Saturday, January 28, 2006

1 year later...


random happy photo
Ted and I's first year anniversary on the 9th of October
dinner at the Rain Tree in St. Augustine

TJ IS HERE!

WE HAVE A NEW BABY TO WELCOME TO THE WORLD!

Check out the team to the right...JOSIE - amazing woman and new mommy, Tania- Josie's cousin, Arlene - nurse and coach, Theo - dad and assistant coach. (not pictured - Ted - concerned Uncle)


It's a BIG boy!
THEODORE GENE HAGEN, JR.

Early this morning (2:19 a.m.) my nephew was born -- Thedore Gene Hagen, Jr.
About 20 minutes later, Theo brought him out to the waiting room for Tania, Ted and I to see. He is so beautiful.
Josie and Theo are now a mom and a dad. They are calling little Theo "TJ" for Theo, Jr. I said they called him that for Theo and Josie.

We had the "punniest" philipino nurse, Arlene. She had the accent and everything so I could not stop making jokes with Theo.

What an amazing process! One that is nothing short of a miracle. I have heard many talk about it before but nothing compares to being there and seeing it all take place.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

get motivated (thanks kathy)

Get Motivated Business Seminar
TD Waterhouse Centre
Orlando, Florida

BOBBY BOWDEN

Wife always thought that he loved football more than her...He asked, "What are talking about? We've been married for 56 seasons. "

Keep thy heart diligently. Your thoughts turn into words...words become action...action become habits...your habits become character. Your character is what determines where you will spend eternity.

I'm like all head coaches. I just stand there...So, quit getting all over me about what they do.

What is "IT"? "IT" is the heart. Some people have "IT" and some people don't. I can, I will, I must despite the odds. Virtues to identify IT are: enthusiasm, positive attitude, courage, persistence. DO NOT QUIT!

Leadership is so important. To be a leader, you've got to be a problem solver. CEO delegates. Entrepreneur does it all himself. As a leader, you do one thing, SOLVE PROBLEMS. If you've got problems in your life, you're needed.

ZIG ZIGLAR

There is something you can do today that can make life better or worse. You choose to do this...YOU are NOT a victim. If man can take moldy bread and make penicilin, then what can God make out of you.

The good news is when you recognize what you already know...

YOU change what you are by changing what goes into your mind. We need a governing authority. You were born to win. Quality of life improves...Standard of living increases. Virtually all great failures are character failures. You can buy house but not a home, a companion but not a friend...

But ONLY men of character area trusted.
Arthur Freidman

#1 thing employers are looking for -- INTEGRITY

Motivation is the key. Even though it's temporary. 85% of the reason you get, keep and advance in a job is because of your attitude.

Everyone wants to be happy, healthy, reasonably prosperous, secure, to have friends, peace of mind, good family and relationships, love, hope.

WHAT YOU SEND OUT IN LIFE IS WHAT YOU GET BACK.

What happens at home affects you at work. Productivity declines because of your marital problems.

Notice the people with nothing to do at the job, want to do it with you.

HONOR YOUR WORD. There is something fulfilling with it.

Tell the TRUTH. He who hids the wrong he did does the wrong thing still.

Honest, Intelligent, Goals, Organized, Responsible, Commitment, Caring, Dependable, Integrity, Work Smarter, Optimistic, Faith, Punctual, Faith, Enthusiastic, Motivated, Decisive, Focused, Disciplined, PMA (positive mental attitude), Creativity, Knowledge, Experience, Training, Hope, Self-starter, Loyal, Competency, Confidence, Extra-Miler, Team player, Encouraging, Energetic, Self-worth, Wisdom, Consistency, LOVE

Tell yourself you ARE the things listed above and that you are Building a Better You. Evaluate yourself on what everybody wants...Be prepared for what you might see.

People need to see you moving with PURPOSE. When you catch a glimpse of your potential, you develop a passion and that is what you do.

You can have everything in life you want if you help other people get what they want.

JOY in your life will affect everything. We're physical, mental and spiritual. PRIORITIZE and BALANCE.

God's possibles were greater than man's permissibles. We are all one blood.

The God of the mountain top is also the God of the valley.

Build and maintain a winning attitude. Learn how to work effectively and efficiently. Work with a plan. Be constant students. Have long range plans.

Follow through and when you get to the goal line recognize those who you have positively influenced.

PHIL TOWN

Investor education
Buy great companies when they are cheap. We are all just now learning how to read and write financially.
Look at the Group.
Timing
2 rules: #1 don't lose money, #2 don't forget #1

Buy solid when they are undervalued and sell them when they are over-valued.
As long as you're not losing money on your investment, you're alright. We never give the money back. Avoid the drops. Your fund managers are the arrows. You want three greens to stay in.

