"Takin' Time Out"

Definition: a diagrammatic representation of an area of land or sea showing physical features, cities, roads, etc.

 

Have you ever thought you were going the right direction when you suddenly realized something didn’t feel quite right? Have you stopped in your tracks and realized you might be on the wrong road or even lost? Well I have on more than one occasion. Growing up in the plains of Colorado I have always known North, South, East and West. I was also blessed by God giving me a keen sense of direction so I very rarely get turned around. However, not so long ago I knew I was on the right road when suddenly I passed a road sign that clearly indicated I was not. I somehow missed a turn and was headed to the coastline rather than West towards Victoria where my meeting was to be held. Thank goodness for modern technology most vehicles today have a GPS system and if they don’t your hand held device or phone will. So I pulled the car over punched in the address as to where I was going and hit the button from my current location. Yep, I had driven 40 miles out of my way and clearly wasted a good hour as I had to go back the way I came. Lesson learned if you are not sure of your route then type in or map out the directions first before leaving for your destination.

 

Growing up I remember my parents using a large Atlas or in some cases a large paper map of a particular state or area of the state to help determine how to get somewhere.  The cool thing many times there was more than one way to get to your final destination. I can remember my Mom asking me to write down numbers so we could add up the mileage, review whether it was interstate or the back roads and determine which route we wanted to go to get to where we were going. When I first moved to the city I bought this big blue spiral bound book I kept in the car called a Mapsco. Each page had details of specific blocks and streets in each area of the metroplex.   My biggest challenge was driving downtown determining the route I needed to take to get to certain clients but they had so many one way streets, and for a little blonde girl growing up in the country and the nearest town didn’t even have a stop light only stop signs it was a unique challenge I faced daily. Now you simply type in the final destination into your phone and hit route from current location and bam you have all the detail at one punch of the button, and Siri talking telling you how to go which makes it convenient but doesn’t allow your brain to use the basic math and thinking skills we learned in school. I do love where it shows a red line indicating heavy traffic or construction, it provides the estimated time of arrival for each route so all you have to do it determine the quickest or the more scenic and relaxed route you wish to go.

 

With today’s technology and apps for your hand held device you have Google Maps, MapQuest, Navigator, and Commander Compass. You can map by automobile, by walking, by public transit. We have map my run, map my bike ride, map the weather, map and find my phone, and the list goes on and on. Maps are an important feature in life in order to find our way through this journey we are on.

 

I recently did a Bible Study on “Listen to Your Life”; it was written by Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing. Their primary goal was to create activity maps for recognizing and responding to God in my story. It was a refreshing approach as to where I have been and where I might like to go, taking my relationship with God a bit deeper. It also taught me to realize life may not always go according to our plan. Yet if we stop, and listen to God’s plan and timing is always perfect. There were lots of visual activities with maps and opportunity to reflect upon where we have been. It really was fun and rewarding. I encourage you to check this out. Their study was based on Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us trip off every weight that slow us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this y keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”

 

As I am sipping on my savoring cup of Zen hot tea this morning, I love reflecting on my favorite childhood game called “Life”. We each would pick our favorite color of car and all start out together but by spinning the wheel and drawing certain cards we each would have different events take place in our life some would end up with a car load of children and some would not, we would follow the road map on the game board and in the end we would either live in a mansion and or the poor farm. I have to laugh because that really is how it works not necessarily in material things but in nuggets of gold whether it is your family, your values and your beliefs.

 

We each have a choice in life. We can either live on-purpose, according to a plan we’ve set. Or we can live by accident, reacting to the demands of others. The first approach is proactive and the second is reactive. I know we can’t plan for everything, interruptions or road blocks can happen but if we live our life with intention, I feel you will have a more fulfilled life. That is why it is so important to map out a vision plan and have a mission statement that is your compass you live by. Lately my life has been a bit out of control, nothing bad just several different opportunities, challenges and trying to find balance between, work, family and finding time for ME! I too really try to focus on one thing at a time. Preparation prevents pressure but procrastination produces it. We work either by priorities or pressure. Balance is the key to stress management work must be balanced with fun, worship and the task at hand. We are to focus on one thing at a time. Jesus was a perfect example he knew how to handle interruptions without being distracted from his primary goal! Life may seem hard and we may have to take a few detours but if we continue to focus on the end result from the MAP we created, we will always get to the final destination.

