To Inspire you to think higher...

Who is Jesus to you?

2013-01-09T11:59:00.000-08:00

He is.

"Trust in the Lord, lead not unto your understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will set your path straight."

2012/2013 By faith

2012-11-07T23:13:00.002-08:00

It's by faith and grace - 'Ask me for the nations and I will give it too you.' It's not about our performance in life, it's about Jesus and what he's already done for us.

This is the good news! Jesus exchanged poverty for riches, death for life, for us. We have an inheritance in him, as children of God, to live in the fullness of him. Not lacking in anything.

Now he didn't say we wouldn't have troubles in this world, but he said take heart for he has come. By the way these are paraphrases of scriptures in the Bible, not some airy fairy claim from some random blogger.

When we understand that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy we can live in this world more blessed, more happy and content regardless to circumstances (aka temporary situations) than anyone else in the world. This is the hope I have, that I will live more in this, and the world I live in will also live with this same peace and revelation.

The church should be a place where your dream and vision has expanded and a bigger inheritance than when you first came in. If your in a church where they preach down at you, move. Don't mistake a relationship with God, the same as a relationship with the church. We go to church, out of a understanding of who Jesus is, what he's done for us, and why the church is so important to him and for us - It's his bride. This is what he's coming back for.

Oh and the church - it's not a building (or it shouldn't be) it's people. Surely you can see that more and more as the old traditional buildings have been shaken up and churches are meeting underground, in hotels, in nightclub venues, coffee shops; all over the world.

Jesus gives us hope, and a plan to prosper, but we've got to ask him for it.

Jimmy Fallon rocks

2012-10-12T13:05:00.002-07:00

Just because I can. Thought this was funny. While some friends of mine are off to see Kevin Bridges tonight, (performing somewhere in Scotland tonight) I thought I'd get some comedy of my own in, and blog about it too.

Wonder how long it took Justin to perform those moves? Who just pulls a move like that. Jimmy however, we'll he's special and frankly rocks in this video. Check it out. #randompost

Learning to live fearless

2012-08-25T11:45:00.003-07:00

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

"What the mind can conceive, it can achieve." – Napoleon Hill

I wholeheartedly believe that in order to achieve, we must first believe. The two quotes above come from world changers, who also discovered the power of vision and self belief.

Take a look at this awesome video, which I was also inspired by. Share this post, if you like it because as the bookmarks say, sharing is caring.

Changing a life, begins with love

2012-06-24T08:04:00.001-07:00

We won’t change a nation by pushing people down, we’ll change a nation by pulling people up.

Word to all the street preachers who stand on a box and shout ridiculous statements to people that are out of context. Things like you will go to hell if you don’t repent and turn to Jesus. Shouting sinners and all sorts at people does NOT serve our God the glory or justice He deserves! It sadness me that this is the picture people are faced with, when I know my God is gentle, kind, and fiercely loves His creation.

We have a light, and we should be shining that light. Not hiding it behind a religious facade.

The truth is JESUS IS LOVE. Tell them that. Tell them that HE IS GOOD, and HIS MERCIES ENDURE FOREVER. Tell them that HE L.O.V.E.S His creation (that’s you an me) more than anything. He L.O.V.E.S us so much that He, God, sent his only Son to die on a cross that we might be here today. That we might go to sleep, walk up, eat food, get clothed, and have somewhere to lay our heads down at night.

I understand that in human weakness and frailty there is mess all around us, and life can look a whole lot messier than we would like. Perhaps that simple place to eat, sleep and wash isn't how life is for you at the moment. Some of that mess may even be your family - your mum or dad. Maybe you have been abandoned, and hurt by everyone and anyone you know. Friend, if you would open your eyes to see how awesome and great our Saviour is. Read His Word. My Bible says that He has a good plan for your life, to give you a hope and a future and to see you prosper in every sense of the word. (Jeremiah 11:29)

There will be many different seasons in our life; but be encouraged that seasons come and seasons go. Let's keep pushing on to something greater. To maintain a hope, and friend there is no greater hope or foundation than the one Jesus provides through His Word and Salvation.

