100 Ways To Improve Your Happiness

Do you want to be happy? Of course you do, who doesn’t?! Here are 101 easy ways to achieve a better, happier life! Keep in mind of course that it is not not things that make us happy but our experiences.

1)First off Travel more, I am an avid traveler and love love love it, but travel really can have a profound effect on us by taking us out of our comfort zones and opening our eyes to some of the different places and lives that were unknown to us. It’s also just fun!

2) Take a weekend trip. It doesn't have to be anything costly or extravagant, even a weekend or day long break from home can make you happier.

3) Spend time by the ocean. There’s nothing like sand between your toes and fresh sea air. I make it a point to get there at least twice a year....already gone 3 times this year....maybe a good reason why I have had such a great year thus far

4) Go camping. Commune with nature closer to home—the food will taste better and you’ll sleep deeper in the great outdoors, plus it is just a lot of fun.

5) Go skydiving. Face your fears and reap the benefits of this exhilarating extreme sport—you’ll be euphoric for weeks. I can't wait to go!

6) Go stargazing. Find a spot relatively free of unnatural light and marvel at the beauty of the night sky. Love stargazing make it a point to pretty much ever clear night. xD

7) Sit in front of a beautiful view. Find a spot close by with a nice view that you can visit when you need a break. I highly recommended a nice spot on a hill to watch the sunset/sunrise.

WORK---We all gotta do it but make it fun!
8 ) Make enough money to meet your basic needs. Studies have shown that anything beyond that amount will not necessarily make you happier, plus you will not get to do everything else on this list if you work too much.

9) Avoid financial hierarchies. For a new job, choose a place where everyone makes a similar amount. People feel better when they feel equal to their co-workers.

10) Find satisfaction in the job you have. Don’t expect to find one job that will make you happy—instead focus on the positive aspects of your work instead of blaming a job for your unhappiness.

11) Take initiative at work. You’ll gain professional respect, self-fulfillment and feel more in control in the workplace.

12) Keep plants in your workspace. The LA Times found that employees who decorate their office space are more satisfied with their jobs.

13) Bake cookies and bring them to work. You’ll enjoy the baking and making your co-workers happy.

HEALTH
14) Get enough sleep. Sleeping for 8 hours per night can elevate your mood and better prepare you to greet the day. As much as I don't sleep I have to admit that it can make a world of a difference when I get some sleep.

15) Take vitamin C. Keeping your immune system happy will keep you happy. But not too much as it is fat soluble and may come out in the form of ulcers if you have too much of it.

16) Laugh out loud. Laughing releases endorphins and lowers levels of stress hormones.

17) Cook with more garlic. Garlic not only adds delicious flavor to meals, it also keeps blood pressure down to keep you relaxed and healthy.

18) Get more fresh air. Fresh air is invigorating and alters the levels of serotonin in your brain—the stuff that makes you happy! And especially when there is sunshine... I know it is rare around here but it makes a world of a difference in my mood.

19) Eat more foods with tryptophan. It has an amino acid needed to make serotonin, the chemicals that make you happy. Try more bananas, dairy products and poultry.

20) Work out. Exercising can not only make you feel better about yourself, it also releases endorphins in your body to give you a natural high. If you are like me and not a huge fan of working out try DDR, lots of fun and you still get that exercise in.

21) Eat chocolate. Besides releasing endorphins and stimulating serotonin production in your brain, chocolate releases phenylethylamine, the chemical that causes feelings of love. I am not a huge fan of chocolate but that doesn't mean you can enjoy it and tell everyone I told you it was good for ya.

22) Meditate. According to the Dalai Lama as well as several medical studies, meditation not only decreases stress, but also triggers a neurological response that makes you happy. Practice being still and knowing God is God and you are not....it is a tough one but so peaceful once you finally come to except it.

23) Do yoga. Learning to control your breathing through yoga practice helps you control your responses to stress and fear.

24) Get a massage. Besides its relaxing properties, the touch involved in massage creates warmth in your body and releases the chemical oxytocin—also known as the cuddle hormone.

25) Eat chickpeas (or other beans). Chickpeas have an amino acid that makes you happy, and beans keep your sugar levels steady throughout the day.

26) Have sex. Numerous studies show that a healthy sexual intimacy with a caring partner can have tremendous physical and emotional benefits. Please save this one for marriage, it will be worth it.

27) Install more windows in your house. Getting enough exposure to the sun has been proven to be crucial to happiness and well-being.

28) Put full-spectrum lights in your home or office. If you live in a wintry climate that doesn’t get much sun, you can replicate the effect with light bulbs that mimic the sun’s rays.

29) Drink coffee. Studies in Brazil showed that people who drink coffee every day are less likely to suffer from depression. Coffee is the world’s most popular mood-enhancing drug, but remember to drink in moderation, or if coffee isn't your thing you can try Tea or Dew like me...the dew might end up killing you but it sure lightens my mood xD

30) Eat more spinach. Popeye’s favorite green is packed with folic acid, an important vitamin that boosts serotonin production.

31) Eat foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Certain kinds of fish like salmon or sardines have Omega-3, which is known to elevate mood levels—high doses are even used to treat depression.

32) Eat more colorful fruits and vegetables. They contain antioxidants which help remove toxins
from our bodies that cause stress and aging.

33) Put some strawberries in your breakfast. The smell of strawberries is known to invigorate and energize. Yummmy!!

34) Drink hot mint tea. The scent of fresh mint is energizing and the steam will perk you up.

ATTITUDE
35) Smile. It takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown. Plus it is proven that people that smile more are happier xD and Smiles are contagious....if you don't believe me just go a head and try it, I guarantee it will spread...

36) Make a grateful list. Focus on all the great things in your life to enhance feelings of joy and attract more good things. With this forget the icky things....focus on the positive there are a lot more of them then you may think.

37) Break outside your comfort zone. Being comfortable doesn’t make you happy—challenging yourself does.

38) Follow your gut. Most of the time your first instinct is not only correct, but the best choice.

39) Don’t regret your decisions. If it turns out you were wrong, don’t waste time worrying about it, instead make the next best decision and move forward. What is done is done, and can worry add anything to your life? Nothing good that's for sure.

40) Accept that you can’t be happy all the time. Focus on being content and the truly happiness will be all that much sweeter.

41) Try to see from others’ perspectives. Much of our unhappiness comes from our frustration with other people not understanding us. Try to imagine how they see the world and the frustration will ease.

42) Let the little things go. There’s no sense in wasting your energy and inhibiting your happiness by worrying about things you can’t change.

43) Make the decision to be happy. Happiness is an attitude, not a physical state.

44) Don’t take things personally. So often, anger and frustration directed at us is a result of someone else’s misplaced stress. Recognize that it’s not necessarily about you and you’ll remain calmer and happier.

45) Savor the small moments. People who take longer to enjoy small moments and then reflect on them later in the day show significant increases in happiness.

46) Avoid comparing yourself to others. It’s damaging to self-esteem—focus on your own achievements. There is always going to be someone better out there stop trying to beat them out...instead compare yourself to yourself a year ago.

47) Make meaningful goals. Harvard scientists say humans need a sense of purpose to thrive and that people with dreams and aspirations are happier than those without.

