She’ll be 12 soon… Despite my deepest wishes and blatant denial of reality, I do know that she isn’t going to live forever.
I know the reality of the situation, yet still, the thought of losing her makes my heart hurt, real physical pain, the type of pain that grabs your throat and makes it hard to take a breath. The type of pain from wanting to fix something so badly, yet being powerless to change anything.
Some might say “She’s just a dog.” But that is where they are wrong. She is not just a dog. She is my constant companion, my biggest fan, and most loyal friend. She has been by my side for the majority of my adult life. She greets me as if I am the most important person alive and listen to me talk as if everything I say is the most interesting thing she has ever heard.
Yes, she is a dog, but that doesn’t make her any less important to me, she is my best friend, and I love her!
So, while no, I cannot prevent the inevitable, I can enjoy every moment that I still have with her.
Have you ever watched the show on TLC called Hoarding: Buried Alive? So. Much. Stuff. Just watching that show makes me feel anxious!
I love organization, I love when everything has a place to go! I hate clutter! Clutter actually gives me major angst! Usually, if my house and surroundings are cluttered it is a sure sign that my mind and soul feel cluttered as well.
Quite often, when things in my life get hectic, and I have a lot on my to-do list or there are important decisions to be made, I tend to be a hoarder of information. I look for more and more input and advice, rather than less.
During these times, I often put the cart before the horse and start thinking about the “what ifs” and “but maybes” of potential situations… I basically become filled with clutter in my mind. Instead, I need to take a minimalist approach to my daily decisions and plans for the future! I need to clean out the clutter in my mind.
While I am in no way a minimalist, I love the idea of minimalism. I recently heard minimalism defined as “not owning nothing, but instead that nothing should own you.” What a simple way to put it!
The Bible says in Ps 46:10 says Be still and know that I am God.
Stillness is to the soul as de-cluttering is to the home. By taking some quiet time for reflection with God’s word, I am making space to quiet my mind, to clean out the clutter, to be still, and hear God’s voice.
I am not a political person, I am not looking for a fight, argument, or a big discussion. I am just so tired of unkindness being the normal thing.
Evil prevails when good men stand by and do nothing! I don’t know what to do personally, but something needs to be done!
Just because someone has a different point of view, perspective, or culture does not give us the right to disregard, look down on, or ignore their presence.
Just because we disagree with what someone else believes doesn’t mean we have a right to treat them insensitively or with anything other than love and kindness.
There’s so much anxiety, unrest, and strife in our world! We have made things all about which side we’re on, you against me, us against them. I’m right, so you are automatically wrong.
When it comes right down to it, we are all people, we are all imperfectly flawed. We all make mistakes.
We are all different. These differences are what make us special. These differences are not what makes us weaker or less than.
It often seems hopeless, as if bad people are getting rewarded, and it seems that hate will win. In the end, doing the right thing is still the best thing to do and being kind is still worthwhile.
So while I cannot change a lot of things about the world, I can be kind to those I interact with. I can smile at, and acknowledge those around me. I don’t want to stand by and do nothing!
I’m not really one for New Year’s Resolutions, what about you?
I am more of a resolve to make a change when it is needed whether it is January 1st, April 18th, or November 24th. That being said, this year I am going to try something a little different. This is something that has been on my mind for a few weeks now…
I have been thinking about claiming a word for the year.
I feel as if claiming a word has a much more positive spin to it than a new years resolution. Most New Year’s Resolutions are tossed aside or forgotten by the end of February… Whereas, a word of the year is something that can be focused on, and meditated on, in little spurts rather than an everyday task or one big thing.
During the month of November, I blogged daily about what I am thankful for. I really enjoyed intentionally focusing on being grateful. After taking the time every day to list out all the things I have to be thankful for I realized just how true it is that gratitude turns what we have into enough!
What about you? Do you make resolutions or do you claim a word to focus on for the year? I’d love to hear what you are looking forward to in 2018!
I cannot believe that 2017 is already practically over! Time really does fly! I remember saying to one of my patients in May that it would be 4th of July in no time, and here it is already almost New Year’s Eve! Where did the year go?!
Despite the time flying, I have fallen in love with some great products this past year. Here is a list of my favorite 17 things or 2017. I have included both beauty and non-beauty related items with links to make shopping easier 🙂
Caress Mystique Forever Body Wash $4 This stuff smells so amazing! My skin never feels dry or irritated when I use this body wash. I like all the scents, but the purple one Mystique Forever is my favorite.
My favorite Skin Care item of 2017
Mario Badescu Facial Spray in both the Aloe Herbs, and Rosewater version and Aloe, Cucumber, and Green Tea version. I’m pretty much obsessed with these sprays!
