Difference Maker

Well hello again! Sorry it has been so long. I can go into how busy I have been and how much I have had going on, but let's be real....they are just excuses. Bluntly, I have been lazy about doing the blog.

Usually, I am really inspired by one thing, or one lyric, or one person to write an entire blog about, and until this morning, I haven't felt compelled enough to actually have to think about what to write as my thought process has been unprovoked. See, lazy! However, thanks to a NeedtoBreathe song, I now have a mind full of insight!

While there are more species of living things that exist in our world than I can count, the one thing every one of them have in common is the ability to make a difference. We, as humans, almost have a responsibility to  make a difference because we have the inherent cognitive process that really voids us from any excuse to NOT be difference makers.

Think about the food chain...all living things depend on others to keep living....that is an obvious example of making a difference. However, we tend to only look at the obvious, and overlook the other ways that these things become difference makers. For instance, plants and trees in their natural state provide shade and even shelter to animals and insects and humans. Bees and other insects are mostly responsible for our yards blooming in the spring, making a difference in our landscape and overall joy about the beautiful season. Pets provide companionship, love, nurturing and therapy, and our love for them is reciprocated in more ways than we will ever understand. Fruits, vegetables, and other plants/flowers gives us nourishment for our bodies, dye pigments to color our world, fragrant expulsions that boost our serotonin levels, enrichment for our soil, nutrients for our skin and treatment for our ailments. Everything plays a part in something that keeps everything living....even if it is to sacrifice for the greater good.

So how can you be a difference maker? Will you help your neighbor with their yard? Will you save a life? Will you give someone random a complement? Are you going to make a commitment to make a difference every day no matter how big or small? Are you going to smile more, appreciate more, or enjoy each day more? Will you laugh more and worry less? Will you appreciate more and be annoyed less? Will you help others see how they are blessed? Will you help others on their spiritual, religious, faith-based journey?
More individualized ideas:
* Charge your service fee (lessons, handy work, landscaping...etc) based on income, because let's face it, you've been in a position before where you could have used a break yourself.
* If you can sing, set up on a popular street and just sing for people. Music heals so many souls.
* If you're an addict/recovering addict/friend or family member of an addict, become peer support for those who are in positions you understand.
* If you have the time, offer single parents a hand with running errands, cleaning house, cooking or simply watching their children while they get things done.
* If you are a server, donate a portion of your tips one night a month to a local charity
* If you are a high school senior, instead of doing a prank, write advice articles to leave behind for the freshman coming in next year.
* If you are an athlete, encourage younger players the importance of playing with their heart...it could make a difference in their athletic career.
* If you are a store owner, make a popular item a charity item, giving the charity the proceeds from sales. You can also donate items to charity auctions.
* Adopt a healthy habit for 2 weeks and inspire others to do the same
* Go to city council meetings and give input
* Give praise and positive attention to your children daily, and model behavior you seek from them
* If you choose to be on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram all day, then look for those who are going through a hard time, having a bad day or need a little pick me up and surprise them with a small note, flowers, candy, balloons or something you know they would like. Look for those doing great things and show them appreciation to keep them motivated and feeling like they are making a difference too.
I could go on and on...

As for me, I am dedicated to doing things that make happiness and joy contagious.  Helping people see the value of one smile, even in a day of several frowns. Helping create situations where there's no option of an outcome other than joy. I should work on smiling more. Something small, and sort of silly, I would like to do is fill my friend's social media news feed with positive and uplifting pictures and articles and quotes so they get a break from all the negative. Keeping in mind that others matter, no matter where they are in life, there is always room for making a difference. Once you begin transforming into a difference maker, you are already ahead in making a difference in your own life.

So, go make a plan difference makers! Based on your interpretation of what "living" means to you, what part will you play in keeping people "alive"?

Peace and Joy,
Beth

Do Unto Others...

Yesterday (mid-morning), as I was running around like a crazy woman with a packed schedule, I realized I hadn't seen Melissa in a while. I knew she was going to be doing some yard work, so I peeked outside and she was nowhere in sight. As I continued to look for her, I realized she was in fact doing yard work...only it was in the neighbor's yard. She was working ever so diligently to make that yard in better shape for the little girls to play. I couldn't help but just smile. She does this without request, she does this out of the kindness of her own heart, expecting nothing in return. You see, she had a schedule to go by yesterday as well, but it didn't stop her. It suddenly slowed down the hectic pace of my day. I finally got to take time out of my busy schedule and enjoy something, even if it didn't involve me at all. I thank God for the ability to recognize the moment as one to ponder. It may sound petty, doing volunteer yard work for someone else, but if you saw the size of our yard and their yard, you would understand it is anything BUT petty. 

It kick-started my motivation for Joy Latte all over again. Doing good for others, just because....how delightful is that?! Seeing the simple act of someone doing for others, makes my cheeks pop with excitement. I am so so very excited about our upcoming JL project(s). More so now than ever. It has taken quite some time to fully develop the plan in its entirety, but I hope it will be well worth it. 