Whatever trials and challenges you are faced with today. No matter how big, or small they may seem to you. I pray that you would know the wonder and hope that is JESUS. He does not rack you with guilt. He knows everything, about everyday of your life. He knows the mistakes you made, and He loves you more - FREELY.

To those who think themselves perfect, well we’re not. No one is. No one by Jesus. The truth is at some point in life, we all slip up in someway or another. Still, in spite of it all this... He loves us.

Whatever your faced with today, whatever you think of Jesus today. Whatever you have heard from those on the street shouting about sin, but failing to mention just how much God.loves.you. Just as you are. Warts and all. Issues, and broken, insecure, angry, hurt. From your deepest darkest secret that you haven’t told anyone. God knows. He sees you, and he has seen every thought, motive, and incline of our heart... And He still says I L O V E Y O U!!!!

Romans 10:13 says,‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Call on him friend, I dare you too. Ask God to reveal to you His goodness to you. Go after God in the light of he loves you, and doesn't come to make you feel guilty, or hurt you. Go to him with all your unanswered questions, and just find out for yourself what Jesus is all about. There will be phenomenal promise on the back of getting to know Jesus. I can tell you that much.

Imagine.

2012-05-29T03:51:00.000-07:00

Stumbled across this video today, and I just had to share. First, press play and have listen to Emmanuel's story.

The truth is that we all have a story to tell, and Emmanuel's story is one encouraged me again too.

Anything is possible for those who are willing to fight, and believe for their dream. It's just as easy to give up writing, and think oh, but it's just another positive thinking post; And that would be so wrong.

The truth is to go after your dream, is to not settle and to fight the resistance of complacency and the voice of mediocre.

To achieve anything in life is a daily battle of sowing, investing, studying, chapping on close doors. But I want to challenge to you imagine today. Imagine that door was open, and all you had to do was enter in.

I don't know your story, but I know that each story is as valuable as Emmanuel's. You don't have to go through what he went through to be worth more. You just have to have the courage, and bravery to believe that you are worth more, and the ability to let your circumstances propel you, rather than hold you back.

Instead of looking at the lack in your life today, look to the possibilities. If you gain nothing else, but a joy of imagining then surely that is far better than sitting miserable, consumed by what you don't have and wish you did.

What are you waiting for? What's shaking you today?

Press play, and be stirred, not shaken.

Hold on to your dream!

2012-04-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

Have you lost hope, or sight on the road to achieving your dream(s)? I want to share with you some encouragement that will hopefully speak into your journey, and lift you up to believe, as it has me.

So here goes.... If we follow our gut no matter what, and buckle up for the ride. We will get there in the end. If you chart your map well, and hold on tight, you will go in the direction that you desire; sooner, or later.

Do you need to hold on right now? Do you need to buckle down, and keep the dream in front? Then do just that! Don't worry about making a mistake, or how long it may have taken you to get to this point in life.

If you believe, then you will receive - And that is truth that is modeled to us everyday. Just look at the people who have made it, written their books, produced their songs, built their company, cooked for the president. In school, and all through our young lives we're taught that these dreams are mere pipe dreams. If this were so, then why do we have the Will.i.am, Rod Stewart, Jesse J, The Script, Timberland, and many more. - We just lose heart when we can't see it take shape in our lives yet, but hold on baby, because it ain't over yet!! It's never over, and it's never too late!

The importance of right believing

2012-03-30T01:08:00.001-07:00

"If you don't believe right, you won't act right." - This is my morning revelation.

In order to understand this statement more, let me take you through the process:

Our actions start in our thoughts. It goes like this:

Think right + Decide right = Act right = Best Result

When one, or more of these is put out of place it impacts the end result. It's easy to get discouraged when you understand that perhaps your belief has taking a hit recently, or running low.

(If you spend all your time looking at the gloom, and doom of the news, you will find that in itself is enough to send you packing down the road of depression.)

My suggestion, and encouragement to the world today (including myself) would be; don't get discouraged.

