"Takin' Time Out"

Definition:  a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.  A feeling of trust.

 

As I sit here in my favorite chair sipping on a scrumptious cup of steaming hot ginger mango tea, with my favorite fuzzy blanket wrapped around me on this bitter cold January morning.  Fortunately, I am the only one up and loving the quiet still morning of a new day, the first full week of a brand new month and year!  I truly treasure this time, my brown lab named Sage curled up at the base of my chair.  She truly knows me so well.   We have our little ritual, “Takin Time Out” to reflect upon the possibilities I have set for the year, the week and the day… I am so keenly aware of God’s beautiful presence.  As I have finished my devotional time, I have lifted my friends and family up in prayer, the recent death of a friend who fought a long hard battle from cancer lays heavy on my heart for her loved ones she left behind.  I know she is in a much better place celebrating with our Lord and Savior but oh how she will be missed.

There is so much tragedy, sickness, selfishness and pain, yet I am filled with HOPE!  HOPE for a cure, HOPE for renewed strength, HOPE for a brighter tomorrow and HOPE for courage to begin again.  Just as the scripture states “We have this HOPE as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.”  Hebrews 6:19.

Another scripture comes to mind found in 1 Corinthians 13:13 “So now faith, HOPE and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”  I truly think most people give more importance to love and faith than they do to HOPE, but HOPE is the foundation for the other two.  I read an article once that really resonated with me…the author stated HOPE is our positive imagination.  Let’s dig a bit deeper, HOPE is really something that can’t be seen, something that is not present.  Once it does become present there is no longer any reason to HOPE for it, so really HOPE means you are looking at something that you can’t see with your eyes.  It is your imagination or something your feel with every inch of your heart, soul and mind working together. It gives us anticipation and courage.  I love the saying HOPE is the only thing stronger than fear!  Therefore, HOPE is very powerful and without it our lives would be empty!

HOPE is truly a beautiful thing, it is stronger than Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz clicking her red shoes or the prince holding the single glass slipper in Cinderella.  How many of us have crossed our fingers HOPING for the best? HOPE makes it possible to live with our feet firmly planted on the ground while our hearts and mind are committed to the vision of life that is far bigger that we are.

I have a few friends named HOPE, they are very gentle and kind spirited women.  I decided to look up the meaning of their name.  HOPE is a unisex name derived from the Middle English HOPE, ultimately from the Old English word hopian referring to positive expectation or to the theological virtue of HOPE.  Maybe that is why they are so uplifting?  Many times it is given to a set of twins or triplets Faith & HOPE or Faith, HOPE and Charity.

How many women who are reading this had a HOPE Chest prior to getting married?  I know I did, it was made by Lane and packed with handmade items that my mother and grandmother’s gave me.  I had starched embroidered pillow cases and tea or dish towels for each day of the week along with a crocheted afghan and oven mitts.  I have been married almost 30 years it now stores precious outfits my children wore as a babies, don’t laugh but I also have my HS cheerleading uniforms and a couple of blankets.  It is lined with cedar and makes everything smell so good.   Personally I think they are a thing of the past, neither of my girls had one nor do they probably have a clue of what one is.  They still make a great storage unit or sturdy bench to sit on.

There are so many people who have shared their testimony of hope, Eliezer “Elie” Wiesel a Romanian-born Jewish-American writer and Holocaust survivor.  He is the author of 57 books and many reflect his circumstances that were built on HOPE!  One of his famous quotes is, “Just as a man cannot live without dreams, he cannot live without HOPE.  If dreams reflect the past, HOPE summons the future.”  I also think of Corrie Ten Boom and what her journey through life encountered.  I can’t even imagine yet it reflects one of HOPE.  One of her quotes I love, “the only place of refuge, the only place of HOPE, was within the shadow of God’s wings. That is where HOPE lies also.”  So powerful!

