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Posts Tagged ‘bible’

Yup. It’s been 20 years. I started getting the Facebook messages about our 20 year reunion….really? Really. Is it possible that it’s actually been that long since I hair sprayed my bangs straight up with Aquanet and and thought wearing ties was cool? This October, my high school will be celebrating it’s class of 92 [high kick] graduating class. Without going into the details of my 10 year reunion, I just hope that this milestone is not celebrated with the same cliquie ways that the 10 year was.

There is always the dreaded fear among some of us of “how will I measure up to my classmates?” There are SO MANY different things that go through our minds [you know I'm talking about you!] “I need to lose weight!”, “what will they think about me when they find out I’m divorced?”, “I need to make a list of what my kids are successful at”, “How much does Botox cost?”, “Dammit I didn’t finish school!”, “What have I done in my life compared to everyone else?”, “I should bring pictures of my fabulous house”………..WHO CARES!!!!!! Only those with those same complexes are the ones that will be judging! I have found that in life, when a person feels inept with themselves about something, anything, they tend to displace that and find it in others to make themselves feel good. Our mothers taught us this survival instinct, right? “Don’t pay attention to them. They are just jealous”. Actually, a lot of times it’s true. I teach that to my own children. Unless you give someone a genuine reason to snicker about you, what worries should you have.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged,and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Matthew 7:1-3

Even after 20 years of what we hope or like to think of as “growing”, many of us still like to gab too much. Others feel as though they have so much to accomplish before the big weekend. I’ve been guilty of having some of these thoughts I admit. Yet others, are so content with what/who/where/when/and how they’ve lived their last 20 years. They are content with NOT having the huge house; not having straight “A” students (occasional B’s and maybe a C is ok); It’s ok to drive a used car with a cracked windshield and shop at Ross for Pete’s sake because you’re a smart shopper :) THOSE are the folks that I want to hang out with on that weekend. Just down to earth people that aren’t measuring me for what I have or haven’t accomplished in the last 20 years.

Don’t give me any guff for saying Happy New Year 2 weeks late!!! Better late than never! Wow, I can’t believe it’s 2011 already (how cliche is that statement?). I am home at this very moment wishing I could get over this darn cold that has had a grip on  me for about 3 weeks now. It comes and it goes and comes and goes….like a bad relationship! Lol…anyway, in looking back at my 2010 “resolutions”, I conceded that I did not fulfill all of them, but for good reasons. I’m not trying to make excuses, I am DEFINITELY making excuses! Yoga: did it once. I liked it. But not enough to do it again. Sorry yoga fanatics! Just isn’t my cup of tea. If I want to truly relax, I need to have gloves on and a heavy bag to look at and punch. Learning French: eh, no time. I did go to the library and rent audio cd’s to learn on my own time. I could hear Rosetta Stone in the background laughing at me, that’s when I realized that I just don’t have the extra time needed to learn a new language right now. I’m not done with school yet and being a single parent requires me to pull double duty with responsibilities sometimes. The bible : I have been reading it a lot more and praying a lot more. I’m happy with that, but want to do more. This doesn’t mean that I get exactly what I’m reading still…I try to read the different versions for better understanding and that helps sometimes. Volunteering: I don’t think I did enough in 2010. I definitely shared the importance with the kids and shared opportunities with them, but I need to do more this year. Take 4 road trips: done and double done! Granite, it was with work, but traveling with these girls was a such a great experience! I made lots of memories, gained a better understanding of logistical planning when traveling via air, and learned to pack light!!!! (That’s a biggie for girls :) Learn how to sew and paint on canvas: yeah right. I think I may have been slightly high on this one! Gotta think BIG picture.

I have “resolved” that for 2011, I’m NOT going to make resolutions. It just seems so permanent and failure is involved in one way or another! Instead, I’m going to make goals. To me, this seems more attainable than resolving to do something for good that lasts about 1.5 months. So here are my goals for 2011:

• Graduate next month for grad school!
• Get myself and the kids involved in monthly volunteer opportunities
• Continue to read the bible and pray everyday
• MAKE A DIFFERENCE in Someone’s life EVERY DAY! (no matter how big or small)
• ALWAYS try to see the silver lining (blessing in disguise)
• Get hired full time somewhere ;-)
• Finish a 1/2 marathon trail run or road run…but in Tahoe!
• Compete in my first Ms. Figure competition
• Get down to San Antonio to see my folks and my soon to be new nephew this summer
• Try to get to NC and see my sis and brother-in-law before Dec 1st!
• Have a girls weekend road trip
• Begin my photography endeavor again after I graduate
• Paint on ONE canvas by the end of the year!

I think these are doable. I know they are doable! As a matter of fact, I’m going to print a few copies of my goals, print them out, and post them around my home so they serve me as a constant reminder of what I’m striving for. I heard a wonderful scripture today. It was Isaiah 41:10 and reads:

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

I like to see this as my compass for when I have anxiety about something, anything. Most of us aren’t born with an innate sense of confidence. I can only speak for myself when I say that I fear the unknown, and it’s then that I need to rely on my faith that everything will turn out just the way He intend them to be. Keeping that in mind, I am more confident that I can accomplish my 2011 goals. Just as a child leaps in faith that their father or mother will catch them, I know my Father will always catch me, in His own way.

