Happy Independence Day!

Independence Day:
The all-American day to celebrate those went went before us for the cause of freedom and liberty, so that I can live in the "Land of the Free."

America, America, God shed His grace on thee...

God Bless America.

The songs of our history and the songs we sing for celebrations of our country's freedom ring out loud and clear with an underlying there: GOD. He was the source of our country's strength and the foundation of our freedom.

And today, how can we ask Him to bless our country when...

• We kill our unborn.
• We take His Name out of our schools and landmarks.
• We put ourselves before Him.
• And on - and on - and on...

Today I pause before His throne and thank Him for my freedom to speak His Name out loud and read His Word unhindered. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Happy Independence Day - let freedom ring!

#NotNextYear

A six-word statement to ponder:

Situations don't have to be permanent. 

Situations that suck the joy out of life need to go. That's it. No one needs to wrap their arms around the negatives and keep them around like lead weights that DRAG the life out of your... life.

Been there? Done that? Can relate? I'm sure everyone can.

Been there? Done that? Can relate? I sincerely hope you're not right now. But, if you are, let's make this journey together as I'm supporting others who need to move forward. Contact me - let's look at what we're dealing with right now and make the commitment: #NotNextYear

It's not that I'm not thankful for everything I have. I'm very thankful. But I have some goals, and that's where my new mantra came from: #NotNextYear

Not Next Year. 

One year from today there are things that will be different, because the things I don't want to be dealing with that are in place right now will be history.

It's easy to create a #NotNextYear list. Maybe it's those stubborn 5 pounds that will NOT drop off and go away. You've tried to get them off but haven't gotten serious about it because... just because. 

My husband was relocated to another city, and I want him home. We considered relocating there. We could rent out our home, rent an apartment there, I could find another job, and we could be together. But... this is our home. I want him here - in OUR home.

For me, this has become a #NotNextYear target, even though his sense of honor and duty are keeping him moving forward in his current job situation as he continues to dread each new day. 

Oh yeah - those stubborn 5 pounds? They are off and will stay on the #NotNextYear list because I don't want them back.

So how do I handle my #NotNextYear list? I took a pen and wrote down each thing that was draining my joy tank onto a piece of paper:

1. What is dragging down my own "happy score" and sucking my joy? What things am I not content with in my life right now? What things do I NOT want to have in my realm one year from today?
2. I asked one question for each thing on the list: Is it controllable? There are some things I absolutely cannot do anything about EXCEPT take the best care I can to deal with them. I have pain from time to time and I've pin-pointed it to MSG sensitivity. I don't want that pain "as much" next year, but I'm not sure that I can completely eradicate it. IF I was unfortunately dealing with cancer (I'm not - thank GOD!), I could write down that I want it gone, yet I couldn't control that outcome. I could take steps to help take care of myself, so that's what I would make note of.
3. Carefully scrutinize each item: What end result do I want? Where do I want to BE with each of these "pain points" one year from today?
4. Now... the process. This is the painful part. So many times, it's hard to do the process to get to a result, even though the result is WONDERFUL. SO....it's time to bite the bullet and prepare for some pain.

For each #NotNextYear item:
Write down "Where I am" on one side of the page and "Where I will be one year from today" on the other side. Down the middle of the page: Note step by step how to get from "I am" to "I will be one year from today", including a timeline. We're creating a list of goals, and goals need to be SMART:

• Specific: Significant, Simple - What you will do, answering specific questions of "who, what, why, where, when, which"
• Measurable: Meaningful, Manageable - How to track the progress and measure the outcome, so ask these questions: "How much?", "How many?"
• Attainable: Appropriate, Achievable, Action-oriented - Each thing needs to be something feasible, even if it's lofty. Say what you will do, and what the result will be.
• Relevant: Results-oriented, Realistic - Each thing may be challenging, yet make it relevant and realistic to make your life better by driving your "joy-score" higher.
• Timely: Time-oriented, Time-based - Lay out your timeline and the "due date" for step that is part of accomplishing each #NotNextYear item.

