Regret can only hold you back
If you have lived for a good number of years, you might have, at one time or another, thought, “if I knew then what I know now, I would not have taken some of the paths I did.”
Change will be the result of an open mind
We shall overcome, but we’re not there yet. A change has come, but it has only begun.
Become comfortable with our stuff
It can be hard to look at ourselves when things are not going the way we want them to in our lives. It is much easier to look outside ourselves at everyone else around us.
We each can be an ointment for wounds
Sometimes I wish I knew exactly what to say that someone needed to hear. Each week I pray for that. If only one person might find something I’ve shared useful to their lives and relevant to their experiences, then I am most grateful.
Year's end time to look ahead
My hope for you is that as this year comes to a close, you are able to look optimistically ahead to the new opportunities that await you.
Mind and body work as one in shedding pounds
I am 5 feet 11 inches tall and I weigh about 130 pounds and I know that in the minds of some, I am in no position to talk about weight loss.
Give of yourself during tough times
When most of us experience tough times, it becomes difficult to see past our own circumstances. We may shut down and feel sorry for ourselves or even angry at others.
Break barriers down so as to open your mind
I recently read the Zen of Listening by Rebecca Shafir and in the book there were a number of exercises designed to move one towards becoming a more mindful listener.
Delay does not mean a denial
As I was thinking about what to share with you this week, I was inspired by a phrase in a song I heard: “Your delay is not a denial.”
Law of Attraction embraces positive outlook
It remains a tough job climate out there, but do not be discouraged. This can be difficult to manage especially if you are dissatisfied in your current position.
Pulling in fear pushes others away
Do you ever find yourself checking up behind your significant other, constantly questioning her/his whereabouts, or insisting that she/he spend all of their free time with you?
It's never too early to improve
It is almost that time again. You know, time for making resolutions to start some things and/or to stop others.
Personal ‘overdrafts’ come at a high cost
If when you go to withdraw money from your bank account and receive an “insufficient funds” message, the immediate presumption is that you have not done a good job of managing your account.
Happiness can’t be dependent on others
If you’ve followed my writing for any length of time, then you might know that I love to use quotes by early writers and philosophers.
When opportunity knocks, look through peephole first
We have all heard that when opportunity knocks, we have to be ready to seize the moment. Well, assuming that the opportunity is a lawful and logical one, this might be true. However, to be ready does not mean that we should not consider carefully the terms, conditions, and long-term implications that a given opportunity might carry with it.
Forgoing battle is a choice
“Let go of the rope.” A colleague and I used this metaphor in our work with a client and I wanted to share a version of this with you.
Take aim at the real problem
I was cleaning out some things from my fridge one day and I realized that I had forgotten about some leftovers stored in a Tupperware bowl.
Experiences and imperfections help to create who we are
LaTonya Dunn talks about building ones image with imperfections and experience.
Go ahead and take a break
I think that sometimes in life, it is difficult for some of us to be OK with taking a break. We don't want to feel as though we are being lazy, we concern ourselves with others' expectations of us, and many times we are just plain too hard on ourselves.
Creativity is key to getting away
Let's face it, with the high costs of gas and food in addition to demanding schedules that include trying to balance any combination of work, school, family, and everyday responsibilities, it is not uncommon that a lot of people are short on cash and time. But, that doesn't mean that vacations have to be put out of mind altogether. It just might take a little more thought, an adjustment in perspective, and a little creativity.
Look forward to what's next in life
Have you ever held .364onto a favorite dress or pair of jeans that no longer fit you, but for one reason or another, you just couldn't bring yourself to let them go?
The gift of independence is great
There's an old Chinese proverb that says "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
Being wrong's a learning experience
There is a quote by the poet Alexander Pope that says, "A man should never be ashamed to own when he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday."
Empathy is a gift and is also learned
Did the storm skip over you?As a child, I can remember hearing the grown-ups say, "If you ain't gone through nothing yet, just keep on living." It wasn't grammatically correct, but it was certainly a fact-a fact of life that reminds us that we all encounter storms in our lives.
