This year has been interesting so far. There have been some senseless tragedies, a shooting at Chandler Fashion Square, the shooting in tucson of Gabrielle Giffords and the 6 others that died, crazy floods killing people in Australia. Not quite the way to start things out. Today is also the 1 year anniversary of the earthquake that destroyed Haiti last year.

As I sit here at work and listen to Klove, I can’t help but get emotional. There are so many people hurting, so many people in need. What if we changed the way we think and instead of wealth and fame, we would instead strive for giving and healing? There are those who are doing great things, sacrificing their lives for the lives of others, bringing joy and light into dark places. I want to do that. I want to be loving and give of myself. I want to help bring peace into the lives of those without it.

Lord, I cry out to you this morning. Thank you for those people that have given of themselves for others. Thank you for their inspiration, for their light in the midst of the darkness. I pray that you bring good things out of these recent tragedies, not that you caused them to happen, but that you would make something good as only you can do.

I pray that you continue to soften my heart towards people in need, that you would teach me grace. Help my immediate action towards others not to be judgment, but to be grace. Help me to put the needs of others before my pride and insecurities so that I would speak to strangers and comfort others even when I’m feeling shy.

Lord, when it comes to politics, help me to stand for what you would stand for and to stay neutral to the political battles and name-calling. I want to be a Christian, a follower of Christ, a lover of the Lord, a champion of peace and love, a protector of the weak and an example of purity and righteousness. Not so that I can be viewed as great by people, but so that I can be your representative to the people I meet and keep your good name good to people who do not know you yet.

Lord Jesus, continue to work in me in the area of trust and reliance on you. Help me to relinquish control and know that you are God and have a plan.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

joshonthenet:

I don’t miss playing FarmVille or Mafia Wars on Facebook. In fact, I regret ever playing them. I wish I had those hours back so I could waste them on something else, like a better video game. I also feel a bit sorry for the people addicted. If there was some sort of incentive involved, like a cash prize, it would make a bit more sense. But friends, don’t lose hope. Keep on clicking. Carpal Tunnel is just a few harvests or business extortions away.

 Agreed completely. I was just thinking the other day about the few weeks I lost playing that game. It was just so darn cute though!

I really enjoy encouraging and motivating people. There are few things that give me greater joy then encouraging a friend and seeing them succeed.

This week I’ve had many business affiliates call into my company who are either starting out brand new with the business or who’ve been around for a while and are disenchanted or discouraged. I’m not sure what has been the driving force, but I’ve had an increased amount of patience and been so motivated to help. Yesterday and today I spent an hour with two different affiliates going through the ins and outs of our program and sharing with them the secrets that I’ve discovered and really the easiest and most efficient way to operate. I find that with most people, they just need a little positivity in their life and that makes all the difference in the world.

Sometimes I find myself complaining or focusing on the negatives around me. I have to kind of slap myself in the face, wake up and remember that perspective is everything. There are tragedies in life to be sure, but most things we face on a day to day basis can be overcome with a positive attitude.

I hope that in my professional life to come I will be able to take this desire and ability to motivate people and have a use for it.

I’m trying to save for culinary school right now. I thought I was on track to have saved my whole tuition plus enough for cost of living for the duration of the program by next April when it starts. I was wrong…

Today I realized that I’ve been calculating based on my entire paycheck, not taking into account what I spend every month. OI. Need to be more frugile from here on out…