Color palette

Happy Friday! It turns out that God knows a little bit about color combinations. Who knew?! 🤔😂

Go see what beauty He has placed where YOU can see it this weekend–and feel free to share!

Grace and Peace!

Noticing November–Days 3-5

Happy Friday, everybody!
When we lived in Georgia, one of the best parts about going home to Mississippi was the time zone change, which meant we got an “extra hour” to enjoy once we arrived. Going back home to Georgia was a different story, of course, but having that extra hour to enjoy family and friends while we were visiting always seemed like a wonderful bonus.

Moving to Alabama meant we got to be in the same time zone as our Mississippi people, made coordinating schedules and phone calls a little less cumbersome, and late-start football games easier to watch all the way through in the process. Win-win! I felt like I permanently gained that extra hour, and although I know it isn’t realistic, I’ve noticed that I feel a little less pressed for time, in the bargain. (Slowing your roll is a choice–and one I am embracing!)

This coming weekend, we will experience the seasonal time change, as well. In the “Spring forward/Fall back” scheme of things, that means I will find myself with the gift of another “extra” hour! What to do, what to do?!

The list is long for things that “NEED to be done.” I suspect that’s the case for most of us, but I want to suggest that we start making a different kind of list, as well. How about a “GET to do” list?!

It’s an extra hour and it’s all free, so whether you call or visit with relatives, go for a nature walk, make/enjoy some art or music, bake cookies or try a new recipe, play a game with friends, write a letter, or take a nap…make sure you notice the joy you can pack into a single hour when you’re determined to do so! Make the choice to practice adding an extra hour of joy to your schedule on a regular basis! Your mind, your body, and your spirit will thank you for it!

What will YOU do with your extra hour this weekend?

Grace and Peace–and NO Complaints!

NCN2022–Days 25-27

Whether you’re still spending time with family, shopping the sales, or decorating the halls this weekend, I hope you’ll take extra care with your words.

Just a thought…your words matter because the people who hear them do!

Enjoy your time together with family and friends! Let’s keep the holiday season and make it memorable with words of gratitude and thanksgiving, genuine compliments, kindness, enthusiasm, encouragement, and peace. Become a person of influence…for all the right reasons!

Grace and Peace–and NO Complaints!

NCN2022–Days 18-20

In the spirit of shared encouragements from friends, I’m including these “November Reminders” sent by my friend Cindy. They’re wonderfully simple things…that we all ignore from time to time!

My Weekend Challenge is for you to take some time and really think about what you want your upcoming holidays to include–AND what you might need to exclude! Reading through these reminders can help us make sure we don’t set ourselves up to complain about them when it’s too late to change them. The time for planning is NOW!

Traditions are wonderful…right up until they no longer serve those who follow them. Hopefully, all the ones we observe add to our enjoyment of the people we love and help us find deeper meaning within our celebrations! If not, then perhaps this is the year to make a few tweaks or even establish a new tradition that better meets the current needs and desires of everyone who will be present. (After all, if no one likes “that casserole”, but we’re all still making it just because that’s what Great-great Aunt Gertrude made 100 years ago, then maybe–just maybe, mind you–we can leave it off the menu? Just an idea, you know, but not EVERYthing needs to become a tradition.)

Give it some thought! Make a list of your Top 5 things you look forward to doing or like to share with others during the upcoming holidays. Ask others to do the same! You might just find some common ground that will turn THIS holiday season into the best one yet!

Grace and Peace–and NO Complaints!

NCN2022–Day 10

Double Digits! We’ve made it to Day 10! I’m sharing my weekend challenge a little early this week, because I know it might take some extra planning. Here it comes:

When I was little “the news” came in much smaller and more defined or discrete formats. In our house that meant CBS Nightly News at 6P–since that was what was available without cable–and the local daily paper.

I miss that.

Both were finite, with a set time for the news on TV and a limited number of newsprint pages…until the next day. Yes, there was always radio, but if our family was listening to the radio, it was usually just music.

I don’t necessarily believe that the news was all that much better back then–there was still talk of inflation, political intrigues, and weather catastrophes–but there just wasn’t so MUCH of it. Now, it is everywhere we go…and we go everywhere with it held in our hands and filling our ears. That makes it difficult to take a break from all the hard things, all the concerns about how they might possibly affect our world, all the dangers other people have or are experiencing, and all the ways we need to keep our guards up to avoid the things they obviously couldn’t.

To me, that seems like a built-in training road to complaining…and, unfortunately, we’ve all taken that road at times! I am NOT advocating for a ostrich-approach to world events. We DO need to be aware of what is going on in the world–if for no other reason than to pray about it! Allowing it to consume us…well, that’s another matter entirely.

