the new tithe

My friend posted this blog.  It's been something I've been thinking about a LOT the last few years.  I find this an incredibly important topic to ponder.  

Over the last few years, we've given our money to things other than church . . . people we believe in, people who are struggling to make ends meet, people going on missions trips, people who need a gift, or people who just need to know someone loves them.

As one who grew up in Christian culture, I've seen that this notion of 10% going to the church might have been taken a tad too literally.  Isn't the church the people anyway?

Thoughts?

inspiration

Beauty inspires me.  Plain & simple.  

When I see something beautiful, it releases appreciation, gratitude, admiration & inspiration within me.  I find myself captivated by beauty.  It can be a beautiful piece of clothing, artwork or jewelry.  It could be a beautiful person with their unique features and skin tone or the way their make up is done to perfection.  Or it can be a song that's been sung with soul or a dance that's created from the depths.

So when I was grocery shopping the other day, I just couldn't resist these.  Two dozen roses of various colors.  When I saw them, I was moved.  And even though I shouldn't have afforded them, every time I glance their way, I'm moved.

injustice

Nothing makes me angrier than injustice.  Today I experienced quite a bit of injustice.  Given the A+B=C equation (injustice = anger), I spent a good bit of the day angry.  

But I heard a quote yesterday that really stuck with me . . . "anger is the poison that only kills you."  Needless to say, I've spent the rest of the day attempting to rid myself of the anger & frustration that plagues me. 

racing

Today I've had that racing feeling . . . my mind running at warp speed - thinking of everything that needs to get done, heart pumping with adrenaline coursing through my veins . . . and sweaty armpits.  YUCK!  

I don't miss this feeling at all.  I used to live in this space almost every day - for YEARS.  So I guess it's time to go & sit for a minute . . . and put the mind in God's hands . . . and release it all back to Him.  Headed there now.

on the prowl

Well . . . after two glorious years of staying at home & enjoying the finer things in life (ie. naps :-) it's time for me to go back to work.  Just sent out my resume to a bunch of friends.  Gonna start with connections first.  

Oh how I will miss you endless reflection, mid-afternoon cat naps, slow mornings & having dinner ready for Dan when he walks in the door - hopefully I will know you again some day!!!

Oh how I will not miss you endless laundry, dishes & grocery shopping - oh wait!  I still have to do all that anyway.  Hmmm.

4 strands of brown

Over the last year, every time I've washed or combed my hair, I've lost handfuls of hair.  The scary, cancer-patient kind of handfuls.  However, since I've been working with my OMD the last 6 weeks, and drinking the worst tasting medicinal teas EVER . . .

I'm very pleased to report that . . . . drum roll please . . . this morning I lost only 4 strands of hair (a personal record)!!!  AND they were brown (for those of you too who aren't too keen with the senses - I dye my hair every four weeks to cover the massive amounts of grey).  I can hardly believe my eyes (nor my head :-).

I asked the doctor what I could attribute my reborn hair color coming back in.  Circulation, he said . . . circulation people!!!

free tickets

I haven't been to a live concert in years . . . literally!  Maybe even a decade.  So when Leandro (my salsa friend) invited Dan and I to a Valentine's concert with him & his girlfriend, I was excited.

He was able to get us free tickets to a Kenny G & Michael Bolton concert at the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal Studios.

My initial thought was, "This is gonna be really fun, but aren't they kinda old school?"  Boy, was I wrong! 

It was AMAZING!  I've always appreciated their music, but hearing it LIVE was a whole other experience.  And we had great seats to boot!!!  SOOOO fun!

Thanks Leandro . . . good times!