Well, you know how people say, “my train of thought is”…Well, I don’t have a train of thought! I deal with a whole dang train station!!!
Thoughts coming and going, switching tracks, derailing, and even stalling. Oh, and believe you me, it’s a hot mess at times!!!
While getting dressed this morning, my thoughts were steered in the direction of my “short comings”.
Thoughts like:
I’m not enough…
I’m too much…
I can’t…
I should have…
Why me…
If I could just…
I smeared make-up into the crevices of my face. Then glued on eyelashes and drew on eye brows. I finally figure out where my cheek bones were and applied my blush. All while thoughts of my “short comings” kept racing through my mind.
When I finished applying my game face, I walked over to the bathroom window to look up the mountain side.
Even though it’s officially Spring here in Tennessee, the weather is very labile…Sunny one day then cold and windy the next. These poor plants are so confused!!! Once they start to trust that it is warm enough to release their foliage and blooms another cool front hits. Their tender foliage and blooms freeze and fall to the ground. Then, about the time they almost give up, here comes the sun and they try again.
When they finally emerge what a GLORIOUS sight!!!
God can teach us some pretty incredible lessons though nature. That is if we will just take time to observe our surroundings and listen to the Master’s voice.
Life has been challenging for me both physically and emotionally since July of last year. Today I observed the plants on the mountain thriving despite the adversity. And, I heard the Master’s voice whisper to me…”KEEP TRYING…Don’t give up…KEEP TRYING!!! I’ve Got You!!!”
Then, I heard…” You can do all things through Christ who strengthens You”. I have quoted Philippians 4:13 for most of my life but today…Today I internalized it because He spoke it over me!!!
I share my morning because I know I’m not the only one who struggles. Friend, when He says I can do all things through Christ, I know He will give you that same strength too!!!
Are you familiar with the phrase “Let Them”? I learned about the “Let Them” theory a little over a year ago. And the timing was perfect for where I was and what I was going through in life! As the oldest child, I grew up believing it was my responsibility to “fix” everything and everyone. The “Let Them” theory has definitely been freeing for me. This theory helped me realize circumstances are what they are and people are going to be who they are.
So…”LET THEM”
We all have our own unique journey. Each of us have the God given right to choose how we want to navigate that journey. I decided it was not my responsibility to try to fix the journey of others. In doing so would cause me to miss out on the journey God gifted me. If my focus is on controlling the narrative, I’m not focused on Living a Joyful Life.
Implementing the “Let Them” theory has made a huge impact on my personal peace and the peace of our home. Was it hard…ABSOLUTELY!!! Below is a Facebook post by my friend Luanne Salinas. Her post does a great job of identifying exactly what I thought before implementing the theory. It also explains how the “Let Them” theory gives closure.
Do I still love the individual(s)? YES
Do I still pray for the individual(s)? YES
But,From A Distance!
Here’s Louanne’s Post:
“Are you familiar with the “Let Them” theory? I’ll tell you friends the more I grow the more I am okay with accepting the “Let Them” in my own life and relationships.
This is something that took me a very long time to learn. I used to tolerate a lot because I didn’t want to lose people. But I learned the hard way if they were really my people they would never treat me like that. Don’t make the mistake of being so understanding and forgiving that you overlook the fact that you’re being repeatedly disrespected.
Let them be upset.
Let them judge you.
Let them misunderstand you.
Let them gossip about you,
Let them ignore you.
Let them be “right.”
Let them doubt you.
Let them not like you.
Let them not speak to you.
Let them run your name in the ground.
Let them make you out to be the villain.
Whatever it is that people want to say about you, let them!
Kindly step aside and LET THEM.
The hard truth is they know how much they are hurting you. And they just simply don’t care. They did it knowing it could cause them to lose you. And they did it anyway. People that love you care about how they make you feel. The end. Let them go.
There will be people that would rather lose you than be honest about what they’ve done to you. Let them go.
The lack of respect was the closure. The lack of apology was the closure. The lack of care was the closure. The lack of acountability was the closure. The lack of honestly was the closure. Let them go.
Make the decision to no longer sit at tables where you might be the topic when you get up. Let them go.
You can still be kind. You can even still love them deeply. But do it from the distance they created in their words and actions. Access to you is a privilege they have proven they can’t be trusted with. Let them go.
