Things are not always as they seem...

A couple moved into a new neighborhood.  One morning while they were eating breakfast the wife looked out the window and saw her neighbor hanging her laundry out to dry.  She noticed the laundry was dingy and dirty.  She said to her husband, "That neighbor lady doesn't know how to do laundry.  Her clothes aren't clean.  I bet she doesn't even use detergent."
Day after day went by and each morning she would make the same comments to her husband.  "I can't believe the neighbor doesn't know how to do laundry.  I can't believe she lets her family wear such dingy-looking clothes."  It bothered her so, she began to call and tell all her friends about the neighbor that couldn't do laundry.
A few weeks later, doing her usual routine, the wife looked out the window and was surprised that the clothes were as clean and bright as could be.  She yelled for her husband to come look at this wonder.  "Look honey, I can't believe it.  She finally learned how to do laundry.  I wonder what happened.  I wonder who helped her."
The husband smiled and said, "Honey, I helped you.  I got up early this morning and cleaned our window."

So don't be so quick to judge and spread your opinion of others.  In this story, the wife has all her friends thinking this neighbor can't do laundry when in all actuality, the wife didn't know how to wash her own window.  She was she perceived to be imperfect was perfect.  The problem started with her.  You must always check yourself before you try to check others. Things are not always what they seem.

What's in your bag?

     There were three women walking down the street carrying two bags each.  I stopped them.  I asked the first lady what was in her bag.  She replied, "the bag on my back has everything good that has ever happened to me and the bag in the front holds all the bad."  She was constantly focused on the bad things in front of her.  So much that she couldn't see the good things on her back.
     I then asked the second woman the same question.  Her response was actually the opposite.  She replied, "The bag behind me holds all the bad things that have happened to me, while the one in front of me is filled with all the good things."  She could see the good things and not focus on the bad.  But both of her bags were so full that they weighed her down and made her life a burden.
      But when I asked the third woman, she just smiled.  Finally she replied, "the bag I cling to my chest holds my accomplishments and victories, but the bag on my back is empty."  I looked at her puzzled by her response.  She continued, "I put all my mistakes, guilt, failures and shame in the bag on my back.  Then I cut a hole in the bottom to release them.  That way I am weighed more in the front than I am in the back.  This keeps me moving forward," she replied.  It was like it was a sail in the wind, moving her forward.
     So I ask you, what is in your bag?  Are you holding on to the good things in your life?  Are you letting go of the bad?  Are your bags light enough that you are moving forward or are you being weighed down?  Today is the time to check your bag and make the proper adjustments.  It's all in the bag.

The Angelic-1

Purpose

1.

the reason for which something exists or is done, made,used, etc.

2.

an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.

3.

determination; resoluteness.

4.

the subject in hand; the point at issue.

5.

practical result, effect, or advantage: to act to good purpose

Those are all definitions for purpose as found in the dictionary.  

God has placed each of us here on Earth for a purpose.   The beauty of life is that He has instilled the gifts  in us that we need to discover and grow that purpose to its full potential.  Some people will embrace their gifts earlier than others and spend their entire lifetime serving their purpose.  Some people take longer to discover their gifts. Then there are those people that have been distracted in life and never find their purpose; their gifts go undiscovered.

I believe that as we journey through this life, we cross paths with many individuals on purpose to serve a purpose.  Some we will help, guide, save and motivate.  Others will help, guide, save and motivate us.  Some will touch our lives in such a way that we never forget that encounter.  Others will blow in like the wind, turn our worlds upside down and blow out again; but it is only to move us to our next level.  We sometimes need an extra push to motivate us to move toward our purpose.

I feel that once we have served our God given purpose, we have truly lived.  God then has a higher purpose for our life, our eternal life with Him.  Earth is no longer good enough for us once we have done what God intended us to do.  

So strive to reach your potential.  Serve your purpose with all that is you.  If it is not on purpose.....why do it?

Thankful Spirit

This is the month of Thanksgiving.  Even though I am thankful for every moment of my life, I embrace this opportunity to publicly share something for which I am thankful on a daily basis.  I encourage you to take the time each morning to express thanks for one thing.  It doesn't have to be all your material possessions, your family, your job, or your health.  You are so much more.  Think outside of the box.  Think of those things often taken for granted.  There is always someone with a situation worse than yours.  By sharing your gratitude, you often can brighten someone's day, lighten their load, give them a new perspective.  I feel if you start your day with a thankful spirit, it will carry you throughout your day.  So focus on all the great that is you.  Celebrate your life with a thankful spirit.

Angelic-1