The Song Within

I am trying hard to find the song that is hiding somewhere deep within my heart. I know it is there somewhere, but it seems so elusive right now.

You do know what I am talking about, right?

The song in your heart is the emanating joy that resounds from within you. It is the praise that rises up out of you and sings with all creation.

Maybe it is just the fact that I love music and love to sing.

I have walked around today and have burst into song randomly throughout the day. It just seemed like the right thing to do at the time.

More importantly, these random outbursts of song are an even deeper reflection of

Dream Big… and Always Bring Friends along for the Ride

When my Mom was diagnosed with cancer and given her “death sentence” by the doctor, I had a burning question that I wanted to ask her. I wanted to ask, “What have you not done that you want to do?”

Little did I know that this question would spill over into my own life as I had been living my life complacently. I had coasted by with no goals, no dreams, and no aspirations. I was one big blah in the middle of society.

When she passed away, I decided to go back to school. Check one for me living my life again.

Yet, I was not feeling as challenged. Sure I was I actually starting to live my dream, but I could feel myself slipping back into that complacent mode. So I challenged myself and resolved this year that I would do something completely out of the norm for me. I wanted to push the boundaries of my comfort zone and climb out of my shell.

So I auditioned for Liberty Idol.

May 1^st came and I was nervous, hoarse from singing so much, and torn.

Hanging out with my best friend, Ann, before my Liberty Idol performance.

Overall, the experience was one that I would never forget. I did not make it through to the next round, but I was proud of myself for doing it! I tried. I went up on the stage and sang. I shared my testimony with so many who said that my story made them rethink their dreams. After all, are we not supposed to inspire others?

So, who inspires me? My children, my CH, and my friends!

Houses of Glass

There is something to be said about people living in glass houses and throwing stones, but what about those who have built up around them glass walls?

Recently a friend had an issue whereby she felt as though her world had shattered.  I tried to offer encouragement and hope, but more importantly, I wanted to give her a firmer foundation with which she could build her walls.  As we know, glass shatters, but stone does not.

I’m not saying that we should build walls around ourselves to keep others out.  No.  We can’t do that, but what we can do is to build up the supports in our life so that we are not faced with shattered walls or shattered lives.  James said it best when he stated: 

            “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

            “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

We are going to come by trials and tribulations in our lives, but God can provide us with what we need to overcome it, and by giving us these things, we learn to persevere.

However, this is not about her and her problem.  It is about

I Declare

Must I declare a disclaimer over everything that I post in my life?

According to some, I should.

This was brought to my attention after I shared a conversation with a fellow classmate who follows me on Facebook.  His advice to me:  You should really be careful about what you post on your Facebook status.

Excuse me?  Why should he care?  More importantly, why would he take me that seriously?

What Your Friends Think of You

Do you constantly get tagged in those notes for surveys and questionnaires on Facebook or even MySpace?

I do.  Of course, I have to admit to doing the same thing from time to time.

Until recently, I had never really thought about what my friends think of me.  Then it occurred to me as I was answering my latest questionnaire at 2 a.m. (because I couldn’t sleep thanks to my children) that my friends are hanging around me for one reason: 

Thank Heaven for Girlfriends

My friend, Ann, and myself (sans makeup)

I used to remember my mom and her girlfriends, how they would rally around her, and I thought, “I wish I had friends like that.”  The problem for me then was that all my friends had used me and tossed me aside.  Then, after many years, Ann and I found each other online and started to talk.  Her daughter and my son both attend the same high school, as well as her son and my youngest son are the same age. 

When Ann and I refound each other (we met in college, the first time I attended), I like to think that God had it all in His plans, as his timing was so perfect, it was almost scary.  But then again, isn’t God’s timing perfect anyhow?

However, at the time, I wouldn’t know  how perfect.