

It is very easy to get caught up in the craziness of the holidays and let it pass by without making it truly meaningful.  I always love going to church services and really taking the time to reflect and to be in awe of why we celebrate this day in the first place - the fact that the God of the universe chose to take on human form and to experience life as we do so that our lives could truly be made worth living.  Although there is the saying that some people only go to church on Christmas Day and Easter, I am grateful for anyone that takes a moment to acknowledge this truth and to grasp the wonder of what actually happened.  I also love the fact that people are just more giving during this time of year.  There are countless ways to help others at Christmas time and there is no excuse for any of us not to.  From angel trees and bell ringers at the mall, to children and families in our own neighborhoods that could use a little help - it is so important that we GIVE and not just receive.  I have always said that the giving is far better than receiving and I challenge all of us to do whatever we can to help brighten someone else's holiday this year!

I am sure that I will have more posts about Christmas throughout the month but I encourage everyone to make a conscious effort to truly make the most of the holiday.  Go to the parties, decorate your house, play the music, spend time with family and friends.  Find ways to help others and remember what it is all about.  I am going to focus on enjoying every aspect of this Christmas season - and maybe I won't change the station the next time I hear Justin Bieber singing a carol.


Today I am grateful for:  1.  A fun weekend with friends  2.  Exciting church service on Sunday  3.  Finishing up the Christmas decorating at my house  4.  Both of my sisters making me laugh today when I was a little stressed  5.  All the Christmas lights in my neighborhood

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

What is Your Intention?

This past Sunday at church, we watched a video of our pastor, Pete Wilson, interviewing Matt Hasselback, the quarterback of the Tennessee Titans.  I am going to make a confession and say that I thought Matt was married to Elisabeth Hasselback from The View.  So I was a little surprised when Pastor Pete asked Matt about his wife Sara!  However, thanks to Wikipedia, I have now learned that Matt is Tim Hasselback's brother - who IS married to Elisabeth.  Basically - I do not keep up with sports so my only tie to Matt Hasseblack was that he might be married to a celebrity. 

It was an interesting and very engaging interview.  One of the main things that I took away from what Matt said was how he lives his life with such intention.  In his personal and professional life, there is great purpose in the decisions that he makes.  He knows that his fame gives him a platform to make a difference and he does not take that lightly.  He is a husband and a father and he knows the importance of working on each relationship.  His daughters are young and he knows that their definition of a future husband will be based on what they see day in and day out with him and his wife.  Even with the hectic schedule of a professional athlete, he puts the work in to keep his marriage strong and vibrant.  Matt said that this drive to succeed and live life with integrity comes from his own upbringing as well as a natural fire within him to make the most of this life. 

This should have us all thinking about our own lives.  In our own goals and purposes, what is our intention?  If it is to simply put our lives on show, then the ulterior motive will cause our lives to seem unfulfilled.  However, if our intention is to improve our lives and ultimately to be used for the greatest good, then there is going to be purpose, depth, and a force in our lives that will be greater than ourselves.  In our relationships, what is our intention?  When we are friends with someone, dating someone, married to someone only because we want something out of it for ourselves - then those relationships are not genuine and most likely will end in hurt and confusion.  But when we put the work into it and strive to both benefit each other, then that relationship will flourish and greatly enhance both lives.  Our intentions play a part of our daily decisions, our career choices, and the direction that our lives take. 

The thing about intention is that we cannot hide its truth from our lives.  Whether good or bad, it will always come out.  I have not always had a conscious awareness of my intentions in life, but it is something I have used recently and it really helps to keep myself focused on what are not only my true priorities but also those goals that I should continue to pursue.  Whatever your next decision in life is - think about your intention.  What is your true reason for doing it?  Allow those pure and good intentions help to drive yourself to a more fulfilled and meaningful life.

Today I am grateful for:  1.  The cold weather - I love it!  2.  The Christmas lights in my neighborhood - it's looking great!  3.  Having lunch with a group of friends today  4.  Hearing a miracle story about a friend's daughter  5.  Ending the month of November and officially entering into my favorite time of year!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Family Matters....

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend!  I am still recovering from all the food I ate - and will be enjoying all the leftovers this week (which are just as good!).  It was a really fun weekend being with family and being reminded of all that we have to be grateful for.  I love Thanksgiving because it has all the fun of being with family and enjoying all the great food without the craziness of trying to get Christmas presents bought.  Don't get me wrong - I love Christmas!  I was outside in the rain yesterday putting up Christmas garland and lights, singing Christmas carols, and feeling the Christmas spirit (until my hands were frozen and some of the words coming to mind were not very Christmasy - then I as over it).  But Thanksgiving is almost that "calm before the storm" day. 

Our family got together on Saturday this year and I was looking forward to it all week!  I am from Jackson, Tennessee so as I made the 2 hour drive down the interstate, I was singing and dancing and in a great mood - yes, I am that guy that you pass and thinks no one sees him grooving to the beat.  In true family form - my sister called at one point to tell me that they were not waiting on me to eat so I better hurry up!  I thought maybe it was a joke, but as I walked in the door everyone had eaten not only their meal, but dessert as well!  No worries though - the kitchen counter was still overflowing with all of the delicious Thanksgiving staples - ham, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, casseroles, and Asian slaw (doesn't everyone eat Asian slaw at Thanksgiving?).  I piled my plate high and enjoyed every bite of it before hitting the dessert table.  It is one of those days where you know you are full, but you keep eating because the taste buds are loving it!  One of the best parts about family get-togethers like this is you just keep snacking throughout the night!  Talking and eating and talking and eating.  Most of the time you do not even realize it - your hand just keeps stuffing your face.  Mom had been cooking and preparing all week - and we all enjoyed every minute of her hard work!

