THE 12 MAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Image via WikipediaIt seems that more than ever, we run from one activity to another, barely absorbing the effects of one before moving on to another accomplishment or experience. It has become ever more apparent to me, especially this year, that life moves on despite our best efforts to preserve our youth, our hopes, our dreams and especially our goals.We may be waiting for everything to be perfect and die tomorrow. The time to live like we will die tomorrow really is now. It's not about investing, saving and planning, because while that is all essential, we must still be ready to live each day as though that were the last we are given...because someday it will be.

Given that most people tirelessly search for the perfect gift for a friend or loved one, I want to encourage you to search for your perfect gifts in making the rest of your life the best of your life. It's not selfish, not egotistical and not even a suggestion. It is a fact, that whenever you take care of yourself, you can better take care of everyone else in your path. We often forget that we need to give ourselves the permission to discover our gifts, open them and enjoy what we have been blessed with. So in these 12 days before Christmas, I invite you to share some "MAYS' that might encourage you and inspire you to make the coming year one you will be sure to feel you have lived completely and extraordinarily, the way you believe only you would have wanted to live it.

MAY YOU GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF BELIEVING...in yourself and in your God given talents to be used in a way only you can do

If you don't believe you can accomplish something why should anyone else? Believe you can do something amazing in the next year, whether it be to accomplish a life long goal, fulfill a dream, or pursue a major change. Believe you will discover the resources and logistics of how to really embrace the special traits that only you possess. Write a bucket list or goal journal and pick one that you believe you can accomplish and may you give yourself permission to go after your goal in every way, because you can and you should. You cannot expect others to give you the gift only you can find yourself so you owe it to yourself to roll up you sleeves and make this a gift you will certainly permit yourself to own...Believe you were put on this earth to accomplish a very specific task. It may not be what you do in your career, or for your hobby or even in your lifestyle, but believe that your gift is yours alone and if you haven't discovered what it might be, make this the year that you leave no stone unturned in asking God to make it very evident what HE and YOU can accomplish together.

MAY YOU DREAM BIG AND BELIEVE ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD (Matthew 19:25-27)

Return tomorrow for the 2nd MAY of CHRISTMAS

1 to Ask, 1 to Reflect, 1 to Pursue, 1 to Change and 1 to Serve

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Today is 1-11-11. There has been a lot of talk this past year about the significance of the day's numerology but I am not writing to offer any thoughts about that. Actually I think this might be the perfect day to do ONE thing in five areas of your life.

1. First, ask yourself ONE question, " Is the direction I am going helping to give me a life I hope for?" Don't think about what you have accumulated, left behind or still have to accomplish but rather if you can truly feel comfort in where you are heading.

2. Then reflect on ONE aspect of your life that needs more discernment. Maybe a regret you can't let go of or someone you need to forgive. Maybe it is a past you can't change or a future you can't accept. Perhaps you need to reflect on what you have learned from your mistakes or what you have realized from your behavior.

3. Now think of ONE goal you want to reach. Maybe you want to get a college degree or move closer to your family, change careers or spend more time traveling. What are you truly attempting or not attempting to pursue that you wish you could reach?

4. Regardless of what is or isn't working,  our lives are constantly evolving. So, now think of ONE thing you'd like to change in your life. It might be a habit or a behavior or maybe the way you are reacting to a given circumstance. You might want to change something physical or something emotional. Think about ONE change that would really make a difference.

5. Finally decide what or who you will serve in life. Will you serve yourself and meet all of your needs and wants first, serve your family and friends or are you choosing to serve God first? Are you choosing to be obedient to what He wants you to do and where He wants you to go?  Many people think serving God means giving up the "good life" to live without comforts, pleasures or having our needs met. But really serving God first might simply mean to lay at his feet your questions about your directions in life, the area that requires more discernment, the goals you want to pursue and the changes you want to make. Ask Him to make those issues clearer to you and give you a perspective you can't get alone.

Sure there are many things we all want to achieve, change, redirect, ponder and acquire. It is hard to select just ONE.  Maybe the only ONE thing we can select that will make the other areas seem less confusing is to make sure the ONE we choose to serve has the power to change our lives. Our power is limited but His is not.

One to ask, One to reflect, One to pursue, One to change and One to serve. Which One makes the biggest difference in your life? Perhaps just turning to the ONE that can make it all happen is the best way to go.


Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27