Today's Bliss: A New Year

The last few days of 2012 are quickly coming and going and I realized today that I am glad. I know that I should never wish for time to pass, that I should be grateful for and savor every moment of the days that I am given, but 2012 has just been a little rough, and I am glad to turn to a new year ahead. December has specifically been a roller coaster ride, and as much as I love theme park thrill rides, I am very ready to get off of this one. There have been some highlights (see below), however, and I will work to focus on these during the last hours of the year.

Deep down, I am constantly reminding myself that my life is blissful even when I face some challenges and unexpected hurdles. I am very blessed, even with challenges, because every single thing that happens is in God's hands, even though I rarely understand the "why" of it. It's just hard to lift your head out of the murky waters when you feel immersed by them. I hope that in 2013 I am better able to breathe in more light and life and exhale negativity and fear. And I hope the same for you, too.

So, to tie up 2012 on a good note rather than dull one, here are a few blissful things that I will hold on to from this year:

• Just being married to sweet, caring, funny N and enjoying his company every day.
• Seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time and realizing how vast God is.
• Having cuddle time with my spoiled dog Scooter every day (as much of a mess as he is).
• Spending time at a lovely lake house thanks to N's Grandmother.
• Supporting friends when they have needed me to lend a helping hand and listening ear.
• Having healthy, happy family members.
• Seeing my one-and-only Neice graduate from high school and begin her fun college adventure.
• Standing by while a good friend said "I do."
• Worshiped and fellowshiped with supportive, caring friends at church.

My true loves

All the best bliss to you as you tie up 2012 and plunge headlong into 2013 in a few days!

Today's Bliss: Advent

I love the holidays. It is a time for rest, reflection, family, and celebration. I especially enjoy the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, when we are preparing for a festive, joyous time ahead. I like to buy people gifts and wrap them up, decorate our home, bake some yummy cookies, and feel warm and cozy readying my Christmas card list.

The most important thing during this time of the year is advent. The word "advent" brings to mind more spiritual preparation, a deeper time to celebrate Jesus, God's perfect gift to us. Where would we be without God? Where would we be without the sacrifice He made? Jesus is our only hope in this very crazy world we are living in.

Many people hustle and bustle rather than stop and pray during this season. Many people don't like this season at all, seeing it as sad rather than joyous. Many people equate Christmas with stress. And I have been guilty of all of this myself, of course, but I am trying harder and harder every year to keep my mind on the manger, my eyes on the cross, and my heart centered on Christ at Christmas. Feeling His presence every day is what keeps me going throughout the year, but especially now when we are getting set to remember His birth.

So, look around you, enjoy the bright lights, festive decor, and fun that the season brings. The fact that you can partake of this season and enjoy the blessings of Christ is pure bliss.

Christmas 2011 - Gaylord Opryland Hotel

Today's Bliss: Advice

My sweet dog Scooter had a very rough week. He has bulging discs in his back, causing him pain and difficulty walking. Early in the week I did not know what to do, where to go for help, or what veterinarian to go see. Luckily for me, I have good friends in different realms of my life who have a lot of experiences with dogs and medical issues concerning pets. I received a lot of advice and I really, really appreciated all of it. Scooter is doing much better now that he has some medicine and we know what is wrong with him!

Scooter as a bitty baby! March 2007

 

 

Scooter: in the hood. December 2008

Scooter hangin' at the lake. August 2012

The whole experience this week got me thinking: what would I do without people to help me out? To offer advice, help, encouragement, love, support, guidance, and grace? To tell me their thoughts and opinions? I would be lost. My family, friends, and co-workers are all such blessings to me. I am so grateful for their presence in my life.

God gives us people in our lives so that we can be in fellowship and help each other. I am so blessed to have all of the people who surround me! Look around in your life. Do you see people (whether few or many) who can offer support and love, who can give advice and direction? Listen to them. They will help your life be bliss.

Today's Bliss: Veterans Day

Today we stop to admire, remember, and thank people who have served our country and sacrificed for us. I cannot even imagine traveling overseas in this role...I can't imagine being married to someone in the role, either. The men and women who serve our country in the armed forces and their spouses and children are such a vital part of our country and I thank them for being brave and focused on helping the U.S.A. be strong and protected.

Today I have thought about freedom and what it really means. I am so blessed to live a blissful lifestyle, free to do as I please, worship as I please, love whom I please, go where I please, and live how I please. I am very grateful to people who are dedicated to ensuring that I can live this life.

Let's all pray for the many, many people around the world who do not have this freedom. People who would love just to be able to worship publicly. People who would like to choose who they would like to marry. People who need to hear about Jesus but the Word has been suppressed. Maybe with our support through prayer, they can also feel that they have a life of bliss.

