I had an interesting conversation with a girl I work with yesterday. I was scheduled to work until around 5 PM, so when she got there I told her I’d be glad to get back home because I had a couple of plans for the evening. I explained to her that I planned to do some glass painting after I got home and changed into comfortable clothes.

Her response was that I have too much time on my hands! Right. I don’t think so. I work full time, I do a little this ‘n’ that on the internet to generate some income, and I take care of my home. I really don’t have a lot of time on my hands, I just use my time well. I really think that’s the key to a lower stress level for anyone: how you use your time.

We’ve only got 24 hours in a day, but if we cram them full of intense activities then we are sure to raise our blood pressure or cause ourselves other health concerns, none of which are easily fixed. I think it’s vital to our well-being to allow ourselves some down-time so we can refocus and reintroduce ourselves to ourselves.

As a woman, I enjoy several activities that help take my mind off of the stress at work and help me remember who I am in the world. I tend to concentrate on one of these activities at a time over the course of several weeks. Right now, it’s glass painting, but whether it’s that or making handcrafted jewelry, paper making, or cooking, I do have interests outside of work that are relaxing and, I feel, beneficial to my general well-being.

Technorati Tags: work, glass painting, blood pressure, health

Posted: June 15th, 2008 under Encouragement.
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The weather here has been turbulent lately. Tornadoes, flash floods, wind, lightening, hard rainfall - it’s been a mess, for sure. One thing I’ve noticed during all of this is that birds don’t sing in a storm. They sing with gusto after the storm has passed, though.

It occurred to me that life is like that for us as humans, too. During the storms of life, we keep our head under our wing, hunker down, and just hang on till the storm has passed. Surviving the storms of life and having victory over adversity puts a song in our hearts. It makes us have the joy and happiness we missed so very much during the height of the tempests of life.

I’ve gone through some storms. The key word here is “through”. The storms didn’t last forever. In fact, they didn’t even last a long time. Nothing ever does. But after the storms, the air is sweet and clean and fresh. The sun comes out and creates diamond-like sparkles on the tips of the blades of grass. The newness of life around me is exhilarating and I’m ready to praise my Maker for His goodness as He stands with me through the storms and leads me out of them.

I know more storms will come. It’s part of this life we live. But I’ve seen the sunshine and I know I’ll see it again, and sing.

Technorati Tags: weather, birds, storm, life

Posted: April 5th, 2008 under Encouragement.
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Even at my age, I still have dreams that are as yet unfulfilled. I was reading the posts at my Sis’ blog, and was especially inspired by the things listed about Ben Franklin. He was certainly no spring chicken when he began realizing his dreams and discovering things.

So, I still can achieve my own dreams. I know nothing is ever just handed over. Dreams require some blood, sweat, and tears to achieve. I’m willing to make the necessary sacrifices to accomplish them, and I intend to be ever-vigilant to opportunities that may arise in the pursuit of my dreams.

My biggest dream is to own land and have a cabin or cottage. I’ve said that enough that you’re probably sick of reading it. But it helps me to write it here, and read it again for myself. It reminds me that there’s something to be accomplished beyond just going to work and back again. I’ve actually already spotted the little cabin I want. It’s offered at a local yard barns place, but it’s built to be lived in. There’s enough room in it for myself and my treasured belongings, which means I’ll actually probably need to invest in an actual yard barn to go with it. As soon as the weather permits and I can get by there, I’ll take some pictures of it. I need them to spur me on.

Attaining this dream means I have to plan carefully how to save for it and how to budget so that I can have enough left over to save. In fact, I may have to make savings deposits equal to what a payment would be each month. If I can save that amount each month, then I know I can afford it.

Technorati Tags: Ben Franklin, dreams, cabin, cottage

Posted: January 25th, 2008 under Flights of fancy, Shopping, Encouragement.
Comments: none

I guess today kicks off the feasting holidays. We’ll all eat, probably far more than we should. The calorie count for a Thanksgiving meal is astronomical. Then, there’s Christmas, and all the sweets and rich foods we’ll have during that time.

New Year’s Day, we’ll make our annual resolution to lose weight. Some will try to use hoodia to help suppress their appetite. Others will jump into vigorous exercise programs. Many of us will falter a few weeks in and give up. But, you don’t have to give up.

Take your weight loss program day by day. If you mess up today, start again tomorrow. Eventually, you will get better at watching what you eat and you’ll lose some weight. It takes time to lose it, so don’t be in a hurry.

Technorati Tags: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, resolution, weight loss program

Posted: November 22nd, 2007 under