Knowing when to call it…Putting God First

This morning, I found this article to which really got me thinking.  Conclusion: Money isn’t everything if you aren’t happy or satisfied with what you are doing.  Offensive lineman John Moffitt of the Denver Broncos has decided after season 3 to retire.  Money wasn’t everything to him to sacrifice his body for the name of the sport when the passion or happiness factor wasn’t there.  Smart man.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/offensive-lineman-john-moffitt-walks-away-nfl-says-211429267–nfl.html

How many times have you sucked it up and thought you were doing something that you WANTED to do?  How many times have you realized what you thought to have been a very rewarding decision and choice really wasn’t what you thought it was?  The fact is, life is really about making every decision count.  We make right decisions and we make wrong decision.  Life is about learning.  Life too must be lived ON purpose.  If you don’t live a life worth your passion, sanity, and one that is desired then maybe it is time to look at priorities.

I was always raised to put God first.  As human beings….as selfish human beings…we always try to do it our way.  We try to make everything about what we want to get out of life.  That is a little backwards in my opinion.  Life really isn’t about us anyways.  Sounds like a contradiction, ehh?  Let me explain.  God created each and everyone of us with a specific purpose and need in mind.  He didn’t intend for money to be everything.  He should be our everything.  It is through our relationship with God that we come to know the person He created.  We find out about our strengths and weaknesses and just how much we should be depending on God for our guidance in this journey.  We will not find our way by chasing what we think will make us happy.  We will never be fulfilled by putting ourselves first.

Here is a really amazing blog post by Joyce Meyer’s Ministries to which explains what I mean.  http://www.joycemeyer.org/articles/ea.aspx?article=putting_god_first_in_your_priorities

When you put God first, you start to notice things that maybe you wouldn’t have even glanced or thought twice about.  Take for an instance, walking around.  Have you seen the same street bum begging on the corner?  Have you ever really thought about why this individual is there?  Or what their story is?  Or do you consider yourself an elite individual with your clique of friends only.  You keep a tight reign and no one else can be let in to the “inner circle”.  News flash…there is always someone that is feeling left out.  Have you noticed that person lately?  Have you taken into consideration their feelings?  Have you decided to do anything about it?

When you put God first, you realize that He loves each and everyone of us as though we are the only person that existed.  He never abandons us and many times falls quiet as to test us.  When you feel that He is the furthest away–He is simply right around the corner.  I think for me, one of the hardest things to realize is that Jesus is in every single person.  He is!  Have you looked deeply into a strangers eyes?  Have you ever just felt this calm love?  Or maybe not….I guess that would be kind of weird, right?

I do feel that when I am having a rough day, He sends little angels to remind me “Hey goof…life is not all bad!  I am still right here walking this road with you!!”  It never seems to fail when things go array, I am always exactly where I need to be.  Whether it is for my benefit or the other persons.

When you put God first, perspective comes.  It is not right away or with ease to which that happens, but eventually it will come.  When you put God first, your passions meet obedience.  We are so narrow-minded as human beings as to think we can put limits on God’s love for us.  God can do anything.  TRULY.  God will guide us toward our passions and love if we simply ask and follow Him.  This is a hard thing for an extremely independent little woman to get through her thick skull.  I need to stop whining and just go bring everything directly to God.  God has always been there consistently.  Why do I always forget that?

http://pniridescent.com/2013/07/16/when-we-put-god-first/

This week has been a stressful week.  I put a lot of this stress on myself without realizing my load is nothing compared to others.  My cross to bear, is my cross.  I need to remember not to push my cross on others as I do not want to tip them.  I am grateful that others allow me to vent.  I am grateful that I have such a support group and cheerleading section making sure that I am still sane.  I am so grateful for the reminders God places in my life to which keeps me afloat.  But, I need to remember to know when to call it for my sake.  I needed to remember that God comes first and know to call it quits to me being selfish.  It’s God’s will not my own.  He will always provide as long as I am listening and obedient to Him.

