Your Soul Knows

I sometimes have an unexplained sense about things. I think we all do. Feelings we can’t define, patterns we pick up on, dots connected in ways that otherwise don’t make sense, people we didn’t trust with no reason not to, and people we trusted with no reason to at all…

But, sometimes I ignore it. Choose not to accept it because it’s not the way I want it to be. I’ve chosen not to believe the bad and I’ve ignored the good. I’ve expected circumstances or people to change, or not change, against really knowing deep down they wouldn’t or would.

Tune in to your soul and the energy the world puts out. Tune in to the whispers of the Holy Spirit and when you’re being told something without words.

I always have an unexplained peace when I trust myself and that sixth sense (intuition), because it feels like truth. And if it feels like truth from that gut-depth whisper you can’t explain, it usually is.

Empty Nesting is a New Opportunity

My “on this day” memories from Facebook make me want to pray for all us parents who don’t have our free time filled up any more with being someone’s biggest fan in the stands.

It’s a super weird life transition going from trying to fit everything in and asking for help to being the one who gets called to help and wants to help.

To everyone out there struggling with the next chapter of being a parent: you did a fine job, your life is not over, you’re still a mentor, and the next wave of kids will find you! ❤

They found me, they call me “Dee”, and I love every second of it!

Little Moments that Count

No, my life is not margaritas on a beach, that’s a very very small portion of it. It really is the day in day out, who your people are, the space you make your home, the conversations you have with strangers, the 30 minutes you spend connecting with your friend…if you’re fortunate, the affection you feel from someone who cares for you, and the boundaries you push yourself to grow inside of.

If the majority of our lives is spent in these little moments that happen daily, maybe we would all be wise to focus on making these little things amazing.

Because just like the pennies we add to our piggy banks to make it full, one day those added up moments we thought weren’t worth anything will be our most valuable memories.

Dating in Your 40’s

Dating can be an education if you let it. The expense of it is the hope you tie to that person… You’re not sad because it didn’t work out with that specific person, you’re sad because you hoped you were done dating. But just like learning to make homemade gravy that doesn’t taste like flour, you keep trying until you figure it out. 😄😄

One day when you get tired of making excuses for poor behavior, you suddenly realize why the pattern is more important than the potential. Without the bad, how can you appreciate the good? Be thankful for the douchers. Appreciate your time with the narcissists. Embrace experiencing the selfish. Applaud the philanderer.

Because without them, you’d never know what you absolutely won’t tolerate and what you can’t go without. Without them, you’d not understand what quality looks like or what sincerity feels like. God promises to turn it all around for your good when you trust the process. Let Him.

Being Belligerent vs Having a Backbone

“I just don’t like to argue” sometimes just means “I don’t know how to stand up for myself“. And sometimes arguing for the sake of arguing is just you being belligerent. So what’s the difference?

The difference is in what the end game is. If when it’s over you’ve given up pieces of yourself so someone can’t be bothered and gets to always do their favorite thing, that’s not good. That’s codependency.

Sometimes it’s okay to say no. It’s fine to say “I don’t agree with that”. If we believe in something, we either need new information to change our mind or we need to stand in our decision with the information we made it with.

So before someone tells you “you just like to argue” or before you convince yourself your decision or opinion is irrelevant, be sure you’re not just having a conversation with an extremely selfish person who cares more about doing their favorite thing all the time than they do about you.

Letting people roll all over you is not the same as “not wanting to argue” and not saying what you mean is a lot like not having a backbone. You’re not belligerent, you just want to be heard.

Show Your Scars

I will always choose to see the potential of someone I care about over the pattern they’re living.

YOU are not a mess. You’re in a mess.
YOU are not a disappointment. You’re in a season of poor choices.
YOU are not being controlled. You’re allowing it.
YOU are not weak. You’re deciding to be too generous.
YOU are not angry. Your standards are not being met.
YOU are not annoying. You’re not being seen and heard with compassion.
YOU are not stupid. You’re just living beneath your potential.

Once you absorb and understand those truths, you get your power back. The power to change your life for the better, the power to make a difference, and the power to write your own story.

People learn from scars, not trophies so you’re sitting on a testimony. Finish it so you can tell it.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28

The Younger Eyes Are Watching

Even if you’re “just a teenager” or “just in your 20s”, never forget you’ve got something to teach and a younger lady or younger man is watching and learning by the way you handle yourself in both life’s good and bad chapters.

Hey, mamas and daddies…it’s not a bad idea to find yourself a woman between you and your daughter’s ages with whom you align your values. Those college aged boys who coach your sons may very well be the ones who can help you watch over them in the future.

Their influence is real, their friendship is different, and it’s comforting to know your baby will always have a confidant for those things they don’t bring to you.

So whether you’re just a 17 year old getting started or you’re a seasoned 87 year old…someone younger is definitely paying attention.

Don’t Make it Worse

All day I’d rather be the one getting hurt than the one doing the hurting because there’s something to be said for being the stone and not the stepper.

Standing out doesn’t always mean being the loudest. Sometimes standing out just means standing up for what you know in your heart is good to do and letting everyone else do the same.

If they don’t match up, that’s okay because THAT is not your business. Remember if you can’t make it better, don’t make it worse and you can’t be someone else’s conscience.

Be that one. That one who forgives when the deep offense has been committed. That one who loves when no one else does. That one who gives kindness to those who are mean. Be that one who looks past the insult, instead of seeing the pain that motivated it. That one who shines light upon those who sit in utter darkness. Because the impact of being that one runs far and wide. It brings healing to the wounded, joy to the sad, and hope to those in despair. Be that one.

Sheri Eckert

Are You Relatable?

If you stopped talking mid sentence would anyone ask you to finish? If the answer is no, you might want to change your topic or your delivery and definitely start using less words.

Our sphere of influence is limited by our ability to relate to people & their ability to relate to us. No one enjoys a one upping Penelope or an all knowing negative fire breathing dragon. You want people to listen to you & think what you’re saying is as important as you do?

Establish a connection, a respect for the ability to influence them & a genuine concern for whether or not it sticks. You’re just talking to talk if no one cares what you’re saying.

“The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness.” Proverbs 12:23 NLT