365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

I was reading my Power Thoughts Devotional today and was mediating on what I had read. I have often heard people say to one another...I FORGIVE you. or him or her...but I am not going to forget! FORGIVE and forget go hand in hand. It is impossible to FORGIVE someone is you can not forget how they wronged you. Likewise...you will never FORGET if you can not FORGIVE. This is especially true if you are married or in a relationship. [Love] keeps no record of being wronged ~ 1 Corinthians 13:5 NLT. There was even a television program called...FORGIVE and forget which gave you the choice to FORGIVE the person who brought you on the show and if you could forget you would be on the other side of the door when they opened it. I only watched the show three times but two of those times no one was on the other side of the door and the person seeking forgiveness was crushed. What if God did not ever FORGIVE anything that we did? How disheartening would that be? The Bible says to FORGIVE seventy times seven. The decision to FORGIVE someone is a choice. Forgetting is an even bigger choice. Always be quick to FORGIVE and to forget. Is there someone or something you need to FORGIVE and forget? Do so today...you will feel a whole lot better. 

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

My word for the day is just bursting to come out! I could not keep it in if I wanted to. This song describes it all! HAPPY! Usually I feel content, more or less...or tired...sometimes I am agitated...full of joy...thankful...etc. You get my point. But today...today I am HAPPY! It all started with just seeing a bus pass by on the street near my window. Yes that simple. My whole state literally shut down for 2 days (far better than the last time which was 7) over less than 2 inches of snow...so I wasn't sure if I would be able to go out because the buses were on a modified schedule. I stood in front of that window for 20 minutes, but when I saw that bus go by...I was so HAPPY I could not help but jump around! Then there was the warmth of the sun on my face...delightful! The buses were slow, late and almost empty but I did not care...I was HAPPY. On the way home I waited with a group of fellow commuters for 45 minutes for a bus that should have came less than 5 minutes after I arrived at the bus stop. But you know what? It didn't matter because I was HAPPY! I came home cooked one of my favourite dinners which included a salad with boiled egg and homemade dressing...recipe from my childhood...and I was HAPPY! God was so great to me in so many ways that filled me with joy and also made me feel so HAPPY...I almost didn't know what to do with myself....so I danced! Yes indeed I did...to the song HAPPY....why...because I am...and I intend to be HAPPY tomorrow as well. Who wouldn't be...the very last day of January! That thought alone makes me HAPPY! Smiles. One month closer to Spring and as I always say...February, no matter what it brings...is short....smiles. So today and everyday...stay HAPPY....find some wonderful thing to do on Friday that makes you HAPPY or even better yet...make someone else HAPPY!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

Did you know that "The Law of Attraction" is real? Although this is a book by Michael J. Losier, the true law of attraction originates in the Bible and how our THOUGHTS should not be allowed to wander freely because there are repercussions...so a man (or woman) thinketh so is he. Whatever you focus on is what becomes major in your life. I am working on not having any negative THOUGHTS. If what I dwell on are the situations I create in my life, then I certainly want to make sure my THOUGHTS are creating something amazing! Joyce Meyer says a statement I love...where the mind goes (our THOUGHTS) the man (or woman) follows. Are you cultivating right THOUGHTS? I challenge you to stop thinking and speaking about what you don't want in your life...lack, bad health, fear...etc....and start lining up your THOUGHTS with God's word...I am strong, healthy, I have more than enough for me so that I am able to share with others....try it! I declare that my THOUGHTS are creating my life!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

Today I found myself being upset. Not really with anyone in particular, but mostly with myself. I never feel like I have enough time. I was feeling there was a leak somewhere. I realized that I was not really wasting time...but my days are terribly out of BALANCE. When things are out of BALANCE you feel off kilter...at least I do. Each day I have a certain amount of things I want to complete and although I don't stick to a strict schedule because I allow myself some wiggle room, I was still feeling I short changed myself at the end of my day. I realized all I need is BALANCE in my life. All work and no play is definitely no fun.  
The dictionary describes BALANCE as an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady. Because I am off BALANCE I did not feel either upright or steady. Perhaps I will make a chart and spread some of these tasks out a bit and enjoy my life in between all the things I feel I must accomplish. My mentor called me from out of the blue tonight and if you are reading this...like you said you would...you know who you are...smiles. I asked him what he had been up to and being the busy business man I have always know him to be...of course working hard...but what stood out...is when he said having fun. I need to have fun...whatever I choose to do that makes me smile. But I will leave that word for another day...smiles.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

