Joy of Giving

The Joy of Giving 

and  

Receiving

Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

I love how giving and receiving make a person feel. 

As a childcare worker I see that children and Jesus relate to each other.  With kids you are giving them lots of love, hugs, laughter, and kisses. I love the feeling of giving to a child because of the way they make you feel. I receive lots of smiles and laughter. What a blessing it is to receive Gods love through those children and their parents’ trust.

Being a teacher is such a joy, giving and receiving, a lot like God’s love for us. Teachers give kids love and we receive it by the way a child makes you feel. As for God, he is giving us his love. We give our love back to him by being the person God wants us to be—he wants us to be kind to one another and spread his love and happiness all around.  He wants us to spread his goodness.

We are giving God our prayers—-all kinds of prayers. It is a blessing to receive His answers and His blessings, even if His answer is a NO.

I am blessed to have God in my life. I appreciate receiving his blessings and his love. I love how he sets an example of the person he wants me to be. I can receive His Joy of giving and receiving by spreading his love around.

This Christmas, I thank God for all that he has given me. I pray that I can share his gifts and his love with others. 

 If you light a lamp for someone 

           it will also brighten your path.

Write. your own Story, Write your own Happiness

 Hi everyone!! It’s been a while!! What a beautiful hot weekend it is at the lake!!! So happy to say that the first time in a year all 4 of us can swim in the lake!!!

So….truth be told I am not happy again.  I've gotten in my head again and I just can't get out of it.  So I am looking forward to some changes starting in July.  I am going on an 18 month life changing journey.  I hope to gain much confidence in myself, I hope to grow more with God and listen to him more and become the person he wants me to be, not the person others want me to be. 

I don't know if most people know this but I have a hard time liking myself.  I just feel like I don't fit in. I love my life! I love my family! I love my job! I love my church and my church family! But, I also feel like I am missing out on what everyone else has---a spouse and my own kids.  That's why I decided to become a childcare worker, so I can be around kids and teach them and watch them grow! I look at myself in the mirror all the time and I say why can't I find someone to love me back?!?  Yes I have my family and friends who love me and I know they love me, I feel it all the time. But, I just can't help but wonder why I don't have someone to spoil, someone to do stuff with, someone to travel with, and someone to just be with all the time. I am hard on myself.  I am my own enemy.  I know who I want to be. I just have a hard time being who I want to be.  I worry about fitting into this world.  I worry about how I treat others. I worry about am I a good person. I worry if I help out enough,  I worry about being there for other.  I worry about how people feel about me. 

I have a lot of work to do for the next few months. But I am ready to go through it and to become this best version of myself I can become.

1. To stop being lazy and stop making excuses on not being able to work on myself. 

2. Get fit!!! Lots of jazzercise and on top of that get 5 miles of walking in each day. I think these two things will help me in so many ways.

3. Find my energy again!! My energy lately has been coming and going lately.  I love it when I have my full energy!! I love staying busy!! It keeps me out of my head. People at work are like you have free time all the time right—-sometimes I do, but I try to not have much free time too. 

4. Work on eating habits.  Man I need to meet with a nutritionist.  Weight Watchers is great, but I want a really good meal plan and know that I’m eating the right stuff!! It’s hard when your favorite foods is sweets and at work there is always a birthday and always cupcakes! :) 

5. Grow more with God!! I am starting my Bible Recap again——I’m ok with starting over—-obviously:) But I want to grow my faith so much more!! My pastor and all the wonderful church members help encourage me to grow more in him!!! 

6.Be kinder and do more kind stuff! Sometimes I worry about being judged on being kind and doing kind things. I want good things for people!!! I want to do more surprises for people too!! Help people smile and laugh!! 

7. Big one—-get out of my head and to stop worrying.  Man I love my grandmother, but she sure did a number on me with worridness(think I just created a word)——I guess as a child I didn’t realize how much she worried, but man I need to let it all go. I want to stop worrying about everything—-stop worrying about how people feel about me and being judged by others. I want to feel ok to be me and not worry about the judgement people. 

8. Be a better friend to others. 

9. Become Pollyanna again!!!

10.  To find more positives!! There really is a positive outcome in each situation!!

11. Learn and work on podcast. I’m not a big reader, so I’m thinking the podcast can help me with that!! It’s like reading, only listening. 

11. Get organized!!! Organize, organize, organize!!! Enough said!!! 

12. I want to stop worrying about the people haters---the one who looks forward to me failing, the ones who just stick around to see all the bad stuff happen.  Why is it so easy to worry about the people who hate you more than the people who love you?  My answer, because I worry what I am doing wrong for people to not like me. I wonder what I did wrong.  I wonder what can I do to change their mind. I wonder what can I do to make them happy.  And the truth is they hate me so much there is nothing I can do to change it.  I just need to move on.  But what about how the Bible says to love your enemies.  

13. Social Media break---I'll still be on, but I am tired of posting stuff and people not liking it.  That's the fun part of posting and I just feel like I am ignored and laughed at because people don't like my post.,  So I am taking a Social Media post break.