48) Embrace spirituality. Research suggests that people who participate in a religious community or explore alternate sets of beliefs are happier and better adjusted in life.

49) Have a good cry when you need it. Allowing yourself to break down completely is cathartic and you’ll feel better after you let it all out.

50) Learn to forgive yourself. Focusing on your past mistakes serves no purpose besides keeping you from moving on.

51) Maintain perspective. When life starts to feel out of control, remind yourself of the positive things in your life and how lucky you are.

52) Define what happiness means for you. Don’t worry about what other people define as happy, find what makes you happy and go for it.

RELATIONSHIPS
53) Stay close to friends and family. Moving far away from networks of support can take a toll on your level of happiness—even if you have moved in order to make more money.

54) Get a dog, preferably a puppy or two so you can give one to me... The studies showing the positive effects man’s best friend can have on your psyche are numerous: better emotional and physical health and a wagging tail.

55) Give more hugs. Hugging releases the same chemical as massage and is always free! And after all everyone loves a hug ...even if it is only secretly.

56) Make time for your friends. Personal connections are so important and making even a little time to be with people who make you smile can keep you happy.

57) Make new friends. Meeting other people is exciting and finding a new person with whom to connect can only enhance your fulfillment.

58) Write thank-you notes. Expressing gratitude makes you and the recipient happy.

59) Call your mom. Or your dad, or your grandma or anyone you haven’t talked to in a while and surprise them with a chat. If it doesn't make you happy I am sure it will make there day.

60) Get a cat. If you’re not a dog person, cats make wonderful, loving, stress-reducing housemates and bed-warmers. And if you are not a cat person you can always take out your anger on the cat...that ought to cheer ya up.

61) Cuddle up with someone you love. Enjoy time with your kids or your partner for instant happiness.

62) Babysit for a friend. Being around children’s infectious optimism is sure to boost your mood.

63) Hold a baby. They’re cute and cuddly and without a care in the world—you’ll feel instantly uplifted.

ACTIVITIES
64) De-clutter. A clean home is a clean mind, and you’ll feel better in an orderly environment.

65) Donate to charity. Giving to those less fortunate than you will make you appreciate what you have.

66) Rent a comedy. Take an hour and a half out of your day for pure laughing entertainment and you’ll feel instantly boosted.

67) Watch kittehroulette.com. If watching nonstop videos of playful kittens doesn’t lift your spirits, nothing will.

68) Take a nap. A quick power nap, especially on a sunny afternoon, is luxurious and will help you make it through the day.

69) Change one thing in your daily routine. You’ll stave off boredom and might discover something new that delights you.

70) Take a walk. Taking a quick walk, even just around the block can clear your mind and raise your mood.

71) Surround yourself with smells that make you happy. Smell is a much overlooked sense that greatly affects our mood—try a coconut shampoo that reminds you of a vacation or bake cookies that remind you of childhood.

72) Listen to upbeat music. Even just a few minutes of a hip-shaking tune gets your blood flowing and makes you feel more positive.

73) Set your alarm early on a day you know you get to sleep in. When you wake up you’ll get the pleasure of realizing that you don’t have to get out of bed—then rolling over for some more satisfying zzz’s.

74) Paint a room in your house yellow. Looking at the color yellow has been proven to improve moods.

75) Make a home cooked-meal. You’ll get not only tasty food, but the pride of having made it yourself.

76) Dress up for no reason. Putting on clothes that make you feel good increases your self-esteem and your mood.

77) Add some soft blue to your bedroom. Light blue has been shown to be the most calming color and can set the mood for a restful night’s sleep—essential to a positive attitude.

78) Do something you loved as a kid. Riding a roller-coaster or going sledding can help you connect to your inner child and remember simple thrills.

79) Wear red. Red can make us feel confident, powerful and strong.

80) Splash on some perfume/aftershave. Studies show that floral scents can make you happier.

81) Volunteer your time. Selfless acts and helping others is a fast route to genuine contentment.

82) Decorate your home for the holidays. Preparing for holiday celebrations is always fun and a great excuse to invite friends and family over.

83) Take time for yourself. Go to a movie, or a museum or a walk around town by yourself to re-connect.

84) Perform random acts of kindness. Hold open a door for a stranger or leave some money in the vending machine, for no other reason than doing something nice for your fellow man.

85) Send snail-mail. Rediscover the pleasure of old-fashioned communication.

86) Make time to curl up with a good book. It can be either a thought-provoking tome or a guilty pleasure.

87) Invest in fancy bedding. Be cozy and happy drifting to sleep and wake up to a happy morning.

88) Go bowling or mini golfing with friends.

89) Dance. Alone or at a club, dancing is fun and stress-releasing.

90) Pay off your credit card debt. Debt can be a major source of stress and you’ll feel great when you eliminate it from your life.

91) Clean the house. Even if you don’t like cleaning, a clean home can drastically improve your attitude.

92) Volunteer at a local animal shelter. You’ll get the pleasure of knowing you’re lending your time and brightening the day of some furry friends.

93) Find a hobby. Painting, singing, tai chi—it doesn’t matter as long as you have an outlet to express yourself.

94) Turn off your phone for a day. Let people know in advance that you are taking a personal day and can only be reached in case of emergency. Savor the silence.

95) Sing in the shower. It doesn’t matter what you sing, just make sure you belt it as loud as possible.

96) Stash some money in a secret place so you can discover it later. Pick a spot you’re likely to forget so you get a thrill weeks or months later when you stumble on it.

97) Enjoy a guilty pleasure TV show. Make some popcorn and banish the guilt—we all need a cheesy escape sometimes.

98) Go for a walk or jog in the rain. The high produced by exercise will be heightened by the cool rain on your face.

99) Enjoy a cold beer or chilled wine on a hot day. Need I say more?

100) Go to hear live music. Hearing music live puts you in the moment in a way an iPod can’t.

The End of the World....

6pm Saturday May 21st, 2011, has now come and gone and guess what, Harold Camping was wrong yet again. To all those out there that may have fallen for his lies and predictions I what to urge you to seek out the truth and not be so easily swayed by people especially some one with a track record like Camping. He obviously has no authority on predicted such things and should not be taken seriously.

“Those prophets are prophesying lies while claiming my authority! I did not send them. I did not commission them. I did not speak to them. They are prophesying to these people false visions, worthless predictions, and the delusions of their own mind” (Jeremiah 14:14, NET)

Please do not allow people such as Camping and other corrupt "Christians" sway your opinions and trust in God and his word. These individuals are not representing Christ and are not speaking truth and I would hate to see you forming skepticism of Christianity because of these individuals. They are confused and not following or reading what is really in Scripture. Those false billboards and messages plastering that "the Bible Guaranteeing it" are straight up lies. The Bible actually says,

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father

in Matthew 24:36 and

....The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him

in
Matthew 24:44 I plead with you do not let the lies of these people tell you other wise for they are lies. What now for you disillusioned followers of this most recent end times cult? By God’s grace wake up! (Revelation 3:2). Now is the time to face the truth: Your trust should have been in what Christ has said in His Word, not in what Camping was foisting upon the words of the Bible.

