love – Long walks and dark chocolate

It’s already been a month!

December 21, 2012 4 Comments

So, today is my 1 month blogging anniversary. I think I have managed to post almost every single day of that month, even though some days were more challenging than others. I’m enjoying myself immensely and already learning a few things that will improve my writing skills.

I think this is a good time to thank those who faithfully read my attempts at insight and humor and those who encourage me with their comments and emails. Some of my wonderful friends jumped right on board without even the knowledge of whether I could properly form a sentence. Thank you all very much for your support! My hope is that we can all become better friends, share knowledge and help each other in this journey we call life!

Love and Blessings!

Lisa

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: blog, love, writing

WIth love and prayers to CT

December 14, 2012 4 Comments

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who are affected by the tragedy in Newtown, CT today. There is nothing I can say or do to take away the pain or make sense of this horrific event. What I can do is pray. We are called to feel the pain of others, to share their burdens with them. When I heard this on the news today, I immediately thought of my own children and my beautiful granddaughter.

I tried to put myself in the place of all of those who got the calls this morning that something was amiss, in the place of the teachers and the children who witnessed this firsthand and the first responders who had to see this and probably knew some of the victims.

I want to continue to cry over this, I welcome the ache in my heart. I want it to hurt and to feel the disgust for such a mindless, senseless tragedy and I want to have the overwhelming compassion that brings tears to my eyes. We should. It’s the least we can do. Our prayers must be heartfelt and we must continue to lift these folks up, not just today, but for as long as we will.

Tell the ones you love how much they mean to you. Hug them, kiss them, squeeze them.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: compassion, love, newtown

Love the you that God created you to be!

November 30, 2012 10 Comments

This morning my facebook post said, “Thankful that I’m comfortable in my skin, with who I am, how I look, what I believe in and how I live – All the thanks goes to God ♥”. I wrote it, walked away and began to get ready to go pick up some Christmas things.

For some reason, I was thinking…I wonder if people will in any way think that was vain, especially the part about being happy with how I look. I’m hopeful people won’t take that the wrong way.

To elaborate, maybe I can take you back to high school. Was anyone ever insecure, trying to “fit in” or mold yourself to a ever changing standard? Did you think you were too fat, too thin, too quiet, too loud? Were you jealous? Did you secretly wish certain people liked you more, paid you more attention? Were you a part of the ‘in” crowd, but too scared of the ramifications of reaching out to those who weren’t? Did you morph yourself into every boyfriend you ever had taking on their likes, dislikes as your own, turning yourself into someone you didn’t recognize? Everyone had their own set of issues, fears, concerns.

I don’t remember when things really began to change for me, maybe in my thirties, about the time I renewed my faith. Coincidence? Not for me. I also know that the many things we go through in life also mature us and change us.

I just know that one day I realized that I was no longer bound to what the world and the magazines and whoever was the most popular told me was socially acceptable or a worthy goal. I am very capable of deciding how to dress, how to please my husband and raise healthy, happy children. My guidebook is the bible, not Cosmo, and strangely enough, I’ve done well.

If I could give a gift, all wrapped up in a BIG RED BOW, to all of the younger women I know, I would tell them this. Love the you that God made you to be. We were not all created to be cookie cutter images of each other or of some pop culture icon. Be healthy, exercise self-control, give much, love more, and cherish moments, not things (can never say this enough), be happy with your body; take care of it as you will need it for a long time, but don’t make it your God or an obsession. After all, beauty is fleeting. It’s what’s on the inside that’s going to last and make the biggest impression, good or bad.

Find that peace that comes with knowing who you were created to be. Recognize your unique gifts and talents and use them to promote love, kindness and peace. Keep the faith!

Be Blessed!