IT REALLY IS UP TO YOU

This showed up in my FB memories today and ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh what a timely reminder. Something I wrote a year ago:13095757_10101072561620201_3643041412830701590_n
 
Rise and shine! This is the day you’ve been waiting for! Today, YOU get to decide who you are. You and only you! Don’t you hate annoying people like me first thing on Monday morning?I’ve spent a lot of time in reflection the last couple of months and this weekend at the O2 women’s conference was the last piece of the puzzle for me as to deciding who I am and want to be.
 
“I am” are the two most powerful words you can speak over yourself because what you put after them can ultimately decide your fate, your future, your well being, and your happiness.
 
You have 2 choices today:

  1. Continue to live as the victim of your life, to let other people speak over your life in a way that determines who you are, to live stuck without a chance for love, laughter, trust, peace, friendship, faith, belief in who you are. You can continue to live in a way that leaves you feeling in pain, depression, anger, or at the very best: Luke warm. Or …
  2. You can make the choice to be who you’ve always been created to be. When you make that decision… to move forward – to see yourself in the light in which you have been created – all of the negative “I am / You are” fall off of you like dead weight!

From this point forward, decide who you are, who you want to be, and start working towards that goal. It won’t be easy, you won’t always know how or what to do, but the movement forward, having faith in the bigger picture, and the growth you will experience will be all you need to stay the course!

Be you! Be fierce! Be alive!
LOVE BIG,
RED

Jaded Hearts

Often times, images speak more to me than words do, but this morning’s devotional cut right through my heart: “Our attitudes are an outward display of what’s taking place in our hearts.” Normally, we tend to regard our attitudes as an outward reflection of what is going on in our lives, but very rarely do we stop and consider that our attitudes, actions, AND words are a reflection of what’s going on in our hearts. There is so much hurt in this world – no matter who is at fault or to blame – but I am here to tell you that the healing and joy available to you far outweighs the hurt! James 1:2 says, “dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great 33017joy.” It may not feel like it right now, but there is joy to be found. There is light in the darkness. There is healing in the hurt. I’m here to tell you, this is a challenge for me as well. While it is a struggle some days to rejoice IN all things, it is so important to guard our hearts and our words. Hurt people hurt people. Don’t let your attitudes and actions leave a permanent mark of a temporary place you are in. Let love, peace, and joy take root in your heart so that the flowers of your soul blossom.

 

Live Big!
Love,
RED

What a year it’s been!

What a year it has been! People ask where I get my enthusiasm and positive outlook. It comes from waking up each morning knowing God has a bigger purpose for me than I can ever imagine. It comes from knowing that in the darkest times, He’s always been there. You only get so many second chances to truly live your life … so do/be/live/love what makes you happy / sets your soul on fire / makes you feel alive. Live a life full of adventure, stories, love, and laughter! It’s all about choices my friends!

From March 25, 2016:

Other than the day my beautiful girl came into this world, I don’t think I’ve ever cried so many tears of joy. I’ve spent the last two weeks being off FB, which isn’t a bad thing, and it has been time well spent with family and in a state of “RE” – REst, REcuperation, REjuvination, REpurpose.

I received the best news ever this morning. My results from Monday’s procedure came back benign. This is the first time EVERYTHING removed came back benign and the first time in 6 years that there was NO signs of cancer in the polyps.

There are no words to express the love and gratitude for all the love, support, prayers, texts, messages, hand holding (and hair holding as I puked my brains out Sunday and Monday), FB posts (I have the best little sister in the world), and words of comfort. I am truly the most blessed person in the world. God is great!

Have a wonderful Easter!

Live Big!
Love,
RED

 

Be Courageous!

I spent my whole life trying to be who I thought others wanted me to be, needed me to be, or who I thought people expected me to be. Then one day, I realized I was depriving myself of an amazing life God had planned for me by not being who He created me to be. Just like that, I made the decision to be who I was supposed to be. It’s been scary, lonely at times, but the most rewarding, freeing experience of my life. 17498607_10101421650428431_4359977109973659292_nNo more shackles, no more strongholds, and no more guilt. My advice: Be you. Everyone else is taken. Set the world on fire with YOUR dreams, passions, heart, mind, smile, art, faith, and gifts/talents/purpose you’ve been given!

 

Live Big!
Love,

RED