Be Intentional This Month

For the month of February, take time to intentionally make a difference each day.

Every day: Smile and say hello to everyone you come across. Saying "hi" is more than just saying hello. You're acknowledging that they exist, and it affirms their worth. Kind of deep for just a 2-letter word, right? It's worth it!

February 1: Affirmation Day

Write a note of affirmation on someone's Facebook, blog, Twitter, by phone, or in person.

Tell them what you appreciate about them the most, or tell them what they do best.

Take a moment to reflect; open yourself to God's leading.

New Week Challenge

Will you take this challenge this week?  

Words

Are your words poison or life giving?  Start speaking life in your words today.  

Strong Person

You can tell who the strong people are because they spend their time building others up, instead of tearing others down.


Words have a lot power.  Be careful how you use them.  

Honey or Poison?

Words...if you wouldn't say them to someone face to face, don't say them to others behind their back. 

Words are either sweet as honey or as deadly as poison, so think about each word you say, before you say it.

Speak Life

Do your words speak life or death? 

Do you encourage or discourage, lift up or put down?  

Words cut, hurt, destroy OR words inspire, help, build up.  

Choose 

words

with care, 

use wisdom, 

and speak in love.  

To others.  

To yourself. 

It's Not What You Say, It's How You Live

"The greatest lessons are taught by those who do twice as much living as they do talking." - Darlene Schacht

Ever been around people who love to hear themselves talk?  Whille they ramble on talking a lot, but about very little, you think of all the life you are missing out on, all the things you could be doing instead of wasting your time listening to someone talk in circles about little or nothing.  

Think of the life lessons you have learned.  Think of the ones that really stuck with you.  Why did they stick with you?  More than likely, it was because someone invested in you, cared about you, showed you, taught you, didn't just talk your ear off to prove a point.  

What type of lesson are you teaching those around you?  Live your life as an example.  Your words are important, but what you do is what really shows others who you are at your core.  

Importance of Words

Words are important. Choose them carefully. Speak words of encouragement, grace, love, & strength.

Life Theme for 2014

I posted the below post a year ago today.  I chose overcome for my 2013 theme, and I had many moments of overcoming.  I overcame some habits, I started to work out and reached goals in working out that I never imagined I would reach.  I haven't lost much weight, but I am stronger, feel better, and am continuing to build my strength. I overcame a fear of heights over water by walking across a swinging bridge that was close to 150 feet long and 100 feet high.  I overcame past hurts and found peace.  I could go on, but you get the idea.  

How about you?  Did you choose a word or theme last year?  How did yours go?  

What about this year?  Have you chosen a theme to live by for 2014?  I am sticking with overcome, and adding in intentional.  I want to be very intentional this year in relationships, in things I want to accomplish, and in the way I live my life.  

Join me, and share your theme/word.  I would love to hear your story!

From 2013:


What one word can become your focus for this year?  What one word do you want to be your life theme,  do you want to strive for, to describe your life in the year ahead? Put that word up in front of you, like on a mirror, a wall, your refrigerator, in your car, and live that word out each day.  Read books on that subject, look up quotes and verses that will inspire you to live that word out and make it your theme for changing something in yourself this year. 

My word is overcome.  It applies to many areas of my life already this year. 

Words have great power to change our lives.  

Here are a few words that may inspire you:

Courage     Hope     Overcome     Joy     Passion     Purpose     Forgiving    Worthy 

    Change     Discipline     Intentional     Empowered     Grateful     Transformation 

  Bold     Trust     Thankful     Health     Wisdom     Compassion   Balance 

     Perseverance     Simplify     Listen     Restore     Whole     Gentleness     Integrity

Fearless     Worship     Transparent     Friend     Quiet     Focus    Beauty

     Surrender     Humble     Action     Mercy     Laughter     Love     Grace     Peace

Selfless     Give     Content     Obedience   Truth    Faithful    

Worry-free     Organized     Strength

Self-esteem     Rest    Relentless



It doesn't matter if you haven't chosen a word yet this year, choose it now.  What is your word?  What will you do to live it out, to change things about your life?  Please share with me what word you will make your theme for 2013. 

