Things are looking up!

I love when I drive to work and look up in the sky and see a scene like the picture above.  It brings me such peace and helps me realize the God is always with me and will take care of me. Sometimes you just have to look up (literally) to know that you are loved and surrounded by God's never ending grace!

Smile: What's made me smile?

Me and Bonnie took a trip to Arlington to the Great American Scrapbook Convention...aka nerdville.  It was a great day shopping for bargains and putting our creative hats on to help us get out of our heads, which our jobs require us to be so much of the time.  It was a great way to spend an afternoon with my BFF and lots and lots of paper products! Bon--I draw the line at matching bedazzled shirts..just sayin.

Celebrate:  What do I celebrate?
I have a meeting tomorrow with a potential new manager to find out about a job opening in her division.  I'm pursuing other job opportunities because I have come to the realization that I'm too stressed out, complaining too much and just not feeling like I'm fulfilled.  I have made the decision to make some changes to my situation and do something that I need to do to find that peace and happiness that I so long for.  So, I've started reaching out to my network to let them know that I'm available for pursuing some additional opportunities and have applied to some job postings.  I've been overwhelmed by the responses that I've gotten from my network who have said how excited they are to consider working with me closer.  That is a huge honor from some of these people and I'm quite blessed that my reputation, which I've worked so hard to create is strong and good within my organization.  Today, I also received a possible lead to a job that I applied for and hope to set up some time with the recruiter to discuss in more detail.  We'll see what happens, but I feel good that God is blessing me, he's answering my prayers and once again, he is taking care of me--I think I celebrate that the most!

I also celebrate that I was told by our Executive Vice President  that I did a good job presenting to the President of the Bank an overview of the Training Organization.  She's a tough cookie, so getting that compliment meant a lot! Whew!  I passed that test, was quite stressed out about it!

Love:  What do I love?
It takes so much effort for me to get to the gym, but once I do, I LOVE how I feel after working out.  It truly does help my stress and makes me feel so strong.  If I would only remember how I feel I'd do it more often...how quickly the mind forgets the good feeling and only remembers the pain!  Well..perhaps I'll start a new leaf and get myself back in the gym!  I so need to be there on a regular basis!  So desperately need to be there!




Thought for the day:  You become what you think about whether you like it or not-Wayne Dyer.   (That's why I'm looking for a new job...I'm becoming a complainer and I just don't want to be "that girl!")

Cheers

Hope is a strategy

There is a business book titled "Hope is not a strategy"...and while I completely understand the title for a business, I truly do believe that it is a strategy to live our lives by.  I hope that people in my life that are sick get well, that those who need jobs find them, that heartaches get healed, and that I find love.  Hope of course is not able to be believed without having faith and saying lots of prayers.  So...faith (GOD), hope and love...that's all we really need in life right?

Smile:  What did I smile about today?
I got the sweetest thank you card from my sister for our trip to NYC.  Was such a surprise and a nice thing to receive in the mail... much better than a bill!

Celebrate:  What did I celebrate today?
I ran almost a mile outside this evening without stopping.  Now I won't tell you that it was mostly downhill and the wind was at my back and after I thought I could throw up...the point is, I ran almost a mile without stopping.  It's the small successes!

Love: What do I love?

I love Target! I had several bags the other day and happened to leave one of them at the check out counter.  When I came home, I realized that my favorite yogurt and much needed paper plates were missing.  Today, I went back to the store to see if they would refund me the money so I could purchase the items again.  It was only $6.50, but was worth it to me to ask--especially since I thought the checker was rushing me the other day and didn't check to make sure that I had picked up everything. It was actually a pretty stress free experience and they had my receipt on file, gave me a gift card and within about 5 mins, I had purchased my items and was heading out to my car!  I love Target!


Thought for the day:  I believe in miracles. I look for miracles. And so I see and experience them often.

Just Breathe...

I think eating better, getting some much needed sleep, saying some good prayers and working out has helped my funkiness...although still have to say that I'm not 100% better.  I'm giving myself one more day and then that's it...move on...Oh--and don't forget to breathe--deep cleansing breaths like in yoga REALLY help!  Try it..Inhale--fill your lungs completely then exhale completely.  Do this 10 times and I promise, you'll feel better!  Just Breathe~


Smile:  What did I smile about today?
I helped a co-worker with some challenges he was having and made me realize just how much I have to offer.  I'm good at my job and appreciate others reaching out to me for help!  I'm proud of what I've accomplished and being asked my opinion and assistance really is nice to know that others see that too.

