My Life on a Schedule!?!?

I think this saying is going to go on my mirror! For the past 6 yeas since I have been a stay at home wife/mom I have been in total resistance to living on a schedule. I mean for 20 something years I was up at 5am with somewhere to be and something to do, so yes, at the first chance to not get up before the sun, I took it and have lived that way ever since.... and loved it!!! I've even trained my 4 year old not to get up before 8am! 

The only drawback seems to be that with no schedule on paper I run one in my head what I want to get done that day and where I should go and it works to get by the daily things, but I'm finding that as I have set much bigger goals these past couple years the day just seems to go by without me actually getting any closer to what I say I want. Or when I was totally focused on a goal everything else in my life seemed to fall out of balance.

So, I decided it was time to put my life back on a schedule as if I had places to be and people that were excepting me, only the its me that I am accountable to..... and its amazing what I am able to accomplish each day. I am definitely guilty of making reasons why I didn't exercise, or why I needed to finish off the cake, I mean better it be gone in one day than add those calories everyday for a week right? Or why I didn't have time to do XYZ is my favorite reason, ummm excuse. Funny how in my head I am so justified, but when I say them out loud to someone they just sound like pure excuses. Now we all know excuses hold us back but this quote is pretty harsh that by stating every excuse I make is MY choice to fail in my dreams. Well I have HUGE goals and dreams, and I would much rather succeed than fail. (Hear my music at www.lundynrae.com) 

I have to say I am loving the schedule thing! I think I'm on week 3 of my life on a schedule! I know exactly what I want to accomplish each day and what time I want to have it done by. It has been amazing how much I can actually fit in my day, who woulda thought! I love that I have to account to myself (and my business coach, Melissa Haupt who is AMAZING by the way if you want that extra push, www.melissahaupt.com) for accomplishing what's on my day, and if I didn't do what I committed to do I get a chance to look at what I was more committed to, not an excuse why I didn't do something, but what was it that I was more committed to than my goals and dreams. I can really see if the thing I was more committed to worth not getting me closer to my goals.

So if your looking to accomplish more in your life and feel a little more fulfilled, get your life on a schedule! Its amazing what a difference it makes. Here's to a successful run at our dreams!

Don't Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle!

         To start off the Christmas season I normally watch White Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street, this year I thought I'd start off with a little humor and watched Jingle all the Way. I thought it was pretty funny and was quite critical thinking seriously, who leaves shopping until the last minute like that.... until the next day I went out Christmas shopping...... and struck out at every store I went to with my Christmas list! I thought how in the world can everything be gone? It's the 1st of December????? Darn those Black Friday shoppers.... I seriously started to feel like the main character, racing from store to store to get there before some other mom looking for the same princess thing for their little girl! It doesn't really help either when the ONLY thing my darling little 4 year old asked Santa for is a Sleeping Beauty Vacuum..... do they even make those????

As my anxiety started to rise to panic I called my husband and asked him what now? He calmly reminded me that our daughter was 4 and she wouldn't really care what she got as long as we created the magic of Christmas in our home.

And he's right. The magic of Christmas is in the putting up of the tree, drinking hot chocolate.... (which here in Arizona we have to wait until December for it to cool down to the 70's so we can feel chilled enough to want it!) Singing carols, seeing the lights, visiting Santa, baking goodies for our neighbors and giving to those in need. And of course Celebrating the birth of our Savior. I love how the most exciting thing to my 4 year old is to hear about baby Jesus.

Looking at this season through the eyes of a child is probably the smartest thing we can do to put ourselves in the right frame of mind for Christmas. As adults we all know the meaning of Christmas, and know that that is where we should be focusing, but no one else is going to get the tree up, do the baking, finish the Christmas shopping, make sure family pictures are taken, get Christmas cards out, buy presents for the teachers, PLUS manage the day to day household tasks, and worry about how we are going to pay for all this fun without putting anything on the credit card! SO how do we make sure that as we create the Christmas magic for those around us we actually get to feel it too?! 

For me I decided to take on the challenge that the commercial part of Christmas doesn't have to look any certain way. (Which for someone who likes to make sure everything is perfect is definitely going to be a challenge) In fact I even decided to make a few of gifts this year! A totally new adventure for me, and I'm actually kind of excited to put a little of me into my gifts! SO if my tree stands a little crooked and is decorated with popcorn, my sugar cookies have too many sprinkles from a little helper, and I don't get my Christmas cards out til New Years, just know I was enjoying the magic of this Christmas season and truly celebrating my Savior's birth!

ps. If you want a great Christmas gift of inspiring music go to my website http://www.lundynrae.com and purchase my cd A Better Plan, an inspiring and empowering gift to last all year!!!