Beating ourselves up for not believing won't do anyone any good. If we can recognize what needs to change, and simply start to choose to think differently, in time we will see our actions, mood, and belief system restore itself.

Confession, is a powerful tool, and believing is twice as powerful. We don't have to feel, or see that our home is real, when full expect and believe that when we return from work, our home is still standing.

You, and I can choose to think right today, even when it feels uncomfortable, wrong, and painful. Push through those conflicting feelings, do the right thing and just watch: Your life is determined by the direction of your thoughts. So let's get ourselves together, and believe; "The best is yet to come."

Wait patiently, wait confidently

2012-03-29T06:43:00.000-07:00

There is a tendency in life, especially within the world of business, to get ahead at all costs. Whilst I think that we must work hard at whatever we do in life, I disagree profusely that we should ever stepping on people.

When you are young, and insecure the temptation for some maybe to step on the seemingly weak member of the group, in order to gain favour with others. In its most extreme form, we call that bullying. Often this attitude can be carried out into adulthood too, taken into the workplace, where we sometimes fail to take responsibility and ownership for our own mistakes.

It's human instinct to seeing acceptance, and purpose, and anyone can fall subject to it - That's why we must be diligent with the directions of our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

So let me encourage you, whenever something doesn't seem to be happening, or when you experience some kind of lose, like losing your job, contract, or a relationship; Wait confidently, and wait patiently. If you expect good, you will get good. Just remember that waiting isn't a passive word, or an instant word it's an active word. To wait, is to expect, which means; "regard as likely to happen."

"If one door closes, so be it! Believe with full confidence that God has a better way for you. You do not have to depend on favoritism to keep opportunities open for yourself when you have God's unmerited favour on your side." Taken from the book, Unmerited Favour by Joseph Prince.

A dream cooked to perfection

2012-03-19T16:32:00.001-07:00

This is one of the lessons I took from MasterChef this evening. As an individual passionate about food, and good food at that. It seems only right that passion is the key to being a great cook; and indeed being a great anything in life.

As my pastor preached so well, on Sunday, to achieve success at anything in life we must have:

1. Enthusiasm
2. Desire
3. Conviction

When you say your passionate about something. How passionate are you? It's a great question to be asking. We want a level of all three of the points given above.

Like any good dish there is three key elements.
1.presence
2.smell
3.taste

When each of these senses are married together that is when the spectacular happens. When we engage fully with our presence in life, work and career, with a willingness of heart. I believe that is when we will see out dreams come alive.

Challenged? Me too - but that's Ok. It's good to take a stock take and just check on our progress, though-life and ultimate direction.

Without vision the Bible says, people loss hope.

Just like cooking a turkey at Christmas, there are lots of checks on time along the way. There will be check points, and turning points through-out the day. Give the size, and weight of the bird it's no wonder it takes hours to perfect.

If I can encourage you with one more post it would be this; that even though the vision seems slow in its arrival. Wait for it, and in the perfect moment it will come to pass.

Yes, there will be times when you want the turkey to be ready now, ( certainly if your patience in an oven is anything like mine) but stay on course and keep good time. It will be worth it in the end.

Much love
Lee cx

The difference!

2012-01-25T06:45:00.000-08:00

The difference between faith and religion is this....

Happy New Year Folks!

2012-01-01T04:25:00.000-08:00

2012 is underway, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on those initial moments of celebration from around the world. First up we have Sydney, Australia. Onto Times Square's famous Ball drop in New York City; which creates the most incredible vibe (a must watch), and last but not least London, England with a brief look at the world famous street party in the capital city of my home country Scotland, Edinburgh!

Hope you had a lovely time celebrating, and wish you a prosperous 2012!

Sydney, Oz

New York City

London + Edinburgh

Lunchtime Humour

2011-12-02T05:20:00.000-08:00

What to do if your caught having a lunchtime nap at work.

Follow the dialogue below and good luck!

