5 Things I'm Giving Myself For My 50th Birthday

Well, the big day has finally arrived - my 50th birthday (Nov. 21)!!!

Unlike many of my peers, I will not be having a lavish celebration for this milestone age. Instead, I'm making it a point to fully embrace and enjoy my present state. While I may not be rich (as some would define riches in material terms), I am the wealthiest woman alive, as far as I'm concerned. 

I'm blessed to wake up every morning with the love of my life. I have three of the most wonderful, beautiful, and loving children any mom could ever hope for. I've still got health and strength, and I've been blessed with a small band of true-blue friends and extended family who accentuate this good life of mine. 

Yes, I'm a very blessed woman indeed.

Fifty has found me at the pinnacle of a new growth spurt in my life. Don't laugh! You can still have growth spurts at this age. They're just more internal than external.

This year, I've come through one of the toughest challenges of my life. I was tested, tempted, and tried, but by the grace of God, I not only survived it, I became a MUCH BETTER ME because of it. I'm truly humbled and grateful for my custom-made journey, and trust me, I never thought I'd be able to say that with total sincerity.

So in honor of this very special year in my life, I'm going to give myself a few treats to enjoy:

1. A new writing space, complete with everything I need to engage my creative juices and get back to doing what I love.

2. A life-coaching session. It's something I've never officially had, but I want to experience it firsthand because I know it's something I'm destined to do for others.

3. My first published book. Yes, I said it! It's long overdue.

4. A new pair of running shoes. It's time I pushed my boundaries out a little further. Pray for these knees!

5. A fun and fabulous new hairstyle to match my new attitude.

Stay tuned for pics as I accomplish this and much, much more.

HELLO 50! 

LET'S DANCE!!

ME23: 6 Steps to Turn Your Resolutions into Your Revolution (Part 6)

Hey D-Viners!

We've made it to the final step of my ME23 blog series. 

Today, you're allowed to look behind you because it's important to know who's got your back. The last verse of Psalm 23 introduces you to two of the best BFF's you could ever have on your squad - GOODNESS AND MERCY.

"Surely your GOODNESS and UNFAILING LOVE shall pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever."

Psalm 23:6 NLT

Principle #6: What's Behind You is Greater Than What's in Front of You

When our son, Drew, was a little boy, he loved to be chased. Whether it was time to play or put on his clothes, it just delighted him to no end to see us scrambling to catch him. At first glance, it would appear that he was trying to get away, that he didn't want to be caught. But you could tell by the giggles every time he looked back over his shoulder that the real joy was in him knowing that were pursuing him. Conversely, if we stopped our pursuit, he'd stop laughing. 

Now, picture yourself being like our precocious young son. Running and giggling with delight, knowing that you're about to be overtaken by something awesome from your Heavenly Father.

I know, I know. You're a full grown woman now with responsibilities and all, but just humor me, okay? 

God's goodness and mercy (or unfailing love as the NLT puts it) are always on your trail. They are present and actively supporting you even when it doesn't seem like it. 

Perhaps your experiences have left you feeling like you've got nothing and no one to depend on. But that couldn't be further from the truth. The fact that you keep waking up every morning is all the proof you need that God is by your side, ready, willing and able to guide you by His spirit and sustain you with His grace. Your circumstances may try to distort this fact, but that doesn't mean it's not true.

What's the takeaway?

Notice that the verse says goodness and mercy "follow" you. So that means you must be going somewhere, right? Don't allow discouragement to steal what you have left. Get up, dust yourself off from yesterday's battle, and get moving. 

It's okay if you have to take baby steps. Progress is not defined by quantity, but by consistency. Remember, with goodness and mercy behind you, it really doesn't matter what's in front of you.

Action Step

What area of your life have you stopped moving in?

Post it in the comments and I'll be happy to pray for you and offer practical tips to help you get back on track and cross that finish line.

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Did you like this ME23 blog series? If you did, tell other women about it by posting the link to today's post on social media. 

