May 2010

I've sat in front of this computer for two days, typing and deleting over and over again, unable to come up with a clear topic on which to write. It's been a long time since I've written something that other people will read, so it could simply be nerves holding me back. Speaking of nerves...
When I was at community college taking an oral communications class the professor told us to replace the word nervous with the word excited before every presentation. Over time this little trick seemed to erase any pre-presentation jitter, but to this day I am intimidated by even the thought of standing in front of a group of people, and still I do it.
When we were young my dad would always tell my sisters and I, "there is no such thing as can't, in anything that you do." But for me, and maybe for many of you, the word "can't" always seems to find its way back into my vocabulary; clouding my vision and destroying my confidence. But with perseverance and the support of others we can achieve all that seems impossible. By surrounding yourself with people who believe you can, it is only a matter of time before you believe you can.
Oprah has said on more than one occasion that writing down your goals, your hopes and dreams and by imagining yourself achieving those goals, those hopes and dreams (or "putting it out into the universe") you will do exactly that. I had lost interest in goal setting until recently. I was having a Debbie Downer kind of day and I decided that I needed to set some goals for myself so that even though I was "just a mom" I could feel like I was doing something with my life, for myself. So I set two goals for which I am to accomplish before Clayton's contract with the Marine Corps is up (December 16, 2011) and we head back to Michigan; run a 5k and go up a belt in karate. I've been running three days a week for almost a month and on one of those days I did run three miles, which is just shy of a 5k. And I have been in karate for a month and a half and will be testing for my next belt in June. I think this way of thinking works because by writing down your goals, your hopes and dreams you have made yourself accountable; It is somewhat like making a contract with yourself.
Then there is God. Faith and the power of prayer have had miraculous effects on so many outcomes in life. Simple prayers like the ones I said weeks prior to our yard sale for it to be successful or intense prayers like those said by parents at the foot of their child's hospital bed will be answered if we have faith in God. Take these scriptures and let God's promises guide you in prayer.

Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ~Matthew 7:7-8

Have faith that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. ~Matthew 21:22

We are confident that God listens to us if we ask for anything that has his approval. We know that he listens to our requests. So we know that we already have what we ask him for. ~John 5:14-15

I started typing lacking a path, devoid of an end destination and it seems that without even knowing it I have written a piece on ways to do things you did not think you could. With that said, remember that MOPS and its moms are here whenever your nerves are taking over, the word CAN'T is holding you back, you need support to reach your goals or you need another person to ask God something on your behalf.


"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believer, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart...I'll always be with you. ~A. A. Milne