The Good Idea/We don't take from....

Good morning my friends….. (Happy Birthday Sis!!!)

I’ve been looking forward to sharing with you today…..so here goes….

While I was talking with a friend of mine yesterday; a thought came to me about how we give to others.

How what we say may be exactly what someone else needs to hear. What a confirmation when you find out that you have just helped another person by relating “your story.”

This is what came to me…"We do not take from each other; we give to each other."

Now think about this - let’s say we approach situations like this… it’s in the giving to each other not the taking from another that changes the whole atmosphere. All of a sudden you feel like you are wearing different shoes. Your thoughts have just gone from being robbed to openly giving.

I’m sure that you have all been in the situation where getting some information from someone has taken an act of Congress. You say to yourself..."what’s the big deal?" "Why is this person holding onto this like they own it?" A power play perhaps???

Sharing needed information does nothing more than move us all along. It is necessary to further our development. I come from a mindset of abundance – there is enough to go around. Just open your arms and share. (Ahhh – maybe this is where the abundance comes from – sharing.)

Let us remember that we were not created to live on an island – we need to interact and share what God has so graciously given to us. Nothing belongs to us…we are just using it to help others.

Probably once we accept this we will be more inclined to give rather than grab. So I’m giving out warm embraces and encouragement today. Go out and do what we were created to do…..it’s to make the difference. Nancy (www.justaskbooks.com)

The Good Idea/A small gesture

Good morning to all…..

What a day already. We have started early and I feel that there is so much more to this day. Yes I’m in a day of expectancy and I can’t wait.

Today I want to share with you a little thing….a small gesture that had a huge reward. This is a random act of kindness.

I’m sharing this with you not to build myself up but to say that there is not an act so small that it won’t get noticed…or it won’t make you feel really good.

I was given the privilege yesterday to give away a Danish ring coffee cake. See, no big deal, right? But it proved to be an awesome moment for me.

While at the store, picking up a few things for dinner, I saw one of my son’s favorite things…a cinnamon Danish ring coffee cake. I said to myself – he will be so happy and surprised. So I grabbed it and off I went.

While running down another isle – I crossed paths with an older gentleman who smiled brightly and I just wanted to hug him. He had on a hat, sports coat and dress pants. He was either going somewhere, just came from somewhere or maybe just maybe this is his daily dress.

We both said hello and he saw the Danish ring and said, “Oh those are wonderful, I might have to come home with you.” I laughed and said, “My son will probably fight you for it.” Then we parted ways.

So…..as I was paying…that still small voice said to me…”Find the man and give him the coffee cake.” At first we say to ourselves…Huh??? Then I hear again, “Find the man and give him the coffee cake.” I say OK and proceed to find the man….no surprise he was close by so I was on my way.

I handed the gift to him and at first he said, “No-no” and I said “yes, yes” I will get another one. Then he said, “I am going to have to come home with you.”

The message in all of this …..that small incident made me cry. I was so blessed by this by seeing his happiness by feeling his joy that I was overcome with joy myself.

It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day – it really doesn’t take much to make our day! It’s in the small things….just reach out and when you are asked to do something be obedient because the reward of joy is powerful!

Enjoy all that you do for someone today – you may really make a difference in their lives and yours too. Nancy (www.justaskbooks.com)

The Good Idea/Are you prepared?

Good morning my friends….

Today I’m jumping right in with a question? Are you prepared? You may ask, prepared for what? I answer, for your day?

I spoke with my oldest daughter this morning and she is taking an exam today which she had to prepare for. She spoke of the importance of this exam and how she had been preparing for it all last week. Still she questioned herself…"did I study enough?"

I believe that there are times when we just question ourselves because we want so much to do it right. We put undo pressure upon ourselves taxing our minds with worry about how much time we have given to preparation.

If Sarah focused on her material, if she gives it all that she has, if she believes that God wants only the best for her and that He will equip her, if she believes in herself and her gifted abilities then she “did study enough.”
To be prepared means: (on-dictionary)
equipped or prepared with necessary intellectual resources; "graduates well equipped to handle such problems"; "equipped to be a scholar"

Whether we are taking a school type test or just maneuvering through our day; we must be prepared. You know the old saying – “Life happens.” Well, yes it does and are you ready for it?

What are we doing to insure that each day counts? That each day we are more ready than the last to face what may come before us?

“Stuff” happens to all of us. Some of it we are prepared for and some of it we are not. Expect the unexpected and you can live a more restful and peaceful life. How do I know this?

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

You get there by “JustAsking.” You will make such a difference when you are prepared. Nancy (www.justaskbooks.com)

The Good Idea/Paradox

Good morning everyone….

OK here we go again…a word that keeps coming up and a word that I cannot ignore. The word is paradox.

Let’s define paradox: a statement that contradicts itself; "’I always lie' is a paradox because if it is true it must be false.” (On line dictionary)

Here is a quote from Mother Teresa:
‘I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.’

Want more? How about a Bible quote:
James 1:2 (New International Version) Trials and Temptations 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

This way of thinking may seem quite alien to many of us. “Being joyful in times of trials and temptations.” “Loving until it hurts.” How can this be?

I believe that this has something to do with rising above our circumstances. Being joyful for what we have and what we are being tested for. There is a bigger picture here….are you seeing it?

We do not have to be joyful about the trial but we must carry joy knowing that there is purpose in all that happens.

