Turn Down For What

READY…  “Not merely an absence of noise, Real Silence begins when a reasonable being withdraws from the noise in order to find peace and order in his inner sanctuary.”  ~ Peter Minard

AIM… Turn Down For What is the title of a popular song by Lil Jon and DJ Snake that ended up being the 7^th best selling track of 2014.  With its catchy dance beat and synthesized groove, you can’t help but turn UP the song in your car when it’s on the radio.  However, this song title also makes me think about all the “noise” we allow in our lives that inevitably drowns out the things that matter most.  All that extra noise causes stress, discontent and anxiety. 

So, why should we turn down the outside influences and eliminate all the distractions that capture our attention?  Let’s face it, we can all admit there are things in our world that cause us to focus less on our priorities and more on nonsense.  Agreed?  Need a few examples?  100 extra unsolicited email advertisements, vacation promotions and coupon offers in your inbox; every day.  Video games and gaming apps.  200+ cable or satellite TV stations (and still nothing worthwhile to watch.)  Facebook.  Instagram.  Twitter.  Google +.  Tumblr.  Snapchat.  Get the idea? 

When was the last time you left your phone at home (without feeling naked) and stepped outside to listen to the wind whisper through the leaves in the trees or the birds welcoming spring with their sweet songs?  Just that thought, brings a sense of serenity and peace to my soul.  So why in the world can’t we turn down the noise?  It’s a choice.  It’s the new phenomenon called FOMO - fear of missing out. What in the world are we afraid we are going to miss; Sweet Susie’s meatloaf dinner picture or an episode of Modern Family?  We must choose to disconnect and turn down or turn off the things that cause us stress and strife, and choose to plug into the means that enable us to feel joy and peace. 

Shhhh, listen!  It’s the sound of silence.  Ahhh…..

FIRE!  This week, choose one area where you can turn down the noise in your life.  Make a commitment to delete something unnecessary.  You will feel relieved and free, guaranteed! 

Be Excellent!

Lori 

It's Your Right

READY...“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” ~ John Qunicy Adams, 6^th US President 1825-1829

AIM…  It was an exciting morning.  I got every family member ready and out the door for work and school in normal fashion.  However, instead of heading to work, I drove straight to my polling place where I, like many other Americans, would be casting my vote for the President of the United States along with many other local leaders.  When I arrived, the parking lot was already full. Wow!  I was thrilled to know that so many of my neighbors and friends were excited to vote today too.  As I got out of my car and walked toward the door of the building, I felt this huge swell of pride rise up inside of me.  I, yes I, Lori Bodkin, was going to VOTE!  Sidebar - I have voted many times before, but never really felt like I did today.  Before today, I voted out of obligation because it’s my civil duty and because I, as an American, have the freedom to do so.  Today, however, was different.  Today, I was feeling overwhelmed with gratitude that I COULD vote.  I am a woman.  In other countries, women do not get to vote and their opinions do not matter.  I am an American citizen.  The men and women in the military have fought and died so I would continue to have the freedom to vote and choose the leaders of my country.  I am a human. I have feelings and morals and values and concerns about the community and nation in which I live.  I want only the best for my family and our future.  Today, I was simply overcome with the idea that other men and women in our nation could also vote and celebrate our freedom to choose by placing our opinions in the hands of God (and the hopefully, well-trained poll workers.)  It was a day I realized that no matter what, we all love to live in America and we all respect the positions of our leaders and all we really want is to feel like we are a contributing member of society.  So, into the building I went and collected my ballot; I VOTED for the people I felt would do the best job for all of us and the rest will soon be history.  I happily skipped out to my car wearing my “I Voted” sticker like a badge of honor.  I hope you voted today too.  Regardless of your political views and opinions, let’s all remember we were originally called the melting pot for a reason and we can all be thankful we still have the right to share our decisions with the entire nation.  For that, we can all be truly grateful.

FIRE!   Tomorrow is a new day!  Let’s put aside our selfish pride and hidden agendas and remember above all else, we are Americans.  We live in the land of the free and the home of the brave, and we must continue to be ONE nation under GOD, indivisible, providing liberty and justice for ALL!

