One Step at a Time

Today, I took another step. I took a step up. In all my years, it seems I've always tried to take at least two steps at a time to ry to make it to my destination. In doing so, I found I have become winded, had blurre vision when I reached my destination and sometimes forgot why my mission.

Slowing down has been something I always thought I could do on my own but the Lord God Almighty had to show me that I wasn't doing it right. He had to knock my flat on my back to really get my attention and to be able to show me that I need only to take one step at atime.

WIthin the recent months, I have been humbled more. I have found that my health was not where I thought it was and it was needing to be dealth with quickly. I have found that some people in my life in 2009 are not/will not go into 2010 in my life (this was very difficult to come to grips with). I have found there really is no need to rush through life to try to reach certain areas that have not been completed and made ready for the new events.

If I just learn to take one step at a time, this enables me to be able to firmly plant my feet on one step before trying to do a balancing act and trying to have my feet in two places at one time. God has no rush timing; only humans do that.

In 2010, I want to be sure my steps are with the Lord. I want to be sure I'm not trying either consciously or unconsciously to rush Him and His timing or my own. I want to be more focused and set realistic goals. I want to see new potential and growth spiritually, physically, financially, relationally, mentally and any other way the Lord would have it.

There is something stirring up within me that I cannot fully explain. I just know that it makes me excited. I know that it makes me happy and I know that it will help me make it through. I know it is the Lord and I know it is Him working on and in me. But, I don't know fully what it all means. I know what I believe and I believe that if I just take it one step at at time, He is right here with me, leading an guiding me, helping me, comforting me.

Some big changes are coming into my life in 2010. Some big changes are coming into just about everyone's life in 2010. I don't mean to sound cliche'. That's just life. However, I am excited about becoming focused, more dependent and trusting on the Lord and followig Him, one step at a time.

Praying in TImes Like These

It's been a while since I wrote but today seems like a day I need to put something on the blog. I love to blog but just have not kept up with it like I want to but hope to do better in this area.

On my heart today is the fact that we need to be praying more than ever in times like these. If anyone feels that all is well with them not, I always say, "Just keep living." Latelly, my heart has been aching over news I have received regarding my health (which I am happy to say is definitely improving by God's grace) and news from friends who are going through now. There used to be a time when news regarding friends would not stay on my heart like it does now and I'm so grateful for the change. I found myself praying as I awoke this morning for my friends. They hurt, so I hurt. I want the world to be right for them and good; however, I do realize the enemy is very busy and trying to do all he can to shake up the Church.

Knowing, remembering and having the Word of God buried so deeply in our hearts is essential at this time. I do know that a lot of people feel we have plenty of time but with the passing of each second, time is winding down.

I am studying from a great book entitled, "Experiencing the Holy Spirit" and know that it's about the relationship we are supposed to have with the Holy Spirit. That's how we will make it through. That's how I am able to pray for my friends. That's how I realize the wonder-working power of the Holy Spirit and the power which He has given me.

I have never really taken this "power" thing seriously until now. To FINALLY realize what the Lord has been telling me all these years regarding the power within me through the Holy Spirit is not settling in my mind and heart seriously. It's not about looking at anyone but the Holy Spirit. It's about believing in Him and no one else. It's about really knowing and doing His will. To have this comes with the requirement that we pray. Who would NOT want to pray in times like these? Who would not ever utter at least a "Thank You, Jesus" now?

Now, when we pray, we must know that our prayers are heard and have power behind them. We cannot be praying those weak, meaningless prayers anymore. This is serious. Prayer time is first listening to God and then talking with Him. The most effective way to communicate with anyone is to do effective listening. Just being able to sit in our (that's what I call where I live with the Lord) apartment, be silent, look around, feel the presence of the Holy Spiritt and hear His voice is so mind blowing for me. I love hearing Him call my name. I love hearing Him say He wants to spend time with me. I love longing for Him. I love sharing with Him. I love getting direction from Him.

Fortunately, some of my friends (the real ones) are experiencing great miracles and blessing from the Lord. Experiencing the Holy Spirit asked the students to note the signs and wonders that God has been doing around them. To just think of signs, womders and miracles for myself would be selfish. So, I rejoice in knowing that I have friends who are receiving tremendous blessings now. Praise the Lord for this.