As the night continued, I was reminded once again how much the love of family means to me.  My 92 year old grandmother - who is still as feisty and funny as ever - was able to come up and join us and that meant so much.  She commented more than once how she loved being around her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  I thought of how life must look from her perspective - to see the fruits of her labor and to know that she is loved so much.  Of course my two year old niece and almost one year old nephew kept us busy as well.  I love them so much and they were both enjoying all of the attention that they deserve!  I would say that life from their perspective is pretty good as well.  Things are still very new to them, they are loved and spoiled, and let's face it - they have it made!  As with every family gathering, at some point during the night - my two sisters, my mom, and myself will end up in the kitchen (because that's where the food is) talking about our lives, other people's lives, reliving funny memories, and laughing the entire time!  There is always a "confession" that shocks mom - and my sisters and I like to tell on each other until we have taken it a little bit too far - but at this point, I do not think that mom is surprised anymore.  One thing is for sure - love runs deep in our family and laughs are loud whenever we get together. 

As the night came to an end, and my food coma began to take over, I felt grateful.  Mom loved having everyone home and I loved being there.  I know that many of you experience the same love when you get together with family.  I am also aware that others do not.  Family takes on many forms and whatever your situation, I hope that you experiences the love of whomever you call family and at the end of the day can feel very grateful for those special people in your life. 


Today I am grateful for:  1.  A great weekend to be with friends and family  2.  All of the great food that I enjoyed and continue to enjoy  3.  Mom's hard work at making such a great day for all of us  4.  Being together with family and loving every minute of it  5.  All of those I call family. 

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Choose Gratitude....

How many times are we quick to complain about what we do not have?  How many of us look at a situation and automatically see the bad instead of the good?  How often do we wish for our circumstances to change but are unwilling to put the work in that is required?  Our natural response to any given experience says a lot about who we are and where we are going in life.  To complain or to be grateful - that is the question.

The past couple of years have not gone exactly as I would have planned and at times I will admit that I have complained and allowed that negative energy to grow inside.  However, every time my complaints begin to stir, I am reminded of all the good things that are a part of my life and that joy begins to rise.  I am grateful for my health and for each day that I wake up.  I am grateful for my family that knows me and loves me unconditionally and for the connection that we share.  I am grateful for friends that are supportive and genuine.  I am grateful for knowing that God's love for me will never change, His plan is always for the good, and that He is the true reason for this life.  I am grateful for a house that I really like in a neighborhood that I love.  I am grateful for a job that I enjoy and that helps to provide.  I am grateful for life's experiences that continually teach me.  I am grateful for those moments that I have been able to give to others and make a difference in their lives.  I am grateful every time I hear of something good happening in someone else's life.  I am grateful for the passions, dreams, and desires that have been given to me and for the assurance that life will only get better from here. 

The power of gratitude is such a powerful force.  As I said yesterday, we cannot control everything that comes our way in life - but one thing I know for sure is that if we will meet those circumstances with a sense of gratitude and thankfulness, it will get better.  Just as negative feelings grow and effect those around us, positive feelings also grow and compound and not only enrich our own lives but those around us.  Seeing great things happen to others makes us happy (at least it should!).  That energy is contagious and causes us to see the possibilities in our own lives. 

Where does gratitude come from?  It comes from a relationship to the Source.  I know that comes in a variety of ways for many people - and for me the gratitude comes from knowing what God has done for me and that my life would be completely empty without Him.  It also comes out of a conscious decision to look for the good in every circumstance and to trust in the fact that no matter what is going on, it will get better.  The practical answer is this - when has complaining ever made the situation better?  When has pessimism ever changed the world?  Start small and just focus on those things in your life that are good - I promise that choosing gratitude will bring more joy into your life.  I challenge you to write it down.  Start the day with it or end the day with it - just do it!  Choose gratitude. 

I want to end with a quote that I heard last year and have kept at my desk and look at it often: 

When you surrender, and stop resisting, and stop trying to change that which you cannot change... But be in the moment, be fully open to the blessings that you have already received, and those that are yet to come to you... And stand in that space of gratitude and honor, and claim that for yourself... And look at where you are, and how far you have come... And what you've gotten, and what you've accomplished, and who you are... When you can claim that, and see that... The literal vibration of your life will change.  The vibration of your life will change.  It is all about your relationship to the Source. 


Monday, November 21, 2011

Life's Petty Distractions....

Although Christmas is my favorite time of year, Thanksgiving has become a really close second!  I love it because it is a day set aside before the hustle and bustle starts.  It is more about family and friends, being grateful, and of course - food!  I went to a Thanksgiving party over the weekend and the food was so good.  My eyes lit up as I saw the spread lined up (a sign of a true food lover) and as usual my eyes were bigger than my stomach and I was miserable afterwards - but I have to admit it was worth it!  I know that the food and the parties and seeing family and friends are all part of this time of year and I am going to love every minute of it!

