What do I do now??

There comes a moment in our lives where we all have to make a choice.  

WHAT DO I DO NOW?

I've talked to some of my friends (we are in our 40's)- some have just decided to start running again after 20 years, one of my friends is getting married for the first time at 42, one just had a baby, another started a new job which takes her all over the United States and world ...my point being, we all have to make decisions which cause change in our lives and those decisions should always point us into the direction of bettering ourselves - never choosing to go backwards.  

How many of us have driven back into town after being away for 20 years and look at the house on corner and realize nothing has changed at all over the past 20 years, minus the disrepair?  The paint is the same color - yet chipping, the roof is the same - yet shingles have disappeared, the yard is the same - yet overgrown...and the person who lives there - is still the same, just older.  Somewhere along the lines - that person chose to remain the same, was completely content with living life in the same manner 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for 20 years.  You know what I'm talking about.  

Don't be that person!  Don't get in a rut - if you want to jog, JOG!  If you want to learn how to cook, TAKE A COOKING CLASS, If you want to have someone in your life, BE SOMEONE SPECIAL!  If you want to travel, PLAN A TRIP AND GO!!  If you're unhappy with your weight - do what needs to be done to MAKE THE CHANGE!!  Stop standing still, MOVE FORWARD!!

Audrey Hepburn put it this way

"Nothing is Impossible, the word itself says 'I'mPossible'!"

We have the power to make the changes we want to see.

Here's to starting over!!!

Nothing new

As I look at the direction I want my life to go, I realize nothing behind me is worth 

opening myself back up to, just to feel "safe".  

Some people don't understand the concept of forgiving and moving on - they become bitter, lonely, dark souls.  You can't move forward in life if you hold on to the things that bind you to past negative events.  It's time to get the Hazmat team in your life, if you will...and get rid of anything or anyone that doesn't encourage your physical, mental and spiritual growth.  

A good indicator - if your friends and family are telling you something isn't good for you - it probably isn't.  Don't be so afraid of growth that you stay right where you are, or even turn back to something that wasn't good for you in your past!  Take the first step towards something better!!! Move on, move forward!!!  I know it's not always easy - it hurts - it's scary...but it will be worth it!

Here's to starting over!!!

Beautiful people do not just happen

I was asked just yesterday how I'm doing?  She said, "You seem to be holding up fine - but really....how are you doing?"

My response..."through everything - my heart is still full of love.  I have lost greatly in my lifetime so as the dust settles, so does my heart.  I can't just let go of that.  Sure there has been hurt, pain, fear, bitterness, resentment, confusion - but they are quickly erased with love, joy, peace, gentleness, meekness, patience and the sincere wish to stay happy."

I know I make mistakes, I fall, I fail - but it's my genuine desire to live the rest of my days showing others that love does exist, that people can change and find happiness, that God does forgive and restore.  I appreciate the good in life, because I want to.  This makes me beautiful!!!

Life is good!!

To Starting Over :)

Got it!

I think we've all done this at times - I've been doing it lately - asking God why???  

 The door is shut.  God closed the door.

 DO NOT ASK GOD TO OPEN THE DOOR AGAIN!!!

Now it's time to take a deep breath, smile because God loves us enough to remove us from bad situations and move forward - trusting His plan doesn't always come naturally or with ease - but we must exercise our faith that GOD knows all - sees all - and He is plenty capable of putting the right people in our lives, the right jobs in our lives, the right relationships in our lives - and removing those that will only hurt us.  

Moving forward!!!

Thankful for new chapters in this amazing book we call life!

Be expectant

I'm finding myself right here, right now.  

With each milestone in life, comes a new challenge.

Our strength in life has come from the battles already faced - some of us are serious warriors!!! 

We need to live expectantly - knowing God has already prepared the way for us.  We have to keep a right attitude (NOT easy for me!!) while we continue to cultivate and build up the things within our power.  

This morning as I was getting ready for work, I began praying out loud to God, asking of Him to give me hope for what I can't see.   I need to exercise my faith and show patience for the things I'm praying about in my life. - to count it all joy!  

Starting over isn't always easy but hey - nothing good comes easy!!!

Happy Wednesday!!! :)

Daily Decisions

We all have to make this decision - at home, at work, with our friends, family and most importantly ourselves.

When we fall in love with our self - it rubs off on others.  If you want to attract people, learn to love yourself, you will become a bright spot to their day that they don't want to live without.  

It all begins within.  

Each of us must choose how we want the rest of our day/life to look.  Starting over new each morning is a good way to reach our fullest potential - choose to treat yourself kindly today - choose to show others that same respect.  

Here's to tons of steps towards change!!!!

You are beautiful

Real beauty - Is defined by God.  He tells us in 

Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Be that woman!  Be the woman who puts her faith and trust in God, who possess a love about her that is undeniably beautiful.  Don't let this world with all it's negativity tarnish the strength and beauty that dwells within you.  

If anyone has battled with this - I have.  As a young girl and into my 30's I followed the worldly view of beauty - comparing myself to others - never grasping my beauty had nothing to do with the vessel but everything to do with the heart.  I've had to make several changes in my life (not on the outside) in order to be able to feel beautiful - and I don't regret a single one of them.  Today, even faced with difficult situations, I can look in the mirror and thank God for forgiveness, thank
God for new beginnings and a beautiful new me.  

I hope you know you are a child of God and He doesn't make mistakes  You are the apple of His eye...He loves you!

God Treasures You!

Don't give up hope in what God is doing in your life.  We have the ability to be victorious in every situation we face.  We may not see it in the beginning - but if we can learn to trust His plan,  things will begin to make sense.

The saying - if He brought you to it - He'll bring you through it - is so true.  He loves you that much!
Thankful for his blessings!!!

