Accept No Mediocre Life

It has been almost a month since I blogged.  I am not sure where my time goes.  I love reading others' blogs and I enjoy sharing my thoughts with others, so why I am I not consistent. I think blogging might be a little like my running something I put on the back burner and seem to never have enough time to do.  Why?  



I am reading a book "Accept No Mediocre Life: Living Beyond Labels, Libels, and Limitations" by David Foster.  The book focuses on doing your best in everything you do.  This next week I am going to be focusing on doing my best in everything I do. 
I will be working on a weekly schedule for blogging and running.  My schedule will not be daily for blogging or running, but it will be te best that I can do.

Check back later this week to see what and when I will be blogging and running.
Connie

What is your Goliath?

Today has been a stressful day – but after a great dinner with the Big Man I have come to a few thoughts that put a peaceful end to my day.

An attitude can give us an uncommonly positive perspective (according to John Maxwell) -Example: When Goliath came up against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought "He's so big we can never kill him" David looked at the same giant and thought "He's so big I can't miss" - Come on Giant - I think Like David.

Paul in Philippians talks about attitudes – he tells us of five things about the proper Christain attitude:

1. Do things for the right reasons.

2. Regard others as more important than yourself.

3. Look out for the interests of others.

4. Christ recognized His sonship and therefore was willing to serve God and others.

5. Possess the attitude of Christ, who was not power hungry but rather emptied Himself, demonstrated obedience and fulfilled God’s purpose.

I have spent many hours in prayer and meditation– I know God has put me where I am for a purpose.  I know that my heart is right, I have always regarded others as more important than myself, I recognize (an find comfort and joy) in being a child of Christ, I am not power hungry and I work hard every day to be obedient and fulfill God’s purpose – Goliath I am not afraid of you.

What is your Goliath? Do you have a David attitude?

Mid-Year Moving On

I have had some time to think about where I am in life.  I am comfortable, happy, and blessed.  Maybe it is my age, maybe it is the time of year that has me thinking, but thinking is the first step to doing.

I haven't focused on my word for 2011 - Simple.  How do you simplify your life when you want to give back for the many blessings you have received?   Maybe this question will never be answered?
I also find myself missing my creative side.  I miss scrapbooking, creating cards, knitting, and sewing. Over the next few weeks I am going to focus on sparking my creative side.

Ok - off to check out my creative space.  Check back tomorrow for my first steps back to the creative side and an update on my running.

Mid-Year Update

Wow it has been a month since I blogged and I just realized that we are halfway through 2011. 
Now is a good time for me to review my 2011 Goals.Here are the running goals for 2011 posted on RunnersWorld.com

The Little Rock Half-Marathon -Registered for March 2012 half marathon – did not make this one but I haven’t given up.  I am considering running a half marathon in November; this would make my 2011 goal of running a half marathon.
Run 700 Miles - Need to pick-up the miles if I am going to make this one.
Simplify My Life - ?

So what other goals are will guide my simple life in 2011:
Listen more – trying to work on this one.
Enjoy the simple things in life (family, friends, health and faith) – working on this one.

If you notice I did not make a note next to Simplify My Life – how do you know when life is simple?  I haven’t added any new projects. Does that make my life simple? I am trying to carve out time each weekend to spend time with the Big Man. 

What is simple? Am I simple enough?  The next few days I plan to spend some quite time reflecting on simple –what is simple? How can I my life be simpler?

Check back on Sunday for an update ~

Being a Better Person -

Wow – I haven’t blogged since June 7. Almost a month has passed.  Life seems to move fast – faster than I want it to move.   I have been feeling like a hamster on a wheel.  I get up every day and do the same think I did the day before. Work, eat and sleep.  Hummmmmm ~ and yes, I feel guilty.

According to Wikipedia: Guilt is the fact of being responsible for the commission of an offense.  It is also a cognitive or an emotional experience that occurs when a person realizes or believes—accurately or not—that he or she has violated a moral standard, and bears significant responsibility for that violation. It is closely related to the concept of remorse.

So, why do I feel guilty?  Am I being the best person, wife, mother, employee, and friend I can be?  The answer is no.  I am I giving back to the community for all of the blessing I have received? Maybe

I told someone today to stop waiting for the perfect time to chase their dream – none of us are guaranteed the next breath. So – I need to take my own advice.  I need to quit waiting for the time and make the time to be the person I want to be.

Tiny Buddha

I have been reading the tiny buddha  blog – Take a look if you are looking for a daily dose of how to be happier person.

~ Connie ~

What we need everyday

There will never be a day when we won't need dedication, discipline, energy, and the feeling that we can change things for the better.

George Sheehan


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Opportunity

"Pressure is nothing more than the shadow of great opportunity." --Michael Johnson:


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Something to think aobut

I was reading 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life this morning ~ Henery Ford was quoted aa saying "I believe God is managing affairs & that He doesn't need advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about?"

Katie show what is in my purse

--http://twitter.com/KatieOrse/status/74192153668108289'>Connie Ash (@ConnieKayAsh) has shared a Tweet with you:

"KatieOrse: Check out today's 'What's in your purse' feature! http://bit.ly/doRnpX"
--http://twitter.com/KatieOrse/status/74192153668108289

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Character

~CHARACTER ~

CHARACTER REFERS especially to moral qualities, ethical standards, and principles of a man. We all know about people with Character... You can trust them. They say the right things and they do the right things. They can back up their words with their actions.


