Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech
Isn't that beautiful?
I love this quote. It is so true and wish that I could make it real to me. Fear of success is huge.
And so is hiding. If I could do one thing that could make a difference in peoples lives, it would be
to help them move beyond that fear. To be set free from the thing that holds one captive in their hearts and minds could be and most likely would be life-changing. Not just for that person, but those whose lives they could and would touch.
  
To see others gloriously transformed and sharing their gifts and talents with freedom and grace.
Whatever that may be. I pray this for all people. Including myself.
*********************************************************************************
May we all dare to rise above what we fear and move ahead to achieve our goals and realize our dreams~
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Sunday, October 28, 2012
Our Deepest Fear
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The Joy of Encouraging
We come into this world needing encouragement. From the very moment that we're born
we want to be loved and nurtured. No, it's more than a desire. We NEED it. Some more than
others. We thrive on it. It is a hunger that seems to never be satisfied.
Encouraging others is a big deal to me. I want to be one that tosses someone
a line when they feel like they're in need. Whatever that looks like. I don't like to see others
down and if I can help them in any possible way, I want to do
that.
When I think of how much a word or a gift of encouragement means to me, it motivates me
even further. Sometimes a smile is all it takes. That's all you have time for and that's ok.
And then there are times when you have the desire and time to make something that will
say something a little more lasting. Something that can be looked at numerous times for
encouragement, a laugh or a bit of inspiration. That is how this little book of mine turned
into a major craft project. I really wanted it to give a boost!
This little token of love was so much fun and yes, it took a lot of time and effort. It was
worth every second. What better way could I spend my time? The occupation of encouragement
is one of the most noble that I can think of. Helping people to see that there is someone who
cares is a gift itself , but it's such a joy to be able to give little gifts to people and though other
s are blessed, I feel certain that I am far more blessed in the giving of it than the recipient is in the
getting.
Maybe some of you have used your talents to make little treasures that have brought
delight and lifted the hearts of your friends and families and perhaps even strangers. I would love to hear about your creations.
Blessings,
we want to be loved and nurtured. No, it's more than a desire. We NEED it. Some more than
others. We thrive on it. It is a hunger that seems to never be satisfied.
Encouraging others is a big deal to me. I want to be one that tosses someone
a line when they feel like they're in need. Whatever that looks like. I don't like to see others
down and if I can help them in any possible way, I want to do
that.
When I think of how much a word or a gift of encouragement means to me, it motivates me
even further. Sometimes a smile is all it takes. That's all you have time for and that's ok.
And then there are times when you have the desire and time to make something that will
say something a little more lasting. Something that can be looked at numerous times for
encouragement, a laugh or a bit of inspiration. That is how this little book of mine turned
into a major craft project. I really wanted it to give a boost!
 |
 |
 |
This little token of love was so much fun and yes, it took a lot of time and effort. It was
worth every second. What better way could I spend my time? The occupation of encouragement
is one of the most noble that I can think of. Helping people to see that there is someone who
cares is a gift itself , but it's such a joy to be able to give little gifts to people and though other
s are blessed, I feel certain that I am far more blessed in the giving of it than the recipient is in the
getting.
Maybe some of you have used your talents to make little treasures that have brought
delight and lifted the hearts of your friends and families and perhaps even strangers. I would love to hear about your creations.
Blessings,
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Windmills Are Silent
During our travels, we decided to take the the route less familiar. At first I wasn't sure.
(Even though it was my idea.) The distance was a little further than the usual route. Did we
want to take the extra time? We had to make it all the way to Amarillo that first night. But
then again, it was vacation. Wasn't this the perfect time to be spontaneous? We decided,
yes, it was. We were in no big hurry.
It was taken in by what we found along the highway. The area was desolate. There was
not a soul around though there were a few buildings. There we found this collection of
windmills. Very intriguing. How did they get there and why? Were they built here?
Did they have some particular purpose?
There was one thing I did know. They made very handsome subjects to photograph.
And so....
Aren't they something? The Old West. If they were once working windmills, just think of the
animals that watered at their tanks. Where did they come from? I would love to know.
They look so powerful and yet graceful. I can almost hear the water trickling into the tanks
as the shaft moves up and down pulling that water out of the ground.
And the old truck. I try to picture who was driving. A young girl with her long hair pulled
back into a ponytail. Sweeping her skirt aside as she climbs in the truck and kicking the mud
off her boots.
If they could speak, they would have their own stories to tell.
(Even though it was my idea.) The distance was a little further than the usual route. Did we
want to take the extra time? We had to make it all the way to Amarillo that first night. But
then again, it was vacation. Wasn't this the perfect time to be spontaneous? We decided,
yes, it was. We were in no big hurry.
