Can I come up for air? The days and weeks go by in a blur. We are all full of good intentions, but somehow time gets away from us. When I was younger I always heard older folks talk about how as you get older time goes by faster. I know the clock ticks one minute at a time - the same sixty seconds to each. There are only sixty minutes in an hour, twenty four hours in a day, seven days in a week, thirty to thirty one days in a month (February is the exception) and twelve months in a year. You would think it would slow down once the kids are grown and out of the house. I'm still scratching my head about that. Somehow it got busier. How does this phenomenon happen?
When we were children time couldn't go by fast enough. How often did we say or hear, "are we there yet?", "how long until my birthday", or thought, "I can't wait to be sixteen or eighteen." One day we wake up and we are fifty. It seem like time has ticked by at the speed of light. We zip here and zoom there, always in a hurry to fill our time. Something or someone demands our attention and it can't wait. Bosses demand more, family, friends, social groups, sports, church, professional groups, clients all wanting a moment of your time. Plus the countless other activities to fritter away the day.
I think about all the things I wish I had done differently or sooner. Or just something I had plan to do, but the day came and went. I didn't have time to fit it in. It's not so much about regret as it is trying to figure out how to slow it down and capture each moment without missing anything of importance to me.
What I am trying to learn is how to manage my time and not let it manage me. Reducing time stealers is key. How many hours are wasted in front of a TV or other activities to please those around us rather than what is truly important to the life we want to live. While it is important to engage with others and value time with them, we must be learn of the art of saying, "NO", not just to others, but to ourselves. For many this is a difficult word. Somehow this word denotes selfishness. Guilt is piled on because you've denied someone else what they are asking. Fear of loss, if we do say no, is the strongest motivator for the one who usually answers "yes." The problem is it's unrealistic to say yes to everything. If you do, you live your life in a frenzy.
"No" is not a cruel word. It's an honest word. It's not a word that rejects the person, but rather sets the expectation of what we are willing or capable of doing. It is a way to be kind to ourselves so we don't overload and burn out. It is kind to others because it does not give them a false expectation or sense of entitlement. It also allows you to give your very best to the things you say yes to. I used the word "art" of saying "no", because we must learn to say it with our kind intentions. We must convey a spirit of wanting the best for ourselves and the best for others.
When we are raising children we must balance between our yes and no. If we always say yes we are creating a self indulgent future adult who always wants their way. If we always say no we are creating an angry person who will always want their way. Neither is good for the child or society as they grow older.
I have come to understand that if I want to slow things down and enjoy a more meaningful life, it's okay to say "NO." I am a better person to myself and others when I am doing things that God designed me to do. Our talents are a great indicator of what we should be spending our time on. Develop them and share them with others. Everyone benefits.
Word of Wisdom
Inspirational & Practical Thoughts to Challenge the Soul
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Giving Tree
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, Rom 8:15, 16 & 17 NASB
A spark became a flame. It was late November-the holidays were in full swing. I was finally able to make the move to our new church. During the announcements an invitation was given for families to take a name from the giving tree erected in the lobby. These are a familiar site in many churches, so my initial response was one of passive assent. But, something caught my attention. This tree was not for the organization usually receiving the gifts. My spirit ignited. These gifts would go to children in the foster care system.
At the end of the service my husband and I walked through the lobby. I said, “I think we should take a name from the tree.” With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes he teased, “Why don’t you find a little girl just like you?” I took the challenge and sure enough I found a little girl seven years of age. She loved reading, drawing, painting, plus various arts and crafts.
How was this little girl just like me? From the time I was fifteen months old I had bounced from one home to another. Another state, another time, but still a child without a home or family of my own.
These children are not the traditional orphans who have lost both parents, but instead have been abandoned to be raised by a system. Most will not know the love of their parents and few will experience adoption once past the age of five. Even so they do not have to have the heart of an orphan. And neither do you!
You do not have to be a child in the foster care system to be an orphan. There are many who have a void in their heart. But there is Someone who can give your heart a home. It is our Heavenly Father. I am privileged to have been adopted twice. By God’s grace, I was given a great gift through my adoptive parents at the age of seven. My first adoption came much earlier when I received Jesus Christ as my Savior. I can tell you with confidence that once you receive and experience the love of God, with full acceptance, you will no longer be an orphan even if you do not have a home of your own.
A spark became a flame. It was late November-the holidays were in full swing. I was finally able to make the move to our new church. During the announcements an invitation was given for families to take a name from the giving tree erected in the lobby. These are a familiar site in many churches, so my initial response was one of passive assent. But, something caught my attention. This tree was not for the organization usually receiving the gifts. My spirit ignited. These gifts would go to children in the foster care system.
At the end of the service my husband and I walked through the lobby. I said, “I think we should take a name from the tree.” With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes he teased, “Why don’t you find a little girl just like you?” I took the challenge and sure enough I found a little girl seven years of age. She loved reading, drawing, painting, plus various arts and crafts.
How was this little girl just like me? From the time I was fifteen months old I had bounced from one home to another. Another state, another time, but still a child without a home or family of my own.
These children are not the traditional orphans who have lost both parents, but instead have been abandoned to be raised by a system. Most will not know the love of their parents and few will experience adoption once past the age of five. Even so they do not have to have the heart of an orphan. And neither do you!
You do not have to be a child in the foster care system to be an orphan. There are many who have a void in their heart. But there is Someone who can give your heart a home. It is our Heavenly Father. I am privileged to have been adopted twice. By God’s grace, I was given a great gift through my adoptive parents at the age of seven. My first adoption came much earlier when I received Jesus Christ as my Savior. I can tell you with confidence that once you receive and experience the love of God, with full acceptance, you will no longer be an orphan even if you do not have a home of your own.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Media Mania
I'm in. I've taken the plunge to embrace the media mania. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube just to name a few. And here I am on a blog site. It's hard to believe, not that long ago, I didn't even know how to use a computer. In fact I wasn't interested in learning. What changed?