 

What about you? As you are “Takin Time Out” this week…what does your life map look like? I commend those who have already mapped out their course and living their dream! But for those of you have not…are you on the right road and living the life God has designed for you or have you been too distracted with your own agenda or agenda of others to even consider this? If you feel you are a drifter with no real map, I strongly encourage you to set some time aside and redefine yourself. Find your core strengths and map out the life you want and how you are going to do this. Yes, it is setting some goals and figuring out how you are going to shed some of the weight that seems to be burdening you day in and day out. This could include actual unwanted pounds, debt, a bad habit like smoking or too much alcohol, the weight of material things. Let’s map out more time to read, enjoy your hobby, relationships with friends and family and enjoying all life has to offer. The list is lengthy but by mapping these items out and writing them down…redirecting your focus and slowly begin to make these changes you will become more fulfilled. Yes, there will be life’s interruptions but if we stay focused it can change the course. It is all about being intentional. Until next time my friend … ENJOY the map you are on or change your course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Definition:  the warmest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from June to August and in the southern hemisphere from December to February.

 

Whew, as I sit down to my computer after a long day at work…I am feeling the effect of the hot SUMMER Texas heat. Yes, it was over 100 degrees today but we have been very blessed to have a fairly mild year up until now. After all it is the first of August and this is normal for this time of year. Nevertheless it till can zap your energy and make you sweat!

 

Personally I love SUMMER, for some reason it is a more relaxing time of year. An author unknown quoted “SUMMER is when your Hair get lighter, Skin gets darker, Water gets warmer, Drinks get colder, Music gets louder, Nights get longer and LIFE gets better! Don’t you agree? SUMMER is time for flip flops, shorts, bare legs and fun in the sun with extra hours of daylight…you lighten up a bit on the schedules and go with the flow. It means more grilling outdoors, picnics, poolside or romping in the park. It is time to eat peaches, plums, melons and make your favorite delicious homemade ice cream. I remember helping my grandpa with the old fashion crank ice cream maker with a wooden tub which took a long time churning and lots of physical labor. He would sit it on the back steps and bend over holding on to the top while grinding and grinding the crank. Fortunately we have advanced and the electric motor churns that metal canister just fine packed with ice and rock salt in a plastic tub…oh how I love the taste of that homemade ice cream, especially when you are licking the paddle… Yum…is your mouth watering yet? What is your favorite flavor?

 

For many, SUMMER may mean to have a reprieve from daily work or school, especially if you are a teacher or student. You have a couple months off while others like me have to squeeze in a little vacation here and there or by taking a three day weekend. Others like my hubby, SUMMER is a bit more hectic, he is in construction and they do allot of schools so they only have three months to get the job done. Nevertheless the whole mindset and vitamin D seems to put folks in a better mood or maybe the heat makes them lethargic and not so uptight? Many families have second homes and it is a chance to go to the mountains, ranch, lake, or seaside. Perhaps it is an opportunity to sleep under screened in porches, a tent or in the outdoors. It is definitely a change of pace. Kids can enjoy SUMMER camps making new friends, learning to stretch their courage by zip lining, water skiing, swimming across the lake or pool, roasting marshmallows and making s’mores around the open flame of a camp fire. How many of you can sing the words to “Kumbaya”, “The Ants go marching…” or “A boy and a girl in a little canoe”…? Isn’t it fun to remember all those favorite camp songs? I bet I have you humming the lyrics right now?