Have you ever felt HOPELESS maybe things were not going well in a relationship, a job, or you are fighting an addiction.  Have you hit rock bottom?  Maybe you are trying to lose weight and nothing seems to be working.  Perhaps you are taking care of a loved one who is ill or aging.  All these things are part of the cycle of life.  HOPE will see you through…

I am reminded of a children’s story, “Hope for the Flowers”.  It’s the tale of two caterpillar’s Stripe and Yellow.  They both want something more from life than just eating and growing bigger.  They get caught up in a caterpillar pillar, a squirming mass of bodies, building a caterpillar tower.  Each one determined to reach the top so far away it can’t be seen. Finally disillusioned, one of them discovered that being at the top was not who he really was.  He quickly came down and began to spin and spin and finally entered into a cocoon the place of darkness and stillness.   He had no idea how long he had slept but in his dreams he had HOPE that he was more, he awoke and found that he was inside a chrysalis.  Once he had pushed his way out, he realized that something was very different.  His body had changed, and he was no longer a caterpillar.  He had undergone a metamorphosis.  He now had two, beautiful, brightly colored wings.  He had become a butterfly!  He flapped his wings and took off into the sky.  He was flying!  He flew off in exhilaration, over the hills, over the caterpillar towers and beyond, into his wildest dreams.

This year will hold unexpected joys, sorrows, moments of faith and fear, wishes fulfilled and dreams abandoned.  There is much we do not know but there is so much we do know with absolute assurance.  There is HOPE…a new year with the pages unscripted.  We lift our pen and begin to write a new beginning.  Remember HOPE stands for:

 

Have

Only

Positive

Expectations

 

HOPE is the little voice you hear whisper “maybe” when it seems the entire world is screaming “NO”!  Dear friends never give up as you are “Takin Time Out” this week, look deep into your imagination, what is in your heart, mind and soul seeking…what are your hoping for?  Until next time let your imagination continue to give you HOPE as you set out with your new set of wings to pursue those dreams!

 

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Definition:  the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.

 

 

This week I felt it was only appropriate to write about TIME as we end one year and enter the beginning of another.  Not sure about you but this past year I have felt a bit overwhelmed.  TIME is on the forefront of my mind.  I just do not have enough TIME to do all the things I want to do and accomplish the commitments I have promised.  The older I get the faster TIME seems to go and the less I seem to get accomplished. (Now I think my mother has said that before?)  Why is this?  TIME is so precious and what I am experiencing lately is a sense of rush not sure about you but I find myself rushing in everything I do.  It truly is a rush against TIME to “gitrdone”.  I decided to blog about this subject hoping to bring more clarity and share experiences so maybe it can help work through some of the issues I am facing with TIME.

 

When I started this blog, I realized I was living in the second HalfTIME of life.  Maybe that is it I have so many dreams, goals and aspirations still remaining and yet it might be late in the 3^rd quarter of life?  Looking back as a child TIME stood still in so many instances, I never really remember looking at a clock; a calendar, I didn’t have a clue on what a Day timer was or what week it was.  I traveled through TIME by the month or season. I looked forward to those favorite holidays like Easter, 4^th of July, Fair TIME, Thanksgiving and Christmas Not every little second or minute filled throughout the day with commitments.  I was just happy to wake up maybe have a few chores to do and then my day was filled with pretending, playing, reading and spending a lot of TIME outdoors in the fresh air.  Every day was a day of “Takin TIME Out”! When the sun was starting to set I knew it was TIME to go home.

 

Ok, I know I can’t go back to my childhood but I can reflect on those moments in TIME I found peace and was truly content.  As adults we get so involved in commitments, responsibility and making a living that we forget to really live and live in the moment.  Personally I thought it would be easier the older you get, the kids are grown. Don’t get me wrong I am a happy person and very blessed but I realized again this past weekend I rush, rush, and rush in everything I do.  I consciously have to make changes, a verse come to mind in Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, make the best use of the TIME.”  What about you, is any of this resonating with your current situation or life?