Today's Bliss: Saints

Anyone who knows me knows that I am an emotional person. I cry tears of sadness, tears of joy, tears of exhaustion, and tears of elation. But I cry the most when someone passes from earthly life to eternal life. Even if I am not necessarily close to someone, I cry for their families. The loss of someone who supports, loves, and cares for others is always a great loss.

Death is a natural thing, a gateway to eternal life, something that happens to every single living thing, but I don't handle it well. I think that a lot of people don't.

The one thing that makes someone's death bearable for me is that I have strong faith and I know that someday I will see my loved ones again. And that people who leave me are joining in jubilation with their loved ones who passed on before them...

I am so thankful for all of the Saints that God has given me throughout my life. Today we recognized All Saints Day at church and we lit candles for those who we wanted to remember. I lit several...I could have lit the whole candle display full, because if I really think about it, I know that I have had hundreds of people go through my life who have left a mark. Some people are with me for an hour, others are with me for my lifetime, but all people leave an impression on me. That is why I weep so much when they leave to be with God.

And so now I pause to ask myself: Am I leaving a good, meaningful mark in the lives of people around me? Am I going to be viewed as a Saint? Are my loved ones looking down on me from Heaven, proud of my good works and strong faith?

I hope so. I hope that we all will live the faithful, joyous, grace-filled lives that we've been given in such a way that everyone around us knows that we are Disciples and Jesus Followers. Saints.

And the day that Christ welcomes us to greet the Saints who have passed before us? That will truly be bliss.

Today's Bliss: Halloween Fun!

N and I had a great weekend filled with Halloween festivities! We carved our pumpkin, went to a party, and gave out candy at our church's Trunk or Treat. Mixed in with the fun, we also completed a painting project, visited my parents, and cleaned the hose...a busy but good weekend. We are so very blessed by each other, by our families, and by our friends! Ours is a life of bliss.

Superman and Lois Lane at our friend's Halloween party!

2012 Pumpkin: a ghost pumpkin...pure white and smells like a honeydew melon.

 

Trunk or Treat...a baseball theme! GO SOUNDS!

Happy Halloween! :-) Hug someone tight and tell you that you'd be scared to live without them.

Today's Bliss: Childlike Faith

N and I have been excited all week...counting down the days...ready for our annual trip to the pumpkin patch! We enjoy Fall so much and love to visit the pumpkin patch, looking at all of the choices and selecting just the right decor for this festive time of year.

This year we visited the pumpkin patch at Forrest Hills UMC in southwest Nashville. We routinely shop at the farmer's market there on Saturday mornings throughout the summer, so it seemed fitting to purchase our pumpkins there this year also. All of the pumpkin patch proceeds benefit youth missions so we were glad to support that effort with our purchases.

And purchases we made! We found some great pumpkins and funny looking fall gourds for our dining room table, too. We are ready for the season!

Is this the perfect pumpkin?!

Here's our selection...a Ghost Pumpkin! N loves it!

We may be nearing 30 years of age and we may not have kids, but we love to do fun kid-like activities. It is good for us to share in these little excitements that we both enjoy.

This is how our faith is supposed to be, too. Looking at things with the excitement of a child is what God has called us to do:
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-4 ESV)

God wants us to ask questions, thirst for more information, sit enraptured in His presence, listen to His words, and spread the message of his love. Until we can admit that we don't know it all and don't have the world figured out, we cannot truly accept God's will and love for us. We need to be open-minded and innocent, running to the Father with our needs, concerns, and questions. He is the all-knowing, peace-giving fountain that will fulfill our thirst and heal our hearts from the world's hurts.

Receiving the gifts he has for us and acting like the children we are supposed to be: that's bliss!

Today's Bliss: Fall

It has been such a long time since I have written! I didn't mean to take a break from writing, it just happened. 2012 has been full of surprises and it has FLOWN by. I cannot believe that it is already Fall! I love this time of year: holidays on the horizon, my birthday (tomorrow!), cool, crisp air, changing leaves, cuddly evenings with blankets and a book, and time visiting family.

This summer was full of bliss, too. N's family now has a lake house that we can visit and we have taken advantage of the very relaxing, beautiful, nature-filled location as much as possible. There is even a paddle boat that we have been captaining! During the last months we've also had some fun at baseball games, weddings, church activities, Bible studies, football games, a Habitat for Humanity build, long weekend trips, and time with friends and family members. We are blessed and I thank God for all of the wonderful people in our lives and opportunities that we have.

Finding bliss at the lake with N and Scooter!

This Fall, I have been trying to reconnect with God. I didn't feel disconnected really, but I knew that I wasn't doing all that I should be doing to listen to God, rest in Him, and obey his Word. Maybe that is why I didn't blog, either: I just didn't have a lot to say. Through Bible study and some peaceful reflecting, I have felt so much more in-tune to God and all that He has been trying to say to me. His plans are better than mine, His work is perfect, and I need to listen to His voice, no matter if it's a shout or a whisper.