    

Once in a Lifetime....

So I know I'm a little late on the gratitude thing... but as Thanksgiving ends and we head into Christmas this is my favorite time of year. It finally gets a little cool here in Arizona, and the Christmas lights start popping up all over the place!  I have sooooo many things that I am grateful for that it would bore you to list them all, and you might get a little jealous.... Just kidding! But the number one thing on my mind today (as I work off those extra 3 pounds I gained from turkey day) is how grateful I am to be me!

I saw this quote and I just had to share!
                                         

GIRL!!!

I love this because today I am so thankful for the unique talents and gifts I have been given that make me... me. This is so true, there never has been nor ever will be again on this earth a me or for that matter a you! Often we find ourselves in the business of comparing, from body sizes and features, to clothes, to homes and cars, to attributes; and we don't often enough take the time to recognize what makes us different than those around us is actually a GOOD thing! Everyone has a unique set of gifts and skills that only you can offer the world in a way that only you were meant to in order to change the world. It starts with you being great at who you are and spreads from there!

                               

I love this picture (maybe it's because this looks a lot like my daughter's dance class!) and not quite sure why it cut off the Th in the first word, but you get the point!

Marianne Williamson said:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves "who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. We are all meant to shine as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone."

 I love focusing on my unique gifts to the world. I'm grateful that I have been given the talents I have. There is a place for them and I will be as big of an influence on the world as I can dream I will be. And so can you, and as you pursue your dreams whatever they are for you, and as you pursue your greatness you will awaken within others the desire to tap into their unique gifts and talents, to arouse their passion for life and unleash their greatness on the world.  Oliver Demill, a great advocate for freedom said in a recent address I heard that each of us was sent here with a specific mission and purpose, and the purpose of life is to discover what that purpose is and then work at it. Imagine what the world would look like if each person here on earth was discovering their own mission and then working hard to fulfill it. Some may be drawn to feed the hungry, others educate, heal the sick,  others to spread beauty. Can you imagine a world full of purpose driven people! That's my purpose, to spread beauty and awaken the greatness within those around me as I strive to achieve the greatness within me! What's your purpose and mission? And how would you like to pursue it?


Life is good! This time of year we get to be grateful for what we have and who we are, give of ourselves to those in need and appreciate the greatness in those around us.

Creating Awareness: My Journey

Join me as I embark on a goal to take the message of  adoption with my song A Better Plan 

to 1 million people!

Consider Adoption: A Better Plan

The other day I was at the mall and stopped to let my daughter play in the children’s area for a while. I was surprised at the number of teen mothers I saw playing in there with their babies. I was proud of them for choosing to give that child life yet I was struck with sadness that they were missing out on things that were essential not only for their own growth but for the well- being of their child. This is true for any young woman of any age that finds herself pregnant and alone. I wondered why these girls chose to parent over adoption and wondered if there is really that much education about the benefits of adoption.

When my daughter was first placed in my arms I imagined a life of constant laughter, sweet kisses and hugs, dressing her up, having an instant friend that loved me unconditionally, fun play dates at the park, and cute pictures and crafts that covered my fridge. Everyone around me was so excited for my new life and all the joys it would bring. I was so excited for all of these moments. And I’ve had them and each memory is cherished and loved and I look forward to creating more of them. But what people seem to fail to mention was the sleepless nights, endless poopy diapers, what to do when the crying never seemed to stop, and as they grow older, still sleepless nights, new messes of toys, picky eaters, the constant demand of my attention, no privacy in the bathroom, and I don’t think I’ve ever been able to sit and enjoy a meal without having to get up 10 times to get one more thing demanded by a sweet 3 year old. Even as I write this I am having things placed on my head and being barraged with questions, and demanded that I come and get breakfast for her RIGHT now!

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE being a mother, but there is no way I could do this without the help of her dad, one amazing husband. With his help in raising our vibrant and beautiful daughter I have still been able to get some me time, continue my education and pursue my music career. Without him I would not be able to function as the loving mother my daughter needs me to be. I would not be able to still be me! Every woman and mother deserves that. Every mother needs a break, a time to rejuvenate, and pursue their hobbies and passion that allows them to continue their own growth and development. It’s not selfish, it’s essential! I am a better wife and mother because I am able to take this time and despite the daily demands still feel like a sexy, vibrant, beautiful girl. Not only do I deserve this, but so does my daughter, in fact it is essential to her well-being. Her happiness is increased by the security of the home we offer, both of us being able to give her love and meet the demands of a growing child. Now I recognize that this is not always possible and I honor and respect those single parents out there. I honestly don’t know how they do it.

