Getting Around the Things of Life

By Kathryn C. Lang

Things get in the way – no matter how much I plan or how great my intentions – things find a way to get in the way. At least, that is how it seems. My life will be moving along with gusto. I will see the signs of confirmation all around me. The joy of it all will bubble over onto anyone that I encounter.

And then it isn’t.

One little thing pops up and all of those amazing and wonderful moments are lost. I struggle just to breathe - forget about moving forward. That one little thing manages to crush the enthusiasm under its tiny foot. The darkness closes in and I am left alone.

Only I’m not.

A song comes on to remind me that I am not alone. A friend calls unexpectedly just to let me know she is thinking about me. A letter arrives in the mail just to say hello. Suddenly, I catch a glimpse of that possibility that I was living in when it was joy driving the day instead of darkness hiding it.

Things get in the way – but I do not have to let them stay there. I can kick them to the side like a stick in the path. Things will try to darken my horizon – but I do not have to remain in the dark. I can see beyond the darkness to the dawn or beyond the storm to the rainbow.

And you? Do things get in your way?

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Kathryn C. Lang shares words of inspiration on her website www.kathrynlang.com. Join her there as she finds new ways to face down the storms, discover the rainbows and live in a river of peace.

Press On to Victory

By Kathryn Lang

“Press on: Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” – Calvin Coolidge

Press on because the only thing standing in the path of your success is your own mind.
Press on because there is nothing that is as bad as you make it out to be in your mind.
Press on because the mind can barely comprehend the amazing blessings that the Father bestows.
Press on because you may not know in your mind the what, but you know in your heart and spirit the Who and that makes all the difference.

I dove competitively when I was in high school. Every year I went up against the same girl. Every year she beat me. The last year I competed, I spent the night before terrified about getting beat again. I HATE to lose. I called up a friend and he told me if it was stressing me out that bad then I should just go home. My coach pushed me to dive despite my fears. She beat me again. But my fears did not. That was my first lesson in pressing on.

A college professor told me that my writing would never be worth pursuing. My grandmother told me that writing was not something you did for a living because they called them starving artists for a reason. I still wrote. And eventually the internet began to open up avenues for me to pursue my writing with boldness. I am still in this lesson of pressing on and discovering more and more that it is not the talent, but the pursuit that will get me there.

My son started gymnastics last year. He struggled for a while to master the balance beam. He worried about falling off. He worried about messing up. “Keep trying” was the encouragement I offered, until I saw him one day on a log out in the back yard. “Pretend the balance beam is a log.” It made a difference. Sometimes pressing on means seeing things differently (and with a little imagination). I hope that this is the beginning of teaching my own children the value of pressing on.

Press on. Never let the world tell you what you can do. Never let circumstances define you. Never let problems dictate the path. Press on.

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Kathryn C. Lang shares words that she hopes will encourage and inspire others. She desires to see others discover their unique purpose and to pursue that purpose with boldness. You can learn more about Kathryn at her website www.kathrynlang.com. Her books are available through her website and also most online bookstores.

Beyond Imagination

By Kathryn Lang

Today, someone posted on Facebook (on a page where my debut novel, RUN, was mentioned) that he had a copy of my book and I would soon be a literary star.

Yesterday, I spoke before a group of writers at various stages of their careers and challenged them to take the steps into the dreams.

At this moment, I still find myself struggling between doing what I know I need to do to reach my own dreams and taking a break because I want to take a break.

Fortunately, I need to write a guest post and that is the little extra push I need to get me moving back in the direction that will land me at the “literary star” mentioned earlier.

Top Tips for Getting Your Push Beyond Imagination

- Find some accountability. I find there are two ways to best hold my feet to the fire. One is to ask someone to check up on me regularly. Two is to announce a release time for something. Today I announced that my second novel would be ready for release by early fall. Laying out a deadline like that makes it tough to wiggle around.

- Find some encouragement. Having other people – that are not related to me and have not known me all  my life – that are yelling out my praises on Facebook provides enough inspiration to bring tears to my eyes. Knowing that others believe in your pursuits and your possibilities can pour fuel on an ember and light your world on fire.

- Find some time. Getting anywhere requires an investment and time will always be a component of that investment. I have to choose to release some things in my life in order to carve out a slot for my writing. And then I have to choose to utilize that time to write.

Dreams can come true. Becoming a literary star sits within my grasp . . . but I have to reach out, get moving, make that dream a reality in my life.

What do you dare to do to be more than you can think or imagine?

The Hope of Tomorrow

By Kathryn Lang

There are moments in life when you look around and wonder if the path you are on is in the right zip code for where you are supposed to be. Everything looks wrong, feels wrong and even wears wrong. You just feel out of place.

