Wear Sunscreen

I'm not sure what took me so long to take the great advice from the widely shared column article from 1997 titled Wear Sunscreen that become a popular graduation speech. Here it is if you need a refresher or have no idea what I'm talking about.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-schmich-sunscreen-column-column.html

It wasn't until I reached my 30's that I started taking sun protection seriously.  I grew up spending my summers at the beach and wearing strong sunscreen was not really a big priority. I sported a sweet tan every year but unfortunately nursed many sunburns with bottles of green gooey aloe. My young self didn't mind though. It seemed like a small price to pay to get the perfect tan that I desired.

Once I reached my 30's I started to notice some of the damage the sun had caused to my skin over the years of abuse. A few years ago I went to a dermatologist for the very first time and had to have a spot on my back removed, which thankfully was benign. It was then that I vowed to start loving my skin more. It took a perspective change for me. I take care of my body by working out regularly and eating well so why would I constantly purposely damage the largest organ in the human body? It didn't really make sense. I realize now that healthy skin is so much prettier than tan skin.

While I can't undo all of the damage that has already been done, I will take the extra measures to prevent more from taking place. For my face, I apply moisturizer with SPF daily and when at the beach I always have on a baseball cap or woven wide brimmed hat to shade my face from the sun. For beach trips I am also now wearing sunscreen with SPF 50. That's 35 to 46  higher than what I used to wear! Wanna now the crazy thing? I still have a sift sun-kissed glow even with SPF 50. A tan without the burning and peeling and rubbing myself in green goo.  I never would have guessed. It's the best of both worlds. I know my practice is not perfect but it's a whole lot better than what it was.

If you are a sun lover who doesn't use protection, trust me, it will catch up to you. Do yourself a favor and love the skin you're in by showing it some love. It's not too late. 😎

A Mother Like No Other

My mom. This blog probably won't due her justice but I'm going to try.


From as early on in life as I can remember my mom has been:

• my biggest supporter
• my caretaker
• selfless
• a shoulder to cry on
• my chauffeur for many years
• second, in order to put me first
• my voice of reasoning
• forgiving
• patient
• my safe place
• my friend
• my role model

Honestly, my mom does it all. There have been plenty of moments in time when we were not on the same page, and for the record, she was usually on the right one, not me. But as I sit and think about the years of my childhood and adolescence, and even adulthood, my mom has always put my sister and I first. Never once did one of us go without so that she could have or do something. Mom has always wanted the very best for us that she was able to give. She is the definition of selfless and embarrassingly, I must admit that is something I think I took for granted for many years. The older I get the more fortunate I realize I am to have a real relationship with my mom. She has helped me to grow into the woman I am today and for that I am  thankful.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

The verse above is my mom. She is our family's biggest cheerleader and encourager. She leaves everyone better than how she found them. She has a loving and compassionate heart that aims to please others. How do I repay my mom for all that she has done and will do for me? I'm not sure I properly can but with a Thank You. Thank you for showing me how to treat people and for giving me all of the tools to be a good wife. Thank you for letting me learn some life lessons the hard way. Thank you for being there for me any time of day no matter what. Thank you for being you. I will make the promise to be the same kind of mom to my future children.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

Easy Is Not Always Best

I will begin this post by saying that I love the professional that I am in of Health and Fitness. From teaching classes to personal training to interaction with members throughout the day, I love to share what I know about living a healthy lifestyle. I do my absolute best to practice what I preach by maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes being physically active, focusing on wholesome nutrition, keeping stress levels low, being drug and smoke free, limited alcohol consumption, getting appropriate amounts of sleep, and maintaining healthy boundaries in all of my relationships. Am I perfect? Not by any means, I am human. I do, however, recognize that there are people who look to me for guidance, encouragement, and motivation when it comes to learning how to live a healthy lifestyle so I do my absolute best to be a good example for them. I think this is why I was so bothered by a sign that I passed earlier this week outside of a wellness studio that holds fitness classes.

The sign out front read "Detox Yoga, it's easier that avoiding junk food."

UGH!!! Seriously?!?! Someone new to this may read this statement and think "WOOHOOOO!!! I just found the answer to my bad eating habits!" What I read is, "These instructors and owners are uneducated in the matter." Is it easier? Possibly. But is it beneficial? Not really.

