"Takin' Time Out"

Definition:  The season after winter and before summer, in which vegetation begins to appear, in the northern hemisphere from March to May

Move or jump suddenly or rapidly upward or forward.  Originate or arise from.

We have had a very harsh, cold and out of the ordinary winter for Texas.   As well as many parts of our country.   Personally, this year has been good to experience the bleak wintery weather for a change, growing up in Colorado I sometimes miss the actual seasons now that I live further south.  As I am sitting here sipping on a warm cup of chai oolong blend tea it is simply scrumptious and such an unusual but distinct flavor.  I am on the weather app looking at the upcoming forecast for this weekend.  It is calling for more rain, I say bring it on. I can’t believe this week we celebrated the first day of SPRING!  We moved our clocks forward a couple weeks ago, we had a nice much needed rain this past weekend, the trees have begun budding and the fruit trees have white blossoms all over them.  Simply beautiful!  Oh and must I mention how amazing it is to find the weeds popping up in my yard from nowhere, some with those bright yellow flowers, ugh I thought the freezing temperatures would destroy them!  I even put a faithful application of winter weed and feed on my grass last fall, what happened?  I guess it gives me a good reason to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and spray or pull those nasty little troublesome plants hoping they disappear soon before spreading to my neighbor’s yard. 

 

Did you know SPRING Equinox signals the beginning of the renewal of the Earth?  It is the exact moment when the sun crosses the equator going from south to north.  The plants begin to bloom again and animals come out of their hibernation.  Yes that includes snakes so golfers beware!  SPRING officially began on March 20.  To me just as fall or autumn, SPRING is a season of transformations.  The temperature rises to a more bearable degree, no more excuses not to get outside for that morning walk or jog, and the desire for high calorie foods loaded with carbohydrates don’t sound so good anymore.  Beach and Lake Season is right around the corner. Oh no that dreadful thought of me putting on my bathing suit and will last year’s even fit, ugh?  Have you felt like a sloth this winter, have you found like me lounging around in your favorite sweat or yoga pants, long sleeve shirt and a blanket wrapped around you lying on the couch reading a book or watching a movie?  Slowly my spirit is reawakening from this long winter’s slumber.   Deep within I know “Takin Time Out” is a good thing we all need rest for our souls but SPRING not only brings transformation to earth but it can bring transformation into our daily lives.  Anticipation of SPRING with warmer weather, longer daylight I feel refreshed and I AM ALIVE AGAIN!  What about you are you ready for another season, are you ready for SPRING?

 

SPRING is also a wake-up call for our immune systems.  I know I know, I have a couple of allergy suffers in my house, and with the pollen and ever changing weather  they have runny noses, red swollen watery eyes and this leaves the allergy ridden loved ones just plain miserable.  Thank goodness for prescription drugs especially for my husband fortunately I have not had those issues knock on wood but on occasion I may have a flare up and that is why l like to keep my Nature’s Sunshine ALJ and Hista Block in stock.  Speaking of immune systems, I like to do a cleanse or detox at least twice a year.  SPRING and fall seem to work best for me.  I have done a few 21 day very monitored cleanse and I felt awesome but with my work schedule and travel the 14 day seems to work best for me.  SPRING is a time for renewal so I like to get all those winter toxins that latterly seem to weigh me down completely out of my system and there is no better way than with a detox.  I strongly recommend you speak with your physician or medical advisor before starting any new program.  Warning for those who have never gone on a cleanse or detox the first few days you may feel awful it almost makes you sick, therefore I like to start on a Thursday, the first day is not so bad but by the second and third day I have a raging headache and I am a bit lethargic.  I have the weekend to rest and sleep a little more drinking lots of water as the toxins begin to move and flush out of my system.  By day 4 you begin to feel like a brand new person and at the end of it you vow never to pick up your old eating habits again. Ha-ha!

