I struggle with what to write in this blog. There is so much I believe is important and that I care about that I am often paralyzed and so I do not write anything.
However, "the truth is simple; it's our efforts to avoid it that complicate things" so I took a strong look at the truth of why I began writing Not Your Average Blond; the answer and thus the mission is clear ...ENCOURAGEMENT.
en·cour·age
–verb
1. to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence
2. to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.
3. to promote, advance, or foster
The mission of this blog is to encourage you to discover who you really are inside free from all the "shoulds" "oughts" "labels" and expectations of others and then to be the very best YOU every chance you get.
Now that I realize my mission you can look for encouragement from NYAB!
This blog was started when I thought I should be a writer. I no longer think that so this blog is just my little page of thoughts, photos, and the occasional painting.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
LOVE EVERYBODY it's not just for Hippies
After catching the updates on facebook this morning, I see a theme that has been repeated on TV, in print and in the streets. Perilous and hatred filled times seem to surround us to the point of overwhelming the human spirit.
It is tempting to be moved to anger, to lash out with louder voices, bigger signs and more hate fueled accusations than the other guy. To give in to an "It's ALL OF US against ALL OF THEM!" mentality.
Can there be any peace today? If so how? I think the answer is an old one, HOPE, FAITH, and LOVE. Not too flashy and certainly not great fodder for a screaming match on the corner of a heated demonstration.
HOPE says that it doesn't have to be this way; FAITH says it will change because I know who holds the future and in whom I believe, and LOVE says I will change, I will do what is right, I will become as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove. And because I embrace HOPE, FAITH, and LOVE I will educate myself and seek the truth, I will pray and hold fast to the promise that God has a plan for my life and the life of every human being, and having done all I can do I will stand for the battle is not mine it is the Lord's. My job is to prepare, to stand, and to wait upon the Lord.
I am convinced that the only peace we will find is within our own hearts. In our zeal to "represent" we add to the madness and disregard the fact that "ALL OF THEM" believe they are right too.
"LOVE EVERYBODY" is not a whimpy groovy hippy phrase it is a tough as nails call to action that requires a rock hard faith, atomic hope and steely determination to love even "ALL OF THEM." You see love spoken can be turned aside but love demonstrated is eventually irresistible and is the only way to make a difference.
I challenge you to the same challenge I am taking myself and that is think about what you plan to say or do and ask yourself "Why am I saying it? What do I want to accomplish?"
Just like a boat and water, it's not the madness surrounding you that will sink your spirit; it's the madness we allow inside that does the job."
It is tempting to be moved to anger, to lash out with louder voices, bigger signs and more hate fueled accusations than the other guy. To give in to an "It's ALL OF US against ALL OF THEM!" mentality.
Can there be any peace today? If so how? I think the answer is an old one, HOPE, FAITH, and LOVE. Not too flashy and certainly not great fodder for a screaming match on the corner of a heated demonstration.
HOPE says that it doesn't have to be this way; FAITH says it will change because I know who holds the future and in whom I believe, and LOVE says I will change, I will do what is right, I will become as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove. And because I embrace HOPE, FAITH, and LOVE I will educate myself and seek the truth, I will pray and hold fast to the promise that God has a plan for my life and the life of every human being, and having done all I can do I will stand for the battle is not mine it is the Lord's. My job is to prepare, to stand, and to wait upon the Lord.
I am convinced that the only peace we will find is within our own hearts. In our zeal to "represent" we add to the madness and disregard the fact that "ALL OF THEM" believe they are right too.
"LOVE EVERYBODY" is not a whimpy groovy hippy phrase it is a tough as nails call to action that requires a rock hard faith, atomic hope and steely determination to love even "ALL OF THEM." You see love spoken can be turned aside but love demonstrated is eventually irresistible and is the only way to make a difference.
I challenge you to the same challenge I am taking myself and that is think about what you plan to say or do and ask yourself "Why am I saying it? What do I want to accomplish?"
Just like a boat and water, it's not the madness surrounding you that will sink your spirit; it's the madness we allow inside that does the job."
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Big Butts and Little Lies
Recently I heard a conversation addressing whether or not it was okay to lie. The old "do these jeans make my butt look fat" defense was invoked and consensus was that is okay to lie and sometimes you have to lie.
I disagree. The truth is simple; it is our efforts to avoid it that complicate things. The truth strips away fear and ego; it leaves only what is real; even when what is real is difficult to accept, to share, or to hear.
So what do you do when your best friend, wife, significant other asks "Do these jeans (that are three sizes too small) make my butt look big?" Do you spare their feelings with a little white loving lie? or do you respond "Yes, your butt looks huge, I believe you need to go up a size or three" - Given those two choices the white lie is sounding better all the time.
But what is the truth and how in the heck can you say it?
"Those jeans are not my favorite."
"Those jeans do not do your figure justice"
"I don't think I like those jeans as much as I like ___ (fill in the blank with some outfit that does not make them look hideous)."
Speak the truth, say it from a place of love; and then take my Dad's advice and "don't tell everything you know."
I disagree. The truth is simple; it is our efforts to avoid it that complicate things. The truth strips away fear and ego; it leaves only what is real; even when what is real is difficult to accept, to share, or to hear.
So what do you do when your best friend, wife, significant other asks "Do these jeans (that are three sizes too small) make my butt look big?" Do you spare their feelings with a little white loving lie? or do you respond "Yes, your butt looks huge, I believe you need to go up a size or three" - Given those two choices the white lie is sounding better all the time.
But what is the truth and how in the heck can you say it?
"Those jeans are not my favorite."
"Those jeans do not do your figure justice"
"I don't think I like those jeans as much as I like ___ (fill in the blank with some outfit that does not make them look hideous)."
Speak the truth, say it from a place of love; and then take my Dad's advice and "don't tell everything you know."
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