Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Tis the Season..of Words!

          Christmas is about so many things. It is about Christ being born. It is about the joy of giving being greater than receiving.  It is about sharing time with loved ones.  It is about eating, singing, and being merry.  God says He wishes above all things that would be prosperous. He also inhabits the praises of his people. Christmas is all about being prosperous and giving back to others. It is about praising God and thanking him for the family and friends in your life.
          All these things we do during this season revolve around our words.  To celebrate the birth of Christ many people read the story of his birth from the bible.  You tell loved ones that you love them. You eat and laugh together. You sing christmas carols and decorate trees. You may do like me and turn the lights off at night and stare at the lit tree. Sometimes I curl up with my brother, tell him I love him, and talk about how pretty the tree looks. You sing songs and pray over dinner, praising God in the process.  You bake pies and cookies and spend time with family cutting up in the kitchen. You tell stories of crazy things you did in the past. You go to bed on Christmas eve thinking about the day you will spend together and if your mom will like her present.  Words allow you to express all that holiday spirit you are feeling inside.
          So this Christmas remember the power of words. Also feel free to comment and tell me about your favorite part of Christmas or any of your special family traditions. Merry Christmas!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Words of Appreciation

          This Thanksgiving I did not get to spend time with family.  I had to work. I will see my family this weekend. I realized how important that family is to me. I want to encourage you to remember the power of your words this holiday season. Tell your family and friends that you love them. Show them you appreciate them with a "Thank you"  and/or a compliment.
          If you have family you don't get to see, pick up the phone and let them know you miss them. If there is a family member you haven't spoke to over some stupid fight, I encourage you to speak to them. Those relationships are precious.
           So this holiday season remember it is all about remembering God's many blessings in your life!

Friday, November 4, 2011

OCD

           Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is a serious medical condition and with biological factors. Mostly it effects your thought process.  Serious emotional problems can trigger some OCD compulsions. Emotional problems also cause the compulsions to worsen. Many people with OCD can live happy and productive lives with medication and/or therapy.
          The thing that makes this disorder so difficult to manage is that tape of thoughts that runs through your mind over and over. People with OCD have to put forth more effort to keep their thoughts calm and positive. They often go through something called exposure therapy to help them realize that their negative thoughts and fears are not true.
           Exposure therapy can teach us all a good lesson. They talk through the fear first. What would happen if your worst fear came true? Then when they are ready, the therapist exposes them to their fear. After they sit in their anxiety they prove the tape in their mind wrong and are empowered!
          There is a lesson there for all of us! You have to question that voice in your head. Does it really tell the truth? Where is it coming from? Is it your thoughts about yourself? Maybe you have decided that you can't dance. So the little voice in your head reminds you before you have a chance to dance with a guy you like. Maybe the devil wants to spread suffering so he whispers lies to you that you are ugly. Or maybe God is trying to speak to you. Maybe He is telling you that you need to overcome this fear so you can do what you are called to do. What he has put you on this earth to accomplish may be revealed if you can only learn to listen!
         

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Countering Negative Thought

          When you hear yourself think or say a negative thought, immediately contradict yourself. If someone else says something negative about you, say that you refuse that statement. Tell them and yourself the opposite!
          Here are some examples of common negative thought processes and their counter statements. They seem small and harmless, but they hurt your self-image more than you realize! They also affect your attitude and even your health!

I'm not good with names.---------------------------------I have become an expert at remembering everyone's name!

It's one of those days.--------------------------------------I am blessed and highly favored by God!

I always get a cold this time of year.--------------------I am in better shape than anyone I know!

I'm always broke at the end of the month.-------------I  am blessed with great wealth. Everything I need will be provided by the grace of God!

That's just my luck.----------------------------------------I control my life by the actions I take and the attitude I choose to have.

I'm so clumsy.-----------------------------------------------I am graceful and well coordinated!

I never have enough time.--------------------------------I have plenty of hours in a day and my schedule reflects my priorities.

I just don't have the patience for that.------------------I am patient because I know that there are no emergencies!

That really makes me mad.-------------------------------I can only control two things, my attitude and my actions.

I'd like to stop smoking, but just can't.-----------------I can do anything I decide to. All it takes it consistant daily action!

I just don't have the energy I used to.------------------I have plenty of energy. I eat and sleep right. My passion gives me fuel to spare!

I lose weight but then I gain it back again.-----------I maintain a healthy weight because I consistently remember what I want most instead of what I want now.

You can't trust anyone anymore.-----------------------You attract what you are not what you want. You attract people who are like you not like what you want to be.

I'm always late.--------------------------------------------I am always on time. People always compliment me on and respect me for being on time, if not early, to everything I do!

