"Take what's in front of you..."

Do you remember that instruction from your parents? Well I do, especially since I say the same thing to my children and some of the children in my sphere of influence.

So that was exactly what I did mid January and this was the mug I ended up with.

Whoever said that God doesn't speak, doesn't know how to hear Him.

This is definitely confirmation that this is my Year of High Places.

The message "LEAP higher" got me thinking about what LEAP could stand for - you know me and acronyms, so here goes:
Look inwards - take time to know and understand where you are in life now. Ask yourself what worked or didn't and answer the question: "What can/should I do differently to leap higher?"
Examine your relationships - with 59 days gone in this year, it's not too late to ensure that you have the right people around you to enhance your leap. Imagine trying to leap with someone holding your legs...preventing your progress. There are some people you need to cut off if you want to go far - or even anywhere in life.
Aim high - to go higher than where you are now, you need to be looking up and aiming for goals beyond your current level.
Pursue your purpose with passion - take time to discover your purpose, only then can you express and maximize your potential. It's not enough to "Aim high" - you need to move forward/up. No one I know has ever gotten to the top of any staircase (or even an escalator) by stepping on and then staying at the first step or by not even getting on to the staircase/escalator - in the case of an escalator that's working.

To LEAP higher, you need to do all you can to succeed. Leaping is an action by you not others.

The fact that all the conditions are not "perfect" should not stop you. Ecclesiastes 11: 4 & 6 say:

 

⁴Those who wait for perfect weather [watch the wind] will never plant seeds [sow];

those who look at every cloud will never harvest crops.

⁶ Plant early in the morning, and work until [do not let your hand rest at] evening,

because you don’t know if this or that will succeed. They might both do well. (Expanded Bible)

The other thing that could limit our desire to leap higher is previous conquests and successes so take Harvey Mackay's words to heart:

"A great accomplishment shouldn't be the end of the road,

just the starting point for the next leap forward."

This 2-year old piece on "LEAP"* also tells us about some areas where we should LEAP higher.

Go ahead and LEAP higher - the Lord will uphold and stablize you... See you at the top!

Reference:
* http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2012/02/leap.html

Think like who you are...

Reverse Impact

I first watched this film 3 years ago and then last year. I'll gladly watch it again whenever I have the opportunity to.

The last time I watched it, I took away 2 more lessons. I'll share them in 2 posts; I shared my 1st lesson already.*

The first of the 2 lessons is what I call "Reverse impact."

In a scene, Leigh Anne Tuohy (played by Sandra Bullock) was chatting with her friends and one of them said, in a rather curious and concerned tone:

"He's changing your life"

Her response "No, he's changing mine" - was based on deep-set conviction and even contentment.

It got me thinking and asking:
"How are the people you think you're impacting,

impacting you?"

A lot of times, we think that when we are good to others, they are the only ones who benefit from that interaction. From this film, that's obviously not true. In my curiosity I sought to know the story behind the film only to find out that it's based on a real-life story. It was very inspiring to hear these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZp9Nv1k2JI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJJEhqfbuLU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JG4WOqtXgk

The bottom line is:
Each and every one of us can make an impact - be a blessing to someone else and you'll be amazed on the reverse impact. So be a giver - a cheerful giver...and it's more than giving money.


Reference:
* http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2012/03/accept-vs-respect.html

What an Ad!

On a recent trip, in looking for something - other than the book I brought - to read, I quickly flipped through the January edition of the Hemisphere magazine. I saw something in the corner of my eye then stopping flipping to look at it more closely.

On page 28, there's this header "Must sin TV" What a way to catch people's attention?! Well it caught mine.
In my curiosity, I stopped on that page and continued reading just to see if any of the things I watch were on their list. The piece continued with this quote and the list (reproduced below)

"This month's premiers have all seven base impulses covered." - ND

Envy - American Idol

Pride - Episodes

Sloth - Downton

Wrath - Black Sails

Gluttony - Shameless

Greed - House of Lies

Lust - Galavant

After I read the list, the first thing I said was "Thank God I don't watch American Idol" - besides when I stumble on it and quickly stumble out of it. I just never connected with the word "Idol" and all for a good reason. Now I have one more reason to stay away from it. As for the other TV shows, I've never heard of them but it's sure nice to now know what they stand for.

Nicholas Johnson, a renowned 80-year old lawyer, has this to say about TV -

"All television is educational television. The question is:  what is it teaching?"

If I may add to it,
"What are you and/or your family especially your children learning when you watch TV? Is there a better use of your time or possibly a better place to learn virtues not vices? I know some people may say that watching TV is part of family time - but is it the most qualitative use of time?"

Not all TV is bad...but I've seen how they are now very subtly mixing up the programming.
Just watch what you & your family watch - your eyes are one pathway to your heart & soul. Whatever gets into your soul will determine where you end up at the end of your life.

Queen A

Within the first week of this year, actually on the 7^th day of the year, I had an interesting flash. No, it wasn’t a hot flash, I’m too young and possibly too “cool” to have those J. As I was saying, I decided that I will start calling myself “Queen A.”  As I pondered on it for a few more minutes, this verse popped in my head: “Where the word of the king is, there is power.”* Then I added,

“Where the word of a Queen is, there is wisdom”

based on Proverbs 31:26.

Now, I may be the only one who calls me “Queen A” or “QA” but I sure don’t want to be the only woman, sorry, only Queen who speaks with wisdom.

Proverbs 31:26 says,

When she speaks, her words are wise,

and kindness is the rule for everything she says. 

(The Living Bible)

 

Note that it doesn’t say, “If she speaks” because speaking or talking is a given for all women (even a gifting for some) – yes, Queens included. 

This year, please promote yourself…and it’s more than calling yourself and/ or asking others to call you “Queen.” Your promotion must be evident in the words you speak – the where, when, what, why and how of all of our words matter - and should improve matters in our spheres of influence. After all, we are Queens... May God help us bring Him glory by our words.

Sincerely yours

(from my heart, hand and mouth)

Queen A

Reference:

*Ecclesiastes 8:4 - Where the word of a king is, there is power; (NKJV)