 

One of my favorite memories was going to church camp in the mountains of Colorado. We would stay in an old musty cabin that had wood floors and creepy crawler as in bugs yet there were a group of giggling girls that made you feel a little more at ease. Some we knew and some we didn’t but it was always fun to make new friends and have a new pen pal for the rest of the year. We had a community shower, with extremely cold water and a little general store we could buy snacks and things. There was a rotary phone we could call home but it was long distant so we would call collect. We had to time it just right to make sure our parents were home to accept the call…Yes those were the days! Each morning we started off with breakfast then onto morning chapel, the afternoon we had craft activities, free time and then evening worship. Later in the night we gathered around the camp fire in the cool mountain air. The Lord truly blessed us, finding our purpose, laying a deep foundation, reading his word…oh how I love being a child of God. SUMMER Fun…Matthew 24:32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that SUMMER is near.”

 

Fortunately we have traded a bit of the feel of SUMMER for the comfort of air-conditioning in the South. It takes something out of the season to need a sweater and scarf in restaurants or office buildings. I know when I was younger I would sleep under my electric blanket year round. Now that I am a woman over 50 that is definitely not the case…LOL! I am very thankful for air conditioning. As a child growing up in Southeast Colorado we had what we called water coolers or swamp coolers.   I can remember my dad getting on the roof at the beginning of SUMMER and cleaning out the unit from the winter and string a garden hose up the roof line to set it into action. Basically, an evaporative cooler (also swamp cooler, desert cooler and wet air cooler) is a device that cools air through the evaporation of water. Evaporative cooling differs from typical air conditioning systems which use vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycles. When I was in High School my parents put in a central air conditioning unit…there is definitely a difference. Central air seems to me to be much cooler and not so humid or sticky. However, I would take either one on a HOT SUMMER’S Day, how about YOU?

 

We must learn to embrace the SUMMER’S gifts, shift into SUMMER gear slow and easy…breathing in deeply exhaling slowly. Some ways to consider doing this is take advantage of early morning coolness and choose this time to spend outside…perhaps visit the farmer’s market on the weekend and pick up some fresh produce or perhaps you planted your own garden in the spring and are reaping the harvest? Feeling the cool sand beneath my feet under a scorching SUMMER sun, it is the time of year to restock the sun-block and mosquito repellent. I love having pop cycles or ice cream sandwiches in the freezer for when the grandkids come over and savor the flavor of freshly brewed sweet tea or lemonade. There is nothing more quenching on a hot SUMMER’S day. It is a time to keep my makeup down to sheer lipstick and a dot or two of foundation and a quick swoop of blush, the bronze skin color from fun in the sun brings out the natural glow. I love wearing a cool cotton dress. I want to begin to play a more local tourist on the weekends in my hometown, going to outdoor concerts or movies in the park. What about planning easy places to visit through a quick day trip especially if it is country side. Perhaps we can catch fireflies at night and put them in an old mason jar, star gazing in the moonlight. Listening to the frogs croak on the riverside or at the lake along with the crickets and locust or perhaps the coyotes are howling too. I was sitting on the bank of Salado creek not so long ago and watching two dragon flies hover over the water…they are amazing to watch. If you are seaside nothing more fun than going ghost crabbing at night with a bucket, net and a flashlight. All of these activities are makin memories….precious memories and enjoying the simple pleasures of SUMMER!

 

