Taking Control of Our Thoughts– Dr. Charles Stanley

Bottom of the Food Chain

Get Inspired!

Yesterday, I asked on FB if anyone had any inspiration, and only 3 people (my cousin, my brother and sister-in-law) actually answered. Isn't that life for you? Inspiration is like a hidden special something that most people find it hard to answer yet it is all around us and even "within" us. After I posted this question I decided that I would get out with my kids and hit the trail at Black Shoals Park in Conyers, Ga Rockdale County.  It was a beautiful day and what the heck! 

So I interrupted their classwork and we took a break. What an adventure! I wore jeans and boots and boy what did I do that for! My boots were not made for that kind of terrain and two of my children who felt the need to scurry ahead...waaaaay ahead went further then I wanted to actually go. Well, this meant they were in charge now of our little venture in the park. Now, the parks where I live look more like forests, not parks. Fallen trees, branches, little animals scurrying around, insects of all manner were about us. So we went forth like good soldiers, with kids leading the way.  So I trudged on uphill (by the way), on cragged rocks and embedded boulders, moss that looked dry but was just as soaked and deep like little small marshes, for which my boots were not made for. All the while I could hear my kids saying, Ma! This is like the great adventure! Thanks!  Ugh, I began to not feel so intrigued, I hate when my feet are wet with "whatever it was in those marshes" I don't know. Anyway, I was calling out to the 2 furthest adventurers because I truly did not want to see more or worse of the same terrain I had to walk gingerly through, hop over or darn there break my neck trying to get to the other side. Finally caught up to those two and I could hear the ones with me saying, "Ma you lost your cool back there, take a knee". Yeah, I told them they would lose their cool too if they had this body I had and 2 very curious, adventurous, physically fit kids leading you out to nowhere! Lol!  Anyway, I say that to say this, the inspiration I found lied within me and the life I was given. 

Today, I see inspiration, and it is God given and INSPIRED! Everyone has this same inspiration, you just have to look within and around you to know just how AWESOMELY INSPIRED your life truly is!!!

Well...that's my take on it anyway. What do I know?!

"All Work And No Play" Makes For A Very Stressed Out Mama and If Mama Ain't Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy!

When I was a kid I absolutely loved tracing, coloring, drawing, and painting!  I looked for every opportunity to either doodle or color, even at times when I should be paying attention in class...for which the teacher would reprimand me often.  It was very relaxing, and it was a way to be still and quiet yet busy in a way. These days my life is filled with schedules, homeschooling, online schooling, keeping track of my college kids, errands, endless foodshopping trips, boundless laundry, and managing household needs and maintaining a marriage.  Any relaxing will have to be taken by force!  Soooo... one of the things I picked back up was coloring! Yes!  I know you may think it's childish but so what, I like it!  I get to be quiet, concentrate,  and think about what?! (GASP)  N-O-T-H-I-N-G!  Kind of the equivalent to "GONE FISHIN'".   I say that to say this, don't forget that inner-child that you still possess. Yeah, that little girl or boy that is still there waiting in the shadows for you to get finished with all of the work that you deemed to be "oh-so" urgent and important.   They are saying, "Come on already!  Let's play!" Because playing is fun and it's gettin' in that balanced life!

GREAT DAYCATION IDEAS #2  FAST & FURIOUS!

Do YOU have a NEED FOR SPEED?  Indoor go cart racing could be the FAST and FURIOUS your Daycation needs!  Everyone is not always fortunate enough to go on a 7 day cruise or all inclusive vacation to Hawaii, but there is yet another great way to spend time with the family, friend or by yourself…GO CART RACING!  

This summer, my family and I are finding ways to spice up our summer with some fun, inexpensive excursions right in our own backyard so to speak!  I would LOVE to get away somewhere exotic this summer or maybe take a relaxing cruise to Aruba, but unfortunately like many other households the funds aren't quite there yet for this year. So, the alternative  would be to enjoy our summer with places here in our own area that won't break the bank.  

There are many fun, family-friendly places to explore in the go-cart racing venues and "I SPIED" one right in Duluth called K1 Speed.  It’s open 7 days a week, and they offer a great venue for birthday parties, corporate events, group parties and even have racing leagues!  There are so many other racing facilities to choose from you have but to locate and choose!  

Here’s to a FUN~FAST & FURIOUS summer DAYCATION!!!  Enjoy!

Great Daycation Ideas # 1 - RIVER TUBING!

The first time I ever went river tubing was with my children.  My children were attending a local church's youth group and they planned an outing for the youth, and the parents had the option of coming along.  At first I thought I'd just allow the kids to go, but then I thought, "Well shoot!  Why should I deny myself the opportunity to try something new AND something FUN!"  I was so glad I went, I had a BALL!  The kids enjoyed it too.  So, I thought I would remind you HARD-WORKING PARENTS out there that it is important for you to have fun too and enjoy the children of your youth without depleting the bank account.  Here is an example of the pricing:
 
Regular Rate (per person) One tube trip — $5 

All-day tubing — $9

Waterslide — $5 

As Combos

One tube trip and waterslide —$10

All-day tubing and waterslide — $14

Group Rate (per person) 

One tube trip —$4

All-day tubing —$8

Waterslide —$5
 
As Combos

One tube trip and waterslide — $8 

All-day tubing and waterslide —$12

The group rate applies to groups of 10 or more. You must all pay together and in one payment to get the group rate. 

