Ephesians 3:16-19

 "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." ~ Ephesians 3:16-19

A full circle day

 What a BEAUTIFUL sunset!!! After a cloudy day, a blast of sun comes over the horizon from the edge of the horizon

It's a been a full circle kind of day .

Take the next step

 Good morning! What is the next step to take when you are on the edge?

We really don't know what others know

 HAHA nothing like the feeling of people looking at you and thinking you know too much and then minutes later getting another look and someone thinking you haven't got a clue

Step by step....keep climbing

These past few months have been.....beautiful! So richly and painfully filled with growth and frustration. But from this journey over the last few months....over the last YEAR really, have taught me that there will ALWAYS be stairs to climb. Sometimes it feels as though we have fallen down quite a few stairs, and for some it is, but on the stairs that I am on, each step forward is a step forward. There was just no guarantee that the steps ahead were made or carved the same as the ones I travelled before. Sometimes the tread is a bit smaller, sometimes the rise is a lot higher, but it is a step....one step....on a big ol' set of stairs :)

Key lessons gleaned from my travels up the stair case...

It's okay to look at your feet from time to time, but after having gone quite a distance, it's time to look up and set your sights on where it is you want to go.


"Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]--blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.~ Proverbs 29:18 AMP

Know where it is you want to go. If you can't set a big goal, then set a small goal. If you can't set small goals, the set an ultimate goal. And if you have no idea, then at least know where it is that you are at and how you would like for it to change....because there is always change in our lives, but it's good to want good changes. And then SEE what that goal looks like for you. Visualize how it looks and feels to realize that goal with you in the picture. And keep in mind, if you only set your sights to the next step, then you can break down how you are getting onto that step into smaller strategies. If you can't see that clearly, then be preapred for the unexpected and know that you will reach that bigger goal (even in a round about way)....it certainly builds your gratitude for those steps along the way ;)

You gotta look up if you want to be sure-footed on the stairs.


It's the funniest thing, but on the step that I am standing, I know I have more confidence in my footing than I did many steps ago. But not only that, I have realized that it's not necessarily about where and how I put my feet, but its about why I put my feet one in front of the other in the first place. Walking has become habit, climbing stairs have become routine, but somehow looking forward tends to be forgotten. What am I focused on? My feet or where I want to be at? Keep your goal (your vision, your desire...) in sight at all times. Keep reminders around you. Refer back to your vision as often as possible. Remind yourself of WHY you wanted to climb these particular stairs in the first place.

Taking the stairs is ALWAYS a workout, but you will be fitter and stronger in the end.

Gotta take those stairs. It is worth it! The staircase I climb is my life. It is complete and I just need to keep going....I appreciate each stair that I have managed to get my foot on. Each stair you step on (whether or not you recall it to be good or bad) has helped you in taking the next step. And knowing that your life is just one step at a time, no matter the pace you take, as long as you are climbing and looking up, you will get to see more than just your feet on the way up. :)

Carrot, Ginger, and Cherry Salad

This morning I decided (after an enjoyable, but indulgent time at a BBQ) that I would commit to eating primarily veggies for the day. For breakfast, I began with a carrot salad and wanted to share the recipe with others.

Serves 1
2 medium carrots, grated
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1/4 cup cherries, pitted and cut in half
1 tablespoon hemp seeds, (shelled)
2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
1 tablespoon ground flax seed
1 teaspoon raw agave syrup

Grate carrots and ginger into a bowl. Add the remaining ingredients until well mixed and coated. I just thought about this, but I could also add a 1/4 cup of shredded coconut (unsweetened). MMMMMmmmmmmm!! It tastes so good! Enjoy!

There is always change and growth

 HAHA!! Did you see that!?!? A CHANGE was made! OH LOOK!! There goes another one! If I head out to the garden, I'm sure I'll see a whole bunch

Man, do I LOVE growing!

Love living the journey

Love living the journey

 

If getting started is one of the hardest to do, then what about the rest of the journey? Do you have to love to get started?  Do you have the love to persevere along the way?  And do you have the passion to see it to the end?  If love is with you the whole way, without love you have no journey.  Without love, you are not living life.

All or Nothing?

 All or Nothing?

 

What you give may be what you get.

