Music

Music is a great way to put words to our feelings.  

I'm sure all of our playlists will reveal songs that speak to our hearts in good times and bad, songs to lift our spirit and motivate us and songs that just tell the story we couldn't.  

This morning I've listened to a plethora of songs :

Don't Stop Believin' by Journey

ROAR by Katy Perry

Beyond the Sea by Kevin Spacey

I Need You to Survive by Hezekiah Walker

It's a beautiful day today - don't listen to anything that will pull you down.  Put on some music and sing your way into a happy weekend!!!

Determined!

You may feel like life will never get any better...think again!

Truly...if my life can be beautiful - so can yours.  

Never underestimate the power of positivity.  

Don't give up!!

Show Me!

Learning to trust in God isn't always an easy thing to do.  

I haven't always been so quick or maybe a natural at trusting in Him...but let me tell you when I do, my life is filled with so much more peace.

Here's to all of us who are learning to trust in God, may we have a blessed day!!! :)

It's Tuesday :)

This is true for all of us.  God has a plan, don't give up!!!  

Sometimes things don't happen the way we envision or in the time frame in which we think they should but it doesn't mean we aren't blessed.

Share the joy you have within you - share your smile and the light that others see when you grace them with your presence.  Encourage others and you too will become encouraged.  You'll never know just how many people look at your life.  Show them how to smile through doubts and uncertainty, show them how to trust that God's plan is still in action!

Have a great day!!!!

Happy Friday!

If there was a photo of the excitement I feel about today being Friday...this is it!

No matter what is happening in your world right now, remember you're loved and appreciated!

Smile at someone today!!

Our job

How many of us have needed or do need someone to just pray for us, not tell us how wrong we are or how messed up we are but just pray that somehow, someway God can bless our situation and bring us through?  

Let's say a prayer for someone instead of judge them, encourage instead of tear down, speak words of kindness instead of chastisement.  

Happy Thursday to all of us working hard at bettering ourselves!!! :)

Maybe our encouragement will be the spark that ignites in someone who's struggling to take the first step towards a better tomorrow!!

Freedom in letting go

I can control certain things...like my reaction to situations, my mind and where it travels, my emotions.  What I cannot control are all the other things outside of me.  

Life happens to all of us - no more looking back on the past, it's over.  You weren't able to control the outcome then, you won't be able to control it now...embrace the freedom of faith and trust in God that His plan is better than ours anyways!!

Peace

There is nothing better than to be at peace with yourself, your life, your family and your surroundings.  

As a faith based individual - I have learned to lean heavily on scriptures and at times...it's only through reading them that peace has been mine.  

One of my all time favorite "peace" scriptures is:

Philippians 4:6-7 

 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

If you are going through a trying time and you have no peace...TRY reading this scripture and putting it into practice.  

All my best

Getting out of our comfort zone

We all hold on to the familiar.  It's time to step out of our comfort zone and try something new!  If you want change in your life, you have to take a leap of faith.  

Change is sometimes painful - but it's necessary.

Look at a woman who's found out she's pregnant.  Her body begins changing slowly at first.  She may experience morning or all day sickness.  She begins showing a small baby bump, her skin begins stretching, her cravings increase, slowly but surely....change takes place.  Just before the miracle happens...her most difficult journey begins.  The swelling increases, the pain hits new heights, she can barely focus or breathe, but then....just when she thinks she can't push another time....her miracle takes place.  That beautiful baby, which caused all this change....cries for the first time and allllllll the pain and change takes back seat to the miracle.

Speaking from experience....the pain is real, confusing and stifling but it's worth it.  Whether it's in your workouts to become healthier physically, or on your knees to become stronger spiritually, and even if it's an emotional journey you've found yourself on in your quest to become a better version of you....the pain is worth it, just keep moving towards your goal. 

How close are you to your miracle?  How many blessings are waiting for you on the other side of your pain and struggle????  Don't give up now.  Keep pressing forward.  

Heart of the matter

Speaking from my heart...

For the longest time I have battled the feelings of loneliness, emptiness, brokenness, bitterness and pain.   I know I haven't been the only one.  As I've talked with so many of my friends I've discovered just how many of us do battle these feelings, both male and female...all having a common denominator, a broken heart.

Hurt, doubt, mistrust...all play a factor in allowing ourselves to be able to love again, trust again, believe again.  It's amazing how we choose to hold on to those negative emotions (as real as they are) and deny ourselves the joy and freedom that comes from starting over with a fresh and clean slate.

At this stage in my life where I'm learning to trust again, love again, believe again...I find myself waiting for it to end.  There's a vulnerability that accompanies trust and faith - we leave our hearts wide open to the risks of hurting again.  Did I choose wrong?  Is he or she just like the others?  What if? What if?!!