I encourage everyone to go out and do something nice for someone, whether it is someone close to you, or someone you've never met. And please don't engage in your generosity via social media...make it personal. Not just a facebook message, text or tweets. There is nothing like personal contact in this day in age. We get so involved in the lives of others through our phones, computers, tablets, etc, and we forget we have a life of our own in which we can do so many good things. So, instead of reading about someone's good day, be a part of that someone's good day. Start with a close friend, or a co-worker, a neighbor, your family. Start somewhere and let it be contagious! And if you decide to delve into this encouraging request, please tag #joylatte and tell us your story on how you made your little world a better place.

I ESPECIALLY encourage you to participate in these small acts of kindness if you are having a bad day. Nothing cheers me up more than being able to make someone else smile, laugh or feel surprised. It is the element of surprise that creates a whirlwind of emotions that can truly change someone's entire outlook on their day/mood...including your own. If there is not something good you can find in your day, create it. It's that simple. Don't let money be an issue either. I am not saying buy someone a vacation to Mexico. You can simply get a 6-pack of their favorite soda and wrap quotes around each can. You can bake cookies and bring them to work for no reason. You can simply tell someone they are awesome. 

If you every have trouble deciding what do to, always remember the golden rule.

So go now, and do unto others...

Peace and Joy,
Beth

Aftermath

I am not even sure where to begin with this entry. Several states just endured a 4 day monster that ripped through and brought devastation over many. I am used to hurricanes, I am used to unpredictable weather...this however...this was scary. There were over 130 tornadoes reported, lives lost, homes uprooted, hail damage and the flooding...oh my dear, the flooding. Needless to say, anyone in the path of these storms took a beating. I have never experienced hail like that, nor have I ever been so thankful for large closets, but all in all, we came out of it much better off than a whollllle lot of other people. I found myself suddenly realizing how many people I know that were in the line of destruction.

I am lost for words looking at all the pictures, videos, news casts and Facebook posts. Reading blogs and different perspectives of the same storm. It is crazy how your neighbor is left with nothing but a slab while your house is merely missing a few shingles. Seeing pictures of how Ono Island became Oh No Island. Pensacola is under water, as are parts of South Alabama.The damage in all states impacted...it is incomprehensible.

You see stories of parents protecting children, pets being found, boats being carried miles and miles away. You see household items floating down what used to be a street. You see cars filling up with water, you see shreds of wood from what used to be a house. You see vehicles in sinkholes, items impaled in trees and people literally kayaking down the street to help others who are stranded on top of their house or car. You see people trying to pick up pieces of their life, what little they can find of it. You see all of this and it makes you just want to cry, or understand or just scream.

If I had enough arms I would hug everyone who was impacted. If I had enough money I would help rebuild, replace and restore. If I had enough belongings, I would donate it all. I see communities coming together, I see volunteers risking their own safety to help others. It's a beautiful thing, really. It is almost contagious. So what do I have enough of, I ask myself. Well, hope is pretty infinite, and so is compassion and effort. I also have the beautiful power of prayer. Ideas start unfolding, enveloping my every thought, and suddenly I am compelled to do SOMETHING. I feel if I am able, I should....right?

So maybe it will be a fundraiser, maybe it will be an item raiser...maybe it will be a huge Joy Latte project. The fact that I can generate several ideas in such a short amount of time makes me realize there is really no reason to not help. It is about realizing you have a purpose in life, and utilizing that purpose for the better of the communities, people and support that surrounds tragedies such as this.

Most of you still have a house on a street that you can still drive down in a car that you still have with someone is the passenger seat that is still alive. Imagine if ALL of that was taken from you at one time.

I refuse to call this the aftermath.Think about it...what is the true aftermath of tragedy? Overcoming it, right? I believe the aftermath of this will be communities rebuilt with compassion, more pride for those communities and a new chapter for those involved. Everything may have washed away for some, but what is yet to come can be a beautiful thing. Strength, bravery, effort, love, commodore, hope and revitalization.....THAT is what defines the aftermath....THAT is what will be remembered.

Peace and Joy,
Beth

Faith Hope and Love

Not many people would consider themselves "proud" to be questioning their faith and their views and their standing with God, but I am, and here is why:

The constant questions I have regarding my Christianity is not a sign of weakness, rather, they are slight signs of doubt. I am not saying doubt it good, because I am well aware that doubt errs on the side of Satan, but doubt is what reminds me that I have something stronger than that doubt. I have faith, I have hope and I have love. I push through doubt because I remind myself to trust God and His will He has for me. Sometimes it is hard to go through my daily routine giving grace and thanks for all I am blessed with, so when issues and circumstances arise where doubt surfaces, I am reminded that I need to take time to be thankful. The questions and the doubt reign me back in, as if they are my daily reminders to not get so distracted in fear and worry that I forget to have faith and trust.