Let the ones you love know now
A long time ago, one Sunday morning, I recall being in church where an old lady, I believe in her late eighties, made her way to the front of the congregation.
Ask for help; solve the problem
Sometimes in order to get the help you need, you must let someone know you need it. As easy a task as that sounds, it can be much more difficult to carry out.
Why, can be a brave question
I don't think I know of any faster way to set off a near tirade, beginning with the almost automatic "you do not ask me why; just do what I tell you to do" assertion, than for a child to ask a parent-"why?""Thou shall not ask a parent why" could have just as well been the eleventh commandment.
Hello courage, good-bye shame
Dear shame,I am writing you this letter to let you know I no longer need you in my life. I admit it has taken me a long time to get to this place. You've been a part of me for so long that I thought we were friends.
Praise young females so as to fill their plate with confidence
What do you suppose is the number one rule in grocery shopping? I think it has to be- "Do not shop while hungry." Right?
First impression based on our 'cover'
Most of us have often heard the metaphoric saying "don't judge a book by its cover." It cautions us against forming presumptions about a person or thing's value.
Unload the baggage in your life
I believe you can fly."Sometimes you have to pack light before you can take flight. When you are trying to go somewhere, you can't always pack your luggage to the max.
Opportunity a tremendous inheritance
Although the month has passed, black history should be celebrated every day through the way in which we live our lives. So many paths have been pioneered for us, from athletics to medicine to the U.S. presidency.
Pride can be a heavy burden
You know that you were wrong. You realize that you made a mistake. It occurred to you that "this time" someone else was right or that they were telling the truth.
Sometimes life can get off balance
Have you ever been washing laundry or been around someone who was and heard the washer begin to make a loud thumping, bumping kind of noise?
Life is made easier if broken down in smaller steps
I had gone grocery shopping and to avoid having to make multiple trips back and forth to the car to get the bags, I decided to take all the bags at one time. I slid a couple of the lighter ones onto my wrists so that I could grab a couple of others with one hand and hold a case of drinks with the other, holding it close to my chest to secure it. I actually had it, too. I began to move cautiously toward the front door. Thankfully, I had already opened it.
Promises kept feel better
She received a phone call and stepped out of the room.I heard a cry like I've never heard before. It was the cry from a pain that went beyond the surface and beyond the heart. It was a cry from a pain way down deep and I could only imagine the source of such pain.
Possible failure is what holds most people back
I have a question for you. What is it that you are really afraid of? Is it that you won't be good enough or fast enough? Is that you are limited in what you know or what you can do?
Some conformity is not all bad in our society
When many of us were younger, being a copycat was not particularly a good thing to be although it was difficult not to want to be like at least one person around you or with whom you had contact. In our society, there is a lot emphasis on individualism and being unique-being your own person.
Handmade items keep on giving year after year
The holiday season is upon us once again, and we are reminded that this is the time when our focus should be on those things that really matter.
Words should be handled with care
If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all."How often have you heard that one?
Learning gratitude has a price
For many, this year has been full of bumps in the road, twists and turns, deadends and detours, but you are still moving. That's something to be thankful for.
Step back, take a long look before making a decision
Sometimes, it becomes necessary in our lives that we step back from some things.
Warning light no time to trade in
Service engine soon."Oh, no," I thought as I stared at that illuminated message in the dash.My mind raced to figure out what might have caused this warning.
Take ordeals a day at a time
Take it one day at a time.We hear this sometimes when we are going through a tough ordeal. It reminds us that looking too far ahead may bring about unnecessary worry and stress and that often the key to our sanity is to take things in stride-"one day at a time."
Journey is part of achieving
When my brother, sister and I were kids, to eat a delicious home-cooked meal whenever we wanted was expected. Mom would cook every day and all we had to do was eat.
Education system fails many students
I wish that the educational system allowed for greater development of students' interests and natural abilities.
Child abuser a false man of God
Every Sunday morning the gospel music would be blaring from the TV, but not drowning out that dreaded wake up call, "Rise and shine, give God the glory!"
