Category: 2022 Blogs

Anchors in Life

3/18/2022

What comes to your mind when you think of anchors?

Anchors are an interesting topic. There is a variety of types and sizes of anchors. They each perform the same basic task of keeping a boat from drifting away. However, depending on the type of boat, the size of boat, and the type of “grounding” (i.e. into sand or into rocks) required, the anchors will perform this task in their own unique way.

Let’s take this thought and move into our lives…

What are some of the anchors you have established in your life?
What helps you keep steady in the ebbs and flows of life?
What holds you in place when stormy gusts of wind are blowing through your life?

Here are some thoughts using ANCHORS as an acronym. Can you relate to any of these?

A = Allow (Allow others to support & help you in life struggles. Allow yourself to think of different options and ideas. Do not get stuck in the traditions or ruts or “shoulds” of the past.)

N = No Fear (Fear can paralyze us. The shadows of fear can distort the true image of opportunities that are coming our way.)

C = Commitment (Stay the course of promises given &/or goals desired. “Where there is a will, there is a way.” Stay the course.)

Find a company of good friends.

H = Honesty (Be honest about what is happening: what you are feeling and struggling with. Help could be from someone in your life…they just need to know what you need.)

O = Optimism and Openness (Believe. Believe in the rainbows after the storms. It’s easy to see the negative. Look for the good and hold on to it!! And LAUGH! Joy is a source of strength.)

R = Rest (Learn to “sleep on it”. Things can look different after a good night’s sleep. Take care of yourself in the storms…your whole man: spirit, soul, and body. Set healthy boundaries.)

S = See Beyond (Develop your vision to see the other side of the storm. Develop an attitude of hope. A vision fulfilled is far greater than temporary problems that you had to walk through.)

Times to rest and relax and release the pressure.

Keep the vision clear. Give to others!

A song for comfort and hope in the storms of life:

S A F E

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Will You Dare to Believe?

2/19/2022

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Have you ever had THAT song stuck in your head?

I’m sure you have. There’s something about that song in particular that grabbed your attention—maybe the beat, maybe a memory connected with it, maybe a message it gives…

I have found those little urges, like a song stuck in my head, are important to recognize. Important to stop and ponder on it or just let it flow out of me as I sing it, tap my feet to the beat of it, remember it, and so forth. Often there is a reason beyond our logical mind that has connected us to that memory. I may have an occasion come up that day to share it with someone who really needed what that song gave to me (a pick-me-up, etc.)…and I would have never thought of it in my normal logical routine of the day.

In these moments of “out of nowhere” memories or ideas, we are reminded that we are more than a body. We are more than an intellect guided by logical thought. We are more than what we see, feel, connect with in the physical world around us. We also exist in a spiritual world. We are a spirit at the core of our being.

The things of the spirit realm are real. The things of the spirit realm are unseen. The things of this seen realm come from the unseen.

WHAT?!? You may say.

Well, think about inventions that we now enjoy in our regular life--

Before there was a motorcar “seen” in this physical world, it was first seen or dreamed of in an unseen realm.
Before there was an airplane “seen” in this physical world, it was seen or dreamed of in an unseen realm.

The list could continue…

These inventions were brought out of the unseen into the seen.

Realize that YOU and your tomorrow are more than what you “see” today!

Pay attention to those inner impressions. Pay attention to the dreams that float up to your mind. There are things that lay hidden in the unseen of our spirit. They are real. And they begin in the unseen.

Will you DARE TO BELIEVE?

For a little fun, here is a song that can get stuck in my head.

Have some fun, smile, and...

enjoy!

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What a Smile Can Do…

1/19/2022

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I heard someone say (and maybe you have too) “a smile is a frown turned upside down”. An interesting perspective…turning a frown upside down!

How many of you like to see a smile? I know I do. A genuine smile. A smile that lights up someone’s face. But even a simple faint smile can change the atmosphere in a room.

Turning the negative upside down…turning it around into something that is positive, turning it into something that gives energy versus draining energy. Making this switch is not easy. When we have a frown, we often are not feeling so happy. Maybe we are worried. Maybe we are mad. Maybe we are sad. Maybe we are concentrating. Maybe we feel pressure and stress. Frowns are often connected with the negative feelings of life, and those negative feelings can often have a great force behind them spiraling us further into the deep dark hole of despair, depression, disgust. But…that frown can be turned upside down into a SMILE!

It does take effort! It takes a decision! It takes a belief that you CAN!

Let’s talk about some practical steps that can help turn a frown upside down and restore your SMILE!

Stop. Think. Ask… “Am I frowning right now?” Act… “Start smiling”. How does that make you feel? Just this simple act.
Remember. Remember the good things in your life. Maybe things are not too happy right now. Remember something that brought joy to you. Let your mind wander into that memory and stay there for a while. Soak in the joy of that memory.

Purpose to get on the positive side. Listen to something funny. Find something good. I remember a story of an older man who disciplined himself to only speak uplifting words about people. He was at a funeral of another man who was disliked by many people because of his sour demeanor. This older man went to the casket and looked in, his statement was, “He sure had nice teeth.” There wasn’t much good to find in the life of the man who died, but the older man found something good…he found something uplifting.
Change your focus. Count your blessings. When things are going wrong, when tough things are piling on top of you, it is easy to be overcome with all that is wrong. It is easy to be overcome with worries or fears. This is a good time to get a piece of paper out and start writing down all the things that are “right” or the blessings in your life.
Sing a song. Dance a jig. Move. Wear happy colors. Talk to a friend. These activities can spark energy. Energy sparks positive emotions in us. Learn to work with what sparks you. Find those activities that release that flow of energy for you. Connect in with the joy of life.

SMILE…Turn that Frown UPSIDE Down or better…RIGHT-SIDE UP!

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Cindy writes about her adventures, observations, and other nuggets from living in another nation. She and John live in SE Asia. She will also share nuggets from her 58 plus years of life.

New blogs are normally posted once a month.

McKinney International

Anchors in Life

Will You Dare to Believe?

What a Smile Can Do…

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