Externally, how does one NOT have questions about their faith? There are so many denominations, so many beliefs, so many practices, traditions and ways to worship. There are questions of who's beliefs are right and who's are wrong. And we mustn't forget the one of the most powerful external factor in faith: the influence of others. We are all susceptible to falling victim to damning remarks from others based on faith. People will even basically tell you that you aren't a Christian unless you live your life just like they do. Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for people who believe they are doing God's work, but I just don't believe God wants people to believe they are more "right" in their practices than others.

Internally, I have grown to understand that my relationship with God is just that....MINE. I make a conscious effort on a daily basis to share the bonds of that relationship through good deeds, prayer and love. Recently, I have delved more into deeper meanings and the foundation of my relationship with Him, and I feel comfortable saying that while I am not perfect, I am still a follower of Christ. 

We are currently seeking a church to attend regularly, and while there are so many out there, I am starting to wonder if it matters which I choose. I am learning that it is not up to the pastor, preacher, priest...etc to persuade me to believe, think or feel one way or another about the message. It is MY responsibility to read and understand that scripture or message, and what it means to me and how God intends on it to pertain to my life and my understanding of His word. I am proud of the personal relationship I have with God, and so I try not to let others influence my spiritual reflection because, just to be honest, it does not concern anyone else but He and I. I am consistently growing in my faith, and I am comfortable sharing my faith and love, but I will not sacrifice the relationship I have with Him based on other people believing they are more "right" in their ways of living.  I do not understand how we can diversify Christianity when in the end we are all striving for the same fundamental unity. 

Every day is a chance to grow, and every day I choose to try harder to seek out those opportunities. Again, I am not perfect, but I perfectly okay with that. 

Peace and Joy,
Beth

Strides

We made it through to another week!

Many of you know through my other blogs that I am working on improving my overall health. Well, I have made some strides toward this effort, and the simple act of merely starting this project already has me feeling better.

My first step: Buying new running shoes. Why is this so great? I am now void of excuses for why I am not running. This step was more than just buying shoes...it was a realization. I now see that the REAL first step in getting to a better you is to get rid of all of your excuses. Excuses become crutches, and those crutches give us something to lean on when, in reality, we are able enough to utilize our under-appreciated amount of strength to push through.

Second step: Spectator Burnout. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE watching, cheering and supporting MJ and others on their big days and HUGE accomplishments, but there comes a time when you ask yourself, "Why is it again that I am not out there with them again?" This question surfaced in my thought process as I stared at the finish line of the Gulf Coast Half Marathon this weekend in Pensacola. It was the first time I truly missed the thrill of the challenge. I am so blessed and so proud of the fact that I know someone who endures this challenge frequently, but it is time I become proud of myself as well. I will always continue to support and spectate at these events, only now I want to do it as a participant. I want to share the experience, talk about the challenges and celebrate the victory. It's about time.

Third step: Picked out a race. I am highly considering the Kaiser Half Marathon in Gulf Shores. It is in November, so I have PLENTY of time to train....with no excuses. I don't care if I don't break 2:30, I just want to finish....to accomplish the taste of victory that I have been neglecting myself of. It's nice to be thirsty for a challenge...and it will be nice to quench that thirst with success.

Next step: Get Healthy! I will choose better foods, I will take care of myself. There are people out there who would give anything to have a healthy body. People with disease, illnesses, terminal conditions and so on. When taking on that perspective, how can I NOT take more care of myself. I sometimes take my health for granted, and it's time I develop and maintain consistent healthy habits. Let's get real, though: I will be realistic with this goal, so treating myself from time to time is going to happen.

Having said all of this, it makes it muuuuch easier to attain these goals when I am surrounded by the very best people who exemplify such a lifestyle. MJ is an every day inspiration, we can all see why. She is the epitome of fitness. Life has handed her cards that could have ceased all motivation, but no...not her. She pushed through. She has the mentality I strive for, and I am proud to say I am getting there. I don't expect to be as fast as her or as strong as her (right now at least ;) ), however I will be crossing the same finish lines, going to the same gym, and trying just as hard as she does. I know plenty of other runners too..several of my closest friendships developed BECAUSE of running. How could I give up something that has done so much for me?!

My sister, Nikki, lives by the phrase, "Live free", and it has changed her perspective on a lot of life perceptions. She has a free spirit and it seems to work for her, so I will take it one step further for my health goals and say "live free from excuses".

Thanks to the support and encouragement from the people closest to me, I feel like this goal is already getting easier.

Peace and Joy,
Beth

Sanity

So, I come to you today in a bit of despair. Do you ever have those moments or circumstances that cause you to just lose your mind? That is me today....completely and utterly crazy.

As many of you know, I am in the middle of a 3 part surgery on my jaw/mouth. I had an infection in my jaw bone, and it has been one hell of a ride. Now that the worst of the surgeries is over, I am now feeling a pain on the other side of my mouth, and thus anxiety permeates through my entire mindset. What in the world am I going to do if I have to do this alll over again? Am I just crazy? Is it all in my head?

So, naturally, I turn to the expert...Google. BAD idea. According to them, I have one of 53 problems. So then I call my dentist...they of course cannot do anything unless I go in to see them. So, should I pay for peace of mind, or do I wait to see if maybe, just maybe, I am a bit paranoid?