I love the Lord so much. I want to walk with Him and talk. I want to sit on my couch with Him. I want to prepare my dinner (when I cook) with Him. I want to enjoy my quiet time with Him. I want to driving in the car with Him. Daily, my desire to be with Him and get more involved in our relationship growns. This is what is enabling me to want to pray for my friends in times like these (and myself). This relationship, which is like no other I have ever experienced, makes me want to do things I have never done before.

I'm going to keep praying. I'm going to keep having the burden of my friends on my heart and talking to the Holy Spirit about them. I'm going to keep rejoicing over the victories and blessings of my other friends.

I close this blog with my gratitude journal for this day: for being a child of God, family, for my health and strength, activity of all my limbs, in my right mind, basic needs being met, some extras provided, fellowship with saints of God, true friends, living in a country where I enjoy freedom, being able to attend church freely, FOR LIFE, improved readings on my Immune System, a growing business. Please have a wonderful, Christ-centered day.

Spending My Time Wisely

Have you ever been told that you need to slow down and relax? I was told that last week when I was in the hospital by my doctor. I was told that I needed to rest. While I was thinking about this, it hit me that I really did need to rest. I had been doing like everyone else running here and there and meeting myself in the process.

This week was spent quietly, once I was released from the hospital. I was tired from life and also from being in the hospital. I had worn myself down so far and was so sick that I had forgotten what feeling good really feels like. Once I realized that what I was feeling was feeling good, I was so excited that I could hardly rest or sleep. It feels real good to feel good.

During this time, I spent almost all day everyday talking with the Lord. I spent, and am still spending, a lot of time thanking Him for sparing my life and giving me another chance to live and strengthen my relationship with Him. What a glorious feeling!!! I take this time seriously and know I am coming through this in a different manner. I know my mind has changed about a lot of things and the way in which I will be approaching them. I know what is important to me (God first) and I know what is NOT important to me (the opinion of others). I know I have to, with the help of the Holy Spirit, take care of me first, not others. I thought I was free from this before but now realize that I am really free. I love it.

So, if you're still running here and there and meeting yourself in the process, STOP, slow down, talk with God. He'll get you straightened out. Have a SERIOUS talk with Him and you'll be blessed.

Have a great day in the Lord.

Deliverance and Release

A couple weekends ago, I attended our Women's Retreat. What a wonderful experience; one I will never forget. All the presenters were wonderful.

What got me the most was what I experienced there and since I have been home. This Retreat was a Deliverance Retreat and I expecting deliverance. I wasn't going for any other reason. I have been dealing with life and all it's issues. like everyone else, and I had had enough. I was ready to burst!! I needed to get there and I needed the deliverance that was there.

I had been to retreats in the past. experienced that "high" feeling while there but lost it by the time Monday morning rolled around. But, not this time. This was different.

The Lord has been with me and dealing with this part of my life since I stepped onto the ground at the Retreat. There are things that were bothering me so much that I was experiencing chest pressure (and that was from just working with the Christians!!). I'm not sure why we can't just go to church, worship and praise the Lord and love each other as we are supposed to do. Church does not look like church anymore - it's looks like a corporation with people acting like those in the world who are not yet saved. This has been a tremendously stressful part of my life. So, I knew that this had to be dealt with but could only be dealt with if I allowed the Lord to clear it up for me. I'm so happy to say He has.

Deliverance is freeing. Deliverance is peaceful. Deliverance is refreshing. Deliverance makes you happy. Deliverance removes the stress. Deliverance helps you see clearer. Those things or individuals who were causing me so much pain, don't have that position anymore. The Lord has delivered me from that. How FREEING!!!

Learning about how the Holy Spirit works (we always think we already know everything about Him) was just one of the great blessings I received at the Retreat. The Holy Spirit is always with me and is here for me. I have had more conversations with Him since the Retreat than I probably did prior to the Retreat. Sometimes we just need to get away with some sisters (or brothers if you are a man), take the Holy Spirit with you, just be so happy to be with those you are with, learn to love them unconditionally and receive all the blessings that come with that process. How wonderful I have been feeling.