I’m not about condemning or judging those who have chosen to parent or even those that chose abortion. For me it’s about creating the awareness of the positives of adoption for those currently still making the decision. Helping them to make an educated decision what is right for their life and their baby. My hope is that by listening to my song A Better Plan people will truly come to understand that adoption really is about love; A truly heroic act.  And that while the pain of giving up your child for adoption is heart wrenching and excruciating in the moment, there is great healing in the selfless act of giving your child to a loving couple that can give your baby more than you can at this given moment in your life. And though abortion may appear to solve the perceived immediate problem providing instant relief, it brings with it a burden you alone carry for the rest of your life.

Curtis J Young of the Family Research Council says, “Rarely does an unmarried pregnant woman stop to consider the tremendous cost and responsibility of choosing single motherhood. Successful child-rearing, while greatly rewarding, is also very demanding, even for two-parent families. It requires a great deal of time, self-sacrifice and financial expense.”  In her book For the Love of a Child, social worker Monica L. Blume points out, “Almost every birth mother I have ever seen who is choosing to single parent believes she will be one of the very few who beat the odds.”  Many of these unwed mothers count on the father remaining fully involved or on having their own father help raise the child. And many single mothers hope to eventually get married. Unfortunately, such hopes are not often realized. And many unwed mothers find that single parenthood is much more challenging than they expected. Studies have shown that single mothers have higher rates of illness, have less social involvement, and, if they are teenagers, are less likely to eventually marry than those who place their babies for adoption.”

Some may view placing a child for adoption as “abandoning” that child. But adoption is not abandoning your responsibility. It’s taking more responsibility. It is truly taking care of your own, because you’re saying, ‘I can’t give this child what he or she needs, but someone else can.’

To echo Curtis Young, “Adoption is not a breaking of trust but a keeping of faith, not an abdication of responsibility but an act of redemption, not the abandonment of a baby but an abandonment of self for a baby’s sake.” As I wrote in the song A Better Plan, ‘Sometimes love comes at a cost we don’t understand, and you have to trust someway, somehow, it’s part of a better plan.’

Taking this song to 1 million Listeners

http://lundynrae.com/?albums=lundyn-rae-a-better-plan

Don't Think you are Making a Difference?

Saw this today and fell in love with it! It took me back to when I spent time in Japan as a missionary. The mosquitoes there are green and huge and can leave scars when they bite so I was EXTRA paranoid, especially when I would lay down at night  on my futon exhausted, just about to fall asleep and here a distinct whine in my ear! Many times I kept my roommate up searching that little bugger down so I could get some sleep!

Last weekend I attended a seminar by Darrell Knoch (www.truewealthuniversity.com) when someone asked the question if they could really make a difference in this world with just their own small actions.  He emphatically course corrected that thinking! One of the things he said that I really related with was "the way you think of yourself is the way you impact the world." So if you want to increase the way you impact the world increase the way you think about yourself, or improve your self esteem and belief in yourself. (For great tips how to improve your self esteem check out Darrell's book , Mastering a Healthy Self Image)

 I saw this image on my friends facebook page and I had to steal it!

Sometimes you are the only one that has a firm belief in who you are and what you can accomplish. But as long as you keep focused on who you see yourself to be you will bring about mighty change in this world! I love this image because even though many may see me as a cat I KNOW I am a lion! And its no one's job to prove it to them but mine!

Just remember, if you don't think that your actions are making any kind of difference in the world, think back to that night when you were just about asleep only to sit upright from a tiny buzzing by your ear! Your impact is greater than you think and just like the ripple effect in still water, you never know how far your actions are being carried.

Stand for Something

For the last week I have been researching and contacting some of the biggest pro-life advocates and adoption supporters I can find to help me spread the word about my Option Adoption project, (see previous blog post!) http://www.gofundme.com/Save-a-Life (If any come to mind as you read this send the names my way ;0)!

I have to say I am so impressed by what these people have accomplished and the supporters they've gained along the way. They have also accumulated quite a few enemies as well! I read the quote earlier " you've got enemies? Good that means you stood up for something in your life!" So many of them are women that are just passionate about a cause. They are wives, mothers, sisters, students, yet still find time to speak, write and blog about a cause dear to them... and they are making a difference.

As I start working in my own projects, promoting and asking for help to get the music video done for my adoption song, A Better Plan, I feel so passionate about it that it is sometimes frustrating when nobody seems to respond with the same passion! But I have to remind myself that's OK, because I have a vision and it just takes the right person in tune with my vision to help it move forward. It's not in alignment with every one's purpose, but there will be those so moved to take action with me!

I love the quote I posted at the top, it's a great reminder to me that if it were easy everyone would be doing it. That's why I just keep pushing forward. The more obstacles the sweeter the reward of achieving my goal. That being said I'm sending up prayers for as few obstacles as possible and the strength to climb over the ones in my way!