I was reminded over the weekend how good life really is and how we must savor the moment and make sure our lives are lived in an active state and not merely as a bystander.  I will admit that I can get caught up in the petty things sometimes and allow stupid things to really distract me from the present moment.  A good example would be yesterday morning.  I am almost embarassed to tell this story, but it does prove my point - and hopefully someone will be able to relate!  As I was getting ready for church, I could not figure out what to wear.  It is time for a major overhaul in the jeans area and everytime I go to my closet, I am not excited about the selections looking back at me.  As the clock kept ticking away I had to just go with my final choice but it was not good, and neither was my mood at that point either.  I actually allowed a bad pair of jeans to affect my mood and my outlook on the day.  Yes, I know - PETTY - but we all know that when you look good, you feel good, and in that moment I wasn't feeling too good!  I made it to church and as the church service started I almost laughed at what I had allowed to happen to me.  My inner thoughts were something like - Kevin, you are 36 years old!  Are you really going to get distracted by what you saw in the mirror this morning?  Get over it!  So I did and of course, the message that morning at church was on gratefulness vs complaining - Yes, God, I hear You loud and clear! 

I have said it before, but life truly is about living and there are hundreds of distractions that comes at us every day.  Some that could slightly get us off track and some that come at us like a brick wall.  Although we cannot always control what happens in our lives, we can control our response to it.  Whether it is something petty like that driver that cuts in front of us on the interstate, a wrong order at the drive-thru, or a bad jeans crisis - or something big like an unexpected job loss, a broken relationship, or financial hardship - how we respond is really up to us.  Obviously I have not mastered this skill, but since life is a constant work-in-progress, I am learning and hope to react better the next time around. 

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I hope that all of us will choose to look at our lives through the lens of gratefulness and make conscious choices to let life's petty distractions fall by the wayside.  See it for what it really is and move on.  Life truly can be good and focusing on the bigger picture helps us to keep things in perspective.   

And yes, I will be buying new jeans this week to put that fashion disaster to rest! 


Today I am grateful for:  1.  Meeting new people and the great food at the Thanksgiving party  2.  Encouraging church service Sunday  3.  New book I'm reading  4.  Reminder of gratefulness5.  All the rain we are getting today

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Who Is Your Bestie?

Last night I did something I have not done in way too long - hung out with one of my best friends.  Although we keep in touch through texts (my main form of communication), it has been four or five months since we actually hung out.  We met up at one of our usual spots for a drink and conversation.  His name is Richard and the thing about our friendship is that we are so different but it seems to make for really good besties.  We see the world from two different perspectives.  I am more of an idealist and he is more of a realist.  He is a thinker and I am.. well, not always a thinker.  I love Oprah and he is not her biggest fan.  (That last one is still hard for me to accept but it's OK - he will come around one day).  Although I probably try to force him to believe the way I do too much - I have learned that I could learn a thing or two from his view as well.  It has not always been that way though. 

For those who may not know - I am a rather independent, sometimes stubborn, one who likes to be in control type of person.  At least that is what other people tell me.  I do feel as though I have improved some in these areas (maybe) but I will admit that I do not always take criticism very well.  I tend to get defensive and at times want to tell the other person that they could not be any more wrong - but I am learning that it is good to just listen and take in what the other person says sometimes.  Perhaps there is a chance that they could be right.  Richard has become one of those people that I allow to speak the truth to me, whether it is good or bad, and I take it in and process it before I react.  Allow doesn't really sound right, but you know what I mean.  It has not always been that way though.  The first time he did it, I fired back with everything I had and could not believe the nerve of this person to say such things!  I later learned that part of his motive was to push some buttons and see how I would react.  I guess it worked - so if you would like that type of reaction from me, just ask Richard.  Over time however, I began to realize that whether I liked it or not, he was able to see my life from a different perspective than my own and it might help if I would listen sometimes and heed his advice.  So now when we talk and need to have those "tell it like it is" moments, I do not look for a heavy object to throw - I open my mind up to the possibility that he might be right.  For the record - I still think on my own and he is not always right, but I am just saying that I consider the possibility. 

As we talked last night, we discussed life's lessons that we have both learned, are in the process of learning, or need to learn.  Hindsight is always 20/20 and if we knew then what we knew now would we have made the same decisions?  We did come to the conclusion that sometimes you just have to go through something, learn from it, and hopefully come out of it a better person.  The learning part is not always fun but that is part of what life is about.  As I mentioned yesterday, life may speak in whispers or loud voices but we will hear it one way or another.  The conversations last night were mainly of those lessons we had to learn the hard way but everyone does it.  We all wish sometimes that we could convince someone we care about that they do not want to go down a particular road because we have been there, done that, and know how it will turn out!  But sometimes you just have to let that person experience it and learn from it.  That is where my stubbornness hurts me.  I have had to learn lessons the hard way and just last night I asked Richard why in the world he would not just tell me that I was making a mistake!  But he knew that I had to learn it on my own.  Finding that balance is the key to a good friendship. 

Who is that best friend in your life?  We all need them and we all need to be that person for someone else.  Make sure that there are people in your life that you allow to speak the truth to you - and when they do, be open to really hearing what they have to say.  They can see our lives and our situations from a different perspective and that is a good thing!  They are someone that we can trust, be completely honest with, and are completely ourselves around.  I am thankful that I have more than one best friend and could write about each one of them (and probably should so they don't get mad)!  I know I do not have it all figured out yet so it is good to learn from others and hopefully be the type of friend to them that they are to me. 

And if Richard happens to read this blog - I said a lot of nice things about you today so try to keep your ego contained or I will have to share some of those "bestie secrets" that we have! 


Today I am grateful for:  1.  A night out last night to see friends  2.  A day off from work today  3.  Sweet potato pancakes I had for lunch  4.  A new book I am about to start reading  5.  Best friends in my life

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

When Life's Whispers Become a Slap in the Face....