You don’t need to tell your side of the story. God already knows. Let God fight the battle for you. Let them go.
It’s taken me a long time to get here. Sleepless nights, countless tears, managing a range of emotions filled with anger, disappointment, confusion and deep hurt. Lots of self reflection, self preservation, deep prayer and seeking wisdom from those much wiser than me.
If you are struggling with this please know you are not alone. We will never understand why hurt people hurt people. But we can do the hard work to grow ourselves. Because healed people do in fact heal people.
Don’t you dare let them steal your joy.
Don’t you dare let them steal your light.
Don’t you dare let them steal your peace.
You are in control of that.
Hold tight to what you can control and release your grip on what you can’t control.
Let them go.”
Louanne, thank you for your post. I pray that by sharing it, someone will be moved to just
You know, it’s so easy to say, “I want to be joyful” but what exactly does that mean?
I remember speaking on the topic of “Joy” at a women’s retreat. One of the sessions was titled “Joy in the Journey”. Now, anyone who knows me is aware it’s not the journey that does it for me…
It’s THE RESULTS!!!
I am definitely a results oriented person. I find great pleasure in immediate gratification. The journey is equivalent to waiting and waiting is not one of my strong suits! With that said, I was given the word “Joyful” for 2025. I definitely better figure this out before the year is up…My days are fleeting! Heck 2024 came and went before I realized it!
So with that said, I guess a good place to start is with the definition of Joyful.
JOYFUL:experiencing pleasure, satisfaction, or delight
Hmmm…based on that definition, I would say I’m pretty joyful. Well, most of the time. Uh, well, I guess it would depend on the circumstances. Heck, who knows…some days it’s like a roller coaster. One minute I’m up and experiencing pleasure, feel satisfied or am delighted. the next, I’m serious, hyper focused, or distracted. I’m pretty sure my word for 2025 should have been “Complex”!!! Oh wait, where’s the growth in that…I’m already “Complex”. I’m pretty sure God wants me to focus on being JOYFUL and that means…I GOT WORK TO DO!!!
So, Welcome to My Journey to Discovering Joyful Living!
Now, hear me…I am not saying I am not joyful. I do have episodes of joyfulness just not consistently. I’m also not saying you don’t have a joyful life but what I am saying is… we all go through seasons. So, if you are going though a dry season please join me on my journey.
Come on…Let’s get started!
Now this is where I get stuck! Only on the 1st paragraph of the “journey” and I’ve already hit a major pothole. It’s at this point I could go in so many different directions!!!
So, usually when I’m looking for answers I go to Google and search for scriptures. Yep, while I take into account what other people say, I want to know what God’s word says. So, like a good soldier I typed in “Scriptures on Joyful”. Several verses came up. Many had the word joy but one particular scripture had the word “Joyful” and really resonated with me. It’s probably because I was recently diagnosed with Spondylosis.
Proverbs 17:22 “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” .
Wow…Spondylosis is a chronic condition that refers to the gradual wearing down of the spine’s cartilage and bones. A supple and strong bone is much more difficult to wear down or break. Yep, over the course of my life, my spirit has been crushed.
I know I’m not the only one! Gosh look at those effected by Hurricane Helene or the wildfires in California. Bless their hearts, those people literally lost everything!!! So, please hear me, in no way am I making light of their pain and suffering. But, we too are on a journey and our pain and heaviness is very real as well. Things like…
Loss of a child, spouse, parent, grandparent, friend: Gosh, I’ve experienced the loss of each and the pain never leaves. I will say, that over time, the wound is no longer as fresh. None the less, the loss does leave scars for life.
Catastrophic losses like storms, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and fires: I can say, I’ve had my fair share of hurricanes and flooding. I’ve been effected by 2 floods in my life. Both were hard but the flood when I was 12 years old was the worst. I lost my sense of security and safe place. It was the structure not people that made me feel secure growing up. I guess that’s why home is so important to me even today.
Loss of relationships: It’s painful loosing a relationship with a loved one or a friend. Sometimes the loss isn’t always a falling out but instead a drifting away. Either way, there is a loss or disconnect and it can weigh you down. Now, I would like to say that sometimes this isn’t a bad thing. It just may be God’s protection on your life or emotional well-being.