If they point it out to you, you could say something like; "Oh? Really?" Look in a mirror, puzzled and shocked, (Allow for brief pause) and then respond with; "Oh this red mark up here? (Point innocently to your own head to convey a full-proof cover before continuing) "Yes, I found out last week that I was developing an allergic reaction around lunchtime every day, symptoms of a severe redness; doctors say that I must utilise this hour as much as possible, for the foreseeable future, to nap" If you should receive any further awkward pause, or puzzled responses simply finish with short and snappy explanation - "uh...to stop the redness spreading!"

(This is a disclaimer for the above piece of advice given in a humorous tone as should not be held accountable if such advice fails to save your from disciplinary action - should this occure on a regularly basis).

The Christmas countdown begins!

2011-12-01T16:16:00.001-08:00

It's official! December has now arrived. The All I want for Christmas classic by Mariah Carey has been warming up for a month's worth of radio airtime that kicked off this morning, on Chris Moyles Radio One Breakfast show. (I'm still singing the song in my head as I type this...) Only 24 more days to go till Christmas Day. Yes, it is official - The Christmas countdown has begun.

Today I opened the first door in our traditional annual chocolate calendar that can only be a Cadbury's special!

Extremely excited this year to discover the Cadbury's brand have decided to partner with Make A Wish Foundation in Ireland and the UK over Christmas. In their own words, "to help grant more magical wishes to children and young people with living with life threatening illnesses."

This is one of the foundation close to my heart. There are lots of good causes out there doing great work, but it takes people coming together to make a difference. I hope your excited about Christmas as me, and I hope you have your plan of presents and or cards to send to spread some Christmas cheer -
and I equally hope if your finding yourself struggling this christmas that you don't give in to the pressure of commercialism. Let's remember the reason for the season, and if your in a position to do something to help sprinkle a little Christmas cheer - then make sure you do.

"We can't do everything, but we can all do something"

The year of trials, tests and turnaround!

2011-11-19T17:39:00.000-08:00

Over a year ago today, I had not job, no money and a car that was falling to pieces (literally). During my normal job search I came across a copywriters role. I just loved the sound of it, but even the job post said this was no easy role to get into for any great writer, let alone a girl who'd left uni 6 years ago, and only written voluntary since then.

After a word from God last December, I began to make some small changes in myself even though I had no reason, or could see how things could possibly change. The bible says, "a man plans his way and the Lord directs his steps." In other words, God blesses our preparation.

With nothing to loose, I got a friend to teach me how to manage the little finance I had and even signed myself up to a part-time business course that would give me something to learn while I waited on a job offer. Six weeks later I was being forced to work for free for BnQ, and just as they were measuring me for my uniform I got an job opportunity to work as a copywriter/social media strategist. These jobs are NOT easy to come by, let alone get into.

Since March this year I have been in full-time employment in a job that I love. I was miraculously able to pay off my student overdraft (story for another time) AND given a brand new car in July this year. By November 2011, I received my second pay rise since March, and on Friday just past I was made Team Leader of Social Media/Copywriter for my company. Let it NEVER be said that God doesn't exist, or care. There were no flukes in this story, and no way I could have made any of this stuff happen on my own. Trust me.

This is not a boast, but a testimony to the UNMERITED FAVOUR of God. "Cast your cares unto Jesus, he cares for you." God is interested in the detail of our lives. He works in mysterious ways, but if you seek him you'll find him. I don't believe we should believe God just because of what he can do for us, because that would be wrong; and I actually think life would be pretty boring and empty if it was just about stuff and possessions.

It doesn't matter what, who or where you are everyone is faces challenge, everyone needs answers, relationships, provision and healing. I believe God is that answer, and he doesn't wait for us to be perfect before he meets our need. "If we seek him, we will find him," the Bible says.

Don't give up on your dreams, hope or need. God is able, and he is faithful. Seek him, and you will find him. I was sick, without a job, money, in debt, with a broken car and more junk in my life that you'd care to imagine: but today I'm letting you in on a tiny glimpse of what God has done in my life in less than a year.

"Walk long enough with God, give him opportunity to write more chapters in the story of your life than life may have afforded you quite yet." Sy Rodgers

Let this post be an encouragement to you no matter the circumstance, or how long you've been waiting for your breakthrough. Persevere with hope and keep believing; Your turnaround is just around the corner.

