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.

The Silence

randomitus.tumblr.com

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10.

shhhh.

Can you hear.... the silence?

In today's culture the sounds of silence have been replaced by every imaginable sound: music, talking, streaming video from smart phones, tablets, computers and big-screen tvs. There is nowhere you need to be without your podcasts, playlists, or music to live by.

shhhhh.

Stop. Move away from the speakers. Turn off the volume. 

Take some time for peace... and quiet... today. You may be surprised at what you can hear in the silence..

Lessons From the Ordinary

Everyday life. We go through it, and the funniest things stick with us.

Last Friday I visited a business for maybe the sixth time. One of their staff members saw me from the across the room. She smiled and waved to me. Sure, I recognized her. I smiled and waved back. Did she have to smile and wave? Absolutely not. But she took the opportunity to acknowledge me. I'm still smiling about that encounter.

This weekend I read an inspiring post by Micheal Hyatt - actually from a guest blogger, Skip Pritchard - about ordinary things that ordinary people do that bring joy to life. I've read it, and re-read it. And it continues to impact me in the same way. There are lessons all around us, every moment of every day. We can use our time to positively impact the lives of everyone around us in the most innocent ways by: acknowledging them positively, not ignoring anyone or praising others without praising them too (we ALL have merit), and remembering that...

We all have baggage. Let's help others carry theirs by smiling and extending a hand across the board. Playing favorites and taking people for granted isn't inspiring at all.

Here's the post from Micheal Hyatt's blog:

"Every year, I meet incredibly interesting people. You may think I’m thinking of famous people. Yes, famous people can certainly be interesting. Equally interesting, at least to me, are people I meet in everyday life.
For example,

• The barista at the coffee shop who remembers exactly what I want.

• The guy who waves me into the car wash with the slightest flick of his hand indicating where my tires should point.

• The newly-minted, hilarious college graduate who told me his future: two wives (he says his first marriage won’t work out), three kids, a dog, and a dead-end job.

• The lady at the bookstore who smiles when she sees me rearranging the shelves, putting my favorite authors’ books face-out.

Be Alert

Each one of the people crossing my path offers an opportunity to learn. I study people shuffling by at a busy store. There we go, I think, as I imagine where they are heading. People are incredibly fascinating.

Sure, some disappoint. You wonder why you work so hard at some friendships when it’s clearly a one-way path to nowhere. Then there’s family, some family members are truly biological—with blood coursing through their bodies to prove it. Others we adopt, friends who are so true we wouldn’t dream of letting them go.People teach us remarkable lessons if we are open to learning. Criticism we launch at someone else likely has its roots in our own shortcomings.

Slow Down

Today, as you rush through your day, look at those around you a little closer. Slow down just a bit—you don’t need to view the text message the minute it chimes. You don’t need to check Facebook and Twitter as if you’re looking for signs of life in a patient.

Just watch. Listen. Ask some questions.

See Beyond

If you can see beyond the obvious, you can learn some incredible lessons.You may discover that the barista prides herself on remembering your drink because she’s really good at it, and her father always told her she was stupid. She’s incredibly bright and works hard to overcome his harsh words. She absorbs your praise faster than your coffee does the cream.

Lessons: Everyone is hurting in some way. Everyone needs praise. Get comfortable with praising good work.

You may discover that the car wash guy is the lead singer in an up-and-coming band and has a real shot at making it. His backstage stories are better than a movie. And his writing is better than most professional writers.

Lessons: Everyone has a hidden talent. Take time to get to know your employees. Often the most needed skills are right in front of you.

You may learn that the college graduate was influenced by his parents’ painful divorce and his insight on relationships beats anything you’d read in a book.

Lessons: Age doesn’t equal wisdom. Learning from mistakes and the failures of others can benefit you more than you realize.

You may find that the bookstore lady is a book herself, full of knowledge you can tap into. She’s actually a retired business executive, filling time. She knows how to incorporate businesses, develop marketing plans, and lead strategic planning.

Lessons: Often what we see is just the surface. Take time to realize the full abilities of the people around you.

See these people are anything but ordinary. Everyone has something extraordinary that can change you. A different perspective, a unique experience, a gift. We’re all ordinary people, but we are all extraordinary in our own way."

- Skip Prichard

"...The Good Ol' Days?" A published personal perspective...