Let us not forget that God's word and his promises are flawless unlike that of Camping and as Proverbs 30: 5-6 reads

Do not add to his words or he will rebuke you as a liar

Camping obviously missed this verse as well as

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book

(Revelation 22:18), admits his faulty calculations as he has now been exposed as the liar he is, just as he was in 1994. Harold Camping’s predictions have been the delusions of his own mind, stories he has made up. They have been the ramblings of a foolish old man. Christ said that many would come “to deceive the elect—if that were possible” (Mark 13:22). False teachers, false brothers, and false philosophies will come to deceive us, but it appears the deceptions will not stick, for they lack truth like the truth that is in the word of God, which with stands from generation to generation. And God will not allow truth to be mixed with falsehood forever. He will shake things. He will shake us to the core, if the core is true and the core is Christ!

Yes Camping his followers and the like have been deceived and been wrong as they have caused others to be deceived and lead a stray but let us not be so quick to judge and condemn them. Condemn there sin yes, but not them for we too are deceived in many ways and it is God alone that has the authority to judge on such matters. May we instead pray for the healing of those who have been devastated and shaken, and let us not be. Do not be so quick to elevate yourself above such people but let us use this situation to further humble ourselves and rely on God's truth not the truth dictated to us by society or even other Christians. Let us pray for Mr. Camping, that he would confess his sin and arrogance and resign from the radio, resign from “public” life. I say this in adherence to the words of Paul, who told Timothy, “command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies” (1 Timothy 1:3-4).

Lastly, when all is said and done, Christ will return, the Day of Judgment will one day arrive, and when that happens, there will be no escaping.

In the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.' But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men

2Peter 3:3-7

Just Because Camping's prediction has come and gone does not now mean we are safe from any future non-since, in fact I fell that this is going to become rapidly more and more common as more and more false prophesies come about, and our eagerness to leave may make us more susceptible to falling for such non-sense. For this reason we must now more than ever stay true in reading God's word and trusting in him completely so we may see the absurdity of such teaching when it is taught to us.

And as for the whole end of the world, in December, 2012, that too is false, so please don't fall for such things. Here’s the deal, my friends. Live life every day as if it were your last day. That doesn’t mean spend the mortgage money on that new Jaguar convertible so you can tool around town repo man comes and collects on the unpaid car loan. That sets up the scenario where Mr. Wells Fargo will knock on your door and politely tell you that the house you love is his, and he wants it back. No what this means is do not leave what ought to be done today till tomorrow. It means make sure that if Jesus did come back tomorrow that you would have everything done that you wanted to do done before then. It means sharing Christ's love to one another rather than holding grudges and hating each other. It means being quite to forgive and slow to anger. Learn to get along. It’s true – everything you DO need to know about life, you probably did learn in kindergarten.

Maybe the Apocalypse predictors should take a lesson from kindergarten. Now, more than ever, we need to learn to stick together. All of us. If it is the end of the world, we’ll be way less frightened if we’re holding hands and facing it together. And if it’s not, we’ll all be a whole lot happier. Now let us stop trying to calculate when and set a date but let us get ready for there is so much to do and so many relationships to build and repair why are we all wasting our time debating when its going to happen when we are not even ready for it. Go for we have been blessed to be a blessing and let us start acting like it is really the End of the World let us actually think about all the things we would wish we had done and let us do them today!

100 Ways to Simplify Your Life!

You see, when we’re born we see the world in an uncomplicated way. We know what we need, and we ask for it. We like nice people, and we don’t like mean people. We sleep when we’re tired, we eat when we’re hungry, and we stop eating when we’re full. As we grow older, we eat and drink to console ourselves, rather than addressing what’s bothering us. We overwork to avoid close relationships, rather than finding people we can trust to form strong bonds with. We hold grudges, play games, spend more than we make, want things we don’t need, and we get too far away from our basic human needs. In other words, we complicate things.

Here are 100 ways to uncomplicate it... And yes this is a list I have yet to master myself, someday, perhaps.

1. Don’t try to read other people’s minds

2. Get up 30 minutes earlier so that you don’t rush/get a ticket while driving too fast/have to explain why you’re late/get fired

3. Get 8 hours of sleep per night so that you think more clearly

4. Stick to your budget

5. Start saving and investing every week, no matter how little you can spare

6. Balance your checkbook

7. Don’t try to be friends with everyone. Cultivate closer relationships with fewer people.

8. Don’t try to do business with everyone. Identify your target client and take very good care of them.

9. Before getting angry, ask yourself if it will really matter in 20 years

10. Focus on being a good person, not on pleasing others

11. Stay home this Saturday, and finish off that nagging chore that you need to finish

12. Kiss and make up

13. Make a weekly menu, and shop for only those items at the market

14. Ask your grandparents the best way to uncomplicate life, and try it for a month, there really is a lot of wisdom in years

15. Fill up your gas tank when it’s half full

16. Don’t drink alcohol when you’re tired, sad or mad

17. Pay your bills on time

18. Get an annual physical examination

19. Say “I love you” to your significant other and to your children. Studies show that more marriages last, and fewer kids use drugs, when these words are spoken every day.

20. For just one day, imagine everyone’s intentions are good because most people’s are

21. Give away clothes that haven’t been worn in two years

22. Throw out clothes that are in disrepair, and can’t be mended

23. When you have a conflict with someone, talk it out. Don’t let it turn into more than it is.

24. Know what your priorities are in life, and act as if they are your priorities

25. Tell the truth

26. Don’t cheat

27. Don’t steal

28. If you’re holding on to a ridiculous grudge, let it go

29. Clean your house weekly, so that it doesn’t become too large a chore

30. Do your best at work, or at school

31. Don’t eat when you aren’t hungry

32. Eat when you are hungry

33. Be yourself

34. Say no unapologetically

35. Cook simple meals

36. Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses

37. Pay off your car before buying a new one

38. Organise your desk at the office

39. Change your smoke alarm batteries when the clocks spring forward, and again when they fall back

40. Organise your important paperwork

41. Take only half the clothes that you planned to take with you on holiday

42. Help your children with their homework every night, and have an open dialogue with their teachers

43. Have white sheets and white towels in children’s rooms/bathrooms, because they’re easily bleached

44. Spend your time with nice people

45. Avoid drama

46. Don’t text or talk on the phone while driving

47. Turn off the television/video games/computer; they’re time consumers

48. Don’t engage in office politics

49. Refuse to gossip, or talk behind other people’s backs

50. Do the dishes right after dinner

51. Never go to sleep angry

52. Ask nicely for what you need and want

53. Walk 10,000 steps per day to help your heart

54. Do 20 push-ups before speaking in anger

55. Leave work at work

56. Don’t befriend anyone that isn’t trustworthy

57. Don’t envy others

58. Have your oil changed

59. Take vitamin C BEFORE you catch a cold

60. Don’t work more than 8 hours per day

61. Weed your garden weekly

62. Wash your car weekly

63. Have a spring cleaning month every year, and do one room at a time

64. You don’t need to be best friends with work colleagues, but build respectful partnerships

65. Don’t drink and drive

66. Don’t look for reasons to be angry or sad, look for reasons to be happy. You’ll always be able to find plenty of each.