I am speaking positive things over my life, not negative things. I am speaking with expectation, not defeat. I am walking with the Holy Spirit, not the enemy. Deliverance is a wonderful thing that has happened in my life. I look forward to all the other things the Lord will be doing with me and my life.

If Only the Maid Would Come Today

As I look around my place, I see so much work that has to be done today. I have papers that have papers on top of them and those papers have other papers on top of them. All this has been allowed to build up because I have been busy taking care of everyone but myself. So, today, I'm going to take care of me. I ran myself down so much that I became dehydrated last Friday which was definitely scarey because it came on me suddenly - no warning.

No matter how much I tell everyone else to take good care of themselves. I neglected to listen to my own advice, especially being sure to eat right and drink plenty water. Needless to say, I'm eating several times a day and drinking water like it's going out of style.

We have to learn to take care of ourselves, if we want to be around to do those things we think we're here to do. Don't neglect yourself for others. Remember. you're no good to them if you're no good to yourself.

I Think I Want to Laugh

A very dear friend of mine told me that she just wanted to laugh, she needs to laugh, it will help her. I thought about laughter and realized she is right. Laughter does help us. It can remove tears, angry thoughts, heartache, a very sad looking face and so on.

Laughter has been given the distinction of being the best medicine and there is a lot of truth to that. It's like have a gigantic wave of cleaning solution that comes over us and washes out whatever is bothering (at least for those moments). It can also be recalled by our brains for some time after the initial flood of laughs. It's good to laugh. It's enriching to laugh. It's painless (unless you've had abdominal surgery) to laugh. It's a positive thing to do.

Whenever I've been down and have felt as though I have been down for a while, laughing seems to somehow come into my life and clears out the ugliness of life that has occurred. Laughing uses fewer facial muscles than a frown. Listening to a baby or young child laugh who is being tickled or played with is a sound that warms me. The amount of joy they have in them is something I wish to recapture. Listen to them laugh the next time you're around them. It will invade your being and you'll find yourself laughing right along with them. Then, later that evening, you will recall the laughter of that child and find yourself turning up both sides of your mouth and seeing a smile on your face.

We should make it a requirement of our days - to laugh. Maybe we should begin and end our days with laughter. Laughter can save a relationship; laughter can save a broken heart; laughter can save a person.

So, come one, laugh, laugh, laugh. If it is too difficult to laugh at this moment, start by smiling and keep smiling. Pretty soon, you will find your heart is smiling. Please smile, please laugh.

This is written with you in mind, Smooches. Keep smiling your beautiful smile. Then, let out a great big laugh so that your beautiful face will light up the room and the hearts of anyone who is around you. Keep smiling and laughing. Don't depend on anyone to make you smile or laugh. Do it on your own. Keep that beautiful smile on your face and that terrific heartfelt laugh in your inward being. You are encouraging me to be a better person through laughter. That's special. I love you.

Still Grateful

I just wanted to put some things on here that listed my gratitude. I'm grateful for life today. I'm grateful for the absolutely beautiful, cool day we had in Arizona. I'm grateful for work I accomplished that I had been putting off. I'm grateful for friends. I'm grateful for family. I 'm grateful for laughter. I'm grateful for resources. I'm grateful for the ability to think and do. I'm grateful for all my senses working properly. I'm grateful for God's amazing grace and mercy. I'm grateful for work. I'm grateful for a positive expectancy outlook. I'm grateful for learning opportunities. I'm grateful for all the 30 students in my summer class. I'm grateful that I know I should be grateful.

I'm grateful for being able to connect with old friends and make new ones. I'm grateful for bills being paid. I'm grateful for the way being made out of no way. I'm grateful for nightfall so I can get some sleep. Good night and have a blessed evening.

Expectancy or Expectations

Well, you know I've told you that I'm reading this book titled, "The Shack". I find it extremely interesting and thought-provoking. The other day, I was reading a passage and it struck me. It had to do with expectancy and expectations. In a dialogue between two of the MAIN characters, it was stated, "Responsibilities and expectations are the basis of guilt and shame and judgment, and they provide the essential framework that promotes performance as the basis for identity and value."