I am blissful because I look around and see a lot of the things that I've always asked God to give me. I am blissful because, despite my tendency to ignore God, he has patiently waited for my faith to be set on fire once again by a desire to grow, be a better person, and plug-in to His voice every moment.

Last week, I tried to pray as much as I could throughout each day. Some days I did better with this than others...and what a difference I could see between the prayerful days and the less prayerful ones! And what motivation to try even more prayer-centered days this week!

I pray that your days as prayer-filled and centered on what is truly important: being clay in the Potter's hands, willingly following His guidance. This is what I strive for and I hope you do, too.

Today's Bliss: Rest

I cannot believe that it has been two weeks since my last post! I have been working and running around a lot...leaving no time for thinking or writing. After a very full two weeks, I have had this weekend to catch up on some rest, get some time to reconnect with N, and enjoy my home. I am a person who needs peace and uninterrupted quiet to recharge and refuel. This is what has been missing lately! I am grateful for time to just take a breath, catch up on things, and chill out.

Today is Palm Sunday, a day to celebrate Christ - God's ultimate gift to us. I wish I was better at showing that gift to the world...telling people that their stress and frustration can be healed at the feet of Jesus. In fact, I need to remember that myself lately! God gives, gives, gives to us in so many ways. Patience, love, grace, loyalty, forgiveness, understanding, peace, mercy, the list of His gifts could go on and on. I celebrate His giving this Palm Sunday. Celebrate what I have and all that I am; celebrate the opportunities and hope I see around me; celebrate my family and friends; celebrate my blessings.

Resting in His love + spending time with my true love and partner N = Bliss.

Today's Bliss: Relaxation

The past month has been very, very crazy at work and I see no end in sight. It is a stressful time, but I am coping okay...some days more than others, admittedly, but overall I am doing fine. But everyone needs a break! Today I took a day to rest, breathe, and enjoy some relaxation. I am treating myself to a massage, some retail therapy, and a flexible schedule. I am so thankful for this time to chill out!

It is so easy to focus on the crazy world around us: the pressure to succeed, the endless desire for more, more, more stuff. On days like today, it is so healing for me to take a moment to look inside my life, look up to God, and really think about what is truly important. At the end of it all, I think that God will care much more about my attitude while facing a long to-do list rather than if my list was completed.

It is very hard to keep a cool head under pressure. I have always had some trouble with that. I hope that I can get better at coping and overcoming challenges...maybe that is why I always seem to have one in my life. Practice makes perfect.

Today's Bliss: Forgiveness

My blog today is a confession. Remember back on Ash Wednesday when I was so excited to start my Lent calendar? Yeah, well, I am not following it at all! As you can imagine, I have a long list of excuses for not sticking to my calendar plan, but none of them truly excuse me. I am definitely not proud of my effort.

Forgiveness is a huge, wonderful part of my relationship with God, my relationship with my family and coworkers, my relationship with friends. I am so, so far from perfection, as we all are, that I am in need of forgiveness every day! I am slowly learning that being hard on myself and beating myself up for not doing something (or for doing something I shouldn't) is a waste of time. Things happen...all we can do is ask for forgiveness, forgive ourselves, and try to do better the next time. After all, we are all human and we all have to be forgiven sometimes, right?

I praise God for His blessing of forgiveness. Praise to Jesus for dying for me so that I can live a redeemed life, whether I deserve it or not. That is a deep blessing that I will probably never really grasp. Knowing about Divine mysteries like this is why I count my life as blissful.

And, who knows...maybe I'll stick to my Lent calendar tomorrow? :-/

Today's Bliss: Wandering

N and I did not have anything on our calendar today so we wandered around. We took a walk, went to see a dog show, went shopping, ate a nice lunch, saw friends, shopped some more, ate gelato, bought groceries...we really enjoyed our sunshiny, laid-back day!

I know you look at the above list and say: "dog show?" It was actually a really neat part of our day today. We saw hundreds of dogs; just about every breed was represented. We toured grooming areas and watched several breeds as they were circling their judge in a ring. There were even kids and teenagers doing some of the showing. Very impressive! (And free!) If you have not been to a dog show before and you love the little K9s, you should definitely check one out sometime.

Experiencing something new with someone you love is always fun. Being with them to share joy and a sense of adventure is a great bonding time. I am so grateful for N and his spirit of adventure - he is always ready to try something new.

I hope you have the chance to break out of your routine and wander around your city. You will probably discover something great that you didn't know was even there. That is bliss!

