Thought for the day....

1Peter 3:3 cev
"Don't depend on things like fancy hair styles or gold jewelry or expensive clothes to make you look beautiful. Be beautiful in your heart by being gentle and quiet. This kind of beauty will last, and God considers it very special. Long ago those women who worshipped God and put their hope in him made themselves beautiful by putting their husbands first."

The Breakdown:
I think this verse isn't saying that we should wear potato bags and never comb our hair. It is saying to not depend on our appearance; don't put your trust in those things. Our outer appearances will change and fade, our character will grow stronger by the day if we work on it. I think of my husband's Nana. She is beautiful beyond words because her beauty runs deeper than her skin. She respects her husband and loves her family. She is not caught up in the latest and greatest. She is concerned about the welfare of mankind. She is very interested in our lives. Joe's Nana makes me feel accepted and valued. Those are the qualities that make us beautiful. 

The Questions:
What do I define beauty as?
According to the Bibles definition of beauty, am I beautiful?
Do I believe that my inner self is what really needs work, not my outer appearance?
Is there a way to balance the time I spend on my outer appearance vs inner self?
Do I care more about what I look like than how I act or think about myself and those close to me?

The Conclusion:
I can make myself beautiful but through a different way than what cosmetic companies tell me.
Being gentle and quiet is more valuable than gold or new clothes.
My actions are what determine my beauty- will I put others before myself? 

A challenge...or two

      Due to the rising awareness of the world I live in, I am taking steps to challenge the way I think and act. Let me explain.
I am one of the richest people in the world when comparing materials. I own a car and rent an apartment. I always have money for food, clothing, water, and electricity. All of my needs and many wants are met. I never go to bed hungry or thirsty. I have a job. I have a family who loves me. I have great healthcare and insurance. I don't fear for my life on a daily basis.
The list can go on.

     I have been made aware that my purpose is to receive so that I can give. I take so I can share. I was born in this rich country for a reason. We forget sometimes how easy our life is. We get frustrated by "first world problems" which obviously aren't anything to worry about. I want to stop using the line, "But it's the culture we live in, right?!", as an excuse for my decision making. I want the richness of my life to be found in family and friends not my stuff.

The Conclusion:
As of right now I am being challenged to:

• Buy less 
• Shop second hand for everything other than food and underwear!
• If I do buy new it needs to be made ethically
• Use the stuff I have already bought until it wears down/out and then possibly mend it??
• Go through my home and find things I won't use and donate them
• Buy fair trade whenever possible
• Be more thankful for what I have that I take for granted (hot showers, comfortable bed, running clean water)
• Complain less- that's a big one!
• Give however (money,time) to someone, something to improve quality of life 

This is my challenge. Will you take this challenge on with me? 

A Preface and a Toast

The Preface

My mind is full of thoughts and I wish to write them out.

This blog will consist of ramblings and rants, all of which are to

encourage,

challenge, 

and 

connect with anyone who wants to hear and join me in this pursuit of full life.

The Toast

Here's to living life. Here's to a new year, month, week, and day. Another moment I have to start fresh: rethink and grow as a person. Life is abundant and I don't want to miss out on the very best God has for me because my perspective was off. I want to live and love, share and connect.

So a toast to life. The most complex, interesting, and mysterious verb I will ever ponder.