The author went on to write, "The idea behind expectations requires that someone does not know the future or outcome and is trying to control behavior to get the desired result. Humans try to control behavior largely through expectations."

This particular chapter went on to deal with the difference between expectancy and expectations. With expectancy it's different. For instance, in a friendship there would be an expectancy that exists. When two people see each other or are apart, there is an expectancy of being together, laughing, talking, etc. That expectancy, the author says, has no concrete definition. Issues arise when we have expectations we put on others. Suddenly the dynamics of the relationship change. People are now expected to perform in a way that meets the expectations of others.

I have been thinking about this a lot. It has caused me to re-examine my thinking on my interactions with others. I am now leaning heavily towards the expectancy way, rather than expectations because I see what it has done to relationships I might have or had. I see how I allowed, through my own expectations, relationships to be stopped. Now, I know there might be some that need to be stopped, I'm not talking about those. I'm talking about the ones that are really designed to last. I saw how I became disappointed, angered, hurt, etc., because I had expectations of others. When I started to think of my interaction with them as one of expectancy, I'm doing a whole lot better. Now, when I see them, I have an expactancy to be happy seeing them, laugh, talk, pray, sing, or whatever with them, rather than them having to be a certain way towards me. This is really helping me, even if it's not helping anyone else.

Some relationships I was just tired of because of the way I perceived others act were redefined and now I am free and that feels good. I realize I had myself bound up in the relationships and had my own expectations on them that no one else was following. They were rules I had set up for them to follow to satisfy me and might not have told the other person about them. What an exhilariting feeling!!! It's so good to be free of that.

How do you look at relationships? Do you have expectations or an expectancy?

On this Memorial Day Weekend, please remember those who have and are fighting for us and have given even their own lives so we can be where we are at this time.

I'm grateful for being set free in my thinking regarding relationships. I am grateful for all our fallen and living soldiers who have given unselfishly of themselves for me. I am grateful for family and friends. I am grateful for this rather quiet, relaxing day. I am grateful for another day of having full use of my limbs and all my senses being in tact. I'm grateful for all the blessings of the day from the Lord. I am so grateful that I have Jesus in my life. I am grateful for quiettime.

Here He Comes in the Nick of Time

Today, I was having a pity party that I was able to mask in front of friends. I really felt very sorry for me. There are things going on in my life that are upsetting at this particular point in time.

In reading the book, "The Shack" (you all really must read it so we can talk), the author reminds us (just as the Bible always has) that we have to really believe that God is who God says He is and we really do have to throw out man's way of thinking when it comes to God. Man's representation of God is somewhat distorted. We have made God look like us, rather than the other way around (I digress).

As I am learning to re-train my brain and recognize God for being God, I remembered what the passage in the book said and it brought me around. Then, I went on with my daily chores, accomplishing much, only to discover that He is STILL here with me and STILL looking out after me. In the nick of time, He showed Himself in the midst of what was going on.

He allowed me to even take time out to cry one of those real good hard cries. This cry was for joy and seeing Him and His help manifested in my life. I don't know how or what He does it; He just does because that's just what God does. The relief I felt had to strongly suppress a scream that I wanted to let out. The thought of the Lord taking time to help me messes with my mind. I know He said He would but I'm still blown away by Him.

Life is wonderful, no matter what the day brings. Life is wonderful because of Who He is. This is one relationship that I want to work on to grow deeper and close in. This is the one I know will last.

I'm so grateful for a loving God. I'm so grateful that I am not alone in my struggles. I'm grateful that I need only to call on Him and He will let me know He is with me. I'm grateful for all of today's blessings. I'm grateful for friends who REALLY love me and that I REALLY love closely. I'm grateful for sunshine and air conditioning. I grateful for work.

My Mom and Giving Thanks

If she had lived, on June 24th my mother would have been 90 years old. She did not make it physically to 90 but she continues to live in my heart and thoughts.

