Time for an integrity check, friends.
If your friends, family, and co-workers were asked to rate you on your integrity, how would you score? When you make a promise or say that you will do something in particular, what is your completion rate? Would you be horrified to hear that you let people down on a regular basis, or would they give you rave reviews?
Long gone are the days of "being a man ( or woman ) of your word" in our society. Sadly, a handshake and a promise are not worth much. When you fail to fulfill a promise or duty, it not only reflects poorly on you, but in my opinion, if you are a believer and follower of Christ, it tarnishes His image as well.
Today I am having a hard time feeling very full of sparkle, because someone in my life did not follow through with a pledge to me, and now something important has gone undone. It wouldn't be so bad, but a chain reaction of events has begun and it will be a chore to fix it. In moments like this, I make note of how frustrating it is to be on the other end of a lack of integrity and I vow to try harder in my own life to not be the one disappointing someone.
"Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not for men." Colossians 3:23
I don't think any of us would brush off a commitment or promise to God, so why do we feel like we can half heartedly take care of our earthly promises? Maybe that's the problem. Many of us don't take our commitment to the Lord seriously, and therefore we aren't in tune with how we may not be taking our integrity and promises to heart.
I challenge all of us, myself included, to think of 2 or 3 promises or commitments we have made that may have fallen by the wayside in our busy lives. Write them down on an index card or Post It note and look at them daily. Pray about your response to those pledges of integrity. Where can you improve? What action needs to take place? Do you need to apologize for letting someone down? It may be tough to swallow, but by being more aware of where we have shortcomings, we can grow into a better example of who Christ is in us.
May your day be filled with Sparkle, from the inside out.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Trust and Obey
Many of you will remember my struggle last week with patience. I had been frustrated with one of the Universities that my daughter, Millie, had applied to and waiting for their response to her application. After unsuccessfully dealing with my lack of patience on my own, I finally did what I should have from the very beginning and trusted God with the situation.
Quickly, I relaxed on the inside and the outside and felt that a weight had been lifted. And it had. The moment that you trust the Lord with an area of struggle it doesn't go away, however He is able to provide you with a peace that is unexplainable. His Holy Spirit also comes along side you in your walk to share your burden, and offer you support and comfort while you most need it. Why do we hold onto our worries and stresses, when all of these blessings await us when we give our troubles to Christ?
Two days after I gave my problem of impatience back to God, Millie got her answer. At first there was disappointment that Stanford hadn't admitted her, but quickly there was peace. How could we question the door being shut on that option when it was exactly what we had prayed for? Direction, answers, wisdom and peace with the big decision that would need to be made once Stanford responded was all handled for her in that moment! She was being cared for by the God of the Universe in the most efficient and amazing way. That is exactly the experience that every mom wants for her little girl! (By the way, University of the Pacific is very lucky to have her for the next 4 years!!)
As part of our giving our troubles to the Lord, we have a responsibility to rejoice in the answer He provides, whether it is the answer we desire or not. That is where the growing is. In being obedient and allowing God to lead us, we gain so much more than just going through the motions. Often we forget that the more we give to the Christ, the more we receive in return. Don't think that for one second that your worries are too big or too small for Him. He wants them all and He wants to bless you through them. Isn't that what love is, after all?
Today, give Him your burden or problem... but you must remember to let Him take it completely and remember to rejoice at the outcome!
May your day be filled with Sparkle, from the inside out!
Quickly, I relaxed on the inside and the outside and felt that a weight had been lifted. And it had. The moment that you trust the Lord with an area of struggle it doesn't go away, however He is able to provide you with a peace that is unexplainable. His Holy Spirit also comes along side you in your walk to share your burden, and offer you support and comfort while you most need it. Why do we hold onto our worries and stresses, when all of these blessings await us when we give our troubles to Christ?
Two days after I gave my problem of impatience back to God, Millie got her answer. At first there was disappointment that Stanford hadn't admitted her, but quickly there was peace. How could we question the door being shut on that option when it was exactly what we had prayed for? Direction, answers, wisdom and peace with the big decision that would need to be made once Stanford responded was all handled for her in that moment! She was being cared for by the God of the Universe in the most efficient and amazing way. That is exactly the experience that every mom wants for her little girl! (By the way, University of the Pacific is very lucky to have her for the next 4 years!!)
