Category Archives: Uncategorized

Mistakes Matter

August 11, 2016UncategorizedBarika Porter

Mistakes matter in a way that we often don’t think about. Let me start by saying I made a series of mistakes today all through out what I like to call my life. I made several at work and a few at home all amounting to my feeling like the biggest loser of all times. And I notice a strange little thing happening. The mistakes I made today felt like my life would be over, I mean I had a massive melt down with tears and everything, which in hindsight might have been a bit ridiculous but it was also necessary. I learned in the moments after the tears because I copied pasted something into the wrong cell in a spreadsheet was not the end of the world. Fortunately, that error, is not going to cost anyone their life. However, it will cost me the unattainable goal of perfection.

When the two littles strolled in happy as can be way earlier than normal because I got the days mixed up for the open house at school. I realized that I needed to adopt their attitude. They were excited to see me and didn’t think I was the worst, most forgetful mother ever. Nope they came in and gave me a hug and said nonchalantly open house is tomorrow…we did get a little tour of the school though. They literally rolled with the punches. Meanwhile just moments earlier, if time would have permitted, I would have been rolled up in the fetal position because of a mistake I made. It is very heard to acknowledge that I am in fact human, and yeah I miss stuff. My current line of work doesn’t take kindly to missing stuff and well it stresses me out! As in heart palpitations, tears, anxiety, you name it I’ve got it. And for what?

I’ll tell you what for self-imposed unrealistic expectations of required perfection. This my friends is impossible to achieve. The sooner we acknowledge that the better off we’ll be. There comes a time, as my mom would say, you have to put on you big girl panties and be about your business. Yes crying and sniveling has its place it is actually quite refreshing, but you can’t stay there. As my dear friend told me today, “what are your options?” There are ALWAYS options, some may seem unpleasant, but there are always options.

I’m not sure why it didn’t dawn on me sooner to ask my husband to take the kids to orientation to alleviate some of the mounting pressure I was feeling throughout the day. I didn’t ask the question because somewhere in me I’m still trying to do everything myself and well, that is just plain old unrealistic. And this mindset which cripples me and leads to my making mistakes unnecessarily. We make mistakes, which are a part of being human. There will be times when even in the midst of preparing we will be utterly unprepared, and that is ok.

What would happen if you would really accept that you are human, prone to mistakes and even failure? Would you feel free? You my dear are free, the question is do you believe it? If you believe it type yes or no in the comments.

I am the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.

As I’ve watched the chaos occurring in the world today I’ve found myself pondering and wondering what the heck is going on. I honestly question people’s ability to demonstrate empathy and compassion. I wonder aloud will it ever get better. Right now, it doesn’t look like it ever will. But then I did something that I oftentimes resist. I got quiet, put the phone down and turned inward. I desperately wanted, needed to hear something from God. I needed to know that everything was going to be alright, that my Husband, Father, Brother, Nephews and Daughters would all be alright. The psychological turmoil and angst occurring within me was swirling into anger. Which by the way is not the problem. Anger in itself is not the problem what I do with it is where things get tricky. Each of us have the obligation to do something with the anger we feel. We should be motivated to action. It pricks something in us to do something different. Whether that is to work on or let go of relationships that no longer serve us. Should we change professions, start a business, become a local activist, what in the world should we do. Our angst and anger should move us to say something, to do SOMETHING. However, our movement should be led by quiet reflection and sheer determination. You need quiet to gain clarity. I need quiet to gain clarity. Being strategic in how you respond and dole out righteous indignation, requires ~~one~~, me, to take at a minimum of 5 minutes to gain focus on what I should do next. And for me that generally starts with an intentional search for quiet.

Quiet I needed so quiet I found…by retreating to my quiet place, the bathroom. Don’t lie, you know that’s where you hide too. I told (Ok, screamed at) my kids beating down the door, “I NEED PRIVACY GO PLAY FOR 5 MINUTES, PLEASE!!!! I was committed to having quiet no matter what even if I was barricading the bathroom door and screaming like a crazy woman. I had to have it, and this day they let me have it.

