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

Inspired

READY8“People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.” ~ Zig Ziglar

AIM8 Inspirational words can motivate you to become a successful person. They can help you cope in the midst of a tough time in life. Here is a video that was sent to me by a dear friend a few months ago. It inspired me when I watched it the first time as much as it inspires me today. Enjoy this complimentary dose of life-charging motivation! (Feel free to watch it as often as necessary to reap the benefits of the message…plus, I know you’ll want to go back and try to identify all the movies!)

40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes - Overthinking It http://www.overthinkingit.com/2008/12/10/40-inspirational-speeches-in-2-minutes/

Now that you’ve watch the video, don’t you just want to raise your arms up and shout at the world? Go ahead – do it!

FIRE!8 Do something today that allows you to declare a personal victory. Even if it’s simply patting yourself on the back for getting up on time – it’s still a victory. Yay, You!

Be Excellent!
Lori

Always Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide

READY8 “A conscience is that still small voice that people won't listen to. That's just the trouble with the world today...” ~ Jiminy Cricket in Walt Disney’s movie Pinocchio

AIM8 There I was, checking out at the grocery store with all my food items for the week. I thanked the cashier and proceeded to push my cart out to the parking lot, so I could unload my purchases. After placing all the bags into my car, I picked up my purse from the front basket to return the cart. GASP! There, under my purse, were the birthday cards I had selected while I was shopping in the grocery store. I had forgotten about them and waltzed right out of the store without paying for them. Now, here’s where my conscience started to wrestle with me. On one shoulder, I had the angel telling me to go all the way back into the store and pay for the cards. After all, it would be stealing if I didn’t pay for them. On the other shoulder, I had the devil telling me to forget about it. You’re ready to get in the car and the storeowners don’t know anything about the cards in my cart. Ugh! Why are there even options to consider in a situation like this?

I didn’t think about it for another moment. I returned my cart and marched right back into the grocery store, cards in hand. I got back in line with the same cashier and explained that I forgot to put the cards on the belt when I was checking out and needed to come back into the store to pay for my birthday cards. I think he was a little surprised because he kind of stammered, “Oh…. yes.” So I paid and walked back out to my car smiling. I knew I had made the right decision. The decision a person of integrity would make. Besides, it was a great story to share with my children and all of you.

FIRE!8 Be a person of integrity today. Tell the truth in all situations, pay for all your purchases, let someone merge in front of you on the highway and smile. You deserve to hold your head high when you know you are making the right choices in life.

Be Excellent!
Lori

Are You Teachable?

READY8 “The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as long as we live.” ~ Mortimer Adler

AIM8 You’ve been enjoying the life topics of Arrows of Integrity for almost eight months now. Hooray! However, as I learn from my experiences in life, I have been wondering if you are learning anything from the weekly messages I’ve been sending you. All the good advice in the world won't help if you don't have a teachable spirit. To know whether you are really open to new ideas and new ways of doing things, answer the following questions:

Am I open to other people's ideas?
Do I listen more than I talk?
Am I open to changing my opinion bases on new information?
Do I readily admit when I am wrong?
Do I observe before acting on a situation?
Do I ask questions?
Am I willing to ask a question that will expose my ignorance?
Am I willing to ask for directions?
Do I act defensive when criticized, or do I listen openly for the truth?

If you answered no to one or more of these questions, then you have room to grow in the area of teach-ability. Remember the words of John Wooden: "Everything we know we learned from someone else!"

FIRE!8 I’m sure you simply read through the above questions to get to the bottom of my message. Take 5 minutes, reread the questions above and answer them honestly. Recognize areas where you can improve and pat yourself on the back for the areas where you excel!!

Be Excellent!
Lori

The Power Struggle

READY8 “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” ~ Jimi Hendrix

AIM8 Love is such a powerful emotion. It draws people in, solidifies their commitments and binds hearts together, forever. You can love people, pets, food, material things, money, power and so many other things. Giving love and being loved in return can be a wonderful and positive experience; however, loving money, material things and power have the opposite result.