I would love to tell myself that everything happens for a reason, and whatever happens, in the end it will all be okay, BUT, try telling that to my wallet and my fear of dentists/oral surgeons. You see, I am not one to usually jump to conclusions like this on a serious level. I joke around from time to time about average bumps and bruises, but this is different. This feels like a bad dream.

I am sorry to be selfish in my blog today...I just needed to talk my way through my emotions. A big thank you for reading. I will make it up to you by doing a Wednesday entry this week. Hopefully by that time I will be a little more sane. Until then, I will be applying for dental insurance.

I need to be strong. I need to pray.

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

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Get Busy Being Busy

Happy Monday!

What a week it has been! Between gearing up for our fundraiser at The Family Center, finishing planning the Delivery Dudes launch party, starting Joy Latte, getting ready for my 2nd of 3 surgeries and making sure I have plenty of quality time with my favorite, I am emotionally and humbly hungover!

And I would do it all over again.

If I have learned anything in the past month...even week.. it is that staying busy is living! I am talking about good busy, not busying your mind with worry, or becoming busy with things that won't matter in the future. Filling your schedule with things that don't give you time to worry about the small stuff is quite euphoric.

Ask yourself, "When I am doing nothing, what am I really doing?" If you're anything like me, your answer would be that you get too much into your head. You think too much and it results in being overwhelmed with ideas that aren't even relevant to your current state of life. No matter what your answer is to this question, I challenge you to redefine your meaning of the word "busy".

You can be busy relaxing, you can be busy planning a trip, you can be busy working on a project, you can be busy with your passion. You can be busy doing anything you WANT to do! It's a beautiful thing, really. No matter what, time is going to go by, so doesn't it make sense to get the most out of the time we have? Fill it with joy, fill it with excitement, make your time into your world, and into the world of those you love most. Make what you do matter. Make an impression. Make a difference, no matter how you choose to do so.

If and when you feel things are out of your control, make yourself busy with things you do have control over in that situation. If you cannot take the lead, follow, but follow in a different tune. If you cannot get to where you feel you need to go, become busy paving a new road to get you there. If you are busy with work, make sure to delve into other projects that you don't consider "work". So long as you're busy, you are making your way.

Quiet your mind of doubt, frustration and/or stress by busying your body with meaningful activities. Take up a hobby or two, learn something new, do something nice for someone else, plan something fun, find new music, become amazed, be inspired. Whatever you choose to do, make it an ongoing project so that you maintain a busy schedule filled with things and ideas YOU put there for your pleasure.

Sure, there will be times when you get frustrated or irritated, but we all have our bad days. I am not saying you will always feel positive emotions from staying busy. I am not saying never rest. I am saying, make room for those things too, and add them to your definition of "busy". I am saying accept the bad with the good because it is a part of life. The best lessons are learned from failed attempts, but at least there was an attempt. Lessons are learned from challenges, but at least you accepted the challenge. Lessons are learned through change, but at least you made strides to adapt to such changes. Remaining stagnant and effortless means you aren't trying. It means you aren't moving forward. It means you are not busy doing the things that could motivate you to just keep going.

Create a colorful calendar with new activities or new hobbies or projects. Get busy being busy. Be busy being you.

And thank you for adding me to your busy calendars on Mondays!

Now get going...I'm busy.

Peace and Joy,
Beth

Dream Big

So, as many of you know, I am obsessed with Soulpancake. I took 4 minutes this morning and treated myself to a new video they posted, and fell in love with their ideas all over again (See video below).

In this video, they talk about dreams. They never talk about how they will fulfill them or how they will build on them...they merely stated their dream(s) and that was enough.

I began thinking about my dreams, and immediately I thought of the following:

1) To possess the gift to make people realize the greatness in their lives
2) To help groups of people (teams, co-workers...etc) identify their strengths and motivate their thirst for
     success. To enable them to overcome challenges and reach a productive dynamic among all participants.
3) To acknowledge the small success in my life so that I may move forward toward the larger ones.
4) To always keep going, no matter what obstacle surfaces
5) To keep an open mind
6) To never lose faith in myself, my loved ones and especially in God
7) To never stop dreaming

I refrain from dreams including big houses, shiny cars, fancy clothes and lots of money because, to me, that stuff isn't as important. Sure, it would be nice to be able to treat myself to what I WANT sometimes instead of just what I NEED, but if I were able to do that all the time, I would not be able to appreciate it as much as I do.

Instead, I want to talk to coaches and teachers and bosses about problematic behaviors and collaborate on the most effective way to develop a solution. I want to instill the importance of commodore and support in individuals who make up a group of people coming together for a common purpose. I want to see the results and changes as groups go through these renovations.

I want to provoke people to challenge their bad days with small projects that promote positive mindfulness. I want positivity  to permeate through people's thought process. I want to create situations where people WANT to take the time to focus on what is right in front of them in order to take a time-out of their daily routine. Soulpancake does this daily. I think there should be a Soulpancake-type organization everywhere. I want to be the person that starts it here! I guess that is my big dream.