If you haven't already done so, take some time to review the entire 6-part series. It's like a puzzle. It takes each piece to get the whole picture.

Also, feel free to suggest future topics you'd like for me to do as a blog series. I'll accept any reasonable challenge. :)

Until next time,

D-Vine Blessings to You!

ME23: 6 Steps to Turn Your Resolutions into Your Revolution (Part 5)

Greetings from The D-Vine!

Wow! I don't know about you, but 2016 has gotten off to a crazy start for me. As I mentioned in my last post, my family and I are working on something and there's a big transition that goes along with it. But I promise, when it's all over, you'll get the exclusive story from yours truly. :)

Now, let's dive in to Part 5 of ME23!

Psalm 23:5 NLT

"You prepare a FEAST for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup OVERFLOWS with blessings."

Principle #5: You Already Have More Than What it Takes to Win

I spent more time pondering this particular verse than any of the first four verses. To me, it personifies what a real personal revolution is all about. If you've already come this far in my blog series, I believe it's because you don't want to just survive, you want to THRIVE! 

There's a lasting result that we're after here, and it should have an exponential impact on how you do life. So in order to help you get the most out of this week's principle, I thought I'd break it down into its three essential points.

1. When you think of a feast, you probably think of food, right? Well, I think with this verse the psalmist is trying to tell us to think in terms of abundance in the face of lack. In other words, to know that you have more than enough going for you even if your situation says otherwise. The power doesn't lie in the enemy you face. It lies in how you face your enemy. Say you've been turned down for a job you really wanted because you're under qualified. You can look at it as yet another rejection, or you can see it as putting you a step closer to your perfect position.
2. When is the last time you were honored by someone? I'm not talking about receiving an award or anything. I mean just being truly affirmed and appreciated. That long, huh? LOL! Well here's a golden nugget from this verse that really boosted my confidence. Just as a shepherd pours oil on his sheep's head to keep bugs from irritating or infecting them, God will do the same for you. Facing negativity in any form is not always easy, and the forces behind it can be as annoying as a swarm of gnats. But consider this. To be anointed means to be chosen by "divine election." That means that no matter what comes at you, you've already been "elected" by God as the winner.
3. You're not waiting for abundance to strike. You already possess it! Jesus said, "Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot." (Luke 12:15 MSG). Remember, PERCEPTION is the name of the game. Here's an awkward but very apt example of this. Kanye West and Donald Trump are two names that are trending high in the media right now because of their outrageous self-promoting antics. While I don't condone their egomaniacal ways, it's hard to miss the fact that because of the way they perceive themselves, they act with great confidence and it's getting them results. Yes, you should be humble, not prideful. But being humble does not mean you should ignore or downplay what you've been given to work with. Flip the script and start perceiving yourself through God's eyes, as more than a conqueror, and overflow will begin to manifest all over your life. 

What's the takeaway?

Your battle is fought and won in your HEAD first, not in your heart. Don't let how you feel distort the truth. To live the abundant life, you must revolutionize your thinking. The less garbage you put in, the less you'll get out. Become much more selective about what you lend your brainpower to. 

Action Step

In a recent interview with Vogue magazine, presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton remarked that while she's great at advocating for other people, she's not so good at doing it for herself. But now she perceives herself differently than she did a few years ago, and she's better able to give a clear voice to what makes her the best person for President.

If you feel you don't have enough, or you simply aren't enough, I want you to take a bold step. Post a comment on the D-Vine blog page stating a quality (not anything material) that you know you have in abundance. If you want to take it a step further, put that same post on your Facebook or Twitter page with the hashtag #IamenoughME23. I'll start the ball rolling.

I am abundantly gifted at being a great listener

The point is to OWN IT. Make it a practice to perceive your abundance in your everyday life. When you do, you'll transform into the woman you were always meant to be - despite any opposition.

Until next time, BE WHO YOU ARE AND LOVE IT!

ME23: 6 Steps to Turn Your Resolutions Into Your Revolution (Part 3)

Welcome back, D-Viners!

