I would love to say that I came up with this clever saying, but I did not. Years ago, my parents took me to hear a motivational speaker named Jim Rohn.   That was a quote he shared that day in Dallas, Texas when I was just a small girl and I have never forgotten it.

One of the best ways to experience healthy living is to celebrate where you are.   Be present.  Be in the moment.  Be in the here and now.  I say this a lot I know, but I truly believe it is so important.

You know the old saying “Live for today”.

Living anywhere other than the present can rob us of  precious experiences, memories, joy and so much more!

It is very difficult to find contentment and fulfillment when we are living in the past or the future, but never in the present.  It is as though we have one foot out the door and in another place and time.  Contentment is a key component to happiness.

Remember that today is the first day of the rest of your life!   Each day is a new day full of new possibilities.

Wherever you are, be there … even if  you are in the pits.   At least you know you are in the pits.  If you pretend your life is all that and so much more, well…you’re just kidding yourself and really living in denial.  And denial is so not healthy.

But even more importantly, you will never find true joy and satisfaction.   And if you feel that you are in a situation and you have no choice, that, too, can be devastating to your health.   You will feel like a victim with little control over your destiny.

The present isn’t always perfect, nor are the situations we find ourselves in.  That may be true, but we can spend our life whining,  blaming, and wishing today away before tomorrow ever comes.

Yes, dear friends, I learned this lesson the hard way.  Bless my dear mother’s soul,  she was always there reminding me that this moment would not last forever, so savor it.  

And so I began to learn to savor the moment, the people, the experiences, the places and to remind myself often   that this moment would not last forever.  I have learned to savor. 

Sadly, for some of my life experiences, it was too late.   I had wished them and the moment away.   You may have done that too!  I will never get those  moments back and they are but a faint memory.  However, looking back in regret is bad for our health!  It does not get us anywhere.  It is emotionally wearing on our soul and depletes us of valuable life-giving energy. 

That is not for a fabYOUous you!  Although the moment has passed us by, we have a new opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the moment and live in the present in which we find ourselves each and every day.

So work hard and learn to live in the present and remember ” Wherever you are, be there”.    It is my prayer for you today as you embark on living a healthier life, that you will learn to live in the moment!

 This healthy living tip goes hand in hand with last weeks.   Only you can change your life if you are not happy, fulfilled, and in your purpose!  So if you to change your life, do something about it and do it today!

 You are at the helm and can control your ship and direct your thoughts and actions to where you wish them to go!  Remember the scripture“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”.  Do not underestimate the power of your mind.  The mind can aid or hinder us depending on what focus our attention on!

 But while you’re maneuvering the seas of life, be sure to enjoy the moment!   On some days the seas will be rough and bring great difficulty, others will be full of sunshine and smooth sailing as well as fun and excitement.   That’s life, enjoy.

Dear sisters in Christ let me encourage you, if you don’t like where you are, start taking small steps to change your life today, forever!

Be blessed and encouraged abundantly today as we remember one simple quote - ”Wherever you are, be there”!

In 2002, there was a spectacular performance featuring that music at their church and they were hooked.

In fact, mom loved it so much she called me and played it, while holding the receiver next to the stereo so I could hear it.  It was rather hilarious because I couldn’t even hear it.

Finally, mom just bought a zillion copies and gave them to just about everyone she loved, including me.

I too fell in love with it.  

When mom passed away the songs from the CD gave me more comfort than I could have ever imagined.  And during times of  sadness, it is The  Garment of Praise that stands out among all the rest.

Some times in this old life we can lose heart and feel we’ve lost our way back to a place of joy and happiness.

You might even feel you may never laugh or dance again.

But on this Thankful Thursday, I want to encourage you to ‘Dress Yourself  Happy and Put On A Garment Of Praise!

I am not talking shoes, hats or the latest spring fashions.

No, I am talking about an outfit that will change your outlook and your life forever.

The lyrics from the song are taken from one of my favorite passages – Isaiah 61: 1-3 – and it is there in the middle of verse 3, we hear the best fashion and skin care advice ever, perfect for all occasions.

We are invited to “Put on a Garment of Praise; instead of a Spirit of Heaviness” and “the Oil of Gladness; Instead of Mourning!

Today let’s wrap ourselves in a garment of praise and soak in the oil of gladness.

This, my dear friends, is best outfit you will ever have!

Today on this Thankful Thursday, I pray you will be dressed more beautifully than ever in a garment of praise and your weary bones will rise to dance again!

How people perceive us greatly affects how we perceive ourselves. It is just a fact of life.  I wish it wasn’t true, but it is.

People will say things that cut so deep we feel we may never recover.  And sadly, we may not.  It is only through God’s mercy and grace that we can move through hurt, pain and the misconceptions of who people believe we are.

Dear friends, we are not the sum of what others perceive and believe us to be. No. We are the sum of what Jesus Christ says we are!  That is the Truth. Now if I can just get the Sons of Thunder to understand this when others pick on them at school that would be great.  We are working on that!

As you walk life’s journey, remember how God sees you.

“I will give thanks to You for I have been awesome and wonderfully made” Psalm 139:14

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God. And that is what we are”! John 3:1-2

This is one of my favorite verses!

“We can be confident of this, that he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus! Philippians 1:6

Hallelujah and Praise the Lord! God does not perceive you. He knows you. He calls you many things in the Bible and one of  them is “friend!” It does not get any better than that!

Be blessed and encouraged abundantly today as you remember the Truth and not perceptions.

It’s hard when our taxes are due, children are sick, bills must be paid, parents die, and relationships fall apart and yes, even when cars break down. Those issues can affect our attitude and how we feel.  It can affect how we view the world around us as a whole.

Focusing our attention on the blessings of our life is crucial.  If we don’,t it can make it even more difficult to be thankful.

