What Are You Thirsty to Learn Today?

Harvard University, School of Business

This month, regardless of age, many people begin a new semester in college. Surprisingly last year, 11.5 million females accounted for the majority of college students and began a new journey!

That’s progress in a big way considering there were no colleges accepting women in America until after 1800. College was only offered to men! Hard to believe we were that backwards when our country was first discovered. Education is not something to take for granted!

With advancement in so many areas, came onward movement. In 1972, Title IX was passed, making discrimination against any person based on their sex in any federally funded educational program(s) in America illegal. Today, more bachelor's degrees, master’s degrees and doctoral degrees are earned by women than men. That’s something to celebrate!

How Thirsty Are We?

This mini-history lesson simply says we are all thirsty for learning. Single-again women, especially, would gain much towards their future if education becomes a priority. Some of us never had the chance to go to college. Some started college and were never able to finish.

We can all find a way to realize that dream. We may have to go the slow route by working a job and going to school at night. Or, we can look into programs that will support our goals. Speak with a college advisor; they have many ways to get this done!

One pre-planning idea is to find out exactly what we are good at first. Then we will know what type of education we need. Another aspect to think about is that just because we may be older than most students, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t begin. It is never too late! In fact, it shows a lot of confidence and endurance on our part. We can handle it!

This Isn’t Just a Crazy Notion

Education will benefit us in at least these seven ways:

• Better employment opportunities
• Higher income and advances
• A chance to see our dreams come true
• Sets a good example to our kids
• Provides security for the future
• Meet new people and create a community
• Opens our eyes to unseen opportunities

There are many more reasons that we can all come up with based on our individual needs. Grab a poster board (or a journal) and start listing and adding to it every day. Don’t wait! It is our right and responsibility to get out there and learn all we can. What else is more important? Five years from now, will we still be parched and dehydrated wishing we had an education?

Don’t Forget Your Book!

In 1800s New England many believed it was necessary to study the Bible, so boys and girls were taught to read early. This began an unquenchable thirst for education.

Our Father in heaven has a fascinating instruction book for us that provides wisdom freely given. The Bible is a way to start building a new life. A life that teaches how to trust God, gain truth and understanding about all aspects of our lives, and create qualities that we need to stay humble and honor God.

The truth is: He knows the best path to take in our quest for becoming what we always dreamt was possible. The required reading in this course is compiled of 66 books into one complete lesson on love.

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6

15 Simple Ideas to Create Energy

We've heard others say, "I just don't have the energy to _____." Or, oops! maybe that was us! It really is a struggle sometimes to find that perfect balance of liveliness and peacefulness. We want to get up and go do things, but how? Of course, it's so much easier to just pull the covers over our heads or stay on the couch and watch the 19th episode of Excuse me--Pass the Potato Chips!      

Never is it a good idea to sit back and do nothing. Not when we've worked so hard to finally get our lives on track. The struggling and striving to make things work out is behind us; we've done it! So, now is the time to begin a whole new journey with new adventures. Sure, every "new thing" has its challenges, but the horizon is golden, warm and cozy.

Where’s the Energy App?

The first thing we probably want and need to create is more energy in our lives. Admittedly, we may have to "bite the dust" and be willing to practice new habits. But today, let's have some fun and see how many Fresh Start ideas we can come up with to keep the Momentum going. Ready? Go. . . .

1. Set the alarm on our smartphones to start playing soft music just as the sun is coming up. This “light” stimulation helps train our bodies to start waking up.

2. The cat or dog will probably love this about the new "us" and help us out!

3. The snooze button is our worse enemy! It jerks us in and out of sleep and that in itself will make us more tired than ever, using up valuable energy.

4. Instead, we can program the coffee pot earlier to start spreading a delicious fragrance our way. Works every time!

5. Get our noggin' going first thing with brain food like berries, avocado, or coconut believe it or not. (No! this is not a recipe. Only eat them all together if you aren't fully awake and don't know what is happening. Smile!