Happy Friday :)

Don't Forget This!!!

Let Him

As we start our day - let us put our trust in an Unfailing God!  He wants to bring peace and joy to our journey.  Let God carry the weight of your burdens!

I am the type of woman who wants to fix things -sometimes with food - sometimes with a smile - sometimes with a conversation - whatever I can do, I want to do.  

I have to learn to give it all to God and let Him work on my behalf.  I have to remove myself each morning from the things that are weighing me down and let my heavenly father fight for me.

We all have our own struggles - but when we learn to give them to God - we only empower ourselves to become better parents, better friends, better spouses, better co-workers...better humans.

Start today by giving your cares and worries to The Lord - see how He works on your behalf!

Happy Wednesday to us all!!!

Growing Up

There comes a time in our life when we have to grow up.  Growing up doesn't mean becoming starched - stiff - no play, but what it means is putting away the things we did as children, as youth, and young adults that may not be healthy for us.  Any pattern or behavior we would not want our children to repeat or live with....put it behind us and grow up.  

I know many of us partied as teens - we drank too much - stayed out until the wee hours of the morning - had multiple boyfriends/girlfriends....and that is all good and fun for those years.  If we continue to live in that frame of mind - we will never know the joy of stability.  

We'll never know the joy of trust - faith - forever - and/or unconditional love. 

If you are uncomfortable with the changes you must make in your life - don't sink your feet into the ground and stay where you are.  Get up, make the changes, move forward, don't look back - you have a beautiful future in front of you.  Grab hold and never let go.  

Today is a great day to make up your mind - don't let yourself down!!!

Grace

Your grace is enough, I'm covered by your love, your grace is enough for me.

No matter how ugly life gets, no matter how confusing or dark it may get at times...

God's grace is enough!  

Never do I want to allow anything to diminish what God has begun in my life.  There are times when things come up, but we have to take care of them...handle them, remove them from our lives so that we can continue to walk forward in God's grace and mercy.  

Don't let anything stop you from becoming the man or woman God has destined you to be.  Today is a great day to make up your mind to walk with purpose - put away the things that continue to pull you down and move forward - Begin Again!!!

I have had to remind myself of this all weekend - so thankful for God's hand in my life.  

Prayer

This says it all....

Virtuous Woman

My desire.  I want to be the woman that my (one day) husband can be proud of.  I want him to know I'm true and faithful in mind, body, and spirit..  That he will never have to question or doubt my thoughts, actions or intentions.  

Just because we live in a virtual world does not mean we have the right to behave in a manner that would bring shame or devalue our worth to those we love.  This is a daily commitment we must make - to honor ourselves and honor the ones we love.  

The Bible KJV says in Proverbs 18:22

..."whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtains favour of  the LORD"

If you want a woman of virtue - be a man of virtue.  God WILL bless. 

Living with Intent

I remember the time of separation from my ex husband. I felt lost...who would I talk to about my day? Who would I share stories about the girls with? Who would I kiss at night? 

It was such a trying time. I had to force myself away from the habits formed in 17 years. That part of my life was ending and I had to stop fighting it. It wasn't easy, but I broke the habit. 

I read a quote by Steve Maraboli 

he said...

"Letting go means to come to the realization that some people are a part of your history, but not a part of your destiny." 

My intentions are to be the best person I can be for the people I love - I'm working towards building a future - not worried about hurting anyone from my past. 

Starting over to me...means starting over, fresh and clean slate. 

What does it mean to you??

Are your habits keeping you from your destiny???

Lessons Learned - or - Perhaps Still Need Learning :/

Do you find yourself facing the same battles time and time again?  I am realizing I do.  Perhaps it's a lesson I must learn???? Nooooo, surely not!  LOL!! Wrong!  Life has a way of showing us our strengths and weaknesses through others.  

As I learn to lean on God and NOT myself...I hope to get it right and pass this dang test!  

Remembering My Dad

Meet my dad, Roland Stowell...loving father, brother, son, uncle, husband, papa and friend.  Taken by cancer 6/6/2011.  

My dad was more than a dad...he was my counselor and confidant whenever I needed him.  He checked the oil on my car, changed my tires, took time with my daughters, took his guitar out and sang tunes...sat on the piano stool next to me and hummed along...he was my guide as well as many others. 

Since my dad's passing...I have realized on a major scale just how much I need him.

I know I have the Lord to lean on, pray to and seek guidance from but it's just not the same.  Just miss walking up to my big ol' 6'4" dad and have him wrap his long strong arms around me, tell me I'm loved and everything will be alright...

To all those who have your parents - hug them a little tighter today.   To all of you who would be devastated to lose that special person in your life....cherish each moment - you just never know how long you have them.

Time

It's not possessions or worldly things...it's those closest to your heart.  Thankful for love, thankful for my children and family.  Thankful for the one who holds my heart.

Confidence in His Plan

I truly want to see how God is painting the canvas of my future!  I know it's going to be beautiful because He's showing me things I've never seen before.

The days of doubting still come - but not nearly at the rate they used to.  I believe there has been a shift of sorts - although I've always been optimistic and faith driven - I haven't always lived it.  I can see myself walking in a newly resurrected faith - and it feels great to have the perspective that comes along with it.  

One of my favorite scriptures is
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Let's exercise our faith today and trust in His plan!

=)

Aren't weekends supposed to bring rest and relaxation so you wake up all rejuvenated and ready to take on a new week?!!  I must have missed that somehow this weekend - because I woke up, got going and now realize that my get up and go - has got up and went!!! 

 Needing serious caffeine this morning - but...I'm gonna make it!

Looking forward to this day - even though my body wishes it was still under the covers - with a cool breeze blowing through the bedroom - eyes closed - dreaming of a lazy day!

Happy Monday!!!