JOTOS.... Time to Grow Up Tuesday

When I was little... I wanted to grow up so much! I always wanted to do more, be more, reach for more. I never settled for second best. I wanted everything to always be my best. Thankfully, that is something that I have carried over into my adult life.

When it was time to grow up, I was a little worried. Would I be a fun person? Would I be someone who others wanted to be around? How would I look? Lots of questions came... along with many answers.

Today, I am frustrated. I won't put on any airs, I won't try to hide it, I am very irritated.

There seems to be this going trend in teens where they think it is okay and acceptable to treat adults like they are beneath them and that they owe them something. They walk around acting as if they have the world on a string and they are untouchable. No respect for anyone. No regards for anyone. It is disgusting.

I am tired of all the backtalk. I am tired of all the drama. I am tired of all the complaining. If I acted the way most girls do now when I was a teen, I would never have made it to adulthood! :) My parents made sure I understood that I was not more important than anyone else in this world. They instilled in me self discipline, motivation, respect and confidence. They taught me NEVER to make or let someone feel inferior. If there was someone who needed a friend, my parents encouraged me to be there for them. Not talk about them. Not make fun of them. Help them.

This world did not owe me a thing. It was a privilege to have nice clothes, food on the table, and a roof over my head. I did not take those things for granted.

It is truly heart shattering that nowadays there is nothing but a "give-me" attitude. Teens feel socially deprived without the latest technology, clothes, or gadgets. They want more and more and refuse to give any of themselves to God. I don't understand it.

I will quote myself here- "Talking behind someone's back doesn't mean they don't hear you." Belittling others is all too common now. Gossip kills. Another one of my quotes- "The more you cut someone down, less people respect you." Any girls reading this.... PLEASE, don't allow yourself to fall prey to this attitude or spirit. It is so unbecoming and can make you a bitter and cynical person. You are worth so much more than a rumor. If your friends aren't helping you grow in God, it's time to find new friends! 

<3

I hope my words help someone wake up and realize that words (and attitudes) matter! 

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JOTOS.... My, My, Monday

This past weekend has probably been one of the best weekends that I have had in a very long time. I was able to hang out with friends and just relax. There is no greater feeling than that.

Now...

My thoughts for today...

I don't claim to be "the world's greatest Christian" or "super spiritual" at all, however, I feel like I am very in tune with what God has for me to do and say. Today, I want to talk about being genuine in a superficial world.

Porcelain Dolls.

They're nice to look at, but after a while, they're boring and aren't very pleasing. You can't cart them around with you, or they'll break. You can't change their clothes, they won't come off. You can't wrap it up in a hug, it's too hard... sometimes, we as people can be the same way.

We want to be pleasing to the eye so we do everything, and wear everything we can to make people believe that we have it all together. Buy the right clothes, carry the right hand-bag, make sure every hair is in place, and laugh off any criticism as people being "jealous". At the end of the day, we are left hollow inside. There's nothing to us but what we plaster on the outside for people to see. Then we wonder why it is that we cry ourselves to sleep every night.

Why be porcelain when you can be real? Being real takes so little. You wear what you are comfortable in, you spend what you're comfortable to spend, your hair reflects your true personality, and you feel good about yourself! You don't have to try to fit in, because you DO fit in! You are you!

I myself have struggled with this before as most of you know. I hated the word perfect. It  plagued my every thought. Now? Now I have no problem being me. You know why? Because being real is so much easier than being fake! There's enough superficial in this world without me being the same way. ;)

I LOVE this quote!

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JOTOS.... Finally Back Friday!!!

This blog post will serve as an update of sorts...

I am so happy to be back! I have no excuses for not blogging more other than the whole [busy] one. I have missed sharing my thoughts with you all!

She was a gorgeous bride!

Update on me: I am doing well! Not having any bad flare ups of PCOS. I am taking and selling a product called Plexus Slim that has helped me SOOOOOO incredibly much! My doctor made me go off of it for a while and put me on a medication that was supposed to "help", well, the only thing is helped was my clothes to shrink!!! I ended up GAINING 15lbs! So, now, I am on a mission to lose those pounds and take charge of my health my own way. (If you're interested in Plexus Slim check out my site: www.lindseystrawn.myplexusproducts.com) I am inching closer to the big "2-1" every day! I cannot believe it! In other news, my sister was married on July 6th! She and her hubby are doing well and have settled into married life nicely in Arlington, TX.