I don't care who you are or what you do, you simply cannot out-exercise bad eating habits. Working out for 2-3 hours a day will not cancel out the crap you put into your body at each meal. Even if you  happen to be successful in this temporarily by keep weight off, your insides are telling a different story. Skinny or thin does not automatically equal healthy. This facility is saying, "Hey, don't worry about putting crap into your body. Take this detox class and it all goes away." It gives false hope to  the person who may not know any better. They think it must be true if a fitness professional told me so.

I feel it is my job as a health and fitness professional to encourage and teach healthy habits all around. I don't understand how gyms host regular pizza and bagel days for their members. Do they even care about the health of their members or do they just use that to lure more people into the door and make them feel like they need to workout more? I'm not saying myself or my clients should never indulge in an unhealthy meal occasionally, but I'm not going to put it in there faces and tempt them while they are trying to make positive changes in their lives. I would be setting the up to fail. My goal is to give them all of the tools that they need, if they are seeking them, to help reach their goals and this goes beyond lifting weights and running laps.

I know that I can't control what other people do but what I can do is help spread the truth and raise self-awareness. I don't have all of the answers and sometimes research will change our way of thinking. I will be confident in what I do know and share and find the answers to the questions I don't already know. I want my clients and students to be successful in their pursuit to a better them and I want them to be confident that they are in good hands.

In closing, there is no on-size-fit-all method. Through trial and error, find what works best for you. What has worked wonders for your best friend might not be the best solution for you. Their successful nutrition plan could potentially do the opposite for you. We are all made differently. Hormones and genetics play a huge role in the way our bodies respond to different things. You must become a detective. If you need help with that feel free to contact me. I am more than happy to guide you in the right direction.

All I can do is say Thank You

I woke up this morning with thoughts of going down to the river but when I looked outside all I saw were clouds. I knew the rain wouldn't start falling for a couple more hours but I contemplated going back to bed for a little while longer. Lilo had other plans in mind though and was full of energy upon getting out of bed. I figured that even if I probably wouldn't see a magnificent sunrise today, Lilo would at least get some good exercise. So into the car we went. Pulling into the parking lot I discovered that my thinking had been all wrong and the most glorious display was taking place before my very eyes. I stopped for a moment to take in the scenery and snap a few pictures for my SnapChat friends. We then made our way to the far end of the beach for our morning routine.

The thing about going down to the river at sunrise that I love is that it is so quiet and serene. I use this time, as Lilo runs in and out of the water getting nice and sandy, to pray as I walk. Today, as I slowly made my way and got ready to bring my prayers to God,  I felt the need to stop and be still. I found a large rock to sit on and just stared out at the light reflecting off the water. Lilo, who was already a couple hundred feet further down the beach, turned to see that I had stopped and ran back over to me and sat quietly by my side.

As I sat and began to pray, the only words that I could get to come out of my mouth were "Thank You." I had this overwhelming feeling of gratitude towards God as I realized that He has given me everything that I need. This got me to thinking about how easy it is to focus on our wants and what we think we need from God without recognizing what He has already done. When I stopped to give thanks for all of His blessings first, it made all of the worry and concerns for some of the unknowns that have been placed before me so small. He was gently reminding me that He has never failed me before and He doesn't plan on starting now. To me, there is no greater feeling than the one of unexplainable peace that can come from nobody but the Lord my God himself.

The next time that you are facing a hard time, try to take a moment to look back on all of the ways that God has provided for you or made a way in the past. Hold on to the promise that He is for you and with you always and live your life confident in that truth.

Thank You, Jesus!

The Most Important Day EVER!

We are currently in one of the most important weeks of the year. The one that includes the day when we celebrate the most important day and event known to mankind. I am talking about Easter.

Easter is so much more than magical bunnies, colorful plastic Easter eggs, marshmallow chicks, jelly beans, and fancy dresses and hats. Also known as Resurrection Sunday, Easter Sunday highlights and celebrates the day that Jesus defeated death, rose from the grave, and gave us all a new hope and life in Him. I'd like to see and Easter basket that trumps that!

