Week three’s lesson take us on a different view that I have never considered. Everyone is unique in there own ways and we all brings different views on how to live a peaceful life. The lady in this week’s story is a strange case that I would have never thought of. Who in there right minds would allow for a Bee Hive to be inside their home? Not me for sure. When I see bees outside I run from them as if they were really going to hurt me. Really, I am so much bigger then they are. Why would I run from something so small that only stings for a bit? I totally understand why some would as they are allergic to them and have severe side effects if stung. My mom would die if stung by a bee.
If I were to walk into this women’s home who had the bee hive I would walk right out – why? The lady assures her guest the bees will not hurt her. For me I would be a bit hesitating and yet intrigued. What if I were to miss a divine appointment there? Sure enough the two ladies sit at the table with a glass of ice water that had the freshest twist of lemon and hummus on pita bread for lunch. The host was very attentive and sincere when asking her guest to “tell me about you.”
How does one tell someone else about who they are? This should be a simple question to answer, you would think. Yet, if you were put on the spot right now, how deep would you go or would you be quick to say that I am a mother of two boys, work for Scentsy in the Finance department and leave at that. That would be a simple answer, but the truth is that we are much more then that.
Life Lesson #3
Get to Know the Real You
We are with ourselves 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We should totally know who we are and what we stand for. For most of us we tend to others and focus on who they are. We need to focus more on who we are so then when we attend to others we are more valuable to them. We need to be authentic –
Authentic – worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to fact or reality: syn. Genuine, veritable, bona fide; being actually and precisely what is claimed.
So many women become wrapped up in everyday life and forget who they really are. How do you introduce yourself to others? I know for me when I am meeting my kids friends parents I always say I am Tristan’s mom. But I am more then that. Hello, my name is Amber and I am Tristan’s mom – this is how we should introduce ourselves.
For us women we become identified with the many roles we take on in our life such as; being a mother, wife, caretaker, daughter and a career woman. We begin to lose track of who we really are and become what we do. Our dreams become glimpses, our love becomes shallow, and what we value seems so distant – we lose our self.
“Many women have buried their authentic selves under a façade constructed in order to please other people or to be socially acceptable.” In order to uphold this image it becomes draining and self-defeating, which requires much energy to maintain thus leaving nothing for us to take hold onto.
Break free from this scripted life and begin to find out who you really are beyond being a mother, wife, caretaker, daughter, friend, and career woman. Remove everything that is not essential and discover your true authentic identity. Become the women you are – the one God created you to be. Begin to know and understand what is important in your life. Remember your hopes and dreams and bring life back into them. Take yourself on a mission to recover your joy, wisdom, passion, enthusiasm, self-confidence, vitality – the threads of your true self that you lost along the way.
Taking this journey requires courage, commitment, and perseverance. We can do all things with him in control. Rest in God and he will show you who you are in him.
Questions worth asking yourself ~
1) How do the people in my life see me? What do they come to me for?
2) What role do I play most often: caretaker, teacher, nurturer, risk taker, rebel, diplomat, the responsible one?
3) How has playing this role served me? Does it still serve me?
4) How has playing this role blocked me from doing the things I truly enjoy?
Be blessed in this weeks reading and journey.
Monday, November 29, 2010
My answers to the questions from last week
What are the three things I've accomplished in my life that I'm most proud of?
1)Having this time right now to speak life into my boys. Directing them onto the right paths. We have had many curve balls thrown our way and we are pulling out of that ontop. Learning how to take care of me and healing me I can take care of my boys and raise them in a healthier safer home.
2)Learning to truly give my life over to God by allowing him to guide my ways. Walking every step of the way in Faith - knowing that he will take care of all things
3)Earning my bachelors degree in Business Science & Accounting. It does not matter what age you are you can still earn a degree.
What are five of my strengths, talents, and positive qualities?
1. Multi-task
2. Organization
3. Compassion for others
4. Cooking
5. Sharing my story with others in hopes to help set them free
How do I use my gifts and strengths in everyday life?
