Learn A New Language

If you take a group course, you could meet new friends with similar interests. Even taking an online course can boost your brainpower.

TOP 10 BENEFITS OF LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE by Eton Institute
(read more here:https://etoninstitute.com/…/top-10-benefits-of-learning-a-f…)

1. Boosts Brain Power
2. Improves Memory
3. Enhances The Ability To Multi-Task
4. Sharpens The Mind
5. Keeps The Mind Sharper For Long
6. Enhances Decision-Making
7. The First Language Is Improved
8. Improves Performance In Other Academic Areas
9. Increases Networking Skills
10. Provides Better Career Choices

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Romans 12:10

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Take A Chance

We are only two months into the new year.  That means it is not too late do something you’ve always wanted to try, but were too scared. Dye your hair, jump out of an airplane, introduce yourself to someone new.

Each and every time we learn something new our brain forms new connections and neurons and makes existing neural pathways stronger or weaker.  Some experts call these changes “plasticity” in the brain.

Your brain will continue changing right up until the end of your life, and the more you learn along the way, the more your brain will change and the more “plastic” it will be.

Let us know you are going to try now that you have been challenged?

Matthew 14:30-31

Smell The Roses

We live in a hustle bustle world, moving from home to work, back home and at some point to bed.  All during the day there are activities that fill each hour, each minute and each second of that day.  Sometimes it can be overwhelming, even maddening.

The old saying “stop and smell the roses” means that we should relax; take time out of one’s busy schedule to enjoy or appreciate the beauty of life.  Allow time in your day to stop every now then, get out of your chair and leave your office.  Do this several times a day with the purpose of looking for opportunities to smell the roses.

I bought an Apple watch last year.  When I first began to wear my watch I was excited about an app that would alert me to stand every so often and would encourage me to move to reach a certain step goal.  I worked very hard, in the beginning, to obey my watch.  It wasn’t very long, however, until I began to skip an alert every now and then because I was so busy.  In just a few more short months, I completely ignored the alerts.  NO ROSE SMELLING FOR ME.  I DID NOT HAVE TIME.

What I have realized is that getting up was actually good for me.  A few minutes away from desk would not cause me to miss a deadline or fail at my job.  As a matter of fact, it refreshed my brain, made blood flow more freely through my veins and allowed me an opportunity to interact with others in my office.

I know it is hard, especially if you are OCD like me, but I encourage you to smell the roses throughout the day.  If you work an 8 hours day, purposefully choose to interact outside your office at least 4 times a day.  Yes I did say 4.  That doesn’t mean the interaction has to be a long drawn out conversation.  Walk down the hall and back, take something  to your car, eat lunch with the team or get a cup of coffee, soda or bottle of water. The more you do it, the easier it will become.  Life really is better when you take time to smell the roses.

Philippians 4:11-12

Learn Self Defense

When I think of today’s title I not only think about physical defense but I think about mental defense.  The world we live in can be frustrating, tiring and scary.  Anyone 25 years old or older would agree that life is very really different today than when they were growing up.  Some would say it seems as if the world is going in a negative direction.

For the glass half full person, like me, you may be thinking the world is different but you see great process in many areas, just as technology.  I like change.  I thrive on it.  I get bored easily and lose interest when I fall into the ho hums of the same ole daily grind. What I love most about change is the challenge to make change work.

Proverbs 4:6-7 says Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Wake up everyday ready to battle not only those who want to harm you physically but those who want to harm you mentally.  After many months of posting my blogs in a new venue and receiving likes, thanks and positive comments every day,  I opened a comment to read “quit posting this crap every day”.  I must admit my first instinct was to think my stuff was crap and ALL my reader hated what I was saying.  For days I barely even looked at my website and I simply pushed any words I wanted to type to the back of my mind.  But after a few days of feeling sorry for myself, I pulled my big girl britches up and decided to get back to writing again.  My blogs certainly may not be wanted by everyone who sees them or reads them , but my words of encouragement are for everyone. So for the lady who hated my post,  may you not read it when you see and if you do, may you be encouraged my crap that you have read.

I encourage you take a few minutes to physically and mentally prepare yourself for attack.  Become wise in the ways of the enemy so you can expect his next move and plan how to win the battle.  Every battle you win can boost your self-confidence. Go win today.

Get Out Of Debt

 

The average American household owes more than $7,000 in credit card debt. How about picking one credit card to make a commitment to working down the debt on this year?

 

I know so many people who live paycheck to paycheck and have multiple credit cards that are at their max. Every dollar that is paid off is then used again to pay bills, buy groceries and/or purchase much wanted items. In some cases these cards have high interest and or large monthly payments making it almost impossible to pay them off.