 

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." ~ 

Mark 12:30

 

Have I been loving, living and doing with ALL my heart, ALL my soul, ALL my mind, and ALL my strength?  This is a secret handshake I share with my boys as a reminder when things seem to be going crazy, frustrating, off, or out of sorts.  When moments start whirling with feelings of anxiety, worry and doubt.  STOP! Breath!  And start at the top again.  Apply the secret handshake and ask, "Am I applying my ALL to this situation? If not, how can I?  If yes, how can I get more help? (Pray and focus on the bigger picture seems to work for me)

 

In all this I thought about applying myself to ANYTHING I want to do in life. I shuddered at the fact of doing anything with a half-attempt, not really caring how I do it or not or doing the work grudgingly. Where is the satisfaction in that? If I am going to do anything, I am going to give my all (or whole heart) to it....regardless if it is something I think I won't like. Because I realized, that regardless of liking what I do or not, it the getting it done and done WELL that I get a KICK out of it. Ever clean up dog doodoo in the spring time?......not fun. However, after cleaning it all up off your lawn, you know that you can enjoy taking care of your lawn and going onto it without worrying about rolling in a dog's leftovers.

 

I also thought about wanting to get something out of what I put into it. If I am all or nothing, and I put nothing into it, what am I going to get out of it? NOTHING! If I put my half-effort into doing something, how much do I expect to get in return? I should expect half. But if I put my ALL and full effort into doing something, then I can hope to expect a whole lot in return. As I did my workout this morning I gave it my ALL. I didn't finish it all, but for what I did do, I got the most out of it. I did do something as opposed to nothing, but in the SOMETHING I did, I gave it my all! I have muscle awareness all over the place HAHA and it is soooo satisfying. I know that my example of giving my full effort to whatever it is I do, will be seen and hopefully lived out in my children, in my friends and family too. I AM going for ALL as half or nothing doesn't sit well with me. And if I do settle for less, I know that the frustration will soon follow to remind me to give my ALL.  Thank you God for another wonderful instruction to live and enjoy. =D

GET INVOLVED - be part of the process

 “When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.”- anon GET INVOLVED - JUST GO FOR IT!!! ...Thanks for sharing Jessica Ortner

Why not?

 Why not?

A special thanks to Jeremy S Cowan who said to me years ago..."Don't knock it till you try it." I'm glad I "tried" a life together with him as it has been amazing. 

Man, did I have a reason for everything I wouldn't do, but having faith in what I (ME!!) could make of any situation and achieve, has been challenging, but oh so rewarding and inspiring. I often doubted myself, and had little faith in my ability, but I didn't give up on dreaming my dreams.  With the faith and encouragement of others, I was encouraged to be faithful in myself, in God, and my ability to live a beautiful life full of impact.

Do you have faith in what YOU are able to achieve?  And if not, is there anyone in your life that has faith in what you are able to achieve?  Ask them to share their vision for you and allow yourself to see how YOU can achieve what it is that you desire to do and how it can impact the lives of others.

So ask "why not?" before you ask "why?".  Why not give it a try, instead of why would I give it a try.....both can have the same answer depending on who is asking the question.  

Go for it!  If it requires faith in yourself, in God or faith from others to accomplish it...do it!  If it is shrouded with fear, then question where the fear is coming from, if it is based on speculation of an unknown outcome, then give it another thought and again ask "why not?".

The power of enthusiasm

 "Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Retracing my steps...to find allergen

 This may seem off, but I am duplicating the foods I ate yesterday in order to narrow down which food or combo triggered all the fun AND noticing what I didn't pay attention to yesterday. Think I found it...

...HAHA, so processed foods, no matter what the label, are still a coin toss. Good thing the BULK of what I eat are single ingredient, supportive foods. Going for salads and smoothies today though

Allow yourself to enjoy the harvest

 "When something is proven to be fruitful and someone overcomes the fear and doubt and just DOES it, they don't just gain the fruit, they gain a harvest!" ~ ESC

Every great dream begins with a dreamer

 "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman

Be open to the promise of God

 "Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell." ~ Anonymous. Don't let the fear of the unknown or the comfort of the familiar keep from a great opportunity that will change your life for the better. Be open to the promise God has for you. Jeremiah 29:11-13

Get the doubts out

 Good morning!! Have doubts? Get up, go out, open your mind and check it out for yourself! And check it out from those who are successfully living it, not from others who have doubts. You CAN have a great life and be supported in your dreams. It IS possible!