Be Excellent!
Lori

 

Freedom Isn't Always Free

READY… “We have enjoyed so much freedom for so long that we are perhaps in danger of forgetting how much blood it cost to establish the Bill of Rights.”  ~Felix Frankfurter

AIM… In celebration and respect of Independence Day for the United States of America, I’ve been thinking about how we, as Americans, pay homage to our freedom.  Yep, you guessed it…barbeque and fireworks!  Nothing says thank you for our freedom like baked beans, grilled burgers and the vibrant sight of sparklers at dusk.  Now you know I’m being a little sarcastic here.  However, I had you thinking for a moment, didn’t I?  I would venture to guess the majority of us never served in the military so we cannot possibly appreciate giving up our personal freedoms to serve and fight for everyone else’s.  There’s no way we could ever really know what it’s like to stand guard on a sandy desert in 100+ degree heat or to wade through murky jungle swamps or to help millions of victims from a terrorist attack.  No, for most of us, those scenarios are simply scenes from action movies and television dramas made for us ordinary folks who love and enjoy our freedom to live life the way we want to live.  And so, to each and every one of our American heroes who have served in any way to protect and retain the freedoms we love and take for granted, I salute you.  Thank you seems so insignificant in comparison to your ultimate sacrifice.  However, for now, at least some of us are able to recognize and acknowledge your extreme loyalty and fierce commitment to a cause much larger than yourself.  So this Fourth of July, raise those hot dogs, watermelon slices and ice cold beers in a toast to the men and women who have fought to keep our country free so we can celebrate year after year with a day off work to picnic with friends and family and to be grateful for the other 364 days when we can do most anything we want with our lives.  God Bless the USA and all the fighting men and women who serve our country! 

FIRE!   Happy 4^th of July!  If you know someone who is serving in the US military, please take a moment to send him or her an email, Facebook message or a card acknowledging the extreme gratitude you have for your freedom.  Chances are he isn’t enjoying a lip-smacking BBQ rib; he is probably suited up, awaiting orders from the commanding officer.

Be Excellent!

Lori

 

Free To Be Me

READY… “Freedom is for honest people. No man who is not himself honest can be free – he is his own trap.” ~ L. Ron Hubbard

AIM… Being Americans means we are free to live the lives we choose. Being Americans means we are free to say whatever we want to say. Being Americans means we are free to wear whatever type of clothing we want to wear. Being Americans means we are free to listen to any kind of music we choose. Being Americans means we are free to chase our dreams and make them come true.

However, because we are Americans and are free to live as we please, some Americans turn blind eyes to the consequences that come with those choices. Some Americans lie, cheat, or steal, while others kill, destroy, disobey, overindulge, ruin and take advantage of their favorable circumstances. Why? Could they really be that disillusioned to believe that the freedoms they have been granted allow for their actions? While we may have the freedom to do what we would like, we must always be cognizant of the consequences of those actions. We must also consider those consequences before we exercise those freedoms in our everyday lives! Sometimes our emotions get the best of us and cause us to make decisions outside of what our normal lives would allow. Agreed? That is certainly no excuse for poor behavior, but it does make sense of the times we fall short of being an excellent person. Let’s all agree to be better Americans and exercise an appreciation of our freedoms by making good choices as we journey through life.

FIRE! Be proud to be an American of integrity this week! Choose one area of your freedom and make a responsible choice in your behavior or decisions. God bless America and God bless you!

Be Excellent!
Lori

The Minority

READY8 “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NLT

AIM8 Ever feel like you’re in the minority? That the decisions you’re making in life to be a person of integrity, to keep your kids and your family on the path of truth make you feel like you’re the only one standing up for what’s right in this world?

Do not feel alone. Jesus was a minority too. When he preached the truth about God’s love, hope and healing, he was believed by some and doubted by many. When he faced the unfair trials and was wrongly accused, he stood firm and never wavered from his mission. When he was hung on a cross between two thieves, he STILL asked God to forgive the people around him because he knew he was right and they just didn’t understand.

Friends, as you make decisions in your lives that affect you, your children and your family - stand firm. Do not waver from the path of integrity and truth. Even though people around you may not understand what you’re doing or why you’re choosing the things you choose, you can rest assured that YOU are choosing what’s right and God is well-pleased with your decisions. Really, in the end, nothing else matters.

FIRE! Embrace the path of righteousness this week. Be consciously aware of your choices and decisions. Understand that the decisions you make are your decisions and you are free to choose to be a person of integrity in all you do. Be thankful to Jesus that you may live in freedom from all condemnation...if you choose.

Be Excellent!
Lori