Yet I find as I pursue moving my music forward my life is fuller. I know that the messages in each song uplift, inspire, motivate and heal. The message of A Better Plan is only the first of many that I will stand and create a movement for. Search your heart, find your purpose and stand for something. It will cause you to walk a little taller and strive to be better in all aspects of your life besides fill you with peace and joy knowing you are making a difference and walking with God here on earth!

Option Adoption!

So you may have noticed I added a little something to my sidebar! Its my new focus! Last week I was able to attend a powerful personal development seminar. I was able to examine my purpose and how I was aligning myself with God's purpose for my life.  I truly believe we are each given a unique set of talents and skillsets to help eachother make it through this life successfully. I understand that my music is just one of the many things I have been given. That said I'm super excited about my project.

Over a year ago I read several articles on adoption in a Christian magazine, each written from a different perspective, the mother who gave up a child, the grandparents of the child adopted out, as well as the father, the deserving couple that received a child and from an adopted child. It moved me and as I was in the shower lyrics for a song just seemed to come into my mind. So I hopped out and wrote them all down, created a melody and viola, my very first song!!! So of course when I went to Nashville it was number one that I wanted recorded. Well with a little help from co-writer Jeff Pearson, a few tweaks here and there the finished product was even better than I could have imagined!
If you haven't heard it yet click on #3 on my playlist,  'A Better Plan'.

I have a vision for this song that has unfolded over the last month or so what I need to do with it.  I know that 3500 abortions are performed across the country each day. While thousands of couples wait for years waiting to adopt. Ialso know thousands of young girls and woman will get pregnant this year,probably next month alone and many of them will struggle with the choice they now have to make. 
My vision is this:  I want this song to have so much exposure, airplay, and coverage that when a young girl is faced with the choice of what to do the choice of adoption is triggered as a possibility and reality, even in those that may be more heavily influenced by those in their lives that advocate an abortion as the easy way out.
 I am currently raising funds to do a music video and marketing.  I am looking to be as creative as possible to touch lives and save lives. I am also looking into what it takes to set up a foundation to have all the proceeds of the song go towards helping families in the adoption process with the expense.

If you would like to be a part of this awesome movement and help save lives and raise awareness for the option of adoption please forward this message with the link to the donation page to everyone you know, and if you are able to donate every little bit helps!

http://www.gofundme.com/Save-a-Life

The Power of Music

I love this quote. It explains exactly what I'm about! Touching hearts and bringing people back to a place that draws up emotions giving them the power and courage to move forward in life! Even when things seem so hard!

You are Significant!

I've been reading this wonderful book written by a friend of mine, Melissa Haupt, called Apple Pie with Lucy: A Story of One Woman's Search for Significance.  I love that she took the initiative to address this subject that most if not all women struggle with. Plus she does it with a fictional character in a story line... the way I love reading books! There were several nuggets that I took that were extremely applicable to me but the one that I would like to share with you all today is this,

"When you do not know who you are you risk the chance of becoming like someone else. Like those you surround yourself with. Like those you admire. However, in life it empowers you to just be you. To be yourself."

I know that I should surround myself with good and positive people in order to not pull myself down into negativity, but I never thought of it exactly how Melissa puts it in her book.  You have to know who you are, what you are about, what you stand for. Otherwise you are just trying to be those you surround yourself with. And while they may be extremely great, talented, smart, funny, spiritual, or wealthy people, they are not you. And what you have to contribute to this world is just as important as the things they are contributing. I know when I personally am comparing myself to those around me they have wonderful qualities I want to possess, but  I can get so focused on that, that  I loose sight of who I am and what I actually need to be developing to be able to offer the best me to the world.  The one already endowed with seeds of greatness from God.

Melissa puts it so easy to understand, I loved this:

"You were birthed into this world at this very time in history for a reason. There are no coincidences about your existence. You are here to solve a problem and leave behind a legacy which continues to impact the world. To significantly leave it better than how you found it when you got here."

We are here for a purpose and I think that each of us knows what it is whether we are in tune or not is a different story, when we are pursuing it we feel fulfilled and rich (not necessarily monetarily;0)! and when we are not in tune with our God given purpose there is a hole in our hearts/soul that we can only ignore for so long before it seems to eat away at us!

And the last tidbit I will share with you is a quote from Grandma Lucy,
"The aim of the game we call life is to live as congruent with who we are authentically. The woman God made you to be. The woman who is amazing, talented, gifted, unique, and qualified to live out the very purpose which was planted in your soul when you were birthed into this world."