 

Actually for some of us we may like to take it one step further, especially since we are on the journey of Lent leading up to my favorite holiday Easter.  Let’s take this time of cleansing a little deeper and have a time for a spiritual fasting.    In my early years as a Christian I read about this in scripture many times but I never truly thought about applying it to my personal life until our church as a body implemented the Daniel Fast.  It was a very humbling experience.  The purpose of spiritual fasting is to consecrate or set aside a specific period of time to draw closer to God and hear from him.  Your “Takin Time Out” to seek answers to prayer, to grow in the love and knowledge of our Lord and Savior.   A powerful side benefit of the Daniel Fast was the improved health, cleansing of toxins and a little bit of weight loss (Yeah) and drawing closer to our Lord and Savior. What more could you ask for?  One of my favorite books of the Bible is Daniel found in the Old Testament.  Just in case you didn’t know Daniel was one of the children of Israel.  Scripture tells us he was a young man, with no blemish, good-looking, gifted in wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had the ability to serve in the king’s palace, and who was able to teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.  He was taken from his country and brought to Babylon by orders of the King.  However, he maintained his deep conviction to honor God in all things and one was very clear he was not vague in his objection to the Babylonian diet.  Let’s read the verse found in Daniel 10:3 “I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.”  To him the king’s food was against dietary laws, he had vowed against wine, the king’s food had been offered up to idols and demons and he wanted no part of it.  He was very faithful in prayer and how he took care of his body and the foods he ate. God truly blessed him for it.  Shouldn’t we all be a little more like Daniel?  Whether it is a seven, ten, fourteen or twenty-one day fast that is between you and God…what truly matters is found in Mathew 6:16-18 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others.  Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret.  And you Father who sees in secret will reward you.”  Hmmm this truly is something to think about, now isn’t it?

 

Well now that we feel a bit lighter and physically better, I say it is time to SPRING into Action and let’s do some SPRING Cleaning…it is amazing how those wintery little dust mites appear out of nowhere, I have opened my blinds in my windows to let the bright sunshine flow through my house and Oh My!  Where in the world did all that dust come from?  Have you looked along your blinds and baseboards?  Mine are white with a film of dust laying along that narrow board…hmmm I have to laugh because during a luncheon a dear friend of mine reminded me how I used to have a ritual or game for housecleaning.  Early in my married life my well organized very tidy mother was so kind to loan me a book and 4 cassette tapes (remember them) called “Sidetracked Home Executives – From Pig Pen to Paradise” by Pam Young and Peggy Jones.  I think they have an updated version now and an actual website filled full of wonderful information but way back then I spent hours typing on an actual typewriter (not computer) on 3X5 index cards, activities for the day, the week, the month, the quarter, bi-annually and annually.  I liked to put appropriate little stickers on the activity to make it fun and brighten up color coated cards that were filed either behind the day of the week, month or year.  Well after that luncheon I went home and dug around until I found my flowered little metal box that housed all those wonderful cards.  I leafed through each one and it brought back such wonderful memories early in my life as I began to keep my own home.  It brought such a reward when I was able to get everything done and it was more of a game than just housework.  I must say I remember how both of my Grandmothers loved to clean and have a neat and tidy home. For weeks and sometimes months in advance of them having Canasta Club in their home (which was a day the lady’s came over for lunch and play cards for the afternoon), they would spend hours deep cleaning the drapes, the carpet, the baseboards, inside drawers and cabinets wiping up every little speck and crumb.  Their windows were washed inside and out and yes they even moved the refrigerator, washing machine, dryer cleaning behind and underneath them.  Now really are your friends going to check behind your refrigerator…well no but I know it made them feel refreshed and knowing their house was deep cleaned at least twice a year.  Living in Baca County where the dust flies it wasn’t a bad thing.  Ok, so I have taken you down memory lane for a minute back to SPRING cleaning…what does that mean for you?  Cleaning out old clothes, deep cleaning your home even if you have a maid I am sure there are things like the top of the cabinets, behind the couches, what about the outside of the cabinet doors and drawers, the light switches or underneath the bed that might need a little refreshing.  It is a great time to flip your mattress, wash the mattress pad and change the batteries in your smoke alarms so they don’t begin to die and wake you up in the middle of the night with that annoying beep or chirping?  Who knows with all that motivation you might sleep a little sounder at night.  So now where shall we begin…wait let me go get my card file and then I can tell ya – LOL!