14.  Drink more water.  I have a hard time finishing a drink---any kind of drink.  I want to work on drinking my water.

Question...Does it feel like we are all competing with each other and not trying to be each others friends and cheer it other on or is it just me?!? And no...its not politics that causes this, in my opinion, I just think its who we are in this world again.

So....I am ready for this new challenge.  I am ready for some changes---what?? I don't like the word change. But, it's got to be done.,  For more, for the better me.  

My plan: to focus on the good! Focus on working out, walking, becoming fit and happiness. Focus a lot more on God. And learn to focus on happiness, laughter, and good health! Focus on making more memories! Also, focus on loving laugh all around.  I love life on the outside but I want to love on the inside, outside, and all around. 

What do I hope will happen with this challenge?

I hope to find happiness and myself again. I hope that I can find my old fun self again.

I hope to let the people who don't like me or do me wrong to let go of them and not worry so much about them. I hope to worry more about the people who do love me and want to see the good in me.

I hope to LOVE myself more.  What I mean by that, I've been told over the years you've got to make others happy to make yourself happy yes I agree, but I also have to worry about making myself happy so I can be happy for others as well. I want to feel so happy again that I can spread the happiness to others.

I want to stop running away from my problems.  Sometimes if something bad happens, I think the best thing to do is run away, I think it might be best for others and best for a fresh new start and a new beginning.  But, I know in my heart if I am willing to change and start a fresh new beginning I need to stick around and face my problems and work on them and let them teach me on what I could have done differently.

I hope to find more positiveness in every day life.

So…it’s a lot, it’s going to be a challenge, but I am ready to make a change in myself!!!! I hope to help myself grow and learn and become the best version of myself that I can be!!! I hope and pray that I can let go of all the bad stuff and look forward to just anything that provides happiness.  I am tired negative energy and I am ready to make a change or help make the change.

Thanks for all the wishes, good luck, and prayers as I start this new journey all over again with a great mindset. 

Have a great weekend and a great pre 4th of July celebration weekend!! Hope y’all see lots of fireworks!! 

Thank you June for helping me realize have a problem and I need to work on them and I need to change for me to better myself in so many ways.

Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers.

Back to Reality Basics

Hello everyone!!

I'm back on this thing. Didn't you miss me?!??

Don't worry, I'm still on a posting break for a while. I will explain on here.

So.....hope everyone has had a great year!!  Hope everyone had a great Holiday with their family, friends, and loved ones!!  

Whose ready for a brand new year?!??

Well---let's get down to basics on here because its probably going to be a long post!!! Buckle up kids!  If you feel like reading, grab yourself a good beverage, get cozy, and read on!!!

So...2023...what can I say about you?!?  Last couple years by the end of the year I'm tired and complaining about how that year has been so bad and horrible.  This year had its ups and downs.  I had more good ups then bad ups this year honestly.  When I tell my dad it has been a bad year, he reminds me Katie--you've had a good year!  You have your family, friends, you have a job, good health, etc. and he's right, I do!! It's other stuff that I focus on.  I focus on more about what makes me mad and upset.  Are you guilty of that?!?  I do I focus on my mistakes and focus on not the right stuff. Why is it easier to focus on the bad stuff???  Why is it easier to focus on the bad?? Why, Why, Why?? What can I do to help this world a better place?? What can I do about the hate??  Probably nothing, but I don't want to sit around in misery and I am sure you don't either. When I was in Perfectly Polish I learn it takes more muscles to frown than it does smiling--well I'm bring out the smiling muscles, because they have been a break long enough!!! :)

I think I have a solution.  Are you ready??  First off---no blames, no tears, no feeling guilty, no feeling sorry.  Just prayers and good thoughts please. Prayers. That is all I ask.

Alright..lets get the bad stuff over so I can move on and get to the good stuff and my focus for the new year.

So here goes.

Question. Why is this world so hard to live in lately??? Why is it so hard to get a long with people?? Why is life so hard??? Just go with me...I have some positive stuff in the end---I promise.

Within the last month or so, life has just seemed so hard.  Feels so hard to fit into this world.  Feels like all you get is judgement. Judgement is a big word, but I feel it on both sides---feels like people are judging me and I feel like I judge people because I see stuff they have that I don't. Why are we trying so hard to put each other down? Why are we not trying more hard to be happy for each other and be each others teammates and just be happy for one another?  Why are we even worried about if we fit in? Do you feel like lately it's just hard to smile, laugh, and enjoy life?  Why?  and How did we get to this in the world??  Was that always our focus??  Why can't we be better than this??

This is why I am taking a break on social media, well somewhat.

Lately I have gotten in my head again thinking I'm not good enough. So, I focus on the ones that don't like me. I wonder how I am going to fix or get the people who don't like me to like me? Why is it easier to care more about the people who don't like you or the ones who don't treat you right more than the ones that do like you and do treat you right and want to be your friend and be there for you. Sometimes I get in my head to let the enemy get in me, so that he is not bothering others.  I need to punch that enemy. :)

Well 2024 I am ready for a big huge change.  I am ready to start focusing on myself. I am ready to focus on what makes me happy,  I want to focus more on what makes me happy. I was taught many years ago you have to make others happy before yourself.  Yes that is true, to an extent.  The real lesson was that I need to make myself happy while making others happy as well. The point was you have to make yourself happy first and then you can help others feel happy.