          I learned all of these things from reading business and personal growth books. These are true success principles from some experts on the subject. I would greatly recommend that people trying to grow personally read some of these books. I have read everything by Og Mandino. I am reading and listening constantly to John Maxwell. I love Robert Kiyosaki. The point is many people read books everyday. But you have to apply it and some of that stinks. It is uncomfortable to be out of your comfort zone. It takes effort to change a thought process you have had for years. But, some of the phrases above have given me a great deal of peace and joy in my life. I hope they can bring that same peace and joy to you!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Abraham Lincoln

          Abraham Lincoln once said, "One day I shall be president." True to his word he became president. He decided what he wanted and went after it with no doubt that he would have it. Lincoln also said, "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other."
          Lincoln said many wise things like, "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." "Don't interfere with the constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties."I'll let you guys debate whether you think that is what America is doing now. However, he also said, "My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth."
          Lincoln said, "Be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm."  I think this is awesome advise! Most people lack confidence enough to stand up for beliefs. They are not confident and sure of who they are as a person. It is encouraging to see someone who has a set of principles and bases his decisions on those principles.        
          This most famous thing Lincoln probably ever said was, "Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." That quote is right up there with "I have a dream." and "We hold these truths to be self-evident.."
          "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."
"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." These two both are lessons in speaking things to life and watching your word choices.
          Lastly, Lincoln said, "Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right." I believe he definitely has his priorities right!

National Encouragement Day

          I am not sure if you are aware but a great holiday is approaching! September 12, is National Encouragement Day! I had never heard of this until just recently so I looked it up. Here is what Wikipedia says about it.


The first proclamation for the Day of Encouragement was made by Mayor Belinda LaForce of Searcy, Arkansas. September 12, 2007 Mike Beebe, the Governor of Arkansas, signed the proclamation making it the "State Day of Encouragement" for Arkansas. Later, President George W. Bush also signed a message making it the official "National Day of Encouragement."

          I wanted to encourage everyone to take this holiday to heart. Watch your words carefully and give encouragement graciously to someone. It is fun to be able to put a smile on someone's face! "Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 ESV.  

Monday, July 18, 2011

Are You A Wisher Or A Dreamer?

          I know that just recently I posted talking about the wisdom in a post on a blog called Positively Present. Most people would find it odd that I would send you to another blog. But I don't post to just to get traffic on my site. I post because I want to help people. Wisdom should be shared. So once again I am going to send you to check out a post by Positively Present. It is called Break the Spell of Someday.

"Was I, just like Snow White before she bit into the apple, sinking my teeth into the idea that all my dreams will come true... someday? Do I, like the raven-haired beauty, spend more of my timewishing than actually doing? After all of my years studying fairy tales, criticizing these silly little women who believed someone would rescue them, was I, in fact, just as bad, sitting around wishing and hoping and dreaming? How many of us are wishing for something without actually doing anything about it?"


"Someday. That should be four letter word in my life.."


          If I could, I would go back in time for each person, find them as a kid, and tell them over and over that they can do anything! I would tell them that all it takes to reach their dreams is a plan and the discipline to take consistent action! I would never let them push their dreams off with the word "someday." If you are not in the pursuit of a worthwhile dream or goal, you are not living. You are merely existing. (That totally sounds like something I read in A Purpose Driven Life. So if I am plagiarizing it, so sorry to the author. It is true though!) So ask yourself, are you a wisher or a dreamer...? 

Monday, July 11, 2011

Jam Sessions

          Have you ever been doing some small organizational task at work or cleaning your house and suddenly your singing a song under your breath? Have you ever thought, "When did I hear that song last?"  Think very carefully about the music you listen to. The lyrics will stick in your head. Your thoughts effect your attitude and your attitude determines who you are at the core. So filter everything that goes into that head of yours!  Stay away from pityparty and vindictive songs. Make sure you listen to upbeat and positive songs.
          Have you ever been at your house and had a jam session? A jam session is where you run around in pajamas and  socked feet dancing and sliding on a wood floor to your favorite music...It can make you feel powerful and confident. You might even sing along and imagine yourself as some famous singer. The positive songs can lift a bad mood and give you courage. They can jazz you up enough to take action you wouldn't otherwise.
          Songs can take you back to memories long forgotten. They can bring emotions to the surface and express things you couldn't figure out how to put into words. Many times when I listen to a good song I am inspired to write. The song helps me feel the emotion and paint a picture of what I see in my mind. Sometimes songs make you fall in love. Sometimes they teach you what is important in life. Sometimes they just make you laugh...

