Thursday, June 28, 2012
Movie Of The Month: Brave
This summer, if you're looking for a film that's great for the whole family, or gives a new perspective, I strongly recommend you see Disney's newest animation, "Brave". "Brave" is the tale of a Scottish princess named Merida who is trying to find her own destiny in the midst of a somewhat daunting "royal fate". Her mother feels that she should be more like her: poised, sophisticated, and refined. But Merida has other ideas; ideas that include horseback riding, archery, and definitely NOT marriage. When Merida meets an old witch in the forest who gives her an enchanted cake to change her mother, Merida is sure her fate will change and become more to her liking. But when her fate is changed in unexpected ways, she realizes that life wasn't so bad after all. Full of surprises, magic, and tender mother-daughter love, "Brave" is a wonderful reminder to be more grateful for the blessings we already have.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Working Together
Inspired Thought...
This past weekend I visited the International Peace Garden in northern North Dakota for the first time. Although the flowers were not in full bloom, I was very impressed, especially after a visit to the garden's peace chapel. Inside the peace chapel, various inspirational quotes from scripture and famous historical figures are engraved in its stone walls. I read every single one, and found that they all carried the same message: a message of hope, of caring and love, and of peace. They helped me to realize the importance of depending upon others, and that working together is often times more successful than working alone. As I get older, I find myself becoming more and more independent. Yet I know that I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't depended upon and received guidance from my family, friends, and teachers. Try thinking of yourself as a puzzle piece. A lone puzzle piece is useless without making connections with other pieces. Today I'm challenging you to not only rely upon those you know and love, but to look beyond the walls of judgement and discrimination and make connections with the "not so popular" puzzle pieces, allowing them to rely on YOU. Who knows? You might just find your missing piece!
Inspired Action...
Create a puzzle. Cut up construction paper or poster board into various shapes and sizes, then glue individual pictures of family, friends, co-workers, etc. to each piece. On the back of each puzzle piece, write one way in which the person pictured on the front has positively influenced you. Finally, put your puzzle together and say a prayer of thanks for all the special people God has brought into your life.
Inspired Living...
Pick one person that you are well acquainted with and write them a note or give them a phone call to thank them for their relationship and positive influence. (As tempting as it is, do NOT send an e-mail or a text... a handwritten note or personal phone call bears a lot more meaning.) Then, choose an organization within your community that is often neglected due to discrimination and judgement. Volunteer there for a day, purchase X dollars worth of the organization's needed items, or simply visit with and talk to those who are involved with these organizations. Your act of kindness will mean more to them than you know.
This past weekend I visited the International Peace Garden in northern North Dakota for the first time. Although the flowers were not in full bloom, I was very impressed, especially after a visit to the garden's peace chapel. Inside the peace chapel, various inspirational quotes from scripture and famous historical figures are engraved in its stone walls. I read every single one, and found that they all carried the same message: a message of hope, of caring and love, and of peace. They helped me to realize the importance of depending upon others, and that working together is often times more successful than working alone. As I get older, I find myself becoming more and more independent. Yet I know that I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't depended upon and received guidance from my family, friends, and teachers. Try thinking of yourself as a puzzle piece. A lone puzzle piece is useless without making connections with other pieces. Today I'm challenging you to not only rely upon those you know and love, but to look beyond the walls of judgement and discrimination and make connections with the "not so popular" puzzle pieces, allowing them to rely on YOU. Who knows? You might just find your missing piece!
Inspired Action...
Create a puzzle. Cut up construction paper or poster board into various shapes and sizes, then glue individual pictures of family, friends, co-workers, etc. to each piece. On the back of each puzzle piece, write one way in which the person pictured on the front has positively influenced you. Finally, put your puzzle together and say a prayer of thanks for all the special people God has brought into your life.
Inspired Living...
