I AM.....

Good Monday morning Shiners and Shinettes!  I hope that everyone has had a great weekend….It’s time to get our week started on a positive note.

You are probably wondering what the title of the post is about…well let me tell you!

Many times, we may feel one way about ourselves and that way is not the real us. We tend to absorb the negative thoughts and words from others and for some reason we let them stick.  However, what about how we think of ourselves?  Are we not strong enough?  Well, I am here to tell you….Oh yes we are strong enough to push back.  Yes-Life does throw us many curve balls and sometimes, one negative word can break us down making it simply impossible to overcome.  Well today, that ends….just because that seed was planted does NOT mean it has to stay in that pot!

I want you to repeat after me…

I AM…..

Amazing <---

Smart <---

Kind <---

Helpful <---

Awesome <---

Caring <---

Loving <---

Strong <---

Creative <---

Beautiful <---

Handsome <---

Encouraging <---

Inspiring <---

Motivating <---

Unique <---

Artistic <---

I am Me….

I am the best ME that the world could and should ever get to know.

It is only up to us to uplift our spirits….I understand that some days may be harder that others, but we are all stronger that we could ever imagine.  So, no more words to break ourselves down.

 Are there any other words that you would like to add to the list?  If so then post them in the comments.

#SpiritsUp and #ShineOn   Here is to a grand week you awesome Shiners & Shinettes!

 Ms. Positivity

Because of YOU!!!

Well Hello There Shiners and Shinettes….

It has been a while since my last blog post and there is a reason for that, so here goes.

My last post was in December of 2012, and from that day, I have been a busy-busy woman, but at the same time, I honestly had felt that I lost my spark to blog. Yes, I know Ms. Positivity felt that she had lost her spark!!! GASPS how dare I…Well, I am here to say that I have not lost my spark…in fact I think it was just turned down a bit so that I could pursue other things to make Positively Shining that much better and it is!

See, for many that do know me, Positively Shining was just a blog, but over the past year, with YOUR support, YOU gave me the notion to make this bigger that I could ever imagine. When I would blog, it would be about positive things and how NOT to let them get to us and drag us down…. Well how about I still do that but NOW the passion is back. Let me explain.

When I set my heart to do something, I attack it with all of my heart. I had a out of the blue conversation with a good friend (Sammy) that I have only met over the internet and his spirit is much like my own. He stated “Hi Melissa! This page is not growing. I'd like to see it grow so I need you to post some stuff (with pictures though. I find people tend to ignore posts without pics on my page anyhow), which I can share on my page. ;) xoxox ♥”

See just with this message we chatted a bit and I followed his direction as to how to grow my page. I am very passionate with what I do so I prayed and went at it! As I followed his direction, I started seeing more and more people LIKING Positively Shining on Facebook!

Now do not get me wrong I do not blog to get more likes on my page, but to let YOU all know that it’s because of your LIKES on my Facebook page that has given me back my SPARK TO BLOG! Just this week alone I think about 30+ Shiners and Shinettes have LIKED the page because of its message. It’s because of YOU that I am excited about blogging again. It’s because of YOU that I prepare myself each day to motivate, inspire, encourage and empower. It is because of YOU that I am sitting here so excited to write and post this blog piece. See guys…YOU are awesome and YOU keep me going with Positively Shining!! YOU never let me down and I have to return the favor and NOT let you down….

So with my SPARK burning on high…I say THANK YOU FOR BEING APART OF OUR POSITIVELY SHINING FAMILY!! WE are Positively Shining….TOGETHER! #SHINEON

I Love You are and again...Thank You for Turning my SPARK back up! 

Ms. Positivity

Never too Late to Celebrate

Shiners and Shinettesssss! Hello, Hello, Hello to you all!

Goodness, I know I have been away for a while, but it was good reason. Never the less I AM BACK and I do not plan to go away again.