Here is a list of some of my favorite songs for my jam sessions:

1.    This Is Me by MIndy McCready
2.    Note To God by Charice
3.    Ride Of Your Life by John Gregory
4.    Don't Happen Twice by Kenny Chesney
5.    How Forever Feels by Kenny Chesney
6.    Back Where I Come From by Kenny Chesney
7.    Mayberry by Rascal Flatts
8.    Stomp by God's Property
9.    A Moment Like This by Kelly Clarkson
10.  Happy Girl by Matina McBride
11.  Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Katharine McPhee
12.  Dance, Dance, Dance by Steve Miller Band
13.  The Heart Of Rock And Roll by Huey Lewis And The News
14.  I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
15.  Runnin' Down A Dream by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
16.  Free Fallin' by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
17.  Learning To Fly by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
18.  This Magic Moment by Jay And The Americans
19.  Little Bitty by Alan Jackson
20.  Joy To The World by Three Dog Night
21.  Drive by Alan by Alan Jackson
22.  If We Hold On Together by Diana Ross
23.  Meat and Potato Man by Alan Jackson
24.  No Fear by Terri Clark
25.  Footloose by Kenny Loggins
26.  Where I Come From by Alan Jackson
27.  Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning) by Alan Jackson
28.  Serve The The Lord by Carmen
29.  Be Blessed by Ivan Parker
30.  I Rose To Riches by Ivan Parker
31.  I Love Livin' For The Lord by Ivan Parker
32. The Good Stuff by Kenny Chesney
33.  I've Had My Moments by Emerson Drive
34.  19 Something by Mark Willis
35.  Green Grass Grows by Tim McGraw
36.  Young by Kenny Chesney
37.  Blessed by Martina McBride
38.  Point of Light by Randy Travis
39.  I Love You by Martina McBride
40.  Silver and Gold by Dolly Parton
41.  I'm Already There by Lonestar
42.  My Front Porch Looking In by Lonestar
43.  What If Jesus Comes Back Like That by Collin Raye
44.  Love Remains by Collin Raye
45.  We Will Rock You by Queen
46.  We Are The Champions by Queen
47.  I Like It, I Love It by Tim McGraw
48.  Deeper Than The Holler by Randy Travis
49.  Forever Amen by Randy Travis
50.  Heroes And Friends by Randy Travis
51.  He Walked On Water by Randy Travis
52.  Only In America by Brooks and Dunn
53.  Proud To Be An American by Lee Greenwood
54.  An American Child by Phil Vasser
54.  We Shall Be Free by Garth Brooks
55.  Believe In You by Amanda Marshall
56.  Love Lift Me by Amanda Marshall
57.  Ride by Amanda Marshall
58.  Great God by Carmen
59.  I Feel Jesus by Carmen
60.  Addicted To Jesus by Carmen
61.  God's Got An Army by Carmen
62.  No Way, We Are Not Ashamed by Carmen
63.  This Blood by Carmen
64.  Soap Song By Carmen
65.  Who's In The House by Carmen
66.  Amazing Grace By Chris Tomlin
67.  Amazing Love by Chris Tomlin
68.  Lovin' Every Minute Of It by Loverboy
69.  This Could Be The Night by Loverboy
70.  Almost Paradise by Loverboy
71.  Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship
72.  It's Not Over (Till It's Over) by Starship
73.  Some body To Lean On by Bill Withers
74.  There's A Hero by Billy Gilman
75.  I Hope You Dance by Leann Womack
76.  My List by Toby Keith

        These are some of the best songs I found going through my cd's. If I find any others I might update this list later. But I also wanted to ask you all to share some of your favorite uplifting and principal based songs. You know the ones that make you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. Or maybe the ones that get you off the couch and bouncing up and down!  Either way, what are you listening to when you turn the volume up? 

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Positively Present Quote

          This is a quote from a blog I follow called Positively Present.  The post is called "A Vacation State of Mind." This is the wisest thing I have heard said on a blog.  The writer is about to take a vacation in England, a foreign country. "This vacation will be a test for me, I know. I will be out of my comfort zone. I will be in situations where I have very little control. But you know what I can be comfortable with and in control of? My state of mind. Today I'm choosing to let go -- to put worries away -- and embrace a vacation state of mind." She simply makes a choice...A wise man once told me that choosing how to think is as simple as looking left or looking right.
          Whenever I worry about something I stop and ask myself a question. "Will it matter in 5 years?" If it won't matter then, it probably isn't worth all that mental energy. If that doesn't work then I ask myself, "What is the worst thing that could happen?" Then I answer the question. Let me give you an example. I sell really expensive stuff and lots of people have access to it. Co-workers are not always as honest as I am. So I do a daily inventory of the merchandise.  If something was to go missing my boss says that will keep me from getting in trouble. If the owner decided they had to let someone go over stolen merchandise, they would either fire me or my boss. Which do you think is more likely? I could worry about things being stolen. I could worry about losing my job. Maybe something would be stolen and my boss would call me to the office.  I could be biting my nails in fear that they would let me go. I could tell myself that in this recession I'll never get a new job. I could go in that office expecting to be let go. OR I could decide that even if I was let go, I am confident and capable of getting another job. I could decide that if I have to go on unemployment or move in with parents for a short time, I will find a job quickly. I could decide to expect to be thanked for my good record keeping. I could be told that is was that record keeping that allowed them to determine the shift on which the merchandise went missing and recover it.  I could decide that I control my attitude and my actions!
          