As their terrified feet scurried away the quietness came and settled in and I was able to take a deep breath and hang my head. And then it happened, gently and in an assuming way, in an effortless way I began to ponder those who came before me. I’m odd like that a therapist once told me I focus on the past, but for me it helps me maintain focus and resolve. And in my effort to find some focus some resolve to keep hoping in a world that seems increasingly hopeless; I was reminded that I am the things that my grandparents, and great-grandparents, and great-great-great-great grandparents hoped for but had never seen. It hit me like a ton of bricks when I looked up out of my panic and looked around at all of the excess that surrounds me. My great-great-grandmother couldn’t have imagined that any of her descendants would live like we do. That we would have access to opportunity like we do. That I would have the right to lift my voice in disapproval and live to tell about it. Yes, the system is filled with flaws and inequality and we must push back and dismantle the broken parts. We must build and rebuild over and over again. How dare we do anything less than continue striving to make the world around us better for our children. To hope and work towards the world we envision in our head and believe in our hearts that it is indeed possible. WE may never live to see our hopes and dreams come to pass but we shouldn’t sit back and say whelp that’s just the way it is. I come from a people who have always found a way to not only survive but to thrive even in the most adverse situations. Life can always be better, there will always be days times when you question the humanity of the world around you. But the question is now, what are YOU going to do about it? WE must, I must, and YOU must do your part. I realized that in the midst of chaos that we should be the evidence of the very things that our ancestors hoped for. It is clear to me that I am the substance of things hoped for the very evidence of things not seen. Now is the time to make the most of our lives by seeking justice and loving mercy, making life better for those that come behind us.

Does your life currently reflect the hopes of your fore-parents? If not, why not? What do you think it would take to better align with the better life they wanted for you?

Sound off in the comments.

Carefully Constructed Lives

April 27, 2016UncategorizedBarika Porter

It seems like we spend so much time building lives that should be rather than lives that we believe could be. Our hopes and dreams tacked onto walls of what we have to do rather than what we want to do. Things that we have to do will always be around what we want to do will always reside. If you want to do something different, be something different, you will have to make getting to what you want to do something that you HAVE to DO. Here are three things you can do today to make room for what you want to do.

Be Selfish

Find 15 minutes to take a walk or just sit. Turn off the social media, silence your phone and get quiet. Now I know if you have children that can be a challenge. Give them some toys, or God forbid turn on a cartoon. And sneak to the bathroom or closet and just be.

Ignore

If there is weeping and wailing when you try to make your escape make sure everyone is safe, ignore the chaos and take the time anyway. If kids are too little you might have to wait until they are asleep to get your 15 minutes, but take it anyway.

Breathe Deeply

A doctor told me years ago when I developed Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) thanks to work related stress I was clenching my teeth and that would result in my jaw locking up and not being able to talk or eat. Not cool! Anyway, he suggested that I do some deep breathing at night and massage the muscles in my jaw. At the time I thought it was the dumbest suggestion ever, but I was desperate so I did it anyway. To my surprise at first I’d try to get through the exercise quickly. He suggested breathing in and out and counting to 10, again thought it was dumb but I tried it. What happen next really surprised me first once I focused on my breathing and releasing the tension in my jaw I got some much needed mental down time. Check out this article to get the skinny on how to take a breather.

What are some things you do to relax and focus on things you want to do? Do you struggle to make time for what you want to do? What do you think would help free you up? Sound off in the comments.

Accommodation and a Letter

April 8, 2016UncategorizedBarika Porter

Conflict

I have this conflict that runs around my mind pretty regularly. I think it’s really one that underestimates my own potential and capability. It’s funny because I believe I can zoom in on other people’s hesitancy about daring to believe that greatness is within their reach. In fact I get really excited about encouraging people to take the risk in order to gain the greatest reward. I understand that what often holds us back, and I say us, because I am she, is an underlying message that we give girls. And the message in and of itself is not a bad one however, it can be what we lead with resulting in girls and women not fully leveraging their God-given gifts and talents. The idea that we need to be thoughtful, kind and accommodating. All of these qualities I believe, are appropriate, at times. For example it is pretty rude to push people out of the way to get to the dinner table first because you are hungry, especially if you are knocking down a child or elderly person to do so….Plain ole’ rude!

However, we fail to accommodate ourselves. We don’t allow ourselves to believe that I am more than a wife, a mother, an employee, a sister and a daughter. I am all of these women wrapped into one. Yet each of these roles pull on me at the exact same time and what happens then? The greatness and destiny that was born with us gets pushed to the back burner because we are thoughtful and accommodating. Hear me well, it is a good thing to think of others, but we often do so in ways that no one has even asked that we do.