I have talked before about the whispers of life.  They happen all the time and they are subtle cues from life that help point us in the right direction.  It might be something someone says or does, or an opportunity that presents itself, or that intuitive feeling that says something is just not right.  However it happens, life's whispers help guide us and we have to be open to hearing it and following its lead.  Many times if we do not listen, then it becomes a louder voice in our lives.  Then there are times like Sunday that life simply slaps you in the face and tells you to wake up!

Writing is such a passion of mine and something I want to continually improve on and challenge myself to do more of.  For me, it is a way to creatively express my thoughts and hopefully encourage others to make the most of their own lives.  Earlier this year I started a new book project entitled Standing On The Edge.  The basis for the book is that many of us know what we want out of life but we are too afraid to really go after it.  We allow obstacles to get in the way and become a passive observer to life instead of an active participant.  I spent a lot of time working on various chapters and presenting a practical way to help overcome those obstacles and really live out the life we are meant to live.  Then I stopped.  I have to admit that I have not added one single word to the project in over six months.  I could give you a list of reasons why but when it comes down to it - they are simply excuses.  I allowed distractions to get in the way of pursuing a passion.   

At church Sunday, I had two distinct moments that really woke me up.  One was during the music.  As we were all singing, I felt such a love and gratitude for life build up inside me.  Throughout my life, both good and bad, there is the constant thread of God's love and faithfulness in my life.  Life has not always gone the way I hoped it would but I was reminded that it is not about me.  There is always a bigger picture and that force is always working to mold me into who I am meant to be.  The truth of that caused my eyes to tear up and I simply thanked God for every good and perfect gift in my life.  I was so motivated to live out my true calling in life and to not settle for mediocrity. 

The second moment came as Pastor Pete was speaking.  He spoke on fear and how it holds us back from experiencing a full life.  At one point he said that many of us just stay on the edge and are afraid to take a risk.  I am sure that those words spoke very different meanings for each person there, but for me it reminded me of my book project.  He said on the edge probably five or six different times and by the end I almost verbally said, "OK, I get it!  I need to get back to working on the book!"  I chose to just say it internally since everyone at church would have wondered what I was talking about - and I might have been quietly ushered outside.  When I believe in something I want to pursue it with everything I have and this book is something I know that I should do because it is a work within my own life and could help make a difference in others. 

What I have learned since then is not only did those words mean for me to get back to the book - it also meant that I need to stop standing on the edge in my own life.  What if the things in my life that I said were holding me back were simply excuses?  Am I allowing fear or situations or other people to keep me from moving forward in my own life?  It is time to lay those down and keep pursuing life with purpose and determination.  I have always been one to dream big and as I refine those dreams and focus in on what my purpose is - I know that those desires will become reality. 

My advice - listen to life's whispers instead of waiting for that slap in the face!


Today I am grateful for:  1.  Being so encouraged at church Sunday  2.  Great weather over the weekend  3.  Having the next two days off from work  4.  Really good friends that are in my life  5.  Continually learning from life's lessons

Thursday, November 10, 2011

A Dollar Goes a Long Way....

With the holidays quickly approaching I hope that we can all find ways to give to others.  I know that most of us do not have loads of cash just sitting around to give away.  We want to spend our money effectively and I love hearing about unique ways to help others without breaking our own bank.  I ran across an article in a magazine that listed unique and fun ways to really make a difference.  They are all under $15 but would definitely make a positive impact in another person's life.  I thought I would pass it along and challenge everyone who reads this to pick at least one and donate.  The websites are listed as well for more information.

$1 - Two books shipped to a classroom in Africa.  www.booksforafrica.org

$2 - A set of drumsticks for a low-income public school student learning to play the drums.  www.littlekidsrock.org

$3 - A field trip to a museum, concert, or theatrical production for high-risk youth.  www.createnow.org

$4 - Two hours of prepaid phone time for a soldier stationed overseas to call home.       
www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

$6 - Measles vaccinations for 15 children in a developing country.  www.doctorswithoutborders.org

$7 - A week's worth of food for an abandoned dog or cat at a shelter run by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  www.aspca.org

$11 - Eleven trees to be planted in Alabama communities devastated by the April 2011 tornadoes.  www.arborday.org

$14 - Two nutritious meals delivered by volunteers from Meals on Wheels to a housebound senior citizen.  www.mowaa.org

$15 - A backpack and school supplies for one homeless or low-income urban child.  www.cradlestocrayons.org

Taken from Spend a Little, Give a Lot by Lauren Murrow and Rachel Mount, O Magazine, Dec 2011 . 

There are plenty of great organziations to donate to and I know that we can all afford to give a few dollars to really make a difference!  I know which ones I will be donating to and I hope that each of you will choose some as well.  Have a great weekend and I will see you back here Monday!


Today I am grateful for:  1.  A day off from work  2.  A great walk and prayer time this morning  3.  Getting my hair cut and brows down (it was looking bad)  4.  A great video sent of my niece, Martha Ann reading a book (always brightens my day!)  5.  Being productive today







Wednesday, November 9, 2011

In Our Lives for a Reason....

It is staggering to think of the number of people that come into our lives.  Some remain for a majority of our lives, some for only a short season, and others for just a brief moment.  What I have learned is that no matter who they are and however long they stay in our lives, it is for a reason.  The bigger picture to keep in mind is that all of these connections really play a vital part in shaping who we are.  Entering a new relationship, starting up a new friendship, or adding to the family can really change the course of your life - hopefully for the good or sometimes the not so good.  Either way, we can learn something from each of these encounters. 

