Listening

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

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 →

Walking through Change, Find your BEST LIFE
by

Walking through Change, Find your BEST LIFE

Change is a true constant in our lives.  It begins the moment we’re born and ends when we take our last breath.  While change can bring such joy, it can also bring fear and pain. How we respond to change is the key to thriving and growth.

Situations fall upon us by choices.  And it’s not always our choice that causes the problem.  What is solely your  decision, is your personal reaction to the change.  Somehow when you stop fighting it, you begin your journey of growth.  Easy?  Hardly ever.  Scary?  You bet.  You’ve got to accept it and look for the good, the blessings, the opportunities.  But, you also have to look for the lessons.

I am the master of my fate and the captain of my destiny.   Nelson Mandela

Continue reading →

Helping Others, The Good, The Bad, and The Guilty – 6 Ways to Freedom
by

Helping Others, The Good, The Bad, and The Guilty – 6 Ways to Freedom

Do you volunteer some of your time?  Whether it’s helping kids, homeless, hungry, church, or family, it’s likely that you have a few commitments meant to help the world in one way or another.  I have always volunteered.  My mom used to tell me, “Do something for your family, do something for your church, and do something for your community.”  I’ve attempted to follow that.  Sometimes I might be an over achiever when it comes wanting to do it all!  I insist that you refer to my post “All Plates are NOT Created Equal.”

Be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it,  take yourself out of it.

I think the approaching fall is a great time to examine how you want to commit yourself for the rest of the year.  Somehow the fade of summer allows me to take a look at what’s ahead.  It gives me a chance to breathe in the goodness from the past and breathe out what’s not working anymore.  I exhale a long goodbye. Continue reading →

A DEFINING MOMENT
by

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 →

by

Moms, Kindly Scoot Out of the Way

DSC01783

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 →

by

Soaking in a Girlfriend Weekend

Quinn’s Hot Springs in Paradise, Montana.  (Seriously, it’s the name of the closest town!)  The cabins and the lodge, the tavern and restaurant are wonderful compliments to the 6 hot pools, which range in temperature from 78 to 106.  Pools that offer minerals and therapeutic healing as well as interesting people and laughter to nourish the soul!

Quinn’s was the location of my recent girlfriend weekend!  Perfect location for us four girls (AKA The Posse), who see each other as often as possible but in reality, it’s never enough!  The last time we were all together was seven weeks ago.  Yes, we live in the same town but we all work in different professions, we all have varied hobbies & passions, and we all have families and other “girl groups!”  When we get together, “Watch Out World!”  We laugh, we talk, we drink wine.  We play cards.  We dance.  We don’t sleep much….

Continue reading →

by

The Lingering Aspen Leaf

Aspen Leaves Upclose

It happens every autumn, the leaves change color and fall off the tree. 

I was on a walk this week as the leaves were rapidly falling from the trees in  a serious windstorm!  The Montana Big Sky was a gorgeous hue of blue, my thoughts were no where and then everywhere.

I looked up at an Aspen tree that was quaking and shaking and noticed a few of the leaves were hanging on even though the majority were swirling off the tree.  I began to wonder about my life in  comparison to the leaves that were hanging on.

Am I hanging on to something in my life that I should be letting go?  Continue reading →

by

All Plates are NOT Created Equal — God Knows What He’s Doing

Why can she do so many things in her life and I can barely manage to get myself out the door to work?  What gives him so much energy to accomplish goals and it seems like it’s so easy for him?   My plate is full. And it’s my plate to fill.

Think about the last time you compared yourself to someone else?  Not that long ago?  I know — it’s human nature to compare ourselves to others but people…. throw away the self doubt!  Why do we feel inadequate when we see “Mr. Get ‘Er Done” or “Ms. Overachiever?”  What is God’s intention for our lives?

I’m telling you my friend – God gave us all a different size plate to fill.  For some of us – we practically have a serving platter, for others of us – we have a tea cup saucer.  Along with the size of plate, He gave us different gifts to use.  He gave us everything we could possibly need to fulfill His plan for our lives. Continue reading →

by

Listen My Friend, God is Speaking

holy-spirit-cross-and-wings

God Speaks all the time.  If I am listening, if I am paying attention, if I take a moment to leave the “Me” world, WOWZA – Awesome things happen.  Awesome ideas form.  Awesome people are met.  Awesome situations are encountered.

Today, I was in our local airport flying Non-Rev (short for Non Revenue Passenger) with my pilot husband. Because of his job, we can fly on most carriers for a small price as long as there is space available on the flight.  I could go into all sorts of plans and schemes that we use to get ourselves from one city to another.  Often it involves lack of sleep and running and thinking fast on my feet!!  Let’s just say it’s not for wimps or for inflexible people!

We were trying to get to Annapolis, MD for his Naval Academy Reunion.  It’s been planned for a LONG time and I have no idea why we didn’t purchase tickets since the last time we went to USNA a hurricane hit Maryland and flights were cancelled and we were all over the US trying to non-rev into Annapolis!!

No extra seats in the cabin on the first flight but there was an extra seat in the cockpit just for other pilots trying to get a ride!  I looked at Aldo and told him to take it and get to his reunion.  I would follow along as soon as a seat opened up on a flight!!  Continue reading →