Insanity

READY8 “Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” ~ Albert Einstein

AIM8 Are you stuck in a rut? Do you find yourself doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result because it’s a different day? What’s wrong? What’s keeping you in this rut? Whether it’s a dead-end job, a disappointing relationship, a financial crisis, or just an emotional funk, you HAVE to start doing something different to change your circumstances. “But Lori,” you say, “You just don’t understand my situation. I don’t even know where to begin.” Well friend, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step. However, that first step is often the most difficult. Perhaps Kris Kringle from Santa Claus Is Coming to Town says it best: “Put one foot in front of the other. And soon you’ll be walking across the floor—orr—orr. Put one foot in front of the other. And soon you’ll be walking out the door!” It’s true! You have to take the first step in a new direction to ignite the spark that will lead you out of your rut. Get angry, get irritated, get annoyed, get sick and tired of being sick and tired – just get going! You’ll be surprised at how much better you’ll feel about yourself, your circumstances and your future. So come on, what are you waiting for?

FIRE!8 Stop the insanity! Make a promise to yourself that you will do at least ONE THING to change your circumstances today. Maybe you need to update your resume, or evaluate your family budget or maybe, you just need to talk to a supportive friend. Whatever you need to do, make today the day you stop living in your rut and start living for your future.

Be Excellent!
Lori

Capture A Moment

READY8 “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

AIM8 I feel like sooner or later I’m going to catch myself not knowing if I’m coming or going, or doing them at the same time. I realized yesterday afternoon that I didn’t get my weekly Arrows message out to your inboxes in a timely manner. However, I just had to stop and catch my breath and capture a few moments of life. So last night, instead of doing things on my perpetually long to-do list, I enjoyed time with my children. Occasionally, I’ll treat the kids to a pizza picnic and tonight seemed like the perfect night. They got home from school, did their homework and we promptly left to pick up a pizza. Once back home, the kids spread a blanket out on the living room floor and we ate pizza while watching a family movie together. Truly, our pizza picnics have been wonderful ways to capture a few extra moments with my children. I make sure to put away all of my other activities and I don’t multi-task when we’re together. We hang out, laugh, cuddle and just enjoy the evening without interruptions. What a refreshing break from my crazy, hectic, too-many-things-to-do life. So that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

FIRE!8 When life gets crazy and you catch yourself coming and going simultaneously, what do you do to slow down and capture a moment? If nothing else, take a hot bath. Perhaps Calgon can help take you away!


Be Excellent!
Lori

Hypocrite?

READY8 “Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.” ~ Matthew 7:5 NLT

AIM8 Is it just me, or does it seem like everyone is quick to criticize others and slow to compliment them? Life can be pretty depressing if we really sit down and look at everything we, as humans, are faced with on a day to day basis. Most folks struggle to find the right balance between going to church, working hard at their job, spending time with their family, volunteering for organizations, finding time for themselves and the countless other things that pull them in a thousand directions. Sadly, even when life appears to be in order, someone always comes along and points out our faults, inadequacies and failures. Why is that? No one is perfect. However, for some people, it’s so much easier to criticize the behaviors and actions of someone else rather than to speak words of praise over her. Does it really make you feel better about yourself to point out another’s flaws? If you are being honest, I hardly believe so.

Can you imagine what our world would look and feel like if people were kind to each other and spoke words of love and praise about each other? Who really cares if a little item was overlooked or forgotten? Did that person make a positive difference with her endeavors? Then have the courage to tell her! Simple words of encouragement are what turns around sour attitudes and changes negative behaviors. The smiles of acceptance and hugs of support will lift people up and carry them forward.

Friends, have you been criticizing in places where you should be praising others? Perhaps, we should first examine our own lives and actions to be sure our motives are genuine and our actions pure, before we speak out of turn. In these trying times, when it may feel like our very nation is crumbling around us, we need to spend more time building each other up, not tearing each other down.

FIRE!8 The next time you feel the urge to complain about someone or how she is performing an action, bite your tongue. Just pause, think about what you were going to say, and find something positive to compliment instead of making a critical remark.


Be Excellent!
Lori

Just Do It!

READY8 “You can’t move forward if you keep looking back to where you’ve been.” ~ Bob Bodkin

AIM8 Are you at a crossroad in your life and don’t know which way to turn? Have you felt stagnant? Like you know there’s something bigger and better you should be doing with your time. Perhaps you were offered an exciting job promotion, but it’s for a new area that is unfamiliar to you. Maybe you are in an unhealthy relationship and you know it would be best for you to step out. My friend, you cannot move forward in life if you keep looking back to where you’ve been. Yes, the things you’ve experienced in life help shape your character and assist you in making future decisions. However, if you hover in the shadows of your past, you will never get to experience the sunshine and abundance that come with your first step in a new direction. You know what they say, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” So, what are you waiting for? Just do it! Do you need trumpets to blow or banners to be raised with the answers to the questions about your uncertain situation? Well, consider me the instrument to give you the nudge you need to take that step in the right direction.

I know that your new decision may come with some growing pains, learning curves or uncomfortable circumstances. However, YOU know that you haven’t gotten this far in life by always taking the easy road. You have gone through difficult times, made tough choices and put forth hard work to get to where you are right now. Challenges, schmallenges – you can do it! Whatever crossroad you’re facing today, know that you have the courage to face every obstacle and turn it into an opportunity for success. Oh, and by the way, I believe in you…even if no one else does. Now, you need to believe you can do this.