Gifts In Words

What are some gifts in words spoken to you this week? What has encouraged you, lifted you up when you were down, or helped to make you laugh? Have you had a compliment that made your day, or a kind word spoken just when you needed it? Be thankful for that today. Share a laugh, kind words, or encouragement with someone else today to help make their day better.

I met a friend for lunch a couple days ago, and we shared a fantastic laugh.  It felt so good, and we both needed it.  

I have been encouraged, as well, in some of my endeavors.  

I have tried to encourage those I have been in contact with this week, have done my best to share a laugh or a smile, and have tried to be kind to those I have come in contact with along life's path.  It does makes a difference! 

New Challenge

After a day without the gift challenge, I think I need to focus on something similar.  How about a word a day challenge. Join me?  

I am going to post a word for each day, and similar to the gift challenge, search it out to see what it really means to you, how it can help you, how it can keep you taking steps forward in life.  

Looking forward to hearing from you!

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 19

Today's gift challenge is to find 3 gifts in conversation.  

Early morning talk with my husband

Catching up today with a friend

Remembering to use my words today to be a gift to those who read and hear them...words that lift up, not tear down.  Words that are kind, not mean.  Words that are thought out, not just speaking what I think.  

Sharing the Gifts

Are you sharing the joy dare, the gifts of each day, with your family, your kids, grandkids?  I write them down in a notebook, as writing helps me to see it in front of me and focus on the gifts more. Others I know have their family talk about them at the dinner table each night. They have a gratitude jar on their table, and everyone writes their gifts of the day on a small piece of paper, talks about them, and then puts them in the jar.  Each month brings a new jar of gratitude.  

Talking about, keeping track of the gifts around us, can change our focus and help us to start to see things differently.  It can also help to release fear because fear and thankfulness have a difficult time coexisting.  

September Challenge, See the Gifts of Each Day, Day 3

September 3rd Joy Dare - 3 gifts yellow

What are three gifts in yellow you are thankful for?

September Challenge, See the Gifts of Each Day, Day 2

September 2nd Joy Dare - 3 gifts cut 

Look around you for the gifts of three gifts cut. Share here if you like, keep a journal of the gifts, or put it on your joy board.

My 3 gifts for today would be cut flowers out of my garden to make a beautiful bouquet, paper flowers cut out by my nieces that are overflowing out of a pretty blue vase, and handmade cards cut and assembled by caring hands.  

Creating A Joy Board

A JOY board placed somewhere central in your home helps you to focus on things you love, appreciate, & are grateful for in your life. It can boost your mood, bring warm memories, and turn an attitude around.

If you decide to make a joy board this weekend, please share. I would love to know what you put on it, what you made it out of, and if it helps to lift your mood when you see it.

What would you fill your joy board with...photos, song lyrics, scripture, quotes, hand written notes, handmade gifts, dried flowers, ticket stubs?  

Where's Your Focus?

Do you need to change your focus today? 

Are your words and thoughts about all that is wrong in your world, or do you seek out joy? 

Your mind settles on where you put your focus, and that focus becomes the truth you start to live.  

If you need an adjustment, make a conscious effort to change your thinking today.  

Do It Well

Most people do not know what they can do, because all they’re told is what they cannot do. -Zig Ziglar


Spend some time this week focusing on what you can do, and celebrate by doing it well! Encourage those in your life by sharing with them what their gifts are, what they do well, and see how they change.

Change Your Thinking

Take A Risk

Sorry for the absence.  My computer is down, the logic board is fried.  Hopefully, there will be a replacement soon!  I hope you have been following my posts on Facebook or Twitter, as I have been able to keep them up from my phone. 


There are a lot of people needing someone to reach out to them.  We can make a difference in what we do and say to others.  Are you willing to impact lives, to reach out and show others you care?  This quote is powerful.  I challenge you, as I challenge myself, to not just read it and think it was great, but to take actions and make a difference in others lives.  Take a risk and reach out.  Get out of your comfort zone and be the change you want to see in the world.  You are here for a purpose, you have gifts no one else has, and you can reach people others cannot.  Don't wait around for others to step in, jump in yourself and truly impact others lives in a good way.  Be kind, be gracious, lend a helping hand, and take time to listen.  Leave a positive imprint on every life you touch.  When you live your life in this way, not only do you bless others, but you will be blessed because you gave of yourself.