Today I want to challenge each and every one of my readers, do you truly put God first?  Are you truly seeking Him and His plan for you in each decision?  Are you using your gifts to the best of your ability?  Just look at yourself reflectively today.  Be thankful for who you are today.  Be thankful for where you are at on your journey.  Be thankful for your support group.  Becoming is a hard long road of faith.  The end result will be well worth its while!

CatMan

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A friend still loves you

“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” – Elbert Hubbard

No matter what you do in your life (good or bad) a true friend will see you through it all. It is that sort of love and loyalty we all seek in this life.  Life is about relationships with God, our family, friends, casual relationships, strangers, etc.  Life is the culmination of interactions for better or worse and the events, emotions, and over all cultivated lesson over time.  That is what creates a life.

Sometimes it takes giving up our selfish dreams to see what God’s purpose is.  It is hard to think we don’t have control over our life in that regard, but that is where the mystery and excitement comes in to play!  Control is a hard concept for us humans.  God’s plan is much bigger than we could ever know!  The only thing we really have any sort of control over is our actions.

This week has been focused on saying yes to God in little ways.  That means examining my intentions of actions, intending to do good (not harm another) in these daily choices, and supporting God’s purpose for me here and now.  You might also say life is to the culmination of ‘yes’ over a person’s lifetime.  To me, I don’t think I could ever say I was 100% fulfilled by not at least trying to say yes in my actions at this point.

I believe that everyone was created with a purpose.  It is our life’s goal to figure that out before we die.  I don’t think it is as much in the “figuring it out” that is where our focus should be as much as it is in allowing God to reveal that purpose when we are ready.  Saying yes is taking the first step.

God as He reveals His purpose for us also allows for relationships to exist for better or worse.  I must confess I believe I have the best set of friends a girl could ask for in my world.  They support, speak the truth to my face (even when it is hard), and are there for me through the ups and downs of life.  They are there to listen and love when I find it hard to do so with myself!  They, like God, never leave.  They are constant, consistent, and most of all I know they love me for me.  This is flaws and all.

A friend still loves you.  🙂

❤ CatMan

A Tribute to Whitney: what I have learned…

One can only be reckless for so long before our body has enough.  Do something for your OWN well being and appreciate the gift you are today.  I know that this reckless and unnecessary behavior has lead to so many premature deaths in my own world or in that of the “Celebrity” universe as well.  

A situation came up this weekend where someone criticized a “remembrance of life” of the one and only Whitney Houston.  By criticizing someone over mourning the life of someone that they never personally met and who was seemingly being praised and remembered for her train wreck personal life is just wrong.  We are mourning a life taken too soon and a talent still with such potential if only she made different decisions.  Despite her personal decisions, there is no denying the amount of impact this one little soul had not only on developing a Gospel-fed genre of music integrated into mainstream music to which inspired many, but personally touched so many women and men everywhere.  I personally felt that her music was genuine and her vocals were a God-given talent.  I cannot tell you how many times I sing her songs in the shower, in the car, singing Karaoke, or otherwise having a bad day.  She not only inspired other artists to expand their vocals and outreach, but inspired me to let the lungs wail once in a while in a healthy and positive manner.  EVERYONE needs that.

This is how I will always remember Ms. Houston...

Sometimes simply singing one of her songs in the privacy of my humble abode just simply makes my day a little better.  Brighter.  Her amount of emotion, my amount of matching emotion usually was enough to just allow me to breathe clearer as the song would end.  It clears my mind, heart, and allows me to actually think clearer.  One may never fully appreciate or know the extent to which a song or a person have affected us as a human being usually until it is too late. 

And you know, I felt sorry for her home life.  We can’t ever judge that.  All I can say is that we have our own choice to love and I believe that she truly tried to love despite all that was happening.  This beautiful soul failed in one regard in my opinion…that was in loving herself.  The body cannot handle what she became toward the end of her life….and not to mention after she met Bobby Brown.  That is the true tragedy.  

If there is one thing I have learned thru Whitney Houston’s death, it’s that life is so fragile and we need to thank God everyday for the breath to live just one more day.  Life is never guaranteed.  It is so important, now more than ever, to learn to turn to the light and take positive steps forward.  We must always be working on ourselves and loving ourselves selflessly.  This then starts to translate and permeate other relationships we might have in our lives.  Love God first, love self second and allow God to work thru us in a positive manner.