As you notice the title, I have a few things to celebrate. I was supposed to have blogged when this all went down, but life has been moving so fast….so let me catch you all up as fast as I can. August is almost over and I tell you wonderful peeps that it has been so full of things to celebrate!

Let’s see, the first week of August, my daughter turned 13 years old! Now that is major. She had a great sleep over, equipped with food, friends, laughs, screams, hey ice cream bowls, scary stories, music and tons more.

To be honest, I have missed you all so much in the blogsphere. Keeping my head in the books took so much time away from being able to indulge as I used to before. But enough of that…I’m back and ready to get back to inspiring, motivating, uplifting, laughing and participating with all of you and I know may of you missed that but stuck with me during my journey.

 Next, I finally did it. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (Applied Behavior Analysis). I finished everything on August 14th. I am so relieved that-that part of the journey is over as well. Therefore, I’m doing the happy dance because I did not quit. It was tough, but baby let me tell ya it is so worth it!

Lastly, but so not least Positively Shining has turned 1 year old!!! I started out a year ago, with one idea and it turned into something awesome and it will-IS only going to get better. I have the time to dedicate to this full time now and I am elated to express it. If any one knows me, I love to motivate you darlings to the fullest. WELLLLLLL, that’s what you’re going to get to the MAX.

With that said, I am inviting all of you to help me celebrate all of these wonderful things by welcoming Positively Shining back home….because without all of you there is NO ME!

Ms. Positivity

Take the First Step!!

 One foot in front of the other!

Hey Hey Shiners & Shinettes….I was thinking and said you know that where would we be if we did not take chances?  I think that many of us would be still standing still and confused. 

Where am I going with this you ask, well walk with me and I will show you.

Many times when we are unsure of the next step we may not step.  Fear keeps us from putting one foot in front of the other.  Last week I wrote about needing a stepladder to pull you up and now I am blogging about taking steps.  The name of the game is to stop standing still and take the grand steps to get to the top.  It is time for us to stop being our own roadblock.  It is time for us to say "you know what I am going to take that first step and whatever happens-happens."

Granted even when we do that we may not achieve the results that we desire….but guess what who cares!  You had the guts to step out of faith and looked it dead in the eyes and said” Fear NOT I can do this~one foot in front of the other!!”  This is how it started even when we were kids…we were so scared to take that first step to do what we have never done before.  Mommy or daddy said come on take that first step and we may have stood there looking so scared.  Then we wanted to get to that special one who raised us, and goodness what did we just do???  We took a step, as scary as that may have been…we took that first step.  Yes, we may have fallen down but the next steps get faster and faster.

See darlings, we cannot be afraid to put one foot in front of the other, we have to keep stepping!!  We have to keep moving for the greater goal in life….the dream is right there waiting for us to snatch it up and have our way.  All the dreams, goals, love, test, designs, meetings, jobs, hugs, phone calls, words, phrases, even apologies are waiting for you to put one foot in front of the other and take that first step. 

Do not let the unknown keep you from doing what you love, all you need to do is put that one blessed foot in front of the other and keep on stepping!  You have the ability to do anything just make sure that you take the deep breathe, and pick up your foot and take that great step towards your dreams! Its waiting for you! 

I miss you.....Positivity Shines AGAIN!

Hey there Shiners and Shinettes!

I know it has been a while for us to chat and for that I am deeply apologetic.

Granted I have been away with the major new changes at work, new changes in my life (engaged), school (finals) and new changes to come I have missed you guys dearly!  When I say that I am entirely sincere.

Each of you that I know and even if I don't know are like my second family.  You know when you are away for too long you get home sick....and you know what my darlings I am just that home sick!

I have used the word CAN'T so much it hurts.  I can't do this I can't do that! All of these other things drain me to my core but its never a day that goes by that I do not think about you guys!

Sooooooo since I have some time on my hands (finals are over) I wanted to let you wonderful Shiners and Shinettes know that I am back and here to stay!  Each of you are important to me and I can't have you guys feeling as though I don't care or that I went away!