I am sipping on my favorite cup of hot peach tea reflecting on the true blessings of SUMMER. As you are “Takin Time Out” this week, what is on your list of SUMMER fun? Is it gardening, grilling or simply chillin? Have you curled up in the hammock, lounge chair or sunk into the pool on your favorite mat and read a good book? Perhaps it is hiking, kayaking, paddle board, shuffleboard or doing your famous cannon ball off the diving board? Whoosh can you feel the ripples of the pool or the wakes of the boat or the smooth sailing on a catamaran. SUMMER fun…it may mean playing miniature golf, driving go carts, horseback riding, visiting a theme park, dangling your feet off the dock or listening carefully as the boards creek and lapping of water after an eventful day out on the lake. Perhaps you like to build sand castles, gather sea shells, or surf boarding. In the mountains it might mean a hike, rock climbing, looking at the beautiful wildflowers enjoying the crisp cool air. Yes for some of us the altitude may make us a bit short of breath but the fresh unpolluted air is a bit sweeter wouldn’t you agree? When is the last time you went barefoot in the tall blades of grass, watched a sunrise or sunset, tossed a Frisbee, and rode a bike or skate board? As I am typing I begin laughing at jumpin on a pogo stick or twirling a hula-hoop. Simply Savoring SUMMER…As the year rotates through the seasons like a wheel of fortune. Being present to each one, possessing its bountiful blessing, taking its inconveniences in stride, means living to the fullest every day of the life you have. Until next time my dear friend…maybe you need to reprioritize and let’s enjoy every bit of SUMMER!

 

 

 

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Definition:  For what reason or purpose.  Expressing surprise or indignation.

 

Well as I am sitting at my computer, sipping on my favorite cup of Constant Comment Tea which is a blend of black tea with orange peel, savoring the flavor I begin to ponder what word should we talk about this week?  There are so many I can’t wait to write about but one keeps popping into the forefront of my mind…the word WHY!  Over the course of the last month it either came up in a conversation with a friend or colleague, one of the guest speakers at a conference I attended had this as his talk and then a recent article also mentioned we needed to answer the WHYS before pursuing the next steps.  Whether it was moving towards our goals or justifies what we were doing, I actually found this to be quite intriguing.

 

A best-selling author and speaker, Simon Sinek reinvented his whole career around three little letters WHY!  He is now dedicated to changing the world by developing a discovery course to feel inspired and inspire others.  You dig deep to identify the purpose, cause or belief that inspires you to do what you do and articulate your unique WHY statement.  I highly recommend you check his books and website out at www.startwithwhy.com.

 

Let’ think about it for a minute do you remember as a child how innocent we were in asking so many questions, most of which start with WHY!  As a parent I can remember on many occasions my children asking me WHY unfortunately it is also was the most difficult questions to answer because it was bottomless-it kept on going forever because no matter how you answer the first “WHY” there was always a follow-up just waiting to be voiced.  “WHY they could or couldn’t do something with a friend, WHY is the sky blue, WHY do they have to go to bed, WHY was I driving down one road when Ms. Tammy always goes down the other street to get there.”  Question after question and many times I had good answers but many times I didn’t.  So I either made something up so they would quit asking or I simply had to say I didn’t know the answer maybe they need to do some research.  Now days we have most answers right at our finger tips with the search engine such as Google, Bing or Ask but in many cases it may not always provide the correct answer.  What I mean, life is not just black and white.  There is gray and in many cases lots of color…it is all in how you look or accept things.  Our attitude is key and our faith will pull us through!

 

The past few months (actually a few years) have been very difficult for me, there are many days I feel like a little hamster in the wheel going round and round not making much progress.  I have had to step back and really ask myself WHY for various reasons?  I am very seriously considering using this as my Word of The Year for next Year as I believe it can help me identify some things that need to change and identify how to do it or who to ask for help.  For example in my career we have had a major change in how we do things, for over 30 years I had become very comfortable in learning, developing techniques and could almost recite most answers in my sleep.  You worried more about your competition, setting your strategy and game in how you could out sell or service them.  Then one day the government decided they knew best for the American people and a law passed that dramatically changed our world and my career.  We basically have had to scratch the way we do business and relearn the trade.  There are many days I ask myself WHY, if I could see that is was improving the quality of our lives, cutting costs, and providing state of the art care at the fraction of cost, I would agree and be all over it.  Yet it has ended up very complicated, costly and basically everything had to change from the design of the programs, to the systems that administer it, to the networks of physicians and hospitals that treat us to employers being mandated or fined, we have to keep up with part-time, full-time, what their ages are and how many family members they have.  If you are an individual you are mandated to have it or be fined and can only purchase it during certain months of the year.  Carrier consolidations and fewer choices for coverage, regulations will not allow people to keep their same physicians even though they have treated them for years or certain procedures are now not covered.  While others are…It is crazy and a bit overwhelming!  It has become more difficult in multi-tasking; there are more distractions, clutter and pressure.