Weathering the storm.

2011-10-15T01:35:00.000-07:00

We must refuse to give up, or sit down in life. If there is one thing I am challenged with in this season, it would be to make purposeful decisions based on the bigger picture, rather than how I feel, at all times.

Emotions, are fickle. They can change like the wind, can't they? Don't get me wrong, they're useful tools to have in content too, but today I'm referring to their interchangeable tendency.

Have you ever got motion sickness, from traveling? Sometimes I find life to be a bit like being in a storm at sea, or dangling from the peak of a roller coster. With the wind pushing me from side to side, stirring up the waves, causing a battle of forces between, myself in the boat, and the stormy sea that surrounds me.

There's nothing more unsettling that those churning movements, when your in the middle of such a storm at sea.

Life can be like that. When one area of life is stirring up trouble, confusion, disappointment, at first we hold on thinking, "Ok, it's going to be fine. Don't panic." Until, another situation arises, and another. Different emotions being stirred, over different areas in life... sometimes anger, disappointment, confusion. You can be up one minute, and down the next. Happy for a second, and sad in the next second.

What do you do in those seasons? How do you get through it and survive?

1. Get Vision - without vision the bible says the people perish. When we fail to have a plan, we plan to fail. It's simple as that. A vision can keep you rooted, and established with the situations where life attempts to throw you over. Often we resort to feelings to gage the storms of life, but this only endangers us to being stagnant, settling, giving up, or cling to what is comfortable.

2. Know who you are - just as important as it is to have a vision, it is also important to know who you are. We can, and should be confident to be who we are, and not compare ourselves to others. Know your value.

Albert Einstein said, "Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."

3. Keep our compass in front - Once you get a vision, and you know who you are, we must keep our compass in front. It's too easy to have a vision, kind of know who we are, and when the storms of life come to challenge us, and catch us of guard. Emotions kick in, tension runs high, and we run the risk of falling overboard, allowing the waves and life to push us around; losing sight of what's ahead: Our dreams, goals, and the vision we once had.

MY STORY EXAMPLE

I heard a story about this guy who made a goal to swim the english channel in a record breaking time. I think he had to swim 22 miles, or something, which meant he had to swim day, and night to achieve his set target. The checked the weather before he started, it appeared to be good, no problems. The vision was set, conditions looked set. Starting off strong, he made great progress, full of motivation he continued to swim this way for sometime. Until the further he got, the tougher his conditions grew. (He was still more than able to make it, he just needed to stay strong in his mind.)

When he began to encounter some stormy weather, the motivated man at the beginning began to get tired, hungry, and the misty fog clouding his vision wasn't helping. The fog got so thick he couldn't see how far he'd come, and he was unable to see the finish line. Battling with emotions the man decided to give up, and call for his rescue boat. After reaching the boat, getting clothed, and drying off, one of his sponsors came to inform him of how far he swam. Although, the guy wasn't sure, he expected to be quite far off, which made himself feel better about his decision to give up. The sponsor broke the news that in fact, he managed to swim 20 miles, with only 2 miles remaining.

INSPIRING QUOTE

"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. That surrender, even the smallest act of giving up, stays with me. So when I feel like quitting, I ask myself, which would I rather live with?" by Lance Armstrong

Food for thought.

2011-09-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

When it's in our hands to encourage, let us encourage. When it's in our hands to lead, then let us lead, with godly confidence. When it's out our hands to do anything... then stand back, and let Jesus do his thing. #thereisnoonegreater than Jesus Christ.

Food for thought...

2011-09-20T00:03:00.000-07:00

Failure is the springboard for success.

Inspiring Quote!

2011-09-18T00:39:00.000-07:00

‎"Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and

reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so."

- Belva Davis

The winning spirit.

2011-09-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

For the second time this month, I owe this blog to the inspiring episode of tonight's X-factor. (Nothing like the muse of an unplanned viewing of a reality show.)