I cannot express the fulfillment and joy that I have found in pursuing my music congruent with my role as wife and mother (both of which I LOVE!) As I've stepped out and taken risks beyond my comfort zone I do find that I have already been given all the qualities I need to succeed. Its just a matter of tapping into them and showing myself I have them! The cool thing is we all have a different purpose. There is no need for comparison, or jealousy, we are all uniquely designed by a divine creator who gifted us talents, qualities, and strengths unique to us to help us pursue our earthly purpose.

Thanks Melissa for your courage to step outside your comfort zone and inspire women everywhere with your book! If you haven't yet read it go onto Amazon and buy it! You can even get it for your Kindle! No excuses!!!! If you need a little help remembering who you are and your significance READ it!

Becoming an Irrisistible Force of Nature......

Anne Frank said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

I had this discussion with my best friend last night. We (well since I learned through Klemmer and Associates that I can't really speak for everyone else)... I.... tend to wait until everything is lined up just right before we move forward in taking steps towards our goals and dreams. But I had the stark realization that if I'm waiting for things to be in place, or the money to be in my bank account, my life to look a certain way, whatever the 'reason' may be, I am never going to be able to create change or massively influence the world like I picture.

I'm currently reading a book by Darrell Knoch, Mastering a Healthy Self Image. He has an amazing way of relating how self-esteem is related to achieving more. One thing I read today that really got me thinking was this thought,

" If you were absolutely convinced that you were meant to be a great success in life, and there was nothing in the world to stop you from achieving things, as long as you persisted and threw yourself into every activity whole-heartedly, you would become an irresistible force of nature."
(www.darrellknoch.com)

Now I know I am capable of a greatness beyond my current doings. I can see it in my minds eye.... but somewhere I get hung up on the doing. It seems a little overwhelming to be the person I picture doing the things I picture. Especially compared with the girl currently sitting on the couch writing this blog!

But Darrell  is right. If I truly believe I am capable of accomplishing greatness and changing lives through music, which is my God given talent (yours is probably different), and I threw myself into this activity whole heartedly there is nothing that could hold me back and the devil would quake at the powerful force for goodness I am. I really do believe that I am capable of my goals. So I guess its time to throw myself whole heartedly into action!

So what is it you want to do in life? How do you want to change the world? Do you believe in yourself? Then throw yourself into the game and become that irrisistible force of nature!!!

Has your Ship come in?

A friend of mine snapped this picture of a plaque she saw and I LOVED it. Wish I knew where it was so I could go buy it! Guess I'll have to make one!

So often we meet people who have nothing but negative things to say and wonder when their turn for the 'good fortune' in life is. Well I think this quote says it all. Most people that appear "lucky" have put in the labor and risk that it took to swim out to meet their ship.

What is luck anyway? Laboring Under Correct Knowledge! A great formula for consistency. Last summer at the World Championships of Performing Arts Boot Camp I attended a seminar by Tess Taylor, an executive in the music business. I believe her words were it takes 10 years to create an 'overnight' success. What the general population percieves as sudden has been at least 10 years of labor for the one achieving success. Even the youtube sensation popstar Justin Bieber was turned down by every record label he went to, why because they said there was no market for him! So what did he and his team do? Spent the next few years creating that market!

At times I set out all prepared with everything I need for that swim and sometimes the swells are so high I lose sight of my ship and turn around not sure if its still there! But behind every success story is a story of trials, labor and just plain grit. Because they knew what they wanted badly enough to swim out to whatever distance they needed to in order to reach that ship! And they had the faith that if they just kept swimming they would actually FIND the ship!

That's the kind of person I am striving to be. If I just keep going I know I'll get there. Even if the ship looks different than I had originally pictured, it will still feel sweet to climb aboard. I can't help others do what I have not been willing to do myself! So watch me swim friends! Cheer me on! Swim on out with me, your ship might be anchored close to mine;0)!

Excuses Excuses!

I saw this on someone's facebook page the other day and thought I'd repost it on my blog as well. It really got me thinking about the amount of times I use this excuse. I never really thought about it being as ridiculous as a reason for not accomplishing things I really want to do as telling my college professor that the dog ate my homework.  Even if the dog had eaten my homework I still would have figured out a way to get my paper in on time in order to maintain my grades.

So what grade point average are we living our lives at? We often pride ourselves on the busyness of our lives. Because if we are busy then we must be accomplishing great things and leading very productive lives right? WRONG! Being busy is not enough. We need to be busy at the right things!

Sometimes things happen in our life that forces us to slow down and remind us of what's important! These are usually unexpected and unwanted little crisis! So before we have to be forced to have a crisis to recognize what is the most valuable way to spend our time take a look and get rid of the unnecessary busy that is actually keeping us from reaching our goals. Life will get just a little easier!