Holy Week, or Passion Week, is when we have the chance to relive the days leading up to this. Every time I hear or read the accounts of this week I get chills. It's like I'm seeing or hearing about it for the first time. The deceit and betrayal that Jesus felt from some of his closest friends, the walk up to Calvary, the unimaginable death that Christ endured on the cross FOR US, The burial and of course the resurrection from the grave on the third day. All of this happened because God loved us so much. He sent His Son, who was without sin, to die for our sins, even the ones we have yet to commit. Each and every one of them are covered, paid for, in full. Because He lived and died and lived again we can face each day with hope. We can live and believe in the promises that were made to us. Christ will come again.

We are currently in one of the most important weeks of the year. The one that includes the day when we celebrate the most important day and event known to mankind. The one that changed the world forever. I am talking about His Story, Easter.

Easter is so much more than magical bunnies, colorful plastic Easter eggs, marshmallow chicks, jelly beans, and fancy dresses and hats. Also known as Resurrection Sunday, Easter remembers and celebrates the day that Jesus defeated death, rose from the grave, and gave us all a new hope and life in Him.

Holy Week, or Passion Week, is when we have the chance to relive the days leading up to this. Every time I hear or read the accounts of this week I get chills. It's like I'm seeing or hearing about it for the first time. I'm filled with so much emotion as I try to imagine what Jesus must have been feeling that week. Despised and rejected by men. The deceit and betrayal that Jesus felt from Judas, whose love of money took him far from his walk with Christ. The disappointment he must have felt when Peter denied him not once, not twice, but three times. Was he scared when he went off to pray in Gethsemane, asking God to remove the cup from him? The weakness and pain he maybe felt as he prayed for strength to endure what was to come. His humbled obedience as he went to Calvary knowing that there simply was no other way. The unimaginable, painful, and agonizing death that Christ endured on the cross FOR US. The mourning and sadness of Jesus' followers at his burial and of course the unexplainable joy that came at knowledge that the tomb was empty and Jesus had risen from the grave on the third day. What a rollercoaster.

This was all part of the plan for salvation. God loved us so much that He sent His Son, who was without sin, to die for our sins. Even the ones we have yet to commit. Each and every one of them are covered, paid for, in full by the blood that was shed on the cross. I'm so thankful that Jesus who was in human form after all, was obedient to God's will. I'm thankful that he succeeded, with God's help.

Let us take some time this week to remember the hope that can be found through a life with Christ. A life of joy that can be found in every season. Knowing that the light will always shine again even after the darkest days. Because He lives we can face each tomorrow head on with a new confidence. We can know that every battle we will face has already been won for us.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends, even when they have forsaken him.

Hallelujah!

Things About Spring

I know that the official start of Spring is still a few days away but I can't help but feel giddy with all of the changes that come as we say so long to Winter. Here in Eastern North Carolina it's hard to miss some of the signs that Spring is in the air.

Here are some tell tale signs that Spring is close to being sprung:

• The birds are chirpier that ever. The worms better get to hiding.
• 

  Flowers and plants are beginning to blossom and my green thumb is itching to get dirty. I'm thinking of trying to grow a few veggies this year.
• The temperature has been consistently warmer. The humidity also made no delay in returning. See ya later straight hair.
• The grass is starting to turn green. I will soon lose my husband to yardwork 1-2 times a week. I'm glad he enjoys that stuff though ;)
  
• Bees have been buzzing around.
• Frogs have been splashing around in the ditches. Our ditch has been sitting with water in it for weeks now. Two thoughts on that: 1. I hope the mosquitos stay away 2. I'm not sure how many April showers the already super saturated ground can take.
• Snakes! I've seen quite a few baby snaked that didn't make it across the road quick enough. I've also seen a few slithering around. I know not all snakes are poisonous and are eve beneficial to the eco system. However, in my opinion, "The only good snake is a dead snake."
• Those beautiful and super fragrant Bradford Pear Trees are blooming. You know, the ones that smell like fish rotting in the hot sun on top of a pile of garbage at the town dump.
• The clocks have been turned ahead and we have more daylight now!
• Yellow pollen is on all the things. Cue itchy eyes and scratchy throats.
• My hammock is back up in the yard.
• I've worn shorts and it's hard to tell which is more blinding, staring at the sun or glancing at my pale legs.
• New, fresh colors are on display at the local retail stores, showcasing their new Spring fashion. (Sorry in advance to my bank account.)
• Strawberry picking is nearing which means blueberries are getting closer too!
• The ice cream truck tunes (although a sketchy vehicle) have been heard cruising down my road. I'm ready for the Kona Ice truck and it's calypso music.