As I wrap up this week, I just looked out the window and saw a glimpse of a red breasted robin hopping around oh wait listen carefully do you hear the sweet sound of birds chirping or the wind blowing…have you “Takin Time Out” this week and notice the rebirth of SPRING in some way?  I know it is still a bit chilly but it truly is such a beautiful time whether it is new beginning, rebirth, cultivating the soil to plant your garden, SPRING cleaning, watching transformations before your own eyes or thinking of what you can do for the next community service project.  Maybe consider a few of these suggestions as you SPRING into SPRING

•         Spruce up your home with new decorations
•         Consider getting a new look, change your hairstyle or color and maybe add some SPRING color to your make-up with a new blush, lipstick and eye shadows.  Maybe some of your make-up needs to be purged if it hasn’t been used in the last 6 to 12 months
•         Find new ways for “Takin Time Out” and relaxing trying Yoga Nidra or maybe try cross country running, rowing, cycling, jogging, golf what is on your bucket list?
•         Pick or buy some new seasonal fresh flowers not only for the pots outside but maybe a fresh bouquet to admire at home…when is the last time you bought some flowers just for YOU?
•      Try a new hobby painting, ceramics, photography
•      Join a community garden club
•      Volunteer somewhere

Whatever it may be I wish you a very happy, productive and awakening rebirth of SPRING!  Until next time my dear friend enjoy life to the fullest, breathe deeper and count your many blessings…

 

Definition of Road:  A wide way leading from one place to another a long, narrow stretch with a smoothed or paved surface, made for traveling by motor vehicle, carriage, etc., between two or more points.

A series of events or a course of action that will lead to a particular outcome

 

The past few weeks my life has truly been On the Road.  I added up and I have been over 7,000 miles in just a few short weeks.  Some of the travel required getting on an airplane, while some was taking the metro rail system or Amtrak on the East Coast, there were always those eventful taxi cab rides but quite a bit of it was behind the wheel of vehicle and truly On the Road.  Remember the famous song Willie Nelson sings “On the Road Again!” well that was my theme song for the past month.  I feel so blessed to have a job that takes me to some very exciting places and some not so exciting places.  You get to see city life, to rural America and everything in between.  I have met all kinds of people with various shapes, sizes, ethnic background and various religious beliefs throughout our land.  We truly are a melting pot of cultures blended into one nation that is founded on true freedom and I don’t ever want to take this for granted. 

 

As I visited our nation’s capital again in Washington DC, I just look around in amazement.  There is so much history and beautiful heartwarming memorials honoring our forefathers and people who sacrificed so much.  Walking inside the buildings and viewing the walls of our congress gave me goose bumps.  I had the privilege to speak with a few of our elected officials and their aides.  I quickly realize those in office today are actually determining our future especially for our children and grandchildren.  While they are creating laws that impact us on a daily basis, some are for a worthy cause while others I truly question.  I continue to pray for this nation as I feel we are straying away from our deep Christian roots and what this country truly was founded upon.  I am very disheartened from both sides of the aisle but I am not blogging politics this week, it is about being On the Road.

 

 

Out of all the travels I guess I like to be behind the wheel and On the Road it gives me more control of my destination or it may be the fact it is in my DNA as my Dad has driven a many a mile in his lifetime as well. Growing up we raised Quarter Horses and I remember quite a few trips we would be pulling a horse trailer to Oklahoma or Texas to breed the mares.  Now pulling a horse trailer loaded with horses, you don’t get to make very many stops along the way, mainly to get gas and eat a quick bite.  I remember the year they introduce the new pickup trucks with dual gas tanks.  My Dad was a very happy camper meant we could go allot farther without having to stop.

