Do you ever set your mind on something or set goals and just want so so desperately to be in a different place; to get there? feel differently? or desire to have accomplished something sooner?

In our “hurry up” society a lot of us find discontentment in being where we are, right now.

I can remember back several years ago, when I was going through a very difficult season in my life. I so desired to no-longer-feel the feelings that felt. I wanted my situation to be different than what it was.

I had a storm raging inside of me. I couldn’t find peace with where I was and I found myself continually trying to force situations to be how I thought they should be; I wanted to control the outcome.

As the days slowly passed by, despite all my anxious feelings, manipulation, and scheming thoughts — what happened, just happened!

Of course I’ve experienced other similar situations, unfortunately that was not the only one! Friendships, financial matters, career, and family situations are other areas where I’ve tried to hurry-up the process.

What I’ve found is, it just does not work…

…and it’s just not worth all the energy it takes trying to figure everything out.

My findings have brought me to this place; I’ve turned my focus on ME, my internal self.

I am finally shining the spot light on the changes that I need to make with-in myself and my attitudes. I am beginning to see more clearly and let go of all the things that I used to worry about, tried to control, and set out to manipulate.

I’m turning to and clinging to acceptance, patience, and understanding.

The results? Peace and contentment…it feels GREAT!

What others do, I cannot control.

What I do, I can decide.

I am taking baby steps — the slower I go, the more I see, the more I enjoy, the more I appreciate.

My prayer is that God will continue to bring me peace and contentment as I slowly walk on my journey — and that He would give me the eyes to not miss what He has in store for me and allow me to be patient and wait on His perfect timing.

IF we jump to where “we think we should be” we will miss the messages and learning experiences on the way. Those experiences mold us, shape us, challenge us, and take us to new places – we grow!

It simply takes baby steps to get there…

Are you desiring to be somewhere you are not? Do you feel peace and contentment? If not, consider joining me…baby steps.

Spring. Fever.

The kids catch it too. You can just see it. Their energy. Voices. Laughter. Neighbors who have hibernated through the winter are suddenly appearing, and park equipment that hasn’t been used since the fall is back to life.

Even our dog gets spring fever. He scratched at the door in the dead of night a few days ago. I got up to let him out, thinking he had to go to the bathroom. Nope. Murphy just walked to the middle of the yard and laid down. “Seriously?” I thought to myself. “You got me out of bed to go lay in the grass?”

Spring. Fever.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

No matter what my circumstances, it seems like the spirit of Spring makes everything seem better. The worries, concerns, problems of daily life don’t necessarily go away, but I find myself coping with a more positive attitude.

I have a better perspective. I’m kinder. More patient. I smile more. I tend to notice and appreciate the little things…

…the sounds, smells, sights around me.

There is a newness, an anticipation, a promise of growth and hope that comes with Spring. Not unlike the newness we find in Christ. In Revelation 21:5 Jesus says,

“Look, I am making everything new!”

Spring is for real. And can be applied to each and every season of our lives when we make an intentional effort to keep Spring a focus!

Here’s to Spring Fever!

I spoke at our church’s marriage retreat last year. My topic: Personalities in Marriage…

…I know about this all too well.

You know the saying, “Opposites attract.” I totally agree with that statement. However, I can also add, “Opposites attack.” Yes, there is only a slight difference in the words attract and attack, but a huge difference in results. So, what say ye?

I will speak from my own experience. My husband and I are complete opposites. I know that some of those differences are what attracted us to each other in our dating days. But those same differences have proved to be both challenging and rewarding for the last TWENTY years!

Differences like:

He likes adventure. I like comfort.

His favorite TV shows are Storage Wars and Swamp People. My faves include House Hunters and The Next Food Network Star.

In the morning, he whistles and sings. In the morning, I bristle and swear. (Not really, but almost.)

For fun, he likes to ride four wheelers, hunt, and fish. By himself. I like to ride in air-conditioned vehicles, shop, and chat. With others. Lots of others.

His bedtime is whenever he lays horizontal on our living room couch. (Could be 7:30pm!) My bedtime is whenever I tell him to move from the couch to the bed.

His favorite meal requires meat. My favorite meal requires dessert.

He is organized, detailed, and tedious. I am. NOT.

When we have a sitter, he wants to stay at home and eat in. I want to go to a restaurant and eat out.

He rolls his toilet paper over the top, I am lucky to remember to make sure I have toilet paper.

Different as night and day.

But I had a friend tell me at the marriage retreat last year something I will never forget: When night and day meet, God makes something beautiful happen. Sunrise or sunset. Either way, it is beautiful.