I alluded to some of my #NotNextYear items. I don't have many, and I'm focusing on just a few that will make my personal life more in tune with what I believe God's best is for me and my realm. I don't believe God wants married people to live apart, especially when they love each other deeply and want to be together so: #NotNextYear. I'm laying out my steps now to make it happen. The 5 pounds will stay off because I won't be fighting this weight battle: #NotNextYear.

So consider: One year from today, what do I NOT want to have in my life that's here right now? What joy-busters need to be GONE so I can get some joy-BOOSTERS flowing again? 

One year from today. Don't live in fear that it can't be done. I consider myself small, but MIGHTY because my God is in control of my life - you can give Him control of your challenges too. Make the conscious decision today to set your plan in place to get rid of the attitude-suckers so you can say: 

#NotNextYear

Comfortable or confident - where will you spend your day?

Comfortable. That's how I like my weekend. Happily going through a list of to-do's without the schedule of a normal weekday workday.

Comfortable. What if every day was calm, quiet, serene, relatively stress-free? Maybe that's retirement holds, but am I ready... or do I even want that? I'm not totally convinced the majority of people who retire sincerely want to be... comfortable.

Comfortable.... or confident? Would I rather live a blase life... or a determined one? Would I prefer to float through life - or determinedly breast stroke?

Do I want my days to be relatively meaningless - or meaningful? Do I want to accomplish the mundane - or the amazing? Do I want dinner conversation to be tolerable - or terrific?

Comfortable days come few and far between, and are meant to be enjoyed as relaxation, refreshment and renewal. Perhaps the majority of life is meant to be LIVED and pursued as productive, proactive, and invigorating?

As I'm writing a lot of content right now - for a lot of other people - it amazes me that months can go by without my taking time to put my fingers on my keyboard in my own realm. There are times I wish for nothing to be on my planner, no one to be waiting for me, and time to be on my side. But, after one comfortable day, I still prefer to be occupied with a few too many things to do rather than have too much time on my hands.

I woke up comfortable. Tomorrow? Where will confidence take me to deal with the challenges of the moment and more that pop out of nowhere as the day unfolds? To exciting new realms, I'm sure. 

July 5, 2013 - UPDATE: Apparently this is a theme, as reported in today's edition of Fast Company: http://www.fastcompany.com/3012971/generation-flux/are-retirements-days-numbered

The truth? I'm slowly being poisoned...

And you may be too. Check your kitchen. Your poison may be waiting in the cupboards and refrigerator.

Do you ever have muscle aches for no real reason? Do your joints swell at times, for no reason? Do you feel trashed sometimes, have brain fog and at other times feel really good? You may be getting poisoned without your permission.

I was.

If you ever experience...
Achy muscles, joints, brain fog, and just plain feeling trashed for no REAL reason, there may be a very real reason lurking in your food. MSG seems to be everywhere in processed food and, although we think Chinese when we think MSG, you may be surprised where it's hidden. One day the joints in my foot were achy and crampy and it dawned on me that I was snacking on probably a little too much junky-crunchy snack food the day before that was FULL of MSG. When you have a few minutes, read through this profound article and consider just saying NO to what may be causing your body to rebel against itself:
http://www.realfoodwholehealth.com/2011/05/excitotoxins-msg-and-hidden-names/

I always suggest that you seek medical attention if symptoms warrant. I did. Blood testing showed MSG senisitivity and I take natural supplemnents - and drink lots of filtered water - to counteract what my be snaeaking into my body through my food. 

If you seek medical attention for symptoms as I had and they find nothing or WORSE - try to tell you it's purely situational ("You're getting old") - consider reading your food labels and creating a journal of what you eat. Your body may THANK YOU if... you're slowly being poisoned...

The Layoff

I've been laid off.
Four words that create a huge impact. You hear about layoffs on the news, in the grocery line and in conjunction with industry closures. "Layoff" is such a commonly-used word that it's pretty much part of everyday language.

I feel badly for others when they say those words. I do. I hurt for them.

But now... I will feel pain for them.

My life has changed because those four words hit home - literally.

I feel different - much different - since the moment those words came from someone I love... and live with.

