Saturday, December 18, 2010

O Im Striving for Improvement Series: 2. Better Listener

When conversing, interacting, and/or surrounded by others, we typically participate by listening, thinking, and/or speaking.  In my previous blog, it mentioned being a good listener was a plus in being a better friend.  It's always wisest to listen to what is spoken to you, let it register, and the outcome be meek and calm rather it be through action or words.

James 1:19 KJV "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" 

In order for me to be a better listener, I must be willing to take time to hear what someone is saying. I must be understanding of the other person's feelings. I must be attentive.  I must have consistency with keeping up the listening skills :) .  I personally think I'm a good listener but there is always room for improvement.  Listening to friends and family are great but also listening out for GOD is even greater.  Reading HIS word is a way of listening to God.  Speaking to Him is through prayer.  I must have a better relationship with God by listening to HIS every word and DO as I hear. 

Acts 17:11 KJV "11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

I'm Striving to Improve by being a better Listener...Are you?

LuvALeighD

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Striving for Improvement Series: 1. Being a Better Friend

I decided to expand on the qualities that I want to grow in for the year 2011.  That being said during the 2.5 week time span, I will be taking the mentioned qualities from my previous blog, "O I'm Striving for Improvement" for my upcoming blogs.  That being said:

I searched on the web of what some people may think a good friend is.  Well I found an answer.  I went to http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/32170/five_great_ways_to_be_a_good_friend_pg2.html?cat=41 and saw that a good friend is someone that isn't Judgemental, honest, a good listener, giving and not always looking for handouts, and lastly FUN!  Ofcourse these are some very good key things to remember. 

Ecclesiastes 4:10 "10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."
A Friend is Encouraging.

Proverbs 17:17 "17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity"
A Friend is Loving.

Proverbs 18:24 "24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
A Friend is Loyal

Proverbs 16:28 "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends."
A Friend Desn't Speak Poorly of Friends

These are all the things that I want to grow in. Not just as a friend but overall as a Christian as well.  Next year, O I will be striving to improve being a loyal, loving, fun, giving, honest, a good listener, that doesn't speak poorly nor judge against my friends.  I'm not perfect and I am CONFIDENT that anyone that reads this has lacked in one or more areas that I mentioned.  My mom always used to say to me, "What did I tell you Ashleigh Lauren!  Treat people the way YOU want to be treated!  If you wouldn't want someone to do that to you then what makes you think that someone wants that done to them??"  She got me with that everytime... I want a good friend that possess those qualities so I should do the same. 

What should I expect?  I should expect better friendships.

Until next time,
           LuvALeighD

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

O...Oooo okay... I think I see why I still have my job

     For over a year, I have been looking for a new job so i can get paid more and have a permanent position.  This past week i have realized as to possibly why i haven't achieved the goal of getting a new job!  I haven't finished learning what I need to learn that can help me for whatever job God has planned for me.

     I'm technically getting underpaid with no benefits and cut hours.  Yet, BUT yet... my job is very flexible. I noticed today that I'm still learning things around the office that I didn't know.  So this morning I came to the conclusion that if I were to go to another position then i would look dumb! lol... Might I add that my job is also helping me to be accountable with school and pushing me to do at LEAST a 2.50 on my GPA.  I can't keep my job unless I am in school.  Because of that... I am now 5 classes away from my Associates after this spring semester. 

All in All... I realized that this is a prime example of how IIIiiii think i may be ready for something but God is prolly saying, "Ummm No.  You aren't ready like you think you are. So wait!"  And after im STILL learning what Im learning... I will appreciate having a job and take in all that I can while i hold the position and make THE BEST of what I have...

I should expect more wisdom in the work field due to the circumstances with my job.  Good night....

LuvALeighD

Sunday, December 5, 2010

O Im striving for improvement

On my way home tonight, as I sat quietly in the car... I ofcourse AM drowsy but i was also thinking. Reflecting.  Growing a stronger appreciation.  I can sincerely say.... im glad for how things have turned out in my life.  I want others to remember that if you TRULY love someone... You will accept them with their flaws and all and are willing to stick "through the ride" til the wheels fall off.  Throughout all of the ups and downs... I have grown stronger in alot of areas and am glad that things turned out the way it has within my 4+ years......Because it is true that the best things come to those that wait.  I'm not where i WANT to be but I'm more determined to get better at it.....
I have grown a bigger appreciation for my friends.  Some friends went from best friend to just friends. And others went from best friend to VERY best friend.  :)... and ofcourse there are those that went from friends to like family lol....
    
      From January to now... i have learned how to balance spending more time with my family and still being involved with Church and serving God.  I have learned on how to properly interact with people.  I have learned that I need to get over myself lol sometimes... ;) ... I have been reminded greatly that those that you THINK you will stick close to for a long time will not be there forever... Patience has increased in relationships... my job... school...finances. I have learned to be more giving.  I have been reminded of the importance of leading others to salvation.  I have been reminded and yet learned at the same time not to get my hopes up so high when even those that seem reliable don't come through.  There will be leaves, branches, and roots.  God Has been and is so good to me... Im undeserving of his love, mercy, and grace. ..... If it wasn't for the trials that I experienced that HE allowed... that HE KNEW I could handle... I wouldn't have come to my realization that i have now...