If you take anything from this post, anything at all, just remember to say ‘I love you’ to the people that mean something to you.  Give hugs and keep in touch.  Appreciate who is given to you and their worth to you as you never know when they might be called away.  No regrets, right?

❤ The CatMan

 

Life as we know it!

Currently, still on cloud 9 still wearing off from this weekend….Nomad and I had a blast.  When I driving to get to see him, it took forever.  I really just wanted to be there and it seemed like it was all about “be patient”…uh huh…well when I got there he got a phone call.  It was cool being there for some cool big news.  That was really special.

The next day we went window shopping, to eat great food, and then to Gnomeo and Juliet.  We were the only couple there.  It was great.  You should have seen all the jealous parents with their kids “Dangit, I wish I could have a night like that again!”  🙂  We saw so many little girls and pregnant ladies, that it wasn’t even funny!

I have been having weird dreams.  Outside of work being crazy, me beginning to start a new wonderful chapter in life, and working on bettering myself…I am just now finally finding the time to write!

Life is full of dilemmas, choices, and opportunities to have happiness.   Some circumstances happen that change our whole perspective, our whole life.  Sometimes life is full of uncertainty, challenges and wonder.  For those moments, it makes us feel so alive even though we might not seem that way at the time.  We get through the challenges and press on to the next…life is good!  Chalk one up for more melt moments!

 

http://www.justourpictures.com/roses/red%20rose.html

PS: He sends me roses…

 

Today I am thankful

Listen for your enjoyment:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQIH3iq1xVw

Today friend, I would like to say thank you.  Thanks for being there for me when I needed you the most and thanks for always giving me the honest truth.  Thank you for telling me when I have lipstick on my teeth, or when those pants fit too snug….OR when I am being that girl and  just laughing at me.  Thank you for always standing up for me when I was being made fun of and thanks for sticking with me even though I would have never blamed you for calling me too weird to hang out with in public.

 

Thanks for never letting me out of the house looking like this!!

 

 

Thanks friend for laughing with me and sometimes at me when I was having issues.  Thank you for healing me when I was sad about a boy or just listening to me vent about people in my life who are demeaning…thanks for caring how I feel and what is happening in my life.  Thanks for the hugs and love you give me and thanks for always knowing just how to cheer me up.  I appreciate it.

 

BIG HUG!

 

 

For all of this, I am so thankful and happy to consider you my friend!

 

You can’t teach compassion!

You can’t have a light without a dark to stick it in.
– Arlo Guthrie

Today I start with this quote.  I say this because I am sick of being in a funk.  Bad days….good days…its life!  Life is all about what you make of it.  Part of this funk includes a harsh realization of who my friends really are and whom of which I can depend on…which surprisingly enough are a TON.

Friends make everything better.  If they are sincerely your friend, they will be there with you in heart, soul, love, and in your life!  When they exit, they really aren’t leaving for good but just taking a vacation.  So many times we get bogged down with the everyday grind that it’s difficult to see the light.  Friends get you to refocus yourself back on the light.  They can untangle the mess your in and help you get back on track.

Isn’t it amazing how well things work out when we keep things in perspective?  That bad day we had three weeks ago doesn’t seem all that bad now.  You survived!  It is inevitable that you are going to have more bad days to come…can you survive those too?  YES!  Yes you can.  Keep yourself in check and support those in their efforts.  Be a friend.

There are different levels of friendship but a friend is a friend none the less.  Keep an open and understanding heart to all those who are in your life and even to those who aren’t.  Did you know that you can be a friend to a complete stranger?  Amazing isn’t it?!  Stay positive for yourself first and foremost.  Stay positive and strong for those around you.  Be kind to everyone…not just those who you consider friends.  I love this quote by Plato, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle”.  But, most of all have compassion toward all.

 

Aren't the hands of kindness so beautiful?

 

 

Everyone struggles with their life.  No one said life was going to be easy.  Doing the right thing, being there for someone even when it is inconvenient for you, loving someone even though they don’t love you back…these are all hard things to do but, if practiced often it helps keep things in perspective.  When practiced, you shift your whole outlook on humanity, yourself, others, your relationship with others…etc.