And of one my favorites:

Easter is almost here!!!!

A Wak to Remember

It was a year ago today that I met the love of my life for the very first time. It was a Sunday afternoon. We had first started texting each other two days prior. Nonstop texting. We used that time to ask one another a lot of "getting to know you" questions. He had asked if he could take me out that weekend but I declined and suggested maybe next weekend. Lilo was having a Lyme Disease flare-up and had recently been prescribed some medication to help with the pain and weakness. Being the worried dog mom I am, I made the choice to stay home with her all weekend so that I could monitor her and get extra puppy cuddles. I'll be perfectly honest, I was kind of glad to have a good reason to say no and stay home. It was nothing against Mark, he seemed like a normal and nice guy from what I could tell, but I was tired of going on dates that seemed to be dead ends. I was strongly considering taking a break from online dating at that point before responding to that one last email. 

Union Point Park, New Bern, NC 3/15/15

Sunday morning rolled around and I thought I'd have the week to figure out what I would do. At some point during church that morning I had the overwhelming feeling that I just needed to meet this man and stop putting off what I was predicting to be the inevitable. Once church was over I sent him a text inviting him to meet me downtown for a walk. As I waited for his response, part of me hoped it would be too last minute for him but then I found myself feeling disappointed at the thought of him saying no. Thankfully, he said yes.

A few hours later, Lilo (who was feeling much better) and I met Mark, who had driven an hour to see me,  at Union Point Park. We walked all around downtown and historic New Bern that afternoon. Conversation came easy, like we had been friends for years. After our walk we sat on a bench at the park and talked some more. We easily spent 2 hours together and I was kind of sad that it was coming to an end. When it was time to go we hugged and went on our separate ways. A while later he would  tell me that on his way home he called one of his best friends to tell him about me and told him that he was going to marry me. I can't say that I knew that early on but I knew there was something different about this one. I remember telling a friend at work the next day that I was smiling big the whole way home. It sure was a walk to remember!

This was our very first picture taken together about a week after we met. We were at the Unspoken concert here in

New Bern. Mark likes to remind me that he kept trying to hold my hand that night but I was acting too shy, nervous, or maybe was just unsure. I eventually did hold his hand though ;)

"Have enough courage to trust love one more time.
And always one more time."
Maya Angelou

I Vote for Jesus

Raise your hand if you are ready for election season to be over (both hands raised here!) I have never been into or followed politics and I am totally ok with that. Let's be clear. I do educate myself on the facts the best that I can and I do vote. You should vote too!

Not liking politics is not because I don't think they are important but more because it brings out the ugly in a lot of people. Social media is bombarded with people expressing their opinions, convincing people to vote or not vote for a particular candidate, and a whole lot of negativity. Debates are full of candidates making promises that they probably can't even keep. My thoughts keep going back to cheesy 90's sitcoms where a kid is running for class president and promises his fellow students no more homework, longer recess, and pizza for lunch everyday. Thankfully, it is easy to keep scrolling when my news feed is full of all of these things. Even with the limited time I have been spending on social media lately, it's hard to miss. One post I did come across recently really spoke to me though. I don't know this particular person but what he had to say regarding the election season is worth repeating.

"I will not post my political views on FB for several reasons but I will say:

None of the candidates are idiots. Stop calling them that.

One of them WILL be our next president.

It isn't beneficial to bash anyone, ever.

If you call yourself a Christian, cursing anyone's name is forbidden. Defaming people is forbidden.

Check yourself.

Use your words to lift up Jesus, not put someone else down.

Coarse language concerning candidates is childish. Grow up.

Pray for the candidates.

Don't forget that our country isn't saved by politics or politicians.

God is greater than any trial.

Honor God. Seriously.

It MATTERS what you say, how you say it and how you live."

YES!

Each candidate has pros and cons. Some definitely seem like better options that others. It's ok to have a favorite and to advocate for that person. It's also ok to be disappointed if your person doesn't win. What is not ok is to put all of your hope and faith in a person. No human out there has all the right answers. People are panicking, becoming hopeless for the future, and expressing fear and anxiety. Whoever becomes our next president will not save us. Our world will remain broken.

If some Christians used as much energy to share the love and truth of Jesus as they do bashing the political candidates....

I'll just leave that thought there.