Today, I am issuing an early weekend challenge: unless you are in imminent weather danger, try to limit your news consumption for the rest of the day. Better yet? Disconnect connect entirely. Silence the notifications if only for a whole 24 hours. Find something fun to do that doesn’t involve digital scrolling. Go for a drive and enjoy the remaining colors of Autumn. Invite a friend to lunch and share only good news with each other. Spend some extra time with God…and your family. Go to a concert or a ballgame. Listen to music. Play a board game…an actual hands-on board game. Work on a puzzle. Walk the dog. Read a book. Take a nap. Get a headstart on handmade holiday decorations with your kids. Count the number of people wearing purple.

It does not matter what you choose to do, but whatever you choose WILL show up in your conversations. It’s all part of becoming a person of influence. Make it good. Make it wholesome. Make it fun. Make it count…and then share the news of that!

Grace and Peace–and NO Complaints!

NCN2021–Days 19-21

Yep. It is what you thought it was: a picture of my compost bin. It looks a little nasty and it’s piled up a little bit higher than it could be…maybe, even higher than it should be. I thought it would be a good visual aid for what it looks like when we use our gift of words in ways that aren’t all that helpful.

If, however, you look past all of the broken egg shells, yard debris, and vegetable peelings, you might just notice something else is in there, too. If you guessed it’s those two green things growing near the corner, you’d be right. While I was out of town for a bit, a couple of small rotting potato buds managed to sprout and start growing right there among all of the discarded yuck from my yard and kitchen.

I’m posting it here for NCN2021 as a reminder that not all complaints are totally worthless. In fact, when they’re given the right context and conditions–which usually involves words with some kernel of life in them and when the recipient is given some time and a little privacy–good things can happen. Growth can occur. Situations can actually turn around and begin to show signs of new life and innovation.

Constructive criticism is absolutely crucial for growth and improvement! Knowing how to discern it from the yuck of a complaint lodged in our direction, however, takes practice and a willingness to consider situations from more than just one viewpoint.

Our challenge for this weekend is two-fold:

1. Make an honest review of the complaints that might have been directed toward you recently and see if there just might be something you can do to use them constructively.
2. Think about this photo next time you’re tempted to lodge a complaint or use your words in ways that aren’t all that full of blessing. (of course, that probably won’t be for a long, long, LONG time, right?!) Before you make a public spectacle expressing your disappointment or disapproval, give some thought to expressing your concerns or suggestions privately and in a way that will promote growth and progress and not just a growth of resentment.

Other than that, enjoy the weekend! (smile!)

Grace and Peace–and NO Complaints!

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Psalm 19:14

NCN2021–Days 12-14

My husband has had several titles over the course of his career. Among them are Performance Excellence Leader, Process Improvement Engineer, Continuous Improvement Manager. When people ask me what he does for a living, I say, “He makes things better.”

As an engineer with serious life-long learner skills, he loves doing that! He’s passionate about it because he knows that improving a business process actually makes life easier for the person performing the task. He makes a difference because he’s willing to look for and implement change.

At times, he runs into resistance because of that. In general, people tend to like a “comfort zone” of things that are familiar. In some cases, change–even for the better!–can feel awkward and take time to be fully embraced.

Real and significant improvements can require stopping and starting over, experimentation, and a willingness to admit you need help. (Sounds a bit like life…and, maybe NCN, huh?)

To remind himself–and those who meet with him–he’s kept a small placque on his desk with the following quote:

I’m including it here during NCN2021 because engineering is NOT the only place this quote applies and I’m leaving it here over the weekend so we can ALL look for ways we might need to apply it. Just a thought…

Grace and Peace–and NO Complaints!

NCN2021–Days 5-7

Years ago, I faced the excitement of a major change in my life, but…I wasn’t entirely overjoyed about all of the details. As I prepared to leave work one day, a garden-loving coworker/friend handed me a beautifully hand-painted item with the words, “Bloom where you’re planted!” emblazoned across it. My initial response was mixed, to say the least.

Over time–with the help of God, loving family and friends–I managed to do just that. I always thought of the days in between as a time of “rooting” such as when we move a plant from one place to the other in a garden. It may actually be a better location for the plant, but it can still be a shock to the system. That means the plant may appear to be a little worse for wear for awhile. With care and a little extra attention, the plant can settle in and start producing roots and blooms in the new situation.

The past couple of years have been a shock to the system for a number of people. Some of us have handled it better than others, but I don’t know anyone who couldn’t use a little extra care these days.

SO, bloom where you’re planted–and help someone else do the same! You just might find that the little extra care you share might actually jumpstart some blooms for you, as well!