6. Guzzle some water! No, now! It gets our organs going on speed control.

7. Ready? It's time to put on that "Shut Up and Dance" music by Walk the Moon to get the stiff muscles moving. Anyone can do three minutes of moving, right!

8. Now, we'll really need that shower! And off to work.

9. Protein for lunch will keep us awake for the afternoon long haul (p.s. it doesn't have to be the carnivorous-type unless we've filed our teeth first! Smile.)

10. Guzzle some water! Did we say that already? Good. This is a repeat.

11. Have a nice dinner with a friend. Talk a lot, it uses up the carbs!

12. Late night eats only in bite-size pieces or suffer the bloat!

13. Don't hate this one just yet. . . it works! No screens on of any kind one hour before bed. Read. Use an adult coloring book. Do relaxation techniques.

14. Set bedtime and wake-up hours the same every single day. Eight-nine hours, no more, no less. This is the key!

15. Multiple choice: (a) stay up all night texting, so the morning music goes in one ear and out the other (b) keep guzzling water after 8pm and stumble to the potty five times (c) enjoy the amazing amount of energy our bodies are now used to getting.

Are You In?

We've heard the phrase, “Let go and let God.” But that's not what He said. True, the easy thing to do would be to convince ourselves to let God do all the work and give us all the energy we need. Simple, right?  

The right answer is God has a perfect plan and we have a part in that wonderful plan. Listen to these wise words:

With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (The Message)

Sure, some days will be way harder than others. It's o.k. to take a break, but challenging work has its own rewards. So let’s be strong. We can do this!

Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame...Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Romans 12:11-12 (The Message)

Seven Truths to Discover Who You Are

No matter what kind of relationship interruption we have survived, we can and usually do recover with time. In all likelihood, it took more than a "minute" to arrive at such a decision with so many factors to consider. There were the days, months or even years trying to mend the brokenness to no avail. It worn us out.

So it stands to reason, it will take a season or more to restore our lives; to hit the refresh button on life. Exactly how long depends on many things, including how long we were a couple. There is no need to rush it. In fact, that's probably the worse thing we could do at this point. That doesn't mean we should just stop living, but we can learn to be gentle with ourselves.

Time Is the Healer

Time is a remarkable healer, repairing our minds and souls from the inside out. If we slow down just a bit and allow it, time--combined with patience, persistence and prayer--will supply all the tools to build a foundation that will stand in a storm.

Of course, first things first. We must secure what our future income looks like (savings, employment, alimony, etc) and then explore housing options (family home, new home, a move, etc). Once the basics are in place, everything else can wait for now.

What could make the rest of the healing period less stressful is finding and using our talents and gifts. The ones we have forgotten about, but still have; those we were born with and haven't used. It is not selfish to take care of ourselves in this way. Call it an indulgence if you will, but it is a necessity.

Just like our health, if we don't do something about what is bothering us, we will suffer. And we are the only ones who have the insight to care for what we need at this point; the only ones who know what we want. We can call on others for support and should, but we can't expect anyone else to find the key to our happiness.   

Seven Truths

Let's look at these seven benefits of discovering who we are deep down inside. In experimenting with some of these ideas, we can unlock the door to our future and find our God-given purpose. Feel free to add to these in your own words.

1. When we admit what we really want to do with our future, our confidence grows.
2. We discover the possibilities open to us--maybe for the first time--and find faith.
3. We begin a pattern of lifetime growth and learning, which creates joy.
4. We let go of fear, skepticism, and failure; in the process, we discover love.  
5. We find connection with others who are in the same boat and let go of loneliness.
6. We build a community of support and find strength.
7. We reach out to others, share our experience and claim abundance.

Hitting The Mark

The best way to recognize our true potential is by reading the Bible. This is how God speaks to us and He has all the answers about our future. If you haven't found a church home yet, don't wait. They usually hold regular classes to help with the search, discovery and understanding of our spiritual gifts.  