It was taken in by what we found along the highway. The area was desolate. There was
not a soul around though there were a few buildings. There we found this collection of
windmills. Very intriguing. How did they get there and why? Were they built here?
Did they have some particular purpose?
There was one thing I did know. They made very handsome subjects to photograph.
And so....
Aren't they something? The Old West. If they were once working windmills, just think of the
animals that watered at their tanks. Where did they come from? I would love to know.
They look so powerful and yet graceful. I can almost hear the water trickling into the tanks
as the shaft moves up and down pulling that water out of the ground.
And the old truck. I try to picture who was driving. A young girl with her long hair pulled
back into a ponytail. Sweeping her skirt aside as she climbs in the truck and kicking the mud
off her boots.
If they could speak, they would have their own stories to tell.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
The Feeling of Not Measuring Up
There is this feeling that rises up within me. It can come like a tidal wave and catch me
off-guard or creep in quietly like the mist on a damp summer's evening.
It's the feeling of being inadequate. Do most people face this from time to time? ( Personally,
I think it's rampant among women in particular.) It's a feeling that can debilitate me. It can
cause me to wander from one thing to the next not wanting to make a decision about what
I'm going to do with my time. I don't want to commit to any certain task because I feel it
either doesn't matter or I won't do a good job anyway. And then being indecisive just confirms
the feelings that I had in the first place.
How to get over this, past it or through it is beyond me. It
seems like it's a part of me no matter how I try to STOP IT.
Though I feel that this is something that I will always contend with, there have been a few
ideas that have helped make the feelings pass more quickly.
Comparing myself to others DOES NOT help. And I'm sure that's why God warned us
about doing this in His Word. We can certainly learn from others but judging or measuring
how we shine compared to someone else can either bring discouragement or haughty way
of thinking about who we are. I don't want any part of either.
Unrealistic views of how people get to the place where I consider them successful is
another downfall of mine. However, I AM learning. There has never been any room for the
learning curve that I may need in picking up a new skill or filling a position. I have always
expected such perfection from myself and I am thinking that I have parented the same way.
My poor children. Now it makes me want to ask them. I'm afraid to ask because of the answer.
But I'll ask anyway. Thank you for that courage, Lord.
I have come to realize by watching that it's all a process. (Now one would think that that's
extremely elementary but let me tell you, sometimes I am a very slow learner! ) I used
to think that if what I did was not an instant success and right up at the top that I failed at
it and so I would get discouraged and quit. I am happy to tell you that now I can allow
myself some time to build a successful anything. And I can have peace and wait patiently
while the work goes and grows in steady steps.
And then there's the problem of trying so hard that one can actually cut off your own foot
as the saying goes. My feelings of inadequacy have caused me to take on too much and try so
hard to make myself look good at something, that it has come back to cripple and
even cause me to sometimes fall....hard. That was not easy to admit. Life lessons. Not very
pleasant. I am learning not to take it all so seriously but to to make it count
without making a martyr of myself.
Lighten UP! take a chill pill...stop trying so hard to keep things between the lines...laugh a
little LOT... especially at myself! ( I have always been annoyed by these cute little sayings.
They seemed so trite and unoriginal. But I am learning to see the value in them as I work at practicing their meaning.)
So, I have to remind myself of all these things often.
There is a re-training that takes place. A re-thinking if you know what I mean.
I have to push forward and make some things happen. I can make decisions easier now. Every
thing doesn't have to have a "purpose." Sometimes a thing can be done just because I
enjoy it. And it all matters. Some things stand a lone for a moment and that is OK. I am getting
so much more done but more importantly ENJOYING the doing and life.
My black and white personality used to paint me into a corner but I have learned how to
maneuver around it and have been set free from many things that I have taken too literally. Sometime, I would like to share about that. There are MANY.
If any of you have any words of wisdom or advice, I would be glad to hear them.
And remember, you are: Unique. Priceless. Talented. Gifted. Very special.
It truly IS all good. And all is a process.
off-guard or creep in quietly like the mist on a damp summer's evening.
It's the feeling of being inadequate. Do most people face this from time to time? ( Personally,
I think it's rampant among women in particular.) It's a feeling that can debilitate me. It can
cause me to wander from one thing to the next not wanting to make a decision about what
I'm going to do with my time. I don't want to commit to any certain task because I feel it
either doesn't matter or I won't do a good job anyway. And then being indecisive just confirms
the feelings that I had in the first place.