Runner-up
Dr. Brandt Skincare PoreDermabrasion Pore Perfecting Exfoliator. My skin looks so great when I consistently use this exfoliator.
Runner-up these Dansko booties. I get stopped all the time so that people can ask me where I got my booties.
My favorite book of 2017
The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst.I have read a lot of books this year (65 to be exact.) I have read some great ones and some not so great ones.Out of all the books that I have read this year, The Best Yes by Lysa TurKerst has made the most impact on my life.I have been teaching a Bible study at my church based on this book. Since I have to teach, I have been forced to get into my Bible more deeply as I have studied this book.
My favorite way to listen to music:
Spotify.My husband recently switched from a regular account to the family plan.I have been loving having my own playlists!
My favorite artist of 2017
Lauren Dangle.Her voice is amazing and I love the style of worship music that she sings.
My favorite song of 2017
Broken Things by Matthew West.I especially love the lines “The pages of history they tell me it’s true.That it’s never the perfect; it’s always the ones with the scars that You use”
Runner-up Different by Micah Tyler. I love the line, “And I don’t wanna spend my life stuck in a pattern And I don’t wanna gain this world but lose what matters.”
I know, that I am far from perfect But through You, the cross still says I’m worth it
Runner-up Thy Will by Hillary Scott. My favorite line from this song is “I know you hear me, I know you see me, Lord Your plans are for me Goodness you have in store”
My favorite Podcast of 2017
The Next Right Thing by Emily P Freeman.Her voice is so soothing!“If you’re in a season of transition, waiting, general fogginess or if you’ve ever searched “how to make a decision” on the internet, listen in as best-selling author and host Emily P. Freeman helps create a little space for your soul to breathe so you can discern your next right thing in love.”
Halo Top I love them all but my favorite flavors are PB Cup and Oatmeal Cookie! The PB Cup has only 320 calories in the entire pint and 6 grams of protein per serving! Eating these two together is a match made in Heaven!
My favorite food discovery of 2017
Trader Joe’s Avocado’s Number Guacamole to Go.Six packets of 100 calories of guacamole.I love putting these into my lunch for work or grabbing it on the go when I don’t have time to make myself something healthy for lunch.
My favorite Looking Joli Good posts of 2017
I really enjoyed writing all of my posts from November about Gratitude.I enjoyed reminding myself daily about all that I have to be thankful for.
My favorite thing of all 2017
I love Cadbury Mini Eggs.This year I discovered them at CVS during the Christmas season!
What about you? What have you been loving during 2017? I would love to hear all about it in the comment section!
There are often times that I start thinking… and one thing leads to another… and my thoughts stray from what is honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report.**
It is during these times that I not only pray for help and encouragement and read scriptures to remind me of God’s goodness and grace, but I also surround myself with praise songs.
Today has been one of these days… A song that has been speaking to my heart this morning is What A Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship.
What A Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship
You were the Word at the beginning
One With God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ
What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
You didn’t want heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought heaven down My sin was great, Your love was greater
What could separate us now
What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
How sweet is your name, Lord, how good You are
Love to sing in the name of the Lord, love to sing for you all?
Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You
You silenced the boast, of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory For You are raised to life again
You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name, above all names
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name, above all names
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
2 Corinthians 10:5
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
I hope that you can find some encouragement from this song today as well.
This song has been running through my head the last few days. I love that God can take someone who is broken and still use me!
If grace was a kingdom
I stopped at the gate
Thinking I don’t deserve to pass through after all the mistakes that I’ve made
After all the mistakes that I’ve made
Oh but I heard a whisper
As Heaven bent down
Said, “Child, don’t you know that the first will be last and the last get a crown”
Now I’m just a beggar in the presence of a King I wish I could bring so much more
But if it’s true You use broken things
Then here I am Lord, I’m all Yours
You use broken things
The pages of history they tell me it’s true.
That it’s never the perfect; it’s always the ones with the scars that You use
It’s the rebels and the prodigals; it’s the humble and the weak
All the misfit heroes You chose Tell me there’s hope for sinners like me
It’s always the ones with the scars that You use
Now I’m just a beggar in the presence of a King
I wish I could bring so much more
But if it’s true You use broken things
Then here I am Lord, I’m all Yours
Grace is a kingdom
With gates open wide
Grace is a kingdom
With gates open wide
There’s a seat at the table just waiting for you So, come on inside
Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:39
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Instead, I need to take a minimalist approach to my daily decisions and plans for the future! I need to clean out the clutter in my mind.
Looking Joli Good 