I dream that one day, people see the beauty in everything. That people will be more tolerable and less judgmental. That people will accept the shades of grey in life and not just black or white. I dream that hate dissipates and love prevails.  And most of all...I dream I am a part of making any of this happen.

I know this all sounds far fetched and like my head is in the clouds, but after all, isn't that why they call it a "dream"? Besides, if we didn't have such dreams, what would motivate us? If we dream big, we will hopefully do big, and if we do big, we see big results.

Ready, set, do BIG!



Peace and Joy,
Beth

Coach's Roundtable

This weekend, I had the honor of sitting in on a very informal, but amazing, post-game debriefing with a group of pretty amazing women in leadership positions. I heard doubt, I heard worry, I heard discontent....I heard a lot of things that you would never see on the field from these women as they are coaching.

While it shocked me, it made me realize just how amazing they were to be able to believe in their players and team so much to put aside any other feelings to most effectively and productively coach these girls to the best of their ability. It gave me a glimpse of what it would be like if I were really to become a Sport Psychologist or Team Building Coach...and I loved it. It was problem solving at its finest, and while there's  no one solution, the willingness to try suggested methods is the first step!

When I hear the word "coach", three people immediately come to mind, and these three women are the ones who have inspired this post. 

What I think many people overlook is the definition of TEAM. I believe the entity of a team is made up of every member who has a role in the outcome of the game. Most would say the players make up the team...but after this weekend I would have to disagree. To me, the team is made up of the players, the coaches, the fans, the officials, the sponsors and the spirit of the game. Everyone has their part as they commit collectively to overcome challenges and put W's on the board. However, if that commitment isn't there, someone is left picking up the slack, putting preventable pressure on a valuable part of the TEAM.

Sitting in this circle of coaches and former players, I was intrigued on how much I myself underestimated the job description of "Coach". Not only are you responsible for expanding your players knowledge of the game, skills, fundamentals and sportsmanship, but you are also influencing and creating the mental aspect of the game as well. You work to increase the confidence, the cognitive motivation, the internal strengths and the overall mental dynamic of the team. This concept is wayyy more in-depth than what most people see on the surface. Sure, there's cheering, there's talking on the field, there's fans cheering, but sometimes that becomes so monotonous that the players are almost immune to it. 

An even larger concept with the mental game: the pre-athletic career mental health. As a coach, you are dealing with the ever evolving mentality of each player. Your every word, every move, every speech has an impact, however, you have to maintain awareness that some of the players may need more, some may need less. Some may need a loud tone, and some may need a pat on the back. You are simultaneously dealing with each player's past while developing their future. Talk about pressure! Some players may come with warnings, some may come with "Handle With Care", and some come with complete confidence. It is the coach's job to figure out the methodology to effectively collaborate each personality to accomplish unity.

There are different levels of cognition among teammates, and it is up to the coaches to recognize them, play to their strengths and develop a strategy to preserve the common goal shared between all aspects of the TEAM. 

So why would anyone put themselves in this position? The passion, the love of the game, the long-term success stories, the idea of success, the determination of shaping young adults into healthy successful citizens, the continued opportunity to smell the field/grass during  ball season, the road trips, the memories, the sacrifice, the networking? Possibly. I know one thing is for certain: when a coach hears how much they influenced their players straight from former players mouths, there is an instant glow that says THAT is worth all of it.

 I had the opportunity to witness this very phenomenon. The former players expressed to their former coach how much of what she said still follows them to this day. They would say, "If only I would have listened back then." and "You know what, Coach, you were right about..."

But what was more amazing, in my humble opinion, is when the coach asked her former players, "What should I do." That, to me, was so powerful because it shows that she STILL believes in those players and respects them enough to ask for suggestions. Ideas were flying left and right, synchronicity was flowing, and progress was being made. It was perspective from players from different years, it was input from all aspects of the game, it was productivity! 

So to all the coaches out there, my hats off to you as you are shaping the lives of student athletes. To the ones I know personally, I am privileged to see the outcome of successful coaching. Melissa Jones, Brandi Paul and Tara Blackwell: you inspire me immensely, and I thank you for blessing me with a lesson well learned about what all you really do on a daily basis. I am blessed to know each of you. 

I would also like to say a special thank you to Brandi Paul for allowing me to give some input at her coach's roundtable. It may not seem like it was a big deal, but it meant a great deal to me. And thank you Melissa Jones for supporting my participation, for I am forever grateful. 

Peace and Joy,
Beth 

Dear Lord

Hello again, readers. Today's post will be a little different. 