Today's word is GRATEFUL! I am so GRATEFUL to God for all the blessings He has been giving me, my family, and many of my friends! Are we special? Not one bit. However we do have one very important thing in common. We all made up our minds that 2014 would be the year we commit to a closer walk with God! God wants us to have abundant life! He wants to bless His children just like you or I would bless our children in the natural. All you have to do is be committed to God, spend time with Him, include Him in your everyday mundane life, and study His word...and be GRATEFUL! Sure we are all GRATEFUL on Thanksgiving Day and maybe on Christmas, or even Easter. But we need to be GRATEFUL 365 days a year. This year make a commitment to really seek God, not so you will be blessed, but so that you can be amazed at everything great and small that you have to be GRATEFUL for. 

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

I was talking to a friend this weekend who is a TEACHER and he was saying how he did not want to continue being a TEACHER because he was not being paid well and it was very stressful. I told him that those that chose the profession of TEACHER in America did not get paid that well either. But I also told him that being a TEACHER took dedication to the children. I asked him didn't he feel great about preparing them for life? He said no, please I do not wish to be a TEACHER any more. Being a TEACHER is a great place to start a career that would lead to something else. I will not mention what he wants to be because that is his personal dream and desire. The reason TEACHER is my word for today is because I spent all day learning different things. From the Pastors I listened to this morning, to the entrepreneur in Ghana on Nobex radio, the books I read, and the tutorials I watched on YouTube...each and every one of those things required a TEACHER for me to be able to learn all I did today. Would I want to be a TEACHER?....hmmm not the kind where you need a degree, but I respect them and appreciate them so much. We are all in one way or another... a TEACHER. Today I thank God for everyone who under paid or not has taken on some aspect of being a TEACHER so that the rest of us might learn and grow wiser.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

Todays word is CHEERFUL. I had a very CHEERFUL  day. By all rights it should not have been a CHEERFUL day but it turned out that way. All things work together for good...so although the sum of all the small parts were not so good...I remained CHEERFUL in spite of. No matter what goes on around us we should always remain the same. This day is ending...I am late for bed so I will give a CHEERFUL good night. 

Those who can laugh without cause have either found the true meaning of happiness or have gone stark raving mad.  ~Norm Papernick

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

Sometimes things happen just so God can show us life really isn't so bad...for instance...although I am never COMPLAINING when it's way too hot, I always find myself COMPLAINING when I feel it is too cold because I don't like the cold one bit. Now cold to me can be in the 50's. My mother often asks me why is that when I grew up with cold Winters? To this I have no answer except I didn't like it then...and I was always COMPLAINING about the cold, and especially about the endless cloudy days. If only it had occurred to me that I could escape the bitter cold then...believe me I would have. But like most people get...I was stuck...in a rut. But now that the temps keep dipping below freezing even in the deep South...if I am to be content where I am at...I am really going to have to stop COMPLAINING about the cold weather. All I have to do is consider the fact that now that the temperature has dipped down into the single digits, that the 50's and even the 40's look pretty darn good...smiles. My COMPLAINING doesn't change not one thing...the thermometer does not go up one degree. I may not have central heating but I am warm and toasty. I am blessed to be indoors and not outside or in a shelter like many people. God is so good to me and for that, I am eternally grateful.
So today I made up my mind to stop COMPLAINING about the cold weather. It is January and it is Winter...everything has a season. My 365 word journey is my season. My time to study and be promoted on my life skills...not my works...for no man, or woman, can please God by our works...but it is time for me to gain knowledge. To learn to be the me God created me to be. To do that I must learn...even if it is one word at a time.

The word COMPLAINING means to express dissatisfaction or annoyance about a state of affairs or an event. Synonyms for COMPLAINING are protest, grumble, whine ( I do this one quite well I will admit), and make a fuss among others. But the point is we all know how God felt about those who were COMPLAINING in the Bible. There are far to many scriptures to list but if you have some things you need to stop COMPLAINING about...this will give you a start to take that step in the right direction.  Complaining...What does the Bible say?  