Today's Bliss: Peace

Yesterday, storms swept through the eastern half of the nation. Many people were injured, killed, and displaced. Today, the sun is shining, birds are chirping, and there is a peace out in nature. N and I have been very blessed to avoid direct impact of strong storms, tornadoes, flooding, and other natural disasters. As I think back to all of the weather-related disasters that I have witnessed in my lifetime, whether on television or in person, I realize how many disasters have not hit me or my family. Praise God for his goodness and protective angels around us.

Peace is something that I yearn for in the midst of a busy day, in the midst of a chaotic schedule, in the midst of conflicts, in the midst of literal or metaphorical storms. This makes me so, so thankful for a quiet evening spent with my family, a Saturday that has unscheduled hours to watch Downton Abbey and read a book on my Kindle, a Sunday afternoon when I can play a game of Sorry with my husband (even though he beats me 99% of the time). :-)

Praise be to God for his faithfulness and his patience. Praise him for peace, love, and mercy. Praise him for the bliss that we can all have if we just bow our heads, ask for forgiveness, and focus on living the way He wants us to live.

Today's Bliss: Laughter

I cannot believe that it has been nearly a week since my last post. The past several days have flown by!

I simply had to post today because I love to share a good laugh! I have written before about Cake Wrecks, my all time favorite lunch-time blog read. Well, today's Cake Wrecks post is an absolute must read. You just will not believe it! Click here and enjoy.

I also wanted to update you on my Ash Wednesday post detailing my Lenten calendar commitment. So far, I have not done so well. The first couple of days were great, but then the calendar became filled with suggestions to go online and read articles or watch videos...this is definitely not at all what I was expecting and I actually had a lot of trouble loading a video that I really did try to see. Looking ahead, I see several more active assignments on the calendar so I think I will be a bit more dedicated to completing them. I'll keep you posted!

I hope you have had a blissful week so far. I am not sure that is how I would initially describe mine, but I am determined to find the bliss amongst disappointment, frustration, stress, and any other negative thing that comes my way. Blessings to you as you journey onward in your bliss!

Today's Bliss: Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is not usually thought of as a blissful holiday, I know. But this year, I have already found some bliss this day and hope that it continues throughout the Lenten season. I have found bliss in the reminders that Ash Wednesday offers to me: of Christ's suffering so that I could live...of God's love that frees me from all bonds...of God's faithfulness and peace that he offers me so freely...of Christ's determination to triumph over evil.

Over the years, I have gone back and forth with "giving up" something during Lent. Some years it feels like the right thing to do and other years it does not. A family joke every year growing up was my grandfather always giving up watermelon and cigarettes; well, watermelon wasn't in season and he didn't smoke, so his Lenten fast was easy for him!

I have given up desserts, sodas, sugar, snacks...all of these were good reminders of the sacrifice I should be making for Christ, but they were not extremely meaningful. A couple of years, I added things to my daily routine instead of giving something up. I added daily prayer time and devotions, Bible readings, meditation. These were a much deeper thing for me and I really enjoyed it.

Last year, a friend in my Sunday School class told me about a Lent Calendar that she was using during her 40 day focus on God. This calendar had a different suggestion for you to follow every day during the season and there were some interesting additions and subtractions to your daily routine! The Lent Calendar is created each year by Mars Hill Church, the home church of one of my all-time favorite writers and preachers in our modern age: Rob Bell. I half-heartedly followed the calendar last year, but this year I am focused and ready. I have a copy of the Lent Experiential Calendar on my desk at work and in my kitchen at home so that I have no excuse to forget to read it daily!

If you'd like an idea of some things on the calendar:
Today's suggestion is to have an ash cross put on your forehead. (I should be able to do this tonight at our worship service at church...day one: done.) Tomorrow's suggestion is to write a prayer to God explaining the habits, behaviors, and sins you want to die to this Lenten season.

If you would like to download and print the calendar for your own use, just click here.

Have a blessed Ash Wednesday and a deep, meaningful Lenten season. I hope that you find bliss in it!

Today's Bliss: Energy

It has been a while since I last posted anything here; the winter blahs have been in full force for me lately. I have also had some stress at work and it has overwhelmed my ability to think clearly and feel at ease in my office. But today was different. Today, I felt energized, motivated, ready to face the day with gusto! Today I greeted the day with a new sense of confidence and readiness to face whatever came my way. It was a good day, especially considering it was a Monday!

As a look back at my day and ask why I felt so renewed, the only answers are: rest and God. This weekend was incredibly restful and relaxing at our house. With little on the agenda, I had time to catch up on some things, accomplish looming tasks, and enjoy time with N. This was complimented by yesterday's church service, which was a very refreshing time. The service began with all of us making a list of things that we wanted to get from the service. I noted: comfort, peace, direction. These pieces of paper were then collected and placed on the altar. Taking time to really think about what I needed from the service was powerful and it really helped the experience be a meaningful one.