As part of our giving our troubles to the Lord, we have a responsibility to rejoice in the answer He provides, whether it is the answer we desire or not. That is where the growing is. In being obedient and allowing God to lead us, we gain so much more than just going through the motions. Often we forget that the more we give to the Christ, the more we receive in return. Don't think that for one second that your worries are too big or too small for Him. He wants them all and He wants to bless you through them. Isn't that what love is, after all?
Today, give Him your burden or problem... but you must remember to let Him take it completely and remember to rejoice at the outcome!
May your day be filled with Sparkle, from the inside out!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Abundance of Encouragement
Today I got a fortune in my cookie at lunch that I wanted to share with all of you.
"Share your insights with close friends for rewards this week."
I feel so extraordinarily blessed this week! Many of you, my dear friends, have sent me messages via Facebook, texts, or personally told me that you are loving the Sparkle Girl Blog and that it is helping you get through the day. Really? What a humbling reality for me.
For a long time now, I have had many people tell me that I should be a writer and photographer professionally, but of course I doubted my own gifts and figured they were just being nice. Now, what started as almost a dare from a couple of friends, is proving to be a very growing experience for me and apparently those close to me.
Thank you for letting Sparkle Girl into your hearts and lives. More than anything, I am grateful to the Holy Spirit for leading me to write what He lays on my heart and what may be used to bring peace and goodness to a world that desperately needs it. My goal is to keep up the blog as long as I feel the Lord will be using me in your lives... so make sure you keep tuning in to see what will happen next! Whether "The Adventures of Sparkle Girl" is read by 5 people a day or 500, I am excited to hear from each one of you if something really jumps out to you or gives you encouragement. Please feel free to leave comments and offer suggestions, if there is a topic you would like me to try and cover!
Blessings for a wonderful weekend to each and every one of you... be safe and may your day be filled with Sparkle from the inside out!
"Share your insights with close friends for rewards this week."
I feel so extraordinarily blessed this week! Many of you, my dear friends, have sent me messages via Facebook, texts, or personally told me that you are loving the Sparkle Girl Blog and that it is helping you get through the day. Really? What a humbling reality for me.
For a long time now, I have had many people tell me that I should be a writer and photographer professionally, but of course I doubted my own gifts and figured they were just being nice. Now, what started as almost a dare from a couple of friends, is proving to be a very growing experience for me and apparently those close to me.
Thank you for letting Sparkle Girl into your hearts and lives. More than anything, I am grateful to the Holy Spirit for leading me to write what He lays on my heart and what may be used to bring peace and goodness to a world that desperately needs it. My goal is to keep up the blog as long as I feel the Lord will be using me in your lives... so make sure you keep tuning in to see what will happen next! Whether "The Adventures of Sparkle Girl" is read by 5 people a day or 500, I am excited to hear from each one of you if something really jumps out to you or gives you encouragement. Please feel free to leave comments and offer suggestions, if there is a topic you would like me to try and cover!
Blessings for a wonderful weekend to each and every one of you... be safe and may your day be filled with Sparkle from the inside out!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
What's in a Name?
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet."~~ W. Shakespeare
Did you ever know someone (maybe yourself) that named their car? My husband named his 2nd car "The Fire Chicken", my first car was "Zippy" and we currently have a "Rex" parked in the driveway.
Which makes two "Rex"s for our house... as our 15 year old, Remington, decided in 5th grade that he preferred "Rex" to the "Remmy" that we had called him since he was a baby.
My daughter, Millie, is actually named Millicent... which started out as a joke before she was born.
(Milli-cent or "Little Penny"... get it?) You might say, I prefer names with a little more "Sparkle" than the more common names that some people name their children.
I grew up with a rather uncommon name. I could never buy the packs of personalized stickers, pencils or key chains like my friends with names like Kathy, Jill, or Amy. Sometimes I dreamed of a "regular" name for myself... Debbie was always my first pick. But now, as an adult, I have learned to embrace my name for all that it is. I can't imagine being called anything other than Penny. (Although I would like to try "Your Majesty" ... if I could get my kids to give it a go!)
