I have great people in my life

Today was a bittersweet day.  My boss made the announcement to my team that I was leaving to seek other opportunities and while I'm so excited about this change that is so needed and is something that God has given me, it's also a sad time to say good bye to my team and the people that I have had the opportunity to work with for the last three years.  It wasn't the stress free day that I would have liked to have had, and I have to say I was pretty surprised at how emotional I became today, but all in all I'm happy that the news is finally able to be out there and finally I'm able to start looking toward my new future and all the doors that I'm going to be able to walk through on this new journey.  I think it was a chance to give me the opportunity to reflect on all that I've accomplished over the last three years, the people who have made an imprint on my life (and who I hope I have made an imprint on theirs) and the changes that I have made as a person that has helped me to grow, and develop.  I'm a better person for meeting the people that I've worked with over the last three years. I'm honored to work with them and honored to be their manager.  I wish them only the best for their future!  I know they will have their challenges and as much as I would like to shield them from the struggles, I can only hope that they will be able to rise above and continue succeeding like they have for the last few years.

Smile:  What have I smiled about lately?
I smile (through some tears) that I have an opportunity to do something different with my life and am so excited about what the next chapter will bring.  While one is closing...another adventure awaits and I'm very thrilled as to what that is going to bring me!

Celebrate:  What do I celebrate?
I celebrate the fact that I've gotten through a very stressful year.  Only 25 more days to end this year and I can't say that I'm sad to see it go.  While it's been a good year in many ways and as I look back over this blog, I can see all the things that I've smiled, celebrated and loved (big and small), I'm happy to see the stress go away.  I think my heart and muscles will be happy to see it go too so I can get a little healthier again!

Love:  What do I love?
I love Christmas lights on my street.  I love coming home to a street all lit up with all sorts of colors.  Makes all the cares go away just pulling onto my street!

Thought for the day:

Very True!  Simple message:  Be Kind.

"Thank you" Two simple words that can make someone's day!

So much to be thankful for!  We just finished the Thanksgiving holidays and it's that time of year that I think about all my blessings and what I'm truly thankful for.  Thought I'd take some time to reflect upon this in this post.

What am I thankful for?

My Christianity:  God has been appearing in my life more and more lately and I'm so grateful for the big things and small things that he's brought me.  I'm thankful that I have someone to go to in order to help with those amazing challenges I have and also to help me through the day to day little challenges that life brings.  I"m very grateful that God is around me every day and so very happy that I have such a great relationship with Him!

My family:  I was able to spend with week with my amazing sister, several days with my brother, sister-in-law and nieces, and time with my mom and step dad.  While we have our little differences, I'm still appreciative of those differences and grateful that I'm their daughter, sister, and aunt to these precious people.  I know that I've allowed my job and all the challenges that has brought this year to take precedent over my family and friends and as a result, I do feel like I've become a little more distant to them.  I haven't kept up with them as much as I should and as a result, I feel a little guilty that I'm not as involved and appreciative as I should be.  I think that we all take our sweet mother for granted, and sometimes don't think we show our appreciation for her enough.  Mom, I love you and greatly appreciate you for all you do.  I want to learn from you and continue carrying out all the things that make you so wonderfully you!  I'm very blessed to have you in my life!

My friends:  I'm so thankful for my sweet friends. Five years ago this week I joined my company and decided that Bonnie would be my friend.  I'm so thankful that she agreed.  It's been a fun five years and I can only hope that we continue to enjoy many adventures...both here and away (and I hope that Bon Jovi makes another album so we can travel all over the US again!)  Love ya Bon!

My new job:  Before Thanksgiving I was offered a new position within the company.  I'm hopeful that I will be able to start after the first of the year...but the jury is still out on the exact date.  I have to trust that the right thing will happen and that God will help get me through this stressful time of trying to stay engaged in work and leave on good terms by giving them everything they need to carry on.

So many things to be grateful for...so blessed.  In the stressful moments of my day, I need to do a better job at remembering these simple things.

Thought for the day:  God gave you 86,400 seconds today...did you use one to say "thank you."?

God is Great.  Prayers are answered.   Life is good.

 I am blessed.  

Don't worry ....be happy

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.--Matthew 6:34

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds...Philippians 4:9

You have arrived...

This week, I was in a rental car that had GPS Navigation.  We used it to find a mall and upon arrival, the sweet lady said "You have arrived."  I chucked quietly to myself thinking about what a great message that was to hear.  "YOU HAVE ARRIVED."  We search and search though life only to hear those three words only to find that all that searching is really for naught...it's right in front of you all along, you just need the GPS lady to tell you.  I think I needed to hear that at that moment.  I've been feeling a bit like I'm chasing my tail and wondering what my purpose in life is.  Hearing those three words, kinda made me snap out of my head and give myself a chance to think about all that I've achieved, all the success that I've earned and reflect on the person I've become.  I have arrived.  Sometimes messages come to us in various ways...on Tuesday night, my message of affirmation and reminder came from the Hertz GPS lady telling me I was at the mall.

Smile:  What have I smiled about lately?
Last night I had a lovely evening with a co-worker who took me to a Mexican Restaurant in Laurel, MD, which I have to say, was quite good.  Flavors were good...would venture to say that I had a hard time reminding myself that I was not in Texas any more!  Dinner talk consisted of discussion on how we can find our passion for life, Pinterest finds, and of course...work. She shared with me a creative concept of 3 words..look for and write down three words that speak to you...like "Smile, Celebrate, Love" or "You have arrived" and how you can use these words to help start a journal, a picture, a poem, etc.  Cool concept....love the idea and will start opening my eyes to all the messages that come my way.