     My goal for next year:  I won't be the one that says, "2011 is gonna be my year" cuz basically... it seems repetitive that everyone says that EVERY year lol. What I will say is... I will try to be a better friend, a better listener, more obedient, more giving, more CONSISTENT, more strong willed, more patient, more responsible, more discipline (diet), reach out even more to the youth and try to become even more involved, use more of my talents for the LORD, mature spiritually, be a better friend, get a new job, seizures under better control, and to be a NEXT LEVEL CHRISTIAN. O and to be more sensitive to others feelings... even if it may hurt them (not become misleading)...lol! O and do better with communication.

     I know i know... i have a lot on my list but hey... obviously i have alot to get cracking on...So instead I'm gonna say, "Next year, O I'm striving for improvement."  Stay tuned.  We shall see if i make a big dent of progress.  That's what I should expect!  Good night.

LuvALeighD

P.S.  :) More sleep will be another on the list for next year lol...

Friday, December 3, 2010

O how we forget that there is A time for everything

Lately, I've been intrigued and amazed by the wise words of Solomon because of the book of Ecclesiastes.  I don't know what it is??... It just... draws me in lol...Well this morning i reread Ecclesiastes 3 and the verses that instant triggered me to do this blog are verses 1-8.  And I quote:

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

As I read this simple yet strong scripture, I immediately thought of how Time sometimes gets wasted, forgotten, taken for granted, underestimated and yet it's precious, significant, helpful, can tie in with maturity, and right on time when left up in God's hands.  Time is serious.  I reflected on my past and realized how time was so key and still is...  God's timing was perfect when he introduced me to the one that led me to the Lord.  God's timing was perfect when it was made unavailable for me to go to North Carolina for college and stay home in PG county... which all came up to  God's perfect timing when He saved me.  All things happen in God's time and not our own.  Wise decisions are made with good timing...amongst other things ofcourse but time plays a significant part. 

Now I can go on and on... and oooon lol about the other things that I experienced in my life where the timing was impeccable...

Go out of your way and take the Time to spend time with a teen and invest in them. Take the time to get involved in a ministry and be a servant of God. Take the time to Talk to GOD... take the Time to read God's word.  Take the time to better yet... lead someone to the Lord!  Because tomorrow is never promised... lol... 5 MINUTES is never promised...lol...

Remember:  There is A Time for Everything...

Thursday, December 2, 2010

O the importance of Sleep

    For those that do not know, I am majoring in accounting at my local community college.  I fortunately have 6 MORE CLASSES LEFT! yeeesss... It has taken me approximately 5 years just to get my associates.  Why you may ask? Well last year I didn't register due to financial reasons.  Other than that, I been paying out of the pocket so far.  PRAISE GOD! No debt right?! lol...So throughout my wonderful experience, I have had only one semester prior that I would go to bed in the wee hours of the morning.  Well this past week, I had to relive those moments. 

    I am currently taking Early Child Development:  Materials and Methods.  Now i know what you are possibly thinking...Whhyyyy are you taking a teacher's course if you are a accounting major?  Well It was an available elective that fit under "Cultural Diversity"... lol i thought i would be working hands on with children but instead discovered into the class that I would be making LESSON PLANS... lol.  It's no surprise that I'm the ONLY accounting major in the class and the veteran in the class... even over the professor! lol... So these few weeks are crunch time! That being said, I been working harder on revising my "lovely" lesson plans.  That being said,  This week so far has taught me the Importance of SLEEP.  Monday "nigh": 2am was my bedtime.  Tuesday "night":  330am.  Just to turn in an assignment on Wednesday at 930am.  I gained 5.5hrs of sleep within 2 days.  Wednesday afternoon:  I took a nap at 4 and asked my sister to wake me up at 5.  She wakes me up at 515 and says, "Hey its 515" My response, "what?" Her:  "It 515..." Me:  Why am I getting up at 515?" she then gives up lol... and then it hits me, "OOooo wait! It's 515!" I had to get going for bible study lol... sooo glad my sister was home!  Wednesday night:  10pm i got in the house, immediately got myself ready for today (Thursday) ... i just had that "gut feeling" to be ready for just in case i wake up behind schedule. Weeell...lol i definitely did.  This morning:  I woke up at 8am.  Let's just say im expected to be at work at 9am.  On a typical day, Im on the train at 8am. 

Lets recap:  Lack of sleep leads to confusion, lack of memory, tardiness, and sluggish behavior.  Lesson learned:  Do the lengthy assignments FIRST lol and then the easy ones when on a winter/spring break. :) lol...

So I SHOULD have EXPECTED a not so good outcome due to my not so good decision.

Good Night. :)

LuvALeighD...