 

I am so proud my parents are in good health and able to still travel.  This past year my parents have taken a couple road trips.  They live in the panhandle of Texas and each year for the past several years they go to an annual cattle sale in Sheridan, Wyoming which is an absolutely beautiful part of the country.  After the sale Dad told Mom they would take a few extra days and venture west.  I think Dad likes that saying, “Go west young man go west.”  So off they went traveling through the northern part of the United States towards the west coast, making a few stops along the way, they saw many a country side, mountains, valleys and the Pacific Ocean.  Then they headed back inland and south to Texas.  For New Year’s they decided to take another road trip to the Big Bend area of Texas, spending a few days, they ate dinner at the original Reata Restaurant in Alpine, saw the vast beauty of the Rio Grande river and eventually then headed inland and ended up around Kingsville.  They took a tour of the King Ranch, I was so happy they were able to do that and went on to Corpus Christi back up through Fredericksburg and headed back home.   At their age they have decided it is much better to view things from the seat of their vehicle vs venturing out by foot, so they have named themselves “Windshield Tourists” which personally I think is very fitting and an ingenious title.  I hope they plan more adventures this year…

 

After my east coast visit I got in my vehicle and have been touring West Texas and New Mexico for work, it was a hard couple of weeks with back to back meetings then getting in my vehicle and driving to the next location for more meetings before finding a hotel and catching a few zzzz’s.  There were many a mile of wide open spaces and very dry flat land.  They have the most beautiful sunrise and sunsets though.  It has been such a harsh cold winter we actually started off with freezing snow and ice but on the tail end of the trip, I was excited to see the beginning stages of spring and warmer weather.  The trees had buds that were starting to bloom; the grass had a hit of light green popping up.  The beauty of the rebirth of the land coming to life….Have you stopped and “Takin Time Out” to notice these things?  If you have not I strongly encourage you to do so.  I know some of you sufferer with allergies and you may be dreading the March winds and pollen.  Yes, I know it does leave a film of residue on our cars but overlook the negative and focus on the positive of a new season approaching.  I LOVE SPRING!  March winds bring April Showers which brings beautiful spring flowers…as I returned home I noticed a few tulips had popped up and have begun to bloom.  I think it’s time to plan an outing to the Botanical Gardens with my girls and grandkids real soon.

 

God truly has created such beautiful textures, colors, snowfall, and sunshine, clear sky, cloudy days, rainy days each and every day is truly different and fascinating to me.  Some are better than others but one thing I know I am very thankful for them all.  Through the trials and tribulations we grow, we adapt we change and through the blessings and good times we relax and are able to truly enjoy all that we have.

 

I love taking in all that I can, I do have to laugh at a few of the road signs I pass by such as “Caution Ice on Bridge”, I think they flip those down and leave the whole winter as I didn’t see any ice on those bridges.  The biggest challenge I find now is what is the real speed limit?  For many of the interstate driving it is 75, there is a toll road outside of Austin you can go 80 and then you veer off and are on the country roads it is back down to 55, unless you a going through a very small town it is 35.  Awareness kicks in and I try to pay attention but it can be hard sometimes when no one is On the Road.

 

Being On the Road is not all glory and glamour, it can take a toll on your mind, body and spirit if you allow it.  The hotels sometimes have noise from the neighbors that come in at all hours of the night and bang the door shut or get up extremely early to shower and it interrupts your sleep, or the pillow is too hard, too flat, and too puffy and there were times I wished I had brought my own from home.  But each day brought a new beginning and a new adventure.

 

I am a strong believer in “Takin Time Out” especially if you are under stress or tight schedules.  We all need a little time to relax, get centered, and take a really deep belly breathe.  Yoga stretches are great especially if you have been sitting for a long period of time and one of my biggest challenges is to drink plenty of water.

 

I think of Biblical times and how most of them traveled on old dusty roads by foot or donkey. Not able to shower or bathe daily. There were plenty of business and life changing events occur while folks were traveling and On the Road.  One such set of scriptures comes from the New Testament when Saul was On the Road to Damascus, he was a very intelligent man but one who persecuted the Christians, after Jesus’ death, he was nearing Damascus and he suddenly found himself surrounded by a very bright light.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice from the heavens say to him “Saul, Saul why do you persecute Me?”  The voice was of Jesus Christ himself.  The account is found in Acts chapter 9.  This incredible conversation that followed brought Paul to the realization of his error Christianity was not a threat to the Jews but rather the fulfillment of all that they hold true.  Saul, the man most Christians of the time may have considered to be somewhat of a monster had reach his day of conversion in no uncertain terms.  He was literally knocked down on that road to Damascus and directly called by God.  He thereafter became known at Paul.