 

Personally, I know technology is important in all I do day in and day out.  Most of us have a cell phone attached to our hip, we text, we call, we post and we pin.   I have enjoyed  Facebook and Instagram, as I have reconnected with special people who have touched my life that I would in no way be able to otherwise but I will say we are truly wired 24/7 and we don’t allow ourselves much down TIME or disconnect. So the last few days I have spent creating a vision for 2015 and planning on “Takin more TIME Outs”!  I look forward to sharing my successes and my failures as we go along this year.

 

Recently, I have had the privilege to connect with a new entrepreneur that encouraged me to figure out my limiting beliefs that may be blocking me from moving forward to the life I truly want to be living, the changes I want to make and the goals or possibilities I wish to achieve.  This has been a very exciting exercise and I am nearing a miraculous breakthrough.  What about YOU?  Are there things you want to do, change, or accomplish this year?

 

As I am sitting here sipping on my lemon herbal tea, I recently read an article of a gentleman who had quit going to church…the pastor had missed seeing him and decided to pay him a visit, it happen to be on a cold January night and there was a fire burning in the fireplace as they were sitting there discussing the events of the week…the pastor quietly got up to stoke the fire…he placed a burning ember off to the side and went to sit back down, they both sat there and watched the light of the ember die off as the pastor got up to leave he went and put the dying ember back in the pile of flames and it came back to life.  The member smiled and said thanks to the fiery sermon he looked forward to being back in church on Sunday.  This has several meanings, one is how our actions can speak louder than our words, how important it is to stay connected to those who help keep us grounded and more importantly there is nothing more precious than TIME so let’s do this together and meet our possibilities for 2015!  Whether your list consists of getting out of debt, getting healthier and lose weight, or living in the moment, together we can do this…there is no other TIME than NOW!  Until next TIME my friend please remember “This is going to be your year; dust off your past and let’s get started to begin again”…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Definition: The part of a plant that attaches to the ground or to a support, typically underground, conveying water and nourishment to the rest of the plant via numerous branches and fibers.  The basic cause, source or origin of something.  Established deeply and firmly.

Well I must apologize I feel I have fallen off the face of the earth during this past month and a half.  I will not get into all the details as life became a little more complicated than one can anticipate and you end up doing what has to be done and just keep moving forward.  I survived and am hopefully back to writing my weekly blog posts.  I sure have missed you!

 

 

This week’s post is on the word ROOT.  What do you think of when you hear that word?  ROOTS from a tree or plant?  Maybe it is ROOT canal (ouch), ROOT cause, ROOT words, or ROOT juices.  Or perhaps your heritage where you came from.

 

Just before Thanksgiving we had our official freeze a bit earlier than usual and this caused most of my beautiful plants and flowers in my yard to wither away.  I decided to trim down the perennials, pull up most of the annuals and throw them away.  I was so surprised to see such large ROOTS on most of the plants this year.  As I began to study them, I found it to be so fascinating.  This sort of ugly part of the plant plays such an intricate part in keeping the plant alive.  The small ROOT hairs help in transplanting water and minerals and the larger portion is to anchor the plant and support it.   A verse comes to mind

 

Wow how easy is that?

 

After celebrating Thanksgiving a few weeks ago, it made me think of the ROOT of this country.  The diversity of each one; they became Americans despite themselves celebrating with the Native American Indians.  The hardship they each endured.  I am so thankful for all the blessings this great nation stands for, even with all the trials and tribulations we have encountered… I may not agree with all the decisions being made in Washington yet I stand proud and very thankful to be an American!

 

We have just celebrated Christmas and spending time with our close friends and family.  I loved watching the dynamics of each gathering, how some were very joyous and exciting, while others were a bit trying at times, with just a little bit of drama but in the end I love makin memories.  This year was a bit more difficult in getting in the joy of the holiday, work schedule and deadlines were tight, Thanksgiving being so late in the month seems to shorten the time to prepare and one less weekend.  However, in the final days of preparation I took a deep breath and decided I would only be responsible for what I could control, my thoughts, my words and my actions.  I also decided to not set my expectations too high of other people and to just go with the flow.  I must say that was a wise decision and I was able to truly enjoy the real reason for the season.  The birth of our precious Lord and Savior, we went to Christmas Eve service at church and I love the simplicity of singing the familiar songs, all the little children gathering on stage for the pastor to read the Christmas story and the most touching is the candle light vigil.  It warmed my heart.

