West Texas and Boundaries

Working this week in West Texas has been fun... Hot, but fun nonetheless. I have met some great people to work with, eat with, have great conversations with... Learned a few new things along the way, but have also learned about boundaries... How to recognize them, implement them, and live by them. That's always a great, but tough lessons sometimes. I know my limit... Usually. When someone chooses to push that limit, it doesn't necessarily end up in the best light. Boundaries are there for a reason. Sometimes to protect the heart, the mind, or even the soul. NEVER compromise your beliefs and values... Even if challenged. Be able to discern what is worth arguing about and what is not. Letting someone get the best of you due to an argument gives them to edge... And in that split second... You have let them take away your joy... And for what? I know... Easier said than done... But always worth trying.

Learning new things has always been a great hobby of mine, but now in my life, more than ever, I can appreciate when I discover something that will cause my soul to react in a way I have never reacted before.

If you are reading this and think I'm talking about you... First of all, why would you think this applies to you? Second, reread this, then examine your own boundaries and thought processes, and make note of recurring themes.

What can you do today to set a boundary?
Communicate effectively to someone you care about?
Walk away from a ill-tempered discussion because you are the better person?

Some things you cannot change, no matter how you try, but sometimes you can, by realizing the boundary, or changing the way you react.

Just some food for thought...

Linda
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:El Paso, TX

Expecting Compassion

Really... is it wrong to expect compassion from a friend? who you thought was a forever friend? Just sayin' it doesn't seem right when one day it's a reality that you can depend on them, the next, you can't. To me, that's not really a friend. It's what I'd like to call a pseudo-friend. One who would LIKE to be your friend, but either doesn't know how, or could care less.

any moment...

It has always amazed me at how one moment someone could be ecstatic with happiness and excitement, and at the same time, someone could be experiencing the lowest of lows. Believe me, I have had my share of both... and both have taught me valuable lessons. One common life lesson that has been brought by the many trials and triumphs is to never take something for granted. Whether that be a person, a situation, a relationship, a job, or family.

When my dad died, I honestly thought (before he died) that I would just lose it... not know what to do without him. Little did I know that God was working on me through it all... building up my faith in Him, trust in Him, and strength in Him. Never would I think I'd need it as much as I did, but God knew. He knew all along that exact amount I would need to sustain myself and not get lost in despair for something of which I had no control.

My eyes were opened to unconditional love at it's best. Though it's disheartening to realize you must lose something that is as close to you as possible, in order to rely upon the grace and reverence of God. All good things are of Him. He never promised us a happy, stress-free, burdenless, easy-going life of nothing but good times... but He did promise He'd be there at any point in which we need Him, reach out to Him, and show faith in Him.

I know a few of my friends are going through a difficult time in their life right now. No words will really be able to comfort you... find the strength from within to go forward. With Him, nothing is impossible. My prayer for you is that you find a little more peace each day.... let God get you through the tough times... smile at a happy memory of what once was.... count your blessings, and know you are loved... feel the tear roll down your cheek, and realize not only that someone meant so much to you, but that you meant just as much, if not more, to them... and never, ever, take any moment for granted.

Love you.

a Sunday morning in March

"...live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Be completely humble and gentle;
be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Make every effort to keep the unity
of the Spirit through the bond of peace." 

–  Ephesians 4:1-3

Well, I know what my prayers will contain tonight. :) This passage was included in the lesson this morning when I went to church with Mom. We can only be accountable for our own actions and feelings. Sure, there are those who think it is all about them. I know people like that... but to see the bigger picture, humble yourself, use gentle words when you speak, and always act in love. A friend of mine, once upon a time, long ago... said two words to me that still resonate today... "Be kind." So true. Then I look at it and say to myself, "if it were only that easy." But in reality, it is. I have a choice, actually many choices each day, and how I react, respond and relate to those will guide me in different directions. 

"... live a life worthy of the calling you have received." 

It's time to get rid of things (thoughts and feelings as well) that bring me down, weigh on my mind, and challenge my intentions. Kind of a spring cleaning of my soul. 

Letting little things go that rake on my nerves... and letting God.

Things that bind me to the past....getting rid of them...

Knowing how to react in a Godly manner to any situation... continually learning.

Enjoying talks and conversations with Godly friends... enhancing life and soul.

Mindless clutter and stuff... thinning out.

Being patient in an impatient situation... praying for that.

Love as if my life depended on it, unconditionally.

Live in a manner pleasing to God.

What does that passage speak to you?

Black Ball of Fur

Woke up this morning to my cat, curled up next to my arm, trying to stay warm, and continue sleeping. Ever thought of what it would be like to be a cat? Or any other animal for that matter... All he does is eat, sleep and poop. But I love him anyway. :)

eyes opened

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; 

an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” 

~ Winston Churchill

now... hmm... which would apply to me?


Thinking about life in general... about everyday obstacles/opportunities that arise... I wonder if anyone actually sits down and contemplates the outcome of any given situation. Although I am very optimistic, I have been known to have pessimistic tendencies at times. And much of it results from being hurt by something or someone in my past. To clarify... not physically hurt (for me), but emotionally, spiritually, mentally.... hurt, denied, or rejected. Those can result in feelings of pessimism. At least from my experience.


I tend to maybe say words that I am thinking, but probably should just keep to myself. Happens often. Not sure if it's genetic or not, but I am strong-willed.


Oh... and found out that I need to wear my glasses more. JOY. Now for my pessimistic statement... "Now I'll be getting more headaches because the pressure on the bridge of my nose... not sure if the glasses will be worth it." :)

Horsing Around

Last week, I was able to spend a day with my cousin, Kim... This is how it went...

After watching Secretariat the night before and saturating my mind with the thoughts of horses, and how I missed mine... I woke to a freezing cold morning and hurriedly walked into the kitchen. Days seem to start early here, as Kim had already fed the horses (which I was sad to say, I was sleeping, and I missed it). She was hungry, so she made a quick breakfast. I ate my eggs, over medium, and "bundled up" in what I had hoped to be warm enough.

She had to take three of the horses to get refitted (reshoed). So, off to the barn we headed, walking, as the wind cut right through my NYU sweatshirt I had on, not to mention my yoga pants. No, I didn't watch the weather, and had no idea it was going to be that cold... nor did I think I would be out in it if it was. :)

Kim opened the trailer that was hooked to Alex's truck, and led the horses one-by-one into their sectioned stalls on the trailer. While she was doing this... I was watching one cat play with the dog, and was petting the other cat on the shelf across from the stalls she was getting the horses from. Woo hoo. No, I wasn't doing much, but I really didn't know what to do. After the horses were loaded, we headed to the vet (where she works part time) to meet the guy doing the refitting. Cold, again. Still.

I did get to walk them (well, two of them) to the fence where we tied them up. She straightened their blankets to take a bit of the chill off since they had to stand out there, and we headed to the office. I met some personnel, and saw a tail block given. Kim stood there, freezing, while the horses were refitted. Only two of the three were finished that day. And Kim had to stand there, and help hold the horse still after the sedative was given to them to not freak out.

I got tired (and cold) of standing there, so I went back to truck and got my camera. Figured I could take some photos of something there... so I took some of the guy putting the shoes on the horses... and then I walked down and saw the baby horses... so cute.