  

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Mirror

          Do you have a full length mirror in your home? This can be a powerful tool when it comes to speaking things into your life. Lets say you want to be in shape and feel attractive. As you work out it helps to be able to see your whole body start to change. Tell yourself in a mirror all the things you love about your body. Work on making the bad places better. Everyday acknowledge that work and imagine that part of you when you finish. Even if you don't immediately see results, it is good to just see yourself smile as you imagine that better future.
          You can look in the mirror and say you are what ever it is you want to be. Say it with boldness! Say it loudly! You will feel your heart speed up. It will motivate you to take action. I look in the mirror and tell myself, "I am a buff, bad to the bone, kick butt lady!" I am losing weight and gaining muscle everyday. Wonder why?
          When I was younger I used to imagine myself as a character with super human abilities from one of my favorite science fiction shows. Now when I day dream I go in front of the mirror and start acting out scenes from my life in 5 years.  Do you know what you want to be doing in 5 years? Will you still be at the same job? Will you live in the same city? Is that good or bad?
          I do say things that are negative in the mirror as long as I follow them with good things. For example, I have a really hard time being consistant about calling and seeing family and friends. I have been doing better recently. I've made more of an effort and I schedule phone calls in my calendar. I have trouble keeping the house work caught up. I've learned that dishes need to be done the same night you cooked/ate on them. I've also learned that laundry can be done while you do other things. Now I just have to learn to hang clean clothes and not pile them in the bedroom floor. (Dirty clothes do actually make it to the hamper in the hall.) I stood in front of the mirror, embraced the embarrassment, and admitted that I am not productive with a month. I am not productive with a week. But a wise man showed me that I can rock a day! I made a promise to myself in that mirror to rock a day. To set no more than 5 objectives a day and to blow them out asap. Then I can enjoy the rest of my day.
          A mirror can show you your faults. It can even show you your future if you have the eye to see it. Most importantly I mirror can show your beauty! So take a good long look...

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Poll Results

          So I wanted to see how so peeps felt about prayer. Prayer is a powerful use of words. It is powerful because those prayers can be answered. It is powerful because of the peace it can bring the one who prays. But it is also powerful because the evidence of it's power can effect others. It inspires people. It can make them fearful or joyful.
          The poll said, "WHERE DO YOU THINK PRAYER (A MOMENT OF SILENCE) SHOULD BE ALLOWED?
At public athletic events?

Anywhere in public as long as not making others pray

In privacy of home and at church
  
In schools
Anywhere but in the schools

          Only two people answered the poll. Both chose "Anywhere in public as long as not 
making others pray.  This is not the amount of participation I was hoping for in a poll. I 
will be continuing to post polls. Hopefully they next one will get better results. Feel free 
to comment. 