Each morning I wake up I spend my time with God. Allowing him first in my day helps all my gifts and strenghts come to life. Without God being first in control then my day becomes a downward spiral.
Are there ways in which I could make better use of my resources?
There are always ways in which we can make batter use of our resources. We just have to find out what works best for us in order to gain from those resources. What works for me may not work for you. This is what makes great conversations because everyone is able to bring something to the table and gain more then what they originally found.I am always looking for things to help me with life situations, struggles, or even the simple things as to finding a recipe. There are more resources now at our fingers tips - why not use them.
Hope you all enjoyed last weeks read. This week's story is "With a Little Help from a Stranger"
Have a wonderful and bless day my friends =0)
1)Having this time right now to speak life into my boys. Directing them onto the right paths. We have had many curve balls thrown our way and we are pulling out of that ontop. Learning how to take care of me and healing me I can take care of my boys and raise them in a healthier safer home.
2)Learning to truly give my life over to God by allowing him to guide my ways. Walking every step of the way in Faith - knowing that he will take care of all things
3)Earning my bachelors degree in Business Science & Accounting. It does not matter what age you are you can still earn a degree.
What are five of my strengths, talents, and positive qualities?
1. Multi-task
2. Organization
3. Compassion for others
4. Cooking
5. Sharing my story with others in hopes to help set them free
How do I use my gifts and strengths in everyday life?
Each morning I wake up I spend my time with God. Allowing him first in my day helps all my gifts and strenghts come to life. Without God being first in control then my day becomes a downward spiral.
Are there ways in which I could make better use of my resources?
There are always ways in which we can make batter use of our resources. We just have to find out what works best for us in order to gain from those resources. What works for me may not work for you. This is what makes great conversations because everyone is able to bring something to the table and gain more then what they originally found.I am always looking for things to help me with life situations, struggles, or even the simple things as to finding a recipe. There are more resources now at our fingers tips - why not use them.
Hope you all enjoyed last weeks read. This week's story is "With a Little Help from a Stranger"
Have a wonderful and bless day my friends =0)
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Wisdom of the Birds
Hello ladies,
I am sorry that I did not get this posted last week. Before I knew it the week was done and over. So here I am. Please read the next story "Wisdom of the Birds". Here is a small glimpse to this week’s story.
Life can bring many different life changing events your way. You can be going along with life planning for one thing and then all of a sudden an event happens such as a loss of a job, an illness, a death in the family, a divorce and so on.
Our story this week shows how planning for retirement can change in an instance. Instead of planning on being alone with one another, there is a sick parent to take care of, a child moving back home with her child, or a husband’s mental health not in good shape due to loosing his parents last year. Then, the husband looses his job. What else could go wrong?
Now the wife must request a leave from work to help out her daughter who is an emotional wreck. The wife decides to take a leave of absence from work in order to stay home to take care of the grandchild while her daughter puts her life together.
As adults/parents we have to make decisions that are hard but end up being rewarding in the end. There was already one income loss due to the husband loosing his job. Now the second income will be limited as well. But the joy of raising a grandchild will bring life back into the home.
Nature is so beautiful. God new what he was doing when creating all the animals, trees, plants and so on! Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I love when the leaves change from green to a warm red, orange, and yellow.
It is amazing how things can be put into perspective when you do not have much. For me, I have learned to live on a budget as a single mother with two boys. We buy only what we need and wait for the things that we want.
Here is the second life lesson we need to learn ~
Instead of focusing on your flaws and shortcomings, you should focus on the strengths, talents, and positive qualities God gave you. There has to be a balance in your life. For example; everything you have done, everyone you have loved, every mistake you have made, every obstacle you have overcome ~ this is what created the women you are today.
We must have a committed relationship with our self in order to live a balance life. Avoiding taking care of yourself only brings a destructive array around yourself ~ you are not much help to others. We are to love ourselves as Jesus loves us. Ladies, he sees you as precious jewels that glisten in the light and shine brightly in the dark. Embrace who you are. God created us for a purpose and that purpose is not for us to look down upon ourselves.