Did you enjoy last week's installment of ME23? If so, you're going to love this week's foray into Psalm 23:3 because it's all about POWER.

"He renews my STRENGTH. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name."

Psalm 23:3 (NLT)

For further emphasis, I'd like to also use The Message translation of this same verse.

"True to your word, you let me CATCH MY BREATH and send me in the right direction."

Psalm 23:3 (MSG)

Principle #3: The Power is in the Pause

As many of you know, I'm on a journey toward being a healthier, fitter me. As I've been making small changes  here and there, I find myself growing a deeper appreciation for the wonder and complexity that is the human body. I'm learning more and more about the many factors that make the body operate at it's fullest potential. One of those factors is rest/sleep.

You've probably been hearing more and more in the media about the importance of getting a good night's sleep, and there's good reason for it.

"A night of uninterrupted sleep(will) leave (our) bodies and minds rejuvenated for the next day. If sleep is cut short, the body doesn’t have time to complete all of the phases needed for muscle repair, memory consolidation and release of hormones regulating growth and appetite. Then we wake up less prepared to concentrate, make decisions, or engage fully in school, (work) and social activities." 

~ The National Sleep Foundation

Clearly, rest is not only important, it is crucial to the quality of your life. But I want to talk to about more than rest for your body. Let's talk about rest for your mind/soul.

If you've ever had a sleepless night, chances are it wasn't because of physical pain. It was probably a cluttered mind that kept you tossing and turning.

Worry, anxiety, fear, anger. This is not the crowd you want to hang out with. Think of them as thieves that create restlessness inside of you in order to drain you of your power.

Just as your body cannot regulate, renew, or replenish when you are deprived of rest, the same holds true for your soul. Like The Message translation above so aptly puts it, you need time to catch your breath.When you don't put yourself on pause, you lose much more than you think you do.

Yes. I know there is a tendency in this performance-driven culture we live in to think you must stay in overdrive or else you'll be missing out. And I'm sure somewhere in the back of your mind, you probably know this isn't right. But just like any other bad habit, you've probably been doing it so long, you don't know how to stop.

• You've got great ideas, but you can't stop long enough to implement them
• You've got an issue that needs to be addressed, but you won't take to deal with it
• You don't mean to be insensitive, but you've got so many irons in the fire you've sacrificed even your most cherished relationships
• Your emotions are a wreck, but you're too tired to even pray about them

Any of this sound familiar? Don't feel bad. You can choose to change.

What's the takeaway?

On the streets you'd be told to CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU WRECK YOURSELF.

I'm telling you PAUSE to get your POWER back. And I don't mean power to keep on running at the same old break-neck speed. I'm talking about REAL POWER. Power to get the right perspective. Power to walk your path. Power to live out your purpose. Jesus himself often employed this principle (Luke 5:16) and it served him well. You should too.

But make no mistake. The pause is not just about unloading your baggage. It's more about fueling up for what lies ahead. The good things. The promises that God will fulfill in your life. The energy and enthusiasm you will have once you clear your soul of its clutter. That's the sweet spot.

Action Step

Take a moment right now to do a brain dump.

Write down everything that is weighing you down, pressuring you, worrying you, etc. Read them out loud to yourself. Then take that piece of paper, rip it up, and throw it away. Right after that, pray Psalm 23 out loud to yourself as many times as you need to in order to release those things. Finally, just breathe. Use this pause to allow the natural flow of the Holy Spirit to refresh and renew your spirit.

Check back in with me to share how ME23 is helping you to turn things around in your life. I want to see a wall of continuous victories in that comment section!

Be sure to tell a friend about this blog series by sharing the link. I'll meet you back here next week.

Stay in it to win it!

Back in Stride Again

(photo credit: augustaga.gov)

Hello Fellow Champion!

Does the holiday season tend to get you off your game? It happens to me almost every year. As you can probably tell by the dates on my last few posts, I've been M.I.A. for a couple of weeks.

