Advent

Christmas is quickly approaching and many people are rushing around to get prepared. I have been one of those people in the past, but this year I have different plan. I want to enjoy the season and try not to let it slip away. In years past, I have fond memories of going to church services, plays, watching snow, gathering with friends and family, opening cards, and so much more. The ones that come to mind first all seem to revolve around the true meaning of the season - Love and Christ. I hope that this year you will try to find some time to share love with others and more importantly keep the center of the season around Christ our Savior.

Last night we went to the Advent Journey at a local church and followed the journey from the prophesy through Isaiah to the manger in Bethlehem. It was great to walk the walk that led to our Savior's birth and reflect on the coming of Christ into the world.

I hope that this holiday season will lead you on a walk to bring love and joy into your life and those around you.

Implosion

Yesterday, many people gathered to watch the implosion of the Owensboro Executive Inn. It's fate has been in the public eye for several years with financial problems, renovations, trying to decide what to do with it and much more. Finally, her fate was sealed. It was decided nothing more could be done. So, Complete wipeout- implosion. This term was one I had not given a lot of thought to in my life, but it became stuck in my head. Implosion- a series of strategically placed internal explosions to weaken a structure and cause it to collapse or fall in on itself. (that is my definition).

I thought about how this happens in our lives so often. An implosion can occur when we fail to recognize our own weaknesses. You can put this on any scale you want to in your own life. It could be a relationship, a class, a family, job, etc. If you don't evaluate your actions and reactions and develop a strategic plan you will eventually have so many weak spots that you could be facing implosion. Evaluate yourself and find those weak spots. Decide what you are going to do about them and plot your actions. Anything divided against itself is being brought to desolation and laid waste. Don't let something as simple as having a plan become your downfall.

Lastly, don't forget to enjoy the important things in life. The things that you value will help you determine where to take your stands. Don't let these things become unimportant, even for a short time. Work to cultivate them on a daily basis. They are your strong points and will help you to be sustained.

Find time to share your life with your friends and family.

Our Paths

Sometimes you wonder why do things turn out the way they do. That has been my experience over the last several months. One thing and then another has started out in one direction and then taken a turn in another direction. Sometimes I find this disturbing because I was happy with the way things were going in the first place. Other times the turns seem to be for the better.

I guess God brings people into our lives for reasons and He takes them in other directions sometimes for other reasons. I hope that wherever He leads you will bring you peace and happiness. I must say that I wish the same for myself as well, but it is sometimes hard for me understand disappointment. I seem to take it pretty hard these days. I guess as it has been said, if you love something let it go and if it was meant to be yours it will return. It is my prayer that this will hold true in a certain situation that is impressing upon my life at the moment. While it is something that most people would laugh at me about, I have to say that it has been impressed in my heart for some reason and I can't let go of it.

I realize only a very few people know the true meaning behind this blog and for that I apologize to the rest of you, but I am hopeful that those of you that do see my meaning will someday find the reason for your paths to have crossed with each other and with mine. I hope that we will continue to cross paths from time to time. And who knows...??? In the meantime, I will miss our chats.

Sadness

Do you ever have those moments of complete and total sadness... like things are just closing in on you and there is a sense of hopelessness. It is kind of like a deep, black hole opens up and swallows you right in. You want to push it away, but no matter what you do, it is all you can think about. It consumes your thoughts and actions. Helpless. It is a feeling that sweeps over you like a giant wave and takes all your breath away. Fighting back is difficult and you just kind of ride along and see where it takes you. Finally, you resurface and you wonder if things will be better or if there is another wave on the way. You pray.

This is how I feel tonight. I am overwhelmed I suppose. Something not generally in my nature. I am usually the one that seeks to find the good times and laughs out loud a lot, but somehow that has been pushed aside and I am finding it more and more difficult to find those times. I suppose it is because I have high expectations. Things build up and finally it all gives way. Just one little thing pushes you beyond the ability to keep it all in check. It isn't always fair and it isn't always easy. Wish I could be different and wish I had a magic wand, but I guess neither of these is going to happen. For now, I will continue my search for whatever it is that is missing. I thought I had figured it out and then it seems to move farther away. It seems out of my control.