I will be back later this week with my answers to the questions. I look forward to reading yours. God bless and have a great week!
Questions to ponder ~
What three things I've accomplished in my life I'm most proud of?
What are five to my strengths, talents, and positive qualities? (yes, you do have them. If you spend a little time, you'll find that there are far more than five)
How do I use my gifts and strengths in everyday life?
Are there ways in which I could make better use of my resources?
I am sorry that I did not get this posted last week. Before I knew it the week was done and over. So here I am. Please read the next story "Wisdom of the Birds". Here is a small glimpse to this week’s story.
Life can bring many different life changing events your way. You can be going along with life planning for one thing and then all of a sudden an event happens such as a loss of a job, an illness, a death in the family, a divorce and so on.
Our story this week shows how planning for retirement can change in an instance. Instead of planning on being alone with one another, there is a sick parent to take care of, a child moving back home with her child, or a husband’s mental health not in good shape due to loosing his parents last year. Then, the husband looses his job. What else could go wrong?
Now the wife must request a leave from work to help out her daughter who is an emotional wreck. The wife decides to take a leave of absence from work in order to stay home to take care of the grandchild while her daughter puts her life together.
As adults/parents we have to make decisions that are hard but end up being rewarding in the end. There was already one income loss due to the husband loosing his job. Now the second income will be limited as well. But the joy of raising a grandchild will bring life back into the home.
Nature is so beautiful. God new what he was doing when creating all the animals, trees, plants and so on! Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I love when the leaves change from green to a warm red, orange, and yellow.
It is amazing how things can be put into perspective when you do not have much. For me, I have learned to live on a budget as a single mother with two boys. We buy only what we need and wait for the things that we want.
Here is the second life lesson we need to learn ~
Instead of focusing on your flaws and shortcomings, you should focus on the strengths, talents, and positive qualities God gave you. There has to be a balance in your life. For example; everything you have done, everyone you have loved, every mistake you have made, every obstacle you have overcome ~ this is what created the women you are today.
We must have a committed relationship with our self in order to live a balance life. Avoiding taking care of yourself only brings a destructive array around yourself ~ you are not much help to others. We are to love ourselves as Jesus loves us. Ladies, he sees you as precious jewels that glisten in the light and shine brightly in the dark. Embrace who you are. God created us for a purpose and that purpose is not for us to look down upon ourselves.
I will be back later this week with my answers to the questions. I look forward to reading yours. God bless and have a great week!
Questions to ponder ~
What three things I've accomplished in my life I'm most proud of?
What are five to my strengths, talents, and positive qualities? (yes, you do have them. If you spend a little time, you'll find that there are far more than five)
How do I use my gifts and strengths in everyday life?
Are there ways in which I could make better use of my resources?
Sunday, November 14, 2010
My love letter
Love letter to self
I am reading a book by Chicken Soup for the Soul – Life Lessons for Women. One of the stories that caught my spirit was the love letter. When you think of a love letter it is a letter that we write to someone else explaining why we love him/her. In this story I am instructed to write a love letter to myself. This has taken me a week to think about how to do this and were do I begin. So, the past week I have been thinking and this is what I have come up with.
Growing up in a dysfunctional home for 18 years I was told that I was not pretty, I was fat, that I would never amount to anything, I was selfish, a bitch, whore, and a slut. What little my mom new was that I was an amazing daughter that God created. Thank goodness God has his angels around me and protect my mind from completely believing what my mom was speaking into me everyday. I did not feel pretty and I was not fat but I believe that I was because of the lie my mom spoke into me. Today I believe that I am over weight, which has been a struggle for me and this too I will conquer. My mom had it made with me. I helped take care of the house when she was absent. I took care of my brother and sister and put mom to bed when she arrived home wasted. In the mornings, I made sure that my brother and sister were awake and ready for school. Breakfast was made and lunches were packed. If we missed the bus I would make sure that we had a ride to school from someone else so that we did not disturb my mom. If she only new how many times we missed the bus, it was rare.