FIRE!8 Trust. Have faith. Believe. You were born to succeed! Now…go do this thing!

Be Excellent!
Lori

Go Ahead, Laugh!

READY8 “Laughter is the best medicine” ~ Author Unknown

AIM8 Some days are better than others, agreed? On those yucky days, give yourself a boost by laughing. The act of laughing releases serotonin, increases endorphins and improves the human immune system. See, you will physically feel better after enjoying a good chuckle. So, what do you have to lose? Go ahead, laugh!

A Minnesota couple decided to vacation to Florida during the winter. They planned to stay at the very same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday. His wife would fly down the following day.

The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an e-mail to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her e-mail address, and without realizing his error, he sent the e-mail.

Meanwhile.....somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister of many years who was called home to glory following a sudden heart attack. The widow decided to check her e-mail, expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she fainted.

The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I've Arrived
Date: 16 May 2003
I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send e-mails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is not as uneventful as mine was.
P.S. Sure is hot down here!

FIRE!8 Read the comics in the newspaper, search for an online joke website or recall a funny memory. Do yourself a favor and find a reason to laugh and feel good today. :-)

God's Gift

READY8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” ~ Ephesians 2:8

AIM8 Good news - spring is here! Woo Hoo! The sun is shining, the snow has melted and everyone seems to be in a much better mood. Finally, we are able to get out of the house and enjoy the fresh air again.

It’s funny, when people are asked, “What is your favorite season?” It’s rare to see spring as one of the answers. However, I have to admit, spring really IS a wonderful season. After winter, all the plants and trees are dormant, the grass is brown and everything looks dead and drab. Thankfully, God works behind the scenes and gives new life to all living things. As we look around we witness flowers starting to bloom, trees growing buds, and the grass becoming greener.

Take a deep breath. Ahhh, the smell of a fresh spring day; it’s invigorating isn’t it? There’s something about spring that flips the switch inside of us and sparks a renewed energy and increased motivation as we go about our daily life. It’s almost as if God recharged our batteries and handed us a new life too. Guess what? God really DOES offer us a new life. Every Easter, we are blessed with the reminder of the opportunity God provides us to have not only a new life, but also an eternal life with Him in heaven. How amazing is that? He sent his only son, Jesus, to die on the cross, to save all of us from our faults and mistakes in life, only to give us life everlasting. Wow, that hardly seems fair! Fair or not, it’s exactly what God wanted. He wanted to give us a gift that would last forever…but only if you want to receive His gift. As spring comes, it will fade into the other seasons and the life cycle will continue. However, God is the same today, tomorrow and forever. He never fades. He never changes and always waits to give us His love, His friendship and His eternal gifts. If you have never taken the step to receive this amazing gift from God, do yourself a favor and talk to one of your friends about this special gift. Perhaps you have a friend who doesn’t know about the gift of Jesus. No problem! Simply connect with a mentor, a Christian friend or a family member who regularly attends church. I just know any one of those folks would LOVE to share the gift of Jesus with you. Truly, it’s a gift you never want to pass up and all you have to do is accept it and say, “Thank you.” So, treat yourself to a new gift this spring or renew yourself again with the gift that keeps on giving all year long, far after the snow has melted… God’s love.

FIRE!8 Some of you feel that quiet voice nudging you to accept God’s lavish gift. Some of you have been enjoying God’s wonderful gift for years. Some of you may believe in other gods or other religious ideals, but are intrigued by this amazing gift. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Praying is simply talking to God and believing what you are saying.

If you want to accept God’s priceless gift, you can pray, in your own heart and mind, the following prayer:

“Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you to come into my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. Amen.”

Yay, you! Now, share your good news with a friend (or me) so he can continue to encourage you and support your decision.

Happy Easter, Dear Friends. What a glorious time of year!

Be Excellent!
Lori

Is Life Getting In The Way?

READY8 “True friendship isn’t about being there when it’s convenient; it’s about being there when it’s not.” ~ Anonymous

AIM8 How many times have you met up with a good friend, after a long absence, and then realized how much you truly missed her? In a few short moments, you discover just how much you enjoyed laughing together, crying together and sharing life’s special moments together. So, why do we let our busy lives get in the way of our important relationships with our friends?

Our friends are the ones who encourage us, lift us up when we fall, love us when we fail, cheer for us when we try and celebrate with us when we succeed. They cry with us when we are hurting and rejoice with us when we are happy. However, our lives get so crowded with over-scheduling and busyness that we easily forget to make time for our friends. Yes, we know our true friends will be there to pick up where we left off. But it’s a super-charge for your soul to set aside some time to connect with your support team, your friends, on more frequent occasions.

My friends, don’t take your special friendships for granted. Be sure to tell your friends how much they mean to you. Even if it means slowing down your life and making time in your busy schedule, it is important to make those forgotten friends a priority again.

FIRE!8 We all have friends we haven’t seen or talked to in awhile. Take time to call or write a short note to one of your friends. Touch base with her in the midst of your crazy life. You’ll be glad you did!

Be Excellent!
Lori