PETER LOWE

Remember that there is always more than one way to look at everything.

Be congruent in all parts of our lives -- body mind and spirit.

Think of a time in your life that you felt like you could do anything.

Most common fears are #1 public speaking and #2 death.

We think our words describe our experiences. In reality, they determine the direction of our experiences. We lock into our self-conscious, here's how far I go. Napoleon said that we rule the world with our words. Look through the obstacles in your life not right at them. FOCUS ON THE OUTCOME YOU DESIRE. How do you make time 1 like 51? You ask yourself "What IF it all went well?"

Think of the strongest person you know. When most people deal with the problems of life, they don't deal with the center. They deal with the edges. How would you define success? Studies show that people want LOVE, JOY and PEACE in their life. Spiritual dimension of success. What is there? Poeople focus on the one little dot and not on the rest of the picture. We do that in our lives. We only see a small part. We continue to allow ourselves to miss the bullseye in our life.

STEVE FORBES

Sometimes in life it pays to know your limitations.

If you do what everyone else does, you're going to be mediocre. THINK OUTSIDE the BOX.

My years at General Motors -- boring book but there is a lot of insight. If you can't win the game by one set of rules, change the rules. Making car payments was a radical idea back in the day.

We are in the Technology Era - it's all about how you use technology to make money

WAL MART - 40 years ago mainframe computers were being developed. Wal-Mart used the technology to make money.
STARBUCKS - very smart...We love our luxuries and we pay $3-$5 for a cup of coffee. They've created an ambience, an image for us all to enjoy.
MCDONALDS - Restaurant business is the toughest business around. Ray Kroc got into them because he was a milkshake salesman and went to a place called McDonald's Brothers to sell them a milkshake maker. From there, he decided to expand their restaurant so that he could sell more milkshake makers. Princeton has an enormous endowment fund because back when Ray Kroc was getting started, they helped finance him and for many years, received royalties from every hamburger purchased at McDonalds.

Watch the GOLD price. When gold goes up, it's bad. When it goes down, things are good.

Watch Taxes. We're overtaxed. Companies don't pay taxes, we do! Tax code -- nobody knows what's in it. Not even the tax preparers can tell you what's there. We need to kill the tax code.

Ask yourself, what can I do differently? Investing? Put your emotions aside. Forget about cocktail chatter. Take a disciplined long term approach. You'll do just fine despite all of the problems.

GENERAL COLIN POWELL

One day you're Secretary of State and then the next day you're not. It's refreshing to go back to being an ordinary citizen. America should be a kind, open, generous place. Only we can change and as long as we don't change, they (terrorists) will never win.

Leadership is leadership is Leadership.
Leadership is taking a group of people and doing something that math and science tells you otherwise.
LEADERSHIP inspires. Great leaders are the one who takes the mission and vision down to the followers. Great leaders turn their attention to the followers. Take care of the troops! Train them. They will be going into battle and will bring you success or failure. Great leaders have empathy. They recognize people. Great leaders deal with people who aren't performing. They can look them in the face and tell them to get trained, go somewhere else or leave the organization. Great leaders have integrity and confidence. NEVER show hunger or fear. You'll know you're a good leader if only out of curiousity they'll follow if they trust. Create bonds of trust within the organization. They don't worry about themselves. They worry about the MISSION!

Be inside the information loop. Share edcation and capital and risk opportunity. You may think there are no successes. No good things...BUT THERE ARE.

We have been married to the french for 237 years. We've been in marriage counseling for 237 years. Over the next few years, China will become more important and India too.

Favorite leader -- Prime Minister of Japan.

Leadership is problem solving. The day they stop bringing you problems, you're not LEADING!
So many opportunities in so many places. Middle East has always been a challenge. Nothing happens unless we get involved. Leadership is all about trusting people. United States is trusted by the rest of the world.

the Declaration of Independence says, "ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL." The government is to secure these rights, not grant them.

RUDOLPH GULIANI

principles of leadership --
1. vision
2. process
3. courage

Copying other people and make that work for you. Got a lot from Pres. Reagan. He had vision. You HAVE to have goals.

2 things that got me through Sept. 11: BELIEF IN GOD and BELIEF IN FREEDOM OVER OPPRESSION.

Set a direction.
Understand process.

Accountability works 2 ways
1. setting goals.
2. holding yourself accountable

There is a sign on his desk that says, "I'M RESPONSIBLE."

Crime rate was very high in the city. So he began to measure crime every day. He looked at the stats weekly at meetings. If you want to be a leader you have to have accountability.