Pick one person that you are well acquainted with and write them a note or give them a phone call to thank them for their relationship and positive influence. (As tempting as it is, do NOT send an e-mail or a text... a handwritten note or personal phone call bears a lot more meaning.) Then, choose an organization within your community that is often neglected due to discrimination and judgement. Volunteer there for a day, purchase X dollars worth of the organization's needed items, or simply visit with and talk to those who are involved with these organizations. Your act of kindness will mean more to them than you know.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Oops!
Hello everyone! My apologies! I just realized that those who do not have a Google or other account have not been allowed to post comments! I updated my settings so that you can now choose the identity "anonymous" and post a comment without the aforementioned account(s). Just please sign your name at the end of your comment! Thank you!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Take Chances
Inspired Thought...
If you're an introvert like me, today's topic might be a challenge for you. Taking chances is something that comes naturally to our extroverted companions, but for us it's something we dread and avoid at all costs. But today I am encouraging ALL of you to step outside of your comfort zone and take a chance! Now I'm not suggesting that you do something extreme, like bungee jumping or hang gliding, just try something new that you've always been curious about but have been too afraid to. If you enjoy it, GREAT! Continue doing it! If not, at least you gave it a go.
Inspired Action...
Go to your local parks and recreation center, fitness center, or college campus and inquire about workshops or classes in areas of interest to you. This is a great thing to do as a family or with a friend. Who knows? You might learn something new or pick up a hobby!
Inspired Living...
Take chances when it comes to relationships. Heard rumors about the neighbor next door? Invite them over for dinner and find out what they're really like. Wish you had a friend but no one seems right for you? Be sure to include EVERYONE in your search for a bud. Never exclude someone just because they still dress like it's the 70's or never socialize at gatherings. Be open and you just might find the friend you're looking for!
If you're an introvert like me, today's topic might be a challenge for you. Taking chances is something that comes naturally to our extroverted companions, but for us it's something we dread and avoid at all costs. But today I am encouraging ALL of you to step outside of your comfort zone and take a chance! Now I'm not suggesting that you do something extreme, like bungee jumping or hang gliding, just try something new that you've always been curious about but have been too afraid to. If you enjoy it, GREAT! Continue doing it! If not, at least you gave it a go.
Inspired Action...
Go to your local parks and recreation center, fitness center, or college campus and inquire about workshops or classes in areas of interest to you. This is a great thing to do as a family or with a friend. Who knows? You might learn something new or pick up a hobby!
Inspired Living...
Take chances when it comes to relationships. Heard rumors about the neighbor next door? Invite them over for dinner and find out what they're really like. Wish you had a friend but no one seems right for you? Be sure to include EVERYONE in your search for a bud. Never exclude someone just because they still dress like it's the 70's or never socialize at gatherings. Be open and you just might find the friend you're looking for!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Have Hope
Inspired Thought...
All of us have to deal with some sort of obstacle on our journey through life. Whether it's health problems, divorce, financial need, or stress at work, we feel both afraid of what is to come, and hopeful for a better future. But also, our hope can become frail, and we began to wonder when our prayers are going to be answered. Be patient. God IS hearing your prayers, and he IS at work... He's just working in ways that we may not be able to experience for ourselves yet. So have hope! Stay strong! God understands what you're going through, and is doing all that He can to help you.
Inspired Action...
Write a couple of Post-It notes that say, "There IS hope. I will get through this. God is with me.", and put them in places where you will be sure to see them everyday(one in your car, on the bathroom mirror, on the computer monitor, etc.).
Inspired Living...
Allow God to work through YOU
to help someone else make it over that bump in the road. Send your
hospitalized co-worker a get-well card. Bake and drop off a casserole
for a friend who recently got divorced. And of course, you can always PRAY for someone you know is in need.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Listen to Your Heart
Inspired Thought...
