Chapter 11: Negative Thinking

I have to admit, I can fall into the trap of negative thinking too often. Like a downward spiral, once it begins, boom! There goes my day. I hate the feeling of my body tense and agitated. Snapping at the people around me. At the end of the day, knowing that I had drained people of quiet, happy days because of my words and my attitude.
Lately, I have been making efforts to start the day peacefully, prayerfully. I want to replace the negative thoughts that can sabotage me with a heart filled with contentedness, gratitude, kindness and humor. I want to be a mother, a wife, a coworker and friend, just a person in general that brings more joy to the world.
Here's to kind words, positive thoughts and a joyful, grateful heart.

Chapter 10: Jeannie's Laws

There are two things I know for sure.

#1 When I lose track of something, I can search for it for hours, even days, and intevitably I will find it the minute I start looking for something I can't find.
And #2 It doesn't matter where I park in a parking lot, I could be in the very back with plenty of parking much closer to the location, but I know when I come out and go to my car someone will be parked next to me either getting in or out of their car.
I'm just saying.

Chapter 9: A Change for the Better

"If you always did what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got" This is a quote a friend of mine lives by and shares with others. Simple, but true...so, so true. I attended a talk given by a woman by the name of Ruth Hayden. She is a financial councilor, but not one that deals with numbers alone. Her counseling and her talk were not about money, specifically, not about numbers. What she spoke about people and change. About the need for change. The pain of change. She spoke about techniques that people use that keep them stuck in their rut, their hole. And then she spoke about the power of change. She spoke of the empowering steps that can allow a person break free and learn to live a healthier, happier life. The things she shared were so simple, but a huge leap for someone struggling. A plan. Steps. A belief. A belief that when change happens, it can be uncomfortable, but it can save your life.

Chapter 8: Resurrection

"The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lies the work, disipline and sacrifice. The fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the disipline and make the sacrifice."~Henry Knox Sherrill

Easter is a beautiful and truly extordinary thing for me. It is beyond my comprehension that God so loved the world, that He sacrificed His own son on the cross so that my sins would be forgiven. But it is not a free pass...the Bible reminds me that "To whom much is given, much is expected." What is expected of me? I found this quote above and it resonated with me so much. Our sins are forgiven AND we still still need to keep on. On Saturday, a friend reminded me, it's about progress, not perfection. Keep moving forward, keepi trying, keep the FAITH.