Reflecting on our Words

We are here ending our 9th month of 2009 and my good friends AnneMarie, Roban, Julie and Peggy join me in meeting yet another challenge. The goal to select a video that defines our word. I would say the challenge this month is the technology. I was fearful of it yet excited to try something new!

The five of us have been a work in progess, each in our individual homes living our daily lives quite apart yet tied to the blog community and each other through posts and emails. So what is it that has contributed to our growth in love and friendship with each other, 5 women who have never met. (I do know Julie in real life) Is it a common goal, a shared experience, a commitment to a task? It may be all of these things but as I have read their blog posts, read their comments to others, read their emails of love and encouragement to me, celebrated the good and experienced care for each other in the challenges...we always know the other women are only a key click away. We all agree our lives have been enriched through this experience.

We actually have a 6th partner in this project, a woman who is the highest example of a work in progress...she is amazing in the way she uses her mind and her artistic talent to create an abundant life. Her blog inspires and causes reflection. She is our shining example and the inspiration for this project. Read more about Caroline here.

Join with me in viewing the selections of each women as we celebrate Discipline, Faith and Joy, Excellence, Balance and Abundance!

AnneMarie of So I Was Just Thinking (Discipline)

Roban of Moments in Time (Faith and Joy)

"When I thought of a video to express some of my thoughts on faith and joy, I immediately thought of the artist Akiane Kramarik. Her art comes from her faith, and her paintings fill me with joy and awe."

Julie of Octamom (Excellence)

"This is Kari Jobe, a really sweet girl who is dear friends with some of my dear friends. She has a gorgeous song out called I'm Singing and she had viewers add their experiences and included them in the video--and the result is just 'excellent'--really amazing people continuing to walk with joy, even in the midst of some tough times"

Peggy of Middle Age Ramblings (Balance)

My video is a lesson in what it might take in action to have and hold on to Abundance.

Abundance is .... knowing your friends are available.

It's My Birthday and I Feel Abundantly Wiser!

I was born in 1961 and September marks my 48th birthday. This is not a seemingly important birthday. 48 is not 45 or 50, typically the mark of major celebrations. But I have to say my 47th year leading up to 48 has really been one of my best years. I can say this primarily because I believe that it is the year of lessons learned and a wonderful journey toward a life of abundance.

Last year, September 2008 I met through blogging Roban. What a surprise to find another person who was born on the same day in the same year. See my post about our new found friendship here. This birthday we are posting about some of the major moments in our lives. I decided to take it by decade not of the tens but of the eights. Please visit Roban's blog "Moments in Time" and tell her Happy Birthday too!

I begin with a photo of me with my parents a year or so after I was born. We have few pictures because our house burned in 1963 and our family photos burned with it. Isn't it something to see our parents as young parents themselves.

In 1969, at 8 years of age we moved to Norman, Oklahoma and I remember this year as a year of starting over..a new school, meeting new friends, a new church.

In 1979, I was a Senior in High School. It was the tradition at my High School for all Sr. girls to have boas for their Sr. pictures for the year book. In high school I was involved in chorus and drama. Gotta love a boa!

By 1989 I had been married for 8 years and had two girls, 1985 and 1988. I had graduated with a masters degree in Speech Pathology and was working part time in a public school. At 28, it was a a challenge adjusting to parenting two small children, starting a new career, and serving a church with my husband. It was at the same time rewarding with activities in social clubs and community theater.

In 1999, at 38 I was learning lessons in patience as we entered the decade of parenting teens, moved to our 6th church and began a new adventure in my career serving children with hearing loss.

It is 2009, at 48 I am enjoying life in all aspects. A few lessons I have learned in this last decade:

• Think of each day as a do over.


• There is enough attention for everyone.


• Once a parent always a parent even when children are in their 20's.


• Yoga makes you bendy.


• It's easier to gain than to lose.


• It's always a blessing to tell someone what they mean to you.


• You will be happier if you learn to let go, give up control.


• Abundance will come to you when you encourage another.


• Reading expands your mind.


• If you need trifocals, get a cool pair of glasses and smile.


• As long as you can still remember your own name, memory loss is okay.


• Technology could be hazardous to your health.


• Call your parents often.


• Learn something new every year.


• Forgiveness is easier than resentment.


• It is okay to say nothing.


• Expect miracles.


• You have to work at living abundantly!

Abundance is....being grateful every day!