Pay It Forward

Hi All,

You've probably heard Pay It Forward a gazillion times and never thought much about it. You probably just figured it was an over-used saying.  Well, I've discovered a GREAT FUN way to do just that, Pay it Forward...and I love it!

Several months ago while I was in line at McDonald's, I pulled up to pay for my order and the cashier said "the guy in front of you paid for it" I was floored. I didn't know the person in line in front of me. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why a complete stranger would pay for my order. This gentleman was in a police car so I thought maybe it was my neighbor who is a detective, but nope - I checked, it wasn't him.

What was cool was how it made me feel the whole day. I was happy! I was telling my friends at work about my awesome morning experience. Then a couple weeks later I thought of doing it myself and referring to it as Pay it Forward. I even ordered some business cards online from Vista Print that have the logo for my blog and the words "Have a Blessed Day" and under that is says "Pay if Forward".  Now when I go through the drive thru and pay for people's order I ask the cashier to give the person behind me the card and say "Pay it Forward."

It's a small way to brighten someone's day. I promise it will make you feel great when you do it. I encourage you to give it a try. The next time you're going through a drive-thru, pay for the person's order behind you. See how cool it makes you feel. It's a great way to do something nice for someone else and you aren't expecting to be thanked or acknowledged because you just drive away. No recognition is needed. Giving anonymously an unexpectedly is rewarding.

 I'm hoping this type of Pay it Forward will catch on all across the country. Can you imagine how awesome it would be to see people randomly being generous for no other reason than to say Have a Blessed Day, I care about you. Obviously it doesn't have to be limited to a drive-thru. Pay it Forward everywhere....anywhere you are at in some small way you can bless someone else. Try it - it's FUN. It really is better to give than receive.

Leave a comment and let me know how you Paid If Forward!

Gratitude and Attitude

In 2014 I decided to have a word for the year. So for 2014 my word was GRATITUDE.  I really wanted to focus on being thankful.  Sometimes we get so focused on what we don't have we forget to be thankful for what we do have.  It is so much more rewarding to have a thankful spirit. Your days are so much happier and rewarding.  Now that's not to say I flew through 2014 on a cloud of happiness and gratitude. I had my periods of frustration and setbacks. What I liked was that I was more aware - I knew when it was happening and really focused on bringing myself out of whatever slump I was in at the moment.

 I think I did pretty good for 2014 with my word of the year. To this day I still carry my 'gratitude' journal.  My goal is to daily (sometimes I get busy and forget) write down 5 things I am thankful/grateful for.  I am so thankful for all the amazing blessings the Lord has given me.  I know what I have is not because of anything I did - it is all Him.  

 I encourage you when you find yourself complaining about things like: "my house is too small, my car is old, my spouse is driving me crazy" remember - - - there are people who would love to have your home, your car, or even your spouse ;-)

I starting thinking about what my word for 2015 would be in December of 2014. My word for 2015 is ATTITUDE.  No, I did not intentionally make 2014 and 2015 words rhyme - ha.  After much soul-searching and desire to be a better person it quickly became evident Attitude should be my word for 2015.

 At work I was really struggling and allowing myself to get into these obnoxious moods and not being very supportive. I was allowing what others were doing or not doing,  to affect me. What I should have been doing was rising above the situation, not allowing my emotions to get the best of me, setting a better example for my team .

 If I am being totally honest, I was downright critical, judgmental, and obnoxious.  Who died and left me ruler of the people.  Ummmm, I'm pretty sure NO ONE did.  Instead of setting a good example, casting a positive  shadow I was doing the exact opposite.  It was a slow start getting myself to 'think' before I spoke.  To assume positive intent when others said something I found offensive or manipulative.

I think the key is becoming aware. I am much more aware of my actions, motives, and responses.  The last couple of months I believe have been my best so far. Now, lets see how I do the second half of the year. I challenge you to find a 'word' for the year that you can focus on. Share your word with me in the comments below.

Sort of part 3 of 3 Finding Your Happiness Series

Hello Everyone, what I should be writing it part 3 of 3 on happiness, however as I write I find myself embarrassed and saddened by the delay in getting back to the blog.  A TON has happened during the last 9 months (and no it was not a baby - ha). I say that only because I'm already the mother of 4 and grandmother of 7.

I wanted to give you all the update and tell you that while it's been a long while, way too long! I'll give you the quick version of the update.

1.       We have finally moved into our new house, praise the Lord!

2.       My new craft space is finally finished - woo hoo,

3.        I'm ahead on my Bible reading ;-)  yeah! I decided to do a " read through the Bible in 365 days" reading plan.  I've never done that before and it's been a real joy a
nd surprisingly I look forward to it. I know, I know, that sounds bad. In the past I just did hit-or-miss reading and it wasn't as meaningful to me. I'm really enjoying it and encourage you all to give it a try as well.

4.       I have big plans for getting the StampinMania.com website revamped and working as I originally had wanted it to.

5.       I started picking a word for the year, my word for 2014 was "gratitude" my word for 2015 is "attitude".  I've been focusing on improving mine as far as not letting things get to me like they used to. So far so good - it's going well. 

6.       I've been spending most of my free time on my StampinMania.com website. It's a small online paper-crafting website I started not quite 2 years ago. Crafting is a passion of mine and I've had many hurdles but I'm not giving up!

I feel stronger than ever that now is the time for me to help encourage others. We all go through rough patches, it's how you handle them that is important. I recently saw a saying, and for the life of me can't remember where - probably Pinterest, but it said "Disappointments are Inevitable; Misery is Optional" I like it so much I put it up on my board at work.

I will close for now with a promise to post regularly, even if it's just to say Hello. I hope you are all having a blessed day.  Remember - Focus on what you do have, not on what you don't have.