I so agree. Though we may have many differences, my hubby and I seek to make each other happy. We put each other first. God has used our differences to help us understand sacrifice, selflessness, and compromise. God can actually use our spouse to deliver us from ourselves and our selfishness!

What does that mean?
I end up watching Swamp People at least twice a week on the DVR. He takes me shopping and to a fancy restaurant for our anniversary. And we have lots of steak…and creme brûlée.

“Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.” 1 Corinthians 13: 3 – 7 (MSG)

Photo Credit:  Samuel_Leo

We all want to be happy.

It seems “happy” is the vague utopia all citizens of earth strive for but never seem to achieve.

Well, I’m not here to relay a magic formula to achieve “happy” — that’s another post — but here’s a small list that I’ve come up with that helps my days become a little “happier.”

1. Make your bed. Yep, do it. The state of your bed is the state of your head, and how much cleaner and uncluttered is your bedroom and your mind when your bed looks pretty!

2. Watch the sunrise. It’s ever-changing, never duplicated, and always beautiful. What better way to begin the day than with earthy beauty?

3. Create an inspiring play list. Music influences us body, soul, and spirit. Find the titles that inspire you and listen!

4. Eat breakfast. Don’t skip it, eat it! Your brain functions so much better when it doesn’t have to compete with an empty stomach, not to mention your emotions will thank you for the nourishment!

5. Be nice. Who is the first person you have contact with in the morning? Make the conscious choice right off the bat to be sweet, sincere, loving…not grumpy. It’s a choice you can make!

6. Breathe. Days get hectic, it’s inevitable, right? The unexpected happens, and our otherwise manageable (or so we thought) day becomes grossly out of proportion with our level of sanity. Cause yourself to breathe.

7. Laugh out loud. Take a break to watch a 30 second YouTube clip or call up a friend who makes you laugh. The release of endorphins will be worth it!

8. Take in your surroundings. Whether at the office or out for a stroll, take it in! Look for the little things that are just waiting to bring a little splash of sunshine into your world.

9. Refresh your make-up. {Guys, splash some water on your face and grab an Altoid} Maybe a dab of lip gloss after lunch, a midday eyeliner touch-up, or an afternoon spritz of perfume from the trial size in your purse. There’s something about “touching up” something that revitalizes your mind and perks up your mood.

10. SMILE. It’s easy. Make the effort to smile at those you make eye contact with. You never know if that might not be just what their day needed, and it will improve your mood without your even knowing. It’s a simple choice…choose to smile!

Our days are too short to waste and not enjoy. Simple tweaks in our routine can make all the difference between surviving and thriving in our everyday!

How are you choosing to thrive today?

Photo Credit:  Charles Henry

(If you received this post via email, be sure to click here to watch the video.)

Each week I have a standing appointment with my friend, accountability partner, encourager, cheerleader — while we were talking and sharing “life” with each other we started to giggle…looking for our EASY BUTTON for life!  Wouldn’t it be nice to just be able to make life easier by simply pressing. the. button. — really nice, BUT not. going. to. happen.

Through out laughter we both agreed that the difficult times have been blessings.  We didn’t always see them that way when we were going thought them, but looking back, we have chosen to look for what we’ve learned, how we’ve grown, and how we have become stronger.

This morning as I was driving my kids around “taxi-mom” I was listening to the radio — I heard a message that reminded me of the easy button conversation with my friend…that’s what I talk about on my video today.

1.  We are currently going through a difficult time
2.  We just went through a difficult time
3.  We are about to go through a difficult time

Our HOPE?

…we are still breathing.

The fact that we are still breathing means that there is more in store for us!  We have purpose. Something to learn. Areas to grow. People to reach and influence.  SO, instead of looking for that easy button — decide to look for who you can become, who’s life you can impact, how you can shine your light as you journey through.

Would LOVE to hear what you do when you’re prompted to look for that easy button…

Photo Credit: kilonad

Not only is this both an art and a science, (it is really a complicated process!) it is a great time to catch up with old friends. My ‘station’ is by the sink and stove, with one of my most respected friends, ‘Sus’. She is really like family. Because life is busy, we don’t get to see each other or even talk all that frequently.  But when we do, I so appreciate her. Her example. Her heart. One of the many reasons I look forward to this weekend.

In recapping my Pickle Party, I realized there are some important lessons learned. Not only for pickling, but for life in general:

• Pay attention to detail. To process. To your team members. (Those jars won’t seal and your pickles will ‘sour’ if each step isn’t followed correctly! Isn’t that also true with certain real life situations?)

• Collaborate. It is a team effort, and each person has a valued role.