I understood if I wanted to stay in the job market I would have to learn. It started by learning the Microsoft Office programs. Then I quickly learned how to use publisher to do self promotion when I started a side business. Now as a Real Estate professional I understand how fast the world of information is moving. You can teach old dog new tricks.
The younger generations are growing up with technology and expect nothing less from those in the service industry. I am a quick study. To differentiate myself from the dime a dozen I choose to move with the trends. Branding, marketing and technology are a business must.
Be teachable. This is important in the journey of our soul. I choose to press forward, reaching for the future. I want to learn and grow spiritually, professionally, financially, intellectually, relationally, for the rest of my life.
How about you?
I understood if I wanted to stay in the job market I would have to learn. It started by learning the Microsoft Office programs. Then I quickly learned how to use publisher to do self promotion when I started a side business. Now as a Real Estate professional I understand how fast the world of information is moving. You can teach old dog new tricks.
The younger generations are growing up with technology and expect nothing less from those in the service industry. I am a quick study. To differentiate myself from the dime a dozen I choose to move with the trends. Branding, marketing and technology are a business must.
Be teachable. This is important in the journey of our soul. I choose to press forward, reaching for the future. I want to learn and grow spiritually, professionally, financially, intellectually, relationally, for the rest of my life.
How about you?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Echo of Childhood
Enjoying the peacefulness I sit on my porch listening. It’s been so long since I’ve heard the sounds of nature. Hummingbird wings whip and buzz – flitting in and out of my sphere. The breeze rustles the trees causing leaves to wave and dance. A low hum announces flying insects and the pesky fly infringing on my space.
The quiet of the day is broken by the sound of laughter. The distant voices of children penetrate across the way. Echoing through the trees I hear their merriment. Although the words are not distinguishable, the tones are. As I listen I hear the distinct measure of instruction - one child easily taking command of the day’s activity. When another child does not follow they are soon corrected to ensure things go according to plan. Still the obvious leader allows open debate and friendly dialog. A little give and take permits them to continue and meet the objective of the afternoons play.
It took me back to my own childhood remembering a time when we were at recess playing war. The boys were the warriors – the girls fare maidens to be captured as their prize. Of course each of us had our own preferred captor. Mine seized my heart and kept it through all my years in school. He was my hero and defender. Our lives and interest moved us in different directions as we grew older. Yet those memories stayed close for years to come.
Voices again draw my attention. Serious tones mingle again with laughter, hoops and hollers. Little do these children know they are practicing for the future. Some will become leaders – others followers. Soon adulthood will crowd out the innocence of childhood. The peaceable debates will grow into heated discussions. Their mild determinations will turn to impassioned unyielding purpose.
As I contemplate these thoughts, I wonder, what the world would be like if we approached the problems of our day with the simple manner which these children played? Time moves forward. Year after year we are losing more and more of our age of innocence. Manners, politeness, honesty and integrity are becoming a thing of the past. If only we could recapture the uncorrupted ideals of our youth.
I wonder, if one day these children will be able to sit and listen to the innocent echo of childhood.
The quiet of the day is broken by the sound of laughter. The distant voices of children penetrate across the way. Echoing through the trees I hear their merriment. Although the words are not distinguishable, the tones are. As I listen I hear the distinct measure of instruction - one child easily taking command of the day’s activity. When another child does not follow they are soon corrected to ensure things go according to plan. Still the obvious leader allows open debate and friendly dialog. A little give and take permits them to continue and meet the objective of the afternoons play.
It took me back to my own childhood remembering a time when we were at recess playing war. The boys were the warriors – the girls fare maidens to be captured as their prize. Of course each of us had our own preferred captor. Mine seized my heart and kept it through all my years in school. He was my hero and defender. Our lives and interest moved us in different directions as we grew older. Yet those memories stayed close for years to come.
Voices again draw my attention. Serious tones mingle again with laughter, hoops and hollers. Little do these children know they are practicing for the future. Some will become leaders – others followers. Soon adulthood will crowd out the innocence of childhood. The peaceable debates will grow into heated discussions. Their mild determinations will turn to impassioned unyielding purpose.
As I contemplate these thoughts, I wonder, what the world would be like if we approached the problems of our day with the simple manner which these children played? Time moves forward. Year after year we are losing more and more of our age of innocence. Manners, politeness, honesty and integrity are becoming a thing of the past. If only we could recapture the uncorrupted ideals of our youth.
I wonder, if one day these children will be able to sit and listen to the innocent echo of childhood.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Self-Discovery
The writer in me laid dormant for years. I remember in my early teens sitting at a table in front of a window with aspirations of writing a novel. Pages were written, torn and tossed repeatedly.
When life took me down another path, I set aside any thoughts of being a great writer, turning instead to my artistic talents - painting and drawing. Marriage and moving soon stifled this creativity as well.
My creative energy poured into my home - decorating as my only outlet. I soon tried my hand at quilting, cross-stitch and basket weaving. Had it not been for the twist and turns in my journey I would not have discovered these other talents.
Coming full circle the writer in me has emerged again. I've had the privilege of a couple of articles published. You can also find an essay in the first chapter of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts.
I haven't written the great American novel, yet. Still my writing has served me well. During difficult times it has been a way to talk out my emotions. It has allowed me to discover the truth of my own nature. When too easily distracted during prayer, it has been a way to stay focused.
Writing is a wonderful way to begin a journey of self-discovery. It is my desire to inspire others to take a journey for themselves.
You are invited to journey with me.
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