Given all the recent news about death, crime, illness and injury, and my work day already filled with diagnoses, addiction, custody battles and frustration, AND car problems, I find myself just constantly saying "Dear Lord"!! So with that, I would like to follow up on those words and start with a prayer:

Dear Lord,
Please help those most in need of your guidance, for their weakness portrays doubt. Please help me and all those close to me to be more conscious of your presence and everlasting light. Lord, I pray for the families and friends of those who lost a loved one, may they may find peace in your love and grace. I pray for those who are ill, that you will comfort them with your presence. I pray for those dealing with addiction, may they find strength through prayer and courage, and may your light guide them to recovery. I pray you grant me with the power of understanding and strength to maintain my positive impact on those I work for and work with. Lord, I look up to you in all your wonder and I will take this time to thank You for all You do and for Your will. Thank You for all of my blessings, all my wisdom and for the ability to do all things through You. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Okay, I feel a little better now.

At times, it is hard for me to remember that I cannot use ALL my strengths for someone else's weaknesses. I have my own weaknesses to improve upon. I know it is part of my job to turn my client's weaknesses into strengths, but there's only so much I can do....and I need to understand that I am not going to help everyone.

On a brighter note: I had a pretty great weekend! I got to do some of my favorite things. We prepped for spring by planting flowers, I got to watch softball in the beautiful weather we had (and managed to get a good sunburn in the process), I watched the Oscars (mostly because Ellen cracks me up and makes me smile a lot), and we grilled! Simple, yet so nice. 

There's not really much I want to say today. I just wanted to say a quick prayer for those who may be struggling with death, illness, addiction or some other life-altering event. Sometimes it is hard to pray when you are in the middle of the storm, so I try and do my part and pray for them. 

God bless you all!

Peace and joy,
Beth

Take Back Your Day

Oh Monday, you are putting up a good fight, but not good enough!

Sometimes every day seems like Monday. That has especially been the case with me lately. However, it has done me no good to sit here and wallow in it. Last week I decided to say I'M DONE with letting the day(s) defeat me. I took two days off of work to do whatever I wanted....and I most certainly enjoyed them!
It was as if I hit a refresh button. No expectations, no usual frustrations, no one telling me I needed to do something or how to do it. It was so nice.

Then....it was back to the grind. So while it was short-lived, it was amazing. So I ask myself, how can I turn any bad day around to make it MY day? Because, let's face it, we cannot just take a day off of work when we feel like it. I have a bad habit of worrying myself with what I have to do throughout the week (cleaning, washing clothes, going to work, meeting deadlines..etc), and I never just experience the present...I never enjoy the small things given to me in the 24 hours I am living at this very moment.

I started thinking about this as soon as I walked out of the house today to head to work. So I decided to try a few things to take back my day, and so far they are working for me.

I took a new route to work. It changed things up for me. It defied my norm and made driving to work feel as if it wasn't so routine and monotonous. I also turned on music that I knew would give me that extra little push to start my day off right. When I got to work, I turned on music. Music always makes things better (in my humble opinion). I am much more productive when there is music!

I have also decided that when I get frustrated at work I will excuse myself and run/walk the stairs. So, I will either be really skinny soon or learn not to get so frustrated so I won't have to walk/run the stairs. Nothing like some strict discipline :)

One of my favorite changes is the way I greeted and responded to greetings this morning. When an intern arrived and asked how my weekend was, I didn't do the usual "it was good, and yours?" Instead, I highlighted the best parts of the weekend. I told her all about the softball tournament, the movie, and best of all, the gum story. It felt so nice to not be so robotic and conventional.

[Gum Story: Melissa and I were in Target and the cashier asked us if we had any gum. Melissa gave her two pieces of hers, and then signaled to me to put a pack of gum on the conveyor belt. Once we payed, Melissa handed the cashier her own pack of gum. She came out of her lane and gave Melissa a huge hug and said she made her whole day.  It was a great moment.]

Reminding yourself of the good and great things that happened makes for a wonderful trick to turn your day around. I continued doing small things that ended up making big differences. I organized my work space, I took breaks to walk the stairs, get fresh air, or to enjoy a snack. I did stuff for ME. I may be forced to be in a certain environment, but I will not be forced to be miserable. I am blessed to have a job, I am blessed to be given the opportunity to help others through my work, but I am also blessed with choices to make on how my day will unfold.

I recognize the importance to do the small things to remind myself that the day is what I make of it. It is MY day, and so why should I let others claim it? If you feel like this, start changing things up. Eat something different, try a new coffee flavor, spend 15 more minutes getting ready in the morning to pamper yourself, do yoga when you wake up, be extra nice. Get together with your co-workers and have a theme week where you wear crazy socks or have a show and tell. Do something unfamiliar on your breaks - eat somewhere you have never eaten, go somewhere you have never been, sit at the park and count the runners. Whatever you do, do something different. This will be a great break in routine, and it will create a new memory, it will be a topic to talk to others about, it will be YOUR new experience...it will make your dreaded work hours not so dreadful. If you are in a position where you cannot do any of these things, then make your after hours worth your working hours. Before you walk in the door this evening, take a deep breath and leave your work stuff on the doormat and enjoy what is on the other side of that door. Free yourself from anything that happened between the hours of 8 and 5. Take advantage of the fact that there is still time in the day after work just for YOU!