HAVE TO BE WILLING TO TAKE RISKS.

Firefighters risk their lives every day. What do firefighters do every day with Fear? It makes them prepare.

Ask yourself, "What is it that I can do to prepare better?"

The work ethic is like a gift. If you want to give your kids the key to success, teach them to work hard and enjoy it. The difference between right and wrong is important too.

Sometimes when you push people to success they misinterpret the message. YOU CAN'T CHEAT.

If you want to succeed, surround yourself with great people. Not just GOOD people but great people.

The reason I got through Sept. 11, was because of the people that surrounded me. To know that you have really good people to rely on.

HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE!
Think success to be success.

Always have a SENSE OF HUMOR! You must have this to get through.

SUZE ORMAN

How to make MORE out of LESS

Stop spending money you don't have to impress people you don't know.

Buy a home
Diversify











random happy pictures





Monday, January 23, 2006

stay strong

soul collage card:
momma sue









I am the one who continues to stand. I've seen the worst of times but there is always hope. I stay strong no matter what comes my way and remember that God is watching over me.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

something new


From small beginnings come great things.
Proverb

Whoever I am or whatever I am doing, some kind of excellence is within my reach.
John Gardner

i am in the process of learning something new. "we were all new once," a wise woman said. okay, she's right but it still takes a lot of want to to stay with it. ahhh, but how many times do we start something new and question ourselves and then, "hey! what's that?" -- light at the end of the tunnel..."no way! i thought i was doomed." you know how to do something that had you not taken the time to learn it, you would have never known. so i am loving the new opportunities...the new frustrations and the new responsibilities. that's what life is...taking responsibility and as i continue to get older, i am becoming more familiar with how rare it is to find people who take full responsibility for anything. it's something i wish i got about others way before i did. i believe i would've understood why certain people were who they were. of course, i also feel i did know in some regards, i just didn't want to accept it. i am one who always wanted to give people a chance, a second chance, a third chance. it was all part of my plan to be among the many who were going to save the world.

to being NEW and to saving the world by being responsible!!

oh yes, and to my wonderful husband who is responsible (such a sexy quality) for making the most amazing curry chicken!

Friday, January 20, 2006

random happy pictures

Right now a moment of time is passing by...we must become that moment.
Paul Cezanne

sarah mclachlan in 2005...such an amazing concert experience
Your love is better than ICE CREAM.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

imagineering workout


The best way to get started is to stop talking and begin doing.
Walt Disney

Went to a great luncheon this afternoon for PRSA where an Imagineer from Walt Disney came to talk about jump starting your creativity. I took notes frantically because the presentation really spoke to me in so many ways.

Some highlights include thoughts like:

Don't get it right, get it written. You have to begin the process and break through the barrier of a blank page/screen. Look at it as an exciting opportunity rather than a frightening one and make your mark.

IDEAS AREN'T ENOUGH, LEARN HOW TO SHARE.
Being an ideas person isn't enough. Being able to do something with them and communicate them to others makes them mean something.

He mentioned how he wasn't an architect or an engineer but what he was passionate about telling stories. So now he's a show writer for Disney and in the book The Imagineering Workout he writes about how to strengthen the story telling experience. Making it memorable for all who see and hear it.

The key is to take something your passionate about and make it what you are in life. You might even get paid to do it.

Prepare to be INSPIRED!! She (inspiration) is very fickle and will want to be taken to dinner immediately when she shows up.

Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.

Larry David, co-producer of Seinfeld, is known for carrying around a small note pad to jot down ideas and thoughts that come to him wherever he may be. Meet inspiration when it comes and act on it.

Take time to REFILL THE WELL.
give yourself permission to recharge and fill yourself up with sights and sounds of the world in order to go back and create something bigger and better than if you hadn't taken the time

Think outside the cage, they'll get the idea.

Example: When originally pitching Animal Kingdom to Michael Eisner, an Imagineer kept getting the cold shoulder. Eisner said that nobody really cares about animals...They're boring and unexciting. The next opportunity he had to share the idea to Eisner and all of the top management of Disney, he brought a Bengal Tiger with him into the conference room without a cage and sat the animal right in front of everyone. After that, Animal Kingdom was accepted and no one ever said again that animals were boring or unexciting.

Ideas EVOLVE and ADAPT, prepare to do the same.

We all have our own ideas and certainly if you let it evolve and take input, the final idea will be much better than the original.

The end product of an idea is great because of the ideas of a team and the collaboration that occurs. Don't be afraid of people who are better than you.

There are over 1,400 Imagineers worldwide...

BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF A NEW IDEA!
Think on your feet.

At one point in time, Imagineering was the stepchild of Disney but NOW they are recognized as the difference that makes Disney what it is today -- MAGIC!

Tell YOUR STORY and pay attention to the details.


Wednesday, January 18, 2006

who am i?

soul collage card: Carey







I am the one who needs to take a break from it all. I find myself incredibly busy with "stuff" and know I should stop and take time to breathe. I love playing outside, sand between my toes, turning off my cell phone and just letting myself be.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

soul collage



Amazing experience facilitated by Kathy Tagudin. Learn more at www.soulcollage.com and www.kathytagudin.com.

Please know that the card to the left was not created by me. It was featured on the Soul Collage site and really caught my attention.

More to come about the Soul Collage Saturday I had...Good stuff people! Good stuff!

Sunday, January 15, 2006

sermon notes: RELAX

From God to Cptn. Harwell to me
Daytona Beach, Fla.

Defeating Stress - Part 2

God's Antidote to Busyness

Psalm 23:2

God's way to
RELAX

The pace at which we live, the busyness of it all is so fast and crazy.

Are you a workaholic? Ask yourself the following questions:

1 - Are you always in a hurry?
2 - Is your to do list long?
3 - Do you use your days off to catch up with work?
4 - Do people often tell you to slow down?
5 - Do you feel guilty when you take time to relax?
6 - Do you have to get sick to take time off?

That's not the life God wants us to live.

Good News version of Psalm 23:2:

It is senseless...God wants His loved ones to get His rest.

The book The 24 Hour Life by Martin ?
It talks about how most accidents, tragic accidents occus because of a lack of rest.
Without rest we can hit tragedy easier than if we took time to RELAX.

What happens to us when we ignore God's intention for us to rest?

When you're burning the candle at both ends, you're not as bright as you think you are.

23 He leads me beside quiet...HE'S interested in your rest.

He doesn't want you to work ALL of the time.

If we're under intense pressure, he has the antidote.

REALIZE your worth.

We confuse our work with our work.
What do you do? That is a question that most people ask us when they first meet us. We get our worth -- we think -- from our work BUT the Bible doesn't teach us that at all.

James 1:18 - NIV - We are the first fruits. He has created us. WE are the most important of all God's creation.

If you were made by God, you're worth it. You're valuable. You're worth it.

If God likes me, and I like me and you don't like me...Who's problem is it?

You don't have to prove your worth.

ENJOY

Ecclesiastes 3

Can you be so preoccupied in getting more that we don't enjoy what we have?
We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't even like.

Ecclesiastes 4:6

The greatest things in life aren't THINGS.

No one says, I wish I spent more time in the office. DON'T WORRY ABOUT MORE.


LIMIT your labor.

Make a conscious decision to make time for other things besides work.

Schedule time for ourselves, for God, for family.

Ecclesiastes 10:15

REFOCUS , REPRIORITIZE

Good news version...Only someone too stupid to find their way home would...

If theh bow is never unstrung, it loses its power.

Exodus 20 -- 7th day is for rest

1 day off is the rule. It's the 4th commandment. It made the big 10!

God takes rest very seriously.

Bible calls it a "sabbath" which means "day of rest."
Mark says that the Sabbath was made for man.

What should you do?

REST YOUR BODY.
RECHARGE YOUR EMOTIONS.
REVISIT YOUR RELATIONSHIPS.
REFOCUS YOUR SPIRIT.

Worship brings it all into perspective. Observe the day of rest.

ADJUST your values.

You want to change your thinking about what's important.
It takes a transformation of ourselves.

Ecclesiastes 4:4
...they envy the things their neighbors have...

You've got to STOP feeling like you need more.
Some things are more important in life.

John Trent wrote an article called A Father's Heart
He observed a family on a cruise. A little boy was expressing to his mom that his father was on the cruise and asked the question -- Doesn't he want to be with me?
Having a dad physically present but emotionally not there is not being present to what's really important.

People throw away valuable relationships because they allow WORK or selfish interests take all of their time. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world but forfeit his soul? his relationships? his friends? his family?
We need to set the right values for others.

EXCHANGE my pressure for God's peace.


(more notes to come...still not finished typing them)

Saturday, January 14, 2006

living

My art and profession is to live.
Montaigne

VIRTUES: the gifts within

Currently reading this great book called the Pace of Grace by Linda Kavelin Popov (thanks Tori). She also worked on the Virtues Project. Check her out at http://www.paceofgrace.net.

