A Thankful Woman's Journey...

This year I did not put up Christmas lights, decorations and tree. Why? My back surgery handicapped me this year, and I was not physically able to climb ladders, reached for boxes and perform the general routine labor required to bring in the merriment of the holiday. I missed this season's Christmas lights and charm. Next year, no matter what, Christmas lights, decorations and tree will adorn my home. After all it is a tradition, and my holiday definitely was left with a void that I never had anticipated. Not to worry, I will take advantage of the after Christmas sales and be prepared for Christmas 2013.

Learning lessons in life and applying them will only work if you are not repeating the same lessons over and over again. For example, I know that it is very important to establish a solid foundation in relationships and friendships. Neither one will exist if that foundation is weaken. Far too often, we don't take time to work on relationships. Unfortunately, we make the mistake of thinking that one of the easiest route out is to say goodbye. If we don't have closure, walking out never solves a problem in a relationship and that same problem will be repeated over and over again. Simply saying that he is not the one without sound justification is not enough. Is he not the one because he lies and cheats? Is he not the one because he had abused you and your relationship? Is he not the one because both of you have not communicated your feelings? Answer these questions truthfully and you may find out that you are the problem. If you can honestly make a fair assessment a...

On August 1, 2012, I met an amazing man. He teased me for over an hour during our first conversation. After that first day, I never wanted to see him again. On day two he began to pursue me, asked me what I thought about him, and asked me if we could hang out. For two months we did just that, we hung out and shared each other's company. Unfortunately, after three months, I began to notice that the visits and calls came fewer and farther between. When I confronted him about the lack of communication, he stated that it wasn't me and that his life was pulling him in too many directions. His explanation had too many holes. From that point, I stopped allowing my heart to lead the relationship and began to engage the head and use common sense. The red flags were mounting up; therefore, a choice had to made. On Friday, December 14, 2012, I made a decision to back off. I am a very special woman and I deserve more. Since I usually initiate most calls, and he simply retur...

I am running from falling in love because it is a solo act. There is nothing more lonely than falling in love with someone who runs and denies these feelings. My usual take has been to shut the door and walk also...and so it shall be.

This year I will not stress about putting up Christmas lights, tree or overspending money on gifts. This year, I will focus on love, forgiveness, acceptance and a different reason for celebrating the birth of Christ. After all this was a pagan holiday adopted by Christians to celebrate our Savior's birth. Do we really? Even Christianity has moved too far left on their views about this holiday. We now prostitute it as a marketing strategy for merchants. Unfortunately, I have also focused too much on the season's bells, charm, and intoxicating spell. This year, I will take time out? It is time for me to refocus on my relationship with God and the purpose for gift if life. Somewhere down the line, I became a materialistic Christian. I was drowned by the guilt of purchasing "things" for family and friends. What if my gift to them is a more patient, loving, accepting and forgiving person? What if I used this season to give my love and time to mankind? Wh...

My 20 year old cypress tree will be cut down in a few weeks. Although the initial decision was a difficult one, once I noticed how this giant's root system was destroying my yard, the decision was easier to make this year. Goodbye Mr. Cypress, it is time for you to retire. Thanks for the memories.