 

What about you have you ever had a life changing event happen to you while traveling On the Road?  Maybe an animal ran out in front of you, a buzzard crashes into your windshield, your life flashes before your eyes and you say a little prayer of thanksgiving you were ok.  Maybe the Lord spoke to you while being On the Road of changes you need to make in your life, did you follow through or are you still pondering all the reasons why not?  Perhaps you have had a more tragic event happen, a precious loved one killed in an accident or maimed for life.  These are all real life situations that happen every day.  I am very thankful for my safe return home, lessons learned along the way but also for the time I had while traveling “On the Road” as it teaches me to appreciate more of the simple things in life and I realize just as Dorothy did in the Wizard of Oz…”There is No Place Like Home!”

 

Until next time my dear friends….whether you find yourself On the Road or returning home from travels of Spring Break…no matter where you are or what you are doing, you enjoy this fresh new beginning and season of Spring and “Takin Time Out” to feed your mind, body and soul…and as Yogi Berra once said “If you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Definition:  The act or process of finding a person guilty of a crime especially in a court of law.  A strong belief or opinion.  The feeling of being sure that what you believe or say is true.

 

 

This week I felt lead to share a few of my thoughts and viewpoints on the word CONVICTION.  Not one we use in the court of law but the one with strong belief or opinion.  This is such a powerful word and one I hope you live by daily.  As I stare into this computer screen so much of my passion, dreams, desires and goals that I have obtained, all came from a deep seeded CONVICTION I had burning on the inside.  I truly believe a person without CONVICTION is at the mercy of circumstances.  If you don’t know what is truly important or determine how you will live other people will determine it for you.  I once read a person without CONVICTION is a weak jellyfish type of individual who mindlessly follows the crowd.  They go through day in and day out letting the world or point in time in their life direct their path.  However, if you are CONVICTED you become more diligent in what you want and how you are going to go after it.  CONVICTION gives you purpose.  How about you are you CONVICTED or are you letting someone or something else motivate and determine the road you are on?

 

I do know my faith in God and accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior as a child helped in molding me and CONVICTING me to grow spiritually.  Therefore God has been my guiding light and compass but it is the seeds he plants within that CONVICTS me to pursue my aspirations throughout life.  This has required time and effort and I have made plenty of mistakes along the way and worldly views have impacted some of those decisions but through his word and daily time with him I grow stronger and more convinced I need him in every way.  Paul in Romans 12:2 talks about CONVICTION when he wrote “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold your mind from within.”  I also love the verse found in 1 Thessalonians 1:5 “Because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep CONVICTION.  You know how we lived among you for your sake.”  By meditating on these words it will help from distractions of this world and agenda of others.  Jesus is the best example of living with CONVICTION.  He knew his father had a plan and he followed through day in and day out until the day he died on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day.  This week many of us began Lent, for Christians it is a season before Easter, starting with Ash Wednesday and then a 40 day journey until we celebrate Easter, which is one of my favorite holidays.  It is a season for fasting, repentance, moderation and discipline.  To me it is “Takin Time Out” for reflection on Jesus Christ his suffering and his sacrifice he made on that cross for you and me.  What about you where do you stand, have you accepted him as your Lord and Savior?  If not maybe you should consider, open your Bible, talk to him he is just waiting and willing to listen.  No matter how bad you may have messed up he loves you, he created you but we each one have to accept and ask him into our hearts.   I pray you will take that first step, it will completely change your life and you will be so glad you did.  I promise!