Another major highlight of the service was the music. We had a choir visiting from Boston and they had some soul. They moved me with their spirit, energy, and ability to communicate faith through song. I clapped, swayed, and rejoiced with them! The sermon was good also, a reminder of the light that we are called to shine in every corner of the world that we live in. A reminder to be what we are called to be: a shining example of God's love. One of the most powerful parts of the sermon was the gentle reminder that every single person we encounter has God's light inside them...whether they know it or not, whether it is obvious or not, it is there and we are called to help bring that light out so that it can shine in the universe also.

When I left the service, I felt that I definitely received all of the things that I listed on my paper at the beginning of the service. And I was reminded of my very favorite scripture verse. One that I have tried to live every day (even though I frequently do not succeed as much as I wish I could).

Philippians 2:14-18
Do everything without arguing or complaining so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life - in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

The feeling of peace that I felt after the church service was still with me today. Praise God! And I pray that it will be with me tomorrow...and the next day...and I pray that others around me will have the energy and peace to faithfully face the day before them as well.

We are all called to be bright lights in this world. I hope you will help me shine like a star. I'll try to help you, too.

Today's Bliss: Kindle Fire

Okay, so my Kindle Fire is not just today's bliss...it's every day's bliss. N and I received it for Christmas from his parents and we have really enjoyed having it. I am more addicted than he is, admittedly! I love the games, reading books, reading news on the apps, watching shows...I could go on and on. If you are thinking about adding some technology to your life, I highly suggest the Kindle Fire.

Technology has made such massive improvements in my lifetime. Progress is made so quickly that you cannot keep up. As soon as you own a gadget, there is a newer, better version for you to buy. I am definitely not a person who strives to have the next great thing on the market...in fact, my "dumb" phone (rather than a "smart" phone) has needed an upgrade for quite some time now and I really don't want to trade it in. But the Kindle has been a great addition to our living room and it really made me regain some excitement for new technology.

I have noticed, though, that as much as technology has made our lives easier, it can also make us detached. Just last night, I told N that I would have to give up some time on the Kindle Fire for Lent this year. I find myself holding that thing more than I hold N's hand...look at its screen more than my surroundings...play more games with it than I play with my dog. But I think that rather than giving up the Kindle for Lent this year, I will just need to commit to spending just as much time with N and Scooter, really paying attention to them and focusing on being the best wife and dog-mom as I can.

I hope you are thinking about Lent and what you can give up that will help you remember the sacrifice that God made for us. I have not always given up something, but this year I think that Lent will serve as a time for me to think, pray, reflect, and listen to God's voice in all parts of my life.

Today's Bliss: Service

Our church is a weekly site of feeding, housing, healing, and entertaining for homeless men. Every Friday night a diverse group of twelve men enter our doors for a hot meal, a warm bed, some friendly conversation, a movie marathon, and a dose of love. N and I are regular helpers for the ministry, lending a hand when we are able. Last night we had the unique experience of serving alongside my parents. They joined us for the evening, helping to feed the men...then N and my Dad stayed the night with the men as hosts. It was a very uplifting experience and it made me feel like we were doing something right.

Hearing one of the stories that was shared during the evening made me remember that the pain we all carry is a burden, challenging us to focus on love, focus on forgiveness, and focus on the light that Jesus is for us all. Some people have stories that really make you stop and think: how did you overcome all that you have had in your path? I look at my blessed, blissful life and I am so grateful for a wonderful family. For parents to serve alongside. For love that I have never had to beg for or earn. Struggling, hurting people are everywhere and something as simple as a backpack for a homeless man that needs some help carrying his few belongings can make a huge difference in his life.

One of the main things that we see Jesus do throughout the New Testament is serve. He heals, teaches, guides, provides, and helps all of the people who need it. He was never worried about himself; only others. His ultimate act of service was dying so that we could live. So that we can live and help people who need it. So that we can show love to the hurting, suffering people that he has placed in our path. Acts big and small can change the world and can help people see that even in the darkest day there is hope. There is a Father who can save them and heal their hurting hearts. There are people who care about them and want them to succeed. There are places to turn to for help.

God has gently reminded me of a way to truly find bliss. Love your neighbor (Luke 10:27) and serve one another humbly in love (Galatians 5:13).

Today's Bliss: Finished Project

Last week, I posted about Creativity and how much I appreciate the chance to be creative in my work.

For now, I have named them Luau Lucy and Tiki Tom!

Here is a photo of the finished project. Bowling pin mascots for Luau on the Lanes - our 2012 Spring fundraising event at work. I am really pleased with how they turned out!

I hope that you have the opportunity to be creative, express yourself in fun and different ways, and let yourself go in an art project occasionally. It is a fun, freeing feeling and I am so blissful when I get to work on projects like this. And the feeling when I am done? Always a good one!

