Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #38

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Today I am grateful for the power of prayer. Whether or not you do it much, don’t do it at all, or don’t believe in it, I’m doubtful that you haven’t been the recipient of someone’s prayers that worked in your favor. And if you say, “I do it but I never get an answer,” you may want to reconsider whether or not that’s true. If your child or someone asks you for something and you told them no, they may have not liked the response but you surely didn’t ignore them. Often we just don’t like the “answer” to our prayers. At this point in my life I am grateful that I’ve gotten enough no’s from God that now I’m at another spot. I can more readily accept that He has good reason than I was able to accept in the past. Over time I’ve been able to look back in each situation where there was a “no” or “wait” and almost cringe; God saved me from some bad situations. So, learn to be thankful for the various answers that help you to see that there really is a “specific” plan for your life. One more thing I want to say, if you pray watch what or to whom you’re praying. All prayers are not equal; prayer is a very sacred and spiritual thing and it really does matter where our prayers are directed. I sincerely believe there is Someone Who sits high and looks low; He’s listening. For me…my life proves it. I don’t believe in luck and I’m no self-made woman.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #37

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

I am grateful for the existence of “absolutes.” What do you mean Charlotte? I’m talking about the existence of truth, the existence of certainty, the existence of universal laws that stand true. Could you imagine what it would mean for our society if there was an adoption of the idea that no one can really determine what is really right or what is wrong? Oh my goodness, among so many other things, that would open the door to the acceptance of children being violated for the sake of personal pleasure. After all, who is to say what’s right and what’s wrong? I have to add one more. Take for example someone had no way to get to work. Due to a number of absences the person has a great fear of losing their job, it would be okay for them to just sneak up and steal your car off the grocery store parking lot, right? We all may find justification for some reason why a person might do something, but what about if we were the victim of such act? If you have been the type that somewhat skirted around the existence of absolutes, hopefully this helps you to reconsider what you believe. If you hold to absolutes, then be thankful that they exist. For me it is a very scary thought to live in a society without them.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #36

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

I am so grateful that life never stays the same. I’m sure the majority of us can testify to going through somewhat awkward stages in childhood where we felt like we just couldn’t fit into the image of which we felt we really were but it just wasn’t taking effect. Do you know what I mean? It was that seemingly never-ending phase (or phases) where you felt you just couldn’t see your role in life—what set you apart from others or made you believe that you had something to contribute. Those periods can feel painful but the rewarding part is when you can look back and think, “Ah ha! So that’s what that was all about!” Those are just your periods of growth. Be thankful for them.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #35

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Today I want you to independently consider 1 thing that you haven’t thought about for which to be grateful in the past 34 days. These past 34 days have been to help invoke “purposefulness” in being thankful. So, what’s that 1 thing that pops into your mind? Still need some help? What about opportunities? What opportunities have come your way that you might have never imagined? As we continue to journey towards the official Thanksgiving Day, I hope you are learning how to pay attention to the smallest things in life that you may have taken lightly in the past. Does anyone have to tell you what to think about OR has this always been/ becoming more natural for you?

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #34

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

You leave the house one day and it’s TOO HOT. Leave the house another day…it’s TOO RAINY. But then you come to another day…AND IT’S JUST RIGHT! It almost sounds like a line from the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Ha Ha! Unfortunately, when it’s just right for some of us it’s all wrong for someone else. Some of us like that tropical feel in the air. But for those of us who live here in St. Louis, we have to admit we’ve been blessed with some AMAZING weather these past few days. It’s nice to be driving to work in the morning and find that I haven’t rolled my windows down because the temperatures have been just right. I’m one of those who don’t mind the tropical feel; it’s the fall and winter that I dread. But even in those seasons, I will be grateful. It gives things a chance to die that need to die (I’m sure there are a bunch of ‘amens’ to that from my fellow allergy suffers). My allergies are all year round so it doesn’t matter to me really. But seriously, whether  conditions are just as we want them to be with the temperatures or not, we have a reason to be thankful. It could be so unbearable right now!

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #33

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

This is the day that the Lord has made. So, I choose to exercise joy and find reasons to be glad on today. There is a saying that 'God don’t make no junk.' Yea, I know that’s poor English but that’s the phrase and I believe that about today. Things may have not gotten off to a great start…I take that back. If you and I woke up this morning able to move, THAT is a great start. We determine what will be the tone for the rest of the day. You and I may be faced with a number of issues but we have to mentally fight to not let circumstances make our minds like yo-yos. If everything is going our way, we’re in a good mood all day. If something or someone interrupts our flow, it just sets the tone for negative behavior and thoughts to flow from us the whole day. Sure, it can be challenging but we have to make it our purpose to not let anything or anyone have that much power over us. That’s just too much power to give anyone or anything! You may find yourself slipping into a negative mood but as soon as you notice what’s happening, switch gears. YOU DECIDE to do what you need to do to change what you’re thinking about and how you are behaving. If in the past you’ve failed in this area, well here’s your opportunity to have one of many reasons to be thankful for another day. This is the day that the Lord has made. So join me in CHOOSING to exercise joy and find reasons to be glad on today.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #32