 

During this week’s Takin Time Out, after spending precious time with my loved ones, I realized how important my ROOTS are.  We each have a set of distinct ROOTS, it’s our heritage.  I love the quote “Like branches on a tree…we may grow in different directions, but our ROOTS remain as one.”  Through the holidays many families have traditions they enjoy like certain meals they prepare, items they bake, stories they read, functions they attend or things they do and they pass these traditions on to their children.  Maybe the Elf of the Shelf comes to your home and amuses your children for a few weeks.  Perhaps it is the special ornament on the tree or for me my favorite bobble head Santa or the pink Santa my kids love making fun of that my grandmother gave to me as a child.   I know that it will be the one thing they will all fight over once I am gone…LOL!    My sister loves creating a theme for Christmas each year…this year happened to be Rudolph and they had to make their own ugly Christmas sweater. I personally love when I get together with my parents whether it is at Thanksgiving or Christmas and we work a jigsaw puzzle overwhelmed when the pieces are poured out and we work together as a team until that final piece it put in place. Whatever your traditions are I hope you each made a very special memory for 2014.

As we wrap up the end of the year and look forward to 2015, I pause and look out the window at the big oak tree, oh how it has grown through the years.  The ROOTS are not visible like the treetop, and not given the appreciation it deserves.  The underground tentacles and configuration is the source of health or illness for this tree.  Just like the plants I pulled up in November the ROOTS on the oak tree serves an anchor.    I believe my faith in God, believing in my dreams and the support I receive from my loved ones help serve as my anchor and are imbedded as my roots.  The next few days I will wrap up my planning for 2015 and finalizing my Word of the Year. As I am sipping on my warm cup of scrumptious orange zest green tea…I know there will be unexpected twists and turns but I am looking forward to new beginnings and new expectations of another year.  Whether I am on the mountain top or in the valley I know my ROOTS have made me stronger through each part of this journey called life.  Another favorite quote comes to mind from Dolly Parton:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know for a fact the storms I have encountered have made me stronger.  Each year I grow in wisdom, strength and adapt to the ever changing world.  My country ROOTS remain deep even though I now live in the city.  What about you?  Are you ready for a new year?  I really can’t believe it will be 2015…time travels so fast the older I get.  I hope you can carve a little time for “Takin Time Out” until next time my friend maybe open a bottle of ROOT BEER and pour over some ice cream…bring back some memories of your childhood and reflect on your special ROOTS…

 

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Definition: Move or cause to move from one place to another, especially over a small distance.  A slight change in position, direction, tendency.  One of two or more recurring periods in which different groups of workers do the same job in relay.  To transfer from one place, position person to another.

 

Whew, what another wild and crazy week, just when I thought it couldn’t get any more overwhelming…well it did!  While “Takin Time Out” over this past weekend I tried to step back and review the current situation analyzing how I could have been better prepared or what immediate changes need to be made to endure the next few weeks and months while trying to enjoy the precious holiday season because my belief in “Makin Memories” is a must and enduring our busiest time of year at work.  Being the visual person I am, I clearly wanted to look at the BIG picture and not just the task at hand. During the process and focusing on my word of the year “Awareness” it clearly came to me I needed to make a SHIFT!  I understand I can’t change the situation but I can SHIFT my attitude, priorities, but most of all my self-talk (words I say) to adapt and make the very best of what is yet to be!

