Mrs. Rogers Neighborhood

Have you ever thought, "God just has me here for a season"?  I know I have.  I justify so much time away with lines like this.  "I just haven't found where I am meant to be yet."  "I know God has a plan, and he will reveal it to me soon."  Why do we do this?  What is innate in us that makes us feel that we need to justify away anything that isn't our perfect dream path? I had a different direction planned for today's blog, but today something happened that effected me and made me sing a different tune.  I have never revealed where I work on this blog, and I still do not intend to, but I will say it is in the realm of Real Estate in a global company.  You would most likely recognize the name.  Today, I went to a huge meeting, where everyone (including myself) were in black and navy suits discussing market research, 2013 goals, and overarching values we represent as a company.  Normally, I would pick at my split ends in the back of the room

I guess you could say my family is expressive, but that would be an understatement.  We are a verbal group who, among other items, enjoy quiet contemplative conversation in direct contrast with exuberant celebration.  We sing and dance and laugh and cry and are comfortable with our emotions and antics. All this being said, my younger brother Stephen contacted me recently and asked if I would be willing to let him guest blog on here, and my first thought was absolutely.  Then he let me know the topic he wanted to write on, and while I was still excited, it is definitely a topic that holds massive amounts of tension and opinions.  However, as he indicates in his words below, I by no means want to push his (or my) opinion on you, rather merely to have you take a look at his heart.  His intentions are pure and I support his processing with my entire being. So, without further ado, please read what his heart has been turning over and his brain can't seem to let go of. &

If you have read any of my Ces't La Vie posts, you know that their intention is to bring relaxation.  This artist's work brings me a sense of calm.  I really love this list as it reflects where my head is lately, but also makes each item less stressful in a way.  Maybe it is the doodles, maybe it is the simplicity, but overall it is just a lovely little list. Honestly, this is the collection of things I am working on facilitating in my day to day life.  I love each item so much and am going to be printing this out and putting it on my fridge.  Take a moment to read through each one and begin to take them into your lifestyle.  I have found each of these items at separate times bring down my stress level and  promote healthier living mentally, physically and even spiritually at times.   I believe God wants us to take care of ourselves, and this list will absolutely help me to achieve that.  (Thanks for the list Joy Noel!)

Bill and I took a look at our diet and exercise and decided it was time to change it up.  While New Year resolutions may seem lame to some people, we made a few goals, and started going after them on January 1st.  I like to think of them as an overarching "healthy living" goal.   Cutting out some things that just aren't helping us to stay healthy and active was an obvious first step.  Two of those items for me are sugar and caffeine. Now, I will be the first to admit that this is entirely necessary because I have an eating issue, in that I love food.  I love snacking.  I love cheese and crackers and chocolate and chips and cheetos and cookies and soda and everything bad for me.  While some people do not have to be extreme and can just cut calories, I have to take care of business the hard way.  It has to be all or nothing or it will simply be all.   I am learning to exercise self control and have one cookie instead of 6 or have coffee with milk and not heapin

I guess this is more than a season of reading, as this post theme has lasted awhile.  In fact, I intend to make this a lifetime of reading!  I've decided it has a nice ring to it though, so for now I am going to leave this title alone.  Besides, seasons can last for years  :) This book was kind of indescribable because you can't believe it is real.  It is all about a child's life being overtaken by war and fighting against it with all his might, and then just as quickly he is in the thick of it participating.  Not only can I not relate (which is incredibly obvious), but I also can't believe that the world we live in has encountered this reality so recently.   As it opens up, it is bleak.  A small village is described and you begin to picture a desolate climate and simple lifestyle.  Although the picture is different than my reality, there is still happiness and love in their family and friendship.  Just as you have started to wrap your head around how diffe

Every time a new year starts, I get struck with so much inspiration.  I have always wondered why I cannot have this kind of enthusiasm when I think of something in the fall, but I accept it and move on.  This year, like many others, I have pledged to eat better, but I have also pledged to run a 10k.  While the first can be arguable, I can either do the second or I can't.  So when May comes around and its time to jog it up, I better be ready for what's to come! Long term goals seem to create the right environment for me to challenge myself.  Do you feel the same way? This has all gotten me thinking a lot about promises.  New years resolutions are promises we make to ourselves, but how much more important is a promise we make to each other?  I have found that I am much more likely to follow through on something if I promised someone I would be there.  This makes me think I should probably make more promises as it will get me motivated to do more things and actually follow th