shhhhh… did you here it?

…listen again.

What you heard just now is your world.

Whether you love it, tolerate it, or hate it, it is yours and it’s going by at the speed of light.

You. will. never. experience. this. moment. again.

Take time to acknowledge what is yours.

If you don’t like it, be the change you want to see in it.

We are 4 days into the NEW YEAR already…4 days!  I told you it was going by quickly…

I challenge you to enjoy your moments, your world. Right now, this moment, take time to take it in.

You’re at work? Pop some ear buds in and create an uplifting playlist.

You’re a stay-at-home mom? Stop wishing your little angels would just. take. a nap. and embrace the opportunity to spend more time with them.

Brew some coffee, steep some tea, light a candle…YOU have what it takes to change a part of your world in this moment.

You won’t regret it.  In fact, you’ll most likely end up making memories you never ever dreamed of…

What if, you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?

OUCH!!

I stumbled across this message the other day and it stopped. me. in. my. tracks.

Why?  Because I had been having a pity-party.  It wasn’t fun. really, it was NOT.  There was no one at my “party” it was just me and my miserable self.

When I read these words, I thought…

…today I would have nothing.

And, that was not ok with me.  I needed to shift my thinking and take the advice that I so frequently give to others. {practice what I “preach” — walk the walk}

Write a gratitude list — NOW!

So I did, with the message in mind, “…what IF I ONLY had the things that I thanked God for.” — what are those things that I would so desperately want, miss, desire — what am I truly grateful for?

Thank YOU God for…

1. your grace, mercy, forgiveness, and for Your unconditional love for me
2. my health and a sound mind — for the strength that you give me everyday
3. my husband, his strength, provision, leadership, his health, our marriage, his hugs and kisses, the way he loves me
4. my children, their health, smiles, unique gifts and personalities, their hugs and kisses
5. always giving me and my family enough to make it through each day – food, shelter, clothing, love
6. my family, their love and support, their prayers
7. my friendships, the encouragement from others, positive healthy relationships
8. healing and restoration — in relationships, emotionally, physically, spiritually
9. opportunities to share the message you’ve place in my heart, to sow seeds, impact the lives of others, to shine Your light, the freedom to share
10. technology — for providing us ways to learn and grow, to connect, to simplify

…my pity-party ended as I made my list.

Tomorrow starts a New Year, a new beginning.  What’s on your gratitude list?  What are those things that you want to wake up with tomorrow; to carry into 2012?

Write a gratitude list — NOW!

Of course while we were together we talked NON-STOP, like girls do!  There was one conversation in particular that we had that stuck out to me.  We were reflecting upon some of our past experiences, many of which were new stories – I so enjoy learning new things about my friends!

As we were sharing and laughing about life and some of our experiences one of my friends said this, “I wouldn’t choose my difficult and painful experiences, and they were hard to go through but the growth I gained from them changed me into a more compassionate and sensitive person. Those changes wouldn’t have happened without the experiences. So you can’t have it both ways.”

I really like how she stated that.  So often when I’m connecting with people I hear things like, “I wish that would’ve NEVER happened”, “If I could do life over again, I would change this, that, or the other thing.”  I also know, based on my own past experiences, that when we are hurt, angry, carry resentments, shame and guilt towards ourselves and others we struggle to grow and see what good comes out of our experiences.

There’s the old saying, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”  I agree with that but it’s so vague.  I would like to add some alternative ways to finish that statement, “That which does not kill us CAN……

…..make us more understanding and non-judgmental.”

…..allow us to become angry.”

…..give us opportunities to help others because we can relate.”

…..cause resentment and bitterness towards others.”

…..change us positively.”

…..impact us negatively.”

How do you view your experiences?  Are they opportunities for growth? Or are they set backs?  Would you choose NOT to go through painful and difficult situations? OR Would you go through the same, all-over again because if you hadn’t, who would you be today?  Is there something that you’ve experienced that maybe needs to be looked at differently?

For me, I do need to look at some of my past experiences differently.  I still have some resentments and anger that I need to work through AND I need to forgive myself for some things to be set free from lingering shame and guilt that I’ve been carrying.

I STRIVE to finish the statement above with this approach, “That which does not kill me changes me positively and gives me an opportunity to help others.”

How would YOU finish it?