As you are reading this you may be asking me if I need some cheese with that whine (wine) but I am drinking tea and eating a protein bar so let’s laugh a little and realize it is not all about me and my present circumstance.  No I can’t change the situation, I can only change my attitude, accept it, embrace it and figure out how I can make the best of the situation.  You might say WHY stay in it, if it is that hard get out and do something different.  Yes there have been times I have thought about it but it goes against my belief system to give up…this is a relationship business and I have clients, customers and people I deeply care about.  We are in this together!  I am committed to making a positive difference in the lives I touch each and every day.

 

This past week I have had several conflicts with various individuals, where we didn’t see eye to eye.  I am not a very confrontational person in fact I avoid it at all cost but in each of these circumstances I stepped back and ask myself WHY did this happen, what was the root cause not what we were arguing about and in each and every case there was something deeper related to that persons feelings than what we were disagreeing upon.  Once those were identified we were able to pick up the pieces and move forward.  It is so important to put yourself in the other persons shoes as it can help clarify not necessarily justify the answers.

 

This is the foundation of my WHY…we all need a mission statement both in our personal lives and in our career.  What motivates us, what makes us get up and get with it each morning?  No, it is not all about the paycheck, that is a result!  I don’t care if you are young or old we all have a purpose.  We also have a belief, it is our responsibility to identify and not waste it. Each one of us must clarify our WHY and live it with passion.  I absolutely love James Allen quote, “For true success ask yourself these four questions:  WHY? WHY not? WHY not me? WHY not now?”

 

My faith keeps me grounded as well.  I believe firmly in reading the word of God and scripture will reveal the lessons I need to learn and live by each and every day.  The scripture my mission statement is built on can be found in the Old Testament.  Habakkuk 2:2-3 “Write my vision and make it plain upon the tablets but these things I plan won’t happen right away.  Slowly, steadily surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow do not despair for these things will surely come to pass.  Just be patient!  They will not be overdue a single day!”  It is true God is faithful in his own time not mine!

 

I have to admit to you I am sitting in my favorite pair of Soma pj’s as the sun is beginning to raise, the fresh start of a brand new day!  It is a gift…I am breathing deeply, exhaling slowly and keenly aware of my surroundings.  I love the birds chirping their morning hymns, the squirrel scampering across the top of the fence; the planes are taking off and people venturing on.  As I get up to let my dog, Sage, out I love the routine ritual of mornings.  She sniffs the perimeter of our yard to see who dropped by last night, she relieves herself while I pick up the newspaper and then she is scurrying back to the front door for her treat!  WHY do I like the simple things?  I feel very blessed even amongst the turmoil.  I personally want to awaken from this fog I have been living in, to continue to grow and actually take a leap of faith and pursue my WHYS with more passion than ever. What about you?

 

As you are “Takin Time Out” this week I encourage you to ponder your WHY’S!  I encourage YOU to identify your fears and begin to face them.  Be grateful for the good time and bad…tweak your daily routine to find the balance we all need to live by and most importantly identify WHY!  You will grow richer and deeper, your life’s purpose is clearer.

Until next time my dear friend…inspire to live your WHY and enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Definition:  to invent again or anew, especially without knowing that the invention already exists. To remake or make over, as in a different form.

