Who doesn’t love a good story?

Storybooks have been around for generations.  Every one of us had a favorite childhood storybook. The pictures were vivid, the story was memorable and we would read it again and again and again.

What was your favorite storybook?  Mine was Curious George.  I loved Curious George.  I even had a stuffed Curious George that I took to college.  Yes, I know, I will address that in another post! haha

Stories captivate the attention of young and old alike.

Stories engage minds.  Stories connect hearts.  Stories transform lives.

Stories generate hope.  Stories inspire us.  Stories are powerful!

Jesus was the master storyteller. The stories he told did all those things and were so powerful.

Do you realize you have a story to share…it’s your life story?  The good, the bad and the ugly.  It’s yours.

Do you realize sharing your story could change the trajectory of someone else’s life?

I once heard, “Everyone has a story that someone needs to hear.”   I have been on both sides.  Powerful.

What’s your story?  Write it down.  Pray.  Be willing to share it…again and again and again.

Questions:  Have you shared your story?  What was the outcome?  If you haven’t, what’s standing in your way?   Share your comments and thoughts.  I would love to hear from you!

Sometimes life is steady and smooth.  Sometimes life gets hard when obstacles come our way.  Sometimes life takes a drastic turn that flips our world upside down.  We long for steady and smooth.

Truth is, life is full of ebbs and flows, flips and twists.  Our job is to fight and persevere to reach the next plateau.  No matter where you find yourself today, keep fighting!

Remember, life is to be lived and enjoyed.  Life is to be fulfilling and fun.  Life is for a purpose.  Fight through the ebbs and flows, the ups and downs, the twists and turns. It will be worth it.

As I think about my life, I realize I want my life experiences to catapult me forward.

Here are my top 5 reasons to keep fighting and persevere.

1.  Keep fighting because through it you will be stronger.

2.  Keep fighting because you will learn a lot about yourself and others.

3.  Keep fighting because growth is inevitable.

4.  Keep fighting because your perseverance will motivate and encourage others.

5.  Keep fighting because you will be refined and changed for the better.

James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Questions:  How do you respond to obstacles that come your way?  What are the reasons that keep you fighting for a desired outcome?  Share your comments.  I would love to hear.

“When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die the world cries and you rejoice.”

Reading the book, “20,000 Days and Counting” by Robert D. Smith.  WOW!  It is challenging me and my thinking.  The above quote is Native Proverb that he used and it really resonated with me…

It all started in the bathroom. My hubby was showering. I was standing in front of the mirror putting on my make-up. “What am I going to do about these wrinkles around my eyes?” Despite not being able to see him, I know he smirked, then giggled. Am sure he thought “what is the right answer?” I didn’t give him time to respond. I mused, “Pretty worldly concern, huh?”

Our conversation proceeded and ultimately led him to share about a message he heard days prior. We had a great conversation. He left me with this sentence, “Life is just a layover.” I walked away thinking “Really, is life just a layover?”

Layovers don’t invoke positive thoughts, feelings, emotions or actions. To be honest, layovers, delays or stops of any kind annoy me. Layovers cause me to be irritable, impatient and out of sorts.

The thought of layovers takes my thoughts to traveling. I don’t want layovers. I want a straight through flight, and not just because I have anxiety when it comes to flying; by car, I want to take the quickest route to get where we are going. Why is this and why do I loathe layovers?

It’s truth telling time my friends. I like to feel in control. I like a plan. I like a schedule. Let me map it out, take charge and get going. Once I know where I am going, I just want to get there. Bottom line: I like to get where I am going. No layovers. I like to arrive as soon as possible to “the destination,” as I planned. Lots of I’s and me’s, huh?

Layover is defined as “a period of rest or waiting before a further stage in a journey.” Stop, stopover or halt are a few synonyms.

Reflecting on that definition and synonyms makes a layover seem purposeful and active. There is something good to stopping or halting; to resting or waiting. It almost ignites positive thought, emotion and feeling. Ah, layovers can be for reasons that are beyond my understanding.

What have I learned?

1. My plans are just that, my plans. God has a plan for me in this layover of life and I need to intentionally seek, pursue and live it. Selflessly. Humbly. Purposefully.

2. Layovers have purpose and I am not to be passive in them. During layovers and waiting there are things to do. Action is required. I can trust God’s and His purpose and plan. My job is to do and step when the time to do and step comes.

3. Live with the end in mind. Life isn’t about the here and now. God created me for eternity and life is a step toward eternity.When traveling to Costa Rica, I knew where we were going. I planned, organized, scheduled, packed and jumped on the plane. I couldn’t wait to get there; even in the layover I was excited because I knew the destination!

These things have helped me to change my perspective on layovers and waiting. It’s vital for me to remember where I am headed. This will help me embrace the layover, anticipate in the waiting and do everything I am to do until I get to where I am going.

Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Questions:  How do you respond to layovers and waiting?  What could you do to shift your thinking about layovers and periods of waiting?  Share your comments.  I would love to hear.

Fear. What does that word ignite in you? Do you feel excited to jump in and tackle whatever it is that you fear? Or do you shy away from that which is causing you to be fearful?