Comes my adult years and I am still taking care of everyone else but myself. My first marriage I did not dress up at all. I wore clothes that were bigger than me to cover me up as I felt fat. My husband did not want me to wear flattering clothes as it kept other men from looking at me. If I worked, I came straight home to attend to all his needs and he continued to ignore me. His drinking was more important along with flirting with other women.
My second marriage my husband loves it when I dressed up. He bought me clothes that made me look and feel good. However, this did not stop him from being with other women. So, what I was doing was not enough to keep him home and all to me. Therefore, I felt that I was doing something wrong again. I became a punching bag to him. I knew that this was not healthy and left this marriage too.
Third marriage – people say that 3 is the charm. Well that is so not true. My third marriage was the worst. Not only did he have a drug problem, but alcohol became an issue along with pornography. If I dressed up he would wonder who I was dressing up for. I better make sure that I do not look at anyone else. Lies consumed his mouth in order for him to keeping living the sinful life he chose and accuse me of doing all the wrong in order to make himself feel better for what he was doing wrong. I became a woman full of anger and did not understand what I was doing any more. Finally, it hit me. I am worth so much more. I deserve so much more. God has bigger plans for me and he loves me. That is all that matters is that God loves me.
Finally, enough is enough. The most important thing in life now is that I know that I am worth much, much more and that God loves me for who I am as he is the one who created me and has molded me.
My love letter to myself is this –
Amber, you are an amazing daughter of the most High King. You are a loving mother who shows the love to her boys everyday. You are raising your boys as the precious kings God has created them to be. You are a loving and caring friend who cares about others thoughts and feelings. You have compassion for those who are hurting and will be there for them with open arms. There is no more taking advantage of you. You have learned about healthy boundaries and know when to say no. There is a fire in you to want to know more of the love of Jesus in your life. You are beautiful both on the inside and out. You have many talents that Jesus wants you to use and not be afraid of what other people think. Speak boldly in love and truth. Learn to love yourself and take care of yourself. Pamper yourself as you deserve it. It is time to spread your wings my dear sister, spread wide and high. God is there with you flying by your side. No more fear!!!!!
I am reading a book by Chicken Soup for the Soul – Life Lessons for Women. One of the stories that caught my spirit was the love letter. When you think of a love letter it is a letter that we write to someone else explaining why we love him/her. In this story I am instructed to write a love letter to myself. This has taken me a week to think about how to do this and were do I begin. So, the past week I have been thinking and this is what I have come up with.
Growing up in a dysfunctional home for 18 years I was told that I was not pretty, I was fat, that I would never amount to anything, I was selfish, a bitch, whore, and a slut. What little my mom new was that I was an amazing daughter that God created. Thank goodness God has his angels around me and protect my mind from completely believing what my mom was speaking into me everyday. I did not feel pretty and I was not fat but I believe that I was because of the lie my mom spoke into me. Today I believe that I am over weight, which has been a struggle for me and this too I will conquer. My mom had it made with me. I helped take care of the house when she was absent. I took care of my brother and sister and put mom to bed when she arrived home wasted. In the mornings, I made sure that my brother and sister were awake and ready for school. Breakfast was made and lunches were packed. If we missed the bus I would make sure that we had a ride to school from someone else so that we did not disturb my mom. If she only new how many times we missed the bus, it was rare.
Comes my adult years and I am still taking care of everyone else but myself. My first marriage I did not dress up at all. I wore clothes that were bigger than me to cover me up as I felt fat. My husband did not want me to wear flattering clothes as it kept other men from looking at me. If I worked, I came straight home to attend to all his needs and he continued to ignore me. His drinking was more important along with flirting with other women.
My second marriage my husband loves it when I dressed up. He bought me clothes that made me look and feel good. However, this did not stop him from being with other women. So, what I was doing was not enough to keep him home and all to me. Therefore, I felt that I was doing something wrong again. I became a punching bag to him. I knew that this was not healthy and left this marriage too.