Update on MY hubby: He is also doing well, just getting over being sick for a few days. He is working now with my Uncle and loving his job. I am so happy for him! He is currently writing his first book. [Already talking with a publisher too! Eeeek!] My job is to keep him focused and writing! It's gonna be a great one, I can tell you that. I am so proud of him for reaching for his dreams despite everything he, and we, have been through recently.

Trip to the Zoo:)

Update on Mr Atticus: He is now 7 years old! :( He is getting so big, I just can't believe it. When I met him, he was just 3 years old. MAN! Time has flown by... We are getting our house all ready for him as he makes his way back to Texas after a long week of fun with his Gammie and Gampie in Branson, MO. I love it when he is here!

Isn't she adorable??

Update on Grandma: She is doing AWESOME! She not only looks great, but she is feeling great too! There have been some challenges and lots of adjusting, but she is a champ and has taken everything in stride and came out victorious on the other side. I love her so much and am so proud of her!

Now.... life in general.... 

I have dealt with a lot of emotions this year. From fear, to pride. Anger, to sorrow. Happiness, to depression, and everything in-between! Through it all though, I never once stopped trusting God to work it all out. He has great plans for me and even though I can't see or know what they are... I STILL believe! ;) (Love that song!)

I think a lot... and as a result, I have mini-sermons that float around in my head and at any given time jump out of my lips and into existence. It's quite comical actually. I am not a "preacher" or a "minister" by any means. I just like to help people.

Today my thoughts are...

As a coach of a team, I learned quickly that I could not grow my team by allowing some to sit idly by while others worked hard. I learned that I needed to push those who were lacking to achieve greatness. I also VERY quickly learned that in order for them to achieve greatness, they had to be afforded an opportunity to show what they HAD learned rather than be criticized for what they HAD NOT learned. Too many times I let others show up and show out all the things that they knew how to do while some, who were just as capable, were left to pick up whatever was there afterwards... shame on me. Never, never, never should someone be left out. Never should a person be made to feel less than someone else. I had to do a serious self check. I had to realize that in order for them to be great, I had to let them. ME. It was me that was keeping them from greatness, not them. They could do it, I just gave them excuses as to why they couldn't. I handicapped them before they ever had a chance to show what they were made of. Now, I have learned from that mistake and I am ready to assemble another team of WONDERFUL and GREAT people.

What's the moral of the story? It's simple really... Just because someone is less qualified don't excuse them from doing bigger and better things. Reward those who deserve it, yes. But also allow those who aren't as advanced to grow. Give them responsibility. You may be surprised at what will emerge. Just like a Parent with a child... in order for them to mature, you have to give them responsibilities.  Out will emerge a responsible, mature, and grateful adult.

SO, that's it for me today! Hopefully I can check back in next week!

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JOTOS...Tuesday, Tuesday

The weather today left a lot to be desired. It was rainy and nasty all day! It makes me sleepy! (Haha)

I haven't blogged since last year!!! Can you believe it?! Happy New Year to you all. I hope it was wonderful:) Mine was spent with family and friends, just relaxing and having a quiet evening at home. (Wish I got to have more of those.)

Today I have a lot on my mind... I have been reading Facebook posts, and reading comments on Instagram, even tweets. I couldn't help but notice all the bitter words flying around. It made my heart ache. Bitterness is such a horrible and ugly thing. It creeps into your heart one crisis or emotional breakdown at a time and allows its roots to sink in and wrap themselves around your soul. It creates a dark place in your heart that is walled off from even God himself. What an awful, awful way to live.

Why do we allow ourselves to become so bitter? Why do we say things that we can never take back? Why? Because we are hurting humans. If you've ever been hurt you know the pain of healing. It takes a lot to heal after a major blow. The more blows you take, the longer and harder it seems to heal... It's natural. I feel though sometimes, we are like little children who keep poking and picking at the scab that develops on our heart after we've been wounded... We pick, and poke, and scratch at and aggravate it until we allow the infection that is bitterness to set in. Then we wonder what went wrong and begin to accuse someone else of being the cause of all our pain and suffering. When in reality, had we left it alone, it would've healed naturally and on it's own. It's simple really, the metaphor, stop fussing and fretting over whatever situation you see yourself in... Allow it to heal or work out, gradually, over time, so that you don't have to ever revisit it, or nurse it again. Don't allow bitterness to set it and cause you to speak things out of anger.

Bitterness looks good on no one darling.

Live your life as a pleasing sacrifice, holy, acceptable into God. Beware of bitterness! If you find yourself with a bitter heart, pray for God's peace and love. Peace to calm you and love to heal you.
Lets get right church and go home!!

I hope I have encouraged you in some way!

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