What's the meaning? Where are your values?

Thinking, and over thinking, alot about what success is. In the past, success around me told me looking good, being busy, having more...was.
Now, I'm like, "What can I she'd that weighs me down to work toward what really matters?"
What really matters to you?
I know for me, it's not in the clothes, perfectly manicured nails, heels, and $5 lattes...don't get me wrong, I do like a good chai tea, but that's not the point.
What I'm saying is that the superficoal and chasing stuff...never fills me. It only makes me more stressed, more annoyed at people, more rushed, and less appreciation for beauty in life. I struggle with what all around me says a wOman should be, and I do desire to be beautiful, but I more desire to be working in my purpose and enjoying this short time here than focused on stuff. So, for all the people who feel you don't measure up, or compare yourselves to others to try to measure up to your perceived definition of success, remember...you are your own brand of beautiful and the world needs that!!

Be not conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mond, then you will be able to test what God's perfect will is!!:)
 Happy shining.

Keep It Movin'

I visited a friend from the past today and she reminded me of a funny story from High School.
Picture this:
Wizard of Oz- Good witch, Glenda in pink puffy dress that looked like a cupcake. I'm walking across the stage to get Toto as he is barking. My dress gets caught on the edge of the cardboard tree prop, "I hear you Toto, but the tree is moving!"
Keep it movin'....the theme of life!
When it looks hard, when it gets hard...never give up! When it gets hard, it will always get better.

For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you, not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Connect

Coming from a fast paced world of work to being unemployed searching for work, I finally am learning that I don't have to go so fast! That's what I saw with working people so hard and burning them out, which leads to health issues or even hospitalization. Is it really worth it God? I ask. It's the battle between not doing anything and not doing too much. Maybe that is the eternal search for balance.
 In the small town area here, it is a lot slower. I wouldn't trade the slower pace and building real connections with the disconnected speed life. Chaos is everywhere and to keep up with life and bills, things have to be done. But, is it worth killing yourself over at a hyper speed pace.
As an overachiever, I am learning to slow down and it actually makes my work more productive and thorough. I know that I need a challenge so I started my own business and these are some things I am learning from slowing down.
- It's hard to be your own boss. You gotta push through it!
- Your worth isn't based on your job. The value comes from God.
-I can actually taste and enjoy my food.
-Its nice to linger with someone and talk instead of rushing off.
- I can really 'see' the person in business and talk with them instead of rushing off.
- I meet more friends.
- I can take a nap.
- It allows you to really take inventory of all the things in your life and decide which ones are necessary.

I can Sing

At the Hope Center the other day and walked in to see a woman packaging honey. Usually, the kitchen is full and busy as we bag up produce to pass out to families in the community. Today, no one was there, except a woman with a big smile on her face. She showed me what to do, and we started talking. I listened to her story as she told about going to prison, then the mental institution and her hopes and dreams for learning again with a 4th grade reading level. She was moving soon, nearer to her family, and was so happy. She asked me if I wanted to hear her songs she made up when she was very low in prison. I listened as she sang...beautiful, peaceful voice. She has a son. "He brings home any color of girlfriend," she says, laughing. We find out we like the same music and listen to some tunes by Yolanda Adams and Donnie McClurkin while we work.
Connection over honey. I think of all the people who are tucked away that nobody sees, with so many hidden gifts and treasures to share with the world.
I was also humbled because I realized how priveleged I was to have had a college education. It also made me think, though, that no degree makes you important, no status, no title. We all have value in God's eyes.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.-Galatians 3:28