Today's Bliss: Creativity

Today at work my main project is just plain fun: painting bowling pins. I know that sounds crazy and I will post a photo when I am all finished! I plan fundraising events full time for Junior Achievement here in Nashville. It is a fun job and I get to meet a lot of interesting people, work with a diverse group of JA supporters, and plan three major events every year. Springtime in my life is Bowl-a-Thon season. This event always has a theme and I get the opportunity to run with it...decorations, contests, and other fun activities that we incorporate at the bowling center. I really enjoy it; you never know what you'll run into at these events!

I love having the chance to be creative. I am lucky to get the occasional opportunity to sit down with a paintbrush and just enjoy my day...even when I am at work! I am very aware that few jobs would let me be creative in the way that my job does now. I am grateful for the job that I have and so glad that I fit so well with the tasks at hand.

Creativity is most definitely a gift. Not everyone has a creative spark and I am blessed to have it. My parents nurtured this gift while I was growing up and now I have to be creative. I could not do my job without it. As I think about creativity, no one shows it more than God does. I mean, He created ALL of the animals, ALL of the pieces and parts of the universe, ALL of the beautiful surroundings and people that are around us. When you really stop to think about it, it is so amazing. And he wants us to be creative, too! He wants us to think, create, make, and enjoy our lives to the fullest.

Stop for a moment and think of something you can incorporate into your day that will give you the chance to be creative. Don't miss out on this very blissful gift from God!

Today's Bliss: Church

This month has been slow and lazy. I have been in a winter-mode, recovering from a beyond busy and crazy December holiday rush. My to-do lists have been short and my hours have been filled with reading, t.v. watching, and resting. I told you I was lazy!

Today our church held a retreat for the new Church Council and, as I am now a committee chair, I was expected to attend. I was not exactly excited about going, but I was glad to hear about the coming year and the part that I could play in the church body. I expected a meeting. What I got was a worship and reflection experience. The group shared their hopes and dreams, talked about personal journeys, and discussed things we can do to encourage Discipleship, both in ourselves and in our community. There was serious discussion, laughter, singing, eating, and fellowship.

For me, it was good to be pulled from my lazy winter reverie and get my brain in gear. I had time to think: about scripture and its message to me, about the sacrifices I should be making for my faith, about the calling that I have in my life, and about the community that I have been placed in by God. It was refreshing to have my spirit lifted, to celebrate communion in this small group, and to feel joy as I realized that I am exactly where God wants me to be. Not every day is perfect, in fact there are some days that are frustrating and painful, but this church and these people are my home for this time in my life.

I am really looking forward to the year ahead of me. I hope that I can be tuned into God's voice, plugged into His community of grace, and serve as a good Disciple.

I pray that you will find a place where you can serve and thrive. It is a freeing and uplifting experience. It is bliss.

Today's Bliss: Tina Fey

I spent my day off of work yesterday reading Bossypants, Tina Fey's autobiography. It is so funny! I am not sure how enjoyable it would be for men, as there is a lot of female oriented humor, but I really recommend the book for anyone who wants a laugh. It is a quick read (I am already finished), but I laughed quite a bit throughout the book.

I have always liked Tina Fey and I love her character on 30 Rock, but I didn't know a whole lot about her personal life or her rise to fame before reading her book. What I discovered is that her real-life is much like her character's life: somewhat awkward and not Hollywood glamorous. I wish that I could post all of the funny parts of the book here for you to read. There are some quotable lines in every chapter. Here are a few things that I felt were particularly great.

1. When discussing her busyness and stress, Tina create a chart showing the stress levels of several occupations ranging from zero to 1,000,000. Writing and acting for Saturday Night Live and being a baby were only on a level 3 for stress. Writing for 30 Rock was a 5. Chilean coal mining scored at just under 1,000,000 and active military service scored above it. Managing a Chili's on a Friday night scored at about 700,000.

2. Her chapter "What Turning Forty Means to Me" is a total of three sentences long: I need to take my pants off as soon as I get home. I didn't used to have to do that. But now I do.

3. This one is a bit gross, I admit, so I will not go into details here, but I will say that the chapter about Tina's coming of age and starting her period was hilarious. She was so confused about why her period was not blue like the Kotex commercials that she was a very lost young lady for a while. Her mother was so embarrassed to talk Tina through this time of life that she just gave Tina the pamphlet intended for mothers to read.

I may not completely agree with Tina's politics or all of her opinions, but her sense of humor is spot on with mine. She says unpredictable things that make me laugh and I hope you enjoy her book as much as I did. Nothing is more blissful than a good laugh!

Today's Bliss: Free Time

Last month, a moment of free time was difficult to find. I felt like I was running in circles, constantly checking things off of a list! But this month has been completely different so far. What a great relief.

