Super Bowl is More than just a Game

The day of the Super Bowl has never been important to me. Or so I thought.Last night I went to my friend Debbie's house and spent the evening with her family and other friends. That's when I got it - really got it!
Super Bowl is abour community, it's about gathering togerher, it's about making memories.
Super Bowl is about a country gathering together and sitting around a TV and laughing, bantering and loving. Super Bowl is a game that brings the values that have built this country back to the forefront.
Super Bowl - so much more than just a game.

It Only Takes One!!

How many friends do you have? How many friends do you want?
When I was growing up I thought it was important to have a large quantity of friends. Now that I am an adult I realize it is the quality of the friends that is important.
When I want to go out in Nashville I have many people I can call on to go downtown to the honky tonks. But when I can't sleep in the night, when anxiety overtakes me, when I need someone to offer a shoulder or to hold my hand, the number of 24-hour friends dwindles.
How many friends do I need? When I am in need of someone to listen and sit with me...it only takes one!

Saved by the Bell

Have you ever had one of those nights? You know the kind, you wake up in the night, your breathing is labored and your head feels heavy. No, not a hangover, just stress related. You remember what happened during the day and what the next day is going to hit you with. And it feels even more enormous in the dark of night!
Well, I had one of those nights last night. It was not fun! When I woke up at 3:30 a.m. I was feeling overwhelmed and alone.
I sat at the computer and did some work; that did not give me any peace. I crawled into my recliner chair in my bedroom, that was not what I needed. The stories in the bible would not go deep in my soul.
I crawled into my bed with the electric blanket on high and it felt like a hug. Grabbing the remote control, I flipped the channels and found a preacher that was preaching a good word.
Ring! Ring! I looked at the clock - 5 o'clock!
After looking at the Caller ID and seeing the name of my best friend, Ed, I picked up the phone to a voice that was astonished to hear my wide-awake voice bidding him a "Good morning!"
"Sandy, I was walking my dog and i just want you to know..." And he went on to tell me what was put in his heart by God. Surprising, or maybe not so surprisingly, the words he gave me - without knowing it - were the very words that I needed to hear. He was confirming what I had been asking God during my not-able-to-sleep hours.
That ringing of the phone at 5 a.m. was just what my heart needed to hear. I not longer dread these unexpected phone calls; I am open to the messenger that God sends into my life.
I hung up the phone, snuggled in a fetal position in bed, and drifted into a deep slumber.
Saved by the bell...

Happy Beginning of the Holiday Season!

My girlfriend came over yesterday in a panic.
"Today is Halloween. That means that this is the beginning of the FAT season. Here I go again hating myself and gaining weight."
I smiled because I had been there for over 30 years. Dreading the holidays because of the way I had let myself go and even more, hating the fact that I was going to be under the power of sugar, fat and sprinkles. Top that off with cocktails to add calories and slow down my metabolism!
Then came the day that I forgave myself for past mistakes and started to acquaint myself with ME and accepted that beautiful person that I had kept hidden under layers of cookie dough, chocolate and cheese.
I grabbed Michelle and hugged her.
"Michelle, this is the year that you are going to embrace the holidays and enjoy every Jingle Bell.
Today is your day. Get to know yourself. Forgive past mistakes and put them where they belong - in the past. Spend your time doing what you love, dig in your heart and discover new things about yourself, and embrace them.
Change your thinking; change your life. Treat yourself to the gift of a life coach and watch as you run to score the touchdown to self-esteem, hit the home run of discovery and shoot baskets of acceptance.
"Today is the day after Halloween. That means that it is the beginning of the joyous season. Here I go loving everything about it, and embracing every morsel of it."

Coincidences - or God?

I didn't feel like going to the Housewarming Party last night.
Oh don't get me wrong. I love Michelle and her family. I had a house guest for 3 days and he had just driven into the sunset and I just might need some alone time.
But that restlessness was churning inside of me.
"But it is a 30-minute drive. I don't feel like driving to the party."
"I could ask someone to go with me, but what if I don't want to stay long?"

The restlessness continued. To put the feelings to rest I baked a batch of my well-known chocolate chip cookies, bought a small housewarming gift and crawled into the car.

From the minute I walked into the house I knew I was right where I was supposed to be last night.
The food, the laughter, the love, the stories, the connection.
Everyone met everyone else, no one was isolated.

As I was leaving reluctantly, I met one last person.
Coincidence?
I have been actively looking for a webmaster who is well-versed in subscription or membership websites. It has been a frustrating quest. Until last night.
"Hello, my name is John. I am an artist and photographer."
As I said my final good-night, or so I thought, I asked John if he knew of anyone who knew anything about membership websites.
"That's what I do."

Coincidence? Or God?
Thank you God for your faithfulness.
I didn't feel like going to the Housewarming Party last night. Thank God I did!

It's Time to Dance Today!

Sunday morning. 4:00 a.m. Wide awake.
I sat up in my bed and read, and watched Tv and prayed.
My mind started to wander. I was tired but couldn't sleep.
A couple of hours later my tired mind was telling me that my day was going to be ruined because of lack of sleep.
Then I took control of my thoughts, rested my tired brain, closed my eyes and settled into a slumber.
My day is going to be just what it is supposed to be. Only with a nap.

The Joy of Serving

Every day seems to pass by so quickly. I remember walking into school the first day of kindergarten. I was so frightened of those big third graders walking down the halls. Then I was getting my 8th grade diploma and wondering how those high school kids would perceive me. I felt to young and they were so old!
Students in college! Well, they were so grown up - would I ever be that old?!!
And today...my own daughters are past college age and I look back and I marvel at the speed of life.
The years flew by, but where did the days go? Did I waste them in busy-ness or did I relish each moment? Did I take the time to honor everyone I met, or did I bulldoze over them in my attempt to get ahead?
The past: over.
The future? Take the time to look around and savor every look, every touch, every laugh, every breath.
That is more than enough...that is real and it is yours. Right now.