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Confirmations. Have you ever believed that you were supposed to make a certain decision but you felt you just needed a little extra assurance that you would be making the right decision? Like me I’m sure you’ve had those times when you THOUGHT you were so right about your decision but in hindsight you found that it was the wrong path. After the fact you could even see clearly why it was the wrong path. They say hindsight is 20/20. If we follow wisdom, there comes a point in life where we build discernment skills. And for those of us who have learned (and maybe still learning) to follow God’s leading we really don’t have to depend on any externals for knowing what to do. But in reality sometimes we all miss it; we fail to get it right what to do. It is in times like these that I am so grateful for what I call God’s little hints or reassurances. Maybe you had this unexplainable feeling to call someone but you felt uncomfortable doing it because you hadn’t talked to them in awhile for whatever reason. Then along comes someone mentioning that very same person’s name. Or maybe you apply for 2 different jobs but you don’t know which one is the right one. One of them happens to fall through, but you get the one that seemed to have been created just for you. These are little gifts you can’t buy anywhere. And you can’t earn them. Nope…treasures for which to be thankful.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #31

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

What particular things do you do especially well? Are you a good cook? Do you sing really well? Do you play an instrument? Do you have a special knack for organizing or cleaning a room like no one else? How good are you at making people feel special? I could go on and on. If you think the things you do really well mean nothing, try asking the person on the receiving end what it would mean to them if you were horrible at what you do. If you’ve ever taken care of someone who was sick, imagine how they would feel if you really didn’t give them the attention they needed because you were self-absorbed. Be thankful for how you are wired to do whatever it is that you do really well. Always consider the person on the receiving end before discounting how well you do what you do. And while it’s important to be thankful for the things you do well, take time to be thankful for the gifts and talents of others. I would hate to go out to a restaurant looking forward to enjoying a delicious dinner only to be served horrible food. Ever spent your money on a concert and felt like you wasted your money? And who doesn’t like a good movie? We are blessed to experience a wealth of good talent. I’m grateful to be on the receiving end of those with special gifts and talents, especially those I encounter on a daily basis in everyday life.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #30

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Josh grew up in a family of having 5 brothers, a mother who had become institutionalized due to deep depression and a father who worked very hard at trying to raise him and his brothers on his own. But for some unknown reason there were differences with how they were raised. Josh grew up experiencing his father show him love in various ways. But he also had a difficult time understanding why his father did certain things for his 5 brothers that Josh never saw his dad do for him. Josh for some reason always felt different. His views and ideas were different from the rest of his family in a lot things growing up. Maybe that’s why he overheard his dad once on the phone talking to his aunt about him. Josh didn’t catch all of the conversation but he’d heard enough to know that his father felt he had a harder time relating to him than his brothers. Josh never mentioned the partially overheard conversation to his father. He grew up in silence about all the differences he witnessed. The birthday parties he never received, special privileges to go places, financial help, etc. But despite all of that there was something that Josh always held in his heart towards his dad. I’d say it was somewhat of a miracle…maybe. When Josh became older and independent he always wanted to do some special things for his dad. Regardless of the differences Josh witnessed growing up he saw a father who had sacrificed much of his life to take care of him and his brothers on his own. Josh began to sow back into his father’s life in various ways, including financially. One day Josh’s father asked him, “Why are you so good to me?” Almost stunned at the question, Josh with a smile said, “Dad I love you.”

How many of us can say we’ve been blessed with hearts to love unconditionally? Can you imagine never knowing why you were treated differently and showed love in return, no questions asked? Are you a parent who has experienced the reverse of the story above; unthinkable hardship due to how your child has treated you? If you’ve been able to toss that aside and love them anyway, count yourself blessed. Not everyone has a heart to love, I mean truly love. Some people allow life to make them hard and bitter. Unforgiveness and vengefulness eats away at the person who harbors it. Many people are physically sick today because of things they can’t let go. Even doctors and scientist have looked into the real ramifications of this stress that is placed on the body due to negative things we hold. Our natural inclination is to pay back wrong that has been done to us. So don’t think it’s just easy or normal to show love to someone who has done you wrong. If there is love that runs through you regardless of the pain you’ve experienced in life, be thankful. That’s a miracle.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #29

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

It’s amazing all the things for which we have to be thankful. Those little things in life that we count as little in our minds or just totally disregard, can make such a BIG difference when they are nonexistent. Life would seem more overwhelming than it does at times right now if we didn’t have 24 hour segments to live life on a daily basis. Can you imagine not giving our minds a break from everything that comes at us on a daily basis, whether good or bad? We weren’t wired to just keep going without some downtime. Some of us have a hard time sleeping as it is at night because our minds just keep going. (And by the way, I speak peace to those of you right now who are dealing with that junk. Let it go….) I am so grateful that after we’ve endured 5 days that can demand so much of us that we are blessed to have weekends. Yes, some of us have weekends that are just as filled as the other days but for the most part it should be a time of rejuvenation. And for that I’m grateful. It’s a time that we get to connect with friends and/or family. It’s a time that we can do the things that we want to do. And if every day of your life is filled with doing work that you don’t want to do, seek God for answers. Find out whether or not your reason for working every single day is due to discontent with “things” in life. Is all that working just so that you can have “more things” or to pay off all those things that you didn’t really need? Time is precious; be grateful for it.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #28

