Learning from baking Biscuits

Like that title? You wonder how that can be the analogy for a perspective shift? It can be and it completely is. Read on….

I do all of my baking in a little toaster oven. Recently, I wanted to make biscuits as part of supper. However, my biscuits don’t really ever come out right in that little oven. I didn’t understand why. I cook most everything else in there just fine. lol

Well, being that it’s a toaster oven, I figure it was best to turn the oven temperature down slightly so that it wouldn’t cook the biscuits too fast on the outside before cooking the inside. What resulted was that five biscuits didn’t rise and barely cooked. I left them in the oven for over 30 minutes. Yes, they finally cooked, but did not rise much.

The next batch goes in and my husband puts the temperature up slightly higher than the temperature recommended. I figure my idea didn’t work so it was definitely something to give his a go. The biscuits came out beautifully!! Just the happiest little bits of bread! lol

In that whole baking experience, I realize that some things we are pushing for in one way, may need tweaking to be aimed for in a different way. If I’ve tried many times to do something in one way…hoping for good results each time…but not really getting them…then I really do need to try a new way to do it.

The new way may fail too, but it also may make things better!!! I definitely knew the old way wasn’t working though, but I, myself, couldn’t see what a new way was. My husband presented a new way for me and it was a success!

Hmmm, this leads me to a deeper thought. While we may look at things and know they are not working, a particular situation or item of cooking, we may not, ourselves, see a solution. We may sometimes need a partner, someone to tell of our situation, and allow them to offer a new solution we haven’t, ourselves, yet thought.

I saw it in biscuits…all of this. I also see it’s what I do for people. No matter your path, no matter what your belief system, I want to be that person who gives you that perspective shift to moving forward in a happy new way so that you can, once again, delight in an area of your life, like biscuits. Cheers!!

Helpful Angels and Spirits

I wanted to share something interesting that happened last week as an example of how we’re to notice we have extra helpers, either ones we’ve prayed for or just ones come along to help on something we may be working on.

Before our trip out of state last week, I prayed for help, protection, ease of the trip. I knew my prayers were answered and went about things accordingly.

Several times during the trip, I called one of the children by the wrong name. My husband did it too. After doing this a few times, I realized our prayer helper was clearly close at hand! It was such a reassuring sign for me and I laughed with joy at noticing it.

The name mix-up didn’t happen before that trip and hasn’t happened since we got back home. I said my thanks for this extra help too.

So, if you’ve prayed for some specific help for a task or for inspiration on a new direction, know that you have been heard. Also, if you notice something different about your life, a tiny little thing that seems like nothing, but it’s unusual for you, that’s the presence of your assistance.

I’ve had other signs of helpful presences like that over the years. For a short period of time, I wrote my number 4 different than I used to. I wrote one letter different while working on something else for a time. Once in awhile I’d say some new catchy phrase that seemed to just feel appropriate at that moment. Other little odd things like this happen from time to time. I don’t fear it as I sense it as the presence of helpfulness for my life.

Maybe you’ve experienced this? Maybe something small happened to you and you just laughed it off as something “odd”? Have you thought about this? Have you had a happening? How would you feel if you sensed your helper like this? It is a ponder.

Memories are Magical

Memories are interesting little files in your soul. Some may be harsh, there is no denying that. Hopefully there are more awesome ones though. Nevertheless, they are interesting and here’s why in some ways.

Memories, if you relax and let them come to you as they do, randomly as can be, do so many things for us. Sometimes they sustain us, remind us of when we were brave a time or two. Sometimes they connect us to someone else, like remembering something you think is nothing, yet it helps you relate to the person you’re talking with (this happened to me last week several times). Once in awhile, they remind us of someone we loved who has passed on, filling us with love, care, comfort that person provided. On occasion, they’re signs that add up to show you what you’re not seeing, yet know is a little “off” about a situation or person. There are even more ways they help us, fascinating, isn’t it?!

About the recollection memories in a conversation to connect with someone, here’s the story. My husband and I were chatting with some family we hadn’t seen in awhile. As such visits go, certain things come to mind to chat about, what we think of as random memories we may choose to share. This particular time, as we shared what we thought were random memories, each time, the other person shared memories that relate to the topic. It was really unexpected, yet, looking back on it, I think these particular memories deepened the connections we were making. Somehow, in that short time span, stronger threads were being woven. It was amazing.