Celebrate:  What do I celebrate?

I celebrate the Veterans!  I honor and respect them and the courage they had to keep this wonderful country I live in safe and secure.  I appreciate those that gave their life so that we could be safe and free.  I can't imagine doing something so selfless to serve this country and all it's causes.  I'm quite humbled that there are people who would truly give their lives for us.  So, while I do have the day off tomorrow in celebration, I am taking a few moments to reflect on the reason for the holiday and say thank you to all that have given so much for all us!

Love:  What do I love?
I love massages!  I traveled home tonight and made an appointment to get a massage shortly after I got home.  The poor therapist didn't know what she was getting into when she got me this evening.  I've had a knot in my shoulder for about a month that won't go away, so while I wasn't expecting her to work miracles in one quick hour, I was looking for some amount of relief.  She did a great job and I feel so much better now--at least until I check my blackberry and see what work I have to do.  Ugh...

Thought for the day:

Excellence in one area is the beginning of excellence in another area.  Starting today, strive for excellence in all that you do—Robin Sharma

Work...that four letter word that we can't avoid

Work. A four letter word that can bring about happiness and stress all at once.  I find much satisfaction in my job, and am looking forward to the possibility of new beginnings.  I'm truly hoping that I can find greater fulfillment in a new position soon.  Fingers are crossed that this all will work out so I can love what I do and not settle for anything less than that!


Smile:  What did I smile about?
I have friends who take care of me and that makes me smile from ear to ear!  After having a dinner party the other night, I mentioned a story in which I was convinced someone had come into my home and left random bubble wrap in my bathroom sink.  Not remembering that I had previewed some training DVDs that morning that had bubble wrap around them, I was absolutely convinced that someone had been in my house...and perhaps was still in my house.  I told my friends this embarrassing story and so my lovely friends took pity on my and two of them bought me things that will allow me to have some type of light on when coming home to a dark house.  I appreciate that they are taking care of me!  Glad to know that I have good friends who care so much!

Celebrate:  What have I celebrated lately?
It's coming up on year end appraisals and as I consider all that me and my team have accomplished this year, I celebrate the successes we've had.  May not have gotten lots of kudos or extra attention, but I know that I've done small things with great work.  I'm proud of what we've done and while may not have a lot of appreciation, I know that I've made a difference in my area.

Love:  What do I love?

I love that the weather is getting crisper and we can wear sweaters and fun coats.  I like this type of cool, and am dreading the freezing temps that we will get in February.  I'll worry about that another time, but for now will enjoy the nice breeze, the nice cool mornings and wearing light jackets over cute sweaters!  Yea Fall!
Not so happy about the darkness that comes so early these days (we just had the end of daylight savings), but love the nice weather and changing leaves.




Thought for the day:  Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." —Mahatma Gandhi


Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...Matt 6:21

Today in church, the sermon was about how riches can take the place of our relationship with God and giving generously to others.  Money is our "idol" and takes the place of using our good judgement and clouds our thinking which doesn't allow us to fully devote ourselves to letting God provide for us wholly and completely.  This verse was mentioned a few weeks ago and spoke volumes to me then.  I asked myself, "what is my treasure?"  "What am I idolizing and not giving my life fully over to God?"  While it's not money completely...yes, I appreciate all that I have and what I'm able to do with my earnings, I think I've put my treasure in my work.  I've given my heart ( and soul) for my job and while I am successful, in my opinion, I've given up a lot for it...babies, love, health, friends...and I've finally realized that I have to do things differently...i've got to have a different treasure to store in my heart.  So, I'm turning over a new leaf...I'm looking for a different job, getting healthy, and trying to take time for me and more importantly start working on my relationship with God and making sure that I'm following all his instructions for living the life that is glorious and reflective of how I should be living as a Christian.  I'm kicking around the idea of looking into adoption and perhaps even getting a pet.  Yes, success and doing a good job at work are still important, but they can't rule my life like they have in the past.  I have to start doing things differently so I can get different results...and must start living more Godly, so that there is no question where my heart is...and where my treasure is.  I'm happy to say that today is the first day of the rest of my life...thank you God for this beautiful opportunity to turn over a new leaf!

Smile:  What have I smiled about lately?
Out of the blue today my sweet 5 yr. old niece called me just to talk to "Auntie."  I love that she thinks of me and bugs her daddy enough to make him dial the phone to call me.  That means a lot  that I'm part of their lives...it's a big role to play and one that I don't take lightly.  I'm happy to be their for them and hope I can be a good example and influence to them as they grow.

Celebrate:  What have I celebrated these days?

Well, would like to say that I celebrate the Texas Rangers winning the World Series, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.  Some great games played during this series...yes, I did watch several games for the first time-- I think-- in my life!  Can't say I'm nothing more than a fair weather fan, but was fun to take part in all the water cooler talk over the last couple weeks!
Dear TX Rangers:  Thanks for being such good examples of teamwork and professionalism on and off the field.  You made it a pleasure to watch and stand behind you because of your fine sportsmanship.  Brush off these losses and go get 'em next year!



Love:  What do I love?
I love a few of the new TV shows that came out this fall that have made it into the rotation.  Some that I love the most are:

Lots of deception and intrigue...takes place in Hamptons
Perhaps I am hoping that they have a glimpse of JBJ on vacation

Story of Snow White- my favorite princess

Cute story...little town sorta like Gilmore Girls...good show

Thought for the day:  "Remember this, that very little is needed to make a happy life." — Marcus Aurelius


Have a great week!