Lifestyle

Are you thankful, for everything?

This morning, the church message was about being thankful…..and considering I co-founded our non-profit Gratitude Girls, I of all people better be thankful and grateful right? 🙂 And I am…..

But, he did say one thing, I have struggled with (we can be open, raw, and honest, right? I am a real human) The Bible says in every thing, give thanks.

I believe the bible, I know the bible is true, and I DO *try* to give thanks in *every thing*….

Although sometimes when it is worded in a certain way, it is *hard*….example *write down everything that has happened to you, good or bad or indifferent* and say “God thank you for that”…..

Now granted, I DO believe that everything God *allows* into your life, you have a #choice if you #choose to use it for God or not.

Example, I do not think I could or will *ever* be *able* to say
“God, thank you for taking Bryan Delk to Heaven”.
I just can’t do it.

Now…..
I have learned to be thankful for the 2 years God allowed me to have him in my life, rather than be bitter at the next 20 that I don’t.
I have learned to be thankful for that happening and me being able to have the faith to move forward and speak to so many widows events, and God bring so many widows into my life and others introduce me to so many that I am able to help #WalkInTheirShoes and get closer to God, and be thankful in the process.
I have learned to be thankful that because of that, I was able to write my 2nd book #WeAllHaveChoices and became a #bestseller the day it was launched, and I am able to help and reach so many other women (and men) with that and bring them closer to the Lord.
I have learned to be thankful that through so many steps and changes the last almost 6 years, my life has changed so drastically, but for the good in so many ways, that I have felt that loving *protection* and *security* of my Heavenly Father saying to me “I am taking care of you in this area” — and that helps so many times, when I am praying in other areas I have not seen the answer yet….

So with that…..in case anyone has heard that message before, or struggled(s) in that same area as me…..Learn to be thankful and grateful in the areas that you *can* be thankful and grateful in, don’t beat yourself up in the areas that you are *not there yet* (frankly, I don’t know that I will ever be able to say that about my husband in that way – “I am thankful that he passed” — and who knows, maybe there is another way to word it…..BUT I CAN say – I am thankful, that *through* that situation, I HAVE had SO many #BLESSINGS in my life – that I am thankful and grateful for that have come to me.

Billionaire still wears the same watch he bought in 1964.

Many times, we are caught up in the moment of trying to get better and better….

It is great to want more, but it is also a limit of being smart….
A fool doesn’t just waste and blow his money cuz he has it.

I remember someone telling me about a conversation they had w someone else, this person had been to my house, and made a comment to this other person, that if I was making what I said I was, wondered why I didn’t upgrade my house.

Funny how people think….(and don’t ask you direct)
i have lots and lots of nice clothes and shoes (that is what I like to spend money on, and TIME things w my kids – we do LOTS of vacations and traveling). I drive a 85k vehicle, that is kinda nice….

My house – I ABSOLUTELY LOVE.Yes, it was made *awhile* ago, It is 2500 sq ft, so plenty what I need esp w the kids older, it is ranch style, which is my preference, and most important – my kids great grandfather built it w his own two hands, I will never ever sell it – even if I chose to move one day, it would stay in the family.

You don’t have to spend the money just cuz you made it – There has been several times in our life that Bryan and I thought we were financially pretty set, then his back surgery that didn’t go well came along w lots of bills and medical debt, and many other things….then we rose again for awhile, then had some other changes….you never know when things will happen…..invest for yourself when things are going good for those times when they won’t.

Also don’t save always and never have fun…..someone also made a comment on how many trips I go on….Yes, I am super super blessed, I get asked to speak at different events all over the world, and most times my flight/gas and my room are paid for – so many times I will take my kids, and we will stay a little extra on our own, and make a vacation out of it too. Then I do take lots of vacations and *breathers* — I work about 100 hours a week when I do work, so rather than take 2-5 hours a night watching tv that does nothing for me or my business, I will work and take extra relaxing time later, with my kids or friends that builds and nourishes my relationships in my life.

