The Beauty of the Big Mouth

Throughout my lifetime - I have been told many variations of the same premise...

You are a good communicator

Talking is your specialty, huh?

You are a motor mouth

Oh my, can you talk girl!

You are so expressive

Breathe, Breathe

I've got a big mouth. Literally and figuratively. I see this big mouth as a gift. There are women who pay big $$$ to have the full lips I was born with. There are hundreds of thousands of classes out there on "How to Communicate Effectively" and again, I was born with that gift.

Something I learned long ago and am living out daily... if you use your gifts wisely, you will be blessed.

Today, I assert that the beauty of my big mouth is that it often engages others. Not just for my benefit but for the benefit of all parties.

When you engage people and they get excited - you can accomplish lots.

What are you accomplishing today with your gifts?

Happy Weekend!

I can honestly say this weekend could not have come sooner.

Opening the door to the spotless house and immediately jumping into PJs is my way of saying good riddance to a funky week.

Remember "The Plan"? Well, I made awesome progress on one facet this week.

So cool that putting a blog post out about making progress in "The Plan" actually kept me accountable to making a move. I love it. Even if no one reads or comments - simply putting it out in the universe that I need to make a change - motivated that change.

I am a 100% believer in accountability but for me it is not normally 'virtual' accountability. Usually, I confide in a few people and ask them to help me. 

Lesson learned.

Next week, I will tackle a few more.  Mark my word.

Until then.... happy weekend!

Making Space To Layout "The Plan"

Is it me or is it always difficult to lay out "The Plan"?

Without question - I have the motivation. Heck, everyday life provides me with nuggets of inspiration/motivation for laying out "The Plan".

I certainly have the ideas. I have never lacked ideas and I don't now.

So what is keeping me from laying out, and subsequently executing "The Plan".

Time.

Space.

Clearly, I need to rearrange my priorities.

You see - I'm the one in your network/friend group/family - who hates when people blame busyness or lack of time as an excuse to not keep in touch and/or spend time together. You can read between the lines - people. Things and/or people in your life that you repeatedly are 'too busy' to talk to or see are things and/or people who are low on your priority list.

No offense and none taken.

Facebook, email and the internet have allowed us to keep a periferal view of those (and the interests) we care about - and I am NOT knocking that. I certainly use those tools as well.

But for the special and important people/interests - we always make time. Always.

So, the question for me today - how do I truly make space for "The Plan"?

I've made a few weak attempts at making time/space but they have not made a dent.

Today - I assert that I will be making more time for "The Plan." Starting now.

Well - after I get the kids to bed.

Authentic Enthusiasm!

Dictionary defines Enthusiasm the following:

1. absorbing or controlling possession of the mind by any interest or pursuit  

OR my personal favorite definition...

2. any various forms of extreme religious devotion, usually associated with intense emotionalism and a break in orthodoxy.

People who know me - know me to be a Jesus Freak or "very religious" as my non-church going friends always say. I would say my enthusiasm for my relationship with Jesus is pretty intense and is a break in orthodoxy in today's world -  especially for folks in my generation, who at an alarming clip are RUNNING from churches or any thing related to God. But that is another post - tonight I am writing about my authentic enthusiasm for my future.

You see, last week I made a few decisions that absolutely will change the trajectory of my future for the better. I don't want to elaborate just yet but I can say that I am in the scary territory now.

In my life - things sort of happen like this:

Exposure

Decisive Direction

Uninhibited Enthusiasm (where I am today)

Plan

Execution of Plan

Victory

Once I am in Phase III  - there is usually no turning back and it is a faith-filled whirling into the future I go. This pattern has played out over in over in my life and those who have known me for longer than a year knows this to be true.

The only reason I am scared is because I need to find the additional time in my life to incorporate the plan for this new passion. I already dropped piano lessons - which were an impromptu addition to my life in February. Once my current plan is in full force - I will be back in piano lessons. For sure.

The next week will be critical for moving into Phase IV - Building the Plan and I hope to be full throttle into Phase V - Execution of the Plan within 30 days. Ouch. My brain hurts thinking of it but my hearts skips and THAT is what will carry me.

By the end of 2009 (7 short months from now) - I will be having Ruby dreams come true.

Authentic Rest

I am looking forward to this weekend.

Four quick days away - travel - an activity my family and I  love and cherish.

Not sure exactly why but I really need rest and I need it now.

Rest from my current pattern.

Respite from my daily routine.

I need guttural belly laughs with the ones who mean the most to me.

God, please grant me Authentic Rest this weekend!

Observations on the Road of Character Building

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering canthe soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved" - Helen Keller

This was my daily "word" from my current Women Who Do Too Much Page-A-Day Calendar on Friday May 8, 2009.

These words have reverberated in my mind daily since that day. I have meditated on this statement each day and wanted to share with you why I KNOW Helen Keller is on point with this quote.

1. The road of Character Building is often a lonely one.

2. While lonely - the road of Character Building is never one you travel with doubt. You have a strong conviction one way or another otherwise you'd be on a different road.

3. Often times the stops you make on the road of Character Building are heartbreaking, yet you continue forward because as I stated above - you have a strong conviction to keep moving forward.

4. Character Building is a continuous journey. In my experience, you have rest stops of triumph mixed in with accidents and road blocks- yet the road never ends.

5. Character Building is contagious. In slow and subtle ways, I have seen lives transformed by witnessing and experiencing strong character in others.

Dictionary defines character as moral excellence and firmness.

Tough to define "moral excellence" these days when the moral compass of the world is all over the place. However, I think we all know good Character when we encounter it.

I have a one way ticket on this road.

Welcome Madison Grace Lightfoot!

Happy Mother's Day to all!

An especially Happy Mother's Day to my friend and former co-worker Monica Lightfoot who welcomed Madison Grace yesterday morning. 

God is always on time.

I say this because last November 7 - I blogged about Monica's loss of her first child, Bryson Alexander Lightfoot. I'd been thinking and praying for her in the last week with the approaching Mother's Day festivities. I knew she was pregnant and due any day. I had just asked God to give her and extra portion of "grace" this weekend. 

He did.

Welcome Madison Grace Lightfoot.