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Archive for the ‘General Reflections’ Category

What Is The Real Meaning Of Success?

Posted in General Reflections, tagged family and friends, get rich quick, hard work, small business, spam on October 15, 2009| 6 Comments »

floating money

According to Webster’s Dictionary the definition of success is “favorable result, gain.”

Few words, says a lot.

If I based my personal definition of success on the numerous pokes I receive daily to “get rich quick,” “work from home and make millions,” “overnight success guaranteed,” I would say success is defined by how much money we earn, and how quickly it is acquired.

If success is based on the money we earn, does it not require hard work?

A chunk of reality – if success is based on our relationships in life, does it not require caring about people?

Perhaps…just perhaps…we can throw our own the message right back at the pushers, “I got rich today!” Stun them, make them ask how we did it. The answer would be, “Because I treasure people and I worked hard to make a difference!”

There…isn’t that real success? After all, Webster’s definition is “favorable result.”

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Self Responsibility

Posted in General Reflections, tagged self worth, taking care of self on October 3, 2009| 9 Comments »

Breezy October Afternoon

I feel thankful today, insightful, full of thoughts for the business, myself, and many thoughts of others.

I found this beautiful statement in a country magazine, words authored by Hillel the Elder. The article says to Google Hillel, I haven’t yet.

If I am not for myself,

Who Will Be?

If I am only for myself,

What am I?

Isn’t that a huge amount of wisdom, said in just a few words? I share my entire life with God. I live by faith, so I am not by myself, nor am I looking out for only myself.

But…here is what the article goes on to say: “If we don’t take care of ourselves; emotionally, spiritually, and physically – who will? As a matter of fact these are areas of our own personal growth, study, and practice; ares of our own responsibility.”

Absolutely!!!! How about you, do you agree with that statement?

Have a wonderful Saturday!

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Campaign For Real Beauty

Posted in General Reflections, tagged inner beauty, real beauty on September 27, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Talking about inner beauty…I lack in trust when it comes to a huge company promoting real beauty. I am hoping the young ladies in the short videos said what they meant, and not what they were told to say http://campaignforrealbeauty.com . What is your opinion?

I hope you can click and watch this one as well…evolution of a “beautiful” woman?

I should read more and then decide my own thoughts on the motives. But…then…does it really matter? Their campaign is a positive movement, regardless.

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Beauty Really Does Come From Within

Posted in General Reflections, tagged inner beauty on September 27, 2009| 8 Comments »

480977_makeup stock exchange

The older I get, the less concern I put on outward appearance.

Sure…I leave the house in clean clothes, hair brushed, teeth brushed, no goat berries stuck to my shoes. But the days of caking on make up just to buy a loaf of bread are gone. Thank heavens!

One of the first things I learned about my husband, and it was something I really did not understand at that time, was that he wanted me to “just be comfortable.” He wanted me to feel good and be happy. Thank you!

Make up, nice clothes, fancy shoes, and whatever else a person can adorn themselves with are nice, and I love them from time to time too, but they are not any of my necessities.

I love it that I now appreciate a real person more, a person that can just be themselves. Isn’t it fantastic when the true beauty of a person beams outwards? It might be their eyes, or their hair, their mannerisms, or the things that they say. But the bottom line, the truest of all beauty, is what comes from the soul, the very inner core of the person…a solidly genuine person.

Women, and younger girls especially (and sometimes men), are subjected to the constant influx of images that depict perfect bodies, perfect hair and make up, and many images depicting popular vulgarity (in my opinion). I try to be as healthy as possible, and yes, attractive too, but guess what? I can let the gray come in. Look at an aging women that allows her true beauty to shine, she can really be appreciated! She is confident just to be who she is. She isn’t hiding behind any coverage, coverage that says, “I no longer love myself,” or worse, “I am not good enough.” Oh yes, you are! You are what God designed you to be.

The obsession with looking perfect started at the beginning of time…there is nothing new under the sun. Right? But I hope you young ladies out there do not take 40, or even 50 years, to realize you are beautiful, because you are human!

How do you feel about it? How do you teach the young women to feel about themselves? What should we be teaching young men about real beauty?

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

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Seasons

Posted in General Reflections, tagged autumn, Family on September 20, 2009| 4 Comments »

The Beginnings Of Autumn Color

As I cleaned my windows (spray, rub, wipe) until they were crystal clear, a job I truly dislike, I reflected on the beginnings of the beautiful autumn colors on the trees that surround the house.

Winter annoys me with its long dark days. Cabin fever sets in. Thoughts of hibernation creeps into my veins.

But I am grateful…very grateful…

Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

Fall brings with it special memories for me. As I washed the windows today I remembered my mother. I think mom did a lot of spring cleaning in the fall too. She was a lot better at it than me.

Another fond autumn memory was meeting my husband (8 years ago). I immediately realized I had met a very special friend. I prayed that evening, “I want to be a devoted friend to this man.” Little did I know that I would love him deeply. What a blessing in my life.

The stained glass window, that I so carefully wash around (hung on a chain) was given to me on our first Valentine’s Day. It came from a dismantled English cottage, dated in the 1800’s, bought in a treasured shop in Missouri. By the way, I could live in that shop! Anything from old locks, keys, staircases, light fixtures, doors, windows…fascinating! All preserved in their original state.

Cottage Window

Have a beautiful Sunday! I hope you are enjoying this day too!