At the end of the day, Jesus is Lord over all. That's right, ALL. He sits on the throne. He has the power to save. He is in control. My hope is in Him and Him alone. I will not fear my future because this is my temporary home.  I will pray for our potential worldly leaders. I pray that American makes the best choice, whoever that may be. I pray that we, as a country, can remember that we are one, no matter the outcome of this election or those to come. If the person you vote for doesn't win this election, pray for and respect the one who does. They are human, they will need it.

There is power in the name of Jesus.

You Must Give Up to Have It All

The season of Lent is upon us which means it is time to give something up for 40 days to represent the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness overcoming one temptation after another from the devil. The purpose for most Christians is to use these 40 days to draw closer to Christ as we prepare our heats and minds for His death, burial, and resurrection on Easter Sunday. As a child and young adult I often gave us things like soda, pizza, and chocolate (the struggle was real with that last one, let me tell you.) Looking back though, none of those things prepared  my heart and mind for Easter. I guess you could call it discipline but I always found other things to takes it's place and it wasn't Jesus.It was more of a challenge, a game, and then I binged on whatever it was that I gave up.

In the last  few years, as my relationship with God as strengthened, I have instead found things to add to my daily life during this time that would help me grow spiritually. Some include, going through a specific Bible study, sending some form of encouragement to at least one person a day, and being more intentional in prayer. I found that these personally worked better for me as I sought after God and tried to intentionally show love to others.

This year it didn't take me long to figure out how I was going to live out the 40 days of Lent. Over the past several months I have found myself severely distracted. A girl who watched very little t.v. in the past now finds herself mindlessly watching shows at night that she doesn't even care about. She thinks abut reading her Bible or reading the next chapter of a spiritual growth book that is sitting on her night stand but it is easy and comfortable to stay on the couch and not think. Well, that girl is me and I keep giving myself the same excuses, "I deserve to be lazy after work," "I'll  read double tomorrow," or "I'm too tired." I've talked with my accountability friend about it and she has prayed for me but I don't do anything substantial about it. I read a quick devotional and think I've made up for it.

My second distraction is social media. Another mindless activity that takes up too much of my day. I mean, I have picked up my phone at least 3 times since beginning this  post. Why?!?! Like t.v., it can become an addicting habit. Half of the time I don't even realize I'm picking my phone up and opening apps until 30 minutes have passed me by. Why am I so interested in what someone had for lunch today anyway? Why do I read comments from the news media posts knowing that they get me upset every time because of rudeness and ignorance? Now social media isn't all bad. I try my best to use my platform for positive and encouraging posts. I like to believe that I have helped others in that way. Many of my friends do the same and it is nice to stay connected in a way to far away friends. But there is just so much nonsense to filter through.

All of this being said, for Lent I will be setting restrictions for myself with the t.v. and with social media. I will use this time to be more intentional with reading my Bible and spending time alone with God. I will use this time for prayer. My accountability friend and I are even beginning an awesome book study this week that I am super excited about. I want to focus my eyes back on the truth. I am also hoping that this will allow me to be more productive with my time and getting other priorities back in order. Although I am not giving these things up completely I will be finding a healthy balance which includes a lot more Jesus and a lot less of worldly things. He must become greater, I must become less. Feel free to ask me how it's going. Keep me encouraged with your accountability.

Here are some other great ideas for things to do for Lent:

• Pick one item from your house each day to put in a giveaway pile and donate that pile to a local shelter at Easter.

• Set out to help at least one person per day (help an elderly person or a mother with young kids with bringing their groceries out to the car, let someone in front of you at the checkout line, buy coffee for the person behind you at the coffee shop, offer to watch a friend's kid for a couple hours so they can get away, invite someone over for lunch or dinner, etc.)

• Hand write and give or send an encouraging word to a different person each day. It could be a simple as a Bible verse or to let them know you are praying for them.

• Cut back on your spending and use some of that money to increase your tithe or donate to a charity.

• Give up gossiping.

• Volunteer at your local soup kitchen, animal shelter, or another non-profit once a week.

Whatever you choose to do I pray that it will draw you closer to Christ and help you become even more like Him with your thoughts, words, and actions.

Show Some Class - My thoughts on Super bowl 50

Politics and sports talk, they bring out the worst in some people. Today I would like to address the latter. (The former is coming soon, don't worry.)

