SO PRETTY!

There's an undeniable obsession in the world today that's, oddly enough, known as "Pretty."

People from all walks of life--young and old--are in pursuit of all things pretty. They strive for what's pleasing to the eyes and compete for special attention.

Call it what we want, but pretty has become a huge stress. Everyone wants to be a part of the pretty phenomenon. We fuss in front of mirrors, and change and rearrange fashions, and shop till we drop, trying to harness a certain appearance.

So, why aren't we successful? Why can't we seem to manifest the essence of pretty? What is the secret formula for prettiness?

First of all, regardless of how much time and money and stress we spend at the malls, true beauty cannot be bought in packages. Pretty isn't acquired by way of extravagant clothes, remarkable hair, fancy nails, or perfect "10" physiques.

Likewise, pretty can't be duplicated from our favorite images - on or off the screen - nor can it borrowed from highly reputable sources.

Remember the old saying, "Pretty is as pretty does?" It's so true! Pretty is a unique quality that originates on the inside . . . then radiates outward. It's authentic. Unparalleled. And that's what makes it absolutely incredible.

Stop stressing over the pretty problem and start searching the soul, ensuring that the right qualities are there.


Peace I leave with you . . .

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

WHO CAN FIND
A VIRTUOUS WOMAN?

FOR HER PRICE IS
FAR ABOVE RUBIES...

STRENGTH AND HONOUR
ARE HER CLOTHING;

AND SHE SHALL REJOICE
IN TIME TO COME.



SHE OPENETH HER MOUTH WITH WISDOM;
AND IN HER TONGUE IS THE LAW OF KINDNESS.

SHE LOOKETH WELL TO THE WAYS OF HER HOUSEHOLD,
AND EATETH NOT THE BREAD OF IDLENESS.

HER CHILDREN ARISE UP, AND CALL HER BLESSED;
HER HUSBAND ALSO, AND HE PRAISETH HER.

MANY DAUGHTERS HAVE DONE VIRTUOUSLY,
BUT THOU EXCELLEST THEM ALL.

FAVOUR IS DECEITFUL, AND BEAUTY IS VAIN:
BUT A WOMAN THAT FEARETH THE LORD,
SHE SHALL BE PRAISED. . .

LOSSES

A middle-aged man confessed that during the time of a sudden illness, he lost "so much." His house, car, furnishings, and several other things he named. The sadness coming from his cracking voice was heartbreaking.

Hundreds of miles apart from him, sat a woman with eyes that seemed focused on something in "the great blue yonder." She too shared how, through a series of unfortunate events, she'd lost nearly everything she owned.

Many of us could share a story or two about our losses . . . and about the toll it's taken on us. Some of us have stressed so severely, we've literally made ourselves sick. And then, some of us have shed so many tears until we're all cried out.

What can we do when dealing with devastating losses? Whether it's our personal possessions or the loss of loved ones, we must strive to keep our stress levels down.

Sure, we're only human. Yet we must remember that losses are as much a part of life as are gains. We cannot live in this world without ever facing loss.

What helps us to survive is how we handle our losses. We don't give up . . . We press on. And as strong stress-survivors so often do, we put one foot in front of the other and keep moving on.

We keep hoping . . .

We keep praying . . .

We keep believing . . .

Knowing that, sooner or later, joy will come in the morning.


Peace I leave with you . . .

OUR PREROGATIVE

FOR CENTURIES, WE HAVE HARPED ON OUR PREROGATIVE . . . having things our way.

Even now, nine times out of ten, we get highly stressed when we aren't allowed "Our prerogative."

We say, we are free to make our own choices. And we honestly believe we possess the unique privilege of picking and choosing whatsoever we please in every area of life.

What's so amazing is, not only do we elevate stress wrestling our own prerogative, but we upset ourselves resisting other people's prerogative as well.

Somewhere in the midst of making our choices, we failed to realize that other people have prerogatives too. Just because things are not always outlined in black and white, as we've come to expect, doesn't mean we must surrender to stress.

Either we don't understand or accept the fact that others aren't required to fit into the scheme of our lives. And if and when they don't, it's their prerogative.

If all are created equal, why shouldn't we have equal choices? Why would we cause stress with one another simply because we aren't carbon copies?

