Happy Friday!

Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier.  The way it actually works is the reverse.  You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.  ~Margaret Young

Its Simple...Really

Image by netdance via Flickr

 Max Lucado "3:16   The Numbers of Hope"

I finished the last chapter of this book last night for today's bible study.   For those unfamiliar, this book takes a short verse and examines its meaning (by phrases or word) - both Biblically and for today.     Author's Opinion - Its what its ALL about.    My opinion - For the first time, I think I may actually get "it".

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16 

If you are curious at all, get the book.  I'm not qualified or knowledgeable enough to explain it or do it justice.     For me, its in the words "whoever believes".    Those are the words that kind of "rocked" me last week and send my mind into overdrive.   How to meld my Catholic upbringing into my questioning, non-practicing Christian adulthood has been a challenge.   There's a Christian song  (Jason Gray) out there that has the lyrics "I need more than a truth to believe / I need a truth that lives, moves and breathes....to sweep me off my feet".   And that's how I felt last week - swept off my feet! 

Habits

Yesterday I found some old information I had on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey.  It caught my attention mainly because so much of what we do each day and how we work is rooted in Habit.

"Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny"   (Samuel Smiles)

Change has to start somewhere and its all comes from a spark - a thought that allows us to alter our behavior and with that, alter our future.    I fully believe in the power of thinking and change.   So many things are impacted by our mindset and how we approach things:  positive or negative (glass half full or half empty)?    YOU decide.

And that took me to examining the principles themselves.    The first is to be proactive and not reactive.  I thought about this and how my life (professional and personal) was based on reaction for so long.    Under staffing and pressure in my professional  capacity created that kind of environment where I could never get ahead of the crisis long enough to be proactive!   On the personal side, I just couldn't seem to recognize things I couldn't control and I would spend a lot of energy trying to solve those matters.  So when you are proactive you focus on things you have the power to change or influence.  Reactive people allow their behavior to be controlled by outside influences (moods, feelings and circumstances).  

Along with many changes, this is one that I think I have made a great deal of progress on.  ESPECIALLY not spending energy on things I can't control or worrying about some one's mood .   It is what it is.    I will focus on what can be expanded or changed; leaving more time and energy for those important things in life.

Distractions and Answers

Image by newagecrap via Flickr

In the news, I see that Apple has posted its best quarter "Ever" with record revenue numbers.     I am not surprised and, of course, have contributed to it given my Ipod issues and the little coffee incident with my Mac.    When I've been in the store, its been very busy and there is usually a wait.   So apparently our love for technology gadgets overrides a slumping economy.   And maybe its the distraction of something new (4G and Ipad) that makes these things attractive right now.


I understand distractions and "new" things.    Its kind of what I've been doing for the past few months.   Trying to see where the wind takes me.   I experienced a couple of "Ah-Ha" moments last week in the area of Faith.  (Good place to experience these!)   I am working on myself to trust completely that there is a plan, that its a good plan, and that I really need to just let go.  (Kind of difficult for a person like me who likes to run their world!)   But this was a very big deal to me personally, so personal that I can't even articulate the impact but I also can't quit thinking about it!   So I'm definitely distracted by it.   Its like knowing a change is coming, but not sure how to move forward.    


You can tell right now that the weather is changing, too.   The crispness in the mornings is taken on a new chill.    So its time for a season change and the big question is how harsh the change will be.   A kinder, gentler Fall and Winter, or something that chills to the bone?   I'm wondering for me too, what these next few months will hold.   Trust and Faith - that's what I need to do.   Its just doing it.

Fall Tips for You!

I've been looking for fall centerpieces, decorating, etc. and was reminded that not so long ago this time of year required Halloween costume ideas for my kids.   And while I am clearly out of that stage, I know that others are not and so I wanted to share this very simple and CHEAP tutu idea for little girls.  What's great about this is how versatile it is.  Make a black tutu, use tights/leggings and shirt you probably already have, add a witch hat or cat ears and you are done!   White or pastels turn into ballet dancer, princess or any number of fairy tale characters.  Orange could be used and you have a pumpkin (I think I would just use felt and fabric tape to make a jack-o-lantern face on a shirt.)   So here's the link for making the tutu.

And, I couldn't leave out all the boys and older girls out there, so here's a link that has lots of ideas for simple costumes using items you probably already have.   (This is the second link.)   I hope these are helpful to someone.

http://seejanescrapbook.blogspot.com/2008/10/halloween-tutu-how-to.html
http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm


As well, here are some really easy centerpiece ideas for fall.

• After (or before) Halloween, any uncarved pumpkins can be hollowed out (seeds removed) and using a short glass vase, put fall flowers inside the pumpkin.     You can also just use dry twigs and/or flowers.  (Picture above and idea - taken from Real Simple!)
• Using a rectangular tray / basket / glass dish (probably at least 4 inches wide and fairly shallow), gather some Fall leaves, assortment of gourds and mums.   Layer first with leaves, then gourds, tucking in the flowers to fill and add color variety.  Flowers can be refreshed as needed.
• Another easy idea is to take your favorite basket and fill with an assortment of gourds (and even some silk fall leaves).   Using some "cranberry" garland wrapped around adds that pop of red to the golds, greens and yellows.

One of my best decorating purchases (and I think my sister helped with this one so I can't take the credit) is an oblong shaped metal candle holder (holds five pillar candles) with basket underneath.   For Easter I use pastel candles and fill the basket with Easter "grass" and painted wooden eggs.   Right now, I have it filled with gourds and leaves.  Christmas, I use evergreens and red candles.   Just a very versatile piece that allows me to inexpensively "switch" with the seasons.