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

You and I have been learning things all of our lives whether we recognize it or not. Hopefully from the time both you and I were little kids there were adults who were teaching us to say thank you and when it was appropriate to say thank you. One of the reasons that you are reading this (I hope) is to enrich your life with reminders to live a daily life of thankfulness. Besides learning to say thank you, hopefully we have learned how to be courteous to others. We have learned how to dress ourselves and take care of our hygiene. If you’re an adult reading this hopefully you have learned what it means to take care of yourself. And of course, there are those life lessons; some of them have been harder to learn than others. There are various relationships that have helped us learn how to handle the other things we would have to face later in life. Those relationships have been within our families, on our jobs, in friendships, in business and other realms. Some of those relationships you may wish you’d never had but if you look back I’m sure you can see you learned something. Even if it just meant learning that you didn’t know YOU as well as you thought you did. And in all of this learning there is one person we have to thank—the teacher. The teacher has been our parents. In other cases the teacher has been a grandparent. The teacher has been the educator in a classroom. The teacher may have even been a little child (oh the little nuggets they can teach you). In relationships that friend or significant other has been a teacher. You may even say that hard-nosed boss on your job (if you’ve ever had one) has been a teacher. Yes, even him or her because perhaps they helped you to see just how strong you really are and that you can endure just about anything.

Without teachers throughout the course of our lives we wouldn’t reach the maturity levels that we need to sustain us in life. Life at times can be tough and sometimes we need to be pulled outside our comfort zones to have built in us what is needed. So, instead of despising some of the experiences you’ve had in life be grateful for those teachers. If the lesson wasn’t for you maybe it was so you can help someone else going through the same thing. Be grateful that because of that teacher you have an opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone else.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #27

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Have you ever looked up at the sky and thought, “Wow! What a beautiful sunset!” When was the last time you just sat and watched birds fetching for food or just fluttering around? Do you love seeing the colors in the wings of a butterfly? What about nature’s 3-D painting of Arizona Mountains, and palm trees? Okay…now I’m going to go a little deep on you. Females—I think I already know the answer to this…. Have you ever been walking past a man pretending you weren’t paying him any attention? When in reality your brain somehow switched over to some sci-fi, android-type mechanism where you picked up his frame and facial features in a millisecond and almost blew an internal circuit? The whole while you just strolled on by, looking straight ahead and trying not to break into a smile. Ha ha! Okay…come on back, I didn’t say lust. J Guys, we already know what you do! J Seriously…so I’ve mentioned sunsets, birds, colors in nature, trees, and yes—gorgeous people. God has blessed us with beauty all around. I think life would just be bland if we never experienced beauty in everyday life, don’t you? I am grateful to God for beauty in so many things in life, especially in music. I can’t leave out music. The sound of stringed instruments, or a smooth sax, or keys on a piano—whatever! If your brain has been consuming a lot of bad news lately, I advise you to take a break from it. Go find you a source of beauty; it’s great therapy. Thank God for it. But stay away from stalking people! J That would be just downright freaky…and lustful.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #26

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Today it’s a very simple thing for which to be thankful, yet it’s a thing we’ve learned to do without thinking much about it. It’s a necessity; there are very few occupations you could do without this necessity. Actually, nothing comes to my mind right now that you could do at all now days without it. Unless you have a very good eye for things and excellent taste buds I don’t think you could cook without it. I can’t even imagine going grocery shopping or driving without this necessity. As a matter of fact you’re doing it right now. You’re reading. What would your world be like without reading?! Well, I’ve given you some clues above but in this day and age you could forget joining the millions who surf the internet and spends lots of time on social media. Well that’s all I got for you today! I have to get in about ½ hour of strength training before I get ready to head off to work. I’ll let you go read something else right now. J And hey…anytime you want to find something to complain about today just imagine the isolation you’d feel if you couldn’t read. Keep your head above the waters of discontentment!