When I was growing up, I thought there were days when Mama was the meanest woman God had ever created. She spanked me when I did something wrong, she made me do my homework until it was correct, she grounded me when my grades were below HER expectations (even though I always had a GOOD explanation for the ones I received), she had in imposed curfew that NEVER bent, she saw to it that I had what I needed but not always what I wanted, she told me I was not going to waste food she worked so hard to get (even though I felt my daddy had contributed to the food budget so that didn't count). Those days were the ones in which I had the "silent scream" going on inside me and I just wanted to change parents (at least moms) for that short while. Like most children, I saw absolutely no good reason for her to do or say what she was doing or saying. Afterall, I was just trying to be a child, not an adult!!

Well, she, like most moms, was correct. All those lectures, instructions on living a correct life, growing up good, etc., paid off. Now, I actually miss hearing her say any of them to me. I MISS MY MOM! Sometimes, I will look up in church or at the store and see a woman going by me who looks very similar to my mom or could almost be a "dead ringer" (pardon the pun) for her. I will watch these ladies walk or smile or their hand gestures and see some of Mama's in them. Even their hair will be salt and pepper like Mama's and worn exactly the way she wore hers. I used to wonder if this was God's way of sending her back down here and letting me see her but I know now that's not true. But, I do see "her" in others.

I also see some of her traits in me. I laugh like I remember hearing her laugh. I sit on my cough the way I used to see her sit on her. I have hand gestures like hers. Sometimes, I even cough like her. I guess she's just in me and I thank God for that.

I was not the greatest mom (just ask my children). There are many things I am sorry for that they did not get from me but I'm grateful for all that the Lord blessed me to give them. I learned through raising my own children that a child really does NOT know the heartache of a mother. The child really does not know the number of days or times a mother cries for her children. A child really does not know the sacrifices of a mother - UNTIL THEY BECOME A PARENT!! Reality has set in for me. Fortunately, it set in before my mother died and my heart was overwhelmed when that reality hit. I got to see all the blood, sweat and tears she had over me. I was soooooooooooooooo grateful and overwhelmed when that reality set in. My one regret is that I never told her, "Thank You" and now it is too late.

Lord, this day I'm so grateful for the mother YOU gave me. I'm grateful for all the life lessons she taught me and walked me through. I'm grateful for all the things she did for me, whether I know about them or not. I'm grateful for the sacrifices she made just for me. I'm grateful for the times she called me and needed me to do something for her. I'm grateful for her wanting to cook me my favorite Thanksgiving meal (the last one she would have) when I visited her in Indiana. She was ill but did not say a thing to me about it. Her desire was to cook all that food for me. She wanted me to take some of it home with me but there was no way I was going to be able to take it on the plane. I pray she really did understand and have hurt feelings behind that. Sometimes I want to just kick myself for not taking some of it but it's now too late.

Don't let this Mother's Day go by without saying, "Thank You" to your mother. If you are a parent, you KNOW she deserves it!! Don't let it be too late for you. Celebrate you mom this Mother's Day!! Happy Mother's Day to all you fabulous moms!

Sometimes You Have to Do It All By Yourself

On Sunday, my pastor preached a sermon entitled, "Sometimes You Have to Do It All By Yourself." The title alone is powerful and thought-provoking.

As he was preaching, I thought about the number of times I have had to go it alone. In the Scripture reading that went with the message (II Samuel 23:8-12) he mentioned the three men noted in the passage and the circumstances each encountered and how they found themself fighting the enemy alone. Yet, at the end of the reading of each of the three men in David's army, the Scripture said the Lord brought about a victory.

When I have had to go it alone in life, I, like you, have taken note of how hard it was, how sometimes I was so tired of being in the fight that I was worn out and had thought of quitting. But, I'm still here and I see that the Lord brought about a victory.

Sometimes our family and friends might run out on us but we're not alone. Sometimes we run out of strength but then we get a "second wind". Isn't life great? Just think of getting that "second wind", that victory. What a blessing. This means that this is another thing to be grateful for.

I'm grateful for battles won, always have the Lord with me, having a great relaxing day, accomplishing most of the things I set out to accomplish, developing plans for accomplishing other things I need to get done, family and friends, all the blessings of the Lord, emails that made me laugh, my quitetime this morning, my senses that are working properly. Thank You, Lord.

