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.