Friendship

Little Things Getting to You?
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Little Things Getting to You?

When we quit worrying over the little things, we can spend time on what is truly important in life.

Each and every day we experience disappointment.  Friends who don’t do what we expect, work situations that become fodder for TV sitcoms, plans fail, wishful thinking blows into the wind like a puff of glitter dust.  The truth is that many of these situations are out of our control.   They happen upon us, surprisingly out of the blue and it’s up to us to navigate through it.   At times we respond with intensity because we are hurt.   Continue reading →

I am a Navy Wife
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I am a Navy Wife

It’s Veteran’s Day. I love and feel respect for all who served. I totally admire those who are called by something greater than the single human spirit to serve in our armed forces. They are the ones who have patriotism run through their veins. Their love of country is to be cherished.

I am a Navy Wife. I’m married to one of those Veterans whose love of country often times had to take precedence over love of family, love of friends, love of life at home. I would never want it any other way.

I married into the Navy. I thought I knew what I was getting into…. Continue reading →

What’s Your ONE? Solutions to a Crazy World
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What’s Your ONE? Solutions to a Crazy World

In this world where the media shows us more bad than good, more sorrow than joy, and more problem than solution, we can work ourselves into a spiraling mess of woe.  On any given day we see shootings, hunger, terrorism, abuse, and bullying.  Some of us see the snippet of news and let it pass by, never to rest in our consciousness while others of us are very affected by what has been told.

Whether you’re affected in a big way or you let it pass by you, the bigger issue is what can you do about it?  What can one person do with such large problems?  Let me offer some suggestions.  You can be involved in the Power of One.  Read on friend.  My small solution might be tantamount to a larger solution. Continue reading →

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My Psalm

The Bible Babes, my study group for the past 8 years, committed this week to writing a Psalm to share with each other.  I can’t begin to share with you the beauty of each sister’s words, brought on by their own inspiration.  I spent a few days thinking about what would be in my Psalm and then I sat down and put pen to paper.  What will you write for your Psalm?

My Psalm

Hi God – it’s me again.  Thanks for being right where I need you.  You always manage to show me your presence.  Whether it’s in the beautiful flowers or perfectly grown vegetables.  Whether it’s smiles and laughter of friends or the calm, serene and silent moments.  Whether it’s the majesty of your great big animals or the frail brilliance of the birds.  Lord, there’s nowhere I can look that doesn’t remind me of you and your love.

Father, when there’s heartache and disappointment in my life, I don’t always look to you first.  Help me Lord, help me to see those signs that you are present.

Give me the wisdom to look first to you.

Give me the right people in my life, surround me with those who will encourage me.

Give me the right words to draw others to you.  After all, YOU are the comforter, the be all and end all to provide us that loving warmth and joy that we seek.

Give me peace Lord.  I know you offer it to me in so many ways.  Let me feel it with all of my senses.

With Peace within, you give me courage to share your fabulocity with others.

And when I say, “Hi God, it’s me again,” Thank you for treating me like I’m the best thing that’s ever happened.

Thank you for making me feel so important and deserving of your love.

I love you Lord.

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BE KIND

kind words mother teresa

In all of my wanderings throughout life, kindness has been such an important part of my journey.  I have had examples of kindness throughout my life.  From teachers to family members, kindness is always remembered.  Not necessarily remembered by what they said but in how they made me feel.  I can go back almost 50 years and feel the warmth created by those who made me feel like I was worth their time.  Of course I can say the opposite about the neighbor lady who was never kind and always made me feel inferior to her children.  We’ve all felt that way.  Some like me, as children and some of you, even now. Continue reading →

A DEFINING MOMENT
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A DEFINING MOMENT

Heart Flame

A defining moment can come at any time.  My moment came in the early morning hours while a gentle snow fell from a dark sky.  Oversized Chair. Warm Fire. Cozy Blanket. Bold Coffee. And Max Lucado’s book, Come Thirsty.

Continue reading →

LOVE, ME
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LOVE, ME

There’s something very palpable about a person who loves them self.  There’s an energy that is real and is felt by those around.  Their love is unconditional, their ego is set aside, and their thoughts and actions focus on others.`

“You, yourself, as much as anybody else in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” ~Buddha

Loving yourself is the first step toward loving the world and all that it offers.  It’s a prerequisite to fully living your life.  If you have doubt about your worth, baby steps are needed.  Let me reassure you, we all want the same thing: To Love and To Be Loved. Continue reading →

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Didn’t Get What You Wanted?

The rush to the Christmas finish line!  You did everything that you were supposed to do!  You shopped for months, baked for weeks, hosted parties, gave gifts to all of your friends, and late at night you arranged the gifts under the tree just so the perfect photo could be taken of your handiwork!  Then Christmas morning arrived.  Everyone so incredibly happy and at the end of the day, you’re wondering what happened. Continue reading →

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Take Back Christmas

My Christmas Mantle

My Christmas Mantle

Oh the joys of Christmas are many but the hustle and bustle that we get ourselves wrapped up in are exploding before our very eyes; exploding before our family’s very eyes!

I’m not sure when, if ever, in my life that Christmas was an easy and gentle time.  I fully admit that I go for the all or nothing approach, decorating every corner of the house, baking dozens of cookies, writing cards to hundreds, singing in concerts, ringing the Salvation Army bell, hosting parties…  You get it – over the top.

This year I have discovered , more than any past year, that I need to stop and listen.  I need to stop what I’m doing, look at the people around me, and ask one simple question.  “How are you doing this time of year?”  Oh I’ve asked the question many times before but the” stop and listen” part were not in my consciousness.

The answers to my question have been rather humbling. Continue reading →

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Moms, Kindly Scoot Out of the Way

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We moms can be kind of controlling. Are you intrigued because you are a mom, you are married to a mom or you have a mom?!! I write this message as a mom, who has a partner in parenting.  I don’t want to leave my sweet husband out of this!

I believe it’s in our nature to want everything to be wonderful for our children.  We want to protect them and we don’t want them to hurt – EVER.  Our wisdom and experience can certainly save them a lot of grief in life.  We think they need us to be in the helicopter over them, ready to slide down the rope to save them at any moment.  Hold Please — Land the Helicopter and Let Them Fly!

Continue reading →