The Blessing Of A Friend

READY... “One good reason to only maintain a small circle of friends is that three out of four murders are committed by people who know the victim.” ~ George Carlin

AIM…  “You gotta have friends.”  “And friends are friends forever.”  “That’s what friends are for.”  There are so many different songs singing the praises and value of a good friendship.  It’s true.  Friends really can be friends forever.  Friends are there to cheer for you in the good times and cry with you in the not so good times.  Friends are there to laugh with you until your stomach hurts or you pee your pants.  Friends are there to pick up the pieces when life crumbles around you and help you put them back together.  Truly, what would we do without our friends? 

I know I am SUPER, EXTRA blessed to have many, many friends.  I have friends whom I have known since my school days and friends I met when I moved to our new town.  I have friends who were at my wedding and friends I hang out with at my kids’ soccer games.  I have friends I enjoy chatting with over coffee and friends I can catch up with over a quick text or phone call.  I truly have the BEST friends a woman could ask for.  When the chips are down, my friends lift me up.  When I’m soaring sky high, I lift my friends higher.  That’s what it’s all about, right?  Besides the simple fact that we have the innate need to love and be loved; friends are there to love us so we can love them right back.

Thank you, to each one of you, for being my friend!

FIRE!   Be a blessing to a friend today.  Write her an encouraging email.  Drop off her favorite treat as a surprise.  Send a funny card in the mail.  No matter what you do, you’ll be adding more cement to your valuable relationship as friends.                                                              

Be Excellent!

Lori

In The Midst Of A Storm

READY… “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.  He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”  Psalm 107:28-29 NIV 

AIM…  Frankenstorm Sandy just moved through our nation with vengeance this week.  What did you do to prepare for the storm?  How did you handle yourself in the midst of it?  Life sometimes hands us our own Frankenstorms. When that happens, how do you respond? What do you do?  

We all know seasonal storms and the storms of life are going to occur whether we want them to or not.  Some folks like to be well prepared to withstand a weather catastrophe with water, food, gasoline in their vehicles, a generator, candles, batteries, etc.  Others don’t get too excited and tend to wait to see what really happens and then approach their circumstances in a more reactionary mode - if anything happens to them.  I find that the same is somewhat true about personal storms. Some folks like to be emotionally prepared by surrounding themselves with supportive friends, reading self-help books, praying and trusting God to assist when life will inevitably get ugly.  Others, however, wait for the difficult situation and then find themselves in the middle of a crisis.  Suddenly, because there was no self-preparation, these ill-equipped folks go into panic mode and stress out over life’s attacks; oftentimes they spiral out of control.

I think we can all learn a lesson or two from this week’s wicked storm.  First, when the authorities tell you to evacuate – you pack up and leave!  If you are in a harmful or difficult situation in life and God nudges you to make a big change to save your sanity or your family’s circumstances, then listen, pack up and leave.  Second, be prepared!  We all know the storms of life are coming.  Whether you are in the midst of a storm, dealing with the aftermath or heading into the next downpour, you can do a few things to make the journey a bit easier.  You can heed the advice of trusted friends and family members who can speak from past experiences.  You can read books, watch shows, attend classes, and take action regarding your specific circumstances to prepare, prevent and be productive when your storm strikes. And finally, you can lean on the one who created you, who knows your storms and when they are coming, and who can be ultimately trusted with your life.  Just ask God to help.  After all, He alone is the one who has calmed the storms in the past and is fully capable of calming any storm in your life in the future as well.

FIRE!   Create emergency plans this week.  Work on putting together a plastic tote with things like water, flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, etc.  Then prepare for your personal storms by putting together a support system of trusted friends and daily prayers.  By preparing for both storms, you are setting yourself up for success when the next storm decides to strike.  

Be Excellent!
Lori

Every Day Heroes

READY… “Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys.” ~ Unknown

AIM… I was having a conversation with my neighbor the other day and she was talking about the behavior of some of the kids in the neighborhood being less than stellar.  Thankfully, my children are well-behaved (most of the time) and she used them as an example of good behavior.  My comment back to her was that kids today have too much time alone because both parents are working to support the family.  However, the sad truth is that many of those families don’t have both parents living together at home. The absence of a father-figure in the lives of impressionable children, both young men and young women, is impacting so many behavior choices and relationship issues that it’s frightening.  How often do you see a man open the door to a store for a woman to enter first?  That gesture is a simple example of common courtesy or, as we used to say, an example of chivalry. It seems that people are so absorbed with themselves that they don’t give those tasks a second thought, but it is more than possible they were never taught those types of courtesies.  What tool is available to teach young boys how to be caring fathers and faithful husbands if their own dads aren’t around or don’t care to be involved?  Thankfully, several grandfathers have taken up the charge to set a good example for their grandchildren and have developed impressionable relationships where the boys (and girls) have a role model they can emulate.  And thankfully, there are still dads out there, who have made commitments to be a loyal husband and to be an involved father and to break the cycle to take back their responsibility as men to be there for their families.  These men have recognized the calling that was placed in their hearts to be the man God created them to be.  They understand the great responsibility that comes with providing for their families financially by working hard and doing a good job for their employers.  They understand they are providing a level of security for their families by protecting their wives and children and making sure they are safe.  They understand the ultimate goal is to demonstrate unconditional love in the midst of all of life’s challenges.  Some days, the pay is only in hugs and kisses, but the reward is knowing they have made lasting impressions on the lives of future men and women who will hopefully, in turn, do the same.  What an awesome responsibility and a super-hero type of job that only a man of valor could fulfill.

FIRE! Give a compliment to dad (or granddad) you know who is walking the walk and talking the talk as an everyday hero with his family.  And for the gentleman who chooses to open the door for you when walking into a store, be sure to enthusiastically say thank you so he knows his efforts are recognized and appreciated.  We need to acknowledge the ordinary super-heroes in our world today.

Be Excellent!
Lori