67. Be friendly with your neighbours

68. Return emails and phone messages promptly

69. Schedule in free time

70. Don’t procrastinate

71. Do what you say you’ll do, when you say you’ll do it

72. Be more flexible when you’re able to be

73. Forgive and forget. End of story.

74. Break the consumerism habit…put a three month moratorium in place on buying anything not deemed a necessity

75. Start your diet on September 1, rather than January 1, so that you won’t also have holiday pounds to lose

76. Take care of any health issues or concerns

77. Have your tires rotated

78. Have your brakes checked

79. Have your eyes checked

80. Don’t let your imagination run away with you

81. Let go of perfection in others

82. Let go of perfection in yourself

83. Don’t try to help those that refuse to help themselves

84. Find a way to reduce your commute to work

85. Have an alloted amount of worry time per day/week, that you strictly abide by

86. Drink more water

87. Eat more salmon

88. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill

89. Wear your hair in a classic, easy to care for style

90. Finish what you start

91. Wear classic clothes and shoes that never go out of style

92. Create a daily routine

93. Have a 1, 5, 10 and 20 year plan for your financial and life goals

94. Slow down

95. Eat out less often

96. When you ask your husband which outfit looks best, thank him for his answer and wear the one he liked rather than focusing on why he didn’t like the other one

97. Allow your children to grow up

98. Clean out your garage, and donate anything that hasn’t been used in the past year

99. Stretch every day

100. If a relationship is over, let it go

Making Wise Decisions

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Decision making is the hardest thing in the world for me to do and is something I have always hated from simple things like which flavor Popsicle I wanted, what movie I wanted to watch, where to have my birthday dinner, what shirt to wear, etc. I seriously would have panic attacks all the time when I had to make even the simplest of choices. It was really rather pathetic but I honestly could not handle the possibility that I might pick something someone else wanted. Every time I did end up making a decision it wasn't my own, it was always what I thought someone else would want me to pick. I learned to read people and learned to decide based on them. Consequently decision making got a whole lot easier for me, or so I thought, but in reality I was no better off and in fact completely incapable of deciding things for myself. By the time I finished High-school I had lost my identity in what my friends liked, what my parents liked, etc. I had no idea what I liked. This proposed a big problem as some really big life altering decisions before me such as what was I going to do with my future. I began to realize that some decisions simply could not be made based on what everyone else wanted I was going to have to decide for myself! :(

But how?? I was totally clueless I literally choose my college by flipping a coin....after eminem moe eliminations. Totally scientific I know.... I did have other methods as too but nothing all that effective. So as you can prolly suspect when the important decisions began to arise I was totally clueless and flopped a lot of the time. Turns out my methods of avoiding making decisions got me in a lot more trouble then it would have been to actually take the time and thought to make them the right way.




Decision making is not easy especially when you desperately want to make the right decisions. For me the first thing I had to realize is that there is not always a right and wrong choice and that often times choosing to avoid making a decision or putting it off is far worse then taking a chance and making a decision to do something. Doing nothing is not in anyway helpful. Nevertheless I was able to compile a list of things to consider in making wise and biblical decisions, so I thought I would pass them along in hopes that you will not have to make the mistakes I have made and also in hopes that you might find them as helpful as I have found them to be in my life thus far.

I challenge you to ask yourself these 10 questions the next time you find yourself faced with a difficult decision.


1.) First and foremost ask yourself is there a direct command for it or against it in the Bible.

Exodus 24:7

Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey."

John 14:15

If you love me, keep my commands.

2.) Next ask is this decision going to cause others to stumble in the faith or will this hurt anyone? In the same way would the alternative do so?

1 Corinthians 8:13

Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

Romans 14:21

It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall

1 Corinthians 8:9

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

3.) Then next thing to ask yourself in making a decision is this activity necessary?

1 Corinthians 6:12

"Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything.

4.) Then ask will this harm me?

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

Matthew 5: 13-16

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

5.) Could this activity become addictive or rob me of my freedom?

Proverbs 6:27

Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.

6.) Will this decision or activity promote evil?

Romans 12:9

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

reject every kind of evil.

Proverbs 8:13

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

7.) Can I ask God's blessing on this activity?

John 8:28

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up[a] the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me

Deuteronomy 30:9-10

The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, when you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

8.) Would I act differently if Jesus were standing next to me?

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Hebrews 4:13

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jeremiah 16:17

My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.

9.) Can I glorify God in this thing?

1 Corinthians 10:31

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Peter 4:11

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

10.) Lastly What would Jesus do?

1 John 2:6

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

1 Peter 2:21

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Let us start making decisions the right way, let us answer these 10 questions and march forth shining the light of Christ!

My Official Bucket List

Travel and Travel Related Adventures

There's something magical about traveling, it's as if the world opens up to you. I've experienced strangers acting like family and old friends opening their heart and homes along the way. I want to go so many places before I die I would like to see just about everything, but I have narrowed it down a little by giving myself these hopefully obtainable goals.

*To set foot on each of the seven continents. Antarctica will be the last, but I got to see them all once. Been to 2, 5 more to go...

*To go to all 50 states. I have been to 18 so far...32 more to go

*Travel around the world- like around the whole thing

*To go abroad and live like a local for 6 months +.

*Climb one of the world’s Seven Summits.

*Go on an African Safari

*Scuba dive ideally in the Great Barrier Reef, but at least somewhere.

*Spend 24 hours alone in the jungle, well with the animals of course


*Stand at the North or South Pole.

*Go to the Grand Canyon

*Go to Vegas

*See the Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis)

*Go to the Amazon Rainforest

*See the Acropolis in Greece

*Go to Hagia Sophia, Turkey

*See Italy all of it

*See the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt up close

*Go to the Great Wall of China

*See the Taj Mahal, India

*Ride a camel in the Sahara desert



*Go Backpacking through Europe

*See the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

*See Mount Rushmore

*Climb up the Statue of Liberty

*Visit Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

*Go to Israel

*Go Island Hopping in the Caribbean


Things I want to learn and do

Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.

~Fire a Pistol

~Swim with dolphins



~Meet the love of my life

~Have sex

~Get a pet snake, lizard, puppy and calf

~Join a bowling league

~Learn to ski

~Learn to water ski

~Go to a dance with a date

~Climb an active volcano

~Go skydiving



~Surf

~ Experience being drunk or high

~Go sailing

~Hike the Appalachian Trail

~Ride a unicycle

~Learn to skateboard on ramps

~Go windsurfing

~Go deep sea fishing

~Go ice fishing

~Go alligator hunting

~Go snowboarding



~Go snowmobiling

~Learn to play an obscure musical instrument, such as The Hang

~Dive with a whale shark

~Fencing

~Learn to say “hello” in 50 languages

~Learn sign language

~Learn to play the guitar

~Compose a song

~Sing Karaoke in public

~Learn these dances; Salsa, Rhumba, the Cha-cha-cha, Tango, Waltz, the Foxtrot, Samba, Ballroom dancing, the Flamenco, the Jitterbug, and Hula.