• Listen. To not only direction, but to each other!

• Teach. Take time to teach each other a craft, trade or simply life lesson learned. Pass on something to the next generation!

• Laugh. Don’t take yourself too seriously!

• A little sweat labor yields a priceless product.

• Enjoy the fruits of your labor.

• Take time to start and keep a meaningful tradition.

• Make reconnecting with your family / friends a priority.

and lastly…..

DON’T HIDE THE GOOD PICKLES IN THE LAUNDRY CABINET. ENJOY THEM!

Pretty good life advise, don’t you think?  …….thanks for the great pickle party Marian!

Last week, our family piled into our car, and headed west. 10 hours west to be exact. We toured South Dakota for the next 5 days before we turned around and headed back the same 10 hour stretch as our trip began.

One of the traditions my husband started when we backed out of our driveway was to play the song, “Holiday Road” every time we got in the car. (You know, the theme song from National Lampoon’s Vacation?)  The reaction from Gracie was joyful. She began singing along the minute it started. “Turn it up” she would scream with delight. Owen on the other hand, got a little grumpy. Like he was ‘too cool’ to participate in our silly family fun. I would sneak a look in his direction, and see him trying desperately hard NOT to smile. Before long we would all be laughing and singing along… “Holiday Road, oh oh oh, oh oh oh, Holiday Road oh oh oh, oh oh oh!”

We had the most amazing time exploring, sight seeing, appreciating the God given beauty of the Bad Lands and Black Hills. I knew it was going to be pretty. Just didn’t realize how pretty. Breath taking, really. There were several times during this trip when I sat back, consumed with gratitude. Gratitude for my family, for this opportunity to spend time with them. And to share appreciation for each other and the beauty around us.

As you can imagine, a road trip like this can also lend itself to some irritability as we were in each others’ hair, literally 24/7. At times I felt like we were playing a part in a National Lampoon movie. (Please don’t speculate which character I was playing!) Tempers flared, patience grew thin. But somehow we would rally. These moments were usually short lived, and we would soon be back to singing, “Holiday Road….”

So here’s to all of you taking Griswold family vacations this summer! And for those of you considering… just do it! You won’t regret the memories you will make with your family. All of them. The good, the bad and the ugly!

Please share with us your summer vacation memories, and silly traditions!

What do you think?  Do you think it’s beautiful?  The flower in the picture to the left;  it IS a flower isn’t it?

He picked this flower just for me while he was on a bike ride with Rachel, our nanny, yesterday.  Actually, she told me that he asked her to help him pick it……how sweet.  Once he got it in his hand, he pedaled carefully on his bike all the way home; very cautious to eliminate any chance of having the fuzzy parts blow off.  He was successful.  It arrived PERFECT!

When I got home and saw this flower sitting on our kitchen counter in the plastic cup full of water, my heart melted!

After he gave me the flower I thought to myself, “While on a bike ride, would I have thought…THAT was beautiful?”  Hhhhmmmmm ~ Probably NOT.  But, now that I have it, now that I’ve received it as a gift, I think it’s beautiful!  Why?  Because of the heart behind it.  the motive.  the thoughtfulness.  the joy.

What I’m noticing is this:  As I GROW I gain different perspective.  With different perspective comes NEW realities and NEW truth.  With the NEW realities and NEW truth comes a greater appreciation.  With that greater appreciation I see more things BEAUTIFUL!

I love the journey of growth that I’m on.  I would definitely say that the things I find beautiful today are extremely different than that of 5 years ago.  What I didn’t notice as beautiful before has NOW become beautiful to me.  I’m NOT just talking about the flower I received.  I’m talking about people. art. words. relationships. places. music. frogs. bad experiences (YES, BAD experiences are NOW beautiful!!).  The saying, ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ has a more profound meaning to me these days…….I’ve got different eyes!

Has your perspective of what’s beautiful evolved, is it evolving?  I’m grateful mine is………lovin’ MY BEAUTIFUL flower!

She posted this blog Best books on writing AND photography/photo editing tips – I read it.  I appreciated the tips, but what I appreciated the most is the video she shared at the end.  Above the embedded video she wrote, “Get ready to shimmy your shoulders…” that intrigued me so I watched it.

My shoulders didn’t shimmy, but it sure did stir up something in my heart.  It got me thinking about what I’m doing in my life and with keeping it personal.  It was like the questions and statements in the video/song were reading my mind;  I’ve asked them OR thought them ALL before.

Then I questioned, is what we are doing a “form” of ART?  Writing? Keeping it Personal?