Maybe this is a new perspective for you in terms of your memories? Maybe you can see how they’re benefiting you in one way or another? Maybe, just maybe, you can see them for the assets they are?

Your Funeral. Your Obituary.

I went to a funeral this morning of someone I’d known awhile. I got to thinking as I was driving, about what I’d be known for when my time comes up. I’d worked at various Waffle Houses over the years and had become known for that. In thinking, I really don’t want my obituary to say I’d been a waitress my whole life. I enjoyed it sometimes and have made some really great friends from it, but that’s really not my biggest goal or ambition in life.

So, I think about it some and ask myself, “What do I want to be remembered for? What do I want my obituary to say?” To that end, “How do I want to shape my life to get there?” Big thoughts. Big possibilities. This is something you could think on too sometime.

My answer? I want to be remembered for being pivotal in helping others find a deeper, trusting faith with God. Nothing has touched my life more than the one-on-one conversations I’ve had with people about a new perspective on their faith and seeing the light shine bright within them. Of course, there are other things I’d like to be remembered for too. My awesome marriage, my fantastic children, my love of colors, my quirky unconventional life. 🙂

Holding Dreams, too big, too bold?

I woke up this morning with the thought I get from time to time. One of teaching about God as Love. It sometimes overpowers me, this thought. To share with as many people as possible…sometimes I see an audience full of people, sometimes just one person face to face…that God simply wants to love you, help guide you, and keep you in his grace.

Then I think, “Who would listen to me? I wouldn’t be teaching from a Bible, but rather from a one-on-one connection as I personally live it. That’s a tall order and makes me feel I’m up against ‘the others’.”

I’ve lived a defensive life for a lot of different reasons at different times. Right now it’s because I do things differently and march to my own drummer. I’m definitely one to pave a new trail and encourage others to do the same. There are worlds to be discovered and a boldness waiting to be harnessed!!

I hesitate with this though. I make fear excuses because I just know someone is going to tell me what I’m doing wrong, especially being psychic too. Being prepared for the defensiveness can be easier and better than I thought though. Maybe I can respond with kindness and care, then let it be.

I am not out to convince the whole world of God’s love. I am simply a tool used by God to speak to those willing to listen. I’ve done it several times already, spoken to those who want a loving God and telling them it’s completely possible to have that. I have personally seen the look of relief and comfort on their faces. The change from thinking God is abandoning them for not sticking to the rules, to realizing it’s really all about love and possibilities and something better than it was before.

Every time this has happened, I’ve felt God so deeply and been so moved, that it really is beyond words. So, maybe this is just a random post about dreams so deep I’m scared to take them. Maybe this is a post about the dreams you hold so close too. Maybe, just maybe, it’s a post about declaring I’m willing to be available and not fearful for all of the awesome possibilities ahead in living that dream. Cheers!!!

Don’t trust someone just because they go to church or claim to be a christian

I want you to listen to another person’s heart and actions. Just because a person goes to church does not make them worthy of your trust. Just because they read their bible in bible study does not make them someone you can open up to.

There have been many instances of people from all walks of life going to church and preying on the trust of fellowship to then destroy someone’s family, especially where children are concerned.

There are people I know, right now, who go to church at least once a week who have lots of sins on their soul. Did they ask God for forgiveness? I don’t know. Did they ask the people they harmed for forgiveness? Some, no. Will they get into Heaven? That’s God’s department.

What I do know is, if you’re talking with someone and you get a strange feeling about them or the “numbers just don’t add up”, listen to your own feelings. Don’t tell yourself things like, “He’s such a respectable member of our church.”, “She’s the church secretary, of course she can be trusted.”, “He’s in charge of the choir, such a kind man.”, “He’s the preacher/priest, he will not do harm.” Listen to yourself first, always.

If you’re a member of a congregation and you’ve become friends with a person who then exhibits signs you’re uncomfortable with, make immediate changes. You don’t have to say to yourself, “I have trusted this person for several years now. Why would I not trust that person now?” Because now this person has overstepped something. This person calculated to gain your trust enough so that you ignore your own warning signs.

Whatever you believe, in however you live your life, there are signs…always. Trust in that.

Do you really trust God?