The Virtues Project inspires the practice of virtues in everyday life by helping people of all cultures to discover the transformative power of these universal gifts of character. The Virtues are spiritual life-skills that help us to live our best lives.

Acceptance
Embracing life on its own terms. Acceptance allows us to bend without breaking in the face of tests.
Accountability
The willingness to take full responsibility for our choices.
Appreciation
Seeing the good in life. Freely expressing gratitude.
Assertiveness
Telling the truth about what is just, setting clear boundaries.
Awe
Reverence and wonder, deep respect for the source of life.
Beauty
A sense of wonder
and reverence for the harmony, colour, and loveliness of the world. Calling on our creativity to add to the beauty in the world.
Caring
Giving tender attention to the people and things that matter to us. Listening with compassion, helping with kindness.
Charity
A giving heart, a generous way of viewing others and caring for their needs.
Cheerfulness
Seeing the bright side, looking for the good in whatever happens.
Cleanliness
Keeping our bodies, our thoughts and our spaces clean. An environment of order and beauty brings peace to our souls.
Commitment
Caring deeply about a person, a goal or a belief. Willingness to give our all and keep our promises.
Compassion
Deep empathy for the suffering of others. Compassion flows freely from the heart when we let go of judgments and seek to understand.
Confidence
A sense of assurance that comes from having faith in ourselves and in life. Confidence allows us to trust that we have the strength to cope with whatever happens.
Consideration
Giving careful thought to the needs of others. Holding a decision in a contemplative and thoughtful way.
Contentment
The awareness of sufficiency, a sense that we have enough and we are enough. Appreciating the simple gifts of life.
Cooperation
Working together for a common goal, calling on the different gifts each of us has to offer.
Courage
Transforms fear into determination. Embracing life fully, without holding back, doing what must be done even when it is difficult or risky.
Courtesy
Treating others with kindness, tact and graciousness.
Creativity
The power of imagination. Being open to inspiration, which ignites our originality.
Decisiveness
Firmness of mind in taking a stand, reaching a conclusion, making a decision. It requires both courage and discernment.
Detachment
Experiencing our feelings without allowing them to control us. Stepping back and thoughtfully choosing how we will act rather than just reacting.
Devotion
Commitment to something we care about deeply. Wholehearted service to our life’s purpose.
Dignity
Honoring the worth of all people, including ourselves and treating everyone with respect.
Diligence
Doing what needs to be done with care, concentration and single-pointed attention, giving our absolute best.
Discernment
Applying the wisdom of our intuition to discover what is essential and true, with contemplative vigilance. Clarity of the soul.
Endurance
Practicing perseverance and patience when obstacles arise hones our character and educates our souls. We welcome all that we are here to learn.
Enthusiasm
Being filled with spirit. Excitement about life and openness to the wonders each day holds. Acting wholeheartedly, with zeal and eagerness, holding nothing back.
Excellence
Giving our best to any task we do and any relationship we have.
Fairness
Seeking justice, giving each person their share, making sure that everyone’s needs are met.
Faith
A relationship of trust. Belief in the reality of Grace.
Faithfulness
Loyalty to our beliefs, regardless of what happens. Being true to the people we love.
Fidelity
Abiding by an agreement, treating it as a sacred covenant. Complete faithfulness in our relationships.
Flexibility
The ability to adapt and change amid the fluctuating circumstances of life. Going with the flow.
Forbearance
Tolerating hardship with good grace. Not allowing the trials of life to steal our joy.
Forgiveness
Overlooking mistakes, and being willing to move forward with a clean slate. Forgiving others frees us from resentment. Forgiving ourselves is part of positive change.
Fortitude
Strength of character. The will to endure no matter what happens, with courage and patience.
Friendliness
A spiritual essential. Reaching out to others with warmth and caring. The willingness to be an intimate companion.
Generosity
Giving fully, sharing freely. Trust that there is plenty for everyone.
Gentleness
Moving wisely, touching softly, speaking quietly and thinking kindly.
Grace
Openness to the bounties of life, trusting that we are held in God’s love through all circumstances. Reflecting gentleness and beauty in the way we act, speak and move.
Gratitude
Freely expressing thankfulness and appreciation to others and for the gifts of life.
Helpfulness
Doing useful things that make a difference to others. Taking time for thoughtfulness.
Honesty
Being truthful, sincere, open, and genuine. The confidence to be ourselves.
Honor
Living with a sense of respect for what we know is right. Living up to the virtues of our character. Keeping our agreements with integrity.
Hope
Looking to the future with trust and faith. Optimism in the face of adversity.
Humanity
Having an attitude of caring and mercy to all people.
Humility
Being open to every lesson life brings, trusting that our mistakes are often our best teachers. Being thankful for our gifts instead of boastful.
Idealism
Caring about what is right and meaningful in life. Daring to have big dreams and then acting as if they are possible.
Independence
Self-reliance. Making our own choices confidently without undue influence from others. Perceiving the truth, with trust in our own discernment.
Initiative
Daring to be original. Using our creativity to bring something new into the world.
Integrity