Finding where we belong, where we feel safe, where we feel secure isn't always easy - but we have to learn to trust some things along the journey.  There will be a moment when it all makes sense...when the last puzzle piece is put into place and we know we did something right.  We finally trusted in not only ourselves but someone else with our most protected part of our being - our heart.

Prayers for all of us who doubt in the good things - that God would help us trust that we are truly worthy of the blessings and abundance He's promised us in His Word!!  I'm not hurting or suffering - just speaking to all of us who have felt this way.  We are worthy of it - so let's not doubt the wonderful things in our lives!!!

What are you passionate about?

 

 

 

What are you most passionate about???  Is it your family, your job, your friends, church, sports, and or traveling?  Do you have a favorite place you like to spend your time? 

 

What fills your dreams?

 

I believe if we are doing what we want to do with someone we want to do it with, sharing the adventures in places we want to be...we are on the right path.

 

Don't let the stress of life keep you from what you're passionate about.  I realize not every day is going to be filled with dramatic, spine-tingling moments....but they don't have to be.  What's important is that you stay focused on your passion and continue to walk towards it!!!

 

Have a great day!

 

Better Tomorrows

Never before have I been more determined to live life without looking back on the mistakes of my past!!

Whether it's a diet or exercise routine, a money saving plan, spiritual maturity, or matters of the heart.  Change can happen in one or all areas of your life, as it has mine.  Today is an exciting day for me.  My wonderful boyfriend and I have been exercising together for nearly 5 months - consistently and at 4:00 pm today I'll weigh in and have my measurements taken.  I'm a tad nervous but totally looking forward to seeing the results of a consistent lifestyle change.  

Listen...if I have the faith that my life is going to be better, so can you!!!  It has to be :)  I've lost greatly in my life.  I've endured and suffered more than my fair share...but in it all, I know God's plan is greater than my imagination and I'm just looking forward to all He has in store for this gal!!!  I've already seen and experienced so much positive since I've begun trusting in Him again.  He won't fail me now!

Have a blessed day!!!

Fly!!!

 

 

Leaping into the unknown...sometimes a difficult and scary thought.  Don't take your wings off because you're too afraid to leap.  Some of life's greatest adventures come at the most unexpected times.  I can testify to that.  I feel my life has just begun!!  It doesn't mean there won't be some turbulence along the way, it just means I'm not willing to stand on the bank anymore and watch others obtain happiness I'm too afraid to get for myself!! 

 

Take a leap of faith today, trust in God and your heart!!

 



Remembering

Meet my mother, Margie E Stowell (Glavin).   She lived 32 years on this earth, leaving behind memories that have been carried on through so many and passed down to me and my children. 

 

One thing I know to be true about my mother was that she was a warrior.  She never gave up, she fought for everything she had and loved, loved, loved her husband, son and daughters.  She made our house a home.  You could hear her singing as she cleaned the house, or fixed a meal.  She did her best to always look put together - she took pride in presenting herself.  I am blessed to be one of her children. 

 

It's amazing how we follow in our parents footsteps from time to time.  My mother knew what it was like to face difficult times, make mistakes and then find happiness.  I think her life is what inspires me to believe.   I want to be that for my daughters.  I want to inspire them and make them proud of me.  That if I'm here or have passed they too will have memories that will last a lifetime!! 

 

For all of us who've been given second chances in life....let's make the most of it!  Let's make beautiful memories for others to draw from.  Let's live!!! 

 

Have a wonderful day - Happy Belated Mother's Day to all of you doing the job of "Mom"!!!!

Chapters

I used to read ALL the time.  I would go to the local library, run my fingers gently along the spines of the books while I walked down the aisles searching for the section of the day.  Maybe it would be a mystery, romance, self-help, or an interior design book.  Whatever it was, I loved the time spent searching for a new read.

I found I loved having books around while I was a stay at home mom.  I would take advantage of the moments when the girls were sleeping and dive into the pages, my little escape.  Each book filled with chapter after chapter of reasons to captivate my attention, draw me in, keep me turning the pages.  In every book I've read there were chapters that were my favorite...and others I'd like to at times rewrite to suit my needs!

We all write our own book.  Some chapters are filled with joy and others filled with pain, regardless-it's our story.  The characters, landscape and ideas may change along the way...but that doesn't matter, we are writing.

I'm currently writing my favorite chapter.  It's filled with the unknowns but I'm okay with it because the characters are beautiful and bring much love and joy to my life.  I'm drawing from life experiences, taking notes each day on how to finish my book strong.  I want this chapter to keep my attention heightened, make me excited to start the next and the next.  After all, each chapter should serve a purpose and prepare you for the next - keep the plot alive!