So let's start over, talk through our ups and downs, smile, laugh, and hang in there for we are the meaning of POSITIVITY! I can't help you guys scrub away the negativity and positively shine if I'm not here! Well I am here and we will tackle Negativity to the ground! We will not be bullied into giving up our positivity for negativity away! So Excuse me...I'm Ms. Positivity and We meaning my Shiners & Shinettes will not be broken!  So here is to Positively Shining together!

Positive We Stand!

Getting back to Me....Guest Post by Dina

                              

                                                   

                                                             Finding Dina

Ten years ago I was in my 20s, I was a full time student and I had a part time job.  I met and started dating my husband; we fell in love and decided to get married that year. Everything was working out perfectly, almost like a modern fairytale.  The most stressful thing about my life at that time was the wedding planning because I wanted it to be perfect.  And it was that desire for perfection that led me to making the worst decision of my life: taking a break from school.

I planned on taking one semester off to have a stress free wedding, a glorious honeymoon and blissful first few months of marriage.  I saw no harm in taking a little break because I only had one more year left to get my bachelors.  I was young and I thought I knew it all, had it all under control.  But one thing you never know is what may be waiting for you around the corner.

That semester off?  You guessed it.  It stretched into years.

The company my husband worked for laid him off and then went bankrupt a few months later.  Many companies followed suit and jobs were hard to come by.  This was 2001, the year of 9/11 when tragedy struck our country and the first whispers of recession were becoming audible.

I found work as a secretary in a hospital, a great job with great benefits.  And we needed those benefits as a young married couple that hoped to start a family someday.  I worked full time and was happy there.  I quietly gave up on my dream of becoming a teacher because I thought it would be too hard to work full time and go to school.

Then one day one of the new doctors was chatting with us while he was waiting for his patient to return from a test in another department.  This doctor looked so young that we liked to call him Doogie Houser.  On this particular day he was telling us about his wife who was pregnant with their second child and by the end of our chat I knew that his wife was to become my inspiration.  This day and this conversation literally changed my life.  Why?  Because this pregnant woman who was already mom to a toddler was also keeping herself occupied by being the Chief Resident at one of the leading hospitals in the state.

And I thought my life was busy?  I thought it would be too hard for me to go back to school?  I was willing to give up on myself so easily?  No.  I needed to get back to ME.

The next day I filled out the application to go back to school and I enrolled in classes for the new semester.  It took me a little bit longer to finish as a part time student, but a couple of years later I graduated, with honors.

Finally.  I was ME again.

You can find more of Dina @30ish_Mama and also  http://30ishmama.blogspot.com where she writes about motherhood, toddlerhood and her random thoughts.  She is married to her own personal Clark Kent/Superman and is mom to one sparkly little princess.

Getting back to "Me" Guest Post by Chivon Anderson...Finding Me!

            

                                                               Finding Me

So after a very long break my writers itch has begun to get the best of me. The box of treasure in the form of words and expressions have been unlocked and unleashed. The greatness in me only shared with a few is about to bless the world. These first few blogs are what I will use for practice, to get the kinks out, to stretch lol. After all it has been lying dormant for such a long time. Forgive me if it is not as eloquent as you might expect or if it seems a bit shallow. I am simply giving myself the freedom to be ME with no restraints. (smile).

After talking for a while with a friend and witnessing so many blogs birthed I thought it was time for me to break my silence. I am not one to jump on any bandwagon. As a matter of fact when I see one coming my way, I run in the opposite direction. I like being unique, I love being a trendsetter. It has taken me years to break out of the mold that I have allowed so many others to create for me but today I am finally free. I am the mold, the model, the standard. Lets not get it twisted this is not about self glorification but rather liberation. I'm free to be who God created me to be. And I have been raised for such a time as this to help others become truly free. I have been hurt before which is why I can declare that the Lord's strength is made perfect in my weakness. I have loved, been rejected and found true love, not only in my husband but in God. So I can shout with confidence "WHAT SHALL WE SAY THEN? IF GOD BE FOR ME WHO CAN DARE BE AGAINST ME". "FOR I AM FULLY PERSUADED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER PRESENT NOR FUTURE, NOR ANY POWERS, NEITHER HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATHION WILL BE ABLE TO SEPERATE ME FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS MY LORD.