Hurt Feelings: Oh my, I could go on forever on this one!!! I am here to tell you, my feelings have been hurt more times than I can count. For me the hurt is typically caused by setting my expectations too high. Or, because I make it all about me. Or, I just don’t consider the source and where they’ve been or what they’ve been through. And, then sometimes…People are just mean!!! Emotions are a bugger!!!
This list could go on for days but I think I’m unstuck. I finally know the direction I need to go!
I need to remember those things that bring me pleasure, what gives me satisfaction and who or what delights me. Then for 2025, I need to expand my list!!!
So, here’s my current list of things which lend to my joyful life:
Excursions with Richard
Taking a drive
Having lunch
Running errands
Stopping in at a winery
Time with Family
Time Alone with God
Relaxing at Home
Baking
Working in our Yard
Working in the Garden
Sitting out by the fire pit
Coffee on the porches
Walks on the property
Driving around the property in the side by side
Painting furniture and decor
Floral design
Writing
Yes, I know that is a pretty long list. Just so you know, I could go on and on but for the sake of time…I’ll stop!
I have been so incredibly blessed by reflecting on this list. In fact, my mind was completely redirected from those things that I’ve been though (both shared and not shared).
I Think I’m Having an “Ah Ha” Moment!!!
By changing my focus from trials to triumphs, my tests to testimonies, and suffering to healing it will yield a joyful life
Now for the hard part… I must remember to say “Ah Ha!!!” during my meltdown. I should also try to do this in a crisis or when dealing with that person who has hurt me.
My prayer for you is God will restore you to a joyful state and continue to pour out His Blessings on Your Life ❤
How can this be…January 1st has come and gone yet God did not give me my “Word for the Year”. This has never happened to me before!!! In the past, I knew what my word would be long before New Years Day. My brain went into overload. I listened with laser focus to every word I heard on TV, podcasts, and YouTube. I also read blogs and scripture. Yet, not a word. I even laid in bed at night wide awake brain storming and praying to find my “Word”.
Now, the desperate pursuit of the word had become serious almost to the point of being unpleasant. The pursuit had become serious and I had become unpleasant. In fact, the word search had sucked the joy right out of me! As I thought about feeling gloomy and down, I realized I have been pretty serious for a while.
Well, Duh…while it was a great year 2024 was a HARD year! My post 2024 Year in Review: A Journey of Gratitude definitely served as a reminder. It highlighted all I did and went through last year. No wonder I didn’t feel joyful…
JOYFUL
That’s it…My Word for the 2025
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not sad, depressed, or hopeless but just gloomy. Now, I’m sure that has to do with the fact I’m recovering from surgery. Just four months ago I had an Anterior posterior fusion L5-S1 with Graft using rods and screws using robotics. I also had a cyst removed. The surgeon said “if your cyst were a fish we would’ve had to mount it…it was that big”. So, there’s that but I know it to be more than just that!
All my life I have been somewhat serious. Raised by overachiever parents, I’ve always had both spoken and unspoken expectations placed on me. After all, I was the oldest child and they depended on me for a lot. Everything was serious! And for those times I did try to relax and let loose, I did not enjoy myself. It was foreign to me. That is until about 2005. We were empty-nesters and were more spontaneous. We RV’d, rode the motorcycle, and went on short excursions as our schedules allowed. I felt like for the 1st time in my life the weight of the world had fallen off my shoulders.
Then, I went into long term care. Not as a bedside nurse but as a Director of Nurses. There they were again…Spoken and Unspoken Expectations. State surveyors, Chief Nurse Officer, Regional Vice President, Administrator, and Regional Nurse, all piling their expectations on me. Yes, I know that goes with the job but…It was also a trigger for me. All the expectations were overwhelming and I had to be serious and laser focused. Once again, I was no longer joyful.
Then in June of 2022 I retired to care for my mother full time. She was total care requiring a lift for transfers and wheelchair bound. She also had postoperative complications after surgery for a hip fracture. So, now the expectations were based on my degree and professional experience. I was now my mother’s nurse. Oh but wait, things got a little muddled for me when childhood expectations are mingled with care expectations. Then stir in family dysfunction and everyone’s different personalities…What a MESS!!!
While I still care for my Mom, it has become so much easier. Since we moved from Texas, we have more of a routine. There’s less external chaos and peace has been restored to our home. Most importantly Mom is at peace and happy. While things have lighted significantly, I want to strive to be more joyful.