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

If ever there was a word for me today, it was MOODY! The bad thing is I didn't even know why until a short while ago. I am always MOODY when I do not get enough sleep. I was fully awake from 4.13 am until 5.47 am. Having an early appointment...I was set to get up...with the help of my wretched alarm app at precisely 6.30 am. No wonder I am MOODY! I did however get up and amazingly I was not a bit tired...however I didn't feel well and still don't feel well because of a horrible bout of BPPV. More on that another time...smiles. I did manage to eat two meals today instead of one...yay for me! Doctors orders by the way...she right...and maybe I would be less MOODY with more food...I doubt it though because it is rare that I am MOODY anymore because I have learned to be in bed by 10 pm and have a relaxing 30 mins or so...sometimes...of music or Netflix. So off I go...its 9.44ish and although I do not feel MOODY now...I was sooooo ready for bed 45 minutes ago. For all those insomniacs and non sleeping moments...I share with you one of my favourite things....I think you will love it as much as I do... nighty night....and sleep sound....smiles  Click for Sound Sleeping and Sweet Dreams

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

I was watching Joyce Meyer this afternoon when my word came to me. It was a part of her message for today which was on CONTENTMENT. We are to feel CONTENTMENT where ever we are in life and whatever stage we are in. For me 2014 is the first time I can recall feeling this much CONTENTMENT. My CONTENTMENT is coming from within just as it should in all of us. Never look for CONTENTMENT to come to you from outside sources such as people and things...why? Because people will fail you sooner or later and things wear out or break. I want to learn to be in a place within where I can feel CONTENTMENT no matter what is going on around me or what my circumstances are. CONTENTMENT is achievable, obtainable, and maintainable! God's grace is sufficient. While I am at this stage of my life I will be filled with CONTENTMENT while I am on my way to the next stage of my journey!

Are there some things in your life that you need to experience CONTENTMENT in so that you can move to the next level?  

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

In preparing to start a reading plan with my YouVersion app I was asked to choose one word that would change my life. This takes a lot of thought considering that my one word is supposed to not cover one day, but an entire year. That covers a lot of territory. After giving it an afternoon of thought...I decided the best word for me to focus on for an entire year would be PERSEVERANCE. I chose this word because if I have PERSEVERANCE everything else will fall into place. To have PERSEVERANCE means to have steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Everything I do in 2014 I want to do with PERSEVERANCE. I can not do this with my own abilities...none of us can. But with God all things are possible!

If you could choose one word to meditate on for the entire year....what word would you choose?

365 WORDS....ONE WORD AT A TIME

Todays word is SERVITUDE. Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day...this day is celebrated as a day on and not a day off...a day of SERVITUDE. The word SERVITUDE in the dictionary means...The state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful. This definition surely makes SERVITUDE seem like such a horrible thing...but is it really? In the Bible SERVITUDE is the act of serving others. When SERVITUDE is an act of service it is not slavery. Those in the armed services are in SERVITUDE to our country. Doctors, Lawyers, Pilots, Cashiers, those in Customer Service, are all people in SERVITUDE. Serving others not only brings you a paycheck...but it can also give you joy! Proverbs 11:25 says Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. When we are in SERVITUDE to others our lives will be enriched. When we pour SERVITUDE into others...God will see to it that our needs are met by SERVITUDE being poured into our pitchers until they are filled up and running over. If you missed your opportunity for SERVITUDE on the MLK holiday...there is always tomorrow and the tomorrow after that and the tomorrow after that. Always look for an opportunity for SERVITUDE and you will be blessed! 


And whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. ~Mark 10:44-45

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

 Ok today's word is on a lighter note....on a Sunday afternoon and evening, how can today's word not be FOOTBALL!!!!! Ok so my team...Pittsburgh Steelers did not make it to the playoffs but I still enjoyed both games. Even my favourite FOOTBALL team Manchester United played today although they lost. Today was a wonderful day of FOOTBALL and I enjoyed it to the max! I am a new Seahawks fan! In two weeks I can't wait to watch the Super Bowl. In case you are not getting the whole picture...I am a sports fan. There are very few sports I don't like. Nascar is my fav...oh how I love cars watching cars going round and round...and my second favourite is FOOTBALL! I hope you enjoyed your day whether you are an American FOOTBALL lover or a FOOTBALL (soccer) lover. If you are wondering how the word FOOTBALL made it into my journey...its because FOOTBALL made me even happier than I already was today!