Romans 8:38-39. It is this perfect love that has cast out all of my fears. I am a Kingdom Kid and their is no denying that. Hate it or love it, I'm here to stay.

To get to know Chivon better check her out on Twitter at @QueenChivs Thank for stopping by Shiners!!! Til next Monday! 

Fighting Back! "Getting Back to ME" Part 3

Chapter 3....I didn't GIVE UP         

                                                         

                                                        

Just moments ago I felt off with my story with me fighting my anemia which is a major factor in my life.  I remember it like it was yesterday Shiners.  Again I lay in this bed sleeping away....I wake up wanting to go right back to sleep. I have never just slept the day away-not even when I am sick!

Oh well-once again the fighter in me would not stand for it and I'm NOT! Let me tell you what I did....I got up, got my butt out of bed  and took a shower, washed my hair, did my homework and more.  I kept moving. I turned on some music and kept moving.  I went back and read my blog, I watched my kids play and laugh, I Wii bowled, I just danced to Just Dance 2, I looked at my twitter and saw how so many look forward to communicating and getting their daily dose of Positivity from me.  I looked over my transcripts from school....A+ here B+ there more A's and more A's, Dean' list, President's list.  I am in no way gloating-this is what I had to do to get my mind right because I wanted to give it all up because of this blasted anemia. Then Shiners....I saw it!

I saw it alright....that Bleeping D!  Dang it!! I said all because I am anemic. That D saved me but crushed me. I never had one of them before. So I step back up to the plate this term Shiners and I will have 2 shiny fat A's! Let me tell you why-Because I'm getting back to "ME"

That's right...me and this anemia are going toe to toe!  I'm no quitter-I don't give up at anything!  I will find me in the process.  I will relax, I will eat ice cream, I will laugh, blog my heart out, smile abundantly, and whip anemia's butt!

See I am Ms. Positivity!! I am not mean in any way, I am a loving mother of 2, loving pre-wife of one, God fearing and as long as I have faith the size of a mustard seed I will prevail.  I will take my iron pills, take my B-12(because my body does not produce enough) and Shine as bright as I can for me, and every one I love and care for!  You will see a different me-I will be calm, spunky, witty, funny, and full of life.

This may seem simple, but for one who is dealing with anemia that has knocked me off of my square-it is major!

See Shiners I need you guys....One of my great friends sent me this on Facebook the other day: Kelly Reid
"Have I told you lately how special you are? You are an amazing woman! You are truly an inspiration. Here I am thinking how in the world am I going to balance work and school and then I think of you. Not only an FT employee, a student, a mother (dang good one at that!) a girlfriend, a friend to many and a blogger to name just a handful (among many others hats you wear) ;) Wow!!! Keep it up, you motivate me to be more and do better. Love you!"

See I never knew the affect that I had on people until I started Positively Shining. Without you their is no ME! That is why I have to get back to ME so I can totally Positively Shine for YOU!

So here is to getting back to "ME" The fight I  WE will win TOGETHER! 

So Let's show them how we get back to us! 

Turn Your Light UP....

Hey there Shiners! I hope all is well with each of you and that you are ready for the New Year to ring in!!  This year has been great, and as with everything in life it has had its ups and downs.  Yeah we may not speak about them but trust me we have had buckets full of trials and disbeliefs.

                                                         


I was wondering Shiners, has dealing with such trials turned your light within down?? If so I say its time to "TURN YOUR LIGHT BACK UP!"  Many times what we think is good for us is not good for us and little by little that positivity that we had starts wearing away.  This can not happen-if we allow this to take hold of us, our inner and outer positive light will be gone forever and we will become negative towards everything that surrounds us.