A majority of the time, common threads in who we have become can be traced back to our families.  How many times have we said that we will never behave as our parents did only to find ourselves mimicking them?  There are many times that I will say something or act a certain way and think how my dad used to do the same thing.  The same could be said for me and my mom.  Although there are differences in me and my two sisters, there are a lot of similarities between us - mostly for the good and some would say for the "good, but crazy."  The truth is I am a very independent person and feel that I have evolved into who I am today because of my own searching and learning but I am also very aware that a lot of my design comes from my family. 

Friendships also play such a strong part of our lives.  If we were honest, some of our closest friends may know more about us than our own families.  Over the course of our lives we may have different groups of friends.  One might be a best friend one day and an enemy the next - and then back to a best friend.  In high school, we believe that we will always be friends with our group but I do not believe I have kept in touch with anyone that I graduated with.  However, they do have an impact on our lives.  Today I consider myself very blessed to have a great group of really close friends.  Genuine friendships should accept us for who we are - the good, bad, and ugly.

There are also those people that we only meet for a brief instance.  It could be in passing at work, at church, shopping, or anywhere in our day-to-day life.  These are actually the ones that intrigue me the most.  I do not believe that we realize the impact we can have or the impact someone has on us in just a few minutes of interaction.  It can brighten our day, make it worse, or change the direction of our day.  This is where the bigger picture really comes in to play.  If we could see our lives from above, we could see how all of these "strangers" actually connect us and possibly play larger roles in our lives than we realize.   

My encouragement would be to not take any of our relationships for granted.  They are here for a reason.  Whether it is for a long part of our lives or only for a short time - do not think any of it is by chance.  Learn from each of them and allow it to make you more of a better person and live a more enriched life. 


Today I am grateful for:  1.  A good day at work  2.  Really good music on the way to work  3.  Enjoying one of my weaknesses - McDonald's  4.  Good conversation with a friend  5.  All of the people that have influenced my life

Monday, November 7, 2011

My Day Without a Cell Phone....

On my way to work this morning I realized that I forgot my cell phone.  Some of you may have read that sentence and not thought much, but some of you may have gasped!  Had I not been running late I would have gone back to get it but I decided to keep going and see how my day would survive without it.  By hour two I thought I was going to go crazy!  I recently got an iPhone and I love everything that it can do.  All I could think about was the hundreds of people that must have been texting me (reality: just a few), all of the emails I was missing out on (reality: only one important one telling me my new shoes were being shipped to me), and all my favorite apps that were not being used.  I literally sat at lunch wondering what to do?!  If you can't play Angry Birds, what in the world are you supposed to do with your free time?  I have become so dependent on my phone that it is now a vital part of my life. 

I am old enough to remember the days before cell phones.  We could only talk to friends from our home phones, which we had to share with everyone else in the house.  We actually had to talk on the phone - there were no texts.  When we left home, there was no way to contact anyone until we arrived at our destination.  It is amazing that any of us survived.  Then the first cell phones came out and they were so big that it was not something we just put in our pockets.  I remember our first cell phone as a family.  It was a bag phone and we would all fight over who got to put it in their car.  It was big, bulky, and so cool!  Dad said it was for emergencies only but I would call my friends just to say that I was talking to them from my car phone (how cool was I?)  Now they are so small, can really do anything we want and are pretty much a necessity in life.  I think about my little neice and nephew and how they already know what a cell phone is and what to do with it (mainly because they see their mom talking on it so much!).  They will grow up in a world where a landlane is pretty much obsolete.  They will definitely laugh at the fact that our phones used to be connected to a cord. 

Now to get to my point.  I posted on facebook earlier today that I left my phone at work and I wondered how I would ever survive.  One person commented and said that they had to tell me something.  Of course it was horrible to have to wait hours and hours to find out the news instead of getting it instantly on my phone.  However another person told me to try and make the most of it.  I thought about that and how we all get so distracted with "necessities" in life.  By the end of the day, I noticed that it was actually nice to not have my phone.  I talked with more coworkers, went for a walk at lunch, and was a little more productive at work (but let's not repeat that last one).  Now I am not saying that I will give up my phone - that would be crazy talk.  But what I did learn is that I can survive a day without it and in today's world of instant communication, it is OK to not know everything that is going on. 

Is there anything in your life that you think you cannot live without?  Something you might look at as an essential but it might actually be a distraction.  It might be a phone, a computer, facebook time, twitter, or any other technological item.  Of course they are not bad things but I challenge you to give it up for one day.  See that the world will go on without it and your life will not fall apart.  It might even add to your day.  My morning started out feeling distraught and panicked but ended up kinda nice not being able to be reached or distracted.  When I got home I actually forgot about racing to find my phone - at least for ten minutes :)


Today I am grateful for:  1.  Encouraging time at church and being reminded to choose joy  2.  A good converstaion with my sister last night  3.  Being encouraged at work  4.  Sitting outside at lunch and enjoying the quietness  5.  A day without a cell phone 

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Thanksgiving - A Great Time to Give Back....

I have noticed that  a lot of people on facebook are taking a Thanksgiving challenge and posting things they are grateful for every day for the month of November.  I love that and know that being aware of the good gifts in your life will only bring about more and open your hear to a more abundant life.  I came across a list of "35 Little Acts of Kindness" today and thought I would pass it along.  They are all very simple and most of them do not cost a penny - but they will make a difference in someone's day.  As we are aware of all that we have been blessed with, use that to motivate us to do more for others.  I challenge all of us to pick one or two a week to put into practice from now until Thanksgiving!