 

As I am sipping on a hot cup of Lemon Zing Tea, I am so thankful for so many things.  I know that this simple and powerful word can change a person’s life if they will allow it to.  True CONVICTION can’t hold you back, if you truly feel compelled or lead your whole body, heart and soul is on fire to pursue that dream, that desire that destination and journey you pursue. To me CONVICTIONS give purpose, gives you meaning gives you a compass.  This produces a deep awareness and helps keep you from getting distracted.  CONVICTIONS also include your values, commitments and actions.  CONVICTIONS are deeper than just a belief, you might argue about a belief but a CONVICTION is something you will almost die for. 

 

I have been traveling the past few weeks and have one more week to go.  My schedule is a bit crazy.   Therefore my blog post is a bit short, sweet and late in posting but it doesn’t change my viewpoint and how strongly I feel about the word CONVICTION.  I want to leave you with one last saying that I have posted in my office I hope it speaks to you as it has me through the years.

 

Knowing what to do is knowledge, why to do it is perspective and how to do it is skill but it is worthless if you don’t have the CONVICTION that will motivate you to actually do it!  The people who have made the greatest impact on this world, for good or evil, were the people with the strongest, deepest CONVICTIONS.  They weren’t necessarily the smartest, wealthiest or best educated people but their CONVICTIONS moved them to move the world!

 

How about you my dear friend….where do you stand?  As you are “Takin Time Out” this week I ask you to think deep and hard on where your CONVICTIONS stand. Are you living them day in and day out?  If not maybe it is time to make a change.  Until next time may those seeds begin to grow and you begin to take action towards your CONVICTIONS……

Definition of HEART:  The organ in your chest that pumps blood through your veins and arteries; the front part of your chest; the HEART thought of a the place where emotions are felt.

Definition FROM THE HEART:  With Sincere Feeling

 

Well this is the last day of the month of February, I am sitting here sipping on my favorite cup of China Tip Green Tea….mmmm….savoring the fact how quickly time passes especially the older I get.  Maybe it is the fact February is a short month in the number of days it has and therefore it goes by quicker as well.  Anyway I felt lead to share some things this week that are truly FROM THE HEART so let’s begin!

 

When I started this blog I wanted it to be an uplifting reflection of random thoughts, tidbits, tales, travel experiences, and tea being because it warms my HEART, expressed from Texas as that is where I live but mostly it is about encouraging people to truly find a “Takin Time Out!” as we live in such a fast pace world.  For the most part I hope I have captured that but I have also found it has truly opened up a part of me I never realized existed and that is the art of writing.  I have always been a tender HEARTED person, very self-conscience, people pleaser and I take what people say to HEART.  Well that can be a good thing but also a bad thing…how many of you have had a teacher, mentor or boss who told you that you were not very good at something and you truly believed them?  This is the case and point with me.

 

While in school my English teacher did just that, I also had a boss that corrected harshly almost every letter I wrote so with so much negativity you begin to believe you shouldn’t do certain thing and writing was one of them.  I used to put a Happy Face at the end of my memo when I signed it.  Now for the Generation X and Y who might be reading this you probably do not know what a memo is but prior to email and just on the cusp of faxes, we used to send several inter-office memo’s back and forth forming our communication and relaying our proposal, reminder a brief written record, it was not as formal as a letter but got our point across.  I had one upper manager asked me to quit putting those smiley faces at the end of my salutation as it was NOT professional…well I was just trying to express my feelings and wanting that person to smile and have a good day since I couldn’t see them in person.  And Forrest Gump worked so hard to design and create it…so I conformed and quit doing it and as time moved forward and we now have the introduction to emails, text and instant messaging that same former upper manager who now is retired sends a note she puts a little happy face at the end of her remarks.  You know what, I just SMILE and think I was just a little before my time.  LOL!

 

I will say I sometimes worry about my grammar, I know I spell some things wrong, punctuation is definitely not right, I use slang words but blogging allows you to express those deep hidden random thoughts and for the most part your readers are able to understand what you are trying to express without too much criticism. For those who are good with grammar and maybe an English major I know I probably drive you crazy, please forgive me.