Now if you watched the Big Game the last night then you probably think you know where I am going with this. But, you might also be wrong. Here's the thing. Negativity, bitterness, and immaturity doesn't look good on anybody and I think that sports fans need to look at themselves and find some class before bashing those in the spotlight.

I'll start with Cam Newton's Post Game Interview. I don't love Cam nor do I dislike him but I personally found his demeanor immature, not classless. He hid beneath a hoodie, he sulked like an 8 year old, and he gave responses that I found rude. Sport Center reported that he was asked 16 questions, gave 6 one word answers, and didn't answer 3 questions. In his defense, I think that the media is ridiculous asking questions like, "How does it feel to lose the Super Bowl?" and "Do you feel like you let your teammates down?" Seriously?! I mean, why do  they even interview the losing team right after the game? They haven't even had enough time to digest it. Just let them lose in peace and talk with them at a later time when they are in a better state of mind. I digress. The reality is that both quarterbacks are interviewed after a game and that is something that I think he should have been better prepped for, win or lose. I think some of what happened was due to inexperience and some seemed childish. He is in a leadership role and he could have been a bit more encouraging to his team and fans while on that platform. Others are upset about how this looked to children who looked up to him. I agree it was not the best moment for a role model but have you ever unintentionally let someone down? Guess what people. Cam Newton is human! Say what?! He did not have a response and demeanor that I believe a professional should have but do you always respond the way you should to things? Do you ever look back and know that you could have handled a situation better? I don't know if he feels that way but he might. This man has done a lot of positive things for his community and has impacted many lives and it would be a shame to see it all tainted because of a response (or lack there of) stirred by emotions. He is a good athlete and an imperfect person. Show the guy a little grace.

Next, I want to talk about Peyton Manning. This guy is a great athlete. Sure he isn't perfect either because we all had to be reminded of that time in 2010 when he had a negative post game reaction. That wasn't ok either but, he is human too! Why take this joyous occasion away from him by bringing up that past event. He did it, it was wrong, let's move on (same goes for Cam.) Why take away from the positive by throwing in a negative story. I've learned over the years that people just love to hate. They hate teams, they hate players, they hate refs. Peyton and his crew have ruined many games for me, being a Patriots fan, but I don't hate the guy. I've seen multiple Patriots fans who can't even be happy for the guy. Why? Because he is good athlete? People have been quick to point out that it wasn't Peyton who won, it was the Broncos defense. Well, last time I checked they are all on the same team. Therefore, they all won. The defense had a greater effect on the game but each and every teammate walked out of there a Super Bowl Champ. Stop being so bitter and give credit where it is due. Others were quick to point out that Brady still has more rings. Well he doesn't have a Super Bowl 50 ring does he? Shoot, he didn't even play in that one did he? This is why Pats fans have such a bad reputation. I am personally happy to see him go out this way. I know he hasn't officially announced retirement but I don't know why he wouldn't at this point in his career. I'm still a Patriots fan all the way but I won't let that prevent me from celebrating another great quarterback who has found success.

Thirdly, let's talk about booing Tom Brady during the ceremony of past Super Bowl MVPs. Grow up people. What has he ever personally done to you? Has he beat your wife or killed your dog? He may  not always have the best attitude either but he is a phenomenal athlete. You can't argue that. Many people hate him and the Patriots but few have good reason. I can appreciate bantering among sports fans and friends. It can even be fun at times. Most, however, take it to the extreme and it can get ugly quick. Just today I was talking to someone about the game and he quickly stated that he doesn't like football. I went on to say that I was a Patriots fan and he replied with, "Well, I like football enough to hate the Patriots." Come on dude.  People try to get a rise out of me all the time by bashing the Patriots but it doesn't usually work. I am a Pats fan. I cheer for them and hope they win but sometimes they make mistakes or get outplayed and they lose. Oh well. My life goes on.

Football is supposed to be an outlet. It is entertainment. But it is surrounded by anger and negativity. We wonder why some youth sports are out of control. You can't always blame the players and the coaches. They spend more time around the people who talk about these things than they do the game itself. We should be the role models and MVPs in their lives and teach them to be good sports. Let us all take the higher road and just get back to enjoying the sport.

