So I Was Just Thinking

It is that time of month again…the time when my friends and I come together virtually for our discussion on the words of the year. This month we are using an animal to describe or word or ourselves. I choose the ant. The ant has received a bad rap throughout history as a pest, a nuisance, an annoyance. While in Puerto Rico, I would often be surprised to find ants in my sugar, but no one else would be surprised. In Texas we are known for a more ferocious type, the fire ant - certainly not a little creature to be reckoned with. While thinking about this critter, I began to realize the one thing no one has ever called an ant is lazy. When you see ants, what are they doing? Moving, carrying, building, preparing for whatever may come. If you destroy their home, the very next day they have set up shop just on the other side of the sidewalk. Which brings me to my story... In a field one summer's day, Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing gleefully. Ant passed by, bearing alo...

Flowers have been used to symbolize many things for centuries. The orchid is considered to be one of four noble plants. Because it grew deep in the mountains, it was compared to scholars who had transcended the greed and fame-seeking of the secular world. Orchid growth is affected by everything from elevation and light to humidity, air movement and nutrition. When I looked up how to care for this "delicate" flower, I realized that this is a flower I would probably kill in just a few days. In my search for a more disciplined life, I came to an understanding about myself. I like my laid back life. I love that I am not always worried about menus and shopping lists. My children are healthy and happy. Yes, my house is less than tidy, and my flowerpots outside are less than tended, but I am happy. So as this year of searching for discipline is nearing an end, I will begin thinking about what it is that I would like to work on next year.... I have two more months to think about it. ...

Wow, it's July and I have managed to stay focused enough to stick with something and not drop out. I would say that is something new and different for me. My friends and I are still reflecting on our words and continuing on this journey together. Come share the journey with us. Discipline “Discipline is remembering what you want.” David Campbell “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” Jim Rohn “Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability.” Roy L Smith “Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.” Buddha My daughter epitomizes the definitions of discipline described above. She has working since September towards the goal of attending the Showcase National Dance Competition. By setting an achievable and measurable goal, she was able to see that dream come to fruition this past weekend. Caitlin spent several hours a week attending ballet, tap, jazz and technique classes wit...

It's that time again. The time when we - my fellow Scrapblog sisters and I - reflect on our words for the year. It has been an interesting year so far, and if I hadn't agreed to do this exercise in personal growth, I wouldn't have realized all the wonderful things that are going on around me. (Contrary to popular belief and every Facebook personality test I have taken, I can be quite the pessimist.) This month we decided that a picture's worth a 1000 words. Although, being Scrapbloggers, we had to throw a couple of words in there. :-) Let's start off with Peggy's photo about Balance: Next up is AVTCoach's thoughts on Abundance: Roban (Flygirl) has chosen to live a life of Faith and Joy: Here's my take on Discipline: And last but certainly by no means least is Octamom's most wonderful shot of Excellence at its finest with a photo of her 7 of 8 showing us reach her goals in recovery of her neonatal stroke: Isn't our God an Awesome God? Please r...

As many of you might remember, my word for the year is discipline. In my quest to live a more disciplined life, I haven't gotten very far, but my journey is at least 3.5 miles (5.6 km) farther than it was the day before. Recently, I was talking to my friend J at school. She said, "Girl, you gotta lose some weight!" (You can say things like that to your real friends.) I gave her that look, like, "You better look in a mirror!" (Yet another thing friends can do.) She then qualified her statement with, "Yeah, we both do." That's when we got this brilliant idea that since her daughter would be at swim practice everyday after school, I would go meet her during practice, and we would walk the nearby track. We worked out an agreeable schedule and planned to meet Tuesdays and Fridays. I don't know if she believed I would follow through, as that is so against my nature, but she didn't know about my search for a more disciplined life. So I think she w...

My friends and I (Flygirl, Miruspeg, Octamom and AVTCoach) are embarking on this year long joint venture this month. We are working together to create posts about our word of the year. This was inspired by the Zen in You (Caroline) where we each picked a word to inspire, motivate or direct us through the year. This month we have decided to use a form of poetry called an acrostic to express our take on our special word. The following are our contributions to this effort: Miruspeg from Middle Aged Ramblings B elieve in yourself. A llow the positive energy to flow your way. L ook, learn, laugh and Love. A lways allow for a few stumbles along the way. N ever give up or stop trying. C limb that mountain, till you reach the top. E njoy the journey. Octamom of Octamom(c) xxx E nergetically xx e X acting x un C ommon xx r E sults xxx L eaning who L ly xx d E pendant xx o N a pea C eful xx r E deemer AVTCoach from This Abundant Life *A* tone for your hurtfulness. *B* id farewell ...