 

I would ask what is on your bucket list of things you would like to try to accomplish or do.  Have you begun?  Why not?  Is it fear, preparation, skills, funds, time, or just plain ole procrastination?  That is why I want to get to the HEART of the matter and encourage you to begin today!  My first recommendation is to write it down and maybe write it down a couple of times and then put a date of when you are going to begin.  Post it somewhere you can see it each and every day like on your bathroom mirror, on the refrigerator or the speedometer dash of your car if you drive allot.  I have the motto on my computer screen that says “A year from now, you will wish you had started TODAY” by Karen Lamb.  What is that desire my friend…no better time than now to begin.  It doesn’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to have all the stuff to start just take that first step and you will be sooooo glad you did!  Yes, you may stubble along the way but that is how you learn and grow, no matter how young or old you are, dig deep within your HEART and water that seed and let it begin to grow.  It is amazing the discoveries you will find.  I am so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone, I started putting these random thoughts and matters of my HEART down on a computer screen, you never know whose life you might touch, who you will meet along the way or what opportunities will be discovered through these adventures.  It may not be blogging but maybe it is starting a journal that you keep private for a while or painting, sketching, writing a book, cooking, sewing, gardening, recycling or making unique crafts.  In this ever changing world the sky is the limit.  I also encourage you to not wait, that saying from childhood pops in my head “Don’t put off what you can do today as tomorrow may never come.” 

 

During my quiet time this week I went through and listed those verses that had the word “HEART” and here are some of my favorites:

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is there your HEART will be also.”

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your HEART and lean not on your own understanding”

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a pure HEART, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your HEART.”

 

You know the best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even touched they are felt and they are felt with your HEART.  Keep love in your HEART, keep compassion, keep the renewing of each day as a new beginning and please keep forgiveness. I know very well throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and hurt you deeply but life is too short to let bitterness take hold, rise above, open your HEART to forgive and set yourself free.  A loving HEART is the beginning of true happiness.

 

As you are “Takin Time Out” this week, I encourage you to OPEN up your HEART, be receptive to new discovery of your inner soul, let the spirit speak to you and then act upon it.  Don’t wait time is ticking…Until next time my dear friends…breathe deeply, breathe even deeper and relax, draw upon your visions and let them truly come to life…

 

 

 

 

Definition:  A case with a handle and a hinged lid, used for carrying clothes or other personal possessions.

 

Ok my friends you might find this to be a rather odd topic or word for the week.  I just ask that you please bare with me as my creative mind and inner soul wants to enlarge your vision and give you a little something to think about.

 

Before starting this weekly blog and in my planning stages I sat down and put over one hundred words down on a piece of paper of potential topics I could write about, however as each week comes around different encounters or situations arise and sometimes I have deviated from that list.  This week is one of them.  As I have shared my words of the year and a few weeks ago I wrote about Awareness being this year’s word.  I am becoming more in tune with circumstances, situations, maybe the Holy Spirit at work and really embracing my whereabouts. 

 

The next few weeks I will be living out of my SUITCASE, I have several business trips planned for work.  I always like to be prepared and this time of year brings a few challenges as you are never quite sure what the weather is going to be like, in Texas this month alone we have had freezing icy temperatures, to this week being in the upper 70’s gotta love Texas.  However, I am going to the East coast for a few days in the my whirl wind tour of West Texas and New Mexico…I know from growing up on the ranch that North wind can hit at any moment and you can easily have a late winter snowstorm but I am hoping for more temperatures in the 70’s as this year seemed to be a very unusually cold winter and my body requires sunshine and warmer weather!  My cousin gave me these fancy E-Bags packing cubes and boy are they handy and maximize my space; I encourage you to check them out at www.ebags.com for anyone who travels allot.  It makes you pack like a neat freak even if you aren’t one. I get so excited when packing my SUITCASE now!  Thanks cuz…

 

Before heading to the airport, my biggest challenge is keeping my SUITCASE weight under 50 lbs so I won’t have to pay more.  Personally, I think in the winter they should allow you up to 75 lbs as my bulky sweaters and coats weigh more. LOL!  I will say after 9/11 travel to me was forever changed especially going through the airport.  I love to people watch, you can recognize the experience traveler, to the moderate ones and then there are those that seem to be a first timer.  My heart especially goes out to those with small children, packing their SUITCASE with formula, diapers, snacks, favorite toy and blanket, change of clothes and they usually have a car seat, stroller and several other items.  Then you have to deal with crowds, waiting in line and being restricted or confined…Whew makes me tired just thinking about it.  Oh and are you one of those people as they walk on the plane worry with the anticipation they may have to sit next to you?  Yes, are you going to be faced with a crying or hyper active child?  Or do you embrace the situation and try to help that weary traveling parent?  Just a random thought…  