Oh My…That’s Quite a Laundry List For Me to Work On!!!
Will it be hard…Yes!
Will it be worth it…ABSOLUTELY
My word for 2024 was Gratitude and it was so incredibly easy to live in a state of gratitude. 2025 though, will definitely require some work for me but…I am determined to be JOYFUL again no matter what!!!
So, do you have a word for 2025? If yes, please do share!!!
Each year I ask God to give to me a word for the year. In 2024 that word was GRATITUDE. This entire year I’ve had so much gratitude for all of the beautiful blessings gifted to us. We love living near Brandi and Robi, and having Cheyenne and David close by. We have such a peaceful home with scenic views and surrounded by nature. We’ve also had a few adventures along the way. We have been blessed with so much but it feels like the year flown by. Yet it blows our minds when we think about all we’ve done in such a short time.
We moved to Roan Mountain last December. The interior of the house was completed just in time for us to move in and get settled before Christmas. It was wonderful but to say the exterior was a hot mess was an understatement! We had a makeshift driveway and there were mounds of dirt everywhere. The yard looked like a construction dump sight. Then to make matters worse there were natural springs running out of the mountain creating a muddy mess. So, in January the focus was for the contractors to construct the retaining wall.
Meanwhile, we were trying to get acclimated to the ICE & SNOW!!!
As for my Mom…She Absolutely Loves Watching it Snow!!!
In February the Work on the Retaining Wall Continued
The footer was formed, concrete poured, and the blocks were laid despite the rain and active springs!
February was also a time of celebration. We got to celebrate our granddaughter, Cheyenne’s 24th Birthday in our new home.
Now That Was a Great Memory!!!
Then during March and April, the construction of the wall continued until completion. Also, Brandi and Richard started work on the garden. Oh man, what an undertaking that was!!!
Progress on The Wall
Prep Work on The Garden
Then towards the middle of April we noticed things were really greening up. It was so beautiful. But, we had a lot of cleanup to do before the crew arrived to do our dirt work.
Also during April, I started learning a lot about foraging. Cheyenne and David took us out and taught us how to forage for morel mushrooms.
OH MY…Talk About Yummy!!!
Oh, and we did a little hiking in with Brandi.
We LOVE Her Sense of Adventure!
In May, we began to hear the rumble of motorcycles heading up the mountain to Carver’s Gap. As the weather got warmer, the motorcycles got louder and yep, you guessed it!
Richard Bought a Trike!!!
May was also the month the dirt work was done. The yard was hydroseeded and a proper driveway was put in…Finally, it was time to start work on walkways and flower beds!!!
June and July was spent outdoors working in the yard and garden. It was glorious!!! We laid five pallets of flagstone. Then, created flower beds. We then set up the fire pit area. It was nice working outside while being surrounded by the splendid beauty of God’s creation!!!
June was also when our grandson Brandon, Sarah, Payton, and Skylar flew in for a visit. Family hikes and sitting out by the fire pit made for some great memories!
Then towards the end of June and into July harvest season was upon us. Not only did we have to gather the produce but also preserve it all. So, I canned, dehydrated, froze, and baked A LOT!!! It was definitely a learning curve for me and I had to be quick study…The produce was not gonna wait!!!
Then in July everything came to an immediate halt!!! Now, July thru August was not a good memory. It was a memory that made an impact on our lives nonetheless. One day after some strenuous work in the yard, I noticed my back was sore. So, I took some Aleve and applied ice. After about a week it started feeling a little better so I decided to bake some chocolate chip cookies. I pulled the cookie sheet from the oven. As I turned to put them on the island, I went down in excruciating pain. This pain was like none I had ever experienced before!!! Richard had gone to get the mail. Mom was still in bed asleep. I tried to call Richard, Brandi, and Robi…No answer! Then I remember making my way to the couch while sending a 911 text to everyone. Brandi called me back instantly and before I knew it they were all three standing in our living room. To sum it up, an ambulance took me to the trauma center in Johnson City. There, they discovered I had severe stenosis on the left at L5-S1 foramina and spinal canal. They also found a cyst on my spine. Also, my vertebra at L4 had slipped forwards over the S1 vertebra. I was referred to a neurosurgeon and scheduled for surgery a month out. During that time, the doctor’s office worked to get a pre authorization for the surgery. The procedure was going to be over $200,000.00!!!
