Hard to Hate What Got Me Here ...

"Lookin' back at the moments, black white
I wouldn't change a thing that changed my life
For the worse, for the better
Man, I was gone, gone forever

The laughs, the smiles, the trials, the tears
It's hard to hate what got me here
What got me here."

- Kenny Chesney

Make Your Twenties Better

1.     Accept that you can’t please everybody, and then decide which select few opinions and feelings you value enough to try and satisfy.

2.   Recognize that the grass always seems greener on the other side. Perhaps the grass you’re standing on just needs a little watering — it’s not necessarily where you’re at, so much as what you do there.

3.   Don’t spend too much time on Instagram trying to decide if Hudson or Amaro is the more aesthetically pleasing effect on your picture.

4.   Enjoy your journeys. Many times, the trip there is more gratifying than the arrival.

5.   Make certain that you have some real friends who will tell you if you’re screwing up, regardless of whether you want to hear or not. “Yes men” will have you believing your sh-t don’t stink, but rest assured — it does.

6.   Live as if you’re not going to make it to thirty. Too often we dread the big 3-0 instead of being grateful for the days we have now, and recognizing how fortunate we’d be to make it that far into the future.

7.   Don’t confuse the people who are often present with the people who are always there.

8.   Make a legitimate effort to have too good of a time today to worry about tomorrow.

9.   Try to keep in mind that while all good things must come to an end, so must the bad.

10.Whether it’s big or small, always have something to look forward to. It’s essential to help you get through things.

11.  Spend more money on experiences and less on material things. (e.g. trip to Las Vegas takes precedence over new iPod.)

12.Avoid reading comment sections on the internet, especially if you’re sensitive. You’ll lose all hope for civilization.

13.Save money whenever it’s possible, because as soon as you think you’re ahead money-wise, something expensive will break.

14.Always listen and ruminate, but never make important decisions based off of advice from someone who isn’t going to have to face the consequences.

Read more at http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/30-ways-to-make-your-20s-better/#e0i3mEpHiUE4AueL.99 

food for thought ...

"To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did."

When God takes something from your grasp ... he's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Always remember that "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you." 

On another note ....

Below is the next tattoo that I'd like ... let's see if I grow a pair big enough to sit through this:

Always Be True to Yourself

Chantel is a FANTASTIC writer and her blog entries touch my soul. God has found yet another way to speak to me about relationships and keeping a positive outlook on my life. Here are two blog posts from Chantel's blog site, that have truly given me a new perspective on things I am currently going through: 

On Strength ...

1. Only engage in relationships that make you feel uplifted.  Let go of the people who pull you down.
2. Make better use of your time.  Minimize your obligations to the most important tasks and get rid of all time-wasters.
3. Train your mind to think positively and look for the good in yourself and in the world.  Purge your mind of toxic thoughts and stop being self-destructive.
4. Try to improve your better habits and minimize your poor habits.  You will feel better about the person you are.
5. Be courageous!  Don't be afraid to walk against the crowd if your values don't align.  Live what you think is good!
6. Be emotionally independent.  Don't let yourself rely on another person for happiness.  Be in control!
7. Think more compassionately!  Imagine what it's like in another's shoes.  Be patient with people.
8. Serve.  Be completely bold and sincere when loving and caring for other people.
9. Be real.  Live a noble life because that is who you are. Do away with facades and obsessions with reputation.  Live with dignity. 

On Confidence ...

1. Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who have proven that they are committed to misunderstanding you.
2. Never apologize for having high standards, because people who really want to be in your life will rise up to meet them.
3. Letting go of people has nothing to do with weakness and everything to do with strength.  We let go and walk away not because we want the universe to realize our worth, but because we finally realize our own worth.
4. Some people will refuse to accept you for who you are.  You could be the ripest, juiciest apple in the world, and there's going to be someone who hates apples.  Always be true to yourself. 