There are many people out there claiming to have faith in God; however, they’re not trusting in Him or themselves. They may go to church or read a bible, but they don’t take charge of their life in a way that shows they’re covered by grace or God’s love. Why is that? I can’t answer that for another person.

To my thinking, God is Love. God allows for free will because we do have the right to shape and create our lives as we choose. However, when we choose to add the extra dimension of Him and trust that He’s actively participating, life takes on a whole different vibe. It’s an “up-level of sorts”.

If I have faith, of which I do, how is there room for doubt of His care, grace, and love? There is only room for one decision on that. Do I have doubt, or do I have God? If I have God and I’m doing the best I can in every day, those are pretty good signs of a good life ahead…here and in the hereafter.

Do not make decisions when you’re tired.

I’ve been on a trip to see family members for about a week. I just arrived home a few minutes ago. I am tired. I got enough sleep, but am still a bit exhausted. I don’t know if it’s my introvert side not getting enough quiet time on the trip…of which I had nearly none…or that the “go, go go” of it was a bit much.

We went through several states (Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas) and had a wonderful time visiting several family members. The trip involved a special event and we simply had to be there. 🙂

On the way home, my mind wandered into areas of my life and things I felt could be different. I thought about how those things came about and how to “undo” them as some in particular have become twined kind of snug.

While it was okay to ponder and talk out what I was feeling, I knew it wasn’t a good idea to make any decisions while I was tired. Making decisions while tired results in me making them out of annoyance, maybe anger, maybe tired of trying to be helpful to someone else, maybe all of those things.

So, I will sit here with my coffee, at the end of a long day/week, and ponder such important aspects of my life…but not make a decision until I am of a balanced mind to do so.

If you’re pondering something in your life, find a balanced mind about it. Don’t choose or speak when you’re not thinking straight. If you are in this spot, may clarity and easy shifts happen for you.

Are you participating in your life?

Most days I write a little daily uplifting or thinking phrase on my personal page to encourage myself and others to keep thinking and creating in life. This morning I posted, “Your life flows according to your participation. Show up, every day.” It’s a fabulous phrase and one to remember often. What do you think it means?

Well, it is reminding you that you can make choices, say “no” when you really don’t want to or have time for another project, start that hobby you’ve always wanted to, look for a job that brings you joy, be conscious of what you’re doing and why, checking in with yourself to see how you really feel about something, find ways to deepen your personal faith, and other things that encourage you to live a life filled with your truth.

I have used the analogy of being at a dance. Are you the person on the sidelines, sitting in a chair waiting for something to happen? Are you the person dancing in the middle of the floor having lots of wiggling fun? Are you the person making sure the snacks are taken care of? Are you being attentive to making sure the atmosphere of the environment is good and everyone is okay, no matter their own space in it all?

It is okay to be in any of those spaces. However, being in the space of sitting out on a dance you showed up to is not necessarily the best use of your time. Did you show up in the hope of a great time, but you’re also somewhat shy and aren’t sure just how to make it happen? You can be bolder in any number of ways…ask another person to dance or dance by yourself.

Participating means being active in your life. Being active doesn’t necessarily mean physically active all the time, but it does mean consciously taking the time to understand why you do what you do and make choices according to how you’d like to be living.

Talents, faith building and psychic guidance

So, I was thinking just now of some recent good going on. I realized that I am quite talented in helping with faith in God building, helping people shift from stuck to forward, and can be psychic for people…to read and to help them develop. I know none of those things are usually in the same sentence and it’s quite not the norm, but it is me. I am really fabulous at all of these things. I also know most people will not be looking for all of these things together. That is okay.

I recently came across some people who are also firm believers in God, yet have psychic talents. It was so nice to see others understanding the world in the way that I do. It helped to not feel so “paving a new trail all alone”. It was a huge shift for me.

Maybe that is something for you to think on. Is there something you want to try or develop, but you think you’re the only one doing it? I can assure you, you’re not. You may not have met anyone in your “tribe” yet as this is a great big world, but the more you speak about your true nature, at some point ahead, you will meet someone you can relate to. You will also meet curious people along the way (some fabulous, some…not so much).

It’s like a signal if you will think on it like that. You’re telling the Universe who you are and that allows people to show up for you. Your tribe, people who need your services, and other good win-win situations!

Now, more than ever, be YOU.