New Day, New Opportunities to Refocus and Be Grateful

I'm so grateful for a new day because this new day brings opportunities to refocus on those things that are positive and can help to change me mentally, spiritually and emotionally. It's so easy to get caught up on what might be going in a direction other than the one I would like. However, I am trying my best to continue to think on those things that are positive, those things for which I'm grateful.

I do believe my thinking can change my outcomes and bring about change. It's not an easy thing to do but I keep at the task so I can reap rewards.

I am not trying to fool myself or anyone else. Yes, these times are tough but they do not have to dictate the way everything will always be in our lives. Yes, prayer, much prayer, coupled with faith, does help. I feel within myself that things are going to get better for us.

This new day offers us the opportunity to be grateful not only for those things we had yesterday and before but to be grateful for what we are enjoying now. Each day gives us new things for which to be grateful. I would challenge you to see what new things you are grateful today that you were not grateful for yesterday. Each day there should be an effort to being grateful for new things (not forgetting those old things). We are offered so much each day. There is no certain number of grateful items on our list, just list them. This is a part of re-focusing our thoughts to look at the new things in life that we are given.

In my being granted a new day and opportunities to refocus, today, I'm grateful for traveling grace, laughter with friends, completed projects, food to eat, understanding loved ones, things that are not stopped because of others, opportunities that are offered for tomorrow to learn from and grow, trials and tribulations, ability to return home after working out of the house, the quietness of my home, opportunities to reorganize my home.

Have you started your list? What did you come up with? I wish you a day full of new opportunities and new things for which to be grateful.

Do I Need or Want It?

Nowadays with this economy, I have had to take a painful look (and it still hurts) at my needs versus my wants. I want to move into a larger place. I want a new car. I want.....Having to look at my life is good. I realize that there is selfishness, sometimes greed and often just pure enjoyment.

However, I have also re-evaluated the needs. I am looking at any adjustments that can be made anywhere in my life, also another painful task at times. I have come to realize that if I woud just stop procrastinating and organize a few things, I will be better off.

I have set a goal, for instance, to organize my bedroom. I have set that goal many times and have yet to complete it; however, this week, I want to begin taking the first stabs at it. So, I'll start with the closet and throw out things not needed, used or wanted. Once I take that first step, I'll feel better and probably continue tackling the job. I can then move on after that.

I believe that since I have not organized one thing yet that I cannot think properly or like I want to so this adds some pressure or reasoning to doing the organization. Wish me well.

I also need to read more, look at television a whole lot less (I find that sometimes I feel depressed after looking at the news) and maybe just spending some more quiettime with myself and God. I have a lot of words I have been saying to Him and probably would do well to just sit and be quiet and hear Him. So, since I feel to "out of whack", I'm going to do that.

Needs versus wants. It is something we all probably need to think about.

A Day of Observance

Today is just going to be a relazing and observing day. This morning, I went to the store early to try to beat the rush of the crowd since this is Spring Break for a lot of schools. As I left my apartment, I noticed the beauty of the day. I actually think I spelled flowers (or something blooming). The birds were singing, as they always do because they do not have a care in this world). The sun is shining, as it does almost everyday in Arizona. The streets seemed unusually quiet as I was driving although there were a lot of cars on the road.

This is Spring Break. This means I am taking a BREAK from a lot of things. All the other weeks I am rushing around doing many things in a day that I never thought I would do and often lose track of what I really want to do. So, I'm taking a break today. I won't even cook. I will just warm something up to eat.

One of my concerns is that my home needs reorganization (cleaned out). I believe that once I organize even my bedroom, I will be able to think clearer. That's because it has been on my mind to organize it for over a year and I often feel like there is just too much "stuff" in the bedroom to think clearly (that's where I do a lot of thinking and working). So, my ONE goal for this week is to organize my bedroom, even if it takes me all week. But today, I RELAX!!

What needs to be organized in your life? Is it a room? Is it a relationship? What? Make an attempt to get organized. You do not have to do it all in one day. Take some time to do it. Enjoy what you're doing. Remember, if you have not used it in six months, get rid of it (or them) - hahaha!

Have a Christ-centered day.