Faith Walk

Many of my girlfriends give me a hard time about my "Jesus posts." They dislike when I like statuses on facebook pertaining to God or when I retweet things on twitter in relation to God. I have had some friends defriend me on some of these social networking sites because they didn't like that I was so into God. Is your jaw on the ground? It drives me nuts!

For one thing - I do not think I am obsessive or obnoxious about it. For another thing - perhaps they need to FIND Jesus themselves. That's an entirely different post. Ha! Any who ... I find such strength, comfort and encouragement in these biblical scriptures and inspirational/spiritual quotes. There have been so many times that I have been discouraged, broken hearted, frustrated, down ... and I came across a message that lifted me up.

Every time this happens - I call out a "Thank you Jesus" or "You're an on-time God." These occurrences are no coincidences ... I look at it as God speaking to me. Delivering a message that I needed to hear in that exact moment of time. For the past couple of days ... I have been wrestling with my thoughts and feelings about relationships or the lack thereof in my life. I have momentary lapses of time (and judgement) when I become down because I think I have no friends ... or I feel that a friend has neglected me/is failing to stay connected with me the way I'd like for them to.

This evening ... as I browsed through emails ... I cam across this:

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. —2 Thessalonians 3:16

While I was visiting Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, two trees caught my attention. Though the leaves on the surrounding trees were not moving, the leaves of these trees were fluttering with just the slightest hint of a breeze. I pointed them out to my wife, and she told me they were called quaking aspens. I was struck by the visual effect of those shaking leaves. While all the other trees appeared calm and steady, the quaking aspen leaves shook, even with only the faintest breeze.

Sometimes I feel like a quaking aspen. People around me seem to be moving through life without issues or concerns, apparently steady and secure, while even the slightest issue can unsettle my heart. I see others and marvel at their calm and wonder why my own life can so easily be filled with turbulence. Thankfully, the Scriptures remind me that genuine, steadying calm can be found in the presence of God. Paul wrote, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thess. 3:16). Not only does God offer peace, He Himself is the Lord of peace.

When we enter the disturbing, unsettling seasons of life, it is good to know that real peace is available in the God of all peace. —Bill Crowde

The scripture immediately resonated with my soul and brought me peace. I need to be still and know that God is in charge ... he is directing my steps and in him ... I will find peace. Lord help me to let go of the wheel ... help me allow you to direct my steps AND help me to trust in you - that the people who need to be in my life are there (even if I do not hear from them every second of the day).

I am working on strengthening my faith walk ... At finding peace in God even when I go through unsettling seasons of my life.

Give Thanks

Came across this blog today ... and I think it will bless anyone who reads it. I was watching the TV show - 19 Kids and Counting - on TLC the other day when I heard Anna Duggar say something that made me stop dead in my tracks and reflect. She said something along the lines of give thanks during good times and bad times ... And I realized - I tend to moan and groan and whine and complain when hard times come my way. But what a difference it would make, if I stopped and praised God in the midst of my struggle or frustration for the blessing in store. For the experience. For the opportunity to grow and become a better person. For the lesson the struggle would teach me. And so I began to search for the exact quote Anna said ... and instead stumbled across this website instead.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

My Daddy ... A Cancer Survivor!

My father is a recent survivor of prostate cancer! He was diagnosed with cancer back in July of this summer and had surgery to get his prostate removed at the end of August. He has taken off of work since then for two months, to recover and heal. He has been an example of strength and an inspiration for us all. I am so grateful that the doctors caught the cancer in the early stages - prostate cancer took the life of my grandfather in 1996.

Today my dad is happy and healthy! My parents recently celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary - and I thank God every day for my father's health and for his commitment to and love for my mother and his children (myself included).

As a result ... I want to donate money to prostate cancer research. I came across this website which has trendy bracelets for $25. The money for the bracelets support research for a cure. When I am paid on Friday - I will be donating a portion of my pay check to the purchase of one of these bracelets! I cannot wait to wear it proudly - in honor of my father.

I love you!