Those words hold a whole new meaning at our house since the afternoon the phone call came with my husband's voice saying those words: "It's just what we thought. We've been laid off."

No. It's not "they" who were laid off this time. WE've been laid off.

Our home will never be the same.

Emotions continue to run rampant as we lay out strategy - tactics - people to see - places to go in dealing with this. Now our lives are focused in a new realm: the job search. Unemployment - and a job search.

Underlying anger. Disdain for a company that let hundreds of people just go after years of committed dedication. Fierce determination that this will not get us down - that the new purpose is just around the corner.

Fear. Uncertainty. Frustration.

HOPE. FAITH. Underlying joy that we are not in control. Almighty God is. He knows what's ahead in our own "parade" route of living.

This is not just about a job. It's about a LIFE. It's about dignity - purpose - being. It's about integrity. It's about commitment - and reward for such. Loyalty. Giving - and receiving.

It's about being the head of the home, the bread winner, the provider. Regardless of what I do as an employee, he is the one whose focus is his job. I have my home - family - roles as a woman.

He is a man, and his resume has an end point. And we don't know when or if it will have a continuance.

His definition is now redefined. He will be unemployed.

Here's looking forward to the hope that lies in the days ahead, as his purpose becomes redefined and his life takes new meaning.

Whatever that looks like.

#TBD #ToBeContinued

Speed bumps...

The speed bumps of life.

They can come out of nowhere and lurch you tremendously - if you're not careful...

Sometimes we see them coming as a bump, rising in front of us as we go down the path of life. We can prepare - slow down - take action - skirt around it. Even if we hit it, we can deal with the damage because we've prepared - at least a little.

The surprise speed bumps are the hardest, because they hit without warning: *BAM!* Then we have to regroup and recover, and the damage can be pretty extensive, both inside and out.

Even the speed bumps of life that we see coming affect us, and can affect us significantly IF we don't handle them well. Remember - they happen. We all hit them. All of us. So...

Here are 3 steps to consider moving through before you have time to build up emotions that can lead to negative consequences:

#1 STOP. You've hit a speed bump. Don't make the damage worse until you assess what is going on. 

#2 BREATHE. Inhale. Exhale. Remind yourself: I can deal with this. I will deal with this. I've dealt with speed bumps before and I will deal with this too. I can't stop the fact that it happened. I CAN and WILL deal with it appropriately.

#3 COUNT. Count to 10 if you're angry or upset. Count your blessings if you're hurt or disappointed. Either way: Are you breathing? One. Can you see? Two. Can you get up out of your seat? Three. You're alive, breathing, seeing, and able to move. That's so much more effective than the alternative. Is there at least one person you can lean on? Four - or even more as you think of those people who are there for you no matter what. You need them now. Then literally thank God for each of your blessings. He is the one who blesses with blessings - acknowledge that. Remember... He is in control. He really is! Remind yourself that He knows the beginning and end of all things and this is part of His plan. You will be better for this experience - you really will - as you deal with the consequences of this speed bump.

Okay. You've assessed the challenge. The speed bump was hit. You have the ability and self-confidence to deal with it. The sun WILL come out tomorrow - or the next day.

Smile.

Now...

Look for ways that you can learn from this challenge - and help others through a similar situation. Make the intentional decision that you will grow and come out better from this experience. Be strong and help others who may be affected. Be the one that is going to MAKE IT and MAKE IT STRONG.

Always... put facts behind and before the challenge. What happened? What is happening? What steps do I need to take? And, above all, bury emotions. Trust God. Breathe. Smile. And watch for the sun as it returns to the sky in your life.

Time can change anything

Once in a while my eyes land on an article that makes me stop right in my tracks, put everything aside, and think.

Many articles I read are really informative and enlightening. Many grow my knowledge base and horizons a bit larger and stretch my world a little fuller.

This one just made me think. Think about where I am, where I'm going, and what my impact is. This one made me think about my LIFE. My life right now. My life as I exit my youth and enter the realm of the mature.

"You only get one chance. Make sure you LIVE."

It's time to ask yourself some questions:

Inc. : 11 Life-Changing Questions You Must Ask Yourself

Do it while you have time to change the answers.