 

Welcome friends…it has been way too long since my last post.   Unfortunately, there has been some technology issues that have been outside my control and then I have just flat ran out of time this summer with all the things going on in my life currently.  As an empty nester you would think I would have more time but this is simply not the case.  My new motto this year has been “It’s ok, let’s breathe deeply and exhale…today is a new day so let me begin again!”  We have some exciting things in the works and we are fast approaching our second anniversary next month in launching this website and posting my first blog post.  I must say I am very happy I did it, I continue to learn, grow but most importantly it has given me an opportunity to reveal my internal thoughts, prayers and ideas onto a visual format of reading and sharing with you.  It has been true therapy and I hope I have opened your eyes to review your own life and perhaps reveal some things or add a different perspective. This journey you might say was the next step in REINVENTION to my second “Halftime” of life!   Most importantly I hope you have enjoyed “Takin Time Out”.  I feel this is soooo very important no matter what age or stage you are in life.

 

This week’s topic is REINVENTION.  When we REINVENT ourselves, we take charge of change, especially if we have hit a road block or at a dead end.  Please note I said, “Take charge of change”!  Change is truly a given fact of life it can work to our favor or it can work against us.  It’s our choice…Face our fears and go for it.   I recently read an article that went a little deeper than my mind works but it truly made sense once I got to the bottom line.  (Please note you may have to slowly read or reread this next paragraph twice to grasp the full meaning it is deep but very impactful)!

 

Basically, the scientific principle of entropy state; the nature of matter physical substance in general, as distinct from mind and spirit; in physics that which occupies space and possesses rest mass, especially as distinct from energy (in simple terms YOU and ME) is about to fall apart, wither, and decay.  Still, every atom that makes up the known world has been here a long as the world has.  When an atom that was part of something or someone is old becomes part of something or someone new, it acts like a brand new atom.  Basically in a simple term it is REINVENTED so if you are presently in a state of withering, you feel as if you are falling apart then it is up to you to connect with a more positive force and make the change.  Simply stated you need to REINVENT and become new.

 

As I look back on my life, I quickly realized there were certain times this is exactly what happened and in most cases I didn’t even realize it.  For example getting involved with your local church, you can simply sit on the sidelines and enjoy the benefits of those who have volunteered their time to teach or lead the Sunday School or Small & Group class, enjoyed the hospitality of one who opened their home to gatherings, or taken care of your children in the nursery, preschool or youth programs OR you can connect to those who are leaders and agree to give a portion of YOUR time to help others.  Finding your spiritual gift and sharing with others.  Scripture states in 1 Peter 4:10 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” And one that really struck a chord is found in Proverbs 11:24, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give and only suffers want.” 

 

We each have various seasons in our life, whether you were blessed to be a parent and more importantly a grandparent, you have a successful career and retire, become a caretaker of a loved one, find a new hobby, volunteer your time through an organization or community, learn a new trade or language.  We each pass through these circumstances learning, growing and expanding our role.  Yes we make mistakes along the way and sometimes we might have regrets but moving forward we can basically REINVENT and turn it around to make a more positive difference!  I know personally I have realized through this journey time is up for certain seasons, I move on embracing my next role and never looking back in my rearview mirror only the wide open windshield in front of me!  I can’t undo I can only begin again and move forward…one step or mile at a time.

 

As I am sipping on my delicious cup of steaming herbal hot tea in my favorite new white china tea cup given to me by my cousins, I am glaring at the computer screen in the wee hours of the morning, pondering my next “Takin Time Out”.  How am I going to REINVENT my next role?  Listed below are a few exercises to consider trying which one resonates with you?