Truth is, I just can't help but get over excited when someone who you can just tell has waited their whole lives for a moment to shine on a stage like the X Factor... and the most rewarding part, has to be the look on the contestants face, in shock of the comments and events surrounding them in that moment.

Watching these semi-wins has lead me to enquire more about winning, and specifically why having a winning spirit in life is a good thing to have;

1. The winning spirit will take you further than you could ever take yourself.

To see a dream come true for someone is one of the most precious sights on this planet. It doesn't even matter what that dream is, but the life that dream creates in a person. Watching the mothers eye's light up when they're new born baby is handed to them, or true love; standing at the altar giving a lifetime commitment in a relationship with that special someone... There is just somethings in life that money can't buy. I uses these examples because for many these are valid dreams. Each feature what I believe elements of the winning spirit.

The winning spirit is more than just an emotion, it's character, and it is the magical ingredient to 'what i believe' succeeding in life looks like. What would our world look like with out winning spirits such as Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and the many many many other world changers and history makers who once walked, or are alive today making a difference.

2. The winning spirit will enable you to enjoy the journey.

I recently heard a story about a well known tennis player who lost her game to her semi-professional opponent, and couldn't even crack a smile to say well done, fair play. I find it a real shame, to remember this girl when she first came onto the scene, and blew us all away with what seemed like passion and drive to win. An admirable quality that I think most will agree is very attractive.

In this case, it's a real shame to witness such a change in attitude, and atmosphere that lures each game this lady plays. From listening to interviews, and reading various articles it would seem from my perspective she and her tennis playing family have lost their fight, their spark; those winning ingredients that got them where they are. Passion, drive, skill and work.

When you chase status, money and live off your last win at some point life going to turn sour, and I frankly can't think of anything more lonely and unsatisfying.

3. The winning spirit fights on, where the defeated spirit gives up.

A perfect example of this has to be contestant John Wilding. A super talented young man, who after making it through to the final stages of last years show, (the judges home) was sent home by judge Danni who didn't think the boy was quite ready for what lay ahead. I can only imagine the sheer disappointment and discouragement that followed.

One year on, and young John Wilding returned to our screens to show what he has learnt and worked on since last years show. The guy was outstanding. All four judges stood to their feet. It was so refreshing to see. Someone who got knocked down, and choose to get back up; and get back up fighting!!

“To improve the golden moment of opportunity and catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life.” – Samuel Johnson

Just pause for a minute.

2011-09-10T05:16:00.001-07:00

Just back from the gym, and enjoying the brief break in my full and exciting life! : ) Two hours of exercise was brutal today! Never the less no pain no gain! Right?

Going to the gym early saturday morning is nothing new for me. I've been practicing it for some time now, as part of my keep fit plan.

However, it has come to my attention that life can become a bit ridged and stiff, if we fail to shake it up a little from time to time....

So, I decided that on the way back today I would take a different route than the usual home, pop into my local supermarket and pick myself up a movie and marshmallows as a treat for my chilled evening at home.

As boring as it sounds I was little bit excited about stepping out from the strict schedule that is my life! Lol only to realise the joy in doing something different, being good to myself and reminding myself to shake life up a little sometimes. Honestly, I recommend it. If you are like me and find life constantly filling up with work, family... schedules of life then take a different route home, pick up a book, take a day trip if u can... Eat something different for breakfast! Just do something different. It is the most refreshing feeling.

Sometimes instead of filling that brief margin we get in life, we just need to be good to ourselves, and be reminded to enjoy the journey.

Life gets boring otherwise, and relationships dye without shaking things up - that includes our own relationship with ourselves. So, lets not let life become stagnant in life with the same old same old. Shake it up a little today.

Take the margin when life creates it, and just pause for a minute...

Reach for the Stars!

2011-08-28T07:45:00.000-07:00

Just watched the x-factor for the first time today... and have to say It got me so fired up that I just had to blog. I love the auditions when people walk on, and everyone expects them to sound really bad, but in actual fact they are amazing!!! I love proving people wrong.

"Ain't no mountain high enough, ain't not valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough to keep me from you!!"

