I Love God Winks!!

I was inspired to write this blog posting today while enjoying my day off from work. I work weekends with Monday and Tuesdays off, which works great for me. Looking at my title, I am sure you are all wondering what a "God wink" is, so let me explain. I read a book last year that was titled "When God Winks", and it was a collection of stories from different people of how things happened in their lives that most people would call coincidences. However, the timing and circumstances surrounding those occurrences left the individuals with the concrete belief that it was not a coincidence, but indeed was a "wink" from the Creator. I could definitely relate because I have had things happen in my life the timing was so perfect, I knew it could only have been orchestrated by my Higher Power. Let me give you an example. Last year, after having triple bypass surgery, I found myself with no job, no income and no idea how I would pay my bills. I had sent my resume in for several job positions but had not received any replies. It seemed strange because since I obtained my license in chemical dependency four years ago, finding a job had been pretty easy. However, at this particular time, I got no responses from the positions that I applied for in my field. I even put in applications at Walmart and other retailers, because I was at a point where I just needed income! Now a month before my surgery, I had applied with a program and had heard back from them but only to say they had positions coming up in the future. So it had been 6 months since I heard anything from them.

Ok, here is the God wink! I was sitting on the sofa asking God what was I going to do? I was about to lose my car, all my bills were behind and I had tapped all the resources that I could tap into. I was feeling pretty hopeless, but still believed that everything would be okay. At that moment, my cell phone rang, and it was the people from the program I had applied to 6 months before, asking me if I was still interested in a position! I was so amazed and knew that it was no coincidence that they called at that very moment. I knew it was God, and now after reading that book, I know He winked at me and said " here ya go!". I have had other "God winks" in my life and I am sure you have all had some too. So today take the time to think back on those incidents that you now know were "God winks", and count all your blessings!!

(Just in case you're wondering, I did get that job and relocated to South Padre Island to work with Origins Recovery Centers Hannah's House Women's Program! It is truly one of the best winks I have ever received:)

Peace & Love

New Chapters

I was motivated to write this post because it is actually happening in my life right now. New chapters happen all the time, most times when we do not expect them. We never know when they will happen, but it has been my experience that they will if we just keep living. Five months ago I began a new chapter when I relocated to South Padre Island to live and work. That has turned out to be a growing and beneficial change in my life with lots of other blessings. I do have my moments of being homesick, but just recently relieved that by taking some time off and spending it in my hometown of Houston. Funny how we don't appreciate home and family until we move away from it; guess that saying is true "absence makes the heart grow fonder". I am so grateful that today I have learned the importance of the relationships in my life and will never take them for granted again. Upon my return from vacation, I was presented with the closure of another chapter in my life. It was, of course, unexpected, but I believe that nothing happens in God's world by mistake. The truth is that this particular change only creates a minor inconvenience in my life, and it could have been worse. Life is gracious enough to allow me the opportunity to grow from these closures, and I choose to do just that. I feel the feelings that come along with them, then move on with excitement and anticipation to the next chapter.

I must pay brief homage to my singing idol Whitney Houston, who experienced the ultimate closure and is enjoying the ultimate new chapter. Today I am extremely grateful for new chapters, and as long as I have my health and strength, I know I can look forward to more. And I am always anxious to see what God has in store for me in the next chapter! I encourage you all to embrace change and appreciate all you new chapters in life, because there is a blessing in each one.

Peace & Blessings

On a Mission!

Well, I was blessed to see 2012 come in and I have begun a mission to make it the best year yet for me healthwise. God allowed me to survive open-heart surgery in 2011, and other health-related conditions before that. He blessed me to survive an addiction and all the life-threatening events that came along with it. Then he blessed me to relocate to one of the most scenic and beautiful spots in the state of Texas to live and do His work. So now, I have made a resolve to get busy changing my patterns of eating and exercise. I have taken a serious look at them and know that it's time out for taking this part of my life for granted. It is time for me to make the changes necessary for me to take better care of myself and that means eliminating "bad" foods from my diet and including more movement in the form of exercise. I have to admit that I have had some fear about getting back to regular exercise since my surgery, but it will be one year in April, and I'm trusting God. I have learned how to listen to my body and will use that to help me not overdo, but it's time for me to get busy! I encourage anyone who is ready to come on this mission with me, to clean up this temple that we are stewards of, and to live life in a healthier and more God-inspired way.

Peace & Blessings

Be Happy in this New Year!!

I have not posted since Oct but that's okay, better now than never:) Since then I have continued to be truly blessed in both my professional and personal lives. The job is going great and I am more in love with what I do than every! The best thing that happened in my life since then was celebrating Christmas with four of my children and six of my grandchildren here on the island. It was a true family Christmas in all the ways that count, and I felt absolutely blessed. It was the first one with just me and them, which made it very, very special. We abandoned the commercialism and enjoyed being together as a family. We played games, watched movies, ate good food, and just relished in the company and love of one another. I pray that all families have the opportunity to experience what we had, because it is the stuff that real families are made of. My grandchildren said it was the "best Christmas they had ever had", and that for me, was proof that God had blessed us indeed. In 2012, we will come together even more as a family unit and work together to build something for our children's future. All I know is, I have a ton of gratitude for having experienced this first real family Christmas, and look forward to many more! Thank you God

