Again and again I am amazed at how relevant my morning devotionals can be to what I’m going through in life.

Today’s scripture: No Worries

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”

~ Philippians 4:6-7

So as well all search for a purpose and become who we are destined to be, it is good to know that there is no need to worry. We can voice our concerns in prayer and trust that God will hear us and bless our lives accordingly.

Time Traveler’s Wife


Last night I finished reading the Time Traveler’s Wife. I’ve had it recommended to me before, but when I saw that they were making it into a movie, I knew it was one that I should read first. It was a great read and one that I would suggest to anyone looking for a good book.


Tonight I am going to see the movie and I’m a little nervous. I’ve gotten a little feedback from what others thought about it and I’m just not sure if the movie will be as enjoyable as the book was. However, I’m a big Rachel McAdams fan so I was excited to see that she is playing Clare, the main character (the time traveler’s wife.) I’ll report back and let yall know what I think!


Is your refrigerator running?
Earlier in the week I forgot to mention what exciting, MONUMENTAL event took place at the Cox household last Sunday. We got a new refrigerator!! Ok, ok so it’s not really new but it is new to us and hey, isn’t that practically the same thing? We think so! We are now a “2 fridge family” and it’s pretty thrilling. We now have a main fridge and a backup for overflow. Now, the grocery possibilities are endless!

A Reason, a season, a lifetime
Someone once shared with me that there are many different kinds of friendships that we will have in our lives. Some are there for a specific reason: maybe to teach us a life lesson, or to build our character. Some are there for a season: For whatever reason, the relationship begins and flourishes and then after a period of time in wilts and the friendship ends. Just because it ends doesn’t mean the friendship wasn’t real, it just means the season has ended. And then, there are those friendships that last a lifetime: they are with you from beginning to the bitter end.


I have been blessed with all three types of friends in my life and I am so grateful for the things they have all taught me. They’ve helped shape the person I am today. One of my closest friends shared this little poem with me and I wanted to pass it along.

When I was little,

I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,

And then I started to become a woman.

And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,

God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.

Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.

Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.

Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'

Another , 'Let's fight together,'

Another , 'Let's walk away together.'

One friend will meet your spiritual need,

Another your shoe fetish,

Another your love for movies,

Another will be with you in your season of confusion,

Another will be your clarifier,

Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,

On whatever the occasion,

On whatever the day,

Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,

Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself .

Those are your best friends.

 

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several...

One from 7th grade,

One from high school,

Several from the college years,

A couple from old jobs,

On some days your mother,

On some days your neighbor,

On others, your sisters,

And on some days, your daughters.

Paint Party This past weekend we painted the room that will soon be our "studio." The color you ask? It's called Sparkling Lake. It's basically just light blue, but we like it and hopefully it will inspire us when we are in there hard at work!

Our new "studio" desks....

Alignment

I have noticed, as of late, that I am surrounded by people who are looking for change or searching for “something”. I know people who are starting new careers - some looking for a new job, some are venturing out and starting their own businesses. I know many who are unhappy or unsatisfied with their current employment. No matter where we are, who we are or what we do, we all feel unfulfilled at times or think that there’s gotta be something “more” out there.

We’ve all felt a little lost. At times like these, I like to turn to successful people for advice and guidance. Oprah, where are you??

Well, it just so happens that she has some great advice. If you have time, check out her article here, http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/200909-omag-oprah-power. For those of you who don’t have the time or inclination to read the full article, let me hit the highlights:


“The secret is alignment: when you know for sure that you’re on course and doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing, fulfilling your soul’s intention, your heart’s desire, or whatever you choose to call it (they’re all the same thing). When your life is on course with its purpose, you are your most powerful. And you may stumble, but you will not fall.


I know for sure that in every challenging experience there’s an opportunity to grow, enhance your life, or learn something invaluable about yourself. Every challenge can make you stronger if you allow it. Strength multiplied = power.”


Now I want to be clear on one thing. If you are feeling a “spiritual” lost-ness (yes we are going to pretend like that is a real word) then you need not turn to Oprah, you need to turn to God. But sometimes you can know what type of path your spiritual life should be on and be COMPLETELY clueless as to where your “professional” life should lead you. Make sense? I hope so!


After reading the above paragraphs from Oprah, the “Queen-of-success,” does it give you warm fuzzys about your current profession, or does it bring to life the fact that you haven’t a clue what you are really meant to do in this world?


For the clueless: you aren’t alone. There’s help!


I found another insightful woman, Kristin Kaufman. Check out her blog at: http://www.alignmentinc.com/blog/category/leadership-and-team-alignment/


She has a business centered around finding “alignment” in your life or business. Here are a few of her tips for success:


• Listen to your heart. Pay attention to that little voice inside. It may come as a question in the middle of the night. Or as crystal clear as a voice in the shower. The voice is your soul – it is your core and it is the pure essence of what and who you are meant to be. Heed it.


• Let go. That is a hard one, believe me, I know. Many times we will have this ‘whisper’ to do or be something other than what we are presently – and we fight it (or just flat out ignore it) because it is not what we think we should be doing. The trappings of our world are intoxicating. We often get ‘drunk’ on these. What I believe, however, is if we truly follow our heart’s desire – we will be successful. All the other trappings will take care of themselves.