While on vacation in the Black Hills of South Dakota, I came across a novelty "decision-maker" in one of the gift shops. It consisted of a rectangular board with the words yes, no, maybe, and later in each of the four corners. Above the board hung a suspended metal weight. The board must have been magnetic, because, upon swinging the weight, the weight would be drawn to one of the corners. You make your decision based on the answer the weight is drawn to! I found it rather humorous and began to ponder exactly how decisions are made. It seems to me that the two ways to make decisions include: a) listening to your heart and going for it or b) listening to reason and not even giving the choice a chance.
Inspired Action...
Our lives are full of decisions, so I don't think it should be too hard to find the subject of this activity: Practice making decisions with your heart. Instead of focusing on the "what ifs", think about the amazing possibilities and the "what may be"s. Reflect upon your best qualities and make decisions that bring out the best in you.
Inspired Living...
Listening to your heart is not only good for making decisions. It can also help you to see a need and fill a need. If you know that your elderly neighbor is sick and desiring companionship, don't sit on the couch and say, "It's not my business." If your aware of it, then it IS your business! Listen to your heart and bake a batch of cookies, then head on over and have coffee one afternoon. Listen to your heart when it says, "Make a difference!"
While on vacation in the Black Hills of South Dakota, I came across a novelty "decision-maker" in one of the gift shops. It consisted of a rectangular board with the words yes, no, maybe, and later in each of the four corners. Above the board hung a suspended metal weight. The board must have been magnetic, because, upon swinging the weight, the weight would be drawn to one of the corners. You make your decision based on the answer the weight is drawn to! I found it rather humorous and began to ponder exactly how decisions are made. It seems to me that the two ways to make decisions include: a) listening to your heart and going for it or b) listening to reason and not even giving the choice a chance.
Inspired Action...
Our lives are full of decisions, so I don't think it should be too hard to find the subject of this activity: Practice making decisions with your heart. Instead of focusing on the "what ifs", think about the amazing possibilities and the "what may be"s. Reflect upon your best qualities and make decisions that bring out the best in you.
Inspired Living...
Listening to your heart is not only good for making decisions. It can also help you to see a need and fill a need. If you know that your elderly neighbor is sick and desiring companionship, don't sit on the couch and say, "It's not my business." If your aware of it, then it IS your business! Listen to your heart and bake a batch of cookies, then head on over and have coffee one afternoon. Listen to your heart when it says, "Make a difference!"
Friday, June 1, 2012
Believe in Yourself
Inspired Thought...
Believe in yourself... a true challenge for all of us. In my opinion, society today focuses too much on our human flaws and the forever strive for perfection. Just turn on the TV, and what do you see? Yet another commercial for "the product" that's going to make everything wrong with you perfect. If we're working so hard to be MORE attractive, what would be wrong with working hard to be satisfied with who you already are?
Inspired Action...
It's time to get creative! Create a personality collage. Include pictures of things that you enjoy and write down some of your best qualities and accomplishments. Hopefully, when you're finished, you'll be able to say to yourself, "Cool! I'm a great person! Look at what I've done! Just think what I could do!"
Inspired Living...
Now that your confidence in yourself is boosted, it's time that you boost the confidence of others. Don't be afraid to give someone a compliment. Start with at least one compliment a day, then build from there. Who knows, maybe you'll make someone's day?!
Believe in yourself... a true challenge for all of us. In my opinion, society today focuses too much on our human flaws and the forever strive for perfection. Just turn on the TV, and what do you see? Yet another commercial for "the product" that's going to make everything wrong with you perfect. If we're working so hard to be MORE attractive, what would be wrong with working hard to be satisfied with who you already are?
Inspired Action...
It's time to get creative! Create a personality collage. Include pictures of things that you enjoy and write down some of your best qualities and accomplishments. Hopefully, when you're finished, you'll be able to say to yourself, "Cool! I'm a great person! Look at what I've done! Just think what I could do!"
Inspired Living...
Now that your confidence in yourself is boosted, it's time that you boost the confidence of others. Don't be afraid to give someone a compliment. Start with at least one compliment a day, then build from there. Who knows, maybe you'll make someone's day?!
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