At this point, I would like to interject that I can’t say enough good about my coverage!!! We were extremely nervous because it was not conventional coverage but a Christian Program called WeShare. They are amazing, kind, and they really care!!! At first, we were told my surgery would not be covered. Many phone calls were made. Due to the work of an amazing employee at WeShare, my final out of pocket ended up being $5,000! Folks…THAT WAS GOD!!!
Also during this time, I was told I could not lift, bend, or twist. It was impossible for me to care for my Mom. Bless her heart, she was so understanding and agreed to stay at our local nursing facility as a respite patient. Aug 22nd I had my surgery and after a couple days in the hospital, I was sent home to recuperate. I was to wear a brace for 8 weeks, no lifting, bending, or twisting.
Meantime, Mom was still in the nursing facility. She was struggling to adapt to having a room mate. The sleep wake cycles did not match hers. She was having difficulty with the food, and being away from us. So, we made the decision to bring her home two weeks after my surgery. Now let me be clear… There was no way Mom would come home but for Richard’s willingness to help with her care. Mom also has a care giver that comes in 10 hours a week…She is AMAZING and Mom loves her dearly. So, between the three of us we have worked out a routine. This has allowed Mom to be back with us. For that… I am eternally grateful!!!
Mom Says, “There’s No Place Like Home!!!“
Then just as we thought things were about back to “Normal”, Hurricane Helene hit! Now, I have lived on the Gulf Coast most all my life. I have never experienced the effects of a hurricane on the coast like we did here in Tennessee with Helene. The aftermath was and continues to be devastating for so many in this area. The Doe River runs through our daughter and son-in-law’s property. Though it’s a small river, it is a force to be reckoned with when it floods!!!
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Though we were surrounded by devastation, we realized how incredibly blessed we were…All our family and their animals were not harmed!!!
After hurricane Helene, September, October, and November were dedicated to cleanup and continued healing. At my 8 week doctor’s visit I was released from the back brace. Then on the next visit I was released to ride on the motorcycle again.
Praise God…Just in time for Fall Foliage!!!
Then in Late November We Also Got Our 1st Snow!!!
The holidays were quiet for us. Brandi and Robi spent both Thanksgiving and Christmas with family in Texas. We definitely miss them when they’re away. Nevertheless, we do get to spend a lot of quality time with our Tennessee family and grand critters year round. WE LOVE THAT!!!
Well, that’s a wrap! 2024 is coming to a close and 2025 will be here in a couple of days. I guess the old saying stands true… “TIME FLIES WHEN YOUR HAVING FUN“
WE’VE HAD A BLAST IN 2024
and
FOR THAT WE EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE!!!
Wishing Each and Everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!
Yesterday in Get Your Head Out of The Clouds I shared how much I enjoy journaling. This year I bought the journal “Prayer Journal For Women”. It’s a 52 week scripture, devotional, and prayer journal and although I am on just week 1…I absolutely love it.
One of the things that makes this journal really special is the author encourages the reader to memorize scripture. Now, I don’t know about you but that has been a real challenge as of late. It seems my short term memory is not what it used to be. I could go on about that for days but will spare you the details and me the embarrassment…LOL
Now, I’m not gonna lie, I was a little disappointed with this week’s scripture. I was hoping for something uplifting and positive to start off the New Year. You know, a “feel good” scripture but that’s not what I got! I got an “OUCH scripture”…One that made me cringe!!! Not only did I cringe the 1st day but everyday this week as I have worked to commit the scripture to memory. I needed to do the memory work and reflect on how I would apply it to my daily life.
Have you ever had a time you spoke before you actually listened or became angry because you didn’t listen? Man oh man I sure have! In-fact, more times than I care to admit…Ugh!!!
