What are You Thankful for This Year?

Full Article@   http://www.milehighmamas.com/2011/11/18/a-recipe-for-giving-thanks/

The Challenge in Thankfulness

It’s actually one of the things I find most difficult about life. Not the viewpoint of optimism or explicit goodness, I want to aim for that. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control ~ all sound like nice ideals. BUT, to rejoice in the face of persecution, pain, suffering, death…a little more difficult I’d say; maybe rather irrational in the obvious. Yet, it is that we are to be joyful in our sufferings…

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

There are days in which I go so far as to complain of the very graces that have been placed in my life. In this season of Thanksgiving, I pause to see the beauty in the gift of motherhood I have been so generously given and to reflect upon the simplest of life’s joys.

 

• The gentle breaths of a sleeping child
• A heartfelt giggle interrupting the seriousness of life
• The glow of my baby’s bedroom with the sunrise
• Tiny footsteps in the hallway at night
• Carrying a sleeping baby back to her own bed – because one day I won’t be able to
• Screaming babies in the car – because that means they’re breathing, alive and well
• Unmatched outfits, tousled hair and temporary tattoos on the forehead – uninhibited      imagination
• Inaudibly mumbled prayers, lengthy, but wholly sincere
• Deep scratches on our *new* dining room table – artwork from a passing phase
• That the phase of home interior artwork does soon pass and all is not permanent
• A sassy response or stubborn gesture – a strong will developing
• That I am not the most significant force in shaping that little will
• Reading a book three times consecutively – every night
• Hearing the words of that book repeated as chubby hands flip the pages
• Puzzle pieces in my shoes
• Bite marks in my chapstick
• Tears over dropped candy
• The smile that dirty, germ infested sweets can bring despite parental scorn
• Honest and unbiased thoughts of the world all around
• Looking into small eyes reflecting a mommy I could only wish to be
• The continual, unconditional, undeserved total and complete love my children give to me each day

Timeless Traditions

Thankfulness is a timeless virtue – a tradition to surpass the limitations of a single, annual holiday and fill our every day with total, senseless exultation over even the smallest, most overlooked blessings in our lives. There are many things in which we have no control, several that we best not have sway in; there are things we can change and those we can not – one of the greatest gifts being the ability to recognize the difference. This year, I challenge myself, as a mother and as a member of humanity, to intentionally rejoice, make the very best of the moments I have and give thanks for the refinement in my spirit, regardless of the initial disdain I may feel. I hope to remember to pause and with soft, rose colored lenses, take a long look at the world all around…with a thankful heart.

 

 

Encourage One Another

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to tell a hurting friend how wonderful they are? When someone is projecting vulnerability, it seems natural to pour out our hearts and assure them that they are wonderful and loved, complement their best features and give them a giant hug…but what about those who either aren’t as open with their hurts or who simply don’t have trusted friends to turn to? Some might not know Christ either and have nowhere to turn.

Our eyes were not made to judge the human heart – as much as we may try – we have no way of knowing another person’s honest feelings unless they express them to us. We may have a friend with a giant hole in their heart and never know it because of their perfected outward demeanor. They may have been treated badly as a child or lost confidence in themselves along the journey of life…whatever the source pain is, we have no clue it even exists  and would probably be astounded that such a person felt so deeply hurt on the inside.

The next time you see something wonderful in someone, be sure to say it out loud. You never know how much that message might mean to that person.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

Douglas County Board of Education Proposes Bond & Mill Levy Override…

and this is a very good thing.

Let not the future of our children be left to the disdain of politics.

A clear, timeless perspective – possibly overlooked in the wave of cool and epic forward thinking – simple, basic foundational values.

Our children’s education.

I use “our” loosely. American youth belong to us…all of us. Inherently, these little ones will someday be ruling our nation and making decisions as we fade into the generations of long since past, leaving only a legacy of what we once stood for. It’s our responsibility to look out for the whole…not just those we consider our own. In doing good for others we are ultimately doing good for ourselves.

Our values.

They’ll hold strong through generations. Evidence will be apparent for years to come as the love from one is passed down to another and another. Can we say we’re leaving this a better place with what we give of ourselves today? Time, money, passions…are they aligned with core values? What we believe today will be evident in tomorrow.

Our responsibility.

I was rather disappointed in a recent article I read on Douglas County Board of Education’s $200 million bond and $20 million mill levy override for the November ballot. The tone of the article was rather negatively leading and incorporated the voucher debate rather than focusing on the issue at hand. If I had simply read the article and not looked further into the facts, I may have considered it a lost cause and possible jumped on the “no thanks” band wagon.

The issue is simple, our public schools need funds to make improvements and pay teachers. Where will we find these dollars and make the burden less upon the individual. Through taxes. Small contributions by many for the bennefit of all.

I don’t know about you, but I would gladly make small sacrifices for the betterment of our country and for the good of the whole. I know I can’t do it all on my own, but together we can make an amazing difference in the lives of many.

I understand that the mention of a proposed tax increase can be daunting when viewed in the short-term, but with a futuristic approach and full perspective of realistic needs and benefits, a little sacrifice now doesn’t sound like such a burden. In opposition to the specific article I stumbled across, I’d advise for each individual to seek education on the issues and don’t make assumptions, be mislead by haughty promises or distracted with side issues…do have faith in our educational system and the caring, loving individuals whom have given their lives to improve the future for the sake of all of us…and absolutely assess your core values when considering what you can do to help improve our community.

Spreading the love.