Third marriage – people say that 3 is the charm. Well that is so not true. My third marriage was the worst. Not only did he have a drug problem, but alcohol became an issue along with pornography. If I dressed up he would wonder who I was dressing up for. I better make sure that I do not look at anyone else. Lies consumed his mouth in order for him to keeping living the sinful life he chose and accuse me of doing all the wrong in order to make himself feel better for what he was doing wrong. I became a woman full of anger and did not understand what I was doing any more. Finally, it hit me. I am worth so much more. I deserve so much more. God has bigger plans for me and he loves me. That is all that matters is that God loves me.
Finally, enough is enough. The most important thing in life now is that I know that I am worth much, much more and that God loves me for who I am as he is the one who created me and has molded me.
My love letter to myself is this –
Amber, you are an amazing daughter of the most High King. You are a loving mother who shows the love to her boys everyday. You are raising your boys as the precious kings God has created them to be. You are a loving and caring friend who cares about others thoughts and feelings. You have compassion for those who are hurting and will be there for them with open arms. There is no more taking advantage of you. You have learned about healthy boundaries and know when to say no. There is a fire in you to want to know more of the love of Jesus in your life. You are beautiful both on the inside and out. You have many talents that Jesus wants you to use and not be afraid of what other people think. Speak boldly in love and truth. Learn to love yourself and take care of yourself. Pamper yourself as you deserve it. It is time to spread your wings my dear sister, spread wide and high. God is there with you flying by your side. No more fear!!!!!
Life Lessons for Women ~ 7 essential ingredients for a Balanced Life
The Love Letter ~
Wow, write yourself a love letter. I have never had a love letter written to me. My younger son writes me little notes telling me how much he loves me and how wonderfully awesome his mommy is - yes that would can't as a love letter. Ok, close my eyes and see myself as the most glorious person in the world - really. Honestly, I would not want to be the ultimate beloved but I do get the point of what the writer is saying. We are to see ourselves as Jesus see's us and how other's see us.
When I close my eyes I see the love my boys have for me, how my friends look at me and how Jesus sees me as his precious jewel. Beleive me, it has taken a lot of work for me to get to this point.
Imagine going to your mailbox and pulling the pile of mail out finding a love letter. The thought of a love letter in my mail box warms my heart with much joy. What are you waiting for? I can already feel the warm fuzzies.
Find a comfy place to rest, brew yourself a cup of coffee or a favorite tea, grab a special piece of paper and a favorite pen, put on some soothing music, and begin writting yourself a love letter.
Talk about your special features like your eyes sparkle when the sun touches your face, your heart is warmed when your children love on you, etc....
Many of us ladies have made the same comment sometime in our life as this one "Most of you long for something more - more time, more money, more friends, a better relationship with your spouse or family. How many times have you heard yourself say, "I wish I had more time for myself"? "This stress is killing me." "I have to exercise and get in better shape." "I want my life to be more fun." "How am I going to make ends meet?" "Where has the day gone? I feel like I haven't gotten anything done!""
Take a look back over your life - not with a critical eye but look where you were and where you are now today. Ask yourself the following questions - What do I love? What are my core values and beliefs? What are my own needs and desires? How can I create a life that fits exactly who I am now, not who I've been?
It's time ladies to write yourself a love letter. I will be back on Friday with my letter to share. Be kind to yourself and love yourself as Jesus loves you. God bless you all!
Psalms 37:4 ~ The desires God placed in your heart were put there for a reason, they reveal the secret of who you really are and the life you are meant to live.
Wow, write yourself a love letter. I have never had a love letter written to me. My younger son writes me little notes telling me how much he loves me and how wonderfully awesome his mommy is - yes that would can't as a love letter. Ok, close my eyes and see myself as the most glorious person in the world - really. Honestly, I would not want to be the ultimate beloved but I do get the point of what the writer is saying. We are to see ourselves as Jesus see's us and how other's see us.
When I close my eyes I see the love my boys have for me, how my friends look at me and how Jesus sees me as his precious jewel. Beleive me, it has taken a lot of work for me to get to this point.
Imagine going to your mailbox and pulling the pile of mail out finding a love letter. The thought of a love letter in my mail box warms my heart with much joy. What are you waiting for? I can already feel the warm fuzzies.