I cannot teach you to be positive.  I cannot teach you kindness.  I cannot teach you to be compassionate.  I can show you how to be positive, kind, and compassionate though!

 

Be an unexpected Angel...there's an element of surprise!

 

 

Reach out.  Be a friend to someone today.  They might really need someone’s kind words to help them thru their unheard battles.  They might just really need someone to listen or take interest in them.  Or maybe just a heartfelt encouraging note.  It doesn’t take much to be a friend.  It merely takes a simple act of love.  This is so fitting…http://www.actoflovefoundation.org/.

 

Expect nothing. Gain everything!

 

 

“The Douche Lord”

Today I devote my blog entry to all of those men that make women’s life heck.  Oh you know who you are…Here’s a clue if you still don’t get it:  the Italian Stallion was definitely one of them.

 

One example of a Douche Lord

 

OK women beware.  This type of man lurks everywhere with only one motive in mind…”satisfy myself”.  How rude?  Very rude.

So first I am going to define what a Douche Lord is and then we will go from there.  A Douche Lord is a man who is usually full of himself in one way shape or form.  He think’s he cares for others but, really he is using them and OK with manipulating them to get what he wants.  His world revolves around numero uno.  (He is a victim of the Me-Me-Me syndrome)  Well this type of male is totally toxic for a woman’s self-esteem, divine nature, and just is a one man wrecking crew.

Here is a good blog I found highlighting some Douche Bags thru the ages: http://www.the-fed.org/articles/volume25/issue2/douches.html

A Douche Lord is King of the Douche Bags.  He may or may not be affiliated with a fraternal order.  More than likely he thinks he is a pretty boy, but really he just looks silly.  He tries too hard.  These men should be avoided at all cost!

 

hahahahahaha! 🙂 What goofs!

 

This weekend I realized that there is way too much of this “me” douche bag-ness in our society and culture.  Sorry men for just picking on you, but the fact is women can be Douche Lords as much as men can.  So it does go both ways.

Life isn’t really about us.  Life should be about a bigger picture.  How we as tiny humble beings are using our gifts to help serve others on their journey, how we can make someone’s day a little better, or how we can make an impact on people we come in contact with daily.  If we truly want to make a difference in this world then, we need to see what is in front of our faces and act/react accordingly.  Love starts with you.  Kindness starts with….say it…YOU.  Compassion starts with you.

Let’s all make a promise to ourselves today my followers to not be Douche Lords or Douche Bags.  Lets think of others today, not ourselves AND remember where we have been and where we are going.  This is fitting for the Christmas Season.  Be kind to all those traveling on this difficult journey called life and help a brother (or sister!) out!

Today (or everyday’s) Mantra:  “I will put aside my wants and selfish desires today and be more giving and forgiving.  I will make it a better day for my family and friends.”

Give, not to receive or ask in return.  That’s the first step to being happy loves!

Love and good blessings to you sweet friend!

 

XOXO

CatMan

So there comes a time

Today was and is about closure.  The past few days it’s been me running around with my head semi chopped off…

AHHHHHHH!

Yes this is exactly how I feel.  But I brought a few things to closure regarding ship dates, confirmations, and setting people’s names straight!  You see I realized literally this past weekend that I have been calling one of my customers the wrong name!  He never corrected me!  Les instead of Wes….ehh it’s close enough!

I also found out one of my mentors got promoted!  How cool is that???  So now he is becoming the VP of broadcasting for the LPGA  🙂  It was fabulous.  YAY GOOOO BC!!!

I also received ship dates for all of my open orders placed this afternoon.  DOUBLE YAY GOOOO VENDORS!!!

AND TRIPLE YAY is going to be able to help a customer out of a bind and stuff cookies this evening.  How awesome is that?

Life is completely great.  Last night, I realized what a great support unit I have.  I am so thankful for my family and friends.  They are so amazing.  Really I have it so good.  So there comes a time for appreciation and recognition!

 

Don't you just feel happy and appreciative just looking at this woman?? She looks happy...but if I was on a beach now you would better believe that I would have a huge smile on my face!