~Ride in a hot air balloon

~Go paragliding

~Go snorkeling in a shipwreck

~Ride a mechanical bull




~Attend a Rodeo

~Go white water rafting

~Go rock climbing

~Race a sports car

~Go jet skiing

~Go paint balling, and play lazor tag

~Take a canopy tour (traversing between trees on a zip line)

~Ride the 10 largest roller coasters in the world

~Go on a cruise

~Experience weightlessness

~Learn how to use a pogo stick effectively

~Learn to let myself make mistakes and try new things even if I will fail

~Learn not to take what others do or say personally

~Learn to act within my sphere of influence and stop worrying about things which are not within my control

~Mush a Dog Sled

~Have an aquarium

~See a platypus

~Spend a week at a Silent Retreat

~Learn to forgive fully

~Bike through the entire Colorado Trail or Continental Divide Trail

~Go heli skiing



~Explore the depths of the ocean and sea in submersible or submarine

~Do 25 pull ups all in one set

~Milk a poisonous snake

~Ride something bigger than a horse. Trekking through the jungle on the back of a two story tall elephant will surely be something you remember forever.

~Learn to live in the now

~Go to A Broadway Play

~Go to the Kentucky Derby

~Go to a St. Patrick’s Day Parade

~Go to Times Square on New Year’s Eve

Things to Accomplish

Personal development is your springboard to personal excellence. Ongoing, continuous, non-stop personal development literally assures you that there is no limit to what you can accomplish.

*Make stained glass windows, or blow glass



*Let go of all of my negative emotions and limiting beliefs

*Discover my life’s purpose

*To live each day in search of bringing God glory

*Kick negative habits (caffeine addiction, overeating, watching too much television, spending too much wasted time online)

*To pray all day everyday

*To know what it means to follow ever Christ fully

*Learn to say “no” without feeling guilty

*Get married

*Write a book

*Save someone's life

*Have children



*Buy or build a house

*Get a PhD

*Cut the ribbon at a major opening

*Make the front page of the newspaper

*Make a difference in at least one person’s life

*Build a Habitat for Humanity Home

*Volunteer someplace making a great impact

*Donate blood

*Become a Mentor

*Write a children’s book

*Write a travel book

*Go on at least 2 game shows



*Leave a valuable contribution in my area of expertise what ever that ends up being

*Invent something amazing and patent it

*Create my own board game

*Make a documentary film of my life

*Have my blog get to the Technorati top 1000

*Create a home with an inviting, joyous, comfortable, loving atmosphere.

*Master DDR, get a C or higher on Expert in all the songs

*Shake hands with someone who has truly changed a country.

*Break a Guinness World Record

*Leave a Mark in this world


I will be keeping you all up to date as I meat each of these, shall be a mighty adventure....remember to live each day as your last and never take a moment for granted.

Surviving Dew Withdrawls

So as you may recall, I decided to give up Diet Mountain Dew for lent this year. Which has been extremely challenging for me. I was typically consuming a 2 liter a day sometimes more. So needless to say the last 311 hours, yes I have counted, have been some of the hardest of my life, or so it seems. I have passed out from exhaustion, been unable to sleep for nearly 5 days, laughed, cried, ached, you name it. It is like I have become a whole new person. I donno if any of you have ever been so addicted to something and then tried to live without it, it honest to goodness is crazy how different I feel although I am mostly getting used to the non-soda self again.

But as this has been a challenge like no other I thought I would pass on some survival tips that have helped me thus far. If you have any additional suggestions please share.... as I am not quite a third of my way there, and it certainly is still a struggle at times.



---After the first day I pretty much thought I was gonna die I was experiencing major caffeine withdrawals; major head-aches, depressed thoughts, fatigue yet restless nights, and constantly had to fight off my urges and sub- consciousness that kept drawing me to my delicious dew. I fought them off trying to focusing on why I was doing this in the first place. To go without to get a since of what Jesus did on that cross and that humbled me big time... Here I was barely able to give up soda a few hours and Jesus never even tasted the stuff, let alone all the beating and sacrifices he made for me I am pretty sure dew is nothing in comparison.


--- As for fighting some of the symptoms themselves I felt the need to counter act them slightly hoping to find a viable alternative I went to the drug store and decided to get some 5 hour energy hoping that could at least get me through work. Yet to my surprise they now card you for buying them, and since I still can pass for 12 at the buffet and had lost my licence somewhere admits the laundry, I was lost for hope. So I had to stick to drinking tons of water to keep me having to pee aka unable to sleep, and taking aspirin for the headaches.


---Also to help boast the energy and moral I played DDR whenever I got the chance...getting mighty good too as a result...see good things can come from sacrifice.

---To help reduce the cravings I would supplement them with Shamrock shakes!!!! Which are pretty much the best things on Earth.... Now up to 25 for the season!!!



Some other things that have helped me as I fight to stay true to my lent commitment are reading all the negative things about caffeine addictions and soda intake. As it turns out there is a lot of research out there to suggest that moderately high doses of caffeine (more than a few cups of caffeine-containing beverages per day I think a 2-liter of dew classifies) can lead to fertility problems, tachyarrhythmia (abnormally increased heart rhythm), high cholesterol, boost a woman's risk of osteoporosis and aggravate fibrocystic breast disease, heart rhythm abnormalities, high blood pressure, ulcers and premenstrual tension and cause panic attacks.

Yuck nothing I want... If you like me are addicted to caffeine I would suggest a more gradual reduction in your amount as going cold turkey was a real bare at first...yet I am doing a whole lot better each day and starting not to even miss my dew. Well at times any how.

Tax Tips

So as the year comes to a close, make sure you don't miss out one all the ways to stock up on tax deductions for this year.

Tip #1 Harvest capital gains
The current long-term capital gains tax rate is 15%. If Congress doesn’t act, that’s going up to 20% in 2011. So do it now. If you have appreciated assets (like a stock or mutual fund that went up) in a taxable account (not a retirement account or 529 plan), take the opportunity to sell and repurchase those assets. You’ll lock in any gains up to this point at the 15% rate. Granted, that means you’ll pay more capital gains tax now than you may have anticipated. But think long-term: If the tax rate goes up in the future, you win. If it stays the same, all you’re out is a few bucks in transaction fees. And I think we all know the tax rate isn't going to be going down any time soon.
So....sell the investments that have made you money, pay the tax, and—assuming you still like those investments—buy them back. “I’ve recommended this to a couple of people, too, and they look at me like I grew two heads,” says Fleming. Trust both of her heads: it’s a smart move.

Tip #2 Accelerate income, delay expenses
As most of us know by now you normally want to get in any deductible expenses before December 31 and delay income, to the extent possible, until the following year. However given the likelihood that taxes are going to go up, consider turning this strategy on its head, because deductions get more valuable as your tax rate increases. “Take income this year and delay expenses,”

Tip #3 Take advantage of education tax benefits
The Lifetime Learning Credit is available to most taxpayers and covers a wide variety of education expenses. And don’t forget to deduct student loan interest as well

Tip #4 Max out your retirement accounts — and consider a conversion
You can stuff extra money into your 401(k) and take the deduction until December 31. For IRAs, you have until April 15. As an alternative consider taking traditional IRA accounts and converting them into a Roth IRA. Normally, when you convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, you’d have to pay income tax on the full converted amount. But this year, the tax hit for Roth IRA conversions can be spread out over two years. And if you remember that today’s tax rates are ridiculously low by historical standards, and possibly the lowest they’ll ever be, any taxes you pay now will likely pale in comparison to the taxes you’ll end up paying in the future.