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Information Overload

Posted in General Reflections, tagged information overload, Reflections on September 18, 2009| 8 Comments »

shu.com surprise

As a whole, are we on information overload?

Have you seen the (Bing.com) television commercial where a person is asked a simple question and the poor soul responds by rattling off all of the information they inadvertently received while doing a simple search on the internet? Cracks me up!

But, is it funny? Are we on overload?

Years ago I decided I could step off of the band wagon. I thought I never needed to learn anything related to modern technology again. Uh-huh…you can see how that worked out for me (Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, WordPress, Blogger, Google, Bing, You Tube, Hot Frog, website, mobile phone upgrades, digital camera upgrades, internet provider upgrades…). With an online business there are wants, and there are real needs.

Most of us love to learn, so can we really be subjected to too much information? You might think twice after reading Wikipedia’s definition of information overload (and I copy): “Information overload” is a term coined by Alvin Toffler which refers to an excess amount of information being provided, making processing and absorbing tasks very difficult for the individual because sometimes we cannot see the validity behind the information.”

With the ease of the newest devices, and endless information at our finger-tips, along comes multi-tasking, and the breakdown in efficiency. Less really can be more. Can the brain only process a certain amount of information?

Believe me, I am not complaining. The world (and learning) is awesome! But perhaps that is why I wake up and pray, and meditate, and repeat again. No, that has to do with my faith in God…but let me tell you, it feels good to plant my feet on the ground and center myself. No piece of equipment is going with me when I leave this world, is it? Neither is the Internet.

Hmmmm….

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Leaving It With God

Posted in General Reflections, tagged Inspirations, Reflections on September 6, 2009| 7 Comments »

Misc 007 When I ask myself the question, have you been reflective recently? The resounding answer is a definite yes! Meditative? Very!

The world comes with trials, disappointments, and frustrations. What I do to armour myself against those trials is what helps me to win the battle(s).

My battles are won through faith in God. Period.

I could oh so easily throw my hands up in the air and say the words, “I give up, this is too difficult.” But I am not turning back, I am sticking with the One that created me.

Jesus said: “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…But seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6:31, 33-34

Amen! Over and out! When I find myself slipping into the notion of worrying about tomorrow, I quickly remind myself that it is up to Him to do the work. He has plans for me! I need only concentrate on this very moment, do what is best for my future today.

With love to all of you!

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Plans and More Plans

Posted in General Reflections, tagged Business Plans, Economy on July 8, 2009| 6 Comments »

Welcome to my corner of the office.

I am feeling better today. But somehow I woke at 2:30 a.m., and have not been asleep since. My face is beginning to lose the Frankenstein monster look. My vision is slightly out of sorts, ibuprofen does that to me after a few days of regular doses. So, the hubby took me to the grocery this morning. That felt rather silly, but oh well, things will improve, and I was grateful. Again, I am writing from the phone, waiting for the start of today's headache to slip away.

The remainder of today (and during some of my own quiet wee hours) included planning a new business. Bob has been unemployed for well over a year. So, we are putting our creative juices into action to put him back to work. I can dig it. I love business planning. I am of the type that likes to learn as much as possible so I can act as a resource when needed, and when I can be creative it really sparks me.

We will find a way to beat this economy…I am determined! One thing I seldom do is lose confidence in the silver lining, there always is one. Prayer is amazing. And I strongly believe things happen for a reason, ears and eyes open!

Have you had to be creative with work as well?

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What is it, blah?!

Posted in General Reflections, tagged Opinions on July 5, 2009| 7 Comments »

What is it?

Isn’t that a very general question?

The photo represents a general feeling towards all of the hype. Are you tired of the hype too?

I do not watch a lot of television, but I do watch a bit of the morning news (out of Cincinnati) and a few movies here and there. Yesterday I vegged out, which I do not do often. I watched Uncle Buck, twice. I miss John Candy. I am certainly not ashamed to admit I like some of the old corny things in life.

The news and other newsy channels, and media, seem to be filled with constant trash, constant repeats, and the running down of anyone and everyone it can get its hands on.

I realize the situation regarding Michael Jackson, or the death of any famous person (which I feel should be a very private thing), can be tragic, but what is up with the hype? Here we go again…Palin is going to resign, and possibly move on to other things? Okay, more power to her. I may or may not agree with their lifestyle or pursuits, but aren’t we all created equally?

Perhaps I am living in a fairy tale world, but I do not feel like idolizing any single human being. People are talented, and I admire their God given talents. People should expand upon their own talents, the passions are there for a reason. But to idolize a human, or even to chop up, or cut down, why is that necessary?

What do you think, it is all about making money? I love social media, and I love media in general, we can learn a lot in today’s society, but do we know too much, too fast, too often?

We can shut off the television, no doubt about it. We can turn off our radios as well. But I do think we need a certain amount of current event knowledge under each of our belts. Learning and soaking in of information goes back to the beginning of time, even then people were not recluses. They visited and travelled about, on foot.

I am not bitter, not at all, I simply get tired of it all from time to time. I am not impressed. Do you feel the same? I would love to see the focus shift to really positive things, and I believe there is a lot still out there!

I am hitting the publish post key NOW. This is one of those posts where I keep thinking, erase Mary, erase, but then, I will probably be proven wrong again. I would love to hear your comments.

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