Friday, April 18, 2008
Seasons
I think that each season is my favorite in it's turn. I love sprintime, the colors, the smells, the soft warm air, the rain, the frogs and birds chirping. Everything coming alive. But I love Summer, the warm nights, sunsets, going to the river, the beach, hiking in the forest, and balmy Summer evenings. (minus misquitos). But then I look forward to Fall, with the cooler air, the warm Fall colors, misty air, sweaters and hot chocolate. And Winter with it's beautiful snow, crisp fresh air, it's slumber. The dark days make me look forward to Spring again. Yes, I love the cycle. Each in it's turn. New Beginnings where we can start fresh each spring and make the most of each new year, each new season and each new experience.
Friday, April 11, 2008
what's with today, today?
I didn't really have anything profound to say...I just haven't written in while. Sometimes it's hard not to let life get in the way of...life. Not to let everything build up so that you lose sight of your goals, dreams, purpose and just muddle through each day. With all the big changes going on it's hard sometimes to know what to focus on. This is a big year for a lot of people. A year of change and new things. It's exciting....but can be overwhelming too. But I look forward to each new day and what it may bring.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Motivation
Thursday, March 13, 2008
A WAY FORWARD
"Whatever happens, there is a way forward. Remember that as you welcome each moment and each new development.
Out of any circumstance, you can find a positive pathway. In any situation, there is the opportunity to create success and to experience fulfillment.
Be unconditionally thankful for the moment you're in. Because the moment you're in is filled with real possibilities.
Your gratitude will enable you to see the best of those possibilities. Your expectation of finding the best way forward will enable you to begin moving solidly forward.
There is much to be gained by planning and preparing, by anticipating what is most likely to happen and being ready for it. Yet there is no reason to be paralyzed by worry or fear, because you have what it takes to handle even the most unexpected setbacks.
Know that always, whatever may come, there is a realistic way forward. Have the confidence to find that way, and take yourself to magnificent new heights."
~ Ralph Marston
A WAY FORWARD
"Whatever happens, there is a way forward. Remember that as you welcome each moment and each new development.
Out of any circumstance, you can find a positive pathway. In any situation, there is the opportunity to create success and to experience fulfillment.
Be unconditionally thankful for the moment you're in. Because the moment you're in is filled with real possibilities.
Your gratitude will enable you to see the best of those possibilities. Your expectation of finding the best way forward will enable you to begin moving solidly forward.
There is much to be gained by planning and preparing, by anticipating what is most likely to happen and being ready for it. Yet there is no reason to be paralyzed by worry or fear, because you have what it takes to handle even the most unexpected setbacks.
Know that always, whatever may come, there is a realistic way forward. Have the confidence to find that way, and take yourself to magnificent new heights."
~ Ralph Marston
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Akiane
I was intrigued by Akiane's book "Akiane: Her Life, Her Art, Her Poetry." She began drawing and painting at a very young age and though her parents were athiests, Akiane had a deep relationship with God that they couldn't explain. She would paint things that God showed her and would explain them, and write poetry as well. I found the book very inspiring and aparently there is another book called "My Dream is bigger than I". Check out her paintings
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Balancing Act
I was noticing the other day how much of my time is taken up with two things. Work and Food. This thought depressed me, so I thought about it some more.
Work takes up 9 hours of my day, 8 hours of actual work, and an hour for lunch. But then I realized it takes up much more. I have to get up and get ready in the morning (1hr) commute to and from work every day (1hr) which is actually 11 hours of my day that’s work related.
And then there’s food. I have to eat breakfast, bring snacks, of course have lunch at work, then go home and make and dinner (1-1 ½ hours), clean up after dinner (15 min -1/2 hour) and make lunches for the next day (15 minutes-1/2 hour). So between work and food that takes up around 131/2 hours of my day. Not to mention grocery shopping once a week (If I’m lucky) which takes about 2 hours.
So where is the balance in our lives? As Americans we rush from one thing to the next, always on a schedule, never stopping just pushing forward, onward, to…..to what? What am I doing with my life? Is this really all that I’m good for? Is this really all that I was created for? I have to believe I’m meant for more than this. I have to believe my family deserves better than this. I mean really! Is this really all we’re good for?
