Seasons, Storms, & Solemnness

Happy New Year readers! I know it has been a long time and now I am back!  Sometimes life has to take you through something before you have something to say.  So this year the focus for our blog is “Alphabet soup" and this month, the first month of the year, the letter is 'S.'

When you take a look at this winter photo it looks like everything is desolate or depressing.  Well, take a closer look at the picture.  (Keep in mind as you read this, you are like a tree.)  Can you see the branches that have broken off but still holding on, not quite fallen to the ground yet?  When we go through seasons it gives us an opportunity to see clearer.  It gives us an opportunity to share or purge things from our life that will hinder us into the next phase of our life.  Because it is cold and dreary, the leaves have fallen off the trees and the branches are becoming dry and brittle.  You would think this scene is barren but if you look closely, you could be persuaded to see something different.  Because the leaves are gone you can now see clearer to the other side where before the clutter of the leaves caused a blockage of your view.  The branches that are hanging on and not yet fallen to the ground represent people or situations that are still clinging on to you or and holding you back.  Maybe you are holding yourself back because you are supporting something that you should actually push out of the tree.

Even in the midst of what could look like a bleak setting, the branches still have a purpose.  Take another look you may see a bird's nest or two. God’s design for them included a way that they would always be taken care of, even in the cold and wet winter months.  Just as his design for your life, there is still purpose upon you when you feel you have nothing to give.  Outstretched arms (branches) are all it takes to receive what is meant for you.  Not all seasons bring sorrow into our lives.  Seasons are meant for us to self evaluate so that we can go to the next level of life. Seasons are not always storms, sometimes they are celebration.  We sometimes experience loss (or shed leaves) to make room for the upgrade. Sometimes things happen out of our control because in truth we would not have moved from the setbacks that we saw as support without it. Trust the process and don’t be afraid to shake a few leaves.

Have an awesome week and stay F.I.T. Dont forget to read today's quote under Fully Inspired Today

Change

Don't ever think that you're not worthy of teaching someone something. Its not always black & white but even with all of your set backs and your downfalls God has commissioned us to change the world. While you can't change a person directly, people are motivated by the change they see in YOU! Start there...

photo from wehearit.com

First Lady

You are a very beautiful woman. Act like you already have everything you want even if you do not. Look at your setbacks as a setup for your comeback! In other words, be happy and content with what you have, but do not become complacent. Never stop dreaming big or reaching beyond the limits of what you can see in front of you. You will be tested with a little before you will be blessed with a lot. To whom much is given, much is required. That is why it sometimes it seems like you are driving through a neighborhood full of trash in the streets. Every time you turn a corner, you have to dodge something in your path. (Sometimes you have to run over it, kill it dead :-) to make sure it does not surface again.) It feels like every time you take a step forward in the right direction, Life comes along and pulls you back two. If only there were those “Speed bump ahead,” directional signs in life like you see when you drive through some areas.


The truth is, there are signs that you get when you are dealing with situations, and we choose to ignore our intestinal fortitude (gut instinct) and try to make it work anyway. You saw signs of controlling behavior in this man when you were dating him, but you married him anyway. You know your boss was staring at you a little too hard, but you went out to lunch alone with him anyway. You know your daughter has been skipping school, but you left her at home “sick” by herself anyway, now she is 14 and pregnant. There are many situations we could go on about, but instead let us focus on keeping our emotions in check.

Just as its important to workout to improve your physical health, it’s important to workout your mind to improve your mental health. People say “follow your heart.” The stronger your mind is, the smarter your heart is. What’s in your heart is a direct reflection of whats on your mind. Keep thoughts pure, positive, and purpose driven. That is how you remain happy in a temporary unhappy situation. You are a 1st Lady...when you wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, the first lady you see is YOU. Some things are worth repeating: You are a very beautiful woman, act like it!

~Pamela
Stay F.I.T. (Fully Inspired Today)