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Entitlement Attitude

          It seems to me that there is a growing change of attitude in this nation. It used to be that  the American way was to work hard and earn a living. People were proud of what they did. If it earned them material things, they treated those things with respect. For example, my grandfather worked for a radio station and was able to buy a pickup truck. He washed it all the time and always had the fluids checked and full. It was his baby! He was proud of the truck because he earned it. The nation's attitude is now one of expectation.
          People think that they are supposed to have everything handed to them on a silver platter. For example, I work at a retail store. We sell food as well as many household items. I see people that are wearing really nice clothes pay for food with food stamps. Then I help them purchase a huge flat screen tv with cash. When I go help them load the tv in their car and they are driving a Lexus! Example number 2, I go help a lady in her 60's buy video games. As I ring up her items she says that she is buying this for a grandson that has a birthday. I say he must have been good to get 2 games. She says no that one grandson has a birthday but  the other gets a game too. She buys both a gift so the one not having a birthday won't feel left out! I cannot wrap my head around this concept! When I was young I went to sibling and cousin birthday parties all the time. You knew the routine. The birthday kid got a gift and you were lucky if you got a piece of cake. That is normal. Example 3, I am sitting in the breakroom at work and a lady tells me that her kid is in middle school. The kid just tried out for baseball. He made it on the team and he is good but there is a problem. There is a boy on the team who stinks. He doesn't want to play but his parents make him. He is no good but the couch has to put him on the team. Naturally I ask why he has to put this boy on the team. The lady says that the couch has to put all the boys who try out on the team! I am dazed but I ask why. She says because they don't want to hurt any of the boys fragile self-esteem! Ok I thought the idea was for you to build the confidence of the boys that made it on the team. I thought that those who didn't were supposed to be aware they need to improve and be challenged to improve before the next tryouts! Example 4, The government issues bailouts to failing companies. I pull into my drive way and see my neighbors car. There is a decal on the rear windshield. It says, "Where's my bailout?" Example 5, I'm ringing up latin cd's for a latin man. His total is $20-30. He pulls out a wad of bills and pulls off a $100 bill. I say, "Wow! I wish I made that kind of money. What do you do?" He says he works construction. I ask if he is an engineer. He says no he puts on roofs. I laugh and ask if he needs help. He says, "You can't do it, you have to pay taxes." Last example,  I have a display of movies out that are all $15. The price is made with these big numbers that slide into the sign. A customer takes out the 5. Now it reads $1. The customer grabs a stacks of dvd's. There are probably 10-12 dvd's. They plop them down on my counter. When I ring the first one up it says $15. They say no all these are supposed to be $1. I say no this whole display is $15. They walk me over and show me that it says $1. I find the missing number and put it up. They make me call a manager to complain so they can get it at $1. The thing that makes me mad is the the manager doesn't want to deal with them. Instead of walking back there they just call. They make me explain on the phone in front of the customer. Then they say, "Well just give it to them!"
          As a nation we have changed thought processes. We need to change our internal speech. We need to remember the ideals on which this nation was founded. We need to speak more pride and integrity into ourselves! America is not supposed to be a hand out but a hand up! We need to speak confidence and an others centered perspective into our children. The future of the nation is the children. We need to speak them into bold, confident, and creative leaders! Not a cry baby who didn't get an I-pod on his brothers birthday! If we are going to be a nation with an attitude of expectation, let's be one of higher expectation! One that sets a standard of what the power of positive words, thoughts, and actions can do!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

It's Not A Lie

          There are three parts of speaking that are hard to grasp. One is to always talk about where you are going. Talk about what you have, not what you want. The second part is to talk in the present tense. The last part is not just hard to do but essential. Let me explain.
          Some people can't understand speaking they are in shape when they are out of shape. I had trouble with this when I first started speaking against some of my worst demons. People would coorrect my speech and I would cry, "But, it's a lie!" I have since realized that speaking is not a lie. It is a prayer. It is you having faith in God and in yourself that things will be.
          Speaking in the present tense is really important. Suppose you say, "I will be active and healthy." You just implied that you are not healthy now. You also just put the completion of the goal off another day. You have given yourself a free pass to eat unhealthy today. How many times have you said you will do something and never got around to it? Now suppose you say, "I am active and healthy." You are more likley to say yes when asked to go for a walk. You are likely to eat healthy. You will act healthy now and get healthy faster.
          These two parts of speaking are vital if you want to speak things to life. But the last part is the most difficult to grasp. FAITH. If you don't force yourself to believe what you speak it won't come to be. Get mad if you have to! Yell it in a mirror! Just beat it in hard and loud enough to drown out any doubt or negative voices! Consistancy is a key. Say it over and over to yourself till it jumps off your lips. Then you'll see exponential results!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Keeping Your Promises

          A wise man once said, "An honest man's word is as good as his bond."(Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra) Friends need to know they can rely on you. If you want true lasting relationships with others there has to be unbreakable trust between you. 
          People who don't keep their promises do not protray a good business image. Being on time and following through with things that you say you will do, is key. It shows the customer that it is about them and not you. It builds loyalty. For example, if you make a contract with another company, you have to follow that contract or face legal charges. If you say something about your product to get people to buy it, it better be true. If you sell it to someone and it is not true, you lose more than the trust of that one customer. You lose every potential customer that asks their opinion.
          It is especially vital that you keep promises to children. They hang on your every word. If you break a promise it breaks their heart and weakens your bond. Teaching your children to keep promises is giving them a legacy. It is a legacy of integrity that they will pass on to their children. 
          Many of the promises people break seem small to them. But to others they are large. For example, if you tell a loved one you will call or visit, you should. To you it just slipped your mind. To them it is an indication of your lack of thought and caring for them. If you need to, when you make a promise like that, book it in your calendar right then. Keeping these promises only requires a change of attitude. It is a maturity issue. Either you chose to think twice before you speak, so as to mean what you say, or you don't. Also if someone asks something of you that you don't want to do, say no. Don't promise and then blow them off. They may not be important to you but if you lie, you lose your creditability. You do not lose it with just them. You lose it with anyone who knows and yourself. 
          Keeping promises to yourself builds belief in yourself. If you want to be sure you can keep promises to yourself then you need to do 3 things. One, make your promise or goal specific and realistic. Two, have a clear plan of action. Lastly, ask yourself if you want your promise or goal bad enough to do what is required on a daily basis. The last part is crucial. Don't lie to yourself here or your will not keep your promise to yourself! 
          (NKJV) Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." In other words, God keeps his promises. (KJV) 3 John 1:2 says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." So hold fast to the promise of God that you will prosper. Then in his name and his honor remember the importance of keeping your promises!