Day 19 of my One word Journey! Still feeling great...thank God!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

Todays word has to be BLESSINGS for sure because so many people in my life as well as myself have received various BLESSINGS in the past 2 days! I am so happy for them as well as for myself. When others receive BLESSINGS are you genuinely happy for them?  Really we all should be because how can we expect BLESSINGS of our own when we can not be happy for others. I try my very best not to say I was lucky in this or that because I don't believe anything that I receive is through luck. My BLESSINGS come from above. God has proven Himself to friends and family members alike in the past few days. He will give you beauty for ashes and double for your trouble...if you only believe, remain steadfast and have faith. May you receive God's BLESSINGS for what you have need of.

Did receive a special BLESSING this week? Think about it...I am sure you did...no matter how small.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

What a wonderful day! It was sunny with a tiny bit of warmth. Every single person I came into contact with was jovial....maybe it was the sunshine...but then again maybe not. Maybe...just maybe they wanted to share today's word with me. ENJOY the rest of your day!...ENJOY your weekend! Even today's Joyce Meyer teaching said to me...ENJOY your life!...and I am. What has changed? Nothing really...nothing at all...except me...I am changing day by day, bit by bit. I have a couple friends who are always accusing me of changing and always I deny it and say I am still the same...and maybe in many ways I was still the same. I needed to change...change is good in fact....change is great! I have changed enough that I can ENJOY both the good and the not so good things I have to deal with. I feel so free...free to just ENJOY life...from the greatest thing down to the most mundane. J.M. is right! I really can ENJOY everyday life! How wonderful it is that it only took me 17 days to realize that....if I keep that thought always within me...I can just imagine how much I am going to ENJOY the next 348! Smiles

Don't you think that its time for you to ENJOY your life?

"We are so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to ENJOY where we are."

~Bill Watterson

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

I find myself becoming more and more DILIGENT over the past 16 days. We are officially past the halfway point of January. I feel great. I find I don't have to look for words at all because each day...the seem to find me. Being DILIGENT is a bit new to me in many ways. How often do we start things never to complete them. I have a blanket I am knitting on a loom...almost finished but not quite, a jigsaw puzzle sitting in a vicarious place that is technically in my way. Then there are numerous books I need to finish, and not to mention the countless movies on Netflix I have started and never finished. But still I am feeling DILIGENT. I have afterall exercised everyday since December 31st...if I don't, I have to double up the next day...wooo....talk about incentive to Just Do It!. By being DILIGENT I know God will give me the grace to complete many, if not all the projects I have started, by the years end. I find myself having tunnel vision...focusing on the small light at the end of the tunnel...which as time passes will get closer and closer and closer just like it does when I peer into the tunnel and watch an upcoming train from afar....the light is but a tiny dot the size of the head of a pin. Does not even look like it would ever be attached to something as big as a train....but the train is DILIGENT in its journey to the platform and though it looks like it will take forever to get there...it doesn't. The word DILIGENT is described as...Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties. The online dictionary which always uses the word in a sentence says...many caves are located only after a DILIGENT search. I like that because I have many "caves and caverns" in my life that I need to be DILIGENT in finding. I will find me...what I like...what I want...and what I need. Not at all do I wish to be selfish...but there are times when you need to be DILIGENT and put yourself first so that you can be there 100% for others.

Do you have something that you have been putting off that you need to be DILIGENT about completing? Its a new year and hey if you woke up this morning...it was even a new day! So step out on faith, be DILIGENT and see how many things you can complete in this new year. If by chance its only one or two things...just think how great you are going to feel!

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the DILIGENT is richly supplied. ~Proverbs 13:4

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the DILIGENT makes rich. ~Proverbs 10:4

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

My word for today is TEST. Did you ever have something you knew you were supposed to do (by divine knowledge) and it wasn't that you didn't want to do it...it was just that you were never prepared like you knew you should be? That was me...after 3 failed opportunities to complete and pass my TEST...today I finally passed! Yippee! Was I totally prepared for my TEST? No but more prepared than I have been in the past few weeks. Passing a TEST that God gives you makes you feel so happy and exhilarated! A TEST always comes when you least expect it. After failing my TEST a couple times. I was prepared and on the lookout and of course...nothing happened. One thing about a TEST given to you by God...you will have to keep taking it until you pass. Mission accomplished so now I can see what my next TEST will be because the4 are never ending. A TEST helps us grow...not only spiritually...but in the natural as well. If you never took a TEST in class or in university...how would you measure what you have learned? You couldn't! 

Is there a TEST that you know you need to pass? 