We all work together as one body…and with each of us doing our own part even when we don’t agree or like what others are doing, our contribution still results in an astounding big picture. I’m not a fan of negative media influences or politically charged debates…be aware of the source when collecting information and don’t let the small disparities divide us in our hearts – in the values that profess who we truly are.

Yes on 3A & 3B

I am in favor of 3A & 3B to improve our schools, pay our teachers and give hope to our future leaders. It is one thing I can do, as an individual, to help improve our community. Yes, arguments can be had – and some within reason – but based on my beliefs, my values, my faith…the answer is simple for me.

Oh, and on a completely selfish level…I live in Douglas County and benefit from the increased property value in neighborhoods with fantastic schools – it is one of the very reasons we bought our home in Highlands Ranch…but that’s not the core value I’m basing my decision on – just being real honest here, wink.

Jump Rope for Heart

My 1st grader will be jumping rope in school tomorrow to help raise funds for Jump Rope for Heart.  This is his first official fundraiser and I’m so proud of him – he was quite motivated by the idea of getting cool prizes for the amounts he could raise (he had his eye on a scooter), but after explaining to him that he could forgo the fundraising gift to help give more money to the children with special hearts, he happily agreed (and that was my proud mommy moment).  So, today I congratulated him on the amount he has already collected and he said, “Well, I didn’t have to do anything.”  Guess I’ll check back in after tomorrow 🙂

If you’d like to track Si’s online donation progress, click here.  Offline donations can’t be logged at this time, so if you’ve donated and don’t see you’re name, that’s why.

The Greatest of These is Love

“I am no one special, just a common man with common thoughts.  I’ve led a common life.  There are  no monuments dedicated to me, and my name will soon be forgotten.  But in one respect, I’ve succeeded as gloriously as anyone who ever lived.  I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and for me, that has always been enough.”  Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

Ahhh, Valentine’s Day.  I love celebrating love – a hopeless romantic, maybe – addicted to little chocolate hearts, possibly – but what’s wrong with loving love?  I have read too many humbug articles on the topic this time of year…it’s not that I haven’t had my heart broken, love lost, a disgruntled prince with no white horse, and I’m completely aware that love “isn’t butterflies in the stomach”.  My faith in love remains strong.  Butterflies or no butterflies, love is a beautiful thing – agape, puppy, mature, a mother’s, twitterpated, making of, etc…it’s all LOVE , worthy of a celebration complete with heart-shaped candies bearing messages of the many types of love…and I love it!

The greatest thing about love – it’s an innate gift – it lives inside of us and we can, and should, give it freely to others.  Appropriate to the relationship and situation, love can do amazing, life changing things.  A hug, a kiss, a pat on the back, a helping hand, a kind smile, a word of encouragement, a  favor, a simple note, a special gift, a promise, a prayer…there are thousands of ways we can love someone else, and the most remarkable thing about love is that the heart can not give love without receiving the beautifully divine consequences of unselfishly loving another.

So what is true love?

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.     1 Corinthians 13:4-8

That is the love I believe in – a love given to us regardless of the many ways we fall short.  I can only hope to find the courage to love as I have been loved, a strength within that is in need of constant renewal but that which hopes, trusts and believes in all things…the greatest of these being love.

365 Days for SMART Goals

It’s that time of year again – when many of us make New Year’s Resolutions, setting our minds on something achieving new, different, or better than last year.  It’s easy to stay motivated for the first few weeks, then, other priorities start to find their way to the top of the to-do list and the resolution is eventually set aside. 

A helpful tip that I like  for accomplishing these types of goals is to keep the end in sight by monitoring progress along the way.  A simple technique I use is S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting:

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely

Begin with a specific, measurable goal and determine a clear end date.  Then, map out some short-term goals for along the way to help you stay on track and record your progress.  It’s important that your short-term goals be attainable and positive so that you don’t become discouraged – it will feel great to achieve small goals along the way — be sure to celebrate when you do!  I find it helpful to have a daily visual reminder – an encouraging photo, note on a mirror, or even a positive thought or scripture in my mind – something that will be used daily (maybe I should write it down, ha).  Remember to remain optimistic and state your goals using positive words…

Long-Term Goal:  (positive words here)    Will be achieved by:  (specific date)

Short-Term Goal #1                                            I will accomplish by:
Short-Term Goal #2                                            I will accomplish by:
Short-Term Goal #3                                            I will accomplish by:

One of my goals for 2011 is to do something nice for someone else each day – it can be as simple as a kind smile or letting someone in when traffic is congested, but my hope is to be able to spread kindness and make it a permanent way of life.  I will set some short-term goals that include more significant acts, and hopefully, at the end of 365 days I will have helped in the viral spread of pure kindness!  I joined the FB group “365 Acts of Kindness” last year after hearing about it on K-Love — the group’s mission serves as a daily reminder to me.

Good Friday

“Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone.  That Puts everyone in the same boat.  He included everyone in His death so that everyone could also be included in His life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.  Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look.  We looked at the messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at Him that way anymore”.

2 Corinthians 5:14-16 The Message

Kids Remember

Kids don’t remember that you didn’t have a lot of money, they remember that you were there when they needed you.

Kids don’t remember that you left the dishes in the sink, they remember that you sat with them and spent time together in the evening.

Kids don’t remember that you let the grass get a little too long, they remember rolling down soft, flowing hills of green.

Kids don’t remember how fancy their things were, but they will remember that you loved them and provided for them.

Kids don’t remember everything you say, but they will be affected by it and even more so by what you do.

Kids are not critical, they will love you for who you are, so be the best person that you can be – for them.  They will remember that!