Isn't that pretty cool and affordable?  So, if you can't go away for the summer and you're limited on funds...don't VACATION, take a DAYCATION and go RIVER TUBING!

EMBRACE SOUND ADVICE AND INSTRUCTION...YOUR LIFE WILL DEPEND ON IT.

Proverbs 6:20

“My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s teaching.”

Many times we find ourselves as parents almost loathing having to correct or discipline our children in one form or other.  A dirty room, chores, bad grades, responsibilities, disrespect, selfishness, the list goes on of all the things we have to train our children in, but train WE MUST.  My mother used to say “I will do what I must.” It wasn't what she “wanted to do, many times she did what she “had” to do.  My mother also told me once that “my job is not to be your friend, but your parent.”  Just as a small tree planted will need “stakes” to support it, we as parents are just like the stakes supporting a young tree (our children).  A coach trains an athlete and supports the athlete rain or shine, good or bad.  A good athlete welcomes the help and uses it to his/her advantage.  To welcome it means to accept it without complaining and to trust it as being a good thing.  We as parents have to train our children to choose the right path in life, and when they are older they will keep to that training.  It doesn't mean that they won’t at some point stray, but if we put the work in, it will not come back void but it will do what it was set out to do.   Children your job is to learn well because one day you will need to draw from that wellspring of teaching and training that was invested in you so diligently and tirelessly from your parents those that love you..

 

Be Blessed!

DECLINED NO MORE!

DECLINED NO MORE!

                                                                                           

One of the things that I have struggled with from time to time throughout the years raising my family has been the sacrifice of not working outside the home for various reasons, but chiefly because of home schooling and all that comes with that and of course when they were babies and very young and the need to be home with them.  This struggle often comes at times when money is tight, the pantry is dry, everything is due or breaking down.  Of course there are plenty of times when everything feels right and is right, bank account is looking straight, and money at the time is no issue.  But… when the paycheck is spent and there’s still another 2 weeks to go, and even that paycheck is pretty much spoken for; it can get very “real” around here.   

A “real” moment happened today when I went in the store to get just a few things which totaled $6 and some change.  I got up to the register to pay for them, swiped my card….DECLINED….swiped it again….DECLINED.  I was embarrassed, humiliated, frustrated and then I became angry!  I will be 50 years old in September and there should be no reason why at this stage in the game that I should be looking at a -0- balance in my account.  No more!  I understood it when my children, my husband and I were young and poor and everything went to pampers, food, gas, rent and just staying above water.  

Today is my beginning on yet another personal journey, and that is to claim what God said is mine.   It’s a new day and the new day begins with a new attitude!  This is the year that I begin my journey towards wealth.  Yes, I said it, wealth!  I have trusted God far too long, worked for no pay on behalf of someone’s ministry in someone’s church planting seeds, helping others, giving of myself, my time and resources to not only my family and friends, but to people God put in my path.  I DECLARE AND DECREE that I will be DECLINED NO MORE!  There’s a field waiting to be harvested and it’s the field that I sowed my life into and I AM EXPECTING A HARVEST AND THE TIME IS NOW TO REAP!   

Ugh! The Agony of Defeat: Teaching Our Athletes the Fine Art of

(GASP) Losing

A good deal of parents have their children in sports.  My children run track and their Dad coaches them.  They spend several hours throughout the week training, arising many mornings in sometimes wet, cold weather to train at a local track in our community.  They also have a regiment of lifting weights, ice baths, and hill training, along with eating right, and knowing what to eat and when to eat it… it’s pretty involved.  Last week the kids had a track meet and one of my kids didn't do so well.   She took it pretty hard, and the week before that she wasn't pleased with her performance, and didn't take it so well.  It’s hard watching your child work so hard towards their goal, only to experience the agony of defeat and fall short of their goal.  Most parents want to see their children achieve their goals (I know I do)…we want to see them win!  However, “losing” can be a good thing if our perspective has the right lenses on.  Everyday we face “win lose” situations, it’s how we choose to view and handle these situations that can either make or break us as an individual.  The mind and the spirit is where true strength is formed and developed.

Case in point:  I like boxing and one of the most prolific professional boxers of our time Floyd Mayweather, Jr. fought one of the most challenging fights of his career against Ricky Hatton, and when it was over tears were streaming from Mayweather’s face.  He “won” the fight, and it cost him, and he “knew” it cost him. He may have been bruised, swollen, and sore but he “won” the fight… I suppose he could live with that. On the other hand, Hatton suffered a deep depression after his “defeat”, despite having never lost; fighting the best fight he could’ve fought against such a formidable opponent. He didn't handle the “loss” well at all.  I tend to wonder if the day will come, when and if Mayweather is defeated, how he will handle it.  

No one wants to be on the losing side, but in life it is necessary.  It is what “grows” us up when words, book-smarts or flattering tongues alone won’t do.  Losing gives us a perspective that only the experience of it can teach.  Sometimes losing happens even when we've done everything we can possibly do or when things are out of our control leaving us with the aching question…now what?  Teaching our kids and reminding ourselves as well, to have faith in God and the power of His might and to know that God will work all things together for the good when we trust Him in all things “win” or “lose” is how we truly win!  We simply must know how to abound as well as be abased; it’s part of life….Life-schooling that is. 

Be blessed.     

Philippians 4:12

12v. I know how to be abased and I know how to abound.  Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.