Final Blog of 2012

With 2012 coming to a close, the world will hold its breathe with anticipation and cheer as the clock strikes twelve.  New Years Eve is traditionally a time for celebration, reflection, renewal and change.  We get to look beyond, probe deep, and understand what lies at the heart of what matters to us.

As the year ends, this time is an opportunity to abandon everything that was less than perfect and start fresh.  I'm NOT talking about setting a bunch of New Year Resolutions that you will not be able to keep.  That's been tried, tested and proven to be lacking.  I've never been able to keep one longer than 3 weeks anyway. 

There's something about a New Year, a new beginning, and a fresh start that encourages us to make a change for the New Year.  It's a powerful feeling to know you have another fresh year ahead of you and you can choose what you do with it and reflect on where you want to go next.

2012 has been rough for me spiritually, emotionally and physically so in the final hours of the year, a few thoughts have occurred to me as an appropriate means to close out this year and start fresh with the next, especially since I will begin an extensive Daniel's fast tomorrow.

1. Throw out the bad feelings, the unwanted emotions and the outdated viewpoints.  All that room for a fresh attitude will be a refreshing change and a chance to view things with a brand new attitude.

2. Take a look at priorities and daily distractions, and make sure that you spend your valuable time where you want to and where it will do the most good. 

3. Think about situations, good, bad and indifferent.  Understand desires and get in touch with basic needs.  It's time!!

4. Recognize who you are and be true to yourself.  It's imperative!!

I hope everyone has a blessed and prosperous new year!

Giving Thanks

Well, it's almost Thanksgiving and lately I have been doing a lot of reflecting on my life and the things that I am most thankful for.  First and foremost I am thankful for a loving and forgiving God that loves me unconditionally and has made a place for me in Heaven.  Without God I would have never made it through some of the toughest times in my life.

Second, I am so thankful for four of the greatest children on earth.  They are my world.  Other than God there is no one in this world that I love more.  They are the reason that I strive to be the best mother that I can be.  I sometimes forget and have a tendency to take things in life for granted; but they remind me of how blessed I truly am.  Their smiles brighten up my world and their determination makes me proud.  I truly am grateful that I am their mother.

I am thankful for having such wonderful friends and family.  I absolutely could not make it without them.  Each one plays a very special role in my life as well as my children's lives.

Sometimes it takes hearing someone else's story, seeing a homeless person, a person with a serious illness, people that have been afflicted by natural disaster, children suffering abuse, hunger or all the bad things in the world to make a person appreciate the life that they have.  When I see all the things going on in the world today, I have to praise God for all the wonderful blessings that he has given me.  Sometimes I start feeling sorry for myself because of the struggles that I have had to face but I soon remember that I am here, alive and healthy.  I have happy children, a safe place to live, food to eat and clothes to wear and am loved by so many people.

So this Thanksgiving I am going to remember all the things that I have to be thankful for, and there are many!  I am going to pray for those who are less fortunate than me.   I will also pray that God show me how I can help others by being more compassionate and understanding.  Who knows, maybe my compassion and understanding towards someone will give them something to be thankful for too.

God bless you all!