Nothing is Impossible with God

Oh, yeah? Yes!

At times it may feel like you’re going at it alone. Just know, my friend, God is with you in those times. It may not feel like it because you are most likely trying to tackle the situation on your terms, not God’s terms.

You have to let it go completely and give it to God. Even if it means taking it minute by minute and calling out to Jesus every time you start freaking out and taking the situation back.

How do I know this? I’m in that situation right now as I write.

I started my own business a few years ago and am struggling to get traction and am trying to figure out what the problem is in any way that I can.

I join this networking group, that networking group, I buy this software, that software, I create leads and follow-up on leads and try this formula and that formula. I’m tired, exhausted, broke and spent.

I have absolutely nowhere to turn but to my loving God and Father who wants to help me be the best that I can be. He is my provider and my encourager. He has the answers, I need to rest and turn to Him and trust Him.

I got myself all out of whack. Working seven days a week, ten-twelve hour days. Not taking care of my home or spending time with my husband and family. My health has taken a nose-dive.

That’s not what God wants for us. He wants us to enjoy life, be an inspiration and encourager. Spend time making memories with friends and family. When it’s all said and done and you're entering the pearly gates, not one person will care if you were successful. The only thing that matters is how they felt when they were around you.

Be blessed, my friend, give your cares to the one true God!

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Happiness

Did you know the United Nations (UN) dedicated an International Day of Happiness ? That’s interesting and unsettling at the same time in that the UN took note of all the unhappiness seen around the world. Why is that? 

Maybe we need to step back and take it easy and think about people and relationships. Maybe we’re thinking too much about money and things, which we all know can never give back what a human touch and smile can.

Is it possible to find happiness and contentment no matter where we are in life? One way to do that is to serve others and help people in there time of need. Maybe we can take a chance and try reaching out to make someone else happy without wanting or needing anything in return. It may be praying for someone, buying someone a cup of coffee, writing a ‘thank you’ note, calling an old friend or opening a door for a stranger.

I know from experience, it seems that the more you do for others the better you feel. Maybe when you see that someone is upset or rude, you could stop and take a deep breath and look at it from their point-of view. Maybe they had a really rough morning, maybe they’re drowning in debt or maybe they have a sick loved one or maybe they’re the one that’s sick.

Just take a moment and SMILE instead of getting frustrated. That may be the one and only smile that person will see today.

What do you do to spread happiness? 

Do it afraid…

Tackle the beast that is causing you to procrastinate. There is no right or wrong way to start, just start!

Don’t confuse taking care of yourself with selfishness

This is why people forget who they are. They tend to lose themselves in a relationship and/or family. I see it all the time and I actually still have a problem with this from time to time. A healthy person and a healthy soul begin with you. When you’re happy and content it will filter through you and into your relationship/family.

Have a conversation with your partner/spouse and let them know that you need this time and that it’s an essential part of your relationship and well-being.

Taking care of yourself can be simple, but needs to be deliberate. Carve out time for you, for your sanity.

Take care of me list:

ü  Meditate

ü  Exercise

ü  Take a nice warm bath

ü  Go for a quiet drive

ü  Walk

ü  Pedicure

ü  Get your hair done

ü  Write a letter

ü  Read

ü  Go to a movie

ü  Call a friend

~start out with whatever you can carve out and build on it; even if you only can find five minutes.

It’s vital that we have balance in our lives and give ourselves permission to take care of ourselves.

Benefits of taking care of you…

confidence

self awareness

hopes

dreams

comfort

wellness

health

focus

peace

Results of not taking care of you…

anger

poor health

confusion

discord         

loneliness

depression

sadness

 resentment

Be your own best friend and take charge of your own well-being by taking care of yourself.

What a wonderful world...

You may think that I’m being a little too Pollyanna-ish, don’t leave just yet, hear me out. It truly astounds me that we have immense opportunities at our fingertips. We have the freedom to change what we’re doing and do something else or do multiple new things at a time. We can go back to school, learn to sew, bake or cook and we can start a new blog anytime. It’s truly mind blowing if you think about it.

It also amazes me at the diverse creativity and opinions people have and how far they'll go in order to express them. I have learned so much from others opinions, experiences and how they  are so willing to share with amazing detail. I want to thank each and every person for sharing their invaluable information that they worked so hard to research and compile.

It encourages me when I see how much compassion people have for one another and the risks and the sacrifices they make in helping each other out. People are good. 

We are so inundated with negative news that I think we lose sight of that. For instance, the people who helped out the victims of Superstorm Sandy, the military who fight for our freedom, the stranger who pulled a baby to safety from a wrecked car, the person who opens a door for the elderly or those with special needs and don't forget about those who Pay it Forward. God created people to be helpers and encouragers; we need each other.

We also have choices, you can choose to see the positive or negative in any situation. I would like to encourage you to take the high road and opt for the positive.  It’s not always easy, but well worth it.

Smile; it may be the only smile someone sees all day!

Seasons Change…

I love summer and hate to see it go. I almost feel a sense of remorse and tend to think about and hold on to all the fun things I did and all the people I enjoyed spending time with. It seems like I have to let all that go when summer ends.

Then fall arrives ever so slightly. The days become a little shorter and the evenings are a little cooler. The leaves begin to change color and there’s that feeling in the air, where you just know, that the season is changing.

That’s how life is; always changing. You meet new people and do new things and then something changes. You find yourself caught up in new and different things and don’t spend as much time as you’d like with the friends and family that you love.

It’s so easy to stay connected these days. Technology can be a wonderful thing, but so can handwritten cards or a note, or even a quick phone call to say “hello”.

It’s important to take time to enjoy the people around you and appreciate them for all the things you have in common and all the things that are different. Don’t be closed minded and surround yourself with only like minded people. We all need a challenge and we need to learn to think outside of ourselves. Even if we never agree with the other person, we can always agree to disagree and love them all the same.

Embrace the changes; that’s how you became who you are!