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #25

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

It’s 2:00 a.m. and you’ve just awakened from a deep sleep gasping for air for some unknown reason. You’re not having a heart attack. You’re not having an asthma attack. And ironically others in your house have awakened at the same time as you, gasping for air. You’re not overheated and you’re not cold. In a panic you stumble fast towards a window thinking if I can just get a window open air will come rushing in. As you manage to get the window up just enough, you notice in the darkness something doesn’t look right. Everything looks dead. Delirious from the lack of oxygen getting to your brain—you think, “no it couldn’t…how could this be possible?!” Unimaginable to the human mind…the atmosphere is giving no oxygen. Daily we walk around inhaling and exhaling without a second thought of what makes it possible for our bodies to take in this substance that regulates our breathing and our entire circulatory system. We don’t fully grasp the science behind oxygen we just know that it’s always there for us to take involuntarily. And if our bodies are not utilizing it efficiently we seek doctors to replicate what our bodies won’t naturally do. If you haven’t gotten the message by now in these past 25 days, I’m trying to get you to see that everything is a gift. We are owed nothing in this world! Today I want you to renew your conviction to be thankful for everything that is allotted you. Every morning wake up with a purpose to be thankful for everything, including the air you breathe.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #24

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Natural Light. Imagine that it’s day time but there is absolutely no sun in the sky, even on a cloudy day there is no sun hiding anywhere in the sky. Now switch your vision to night time and imagine there are no stars in the sky however there is a moon. But without the existence of the sun behind that moon there is no difference between this completely dark night and the day that has no existence of the sun. What would define the difference between the night and the day? Could your mind even fathom such an existence? I am truly amazed at how everyday without fail the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. I am awed to see times when the moon is so bright in the sky with a backdrop of darkness and stars and YET the moon gives us no light but the sun behind it gives us the glow that we so admire. I am truly grateful for being able to flip a switch on the wall and get light. And I am grateful for the light poles that line the streets at night. But there is absolutely nothing like living on a planet that has a night and a day; just the right amount of light sits in the sky. Oh, and can you imagine what our skin would be like if we never had natural light? Yes, we can supplement but there is nothing like that natural vitamin D. Be grateful for the natural light we experience without even considering its benefits or what life would be like without it.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #23

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

People. Another resource I believe God has given us for the various areas of our lives is other people. There may be personal quests that we feel we are meant to do. But if we really took time to stop and think about it, we’d realize that a lot of the things needed to fully accomplish those quests would not be possible if it were not for other people who had the hearts to get onboard. What quests are you talking about Charlotte? Some people have a desire to do something in the community for others. Some people have a desire to start managing their own business/company. Some people desire to explore places of interests where they live or traveling abroad in the company of other people. I’m sure that you can think of a number of different things that you have a heart to do and have done with the help of other people. Don’t you realize that other people don’t have to follow your lead or trust your word? And there is another vital area that I must mention. If you’re out of work right now and the only way you’re getting financial assistance is by getting assistance from the government, be ever so grateful to God for people who have the hearts to do the right thing by paying their taxes. Can you imagine what our society would be like if it were full of rebellious people who didn’t care about the consequences of not paying their taxes? Don’t look at just how the taxes you’ve paid effects your current circumstances but consider the bigger picture of how things could be worse than what they are now without the hearts of some. I’m not oblivious to the wrongs and the injustices; I just believe that regardless of where we are in life there is always SOMETHING for which to be thankful.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #22

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Money. In addition to our physical bodies, I truly believe that God provides us everything we need to sustain us in life and will give us some of our wants. But how is that God gives us these things? Does He physically reach down out of heaven and hands us what we need? Of course He does not. I do believe that He provides the resources for what we need and some of our desires. I believe that He works through people to bring provision. I believe God is the ultimate source for everything but money is a resource. Are your bills being paid? Even if you’re behind on some of them, money is the only way they’re getting paid, right? Do you have a car that you recently filled up with gas? Again, it takes money to fill that gas tank. Did you have to buy something to eat this week? It takes money. Just about everything we do in life requires an exchange of paper with the faces of Presidents on them. And if you use plastic…well you understand that’s still money right? (Yes darling—you gotta pay that backJ) Never forget to thank God for the resources!

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #21

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.ner

We’ve been talking about “needs” that have been provided for us for the past 20 days, not “wants” but needs. Hopefully we’ve been able to elevate our minds in being more conscious of those needs that have been provided and become more thankful for them. As I’ve been saying, it’s so easy to just take those provided needs for granted because subconsciously I think we have the idea that having them is just a norm. In reality, for many people it’s not a norm. So, hopefully our thinking has changed in that regard. Personally, I have to say that during these days I’ve reconsidered a number of things and it brought me to today’s reason for being thankful—pleasures. You can lump this under wants or unexpected gifts. Yes, we have had a lot of needs met and we’re going to continue looking at those needs that have been made leading up to Thanksgiving Day. But for today I want to go off course and look at those little “extras” in life that I believe we all have experienced at one point or another during our lifetime. Maybe when you were growing up you experienced things that were not quite right in your family in regards to differences made between siblings. Or, maybe you had to go without some things. Perhaps you had no idea what it’s meant to really go on a family vacation for any amount of time. Whatever the case, your childhood enjoyment with all of its provisions was yet lacking somewhat for you. What about your adult life? Have you had some setbacks that have just totally made you feel weighed down? Never felt like you could get ahead in life? Okay…so now that you’re thinking about all those negative things switch gears to any vacation you’ve had later in life that maybe you never experienced early in life. Or, think about those little glimmers of favor that people have shown towards you that maybe you missed in childhood or any other point in your life. Think about all those little breaks or big breaks you’ve experienced, no matter how short-lived you may consider them to be in your mind. Think about tickets that your job or someone has handed you with no expectation to some concert, or game, etc. My point is that all these are pleasures—little extras that add to life’s enjoyment (when we pay attention to them). No one has to be nice to you but imagine what it would feel like if you never experienced that in your life. Wouldn’t that just be downright depressing? We actually do get MORE than our needs met in life but we often don’t pay attention to them. Maybe we’re just more ungrateful than we think? Something to ponder…