"Keep a good attitude and do the right thing even when it's hard. When you do that you are passing the TEST. And God promises you your marked moments are on their way."
Joel Osteen

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to TEST a man's character, give him power."
Abraham Lincoln

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

Today was another one of those days that was great for absolutely no reason at all...except that nothing went wrong which indeed is a very good thing. I am feeling very DISCIPLINED. Its day 14 and I am falling into a routine, not just with my one word journey, but with my life. Sure I have yet to complete every task that I wanted to during my day...after all there are only 24 hours and I do have to get my beauty rest! In the yester-years I would have stayed up half the night completing everything. That was before I found myself becoming DISCIPLINED. This a good feeling...in fact it is great! I keep imagining what life will be like by December 31st if I am so blessed to see it. I keep wondering if I will even know myself. I believe I will because by becoming DISCIPLINED I am ready and more than willing to embrace the new and improved me! I find myself having the most pleasant conversations with people because I am becoming more DISCIPLINED when it comes to accepting who they are, whither they are moody or, loud, or complaining...talk to much...don't talk at all...I am learning to just let them....Be.(comment from yesterday) The dictionary defines DISCIPLINED as showing a controlled form of behavior or a way of working. I am being self-DISCIPLINED because I am learning, with Gods help of course, to control my behavior...my actions...and my reactions. Being DISCIPLINED feels great....its empowering. 

"Man must be disciplined, for he is by nature raw and wild." ~ Immanuel Kant

"Self-discipline is the free man's yoke." ~ John W. Gardner

365 WORDS....ONE WORD AT A TIME

Today I had such a mixed bag of words. In many ways this was one of my most favourite days. Maybe because I did so much but a little of nothing. I know that is probably hard to wrap ones head around. But really I did not accomplish much but I was filled with joy...and no that isn't my word of inspiration today. Today the word that kept coming to my mind is STRONG. I felt so STRONG today like I could conqueror anything! I did additional push ups and boy did I feel that in my shoulders...I did additional exercise. I spent time talking to friends and family and I did not let not one of them drag me down! Now I could say that I slept long, which I didn't, or that I had a great meal, which I didn't...actually I can not take any credit whatsoever for how STRONG I felt today. I was STRONG mentally as well as physically. What is the secret? Smiles...I will share with you of course...after all that is why I am here...to share my inspirations and encourage you on your journey. The reason is....I spent almost the entire day....wait for it...(okay I really couldn't resist that one...please do forgive me lol)....I talked to God! Yes its that simple...God and I hung out all day! I prayed I talked I praised I read some of the many inspirational books I have by great teachers...I listened to some teaching messages on CD...and I filled the silence (from yesterdays post) with absolutely....nothing! I learned more today than I have in the past 6 months if not longer. I know I said technically (yesterday) that this is not a spiritual journey but in many ways I am learning how it can be...and how it even should be. Who am I to argue. I have 20+ new words all in one day that will carry me through this 365 word journey...will they repeat....who can say. I told a close friend today that perhaps tomorrow I will go to market because tomorrow will be nice and Wednesday it will rain, and Thursday it will cool off and be cloudy, but Friday it will be sunny like tomorrow but will be cold. I did not know to chose....either warm without much sun or cold with an abundance of sun. He asked me "How did I know?" I replied "How do I know what?" he said "That Friday will be cold but sunny when today is only Monday." I said "You are right...I don't know." Sometimes we just have to let things just be. (more on this later)

Let the weak say I am STRONG ~Joel 3:10 (NIV)

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

My one word journey is not really a spiritual one, but many of my words have a spiritual meaning because I am spirit as well as flesh. I do intend to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh for my earthly body...my flesh is but dust and one day will return to the earth...where as my spirit shall live on forever. So perhaps my journey in a way is spiritual. I thought today of SILENCE. SILENCE can be wonderful...SILENCE can be fearful...or peaceful...the beauty of SILENCE is that anything can fill it which can also be the dark side of SILENCE. Loneliness, despair, and worry are just a few of the words that like to try and creep into SILENCE...if we allow it. I have found that the best way to keep the negative words out of my SILENCE is to inwardly be filled with lots of positive words...even SILENCE when quietly filled, will not allow room for anything else to push its way in. I will learn to embrace SILENCE as a wonderful thing, useful in and of itself...there is no need to fill it with sounds that I do not wish to hear...like my tv which lately has been on just for sound to fill the void...but my spirit seeks SILENCE so it ends up on mute...what is the point of having a muted tv that sits behind me where I can't even see it...good question. SILENCE has been called "Golden"...why? Because SILENCE is like a treasure.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

The skies display His craftsmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak;

night after night they make Him known.