Every day I am faced with decisions – in my role as hospital administration, nurse, student and business owner (Simply Organized Accessories), wife and mother. My goal in life is to be that person – you can trust, the one that says and does the right thing.
~ Connie ~

Life is Unpredictable

Life is unpredictable. You never know how your day will begin or end. Plan and perpare - keep things simple. Remember the most improtant tasks are to live, love and laugh according to God's Plan.

Waking Up

A Dream is not something you wake up from, but something that wakes you up - Charlie Hedges / John C.Maxwell


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Starting The Day Off Right

Woke up to a the sun shining and birds singing.

Had a not so good day at work yesterday. Seems like southern politics have become a part in my workplace.

Reading John Maxwell this morning. He quotes Abraham Lincoln as saying "I will do the very best I know how- the very best I can and I mean to keep doing so until the end. This has and is the way I live my life.

John also quotes Anthony Robbins - it's moments of decision that your destiny is shape.

So - I have made a decision, do my best, do what is right.
What decisions will you make today that will affect your future?


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Life Is To Short To Wear Ugly Earrings

My firend Marla says "life is to short to wear ugly earrings" and I agree.

I am all about keeping life simple. Bamboo Pink is simple. Click on the Bamboo Pink link. Shop online. Buy one set of hoop earnings and multiple charms -
How simple is that - one set of hoops (maybe two if you are like me gold one day and silver the next) and then add charms as you budget allows.
All online! Keep it simple!

Our Next Breath is not promised

We never know if today is our last day. Last week was filled with hype about the end of the world. For residents in Joplin, MO. their world did end last night when an F-4 tornado ripped thru the town. My heart goes out to those affected by the tornado. I guess that means I cried for me and you and the residents of Joplin, MO. We are affected - or at the least we should be affected.

I cried last night every time I turned the TV to on check on the news about Joplin. I cried for the people who lost their lives, for the family members left behind, for those who lost everything they had worked for, and for the healthcare workers who selflessly stayed with their patients not knowing if their families and homes had been affected.

St John's Hospital

How do we help? Pray, with God all things are possible and make a donation to the Red Cross. I know from personal experience the Red Cross's assistance in this type of crisis is priceless. Their services do come with a cost, not to the one receiving the service but, to the organization. It cost money to feed, house, and provide medical supplies, counselors and bedding to those who have nothing.

Me - I have prayed several times for those affected by the tornado - and I will continue to pray. I will also make a monetary donation to the Red Cross - only because I can't physically go to assist the Red Cross.
Please consider what you can do - today. Our next breath is not promised.

New Starts - Be Anything You Want To Be

Everyday is an opportunity to start fresh. We are each given a clean slate every morning. For me this is a great concpet. Everyday I find myself wanting more and more out of life.

It is not material things that I want. It is creativity, beauty, peace, grace. Now I know some think you are either born with these things or you are not. I choose to believe that I have the power to find and cultivate all four of these characteristics.

So - I am committing to you my blog followers the following:
More time writing. My friend Katie Orse has some great writing promopts on her website - check out the free stuff on Katie's website.

I am going to take more pictures and scrapbook more (Close to My Heart Studio J)
Ask me how to scrapbook online and get "real" scrapbook pages for you album.

Life is good! I can be anything I want to be!

What Makes Up Your Foundation?

I am the queen of taking on multiple projects.
I am responsible for multiple departments in two hospitals.
I am a full-time student in a nurse practitioner program.
I am the volunteer director for a charitable health clinic.
I am a Red Cross volunteer.

I am the proud mother to six adult children.
I am the proud parent of twelve rescued four-legged children.
I am active in my church and community.
I am training for my first-half marathon.

Then life throws a hurdle to see if I can juggle everything and jump. This week it was a flash flood at my house. Water in two rooms, the garage and the dogs’ room. I could have been angry or frustrated over the water - but after taking a moment to reflect on the water I realize I am blessed. I have a home to flood. I have friends who came to help us clean up the mess.

How do I do everything - with support. A solid support system gives a solid foundation to everything you do.

For me, my husband and children are my support system. My belief in those to whom much is given, much is expected also fuels my soul.

What makes up you foundation?

Making Life Simple using technology

Life is good. I got a new toy today. I am blogging from a samsung galaxy tablet. I can see how this little device is going to make my life simple.

Prep Time Is Important ~ Planning Easter Lunch Today

Good Morning World. I have a busy blessed day ahead. Just like you prep for a good meal we should prep for a good day.
Spend some time every morning reviewing your schedule for the day. Planning makes you feel in control even when an unplanned task shows up.



Today I will prepare for Easter Lunch All of the kids but two will be home for Easter. Lunch for 16 people. Please leave me suggestions for what to cook.
Have a simple organized blessed day ~ ConnieKay

Do- Over For a Non-Runner

Today is the first day of the rest of your life - I have heard that saying throughout my life.  What does "the first day of the rest of you life" really mean to a runner who has become a non-runner.

It means I get a do-over.  I get to start today with a clean slate. I do not have to feel guilty because I did not run  yesterday, or the day before, or last month.

I am rereading Jeff Galloway's "Marathon You Can Do It"  This week's schedule is 30 minutes of walk/jog on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday followed by 3 easy miles on Sunday. 

Some of you are thinking - what that is not marathon training. Yes it is marathon training, when the only real training you have been doing is walking the 11 year-old dog.

Angel is a good dog - but her springy step is short lived. 

Check back tomorrow - hold me accountable.  If I know you are watching maybe I will run.
~ Connie ~