That's how it goes with me. I'll be making great strides, firing on all cylinders - mind, soul, and body. Then as soon as Thanksgiving comes around, I tend to get distracted with all the sights and smells and sounds of the holiday season. And then the bottom falls out. I start eating waaaay to many sweets and getting off-focus and off-task.

But this year, I've made some improvements, I must say.

I set two primary goals. That's right, only TWO. Why? Because I'm old enough now to realize the importance of not biting of more then I know I can chew.

First up, my fitness. When our eldest went off to college at the end of August, I committed to doing a 30-minute workout, Monday through Friday, every week, and with only a couple of missed days due to illness, I've stayed on track. My handsome hubby is a BIG part of the reason for this because he keeps me accountable to what he knows is important to me. (Love you, Babe!)

Second, my writing. I've been writing for years, mostly for other people. But a couple of years ago, I committed to making more time to write for myself. I had a lot of creative ideas floating around in my head, including an amazing novel (which I intend to publish in early 2016), but I wasn't doing much with them. Then one day, I rediscovered the power of the plan. Plans are the road map for your good intentions. Without one, they simply have no where to go. 

My goal is to broaden my blog's exposure to like-minded women. So the first step in my grand plan was to become consisting in posting something relevant to The D-Vine once a week. Now granted, I'm still tweaking and fine-tuning this one, but I give myself a high-five for improved effort. To top it all off, I recently had a friend who was so inspired by seeing my consistent blog posts on Facebook, he reached out to ask how he could start his own blog. Imagine that... and I'm not even blogging at top form - YET! 

The moral of today's post: ENJOY THE SEASON, BUT DON'T LOSE THE REASON.

Yes, this is the time of year that we celebrate the birth of our Great Redeemer, Jesus Christ, but that's the whole point. He came to help you redeem what was lost in the garden - your faith, your strength, your stride.

So what if you dropped the ball for the umpteenth time? That's what grace is for. Take hold of it again and get back in focus. You don't need January 1st for that. You can start right now!

Until next week...

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

P. S. I've got a hot new blog series coming out in January 2016 called ME-23. You're gonna LOVE it! It's a new twist on an old classic that is just what the doctor ordered if you're tired of living a lukewarm life. Stay tuned!

Banish the Box: How to Repossess Your Life (Part Two)

Part Two: It's NOT About What You Stop, It's About What You Start

Have you ever tried to kick a bad habit? Hard isn't it?

Can I tell you why?

It's because you're focused on the wrong thing. 

Change doesn't happen by what you stop doing, but by what you start doing. When you focus on trying to stop doing something, you exhaust yourself physically and emotionally. This happens because all of your potential power is being given to the negative instead of to what's positive.

It takes only one step to start something new. It takes several steps to stop doing something old. So consequently, when you endeavor to stop repeating a bad habit, you feel more stressed and you struggle more. But if you exert that same energy toward making a simple step in the opposite direction, you'll find that you feel less stressful and more empowered. Make sense?

Here are a few examples of how to put this tip into action:

• Instead of trying to stop overeating by restricting yourself to 800 calories a day, start eating a half-sized portion of what you normally eat at each meal
• Instead of trying to stop complaining so much, start repeating a favorite affirmation to yourself out loud in the mirror every morning after you wake up
• Instead of trying to stop watching so much late night TV, start setting an alarm or a reminder to cut the TV off at a certain time each night.

Extra Tip: Every time you complete a START, make note of it, perhaps in a journal, by making a short video blurb, or being accountable to your spouse or friend. Each victory will spur you on to the next one.

As I ALWAYS suggest, PRAY and enlist God's help. Without Him, we can do nothing. Take action one day at a time and share your progress. I'm looking forward to celebrating with you!

"Mile by mile, it's a trial; yard by yard, it's hard, but inch by inch, it's a cinch!"

~ Anonymous

The Push Precedes the Promise

I saw this and absolutely HAD to share it! Sometimes we're on the verge of a breakthrough, and all we need is a PUSH.

Even Eagles Need a Push Movie | Even Eagles Need a Push