On 01.18.13 • In NOW Marketing Group, social media management • by nowmarketing

http://cheezburger.com/2038071552

“In the good old days…”

We were out of touch.

Face it: We…

> Wrote letters – maybe.
> Made phone calls – maybe.
> Made appointments to connect in person – maybe…

Or tried to.

We trusted our morning paper and our television to keep us in touch with the world and – even as news broke –it was already old.

In the time it took to…

> Go to the store and buy film for our camera,
> Take pictures,
> Use up the roll of film,
> Wind it up in our camera and drop it off at the store,
> Get it back a week later,

We lost weeks of time and our kids grew two inches.

By the time you…

> Got the brainstorm to write that long overdue letter,
> Bought stamps,
> Found paper, pen, and an envelope,
> Wrote the letter,
> Sealed it up and found a mailbox,
> Heard about its arrival a week later,

You, as the letter-writer, not only forgot what you wrote, you moved past the highlights of the letter and were entrenched in a lot of other new and exciting events and happenings.

And you needed to repeat the whole process. AGAIN.

Today…

> We get the idea,
> Brainstorm the idea,
> Fine-tune the idea,
> Implement the idea,

Then go on to the next idea with as many people as we can think of, as quickly as we can move our fingers. Instantaneously!  As part of our daily life.

As fast as you can grab your smartphone, tablet or other techno-device, you can release your ideas-thoughts-opinions-solutions, building relationships and generating much more of the same as you simultaneously and instantaneously breathe…

> With spelling and grammar check,
> With enhancements,

And create a beautifully-finished product that is signed-sealed-delivered-received NOW.

DONE. And you still have a LOT more hours of sunshine left in your day for MORE! 

Now we can be found, be social, and be useful while we breathe and live life, because

> Relationships are PART of life, and
> Relationships ARE life.

And now we can enjoy a much fuller and deeper life because of the instantaneous way we can enjoy our relationships throughout our life.  All because of social media.

Have a thought?

> Share it!

Have an idea?

> Pursue it!

Have a question?

> Answer it!

Want to stay in touch?

> Facebook it!

Want to be in the know and stay in the know with the latest and greatest trends, news, and ideas?

> Tweet it!

Want to network and share professional discussions with colleagues?

> Get LinkedIn with your network!

Want to share expertise in an engaging visual format?

> YouTube it!

So for the hour that you just spent online, what did you accomplish?

A lot more than…

“In the good old days…”

~ Sandy

Sandy is the Internet Marketing Management Director for Now Marketing Group, where we enable your organization to ‘be found, be social and be useful’ through online relationship marketing. While yes – it’s true!! – she’s lived through some “good old days”, she definitely enjoys the advantages of the “here and now” so much more.

Think Social Media is just for teenagers? Sandy’s still a teenager.. with a lot of years of experience!

Musings on year-end

In honor of a 2013 New Year's resolution...

> "Publish my personal blog at least once/month."

Because it sure didn't happen in 2012 - "too busy" blogging for others. 

So I lost a little of my personal self that I need to will reclaim in 2013.

    

And with respect for the fact that this WAS written 12/20/12 and left in Draft mode as my brain recovered from a 24-hour hug-the-porcelain-throne bug...

I bring to you... my last blog post for 2012. Back-dated.To end the year and start fresh.

Let's make this goal a reality this year.

I am about to share something online that I have never shared before - ever.

Is it because I'm ashamed of a fact? Absolutely not. 

Is it because it's something to hide? Sort of. 

In a culture focused on youth and beauty - externals - it's a tough compete when you have 'matured'... But, like fine wine, what should transpire is the 'best is yet to come' the longer it stays around. At least internally. At least that's the way it should be. 

So if you're going to downslide externally, at least aim for an internal uptick, right? ;)

That's an ongoing personal goal. And it continues to be a work in process. And a work in progress. And it's an ongoing goal...

Time. It should bring: maturity, knowledge, a broader view of the world around you. 

But it also gives a perception of slowing down, not open to new ideas...

And an inflexible unadaptability. I don't want that personally. I've seen the consequences.

Soooo...

Here it is and here we go...

Yes. I am. Over 55. I hope my employer takes advantage of all available tax credits.

Whew. That feels better.

And, as a bonus...