Find a comfy place to rest, brew yourself a cup of coffee or a favorite tea, grab a special piece of paper and a favorite pen, put on some soothing music, and begin writting yourself a love letter.
Talk about your special features like your eyes sparkle when the sun touches your face, your heart is warmed when your children love on you, etc....
Many of us ladies have made the same comment sometime in our life as this one "Most of you long for something more - more time, more money, more friends, a better relationship with your spouse or family. How many times have you heard yourself say, "I wish I had more time for myself"? "This stress is killing me." "I have to exercise and get in better shape." "I want my life to be more fun." "How am I going to make ends meet?" "Where has the day gone? I feel like I haven't gotten anything done!""
Take a look back over your life - not with a critical eye but look where you were and where you are now today. Ask yourself the following questions - What do I love? What are my core values and beliefs? What are my own needs and desires? How can I create a life that fits exactly who I am now, not who I've been?
It's time ladies to write yourself a love letter. I will be back on Friday with my letter to share. Be kind to yourself and love yourself as Jesus loves you. God bless you all!
Psalms 37:4 ~ The desires God placed in your heart were put there for a reason, they reveal the secret of who you really are and the life you are meant to live.
Life Lessons for Women ~ 7 essential ingredients for a Balanced Life
Finally watched Julie & Julia this weekend ~ if feel so inspired to do something now. My heart desire is to lead women into freedom. There are many women who live in a lifetime of bondage ~ God does not want that for us. Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
Over the past couple of years I have received freedom from a life time of bondage. I now am free and I feel Gods love in my life everyday. There is such a relief and freedom knowing that I no longer am hanging on to all that was done against me or the sins that I have committed.
Why wait for that group to be gathered together ~ why not reach out to women now ~ So here I am reaching out to all you women who have suffered a lifetime of bondage and you are stuck in it wanting so badly to be released from it only to live a life of freedom as God intended you to live.
I have started reading Life Lessons for Women ~ 7 essential ingredients for a balanced life by Stephanie Marston, M.F.T. “Life Lessons for Women is the first book in a new line of Chicken Soup books. It is a true self-help book”. Find a book and read along with me. I will post the Life lessons after each study. We can talk about the study and post our answers to the life lessons. I will post my answers – if you do not feel comfortable in doing so that is alright. I do encourage you to do the work as this will open the door to freedom in your life.
The first Essential Ingredient is ~ Re-Collect Yourself
Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.
Lucille Ball
Our first lesson is “The Love Letter”
Today is Monday November 8, 2010 – I will give you time to find a book. For those of you who are joining late that is great - jump right in. On Wednesday November 10, 2010 I will post the first life lesson assignment. I look forward to going on this journey with all you women. May God enrich and bless your way
Over the past couple of years I have received freedom from a life time of bondage. I now am free and I feel Gods love in my life everyday. There is such a relief and freedom knowing that I no longer am hanging on to all that was done against me or the sins that I have committed.
Why wait for that group to be gathered together ~ why not reach out to women now ~ So here I am reaching out to all you women who have suffered a lifetime of bondage and you are stuck in it wanting so badly to be released from it only to live a life of freedom as God intended you to live.
I have started reading Life Lessons for Women ~ 7 essential ingredients for a balanced life by Stephanie Marston, M.F.T. “Life Lessons for Women is the first book in a new line of Chicken Soup books. It is a true self-help book”. Find a book and read along with me. I will post the Life lessons after each study. We can talk about the study and post our answers to the life lessons. I will post my answers – if you do not feel comfortable in doing so that is alright. I do encourage you to do the work as this will open the door to freedom in your life.
The first Essential Ingredient is ~ Re-Collect Yourself
Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.
Lucille Ball
Our first lesson is “The Love Letter”
Today is Monday November 8, 2010 – I will give you time to find a book. For those of you who are joining late that is great - jump right in. On Wednesday November 10, 2010 I will post the first life lesson assignment. I look forward to going on this journey with all you women. May God enrich and bless your way
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