Nothing like a bit of encouragement when you see, or meet those people in life who dare to take a leap of faith, and push that dream wide open.

One of my favorite quotes is, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you'll land among the stars."

Stay true to who you are, and live your dream. If you ain't got those people around you to encourage you, here I am again... encouraging you as I myself am encouraged.

There is some crazy situations going on in my own personal life right now that this weekend, in all its drama in all its charade... I have come to reason that Life is a journey, and sometimes we must be our own cheerleaders for a season in time; and that's OK.

If your in that place of maybe feeling like there's not alot of support right now, let me add just one more point. It is sooo important to seek wisdom, and council when making big decisions like career moves, relationships, chasing a dream you've had for as long as you can remember.

1. Make sure you seek it from the right person.

2. Make sure you consider all sides of that choice too, because at the end of the day you are going to have to live with it.

3. Make sure you enjoy the journey along the way and don't get discouraged or compare your path to others. There is no other person on this earth like you! None. nadie como tú.

Flashback!

2011-07-30T15:26:00.000-07:00

(Written over a week ago)

FLASHBACK! I was at work when it happened... I was making toast for lunch to try and correct the obscene amount of food I had consumed in the past 48hours, which now continues to today because I've just ate THE BIGGEST CAKE with a cup of tea... and NOW I'm trying to correct it.. with.. toast.

Anyway, sorry... got a little sidetracked there. Flashback!! It took me back to December 2010. Around the time I was stranded for about a month, thanks to the good old Scottish winter; otherwise known as snow. When on one particular occasion I got stranded a friends house, after embarking on a five minute journey that cost me two hours, against the judgment of my mother I might add, which in the end resulted in me abandoning my car and left to hill walk a rather steep hill.

Upon reaching my friends house, and enduring the long and dreary task of drying myself off. It made little comfort or different that despite the fire was on, my friend had no central heating!!! Which is as good as staying in the Caribbean with no air con.

Cold, hungry and in desperate need of a hot cup of tea, you can imagine my reaction to open the fridge door and discover that HE was without food.

"Cameron, where's the food? You do know there is a snow storm out there, and well... we need to be prepared for these things." I scramble to embrace the reality of being stuck in a house with no food, no central heating, and no change of clothes or anything.

Cameron kindly pointed to the back of the fridge, which he pulled out a tray of pate. Well it was around half a pack, enough for a few scraps on toast.

"Sweet! ...got any toast?" "Yeah there's enough for two slices each," he replied. "Oh, and an empire biscuit hiding in the microwave," I stopped to turn and screw my face up, "weird boy."

Fantastic, I said to myself as the thought of how long I'd be stuck here, and the echoing voice of my truth be told wise mother who warmed me not to go out in this weather..... ahhhh.

So this was my flash back. A simple lunch, an aroma of toast in the toaster sifting through the office that triggered a memory in me that led to this... me waffling. :)

I love those moments! This particular flashback was a comforting one, a story of survival that got me thinking, and progressed to this blog post.

...And even to label these moments with their own title, 'I love it when' moments, which I feel could be another blog story of its own soon!

Anyhoo, all I wanted to do today was share this random, comforting moment with you over lunch.

If you have any cool, funny, flash back moments drop me an email, I'd love to hear them!

Much love!

Stamped with approval.

2011-07-15T00:20:00.000-07:00

"God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them

reflecting our nature." Genesis 1:26

I was walking around work yesterday, and the following thought popped into my head, which I thought I'd share... Do you know you were made perfectly? Everything about you, your personality, the colour of your eyes, hair, measurements of your height. Everything about you, strengthens and weaknesses was made with a perfect vision in sight.

Too many of us walk around with our heads down, lose hope because of a temporary situation that doesn't seem to be going the way we'd like. We can even feel like a failure at times, (sometimes the world will try and tell us that we are) which only discourages us more.

According to the dictionary; "Depressions is a severe despondency and dejection, accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy."

Genesis 1:31 "God looked over everything he had made;

it was so good, so very good!"