1. Spend a week watching NO TV except shows you have never seen before. (This might be very challenging for those who have a routine of reruns like my husband who loves Law and Order, Two and Half Men, John Wayne and many more I won’t bore you with.)
2. Try something new with music like Choral, Country, Classical, Opera, Blues or Jazz. My second cousin loves Salsa Dancing, who is up for some lessons or maybe even ballroom dancing? What about learning to sing or play an instrument?
3. Hobbies – Is there something you would like to try? Ceramics, basket weaving, making jewelry, photography, tennis, gardening, golf, diving, flying, stain glass, hiking, sailing, painting…the list can go on and on!
4. Visit or volunteer at a shelter or nursing home.
5. Diverge dramatically from your own views and truly listen without arguing, stating your case or disagreeing with someone. Learn to accept them for who they are.
6. Try on different clothes especially ones you think you would never wear, try different colors, textures, styles. Maybe even venture into a costume store and pick an era that appeals to you and see how you feel wearing the Cinderella ballroom dress or Knight in shining armor, maybe it is a Hippie, a business suit, or high heels and pearls. Alternatively, experiment with hats, wigs, jewelry, makeup get off your beaten path…find your innocence of childhood again and have some fun!
7. Read a different kind of book. If you like non-fiction try fiction or vice versa. What about poetry, self-help, or travel?
8. Exercise what about trying a spin class, yoga, Pilates, or cross fit.
9. Try a new recipe every day for one whole week. Try different ethnic flavors.
10. Reach out to someone in your past that has made an impact positive or negative, whether it is through a text, letter, card or phone call. How did it make you feel?

There are several more ideas but this is a good start. If something pops into your mind I would love to hear from you and share with this group. Please just leave a note in the comments section below!

As we wrap up, I love the quote from C.S. Lewis, “You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” How are you going to REINVENT your next role? Even if you are in the midst of a major challenge, grieving the loss of a loved one, in the midst of chaos raising small children, sending your baby off to college or blessing their hand of marriage. Create a vision for your future, I encourage you to write it down, paste pictures on a piece of construction paper or in a book, surround yourself with positive influencers and this may mean venturing outside your inner circle. Break it down into bite size pieces. Then you breathe deeply and exhale slowly, take that first step and never look back, I promise you will be glad you did. Until next time my friend…let’s go now and REINVENT something positive, make a difference in this world, try some new and outside your comfort zone…most of all ENJOY the gift of REINVENTION.

 

Definition: a very short period of time. : a particular time : a precise point in time. : the present time.

As I sit here in the wee hours of the morning, sipping on a scrumptious cup of warm silver needle white tea from Teavana and listening to the soft raindrops fall upon our rooftop, I feel very blessed. I love the silence… well really I guess there is not complete silence as my sense of hearing kicks in there is the motor from the refrigerator, the fan from the air conditioner, the dog snoring and clicking of the computer keys as I type this.

How often do you sit very still, just breathing in the fresh air into your lungs fully aware of your actions, clearing your mind of all the random thoughts we seem to have rambling around in our heads and just listen? Are you truly embracing the MOMENT? I know I am very guilty from the MOMENT my eyes pop open my mind starts clicking through all the things I need to get done for the day or replaying all the things I didn’t get done the prior week and wonder WOW where does time really go? I am in a rush rush mode most of the time. Yet today I am sitting here thinking about the best thing in life is not things but MOMENTS!

Each of us must become more conscience and live-in-the-moment! I love the quote, “Sometime you will never know the true value of a MOMENT until it becomes a memory!” This is so true…especially when it comes to interactions with friends and family. I often do not fully enjoy or embrace the time I share in fellowship…taking for granted there will always be those times but that is not necessarily true. The dynamics, the circumstances and the situation will change. Friendships come and go…people marry, have children, maybe divorce and remarry, move away and eventually we all ultimately will die. So as you look around at the next social gathering realize that not everyone in that setting will be together in that MOMENT ever again. Therefore, I encourage each of you to LIVE in the present…Launch Yourself on every wave whether it is good or bad…find eternity in each MOMENT! (I think Thoreau once said that).

For those sports fans out there have you ever experienced the hole in one MOMENT while playing golf, what about the incredible catch with two steps in bounds before being tackled in the end zone or that catch in baseball in the outfield during the final inning. What about three strikes in a row during the last frame of bowling or the three points shot and witnessing the ball going into the basket during the final seconds before the clock runs out. History was just made after 37 years American Pharoah won the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes! Did you feel the adrenaline flowing through your veins…the racing of your heart…the incredible feeling you felt in that MOMENT! Amazing feeling!

