’Thank you God‘  

By Oprah Winfrey

I live in the space of thankfulness – and I have been rewarded a million times over for it.  I started out giving thanks for small things, and the more thankful I became, the more my bounty increased.

That’s because what you focus on…. expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it.

Opportunities, relationships, even money flowed my way when I learned to be grateful no matter what happened in my life.

“Say thank you!” Those words from my friend and mentor Maya Angelou turned my life around.

One day about ten years ago, I was sitting in my bathroom with the door closed and the toilet lid down, booing and a hooing on the phone so uncontrollably
that I was incoherent.

“Stop it!  Stop it right now and say thank you!” Maya chided.
“But – you don’t understand,” I sobbed.
To this day, I can’t remember what it was that had me so far gone, which only proves the point Maya was trying to make.  ”I do understand,” she told me.  ”I want to hear you say it now. Out loud .”

“Thank you.’” Tentatively, I repeated it:
“Thank you – but what am I saying thank you for?”

“You’re saying thank you,” Maya said, “because your faith is so strong that you don’t doubt that whatever the problem, you’ll get through it.

You’re saying thank you because you know that even in the eye of the storm, God has put a rainbow in the clouds.

You’re saying thank you because you know there’s no problem created that can compare to the Creator of all things.

“Say thank you!”

So I did – and still do. Only now I do it every day.  I kept a gratitude journal , as Sarah Ban Breathnach suggests in Simple Abundance; list at least five things
that I’m grateful for.

My list includes small pleasures: the feel of Kentucky bluegrass under my feet (like damp silk);  a walk in the woods with all nine of my dogs and my cocker spaniel Sophie trying to keep up;  cooking fried green tomatoes with Stedman and eating them while they’re hot;  reading a good book and knowing another awaits.

My thank-you list also includes things too important to take for granted:    an “okay” mammogram, friends who love me, 25 years at the same job (and loving it more than the first day I started), a chance to share my vision for a better life, staying centered, having financial security.

I won’t kid you, having money for all the things I want is a blessing.  But as I look back over my journals, which I’ve kept since I was 15 years old, 99 per cent of what brought me real joy had nothing to do with money.

(It had a lot to do with food, however.)  

It’s not easy being grateful all the time.  But it’s when you feel least thankful that you are most in need of what gratitude can give you:

PERSPECTIVE:  Just knowing you have that daily list to complete allows you to look at your day differently, with an awareness of every sweet gesture and kind thought passed your way. When you learn to say thank you, you see the world anew.

And as Meister Eckhart so eloquently stated: “If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is ‘ Thank you God ‘, that would suffice.”

Have a safe and blessed day!

There’s so much good in the worst of us
and so much bad in the best of us,
that it doesn’t behoove any of us,
to talk about the rest of us.
                                        – Lilly Mae Outlaw

GOD BLESS!

May you have more blessings from God than your arms can carry.      

Time out for adults is what I called my vacation last week.  Some parents give their kids time out as a form of correction but I officially gave myself a “time out” during my vacation.  Time out from work, time out from worrying, and time out from everyday stress.   I used this time last week to catch up on some reading; needed sleep; lots of good old fashion laughter; and non-guilty relaxation.  It is also a great time to reflect and where needed, make changes.   

Well, the “time out” is over and I am re-energized. I realized during my vacation that it is not a place but a state of mind.  So, I plan on vacationing even more from the comforts of my home when “time out” is needed.

Signed – Grateful for Time Out

Today, I heard the following phase, “Think Forward”.  It stuck to me because, when I think about how most of us think about our  past and the present.  As I continue to grow, spiritually, personally and professionally, that statement has become so real to me.  Thinking forward allows all the key players, past and present, to be involved to shape your future but they are not to limit where you are going. 

Think Forward

This past week, I completed a wonderful project that involved studying the truth and spending time with family.  We embarked on studying the Bible at a appointed date and time each week.  It was a great learning experience as well as a opportunity for deliverance.  What started 9 weeks ago came to an end this week.  The confidence that comes with completing what you start, encourages you to do more.  We have already confirmed when we will start the next Bible Study. 

I am convinced that with commitment and faithfulness coupled with love nothing but achievements are accomplished. 

A good friend has a quote that I keep close to me in my mind and my heart.  The quote is “It’s enough money for everybody”.  She says it with a slang and a determination of hope.  I am reminded of that saying especially today because it is her 60th Birthday.  This quote reminds me that I do not have to be jealous, envious of anyone because “It’s enough money for everybody”.  It also gives me the hope that I can achieve my goals and dreams.  While some may say what’s so special about this quote.  You have to know my friend to know that it is not just words but it is a lifeline for living your dreams in spite of the circumstance because “It’s enough money for everybody”.  May these words encourage you to not give up. Happy Birthday to Ms. Hats

Recently a good friend and fellow entrepreneur and I talked about prospective clients.  The conversation was very enlightening because as an entrepreneur we generally talk about our dreams, visions, work load, next venture, our achievements and some of the prospects but we seldom talk about when the answer is  “No”.  The word no can come from the prospective client or from you.  She shared some helpful tools regarding meeting with prospective clients and not feeling that you have to bring down your prices or try very hard to get the deal but relax and state what you offer and the cost.  It was very helpful to me because in the service industry you must ensure that the services you provide are being compensated.  With the world we live in today and the decline in professional and outstanding customer service, it is worth every dime to enjoy some good old fashion hospitality.  As we continued to talk, I was reminded of a time when I had to say “No” to a prospective client.  There are times when integrity and just doing what you know is right must be the priority. 