Matt Nathanson sings, "Everyday is the start of something beautiful, and in the end nothing stays the same." So every day doesn't have to be bad, every day doesn't have to be dreadful. Every day is a new chance to take back your day, to rise and accept the challenge to give it all you you've got to make sure your smiling in the beginning, middle and end of your day. If you wake up in the morning it is a gift, so be alive, feel alive and LIVE that day like it was unexpected.

Where Melissa works, they have a quote of the week. I love this idea. I wanted to steal it, but I didn't. Instead, I have come up with a topic of the week. So, whenever we are having a bad day, or see someone else who has a bad day, we talk about the topic to turn things around. I will  let you know how this works out for us in my work environment ;)

Until then, have a great time making changes and creating new opportunities to evolve in the renovations of your daily life. Just remember to start by taking back your day!

Peace and joy,
Beth

Beauty and the Beach

As I was driving to work this morning, I was listening to John Mayer as he sings,
" A little bit of summer is what the whole year is all about"

I couldn't help but to immediately agree. Having grown up on the Gulf Coast, I would be lying if I said summer wasn't an exciting time of year. Summer just seems to make everything better. It makes the chilliest of nights totally worth it. Given this beaming excitement, I often struggle with summer because it is the dreaded bathing suit season.

It is as if the shore is the runway, and as people walk by having their own good time, spectators posted up in their chairs or beach towels are critiquing everything from weight, to attractiveness, to bathing suit fashion to the way they walk. At least this is how it is in my head, which is why I never walk the beach.

This year however, I propose to myself to change my mindset so I can thoroughly enjoy the season of bliss. I have decided to not compare myself to anyone. Anyone who knows me know this is a rather large feat, but I deserve the break from the self sabotage.

Last year I had the most fun I have had in a very long time on a beach in California. It is MUCH different in CA. The people there are all naturally sunkissed and fit. They are also very active. You don't see people just laying out on the beach reading books. There are soccer games, dog walking, jogging, surfing...etc. No one cares about anything. It was apparently contagious. For the first time in YEARS, I got my behind up and played paddle ball with my friends....on the beach. It was a BLAST. It was that simple game that made me realize how much I have missed out on when going to the beach just because I was in my own head.

I gained a new appreciation for the beach. I finally enjoyed the sand, lost track of time and lost myself in genuine enjoyment. I honestly cannot wait until the next time my feet hit the sand. I am more comfortable with myself, not because I have lost weight or anything, but because it is just exhausting being uncomfortable. You miss out on so much because you just spend time worrying about things and judgement that probably aren't even happening! I know I am not the only one who struggled with this.

If you are reading this and you struggle with what should be the most wonderful season of the year, please remember:
give yourself a break from the nature of your thoughts and enjoy the nature of reality. Soak in the sun, curl your toes in the sand, smell the wind from the shore, listen to the waves, get lost in the aroma of sunscreen and enjoy the therapeutic essence of the beach during summer. If you live in an area that is unfortunately not near a beach, just step outside and let the sun warm your soul, look up and thank God for such beauty. Take in the blue skies, how the flowers paint the community around you, and the overall glow of outdoors. The sunsets get prettier, the sunrise is more pleasant and mornings are just a little bit easier to bare.

I unfortunately work in an office that has windows so high up that I cannot enjoy the beauty of summer and spring as I would like to while working, but I am somewhat comforted by the fact that the season is approaching and that in itself helps. I can step outside if I need to, I can take a short drive to the beach or bay on the weekends, I CAN and WILL find a way to enjoy what God has given us. There is so much to look forward to during spring and summer. There's race season, softball, beach time, outdoor live music, concerts, crawfish, festivals...etc. How could you NOT love this time of year!?!

I feel somewhat empowered by my new mindset, and it's nice.

If you take anything from this post, take this:
Free your mind of worry to make room for wonder. That's the beauty of the beach...it's the greatest escape.

Peace and Joy,
Beth

Spectator High

Good Morning, Readers!
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.
I realized something this weekend that I should really keep in the front of my mind on a more regular basis. Each day is a gift, and what we decide to do with that gift projects our outlook on how we define quality of life. It is about taking the day and what it gives us and making the most if it. It is never giving up on your gift. It is about defining the principals of quality for those moments of each day, allowing hope to prevail that there is something good in every moment of every day.

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending The Biggest Loser Run/Walk in downtown Mobile. They had a 1 mile fun run, a 5k, and a half marathon. I wanted to be jealous that I was not running it, but I knew that was not a very productive attitude to have, and thank God I didn't because my experience would not have been so wonderful.

Upon my arrival, I believed to only be there to support someone very near and dear to me. I was ready with my camera, and map on my phone, to capture as much of her run as I could. I ran from the start, caught them at mile 4, and ran back to the finish to await her arrival and to celebrate her success. But, as I reached mile 4, I realized there was so much more to what I was doing. I found myself cheering for people I have never even seen, getting thank you's from people who were clearly out of breath. A few high-fives and several cheers later, I made my way back to the finish line. All I could think about was how thrilling that was. I said to myself, "It is race season and I love it!"