Some ask me “what is the purpose?” I do not have that answer but I do know that the answer is specific to the person. When we “JustAsk” for help, direction, wisdom, peace, faith, insight, understanding the answers do come.

When you believe - when you take you out of the mix then the answers come quickly. Not all things happen TO you; some things happen FOR you.

When you hear “love until it hurts” or “be joyful in the face of trials” consider that it might be a learning experience. It could be something that has been pre-arranged for you. Someone loves you so much that they will test you so that you can discover where your heart lies.

There is purpose to your life – give until you can give no more! Make a difference today. Nancy (www.justaskbooks.com)

The Good Idea/Stir up your inner joy

Good morning my friends…..

How many people do you know who always seem “on?” These individuals are motivated, excited and ready to move.

We look at them in awe and wonder where their energy and stamina come from. We even ask – “aren’t they ever down?”

The answer to that is yes they get down from time to time but these individuals know how to build themselves back up.

Do you know how they do it? They do it through joy. They have joy that is true and everlasting. No phoniness only depth of real joy. To get motivated doesn’t take much.

All of us need motivation. All of us need to activate our inner joy to produce outward happiness. A reflection of this is the sparkle in our eyes.

A wonderful mentor of mine says “we must stir up what is inside of us.”

Most of us do not live in a rainbow 24/7…so we must exercise our ability to shine with joy each and every day. Once that true joy is there – the effort to express joy... is effortless. You are just “joyful” and it shows.

Some people dislike being around “joyful” people. I’m not sure why. At times I think people perceive me as being “cold” but nothing could be further from the truth. I see things differently than most people.

I see hope and promises. I do not run to the negative and that boggles another person’s mind. Some people just want you to be miserable with them. I won’t do that.

This starts with your state of mind and how you perceive things to be. What do you believe? What and who do you trust in? Who are you hanging around with?

If you want to be up and motivated then you have to have joy down deep in your heart. You will then be able to pick yourself up no matter what and move forward.

When others see your joy – you might get them to move forward with you. What a difference that will make. REALLY enjoy all that you do today. Nancy (www.justaskbooks.com)

The Good Idea/Respect/love

Good morning to all….

Have any of you been chasing leaves recently? I have been chasing a few down the street and around the bend. When will this stop?

In the beginning we looked at the changing leaves and said, “oh how lovely.” Now we look at the changing leaves and say, “a few more strong winds and you will be down.” “Where did I leave that rake?” (Who invented that street/leaf sweeper thing? It is great!)

Today I want to share with you an interview which I saw on Deborah Norville. Deborah is the host of the television show “The Inside Edition.”

Deborah has written a book called The Power of Respect. She was recently interviewed on The 700 Club. She said that she wanted to share with readers what she has found to be a huge problem in our society. That problem is called “Lack of Respect.”

She sites incidences from the school children to adulthood and beyond…. “Lack of Respect” I have to agree with her.
Let’s look to…Galatians 5:14 (New King James Version)
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”

Love and respect I do believe go hand in hand. So if we do not love/respect our neighbor then we do not love/respect ourselves. I think this is what this verse says. Powerful, isn’t it?

Respect starts at home. Respect is taught at home. From little all the way up. How many children do you know who do not even acknowledge an adult. I know plenty and when this dis-respect happens the sting is felt.

When did we stop telling our children to say hello to adults? When did we stop telling our children to address adults as Mr., Mrs., or Ms?

Children go out the door without the proper teaching so why would we expect them to treat each other differently? We must be taught to respect each other not only for who we are but for who we represent.

You may ask who do we represent…”JustAsk.” Let’s start by respecting ourselves then we can move on to respecting others. We are worthy of respect as long as we give respect.

Be the example and not the excuse. We give respect to get respect. We give love to get love. We do these things because they will make the difference. Nancy (www.justaskbooks.com)

The Good Idea/It's not fair

Good morning my friends….

Just the other day our youngest was on the computer typing up a report when all of a sudden the electricity went out. She yelled, “This isn’t fair!”

I checked in on her to ask what the problem was and she told me how she lost her report. I asked her if she saved her document as she was going along and the answer was no. Just as she was hitting the save button – out goes the lights! OOPS!!!

I consoled her and related stories on how her Dad and I have lost documents. We had to learn to save as we go along.

Now the statement of “this isn’t fair” needed to be dealt with. What is fair and why wasn’t this fair…to her?

Idioms: no fair
Something contrary to the rules: That was no fair.

Was it “fair” that the computer shut down – it probably doesn’t even pertain? Bottom line – how many times do we blame something or someone on not being fair when it doesn’t even pertain to the situation?

Now we need to take “fairness” out of our vocabulary sometimes and ask if we are being responsible people. If we loose something it could very well be that we were not being responsible.

We really have no one to blame but ourselves. But….who wants to do that? It is so easy to look for that scapegoat.

May I suggest that before we point that finger, stomp our foot and say…"that’s not fair"…let’s look at what we did to help ourselves – either into it or out of it.

It comes with maturity and we all learn…and continue to learn. But there is just something about not “passing the buck” that should make us feel good.

When the truth stares us in the face – we have to say, you are right…let’s start again. It may not feel good at first but if you push through the “pity party” you will experience real joy!
Enjoy your day and do what you can to back yourself up….save, save, save…when the lights go out – you just might have made a difference. Nancy (www.justaskbooks.com)