There was one instance that remains vivid in my mind to this day! I was working as the Director of Nursing for a Skilled/ Long Term Care Facility. Each morning it was the expectation all department heads would attend a morning meeting to discuss upcoming events, review events of the previous 24hrs, and trouble shoot any challenges that needed to be resolved. On this particular morning I remember I was running late due to traffic caused by a wreck on the freeway. So, when I arrived to work, I had just enough time to print my report, gather my binder, and run out the door to Morning Meeting. The meeting had already started when I arrived. As I sat down, I glanced around the room and noticed I was the only one from the nursing department in attendance. I immediately grabbed my phone to see if I had any texts to explain why nursing leadership was not in attendance. There were no text. About that time the administrator looked over at me and asked where’s your team? I responded, I have no clue…No one communicated they wouldn’t be here. We went on with the meeting and as it came to a close, the assistant director of nursing came walking into the room with her purse and a coffee in hand. She asked, “what is the status of…”. Without missing a beat I flipped around and responded, “If you had shown up for Morning Meeting you would know!” I stood up, left the conference room, and went to my office.
As I walked into my office, I received a signal on my phone and text messages began to pour in. My heart sunk and I was sick to my stomach!!! She had sent a text explaining her delay. I immediately ran to her office to apologize. Needless to say, she was so angry and humiliated that she couldn’t even talk much less hear my apology. In-fact, she was so distraught she went straight to HR and lodged a formal complaint against me.
When I tell you I was sick…I mean I was SICK!!! Not about the complaint but because I had hurt her!!! If only, I had been quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger…the outcome would have been totally different!
I was completely devastated that I had screwed up so badly…I was embarrassed and broken!!!
Thank God, the Assistant Director of Nurses did finally allow me to explain and she did offer me forgiveness but it grieves me to know I caused her to be embarrassed in front of her peers and that I had spoken to her that way.
Do I wish I had handled things differently, perhaps asked more questions, or just sat in silence? Boy do I…That single encounter has taunted me to this day.
Did I learn from my mistake? I definitely did but at the expense of another.
Have I asked my Father for forgiveness? ABSOLUTELY!!!
While the Assistant Director of Nurses graciously extended forgiveness and my Father forgave me, this week I have had to dig deep and forgive myself. So, while I really was looking forward to a feel good scripture to start off the New Year…God provided me the scripture I needed to put the incident behind me and move forward by forgiving myself. He gave me the tool I needed not only to deal with the past but to move forward as a better version of me…filled with love and inner beauty.
I share my experience to encourage you to commit this scripture to heart and be:
QUICK TO LISTEN
SLOW TO SPEAK
SLOW TO ANGER
Dare I look ahead to see what I am going to have to work through this comming week…YIKES!!!
This morning as I was waiting for my cup of coffee to brew, I began my morning quiet time with an “Attitude of Gratitude”. As I looked around our kitchen, I thought to my self “I really love that arrangement” or “That picture belongs right there” and then I became flooded with the memories of where those items originated or who had given them to me. Then I began to thank God for the provisions He has given me and the people He has placed in my life.
Then, I allowed my mind to broaden and think of many of the people He placed in my life over the years. While most were amazing, not all were easy or a pleasure. I might add, some of those individuals were exhausting…They would suck the life right out of me with their:
Low Self-esteem
Under Developed Communication Skills
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Inadequate Support System
Difficulty Coping
Oh Wait…I Just Described Myself!!!
Yep, I have personally experienced every one of those things listed above at some point in my life. Oh, and believe you me…about the time I think I have things under wraps a wave hits and I find myself gasping for air.
Let me ask you something, Do you think this comes as surprise to God? Absolutely not!!! and the wall decor in my kitchen serves as my daily reminder!
He knows me…He really knows ME!!! Jesus gets me, understands me, tolerates me, and most of all He celebrates me!!!
Do I break His heart? Yes, I do on a daily basis!
Do I ask for His forgiveness? Yes, I do on a daily basis!
Does He beat me over the head with shame and condemnation? Absolutely not! In fact the scripture that assures me of this is Romans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus“
So, why does God place people in my path that remind me of my failures, deficits, past, lack of support, and my inability to cope or resolve my own problems?
To remind me:
I am Broken
I need to support and lift others up
I need to work to do better every day
I need to continue to work on my communication skills
I need to develop empathy
And sometimes…He is teaching me I need to set boundaries.
A while back I took a piece of greenery from our bathroom and used it to decorate in our bedroom. Who knew this one simple decision would have such a profound effect on me and my mental clarity???
Sound dramatic? Well, for me it was…
THE LAMP AND ECHO DOT CORDS WERE SHOWING!!!
Anyone who knows me is aware that visual order is essential for my mental health and well being. Visual chaos drives me insane and the exposed cords on my bathroom counter were driving me NUTS!!!