I talked to someone a couple weeks ago and asked if it was ok to just be me and not worry about fitting in.  He said absolutely that I have a crowd of people who are just happy with me and ready to keep seeing me succeed and to see what else is in store for me. He sent me a Mother Teresa advice and pretty much said do it anyway. 

So....2024 Here is my focus for you. Spreading happiness, being happy, making myself happy, making others happy. Is that ok to focus on yourself?  Is it ok to take a break from pleasing others??  Couple of people have told that it's not my job to make others happy.  It's not, but I don't want to look at as a job, I want to look at it as volunteering and showing people and the world happiness. A lot of my friends use to say when I was happy that I was just the person they needed at the time.  I always spread happiness, enjoyed life, etc.  I miss being that person. I miss hearing wow you are just the person I need to see to brighten my day. That is what happiness is to me brightening someones day and keeping it simple.  

In other words I am ready for a big huge ole life redo. I am ready.  I am just ready to be happy!! I have been working on 2024 plans since Halloween. I keep seeing the post don't sit around and wait for life, get off the couch and make it a good one.

I am focusing on good health!!  I am going back to Jazzercise next year!!!  Its fun!  I enjoy being around the other Jazzercise members! It make me happy!!  I am going to add more walking!!  My walking goal for each day is between 10-12 miles--can't decide which one.  May stick to 10 miles during the week and 12 miles the weekends?!?  We shall see what I have time for. I'm ready to live life to the fullest and enjoy it and try new things and spend time with people who make me happy and laugh! 

But my 2024 goals are to focus on Health, Fitness, Faith, Happiness, Family, Friends, doing more and helping out around the world and my church, God, and myself!!I am ready to go back to work and enjoy all the babies, kids, the families, enjoy being a floater and helping out all over! I love being a flower because I can help others!! I am going to keep myself busy!!!  Because when I am not busy, thats when I get myself into funks and worry about myself.  

What am I going to do to make myself happy??  I am going to count my blessing and make a list, I am going to do the Bible Recap-Learn about God, I am going to pray more and put God first, I started this year with a 12x12 scrapbook paper on why I love myself and what makes me happy---I am going to write one thing on each of the each day!!  I am going to make a list each day of 5 things that helped me smile and helped me have a good day. I have ways to help me pull out of this funk of mine to get me back to being me.  So, please don't think I am ignoring anyone, because I am not, I am just taking a few steps back and learning myself again and becoming the person I want to be--both physically and mentally.

I am taking a break from social media.  I think I am going to stick with stories for a while.  Maybe post stories two or three times a week---one will be to spread and inspire happiness---don't worry none of those post are directed to anyone nor am I talk about myself or someone, I am just helping the world feel happiness and kindness again!  I will be back on social media when I am happy and comfortable with myself again. Lot of my social media friends say I give them happiness and I don't want to stop spreading happiness because I worry about being judge and people not liking my post or offending people. I need to learn to post for ME. I will post blog updates once a month.

How am I going to help spread kindness while focusing on me?!?  I am buying a pack of the small sticky notes and I am going to become the post it girl!!  I am going to spread happy post it notes and surprise people. Sticky note might have what I love about you, compliments, happy quotes, etc.  I am spreading post it notes all over!!! I love it when I order Chick fil a and they leave notes on your order.  How will I spread them??  I have a spin wheel on my phone and I am going to add all friends---ones who like me and ones who don't--im going to add my world on and will post a sticky note somewhere---if you are in town might get a post it note on your car(I'll sign it so you don't think its a hot or someone trying to get your info---what a sad world huh??!), your house, your mailbox, etc. if you live out of town, you'll get a post it note on a private message or on a wall, or might post it on a story.  I am going to be creative and just have fun with being the post it girl!! Hey I've been named worse :) I want to work on spreading gifts and happiness and not worry about getting anything in return.  NO NO NO. PLEASE DON'T DO THAT, THATS NOT THE POINT NOR WHY I AM DOING THAT. THE POINT IS TO SPREAD HAPPINESS AND SEE OTHER SMILE AND HELP THEM THINK AND FEEL SPECIAL ABOUT THEMSELVES AS WELL!! THE POINT IS FOR ME TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF AGAIN! For me to feel good about myself, I got to help make others feel good as well. Another quote from Mother Teresa People might get mad and forget what you did and how you made them feel, do it anyways and boy I am!! 

So..I told you this would get to a happy ending.  So my point on the new year is just to focus on happy and spread happy!! I hate this word but I am going to PUKE happiness and if you like it great if you don't oh well---deal with it---I am not here to worry about your happiness...I am here to worry about by happiness and what makes me happy and how I can make others happy!! 

Thank you all for taking the time in reading!!  Thank you for all you do!!  Again, no feeling sorry, just prayers and good vibes.