Be a Transformer

Have you ever thought about the decisions you make each day? Each day we are faced with being a conformer or a transformer. Most likely, most of us make a lot of conforming decisions. Then there are those of us that step out and become Transformers. I stand up and applaud these decisions. These are the ones based on our convictions. The things that are important enough to make us want to take a risk. Without Transformers where would we be? These people make a difference, create change, lead the followers, and most of all express themselves with passion. Choose the transformers in your life wisely. Remember that those of us around these people become transformed. This can be a good thing. Put everything to the test. Hold onto what is good. True Transformers come into our lives for a reason. Take the time to get to know them and understand them and you will become a better person because of it.

Hope

Morning as the sun rises, I think about the possibilities of today. There are so many out there just waiting for me. It is my hope that I face each day with an optimistic outlook and positive approach. I want to let others see the hope within me. At night when I lie down to sleep, I say a prayer for my friends and for myself that I can be placed in your lives for a reason and that I can make it count. It is my hope today that you will smile and think a happy thought when you read my blog. You too have the same possibilities and hope within yourself to reach out and touch the stars as they make way for the morning sun.

Expectations

Have you ever thought about what others expect from you? It can be quite overwhelming. This question can be answered in several aspects.

First of all, obligations. We are all part of organized units... family, school, work, community, church, etc. Each of these creates a different role for us. When you add them all together you can become quite a busy person. So I am a mom, wife, sister, daughter, nurse practitioner, coworker, friend, driver, choir member, church member, committee member, and probably forgot somethings.

Secondly, the expectations that are placed upon you in each of these roles. This to me is the most important part of who we are as a human being. While, if you are like me, you tend to role play and change your personality to fit the role, overall there must remain a common thread of your inner self expression. Each person must learn what his or her core values are and how they relate to other human beings.

Alright then, that gets us to the real center of what I want to say today. What are my expectations for myself or what are my values? For most people this can take a long time to figure out and may change over your lifetime, but I think I have just about arrived at what I feel I expect out of myself. So here goes (no particular order)-

1) Respect for people. While respect is often earned, there is a degree of respect that is always present. I expect that everyone deserves to feel valued as a human being. No one is more important than anyone else.

2) Show kindness- if I am able to show kindness and bring joy into the lives of others, it creates a joy inside of me. I am happiest when I can be with a group of people that can sense the joy of the moment for no other reason than it is there. It doesn't require much- just the ability to relate to other human beings and find what brings them happiness so you can share.

3) Responsibility- I am not able to delegate much in my life because of my strong sense of responsibility. If it is worth doing, it is worth doing well. This creates a sense of being unsettled at times for me because it can create turmoil and become overwhelming.

4) Inner strength- God supplies all our needs. When we allow our Lord to be our guide and plumb line we will spend our lives being fulfilled. When I am happy I thank God for the good and when I am sad or challenged I ask God to help. I don't always get the answer that I expect, but if I listen, I do get an answer.

5) Consistency- a major problem for most people. Don't try to change the rules to suit your need or want. The same rules apply to everyone. Gray is a hard area for me!

I guess this sums up my expectations for myself and others though. I don't have it perfected, but continue to work on the challenges everyday. By identifying the things most important in your life you can begin to trim away excess and form the best you possible. Good luck!

Early morning

Each morning I rise and find myself at this keyboard. I never know what I am going to find on the other side. It could be a morning devotion to my friends, looking at the weather, or checking in on updates. Whatever the case, I feel more connected when I am typing and expressing my thoughts. I love people and I love being connected. However, I also love to find time to reflect on my inner self. It seems the soul cries out to be expressed in so many ways. Find someway today to express yourself and share with others.