Yes, I wanted the business;

Yes, I needed to get my name out there;

Yes, I believe I could do what was being asked; and

Yes, most importantly, I wanted to get compensated.

BUT

Neither business, popularity, success nor money can take the place of knowing you are doing the right thing.

So when “No” is the answer – Rejoice.  Thanks to my friend and fellow entrepreneur for reminding me about the importance of appreciating when the answer is NO.

As life should be, we are faced with making important and no so important decisions in life.  I am faced with a decision that is based on what I know and the unknown.  Chances and risks are the key words that when making decisions will cause you to rethink a decision for days.

 My life has changed from a single mother of 2 wonderful  daughters to a wife of a supportive husband, 1 great son and a granddaughter that I love dearly.  With these changes have come many blessings and some pain but now I am faced with leaving a part of my 22 year profession and moving to a unknown place.

Along with my personal changes, I have birthed NaeDay Productions; which has become a factor in the decisions that I make.  It does not come without hard decisions, risky moves, mistakes and in some cases repositioning. 

I have not made my decision yet but I am leaning toward the unknown, the risk and when I make it, I will post it.  I have learned that when I write it down and then come back when it is a little clearer and the results of your labor are manifested, (be it good or bad) you see the answer.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions are for the living.  The day, I stopped having to make decisions (what to eat, where to go, how to get there) is the day, I have stopped living.

When I’m feeling tired, defeated,weak and afraid,
and I’m wondering when will all of the disappointments fade.
 
When will the pain and the suffering end,  and when will my happiness and prosperity begin.
 
Will the sun ever rise just to brighten my day, Or will the storm always follow to wash it away.
 
It’s then that I’m reminded of the paths that I’ve chose, and I realize alot of my grief’s self-imposed.
 
See, it’s okay sometimes to feel bitter, angry or sad,
But you have to be careful with whom you are mad.
 
God has always arrived in time to clean up my mess,
For that, I have realized that I’m truly blessed.
 
So instead of feeling tired, defeated, weak or afraid,
I will benefit from the consequence of the decisions I’ve made. 
 
     Benefit: Another lesson learned!
 

Thoughts from Latia Weathers
 

One of my Best Friends Forever (BFF)  and I have been elated about our “Multiply Streams Of Income (MSOI)”.  These incomes are great because they are not jobs that take us away from our main goals: God, family and running our own successful business.  While it has been a long time coming, we finally realized how rich people get rich.  They have several streams of income, not 2 or 3 jobs but income.  There is a difference.  In my opinion, the differences are:

 Jobs – I have to punch in and report to someone. 

Streams of  Income – Flexibility in your time and availability.

Jobs – You work harder than what you get paid.

Streams of Income – Continuing flow of income available to you even when you are not working.

Jobs – You are inconvienced.

Streams of Income – It does not affect your other responsibilities in life.

I am excited to have learned this very important fact but I am sorry it took me so long to get it.  If God allows and permits, I will continue to look for opportunities and avenues to increase my “MSOI”. 

I first read about MSOI in a book titled “Networking is in our race”, author George Fraiser.  Excellent book that I highly recommend.  I learned quite a bit in the book but the one thing that stood out was his suggestion to have multiple streams of income. 

 Let me also state that with multiple streams of income comes responsibility.  Anything too easy generally is. We also have to watch out for get rich schemes that makes everyone at the top rich.   As I continue to learn and grow, I am open to opportunities where I can have legitimate multiply streams of income along with opportunities where I can help others.    Keep your eyes open, your mind learning and a decerning spirit so that when opportunities knock, you are awake, aware and available to receive.

Join my BFF and I in our quest to have MSOI.

When I think of old fashioned customer service, I think of a voice on the other end of the telephone, a hand written note, the words, “Thank you” and “Please”.  Unfortunately, the world has become so smart and technology driven that the simple things have been eliminated.  I applaud and appreciate all of the new and faster ways of doing things through technology BUT why can’t we have both.  One of the things that I stress as a professional event planner is the personal touch.  Another important and forgotten service is the quality of products.  While things are made in record time, have longer storage life and are made from more modern products they lack the quality.

Remember when you called a place of business and on the second ring you were greeted with “Hello, you have reached ________ .  How can I help you?”

 Remember when you hired a contractor from the neighborhood hardware store and they worked diligently to ensure that you were satisfied.

Remember when the mission of the hospitality industry was to welcome others and ensure that everyone that visited your home town, city or state was pleased.

We can have both.  While technology has been a great asset in getting more done in less time, afforded global capabilities, in some cases environmentally safer and can be very cost effective.  I believe with the humbleness of yesterday and the intellegience of today, the future would have a welcoming balance.

My goal is to always provide outstanding customer service and exceptional products with all of the amenities of new technology.

It can be done!!!!!