Creative Inspiration for Passionate Living

In the early part of my career I had a lot of challenges.  I recall working at one particular company where I just did not fit in.  I couldn't seem to get things right though I was trying my best and my personality clashed with all the wrong people (i.e., the owner and my manager).  Before I knew it, I was called into one of those meetings.  You know, the one where you just listen and grit your teeth in disbelief as they read off a laundry list of reasons you can no longer work for them.  After 10 minutes of being berated, someone escorted me to my desk to collect my personal effects in an office supply box.  I cursed and screamed inside but was determined not to let a tear fall in the wake of my disaster - I would NOT give them the satisfaction.  I'd never been fired and had no idea what my next step would be.  At 5 months pregnant, I had a sizable baby bump, an even bigger mortgage and a couple of young crumb snatchers at...

Seems like every time I send my children to another room to get something for me, they look  ONLY where I say the item may be and no more.  Just yesterday, I asked my younger daughter to bring me a book from my bedroom. I described the book and places she could look.  Still, she returned to me empty handed just moments after her quest. "I didn't see it" she claimed. This morning, as I began sweeping, the broom hit a large object. What do you know, the book I requested played hide-and-go-seek just behind the dust ruffle on my bed.  Had my daughter bent her back just a little, she would have realized the book was right under her nose. Today's Inspiration Don't assume it's not there because it isn't where you expected it to be Have you ever been looking for something: keys, cell phone, a breakthrough? Many times when we're searching for things they are right under our noses.  If we hunt enough times without luck though...

One evening I was having a candid conversation with my 12 yr. old daughter when she said to me "I don't like math.  It's frustrating."  As I listened to her more, I realized math challenged her because it forced her to think harder than she preferred to.  Boy, could I relate to how she felt.  Not about math necessarily but about so many other situations in my life that have seemed at least as difficult as Chinese arithmetic. What about you? Ever been at your wits end with a situation or problem?  Have you sometimes been so outside of your comfort zone that you just couldn't figure out which way was up? Today's Inspiration Embrace the Challenges in Life; They Stretch Our Abilities and Strengthen Our Faith Comfort surrounds us as we master tasks and hone skills.  Most of our daily activity requires us to employ familiar talents and allows us to build confidence in our abilities.  We need that self-assurance to get us through ...

Ever asked this question of yourself? Have you ever felt paralyzed by fears of being less than what it takes (whatever IT might be)? As we continue to grow and stretch ourselves, it is natural to run into the speed bump called uncertainty. We might even trip over doubt and outright fear before it's all said and done. Experiencing these emotions is relevant so we should respect them for the value they bring - like keeping us humble - while realizing that the emotions themselves are only as important as what we do with them. Today's Inspiration We don't need a mountain of faith; we need just enough to take one more step Merriam Webster defines faith as a strong belief in something for which there is no proof; something that is believed with strong conviction.  Having faith can be more important than having ability. Without just a bit of faith, we risk turning away from our purpose and forfeiting our gifts. Believing in yourself just enough to push a little bit fu...