Mow-Mow

           This year has been challenging. It was April when I lost my great Aunt Ruth. Then in december I lost my dad. Now I have lost my grandmother. All these losses have saddened me but I handled them well. I was the rock my mom needed when my grandmother passed. It was hard going thru Mow-Mow's things. I kept my Mom and Aunt Cindy positive and productive. I tried to consistently have a positive mental attitude. Mom told me that she could not have gotten through any of it without me. That made my heart swell with pride. That is what it means to be a blessing to others. To know you have made a difference in their life. But her words made a difference in mine as well.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Edification

           There are two things people need to know to feel like their life is worthwhile. They need to know that what they do matters and that they are loved. They will only know this for certain if you tell them. There are a few people who have high self confidence that need very little reinforcement and who are self motivated. Even those however, would achieve greater things faster, if someone told them how good of a job they were doing. Your love and praise also endures people to you. They will love, support, and edify you as well.
          This blog is a great example. Of course writing it is helping me maintain a positive thought process. Mostly however, I do it to get followers. I want followers so I can pass that thought process onto them. I also want them because I crave edification. I want people to tell me I helped them. I want people to be proud of me for insightful remarks. I say this without guilt because everyone wants to know that what they do matters!
          If a random stranger finds my blog through google and follows it, I get a sense of accomplishment. If they make a nice comment, it fills me with pride and excitement. If my mother follows my blog I feel humble and satisfied. I feel inspired in all areas of my life by or because of that edification. I want to take on harder and bigger challenges. So if you are proud of someone be sure to tell them. It can mean the world to them! If you love someone, say it! That simple statement can empower someone to achieve amazing things!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Word of God

          The word of God, the words in the bible, is a powerful thing for christians around the world.  Those words are sometimes taken too literally. Sometimes they are taken out of context. Whether they are understood correctly or not, they are powerful! Even to those who oppose the word of God, it is powerful. Words can sway us to tears, passionate anger, or the inspiration of a lifetime!
          The word of God can forgive any soul of any crime and heal sickness. It can offer a relationship with  someone who loves you unconditionally. Words that can do that draw others to them. In 3 John 1:2 it says that God wants you to prosper and be well in all things. Many people don't have anyone in their lives that love them unconditionally. So these words are very powerful in their lives.
          The word of God has inspired philosophical debates about the origin of life. People try to line science up with what the bible says about those origins. Genesis says "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." That statement has been the topic of much debate. We ask two questions that always burn in the human mind. they are, "How?" and "Why?" All this pondering our existence is born from reading 10 words. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
          Words have power. So don't just open your mouth and say the first thing that comes to mind! Words stir emotions. Words motivate. Words discourage. Words breed hate. Words inspire love. Words heal hearts of wounds inflicted by other's words. Words have the power to either curse or bless. That power is in your control. It's up to you to chose if you will hate, discourage, and wound people. Or if you will motivate, love, heal, and bless others.  