Peaks and Valleys

As we walk through life, each of us will experience different terrains. We travel on that narrow road that is sometimes smooth and at other times rocky. We climb until we reach the beautiful mountaintops and sometimes we find ourselves trudging through the deeper valleys, searching for the quickest way out. As I've spent time talking with different friends over the past few weeks, I am easily reminded that we are all on different journeys. For some of us, everything is going great and we are loving the magnificent views from the top of the mountain. But, for others, hard times have hit. Some are experiencing loss, sickness, financial strain, troubled relationships, or countless other things and they are feeling trapped in that deep, dark, valley. I'm sure you can recall times when you have been in each of these places. 

If there is one thing that I have learned about life it's that it keeps going and the only constant that we can count on is change. We will all experience bright mountaintop views and we will all find ourselves down in darkness at some point.So here is my thought for you. Neither place is permanent so embrace each place that you find yourself. 

If you are in a happy and fruitful season, embrace every moment of it. Enjoy the view. Try your best to make the most of each day, taking nothing for granted. Soak in the goodness that God has given to you and take time each day to give thanks. If you can, use what you have been blessed with to be a blessing to those who are in need. It could be with your money, your time, or even just your words of encouragement that could make a significant impact in a life.

While I wish we could all stay in that happy place forever, each of us, at one time or another, will encounter a less than desirable season of life. No matter what it is that has brought you down into that valley,  there is always a pathway leading out. Most of the time there are valuable things to be learned there. It is a prime location to allow God to refine us and make us more like Him. We find strength that we didn't even know we had. Strength that comes from leaning on and counting on God to help us. It is encouraging to know that He can and will work all things, even the worst things, for our good and for His glory. If we are open to it, these are the places where we see the most growth. We overcome what we never imagined we could. For this reason, it's important to remember these hard times so that we can appreciate the good. Think of each step back up the mountain as a stepping stone to growing closer to the Lord. We can even use our painful experiences to minister to others who are in similar situations.Use your "mess" to bless.

Stay encouraged, friends. 

We are never staying still.

Nothing is wasted in life. 

My One Word 2016

I've spent the last few weeks praying for a word that I can focus on in 2016. A word that, if I keep it at the forefront of my mind at all times, can set the tone and carry me through the year ahead. There are many great words out there but I was waiting for one to really speak to me, to touch me in a way that could potentially be life-changing if I allowed it.

My one word for 2016 is: Praise!

 I used the flight to Boston on Christmas morning to catch up on some podcasts that I listen to. The one I listened to that morning titled "Graduating in Gratitude" really spoke to me. I like to think that I am a grateful person but am I really grateful in ALL circumstances? Probably not. There are definitely times that I let my circumstances dictate my attitude. I let a bad morning control my entire day and therefore probably miss out on some blessings that God has in store for me that day. I sometimes let a bad mood or other people steal my joy. These are not things that I am proud of and is definitely something that I would like to work on. One of the best ways that I know to help keep the right perspective and attitude is to give praise and glory to God in ALL things.

That podcast reminded me that God's gifts alone are not able to bring me joy. They are able to bring me joy though when they are met with my gratitude. But having an attitude of gratitude is not enough. I must not only have a grateful heart but also grateful habits.

 "Gratitude without practice is like faith without works. It's not alive." ~ Steven Furtick

Here are what grateful habits will look like for me:

* Being grateful for all that the Lord blesses me with. Remembering that I wouldn't be where I am or have what I do without the grace and provision of God. I can't take credit for any of my successes for it is God who brought them to me and helped me get there.  I will give praise for all things.

* Being grateful even when I don't get what I prayed for. God's ways are perfect and so is His timing. He knows the whole story, beginning to end. I only see what is in front of me and what I want in the moment. He wants only what is best for me, even when it seems hard to me. If I got everything I prayed for there would be no need for faith anyway. I will praise God even when His ways are different than my ways.

* Finally, I will be grateful because of what He is doing. In every hardship, in every trial, in every dark night, God is working all things for my good. I may not always know why something happens I will not worry or be angry but I will be confident that God is in control and knows exactly what He is doing. Every season of life is hand selected from God and serves a purpose. It is through those tough times that I grow stronger in my faith and more confident in who I am in Christ. I will praise God because of all that He is doing in and through me.

My goal for 2016 is to be intentional with PRAISE each day, take nothing for granted, and live with a joyful heart, even when life isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It's really hard to be in a bad mood when you are spending time each day giving praise.