Here’s to a VERY productive 2011!!!!

I thought that as a final post for 2009, I would invite you in to take a peek at what my own personal 2010 resolutions are. Typically, I wouldn’t do this to tell you the truth. I don’t know, call it a fear of failing if everyone knew what they were and I didn’t accomplish them. At any rate, it’s something private and special, and I want to share it with you (if you’re interested). I don’t have a whole list of 20 somethings that I want to do, but I really tried to reflect hard this time and focus on things that I’ve talked about on this site, or things that I often try to teach my kids, or even focus on one little thing that I heard at church. These are in no particular order. And if this is the end of the road for your reading, then may you have a wonderful and safe and blessed Happy New Year!

1.  I want to read and UNDERSTAND the bible. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read passages and no sooner do I pick up that book, do I put down. Why? Because sometimes I don’t understand what it’s trying to tell me and i get frustrated. It’s like I hear it, but I can’t listen to it. Does that make sense? So I want to seek out the answers to what I don’t understand. I truly believe that the more I comprehend what the bible says, the more I am able to lead the life that I so desire to all the time instead of just when I’m in a bind. I like to think I’m a good person, but I want to be extraordinary in His eyes.

2. Teach my kids the rewards of volunteering. This is a quality in which I often seek out in people. I can’t tell how fulfilling it is for me personally to give my time to those less fortunate or even animal shelters for that matter. If you already volunteer, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. Many times I hear people say that, “I don’t have the time”, or “I don’t know where to begin”, or even “I’m sure they have plenty of helpers”. Well, that may be true for special holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, but what about the other 363 days? It’s in giving that we receive. Don’t think of it as receiving something materialistic either…that’s not the point. There are hundreds of different ways to give your time and it doesn’t mean that it has to be during the work week or become a part time job. You’ll see, try it; you may end up not getting enough of it!    

3. I want to learn French! Not because I LOVE the language and plan on residing in Paris with my little pink poodle! I used to want to learn Italian, but to be honest, it’s so similar to Spanish and I am able to grasp a lot of what is said (especially when I’m in the ladies room at Macaroni Grill :) The french language is spoken in 33 different countries! Did you know that French and English are the only languages spoken as a native language on 5 continents and the ONLY languages taught in every country in the world??? That being said, I think I could market myself or at a minimum, enjoy traveling abroad knowing that I speak 2 out of the three most common languages around. there won’t be any price gouging for me!! :) 4. Take 4 road trips this year. This is the first time I’ve ever lived in Cali. I know that there are big well known places all around as well as plenty of diamonds in the rough. I want to take the kids on four road trips and create scrapbooks out of it. Most of my friends are probably saying, “Ale…scrapbook….NOT!”, but yes…I really want to try it. but that’s besides the point! I’m not sure where I want to go yet, but with each trip, you can be sure that I will share the experience with you. I know that the kids will enjoy it, especially because we’d probably take our Border Collie, Skyler with us as well.  5.  Learn how to sew and start painting on canvas! I put these two together because they are both artsy, crafty, and can be so very original. I actually got so enthused this year about painting that I went out and purchased the easel, brushes, paints, canvas, and…….it’s still sitting in my closet. I also have a sewing machine that my mother gave me years ago and the best that I can do right now is sew a button when in need! My mom is a phenomenal seamstress without the use of a pattern too, and I have a girlfriend back in Hawaii that is an amazing knitter. I want to learn! So I’m going to make the time and take some sewing classes as well and use my creative juices for canvas. We’ll see what comes of it. Who knows, maybe if it’s decent enough, I can sell it for fundraising or charity!6.  Finally, I want to learn…..this is a hard one for me…..YOGA! There, I said it. If you know me personally, you know I DON’T DO YOGA. I’ve tried, and I don’t like it. But, as a good example for any fans out there, I want to try and embrace it, and squeeze it , and love it, and make it my own. This will probably be my toughest resolution, but at least I have the whole year to work at it right? I know that it’s good for the body and mind and spirit and all that other stuff, but more than anything, I want to do it because I think it will help me to grow in my world of being healthy. I understand that being physically fit and healthy (for me) is not all about fast pace running, swimming, biking, punching bags, or how many pull-ups and push-ups I can do. I need to stretch more  and learn to stay focused in a child’s pose without looking around the room with one eye open to see who looks more silly than me. So there you have it. I don’t know if my 6 resolutions will grow or not, but these are the main one’s I want to focus on. An important point to make though is this: I believe that family and friends are essential in our lives. For me, spending time with them is not a resolution because I already do that. Losing weight, quitting smoking, dumping the alcohol, and other popular one’s just happen to not apply to me. But that doesn’t mean that they may not to you.

Dig deep and focus on the things that you know resolving in your life, will in fact change it for the better, forever. Don’t just do it for this coming year. Do it and maintain it. Be the role model you want others to look up to.

Last but not least, I want to share with you a very well known prayer (Serenity prayer) that my father taught me and I carry with me always:

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

~Saint Francis of Assisi

Have a wonderful, safe, healthy and blessed Happy New Year!!!!