Make Me Smile Monday

I'm looking for a line dancing instructor for a kids summer program I'm planning. There's a lady here in town who does this but I haven't been able to track her down. So, after doing a quick google search I dicovered there's a seniors group that meets every Monday morning to line dance. When I made the call I was immediately invited to go this morning and talk to the group myself. :)

So, today J and I went over to one of our town's rec centres to meet the lovely lady D I spoke with on the phone just yesterday. Dancing had already begun and there were a few people standing in the front entrance chatting amongst themselves. They greeted us warmly and asked if we were coming to dance with them. They talked to J and asked for his name and admired his Curious George shirt. D saw us come in from the other side of the room and she came over right away to greet us. She brought me up to the front and passed me the mic so I could make the invitation myself. 

After the invitation went out they went back to dancing. There were probably about 25 people there probably ranging from mid 50's to early 70's. They were dancing, smiling, laughing and full of life. But as I was sitting there watching I was thinking this is what life is all about...connecting with people, embracing the things we love and actually living!

Maybe I'm alone in this, but how incredible is that? And I don't just mean the dancing but the open, warm and all-inclusive way they welcomed us in. Because when I think about it, I'm not sure I would've had gotten the same welcome had the demographic been 20 to 30 years younger. And I can't help but wonder why that is? It was probably the single most inviting place I've ever walked into in my entire life.

I hope that at the end of my life people look back and say that I embraced it. That I didn't shy away from doing the things I loved because of fear or insecurity. I hope people say that I pushed myself beyond my natural comfort zone over and over again until it was miles bigger than it was when I began! I hope that people will say I was warm and inviting, and I always had a smile on my face. As adults, life can be busy and our responsibilities can sometimes distract us from lifes simple pleasures. I don't want to wait until I'm close to retirement to have be seen as a warm, inviting, brave individual. Besides, the danger is great that if I wait until then I might not be able to make the transition.

And for all of you, I hope that you take the time to do the things you enjoy regularly, that you connect with family and friends often and that your beautiful smile and sincere laughter are a part of your everyday life!

The Secret of Being Content

A few weeks ago Estelle from estellelle wrote about something on her blog that I really enjoyed and appreciated. I knew as soon as I read it that I wanted to share it here.

I've had a few people in life who have looked at me, looked at my life and accused me of being "lucky". Some of them have come right out and said it and others have said it in a more round about way. There was a time when I thought (even though I was a Christian) that being content in life was completely beyond my control. I thought that I had no choice but to suffer through whatever life threw my way.

The truth is...most of us have reason to think like this, things we've been through that we could allow to dictate our joy.

I (have come to) believe that how we feel in life (whether or not we're content) is made up of two things: what happens to us as a result of the choices we ourselves have made as well as the way we respond to the things in life that are truly beyond our control.

So, if you need to make better choices from here on out than do it. If you continue to suffer from the consequences of choices you've already made and you can do something about it - then DO something about. If there are circumstances beyond your control trust them to God! He is good and He will either work them out or give you the strength, joy and peace you need to walk right through them.

Sound too simple?

I'm not saying this is always the easiest or the most natural way. I get that it can be hard - I really do! Check out what Paul said about being content in the book of Phillipians:

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Phillipians 4:12-13 

I love how the earlier verses are written in the Message Bible:

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Phillipians 4:4,6-8) 

So, here's the link. I really hope you'll take the time to read it and be encouraged!
http://estellelle.blogspot.com/2010/12/good-days-and-bad-days.html