They speak without a sound or word;

their voice is never heard.

Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,

and their words to all the world.

Psalm 19: 1-4

365 WORDS...ONE DAY AT A TIME

Today was a very RELAXING day for me. I didn't plan it...in fact I didn't plan anything. Sure I had a few things I wanted to accomplish and I did in fact manage to complete 1 or 2 of those tasks. What I loved about today was my perfect RELAXING day....just became. I woke up at 4.13 am to distant thunder...and because I always forget about the "pretend" storms in my area...and don't get me wrong...I am so grateful that they are pretend...by that I mean you prepare for a big storm and you get nothing but one rumble of thunder in the distance...but anyway I got up and went around unplugging things in case a big storm blew in. I must say when I woke up at 8.14 am I was a bit surprised to find out that I had slept through a tornado warning due to expire 16 minutes after I woke up. Ok I know you are thinking that not one thing I have mentioned sounded RELAXING at all...and it wasn't. what was RELAXING is that at 8.26 am the tornado warning was cancelled and as the meteorologist said...4 mins early...2 seconds later a severe thunderstorm watch went into effect or warning...who remembers...but I did hear thunder twice and I think I may have even seen lightening in the almost pitch darkness of the room. The most wonderful RELAXING moment was when I lay back down in the bed...muted the tv and just laid there listening to the hard rain. It rarely rains hard enough where you can actually hear it so I am often reduced to my sound machine which can really sound fake if I am not tired enough, because of the short loop it rotates or my apps which of course are fake but sound almost like the real thing...my favourite by the way...Rain on a Car...sounds even better than Rain on a Tin Roof...maybe because it sounds like you are inside the car...now who doesn't love that...smiles. I was RELAXING so well that I did not get out of bed until 10.20 and even then it was begrudgingly. I was RELAXING so much that when I finally made my breakfast and sat down to eat it, I realized it was 4.15 pm! Wow talk about a lazy day....did I say that???? No I wasn't lazy, I was RELAXING...and in a very big way! Between you and me...tomorrows word really needs to be....productive...but who knows what tomorrow will bring...I only hope, no matter what it may be....that I find it very RELAXING...smiles. 

"A little nonsense Now & Then is cherished by the wisest men"~Roald Dahl, Charlie & The Glass Elevator

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

TIME is important....it has been said that TIME waits for no man. (or woman) I did a lot of thinking about TIME today...mainly because I wasted a lot of it or so I felt like I did because I was on hold 3 times today with the same place from 30-45 minutes each TIME and I woke up at 9.04 am, which is way past my usual TIME. I did manage to find TIME to do the important things that I wanted to do but I am realizing that the list of mundane things I have declared I will complete on a daily basis makes it almost, if not impossible to find the TIME to do the things that I take pleasure in...like art, finishing the blanket I am creating on a loom, meditating, etc. So where do you find extra TIME when there is none. Each day only has 24 hours...funny when we are busy we need more hours and when we are not, the day seems to take forever to pass. So now I have the dilemma of how to balance my life. I am watching about 5 movies at a TIME that I never see the ends of because I am out of the room or dropping off to sleep. I am also reading over 5 books...all at the same TIME. This cant possibly be healthy because when I say these things out loud...I am mortified. Having always been a free-spirited individual and paying TIME no attention seems to have caught up to me and become a jumbled mess. Hmmmm what to do now...I have considered alternant tasks on alternating days but who can keep all that straight....having a sense of freedom is so much more fun. My mother who always seems to call me right before my 10 pm bedtime and then gets offended when I state that its TIME for me to go to bed...did a funny thing today...when I was still up at 11 pm so that I could complete a couple of things I did not find the TIME to finish earlier...she asked me...isn't it way past TIME for you to be in bed....I of course huffed and asked if she was giving me a bedtime. It is afterall the weekend...a Friday night...don't all people stay up late on Friday night? I do suppose its TIME I set the record straight and confess...I really am tired and it is way past my TIME to be be in bed...I just did not want her gloat in her sarcasm. So until next TIME everyone...I bid you good night and sweet dreams...I am sure I will have more TIME to think about my TIME tomorrow....that is if God grants me more TIME.