As a side note how many of you realized Pharoah’s name was misspelled.  Pharaoh is a word for an ancient Egyptian ruler. “Pharoah,” as in the horse’s name, is not that word or a word at all, but it is probably the most common misspelling of that word…what do you think the previous owner who submitted the paperwork to name the horse feels like in the MOMENT when newspaper journalist’s blast it across the nation of their mistake?

A few weeks ago I took part in a short 5 week Bible Study 0n “Listen to My Life” it was a very unique study using visual maps that help us to recognize and respond to God in my story! Please feel free to check it out at www.onelifemaps.com. I am a very visual person I continue to ask God what are my next steps in this second halftime I call life and what is your plan for me as I move forward. I never want to quit learning growing and giving back…I truly want to make a difference in the lives I touch. During the first lesson we had to listen without expression, injection, touching or commenting. We had to keep our eyes and ears on the person speaking…you should try this sometime it was really very hard especially for me as I am one who seems to interrupt or place my hand on a person especially if they appear to be a little emotional or hurting. In other words there was no fixing, advising or rescuing allowed. If you really think about it most people truly want to be heard not necessarily fixed. This allowed me as the listener to have focused attention giving the other person unconditional acceptance and confidentiality. The final principal, I found to be very powerful was to listen to the Silence instead of jumping in with comments or questions. Truly embrace the MOMENT. There is such a strong reflex for most of us to interrupt…however the silence allows the person speaking time to listen to themselves, making decisions about what to say next and truly allows the Holy Spirit space to do whatever he has in mind to accomplish. As the speaker it sometimes felt a bit uncomfortable…rave of emotions poured over me and the insecurity of sounding foolish entered briefly but then I began to speak with more clarity…it truly was an amazing experience both from the speaker perspective as well as the listener. One of the founding verses they use through this study is found in Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up and let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”

We just recently celebrated my great nieces High School graduation in Colorado and our cousin’s daughter in Texas, they both will be embarking on their next chapter and college bound this fall. It is truly an exciting time in their life and as we looked at what they called their shrine (a wall of photos from birth to 18 year of age) we each enjoyed reminiscing about the times we shared and those special MOMENTS.

When you think about it life isn’t comprised of big MOMENTS. Instead it is filled with these sweet nothings that could so easily slip by without notice. It is important to keep your eyes and heart open to these bits of magic that are tucked away in every corner. It is being aware and acknowledging it. Just last week I had to pick something up from the preschool my daughter teaches at, I was walking in the front door and for a brief MOMENT I heard the precious giggling of children playing on the playground, the innocence and carefree MOMENTS a child has…I made mention to the woman sitting at the front desk because I know if you work there you become numb and oblivious to the situation. What about the birds chirping first thing in the morning…if you really listen you do not hear this same sound in the evening. Sitting in your favorite chair savoring a fresh cup of Zen hot tea…scrumptious. A phone call or hand written note you just received from a good friend or family member. Fresh sheets clean home, refrigerator full of groceries, fresh veggies from your garden and the smell of a delicious home cooked meal. Driving down a dusting dirt road with the windows rolled down…All of these are sweet nothing MOMENTS but one that warms your soul…
What about you what would you put on your list? As you are “Takin Time Out” this week why not reflects on those special MOMENTS or sweet nothings. Here is a list to help you get started:

1) What is on your front porch?
2) Who would you have over for tea or coffee?
3) What is your favorite place you have traveled to?
4) Would you paint your bench red or brown?
5) What is your favorite meal?
6) What is your favorite outfit you have worn?
7) Who makes you smile?
8) What is your favorite room in the house?
9) Where would you go if money was no option?
10) What do you like to do when you are Takin Time Out?

That is it for this week, enjoy and savor each and every MOMENT my friends…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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