Tip #5 Spend your FSA balances
If you have money in a Flexible Spending Account for health care or day care, use it now or lose it. Also, as of January 1, over-the-counter medication is no longer eligible for FSA reimbursement, so buy it now. Now is also the time to submit your paperwork for next year’s FSA.

Tip #6 Take the Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Tax Credit
This credit offers you up to $1,500 back for greening your primary residence. Water heaters, insulation, doors and windows, HVAC—it’s all good. But you only get until December 31, so start demolishing now.

Tip #7 Check for underwithholding
I know, I know, most people overwithhold so they can get a juicy refund (a.k.a. an interest-free loan to the government). But underwithholding can sock you with a penalty. This is especially common if you’re self-employed. It’s not too late to fill out a new W-4 or send in an extra 1040-ES payment to reduce or eliminate your penalty.

Tip #8 Make a 1099/W-2 checklist
This saves me a lot of tax worries every year. If you’re self-employed and get 1099-MISCs, or have money at a number of banks and brokerages, or worked several jobs this year, you need to collect a pile of paperwork before you can file the 1040. Make a list now and check it off in February as the paperwork arrives. No more of that “oh crap, I thought I was going to get my taxes done today but I’m short a 1099” feeling.

Tip #9 Contribute to a 529 Plan
There is no federal income tax deduction for 529 plan contributions, but some states do offer this perk. Here’s the master list.


Tip #10 Die
If all else fails death is a sure proof way to eliminate you having to worry about taxes. If you’re lucky to have enough assets to be eligible for the estate tax, remember that right now there is no estate tax. And if Congress doesn’t do anything about it until the end of the year, on January 1, 2011, estate tax will be back. Will Congress do anything? Maybe. The bottom line is, after the end of 2010, no one knows exactly who it is going to apply to or what the rate will be. Last year, people joked about hanging on a few more days until the tax expired. It turned out not to be a joke. I suspect this won’t be, either.

2010 Budgeting in Review

So I have recently stumbled upon what is perhaps the best website ever created other than this blog and facebook of course. It's called mint.com and you can visit after reading this post by clicking the link in the title of this post. So in discovering this amazing site on top of being plopped into the real world following graduation with a handful of loans and a couple dollars in my pocket I have learned the importance of budgeting if I am ever going to get out of debt before say I die. So in setting up my budget and exploring what I have been spending all my money on this year I thought it was quite interesting and have to admit I was rather surprised by it. So I thought I would share my calculated break down just for kicks.

My number one spender was on wait for it wait for it....Student loans :-P yuck accounting for 26.8% of my spending poopy and I only really starting paying them all this month.

Close behind was for car expenses and care not counting gas at 22.3% of my spending

Next comes gifts/ donations at 14.6%

Then comes Taxes and State Fees/ Tickets an icky 12.9% of my spending

Next gas 12.2% - thats pretty sad

And I have to eat you know 8.4%

The last 2.7% was then on things like toothpaste, shampoo, and clothing

Pretty crazy to see just how much I spent in each of these categories also very depressing to calculate that my net worth was a stunning $73,354.42 in the whole. Donations at this time would gladly be appreciated.

Body Language and Communication Techniques

As we all know, communication is essential in society. Advancements in technology have transformed the way that we correspond with others in the modern world, yet when conversing face-to-face, it's not only speech we verbalize that matters. Body language is truly a language of its own. We all have quirks and habits that are uniquely our own.

I thought it would be fun to list some of the well-known signs that body language experts study and recognize. As you may know one of my favorite shows is Lie to Me. You should watch it if you haven't seen it yet its on fox. Its a great show and this subject has always fascinated me as I have always loved trying to get inside peoples heads. And have always loved reading and watching people. Its a great pass time next time you are out in public you should try it.

As you may have heard by know it has been shown that communication is 7% from actual words that are used, 42% from the tone and speed of voice, and then 51% is from their body language.

So what are some of these body language cues to look for and what do they mean? Well let the all knowing Krista enlighten you once again...

One often used body language is the positioning of ones head for instance lowering one's head can signal a lack of confidence. If someone lowers their head when complimented, they may be shy or timid, or insecure/ embarrassed.

Tilting one's head can symbolize interest in something or someone while overly tilted heads can be a sign of sympathy

Someone touching or tugging at their ear can indicate indecisiveness (hey that's me wonder if I tug at my ear all the time? - any one noticed?)

If someone touches or rubs their nose it may be an indication of doubtfulness or rejection of an idea

Type about detecting real happiness...Sincere smiles are typically ones that encompass the whole face (noticeable in the eyes) A false smile usually only engages the lips - not the eyes

Closing of eyes or pinching at the bridge of one's nose is often done when making a negative evaluation

When a listener nods, this is usually a positive message and relays that they are interested and paying attention However, excessive nodding can imply that the listener has lost interest but doesn't want to be rude, and has usually tuned out

Sticking out one's chin toward another may show defiance

Resting a hand on one's cheek is often done if they are thinking or pondering; and stroking the chin can mean the person is trying to make a decision- now I know I do that one a lot

Pushing back one's shoulders can demonstrate power and courage

Open arms means one is comfortable with being approached and willing to talk/communicate while Folded arms show that there is a sort of barricade between them and other people (or their surroundings) and indicate dissatisfaction - this prolly explains why I aways fold my arms

Resting one's arms behind their neck shows that they are open to what is being discussed and interested in listening more

Pointing one's finger can be construed as aggression or assertiveness

Touching the front of the neck can show that someone is interested and concerned about what another is saying

Hand movements that are upward & outward signify positive and open messages
Palms that are faced outwards towards another indicate one's wish to stop and not approach

If one's fingers are interlaced or if the finger tips are pressed together, it usually shows that a person is thinking and evaluating

If offering ideas to other people, many times the sides of one's palms are close together, with fingers extended

Putting your hands on your hips can show eagerness and readiness (also, at times, aggression)

Hips pushed forward, while leaning back can show that one feels powerful (also can be a suggestive gesture)

A wide stance - where one's feet are positioned far apart - signifies more power and dominance

When one sits with legs open and part, they might feel secure in their surroundings while crossed legs can mean several things: relaxed/comfortable, or defensive - depending on how tense the leg muscles are

When you cross your legs towards another person, you are showing more interest in them than when they are crossed away in the other direction

A confident and powerful position is the "Figure of Four Cross" when one's ankle is atop the other leg's knee and the top leg is pointed sideways

Bouncing your foot if your legs are crossed can show that you are bored or losing patience

The lowering of the eyes can convey fear, guilt or submission

Lowered eyebrows and squinted eyes illustrate an attempt at understanding what is being said or going on

A lack of confidence or apprehensiveness can be displayed when you don't look another person in the eyes

One tends to blink more often if nervous or trying to evaluate someone else
If you look directly into another person's eyes you are displaying self-assurance as wide eyes show more of an interest in a subject or person

If you are irritated with a comment made by another during a conversation, a common movement is to take a quick glance sideways

Staring at someone can be an aggressive gesture or suggest that the one staring feels dominant

Recalling a memory is usually done by looking up and to the right

Looking directly upwards can indicate that one is thinking

Eye contact is normally broken if someone feels insulted by another

Trust

The Year in Review: Choose a word that reflects 2010 in your own life and explain why you chose it, then pass your review along to your friends and let them do the same.