 

So today I leave you with a simply question:  What are you happy and appreciative for in your life?   🙂  Feel free to ponder and comment away!

XOXO

CatMan

 

Party Animals!

This weekend was full of mischief and fun.  In leu of Thanksgiving, my friends had a get-together.  It ended up being a great feast.  We all got our best dishes together, drinks of choice, and all while wearing our “business casual”.  It was amazing.  This time the men were in the kitchen while the girls were sitting down relaxing.  It was great.

I was really proud of the boys for all they did to put this celebration on….it was quite the deal!  We all arrived between 4 and the time to which we were scheduled to eat (7pm).  From there, everything escalated!

Dinner was great.  Who am I kidding?  Dinner was great!  After dinner we all played games and danced and drank the night away.  I just wanted to say, for the record, that I behaved myself…but, my lovely friends well….can’t say they did the same.  There were games where I got to wear a Referee jersey and break up the fights.  I also got to sit and laugh at their stupidity.  I even had one friend tell me that if he thought eventually we–meaning he and I–would get together.  Ha I just laughed!  They are regular party animals.

I do love to laugh and my boys always know how to make me laugh until the tears roll….  The night continued to go on as the boys begun to blare the music (Journey mind you!) and proceeded to dance on tables.  What dorks?!  They looked like drunk sailors stumbling on the coffee tables…It was something out of a bad 80’s movie! They danced, sang and drank until about 3am in the morning.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq5HBSlgI00 The party was still going on loud and proud until I left.

One thing about these boys is that I can only handle them in little doses.  They are fabulous in little spurts.  They can be sweet but then, after a whole night of harassment….it is enough for another 10 years.  They can cook, they can drink and boy they can be weirdos but when it comes down to it they have good hearts and good intentions (most of the time).  The mean well.

Let me ask you all something…what is the most ridiculous thing your friends have done?   It seems like my dears are always doing something crazy but, that is what keeps me laughing and life moving on!  🙂

Keep your head up and keep on pressing forward whether you’re a party animal or not! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmrOB_q3tjo&feature=branded

Back to reality, OP!, there goes gravity…

Back in the office after a really great week in Orlando.  I am back to reality.   Stacks of papers and projects line my desk and work area.  It is funny how being gone for 4 days will do this to a person when she comes back:

See what I mean???

Last night, I realized that I am a connector person.  I have a way of affecting people just from being around them, and I realized to that this is all the more reason I need to be more positive.  This week was about discovery.  Self discovery, self exploration, and business.  It was through the trade show interactions, airport random conversations, and most of all getting to know the people I was surrounded with that I realized I live for connecting with people.  🙂  It really makes my soul burst!  I also came to the conclusion that I cast a lot of judgements.  I need to not do that.

I was reminded to sit in observation mode.  Who am I to tell others how to conduct and live their lives?  Who am I to say that the outfit so-and-so is wearing doesn’t match and definitely doesn’t flatter their body type?  I am not the one to say that.  I need to be in observation and discernment mode.  What I can tell you is this:  By looking at how a person acts, dresses, and carries themselves you can learn a lot about them as a customer, client or just a passer-by.  Everything they do whether they recognize it or not, has an indicator about them.  Someone who smiles all the time, are they genuinely happy?  OR, are they a great actor?  Sometimes the phrase, “you can see it in her eyes” holds so true.  You can tell a lot from looking someone directly square in the eyes.  Try it and watch for a reaction!  Do they turn away or do they look right back?  🙂  Peer into their soul!  Find out what makes them tick and just take it all into account.  Why are they so happy? or sad? or just looking like they could use a hug?

Observation mode is one of the most interesting positions to be in most of the time.  You sit, non judgmental and just watch.  It’s actually more enjoyable than a movie!  This is why I love traveling!  What a great eclectic culture of people in such a concentrated area!  It is just so fabulous to me and brings me great joy.

"don't judge us!" hehe

You can learn a ton about a person just from observing them.  It is not being creepy….well…….

(Not like this!) 😉

It is just literally a better way to reach out to others when you are a little more informed.  🙂  You may find that you enjoy people more when you stop looking for their flaws and just go with it!

The CatMan