A New Chapter

I did not realize just how long it had been since I posted something to my blog, but here I am! Needless to say, I have been very busy and have a lot of blessings to share. I titled this piece "A New Chapter" because that is exactly what God is allowing me to experience. I was blessed with a new job in a new place, and it could not have been more perfect. I relocated and as of September 22, 2011, I became a citizen of South Padre Island, TX! This is the most beautiful place I have seen besides Puerto Rico, and living by the water is so calming. The job I got was one that I applied for months ago, so I was pleasantly surprised when I got the call. As always, I questioned if it was God's will for me and He gave me confirmation after confirmation. The move went so smooth, the pay is great and to top it off, I was able to bring Tinkerbell, my chihuahua with me. Not to mention the fact that at this point in my life, I can really appreciate a place that moves on "island time", which is pretty slow.

I had so many people tell me that I deserved this and that I had earned it with all the work I have done up to this point. But, I know that it is only by God's amazing grace that I received this. I know that only by serving him and doing his work could I have been this blessed. My family was happy for me and wished me well, especially my Mom, and that made it a little easier to do. I have never "relocated" for a job, so it was a big change, but with the love and support from family and friends, I made a smooth transition. I love the program where I am working, and the people I work for and with. I am indeed the minority, but in this circle of people, that doesn't matter. It feels so good to know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and where God wants me to be. I stood on the balcony the second evening I was here, and literally watched the sun go down. It's one thing to see a picture of it, but to witness is an awe-inspiring experience. It truly made me feel that I am in the right place! I pray that everyone gets the chance to feel what I feel, and thank you all for helping me get here/

Peace & Blessings

"Life Is In Session"

"Life Is In Session". Well, the blog bug hit me when I heard this quote from a dear friend the other day. Mainly because it rang so very true, and also because I can definitely relate right now. The fact that life is in session has never been more apparent to me than in the last four months. This life that I call "mine" has had some intense and awe-inspiring sessions during that period of time, and just like in a session of a judge's courtroom, I had to take what was dished out to me.
Some of it was not so comfortable, but made me strong; some of it was fairly comfy, and made me settle in to it a little quicker; and some of it was downright fantastic, which, of course, felt the best. But in all these situations and circumstances, I never stopped being grateful. Life is always in session and many things happen over which we have absolutely no control. So I have found that the key to living "life on life's terms", is to keep an attitude of gratitude. That helps make accepting what happens so much easier, and allows you to stay calm. It prevents us from raising our blood pressure and going through life with a frown on our faces. I always heard that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile, so it's better to take the healthier choice and smile.
Right now I have lots that I could sit around and grumble about, but I also have some things that I can be very grateful for. Like the fact that I am expecting to get a job and live out by a beautiful body of water on an island! Also that I am sitting here writing this post after having gone through triple bypass surgery four months ago. There is always something to gripe about, but today I choose to focus on the things I have to be grateful for. Now, don't get me wrong, I have had my moments of breaking down, but as long as I get back up and don't stay there, it's ok. In fact, we all have to allow ourselves to break down and then be built back up just that much stronger.
The other way that I look at it is to remember that at least I'm still here to experience the sessions, some others are not. I have learned to stop adding up my problems and to start counting my blessings! And when I do that, life being in session becomes a real blessing. Another quote that I found said "It's only when you have cast off what has been weighing you down, that you can finally move on"..K. Rich So don't let your life be dictated by the sessions you go through, just keep the faith and know that the best is yet to come!!
Peace & Blessings

Taking Time To Reflect & Seek Change

Greetings Readers!! The thoughts for this posting were influenced by my reading the article that Brother Jesse posted on his blog about Ramadan, which is a Muslim annual observance. It is a wonderful article so please check it out at : http://blog.chron.com/brotherjesse/2011/07/ramadan-beauty-blessings-and-breaking-bad-habits/
His article really explained the purpose and meaning of Ramadan, and it got me to thinking; We all need to take the time to reflect on where we are in life, where we are going, and what we need to change in ourselves. This time of reflection is the perfect opportunity to do some serious and honest self-examination, while allowing our minds and bodies to benefit from a thorough cleansing. The good news is, you don't have to be a Muslim to participate! Anyone who chooses to take advantage of this blessing can do so, no matter what religion you follow. Or even if you don't follow any particular religion, it can still be an eye-opening experience.
So, when was the last time you fasted and called yourself out? We all are works in progress, but taking the time to put in some self reconstruction can only help that progress. As a Christian, I know I need to regularly check myself and do what I can to eliminate any thinking or behaviors that are detrimental to my life and well-being. But so many of us don't believe that we need to do this, and those apples can really "spoil the bunch". None of us are perfect, but some to walk around with an attitude that shouts "I don't need no reflection and there ain't nothing I need to change!". Most times, the ones making that declaration are the ones who could benefit the most, because they are in DENIAL.
I am grateful to have any opportunity to reflect and become a better me. To quote Brother Jesse, " I am in love with the possibilities of being a better me. I know you are too. " The statement "Be all that you can be" is advertised for a military program, but we can choose to incorporate that goal in our daily lives. I want to encourage everyone to take advantage of this chance to reflect and gain some very critical insight into yourself, your life and the impact you want to make on your family and community.

May you all seek to become the best you that you can be!! Peace & Blessings