The World Needs More You

  

For my birthday, one of my closest friends gave me this card with a very sweet letter on the back. I'm not going to lie...her letter made me tear up a bit. I was humbled by her words and my heart felt full.
   As I sat and looked at the front of the card, I began thinking about all the people in my community who the world could use more of. People who make a difference in others lives each and every day. People who do what they do because they have a heart for service. I truly believe every person has a gift to give the world. Can you imagine what would happen if we all decided to use those gifts we've been given?

   Here is my list of people who the world needs more of:

1. Trey and Lea Morgan - Their stronger marriage workshops are changing lives. I've read comments where people wanted to give up on their marriage until they attended one of Trey and Lea's sessions. I enjoy keeping up with what they are doing on Facebook and their advice has helped in my own marriage. Thanks to the both of you for showing others marriage does take work, but the benefits far outweigh the little "bumps" along the road.

2. Shelly Preston - This woman has a huge passion for her community. She does not like being in the "limelight" at all, but she is a worker! She (along with countless others) have dedicated themselves to saving our theater. It's a daunting task. I walked in the empty building one day and was overwhelmed at the work to be done, but her vision made me see it differently. Little by little....she's working and not giving up!

3. Marsha Meacham - I believe you have to have a calling to be the principal at a junior high school! It's a tough age. Elementary kids are cute and always loveable. High school kids are more mature and have a lot going on. Junior High is a group that is just in the middle, but Marsha loves each and every one of her kids like they are her own. She is supportive, encouraging and full of pride for her kids and staff. She's a true blessing in the lives of those kids!

4. Nancy Simpson - Words cannot express what an amazing woman, friend, mother and wife Nancy is. I'm blessed to call her my neighbor and friend. She is one of the most prayerful women I've ever known. I've stood in my front yard and listened to her pray for others. Families in need, individuals going through tough situations and everyone in between. She would do anything in the world for you and I've never heard her say a negative word about anyone.

   There are so many more people who the world needs more of! Who comes to your mind?

Finding good role models and it's not the Kardashians!

   Most everyone on the planet has heard of the Kardashian clan. Love 'em or hate 'em...they are a household name.
   All I've been reading the past week is about Kim Kardashian was trying to "break the Internet" when pictures of her were posted on the Internet. Wow...nude celebrity pictures, there's a first.
   To be fair, I've watched "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" a few times. Mainly due to the fact I was curious as to what the buzz was all about with this family. My first impression was they like the f-word and are oftentimes crude in their behavior. To each his own, right? I began looking into how this family became so famous. From sex-tape videos to outlandish behavior, this family is famous because America has made them famous! Their reality show garners millions of viewers each week and there is something about "keeping up" with this family that has Americans wanting more.
   Personally, I don't care how they became famous, I don't care how they earn their money, I don't care about their marriages, divorces, careers, etc. I'm not going to launch a public lynching of Kim for her recent decision to post her pictures because I don't care. I've heard people up in arms about how she is not a role model to young girls. DUH! What person in their right mind would even suggest she is a role model to young girls? She's an entertainer. Pure and simple.
   Instead of throwing a fit she isn't a role model, how about suggesting more appropriate role models for our daughters? I, for one, know of several teachers I would love for my daughter to look up to. I know of several business women in the community who have worked hard to be successful. Women in my church and women in the community would also serve as perfect role models. They might not drive a Rolls Royce, have diamonds on every finger, or be the most beautiful person on the planet, but they exhibit what I want my daughter to emulate.
   We need to stop making young girls feel like outside beauty and "sex appeal" is what makes them valuable. Remember, those things are fleeting. Unless of course you have a world renowned plastic surgeon on speed dial for the rest of your life. We need to start encouraging young girls to do their very best at what makes them happy. From being a doctor to a stay-at-home mom....just be who you are and do what makes you happy! They will never find happiness trying to be like the Kardashians. They will never find their Prince Charming dressing like them or taking their clothes off for a photo shoot. They may find plenty of boys who only want them for sex, but they will never find the one man God put on this earth for them.
   I, as a mom of a teenager, choose NOT to allow her to watch the so-called reality show that is the Kardashians. I don't want her to think cussing like a sailor is classy, cool or appropriate. I don't want her thinking she will have a happy life by being a sex object to men. That's the first step I can take in being the kind of mom I hope she respects, admires and wants to be like one day. 
    
  

Tis the season for pumpkin

   It's no secret I am in love with the Fall season, so I wanted to share one of my favorite Fall recipes with my readers.
  I've had this recipe for quite a while. I don't recall who gave it to me or where it came from, but it is the best one I've ever tried! I made four loaves over the weekend....they make the perfect little gift for friends or neighbors!
  Enjoy

Perfect Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
3. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Happy Fall! <3

Note to self: You are...

   Before e-mail and text messaging came into my life, I enjoyed writing letters to people. It has become a lost art, for sure. While thinking about the last time I received a hand written letter, I began thinking about what I would have to say if I sat down and wrote a letter to myself. Sometimes you need a pep talk from the person who knows you best...yourself.

 Note to self:
1. You are way too hard on yourself. Take it easy!
2. You cannot make everyone like you. Sometimes, people just have different personalities. Don't be offended if someone chooses to not be a part of your life. That's on them, not you.
3. The older you get, the more you will learn to let the small things go.
4. The older you get, the more you will realize the importance of forgiveness.
5. Friendships change and you either accept it or make yourself miserable. The choice is yours. Enjoy them while they last, but don't obsess over them once they are done.
6. Snap pictures of sunrises and sunsets. The beauty in them is overwhelming.
7. Be kind. Be kind. Be kind. Even when you would rather not offer kindness to someone, be kind.
8. Apologize when you are wrong and never ever gloat when you are right.
9. Do something every day that makes your soul happy. Write, sing, dance, run, meditate, do yoga, read a book...don't let the day end without having done something for you.
10. Practice gratitude every single day. We have many things to be thankful for. They are not hard to find.
11. Call your mom. Call your dad. Call your kids. Call a family member.
12. Laugh. The kind that comes from way down deep. The kind that makes your stomach hurt. Laughter can change our mood in an instant.
13. Look in the mirror and like what you see. You are the only you in the world. If you don't like yourself, nobody else will.
14. Your dreams are not silly. Not going after those dreams because you feel they are unattainable is silly. The only person who can make your dreams come true is you. What are you waiting for?
15. Don't allow people to take advantage of you. Whether it's in the business world, friendships or other relationships. If people think they can take advantage of you and you continue to allow it, they will think it's okay. If someone appreciates you, they will show it. If not, their loss. Walk away from them!

   What are some words of encouragement or advice you'd give to yourself?