Because we are unique, we all have different needs to begin our journey. But, we all have gifts that God graced us with and, no matter what age or status we find ourselves in right now, we can determine exactly what that gift is and how we will use it. When we do that, we have hit the mark!

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 1 Corinthians 12:4

Can You Make It Through the Fog?

We may ask, Is my life ever going to be right again? How are we supposed to get back to normal--whatever that is--after such a devastating and heart-breaking ending? Certainly it would be much easier to just throw up our hands and scream, It’s never going to be the same again, so why try?

It does appear that way when we can't see past the fog of change. We naturally resist transformation in any form, whether it's good for our hearts, minds, and souls or not. But, here's the stinging question: do we really want the same unloving relationship? The one with no affection? The one that lost its electrifying connection? No, of course not. We'd like to have the one we married. But not the morphed version. Never that!

Brick Walls Can Hurt!

Then, the sun comes out and we see the light! Every single person on the face of this earth shifts and shuffles from day to day. Minute by minute. Inch by inch. The irony lies in the fact, we can not change each other. Ever. Practice saying that out loud! We can only change ourselves and our response to that person.

Each individual has to look in the mirror and say, I've got a problem, and I need to fix it. Until that happens, no improvement can be expected. It's like banging our head against a brick wall. Useless. And it hurts! Pain isn’t what we want deep down inside.

Our own brick house!

What we want is to take those bricks. . . and throw them? No. We didn’t say that, now did we? Those bricks are useful for building a better life, not for re-arranging our skulls! The best life for us at this particular time and place. What that architecture looks like will be different for each one of us.

• Some of us will seek and share a new, mature relationship with all the perks.
• Some will plant a seed and grow on an individual level first.
• Some will find that outlets for creative expression in education, work, and extracurricular activities are more important to them at the moment.

There are no incorrect blueprints here. Only that we never let the momentum stop!

Who Can We Talk to About Our Plans?

‘Fear not, dear child of mine,’ God says with outstretched arms. ‘I am here. If you will only let me, you will see how this will all work out. Let's sit down and talk.' Can't we just see and hear Him saying that to us?

I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. Jeremiah 29:11-12 (The Message)

Before, During & After: You Are Not Alone

Time is an elusive period that is hard to explain. As much as we would want to hold our best moments for just a little bit longer, we can't make time stop. It never goes away, but yet we can't make it start either. Sure, babies are born and so their "time" starts. And we have clocks and watches to adjust, but we still can't make time stop. It is a continually moving piece of our existence. We don't even know what the very next moment will bring to our lives and relationships!

Before, During and After

Believe it or not, some relationships finally end their time on a "friendly" note. Actually, it is more of a mutual agreement after many years of arguments, avoidance, and altercations. A war of words that existed with no solutions. One person trying to work it out using all possible means to do so. And one person passively pushing the other into an unwanted decision. In this particular case, it seems time does end. The clock for this moment stops.   

However, many, if not most, rocky relationships go through a very real and scary time when a woman needs to get away from someone who wants to harm her, either physically or emotionally. For her own safety--and that of any children--she must find a way to escape in one way or another. In the end, with great determination and difficulty, it can be done.

In either scenario, we stop and ask, What now? Who can I depend on? Eventually, we find out the answer is not in giving up (which only makes things worse), but in humbling ourselves and reaching out. Reaching out, maybe for the first time in our lives to sympathetic family, friends, neighbors and even strangers who have answers and can help in concrete ways.

Connecting: You Are Not Alone

There are many decisions to make when a relationship ends. Sometimes, we don't even think of many of the most necessary connections right away. But, the sooner, the better for our well-being.