And I started thinking about balance in life. In all areas of life. Not just work.
I think in order to be a healthy, happy, well-rounded individual we need to have balance in a lot of areas Mental, Physical, Spiritual, Work, Home, Play, Friends, Family, and Self.
How much time are we spending playing? In Spiritual/Godly pursuits, in mentally challenging or gratifying areas?
How do we balance all these things each and every day?
I started thinking about just one of these areas. Physical. In my opinion, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your future is take care of your health. I know that I have pretty high standards of what I consider to be healthy living.
I don’t follow all those standards because…why?
Because I don’t have the time.
If I wanted to live the healthy lifestyle I’ve only dreamed of, I could probably spend the 8 hours a day that I spend working on being healty. By exercising, growing/preparing/and eating organic foods, etc etc. It would take a lot of time for me to live this way. So then where would be the balance with all the other areas? I would just be exchanging one thing for another. Or would I? Would I be able to cross over these areas. Could focusing on exercising and eating healthy over lap into mental and spiritual? What about family and friends…we could exercise together. It’s all about balance.
I remember a quote from College “Everything in Moderation, nothing in excess.”
Is spending this much time at work an ‘excess’? It’s definitely out of balance with the other areas of my life.
Obviously I haven’t got it figured out, but I know what I want. And each day instead of sinking into a mindless routine, I can try to change the things I don’t like bit by bit, and find ways to work on all the areas, throughout each day. Even at work or school or wherever I might be.
Work takes up 9 hours of my day, 8 hours of actual work, and an hour for lunch. But then I realized it takes up much more. I have to get up and get ready in the morning (1hr) commute to and from work every day (1hr) which is actually 11 hours of my day that’s work related.
And then there’s food. I have to eat breakfast, bring snacks, of course have lunch at work, then go home and make and dinner (1-1 ½ hours), clean up after dinner (15 min -1/2 hour) and make lunches for the next day (15 minutes-1/2 hour). So between work and food that takes up around 131/2 hours of my day. Not to mention grocery shopping once a week (If I’m lucky) which takes about 2 hours.
So where is the balance in our lives? As Americans we rush from one thing to the next, always on a schedule, never stopping just pushing forward, onward, to…..to what? What am I doing with my life? Is this really all that I’m good for? Is this really all that I was created for? I have to believe I’m meant for more than this. I have to believe my family deserves better than this. I mean really! Is this really all we’re good for?
And I started thinking about balance in life. In all areas of life. Not just work.
I think in order to be a healthy, happy, well-rounded individual we need to have balance in a lot of areas Mental, Physical, Spiritual, Work, Home, Play, Friends, Family, and Self.
How much time are we spending playing? In Spiritual/Godly pursuits, in mentally challenging or gratifying areas?
How do we balance all these things each and every day?
I started thinking about just one of these areas. Physical. In my opinion, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your future is take care of your health. I know that I have pretty high standards of what I consider to be healthy living.
I don’t follow all those standards because…why?
Because I don’t have the time.
If I wanted to live the healthy lifestyle I’ve only dreamed of, I could probably spend the 8 hours a day that I spend working on being healty. By exercising, growing/preparing/and eating organic foods, etc etc. It would take a lot of time for me to live this way. So then where would be the balance with all the other areas? I would just be exchanging one thing for another. Or would I? Would I be able to cross over these areas. Could focusing on exercising and eating healthy over lap into mental and spiritual? What about family and friends…we could exercise together. It’s all about balance.
I remember a quote from College “Everything in Moderation, nothing in excess.”
Is spending this much time at work an ‘excess’? It’s definitely out of balance with the other areas of my life.
Obviously I haven’t got it figured out, but I know what I want. And each day instead of sinking into a mindless routine, I can try to change the things I don’t like bit by bit, and find ways to work on all the areas, throughout each day. Even at work or school or wherever I might be.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
God's Blessings
Sometimes we’re so busy chasing after life, we can only see what we don’t have, not what we do have. Sometimes God gives us exactly what we need. Not too much, not too little. Just right. I want to be open to receive His blessings. They may not always look the way I imagined, but they are always exactly perfect.
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