Only Fools Believe (page 51 of Pieces of Me)

Only Fools Believe

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and don't lean on your own understanding. In all things acknowledge him, and he shall direct your way.”--Proverbs 3:5,6

            It sounds crazy to want to see a psychic. All that phony-bologna stuff. They aren’t real. They steal your money and give you false hope. They are evil. They take advantage of the innocent. Only fools believe.

I’ve heard it all. Yet, I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat as my hairstylist spoke of a psychic she met at a party she recently attended. She listened as the psychic told a stranger a story of his grandfather who had passed. She watched the man cry, along with everyone else at the table. They were mesmerized by this woman’s words.

I had heard of a local psychic, Teresa. She was friends with a few of my girlfriends. I met her once. I thought of speaking with her many times. I just couldn’t get the nerve to ask.

I missed my mom. I missed her just as much as the day she passed, June 18, 2001. They say it gets easier. They say with time…

What I say is, “You never fully get over it. Life will never be the same.”

Does life go on? Yes, of course. Do I laugh? Yes, of course. But there is not one happy occasion, holiday, or accomplishment achieved that isn’t a little less grand because she isn’t here to share it with me.

I used to run through her front door shouting out whatever good news I had.

She would run up to me, throw her arms around me, and say, “That’s my girl!”

She had a way of making everything in life a little better.

            I thought, if I could just talk to my mom. If I could just have a few moments with her I would know she was OK. I would know she was up in heaven. I would know she was safe. One day, I will see her again. One day, I will hear her voice again.

I popped out of my own internal thoughts when my hairstylist said, “Yeah, her name was Teresa.”

“Teresa!” I shouted. “I can’t believe that’s who you saw! I know her.”

Could it be I was being pulled toward her? What are the odds? I fought internally for weeks. You are a fool. But, what if? You are crazy. But, what if? The coincidence was too great.

Next thing I knew, I was sitting on Teresa’s couch.

I felt the nerves and emotions rise as I sat quietly looking around her home. My hands started to shake and my heart race. I wondered if she could tell I was scared. I felt the tears welling up before she even spoke. I looked at this beautiful woman as she slowly closed her eyes. She rubbed her hands as if she was putting lotion on them. Quietly, she started to pray. She opened her eyes looking deep into mine.

“How is your sciatic?” she asked.

“Oh my gosh, that’s crazy!” I shouted out. “It’s bad. I am getting a shot in my back on Thursday. How did you…?”

“I’ve got an uncle figure here. He is an artist. A painter. Known for his unusual brush strokes. Very unusual. They kind of run together,” she said.

“This is crazy! Crazy! That’s my Uncle Frank. I have one of his paintings in my living room,” I said.

“He’s here. He’s here with an Uncle Tony.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s his brother. I can’t believe this,”

I couldn’t think. I couldn’t clear my head. I was just looking at her, looking for words. How could she have known?

We spent the next two-and-a-half hours talking about my family members who had passed. We talked about my future. We talked about my dreams. Things she never would have known. Things even I didn’t know about my own family. I was overwhelmed with the information she had given me. I was thrilled with my new discoveries but still a little disappointed that my mom didn’t come through.

She asked if I had any questions. I wanted to shout out, “What about my mom?” But I just couldn’t make myself do it.

“No, no…I don’t think so,” I said.

She looked at me and said, “Who’s Joyce?”

“My mom.”

To hear the rest of this story and many others check out my book. Pieces of Me at http://amzn.to/X8y08d

 

Boston Law Enforcement....Thank you.

 For 1 day the united states were just that, united. We all watched the different agencies going door-to-door, the 24 hour news coverage, the sound of gunshots in middle class America. All right in before our eyes.

What sticks out for me, is that 1 citizen who looked out their window and thought "that looks odd." To observe something in their backyard. To see something is off and more importantly to make that call to police.

What do we even know about this person? This hero that helped bring an end to the terror in Boston. And how do we ever thank them?

I listened to the news stories of bombs being thrown at the police agencies as the chased down the suspects. Fear of booby-trapped homes, explosive vests, and gun battles on the streets of Boston. It was something out of a movie. But the men and women of law enforcement faced that terror head on, and won.

What do we even know about these men and women? These hero's that helped bring an end to the terror in Boston. And how do we ever thank them?

How do we ever thank them for stepping up, taking action, and protecting their city? They served their city and their county when we were all living in fear of "what's next?"