Days 5-7 Challenge: Treat yourself (and perhaps a family member, friend, or coworker?) to a pretty leaf or flowers from the yard or a nearby floral department! See how cheerful it helps you to be throughout the whole weekend.

I’ll see you back here on Monday!

Grace and Peace–and NO Complaints!

NCN2020–Day 20-22

My husband and I talk during most of his commute times. Our topic this morning centered around some of the changes we’ve been making over this past year. We’ve been using the pandemic retreat times to slow down and catch up again in areas that were previously neglected because our schedules were so hectic. Travel restrictions have actually given us opportunities to stop and catch our breath a bit, review our priorities, and make some changes.

While it hasn’t all been completely comfortable, we’re getting a handle on and even finding that we actually LIKE some of the results from these restrictions! Who knew?! Choosing the right attitude can make even our restrictions FUN and beneficial?!

We’ve chosen to be deliberate about how we’re spending our resources–all of them: time, money, creativity, food, and energies. As a result, we are lighter, healthier, and stronger in several areas of our lives. It didn’t happen overnight. First, we had to get tired of where we were and then we had to consistently make different choices in order to get the different results.

That same process applies to NO COMPLAIN NOVEMBER (and beyond!) as well. Deciding to participate this month typically means we see room to improve and/or a need to change. It takes consistency to make the changes stick, and, while that isn’t always easy or linearly successful (I cannot be the only one who had a lapse this month, right? Thank you, God, for grace!!) this doesn’t have to be a “one and done” issue.

You COULD choose to live a NO COMPLAIN LIFESTYLE.

Oh, my. That might need to marinate a little bit for some people. That’s why I’m bringing it up as a weekend challenge. I want you to take a little time and look at where you were when you started this month, then check in with how far you’ve come,…and then start making commitments TO AND FOR YOURSELF about where you want to go.

Just think! Restricting complaints might turn out to be the life change that totally changes your life–and the lives around you, as well! Give it some thought. I believe you can do it!! Become a person of influence for GOOD right where you are.

“Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].” Ephesians 4:29 (Amplified Bible)

Grace and Peace.

NCN2020–Days 13-15

I had quite the full day yesterday. It ended up being a really great day–all because of loving support and two totally unrelated conversations which helped me make a decision that’s been hanging over my head for quite some time.

Sometimes, the decisions we need to make have obvious answers. Even when the answers and implementations aren’t simple, having a definite path to follow helps. It’s those nebulous, not-really-found-in-Scripture questions that give me the most difficulty. Personally, I like a defined, no gray area, good v. evil decision. Those are easier. The other kind just hang around too long. (Ha!)

Most of the time, I think we have a general feeling about what we’re supposed to do. We just overthink it. Oddly enough, I seem to do that more often on the smaller, rather than larger questions.

I’ve been noodling and praying about a few of those for quite a while now and I haven’t enjoyed it a bit. Yesterday, I finally made a decision about one of them…and it freed me up in the most amazing way.

I was having a conversation with my friend Joy while she cut my hair and she mentioned that she hadn’t quite made a final decision about something. Based on the way she said it, I asked her if she was just delaying what she had already decided. We both laughed. She didn’t know it, but I was preaching to the choir about a totally different subject.

Later, I listened as someone else described their life…and mine. He wasn’t sure how to fix it on his end, but my solution suddenly seemed absolutely clear. I want other things to be possible…maybe, even probable. That means making different choices. I guess sometimes we need to get frustrated enough to make the changes we’ve been wanting all along.

Throughout the day, my husband went about his tasks, did his work, and still made time to check in and provide for me. He looked for ways to help me where he could and gently, but succinctly pushed me when I needed to quit dawdling and get moving. He gave me room and time to come to my own conclusions. He was supportive even when he could have been annoyed and he seemed pleased when I announced my decision (which also affects him)…and which was probably already a foregone conclusion in his mind. (grin) He didn’t say, “I told you so.” (bigger grin) He just celebrated my joy of knowing what was right for me. (I know. He’s really cool.)

So what in the world does this have to do with NCN2020? It brings me to some questions for the weekend challenge:

1. What decisions are YOU waiting to make or implement?
2. What’s holding you up in the decision-making process or keeping you from making the changes you believe to be necessary or beneficial?
3. Do you need to seek wise counsel, make a list, set aside time to think it through, or set a deadline?
4. Do you need to BE wise counsel or hold your tongue and simply wait supportively while those around you come to their own conclusions? (This may or may not be the biggest challenge…insert personal eye roll here.)

Check the Scripture below to see if your speech is worthless or building up/blessing those who need to make decisions…even (especially?) if this just means the way you talk to yourself.

“Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].” Ephesians 4:29 (Amplified Bible)

Grace and Peace.