I tried several different types of stems and arrangements but nothing looked right. Running to the store to pick something up was not an easy option because it’s hard on my mother to transfer in and out of the car and leaving here at home is just not an option.
So, for weeks now, I have been STUCK!!!
My gaze was focused on the visual chaos of the cords
My brain was constantly scanning the house for anything that would work
Putting my makeup on and getting dressed in the morning was down right difficult
All I could focus on was the chaos and emptiness…I needed something quick!
LOW AND BEHOLD, THERE IT WAS…ALL I HAD TO DO WAS LOOK UP!!!
Yep, the very greenery was right there in my bathroom above my cabinet! My first thought was, “oh no, I can’t move that. It belongs in there!”. Then, I realized, it really didn’t because I had not even recognized the greenery was up there or that it could be an option to resolve my issue.
So, guess what I did this morning…Yep, you guessed it!
Whoa…Wait! What’s that piece of paper sticking on the mirror you ask? Isn’t that visual clutter???
Nope…That’s my Love Note from my Granddaughter.
It is right where she posted it and will stay there to serves as a daily reminder…
I AM LOVED!!!
So, why did I share this? Because perhaps there is something in your life that has you “STUCK” and this might help you get unstuck!
People often feel stuck because:
They may feel they are not able to implement change
They are unable to process past trauma or emotional wounds
They don’t understand why things are the way they are
So you say to yourself, “I will have just a small bite of that cake or pie. Just a sliver…” Then as you finish that sliver you find yourself wanting more?
It is human nature to crave those things in life that evoke pleasure and comfort; those things that satisfy our fleshly desires. How often is it though that we have to make ourselves eat those things that bring healing and health to our bodies? I struggle in this area!
My daughter Brandi has taught me so much about clean eating; organic and all natural foods. I watch her prepare her meals adding only the freshest and healthiest ingredients which I might add taste incredible! So, why is it I find myself craving those foods which are unhealthy and un-natural? Because those foods are satisfying, familiar and comforting. They are the foods associated with an emotion embedded deep within the fibers of my being. I am working on that…I am trying to teach my body to crave what it needs for health and well-being…
So, what about Spiritual food? Why is it we find it so easy to digest a book or magazine over the Word of God? Why is it we find it a challenge to pick up our Bibles and feed ourselves the pure and natural food for our souls?
Whether it is food for the body or food for the soul…We eat what makes us “feel good”…Not always what we need. Now don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of scriptures in the Bible that make me feel comforted, peaceful, and loved…those are not the scriptures I am referring to. It is those scriptures that pierce the core of my being with conviction. These scriptures much like the healthy foods…once devoured and digested begin to bring about results…
What an awesome lesson my daughter presented to “The Fall Out” (a group of 5th, 6th, and 7th graders) last night. Below is the summary of the lesson written by my daughter Brandi Booth…
Great Bible study and fellowship time tonight! Tonight we talked about Trust & Obey! “The House is on Fire” activity went something like this:
There were four different rooms in our house that had an adult in each waiting for the kids to come and try to round them up. The adults were instructed that no matter what…they were to ask questions only…and refuse to be lured out of the house.
The Fall Out was told that they had 2 minutes to get everyone out of the house, before it “burned down.” The only rules for them were (1) they couldn’t tell the adults that the house was on fire! (2) they were not allowed to use force!
After the two minutes, and a million scams, bribes, and attempts to get the adults to evacuate…the house “burned down” with everyone in it!
Sometimes God wants us to “move” and we may not always know why…but ultimately if we stay in one spot and refuse to budge and only ask questions…eventually the house will burn down. We have to TRUST God! He sees the big picture…actually, He’s the Artist! He knows the right timing for everything! As hard as it may seem, even when we don’t understand something (or like it!)…we should OBEY God. Just like The Fall Out demonstrated tonight…God will do everything He can to get you to move…but, ultimately obedience is up to us and if we wait to long…we may be ignoring His protection…or miss out on a blessing!
Whenever we submit to His will and plan, it brings glory and honor to His Name through us! That is a powerful witness and testimony! Are you limiting yourself to what God has planned for you by your refusal to move or are you delaying His blessings by asking questions? Your next question could be the last chance you get to obey! Trust in Him and obey His calling for your life.
A Love Lee Place 