I hope as time fades and normal every day life returns I don't forget that every day brave men and women step up, take action, and protect this country.

Perfection not required...

I've been thinking about it for years. Although, the question has changed several times, the end result is still the same.

Q:  Do I want to be baptised?

A: I kind of want to be baptised as an adult. I want to show God and the world my commitment and belief in him.

Q: Should I be baptised?

A: I know I should, but I'm nervous. I'm scared to go stand up in front of all those people. They will stare. What if they make me talk in front of everyone? What if I drown?

Am I worthy to be baptised?

A: I've made so many mistakes in my life. Would I be a hypocrite if I were to confess my love and belief in God when I've not followed him as I should?

This was the one, the one question that has stopped me from doing it.

I've finally realized something... if I wait until I'm perfect, I'll never do it. I'll never be perfect. Perfection is not required. Just love and belief, that's it. And I have that.

So now I have one more question. "Does anyone want do it with me?"

If you've been thinking in the back of your mind this is something you would like to do. If you have been feeling that tug to be baptised but were like me, scared and doubtful, come with me. We can do it together.

I'm attaching a link to Eastlake Church. http://eastlakecc.com/

Check it out. This is a church that is working to reach the everyday person. You know, all of us with our flaws and doubts. Ryan the head pastor is the first person to admit he is human and had challenges just like the rest of us. Therefore the whole church community is very welcoming and very real.

I'm looking to get baptised at the next event. It hasn't been posted yet, but I assume it will be in May or June. If you are interested in being baptised, interested in checking out Eastlake, or want to come see me be baptised just let me know.

I'd love to have you along with me.

LOVE IS

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love does not envy
Love does not boast,
Love is not proud.

Love does not dishonor others
Love is not self-seeking
Love is not easily angered,
Love keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.

Love always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres.

-1 Corinthians 13:4-7

STOP

Just another busy day in the midst of tax season. Not much time to stop and smell the roses. Actually there isn't any time to eat, drink, or have a thought that isn't number related.

But yesterday I saw something that caught my eye. It stopped me and made me think. It was a bumper sticker. It said:

Don't always believe everything you think.

How many times do we say, I can't do it. I'm not smart enough. I don't fit in with that group.

OR maybe, I'll never have my dream come true. I can't lose the weight.

If we tell ourselves that enough, we start to believe it. It becomes fact.

If you catch yourself thinking/speaking poorly of yourself...stop yourself. Say the word STOP. Change that sentence. Replace it with what you can do, what you will do.

Becoming aware of your words is the first step to a better self image and having the life of your dreams.

Marketing Magic

When I tell people I've written a book there are a few questions people always ask.
One of them is "How did you do it?"

There are so many details that go into writing a book and getting it published. I couldn't have done it alone.

I asked Jeff Hoerth of Zing HQ to help me:
format the internal lay-out
design the cover
format the cover for Kindle AND Amazon.com (yes, they do require different formatting).
create materials for promoting the book
a marketing strategy
and finally...moral support!

huhhhh...wiping sweat of brow.

I highly recommend Jeff to anyone looking to publish a book or promote their business.

His humor, creativity, and wisdom can't be beat.

I've attached a link to my Blog for more information about Jeff.

Where does the time go?

I'm starting to wonder if half the reason we don't follow our dreams is simply, "time flies."

We are all so overwhelmed with deadlines at work, kids to taxi, and piles of laundry we don't find any time left over for our dreams.

I recently started working-out with a personal trainer. I faithfully go twice a week. Every Wednesday and every Friday I show up at his door-step waiting for his next grand idea of torture. (Yes, torture is the right word.)

I show up because it's scheduled. It's planned, part of my day. I know at 5:00 on Wednesday he is expecting me. Therefore, I always show up. But here's the interesting part. He went out of town for a week. And during that week, I couldn't find the time to work out.

What changed? I had been working out with him twice a week for a few months. Now the 1 week he is gone, I couldn't seem to find the time.

Somehow because he was gone it was no longer part of my plan. And I let the week slip away (guilt.)

I wonder how often we all let the week slip away.

Do you have a dream? Do you want to lose 10 pounds, start a business, find love? Are you taking steps each week to achieve your goals and dreams?

Schedule it in, find time, from 5-6 on Wednesday, I'm going to .... (fill in the blank).

Take the first step. Each week, each day, do something to follow your goals and dreams. You will reach them before you know it. But the very first step is make it a priority, find the time, schedule it in.

Good luck!