Last year I remember being so completely in bliss that I prayed that God might take me and give me adversity that I might grown and strengthen in my faith and be a good example to others. I was so happy and everything was going so perfectly in my life that I desperately felt that I wanted something to challenge me and that I needed God to grow me and teach me through adversity. Little did I understand what I had asked when I asked it. But God certainly answered in a way I would never have expected, and although I have gone through so much hurt and pain this last year I am very greatful for all the growth and all the lessons I have learned as a result of this past year.

I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. My sickness, or perplexity, or sorrow may be necessary causes of some great end, which is quite beyond us. He does nothing in vain.

In reflecting on all that has happened this year it is shockingly clear that God has time and time again been trying to get me to learn how to trust in him alone. This and coming to the point of being able to trust in God no matter what my circumstances has been the root of all my struggles this year. My "favorite" verse for this year that has continually been put on my heart admist all that has happened in 2010 is Proverbs 3:5,6

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Although I love that verse I would be lying if I did not hate it every time that that the holy spirit put that on my heart this year. And although I would eventually learn to trust in him I would once again gradually slip into going my own way and not totally depending on God and then would crash and come right back to the state of desperation where I would once again have little choice but to trust God as it seemed that was all I had left in the world.

For those of you that do not know my story I will tune you in a bit to just all that happened this year and maybe you can see how clearly God speaks and just how far he went to get me to trust him completely no matter what I am facing. 2010 began rather tragically for me as withing the first week of the year my fiancee of nearly 2 years called off our engagement, our quickly approaching wedding and our relationship all together. Although it shouldn't have been all that much of a shock given the dynamic of our declining relationship I was utterly devastated as I had mistakenly put all my trust in our relationship and had seemly neglected God as I replaced him with this imperfect substitute. This of course was one of the largest reasons our relationship ended up failing as Pat my ex could in no way satisfy my need for God and I in turn was constantly left feeling unloved, neglected, and rejected. The break up only intensified all of these feelings as in that instant of anger our entire lives would completely change as we both knew them. All my future plans went up in flames as they all were based on us getting married and being together I had given up all my hopes and dreams and was going to follow after him. But without him in my life I had no direction whatsoever I was left in the dark completely direction less. To top that all off I was also losing my best friend and the only person I had ever been able to really communicate with and tell everything too. I went from spending every spare moment talking to this guy to being completely isolated. And of course since I had been investing so heavily in this one relationship I had no idea where to turn and didn't even feel there was anyone to turn too.

I knew deep down God was there, but how could I trust God when he had brought Pat and I together and I had trusted him in all that I had felt that God had called us to be together forever and well I insisted that God had lied to me and now I was utterly and completely alone. It was a very very hard first few months and I constantly struggled with not turning to my ex as I would constantly call and beg for a chance as that was all I knew and all I thought I could have. I fell deep into depression and became suicidal. No one knew it as I put on a smile and pretended like nothing had ever happened. Then I confessed to my roommates and they helped with interventions and kidnapping my phone and computer to keep me from falling into talking to Pat. They and my family and my extensive work and school load helped keep me distracted to slowly ween myself off my obsession with this boy. As I gave him up I began to open myself up to God and let him take his rightful place once again.

I got better but I still refused to fully trust God as I just wanted answers as to what in the world I was going to do now. I knew God had plans for me I just could not take being in the dark and it was so hard to trust him alone as I felt like he had neglected to account for the fact that I mess everything up and I felt quite worthless and I was still very distant from God as I still was hurting and wrongfully blamed God for that.

To help fill my void and to feel accepted and loved once again I turned to online dating and began to flit for the first time in my life both online and in person. It may not have been anything over sinfull to the rest of the world but it was totally out of my character and it was a very rebellious act as I was ultimately telling God that he was not worth my trust and that I could get what I needed else where from boys. I slipped and I was very wrong. Although I felt accepted and happy momentarily with those various guys I ended up more broken and feeling all the more worthless and disgusted in myself. I ended up tearing up other relationships I ended up hurting other guys just so I could feel good. I became an addict striving for any kind of attention I could get. And nothing cut it as what I was really longing for was the relationship with God that he so desperately wanted me to have. By may I had done so many things I swore I never would do that I became someone I did not even know. I was able to graduate admits my lack of motivation but was still so uncertain of my future and still had a lot of resentment towards God for leaving me out when in reality all I had to do was open the door an let him in.

Although I was far from fully trusting in God I had come a tremendous ways in those five months and was learning to turn to God rather than boys or work or anything else to find true happiness and purpose. I was far from fully understanding and I was still completely in the dark as to where my life was going to go but I was coming to accept that and learning to trust in God and know that he had better plans for me and that he certainly had a better handle on my life that I did. I began to life my life for God once again. And God blessed me greatly for it he brought a tremendous and much needed peace into my life and then he brought great healthy friendships into my life that have blessed me tremendously. After graduation I very reluctantly followed God back to Binghamton despite having swore to move out. Turns out God had plans for me the one place I didn't want to me.

Back at home God helped me restore family relationships and I have never been closer to my family, God then blessed me with new friendships and eventually a great job in my field none the less. But admits these blessings I was still largely incomplacent and began slipping away from God once again leaning more and more on my own understanding and forgetting all that God had worked so hard to show me earlier that year. On top of my lack of trust in God I had a huge gap in my trust with others and would not let them in and one by one all the relationships God had blessed me with began to fall apart as I denied God his trust and I denied my friendships the opportunity to bloom failing to trust anything or anyone not even myself.

I was left feeling empty as ever and all alone. It was not until I totaled my car July 5th flipping it several times and then being helicoptered in to Cooperstown Trauma center that I would once again realize my dependence on God. God was certainly calling me back to him and clearly but I neglected to give him everything completely there were still things I wanted myself and so I held on and 2 weeks latter I got another and louder wake up call that I needed God and God alone. I said okay but didn't do to much about it. And Crash. I totaled my Dad's van the next week while they were in Mexico. I was left utterly alone and stranded. This time I got the point. I was pretty sure that nothing could get worse and I realized how badly I needed God on my side and how utterly I had messed up. I came back to God and trusted in him once again. Slowly my life came to some asemblance of an order, clearly it was no where near where it could have been had I listened to God the first time. And I was very broken very hurt and very lost and confused and seemly alone once again. It was just me and God and I felt so utterly wrong that I did not even want God as I saw how much I had hurt him and how great he was and how wrong I had been for hating him. I came to trust that he knew what he was doing but not fully as a month latter I acquired well over my limit in traffic tickets from a lot of careless driving and I would panic forgetting once again who was in control. I broke down once again and this time completely gave it to God knowing that without a licence I really had nothing and had no idea what I could even conjure up to fix that. Soon after God provided with a new job that would enable me to work even if I had to lose my licence and courts ruled allowing me to keep it. Truly God's hand was on me. But deep down did I really trust God in everything. No, I was still very much like an Israelite. Yeah that is me alright. And God knew it too. I was willing to trust in God when there was absolutely no other alternative or when things were going well but as soon as I found something that I wasn't happy with I was no longer all that trusting. So God made his point clear once more as I ran into a semi and just barely missed killing myself.