We have all met people who, amidst the trials of life, they walk in a spirit of joy.  They are hopeful and positive and they are a breath of fresh air to be around.  

As we nurture a heart of gratitude we will be healthier and happier people and those around us will reap the benefit.  If we focus too long on the negatives of life, we will become bitter, grumpy and possibly even physically sick – and who wants that! Focusing too long on the hardships of life can just make us hard-hearted, discouraged, depressed and helpless and even hopeless.

So as I said last week, setting aside some time to be thankful can be extremely helpful for you emotionally and spiritually.

Choosing to look at the blessing in our life and how God is providing for us is so important.  Sometimes it is done by simply putting a positive spin on your life.

Here are two scriptures I love that help me focus my attention that way!

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

I pray today on this Thankful Thursday you will be reminded of all the blessings and provisions God has made for you.  That you will focus your attention on having a thankful heart.

Rejoice in God’s goodness, mercy, and sustaining grace!

Be blessed and encouraged abundantly today as we walk in thanksgiving and gratitude.

We would probably all agree that change is usually hard.  Whether it is starting an exercise program, eating healthier, stopping an addictive behavior or even just beginning to attend church regularly.  Any new choice is said to take 20 days to become a new habit.  But the first step is making that new choice!  Having an accountability partner to support you in your new life style choices is key too.

The Alcoholic’s Anonymous motto puts it so perfectly. “Take it one day at a time.”  When we look at changing a habit, it is much easier if we deal with the issue only one day at a time.  Often times it is especially difficult if a behavior has taken a hold in your life , for example alcoholism or smoking.  Letting go of certain habits for some makes getting through even one hour of the day a Herculean task.  But there is hope, God will give you the strength to get through this day and face tomorrow.  He can help you start over again and live the life you desire.

One of my favorite verses is Matthew 6:33-34 says ”But seek first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness, and all these things shall be given unto you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.   Each day has enough worry of its own.” This scripture always helps me keep thing in perspective.

God also says in His word that ‘”He will give you the desires of your heart.” If your desire is to make a change in your life today, God will empower you and give you the strength to do it.  His word also says “What so ever you desire in your heart ask and it shall be done for you”. God wants to walk with you each step of the way!  Take the first step today, to make a change in your life, which will lead to a new tomorrow!

You can do it dear friend, the God of this Universe and His son Jesus Christ are on your side!  Stay in prayer and in God’s word.  Freedom awaits you.

It is a new Day.

Start today and live free!

We made a decision in December of last year to move back to Oklahoma to be near my aging parents who had been struggling with dementia and Alzheimer’s.  (You can read more about that in SANDWICHED IN.)  However, due to my parents’ rapid decline, we subsequently moved my parents to be near my brother in Denver.   We decided to keep our plans to return to Oklahoma and begin to build a new life.  The path continued to change along the way and it didn’t look quite like we had thought it would.  We have celebrated and trusted that God was still on the throne and that none of this was taking God by surprise.   It, however, was taking us a bit by surprise.  Mom passed way in June, and as my husband so appropriately put it on his blog, Just Flip the Dog, she was  escorted to heaven by a legion of angels.  I was in Georgia at the time, preparing for the move on June 16th. That story is for another day.

My birthday is about one month away and as I spoke to a dear friend  recently she said,” I bet you can’t wait until your birthday.  It has to be a good year considering how hard this one has been.”  I had to agree with her.  It has to be better.  Change and growth are never easy but that is just a part of life and as my Father say “Struggles make us stronger”.  God has been faithful to me and to my family and He has made stronger.   I have learned so much about myself, my family and my friends through this experience.  I have learned much about God’s faithfulness,  His compassion and His sovereignty.

When I am overwhelmed by the events of this last year and the loss of my mom, I think about one of her favorite songs, Put on the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness. Mom loved this CD intitled Revival in Belfast.

The song is based on the scripture Isaiah 61: 3. I read that scripture yesterday and was reminded as I read, that Isaiah 61 is called The Year of the Lord’s Favor. How appropriate for a woman who needs a new year and how appropriate for each of us. If you to need a new fresh start this is a must read!  I want to share a few of my favorite verses with you but I hope you will want to take a moment to read this great passage in its entirety.  I promise it will be a blessing to you as it was to me.

Isaiah 61:2-3 To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.     Verse 3: And provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes.  The oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of splendor.  Verse 7 :   Instead of their shame, my people will receive a double portion. Verse 10: I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God, For he has clothed me with garments of Salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.

My prayer for you today, dear friend, is that God will give you what you need this week and this year will present the opportunity to fulfill the call that the Lord has on your life.  I pray he will give you the strength to serve those around you.  My experience has been that if we don’t have it to give, we can’t give it.  No matter if that is love or even just a kind word.    So I pray God will fill you up with an abundance of compassion, grace,  and mercy.   I pray you will truly experience the Year of the Lords Favor!

  One dear friend sent me this following scripture and prayer before I began the hardest part of  my life’s journey thus far - dealing with my parents’ Alzheimer’s, my husband leaving his job after 23 years and us deciding to return to our home state to be closer to our families. Change and transition are an ever present part of the journey.   

  Whatever we are going through in our life we must remember it is not taking God by surprise.  He knows right where you are and what you are going through.  So stand firm!   Our God is mighty to save.  I pray this will be a blessing to you as much as it has been to me.

This was seen posted on a mirror in Austin, Texas… a bit of inspiration.                                                                                                                                                                      

 Zephaniah 3:17  “The Lord your God is with you.  He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you.  He will quiet you with His love.  He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Lord God, You have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us the faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love is supporting us.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray with confidant assurance.  Amen. 

The Lord bless you this Day.