Monday, January 31, 2011

Ward Off Illness

          I personally believe that your words have the power to heal. This subject however is the cause of much debate. You guys can hash this out in the comment section. However, I believe that you can speak things into existence. Of course a big part of the debate on this is that for many people the belief is tied to a strong belief in God. I am a christian and I believe God can heal anything. I don't believe that He always chooses to, no matter how hard we pray. My dad was sick with Lou Gehrig's and my grandmother said if he prayed and had faith he would be healed. My dad told her that he had asked to be healed and God had clearly said no. I don't think that comment was angry just resolved.
          However, many people have had miracles happen to them. I will give you one example that happened to people I know. The first was a mom who just gave birth to her second child. Her first child was a few years old and able to talk. This little girl had been told that God existed and prayed but had not went to church or sunday school. She did not know who Jesus was or is at all. When the mom went to wash dishes, she took the newborn in a carrier and sat her in the kitchen floor. The first born girl was running through the house and into the hall. All this seems normal but there was a problem. Let me back up a little. When the newborn was first home and in the crib, there was a loud crash. Something broke. The mom ran into the room expecting to see a rudely awakened baby screaming. Instead she found the baby fast asleep. Later a relative came to visit and started calling out the babies name as soon as she entered the room. The baby did not turn her head. The relative hid behind the baby and spoke into each ear. The baby did not move. Only when the relative moved into the babies sight did it react. The mom finally decided that she had to take the baby to a hearing doctor. But she allowed no one in the family to speak what might be wrong. She would not allow the family to call any relatives and tell them. When she went to the doctor she told him if something was wrong he had to tell her without saying it. After the exam the doctor came in, slowly sat down. and sighed. When he looked at the mom all he said was, "why don't you come back in a few weeks." The mom knew what this meant but didn't voice it. At home no one spoke it. Now go back to the mom washing dishes. The baby is in the floor. The oldest girl is running through the room and into hall. After a moment the oldest girl comes back into the kitchen. She walks up to the baby. She puts her hands on the babies ears. Then she says, "By His stripes you are healed!" She kisses the baby on the head and runs back into the hall. The mom hearing this is startled and yells out the oldest girls name. The baby jerks and starts to cry. The mom picks up the baby to comfort her and runs after the oldest girl. The mom asks why the oldest girl did that to the baby. The oldest girl says there was a man in the hall that told her to do it. She says his name was Jesus. The next doctor's appointment the baby was declared perfectly healthy.
          Can words heal? Can not speaking a sickness prevent or reverse it? Is God somehow involved in the process? I don't have all the answers. Still, there are enough of these stories that I live healthy and say, "I never get sick. I will be 80 years old and climbing mountains! You are only as old as you feel."

Word of Mouth Advertising

          Have you ever been to a movie and hated it? Did you ever tell a friend that you hated it and they decided not to see it? Let's turn that around. Did you ever go see and under advertised movie that rocked? Ever talk a friend into seeing it? Or how about a video game. Did you ever play an awesome game and convince a friend to buy it? Or maybe you went to the new restaurant before any of your friends. How was it? Will you recommend that they get a certain menu item?
          All the examples above are word of mouth advertising. If you like something and tell a friend, you just helped that company. If you don't like it, you just wasted all the money they spent on commercials. Your opinion is a valuable walking advertisement. If you are also a business person you should realize how important word of mouth is and use it to your advantage. For example, I pray that people will like my blog on Facebook. I hope their friends will see it and check out my blog as well. Social networking sites really enhance word of mouth and can get the message to more people in less time.
          However, most people out there are consumers not business owners. So at the very least we should be aware of how our support of different companies and products affects their sales. It is just another example of the power in our words.

     *If you want an opportunity to use word of mouth for your own profit, email me or click this link:


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Friendship

      


 Friends have a special power in their words. Their relationship with a friend gives their words an even greater power. A lie will cut more deeply. The truth may be hard to hear. It may hurt to realize. But it is more easily heard from a friends lips. Like medicine being given by a loving mom.
          As a friend you can see the other person more clearly than others. As a friend you want to help the other person. You feel a duty to tell them the truth. But at as a friends you also should and want to build up their confidence. To speak positive into them until they find peace with and confidence in themselves. You speak positive into their life because you want it to manifest and be true. But you also speak it into their life because you believe in them and believe it must already be true.
          When you really care about someone and you see that what you said helped them, changed their life, you feel one of the greatest joys that exists. When you help others find the purpose for their life, when they feel their life matters, you feel as if your life matters.




                                                  

Monday, January 17, 2011

Music

          Have you ever been working and suddenly a song pops into your head. You may singing one line over and over or it may be the whole song. When this happens people have all kinds of ways to get rid of the song. Some people have to find the song and listen to it. Some people have to listen to lots of other songs. One friend of mine says he can't ever get rid of the last song he heard that morning. Therefore, he intentionally picks what song to listen to last. He hopes that it will be the one he repeats all day.
          This is a silly example, but what you hear can never be unheard. What you hear is absorbed at a subconscious level. Even if you listen to a song while you are washing dishes and not paying much attention, your body remembers. You could easily be singing it later and wondering where and when you heard it recently.
          Music usually affects your mood as well. So if your mind is replaying moody and depressed music, you will be depressed. Many people today buy relaxation cd's with soft sounds of the earth to help them fall asleep and sleep deeply. This is because the music affects the way they feel and makes them drowsy. It also continues to affect them on a subconscious level in their sleep.
          I personally recall when I first started my job and sitting in the break room. It was full of people complaining. All that negativity would upset me. After awhile of working there, I noticed that the break room did not bother me as much. Slowly a friend began to point out my thought process. I began to realize that I had become much more negative. Hearing all of those complaints had subconsciously affected me. Now if I sit in the break room I try to be a voice of positive.
          I have also personally been watching what I let myself hear. I listen to cd's in the car that are from inspirational people like John Maxwell. I let myself constantly hear things that grow me as a person. At home when I'm doing house work, I listen to inspirational music. Songs with lyrics like, "tonight's going to be a good night" or songs like "Ride of Your Life" from "What A Girl Wants."
          So remember that just as much as what you say and see will manifest in your life, so will what you hear.  