1. Say "Good morning" to a person standing next to you in the elevator.
 
2. Pay the toll for the driver behind you.

3. Take a minute to direct someone who is lost, even though you're rushing.

4. Write a letter to a child who could use some extra attention. Kids love getting mail.

5. Offer to pick up groceries for an elderly neighbor, especially in extreme weather.

6. Give a homeless person a take-out meal.

7. Say "I love you" to someone you love.

8. Put a coin in an expired meter.

9. Help a mother carry her baby stroller up the subway stairs, or hold a door open for her.

10. Each time you get a new item of clothing, give away something old.

11. Take someone's shift as the car-pool parent.

12. Bring your assistant coffee.

13. Out of the blue, send flowers to a friend.

14. Say "please" and "thank you"—and really mean it.

15. When you're on a crowded train or bus, offer your seat to an elderly, disabled or pregnant person.
16. Don't interrupt when someone is explaining herself.

17. Let a fellow driver merge into your lane.

18. Offer to baby-sit for a single mom.

19. Put your shopping cart back in its place.

20. Call or write to a teacher who changed your life.

21. Bring a box of doughnuts to share at the office.

22. Forgive someone a debt–and never bring it up again.

23. Listen with all your senses.

24. Write a note to the boss of someone who helps you, and explain how great a job that person is doing.

25. Simply say "I'm sorry" when you're wrong.

26. Throw away your trash—and someone else's—after a movie, picnic or visit to a park.

27. Encourage someone who seems despondent.

28. Volunteer to take care of a friend's dog while he is vacationing.

29. Help a friend pack for a move.

30. Ask someone "How are you really doing?"—and then really listen to her response.

31. Offer change when the person in front of you at the register comes up short.

32. Before a friend moves away, give her your favorite recipe or quote and a photo of the two of you together.

33. Leave a generous tip for a pleasant waiter.

34. At work, offer to transfer a caller who needs help from another department.

35. Pass along a great book you've just finished reading


Today I am grateful for:  1.  One last day of 70 degree weather  2.  Encouragement from my new team at work  3.  Getting a good work-out in  4.  Hearing a funny story about Martha Ann  5.  Seeing other people's list of grateful things

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Turning 36 is Looking Pretty Good....

I can't believe it has been a week since I posted anything!  As the title suggests, my birthday was last week and due to the festivities I did not get a chance to blog.  I have always gone with the motto that age is just a number and this year is no exception.  Of course there were comments from dear friends about getting older but I have to say that I love being in my 30's!  Although there are changes that I still want to make, I know for sure that there is so much to be thankful for in my life.  Turning 36 is not a milestone but I was reminded these past few days of how great life truly is. 

One of the benefits of facebook is that it makes everyone's birthday brighter!  I loved hearing from friends that I have not talked to in a long time and it was a lot of fun to read everyone's messages.  I am the first to admit that I would not know anyone's birthday if it were not for facebook so thanks to all of those who took a moment to post on my wall.  That night I had the chance to do something I have wanted to do for years - see the play WICKED!  I have always heard great things about this show and it definitely exceeded my expectations!  It is so well written, really funny, and very interesting to visit a prequel to The Wizard of Oz.  The actors were so talented, the singing was superb, and were it not for some lady behind me that made a comment every five minutes I believe I would have teared up at the end.  The experience of seeing a Broadway play is one everyone should experience in their life - and if you have not seen WICKED, go see it!  Thanks Jordan for making that happen for me. 

On Saturday, my two sisters - Christy and Cara, and my niece and nephew - Martha Ann and Wylie came over to celebrate.  Cara arrived first and as I was about to come down the stairs she told me to wait a minute.  I began thinking that she must have made a huge birthday banner and was hanging it up as a surprise for me.  Or maybe she was filling the living room up with helium balloons - something I have always wanted to do.  Upon her cue, I ran down the stairs anxious to see this grand gesture!  There were no banners or balloons - instead there were some leftover birthday streamers she found at her house hanging in the doorway.  What?!?!  Just kidding Cara - it was fun and funny all at the same time. 

We decided to go to a Pumpkin Patch, another first for me, and let the kids pick out pumpkins and have fun exploring.  I was looking forward to the corn maze - which would be a first for me as well!  The farm was beautiful and there were corn mazes, hayrides, farm animals, trails, and a pumpkin patch.  I have to admit the corn maze was a slight disappointment.  I believe it was meant for little kids but even Martha Ann, who is 2 years old, was over it after the first five minutes.  Let's just say that going forward I will say that I have yet to go through a real corn maze.  However the rest of the activities were a lot of fun - we all went on a hayride, saw the chickens, goats, cows, and turkeys, played in the barns and watched Martha Ann go from scared to death on the slides to loving it in a matter of minutes.  It was a wonderful day and we all ended up with pumpkins that we later decorated for Halloween.  If you are on my facebook page - pictures will be posted soon.   

I know that some people dread birthdays, but to me it is one of those things that you cannot change so why not make the most of it!  Between the facebook posts, the phone calls, the text messages, the cards, the events, and yes - even the pitiful birthday streamers I had to take a moment and reflect on life and be grateful.  It was such a great birthday and I am thankful to all who played a part in it.  I am looking forward to all that 36 has in store for me and I definitely believe that it will only get better! 



Today I am grateful for:  1.  The past 35 years of life and all that is to come  2.  All the little moments that happened to make it such a great day  3.  Spending Saturday with family and loving every minute of it (except the corn maze)  4.  All the trick or treaters that invaded our neighborhood last night  5.  Really good food I had over the weekend at 2 of my favorite restaurants 

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

The Good Side of Life....