Where the first scripture tells us we were made in the likeness of God that we are of great value to the creator of this earth because he chose to make you and me in his image. The second scripture tells us we are God approved. In all your weaknesses, in all your strengthens. IN YOUR ENTIRETY... you were made, accepted and approved.

So let me encourage you today not to get caught up or bogged down by temporary circumstances. Don't listen to the voices of failure or negative speech. Instead look within, see that you are valuable, made of good stuff and if there is no one around your world to tell you let me; you are worth more than diamonds and the most expensive jewel.

Just like the Queen's stamp of approval on HP Sauce or Heniz Beans, but on a much, much bigger scale we have been approved by God.

So lets encourage ourselves with this today, and once we've got it lets look to encourage someone else around us and place value on them.

Much love!

One Thursday Night.

2011-06-18T04:45:00.000-07:00

I have thought of so many things this past week to share with you.

What can I say? This week has been - emotional.

Highlight of my week has to be Thursday. I went to see my little cousin Jonathan in his school play, Back to the 80’s. He played one of the best friends to the main character, called Kirk. He was fantastic; funny too!

It was so nice to visit my high school again, nine years since graduation. Oh, how I wish I could go back. As crazy as this sounds in my head, cause I had alot of stuff going on back then. But, there is something special about that place. The teachers, the smells, the view. Our school sat right on the Kilsyth Hills, so we get the best view overlooking the town and far beyond.

The cherished memories of the classrooms I once walked. The grounds I once ran around in at different points of the day. Somethings had changed since my last visit, there was no more use for the temporary huts in the middle of the school grounds, to filter the Music and English classes that were being redecorated back then. The school looked as fresh, crisp even and slightly modernized, but the grey roughcast still held it’s age. The building was full of stories, lives, people who have come in and out it’s gates to be primed for transition from childhood, to adulthood.

It was so lovely to be greeted by my very own deputy head, Mr McRae too. He looked just the same as I remember, perhaps a little more matured. Amongst the crowd of unfamiliar faces and crowds of current pupils, parents (most likely ex-students themselves) stood in the foyer; came some old familiar faces of teachers who taught me. It was so refreshing to see that a sigh of relief took over, as I pieced the faces together with the memories in my head.

After a few seconds of scrambling to find my way, slightly bruised by the thought I could not go back and feel that sense of this is my school. I was subjected now to the category that... I once was here.

Straight in front of me was Mrs Shepherd, I think her names is. She taught German and French. I dealt with her once when I thought I would sing a French song in a school talent show, I learnt the words but listening to the track so many times it just stopped. hehe. She came up to me at the end, commending me on my French, which I had the delight of replying; “But, miss I don’t take French.” Distracted, she replied, “Yeah, but it was good. You’d never know.” “You were good,” she added.

Over to my left, stood a familiar face that took me a little longer to remember. Ah, Mr Tommy! Tech man. He was the first academy teacher to visit my primary school class at the end of P7. The powers that be liked to wean us into High School by introducing us to some teachers over the weeks leading up to the last day of primary.

Mr Tommy is looking thiner than usual.

Quick swivel round the corner, and low and behold Mr Connely holding up the sweet shop. IT man. He was a sweet character. My mum, bless her was like a dog with a bone prompting me to go up and speak to them. When I urged her to be cool. She took it upon herself to ask them if they remembered me herself. Arghhhhh!!

The words, “Someone hide me quick!” Came rushing into my head.

Taking our seats for the show beginning we entered the famous assembly hall. Gosh how it looked much smaller than I remembered it. So much history in this place. Prime Minister Tony Blair once hired out our hall for a press conference, he was in the area and it was the largest space they could find. I think it holds up to 400 people. I danced on that stage every year as my local dance group hired the hall out for our shows. It was fitted with a large and professional looking stage, slightly slanted at the front, like the old school theatre.

Oh, what a night. I loved my little cousin even more after that night because he reconnected me again with the place I was most fond off.

It is funny how in the mist of a storm you can still look back and find the good; and treasure it. There is something special about the hardships we face in life, if we learn to navigate through them, we allow them to make us bigger and bring out the potential that was always there.

Much love today people.

Peace!