Accommodation

Sometimes we will take being thoughtful a step beyond making sure the babies, hubby and grandma have food. We will sacrifice in a way that we place ourselves in ill-health. We will eat the cold leftovers off of our kid’s plates or not have anything at all so others might eat. We will forgo our workout time to help with homework or to finish up a project for work. While these are noble approaches that may even be necessary at times. Over time, I think, we begin to accept that approach as the standard. We expect the leftovers and the over or under done bits. We settle for leftovers in our careers, relationships and even in our finances. We accept the “what’s left” rather than the best. It’s hard to admit that sometimes placing the needs of others above our own results in a slow silent dying internally, one where we question whether we ever had any dreams to begin with.

Here’s the thing we all have dreams and purpose. I love, and I mean love interacting with people and getting little glimmers of the things that really excite them. I’ve heard co-workers wonder aloud, how can I make money while being an advocate for social justice? Or they mutter “So when I was coming out of school, I did not envision myself doing this. I kind of feel like now I have to do this. What else can I do? I’ve got bills.”

Bills and a 2 Minute Letter

We all have bills and we all have desires and passions and I don’t think that you have to focus on one and throw the other to the wolves. I believe there is a way to infuse the things you care about into what you do on a daily basis. You have to be creative and be open to the opportunity. I’ve found that getting clear on what you want helps a ton. It can be a scary exercise, but one that has helped me is to set a timer for about 2 minutes and write down the first things that come to your mind. Don’t worry about if you have the time or if you are financially able to afford it. Another approach is to write a letter to yourself about where you’d like to see yourself this time next year. Stash it away and see where you are in a year. I think that by formally writing down what we want allows us to begin processing and making necessary adjustments.

Is anybody up for giving this a try with me? Let me know if you’d like to join me in a letter writing campaign sound off in the comments below.

I have been missing in action for a while and I think the main reason is because I must confess I’m a Saboteur. Yep, I wreck myself in big and small ways. I realize that in taking the steps to do something different this year and boldly declaring it also was a signal to myself to wreck my progress. No, I didn’t intentionally say yes I’m going to be disciplined, now self, do everything that is a direct contradiction to being disciplined. Nope in my mind I was like “Yeah! This year is gonna be different I’m about to do big things!” And then it happens. I get scared. And with fear I tend to shrink back and avoid doing the things that I know need to be done to build consistency and ultimately move forward.

I struggle to find the time for what I deem important for my personal pursuits. I make excuses or lack the will to push through the sheer exhaustion to do even small things to get me closer to the goals I’ve set. I can focus on my paid job and get things done but then at the end of the day after work is done and family obligations are sort of met. And I say sort of because, like most working mothers I feel like I’m hardly ever meeting the family obligations in the way I envision them or even in a way similar to that of my peers. So in the evenings after its quiet in the house and I have a minute to myself, a perfect time to work on personal goals, what do I do? I ruminate. I replay the day or week or year for that matter and go through woulda, coulda, shouldas and end up feeling defeated.

When I find myself beating myself up for not spending time with my husband, blogging or making a mistake at work or for raising my voice at my kids. I have to remind myself that I am in fact human and I have the ability to course correct. I can make an effort and hang out with hubby as he fixes things (he can fix just about anything-including whole entire car engines-true story!). I can start writing today. I can course correct at work. I can apologize to my kids. And when tomorrow comes I can do better. It’s not enough to just say hey today I’m going to do better. I have found that by starting the day by writing out what I’m thankful for helps me not to take my family for granted and I’m reminded to be intentional and appreciative of the time we have together. Another thing that helps is to actually quickly do a brain dump of the things I’d like to accomplish for the day be it personally or professionally these two small steps help me focus and my days don’t feel like a whirlwind of activity.

Today, we ,as always, get to make choices. Will you join me today in choosing to take ownership of your life, ownership of your feelings and self-limiting beliefs? Will you put your survival instinct brain on the shelf for a minute and allow yourself to believe that you are in fact capable of doing great things, that you already have what you need inside of you to impact the world in a mighty way. What if you are the person who can literally change the world by taking that first step towards doing that THING in the way that only YOU can do. C’mon don’t be scurred, the time is now and you can do this!

Sound off below, tell the truth are you a Saboteur? I’ll start, why yes, yes I am.

I originally thought I’d write this eloquent and thought provoking post about all of the fun Pintresty things that I did with my kids while we were snowed in for 11 days. YES ELEVEN DAYS!!!! I must confess that I still have illusions of grandeur about what our days off would look like. In my mind I’d be doing crafty art projects, keeping the hot cocoa flowing and of course we’d be frolicking in the snow for hours. Well, I hate to report that was not even remotely close to what went down in our household. Schools were closed but work, as in my full time job, was open. And not only was it open we had to deliver on something with a really, really tight timeline. So tight that it required working late nights and over the weekend in the midst of the epic snow storm. So what did that mean for the kiddos who have been home for going on two weeks? It meant my husband and I had to do a lot of creative tag teaming, both of us had to work.