"There are far too many people that waste their TIME telling themselves that they don't have enough TIME" ~Daniel Willey      

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

Ok what's harder than trying to stick with a schedule you have set for yourself and living each day by one word? Writing it and nobody cares, nobody follows you, nobody comments....hey is this a test to see if I will actually do this? Of course it is...I may not write a word each and everyday...after all there could be power outages...offers for traveling...which I am not about to turn down, even a broken fingernail...who knows...but whatever the delay...I am going to make it up by doubling up....much the same way I do if I miss a day of my 7 days a week workout....hmmm better call it my work a bit...workout sounds like I am all sweaty which I can assure you...most times I am not....smiles.

As it turns out my word today is EMOTIONAL....can you tell? Probably! My emotions are totally out of whack today and try as I might to tame them...I am still feeling EMOTIONAL! Today was a good day...in fact...it was great. Maybe that's the problem...it was calm, peaceful, I was happy, no disturbances, I was out among people and yet my evening turned into an EMOTIONAL mess! I am not unhappy and yet I am not happy either. Venting always helps when anyone feels EMOTIONAL...I guess this was my vent. Now sipping a cup of hot chocolate and preparing to read my devotions, and snuggle down in my very comfortable covers, in my almost comfortable bed, and watch Netflix once again for 10 minutes before I drop off into the land of nod...I am finding that I don't feel so EMOTIONAL at all....smiles

 

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

My word for today will probably be used more than a few times throughout my one word journey because I am totally focusing on this day by day. THANKFUL is something we all need to be but some days all we can think of is what's going wrong instead of focusing on what is going right. I am THANKFUL  for my friends...some can be a bit of a distraction when I am trying to work and we are texting or speaking on the phone...(I am my own boss so I am not milking a clock)...however since I do have a certain amount of work I must do, I end up working late into the evening. But what would I do if they were not around...or family members who call just to complain about one thing or another. I am THANKFUL to have them in spite of. I am THANKFUL for each and every sale...no matter how small...because the big ones are coming. I am THANKFUL to have food and clean water...to have a comfortable bed to sleep in...I am THANKFUL to live in the age of technology and I am THANKFUL I am not too old to be baffled by it. I am THANKFUL to have shoes...multiple pairs though I tend to wear only one...I am THANKFUL I have a choice. I am THANKFUL for the parents who raised me. I am THANKFUL for my children...I am THANKFUL that although one is not with me....I am THANKFUL to know that he is in Heaven. Everyday there is a multitude of things to be THANKFUL for...I could go on and on....but you get my point...being THANKFUL is something I want to focus on throughout this 365 word journey...not that I am not already...but because I want to be THANKFUL for every good thing in my life and set the not so good things aside. 

What are you THANKFUL for?

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

I am sure there are at least some of you wondering why I choose my word in the evening time or at night...right? The reason being that perhaps my word is choosing me and not vice versa. I could wake up and say today I am going to follow this or that word but what good would that do...I am certain I would forget the word soon after. By allowing my word to choose me...I know I have lived my entire day embracing and breathing my word. Todays word is STRENGTH. What I have learned this new year and today is that my STRENGTH is greater than I knew. I did some purging of dead relationships, cleaned my house...ok I do that anyway...smiles...I even survived the coldest weather here in 28 years...maybe thats easy for most but try doing that with only 2 space heaters...ahhhh ha! Got you! Yes I survived and was even warm...when so many reported busted pipes...I am grateful I did not. What's the secret? There is none...I pray! Jesus is the STRENGTH of the strong! I have STRENGTH! I can complete the goals I have set before me. I have the STRENGTH to say no when I must and the STRENGTH to say yes when there are things to do that I may feel I that do not have the STRENGTH to do. God give me the STRENGTH to go forth!

What word inspired you today?

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME

Today was a great day. Why? Because I was FOCUSED. I made up my mind to do certain things today and I FOCUSED in spite of a few distractions and completed my important tasks. If I stay FOCUSED this year...not on the mundane things I may do daily or weekly or even monthly...if I just stay FOCUSED and keep my eye on the prize...and December 31...I will have accomplished a few, if not all of my goals. Is it possible? I believe it is...I have a helper in my Heavenly Father and I believe I can do this. I know I am able...if I stay FOCUSED and look at the big picture. Yes I may have to work harder and put in the extra hours...but its ok...I have a dream...to finish what I have started...to come out on top in my own mind. All I have to do is have tunnel vision and stay FOCUSED.

What are you FOCUSED on...do you have an idea where you are going or where you want to be in 1 year, 6 months, or even 5 days from now?

