Life lessons

I Choose to live by Choice, Not by Chance

I Choose to live by Choice, Not by Chance ~ Miranda Marrott I came across this quote online the other day, and I really like it for this Christmas season because it puts in place what I consider the realities of life – the simple facts that are truth for so many of us… what I like is as I read through the list, I believe you’ll come to understand the proper steps for our success…meaning that you (and I) need to choose… I choose                                                           To live by choice, not by chance; To make changes, not excuses; To be motivated, […]

Our days are happier when we give people a bit of our heart rather than a piece of our mind.

Recently, I overheard a heated argument in which one of the players was verbally harsh to the other and gave them what we’d call a standing down, told them off—and gave them a piece of their mind. It was so sad to see the immediate crush of the other person’s spirit. It was shocking and, unsettling and simply heartbreaking at the same time. I am not around people who yell. I didn’t grow up with anyone who yelled in our family—it just wasn’t allowed—and when I witness the outburst of anger that is carried by one’s raising of their voice, […]

A 5-Letter Word and a Lifetime of Damage

There is a 5-letter word that is holding you back from everything you tell yourself you want and need. It is a simple word with the strength to damage you for life if you’re not careful, and the word is “later.” If you’re not vigilant, it will be your downfall from everything that you tell yourself and others that you’ve wanted in life and love and happiness. “Later” is a 5-letter word and a lifetime of damage if you don’t start on the fix today. Really, the idea that you can solve the issue (whatever it is) “later” is most […]

Don’t Worry About Tomorrow

Don’t Worry About Tomorrow Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt. 6:34 As I prepare for the holidays, I am constantly reminded of a verse I grew up with. It goes like this: do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Now, although that does not appear to be the most comforting verse I’ve ever read, it is more true than not, and with that knowledge in hand, I can rest assured that what will […]

Stop turning your troubles into your excuses

Well, believe it or not, in a few weeks, it will almost be time for you to consider writing down those crazy New Year’s resolutions. And while I am not entirely opposed to New Year’s resolutions, I don’t take them seriously anymore because I really don’t know anyone who sticks with them, so I find the whole exercise to be a great waste of valuable time…and, frankly, probably the number one reason I am a skeptic and a doubter is because, in the midst of all that self-examination and belly button gazing, it’s always the same old story of people […]

The Higher We Soar

“The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche Once again, a quote has grabbed me and will not let me go due to the truth that is so simply stated. This is where I find myself today, with a quote from Nietzsche, who hit the nail on the head with this simple idea, “The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.” Don’t you know it! Those who continually jab at you for all your hopes, dreams, and aspirations and can’t see their way out of a paper […]

First it’s impossible, then difficult, then done.

Have you ever looked at a task and thought, Wow, that’s impossible! Then you stop, or you start to find other ways to get the job done, and you realize that it’s not impossible, it’s just difficult, and then you keep working, and the difficulty isn’t as bad as you thought. Now, it’s still hard, but before you know it, the job that was out of range—too hard to do, couldn’t figure it out—is now completed. Finished. Done. A while back, I was having some quiet time; I was reading a devotional book I love about prayer and came across […]

Your Story Isn’t Over Yet

Your story isn’t over yet. In praise of the humble semicolon I know it seems odd to write a post about a punctuation mark, but recently, I was at a restaurant, and my waiter had a very pronounced semicolon tattooed on his arm, and I asked about it. He told me that the semicolon is now the symbol to recognize those who have struggled with depression, anxiety, addiction, and/or suicidal thoughts. I had not heard about this trend of using the semicolon as a symbol of hope. The waiter went on to explain that the semicolon represents “a sentence the […]

What’s Your Balance?

I don’t mean your physical balance – although that is important, but what I am asking about today is your “credit” in the accounts of “worthy organizations”… such as your volunteer activities… your kid’s school… your place of worship… what I find (more so at the holidays) is that for many of you – you make great deposits and have a lot of credit with good organizations and although that is a worthy endeavor I just want to make sure that those you need you the most are not short-changed. Suzanne Bates wrote in a recent column that – If […]