Turning Someone Else’s Mess into a Message

A few weeks ago I received a note from someone on Facebook.  He apparently remembered me from high school but I did not remember him.  (We were in the same Speech Class).

The follow-up note he sent me moved me to tears.  I share this with you because it just goes to show you how you can change a life for the better and not even know it.  Certainly, I had no idea how the impact of my words back then would play out more than 30 years later.  But I am so thankful that I said something to inspire.

Here’s his note to me:

This is a selfish message more for me than for you…Of course you wouldn’t remember me. First my name was (name deleted) back then (i used my step dad’s name at that time), I weighed about 98 lbs then, my fro was unkempt, my attire was second hand, dirty and ill fitting, there were 10 of us in our household with 1 bath tub (that I hardly ever used), and I got a “C” in that (speech) class, all my other grades that year were “F’s” I was very proud of my “C”.  That was my best effort. 

After one speech that I muttered and stumbled through, you said “good job Mike”…You, The great McKinley speaking sensation, told me…little dirty me good job.  I don’t even think I said thank you or looked you in the eye, but I felt like a winner that day. 

I dropped out of school that next year and joined the U.S. Marines, where I stayed for the next 12 years.  I started a sales career, and discovered I could excel there. I soon started teaching and training sales people, and for the past 12 years I have prospered running my own consulting company with several junior consultants that I employ. I have traveled the world (48 countries) teaching the art of selling to groups that number from 25 to 2500. 

There have been many Bev’s in my life since that “good job Mike” more than 30 years ago, people that have taken the time to give a word of encouragment to the less able, and now I like to think I am a Bev myself . So this heart felt message is not just for you. It’s for all of those Bev’s that I never said thank you to. I enjoy a life I never dreamed of as a child.

Thank you Bev’s of the world . I send you love, joy, and light … Namaste

Now you see why I am still crying……..

 

When Your Mess Becomes a Wake Up Call

I have always said God gives up wake-up calls throughout our lives when He’s trying desperately to get our attention about something.  The question is, how often do you answer the phone or do you just ignore the call?  

A wake-up call is what I believed happened last night when my 19-year-old daughter, Janie, was involved in a motor vehicle accident with a drunk driver.  She was on her way back from Food Lion (less than 1/2 mile away from the house) when this young woman slammed into the back of our vehicle.

According to this nice couple who witnessed the accident, they said Janie was driving the speed limit when out of nowhere this driver came up and slammed into the back of our vehicle. They theorize she was trying to cut in between the two vehicles but misjudged her distance.

After a long night in the hospital, we returned home.  Janie is sore and has been diagnosed with a lower lumbar strain and a thoracic strain. I have some shattered nerves because I can’t help thinking  how much more serious the accident could’ve based on the impact and damage of both vehicles but God is good and obviously has a purpose for Janie and this other young lady.

 Both of the vehicles look to be total losses.

This young woman, who just turned 21, was so drunk she blew a 3.0 on the breathalyzer. In the state of NC .08 is legally drunk so I can’t believe she blew a 3.0. I don’t know how she could drive in that condition.  Police administered the test three times because I don’t think they could believe it either!

I have to tell you I felt so bad for this young woman.  She was crying and kept apologizing. It was such a sad scene to witness but, of course, I was concerned for Janie first and foremost so I didn’t express the compassion for this girl who just hit our car.

The police also told us when they tried to call the girl’s mother to let her know her daughter had just been in an accident, the mother sounded drunk also and just hung up the phone.

She was taken to jail and charged with DUI. We checked today and she is still behind bars with a $1500 secured bond.  Janie, meanwhile, is resting.

Thank God my grandson, Jarod, wasn’t in the car–which he normally is–but he was at home in bed.

I have always been an advocate for MADD–Mothers against drunk drivers—but now that this is up close and personal, I have become an even STRONGER advocate. 

My question here is why aren’t young people getting the message that alcohol and driving don’t mix? 

And let’s hope and pray that this wake-up call is answered.

 

Undo Your Mess with Prayer

It is relaxing and refreshing to take a few moments now and then during the day to bring our thoughts, feelings and emotions under control.  We may not realize just how much power we have in stopping those negative thoughts from infesting into our spirit.  We have a center of peace within us to which we can always turn.  The place of peace, of stillness, of power can be entered into at any time.

Our willingness to let go of negative thoughts and feelings, our willingness to take a few moments to sit quietly and to breathe freely and easily of the breath of life can be a most rewarding practice.

The peace and quietness that is found in a moment of prayer stays with us and makes all that we do a joy.  When we are relaxed, rested and refreshed, we are at peace in mind and body.

 

Quit Trippin’ Over Your Own Mess

I was inspired to write this blog today after reading a post by Star Jones.

How many times have you found yourself in a situation that caused you tremendous stress or despair?  We’ll all had our share of life’s ups and downs–but it’s how you handle yourself in the face of adversity that counts.

Here’s what I say:

CALM DOWN!   God has your life under control; He knows how to handle even the seemingly complex situation with ease.

SHUT UP!   Stop having pity parties and talking about your business all the time; don’t you know that the power of death and life is in the tongue!   Stop speaking negative things into existence in your life
and in others.