I was there. Not only had my mother died, but the deadline I set for getting on the map with my writing and speaking had slipped past at the same time. I looked around and realized that nothing was like I thought it should be. Quitting seemed to be the logical choice – or at least backing up and punting.

It got worse.

The moment I think that all of the shoes have dropped and all of the rugs have been pulled out from under me is often the same moment it gets even worse. I got an email that cut my pride and even integrity – and it happened in front of my kids and my nephew.

My gut instinct was to react in kind. Calmer heads prevailed. I responded with a basic “this could have been handled better and best of luck in the future.” That alone was an example to those watching my reactions. My next step was even more important because I chose to let the past stay in the past and I jumped with both feet into the future that I had moments before been contemplating letting go.

That is why they say when you feel you are at the end of your rope then tie a knot and hold on. Tomorrow holds the hope – and it always shows up just when the time is right.

 

My choice to look at the problem as a possibility paved the way for two interview requests, one book review request, and one addition contact the holds unknown potential (and they all came in one day). My children and nephew witnessed firsthand that doing what I knew to be right opened the door for a heaping of blessings.

Keep holding – keep hoping – and keep pushing, because tomorrow will bring the dawn that you desire.

My Secrets for Holding On

- Surround yourself with others that believe in your dream. Even one person that says you can do it when you hit that brick wall can be enough to get you over that wall and moving forward again.

- Review your own actions before requesting action from others. Do all that you can do, FIRST. Once you have those actions in place then reach out.

- Ask for help. You know who to ask, so ask. There are people out there that want nothing more than to support you in your journey. Ask for their support in the way that you know suits them best.

- Keep praying. Pray about your own situation, but look for opportunities to lift up others in prayer. Focusing on the lives of others often brings clarity into our own lives.

Tomorrow hold the hope – and you need to find your own keys for reaching out to that hope until you have it in your grasp.

Visit Kathryn  on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/theKathrynCLang
or on her writing website http://www.kathrynlang.com

The Will To Believe In Yourself

By Marvin Ferguson

"The Will To Believe In Yourself "is an idea that I have often taken for granted. With all the human effort I can muster up along with being constantly bombarded with information (television, internet, and more), in this age, what else do I need?

When I first heard Frank Sinatra's rendition of "I Believe For Every Drop Of Rain That Falls," it brought a new awareness to my mind. Listen to the words: I believe for every drop of rain that falls; A flower grows; I believe that somewhere in the darkest night; A candle glows; I believe for everyone who goes astray, someone will come, to show the way; I believe, I believe. Needless to say the emphasis is on the word "Believe." And the song goes on.

The Denver Broncos made it into the 2011 NFL playoffs through blood, sweat, and tears along with a lot of hard work. However, their efforts wouldn't have been complete without Tim Teebow, quarterback, encouraging all the guys to believe in themselves.

Throughout my childhood and early adult life, I'd occasionally meet with discouragement at my front door. And to learn to cope with it, my mother, bless her heart, would say to me, "Just say you'll do it, and it will get done." Now, years later, reflecting over those words of wisdom, I think she was trying to say to me in her broken English, European background, to have confidence in whatever I do and wonderful things will happen.

The moral of this story is that people must have "The Will To Believe In Themselves." And if they carry this idea in their mindset, all things are possible.

Please don't construe "The Will To Believe In Yourself" with Spiritual Security. That's a topic to discuss on another day.

"Do Unto Others" Even on Black Friday

By Shelly Akins

The holidays have now officially started. Tomorrow people will crowd the malls and fight each other for big screen TVs and some random toy that their child has to have. When I heard that some stores were starting their sales at midnight, my first thoughts were not of the sales or of the deals that stores are offering. Rather, I’m thinking about those people who have to work all night trying to keep mothers from killing each other over a game. Those people need to be mentioned in our daily prayers from now until after the first of the year. They don’t get paid enough to put up with someone screaming at them at 2 a.m. on Black Friday about why there are no more 62 inch plasma TVs left on the shelf.

I must admit that I have never gone and camped out and waited for sales. As a result, I’ve probably spent more money than I could have for Christmas presents. I did accidently go to Wal-Mart once on the afternoon of Black Friday to pick up something like toilet paper. People had been waiting in the layaway line for four hours. FOUR HOURS to put something on hold that they don’t have the money to buy. Think about that.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to shop. My mom and I have been known to spend hours in the same store. I find shopping cathartic. There’s something simple in getting something new, especially if it’s something that you’ve saved for or have been looking for a long time.