Standing on moral high ground. Keeping faith with our ideals and our agreements.
Joyfulness
An inner wellspring of peace and happiness. Enjoying the richness of life. Finding humor, even in the midst of hard times.
Justice
Being fair in all we do. Making amends when we have hurt or wronged others. Protecting everyone’s rights, including our own.
Kindness
Showing compassion. Giving tender attention in ways that brings others happiness.
Love
The connection between one heart and another. Attraction, affection and caring for a person, a place, an idea, and for life itself.
Loyalty
Unwavering faithfulness and committment to people and ideas we care about, through good times and bad.
Mercy
Blessing others with our compassion and forgiveness. Extending our tenderness beyond what is just or deserved.
Mindfulness
Living reflectively and meaningfully, with conscious awareness of our actions, our words and our thoughts.
Moderation
Being content with enough. Using self-discipline to create balance in our lives and to keep from overdoing. Healthy stewardship of our time and resources.
Modesty
Self-respect and quiet confidence. Accepting praise with humility and gratitude. A sense of respectful privacy about our bodies.
Nobility
Having high moral standards. Doing the right thing. Keeping faith with our true value as spiritual beings.
Obedience
Following what we know is right. Compliance with the law. Abiding by our deepest integrity and conquering our misplaced passions.
Openness
Willingness to consider new ideas. Listening to others with humility and sincerity. Being receptive to the blessings and surprises of life.
Orderliness
Creating an environment of peace and order. Planning step by step instead of going in circles.
Patience
Waiting peacefully. Quiet hope and faith that things will turn out right.
Peacefulness
Inner calm and tranquility. Giving up the love of power for the power of love. Resolving conflict in a just and gentle way.
Perceptiveness
Clarity of insight. Understanding that is intuitive, discerning and accurate.
Perseverance
Staying the course for however long it takes. Steadfastness and persistence in pursuing our goals.
Prayerfulness
A relationship of faith and gratitude with a power and presence greater than ourselves. A conversation with God.
Purity
A process of freeing ourselves day by day from influences and attachments that keep us from being true to ourselves and to what we know is right. Physical and spiritual cleanliness.
Purposefulness
Awareness of the meaningfulness of our lives. Living by a clear vision and focusing our energy on the goal before us.
Reliability
Being dependable. Being a promise keeper. Taking responsibility with trustworthiness.
Respect
An attitude of honoring oneself and others through our words and actions. Treating every person with dignity and courtesy.
Responsibility
The willingness to be accountable for our choices and also for our mistakes. Taking on what is ours to do with strength and reliability.
Reverence
An awareness of the sacredness of life. Living with wonder and faith. Having a routine of reflection.
Righteousness
Living by a code of spiritual rectitude. Impeccable integrity to what we know is right. Calling ourselves gently back when we go off track.
Sacrifice
The willingness to give up what is important to us for what we know is more important. Giving our all for our beliefs. Making our life a sacred offering.
Self-Discipline
The self control to do only what we truly choose to do, without being blown off course by our desires. Establishing healthy and ennobling habits.
Serenity
Tranquility of spirit, with trust and faith that all will be well. Peacefulness in the midst of trials.
Service
Doing helpful things that make a difference to others. Investing excellence in everything we do. The contribution we make is the fruitage of our lives.
Sincerity
Being open and genuine. Our words and actions reflect a truthful heart.
Steadfastness
Being steady, persevering and dependable. Having the strength to remain true to our purpose in spite of obstacles that arise.
Strength
The inner power to withstand whatever comes. Endurance in the midst of tests.
Tact
Telling the truth kindly. Thinking before we speak, aware of how deeply our words affect others. Discerning what to say, when it is timely to say it, and what is better left unsaid.
Temperance
Moderation in our speech and our appetites. Using self-restraint in the midst of temptation.
Thankfulness
An attitude of gratitude for living, learning, loving and being. Generosity in expressing appreciation. Focusing on the blessings in our lives.
Tolerance
Being open to differences. Refraining from judgments. Patience and forgiveness with others and ourselves. Accepting things that we wish were different with humor and grace.
Trust
Having faith. Positive expectation that all will be well. Having confidence that the right thing will come about without trying to control it or make it happen. Being sure, in the depths of our being, that there is some gift or learning in everything that happens.
Trustworthiness
Being worthy of the trust others place in us. When we give our word, we stand by it. Keeping our agreements faithfully.
Truthfulness
Truth is the bedrock of integrity on which we build all our other virtues. An ongoing commitment to live by what is most real and authentic in our own nature. Honesty in all our dealings.
Understanding
Being insightful in our perceptions of ideas and feelings. Listening with compassion and accuracy to others’ feelings.
Unity
Inclusiveness. Finding common ground in our diversity. Seeking peace in all circumstances.
Uprightness
Following what is right and moral. Standing up for honesty and justice. Living in integrity.
Wisdom
Having a discerning mind, based on experience and mindfulness. Making wise decisions based on our deepest intuition.
Zeal
Fervent enthusiasm for what we believe to be important. Living by a strong sense of the value of life and faith.