For example, my Help baby does not care one iota about the fact that I have a headset strapped to my head, when she’s hungry she’s hungry and gets hangry quickly when she falls off of her eating routine. Which at school is something like 10 am, 12pm and 3pm, but this week it felt like every five minutes. I literally had a moment of carrying my laptop with my headset on into the kitchen while fixing the kids lunch., why ,because I was on back to back calls that day. Now, if I had been forward thinking I would have dialed in from my land line, but nooooooooooo that was not how I was operating last week. Let’s be real I was trying to survive.

Trying to keep my job, prevent the kids from overdosing on TV and maintaining some level of marital bliss. Oh and let me add somewhere in there helping shovel over 3 feet of snow. Things were not nearly as Pintresy Perfect as I would have liked. Instead I thought I’d write some of the things I learned during Winter Break Part Deux:

Feeding a 4 year old Marshmallows as a hold over snack only results in said
Marshmallow request number 6,892

4 year old asking for the “Lellow” every hour on the hour and she will come and find you to fulfill her request.
While in theory it would seem like Nick Jr. can help distract the kids for 30 minutes or so that is not the case when there are Barbies and puzzles in the vicinity. No, instead Nick Jr. will be on in the background playing like the theme music in some demented fight till the death screaming match over barbie clothes and puzzle pieces. Note to self: Next blizzard Nick Jr. or fighting, not both.
The place where toys live will likely end up looking like a volcanic eruption of Mount Toy. Surely Mt. Toy will explode each and everyday, multiple times a day. It’s all good. That is, until you make the little angels clean up the toys, then my friend, you are in for a treat. Your children’s burgeoning talent in the dramatic arts, will be on full display. Complete with crying, whining, tiredness, fainting- every emotion known to man will assault your senses and sanity. You will temporarily marvel at their fervor and commitment to the finer dramatic elements. Do not become dismayed by their over the top antics. Being home bound for ELEVEN days does in fact have some positives. During snow days you will have the unique opportunity to show them where the art of drama began.
A Simple request to clean up can turn into a “Theater Arts” project when Mom decides to take part by being equally as dramatic and offers to clean up the toy lava. All it takes is silence and a trash bag. After you’ve asked 8 million times, silently get a gallon trash bag and begin calmly placing toys in the trash bag. And then its like a miracle everyone moves into action. I don’t have to prep my kids with what I’m going to do as we’ve had this discussion many times over most of the time the rustle of the trash bag is like a director yelling “End Scene!” And everyone scurries to clean up.
Mt. Toy volcanic eruption
Understand that finding a “quiet place” to work is not really possible. Instead you should seek a location where the herd of buffalo running overhead is muted enough that folks on your conference call remain unaware of the chaos just outside of your door/over your head. Yep, I retreated to the basement because I needed to read and write uninterrupted. I’ve found this works better than having to press the mute button like your shooting fireballs in the original Super Mario Brothers game…think I successfully dated myself with that last sentence, oh well.
Not a buffalo, just a kid who found roller skates that were hidden away and decided to try them out, in the house!
When you can no longer ignore the sound of buffaloes on roller skates overhead, you may come upstairs and find and actual kid on roller skates. And in that moment go ahead and let out a full belly laugh because you have to appreciate kids and their creativity.

I’d love to hear how you manage working and school or child care not being available during snow days or other natural disasters. How do you keep sane? Share a funny story about something that happened during an unplanned school break in the comments below. I love to hear from you! Be sure to sign up to get updates on the blog and other cool stuff.

That Kind of Day

January 16, 2016UncategorizedBarika Porter

Have you ever had a moment of clarity in the midst of swirling chaos? You know the cleaning the kitchen while helping the middle with homework, while the littlest whines about needing help and the biggest grumbles about needing help and in your brain you are turning over the request for help from a co-worker earlier in the day. Oh and your husband needs you to pick something up for him, when you get a chance. Yeah, so that about sums up my life most days. And most days I feel like I’m not doing marriage, motherhood or work very well. I mean it really would suck if I just got fired from all three in one fail swoop, right? Or would it?