 

Let’s think about this for a moment…how many times do we make a statement and it may have a negative undertone?  For example when a friend asked what you are doing tomorrow you make a statement with a sigh, “I have to go church” what if we would SHIFT one little word to from have to get?  “I get to go to church” your body doesn’t even think about sighing.  It is a privilege living in America to belong to a church where I can freely worship God and fellowship with friends and family without fear.  Another example, “I have to go work out” no you don’t.  You again have  the freedom to choose you get to.  What a privilege it is to be able to go to a gym or studio and care for your body to maintain the healthiest lifestyle possible.  One simple little way of stating things by changing one word can make a subtle SHIFT with your whole mindset and adjust your attitude towards your goal.

 

The word SHIFT reminded me of the first vehicle I ever learned to drive was a 1970 two tone 4-wheel drive Ford truck with an extra-long stick SHIFT on the floor board.  You had to push in the clutch, making sure it was in neutral then SHIFTING it into gear, slowly letting off the clutch while stepping on the gas, with my hands firmly gripping the stirring wheel of which I could barely see over I was about 9 years old (the privileges of living in the country)…yes it would lope along in the beginning but eventually I got the feel of it and off we went down the dirt roads eventually stirring up dust.  I loved growing up in the country.  Actually I made sure each one of my children learned to drive a stick shift living in the city, it sometimes was not so easy especially when you come upon an embankment with a stop light.  As you start to take off you roll back a bit hoping not to hit the car behind you.  You step on the gas and your head was thrown back a bit but off we went.  Absolutely love the thrill and excitement of SHIFTING gears while flying down the highway!   If you think about it life is a bit like this too.  We each must learn to shift gears and keep moving forward!  I am the primary driver of my destination so I will keep my foot on the accelerator, SHIFTING gears, slowing down and stopping on occasion to rest, refuel and reframe my brain and adapt to change!

You know change can be good but not always the solution to the problem, sometimes just a little shift will do the trick.  Let’s think about it this way, think of a time you have had to sit for a long period of time.  Maybe on a plane, train or in a seminar.  Are you one that can sit in one position and not move, or are you the one who fidgets all the time?  Have you noticed if your mind starts to wonder off and if you will shift your position just a little you become more alert?  Well I think any challenge we face we can make a shift and things will improve.  We can refer to it as a Paradigm Shift…a different way of thinking or approaching matters, here are just a few to think about:

 

Old Paradigm vs New Paradigm

Train vs Develop

Observe vs Understand

Have a Plan vs Have a Purpose

Start with What vs Start with Why

Compete vs Collaborate

Play the game vs Change the game

Discourage vs Embrace

 

As I am sipping on the most scrumptious cup of hot tea a friend gave to me it is called green mango peach by tea forte.  Mmmm  simply delicious!  It truly fuels my soul, I love savoring the warmth on this extremely cold night in November.  A scripture came to mind…Proverbs 16:24, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

The power of words…they can impact others but most of all they impact us.  I encourage while “Takin Time Out” this week to play with or shift your words.  Let’s become more conscience of what and how we say things especially during our self-talk.  Negative and condescending words will result in negative results…Positive affirmations and SHIFTING just one word will result in a much better outcome.  Start by using Get rather than Have to.  You instantly have an attitude of gratitude rather than being resentful in the activity at hand.  November is the month of Thanksgiving let’s SHIFT our words towards being more grateful.  Also, I encourage you to SHIFT your posture, sit up a bit taller…breathe in deeply…roll your shoulders back!  I am very guilty in slumping these days whether I am driving or working on the computer.  Take more mini breaks during the day and drink plenty of water…Until next time my friends push in the clutch and make the appropriate SHIFT!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Definition: Noisy and exciting activity to attract others.  A state of confusion or hilarity.  A complex maneuver and a confusing, colorful and sometimes gaudy action.

 

Well, the weather has changed this week; it’s really cold for us North Texas folks.  We had to dig in the closet for our jackets and find some closed toed shoes with socks (boohoo).  As you can tell I prefer open toed heels or flip flops but they will now have to wait for spring.   While sipping on my warm scrumptious hot china tip green tea this evening, I have finished polishing my boots and transitioning my closet.  I will admit I have more of a variety when it comes to fall and winter clothing.  I love the beautiful scarves, bulky sweaters and tweed knit jackets.   Maybe it is all the layers and how you can mix and match I love variety and vibrancy. Yes, I am ready to RAZZLE DAZZLE folks with my fall & winter wardrobe.