If the girls have abandoned pantyhose and we can't stand the sight, let's look in another direction. If the guys have vowed to wash and shine their vehicles seven days a week, let's stay out of the way. Stop stressing because we all don't move in the same circles.

Being closed-minded and critical of other's choices can keep us stressed. Learning to respect (if not accept) other people's choices can ease our minds and afford genuine peace.


Peace I leave with you . . .

BETRAYAL

"For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known." ~Luke 12:2~





Be it a little or a lot, we all have experienced the stressful sting of betrayal. OUCH!!!

Each set of betraying circumstances -- no matter how, when, or where -- carries a certain degree of stressfulness. So any way we look at it, betrayal presents us countless stresses.

Try as we may, it's a huge challenge to move beyond betrayals when lied on, talked about, cheated or mistreated. Back-stabbing can upset even the best of us.

Recently, overnight singing sensation Susan Boyle said when initially faced with heartless sneers and giggles from an audience on TV show "Britain's Got Talent," she had to be courageous and continue on. That's the key to moving past betrayal . . . WE MUST KEEP-ON-KEEPING-ON.

Any time we're faced with thoughtless, cantankerous, and uncalled-for actions, we need to be armed with tried-and-true methods to keep moving forward.

Yes, betrayal can cause severe stress mentally, physically, and spiritually. But if we remain steadfast in our self-confidence and our self-love, we will survive.

Always keep in mind that we have a say-so in the matter too. Betrayal cannot stress us unless we allow it to. We do not have to roll over and wallow in dire stress, if we don't want to.

Learning to move past hurt and humiliation is never easy. But armed with de-stressing options can surely help us stress less.


Peace I leave with you . . .

EASTER "CHARADE"

IN MOST CASES, our Easter "Charade" magnifies our stress long before Easter arrives. What? Easter Charade?

Quite often, we associate the term "Charade" with the old guessing game. One somebody acts out a thing or a scene, while others try and guess what the word or phrase is. To some, it's a little stressful.

But that's not the type of charade we're involved with at Easter. Our Easter Charade is much like the classic one defined by Webster or Random House: Actions which have no meaning--which are simply for show or pretense.

HOW SO?

Well, now, there's the extended shopping for the extra-special Easter frocks. And those long visits to beauty and barber shops for our hair cuts and curls . . . and to the manicurist to have our nails done. Plus, the dreaded cleaning and cooking and sprucing-up things around the house.

By the time we've finished ripping and running and working to "prepare" for Easter, most of us are too exhausted to partake of the real reason for the Easter season. We miss the very thing we're stressing for.

We miss seeing the beauty of new life fresh from the Lord. We miss feeling the breath of His love upon us. We miss touching the blessings intended to enrich our lives. No wonder we're overcome with stress . . . we're missing the essence of what Easter is all about.

In the beginning, Easter was the time of resurrection and newness of life. And until we slow our roles and witness the blessings of the Lord's resurrection, stresses from our Easter Charade will continue.

HAPPY EASTER!

IMPERFECT PEOPLE

NORTH OR SOUTH -- East or West -- young, old, rich or poor, people are not perfect. Despite all the "cute" little lies, none of us are absolute angels. As so often stated, "Nobody is perfect."


Regardless of who says what . . . we all have flaws. Without a doubt, mine, yours, and ours are bound to surface from time to time -- in one way or another.

Even though we honestly agree with this, there's still considerable stress as to how to deal with people when their imperfections cross the line and become offensive.

Because we believe "people aren't perfect," does that acceptance, alone, spare us from the terrible stresses that some individuals cause? How many times can we literally turn the other cheek, especially when hit for no reason?

When face to face with inconsiderate or unpleasant people, what do we do? How do we remain calm and refrain from falling into the abyss of stress?

First and foremost, WE STAY FOCUSED. Remember that focus is key. And when we refuse to be intimidated or humiliated by imperfect actions or reactions, we shield ourselves from unnecessary stress.

And, by all means, WE KEEP A GOOD SPIRIT. "A Good Spirit?" Absolutely! We foster a positive attitude and strive to block negativity from our mind. We steer clear of silly and self-centered drama. Situations and circumstances flow far better when we keep a pleasant disposition.

Whether big flaws, little flaws, or those in-between, all of them can cause countless stresses. So when forced to deal with imperfections, instead of giving people a "piece" of our mind, we who are wise will be careful to maintain our "Peace" of mind.



Peace I leave with you . . .