I am really not a fan of January or February, full of cold, cloudy days and darkness more than light. But as I search for the bright side of this winter season, it has been easy for me to see this year: time at home every evening after work with very short to-do lists! I have been reading novels, playing games on our new Kindle, watching television, lounging around on the couch, surfing the internet...I know I sound lazy, but this is list describes a blissful life for a homebody like me, especially during this season of the year. N and I have even had time to read a couple's devotional book together everyday, which has sparked some interesting discussions for us. I have really enjoyed this time at home and I am grateful for the opportunity to recharge my batteries before a busier spring season arrives.

I am looking forward to a 3-day weekend ahead of me. I hope you have one, too! If you need me, I'll be snuggled up on the couch with a book, my dog, my husband, and a remote. Have a blissful weekend!

Today's Bliss: Crab Cakes

Yesterday, I was craving crab cakes. They are one of my very favorite foods, but I do not make them at home very often because they are a bit labor intensive. So yesterday I took a moment to search online for an easy recipe...and I found a great one! I actually had all of the ingredients on hand at home so I did not even have to stop by the grocery store for extra supplies. I love when that happens!

I hope you will try this recipe because it is so easy and so good. The taste reminds me of a blissful summer beach vacation! I did change this original recipe a bit. I substituted roasted garlic seasoned bread crumbs for the crackers, 1 package of imitation crab meat for the real thing (I mean, it is January and I live in a land-locked state...), and an all-purpose seasoning for the Old Bay since that's what I had in by cupboard. Next time I make these I think I will try some spicy brown or honey mustard to mix up the taste a bit.

Enjoy!

Aunt Ruth's Crab Cakes, found on allrecipes.com
Ingredients: 
16 saltine crackers, finely crushed 
2 tablespoons water 
1 pound flaked cooked crabmeat 
1 egg, beaten 
1 tablespoon prepared mustard 
2 tablespoons mayonnaise 
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 
1 tablespoon seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®) (optional) 
1/8 teaspoon salt 
1/8 teaspoon black pepper 
1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Stir the cracker crumbs and water together in a mixing bowl. Let stand 1 minute to soften the crackers. Add the crabmeat, egg, mustard, and mayonnaise. Season with Worcestershire sauce, seafood seasoning, salt, and black pepper; stir until evenly mixed.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Form the crab mixture into patties 3/4-inch thick. Cook in the hot oil until golden brown on each side and hot in the center, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.

Today's Bliss: Change & Growth

In today's paper, there is an interesting article about change. The main focus of the article is the statement "change is inevitable; growth is optional" (credit to Scarlett Leadership Institute). This quote is also hanging on my boss's wall at work, being that we inducted the founder of the Scarlett Leadership Institute into JA's Nashville Business Hall of Fame two years ago. Since this quote seems to be following me around, I took a moment today to consider its real meaning...and to decide if I was growing or just changing.

It is a relief to say that I really think I am growing. Some days I can see this more than others, but, looking backwards, I feel that I have grown a lot in the past 6 years. I picture myself just after college and then look at my life now: so so much has changed. I have been through a lot, seen a lot, experienced a lot, learned a lot, and grown a lot too. I am proud of the adult that I am. I am not at all a perfect version of myself, but I have made a good amount of progress in my post-college "real-world" years.

A quote that I have always loved is: "People don't change; they just find out who they are and be that person more." I think that this is a more accurate description of my journey. As things change and I grow, I learn more about myself...the good and the bad things...and try to focus on being the best person that I can be.

God has made us in His image. He has made us just as He wants us to be. Some people take the time to look inside, discovering the deeper parts of their heart and soul that God has developed there. Other people never even really know themselves. I think that change, growth, and identity are all linked to this concept. I hope that this process continues to bring positive things to my life as I move forward. I am sure that tomorrow will bring more change, more chances to grow, and a fresh chance to live my life as the best person that God wants me to be. And that is bliss.

If you'd like to read The Tennessean article in full, you can do so by clicking here.

Today's Bliss: Life

I asked N what I should blog about today. Me: "What are you blissful about?" N: "Everything. Life is good." Me: "Any ideas that are a bit more specific? Any more detail you'd like to go into?" N: "Nope. Just life is good."

N the Optimist

Those of you out there who know N will not be surprised by his very short answer to my question! He is not a very talkative fellow...but, he is wise. The more I thought about his answer, the more I realized it was a great one. N and I are very blessed. We have some annoyances in life here and there, but overall, we have a very, very good life and we should be extremely blissful about it every single day. N is good at seeing the bright side. His kind heart and calm personality help him focus on the positive and stay optimistic in most circumstances. I am a realist by nature and tend to be more negative about things. N and I balance each other out and it works well...but we can learn some important things from each other.