Here's to a great day!!!



SONGS ARE IN!!!! Vote your Favorite!

Exciting day in my life! My tracks came back from my producer! Take a listen to tracks 1-7! These are all the ones I co-wrote in Nashville last November. Let me know your favorite! Cast your vote for your favorite to decide which one would you like to see a music video for?

Happy Birthday Dr Seuss!!!

In honor of one of the greatest authors ever...... Dr. Seuss, on his birthday thought I'd share a few quotes that I find relevant at any age!

There is no one like you on this earth, so why waste your time trying to be someone else. Be confident in the talents, qualities, and strengths that God gave you. You are placed in people's life because the Lord knows they need what you have to offer!

Enjoy the Journey! My husband and I have been talking lately about how we need to be focused on our goals, but at the same time be happy along the way there. What are we learning and what memories are we creating as we move forward in life!!!

Think outside the box! Amazing how our eyes are opened to new solutions to the same old problems!

 My favorite explaination of Love!

I just went to a bridal shower yesterday and watched the bride to be bounce off the walls with excitement to marry this amazing man she found. The journey to find him came after a few wrong ones and broken hearts, but the right one is sooooo worth the wait.

And finally, always be learning.... it keeps us moving forward into the unknown. We can be a hamster on a wheel getting our exercise and enjoying a good run in place, or we can be the mouse in a maze, making wrong tunrs and hitting a few dead ends, but with the smell of our goals in the air always learning and moving forward!

Make it a GREAT Day!!!!

Life Solutions from a 3 year old!

As I was getting ready this morning I was only half listening to my 3 year old play with her toys, smiling at the cute little conversations she was having, until she caught my full attention with a question she posed to one of the little people she had in her hand.

"So Saralynn, What's your favorite problem?"

I chuckled to myself and thought, I should correct her, and almost instantly had the impression/insight, no she just course corrected me!

I thought, we don't love our problems, or have "favorite problems".....  do we?  How often do we talk about the problems we have in our lives? It could be health, finances, relationships, family, weight, whatever. We all have them. Our own favorite problem that seems to be a never ending struggle or recurring scenario in our life. But I don't WANT this problem you might argue, I didn't ASK for it, I would LOVE it if it would disappear. Really... well how often do you find yourself talking about the actual problem in all its juicy details and glory without ever turning the conversation to solutions. I do.  How many times do we go to the Lord in prayer to take this problem from us or help us through it, "cast your burdens at His feet" as the scriptures say, only to pick it back upagain at the end of your prayer, focus on it, dwell on it, stew over it and don't really ever actually turn it over to the Him to help find the solution because we are so busy having a problem!

As I explored this little concept I thought no wonder our problems seem to stick around so long. We hold on to them like security blankets, they start to define us, who we have become because we are carrying this, or dealing with this problem.  Its nice to have others pat us on the back and say you can do it, I'll pray for you, oh look how strong you are to deal with that, I don't know how you do it. Now I'm not trying to mock or offend. I can only speak from my own experiences with life. But I regret to say sometimes its fun to share my problems with people because it somehow helps me feel like I'm a good person for going through it.... when really what kind of person could I be if I was focused on finding and carrying out the solutions to the different problems that arise in my life.

 I learned recently in a seminar by Klemmer and Associates that we all deal with pain, what causes the pain in your life is different from what causes the pain in mine, but the emotions, reactions, and chemical response if you will in our bodies is all the same. Pain is pain.  It doesn't matter what caused it verses what caused someone else's, the fact is you have it. But rest assured then that the path to overcoming it is similar and we can help one another find joy again. Though the scenarios may be different the healing path is the same. How nice that we can walk the solutions path together!

So let's examine  the favorite problems in our life and start focusing on our favorite solutions! Thanks to my 3 year old for allowing me some beautiful insight into how to be a happier, kinder, more successful woman!

Fear or Faith?

I don't know about you all, but I find that usually when I go after something, the biggest thing that holds me back is my fear of stepping out into uncharted territory. So I was looking for performance opportunities and found a community one and thought, oh that would be fun. So I filled out the application and sent them a sample track. Then I read that the deadline to get an application in was oh, about a week and a half earlier. So I thought Oh well.... de-stress. Then 2 days later I got an email saying welcome to the show and you have 7 minutes of stage time. Begin doubts and fears creeping in. Now I'm not usually nervous to perform, but that would be because I've always done cover songs and usually been asked by people I know. Begin journey into uncharted territory.... I get to sing my own songs that I spent 3 weeks in Nashville working for and I get to perform for people I don't know and who don't love me to tell me I did great even when I mess up!

Now begin therapy ;0)! I read a quote by Bill Cosby that explains my fight everyday. He says,

Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it!