Every day, ok maybe not every day but at least 6 out of 7 days of the week I feel like I’m having to choose what takes priority. I am not conceited enough to say that I get it right every day. Actually most of the time I make the wrong choice. In my head and my heart I say family always comes first. But work has its way of inching its way into my personal time. Yes, sometimes I am burning the midnight oil on particular projects for my full time job. But more often than not I’m thinking about work and what I need to do or haven’t done. So while I should be present with my husband or my kids I am Instead thinking about what the heck am I going to write for my performance review, oh my gosh is it really 10:30 pm already, I’m going to be soooooooooooooooooo tired. Oh shoot, did I pack the kids snacks? Are their uniforms clean? Did my husband say he was watching a movie or was he going to bed? Clearly, not doing anything well.

I’m completely conscious of the fact that time is rapidly flying by, the days of phone calls from multiple schools for various rescue operations for my kids is coming to an end and quicker than I’d like to admit. I know that calls for an extra change of clothes because of an accident should be met with a smile. And the begging for me to stay and have lunch at school should be a no brainer. But like I said, I’m always thinking about what else I should be doing and asking is my lunch break over, will I make it back in time for my 1pm? I find myself feeling like I’m constantly caught in the middle and not doing any one thing well. So since I’ve determined that I am nowhere near perfect when these chaotic moments appear I have to tune out the fights over Barbie shoes and the request to read over essays. And literally take a deep breath and be thankful. Thankful for the big and the small. Thankful for a family who loves deeply enough to fight about Barbie shoes, and to push back about suggested essay edits. Be thankful for a husband who considers me reliable, that’s what I’ll call it, enough to run an errand and a job that values my opinion about myself. Sometimes the simple act of taking 5 seconds to breathe in the chaos and breathe out thankfulness can do the crazy lady’s brain good.

Please let me know that I’m not the only one. Share what kind of balancing act you are currently performing, are you winning or inconsistently meeting expectations? Sound off in the comments below.

New Year New Focus

January 6, 2016UncategorizedBarika Porter

Towards the end of last year I encountered quite a few challenges that made me evaluate how I’ve been planning and approaching my life. As I’ve said before, the blur of sleep deprivation and babyhood zapped me of my ability to see clearly from one moment to the next. I was just trying to survive. But now as they get older my clarity is coming back, I’m still sleep deprived but have learned to function slightly better. And as such I think I need to get serious about what I’d like to accomplish in the coming year. I don’t want to just talk about it I want to be about it. Over the last few days I rolled a few words around my head. I kept thinking I wanted it to be something really deep and profound. And every word I came up with seemingly fell a little flat. Then I said hmm, maybe I should ask God for guidance on what my word/focus should be for 2016. As side note I tend to be a little like Gideon in the bible you know I’m the test it show me, and then show me again kind of gal. Which I often couch as being pragmatic, but really it’s all about me being a big chicken and risk adverse. So I just heard on Sunday about asking for wisdom and God will give it generously, I am paraphrasing here. Hence the reason for my delayed request for wisdom on what my focus should be. No judgement please, I really often think I’m smarter and wiser than I am, but this year I will do better. So why not ask for wisdom. So I asked. And all jokes aside as soon as I became intentional about getting some guidance outside of myself then bam, the word/focus came to me just like that. And to be clear it is not an easy word to swallow. And quite honestly it is something I struggle with daily. My word and focus for 2016 is Discipline. So of course I had to look up what the word meant because I know what my head was telling me and it pretty much aligned with this scary definition,

“the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.”

Now that sounds like a beat down is coming if I don’t fall in line. While I suppose that is a component of it I thought being a slightly more positive would generate better results so as I read further this is the definition,

“orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior c : self-control”

really resonated with me.

This year I really need to get some patterns down, change some bad behavior and exhibit self-control. If I want to see change and growth I have to exhibit self control and implement some structure to the things that matter most. Often it’s easier to just stick with the way things have always been, i.e. stay a chicken for the rest of your life. Or you can choose to do some things differently. But I know that it’s not about just wishing and hoping to do better. No it takes intention and a plan, not one so rigid that you can’t adjust when things aren’t going well. In the words of Kyle Steele “Fail fast, so you can fix it quick”. I listened to a podcast talk he did and he provided some awesome insight and wisdom about how he became a serial entrepreneur. You can read more about his interview/talk here.

I don’t know about you but as I look at 2016 head on I am asking myself the question “Is what I’m about to do or say or exhibiting self-discipline?” I wish I could say that one is my own too, but I must give credit to Rita and you can check her out here. I’m thinking I probably could have asked myself this question earlier today. I guess that’s why there’s always tomorrow right? What word have you chosen for 2016? Sound off in the comments I would love to hear from you.

