Well, at least there’s that...

So, I have dealt with insomnia for many, many, many...did I say Many? Years. It's gotten much better over the years, but still... blissful sleep has eluded me. Recently I watched some Youtube videos on successful people. I noted some common themes and I thought I'd share them with you today. Successful people do not do this: Keep their cell phones in their room at night Check their messages, email or Facebook until after they have exercised and prepared for the day. What? Could it make that much of a difference? I wondered, so I gave it a try. Two nights ago I kept my cell phone out of my room. I had it in another room, used my regular alarm clock and slept like a baby! Not a screaming baby, a content baby. Plus I woke up earlier, more refreshed and peaceful. My days have been more focused as well. So the next thing successful people do daily is : Set goals for the day! It seems that our brains have a limited supply of decision making time available. If we use tha

Deuteronomy 8: 17 You may say in your heart, “The power and the strength of my hand has made this wealth for me.”  18 But remember   that it is the LORD   your God   who   gives   you the power to gain   wealth,   in order to   confirm   His covenant   that   He swore   to your fathers,   as it is this day.   19 If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.… I have given this scripture much thought. I’ve heard people say everything from giving God all the glory for everything positive that you do. Yes, that is true. I’ve also heard people say, “It wasn’t me.””  I agree with both views to a degree.  What about pride? Again. Remember pride is assuming who you are without proof. Confidence is knowing who you are and who you are not. I must know who I am in Christ and who I am not on my own. Today I’d like to put a little twist on this verse. God definitely gives the power, the i

Have you ever taken a stand on an issue, been adamant about your convictions in the situation and ended up being absolutely wrong! If so, you will relate to this misadventure. Divorce is hard! Separation is hard. In NC you are required to be separated for one year before the divorce is granted. I understand why. They hope for reconciliation. That’s a good thing in many cases but how many of you know that when something important ends, waiting is the hardest part. It’s like something died but you can’t bury it. When something dies, often, something new is created. It’s often a beginning of a journey.Well during my journey I felt the need to take ownership of certain things. I wanted to defend what I believed was mine. No, not in the way you might think. I wanted to stand up for something worth standing up for. At this particular event it was my son. He was performing in a concert and it was quite crowded. There was a balcony and there were people talking. It was really annoying be

We’ll call this “Ownership.” When a person is in a new relationship before the observer or participant role is clarified, there is an element of pause...a discovery of sorts. I’ve realized that I have to ask myself, “What am I willing to give, or give up, in this new relationship?” It’s a difficult thing to do. It sounds so simple. You know, build a wall of support and don’t let anyone in unless they are safe. What about those relationships that sneak up on you. Let’s talk about love interests. So, this person is new in your life and seems to have an interest in you. What do you do next? Honestly,  If you aren’t careful you’ll fall back into an old routine of thinking; Am I worthy of this persons time? Am I worthy of their love? Do I have anything to give in this relationship? Unfortunately I have realized that I can not afford those questions. Hence the title. If I’m in a relationship and I’m doubting myself, who’s in charge? Well, it isn’t me. I’ve just given power to the othe

I’ve heard some great messages on altitude...yep, altitude.  I've heard several preachers say that, “your altitude depends on your attitude.”  Anybody besides me ever have a negative attitude? I guess the philosophy is that your attitude will determine your level of joy in this life.  I agree to a point.  If I have a bad attitude throughout life I will not only affect my life, but those around me.  Isn’t it hard to be around negative people? Yes, it really is.  It takes a lot of energy to be around a negative person.  So, here’s a question...does it take a lot of energy to be around an overly positive person? Yes, it does. I guess I’m talking to myself because  I keep asking and answering my own questions. Ha! It must be okay because you’re here. Thanks for joining me. Tonight I was at Life Church and I heard a very real message. He talked about the “sitcom” message.  It starts with the characters in a good place. Then they have a defining struggle, then everyone lives happil

Survival: I just couldn’t see how God could get any glory by my survival alone. My definition of testimony was: survive and smile while doing it. It just wasn’t working. Everything felt pointless. I was insecure, uncertain that the God I believed in and the God I knew could possibly be the same. I know that sounds strange, but if you believe something just because someone told you about, but evidence says differently...it leads to confusion.  There is a song with lyrics that say, “I pray to a God I don’t believe in...” I think it’s called, “Hearts don’t break even.” Anyway, I’ve known God my entire life. I’ve used words like; faith, trust and hope... but something was missing. Some people say it was faith. Some say it’s doubt. Others say that a person isn’t really born again if they don’t know God. Well, that can’t be true. I believed in God, I trusted him with my eternal soul, but with my life down here...not so much. I had little evidence to support what I wanted to believe. Like

I have often posed this question. I’ve met so many people in my life from so many different places and venues that sometimes I remember a face, but can’t associate  them with a place. I’ve also wondered how do you get to know someone? As I’ve mentioned in my previous blogs, I’ve never lived in one location for very long. So, I assumed that people were who they said they were. However, I’ve learned that most people say who they want to be, but hide who they are. We all do it. When I meet people I let them know what I want them to know about me. I portray the most acceptable version of myself. Holding back information used to be a real problem for me. But it’s not like you think. Because I’ve had “speed” relationships I tended to “spill the beans” up front so someone wouldn’t be surprised by my sorrows or my failures . My sorrow, challenges and failures were what definitioned me. As I wrote in my most current blog, I’ve learned to be myself in spite of those things and not allow

Let’s talk about “pods “ those amazing pouches of detergent that smell wonderful and are easily to handle , plus they have all the softener and everything in them. Amazing! Until... I’ve had a few problems with the “pods” have you?  I love the convenience and they smell great, but I’ve discovered a down side. Dear Pod creators, if you’re reading this , please take notes. I have a white comforter. It’s soft and just the right weight. It needed a bath so I pulled out my handy dandy pods, dropped them in the washer and washed my comforter. Sounds amazing right?  Well , then I went to put it on the bed and discovered something horrible.  “Pod brains!” The pod had not completely dissolved and the brains were stuck to my comforter. Big blue spot, stuck like glue to the center of my white comforter. I don’t use profanity, I feel that it’s a sign of ignorance. Just my opinion. I believe profanity is only necessary when a persons vocabulary isn’t developed.  Just my opinion. BUT. I have

I've gone through so many changes in my life and I think I thought my story had already been written. But how many of you know there has to be an ending to have a good story? I thought my story was about survival! Yes... I'm still here! Amazing! But it isn't over. I thought my story was about cancer. I'm still here. Amazing! But it isn't over. I thought a car wreck would be the end, but I'm still here, yet again. I saw a marriage fall apart, its death tore my heart apart, but I'm still here. Tonight I was at an outdoor concert enjoying worship by Iron Horse Soldiers band and music by Nicole Nordeman;. it was amazing. Nicole was talking about her life. It seems that she's had more than one as well. She was the super famous musician and artist, writer, mother and then her world stopped. It was her alone with her two children on a stormy night and I could feel her pain. As she tells it, she had been trying to keep her life together , but one night

As I was driving home tonight I saw a friend. He was amazing. I thought he'd gone for the season, but he stayed one night longer to see me as I journeyed home. The stars were out and the sky was deep blue. I was driving along with my headlights on and wondering where time had gone? The road was straight and the hills were few. I almost missed my glimpse of you. There was no left, there was no right, just trees and road were in my sites. But there you were, a light from heaven, sent to remind me I'm not forgotten. I've seen you in my little back yard, through trees and shrubs when it got dark. I almost stopped as if to say "Don't you know Fall's on its way?" You didn't care it was just you and I. You smiled as if to say  "Good night!" (My firefly song)