365 WORDS TO LIVE BY...ONE WORD AT A TIME

Todays word is CONVERSATIONS because it seems that I had a lot of CONVERSATIONS today...some of them welcome...most of them not....but in this new year of CONVERSATIONS I think it gave me a great chance to practice my listening skills. Even when someone was talking over what I was saying...I stopped and listened and continued after...and sometimes not. Sometimes you find that the moment for certain CONVERSATIONS has passed and since I am trying to beware of the words that idly come out my mouth, that is probably for the best. Sometimes less really is more...especially when having CONVERSATIONS. I was really feeling being peaceful and quiet today but it would seem everyone else was filled to the brim with CONVERSATIONS either by phone or by text. Tomorrow I am sure will be much more peaceful...after all...the holidays are over and life as we know it returns completely back to normal. so tonite as you talk or chat with your sweetheart, your children, mother, or father...cherish the moment...tuck all the CONVERSATIONS in your memory, so when you need relive the moment...they are there right where you left them.

Have an inspiring word filled week!

365 WORDS TO LIVE BY...ONE DAY AT A TIME

There were many words that came to my mind this morning, but one in particular stood out above all the rest when I realized this was the first time I felt this on a weekend in a long long time. My word for today is PEACE. PEACE can come from within and PEACE can come from outside your being. So can the lack of PEACE which more often than not, is disrupted from the outside. I can be friends with almost anyone...until they disturb my PEACE one time too many. Its a new year...new hopes new dreams...why drag old baggage...why let people disturb my PEACE? There are of course those I have warned time and time again who pay me no mind whatsoever, or those who pretend to take heed and then revert back to their annoying, energy sucking selves...and then there are those who probably had no clue. I am positive that they felt that totally disrupting and disturbing my life as well as my PEACE was perfectly acceptable. So having a Saturday and I am certain...a Sunday filled with PEACE feels so wonderful! Was it really that simple? Indeed it was....PEACE is bliss! 

WHAT 2 WORDS ARE INSPIRING YOU THIS WEEKEND?

365 WORDS TO LIVE BY...ONE DAY AT A TIME

Day 3....already time is flying...ok not so fast....but rest assured in what will seem like a matter of days....it will be mid month and then we will blink and it will be February! I pray that many of you are on this one word journey with me...choose your own words or fill free to share mine. Today's word is COMMITMENT....COMMITMENT is a big word...and it can be a scary word for many. It does not have to be intimidating. We can learn to embrace COMMITMENT. Using the word COMMITMENT is almost like making resolutions except COMMITMENT is more of a promise you make to yourself and less of a resolution you make before others. I am making a COMMITMENT to this one word journey. I am making a COMMITMENT to exercising daily...again. ( I once exercised everyday for 3 months straight) I am also making a COMMITMENT that if I fail to do the tasks I have set for myself this year...I will not beat myself down...I will dust myself off...start where I left off...when I can...or start again when I can't.

WHAT WORD IS INSPIRING YOU TODAY?

365 WORDS TO LIVE BY...ONE WORD AT A TIME

Todays word will be BEGINNING. I chose BEGINNING because I have tried 365 words before and just like resolutions...words can weigh you down quickly. So for me...this is a new BEGINNING a new chance to complete a task, a challenge that I have set for myself. There are games that give you daily bonuses and other perks so we try our best to stay committed...so why not something that will do me good? I am great at BEGINNING new things...aren't we all....but its not the things that we begin that count...its the things that we finish. In a marathon...hundreds of thousands of people are at the starting line...in the BEGINNING...its exciting as we see them off...we are even there to cheer on those who finish quickly...but what of those that finish that we never see? They deserve kudos as well for being slower but steady and completing the challenge that they have set for themselves. We never know how many people stopped along the way and gave up. 2014 is new year and a new BEGINNING....so lets take this one word journey together and finish together...slow and steady.

WHAT WORD IS INSPIRING YOU TODAY?

365 WORDS TO LIVE BY...ONE WORD AT A TIME

Why words and not resolutions? Words can make you or break you. The Bible states that words are so powerful they can destroy you or they can make you great. Your words also have an effect on people. Words like dumb, stupid, fat, lazy, crazy, and stick with someone for years. especially if the words have been directed at children. That said today's word that I am living by is just that....WORDS. I will be conscious of the WORDS I think as well as the WORDS I say. I will uplift myself and others with my WORDS. 

WHAT WORDS TO YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE BY?