23
December
2008
In my last post, I talked about gifts, which I have cherished. I received these gifts from dear friends. Most of these friends are connected to a source far greater than my friendship. They’ve chosen to live as a light presence in this world. People are capable of great good. However, when people choose to give their life to Christ and to allow the Holy Spirit, the great counselor, to fuel their souls; it’s amazing what God can accomplish through people.
God allowed his only begotten son to live among us and to experience the human condition. Christ lived a relatively short life compared to life spans today. Yet, his teachings and influence live on through the Bible. Jesus is a gift to anyone, who makes the free will decision to confess Jesus as the Christ, the son of God. Deciding to believe that Christ is God’s son is a choice that is a daily open offer that God leaves up to each person. Since I made the decision to become a Christian, follower of Christ, my life has been transformed forever.
This doesn’t mean that I became a religious person. No, I’m a failure when I try to follow rules on my own power. I actually have developed a relationship with God through Christ. This year has been the toughest year of my life. Yet, I have a peace that is beyond my life circumstances. I don’t have to worry myself with all these tribulations, as God has assured me time and again through commandments to “Not Worry”. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: Life Coaching through My Blog
22
December
2008
I love this time of the year and it’s definitely fun to find just the perfect gift for a friend or family member. However, when I think back over who gave me what last Christmas and what did I give to my family members last year; I must confess to mega senior moments. The reason for that is that the gift, which I’m sure I enjoyed, was the fact that I even received a gift. As I’m considering what to give people this Christmas, I decided that the best gifts are those we cherish for a life time. You are actually the best gift that you’re giving this year. Think of ten ways that you bless people’s lives and it’s easy to come up with the TOP TEN ALL TIME CHERISHED CHRISTMAS GIFTS.
My top ten is filled with the gifts provided by friends and family:
1. Taking the time to write a note to cheer me up during a rough patch of time.
2. Sending me a $5.00 Starbuck’s card is certainly appreciated. However, I appreciate the fact that you took the time to purchase the gift and send it to me.
3. When you take the time to share your thoughts to inspire me and everyone else, you may be giving away a thought that will serve as a life line for your friends during a “No Good Horrible Terrible Very Bad Day”.
4. Making the effort to take the time to listen to me or one of your friends is a priceless gift. Very few people feel heard and when you take the time to understand and to be there for someone, who needs a shoulder to lean on, then you’ve offered a soul treasure.
5. Sharing a funny story or a joke when we’re all under stress is a way that you brighten our lives and make our world a better place.
6. Spreading sincere authentic compliments to anyone and everyone is a gift that they won’t forget.
7. Seeing a need before I even recognize I need your help is appreciated more than you will ever know. Your gift of helping me do things I can’t do by myself is an amazing definition of “What a Friend Is?”
8. Anytime you pay a kindness forward, even to a stranger, you make someone’s day by startling them with your generosity.
9. Saying I’m sorry and taking responsiblity for your ownership of a misunderstanding between friends represents a “real life demonstration of humility”. You bless your friends by owning the issue rather than projecting blame onto others.
10. Anytime you show an act filled with ethics and integrity while no one is watching gives all of us a chance to see an awesome person in action. Even if we don’t recognize your act of integrity right away, someone will eventually note it and mention that “You are a class act.”
These gift suggestions are priceless actions that literally are priceless. You can’t stretch your credit card limits to the max by charging integrity, kindness, ethics, compliment giving. The examples of the gifts that I value from you and everyone are those which cost very little and would be treasured throughout the year.
You may not have the money for “See’s Candy” “Gift Cards”, etc. However, giving what is really important to bless the lives of others will always be in style and should allow you to stay within budget.
Thanks for all of you, who have given me some of the best gifts, this year. I love being part of your life and cherish your spirit of making the world a better place for everyone.
If you have time, I’d love to see your additions to my list in the comment section.
Mary Ann
Posted: Life Coaching through My Blog
10
December
2008
Sorry to be missing in action, AGAIN. Dealing with a surprise IRS audit from 2006 returns and writing an accreditation report don’t mix well with the “bloggin’ life”. My noggin’ is so overcome with brain strain that I would have been bloggin’ a bunch of nonsense or would have really stirred things up by complaining about the state of the U.S. economy, saying good-bye to “rabbit ear antannaes” and those idiots in Washington. Aren’t you glad that I spared you another round of political rants.
I did come up for air to learn that we managed to get ourselves a new president. Like the rest of you I have my thoughts about Mr. Obama and the job he is taking on. His wife, Michelle, was on “The View” one day last summer and referred to her hubby, as that poor pitiful man. I loved her way with words. I do feel for her husband. So many people are expecting him to make the world spin differently, and to rescue all of us.
I think Michelle knew he was going to take on a job that will be almost impossible to fulfill. He has a very angry group of Americans to please and to save. Bottom line is one man or one man and his new administrative staff can’t possibly turn our country around without everyone doing our part.
I know people are suffering and job losses, foreclosures and filing for bankruptcy, losing 1/2 of retirement are not close to being funny. Yet, Americans act like we’re reliving the “Great Depression”. Then on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, I read the major top selling items on Black Friday: plasma TV’s, Wii Games, IPods, MacBook Air, HD TV. Those make super gifts for a family or your kids, etc. However……..according to my parents…………
“This Ain’t Your Grandpa and Grandma’s Depression”. I know…people didn’t buy those products then, because they weren’t invented yet. That’s not the point I’m making. In the Depression many people did whatever they could to make ends meet. Extended families lived under one roof, money was used for necessities. There was little to no credit available.
We haven’t totally faced a return to the “Great Depression” or “Great Recession”. As long as there are long lines running out the door of Starbucks, things haven’t deteriorated for everyone.
Yet, there are people in your neighborhood and my neighborhood, who are barely scraping by. It’s hard for me to justify buying coffee for $3.50 when I know that some people are really in trouble financially. I’m no saint, but I’ve certainly been thinking that any extra $$$’s I have should go towards helping people, who are just not making it financially.
Mr. Obama can’t do this…get America back on its “Vision Passed Down from Our Founding Fathers”. I’m preaching to myself when I tell you to think about your money and where it’s going. The people in financial trouble could be you or me. These are not “dead beats” who are too lazy to work. They want to work. What can we do collectively as a country to help people get back on their feet?
I have no control over what happens in Washington, with the exception of my right to vote. However, I can certainly help families in my community whether this “perfect financial meltdown storm” by responding to legitimate needs. I urge you to consider doing the same things. If you have your job and you can help another, this is how we’re going to rebuild the spirit of America. It just can’t happen from the government making moves. We could sit back and complain, but I think that we could have a vital part in getting America back on its feet by taking responsiblity for returning to our former state of ethics, integrity and concern for our fellow neighbors.
Let me know what you think.
Mary Ann
Posted: Political Lamentations