I promise to not keep stealing topics from what I hear at church but I did want to expand on something that was discussed.  When you look at the media, it seems as though the world is just getting worse and worse by the day.  It drives me crazy that tragedy, crime, and sensationalism is what really sells on TV.  I always wish that for once, the news would report on all good stories - but the truth is, the ratings would probably go down and the networks would not want that happening!  The media has such influence on our thoughts that we tend to believe that things are hopeless and that the bad outweighs the good - but I refuse to believe that.  Yes, certain events and situations do require our attention in order to bring about change - but we should not allow our perspective of the world to be determined by the bad that is going on. 

I love hearing stories of hope, stories of survival, stories of those who use their own lives to change others.  These are the real stories that truly make a positive difference in the world.  I googled a few inspiring stories and wanted to post them today to remind us of the good that really is going on in the world.

"Giver Girl" and her husband "Giver Boy" came up with a simple yet powerful idea: donating $52 to a different charity every week for a year. After each experience, they post their moving reflections, invite others to join in, and maintain total anonymity. The brilliance of their project is captured in a week when they spontaneously decide to make that week's gift a $52 tip to a waitress serving them. After leaving the tip, they decided to 'run away without watching (their) waitress's expression.' "That's it right there. That's generosity. Giving in a sacrificial way with the intent of blessing others while seeking nothing in return -- not even recognition, gratitude, or praise. And this lesson is the biggest gift that Giver Boy and Giver Girl have sent out."   I love this idea!  It fits right in line with the Pay It Forward idea and I know that this couple is making such an impact on lives - even more than they realize!

A few folks in New York City wondered what it's like to be homeless. So they gave four men cell phones and Twitter accounts to help them share their stories with the world. For Daniel Morales, these gifts would change his life. Three weeks into the project, Morales used the social networking tool to find his 27-year-old daughter, whom he hadn't seen in over a decade. After posting his cell phone number and a photo of her when she was 16, a stranger saw the message and the next day, Morales got the call he'd been waiting for. "Just to find my dad after 11 years...I don't even know how to feel right now, I'm just very, very happy."  What I love about the story is this - had these people not followed through with their idea, Daniel Morales may have never found his daughter.  Not only did they come up with a creative idea, they followed through with it and made a lasting difference in someone's life!

Every week they provide food for as many as 1,500 households in Marin County (CA). They don’t charge for the food. Nor do they get paid themselves. Who are these people and why do they do this?  They are two community elders, Ruth Schwartz and her husband Curt Kinkead, supported by a team of about 100 volunteers. They do it because Curt “gets fed by the joy he sees in the people who come to collect the food he delivers.” Ruth adds, “If we [Ruth and Curt] do something together where we face out into the world and make a contribution, that is a key piece of having our relationship thrive.”
Respecting Our Elders started in 2005 when Curt and Ruth, residents of a subsidized housing development, noticed that some of their neighbors weren’t getting enough to eat. The couple decided to do something about that. One thing led to another and in no time a thriving organization spun into existence that picks up and delivers food seven days a week, several times a day.  This generous couple is not doing this for money but for the joy that comes from giving!  Love it!

These are just three stories that I found that not only inspired me, but also challenged me.  I am not doing near enough to make a difference and need to proactively look for ways to make more of an impact on the world!  Yes, there are bad things going on in the world, but think about all the good that is actually going on.  The statement I loved from this past Sunday was this - When did a pessimistic attitude every bring about change in the world?  When did someone who constantly complains about his or her situation ever see good come out of it?  I encourage all of us to be a part of the change, not a part of the problem.  Use your life to make your mark on the world - you never know how it will impact others!


Today I am grateful for:  1.  Waking up and making a conscious decision that today will be a good day  2.  Having a good time at work  3.  Seeing some trick or treaters visit my workplace and seeing the smiles on their faces  4.  Reading stories of hope and inspiration  5.  Enjoying a great conversation with a friend

Monday, October 24, 2011

The Beauty of Faith....

After a 2-week absence from church, I was really excited about attending yesterday  morning!  For those who do not know, I attend Cross Point Church here in Nashville and I absolutely love it!  I know that there are many great churches out there so I will not declare that Cross Point is the ONLY one - but it's really, really good - I'm just saying!  At the end of Pastor Pete's message, he encouraged everyone to write down three things every day this week that they are grateful for.  Of course, I was so excited that he challenged everyone to do this, since that is how I end my blog each day.  I agree that it will change your perspective in life and help to make positive changes in the world. 

As we sang, watched videos, and listened to Pastor Pete - I was reminded that faith is really what makes life so good.  I was talking to someone a couple of weeks ago and we were discussing those people who are so intelligent that everything has to be explained or they have a very hard time believing it.  Although there is nothing wrong with highly intelligent people (I am not in that category), I do find it sad when they cannot believe simply because it cannot be understood.  The beauty of faith is the fact that there is something greater that cannot be fully explained but that I can trust to make the most of this life of mine.  This something greater may be called different names, but I do know that it is God.  The truth is - God is beyond our comprehension and cannot be fully explained.  But wouldn't you rather put all of your faith and trust in something much greater than yourself?  If our faith was in a human, there would be faults and therefore we could not fully trust.  But I know that God is the Creator of all and even in the midst of all that is going on in the world - He has a greater plan for my life. 

