lifting up or tearing down?

Did you ever stop to think the words that you utter can bring a person up or it can tear them down. Remember the Bible Verse you learned in Sunday School?

“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.”

—1 Thessalonians 5:11

It is much harder to look for the positive, and build each other up I think. Often we get carried away by daily tasks and what has to be done.

There were protesters in our small city today. I realize they have a right to free speech and it did turn into a good lesson for the kids. The kids really thought it funny that they were protesting war and soldiers when it was and is our soldiers who fight to keep our freedom of free speech. But I wonder how much further they could take their message if they lifted others up rather than tearing them down.

I think of my kids too. Often I am correcting them about something that was not put away or a chore not done. I must make a sincere effort to praise the things they are doing right.

We need people in our lives to encourage us and we need to encourage the people in our lives. Often times we can see something special in someone that they themselves cannot see.

I am truly blessed, I was feeling really discouraged and friends reminded me of my talents and even what I could learn from my failures.

Funny that word Courage slipped in the middle of the word encourage. It does sometimes take courage to lift another up. But even more important, by encouraging another person you give them courage!

Share the courage!

The potential to turn a life around

Yes...you have not only the potential to turn your own life around, but the potential to turn another's life around!

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Leo Buscaglia

As you go through each day, don't let an opportunity pass you by to turn someone's moment, day or life around!

New Beginnings!! Happy 2008!!

2008…a new year, a time to put the past behind us and create a future we all look forward to. A chance to set goals, look forward and dream big!

An online mom’s business group http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/ I am involved in is embarking on a project starting today to make our goals real, not just thoughts in our heads. I encourage you to join us.

We all have hopes, dreams, wishes and prayers. We often make resolutions starting with a new year. Often we go about this half heartedly. How many of them do we really keep?

By putting your hopes, dreams, wishes and prayers in writing it not only makes them more real but puts our brains in a mind set of reaching those hopes, dreams, wishes and prayers. We have a goal and our brains begin to map a way to that goal.

It is a chance for you as business to set goals. This can be an individual, family or group endeavor. It is a good way to teach kids to set goals and is also fun!

Let’s make a Wish box or Prayer box!

First you need a box. You can buy a fancy box or think green and recycle a box you have on hand. It is fun to create a box by decorating in a style that suits you. Let your imagination be your guide!

Next, write down your hopes, dreams, wishes, goals and prayers. You can choose to share them before placing them in the box or you can keep them personal.

As a family discussing your wishes as they go into the box, is a great way to teach kids goal setting and to work with them to plan out steps that are needed to make them all come true!

A few tips when writing down your wishes.

Write down your wish in the positive not the negative. Example Negative “I want to not worry about paying bills”. Instead, Positive “I want to make X amount of dollars this year”.

Write out your wish in complete detail. The more details, the more your subconscious mind begins to carry out these instructions.

Finally, pick a time to go back and review those items in your wish box. Once a month, once a year…it is up to you. It is a good time to see what wishes have come true, which you are still working toward and which you completely changed directions on and went a different way.

Happy 2008! Dream big!!!

Coming home

I just wanted to pause a moment and thank everyone who serves and has served in the military. I as a mom appreciate all that you do for our family.

We are happy to hear our neighbor who has been in Iraq for a little over a year is on his way home and will be here tomorrow.

Often overlooked people

We have so many people in our lives to be thankful for. So many of them are often overlooked, but they are such an important part of our lives.

The lunch crew at our kids school! Awesome! No, the kids don't always like what they are served for lunch, lol. I have found they have a budget too....and as a SAHM I know what it is like to feed a family on a budget. It ain't easy! Can you imagine feeding several kids on a limited budget.

This group of people work so hard to make sure our kids eat and are taken care of. The cafeteria supervisor calls the kids her little customers. I have seen more than one of them do little extras for my kids and other kids. They really do look out for the kids.

Our school custodian is another person. He works hard to clean the school during the day, moves furniture extra on a regular basis, and clean-up throw-up! He is never too busy to say hi to a teacher, a student or a parent! So many of the kids look up to him. He is a good man with a kind heart!

There is a whole list of others, but these individuals really are in my thoughts this morning.

Right time, right place, & right reasons

Ever feel like like the world is against you and if there was no bad luck you are like the old HeeHaw song 'if it weren't for bad luck I would have no luck at all'?

But then something happens to remind you of why you are where you are. And you realize you are in the right place and for the right reasons and it is the right time.

A dear friend took me to breakfast this morning. One of my school moms as a thank you for a spread sheet I worked on for her. She feels I was a blessing to her but I think it is the other way around.

I think God keeps our paths crossing for a reason.

Things happen for a reason

I firmly believe that. It is so very hard to stay positive with when things are going wrong. It was one of the reasons I started this blog to help myself focus on the positive.

This blog "You are the World" I truly feel "You may only be a person in this world, but for someone, you’re the world!"

I feel by helping others I help myself. We each can make a difference. Sometimes we wonder if our little parts make a difference.

Little things tell me I am on the right track. I am making a difference. I am focusing on the right things.

One of those little things this morning was an email about this year's reflections contest through the school. Much to my surprise it is

2008 Reflections Program Theme: "I can make a difference by..."

It will be interesting to see what my six and 8 year old come up with for this theme. I will keep you posted.