Make A Note Monday: Selfies Can Redefine Beauty

So the other day I ran across this Dove campaign on my Facebook timeline and it made me cry (which we all know is not the biggest feat) however it just touched me so much. Maybe it’s because I have a friend who in a roundabout way is doing this very thing at this very moment in order to appreciate herself and the way she looks. She’s actually taking a selfie a day and I have really enjoyed looking at her pictures thus far!!!

I remember what it was like in middle school and high school and to know that I didn’t fit into that “beauty” mold left me devastated and I hated myself for a very long time so to see someone go in and talk to these girls about being beautiful no matter what they look like and how their selfies that highlight they’re insecurities can redefine what is beautiful I just lost it!! I felt like for them their eyes were opened and they realized that all the things they hated about themselves is exactly what made them beautiful and unique and dare I say different!!! It definitely makes me appreciate my body that much more!! So I hope you, my precious and wonderfully beautiful reader can take a selfie and truly love it (without a million re-dos)!! Be encouraged because you were fearfully and wonderfully made!

Terri

Make A Note Monday: Think About Those That Sacrificed For You

Today was such an off key kind of day. It was Martin Luther King Jr. Day well the observation of his birthday anyway and I had to report to my internship on the one day my husband had off (go figure). So while everyone was off doing good I was working trying to bring a little cheer to those I came in contact with.

Not to mention that today is my cousin Denise’s birthday!! I have fond memories of her walking me to school and sticking up for me when someone tried to scare me in the kindergarten Halloween parade. I love her so much but I don’t get to see her nearly enough so I was a bit sad today just knowing that another year passed and I didn’t get to tell her I love her and that I’m thinking about her today and always!!

The simple fact that without Martin Luther King Jr. and what he stood for I wouldn’t be able to be with my husband gets me every time! Maybe it’s because it’s so close to our anniversary I don’t know but I am truly thankful to be alive in a time where I can love and marry whomever I chose.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that no matter where you are or what you have going on it’s okay to do it with a smile on your face and with a cheerful attitude. There have been many of people who sacrificed something for you to be where you are today and if for no other reason we should be our best in order to say thank you to them.

Make A Note Monday: My 2014 Theme

I know I already made a new year resolution or two, which I have begun putting into action but I saw a few posts already this year incorporating one word “themes” for the year and I couldn’t help but think about what one word my year would encompass. That word for me is ACTION! There are so many things that I have wanted to do (like play the piano) that I have started to do (I’ve already had two lessons where I’ve learned three scales along with the proper technique). I have also wanted to coach volleyball or at least have the opportunity to coach and I finally get to. I met with a friend who coaches/directs a volleyball club in town and I did all my paperwork and am a sub/ assistant coach and I absolutely love it!! There are things that I have learned over the years mainly the last two years that I have not really put into action but I just know that this year I will use all the spiritually things The Lord has taught me. I am a willing vessel that has been equipped and now it’s my turn to share what I’ve learned with others! Not to mention that I will be going on a mission trip to some place other than Bolivia, South America which is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I think with action comes confidence and boldness and I am ready!! Not to mention during my corporate time of fasting a prayer last week I came out of that week knowing that this would be a year of action and then my pastor preached an amazing word on doing what God has called us to do this year! It truly was phenomenal. So with all of these outside confirmations to what God spoke to me about in my quiet time I am ready to do more this year!! Have you thought about your one word “theme” for the new year? If so, what is it?

Make A Note Monday: Piano, Perfection, Perspective

Today has been one of those days where God has been preparing me to receive something although I didn’t know what it would be. I started my day off as usual with some good Jesus time. I learned that I need to love the saints more and really allow for the eyes of my heart to be enlightened (Ephesians 1 starting in verse 15).

I also realized that while I am learning to play the piano (which was one of my new year resolutions) I will not be perfect which I currently have a problem with. The only person that is wanting me to be perfect is me… I am not really sure why I feel the need to be perfect when it comes to new things, but I do. But I know that I am holding myself to an unrealistic expectation and that’s not fair to me. I know without a doubt that God is going to work on me and break that need for perfection off of me once and for all in the coming year.

Then I was talking with a dear friend of mine and I realized that often times our perspective just needs to be adjusted. If we are focusing on the wrong thing we won’t ever see the good things or the necessary things around us. When we take our eyes off of ourselves and our present situation and refocus them on what God has asked us to focus on things become a lot clearer and we begin to walk according to His plan, which is always the better plan. So as a bit of encouragement for this new year think about what God is asking you to focus on instead of the things you want to focus on, and let me know the change that comes from that readjustment in your perspective.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Good evening everyone! I hope you’ve had a most wonderful start to this new year. I just wanted to share my resolutions with you all because well that’s what you do this time of year and I like to keep you all in the loop on my life.

So I was looking back on last year and realized that I didn’t make resolutions because I was helping a friend in need but I still had a wonderful year without the resolutions. I have always tried to make my resolutions realistic anyway and I think this year’s resolutions are on the same level. I only want to do two things this year.

The first thing I want to do is dress in a business casual look five days a week. If you guys know my life as a student it’s a bit hectic so this will be a feat. Being a student is hard work but I figured that it’s my senior year and I should always look prepared for any opportunity that may come my way.

The second thing I would like to do before the year ends is learn to play the piano. This is something that I have always wanted to learn and I am tired of putting it off! I do have a short-term goal to be able to fit into my wedding dress by our anniversary and an overall goal to maintain a healthy lifestyle both physically and spiritually as well as mentally and financially, so technically that’s about four or five… but there you have it my new year resolutions!!! Happy New Year I hope this year is filled with the most abundance of blessings!!!

Terri