 

How about YOU?  Do you have any business or better yet vacations planned?  It is so much fun to get ready for vacation, packing your SUITCASE is a treat because of the anticipation of going somewhere you have never been or perhaps you go back to your favorite spot year after year.  “Takin Time Out” is sooo important to the feeding of your soul and renewing your spirit!  I hope you have plans to go somewhere in the near future.

 

As I am sipping on my favorite cup of Zen Green Tea, relaxing and “Takin Time Out,” making notes of all the things I need to do before packing my SUITCASE and getting ready to leave.  I stop and pause while saying a prayer for safety, good health and God’s grace.  He gently reminds me through his word in Psalm 91:11 “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”  This brings me comfort, no matter the circumstances, my additional prayer and reflection this week is found in Joshua 1:7 “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you.  Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.”  This week I know I will be facing some challenges and possible opposition in my daily dealings with people but through Christ he gives me wisdom and strength to endure.  Thank you Lord, Amen…

 

I have a passion for reading uplifting, positive and motivation quotes, articles and books.  This week on a Facebook post there was this SUITCASE sitting in the middle of a country road and it caught my eye.  Not only did the picture bring the initial attraction but the story or post behind it even resonated more.  I would like to share this as we end:

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– What do you have in that suitcase? the man asked.
– God answered: Your belongings.
– My belongings? you mean my things, my clothes, my money?
-God answered: Those things were not yours they belonged to the earth.

– Is it my memories? the man asked.
-God answered: those never belonged to you they belonged to Time

– Is it my talents?
-God answered: those were never yours they belonged to the circumstances.

– Is it my friends and family?
-God answered: I’m sorry they were never yours they belonged to the path.

– Is it my wife and son?
– God answered: They were never yours the belonged to your heart.

– Is it my body?
– God answered: that was never yours it belonged to the dust.

-Is it my soul?
God answered: No that is mine.

Full of fear, the man took the suitcase from god and opened it just to find out the suitcase was empty.
– With a tear coming down his cheek the man said: I never had anything???
-God answered: that is correct, every moment you lived were only yours. Life is just a moment. a moment that belongs to you. For this reason enjoy this time while you have it. Don’t let anything that you think you own stop you from doing so.
-Live Now
-Live your life
– Don’t forget to be happy, that is the only thing that matters.
– Material things and everything else that you fought for stay here.
-YOU CAN’T TAKE ANYTHING

Share this reflection with anyone you love or appreciate. Enjoy every second you live.

WOW, do you have chill bumps or a little tear swell up in the corner of your eye?  It did mine not sure if it has to do with the winter blues or I like to think of it as a reality check. 

Sooo what’s in your SUITCASE?  How have you packed your bags are there some things you might need to change or get rid of?  Maybe you should add a few things or is it full of heavy burdens?  It’s not too late to pause or hit the reset button or maybe repack your bags altogether.  While “Takin Time Out” this week I encourage you to reflect…are you living in the moment or planning too much for the future or has the past just left open wounds or scares that can’t let you move on?  I suggest you open that SUITCASE and commit to change or better yet, grab another SUITCASE maybe one that is lightweight with those cool fancy rotating wheels that allow you to make shifts and changes as you drag it down the path of life!

Until next time my friends, let’s repack those bags…lighten our load…breathe a little deeper one of those deep belly breathes slowly inhaling and holding then releasing it out even slower…Time on this earth is so short…make sure you are living, laughing, loving, a leave a positive lasting impression on those we love most…Have a terrific week…

QUOTES:

Anyone who needs more than one suitcase is a tourist, not a traveler” Ira Levin, Rosemary’s Baby!