Friday, January 13, 2006

blazing birthday bash


Happy 3rd Birthday Logan!

cool idea: hireafiretruck.com


hmmmm...

Loving ourselves opens us to truly knowing ourselves as part of a matrix of existence, inextricably connected to the boundlessness of life. When we keep opening past any version of who we are that is crafted by others, when we see that we are far bigger than the person that is dileneated by family or cultural expectations, we realize that we are capable of so much more than we usually dare to imagine. In the spirit the poet Walt Whitman wrote, "I am larger, better than I thought;/I did not know I held so much goodness."
Force of Kindness, Sharon Salzbeg

meet the koo's

little gringles and mr. bib
cat songs
for BIB
he's a big one, mr. bib
he likes lots and lots of food
he'll eat you out of house and home
he never ever leaves you alone
mr. bib
you weigh 22 lbs.
for GRINGO
his name is gringo
and he likes to bite your feet

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

soccer star -- working on it

Don't wait until you're entirely ready to make a change. We can always find some excuse not to act. Just taking one step will give you the proper momentum to pursue your goal.

I did such a fun thing last night...It wasn't the 6 p.m. Pilates with Sue, although it was a great class, I PLAYED SOCCER! Sarah invited me last season but I had every excuse in the book not to go. Now it's January and the only excuse I have is that I am completely out of shape and I haven't played in years and I can't find my soccer shoes BUT despite allllllll of that, there I was on a field with other people in a yellow shirt that was unknowingly provided by my beloved husband and it was such a great feeling. I played as long as I wanted to...There are three other girls and we have to have three on the field at all times so we'd switch out when we got tired. At the end, I just stayed on. I decided that I could do it. I was having too much fun.

So, what is this all about? This is about just going out there and doing something that if you think about it too hard, you probably wouldn't dare BUT then when you set aside whatever it is that's keeping you from doing it, and you find yourself enjoying something bigger than you. Love it when that happens...

I'm going back next week. Need to find those shoes so I have absolutely no excuse.


Choose to play!!

random happy picture

Sophia dropping off presents for the family she and her parents adopted at the Women and Children's Shelter

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

sermon notes: no worries

From God to Cptn. M. Harwell to me
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Jan. 8, 2006

Defeating Stress - Part 1

God's Antidote To Worry

Read Psalm 23

Remember that God is your shepherd. As you realize that, you will gain an understanding of what God is and how it inspires greater love in your relationship with him.

First and foremost, we all have worries.

There are three problems with worrying:

1 - worrying is unhelpful
2 - worrying is unreasonable
3 - worrying is unhealthy

worrying is unhelpful

worrying doesn't help anything...It can't change the past or control the future.

worrying is unreasonable...It exaggerates your problems. It makes mole hills into mountains. Worrying doesn't make sense.

worrying is unhealthy...It's unnatural to worry. Our bodies weren't designed to worry. We get headaches, back pains, ulcers, etc. because of worrying.

We all LEARNED how to worry. It's a learned behavior. Some of us are experts at worrying. If worry is learned, then it can be unlearned.

So, what's the antidote to worrying?

-- Believe that God will take care of you.

Shepherds provide food, shelter, protection, guidance and correction. God has promised to do the same things if you let Him be your Shepherd. He wants to take care of us.

Phil. 4:19 ...will meet ALL of your needs in Christ Jesus...

Needs NOT Greeds. In the Bible, there are over 7,000 promises of God's coverage of your life. So, worry is totally unnecessary. When you worry, you are exhibiting "practical atheism." You have to stop playing GOD and let GOD be GOD of your life.

What does it mean to have Jesus as Lord? You know Him. You listen to Him. You follow Him. You have experienced His forgiveness. You're under His leadership, His guidance.

The root of all WORRIES is something you can't control.