I being Ms. Positivity can not sit and watch this behavior.  We must strive to keep our light as bright as it can be for this New Year.  How can we do this?? I am going to tell you how!

First and foremost You yourself must have the strongest AMBITION to be positive! (Reference last post on AMBITION)
*Take the negative outlook from your mind. (Start looking for the positive in life)
*Remove yourself from negativity. (Make sure who is on your team is deserving to be on your team)
*Surround yourself with positive people or actions (Removing the negative means add positive)
*Learn to laugh (She knows all about it)
*Learn to Chase Joy (Trust me she knows all about it!)
*Celebrate You (She knows all about it)
*Be Inspired to Thrive in life (She know all about it)
*Embrace your Struggles instead of letting them get the better of you (She knows all about it)
*Make life fun for you again
*Get to know you again (See even I know all about it)

See Shiners their is NO time to let your positive light go dim.  Surround yourself with enough positive fuel to keep you light #ShiningBright all through the New Year!  Treat negativity like a child its a "NO NO" It can't come in, hang out, get any attention, etc.  Negativity is to be pushed to the side like a red headed step child-as the saying goes!!

The only way our light will stay up is if we KEEP it that way,and it is our job to do so!! So for 2012-Lets keep our Positive light #ShiningBright into the midnight hour! Let others be blinded because we refuse to turn it down or let it be put out! If its time for change then this is it!!

Lets Go Shiners! Lets show them how to #ShineOn & #ShineBright

No Resolution-its called AMBITION!!

Ahhhh Hey there Shiners! I've so missed you wonderful people.  Let me tell you that it feels so good to write about something that I love instead of writing all of these politically correct papers for school. I mean really, what is the deal with 10 page papers?!? With psychology everything has to be just so and to be honest it makes you so drained that you may not even want to blog!!! GASPS!  No don't you even think that Ms. Positivity would ever leave her Shiners-this is all just to say that I appreciate that all of you hang in here with me through my journey of staying positive and trust me 2012 we are gonna take this to a whole new level.

                               

                                  Strong AMBITION-no RESOLUTIONS

As the year comes to a close I know many of us are going to do what we normally do, have a ball, and set the ever pesky new years resolution!!  Shiners can I stop you from doing this task??  I beg of you NOT to do it.  Let me explain......How many times have we done this?? Each year we set out to do something ONLY when the new year comes around and we do it for a little while but then we are right back to square one.

How many times have we done this and kept at it?? For me NONE! This is why I can speak so frankly about it. Well Shiners if you know me you all know I am about to change the game!! I say No to RESOLUTION  and yes to AMBITION!!

I look at resolution as being negative and we know im NOT about any of that, but to have AMBITION is great! This year I want us to have a strong ambition instead of going after something-anything in this up coming year with closed eyes! Lets set reasonable goals so that when we reach them we will feel that much needed positivity to keep us going.  No that is not a resolution its AMBITION!

If one wants to lose weight start off small something small like 5lbs in a month.  Don't start out saying I want to lose 50lbs. Every time you step on the scale it will look as if its not moving. If your thing is to stop smoking, don't stop cold turkey, stopping cold turkey will have a negative impact, instead smoke one less cigarette a day until your smoking less. See with AMBITION anything is obtainable.

I want all Shiners to think different and have AMBITION to reach that goal that you have been grabbing for.  I want for 2012 to be full of joy, laughter, smiles, positivity, and reasonable goal reaching ambition! So I say DOWN with the New Years RESOLUTION  its time to fly a little higher.  Its time to do things differently, if you want to be better have the ambition to be better, if you want to obtain something have the strong ambition to reach it....lets not get comfortable and let our ambition fall to the waist side! Ambition will take you higher and farther than any RESOLUTION could!!!!


So What do you say Shiners?? Lets not lose our zeal lets add tons of AMBITION lets not be afraid of heights and lets take the new year for a grand ride on AMBITION!