No Hustle In Your Bustle?

December 24, 2015UncategorizedBarika Porter

It’s that time of year and the holiday hustle and bustle is in full effect. However, something strange is happening with me. I have no urge absolutely no desire to spend money I don’t have. I have pangs of guilt that the few gifts I have purchased won’t be nearly enough or well received. I’ve racked my brain for creative gifts for those that I love and I hope that they might like what I’ve come up with. All I want to convey is how much I love and appreciate the family and friends that God has placed in my life. I am trying to take this time to really reflect on the blessings that surround me. The small things that will never come my way again. (As in decorated Chest of Drawers to include garland and a bathrobe tie, say what?! Please note exhibit A.) The kids are getting older, parents and grandparents are too. I tell myself repeatedly, focus Barika, focus!

Exhibit A: Surprise room decoration by the hope and help babies.

One thing that we have done as a family to help us focus on the meaning and reason for the Christmas season is by incorporating Advent readings at home. If you aren’t familiar with Advent it’s a time of reflection and preparation for Christmas. The 3 weeks leading up to Christmas we do our best to gather nightly as a family to read a passage on the advent focus for the week, sing a song, pray and talk about why we have, Peace, Hope or Joy. It has been awesome to hear the things that the girls have to say. To include a prayer to keep aliens from outer space from invading earth. I think that has a lot to do with the littlest girl’s obsession with Miles from Tomorrow Land. Or the request to sing God is So Good every night. Well because He is right? These little family gatherings help me and hopefully us, to keep the main thing the main thing. It takes less than 10 minutes and allows us time as a family to slow down and be thankful. I blot out the less than serene moments of crying and fighting over who will light the candle or sing the song. Or the one word answers and at times snarky response from the eldest. The shoving to blow out the candle, all of that isn’t stored in my picture perfect memory of our family time together. No, not stored in my mind just out here on the interwebs for all of the world to relive with me.

It’s easy to get caught up in spending way more than you have or focusing on what you don’t have or can’t give. We can ward off focusing in on our perceived lack and refocus on the abundance that surrounds us. I’m pretty good at seeing the big picture thankful for shelter, clothing, food, etc. I’m trying to improve my mindfulness of the little things each day. Here’s a list of 5 things I am really thankful for as I reflect on Hope, Peace and Joy that comes with the birth of Jesus.

God has consistently provided for our family throughout this year. We have not gone without anything that we needed
My Husband is a creative genius and is moving into a new season of opportunity and success.
My heart baby has college acceptances and is maturing into a lovely young woman.
My hope baby has a wiggly front tooth that is hanging on by a thread and is a reading champ
My help baby recited her whole part for her school Christmas play and keeps us in stiches with her comedic timing.

What are some of the things remind you of the Hope, Joy and Peace that already surround you today? I would love to hear about some of the little things that remind you to be thankful feel free to share in the comments.

Do Something Terrifying

December 14, 2015Opportunity, Uncategorizedaction, risk, TerrifyingBarika Porter

: Georgio / Foter.com / CC BY

Would you believe that when I contemplated taking to the ‘internets’ to begin writing I was terrified and from time to time still am terrified? Terror like sweaty palms and anxiety just before hitting post? Complete with a side of what if nobody ever reads it or thinks its silly. Wow, so now I’m letting you in on my inner thoughts, this does not seem like it will bode well. Ok, back to the matter at hand. In actually writing a miracle occurred. And the miracle was around all of the negative talk going on in my brain. Do you know what the miracle was? When I hit the button to publish my post I did not keel over by way of massive heart attack. Each time that I sit down and write and take the risk to share I see ways that I can take bigger risk. This blog is an opportunity to take a risk and reap the rewards as I seek to help encourage and motivate others do something daring and bold. It may seem like a small thing but it’s the small things that turn into big things bit by bit.

I know that God has gifted you and me with unique talents and skills to impact the world around us. I am guilty for praying all the while taking no action. Knowing that there are things I should do or say but as per usual fear grabs me and I try to make my inaction spiritual by suggesting I haven’t been led to move. It can be scary to take risk and somethings may go wrong along the way, however, it would be worse to never take the risk and die without living life on purpose.

Are there situations/circumstances in your life that aren’t getting better? What if you shifted from seeing your circumstances as a ‘problem’ but see them for the opportunities instead? I’d love to hear about some of the thoughts that are hardest to re-frame.