Here is this weeks photo challenge
Head over to to I Heart Faces for more photos or enter your own.
Click on this link:
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
I Heart Faces Photo Challenge / Light
On a trip to Bermuda, we caught a touch of the last rays of the day.
Head over to to I Heart Faces for more photos or enter your own.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Forgiveness Is Risky Business
I recently read "Forgive & Forget" by Lewis Smedes.
In this wonderful book, I learned the four stages of forgiveness and the whys and how one forgives.
Applying those words of wisdom is another thing.
In many cases, a sincere, simple sorry is enough, but
I learned, first hand, that forgiveness is not always easy.
In fact, it's risky.
It can't be wrapped up into a nice neat package.
In fact, it's risky.
It can't be wrapped up into a nice neat package.
Sometimes descending the mountain that grew from a molehill isn't so easy.
Not too long ago, a neighbor of mine hurt me.
For the longest time I could not understand why he didn't come to me and talk to me if he felt so strongly about an issue.
Instead, he decided to lash out at me behind my back.
When I found out, I was mad. No, I was livid and then hurt; his sting caused a bitterness; it was an ache I could not ignore.
At first, nothing could have forced me to forgive him.
But, over time (yes, time does heal), I was able to see him as the person he is: A loving husband and father.
And surprise! I found myself wishing him and his family well; with respect, without an obligation to one another.
I made a decisive decision to forgive him in my heart and in my mind since he had severed all communication.
I petitioned his wife and asked her to relay the message to him that I no longer found his hurt offensive and if he wanted to talk about it, I was available.
But here was the hard part.
He responded with Silence.
The lesson I learned that day was that some people do not want to be forgiven.
It truly makes the 70X7 forgiveness rule a challenge.
Then, forgiveness is required over and over again.
And although I will continue to wave a greeting in passing, I have come to realize that forgiveness doesn't always turn out the way you want it to; with smiles and hugs.
Yes, forgiveness is risky, but it is a liberating act.
A burden is lifted.
A sigh is released.
Forgiveness has Power.
It frees you from your hurt.
There's no better time than today to find forgiveness.
Seize forgiveness time today.
Not too long ago, a neighbor of mine hurt me.
For the longest time I could not understand why he didn't come to me and talk to me if he felt so strongly about an issue.
Instead, he decided to lash out at me behind my back.
When I found out, I was mad. No, I was livid and then hurt; his sting caused a bitterness; it was an ache I could not ignore.
At first, nothing could have forced me to forgive him.
But, over time (yes, time does heal), I was able to see him as the person he is: A loving husband and father.
And surprise! I found myself wishing him and his family well; with respect, without an obligation to one another.
I made a decisive decision to forgive him in my heart and in my mind since he had severed all communication.
I petitioned his wife and asked her to relay the message to him that I no longer found his hurt offensive and if he wanted to talk about it, I was available.
But here was the hard part.
He responded with Silence.
The lesson I learned that day was that some people do not want to be forgiven.
It truly makes the 70X7 forgiveness rule a challenge.
Then, forgiveness is required over and over again.
And although I will continue to wave a greeting in passing, I have come to realize that forgiveness doesn't always turn out the way you want it to; with smiles and hugs.
Yes, forgiveness is risky, but it is a liberating act.
A burden is lifted.
A sigh is released.
Forgiveness has Power.
It frees you from your hurt.
There's no better time than today to find forgiveness.
Seize forgiveness time today.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Seizing Opportunities Now
Have you ever said to yourself, I'll get to that when.....
I lose weight
My kids get older
I retire
The kids are out of school
I get a new job
The weekend is over
I no longer have a mortgage
The weather gets warmer
I get a raise in pay
BUT......
There is no better time than RIGHT NOW!
~Life is a Journey
Not a Destination~
On this journey we call Life, we often take side streets and detours.
Some are good and worth the extra time.
Some are wrong turns which require direction back to the main path
even though, at times, it's hard to change the course and move on.
So, if you find yourself repeatedly putting things off because, it's just not the "right" time, you may want to analyze what is really holding you back from seizing opportunities.
Is it fear? Perhaps you can ask someone to help you.
Do you get distracted easily? Try focusing on one task at a time from start to finish.
Is it too overwhelming? Try breaking down those missions into little bits and pieces.
And surely, little by little, they will get accomplished.
If you never make an attempt to begin,
your goals can never be reached.
Because the future has a "no peeking" clause attached to it, you must remember: the choices you make today determine your tomorrow.
Don't let that scare you, but instead move you into action.
Carpe Diem!
~ I’d love your feedback in the comments below ~
So, if you find yourself repeatedly putting things off because, it's just not the "right" time, you may want to analyze what is really holding you back from seizing opportunities.
Is it fear? Perhaps you can ask someone to help you.
Do you get distracted easily? Try focusing on one task at a time from start to finish.
Is it too overwhelming? Try breaking down those missions into little bits and pieces.
And surely, little by little, they will get accomplished.
If you never make an attempt to begin,
your goals can never be reached.
Because the future has a "no peeking" clause attached to it, you must remember: the choices you make today determine your tomorrow.
Don't let that scare you, but instead move you into action.
Carpe Diem!
~ I’d love your feedback in the comments below ~
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