What I have learned during my marriage is that I need to learn to be more positive. When I am in the midst of a cloud of negativity or doubt, it is hard to see the Light. I need to stop, put my problem or challenge into perspective, and look at the bright side.This is a difficult thing for me to do, but when I put forth the effort, I am a much more blissful soul. Life is short and life is good. Each and every day should be cherished and we should give thanks for everything we encounter.

Next time you are feeling frustrated or downhearted, look around you and remember N's wise words: "life is good." Many people around the world could not say the same.

Today's Bliss: A New Year

Happy New Year! The beginning of a new year is a blessing. Whether it is technically true or not, feeling like you are starting fresh and having a moment to consider changes that you need to make in your life is a great thing. I don't have any strict resolutions for 2012, but there are a few things that N and I will work on (i.e. saving money). Overall, I am just going to focus on being a better person, loving more, and showing the world who Jesus is. Easier said than done, I know!

An article in yesterday's Tennessean newspaper was a very interesting read and I hope you will take a moment to consider the writer's thoughts. Living gratefully has the power to help all of us be happier, spiritually healthier, and more aware of the world we live in.

Enrich your life by living gratefully by Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Ph.D

What are you grateful for? Try not to cough up the usual suspects: sunsets, daisies, puppies, babies, and babies playing with puppies among the daisies at sunset. True, I’m grateful that the Earth orbits the sun, and I love dogs and babies, but being grateful for these is too easy. Being grateful requires more than warm fuzzy feelings; it requires clear seeing and right action.

Not long ago, a woman shared with me her experience as a lung transplant recipient. She was grateful to the organ donor and the doctors and nurses who operated. What about the drunken driver who killed the woman whose lung saved her life? I asked. Was she grateful to him? She just stared at me. No one had asked her that before. To her credit, she closed her eyes, took a moment to see what was true for her and said yes she was grateful to the man who killed her donor and thus saved her life. Then her eyes filled with tears, and said, “And I hate myself for that.”

As we talked she realized that it wasn’t self-hate she was feeling but extreme humility. After all, she neither wished the death of her donor nor did anything to cause it; she simply benefited from this tragedy. But that realization was huge. What if the deceased woman had little children who would grow up without a mom? she mused. What if she was caring for her parents? A single death can have so many ramifications. How do I live with this? she sobbed.

Your situation may not be this extreme, but her question is your question as well. You are being gifted by people and things all the time. How do you live with this? This is what gratitude is really all about: not feeling grateful, but living gratefully.

Chances are you, too, have lungs and don’t need a transplant to be grateful for them. But what about the Brazilian rainforest? Are you grateful for that? After all, your lungs are useless without oxygen, yet neither they nor any other organ in your body produces oxygen. Trees and plants in partnership with the sun do that, and the Brazilian rainforest processes 28 percent of the world’s oxygen, so the forest is a vital part of your body, as well. If you are grateful to your lungs, you must be grateful to trees and plants, as well. How do you express your gratitude? What do you do to help secure clean air for your lungs to breathe?

Despite clichés to the contrary, it isn’t the thought that counts; it is the deed that counts. Gratitude that is merely attitude is meaningless. If you are grateful to your lungs, don’t poison them with carcinogens. If you are grateful for oxygen, protect the living system that produces it.

I wear Rockport shoes and return them to the company for resoling. The first time I did this, the shoes came back in near mint condition accompanied by a handwritten note from the person who restored them. He explained how very disappointed he was that I disrespected the shoes he works so hard to make. The leather was scuffed and unpolished, the shoe backs were broken and the toe box was misshapen because I didn’t keep my shoes on a shoetree. He asked me to treat his work with more respect.

That was 30 years ago, and I have never treated my shoes the same since. What about you? You would be lost without your shoes. They support your arches, protect your feet from hot pavement and (along with your shirt) allow you to eat in restaurants. So how do you show your gratitude? Look at your shoes and see.
What about the rest of your clothes? Do you keep them clean, neatly folded or hanging properly? When you no longer need them, do you toss them out or do you donate them where someone else can benefit from them?

What is true of shoes and clothes is true of everything. It is easy to assess the quality of gratitude in your life by examining how well you treat the people and things in your life. You are being gifted by people and things — seen and unseen — every day. That should make you feel grateful, but more importantly, should cause you to live gratefully.

Living gratefully means taking nothing and no one for granted. It means treating salespeople, stock clerks, bank tellers and cashiers kindly. It means not polluting your body with excess sugar, fat and salt. It means not polluting your community with bigotry, fear, anger, gossip and ill-will. It means saying thank you to everyone and everything by treating them all with respect.

Be grateful for babies and puppies, just don’t stop there. Join with others to offer a scholarship at a local day-care center, adopt or rescue an animal companion or support a local animal shelter. Gratitude is not a way of feeling; it is a way of doing. If you aren’t living gratefully, feeling grateful means nothing at all.