There is no set rule on how long or short a chapter should be.  If your struggling and ready to begin a new chapter, that's okay, start over!  You are the person writing your story, finish it strong.  Make your life story an inspiration - this chapter could be your favorite!

This weekend I'm traveling to say goodbye to a wonderful family member who wrote a beautiful life story.  He will be remembered by many, he was gentle, kind and giving until his last breath.  I'm so blessed to have been apart of his journey.

Have a wonderful weekend - start living - start writing!!!

Change

Change is inevitable.  Our bodies change over time, our tastes change over time, our world changes....everything changes.  We grow up and older, our wants and needs change...it's a natural process for each and every one of us.  Sometimes change is cruel and unforgiving and other times it's a welcomed blessing. 

I wish I could say I always welcome it ...but that would be a lie!! lol... I am human after all and I want everything my way, right??? Don't we all???!!!  I want my skin, body, and hair to  remain the same as it was when I was 25!!  I want the energy I had, unfortunately we don't get to choose which areas change gracefully. 

Just recently I have been faced with a new change in my life - I didn't handle it well.  I stomped my feet some, ruffled my feathers and made my opinion known.  know I have failed in this area - my reactions or actions haven't always mirrored a woman of strength, grace, and forgiveness.  Even though to my very core I am someone who strives to be a loving, giving, strong woman...I, at times fail.  

I think what is important is that we learn to embrace it.  If we can find the positive, find the driver and make it work for us - we can only be better in the long run.  Perhaps our change will be the positive impact on someone else's life.  We just never know who is watching us.

I'm facing changes in my life today...and today I get the chance to be graceful and gentle...it's a second chance for me to embrace it.  LUCKY ME!!!

Have a wonderful day :)

It's okay!!

 

It's NEVER to late! At 42 years old, I'm finding I exercise this power on a regular basis.  Just as my taste-buds have changed over the years, so has my view of myself and life in general.  It's a great thing to self-evaluate and make positive changes in our life.  I want to be open minded to what brings quality of life - mind - body and spirit.  I want to know that at the end of this life I have led a life that has inspired others. 

 

Sometimes things are revealed to us as time progresses....maybe through prayer, maybe through a situation - most of the times we find ourselves seeking answers during storms in our life...  Whatever causes you to take a look at your character, your health, your spiritual man...take heed.  Maybe it's time to make some changes - don't be afraid of it - who knows what your future holds?!!  It starts within each of us - with just a thought....

 

Have a great day - remind yourself of how wonderful you are, how worthy you are, how needed you are!!

 

Thank you again for reading!!!

Growth

What good does it do me if I'm constantly working out and eating unhealthy food?  Or living my life to the best of my ability but surrounding myself with people who are negative and tear me down?  

Our physical growth and our emotional/spiritual growth tend to mirror one another.  Or that's the way it is with me.  If I'm not exercising my body, I actually feel weak.  I find myself restless, uncomfortable, and somewhat miserable within my own skin.  When I don't exercise my spiritual self - I am the same.  I say things I shouldn't say, my attitude is snappy...you know the drill. 

For me the best way to stay healthy inside and out is to exercise both inside and out.  I go to the gym, eat healthy foods (or at least try to), and get plenty of rest.  For my inside - I pray, read the Bible, attend church and surround myself with positive people.  Put positive in - get positive out.

There are people in my life who just bring me down .  I do my best to stay far away from them...I'm sure you have some of those in your life too.  We will always have to deal with "Negative Nelly's"...but don't let them pull you down - hang in there, stay strong!!

Let's have a great Tuesday - let's exercise our minds, bodies and spirits today!!! 
Today is a great day to start over!!

 

Unbroken

It was difficult to watch the dehumanization of not only Louis Zamperini but the countless other POW's who so bravely served our great country.  

After surviving a plane crash in WWII, enduring 47 brutal days in a raft out on the open sea with the only other two survivors...facing sharks, extreme weather, dehydration and hunger before being caught by the Japanese Navy, only to be tortured during his capture...Louis's will to survive was tested to the limit but never broken.  His inner strength was strong and constantly intact.  

As I watched the brutality, I was once again reminded of just how blessed I am.  My disappointments, failures, heartaches, temporary aches and pains...are so irrelevant compared to what others have faced.  I get up each morning, stretch a healthy body, shower in comfort, freely open cupboards for sustenance, independently feed and dress myself...I am blessed.  

Look at yourself today, think of all you've overcome in your life...you are strong, you are brave, you are unbroken!  Find your inner strength, your will to get up and live your beautiful life.  Don't let anything stop you!!!  

It's Friday - It's the 1st day of May, 2015.  It's your day to start over!