So, just to get the ball rolling, we could start with these four immediate contacts:

1. Real Estate Agent - whether you keep or need a place to live, start here.

2. Lawyer - don't try to negotiate this divorce alone! Costs can be worked out.

3. CPA - finances are all important now. Get a professional to mediate.

4. Counselor - for the complex times ahead, accept the guidance available.

There are many, many organizations to offer practical assistance in all sorts of ways. Try these two:

Women Helping Women CLICK HERE

Before, During, and After Help CLICK HERE

The First and Foremost

It took some of us years to find the very best One to make things right in our lives. So, to save much struggling, anguish, and loneliness, don't hold back. Reach for the one and only God who is the very definition of love. Contrary to what some may think, He didn't cause our situation or pain. But He does extend a strong right hand that will hold us up, hold us secure, and simply hold us through each star-filled night. We can never go wrong holding His hand. He promises!

I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely. Psalm 63:8

Your Tool Box For a New Life

Nothing shouts of more hope than gaining freedom. It is a precious gift! Countries are birthed with it after many painful struggles. Ideas are released with it as our eyes are opened and we see a new vision. And lives begin a new journey with exciting plans for the future.

Wherever we are beginning this New Year, we can celebrate our freedom from whatever was holding us back. With a little effort and determination, we will move forward and find ways to experience joy in the small, and not so small, things. Even if we have not had that first cup of coffee or tea!   

Trampling Through the Briar Path

This joy may be easier for some women to attain; they have trampled through the briar path for a while and are now anxiously looking forward to escaping the "thorns." Others may be asking how this could even be possible after all the heartache and turmoil of the past year. It's definitely blinding to turn from the thickness of dark and see bright light; to scratch our way to the surface and remain intact.

Acknowledging we are not that person any more, but new women with new lives will help to get us started. It's up to us now to create something better, something hopeful. We really are stronger than we think. We've made it this far, haven't we? That didn't happen by accident.

There are some tools to make our struggle to create a better life easier. Our willingness to try is all it takes. Sure, we will make mistakes along the way and we will learn. No one is asking us to be perfect!

The Tool Box for a New Life  

• Build a support team. Share struggles with those we trust to be there. 
• Ask for help. We can't always do everything by ourselves. 
• First things first. Organize and get rid of what we don't need from the past. 
• Make plans. Find a place to live and work that will truly make us happy.
• Dream. There are goals we've always wanted to accomplish. Now is the time!

Our very best lives are found when we welcome God into our lives. Because He loves each and every one of us for who we are right now, He offers complete and forever freedom when we ask Jesus to become our Lord and Savior.

Now, let's grab hold of that promise and be determined to start a new journey!

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Cor 5:17

What Great Ideas Are on Your Horizon?

Have you ever gone down a misguided path and fell into a big "hole" that was hard to get out of? (Or was that Cinderella?) At any rate, taking a risky turn in life is pretty common. We choose the worse college for our needs, the most undesirable location to live in, the craziest career, immoral friends, and sometimes, the unfaithful mate. Many times, we don't figure this life menu out until it's nearly too late. Or so we think.


The truth is, it's never too late to make changes for the better. Some changes are quite easy to make like switching colleges and taking classes elsewhere. Moving from one city to another might take more planning, but it can be done fairly easy. A little more difficult is changing careers, but it will be worth it. And, of course, the most difficult of all is moving on from a marriage. This particular change is never advisable without seeking professional help first. After everything in our power has been done to make peace and save the relationship, sometimes the only thing left is to end it with grace.

The Big "Makeover" Begins
We wouldn't sit in front of our mirrors and apply make-up without knowing what we are doing. Likewise, we need to find out what we really want to do first with the rest of our lives. Then make a plan. One thing we don't want to do is nothing. That keeps us in that big, dark "hole" we fell into so long ago. 

Sure, we may look back and see that we have not achieved anything we planned when we were in college. So many years have gone by and nothing has happened. Someone once said, 

"If I knew then what I know now. . ." Fill in the blank. 