I was reading a devo about Abraham and it referenced Hebrews 11:8. Basically, Abraham was called by God to leave his hometown and everything and everybody that he knew to go somewhere that God was going to show him.  Somewhere… a place out there in somewhere land.  Abraham had no clue where he was going or where this place was or what it was going to look like.  Yet he was like “OK God, I’m willing and, yep, I am already packing up!  Let’s do this!  Show me the way!”  Away Abraham went.  Not knowing.  Not questioning.  Not bantering and putting in his 2 cents. 

Abraham went.  Trusting God. He didn’t allow his fears to hold him back from God’s calling.  I can’t imagine that he didn’t have some fears…come on…Abraham was human just like me and you.  But, I think this was easier for him because he had a relationship with God and had the necessary tools for his faith-filled journey.

Anyway, I think Abraham is our example of what it means to walk by faith and not let fear hold us back, paralyze us, or cause us to create our own plan.  When God calls, His hope is that our faith will override our fear…for me I will say that fear is plural…FEARS! 

For this to happen, like Abraham, I have to be nurturing and investing in my relationship with Christ.  When God “calls,” and you know He will because He has a plan for you and for me, I have to have use my tools of faith to act on what I can’t see.  If I have been proactive, I will be less-fearful and more willing to let my faith compel me.

This brought me to Isaiah 43:1-7.  Specifically, v5 “fear not, for I am with you.”  Have you ever thought about this?  God knows no fear.  He sees and knows clearly what He needs and has planned for me and for you.  God expects me (and you) to not fear when he “calls” because HE, God, sovereign Lord, is with me and you! 

This was kind of an “ah-ha” moment for me today.  I wrote in my bible, “how does this look practically?”  I battle fear and wish it weren’t so.  I have the desire and want to be like Abraham and say, “Ok God, I’m all in. Show me where I am going?”  I realize that God doesn’t want me to have a spirit of fear and that where He calls me to go, I can trust Him to be my guide and lead the way. 

I will attempt to remember these things when the “fear monster” rears his ugly head!  By faith, I CAN obey and do whatever “it” is.

Questions:  Wonder what it looks like for you to “fear not,” knowing that God is with you?  And, what do you need to proactively do to prepare for your next “fear monster?”  Share your comments.  I would love to hear.

“There are things in life that propel us and things that repel us. Both cause growth and have purpose. And, both strengthen us to be more of who God intended.” ~by me

Great podcast!

This teaching by Michael Hyatt is worth listening to.

http://michaelhyatt.com/024-how-to-become-a-happy-person-podcast.html

What is your greatest take-away?  And, What do you need to do today to be “a happy person?”

Spring Forward is almost here! Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 10 – set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed Saturday night! Or do it now just to get prepared.

“The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior (and beliefs) will begin to reflect your true identity!” -Dr. Neil T. Anderson

Do you ever have so much going through your mind that you become consumed with what to do or not do?  Sidetracked by things that come up that weren’t on your list?

Well, if so, I say, “welcome to my world today (and other days, too)!”  Goodness.  Despite being on my new 3×5 card Time Management plan (with the help of my Mentor Coach), I am struggling to stay focused and on task.  I have been here there and everywhere today and back to the here.  And, can I just share that I broke my most favorite hair tool, my Paul Mitchell flat-iron.  The loss of a gals major hair tool is a big deal!

Anyway, so where is “here?”  Here is #3 on my list of majors today.  Majors are my list of three things, for the day, which I am to get done before my head hits the pillow tonight.  #3 on my list for today says “blog something.”

Blog something, ok!  To do or not to do…or just take a nap?  That is seriously what jumped into my head. And it so it goes…

Focus and Discipline.  Being focused is a good thing.  Focus helps us be productive.  Focus is part of being disciplined.  Discipline is a good thing.  Discipline helps us be productive.  Discipline is part of being focused.  Oh, the two are so connected.

I believe there is something good about being focused and disciplined that keeps me productive and on track.  I know that and you know all that.  Reality is there are those days where my best attempts to focus, be disciplined and productive battle with my thoughts, my desires and ordinary things that happen in my day.  My mind races to and fro and so do I.  Laundry, dinner, oh that webpage, email, and oh gosh my coaching homework, tennis practice, and going to the courthouse and bank, those can wait until another day.  It’s hard because I really just want to get the things checked off my 3×5 card list to feel like I really did get something accomplished.  That shows I was focused and disciplined.

It’s been a battle today with what I want to do, what I need to do and what I could do.  I am managing to get some of my minor’s done and working on my Majors too.  I committed to try this time management plan for 21 days to help my focus, discipline and movement forward.  I decided I don’t have to play this focus-discipline game on the weekends so it’s been 11 days!  I have been faithful in pondering, praying and writing down my to-do’s…majors and minors and 90 day goals; but you know what…today I just want to throw my card in the trash and take a nap!  To do or not to do? That’s the question.

Hope this brings a smile to your face and encourages you to know that I have “those” kind of days.  It has made me smile thinking about my day and my mood has shifted to a better place.  AND, I am realizing in this minute that I can cross off #3 on my card. Yes!

(PS. My first attempt at posting this got all messed up and I didn’t save it.  URGH…I will not be defeated! Re-do is done and hitting PUBLISH!)