• Read. Read everything. There are many books I can recommend which may help to stimulate your juices. Here are just a few:


o The Seat of the Soul – Gary Zukav


o A New Earth – Eckardt Tolle


o The Power of Now – Eckardt Tolle


o Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert


o Care for the Soul – Thomas Moore


o Living a Life that Matters – Harold Kushner


o Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortenson


o Man’s Search for Meaning – Victor Frankl


o The Wheel of Life – Elisabeth Kublar-Ross


• Keep a Journal. This may be a stretch for some – that is ok. Even if you only write down only one or two thoughts you have – when you have them – it is amazing how they will grow and multiply in your mind’s eye. It is a great way to reflect on your day, the lessons learned, the observations of yourself and others. It is like living it ‘over’ in some ways – which is incredibly powerful.


• Connect with your body. Breathe. I have learned recently that our body is often the first signal that something is awry, not the last. If we are really in sync with our bodies – through yoga, meditation, centering exercises, walking, etc. – we are told when things are not right, or not in alignment.


• Finally, just get to know you. Give yourself freedom to be who you are. Just BE and let all things flow from there. Observe yourself – and be curious about what drives your behaviors. This can be such a revealing process.


So basically, it’s ok to do a little soul-searching in order to determine what you should “do with your life.” But once you find that “thing” that you are meant to do, align yourself and your life accordingly so that you can achieve happiness and success in that “thing.” I’ll leave you with a few inspirational quotes….I’m sure you’ve heard some or all of them before but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded:

"I don't believe in failure. It's not failure if you enjoyed the process."


"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."


"Those who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try nothing and succeed." (adapted)


"You won't skid if you stay in a rut."


"Mishaps are like knives, that either serve us or cut us, as we grasp them by the blade or the handle."

Interesting Ad...

365 things I've learned...

Brett and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary last weekend. Neither one of us can believe how fast time has flown by and just how much has happened since August 16th of 2008!! Looking back over the past year, I feel like I've learned something new about life, marriage, or Brett every single day. We've really grown up this past year and I think we've become stronger people as a result of being together.

Here are a few of the more interesting things I've learned this past year:

1. Brett LOVES the Rangers (we've hardly missed a game) but doesn't appreciate my girly dramatic reality shows. There is a need for multiple TVs in our home to keep the peace!

2. Sports talk radio isn't so bad after all. It's actually pretty entertaining!

3. Brett loves milk and salsa and it's hard to keep either one stocked in the house

4. Brett enjoys blasting loud music throughout the house and singing Karaoke to it. He secretly wants to be a ROCKSTAR....I will support him in his music endeavors! : )

5. There is no rhyme or reason to Brett's waking up habits...some days he hops right out of bed at the crack of dawn...other days I have to drag him out of bed.

6. I have had more of a problem putting the toilet seat down than Brett does!

7. Brett loves to eat Pop-Ice....by the dozen...and likes to leave the wrappers in secret places for me to find. It's a fun scavenger hunt game we play.

8. Brett doesn't really like to dry off before getting out of the shower. Who needs a towel!

9. Brett is an excellent chef. His specialties: Burgers, cobblers, and biscuits...YUM!

10. Brett is a wonderful husband and such a hard worker (actually I already knew that but he's proven it time and time again!) I feel so blessed to have had the chance to learn more about him over the past year!

*Anniversary pictures to come...I have to find the cord to the camera and upload to the computer...

I'm a Queen...

and now I have the bed to prove it!! Brett and I have finally upgraded to a QUEEN SIZE BED! YAY!!! And it gets better....we have a brand spankin new mattress and new bedding also. We are just so excited about all our new things! Our old "full size" bed was just that - too full! Brett's feet dangled off the end and it just wasn't quite big enough. Now, when I lay down in my fancy new, bigger bed, I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm awake and not dreaming but then I'm awake and have to try to get back to sleep...which is easy since the matress is so plush and cloud-like!

Take a look...

Testing Testing...

My previous post-

The page below was just a test. I found this website that let's you create your own web page. Kinda cool....although I didn't spend much time getting everything right...

Will you sign my baseball?

Guess who Brett saw on Tuesday?? The one, the only, Nolan Ryan!! Brett was walking downtown on his lunch break and saw him going into PF Changs. Brett decided to go buy a baseball and get it autographed. Now we are the proud owners of this baseball!

New Furniture-

We finally took the big leap and bought some "grown up" furniture!! I am so proud of our new dining room table, and buffet. I think it makes the room look so pretty! We also bought bedroom furniture (bed, dressers, nightstands) but haven't set any of that up yet. I'll take pictures once we do...

Free website - Wix.com

Project 3/50

Although I try not to be a big spender these days, I do appreciate locally owned businesses and try to support them when I can. If we all shopped locally a little bit more, we would not only find more interesting things but we would be doing our community a HUGE favor! It's at least something to consider.....

I love online shopping as much as the next person but when you start to think about how you are affecting the business owners in your city, it just doesn't seem worth it.