New Dawn

Energized for another beautiful dawning, I sit outside awaiting the sounds and visits of the early morning backyard birds while sipping on my hot, bold coffee. During early to late Spring and even early Summer this time is my moment of tranquility, of a beauty that is etching its own image of God's beautiful creation. 

While there are many chirping sounds, there's an unusual melodic tune filling the air from atop the trees. What bird is that? Wait! It's many different birds. I continue to scout the trees, the rooftop, the skies. Where are those birds that are bringing such beauty to my ears? A soft breeze flows through the tallest pine and I see him singing his song. It is only one bird! Yes, it is him, Mr Mockingbird. He has a gift of memicking the sounds of other birds, even frogs and incorporating them into one beautiful song. I counted 16 different sounds before he paused to start again. Yes, I did hear the frog sound as he hit a low note. 

I continue to enjoy my tranquility time when the backyard becomes quiet..ery quiet. All of a sudden a beautiful big Red-Tailed Hawk swoops down to the ground from behind the pines and the sounds of many birds sing their alert sound. How I hate this moment: the beauty and life of many birds being jepordized by the beauty of another. God, in all His beautiful creation knew what He was doing. Yes, it is the "dawning of a new day", again.

Did you know?

Once upon a time, long ago there was this great love that could not be contained. One person held onto this love for as long as one can and from that love an even greater love was birthed. Brilliance like unimaginable radiated from this amazing love, touching many who in turn told about this love. Time passes. Excitement and joy of telling about this love became so overwhelming that jealous reared its ugly head trying to crush this rippling magnitude of love. Destruction was inevitable. Mission was accomplished, so it was thought. A love so great cannot be destroyed. This love was created by the one who created all things. 

Now you know the "rest of the story".

~kdhuff~

"Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life."

John 3:16

Drifting Along

Yesterday was awesome! Great reviews on the work front with new job title, got in an early morning exercise, great hair day, dinner out with friends was relaxing, got that "oh-so-expensive" jacket on sale, and surprisingly laughed often. 

However, today is another story.  Lay-offs are announced. With the new title comes the dreaded responsibility of downsizing; great friends, but none want to listen; stress is looming; today is defiantly a hair-pulling" day; there's a snag in that new expensive jacket and trying to muster a smile seems impossible. What else can go wrong??!!!!!

Do you take what the day offers or do you offer something to the day? Are you just drifting along, living each day with a "come what may" attitude or do you live each day with a "hello world, it's me" attitude? Life will pass leaving you with many regrets or life will pass leaving you happy and content. It's simply a choice made daily. 

"In all the work you are given, do the best you can. Work as though you are working for the Lord, not any earthly master."

 ~Colossians 3:23 

"Let all that you do be done in love."

~1 Corinthians 16:14

Healthy eating. Where does it get us?

The story goes, "if you want a good life eat right & exercise". Kind of not true because you can eat whatever you want and have a life, not necessarily a good one. It is when I was faced with a health issue that I said, "No More!" 

My doctor ran the test one day and the next day I was sitting in her office dreading the outcome. I had known for the last two years that my diet was not like it use to be. My weight fluctuated a few pounds up and down, but nothing drastic. I had gone through physical therapy a couple of times for some back issues. My exercise regiment was defeated, at least this is what I told myself. So the "I-will-do-better-later attitude" was born. Meals prepared at home were seldom. Eating out or going through a drive-thru was so easier. I had responsibilities. They were keeping me busy. I was stressing over things I had no control over. Slowly I was giving up on me and giving into everything and everyone. So when the doctor sat back in her chair turned around and faced me I knew times were about to change. They did. I was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. What an awakening! She was about to write a prescription when I said, "Wait!" She looked up and was prepared to speak when I simply stated, "give me a chance to change this through diet and exercise". 

I was surprised at her response. She was in agreement, even liked the idea that I chose to try and beat it before I chose medicine. I have 6 months to correct this diagnosis. I have seen a dietician, gone back to the gym, become more active, less stressed and get the required rest to maintain a healthy life. Each day brings renewed hope that I will accomplish my goal: to be healthy and fit.

Step On The Brakes

Running here, running there, doing this, doing that....STOP!!!!!! Time keeps ticking away and nothing you do will stop it or slow it down, but you can stop and you can slow down. 

Have you wondered what would happen "IF" you did not make the bed this morning, left the laundry for tomorrow, picked up dinner instead of rushing home to cook, kicked your feet up to enjoy downtime after work, did not rush to the cleaners for that last minute drop-off, put off grocery shopping for a day, or even went to bed earlier than normal????  Well let me tell you. Tomorrow you would feel great! Life is short. Time is precious, but so is the life you have been given. Cherish it! Never take one second for granted.