God made it clear and finally I got it, and hopefully I will continue to keep it. Trust in God always! He is good and our own ways will only fail us time and time again. This year has constantly been a reminder of that as well as my falleness and my stubbornness. My hope now is that I will never forget all that God has taught me this year and that I will continue to grow and learn to trust him more and more completely no matter what lies ahead knowing that he has better plans for me then I could ever dream of.

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings

This year was full of my lack of trust in others, in myself, in the future and particularly my lack of complete and total trust in God. I have been so broken and humbled by Gods continual reminder that he is God and I am not. I have lost so many relationships, plans, cars, dreams, goals, money, love etc. On top of that I came so close so many times to losing my faith all together this year, and nearly losing my life as well. But I have gained so much more I have learned what it fully means to depend on God alone and to trust him no matter what your circumstances.

Although the year was scattered with storm after storm, God was with me through it all and he is the only one that I will always be able to count on to carry me through. When my eyes were blind to His presence, my spirit rested in it.
When my heart brimmed over with wept and unwept tears, He caught each one in an ever-ready bottle, transforming them into a healing balm for my soul. When I felt miles away from Him, He would whisper His unfailing promises to me, closer than a heartbeat. I know that I can not escape from God and his love for me and I am confident more than ever of his undying love for me and his plan for my life whatever it may be. I will follow him and trust in him alone from now on. He simply is. And He always will be, just as He always has been. And I am so incredible thankful for my great God.

I will leave you with the lyrics to "What Faith Can Do" by Kutless which has carried me through all of my hardship this year and has pointed me to the truth of God's power and the power of faith and trusting in him. This song had come in to my life in the most remarkable of ways and has touched me immensely and I hope it does for you as well. (You can also see the music video but clicking on the title of this post.) Thanks for listing to all my ramble hope it saves you from having to learn this lesson the hard way as I did.

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you're stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
http://www.elyricsworld.com/what_faith_can_do_lyrics_kutless.html
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

Christmas is in the air

As I woke up this morning I was a bit dazed as always and slightly confused as I am not used to being home anymore and was quite surprised to find myself in my own bed and then to look out the window and see the first snow fall covering the ground. Most likely the latest first snow fall yet this year. Although it means cold and winter is here I was still quite thrilled to finally have some white stuff and the prospect of playing in it it around the corner. And after all its December and Christmas is right around the corner and how could we truly get into the great Christmas spirit without that blessed white stuff to cover up the leaves we missed and the browning grass? Truth be told Christmas simply wouldn't be the same with out it.

As I looked out the window at the snow covered ground uncertain of weather to jump up and dance, go out and make some snow angles, or to pull the covers back over my head and hope that it would melt before I got up, I starting to think about Christmas time and why I love it so much. There are so many things I love about this time of year and maybe you do to. I have come to realize that everyone has very different concepts of what Christmas time is to them and various traditions whether they realize it or not that makes Christmas wonderful. Here are my favorites, what are yours?



As I mentioned Snow has always been a big part of Christmas for me and when I see in on the ground I always think of Christmas time whether it be the hours slaving away at the drive way, the countless snowmen and snow angles Jeremy, Alyssa and I would make over Christmas break. The times sledding in the front yard, snow ball fights or simply just eating snow and trying to make each other eat our home made yellow snow. We have certainly shared so many great memories out in the snow around this time of year and snow just helps at that extra touch of Christmas in the air. Even if I no longer have the hope of snow days to look forward to.

Even more important than the snow though, Christmas for me is only Christmas because of my family and all the times and traditions we share at this time of year together. I know that it would not feel like Christmas at all with out my beloved family. The picture to my right is me and my mommy and daddy on my very first Christmas 22 years ago. There are literally thousands of things that I could list that my family does at Christmas that helps make it so special but most importantly it is just that we are all able to come together an share and eat and talk and play and give and laugh all together and forget the other worries of our lives. My family is full of amazing and very interesting people and I am so greatful to have them in my live and to get to have them all come together at least once a year.


Going off of family I would have to say that my Christmas is defined in large part based on when we get together and where. Until I was 7 or 8 we always got together at my great aunt margie's house up in Binghamton we would get together with all my mom's cousins and relatives and all eat lots of food an then pass out presents and sit and open them all. (mostly us kids) I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to all the old people then other that to thank them for the gifts. After having games an stories we would always go out and look at the big Christmas light displays on our way home an then head quickly home searching for Santa's sleigh in the sky. When we got home without fail Santa had always beaten us there an had left us a note and PJ's and tooth brushes we would then put on our new Christmas PJ's (take a photo of course) then brush our teeth beg and sometimes succeed at getting to open one present before bed and then head straight to our made beds and clean rooms ( that was the one day of the year we had to make out beds) and wait till morning (5am). Then at 4 my brother would always try sneaking out to snoop at what he was getting and make sure Santa had come and wake me up of course and we would beg till Daddy would finally cave in and release all the booby traps that had been set up to keep us in our rooms till morning. We then spent the morning opening gifts always one at a time and taking photos and my dad always had the video camera.

After my great Aunt Margie died some new traditions were put in place as we then went to my Grandma Ritas with all my Dad's family every Christmas eve we would always pick names of cousins before hand and exchange gifts with that person, and then we learned a new gift giving game and always ate a lot and played board games with my cousins.


Another thing I will never forget about the Gould family Christmas is taking family photos usually for our Christmas cards which we always sent out way too many of, and too way to many different photos of in what my mom deemed photo shoots which we of course had to have many sessions of.

Once we moved to our current home we began a new tradition of having a big Christmas party the day after Christmas will all our family and friends playing games sharing favorite gifts, eating of course and just having a great time of fellowship.

Perhaps my equally favorite part of Christmas is giving and just finding that perfect gift for everyone on your list. And then of course all the baking and decorations and goodies to share as well. I just love being able to bless people in that way and love making things for people and this time of year is just a great excuses to be able to give and share with loved ones.

Growing up in a strong Christian home we always but a lot of emphasis on the real meaning behind Christmas and tried not to get so caught up in all the commercial stuff but make sure we knew what we were really celebrating. We would always make Jesus a happy birthday cake and sing to him every year and always read the Christmas story every Christmas eve and go to a Church service of some kind. I love the Christmas Carols we would sing and getting to light the candles in the darkened sanctuary. One of my favorite Christmas quotes is

Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years... Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart.

There are really so many more traditions to list such as watching The Grinch and The Christmas Story every year and decorating the house and the tree as well as putting up the lights. I really do love the whole feel of Christmas time. But as this busy season of glee and festivities approach let us not forget the real reason we are celebrating. And this year make sure you take the time admits all that fun and reflect on what Jesus did for us and why he was born. We have a great reason to celebrate!