Instead of kicking ourselves for not doing whatever we originally set out to do, we can realize that each new day really is a new beginning. It holds numerous possibilities we haven't even thought of yet or didn't have yesterday. Remember, it's never too late to begin again as long as we don't give up!

Giving up has never accomplished anything. And nothing says we can't do it on our own as women. Sure, we know about the founders of Microsoft and Apple. But women have definitely had their own multi-million dollar successes. But not without hard work. 

Cultivating Ideas
Just in the "Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs" are listed Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, author, and founder of Lean In.  

CLICK TO "LEAN IN"

The founders of Google first asked to set up office in Susan Wojcicki's garage. She later became SrVP of Google and is currently CEO of YouTube. You go, Susan! 

Then there is Cher Wang who is considered by far to be the most successful female entrepreneur in the world! She started out making cell phones for other people, but eventually knew she could do even better. Cher set-up her own company, HTC. With her smartphones, her fortune is estimated at $6.8 billion (more than Oprah!). And no, she wasn't born wealthy either; she did it all on her own. Thank you, Cher!

But we all might better relate to a favorite on the Top 10, Sara Blakely. She sold fax machines door-to-door for seven years. After that she failed at a lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer. Then, because she never gave up, she created the company many of us know, Spanx. Sara Blakely is considered the youngest, self-made female billionaire. That's a 'B' you heard!    

What great ideas are on your horizon?  

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. . . Philippians 3:13

Three Ideas to Get What You Want in 2017

It's here! Happy New Year everyone! The last day of another year has passed. Did we ever think we would be around for 2017? Time certainly speeds by when we aren't watching the clock! Every generation believes they will never reach the half-century mark of their lives. But it will happen and more.

This particular day, January 2, 2017, will never happen again...ever! So what will we do with it and what will we plan for the next 364 days? We're not talking New Year's resolutions here. They rarely last anyway and that's depressing. Just a mindful idea that we have all been given the same 24 hrs and the same 12 months to start something new or to even work on something that was never finished last year.

We might ask ourselves just a few questions to get the momentum going. 

• What exactly do we want to happen in 2017? 

This might take some searching. Finding out what we don't have that we need to create our best lives this year. The best results come from knowing what we are naturally good at and going after that particular goal. If we have no idea what we are able to do, that's Step One. Get on Google (or here's an idea, visit an actual, real public library!) and purchase/check out one of the many books on natural talents and gifts. Most have quizzes to narrow down the choices.

• What "tools" do we need to get there?

So, as an example, say you discover you can write. If you have never taken college level creative writing classes, now is the time. And having computer software especially designed for writers will make everything easier. Of course, there are mobile apps for your cellphone to write "on the go" when an idea strikes! Every career choice has its own necessary "tools."      

• Do we need to team up with someone who can help?

Now, your writing classes are going fine. It's time to join a local writer's group. Meeting others who have the same talents and struggles definitely helps iron out any doubts about your goals. Most groups also have presentations by professional writers. Staying in touch (networking) with people can make all the difference in a new career.

Right Brain Creativity

Brainstorming gets results!

The above was just an example. Everyone is different; find your own best idea. You could be a natural at math and maybe want to become an accountant. If the arts is your thing, perhaps seek a position at a gallery or museum. Maybe you simply want to finish the quilt you started for your daughter, so you can begin teaching a class in quilting. And don't forget volunteering can give you the experience you need in a career: try a hospital or nursing home, teach reading to non-English students, walk dogs for your humane society. There are endless opportunities.

Remember
Our natural talents and gifts come from the One who created us. He has a special purpose for each and everyone of us. Don't let 2017 speed by before discovering what possibilities He has in store for you. And don't let anyone hold you back! 

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017!

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Now is the time to begin building the life you deserve and have been waiting for all along. Let nothing stop you from moving forward. Where there is determination, there is a way to make it happen. Possibilities are endless. We can do life together right here!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017!!!!