When Kevin and I first met, nearly 3 years ago, I remember the day when I first heard his last name. I instantly thought, "Oh my gosh! I will have the cutest name EVER!" Later he confessed to me, that when he first saw my name in the first email I sent him, that he thought it would be a great name too. Everywhere I go, I get comments and giggles from people who appreciate they way our names go together. Penny Potts has a fun ring to it, you have to admit.
Even more exciting than my fun newlywed name, is this concept: those who choose to follow Christ and identify with His Glory are given a "new name", according to several places in scripture! This tells me that who we think we are on earth, is but a glimpse of who we will be in eternity where Jesus will write this new name upon us. The wonderful thing about this is that it won't be just any old name he places over us. It will be HIS name because He wants us to be a part of Him in the most intimate way, by sharing who He is with us. Isn't that something to look forward to?
You can get started on your re-naming process today, my friend. Ask Christ to begin transforming you into the person that He created you to be. He will help you find out who He is and what is important to Him along the way.
May your day be filled with Sparkle, from the inside out!
My patience is being tried. Severely. Yes, I have 4 teenagers and a 9 year old living in my house, and yet, they are not the source of my impatience.
Who is?
Leland Stanford Junior University, that's who.
My daughter, Millie, sent off her application at the end of December for this wonderful school and the wait began. We knew it would be awhile before she received a response from the Office of Admissions, and that was o.k. with us... in JANUARY! Here we are, merely 7 days prior to the April 1st notification deadline and all of us are obsessing with the mail, email, and any other form of communication that could bring her the news. I wonder if they are using carrier pigeon this year, because it sure feels like it!
Ironically, Millie seems to be the only one in our family who is relaxed, calm, not watching the calendar days tick by. Perhaps it's because she has also been admitted to another great private university, and awarded their top merit scholarship... what's to worry about, right?
We all know that in Galatians 5:22 we are encouraged to harvest patience in ourselves. Sounds so good, but not so easy to do sometimes. So what's the trick? I have tried staying busy, tried to not think about it, but it's ever present on my mind. The one thing I haven't done is pray for patience.... duh... how easy is that? I have been praying for God's Will in where she chooses to got to school, safety for her away from home, and for all of her plans to be HIS plans, but not for patience. How silly of me! So today, I will shift my obsession to prayerfully seeking more patience and I'm pretty sure I will feel a lot better the minute I do!
Are you in need of a bit more patience today? I encourage you to try asking for more too... Won't it feel great to let go and not be so wound up over things you have no control over?
But before I go, here's a great quote that is exactly how I feel sometimes..."I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end."
Margaret Thatcher
May your day be filled with Sparkle, from the inside out!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Confession of a Sparkle Girl
Ok. According to my friends, family and acquaintances I am "outgoing, bubbly, sparkly, full of sunshine and have never met a stranger". I guess those words do describe me, but how about "shy, nervous, and socially anxious"? Yep... that's me too. Does that surprise you? When I talk about those things with my friend Angel, she just shakes her head in disbelief. Really, it's true. I have a moderate social anxiety that sometimes keeps me from outings, gatherings and even a High School Reunion or two. I despise small talk or "cocktail party" mingling.
I haven't always been this way and the good news is, it's getting better ( I think!)
When I look back at when I started feeling nervous about going to a friend's house to hang out and play games or any other place where I don't know everyone, it seems to be timed with events in my life that left me feeling "unattractive, unwanted, and unnecessary". I desperately wanted to find my perfect someone that would change all of those feelings, and in the meantime began to really believe that I was destined to be alone and anxious. Don't get me wrong. I had then and still have the best friends on the planet that love me so completely and unconditionally. I just didn't believe in myself.
Fast forward to the present. After meeting and falling in love with my amazing husband, who validates me in every way and daily erases a bit of that old insecurity, I finally am beginning to allow myself to be comfortable with ME. I almost even like me now!