Its not that I don't want to perform, I love it, in fact thrive on it. The fun that it brings into people's lives in the audience. I can even see myself in a huge stadium having a great time on stage singing away with all my fans joining in. I guess the fear lies in the uncharted waters that it takes to cross to get to there from here.

Life is like that. To get to a new place in our life whether it be a new job, new house, better relationships, better body (let's be honest, we are all looking to lose that last 10lbs ;0)!) We have to do things we've never done before, which takes courage, determination, and faith. I've heard that 2 thoughts cannot coexist at the same time. You can have one thought right after another, but not at the same time. Light and dark do not coexist. Neither does fear and faith.  What we think determines our actions. Action creates results. Basic formula.  It can be in the direction we want to head or the exact opposite!

So I guess the power to choose what we think is ours. Focusing on our desired result gives positive, forward motion.  Make the decision to want it and let go of fear, and I think that we will be amazed at what we invite into our life!

Performance Coming up!!!!

Hey Everyone! Thought I'd let you all know I'm performing this coming Saturday at the Higley Performing Arts Center for the Gilbert Music Fest! The event goes from 10am-2pm and its the best price.... FREE! I'm the 5th act so come on time! See you there!

The Best Opportunites are not always FREE!!!!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to audition for America's Got Talent. It was so much fun and always when its all over I can appreciate the stretching of my comfort level a lot better than in the moment.

2 years ago my husband and I happened to be in Chicago around the time when AGT was auditioning. So we stood in line with the rests of the thousands and waited in the freezing cold for 8 hours before we were let in to wait another 3 hours. I think we got there around 8am and I didn't even audition until 8pm. What a supportive husband right! Well obviously nothing came of that audition, except personal growth ;0)!  I left there kind of justifying that I didn't make it because I didn't have a big enough sob story for TV, or if you think I was tired, think about the judges who'd seen thousands of acts before me, and on and on. Talk about limiting self talk! But I started looking around for more opportunities.

In the last 2 years I've had a couple of awesome opportunities come my way, 1. for the last 2 summers I have been able to represent the USA  competing in the World Championships of Performing Arts (www.wcopa.com) an international Olympic style competition for all the performing arts. I competed in Modeling, acting, and singing and walked away with 11 medals and a Grand Champion Plaque for Senior Division Spokes model.   2. I just completed recording my very first country album with all of my own songs. I spent 3 weeks in Nashville rubbing shoulders with awesome songwriters, musicians, and a fantastic producer and am now anxiously awaiting the final product.

Both of these opportunities contributed to my growth. The competition pushed me harder than I've ever pushed my self before, not only physically to get in shape, but to try new things like acting, and vocally my voice is so different than it was 2 years ago its amazing! The work I did for the competition got me ready for the opportunity of Nashville. But mostly what I want to point out is that neither of these opportunities which majorly contributed to my success and who I am were free. I had to pay for both of them. They came at great sacrifice and hard work. I even recorded a Christmas & Patriotic Album and went door to door selling it, talk about discomfort. But I learned more about who I am, what I want, what I stand for and where I will not bend, than if I had been handed a spot on America's Got Talent that very first audition.

I read this this morning and found it fitting:

Never Let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do! (Jackson Brown Jr)

So as I finished my audition, received a wow from the producer, and then listened as he told me how difficult it is for a solo singer to make the show and how all the odds were against me. I had to smile and say I know! But I'm here anyway.

Don't the odds always feel like they are against us? And sometimes the opportunities in front of us come with an expensive price tag. But I LIKE who I am today because of the odds I face, and the opportunities I took. Do I still hope I make the show and win the million bucks???? Heck yeah! But even if I don't I'll go out and make my own million bucks. Whichever route is the one God has designed for me it will be the one that I can touch the most lives for good on the way.

Want your Goal?

So this last weekend I spent in a personal development workshop by Klemmer and associates. If you haven't heard of them, look them up.  What they offer will totally shift how you think about yourself and change your life patterns!
 Well I spent the weekend stripping away all of my excuses and taking a good hard look at myself to learn how to create results. Brian Klemmer who developed this program has a saying that I have chosen to live by:

Results, while often harsh are always fair!

Results are the only real way we can measure whether we are truly committed to our goals or not. It doesn't matter how much I say I want something. If the results are different then I have not been truly committed to my goal. For example, I have been talking about this last 10 pounds that needs to be released! SO I thought I was committed to my goal... well guess what, their still attached to my body, so judging by results I have not been truly committed to this goal.