How to get over this, past it or through it is beyond me. It
seems like it's a part of me no matter how I try to STOP IT.
Though I feel that this is something that I will always contend with, there have been a few
ideas that have helped make the feelings pass more quickly.
Comparing myself to others DOES NOT help. And I'm sure that's why God warned us
about doing this in His Word. We can certainly learn from others but judging or measuring
how we shine compared to someone else can either bring discouragement or haughty way
of thinking about who we are. I don't want any part of either.
Unrealistic views of how people get to the place where I consider them successful is
another downfall of mine. However, I AM learning. There has never been any room for the
learning curve that I may need in picking up a new skill or filling a position. I have always
expected such perfection from myself and I am thinking that I have parented the same way.
My poor children. Now it makes me want to ask them. I'm afraid to ask because of the answer.
But I'll ask anyway. Thank you for that courage, Lord.
I have come to realize by watching that it's all a process. (Now one would think that that's
extremely elementary but let me tell you, sometimes I am a very slow learner! ) I used
to think that if what I did was not an instant success and right up at the top that I failed at
it and so I would get discouraged and quit. I am happy to tell you that now I can allow
myself some time to build a successful anything. And I can have peace and wait patiently
while the work goes and grows in steady steps.
And then there's the problem of trying so hard that one can actually cut off your own foot
as the saying goes. My feelings of inadequacy have caused me to take on too much and try so
hard to make myself look good at something, that it has come back to cripple and
even cause me to sometimes fall....hard. That was not easy to admit. Life lessons. Not very
pleasant. I am learning not to take it all so seriously but to to make it count
without making a martyr of myself.
Lighten UP! take a chill pill...stop trying so hard to keep things between the lines...laugh a
They seemed so trite and unoriginal. But I am learning to see the value in them as I work at practicing their meaning.)
So, I have to remind myself of all these things often.
There is a re-training that takes place. A re-thinking if you know what I mean.
I have to push forward and make some things happen. I can make decisions easier now. Every
thing doesn't have to have a "purpose." Sometimes a thing can be done just because I
enjoy it. And it all matters. Some things stand a lone for a moment and that is OK. I am getting
so much more done but more importantly ENJOYING the doing and life.
My black and white personality used to paint me into a corner but I have learned how to
maneuver around it and have been set free from many things that I have taken too literally. Sometime, I would like to share about that. There are MANY.
If any of you have any words of wisdom or advice, I would be glad to hear them.
And remember, you are: Unique. Priceless. Talented. Gifted. Very special.
It truly IS all good. And all is a process.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
A Post - Vacation Hello
So, here I am. We drove down the hill back into town last Thursday afternoon. It was glorious
to be back. There is some color on the distant mountain.The weather here is beautiful and
what we left was very gorgeous. In my mind, nothing compares with the fall colors of the
mid-west.
Queen Anne's Lace
Though it is always most heartwarming and such a joy to go and spend time with those whom I
hold close in my heart but that live far away. And having the chance to interupt my daily
routine always brings refreshing and helps me to clear away the cobwebs.
I love the way that my relationships are strengthened and clarified when I take the time and
make the effort to substantially connect with important people. And anyone that I have a
relationship with is important to me and I want them to know that. I NEED that connection and
prefer face to face communication. It's important for me to at least sometimes look into the eyes
and faces of those that I'm communicating with.
It was an awesome time and I will share some photos of my favorite moments and a few of just
SOME of my favorite people.
to be back. There is some color on the distant mountain.The weather here is beautiful and
what we left was very gorgeous. In my mind, nothing compares with the fall colors of the
mid-west.
Queen Anne's Lace
Maple leaves turning golden....
Deer and raccoon tracks in the leftovers of a puddle...
Though it is always most heartwarming and such a joy to go and spend time with those whom I
hold close in my heart but that live far away. And having the chance to interupt my daily
routine always brings refreshing and helps me to clear away the cobwebs.
I love the way that my relationships are strengthened and clarified when I take the time and
make the effort to substantially connect with important people. And anyone that I have a
relationship with is important to me and I want them to know that. I NEED that connection and
prefer face to face communication. It's important for me to at least sometimes look into the eyes
and faces of those that I'm communicating with.
It was an awesome time and I will share some photos of my favorite moments and a few of just
SOME of my favorite people.
What a lovely palette God paints.
A bouqet gathered along the edge of the woods.
Ferns, Maple leaves, Queen Anne's Lace, Chicory, Larkspur, Chitweed,
Cat tail and leaves I can't name.....
These are just a few of the wonderful moments that we enjoyed on our journey.
I would love to hear of special times that you have had recently.
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