 

RAZZLE DAZZLE I love how it rolls off your tongue when you say the phrase.  Let’s say it again with a longer pause Raaazzzlllee Daaazzllle!  Doesn’t it put a smile on your face?  Hopefully so if not then there is some work to be done. I am on a mission to add some glitz and RAZZLE DAZZLE to your everyday life.  We all need a little bit more fun, excitement and spontaneity wouldn’t you say?  When is the last time you colored with crayons or painted on a canvas?  This doesn’t count if you have small children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I think of RAZZLE DAZZLE, I think of Broadway, the theatre and how uniquely talented individuals come together to perform on stage, living life through the arts.  Broadway is known for someone writing a storyline and a team of individuals construct the scene through creativity, dance, music and entertainment all on stage engaging the audience to use their imagination and make that story come to life.  Many times there is glitz and glamour a bit of RAZZLE DAZZLE like in the play Chicago, Cats, The Lion King or the famous Phantom of the Opera.

As many of you know I grew up in a small rural community with farming and ranching.  It was more of a simple kind of life however, we were very blessed to have an English teacher, Ms. Harriet Bourk that loved the arts and brought her gift and creativity to our little High School.  I had the privilege being part of the cast and participating in two musicals, Oklahoma and The Sound of Music.   Those are such precious and fond memories.  I still remember the fear I had during the audition and the stage freight opening night.  You know when you have a lump in your throat and your heart is beating so fast you just know it’s about to jump out of your chest? My palms were so sweaty.  We all spent many countless hours, long nights and weekends devoted to rehearsing, practicing, and memorizing our lines.  We let our inner child pretend to be the character we were selected for.  Ms. Bourk engaged the community to help with props and costumes.  It was our time for a little fame and fortune…The RAZZLE DAZZLE of the stage, wow what an awesome experience.  Maybe you should check out the local arts in your community this weekend?  Thank you again Ms. Bourk – You Rock!

 

As we each approach our daily lives we can add a little RAZZLE DAZZLE to the quality of work we do and by going the extra mile.  Teach the next generation the principles and values that were instilled in us as a child.  RAZZLE DAZZLE with follow-through.  Finish what you start, meet your deadlines, do a little extra and muster as much enthusiasm for the end as you had at the beginning.  That actually reminds me of a verse I have posted on my screen saver found in 2 Corinthians 8:11 “Now you should finish what you started.  Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving.  Give in proportion to what you have.” I hope that resonates with you…

 

We just celebrated Veteran’s Day this week and honored those who have fought and many lives lost for our nation’s freedom.  I am so thankful for the dedication of our armed services!  I am amazed how much they sacrifice, while only one day of the year is dedicated solely to honor them, Americans must never forget what they have done to defend our country and protect our freedom day in day out in the most unpleasant conditions.

There is nothing more attractive to the human spirit than our freedom.  How is your personal life is there any freedom lacking in any area of your life?  Do you feel trapped or carrying around a heavy burden?  Do you need an intervention, have you restricted your progress in some way maybe you need to go back to school or find an accountability partner or maybe to hire a life coach or fitness coach to help you over the hurdle.  Are you playing and laughing enough?  Is there balance in your life?  Once you come through that tunnel you will be RAZZLE DAZZLED with triumphant.  Feeling free…Awe what an awesome moment!

 

Knowing how to RAZZLE DAZZLE may present you with opportunities but rather than impress others I encourage you to be true to yourself.  Let the glitz of your inner soul direct you and radiance will shine through in all you do.  Have you “Takin Time Out” this week to be still, breathe deeply and listen to that still small voice inside?

 

Until next time my dear friends…I hope you are “Takin Time Out” reflecting on what your contribution is to this world and your precious journey!  You have special talents and gifts to share…How are you at RAZZLE DAZZLING those around YOU?

 

 

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