How many of you have known people whose positions at work, in the community or with an organization went to their heads and caused a change in their behaviors? Suddenly, the people we thought we knew started acting differently and didn’t treat us the same as before. What changed? For some, the power and authority that comes with leadership positions are so stimulating that they simply didn’t know how to adjust their actions to accommodate the new attention they received. For others, the new power and authority makes them feel as if they can boss people around and talk down to others. Being in a leadership position doesn’t make them any different than the rest of us. They simply have the power to make more decisions than those they are leading. No matter if they are doctors, lawyers, the CEOs of successful companies, presidents of school’s PTAs, volunteer council members or concerned parents, they put their pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the titles after our names or the amount of money we were paid were symbols of hard work and effort, not licenses to treat others as if they are less than important people?

Can you imagine what it would look like if the people in positions of leadership loved the people they led and expressed their love and appreciation on a regular basis? What would that feel like to work with and for a person who genuinely cared about us? Whether it’s for a paycheck or a volunteer organization, the commitment and effort of the people involved would be magnified as a direct result of the power of love. What an amazing vision! Just think what we could accomplish if we replaced the love of power with the power of love!

FIRE!8 Each one of us in is a position of leadership over someone…a child, an employee, or even a volunteer parent. Today, express your love to at least one of those people either verbally or in writing. Let down your guard and show your love towards him or her. That small act will go miles and miles.

Be Excellent!
Lori

*Thanks to my friend, Gwendolyn, for spotting the bumper sticker that sparked my inspiration for this message.*

Don't Go To Bed Mad

READY8 “My husband and I have never considered divorce... murder sometimes, but never divorce.” ~ Dr. Joyce Brothers

AIM8 Has anyone ever offered you advice for a healthy marriage? Everyone talks about how to have a successful marriage at one point or another. Maybe you chatted with a friend over a cup of coffee, or indirectly discussed the idea while playing hoops with the guys. After the honeymoon phase ended and reality set in, perhaps you confided in a friend whose marriage you admire that marriage was not what you expected. Whether you’re single or have been married for many years, the one piece of advice that is given most frequently is “Don’t go to bed mad.” At first, you may think to yourself “Oh, that will never happen.” Unfortunately, at some point in your marriage, you will have a disagreement with your spouse that will leave you frustrated at bedtime.

Ephesians 4:26-27 says “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” As upset as we may get over a situation with our spouses, we cannot allow the devil to have an open opportunity to sow even one seed of bitterness and resentment into our marriages. Our society gives in too easily when the going gets tough. Divorce rates are absolutely ridiculous, and, unfortunately, the statistics are against us. However, there is hope! We must pause long enough to let God into our lives. If we do, He will give us insight that will allow us to open our hearts to forgiveness. You may have to swallow your pride and set aside your selfish ways in order to reconnect with your spouse. Believe it or not, you will truly feel better and God will grant you both a restful sleep that evening and joy anew in the morning. Trust me, it’s worth the effort and will sow seeds of love, trust and commitment into the promises of your marriage.

FIRE!8 Take a break and call your spouse (or a loved one) in the middle of the day just to say hello. Ask him how his day is going and simply listen to his response. Do not talk about yourself (if you can help it) and tell him you just wanted him to know you were thinking about him and you love him. Imagine what a difference you’ll make in the middle of his day!

Be Excellent!
Lori

Mmmm, chocolate!

READY8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8 NLT

AIM8 Chocolate…oh what a lovely thought. Sometimes we feel like we can’t live without it. Other times, well, we still want it, even though we feel we don’t deserve it. When we are feeling down, chocolate can make us feel happy again. (Really, there’s scientific proof!) God’s love for us is much like chocolate. We desire His love. We feel we don’t deserve His love. We can’t live life fully without His love. When we are feeling down, God’s love can make us feel happy again…if we allow it.

Our lives can be so busy, that enjoying a piece of chocolate is no longer a pleasure. We pop it into our mouths and devour it without even tasting it. Because it’s Valentine’s week, many of us will be receiving chocolate as a special gift. I challenge you to do something different for a change. When you eat a piece of chocolate, hold the first bite in your mouth for a moment. Let the chocolate melt across your tongue. Focus on the velvety smooth texture, the rich flavor and the way it makes you feel. Aaahhhh, God’s love. It’s rich, it’s like a velvet cloak around us, and it makes us feel oh so good inside. Take a minute to appreciate what is good in our lives.

FIRE!8 If you have special valentines to honor this week, be sure to show them your love, and not just by giving them a store card or treat. Go out of your way to make sure they truly feel loved by you. If you don’t have a special valentine to honor, remember, God always loves you…no matter what! He is your forever valentine and wants you to feel truly loved every day.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Be Excellent!
Lori