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Cussing

          This topic is a touchy one. People don't like to be told what to do. They especially hate being told that they are doing something wrong. It is even uglier if they think the person correcting them is guilty of the same crime and not admitting it. Well my friends, I admit that I am guilty of this very thing as well. That is why it was on my mind to share. Although I dislike writing about this topic just because it is negative, I must for that same reason. Words have power. We must not only harness the power of positive words in our life but seek to cleanse our words/life of negative.
          There are other reasons to stop cussing as well. If you are cussing it means you are upset and therefore you are focusing on negative. When you focus on negative it changes your perspective from blessings to the glass is half empty. If you keep that perpective long enough, it will cause you to expect negative and you get what you expect. Also, if you endeavor to stop cussing you will be more conscious of your words in general. You can use that awareness to evaluate the accuracy of the things you tell yourself and others about yourself. Lastly, cussing is considered unprofessional and some supervisors will consider that fact heavily when promoting employees.  
           Christians know that they are not supposed to be cussing. Col 3: 5-8 says, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourself of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips."
          Maybe you are thinking, "Thanks MOM!" Or maybe you are thinking that you already knew everything I just told you. The point was not to educate you. It was to remind all of us, myself included, that this is not something to blow off. We shouldn't just wave it away and say, "yeah i know...sigh". This is something we should truly endeavor to change in all our lives.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Wealth vs. Lack

          There are two ways that you can look at life. You can either see the glass half empty or half full. Most people already know this phrase. What the don't know is, which ever way you see the glass is the glass from which you will drink.
          Have you ever bough a new car, let's say a Subaru Outback, then it seems like you see them everywhere you go? Whatever you focus on is what you will receive. Whatever you speak will come into existence. If you say that you are broke and think of yourself, which is saying inside your head, as broke, you will be broke. If you think of yourself as richly blessed, you will be.
          Many people are overweight and out of shape. Many of those same people know that it is unhealthy and that they should change. But they are comfortable. They like eating pasta and cheesecake. It is much easier to sit at home and watch tv while eating Doritos. Frankly, while they know they should care about being healthy, they don't really care. They have accepted themselves as being that weight and accepted that lifestyle. As long as they see themselves that way, they will remain that weight. It is the vision of a skinny healthy person with a completely different lifestyle they must see before they will change. 
           Whatever you see, say, think, and focus on is what you will have. You can see the glass half empty or you can have a blessed life. Chose your words carefully!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Daddy

          Some of you are probably wondering why I have not posted lately. The reason is simple. Time. My dad passed recently and I have been busy and emotional. I wanted to wait till I could reflect on the events and learn something before I posted a blog.
          I am glad I waited because I learned two valuable things I wanted to share with my readers. One is that in every hard thing we go through, there is an opportunity for us to be blessed. We only have to look for that blessing and accept it. The second is what it truly means to live a life of no regrets.
          I learned that with my dad passing I would be blessed in several ways. One way is that I would renew ties with family and friends that I had not seen in a decade. Another blessing was that I was moving into the stage of my life where I would have a family of my own. It is not that I am married yet or that I am having a baby. However I have spent two years of holidays with my boyfriends family. His dad has accepted me and been wonderful while I was grieving over my dad. I have been cooking for my boyfriend's family functions. We talk about getting married soon. It just feels like my life is heading that direction. Still I connected with a lot of my dad's side of the family that I hadn't seen in a long time. I made a decision to honor dad's love for them. I'll honor him by being closer to those relatives. 
          When dad passed I saw all the people who were there for me and realized how many blessing I had in my life. I accepted them and made a decision to be a blessing back to those people. Dad also made me realize if you want to love someone and bless them, one great way to do that is with your words.  You tell them you love them and make them laugh. People may know that they are loved but they need to hear it and see it in your eyes when you say it. No one ever doubted my dad's love. He told you all the time. He would do anything for you. He could make anyone laugh. He lived a life of no regrets.
          I used to think living with no regrets meant doing everything right. Now I know that it means taking the risk of making a mistake because you never let an opportunity slip by. No regrets means never wishing you had said or done something. It means telling people how you feel. It means going after what you want with all you have! If you make a mistake you learn from it and move on. Don't regret taking action. Existing without ever living is what you should regret!