Following Your Dream

READY…  “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”  ~ Henry David Thoreau

AIM…  Hello, loyal AOI readers!  “Where in the world have you been?”  I heard that a lot during the absence of my weekly messages. Honestly, my radical sabbatical came from a divine order to follow a dream.  One day I’m writing inspiration for you, the next day I get connected with another writer and SHAZAM!  We’re off and writing a book together!  So, all this time I’ve been working on a book with another author and several contributing authors and trudging through the details of getting our book published, etc.  The happy announcement is that our book is published and is available in paperback or online as an e-book!  WOO HOO!  Talk about a labor of love!

Personally, I have been told many times that I would one day write a book…or at least, I should write a book. That dream laid dormant in my heart for many years.  There would be times when I’d walk by the book store and wonder what it would be like to see a book on the shelf with MY name on it. When the opportunity presented itself for me to pursue my dream, it exploded like a firework on the 4^th of July!  So many elements fell right into place.  My co-author and I had never met before and after one connection by a mutual friend, our creative sparks ignited.  Our words and stories flowed into multiple pages of inspiration.  The publisher was able to jump several hurdles she had never encountered before through the process of getting our book in print.  It was all divinely appointed and directed and the evidence is my dream, our dream, come true as the final product to share with you.

So, what are you dreaming about today?  Are there desires deep down in your heart that you would love to see come to pass?  Perhaps, it’s not quite time for them to be fulfilled…yet.  However, what you cannot see are all the preparations that are going on behind the scenes of your life plan.  Maybe you recognize an opportunity to take a leap of faith and jump one step closer to making your dream come true.  Wherever you are on that path and whatever you are thinking about today, may you look to the future with great anticipation.  Exciting things are happening and I simply cannot wait to hear all about them and cheer you on!

FIRE!  Take just a few moments to jot down a couple things you’d like to accomplish in your lifetime.  (Some people call it their personal bucket list; others call it their dreaming list.)  Whatever you call it, commit your desires to paper and put it where you’ll be reminded of your goals on a regular basis.  As your dreams come true, write “VICTORY” on your list and then look forward to your next moment of fabulous success.

Be Excellent!

Lori

 

 

 

The Pain of Change

READY…  "There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.” ~Aldous Huxley

AIM…  Until the pain of change is greater than the pain of staying the same, people will choose to do what they know.  Sigh.  I know.  I have realized that I am no longer a spring chicken.  I’m starting to feel my season in life: emotionally, physically and financially.  I guess that means I need to make some changes in order to feel differently. 

Change is hard, though.  I don’t know about you, but I like it when I feel comfortable with my life, my routine, and my environment.  I don’t like it when my schedule gets shaken and stirred.  However, I do know, that when my life starts turning upside down, it’s time to embrace the new change that’s about to happen.  Yes, this mid-life mama has got to take time to care for herself and tackle some of these necessary changes head on.  What are you facing in your life that is pushing you to embrace a new change?

 

As we step out of our comfort zones to grab ahold of our new changes, remember it’s often helpful to enlist a friend who wants to change too.  Sure, it’s easy to tell yourself you are going to make the necessary changes to move ahead, but the accountability of another partner might be just the key to push you into making the next step forward and maintaining your commitment. So how ‘bout it?  Let’s stop procrastinating and start today making a baby step in the right direction for the positive changes we need in our lives.

FIRE!  Ask a trusted friend to help you start, and maintain, momentum toward achieving a new goal in your life.  Give her permission to ask you regularly about your progress.  Whether it’s making a career change, adjusting your budget, starting an exercise program or simply taking time each day just for yourself, you are worth every step that places you that much closer to victory.

 

Be Excellent!

Lori

Bullseye!

READY… “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9 NIV

AIM… WOW!!  This is the 150^th edition of Arrows of Integrity!  I am still amazed every week (or so) that so many of you are enjoying the stories, gaining personal insight and direction, and are using these messages to help you make good decisions for your life.  I must admit, there are moments when I wonder if this is it.  Am I supposed to continue writing my Arrows messages?  Then, one of my loyal readers will send a comment to me regarding how that week’s information really made a difference for him or her.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your continued support, love, and grace over the past three years!  I’m thrilled to see what God has in store for these Arrows in the future.  I am so grateful you have shared these messages with your friends, and I hope you encourage them to subscribe if you find yourself forwarding them each week.

I would be remiss if I didn’t share a few bits of inspiration with you on this very special celebration of our 150^th edition.  It got me thinking about the tagline for our title.  Are you REALLY “Aiming for excellence as you target life together” with the rest of the Arrows of Integrity gang?  Have the weekly messages caused you to change directions or think twice about your approach in life?  The overall intent is for each one of us to take these God-inspired words and apply the instruction and advice to our daily lives; for each of us to CHOOSE the high road, to set an example of excellence and to be a guiding light in the world of chaos we live in.  Remember, true integrity is determined by the choices you make when no one else is watching.  However, your example of integrity is being watched every moment of every day. Who is learning from YOUR example?  I encourage each one of us to take a moment to evaluate our intentions and rethink our approaches and reactions to life.  No matter if you are performing a task at work, shopping at the grocery store, driving down the highway, coaching a little league team, leading a Bible study at church, studying for an important test or preparing for retirement, your character determines your destiny.  Choose wisely, my friends, and nothing will stand in your way of hitting the bullseye of success!

