Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2018

"I have chosen to repost this inspiration from my blog in 2017 as it is my favorite quote from Dr. King as well as being very pertinent to what is happening in our country and the world today."

 "There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right."

Routine Lists Inspired

This past week, I read a blog post by Selena Kinder on empoweringwomennow.com that I found very familiar and interesting.  She wrote about how simple routines that she does morning and night help to keep her healthy.  She expressed reluctance in showing her routines because they might be too much or not enough for some women.  However, in the end, she made the point "that you don’t feel obligated or guilty into doing anything on my lists unless you think it will help you with your goals. Ultimately, I’m sharing my lists to help you pinpoint what you need to do for your life."

I enjoyed her post because I like her have specific routines that I do each morning and night.  I have found that since I retired having routines helps me to not only get my day started off on the right foot but they also help me to end my day more peacefully and sleep better knowing I have accomplished something that day.  Of course, routines are not set in stone and can be altered, added to or eliminated as necessary but my routines fit me nicely right now.  That is not to say they won't change in the future.  My routines do not take a lot of time as I prefer not to make plans for my day unless I absolutely must.  I prefer to see where my interests, energy level, etc. take me.  Also, I am of the opinion that if you plan something, God will find a way to change your plan.

Perhaps you will share your routines with me in the comments below.

I will end this post with a quote from Selena Kinder that I especially liked, "Always remember you are good enough and capable of achieving anything."

Monday Inspiration

"Every man should be born again on the first day of January.  Start with a fresh page.  Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first day of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past."
-  Henry Ward Beecher  

Looking Back and Looking Forward!

As a new year begins ( 2018...wow!  This is like the book "1984" and tv show "Star Trek" all rolled into one), I look back to see what we lived through in the old year.  It was a year of ups and downs.  Downs in that the president I greatly admired was replaced by someone whom I have no respect for.  It was a year of violence and a year when mother nature seemed to be on the warpath with our nation.  It was a year in which we lost my husband's sister to cancer which brought about the realization that we were not quite prepared for our own final plans.  But with all of that, this was a year of joyful times.  Our immediate family made it thru an entire year in good health.  My oldest son received his DMA (doctorate) in music which he has spent a number of years working toward.  My husband and youngest son went on the Honor Flight in September and it was a memorable experience for both of them.

There were a number of mistakes I made in the past year as well as before that I wish I could change (hindsight is a wonderful thing) but I have found that dwelling on those only causes more inner pain to me and that is something I do not have time for at this stage of my life. In this new year, I am focusing on looking forward and learning from the mistakes in my past.  For that is the only way we refrain from repeating them.  And as always, I look to my faith to help me.

"Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

2018 will be my year of Creativity...not only in the artistic sense but in what I can do to bring growth, fun, color and adventure to my small corner of the world.  I do not need to try and send my creativity out into the whole world for validation nor compare what I am doing with what others are accomplishing.  It is only the value of my creative offerings to me and mine that is worth measuring.

 "Some of us will make tiny ripples and others will send waves crashing, but each one will forever change the surface of the water."  (Robin Dance on incourage.me)

What will guide you in 2018 in your corner of the world?

New Look for a New Year!!!