Don't let life pass you by! Make It Happen!

As I sat and watched my grandmother sleep in her hospital bed in the rehabilitation center, I had a vision that I was her. I imagined myself being in the pain that she was in from sustaining a fall into a bathtub backwards. My legs were throbbing, the cast on my left arm was heavy, and I was all around uncomfortable. I could hear residents in the distance moaning in paining and through blurred vision, I think I saw nurses walking past the room wheeling carts of medication around.

Then in a blink of an eye, I was seeing things through my eyes again. I was back to being a

34-old, able-bodied person who was going to get up and leave this depressing place in a few minutes. I feel bad for my grandmother who is still there struggling to get better. Her incident is a wake-up call for me, though, and it should be for you too!

You know that phone call you've been meaning to make to a long lost friend? Make It Happen!

Or how about that hobby you've been longing to start? You know the one you are so good at you could turn it into a side business? Make It Happen!

When was the last one you told your spouse you loved them? Make It Happen!

What about that trip you've been meaning to take? Make It Happen! (ok, you might need to plan a bit, but you catch my drift!)

I am not kidding you when I tell you kids, that life is flying by. I was sitting as my craft table the other day and discovered scrap booking materials that I bought an expo LAST YEAR. I could have swore that I just bought them a few weeks ago when went to the expo again. How could a year have gone by already?

Not only does time go by quick, but you don't know what is going to happen along the way so if you have a fairly healthy body and mind, get to it. Don't wait until the right time comes along; the kids are out of the house; kids come along; you have extra money; you lose weight; you get another job, etc. You are wasting time. Just Make It Happen! (Just make sure it is a positive thing. Don't do anything illegal or immoral!)

Feeling inspired, but not sure what you want to do? Here are a few suggestions:

-Run a marathon.
-Take a walk in the beautiful weather.
-Admire a rainbow for as long as it lasts.
-Ride your bike.
-Read that book you've been interested in, but never have time for.
-Tell a family member you love them.
-Reconcile with an old friend or family member you haven't talked to in a while.
-Go back to school.
-Start a new hobby.
-Start your own business.
-Go on a trip.
-Do the small things you want to do and stop putting them off. Go to the movies, go down the shore, stop and get ice cream on the spur of the moment and just let the laundry go already.
-Adopt a pet.
-Start volunteer work.
-Go to church.
-Just make a friend's day.

So what am I going to do? Succeed at getting a girl's night together with my friend's from work, for starters. We've been trying all summer and haven't been able to get our schedules to cooperate, but I am determined. We're going to make it happen!

On Labor Day, I am going to a local lake with my husband, which once again, we've been trying to get to all summer. And on one of my days off, I am also going to try to get to the shore (I may have to go by myself so I am not sure if this is going to happen, but I am going to try!)

On a more long term basis, I am going to Las Vegas for a blogging convention in September that I swore I wouldn't get to because it's almost on the other side of the country! Hoorray! I am so excited. I also plan on fighting my way through lack of blog design skills to create something that looks a little better and has advertising spots. I'd like to be able to raise extra money for myself and donate a portion of it to a Christian organization. Whew! I better get busy!

Please share with me the things you plan on doing while you still have the time to do them. And if you've already done them, let me know what you did and inspire the rest of us!

Let's keep after each other to do these things. You'll be happy you did later. I don't want anyone having any regrets about not doing what they wanted during their life.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above" and the wisdom to "Make It Happen,"

Denise

One More Day to Win Robin Gunn's new book Sisterchick's Go Brit!

Tomorrow, August 26th, I'll pick a winner for the next copy of Christian Author, Robin Gunn's, new book Sisterchick's Go Brit! For details, for visit Robin Gunn book contest.

I had the privildedge of interviewing Robin Gunn back in the spring. What a sweet woman! Read that interview here.

Good luck!
Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"
Denise

9 Ways to Be a Blessing to Others

How To Be a Blessings to Others

Ya know it really isn't all that hard to make a difference in the life of someone else. And it doesn't have to be a huge undertaking like giving another person a million dollars or pay off their mortgage (although that would be appreciated!)

Sometimes it's the little things that really help perk up a person's day. What seems trivial to you may really help out a person in need. Here are somethings that you can do now to be a blessing to others:

Send a note of appreciation thanking the other person for help they gave you. Or send an email or ecard if you aren't into hard copy letters any more. Just a few seconds will let that person know you care and truly appreciated what they did for you.

Organize a basket of cheer among family and friends if a loved one is sick or feeling blue. Get a nice basket that can be used later and include all kinds of comforting and pampering items such as a fuzzy bathrobe, plush blanket, soft slippers, magazines, their favorite snacks, candles, relaxing music, and whatever else you can think of.

Send flowers to someone who is grieving. Their cheerful and brighten up a room.

Pick up groceries or other needed item while you are out getting things for yourself. If you are already at the store, why not pick up a few things your mom needs?

Visit a loved one in the hospital or nursing home. Bring their favorite snack and a good book to read. It can be really lonely sitting there by yourself and company is always welcome.

Open the door for someone particularly if they have their hands full. This not only helps the person, but can make them feel almost like royalty since you are "waiting on them," if only for a second.

Provide your unique skills to help a family member with something they can't do for themselves. Maybe you have the ability to build or fix things - help fix an appliance. Or perhaps you can sew. Get out the sewing machine and fix that hem on your friends dress. They'll appreciate it and it will help them save money.

Support a loved ones cause. Donate money if they are participating in a Walk-A-Thon, visit their blog if they are intent on making one successful, help them learn a much needed skill for a business they want to launch - you get the idea.

Pray for another. You can be silent or pray out loud with that person. Either way, asking for God's help is one of the best things you can do.

I challenge you today, to do a least one thing that will be a blessing to someone else. Feel free to use this list or think of your own things!

To see how to be a blessing at work, visit: Bless Others at the Office

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"
Denise

Pray for the Lost Whale

I have a bit of an odd prayer request for a poor lost baby whale! Apparently the one-to-two month old baby whale lost its mother and is meandering around Australian waters by itself. Confused, the poor little creature connected with a Yacht, mistakenly thinking it is it's mother. Because the baby whale still needs it's mothers milk the poor thing may die if it doesn't find it's mother or another mother willing to care for it.

Please pray that God performs a miracle for this little creature. God please provide for this baby whale and help him or her to find another whale to nurture it even if it isn't the mother.

Thanks for your support!

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

Denise

Do It Anyway

There is a wonderful poem that Mother Teresa wrote that I'd like to share with you. I keep it framed on my desk at work. It has been a true blessing to me - I will it will be to you as well. Enjoy!

Do It Anyway

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered: Forgive them anyway!If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motive; Be kind anyway!If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some enemies; Succeed anyway!

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway!What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway!If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway!The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway!Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway!

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway!

-Mother Teresa

Robin Gunn Book Winner and New Drawing!

Good afternoon all,

We have a winner for the first copy of Robin Gunn's new book Sisterchicks Go Brit!

The first copy goes to Professor Marlene Cueto, author of The Fearless Blog. Visit her blog when you get the chance.

I apologize for not getting to the drawing sooner. A long getaway weekend coupled with a bad cold and a sick family member has put me behind. Poor excuse maybe, but it's the truth.


New Contest!
For those who didn't win the first contest, don't fret! I have more copies of the book Sisterchick's Go Brit! Simply comment on any one of my posts and I randomly draw a name as a winner on Tuesday, August 26th. Get commenting now. Good luck!


Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

Denise