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #20

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.ner

I have a friend whose sister-in-law was forced into retirement more than likely sooner than she would have due to a condition that causes her to rely on a tank for her oxygen supply. Though it’s been a little over 10 years since I’ve had extreme difficulty breathing due to asthma, I’ve only experienced one event that sent me to the emergency room. I have been blessed that with the usage of occasional medication my lung capacity is fully functional. How about you? Can you function throughout your day without having to push an oxygen tank around? You may experience some breathing discomforts due to taking poor care of your health (weight gain, smoking, not eating right, etc.) but you woke this morning with breath in your body so you have an opportunity to do something about it. Be grateful for the lung capacity you’ve been given to breathe on your own! Every time it crosses your mind today to think about something you don’t have—pause and then inhale and slowly exhale. That’s your lungs functioning.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #19

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

There’s no doubt that there is always an opportunity for danger. Let’s just get that out the way. You see it in the news all the time. But consider all the times you’ve been protected. Even if you’ve suffered some injuries or other consequences of danger, you still have your life. Not everyone has the opportunity to walk away from danger with their life. How many times over the course of your lifetime have you been out on the highway and have been protected from 18 wheelers and other vehicles? Could you even count the instances? How many times have you stepped up to an ATM, got your money and walked or drove away safely? Any close calls? How many times have you had to walk through a public parking garage, regardless of the time of day, by yourself and reached your destination safely? One more… If you have children or grandchildren, are they alive and well right now? If they’re not, I’m sorry and I pray God’s peace and comfort continue to be with you right now to give your soul what it needs. The point of all this is not to depress you are cause you fear today. The point is to help your mind elevate to a level of always finding a reason to be thankful. In a world where we can so easily find fault and discontentment, sometimes it’s hard to be thankful. However, when we tend to lose the things we cherish most is when we start telling others to cherish what they have. So, why not let’s try to do that every day—on purpose. Don’t be thankful because this woman on her blog keeps nagging the heck out of you to be thankful about something but because you really want to and you’re trying for yourself. So, I’m helping you…and this helps me too. J There’s a lot going on in this world, both good and bad, but aren’t you glad for the circle of people you have in your life? Aren’t you glad that you have another day above ground to do whatever it is you were left here to do? If so, don’t waste it.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #18

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Imagine having to write down everything you wanted to say to every single person you needed to talk to today. Imagine how that might impact your job today. If you don’t work, imagine how that might impact you interacting with anyone today. Okay…imagine that you find out this inability to speak was going to be permanent and there was nothing you could do about it. You can’t scream. You can’t moan. You can’t make one sound. Tears are streaming down your face because thoughts are flooding your brain and it scares you the thought of not being able to make a sound to anyone for the rest of your life. And if you sing…imagine that no melody will ever leave your vocal chords from this very moment on. We just take for granted that when we wake up every day we will move our lips and sound will just come out in the form of audible words. We are owed nothing. Do you get what I’m saying to you? You and I are owed NOTHING! I truly believe that it’s because of grace and mercy that you and I can talk. I’m certain that no one who was born without speech or once had a voice to speak but lost it due to some illness or unknown reason would tell us that they had the control over their vocal chords’ function. Yes, there are vocal exercises and remedies to help the vocal chords but nothing that reaches beyond what modern medicine can do for those cases of complete loss.

Be grateful that you have a voice to speak every day. Take time to think about all the various ways your voice serves you on a daily basis. Think about the relationships and lives that have been enriched because of the sound of your voice whether through spoken words, prayer, or the gift of song. Cherish the sound of your voice today and use it for good.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #17

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Have you ever seen someone walking around with the fly on their pants unzipped? I mean just strutting around, having conversations and totally clueless about their exposure. Similarly, many people in their everyday lives are walking around outwardly maturing but their minds are still at high school level (some even grade school level). Just because the number of candles on the birthday cake increase from year to year doesn’t mean that the person’s mental maturity increases. So, if you’ve been able to progress mentally at a level that says, “yes, I enjoy my life but also I embrace knowing that I act my age” be grateful. Mental maturity is no guarantee.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #16

