Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

But sometimes beauty is only skin-deep...  

Admit it!  We live in a physical world and view other people everyday especially if we like to people watch.  We comment on this guy being cute or that girl being pretty, etc.  However if you think about it, just because a guy is cute doesn't mean he isn't a jerk and just because a girl is pretty doesn't mean that she isn't you know.  So what really matters?  I think character and inner beauty speak for themselves.  What do you value?

Is the Glass Half Full...

Or Half Empty?

Do you know someone who always picks up on the negative but not the positive in people?  I have a friend like this and sometimes it's difficult to hang out with her.  She always pinpoints all the negative traits in the people around her rather than the positive.

Do you know the power your words have over people?  Bobby Schuller recently spoke about seeing the positive and negative in people.  Sometimes saying something positive to someone who only hears the negative can change that person for the better.  People try to become who we "see" them to be.  Our words really do have power in how people view themselves.  It can become a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts.

Have a Happy Sunday!

The Longest Ride

Based on a Novel by Nicholas Sparks

I recently watched The Longest Ride with a friend of mine who coincidentally has a friend that wrote one of the songs in this movie.  We stayed to view the ending credits to see if he was listed and he was.  This was a great movie.  By the end of the movie, my friend and I were thinking that it would be nice to meet a cowboy.

I've watched other movies based on novels by Nicholas Sparks and he does a good job creating tearjerkers.  His plots are usually tragic and twisted, which is why I was surprised because this one actually had a happy ending!  Plus Clint Eastwood's son, Scott Eastwood, is one of the leading actors in this film.  Think you'll like this one!

My Enemy My Friend

Envy

Is there a difference between jealousy and envy?  There is.  Envy is when you want something someone else has.  Jealousy is when it's yours but you don't want others to have it or you don't want to share it.

Envy is one of the seven deadly sins and can ruin an otherwise good friendship.  I see friendships constantly broken because of envy.  Why is it that the grass is always greener on the other side?  And why is it that some friends can't be happy for each other?

I have a number of friends that I've known for years.  One of my friends got married years ago and the other told me that she was so envious that she couldn't even be happy for her.  Our friend was one of the sweetest women I know.  I find it sad that our other friend couldn't be happy for her.  But that is what envy does.  It ruins you and it ruins your friendship.  Unfortunately I have learned the hard way that an envious friend is not a real friend and can cost you something that you value greatly.  A real friend will want what's best for you and will want you to be happy.

There was a story about two women that were fighting over a baby once upon a time.  It got so bad that this issue went before King Solomon who was known for being wise.  He advised that the baby be cut in half and given in part to each woman.  The real mother said to give the other woman her child rather that see him dead.  That is what real love does.  It lets go.  

A Nature Walk

Meander With Me

A Father's Legacy

My Dad

I remember my Dad fondly but I will admit that there were times when he would exasperate me to death.  I remember bits and pieces of what he used to tell me or lecture me about.  "You know how Dads are!"

My Dad was very active in the church as a deacon, taught Sunday school, and sometimes preached the message.  Our entire family went to church on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, Wednesday evenings, and even Friday evenings.  Growing up he would always get the entire family up on Saturday mornings to do Bible study.  I remember these conversations with my Dad where I would tell him that he was a "fanatic" and that with being in church so much, did we really have to have Bible study too?  And on Saturday to boot!  Plus I remember telling him that no one else made their family do Bible study.  So it was really ironic when I moved out of the house and met people my age that actually got together for Bible study.  I was beyond dumbfounded.  Like really!?!  However I realize now that God was really watching out for me and I value the legacy that my Dad gave to me especially now as he has passed on.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!  

What If

Do you ever wonder?

What life would be like if you had done this or had done that instead?  There are times when I think like that but what's done is done.  Time if one of those things that you can't get back even if you really wanted to.  There is a movie called What If that is about a man that has a life but through some odd circumstances sees himself living another life and then realizing what his choices cost him.  Sliding doors is another movie about choices.  We all have free will to do what we want so what are you doing with your free will?

Life is Going, Going, Gone!

Or at least it sometimes feels like it...

Exactly where did 2015 go?  We are already midway through the year.  Before you know it, it will be 2016.  I have to admit that this summer has not been the greatest weather-wise:  Too rainy and too humid.  You'd think we lived in the tropics.  Hope the weather lightens up soon!

One Degree of Separation!

Not Six or Seven...

You know how the theory goes?  If you know just six or seven people then you know the world?  It's the oddest thing but because of the social media craze it's almost as if we are just one person away from knowing the world especially when there are people out there that know everyone if that were even possible. 

Ouch!

That hurts...

Ever get bitten by a mosquito or spider and wonder what it was that bit you?

I endured a memorable canoe ride last summer when I ended up with some kind of poison ivy or spider bites.  The person I carpooled with got dunked in the river  Been there, done that!  It's always something isn't it?  The good mixed with the bad.  Did I enjoy my canoe ride overall?  Yeesss!  Did I enjoy being itchy for weeks to come?  Not so much!

Well...  it's moist out there.  Thinking lots of mosquitoes, etc.  Those tiny little vampires!  "I vant to suck your blood!"  

T-Shirt Pillows

A Functional T!

If you travel a lot like I used to then you probably have a collection of t-shirts that you don't know what to do with.  I had too many so I started making pillows out of them.  Another person I know makes quilts out of t-shirts.  They are a great way to remind you of past adventures and functional too!  My favorite pillows are from Boston and Milwaukee!  :)  If you live in Milwaukee then you have probably checked out the Summerfest at one time or another.  

In Memory...

of a Friend

I recently found out about a friend of mine that was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident.  She is survived by the guy who was on the motorcycle with her but he is in a coma last I heard.

The last time I got to see her was at a speed dating event earlier this year.  I did not participate but I had friends that were and since I was in the area decided to drop in and see them.  In retrospect, I'm glad I was there that night being that that was the last time I got to see her.  Last time I got together with her she had told me that she had met someone that she really enjoyed spending time with.

My condolences go out to her family.

A Rose Walk...

Just When You Need to Smell Flowers!

 

Food Prep

Ever Wanted to Star in a Test Kitchen?

What a funny evening!  I was prepping some raw food items with a Raw Food Expert and a Food Committee Member for this Special Party we are planning!  It's to celebrate a meet up group that I belong to.  It has over one thousand members now and to commemorate we are hosting a great big party mixer.  So if you like to mix and mingle...  

Why Do I Do What I Do?

A Matter of Perspective

Sometimes in life you do things that you wouldn't think you would do simply because it is necessary for a certain period of time.  A prime example of this is Joseph.  He was sold into slavery by his brothers because they were so jealous of him.  And he even ended up in jail through no fault of his own.  However everywhere he went, even prison, God blessed him until he one day became second in command to only Pharaoh when Egypt and the rest of the world were going through a famine.

Why does God show unmerited favor to certain people?  It's because he sees the heart and he knows who really love him.  However that doesn't mean that life is all roses even then.  We all go through good and bad but God will turn the bad to our good if we love him.  Do you love him?