Be a Miracle

Recently, I heard someone say, "If you want a miracle, be a miracle." In this time of loss of jobs, money, homes, stability we once knew, etc., I have often said we need a miracle now. So, when I heard this phrase, I applied it to myself.

Do I need a miracle now? Of course I do. Do I know how to be a miracle? Of course I don't. This has caused me to do a lot of thinking on this thing of being a miracle. How can I be a miracle? Can I be a miracle to someone else by doing something from my heart for them? Can I be a miracle by saying something special to someone? What do I need to do to be a miracle?

Helping someone else without expecting something back can often be a miracle for others. This week, my neighbor who was laid off, asked me if he could use my wireless connection so he could look for work online because his cable was out and he did not have money yet to re-connect it. He said it would be reconnected by the end of the week. After about fifteen seconds, I agreed to let him use it. If I were out of work, I know he would try to help me in any way he could. This is what we are supposed to do in this economy and days of "hard to swallow" things that occur. It is something that I, as a Christian, am to do in following the example left by Christ - help others. There is joy in helping others. It helps lift your own spirits to know that even when you do not have much to give, giving something to help others makes you feel so much better.

So, I got my miracle. I had such a great feeling (not an arrogant one) on the inside in being able to do just a small thing for someone else. My miracle was happiness. I realized that I was thinking in the wrong way. Miracles come in all forms and most times are not found in material or monetary things. Miracles are found in your heart. I'm so grateful that I found this answer.

What miracle do you need? Better yet, what miracle can you be?

Another Great Birthday

Well, on February 5th, I was fortunate enough to add another year to my age. What a great blessing. I am not sure why people want to deny their age but to me it is something to be celebrated. The celebration is not just for one day but should go on for a few days (we deserve it).

I found that in celebrating my birthday I am celebrating life and focusing on something that is positive. It is important to think on those good things in life and not dwell on what we might not think is good. This is just one more thing to add to my list of blessing (an increase in the number of years). When I tried to list all of those blessings, I found I just couldn't list them all because there are more than I can even account for and that's just fine with me.

With this new age, I have embraced it. I find that I do more thinking as I get older. I do more observing than talking. I do more quiet time than in the crowd time. I have done more laughing than crying (although crying is still okay to do). I am so happy with this life. I would not trade it with anyone else.

How do you feel about aging? Do you embrace it or want to run from it (even though you can not escape it)? Let's celebrate life. Let's enjoy each day, even if there are some bumps in the road. I know who created the road so I'm not worried!!!

Looking at What We Do Have

I have been thinking a lot about focusing on the blessings, rather than thinking or worrying about what I do not have. So, I decided to just start being thankful and calling out that which I do have. I was just looking around and speaking and then it got to be that I was calling out things which could not be seen, necessarily.

In my list were those things that were so small, so irrelevant to most people yet large to me. I have the ability to do so many things. I can breathe, walk, blink, move,think, hum a tune in my head, see with both eyes, remember things from my childhood that bring me happiness at the thought of them, care about others, do something to help someone else, teach others so they can increase their knowledge and grow, offer my assistance to others, laugh and make my heart happy and so on and so on. I was absolutely amazed when I started thinking of all the things I could think of. Sometimes the thoughts were coming to me so quickly that it was scary yet fun.

So, try it. Think of what you do have. Do not allow your mind to list anything other than what you do have. See what you come up with.

I found that I had so many things that whatever was missing was not missed. Somehow I just know things are going to work out. What a great feeling!!!

New Year, New Opportunities

Happy New Year! What a tremendous blessing to have been privileged to enter 2009. I am so grateful to have made it to another year. I see opportunities. I see dreams coming true. I see improvements in my personal and professional life. I see good.

The old cliches of putting the past year behind us and starting over don't seem to ring with me. The reason is that there are, in fact, some things that do follow us into the new year. However, it is my prayer and hope that we will be better equipped to deal with them and will have a better handle over those things.

My relationship with God and my family are of the utmost importance to me. A strained relationship is beginning to be healed and I'm grateful for that. So, I consider this year as beginning out on a high note.

I want to make this year count in my life. I want it to be positively significant. I hope yours will be also. Have a great year!!