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Bad choices/Bad relationships. “If I had it all to do over again, I would not have been with that person.” Have you ever come out of a relationship or marriage that went nowhere or know someone who has and heard that phrase, or similar, repeated? I feel differently. Though I wish I had not made the choices in relationships I had, I’m still grateful for them and would not want to undo any of them. See…there were some choices I would have made that for whatever reason God just never did allow to be. I see those cases as His protection from whatever I believe would just have TOTALLY destroyed me. But the choices that I did make that He allowed (I had the free will choice and He allowed) I can look back now and see how they catapulted me further in my spiritual walk with my Creator. Let me preface my next few statements with the fact that not everyone has to go through some bad choices in order to be the person that they are supposed to be. But I do firmly believe that my Creator knew everything about me from the time I was formed in my mother’s womb and HE KNEW what things He would need to allow Charlotte to go through and what things He would totally not allow the enemy to plant in my life. See before I made all my bad choices, though I had genuine love for others, I believe I was somewhat “secretly” judgmental of other people’s bad choices. “How could they do that? I would never do THAT…” I was 31 years old before I ever had my 1^st date (yes…pick your mouth up off the floor). So, it’s no wonder that one guy whom I’d met when I was 34 felt the need to tell me after he’d seen me about 7 years later that I had low self-esteem when I 1^st met him. When I last saw him I’d dropped the 5’1 and 232 lb frame he once knew along with I guess some other characteristics I carried. At first I was offended that he thought I ever had low self-esteem but the more I thought about it he was right. Because the fact was that I was in a period of failure to realize my esteem came from my Creator. I was able to take all the things I learned from the short-lived relationships and pour them into my personal growth in ways I never imagined. Now when I’m looking down at a woman or man I’m seeing someone that I “secretly” hope will drop their pride and let me reach out my hand to pull them up. I just want them to have the same life-changing grace that I’ve experienced. My vision is different because of all my bad choices; every last one.

Some may not believe this…but when I was a little girl God gave me a very small glimpse into me straying from my devotion to Him later in life. As a little girl I did not understand at all what He was showing me because of the beliefs I held. I think back now to the heart of that little girl and see that like Peter she was in denial. But somehow, God knew she would be able to handle what He was showing her. I genuinely cried and told God that if I ever walked away He had to promise me that He wouldn’t let me go or that He’d have to pursue my soul. Well, He honored that little girl’s prayer because here I am…the woman I am today. And I am forever grateful.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #15

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Protection when alone. Sometimes you are going to need or want to explore things in life that might have you doing them solo. How often have you heard about people who have gone places alone and the most devastating things have happened to them? What about people who have gone on spring break or vacation trips and have never been found? You may have heard of the young man who went to meet with someone to sell his car from Craig’s List and the encounter proved to be fatal. Even with the wise decisions you and I think we make on a day-to-day basis, we have no idea how bad things could be if it was not for the protection that many refer to as “someone’s looking out me.” I prefer to refer to it as God watching over us. Even when we ourselves KNOW we don’t deserve it—there is His grace and mercy. Yesterday I flew out to LA to listen to some very gifted spoken word artists who are a part of P4CM (www.p4cm.com). Before I left home yesterday I was experiencing a little anxiety about navigating the city because I would be driving myself from Los Angeles to Los Alamitos to hear these artists; I’d never been to LA. This is something I really wanted to do but as I often do, when I decide to go on solo adventures, I started second guessing my decision. Well, anyway I prayed about it and got the peace that I needed from God to go and enjoy my overnight trip. Not only did God give me guidance about everything I needed to do while I was out and about, but He also gave me His protection.

It is very necessary to use wisdom when we are alone or wisdom to NOT DO certain things alone. I also believe that God gives us the protection we need to do all the things HE WANTS or WOULD FAVOR us to do to live the life that He has planned for each of us individually. I feel that there are so many people, especially single people, crippled in pursuing the things God would allow them to have in life due to many reasons, one of them being—a failure to know protection. To feel and know that we’re protected is a necessity to live life. But what happens when your protection is totally reliant on “the physical?” Let’s face it, with the things that go on today in broad daylight, if you are just going to the ATM and leave there unharmed, you’ve experienced the grace of God’s protection. That happens all day long. But wouldn’t it be great to trust that with every Godly wise decision you make, whether with others OR ALONE you are protected? Gives you more opportunity to be thankful, wouldn’t you say?

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #14

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Memory. Let’s face it that many of us have a hard time remembering certain things, particularly as we get older. If you’re like me you may rely heavily on post-it notes stuck on the door so that you remember to get or do certain things before you walk out the house in the morning. Or, maybe a note stuck on a mirror somewhere? Or, perhaps you may stick a note on your steering wheel so that you remember a stop you need to make while you’re out and about for the day. If you’re in your 20s or just never do this, you may laugh at this but your day is coming! No, I’m kidding. J Not too long ago I used to hear about people who stuck notes around their homes so that they could remember to do important things and I’d laugh. Now I’m like the post-it note queen! Ha ha ha! If someone gifts me with post-its it’s almost like receiving Bath and Body Works (that’s a well known line of scented body care products for those who don’t know). For my birthday one year I had a boss who along with some other things gave me a pack of multicolor post-it notes in the shape of a butterfly (she knows my love of butterflies). I treasure the idea someone came up with for this idea of notes with a sticky backing! Okay…so enough about the sticky notes. How’s your memory when it comes to things you NEED to remember to retain your job? How are you doing in the area of your relationships due to your ability to remember even the smallest things? Has your memory caused you to lose some opportunities? We all fall short sometimes in our ability to recall things but if we suffered a chronic problem with recalling things that would pose some serious problems.