I also don't wish the 24-hour flu bug on anyone. It creates anti-lucidity that promotes strange blog post ideas, which the DELETE key is created for. The one good that comes out of it is the THANKFUL that comes the next day when you realize that you didn't die as you thought you were going to the day before. Seriously.

I received the following as an email recently and wanted to save it - and share it...

You are receiving this message because you opted in to receive blog updates via email on michaelhyatt.com Monday, October 22, 2012 The 3 Components of Job Satisfaction Recently, a woman approached me after I finished a keynote presentation. In the speech, I had mentioned the importance of living with intention. Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/TheCrimsonMonkey She got stuck on that thought and realized she had not been intentional, particularly as it related to her career. As it turns out, she was a doctor with a very successful business. She was making more money than she had dreamed possible. She had a very busy practice. But she was deeply unsatisfied. “If I’m honest, I think I became a doctor because my father was a doctor. It was expected. I didn’t think I had a choice,” she confessed. Her eyes welled with tears. “But I hate it,” she continued. “I only get to spend a few minutes with each patient. I feel like a factory worker on a conveyor belt. It’s all I can do to make myself go to work.” She was good at what she did. Her practice was exploding. But she had lost her passion. As I later reflected on her situation, I realized job satisfaction requires three components. You must be passionate. This is where it begins. What do you care about? What moves you? What problems do you want to solve or issues you want to address? If your heart is not in your work, you have a job but not a calling. You must be competent. Passion alone is not enough. You have to be good at what you do. Being good-enough will not give you the satisfaction you desire. You have to excel at your craft and be awesome. Mastery is the goal. You must create a market. To enjoy a successful career, people must be willing to pay you for what you do. You don’t have to get rich, but there must be a market for your product or service. Otherwise, your career is not sustainable. If you have all three of these components, you experience satisfaction. Few things in life are more rewarding. I envision it as three overlapping circles. (Jim Collins has a similar model in Good to Great as it applies to companies.) At the intersection of all three is true success. Be wary of only having two: If you have passion and competence without a market, you have a hobby. We all know people like this. Living in Nashville, I know musicians who love what they do, are accomplished on their chosen instrument, but can’t pay the bills. If you have passion and a market without competence, you have failure. If you aren’t willing to put in the hours honing your craft, it will eventually catch up with you. You will struggle to get hired or simply be flushed in the next round of layoffs. If you have competence and a market without passion, you have boredom. This was the doctor’s problem. On the surface she had it all. But in her heart, she was missing the one piece she needed to find satisfaction in her work. You can get by for a time with only two of the three elements I have described. But if you want to succeed at the deepest level, you must incorporate all three. Questions: Do you possess all three of these components? What is missing? What could you do to become more satisfied in your work?  I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”” Maya Angelou Worth Repeating: More Than 5,000 Classic and Contemporary Quotes (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2003), 310 ©2012 Michael Hyatt P.O. Box 1221, Franklin, TN 37065

The treasure of John Wilt's shoe

John Wilt's shoe is in my office.
One shoe. I bought it for $5.

I'm sure John didn't know where his shoe went. I'm sure when John was asked to paint his shoe, he probably did so happily - or at least I would think so, because his shoe is bright and colorful, with happy mushrooms and designs.That's why I chose his shoe. That's why I wanted this reflection of John Wilt's life. It made me happy to see it. This happy shoe was also used as a planter for a happy-looking little flowering plant. The plant wouldn't remain happy without real sunshine, it took up residence in real garden dirt at my house while a little fake greenery found a home in John Wilt's shoe.

His shoe was part of a silent auction at an event I attended last spring. John worked at a local facility called Marimor, which enables people with developmental difficulties to be productive. Productive is good. Productive is happy. And John's shoe looks like it came from happily productive hands.

The man's face in the picture known as John Wilt is smiling - a smile of a child: innocent, free of care, without pain or fear or worry or concern. I see John Wilt's face and I see others like him. Children who are born to be loved because that's their world. That's what they can understand. John Wilt would never have a space in an office like mine, a life like mine, or even children as I do. John's Wilt's life was meant to happily share his happiness - and the innocent smile I see in his picture - under the care of others.