Last night, our church was hosting a ladies game night of Bunco and I caught myself debating whether to go or not. I started making my list of reasons why I needed to stay home could feel my heart race at the prospect of making small talk with the women I didn't know. Ugh!! But, instead of passing up the opportunity to laugh and fellowship with some great ladies, I decided to go. After all, I'm pretty fun and nice to be with and besides, God always goes with me and seems to lay out a path of Grace before me. So I trusted that I would be glad that I went and boldly walked into the sanctuary with my head held high. It is no big surprise that I had a wonderful time! I even met a couple of new ladies that I really connected with and can't wait to see again at church.
Christian music artist, JJ Heller, also struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. It was from her experience with them and trusting God to take care of her that she wrote her hit song "Your Hands". This song has been a great reminder to me and maybe the lyrics can touch a special place in you today.
"I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still"
May your day be filled with Sparkle, from the inside out!
I haven't always been this way and the good news is, it's getting better ( I think!)
When I look back at when I started feeling nervous about going to a friend's house to hang out and play games or any other place where I don't know everyone, it seems to be timed with events in my life that left me feeling "unattractive, unwanted, and unnecessary". I desperately wanted to find my perfect someone that would change all of those feelings, and in the meantime began to really believe that I was destined to be alone and anxious. Don't get me wrong. I had then and still have the best friends on the planet that love me so completely and unconditionally. I just didn't believe in myself.
Fast forward to the present. After meeting and falling in love with my amazing husband, who validates me in every way and daily erases a bit of that old insecurity, I finally am beginning to allow myself to be comfortable with ME. I almost even like me now!
Last night, our church was hosting a ladies game night of Bunco and I caught myself debating whether to go or not. I started making my list of reasons why I needed to stay home could feel my heart race at the prospect of making small talk with the women I didn't know. Ugh!! But, instead of passing up the opportunity to laugh and fellowship with some great ladies, I decided to go. After all, I'm pretty fun and nice to be with and besides, God always goes with me and seems to lay out a path of Grace before me. So I trusted that I would be glad that I went and boldly walked into the sanctuary with my head held high. It is no big surprise that I had a wonderful time! I even met a couple of new ladies that I really connected with and can't wait to see again at church.
Christian music artist, JJ Heller, also struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. It was from her experience with them and trusting God to take care of her that she wrote her hit song "Your Hands". This song has been a great reminder to me and maybe the lyrics can touch a special place in you today.
"I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still"
May your day be filled with Sparkle, from the inside out!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Socks
I went to the cutest sock store ever yesterday in Ft. Bragg. It was called "Pippi's Longstockings" and if the sign isn't too cute, I don't know what is.
So Millie, Megan and I went in.... and oh my! The choices were many and adorable. I finally chose a pair that looks like an alligator (complete with teeth) is eating my feet, Millie picked cute garden gnomes with flowers, and Megan selected some labelled "Mismatched". Ok, the "Mismatched" socks are the best idea ever! How could I NOT have come up with this idea? It is a pack of 3 similarly patterned, but different colored socks. Yes, 3 of them in one pack. That way, when the ever elusive "Sock Monster" that lives in all laundry equipment eats one, you still have 2 socks that somewhat go together. I guarantee a mom came up with this marketing scheme!
What is it about socks? I abhor grimy ones, the ones I find under the ottoman in our TV room, and wearing socks to bed. The low cut ones slip down in my shoes and the ones with grippers on the bottom make me stick to the floor and nearly fall on my face. However... there is nothing like putting on a pair of soft, perfectly clean socks for the very first time. When I become independently wealthy from selling an idea that is as brilliant as "Mismatched" socks, I will only wear my socks one time and then donate them to a worthy cause. That will be the measure of my success.
In the meantime, I will continue to seek the eternally lost matches to our socks, nag about the ones left in the family room, and beg the kids to claim theirs from the wash every week. Ahhh... the glory of socks.
May your day be full of Sparkle, from the inside out!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Smell Me a Memory
Isn't the mind a wonderful thing?
A few notes of a song, and I can be taken back to high school in a heartbeat.
Just a nibble of my favorite cake, and I'm celebrating a birthday in my childhood home.
Today, it was the smell of a big fat fume filled Sharpie marker that took me to a far off place.