QUIT TRIPPIN!   When you look at your situations through your eyes, you often read more into the situation than what is there. It’s not as bad as you think particularly if God is in your life; Stop over
analyzing your life.

 

What Principles Do You Live By?

I don’t know if you’ve heard of The Vine but it is an awesome dose of daily inspiration I receive in my email.  My husband introduced me to it when we were dating some years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Today’s message is titled:  8 Principles to Live By and it came right on time.  You see,  a few days ago, we learned that my husband’s employment contract with the Department of the Treasury was being terminated immediately.   Although the news is devastating, we are choosing to live on these 8 principles and act on faith.

God never promised an easy life but He did promise He would be with us through the through the tears and the pain—the heartache and rain and trust Him to see us through.

Today’s message from the Vine has become my motivation.  Enjoy:

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity…
Proverbs 3:21-22 NLT

People who set goals accomplish much more than people of equal education and ability who don’t. With that in mind, build these eight principles into your life.

1) Decide what you want. But first consult God. ‘Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails’ (Proverbs 19:21 NIV)..

2) Think on paper. Writing your goals down gives them a sense of permanency, plus it energises you. ‘Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity… ‘ Wishy-washy objectives won’t get you where you want to go.

3) Establish a deadline. Without a definite beginning and ending it’s easy to procrastinate and get nowhere.

4) Make a list of what you need to do to. Keep it before you at all times; it’ll give you a track to run on.

5) Convert your list to a plan. Decide what you need to do first and what you can do later. An organised plan is always better than trying to carry stuff around in your head.

6) Act immediately. ‘Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity… ‘ (Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV). Do something! A mediocre plan that’s implemented beats a brilliant one that’s not.

7) Do something every day to move you forward. Build it into your schedule. For example, read systematically through your Bible, call a specific number of clients, engage in physical activity for a given time.

Have a goal you’re willing to devote your life to. And keep your eye on that goal at all times. ‘Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom’ (Psalm 90:12 NIV).

 

Real Diva Beauty Comes from Within

Let’s face it, all women want to be beautiful. However, many fail to realize that beauty begins on the inside and works its way out. But how do you become beautiful on the inside? You will not discover the secret in magazines, talk shows, or reality TV. Inner beauty is the result of God’s transforming power in the heart of a willing soul. He doesn’t simply cover up our flaws; He miraculously starts from scratch and makes us new. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, (she) is a new creation,” Paul wrote, “the old is gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 2:5).

The best beauty treatment is by spending time with the makeover artist Himself…Jesus. God’s spa is always open and the price has already been paid by Jesus Himself. So what are we waiting for! I’ll see you there.

 

The Valley of Storms

Life is good on the mountaintops of celebration. But no matter how much we’d like to spend our lives up there, we will eventually walk through the valleys of challenges. Life is tough in the valleys. Still, there are valuable lessons we can learn in the valleys that we could never learn if we stayed on the mountaintops.

If you find yourself walking through a valley right now, let God teach you as He walks alongside you. At midlife some people find themselves walking through the Valley of Storms.

Invite God to use the storms you go through to stretch your faith. Understand that God can use storms for correcting (returning you to a right relationship with Him), perfecting (to mature you and prepare you for serving more in His kingdom), and instructing (to teach lessons you couldn’t learn otherwise). As you struggle through a storm, keep in mind that Jesus is watching and listening, and He is rooting for you. Not only that, but He is praying for you to remain faithful and learn to trust Him even more. Don’t panic, no matter how much rain falls, how loud the thunder crashes, or how close the lightening strikes, because God is more powerful than any storm you could ever experience.

One of my favorite quotes is:  “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass—but learning to dance in the rain.”  You and David should have a good time!

 

Responding to the Mess in Your Past

What are you doing about the mess from your past?  Is it still there tucked away nice and neatly or is it continuing to create havoc in your life? 

Everyone has a past to deal with. While we cannot change our past, we certainly change our response to it. We can either allow our past to defeat us or we can harness it, and use it for power in our lives today and tomorrow!

Our past can be our quicksand or our cornerstone.

 

Keep Going in Spite of Your Mess

Happiness keeps you sweet

Trials keep you strong

Sorrows keep you human

Failures keep you humble

Success keeps you glowing

But only God can keep you going!

**Make Your Mess Your Message in 2009**

 

Claim Your Own Mess Mr. Greenberg

Hank Greenberg says the mess was not his fault.  He was referring to the financial fiasco involving American International Group (AIG)—the Company he used to head. 

Speaking before Congress this week, Greenberg said he felt no reponsibility for AIG’s fiscal irresponsibility because he wasn’t with the company.  What he didn’t say was he stepped down in 2005 when AIG came under pressure during an investigation of the company’s accounting practices.

 So how does someone who spent nearly 40 years at one company claim NO responsibility for it’s demise and misguidings less than three years after his departure?   What Greenberg will claim though is his own personal loss.  He was quoted at the hearing as saying, “Of course, I lost considerable net worth, but I’m working. My life is not materially changed.” 

When asked would he be willing to give the proceeds from his stock sales to help pay back what the Company owes the government.  Greenberg’s response: ”Why would it go back to the taxpayers?  You go out in the street and start collecting from them.”  

How sad to see this 80-something-year-old involved in such a mess.