Celebrate:  What did I celebrate?
I celebrate that in spite of wanting to go out to dinner, I instead went to the gym for night two of workout.  I ran/walked another 4 miles in an hour and came home to a reasonable dinner.  I'm hoping that this will help get me on track again..I really need it!

Love:  What do I love?

I love Jazz Apples!  I tried them for the first time while at an expo for the Princess 5K I did last year!  They have now become my favorite apple because they are sweet and crunchy!  So tasty!  I realized today that I've gotten out of my routine of my apple-a-day and I guess that's why I haven't kept the doctor away!

As far as the online dating thing...well, I'm at the point of conversing with Bryan.  Doesn't look like our schedules are going to work to meet this week, so will have to get together sometime next week.  We'll see how it goes....still throwing that net out there and trying to fish out something...very slow, frustrating, humbling, aggravating process!

Thought for the day:  Great Mother Teresa quote: "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier."  


I REALLY needed to read this quote today...stop complaining and start rejoicing in what you have!  So needed to read this...and Sorry Bon...thanks for living by this quote today...sorry I didn't do the same for you! Heart you lots!  Thanks for being there! 

Welcome to wherever you are

I'm in a funk...have been for a few days now and was attributing it to not feeling well, but I think I'm officially saying I'm in a funk.  Had to listen to the song above several times today to help me to remain focused on the here and now and not where I wish life had been or could be. I'm having a hard time not asking "Why God...why can't I have the life I imagine?"   I know I'm blessed.  I have my health, have a good job, have wonderful friends and a great family.  I have more than so many people and I  know there is a plan...so..."welcome to wherever you are", Tara ...and as Jon says..."remember that you're perfect, God makes no mistakes..."

The main purpose for this blog was for me to focus on those small things in my life that I can smile, celebrate and love and I have to say that is not easy for me to do today.  I seem to be surrounded by people going through major pain and hurt.  Lots of illness, death, relationships in ruin, people not sure of how their family is in the middle east, earthquakes...just lots of hurt.  So...here's my attempt at looking at the bright side and it seems quite trivial when so many around me are hurting, but I think in moments like these, sometimes the simple things are all you can hold on to.

Smile:  What did I smile about today?
I was treated so nicely when at a store at the outlet mall.  It was quite refreshing to be called by name, and waited on hand and foot. Was a bright spot in this not so bright day! She made me smile by how nice she was and I have to say how much I appreciate it!  It made me want to buy something in that store (CABI, by the way) and I will go back.  The clothes fit great!

I also had to smile at the fact that recently I bought an old version of the Jane Fonda Workout that I loved doing...umm...25 years ago(??).  So tonight, after spending an hour at the gym, I thought I'd do the stress workout, which contained some light aerobics, stretching and breathing exercises.  I had to laugh out loud...literally LOL...at the clothes, hairstyles and at MY inability to have any rhythm in doing aerobics.  It was quite funny...glad no one was watching! Good workout, and have to say, I feel much better stress-wise after it!

Celebrate:  What do I celebrate?
I celebrate that it was President's day and although I had to work 1/2 day, I was able to leave at 1pm and headed to the outlet mall for some much needed retail therapy.  I got several things and enjoyed the crisp sunny day!  So, thank you Mr. Presidents.  I honor you and what you did for our country and happy that I get a day off as a result of your hard work!

Love:  What do I love?
HMMMM...now that's a difficult one today.  I love that I went to the gym today and worked out for an hour, ran/walked 4 miles and got some stress out.  I needed that...my head needed it, and more importantly, my heart needed it.

Thought for the day:  God does not give us a map, but a compass..A map will tell you where God has been and what He has done, but a compass will tell us where God IS and where He is going. The compass only gives you a sense of direction and points to the path you should go. There may be uncertainity, but there's a sense of direction.


Go confidently in the direction of your dreams....LIVE THE LIFE YOU IMAGINED!  


Here's to a better tomorrow...


Cheers.