Christmas shopping is different. There’s pressure with Christmas shopping. There’s a deadline. There’s things that have to be done and bought and wrapped and shipped and opened and put away. There’s the endless lists and hoping that you’re getting the right thing and wondering if $20 is enough to spend on your mother’s cousin’s best friend’s daughter who always seems to show up unannounced Christmas afternoon.

The meaning of the season is lost in all the pushing and shoving. I know that Advent is the time to wait and prepare for the coming Christ, but it’s more than that. It’s time to spend with family and friends, eating, laughing, catching up. It should be more about a few perfect moments than about how much money we spend and who wins the retail wars.

So, over the next few weeks when you’re out and about, tired, trying to cross everything off your list, remember those who are working in retail helping you find tie for Uncle Rick or standing at the register listening to Jingle Bells for the 4,563rd time today. It’s not their fault the line is long or that someone ran over your foot with a cart, or that there are no more copies of The Help on Blu Ray. Smile, thank them and let them know you empathize with them. And say a little prayer for them when that mother with the out of control kids starts screaming behind you.

Persistence Rules

By Kathryn Lang

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence." I grew up with this saying on my wall. The only way I would ever reach the goals I set for my life would be if I continued to do what needed to be done until I got there.

Building a Foundation of Persistence

- Believe it. "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you are right." Henry Ford. I have to get to the point where the goal that I have for my life is settled deep in my knower.

- Support it. Find people that will believe with you, push you to continue when you want to stop and will carry you when all else fails. The right support can be all the difference.

- Say it. The things you say will be the things you believe. Create "I am" and "I will" statements that will drive you in the direction that you desire.

I set a goal of 6,000 words a few months back and made it - one day. The next day, tornadoes tore through my community and flipped my world upside down. That chaos has been a great excuse for not even attempting my goals, much less reaching them.

The other morning I woke up and realized that I was supposed to be writing. Excuses would always be available, but unless I take the action to make my dreams a reality they will continue to only be dreams.

November is National Novel Writing Month. The challenge to write 1667 words each day provided the motivation to take on my goals once again. Meeting with other writers and writing groups, in person and online, has provided the inspiration to let the words flow.  And making that one statement to my husband, "I am supposed to be writing," reminded me again that the gift and passion I have for words will only get me to my goals if I make the effort to write.

Believe that you are going to reach your goal. Find people that will support and encourage you on your journey. And say the words over and over until you are unable to say anything else.

LET THE GOOD WORDS FLOW

By Narola (Rolie) Grady

A month ago, I went through a writing drought.  My soul felt like baked earth, and a deadline was looming in the distance.  Desperate for help, I emailed Robin, a fellow writer, and our dialogue changed the atmosphere in my spirit.  This blog entry is our conversation.  I hope it will touch some dry spots in you that need moisture.

Dear Robin,

Great blog this week. You are so honest in your struggle to wait on God, especially  when you see doors for ministry fly open for some of your friends.  I’ve had that experience too.  One of my reactions (inside) is to roll over and play dead, in a manner of speaking.  I get so taken by the gifting displayed in someone else, and then wrongly discredit what God has placed in me.  Not good.

So, Robin, here’s your chance.  Speak into this unhealthy spot.  Pour weed killer on it if the Spirit leads.  There needs to be a focus adjustment…one that promotes growth.  I’ll start the conversation with myself:

Rolie,

God has given you many gifts with words and music.  You have been stoking the proverbial fire with good, positive kindling from people like your new friend, Robin.  Sometimes it doesn’t seem to be enough.  But this isn’t the time to retreat and play Freecell on your computer.  Will there be challenges as you take the next step?  Yes, just like there have been for every one of your brothers and sisters in Christ. But God wants to show Himself strong on your behalf against enemy weapons that beat you down……….   Take it away, Robin.

(Robin’s response)

Rolie, you can step into this next place of faith – of speaking out what you agree with God concerning your beautiful design.  You have no competition in God’s Kingdom.  He is lifting layers that reveal more intricacy and gifting and worship.  No retreat is needed, but forward advancing is the order of the day.  You are stepping, your feet hitting the ground, and everywhere you place your foot is your life’s territory!  It feels new, but it’s the path designed for you from the foundation of the world.  You are doing it.

And it’s not works.  It’s that beautiful, unconditional love pouring into you, helping you become the you He already sees you to be.  Redeemed, valued, with eyes that wait to see into the depths of the things of God and bring them out with words – because it’s with words that things come into being – your spirit words flow and you are changed and people who read your words are changed.

And your willingness to be on the journey required of you shortens the path of someone else's journey.  And they find fulness of life because you were willing.  And He shows you the beauty and connects the dots, and you see the grace that holds it all up.

God is always doing something new.  Do you not see it?  He can make a way through a wilderness and cause streams to flow in a desert!  (Isaiah 43:18)