This place was my kitchen. I am 6 or 7 years old and I am making Shrinky Dinks!
A few notes of a song, and I can be taken back to high school in a heartbeat.
Just a nibble of my favorite cake, and I'm celebrating a birthday in my childhood home.
Today, it was the smell of a big fat fume filled Sharpie marker that took me to a far off place.
This place was my kitchen. I am 6 or 7 years old and I am making Shrinky Dinks!
You know the smell... the plastic curling up as you sit in front of the oven on the floor with the little light on to illuminate the magic! How many hours did I spend making little plastic flowers, hearts, kitties and minute nametags? The options were limitless, unlike a coloring book which contained but a few choices. Shrinky Dinks made my colors come to life, and the tiny plastic pieces were perfect for Barbie or Holly Hobbie to accessorize with! It was the perfect rainy day activity, or any day other than the hottest day in July.
It's funny, I have always loved the smell of those super stinky markers... maybe the Shrinky Dinks is why.
Maybe you can take a minute to think about a fun pasttime from YOUR childhood and recall how much fun it was or how it made you feel. Did you think of one? Did it bring a smile to your face? Can you name a kid or two that might like trying your hobby or game? Make a point to set aside some time in the coming week or two and share your favorite fun thing with them and create new memories with someone you love. I know Megan and I will be digging out our Shrinky Dink plastic and cookin up some fun real soon!
May your day be filled with Sparkle, from the inside out!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
MidDay Haircut
Today I got a haircut on my lunch hour. More of a trim, I would say, but a visit to the beauty shop nonetheless. I love my new hairdresser, Polly. She is a very open, vivacious Christian and she works wonders with my curls. Even though she does magic with my hair, I feel a little "off" because I couldn't fix it the way I know I like it. You know the feeling. No matter how great you know it will be when you can get your hands on it yourself and do your normal "thing", it just doesn't feel right until then. That got me to thinking.
Is that how God feels when we try and do our "own thing" with our lives? After all, He made us, He knows how he designed us to be, and He often has to wait to get His Hands on us to fix us and get us back into place, like hair sprayed or curled into a different style. No one knows us like He does, but He lets us play at fixing our problems, making our own choices and trying something new. Until we realize it's just not working out for us, and we let Him make us over once again. Wow.... that must take an awful lot of patience! ( With some of us, more than others I'm sure!)
So, while I can't wait to take a shower, wash out the extra hair spray and curl inducer to style my hair the way I know it feels best to me, I guess I should more urgently run to my Father to let Him fix a few things in my character that may be out of place. Things like being judgemental, being impatient, and about a dozen other things that I could list. What areas of your life have you tried your hand at "fixing" and now they are a bigger mess than when you started? I suggest we all make an appointment right away for a makeover with God... I know we will just love the results!
May your day be filled with Sparkle, from the inside out!
Is that how God feels when we try and do our "own thing" with our lives? After all, He made us, He knows how he designed us to be, and He often has to wait to get His Hands on us to fix us and get us back into place, like hair sprayed or curled into a different style. No one knows us like He does, but He lets us play at fixing our problems, making our own choices and trying something new. Until we realize it's just not working out for us, and we let Him make us over once again. Wow.... that must take an awful lot of patience! ( With some of us, more than others I'm sure!)
So, while I can't wait to take a shower, wash out the extra hair spray and curl inducer to style my hair the way I know it feels best to me, I guess I should more urgently run to my Father to let Him fix a few things in my character that may be out of place. Things like being judgemental, being impatient, and about a dozen other things that I could list. What areas of your life have you tried your hand at "fixing" and now they are a bigger mess than when you started? I suggest we all make an appointment right away for a makeover with God... I know we will just love the results!
May your day be filled with Sparkle, from the inside out!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
What's Luck Got To Do With It?
Good fortune, an ounce of luck, wishing on a star...
Really?
Do you really know how BLESSED you are? That you are CHOSEN by the Creator of the Universe to live your life? That you are fulfilling your PURPOSE?