 

Using a credit card can be so easy, especially in this new world we live in of plastic. In years past, if you did not have the cash in your pocket then you didn’t get it. This easy way of paying without actually having the money is keeping some families bound to debt.

 

Choose one card and decide that you will not use it, but pay it off instead. As you see the credit amount grow and the debt decrease you may be tempted to use the card, but instead celebrate the financial freedom this is bringing to you. Take a baby step today. YOU CAN DO IT!

 

Luke 14:28

Write Your Will.

 

It’s not fun, but — especially if you have kids — this is an essential task. We all want to think we will live forever but no one really knows what tomorrow may bring.

 

I am a half glass full person so I often see things through rose colored glasses. I know that a will can be depressing but it doesn’t have to be. If you really love your family and we all do, then you want to take care of them, even after you are gone. Whether you have small or grown children, a spouse or grandchildren there may be a few things that you would like to leave for them to continue for future generations. A will is not always about just leaving someone your fortune or your debt.

 

A will can help your family know what your wishes are and helps them by making tough decisions for them. So many families fall apart after a loved ones dies because they disagree on how property, personal items and yes money should be distributed. Take that responsibility off of your loved ones, who are already grieving, by telling them how you want them to handle your affairs after you are gone. Your family may not like everything you want but they certainly will be thankful to you for making these tough decisions for them.

 

James 4:14

Clean Out Your Closet

According to the experts, you only use 20 percent of your wardrobe. Up your percentage by donating at least some of the clothes you’re never going to wear again to charity!

I love clothes and I section them in closet into 3 categories. I have my fat clothes, my skinny clothes and my clothes I can wear right now. What I am finding is that the section I can wear right now is very small while the other sections are taking over my closet.

My husband has the spiritual gift of giving and with that he wants to give everything away that is not currently in use. He is a real minimalist. I struggle with giving things away. My father grew up during the depression so he KEPT everything, He knew that if he did not need it right away, that he may need it later or better yet, someone else he knew might need it. I guess I take after him.

This year, I am cleaning out my closet. I may donate a few items, try to sell a few at a consignment store and take others in to church to just give to anyone who wants/needs clothes. I think by decluttering my closet I will be motivated to declutter other parts of my personal and work life.

1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

See How Far You Have Come

Organize and review your photos. Some of you have shoeboxes full of old photos, some have albums full, organized by year and/or event, some have photos on cd’s, on flash drives, some have them stored in the cloud, stored on social media and/or stored in your phone.

Wherever you have may have them take a few minutes today to take a look what you have from the oldest to newest. Have a notepad handy and make a few notes of things you and other important family members have accomplished. Actually set aside or print off a few that you love and put them in an old-fashioned photo album for you to review as the year goes by.

Sometimes we need a reminder of things we have overcome, places and people we have visited and where we came from. Celebrate who you are and all that God has created you to be. You have come a long way baby!

Jeremiah 29:11

Impromptu Moments

Mark 6:31

Live your life in a way that allows for moments of reflection, rest and being fully present. Simplify your schedule to create margin for impromptu shopping trips and lazy Saturdays.

When was the last time you decided, on a whim, to do something alone, with a friend or your spouse?  Has you time become so consumed with things to do that you have no time to add anything spur of the moment to it?

Everyday I wake up to list of MORE than 10 things that need to happen that day.  Some of those things are personal and some of them are business.  I spend all week working on things outside the home and then on the weekends I fill my time with things of the home.  I try my best to SQUEEZE in the grandkids, my kids and my husband.  Sadly, even they seem to get leftover time.

Purposefully plan at least one weekend a month that you have NOTHING planned.  Be sure that the house cleaning, grocery shopping and grass cutting are all done before the weekend or choose to skip it this one time.  That morning when you wake up, decide last minute on what your day will consist of.  Go hiking, ride a horse, catch a train, take a bus to a big city, ride a motorcycle, you choose.  Your body, mind and family will thank you and you will be surprised at how excited you will actually be as you rest and enjoy this unscheduled time.

 

Stop Procrastinating.

If you have ever taken a time management class you know that before your day begins you should make a “to do” list of things you need to accomplish that day. Step two in the process is to prioritize those items on your list from most to least important. Then the last part is to begin completing and checking off items beginning with the most important.

 

It is easy to put the things we hate to do at the bottom of the list or maybe rate them high and skip them as we check off the items we complete. I recommend that you begin with the things you hate the most. Procrastination only delays the inevitable and causes you stress and anxiety. Once you begin the hard task, break it down into several smaller steps. Then reward yourself after completing each step. Each reward will motivate you to move on to the task ending with a completion and a bigger reward. No matter how hard it may seem…YOU CAN DO IT!

 

Proverbs 6:6-11 “Take A Lesson From The Ants”