WORRY IS ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY THAT GOD NEVER INTENDED FOR YOU TO HAVE.

Worry goes off...Recognize that you can't have control of it. Submit to the Lord and know that He is your shepherd.

-- Pray all of the time.

All your worries, all your concerns go to God with them.

WORRY DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING BUT PRAYER DOES.

Don't keep stewing without doing.

Again, Phil. 4 tells us not to worry about anything.

The Peace of God will take the place of fear and anxiety.

It's big enough to worry about, it's big enough to pray about.

Cast ALL your cares upon Him. God can take it.

There's a Greek word that literally means "drop it" -- to cast it all on Him.

BUT we do the opposite...We cast it out there and then reel it back in. Don't do that...Leave it for God.

-- Consider LIFE one day at a time.

Focus, concentrate on just ONE day. Tomorrow will worry about itself. God will take care of it. He's already working on it for you.

Live one day at time...Don't open your umbrella before it starts raining.

Today is the tomorrow you messed up yesterday.

Take it a day at a time. That's why he put it in bite size pieces...24 hours, 60 minutes, 1 minute, etc.

There's no quick fix to stop worrying. It's a daily choice. Sometimes it's a choice we make each moment.

Who's calling the shots?? Me or God?

If He's my Shepherd, then I can rest in His power, His sovereignity, His peace.

GOD KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH...He already knows so go to Him with it and work it out together.

Monday, January 09, 2006

10 Minutes/10 Questions

The following was featured in this month's PRSA Orlando Regional Chapter's newsletter

10 Minutes/10 Questions

Name: Lorelie J.

Occupation: Community Relations Director, The Salvation Army of Orange and Osceola Counties

PRSA Involvement: President-Elect 2006, Vice President of Programs 2005, Vice President of Membership Retention 2003-2004

Person who has most influenced your life: I have been amazed, inspired and influenced by many people along the way. One person who comes to mind is Cindy Andrews, a teacher at Colonial High School, who helped me and continues to help other students realize what's possible through involvement, hard work and creativity.

Quote to live by: People who deal with life generously and large-heartedly go on multiplying relationships to the end. -- A.C. Benson

What made you choose PR as a profession: For me, the choice happened very naturally. When I learned I could use my relationship building, organization and writing skills to help an organization achieve its goals, I knew it was what I wanted to do.

Best PR advice you ever received: Dr. Caroline Dow at Flagler College once said to her Ethics and Law class, "Always be prepared to make the best, instead of the worst, of whatever happens." I keep that in mind for every situation I'm in, whether it's professional or personal.

Greatest accomplishment: Without a doubt, The Salvation Army Angel Tree Campaign, which provides new clothing and toys for thousands of children throughout Central Florida, brings me extraordinary pleasure. I oversee the entire program from start to finish with the help of family, friends and volunteers. It is an amazing feeling to know that all of the work that goes into organizing the Angel Tree is directly helping so many families in need.

Favorite thing to do on the weekend: Go outside and play, whether it's around the neighborhood or at the beach. I enjoy taking time to breathe some fresh air and read a book.

Something nobody really knows about you: I spent a summer in Moldova, which is located between Ukraine and Romania, on a mission trip. I learned how to speak and write conversational Russian. Unfortunately, I have forgotten much of what I learned, but I enjoyed being immersed in a different culture and language.

Friday, January 06, 2006

happy joy


here she is, JOY!! on sunday, JOY turns 28 years old and i couldn't be happier.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOY!
28 was great for me and i know it will be for you too.

Thursday, January 05, 2006

see you later china girl



She's off to Shanghai.

I won't cry.

I'll see her soon.

Love to my Jenny, the only redhead in China.

I met up with her last night at the McDonalds in Palm Coast to give her some things she left at my house. Not pictured - Kelly - who rode with her and is such a sweetheart for doing so. BTW, I rode alone because the Rose Bowl was on last night.

Monday, January 02, 2006

Happy 2006!

You become what you believe -- not what you wish or want but what you truly believe. Wherever you are in life, look at your beliefs. They put you there.
O.

I made it to 2006...Wow! It's so cool here in this year. I had always imagined flying cars and space suits. Where are the hologram televisions? I imagined no trees and all of our backyards with some form of trash in them. When I was in middle school, I had a poster that said we would run out of landfill space in 2003. Did we? Newspapers would be no more...You'd receive them telepathically. I also had visions of conveyer belts transporting groceries but now that I try to make sense of that, I don't see how that would work.

So, where am I today? This year? I am here. Right where I want to be. The view is nice. The opportunity is great. I'm ready! Here I go.