In the end – it is your life – your money – pray about it – make wise decisions, do as you wish

This is a neat article

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20130301171431-27307105-a-fool-and-his-money-are-soon-parted/

Superheroes have stories

Every superhero has a story….and while all superheroes don’t all wear capes, they all usually took some sort of tragedy, and instead of playing the *victim* role, they USED that TRAGEDY to LAUNCH them into SUCCESS and to HELP OTHERS.

Batman was a child walking on the street at night with his family, when they were robbed. The thief out of cruelty shot his mom and dad, killing them. Leaving him alone to create the rest of his story without them.

That event thrust Bruce Wayne into a life of seeking justice against criminals.

What is your tragedy/story?

How are you going to help others through your tragedy/story?

What are you going to do to make a difference for GOOD in the world because of your tragedy/story?

When are you going to do it? Don’t wait till it’s too late……

*someone* might be *waiting* to hear your story – to HELP THEM.

Reflecting…..

REFELCTING:

Many of you that know me and are closer to me, know I consistently work like 100 hours a week…..busy, can’t get into trouble, right?! haha! But keeps the mind busy, and I remember my mom used to say, “if you are awake, you are to be productive and profitable” — no lazy in our house! lol

But more this last week or so, I have always *known* to do this, but the last *while* found myself falling back into the routine of *skipping ‘me’* and just doing for everyone else…and so I have been taking more time off, granted only a little, but moments here and there for *just me*…..and it has been refreshing, and very much needed, I know….

And in that – I have reflected…..SO much has *changed through my life….I talked w a friend on my career and how 15 years ago, if you’d have told me I would be teaching and coaching others in life and business and traveling every month and speaking on stages all over the world to thousands of people, and companies and organizations would be calling me, hiring me to speak and train their employees and salespeople – I would have said you are crazy! (I was completely content w being the quiet cute little christian house wife w 4 kids and homeschooling and hiding behind my computer creating websites, branding and marketing for others and pushing them to the top) lol

Then talking to another friend, so much in my life has changed the last 5 years, many major losses, including my husband, father in law, my grand father, grandaddy-in-law, grandmother-in-law, our family dog of 13 years, my mom…..but also on the same, so many good things, getting my health back restored, my business tremendously excelling, meeting many incredible people and being able to connect others in so many incredible ways, SO many *God-winks* I cannot even begin to explain and relate, although I try to often and always try to remember to give Him the praise and glory….

When we truly *reflect* and get *out of ourselves* — many times we find we can quit focusing on the few things that *aren’t* as perfect as we want them to be yet, and be SO incredibly thankful and grateful for the many things that ARE way more than we ever thought they could be or would be………

I truly love my life….

I truly love my life.

I get to wake up every day and work with clients and people and make a difference in the world for better.

I have a wonderful family and wonderful friends.

How did you wake up this morning?

Do you wake up and take five minutes and truly be grateful and thankful for everything in your life….

or does the alarm go off and you get up and rush around and get ready for work or your day or whatever you have to entail…

and forget to take five minutes to be thankful and grateful for the things that you currently have in your life?

Everybody has trials and tribulations in their life.

The good Lord definitely knows that I have had my share of them but I try to focus every day of things that I can be thankful and grateful for.

I truly believe that as we do that we will attract more things in our life to be thankful and grateful for.

“Does making your life better make it better for those around you? “

Michael Carnes

That is a thought, isn’t it? We connect with, and talk with, associate with, do business with people every single day! Those people that in ANY WAY connect with you, does it make THEIR life better?

SOOO many things, and esp someone who has lost a spouse/significant other in their life — this connects with SO much more….I have noticed the last 5 years, I live my life MUCH more *on purpose*

I thankfully was raised in a wonderful home, great parents, great upbringing, great sisters, grew up, great marriage, great kids, etc, tremendously blessed…..

But what about now, what about that DASH will people say about you one day, what kind of difference for GOOD are you making in the lives of OTHERS that you touch? What GOOD is it, for them to have YOU as a part of THEIR life?

Incredible things to *ponder* — don’t ya think?

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