The good you desire

 Good morning!! What greater good do you desire to do?

Sunshine!

 WHOOO! Good morning SUNSHINE! The sun is out earlier, brighter, and longer in the day with more intensity and heat...anyone ready for a big meltdown?

Persevere!

 "So here's a word for you if you just stay with it...Stay down!...We're almost to the very best part...We too can pass the test... Yeah, we gotta lot of work...I know it ain't been the best but it certainly ain't been the worst....The drama will not last forever...We'll beat it long as we're together...."

Persevere!

Keep your dreams alive

 “Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” ~ Gail Devers (Mark 9:23)

The power of underestimation

 I love the opportunity within underestimation. There is always a good surprise waiting around the corner for those who meet me.

Beautiful Potential

 Happy Sunday!! I enjoy working with a focus to help people to personally grow and live their dreams to the fullest! I see beautiful potential in those around me

Love of snow

 Good morning! Glad I love the snow, 'cause I'm on the other side of the mountain and the powder is fresh!!

Shine bright

 Good morning! Shine bright again you beautiful sun! Fill my face with warmth and my heart with hope for another beautiful day to shine!

Where are you giving from?

 What are you giving to others and where are you giving it from? I was just thinking about 2 awesome strangers that offered me a gift I could not repay and they had given from their time, their $$, and their hearts with full joy and gladness. What great examples!

WE get to change the outcome

 Had a recurring nightmare come back to me last night and as it continued to progress to an unfavorable end, I came to a realization...we choose to do or we choose to allow, but in the end it is OUR choice. How we experience life is ALL our own choosing.

Thanks to the snow storm.

It is the same work to blaze your own trail as it is to walk in the path of others.

Inspiration? Snow storm

I forgot that today is my son's snack day for his class. Where he provides the snack and on the list for today: fruit.

Yeah. We're a little low on fruit in the house. That was the thought I had yesterday when we I asked my hubby to stop at the grocery store so I coiuld pick up a pre-cooked chicken for lunch at house church. While I was there, I thought that I should grab some fruit, so I picked up a few bananas, the chicken and headed to the til. My thought was to make it quick. In hindsight, I realize that I should have taken my time to think about the rest of the week as it was at the edge of one of the biggest snow dumps all winter (so for) and I probably should prepare and think ahead.

Well, I headed out the door this morning at 7am and bolted to the grocery store, about a mile away. 13 city blocks if that helps. I followed in the tracks of the cars or trucks that had driven down the back alley, thinking it would make it easier than walking through knee-deep snow. I decided to do interval sprints from bus stop to bus stop. Considering I had to get back in time to walk my kids through this knee deep snow ( I may carry a shovel or a sled LOL) in less than an hours time, I had no time to waste. Not to mention preparing the fruit to be "snack" sized for Kindergarteners. I dashed through the snow, and went and went and made it there pretty quickly to my amazement. Walked in, got fruit and then stopped....Well I might as well think ahead this time and I grabbed extra to accommodate for next's months turn at providing snack. With a HEAVY bag of fruit on my back and a bag in each hand, I charted of on my journey home. I saw that there were people waiting for the bus and decided I would RUN to catch that bus. I hopped on and asked if I could get a ride up the road a bit and the bus driver was so kind to help me out. It saved me valuable time and I took the back alleys again as my route. Following the treads of the tires and slipping as I tried to fit along the path they had set, I looked to the middle of the 2 tracks and decided to walk the big pile of snow instead. It was EASIER! I could lift my foot, make my own steps and strides, not having to worry about fitting into the path that had been set by someone or something else.

I then thought about my own life....trying to accommodate my "steps" in the path or expectations of someone else instead of deciding what is best for ME and what I was really capable of doing. I would like to think that I act in a way that benefits others and why NOT head out confidently, setting my own steps down on a new path instead of following in the steps of others. What if my shoe size is different? What it there stride is too close or too wide for me to land in. What WORK that would be to FIT into the steps of another. I see the direction that others have gone and I know that the direction they are going in may be the direction I want to go as well, but even though we go in the same direction, I don't necessarily have to fit into their shoes. We all have our own shoes to fill.

Well, off to prepare snack for my son's class and enjoy the day, having started it with a huge accomplishment and new insight.