The brain is so very complex and I believe one of the most extraordinary things we could have ever been given. Even with all the medicines that the medical profession has discovered, no one has come up with a 100% way to combat memory loss. It doesn’t matter your IQ, your level of wisdom, where you think you fall on the level of brain power in comparison to others.  If your brain was to ever shut down you would not have the power to do anything about it. So, take this thought and be grateful to God for the mercy and grace that He gives you every morning and throughout your day to remember everything that you NEED to remember to function in your day. And if you have to rely on some post-it notes for some things (ha ha!) be thankful that you can even REMEMBER to give yourself a note! J

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #13

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Much of yesterday here in St. Louis on into the late night hours there was a lot of water being dumped down on us, especially last night. At one point yesterday evening the rain was coming down so heavily it was as if dump trucks of water were being simultaneously emptied from the sky; the impact of the rain was so loud. For those of you that live here, did you suffer any loss…flooding…damage? If not, then this is another opportunity for you to not take for granted that when it rains heavily you won’t suffer loss. In no way am I wanting to you become more conscious of all the things that could go wrong in life. My hope is to encourage you to be more thankful for the blessings that surround you on a daily basis. Depending on what part of the world you live in, rain is just a norm. Sometimes we get more rain than usual and we just go on about our way when we find it’s all over and we still have all our belongings intact. If you did suffer some damage or loss due to the heavy rain I hope that provision will be granted you for whatever your needs may now be. However, you are reading this so that means you still have your life. That’s never a guarantee. Remember the story of the mom with her 2 kids being swept away in a house during a Texas flood in May 2015, while her husband had to helplessly witness it? We experience blessings every single day of our lives. Regardless of everything you see negative and the things you may lack, there is an undeniable fact that things could be so much worst. So, this is day 13 of finding ways to be thankful on purpose. How is your heart doing?

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #12

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Mental stability. As you prepared or you are yet preparing for your day what is your frame of mind? Are you panicking about anything? Are you experiencing overwhelming fear about leaving your home? What about fear of what could happen when you get in your car to drive? Experiencing any overwhelming fear of losing your job or not being able to make ends meet? When you get in social settings do you feel socially paralyzed? Do all of these fears and feelings seem ridiculous to you? If so, don’t think it’s so ridiculous but be grateful that you’ve been blessed with a mind that is not overcome by the anxieties that many suffer on a daily basis. The medical profession has a hard time trying to decipher this thing that tends to mentally cripple so many people. When I was growing up, outside of my immediate family no one knew that I suffered greatly with eating in social settings. There was never the thought of seeking any professional help but it was very real for me. The medical environment lumps this under Social Anxiety Disorders. It was as if I was paralyzed whenever I went in a restaurant or at any gathering where there was food involved. I could not eat in front of people. And if I was out at a restaurant I tried my best to get the seat where my back faced others in the restaurant. One time it was so bad that I went to a banquet with family and seemingly had no appetite until I got home and wanted the chicken my mom had taken off my plate and wrapped up. I can laugh at that now but that was a very hard time for me. Even now, unrelated to food, at times I have somewhat of a challenge just being in settings where I don’t know anyone. But it’s never been in a way that causes me to be overwhelmed (how else could I have gone on a 7 day cruise 2 years in a row all by myself. J) With all that I can say I’ve never been in a mental state where it affected my heart rate or my ability to physically function. For many this is a very, VERY serious issue.

If you do not suffer with any anxiety or other mental disorders be overly grateful to God for the stability of your mind. Don’t take it for granted. And if you are suffering with this condition I’m going to do something for you I haven’t done in the past 11 days on this journey of purposeful thankfulness. Will you allow me to pray with you? Just repeat this: Dear God, you know the challenges that I have faced and I’m asking You in this moment to please have mercy on me. I confess right now according to II Timothy 1:7 that You have given me a mind that is calm, well-balanced, disciplined and under control. To You I surrender my life and anything in my life that is keeping me from seeing the manifestation of this freedom in my life right now. Help me God to surrender my thoughts right now regarding what all this means to surrender my life to You and just trust You. I’ve tried everything so here I am in faith speaking these words to You. I ask that You please honor my faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen. If you’ve sincerely prayed all that in faith hold on to it and talk to someone you trust and have seen live their life on this faith. And if you are taking any medication by all means go back to your doctor before you just decide to stop taking anything. BUT ABOVE ALL ELSE get around Godly, faith-filled people and know for yourself what God is speaking to you. Remain thankful and have a blessed day.