FIRE!   As you target life, be true to yourself and your commitment to living a life of integrity.  Let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no.  Be honest.  Make wise choices that your children would be proud to witness.  Have the courage to stand up for your moral decisions.  Love others.  And at the end of the day, when you look in the mirror and have maintained your self-respect, you’ll know you can sleep peacefully on your journey to success.

Be Excellent!

Lori  

 Check out my daughter, Alyssa’s version of Arrows of Integrity.

I’d say it’s a bullseye!

 

What Are You Waiting For?

 
READY… “I've always found that anything worth achieving will always have obstacles in the way and you've got to have that drive and determination to overcome those obstacles on route to whatever it is that you want to accomplish.” ~ Chuck Norris
AIM… The bell rings: “And they’re off!” But wait; you’re left standing at the starting gate. Why? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? C’mon, get moving! But there’s a huge cloud of dust ahead of you, and you cannot see through it, and you cannot see around it, and, so, you’re left standing, motionless, waiting for the dust to settle so you can take a step ahead.

Have you been thinking about where you are in life? Are there personal goals and dreams you want to accomplish? Do you want a promotion at work? Have you been trying to achieve financial success? Are you looking for good grades, a spot on the team or even a scholarship? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Seriously, what is holding you back? Is there a dust cloud in front of you where you cannot see through it to determine what your next step should be? Forget the dust! Take that first step toward making things happen for yourself. No one else can or will take that step for you. Just do it! Once you step out of the gate, the dust that surrounds you will start to settle. Your eyes will acclimate and you’ll be able to gaze beyond the cloud. With every step toward your goal, your vision will become clearer and your movements much easier. Soon you’ll be leaving the starting gate behind you and someone else will be eating your dust. And eventually, you will be able to look back and see that your starting gate is a mere speck in the dust scattered on the ground because YOU will be so far ahead on the path toward achieving greatness. Can you see it? Can you taste it? Can you smell it? Yep, it’s your victory and I can’t wait to celebrate with you at the finish line.

FIRE! Take a moment to visualize yourself in the successful position you desire. You need to see all the details, smell all the scents and hear all the sounds of success. You can do it. If everyone else has told you no, today I am telling you that YOU CAN DO IT! Now, go out there and make it happen. What are you waiting for?

Be Excellent!
Lori

"Son"shine

READY… “The thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 NKJV

AIM… I had one of the most insane weeks last week. Just as it seemed nothing else crazy could happen, it did! The week started out fantastic because my eight year old daughter decided to get baptized. Hooray! There was a party in heaven on Sunday and in all of our hearts as well. However, as the week progressed, each day I was faced with one obstacle after another. Monday, we had to pay $1800 in taxes for our new car – surprise! Tuesday, there was a bomb threat at my son’s school and they had to evacuate. Wednesday, my daughter missed the bus and I was late getting to work, where I experienced a computer glitch and various other obstacles. Thursday, I discovered I had a flat tire when pulling out of the garage and had to hurry up and change it so I could make my doctor’s appointment. Friday, I locked myself out of the house and thankfully got our spare key from the neighbor. I know, seriously?!? Each day, after each challenge, I kept saying, “It’s gotta get better from here.” Truly, I was believing life to get better each day and yet, each day something happened that attempted to sway my positive attitude. Ugh!! It wasn’t until Friday when I was talking to my mother that she brought it to my attention that after Alyssa’s obedience to God by getting baptized, the devil was most likely upset and starting attacking our family in any vulnerable way possible. Yes, those incidents were thankfully minor, but in the grand scheme of things, they added up to much frustration on my part. It’s true; the devil is alive and working against us in many ways.

Take 2 minutes to listen to the predictions in this clip from Paul Harvey’s radio broadcast back in 1965. Scary to realize the connection to everything we are experiencing in 2012, isn’t it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJc8Mzg0C-c&feature=player_embedded

This week, as Christians prepare their hearts for Easter celebrations and the joy of Jesus’ resurrection, take time to reflect on the greater purpose of this important holiday. While the devil attempts to ruin our lives, Jesus died to wipe the slate clean and cover ALL the mistakes from our past, present and future so we could live positively, successful and amazing lives full of blessings. I’m so glad I know my life is better this week and with each new day because the SON is shining down on me.

FIRE!   When life gets crazy, stay positive. I think Helen Keller put it best, “If you keep your face to the sun, you cannot see the shadows.” So when the devil is lurking in your neck of the woods, let the SON shine through and light up the darkness you are feeling.

Be Excellent!
Lori