Gratitude

With all that goes wrong in our lives and all that is wrong in the world, it's so easy to complain.  One thing we must never forget is that - no matter how hard it gets or how bad it may seem - someone else may be much worse off than we could ever imagine.  So with that thought, let's aim to maintain an attitude of gratitude.  This life may not be all that you desire or hope for right now, but who says this is all to your life.You've got a whole lot more living to do!

New Horizons

There is a freshness sweeping through the air as this current year briskly makes its way to close.  You may have faced a lot of challenges this year.  While you may have experienced many victories, there surely were some defeats.  But continue to rise for there is an occasion awaiting your arrival.  New horizons are on the brink and you don't want to delay your destination any longer.  Stay focused, remain determined, be intentional, and expect something different . . . something "new!"

Don't Settle!

It's really important to remain focused and not let yourself settle for things or people you really don't want.  Sometimes it's challenging "holding out" until the right job, the right person, the right opportunity becomes available.  But, when you know what you want and are willing to take the steps to get it, whatever "IT" may be, there's nothing more disappointing than when you sell yourself short and end up with the short end of the stick.  It's really not worth the emotional  upset, financial distress, or whatever else that comes along with the settlement.  Whatever you do, please don't settle!  Your change will come along at the right time.

Smile

I've heard it said many times before that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile.  Whether that is true or not, I would rather display a smile than a frown any day.  Sometimes, not always, a smile symbolically reflects an internal condition.  I often think when I see a smile on someone's face, it's really their heart smiling at me.  Sometimes it's tough to smile, especially when life's situations are threatening disaster.  Maybe, during those times, you can reflect on the good times until the bad times get better.  Sometimes you have to cheer up yourself.  You may never know, your smile just might be what brightens someone's day.  Go on . . . give it a try!

F.A.I.T.H. or F.E.A.R.

Most times people  put forth a persona of confidence, determination, and persistence that appears iron clad and impossible to break when actually it's just a mere picture of the pseudo self on the brink of collapsing and bowing in defeat.  It's not until we face fear for what it really is - False Evidence Appearing Real - that we can activate our faith - Fulfilling Agape Instruction Through Hope.  Think about different times in your lives when you opted "not" to do or say or be because what was in front of you appeared to be greater than you or your ability.  That was nothing but fear.  It seemed real, but in reality it was a false truth.  You had the experience, but you didn't have the education so you opted "not" to go after the job.  You had the time and even the resources, but you didn't have the brains of a scholar - so you opted "not" to go after the degree.  And the list goes on, and on, and on . . . How many times are you going to gracefully "bow out" when you have the capacity for F.A.I.T.H.?  Have enough confidence to believe in the authenticity of your faith.  God is, therefore, you can!

When It Really Matters

It's nice to have others there when life is a bliss and laughter is in the air.  When it really matters the most is when someone is there to lend a shoulder to lean on.  There are times in all of our lives when the roses aren't red and the glass appears half empty.  During those times, a word of encouragement, a smiling face, a conversation while walking through the park or any gesture that translates "I care and I'm here for you," could mean the world to the one in need.  Take the time to reach out to someone today.  If you don't, you'll never know that you were the one they needed when it really mattered the most.

Celebrate Your Life

To observe, to make known publicly, to praise widely . . . all of these are definitions for celebrate.  The question is how often do you take the time to celebrate your life?  Life is more than mere existence.  It's more than just being here.  You have a presence that is loving, lively, spirit-filled, resilient, harmonious, compassionate, and life-giving!  The year 2010 is more than half the way gone.  Some have celebrated the day of their birth and for some that day it yet to come.  But, more than celebrating a moment in time like a birthday, you owe it to yourself to celebrate who you are.  Because being who you are is an everyday thing.  There should be some kind of observance, public notice, wide-spread praise in honor of you.  If no one else is willing to do it, you should.  Think about what you've accomplished, what it took for you to achieve.  You're no run-of-the-mill, second-class citizen waiting for a hand-out.  You're a go-getter, a visionary, an awesome example of magnificence in human form.  You are YOU and no one can do you better.  Celebrate your life!  Celebrate You!  You deserve it!