 

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #11

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

If you’ve never lived in the country or elsewhere, you probably have no experience with having to search for wood for a wood burning stove so that you could prepare food. And more than likely you’ve never had to experience keeping food packed on ice or rubbing down raw meats with salt to keep them preserved. My mother was raised a country girl and it’s quite fascinating to hear some of the things they had to do to preserve and prepare food. And though it sounds fascinating, in my world it would not be so fascinating to have to do any of those things. I’ve become too accustomed to the conveniences of gas and electric stoves and a refrigerator. Can you imagine being without either of these things? Imagine the financial strain over time of having no choice but to eat out at restaurants (unless you’re incredibly wealthy). Recently, I had 2 coworkers who were getting their kitchens remodeled; one of them I know resorted to using the barbeque pit to prepare food (thank goodness it was during the warm months). So, you do have some options but if we’re honest we’re used to not having our conveniences disturbed. Well, shouldn’t we take more time everyday to think about all of our conveniences instead of just wanting more?

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #10

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Sense of smell. Earlier this year in January I was standing in gasoline pumping gas and did not know it; I thought it was water from the rain.  Due to a chronic sinus condition (didn't know it was chronic until this incident) I couldn't smell the gasoline. The gas attendant noticed me and ran out to tell me. But it was too late of course to stop. He had to be attentively watching me because he ran back out when I was getting in my car to push me out without me starting my ignition. I was totally clueless. But God....  I can't tell you how many times I've been clueless about the danger I've been in. Who needs street smarts when you know The One who made the makers of the streets. J But I have to tell you that it was not until this incident that I quickly came to realize the true value of being able to do something as simple as smell. Come to think, it’s not so simple when your body refuses to do it and you are forced to go to a doctor to find out what’s going on. How "quickly" we forget God's faithfulness to those of us who though may fail at times choose to faithfully follow His plans. What do you need to remember today?

Press Release -- 2nd Annual All Write Now! Writers' Conference

Press Release -- 2nd Annual All Write Now! Writers' Conference



Yours truly is mentioned in the winnings for poetry!

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #9

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

What would it be like to be in a body where you could think, you were aware of everything going on around you, and you had all of the normal inner emotions—all of this—just as you do right now but you could not communicate any of it to anyone? You’d be trapped in a body that no doubt goes through a lot of mental frustration. Let’s say you could verbalize everything but your body doesn’t allow you to hug anyone or just get up and go for a walk (something you probably dread doing when it comes to exercise). For me, I still think I would feel trapped along with a lot of other emotions. I can only imagine that there are many quadriplegics, those with autism, and others with all kinds of physical and mental disabilities that have experienced more than what I can even capture in words here on this page. I marvel at the story of people like Nick Vujicic who seem to live a more fulfilled AND GRATEFUL life than many of us who have all of our physical capabilities. We complain about the distance of a parking spot. Some of us shun those closest to us just wanting to give us a hug (you might be saying I’m just not the touchy, feely type). Imagine being just one day without those arms. Some of us take for granted that people just intuitively know what we want or what we need. Imagine just one day being in a body where you had to trust that people could do that very thing for you. I could go on and on but I think you get the picture. Let’s stop taking for granted that having the body we have (even with its shortcomings) is just automatic, because for many it’s not. And let’s “purposely” take care of our bodies every day.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #8

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

It’s a warm summer day and though Raymone enjoyed having some sunlight and hanging out with his buddies in the streets now he just wants to go somewhere and rest. So, with his big duffle bag thrown back across his back he searches for the closest nearby overpass. Looking for the nearest wall under the overpass, he lets the loaded bag drop to the ground as he presses his back against the wall and slowly glides down in relief for finding a shaded spot that no one had yet claimed. He proceeds in rummaging through his bag trying not to look up at the cars that were now sitting at the stop light only a few feet from him. It was not the cars that bothered him, but the proud eyes of pity staring at him from behind the steering wheels of those cars….

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Renee thought highly of her friend Omar for giving of the little money he had by purchasing items to prepare sandwiches and giving of his time to go downtown and give them to people on the streets and in the park. So, it made her want to do something besides the ways she had already been giving to people in need. Well, winter was just starting to set in so Omar suggested that she purchase just a few blankets if she could and he’d go with her and distribute them to people they found on the streets. So, Renee went on an online web search to find some blankets to purchase at a reasonable price. She found just what she needed at Kmart, so she ordered them. The following day after work she went to Kmart and picked up her order. Though she wished she could have purchased more, she felt so good carrying those 5 blankets back to her car, knowing she was going to make just a little bit of a difference to someone on the street…..

What if you or I were Raymone all summer long or one of those people during the cold months that Renee and Omar were giving blankets to just so we could have some warmth? Not everyone is sleeping on the streets because they did something to be there or because they are lazy. Not everyone mismanaged their funds. Things happen. Ask yourself, “What would I do if I had no place to go home to tonight?” What would you do if you had no place to call home at any time of the day???

Note: The short stories above though partially true to real life events are absolutely a product of my brain and in no way signify real names. J