In a world that attempts to sell us on the concept of holding our own destiny in our hands, it is important to step back, slow down and remember. Remember that from the time you were being knit inside your mother, only GOD has held the road map or plan to your life. It may not have been the smoothest journey so far, but where did we get the idea that it was supposed to be easy?
I know that personally, there have been many things that have come my way with the potential to destroy who I am over the years. Have I let them tear me down? No.... I didn't have the ability to change the cold hard facts that my brother was killed when I was 5 years old in a very public accident or that my father left us due to his illegal drug addictions or that I had to tell my kids that their mommy and daddy weren't going to live in the same house anymore, but I did have the strength of Someone Bigger than all of those things to get me through the lowest places of my life.
It was during those times that all I could do was lean on the One who holds my life plan, and had good things in store for me on the other side of the valley. Wishing on a star wasn't going to give me the strength I needed, and I couldn't do it alone.
Are you in a valley right now? Are you out of work, buried beneath a mountain of debt, or struggling with medical issues you can't see past? Take rest... slow down and breathe... and TRUST. Not on luck, or a horoscope that may tell you that tomorrow will be better. Trust in the future that God is laying out in front of you. It may not look like the path you had tucked away in your mind's eye, but I guarantee that it will be richer, fuller, and blessed beyond measure!
May your day be filled with SPARKLE, from the inside out!
Really?
Do you really know how BLESSED you are? That you are CHOSEN by the Creator of the Universe to live your life? That you are fulfilling your PURPOSE?
In a world that attempts to sell us on the concept of holding our own destiny in our hands, it is important to step back, slow down and remember. Remember that from the time you were being knit inside your mother, only GOD has held the road map or plan to your life. It may not have been the smoothest journey so far, but where did we get the idea that it was supposed to be easy?
I know that personally, there have been many things that have come my way with the potential to destroy who I am over the years. Have I let them tear me down? No.... I didn't have the ability to change the cold hard facts that my brother was killed when I was 5 years old in a very public accident or that my father left us due to his illegal drug addictions or that I had to tell my kids that their mommy and daddy weren't going to live in the same house anymore, but I did have the strength of Someone Bigger than all of those things to get me through the lowest places of my life.
It was during those times that all I could do was lean on the One who holds my life plan, and had good things in store for me on the other side of the valley. Wishing on a star wasn't going to give me the strength I needed, and I couldn't do it alone.
Are you in a valley right now? Are you out of work, buried beneath a mountain of debt, or struggling with medical issues you can't see past? Take rest... slow down and breathe... and TRUST. Not on luck, or a horoscope that may tell you that tomorrow will be better. Trust in the future that God is laying out in front of you. It may not look like the path you had tucked away in your mind's eye, but I guarantee that it will be richer, fuller, and blessed beyond measure!
May your day be filled with SPARKLE, from the inside out!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Discover
My mom has a nickname which was given to her by my friend Angel. She likes to call mom "Alice G. O. " (gee oh!) My mom is the most energetic retiree I have ever known and considers it a bad day when she has to stay home and has nothing planned. Hence the G. O. moniker. She is always on the go! In addition to a 6 week auto tour of The South this spring, she just informed me, quite casually, that yesterday she booked a trip to Panama for August. How exciting!
I was raised with the privilege of going on a lot of different adventures with my family and my mom. As a result, I, too, get the wanderlust that my mom has for exploring, discovering, and seeing as much of this world as I can. Poor Kevin has had to learn to adjust to my need to "go" and is a great travelling companion. It doesn't have to be anywhere exotic for me to be satisfied... just Somewhere!
One of the tricky aspects of having such a large family is trying to find the time and means to have adventures. I want our children to have the same love for learning about new places and experiences so I have to make efforts to give them that opportunity. I am always looking ahead into our schedules to see when the planets may align in such a way that we can venture out and see what we can see. In my book, it isn't often enough but we do what we can.
Thankfully, this weekend is one of those serendipitous times when we will be able to seize the moment and build new memories together! We will pack up the car, with no elbow room to spare, and drive west... straight to Ft. Bragg and the amazing Pacific Coastline. Megan and Thomas have never been to the North Coast, and I am looking forward to seeing it all again for the first time through their eyes. What new things will we discover about our earth, other people and each other?