Once I arrived at the finish line, I took a step back (metaphorically) and just soaked it all in. The lifestyle of a runner is a beautiful thing, and terribly underrated. I was surrounded by people who were there for the same reasons I was. The atmosphere was extraordinary. There were thousands of people there, all playing a part in the success of these runners (including themselves). There were wonderful volunteers, there were bands, there were motivational speakers, there was great music, there were hundreds of spectators....all the people you would expect an an event like this. But what goes unrecognized by many are small things each of these people are doing. The creative signs, the rushing of those trying to get that perfect picture, the cheering for strangers, the motivational phrases to those who appear to be struggling, the children running to the finish line with their parent(s), the runners who already finished but go back to find their friends and run them in to keep them going,  the costumes, the food donations and so much more. In that moment of soaking it all in, I realized something very important: everyone was smiling! It was as if everyone pressed pause on any stress or challenge they have been facing and enjoyed the hours of complete happiness. 

What a great experience for first time runners, first time half-marathoners, and first-time 5k-ers. Those who are seasoned in running enjoyed the awesome course and may have PR'd (just as MJ did). Though many participants had looks of pain on their face, they were still able to squeeze out a smile, wave, or thank you every time I cheered for them and yelled motivational quotes. They CHOSE to be happy, despite what their muscles may have been telling them. There were people who had knee injuries, arms in slings, limps, and other ailments, yet nothing was stopping these people from finishing! It is an amazing phenomenon; one we should all be so lucky to experience. 

Race season is a blessing in disguise. It is a time to collaborate with complete strangers who share the same goal as you and form a tiny world where everyone is happy and can celebrate in harmony from mile one to mile 3, 13, or 26. It is about sharing ideas, tips, trends and experiences with friends and strangers. It is about welcoming people from other states, and being welcomed when it is your turn to travel for a race.
 It is about knowing that whatever comes of the day, you DID SOMETHING, you accomplished something, you supported something and most importantly you stood for something! You don't only celebrate crossing the finish line, you celebrate how proud you are of your runner, yourself for running, the person you ran next to, the respected pride you have for others who ran the race and the pride you have for those who supported you along the way. 

Other celebrations occur for the gift of being able to run, having the chance to run, having the chance to inspire, make a difference and motivate others. We celebrate our health, our well-being and our will. We also thank God for providing us with such beautiful days, grace, faith and trust.

Words cannot describe how proud I was, not only for every runner, but for MJ in particular. She set a goal and she reached it, despite of her feats of injury. She motivates me daily, and throw her into a group of thousands of others with her same mindset and all you can do is ask yourself, "where can I sign up?"

I am proud to be a runner....and even more proud to be a part of the running community. 

So what is it about race season that we could apply to every day life? How can we make our every days small worlds of happiness? Try assigning quality to it and hope life reciprocates that gesture. If something comes along in your day to take away from that quality, find something good about that particular speedbump and be thankful for it, because nine times out of ten, it probably taught you something.

Peace, Joy and Happiness,
Beth

                                                     Melissa Jones & her FINISHER medal...P.S. she had a 7 min PR!

My Words, Your Meanings

Unlike many bloggers I follow, I don't have children to post about, telling stories of their ages, stages and milestones. I don't have a specific topic to write about, nor have I overcome any life-threatening, life-changing circumstance. However, what I DO have are my words. 

Every day we speak, hear, type and read words. I strongly believe that interpretation and understanding of such words is an under-appreciated art form. Whether you are the sender or receiver of the words and phrases, you still apply the context, tone and body language to fit your needs at that moment in time, resulting in someone else's words becoming your own story. I personally do this with famous quotes, lyrics and even quirky messages on T-shirts.

Benjamin Franklin said, "Either write something worth reading, or do something worth writing."

My daily goal in life is to say something or write something that is of some worth to someone else. I think this is important in anyone's life. I may not know everything, but I understand that you never know when your words can change someone's life. It could be a simple phrase, it could be a book. It could be a look you give someone. It could be a gesture. Whatever it may be, it is influencing someone, somewhere. People are often thirsty to relate someone else's words, stories or lyrics to their own lives to help make sense of their life, or what they may be going through at that time, or to even get them through certain feelings. Words are used to validate emotions, change a mood, and in some extreme cases, save lives. 

We use words to make points, defend ideas, express ideas and share thoughts. These exact operations are what leads to growth, whether it be spiritually, emotionally, mentally or cognitively. Words expand our minds through personal interpretation and exceeding our own levels of understanding. They simply move us. 

We apply words to actions, facial expressions, pictures and pretty much everything around us. We describe with words, we express feelings with words, we assign meaning with words. My personal favorite is to develop creativity with words. Either way, I strive to use my words to inspire, encourage, influence and educate. Though some days are a struggle for this aspiration, I still have the most important words, and those are the words to God through prayer. 

So welcome to my blog. May you be uplifted, encouraged and find positive meanings in the sequence of letters I write, for it is not about MY message, it is simply about the words and what YOU make of them.