I have lots of goals in all different areas in my life, better spiritual communication with my Father in Heaven, more patience with my daughter, increased romance with my spouse, picked up by a record label. But I always seem to have a million excuses as to why I don't have them yet and will pat myself on the back for trying! But as you well know trying doesn't get you anywhere. SO I have been able to take a good hard look at my life and the results I have and recommit to the actual accomplishment of my goals based on results. Sometimes it takes courage, other times trust in my own abilities and the fact that the Lord can give me the extra strength, insight and confidence to achieve them.

So I am making a declaration to the world and to all my friends out there! I am an Accepted, Confident, Focused and Committed Woman. Go ahead.... hold me accountable. Ask me about my results. I am choosing that when a 2x4 comes along in life and tries to knock me off coarse that I will step into whatever qualities is takes to stay committed to the results I know I can have.  I have come to know that when we are truly committed, only then can the Lord step in with His Grace and make the difference where we might fall short, or raise us up to where we need to be.  When we are in this state our eyes will be opened to opportunities that we may have never known existed.

Know you are worth it. Whatever your goals and dreams are, be committed to them. No one is judging you or your actions. Based on results you yourself will know how truly committed you are!

I am normal?

I have little patience and even get a little mad when people put a label on who they THINK I am, and what I need to do and change based on their perspective. Now I'm not talking about constructive criticism in helping me move forward in my goals and life, I'm talking about the ones that place you in a certain box, get an idea in their head about who you are and because they think they have you all figured out, never really do know you or what you are capable of;  you know the type. Every once in a while I come across them in my life and today was one of those days... soooo for those of you who happened to run into the same type today....

I'm in the mood for a little Disney. That guy created a magical kingdom from a whistling mouse! Walt said a few things that have made me confident to continue pursuing my dreams and thinking outside the box!  The first thing I like that he said, and I ad lib since I can't find the direct quote, but....

If you run an idea by 10 people and 9 out of 10 don't like it, then its probably a good idea!

Walt was backed in this thought by Mark Twain who said

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.”

So I guess to find out if I'm on the right course I ought to run every idea on facebook to see if the majority agree with me or not right?!  I have to admit that I'm always a little wounded when I come up with a fabulous idea and no one else seems to catch my vision! But call it pride or determination my heart goes, I'll show you! I am learning that it's probably not because its not a good idea, but their thinking is not quite out of the box enough to see my vision. These thoughts were a good reminder to me today that its OK that not everyone likes my ideas, mannerisms, songs, or even me for that matter! (though that I can't fathom ;0)!)

So I encourage us all to chase our crazy ideas and quit telling the nay sayers all about our ideas, just show them the end result!
Walt Disney says,

"All our dreams can come true- If we have the courage to pursue them"

Dreams are work, but I'm going to like who I become in the process, and people all along the way are going to tell me to get real, and even laugh at my ideas.... but those are the ones I'm especially going to use ;0)!

Think Big, We are Divine!

As I sat here thinking about my day and what I wanted to write about I read a few words by Donald Trump that stuck in my brain....

If your going to be thinking, you may as well think big!

Now I'm not a huge fan of Donald Trump, although our dog is named after him,  (courtesy of my husband getting the name stuck in our 3 year old's head....) But I do like this thought, as I tend to think a lot.  And as I sat here reflecting on what it exactly means to think big and how I can think bigger, I heard through the baby monitor my 3 year old start to sweetly sing the song I am a Child of God. If you've never heard it follow this youtube link http://youtu.be/JOrcqqpHCt8  its worth the 2 minute listen.

The lyrics are I am a Child of God, and He has sent me here. Has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear. Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do to live with Him someday.

As this sweet song came drifting over the speaker I thought, how can you think any bigger than that? To know that I am a daughter of God! The daughter of an all mighty, all powerful, all knowing, and loving God. He sent me here to earth to learn, grow, and to succeed.

I know as parent I only want what's best for my daughter and I want her to be able to succeed in anything she tries. Sometimes so badly I like to intercede to do it for her, and other times I can't, I just have to watch her give it her best effort and then pick up the slack where I can.  I picture my Father in Heaven the same. He wants us to succeed in all that we try and work towards. Sometimes He can intercede and hand us the successes we desire and other times we have to give it our all before He can fill in the gaps.  (And sometimes I think, like my 3 year old, I shove the help I could have to make it easier aside and say Let ME do it! Making the process alot longer and harder than it had to be.)  So knowing this why not attempt anything!  We have an all powerful, all knowing Heavenly parent on our side!

So now that we know who we are we can set all our fears of failure aside and just give it our all right?! Actually, I thank my 3 year old for that sweet reminder of who I am, and why I have big goals and dreams. Sometimes our fears and doubts can crowd out faith and determination, but thank goodness for a perceptive and loving God who sends sweet little reminders to our hearts to think big!