I'll never get to meet John Wilt. I've had his shoe, along with his picture and a brief written introduction to John, in my area of the office since that March event. A number of people have walked past the shoe, because it sits on the shelf next to our one and only office printer. I wonder if anyone has ever wondered about the man in the picture that painted the shoe that I have on the shelf in my area of the office? I have many times. I even asked a Marimor staff member about John Wilt, and they smiled and said, "Yes, I know John Wilt." His smile made me smile, and I've always smiled as I've thought about the man behind the brightly painted shoe, John Wilt.

I'll never get to meet John Wilt because he died last month. The man's name that painted the brightly colored shoe was printed on obit page. One day I was reading through the online edition of our local paper and the name "John Wilt" leaped off the screen and into my eyes. John Wilt. John Wilt, with his picture and a recap of his life here on earth.

As I read, it became clear. John Wilt left a legacy. A legacy of love, and apparently a broken heart as his mother died the very next day. His obituary and her obituary were laid side by side on the screen before me, and the legacy of their life of love was shared in yet another newspaper article. It seems that John Wilt, in his shoes and with his smile, were part of many local sporting events as he and his Mom were inseparable. Their smiles and their love were welcomed by many, and there will a space at future sporting events for this Mother and her son. I picture a Mother who deeply loved her son, John Wilt, and who cared for him so deeply that they were inseparable - even to the place where she couldn't live without him. A son named John Wilt, who wore smiling eyes on a face of innocence as he painted his shoe - brightly and happily - because he was asked to. He shared his love, and I have have that treasure to make me smile while his legacy lives on as a brightly painted shoe in my office.

John Wilt - thank you for happily painting your shoe - and for giving me this reminder that there's an innocence and beauty to be found in the joy of life... and that's the best place to leave a footprint... :)

The C for my wrist

I love surprises... don't you?
The nicest surprises are the total surprises: unanticipated, unawaited, unexpected - totally surprise surprises. A few weeks ago I got one - so nice! Someone close to me received a silver-snap Chamilia bracelet as part of an event and... she gave it to me.
She asked if I had one...
No, I've never spent the money for beads to get a free bracelet. 
Here - you can have this.

For me?

I don't think I said that. It was one of those speechless moments, when the heart overwhelms the mind's ability to remain calm, cool, and collected enough to offer fitting words of gracious thankfulness. I don't know that she realized how special that moment was to me. I know she couldn't understand the roots it tore up of overwhelming appreciation. I still carry the baggage of having so little as a young person that a silver-snap bracelet coming as a gift was not taken lightly, but with deep gratitude and sentiment for the gift - and its giver.

I'd keep it plain - no beads - simple - like me - but that's not the common style of the bracelet. The style for these bracelets is to carry charms of life's significance for the owner and wearer. That took some thought.

It's a Chamilia bracelet, so the quality clasp bears a bold letter "C". I made my gift of the C bracelet complete on my birthday, in a way that reflects my own style and inner motivation for life, to wear on my wrist as a reflection of... me. I took a coupon good for 30% off anything at a local big box store and got $10 off every $50 I purchased. In that way, my bracelet also reflected my inward sense of frugality, functionality, and financial focus. My Daddy would have been so proud of me.

The main charm is a simple circle of hearts, which reminds me of all those around the world that Jesus came and died for - to redeem to Himself. He loves the world; I need to do likewise. The two plain silver charms on either side of the main charm are for my hubby and I. God is our Source and our Strength for everything and we stay united through His love. Two stopper charms hold these charms in place - together we live our lives for His glory through His grace and His love, and our lives are held His place by His Almighty arms.

My bracelet reflects the Cs that are important to me and, as almost anyone who knows me can probably tell you, I enjoy words - and my C bracelet reminds me of words that are meaningful to me. My C reminds me of my favorite Cat Carlo - a very faithful friend and furry Companion. My C stands for Character, for Commitment, for Courage, for Caring. My C stands for Communicate, for Create and for Curious, Challenge and Compassion, Credibility and Courtesy, Connected, Confident, Consistent, and Competent. I am a person of Conviction and... above all...

I am a C...
I am a C-H...
I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N.

And I wear that with humble pride, realizing that this oxymoron also has great meaning in my life. I am thankful for all the blessings that my Heavenly Father graciously gives, sometimes from the hands of someone who has no idea what she is doing to impact the world around her with her wonderful surprises.