Here is to AMBITION-NOT RESOLUTION!


Here is to letting our AMBITION #ShineBright! 

The Side Eye!!!

Hey there Shiners! Goodness how time zips away from us.

Can you believe its going to be 2012 in a matter of a few days?? I cant believe this.  Just the other day we were getting ready for the holidays and BAM now they are almost over! Where is the time going?? Well I'm giving the side eye to the clock  because it seems to have some tricks up its sleeve for us.                                              

And they say money goes fast well time is right on its heels.  Many of us were just getting the kids ready for school, now they are on Winter break. Many of us are still thinking about that summer vacation that we took. I remember mine like it was yesterday.  The days and night are blending together, its night when we are leaving for work, its night when we are coming home from work!!! What is going on here!?  With the time going so fast I feel like I have been robbed and I'm ready to call law enforcement because it has been stolen from us.

How have we almost gone through 365 days so fast?? Oh well Shiners.....seems like its nothing we can do BUT..... Have a fab new 2012 and keep the positive moments, talk, actions, smiles, dreams, love and laughter going for another 365 days!

That's right why feel bad because a new year is coming in! No need-this just gives us more time to be the best Shiners we can be.  Letting nothing stand in our way of being positive, supportive, grateful, thankful and humble. Oh yeah lets use this time wisely because before we know it we will be starting all over again!!

So what do ya say?!? lets make 2012 the best it can be and lets start by NOT worrying about the time that has gone by! Make new moments in the new time upon us!

We are SHINERS for a reason...we let NOTHING and NO ONE stand in our way of #SHININGON! 

Let your Light Shine....

Well Shiners we have come to our final Shining the Spotlight post of the year! Yeah I know time fly's but hunni each of you are amazing! I have never read so may great pieces from such awesome people in my life! I have had the pleasure of shining the spotlight on so many and I don't think I will stop there! Just keep in mind the new year has some new, fun, different and awesome things in store! I cant wait for you to be apart of that too! Well lets get to it shall we!!!


First of all I am so thankful for Melissa allowing me this wonderful opportunity to guest post. Most mornings Melissa greets me with a wonderful twitter hello, and it really does help make my morning start better. You see although Melissa and I have never met personally she sends me a morning smile… just because. That is just one of the many ways that she is always letting her light shine. AND for that I am very appreciative.



Let your light shine

Some people aren’t naturally positive people. They just are not. No explanations needed.

Does that make them mean or negative?

No.

What about those who just “keep it real”?

Nope. Some of them are my closest friends and blog buddies too! They do keep it real. No sugar coating, just the facts and you know what? Some of their perceptions help me maintain a realistic view of life and my expectations.

For me it is important to be surrounded by people who allow my light to shine. But in order for my light to shine I have to know that disappointments will happen. Every day won’t be all happy, holding hands and singing hymns.

You see adversity has made me stronger. Taking the time to get to know people, from ALL walks of life has helped me define my outlook in life.

I have learned who to surround myself with and who to steer clear from.

What about those people who you can’t stay away from?

Continue to let your light sine. AND just maybe your light will set a fire within someone else. If that light begins to fade, evaluate exactly why you are staying near those people.

As we start a New Year, I challenge you to assess yourself and those you keep close.

Is it possible for you to let your light shine a little brighter in 2012?

Does that mean you have to do a complete makeover of yourself if you are in the mean or category?

Absolutely not!

HOWEVER, my challenge for you is to find a way EVERYDAY to smile for no reason at all. This is one option for letting your inner light shine. Sounds crazy? Well give it a try and see what happens. I think you might be surprised.

You can start right now

Go ahead.

Do it.

I’m waiting.

Smile.

Awesome! Just be sure to pop a mint and everything should be fine.

Wishing you an absolutely wonderful day!

Before you go tell me in the comments what are some other ways that you can let your inner light shine. Yes, I know you might have to dig WAY down to figure something out. No worries, take your time.