What is ART?  That is a word that I would NOT use to describe anything about me!  In fact, I would say that I am the LEAST artistic person that I know!!  So, like I always do, I asked dictionary.com what the definition was.  It says:  skill, creativity.

This makes sense to me:  The video is ART, the song behind the video is ART, the writer of the song, Tanya Davis, she’s creative and has skill – to me, that is ART.

ME?  I’m wrestling with how to describe what I’m doing.  Here are my questions/thoughts……….

Just because I like them, does that mean I should I mic them? and see what might unfold? || I think of the significance of my opinions here, is it significant to be giving them? does anybody care? || Just because I’m into this does that mean I should live like it? AND really do I dare? || I can’t always tell if I ought to? || If I make it will someone take it and think that its genuine?  Would they be glad that I did because they got something good out of it? || Will they leave me and be any more inspired? || I question the outcome of the outpouring of myself. || If I tell everyone my stories will it keep me healthy and well? || Will it give me purpose?  be some sort of service to the world? || Is it worth it?  how can I tell? || What am I passing on? || What seeds are being planted? || Can a broken heart make great art? || Experiment. (BUT, what will others think?) || Don’t care much. (BUT, I do!) || My heart is trying to hard to follow you, but I can’t always tell if I ought to.

Check out this video…….

Does is make you want to “shimmy your shoulders”? OR  Does it stir something in your heart?

I think that what I’ve decided is that what we are doing is ART.

Thursday, June 4th I was exhausted.  My back had been out for a couple of weeks, I was slowly on the mend, but things were not being accomplished because I just was NOT feeling up to it.  The boys were NOW out of school – so the transition from “my” time during the day had begun.  I needed to adjust to sharing the treasured hours during the day, where I could accomplish things with out distractions, with worrying about the boys being bored, having something fun to do, breaking up the “brotherly love” fighting, and taxi mom to play dates, day camps, and sports activities.  UFDAH – it was JUST the first day of summer!!

My todo list was VERY long – we were in the process of getting our home ready to put on the market.  It’s amazing to me how much work needs to be done to get the house ready for others to see it.  The punch list from the realtor was 3 pages long!  I had to call in the troops to assist me with my mini-extreme makeover home addition project.  I had THAT day ONLY before I was headed out of town to meet a friend who I hadn’t seen in 1 year, so I needed to make the best of it.

I woke up that morning, still NOT feeling well, and begun visualizing my day.  It didn’t look pretty.  Here were my racing thoughts:  My husband was out of town (hhhmmmm, how convenient?!?!?) so he wasn’t available to help.  Every closet and cupboard had to be de-cluttered and organized.  The movers were coming to rearrange and remove furniture to put into storage.  The handyman was coming to fix things, paint, drill, hang, etc.  Tina, the home “stager” was coming to suggest and give pointers on how to make the home SHINE for showings.  Kelly, my cleaning lady was coming to help with cleaning, wash windows, and sorting things into piles:  Keep.  Toss.  Good Will.  It was going to BE Grand Central Station.  Then I thought………I  sure do love my little nuggets dearly, but I knew that the day would be stressful with them being home.  I had forgotten about THEM being home, school was OUT!!  oops!

Then I got the phone call.  My friend Tricia called.  She asked if she could pick up the boys and take them for the afternoon.  WOW, REALLY?!?!  Apparently I had mentioned to her previously about this day and she knew the boys would be out of school.  So, she offered to take them for the day.  I felt a little guilty at first, you know, the “SUPER mom guilt” which causes you to respond to an offer like that this way, “Oh, NO, that’s ok, I can manage.” The LIE that just so easily flows out of our mouths – we say NO when we REALLY REALLY mean YES – HELP ME!!  SOS!!  Ok, so that’s what I did initially UNTIL she insisted and wouldn’t take NO for an answer.  She picked up the boys around 11:00am – took them to her home, fed them, played with them, let them run around and have a BLAST at her home on her land out in the country.  I was able to tackle my punch list with OUT any distractions.  She was a BLESSING to me that day, and I STILL appreciate it so very much!

What’s more is that in addition to the FREE gift she blessed me with by watching my boys, a couple of days later she emailed me these special gifts.

WOW!  PRICELESS pictures of my boys!  I hadn’t taken the time in years to have professional photos taken of the boys and she captured them so beautifully!

Thank you Tricia for blessing me that day and Thank you for keeping it personal,  for taking action with the lingering thought that passed through your mind to help me.  I appreciate you and our friendship.  I hope to sometime return the blessing to you!!  :-)

Ps.  If you’re looking for a GREAT photographer check out her work on her website by clicking here.