Perspective...

Good evening lovees!! Whew, what a long day!! Thankful for it though! I pray I was able to be a blessing somewhere in the midst of my day.

As many of you have read, I took a fall last week. I'm not gonna lie, it hurt!! And, it scared me, truly! But the old adage is true, if you fall, you must get back up and ride again. So, I did. I rode my beautiful horse back to the barn and let those who know her best put her away so she could rest. Tomorrow will be one week since my fall. Here's what I've learned....

When we fall, though it may hurt, it's only temporary. The pain from my fall caused no major damage. Well, ok, maybe it damaged my pride quite a bit...lol! But the bottom line is, I wasn't hurt so badly that it caused anything permanent. I wasn't paralyzed as others have been from a fall. I didn't suffer any drain bamage....I mean brain damage, LOL! More importantly, my child wasn't harmed either as part of my fall. My horse didn't suffer any major injuries. Nor did the others on my ride. I can choose to sit back and be angry, or I can take this opportunity to praise God and be thankful!

Thank you God for protecting me. Thank you God for the amazing friends who were there for me when I fell. Thank you God for my loves who took such good care of me and pampered me. Thank you God for watching over my child while I was out of it directly after my fall. Thank you God for keeping the horses calm while this all took place in front of them. Thank you God for your love and Grace through this and other trials I have faced recently! Thank you God....

Beloved, we can take each and every  circumstance we are faced with and turn around into praise. It's all about perspective. I know I've spoke about this before. When last year's pants don't fit be thankful you had food to eat...many don't. When you hear a baby crying and it annoys you...be thankful it's not yours, LOL! And be thankful you can hear! Our lives are not perfect, we all face struggles daily! But I believe if we turn them around and look at them from a positive perspective, we might all be a little happier. 

Have a blessed evening friends!!! Sleep sweet tonight.

Love and hugs...

Selfishness...

Good afternoon lovees!! Such a beautiful day! Thank you God for giving me this day! Thank you God for my blessings galore. Thank you God for your unselfish love for me...

Selfishness....the dictionary describes it as such...devoted to or caring only for oneself. Concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc. regardless of others. How many of us know folks like this? We all do, let's just admit it. We all know someone, or several someones who only think solely of themselves! They have absolutely no regard for the needs of others.  And will only ever be takers, not givers. How many if us are guilty if being the selfish one? Oh, now there's a tough one. Hard to admit a fault like that...

Selfishness has no place in relationships. Thus, why selfish people struggle in them. These types of individuals only want what they can take from a relationship, they have no desire to give. It's about their schedule, their aches and pains, and their burdens. It's about their needs, desires, wants, etc. Oh they might fulfil a need of yours every once in a while, but only if it doesn't take away from what you can do for or give to them. Selfish folks often times don't know any better. Maybe they were raised by selfish parents and no one ever taught them differently. Maybe, things have happened in their life that have caused them to be selfish by default. Either way, it's a character flaw that needs worked on.

Being raised in a Christian home, many of my values come from the Bible. The Bible says this about selfishness....Philippians 2:4 - Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. We are not to be looking at self. We are to be looking at others to try and be a help, a blessing. The Bible also says this...
Galatians 6:2 - Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Can you imagine the world we would live in if folks followed just these two simple principles???? It would be incredible!

Maybe today, you find yourself guilty of being selfish. Maybe, today, you find yourself the victim of someone else's selfishness. Forgive them. Forgive yourself. If you're the selfish one, I challenge you today to focus on the above statements and make a change. I promise you, it will be so fulfilling for you when you start to meet the needs of others. It will change you completely. If you've been victim, perhaps it's time for you to make changes as well. Maybe it's time to walk away. Or have a talk with the person causing you to be victim. Maybe you need to look inside yourself and ask why do I allow this? Whatever the case may be, I pray for you to have the strength to make the changes necessary for your well being.

Have a blessed day friends!! Go out there today and be a blessing!!

Love and hugs...

I say, you hear...

Good afternoon lovees!! HaPpY Monday!! As I lie here resting, listening to the rain, so many thoughts run through my head. But I want to focus on one, misunderstanding.

Ever play the game telephone?? That's a silly fun game, isn't It? And it teaches a lesson doesn't it. That things don't always get interpreted properly. It's so easy to get things misunderstood when playing this game. Much like in real life....

One of my favorite sayings is this....I'm responsible for what I say, not what you hear. That brings to mind another "game" I like to call he/she says, he/she hears. Ever say something to someone and later on that person is angry and you can't figure out why? Only to find out they misheard your words? Like a wife may say to a husband...I wish you didn't have to work, I need some time with you, I miss you. What she meant, I miss my man and wish I could have more time. What he heard, I hate that you are working and ignoring me and that your job means more. How about when a husband says to his wife...my mom makes the best lasagna. Yes, I know that's a silly reference. But, here's what happens...he literally was just saying he loves his mom's lasagna. What she hears is...you'll never measure up to my mom in the kitchen.

Both of the above scenarios have the potential to end badly. Because in both, the parties involved are hurt. And what do hurt people do? They hurt people. Intentially or not, it happens. These scenarios have the potential to rip apart a great relationship if not resolved. But if we can learn to use our words, and communicate when we hear something a little differently than what was said, we can save a whole lot of unnecessary hurt and anger. After all, communication is one of the most vital parts of a working relationship, is it not?

Next time you're faced with one of these situations, try using your words. Try asking questions to see if what you heard is actually what was said. You may find that you overreacted to something that just wasn't there. It's not always about winning. It's about the relationship and the needs of those within.

Have a blessed day friends!!!

Love and hugs...