Source: picasaweb.google.com via Latorsha on Pinterest

Latorsha, is the blogger of Life is Hard, Laugh Anyway, a place where she tries to remain optimistic by any means necessary, mostly laughter. On twitter you can follow her at @AnOptimisticMom. You can check out her blog Here or contact her at AnOptimisticMom@ gmail.com

--
Latorsha

Grateful Journey....

Well hello there to all the awesome Shiners out there! It is once again time to "Shine the Spotlight" on another great blogger.  She is fairly new at this but she is a great person and she provided me with a really nice piece and her name is Tiffany.  In addition, Tiffany and I have become really good friends through a No Spending November Challenge through her blog that is called Scenes From a Single Mom.
As I read her blog, many times I say to myself "I know that's right" totally agreeing with what she is saying.

So here today, I am ready to Shine the Spotlight on Tiffany aka the Gemini Super Mom! So everyone here is Tiffany's guest post!!! #ShineOn Tiffany and as always #ShineBright!

                                                     The Grateful Journey

A little more than a week ago, many of us spent time in fellowship with our friends and family, eating, catching up on all things new and sharing all that we are thankful for.  Then many of us left dinner tables, and headed straight to shopping malls to buy MORE THINGS.  Isn’t it ironic?  We immediately forget about the many things we already have to be thankful for and run out with, cash, credit/debit, or check in hand to stock up on MORE things.

During this time of year that is supposed to be full of cheer, joy, love, peace, and yes, thanksgiving so many of us find ourselves feeling down, depressed, and unfulfilled.  In many cases these feelings are directly related to our ability or inability to purchase the gifts that we feel that our loved ones deserve, want and need.  To this I say: ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

I challenge you to embrace, and enjoy this holiday season with a heart full of thanks and gratitude, and encourage your family and friends to do the same!  Start a grateful journey, and keep a grateful journal along the way.  What is the grateful journey?  On the grateful journey you end each day naming three things that you are grateful for, and you NEVER repeat them.  You will be amazed at how much you are thankful for, and how much less you feel that you and your family needs! If you have children, take some time every night and discuss the grateful journey as a family, over dinner, or just during your family time in the evenings.  The journal is an added bonus. If you create a grateful journal, then you can go back and reflect over time, all that you have to be thankful for.

The grateful journey is not meant to replace your daily devotional time, meditation or prayers of thanksgiving by any means.  However an extension of the way you count your abundance of blessings.

Please, share your grateful journeys here as well!

To get to know Tiffany better Skip on Over to her blog, Follow her on Twitter and catch her on FaceBook!!

Its been great Shiners! Forever Shining Bright!

"Shining the Spotlight Series" Shining Star.....

Hey there Shiners....

Today is the day....the day to start "Shining the Spotlight!"  Remember this is all about "YOU" and I can't wait to show everyone jsut how great you guys are!!.  Each Wednesday I will have a new post for a new blogger to shine! 

You guys havve no idea how excited I am about doing this for all of you.  All of you are already great so no worries....wo with no more hesitation I am flicking the switch and the Spotlight is ON! READY~SET~SHINE ON!!

The first psot is from a young lady that goes by the name of Sagittarian.  Her spirit is so bright and is very happ to be a Shiner along with the rest of you.  So please after reading her piece Skip on over to her blog and shine the spotlight on her!!


                                                                         Shining Star

 

                                                                   

            Everyone can shine, anyone can be a star....After all my painful journey. 

         Finally here and you have lighted my way and hold me so tight. 

       Thank you my little shining stat....

I wasn't loves before, but you did love me now

I've been betrayed too, but you didn't do

I thought I will fall and can't stand again

But here is your hand lifed me up and never let me down;

I thought I was born, to walk this painful world alone

But I thank you my star.....

You came and never left me at all....

After rain their is sunshine....

When there is a beginning their will be an end....

Do you want to shine??

I'm telling you now, never ever lose hope.

God is always there to give us light that has never ending shine!