I do find beauty in many parts of life, but I will say that there is a connection that I make during that hour on Sundays that is just out of reach of any words that I could put in a blog.  It is energizing, cleansing, motivating, and beautiful.  I also experience those moments during the week - I do not want to come across as putting God's presence only at church - it truly is a lifestyle.  However, this past Sunday I was just reminded of how sacred a moment it truly is.  Maybe it was because I missed a couple of weeks, but I loved being reminded of what truly matters in life. 

I have learned in life that many people search for something greater in various ways.  I do not believe that a belief in God comes only from a certain denomination, culture, or upbringing.  It is often found in our own unique journeys - but I do pray that each of us find that faith and realize that it is a hope in things unseen.  Our life is much better lived in the hands of the One that is beyond our comprehension - that is the beauty of faith.


Today I am grateful for:  1.  Spending time with family and friends on Saturday  2.  Getting back to church on Sunday and being reminded of how much I love it there  3.  Going to Trader Joe's yesterday - love that grocery store  4.  Taking a long walk yesterday afternoon  5.  A good start to a new week  

Monday, October 17, 2011

Joy Rising....

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  One of my friends that I have not seen in almost a year showed up on my front doorstep on Sunday and it was such a great surprise!  She said that she passed my neighborhood and almost did not stop (to which I replied that I would have been so mad) but decided to just make a random stop and I am so glad that she did.  It was really good to catch up on life and spend a lot of time laughing - which is something we always do when we are together.  I say that to say this - little surprises in someone's life really make a difference, so when you have that instinct to do something for someone else, go with it!  Randomly showing up on someone's doorstep may or may not work but there are plenty of other things that we can do to help brighten someone's day - so thanks Dana for making a difference in mine!

I love moments in life when you get to experience kindness being given to someone so deserving.  Anytime I watch a show where someone's life is changed or their dreams come true - it makes me so happy and motivates me to want to do more with my own life!  I have had those moments happen in my life and it is always humbling and puts me in such a state of gratefulness.  But when I am able to see it happen to someone else, it is like no other!  The expression on their face says it all.  Their entire demeanor changes and as someone once said, it is like seeing joy rising!  I love that phrase (and yes, it did come from an Oprah show) but it is a great way to describe what happens.  An act of kindness - whether big or small - can really change a person's life.  The thing to remember is that these events may have never happened if someone had not decided to look outside their own interests and reach out to others.  We cannot wait for others to do something - we each are called to make a difference.  I promise that what you will get out of it will cause you to want to open your heart wider and do more! 

One of my goals in life is to always find bigger ways to make a difference.  With the holiday season approaching, I really want to challenge all of us to be a part of something bigger.  To do something that would truly make an impact on the lives of others - where we would not be paid back with material possessions, but with the opportunity to see joy rising.  I am working out the details now, but I hope that all of you will join me in this effort.  It will probably happen in December so be on the lookout for more details!  Until then, I challenge all of you to look for ways to share kindness with others in our day to day life.  If you have experience that in your own life - feel free to comment below and let us know how that made a difference in your life!


Today I am grateful for:  1.  A great weekend to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather  2.  Getting to run a 5k race on Saturday  3.  Emerald's dark chocolate and peanut butter mixed nuts - seriously, try them!  4.  A great day at work  5.  Hearing that my sister Cara is doing so well in her PTA program - she is doing exactly what she is meant to be doing!

 

Thursday, October 13, 2011

I Might Need a Drink....

Today has really been one of those days that I was jut ready for it to end at about lunch.  At work I deal with customers all day long and although most of it includes good interactions, I seemed to get more than enough... how shall we say... challenging personalities today!  Most of the time I just let it roll off, but people were in full form today and at one point I just wanted a margarita!  However, work is over and I can let that go and enjoy the remainder of my night.

As you know, I am a big fan of Oprah and I have been really excited about her new show on OWN that started this week.  It is called Oprah's Lifeclass, and she is taking lessons that she learned from her talk show and sharing those with us, the viewer.  Of course it has been really good so far and she has dealt with topics such as:  our ego, forgiveness, and being our true selves.  I am going to try and not copy her show into my blog each night (although it's tempting) but rest assured that there will be some mentions of it when I feel it necessary. 

The one lesson I did want to mention tonight is forgiveness.  The definition used is this - forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different.  As we have all heard before, forgiveness is more for ourselves than the person you actually forgive.  Holding grudges can eat away at you and if not dealt with, can destroy your life.  Have you ever been mad at someone and then see them and they seem to have moved on with their life while you are left holding on to that anger?  Forgiveness does not mean that what happened is OK; but rather it allows you to continue on with your life -  free from the grip of anger and hurt.  It is not an easy thing to do, but I can attest to the fact that life is much better lived in freedom than in anger.  I have been mad at people in my life before and will just let it boil inside me for some time.  Then I have to remember - this is only hurting me and ruining my day!  Once I confront the issue, forgive, and move on - I literally feel lighter and so much happier. 

In order to experience all that we are meant to be in life, we need to make sure we are not holding on to any anger or hurt towards anyone.  Yes, people in our life are going to hurt us just as we will hurt others - we are human, so it happens.  We may not be able to control what happens to us and other people's behaviors - but we can control how we react and what we do with that situation.  We have all experienced great forgiveness in our lives - be sure to give that to others. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!  I am going to pass on the margarita tonight - maybe some nachos will do the trick instead!


Today I am grateful for:  1.  Being reminded of good things in my life even on a not-so-good day  2.  Getting a good workout in at lunch - good stress reliever  3.  Receiving a picture of my nephew Wylie on my phone - always makes me smile  4.  Forgiveness that I have received in my own life  5.  Looking forward to a great weekend