What about you? Are you a modern day explorer? Be it through a great book or by hopping in the car and going somewhere you have never been I encourage you to venture out of your daily comfort zone and try something new. New places, new faces, new foods... just GO! Try it! You never know what you will discover and it just may add a little SPARKLE to your life.
May your day be filled with SPARKLE, from the inside out.
I was raised with the privilege of going on a lot of different adventures with my family and my mom. As a result, I, too, get the wanderlust that my mom has for exploring, discovering, and seeing as much of this world as I can. Poor Kevin has had to learn to adjust to my need to "go" and is a great travelling companion. It doesn't have to be anywhere exotic for me to be satisfied... just Somewhere!
One of the tricky aspects of having such a large family is trying to find the time and means to have adventures. I want our children to have the same love for learning about new places and experiences so I have to make efforts to give them that opportunity. I am always looking ahead into our schedules to see when the planets may align in such a way that we can venture out and see what we can see. In my book, it isn't often enough but we do what we can.
Thankfully, this weekend is one of those serendipitous times when we will be able to seize the moment and build new memories together! We will pack up the car, with no elbow room to spare, and drive west... straight to Ft. Bragg and the amazing Pacific Coastline. Megan and Thomas have never been to the North Coast, and I am looking forward to seeing it all again for the first time through their eyes. What new things will we discover about our earth, other people and each other?
What about you? Are you a modern day explorer? Be it through a great book or by hopping in the car and going somewhere you have never been I encourage you to venture out of your daily comfort zone and try something new. New places, new faces, new foods... just GO! Try it! You never know what you will discover and it just may add a little SPARKLE to your life.
May your day be filled with SPARKLE, from the inside out.
Monday, March 15, 2010
More Joy, Less Control
How many control freaks do we have out there? Why are we called "freaks" when there are so many of us? Shouldn't the term be "Control Normals"? Yeah, I thought so... If I were in charge, I would change it right away. Oh, wait. There I go again.
Well, the last year or so has been a real growing experience for me in regards to my "need" to control things. I don't really need to, you know... things will go just fine if I leave them alone. However, the compulsion to put my 2 cents worth in does make life pretty rough when no one around me wants my spare change. Thankfully, with a lot of Grace from God, Love from my dear hubby, and Patience from the busy kids in my house I have learned to let some of the petty things take care of themselves, and passed CONTROL to those around me. With 4 teenagers in the house now, I just had to come to terms with the fact that the only thing I can control is myself and my reaction to life. What a relief!!! I'm off the hook!
As I take the reigns of controlling my health and weight, I only feel freedom! It is so liberating to eat well and give myself credit for being successful. As I help my high schoolers take responsibility for their grades and efforts at school, I take the pressure off of myself and allow myself to just ENJOY my kids while I can. As I learn that the joy in life is being content and not always doing, I am creating a more positive environment in our home.
What changes can YOU make to ease up on your compulsion for control? Can you envision the results you may see in your life? Take it from a true control freak, it feels so good to let go!
May your day be full of Sparkle, from the inside out!
Well, the last year or so has been a real growing experience for me in regards to my "need" to control things. I don't really need to, you know... things will go just fine if I leave them alone. However, the compulsion to put my 2 cents worth in does make life pretty rough when no one around me wants my spare change. Thankfully, with a lot of Grace from God, Love from my dear hubby, and Patience from the busy kids in my house I have learned to let some of the petty things take care of themselves, and passed CONTROL to those around me. With 4 teenagers in the house now, I just had to come to terms with the fact that the only thing I can control is myself and my reaction to life. What a relief!!! I'm off the hook!
As I take the reigns of controlling my health and weight, I only feel freedom! It is so liberating to eat well and give myself credit for being successful. As I help my high schoolers take responsibility for their grades and efforts at school, I take the pressure off of myself and allow myself to just ENJOY my kids while I can. As I learn that the joy in life is being content and not always doing, I am creating a more positive environment in our home.
What changes can YOU make to ease up on your compulsion for control? Can you envision the results you may see in your life? Take it from a true control freak, it feels so good to let go!
May your day be full of Sparkle, from the inside out!
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