TGIF

Its Friday! Yippee!

I love Fridays and I am sure most people do too. Its simply because it heralds the weekend and  an opportunity to wind down (for me that means not flying out of the bed to get my son ready for school come saturday).

However in my books everyday is a good day whether it is Monday, Tuesday or any day for that matter as it is very important to have a thankful attitude everyday.  Scriptures say "this is the day (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) that the lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it". So rejoice and be glad no matter the day of the week or what ever the day will bring. If God made it, He will take care of it. If God brings you to it, He will take you through it, SO REJOICE!

Thank God EVERYTIME you wake up as its a  privileged to be ALIVE  (that in itself is invigorating) and not just on a Friday. Everyday is an opportunity to make a difference in the world and that starts with a "heartitude of gratitude"

So  don't let your attitude be determined by the day of the week. The days of the week are just labels and you are more than a label. YOU ARE THE BOSS. The day of the week shouldnt manipulate your emotions, YOU ARE IN CHARGE. Be excited everyday  as there are blessings in store for each created day. Psalm 68:19 says "blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation" If you love presents like I do that should get you off your feet in an excited whoosh! That's more than a trailer load of presents apportioned to you EVERYDAY. That said I dare you to be thankful everyday and not just on a Friday. Have fun unravelling your presents. Remember the Holy Spirit is on hand to help ALWAYS.

Never forget your source....BE GRATEFUL

The Internet is full of wonderful stories ranging from the interesting, hilarious to the downright absurd! However no matter how weird the stories might be, I try to keep an open mind but keep my inner filters working to maximum capacity. Don't want the silly stories taking root in my mind.  I was stunned by the story of a  beauty queen who went back home to thank her mother shortly after being crowned winner of a much coveted beauty crown. 17 year old  Khanittha"Mint" Pheasant  is pictured kneeling before her mother near a row of wheelie bins. She went down and dirty on her knees,crown and all because that was her root-NO SHAME!!

She didn't mind the rubbish or consider that her silk sash or pageant gear and golden heels will get dirty because it was the hands that cleared the dirt that reared reared her-NO SHAME.

I am amazed that the first thing this beautiful lady did was to go back home to appreciate her mother and and not throw a self congratulatory party as many are want to do-HOW SELFLESS AND HUMBLE.
Gratitude simply means thankfulness or appreciation for kindness shown.
Luke 17:11-19, tells how Jesus healed 10 lepers and only one returned to show appreciation. Before the healing they shouted with a loud voice " Jesus, Master, have pity on us". After all is said and done only one returned to show gratitude. If gratitude was not important Jesus would not have made the following statement. " were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner? Then he said to him "Rise and go; your faith has made you well" Luke 17:19. Some bible scholars say the one that gave thanks was made whole.
An African proverb says "a river that forget its source wI'll soon dry up". The Israelites forgot their source in the old testament and became prey to their enemies. People who were once the dread of their enemies later became captives in the land of promise-HOW SAD!
Think back for a moment on the mighty victories God has done for you. Miracles of healing or deliverance from the bondage of sickness or addiction. Did you remember to show gratitude?
Take time today to remember God's faithfulness and how He has seen you through the many stages of your life.
TIPS ON GRATITUDE. 

• Count your blessings.
• Be content.
• Focus right-gratitude puts situations in perspective. It says "it could be worse"
• Never give up on hope.
• Appreciate the little things.
• Celebrate every milestone and small successes. 
• Sometimes it's not about what you don't have but what you do.
• DO not envy- it's not really greener on the other side of the fence.
• Say it-Always show appreciation.
• Gratitude takes the focus off you-its selfless.
• Gratitude enhances relationships.
• Practice attitude daily. It will change your outlook on life and people.

Right now is a good place and time to start. Bring out a journal and start writing.

T.G.I.F

Yeepie, its Friday! The official wind-down day of the week. If Friday is the wind-down day of the week, it goes to say say the rest of the week are highly fret with with stress and worries. However this is not a healthy way to live. Imagine enjoying just three days out of seven. Absolutely appalling!  God created man to enjoy every day. Everyday should be exciting and it starts from the mind and choices we make.It has nothing to do with your surrounding environment or circumstances but entirely up to you. Neither is it a factor of what day of the week it happens to be. "this is the day the lord has made, i will rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24.  Rejoice everyday no matter what day is depicted on the calender.  The same level of energy that is used to build up excitement on a Friday can be applied to our lives daily not just the weekends.  ITS A MATTER OF CHOICE.  Don't just trudge through the week, create glory moments in every knotty situation. Not even sandpaper (abrasive) relationships should make you lose your essence. They are in your life to smooth out the rough edges.
Make it a habit to be thankful everyday but for today lets THANK GOD ITS FRIDAY for the right reasons and from a right perspective.

Photo credit: www.dayorwrites.blogspot.com

Focus on the right things.

It is so easy to be distracted when mistakes happen especially when you've invested so much in a person or project or have a set mindset  on the outcome of a situation. For some, the initial reaction when things go wrong is to "blow a fuse" or throw a major fuss either covertly or overtly. I was such a major drama queen that I would rummage over seeming bad situation for ages like a rabid dog with a bone until God helped  change my perspective. In the early years when my son was diagnosed with autism, I couldn't see beyond his diagnoses. I focused on what he couldn't do instead of focusing and encouraging his strengths which he had aplenty. For some inexplicable reasons, I couldn't bring my heart to see the beauty that was this gift of mine. This went on until I realised the problem was not my son nor his diagnoses but my perception of the situation.. My view was distorted and I needed to have my minds eye reset. Truth is, things will not always be the way we want but we can choose to dwell on the negatives or simply celebrate the positives no matter how little it might seem. A positive attitude can only stem from a grateful heart.

Some time in July, I organised a programme titled "LAUGH OUT LOUD", Comedy Comes to Church. The turn out was impressive and the guests had a swell time. In fact, the feedback was astounding except for one little glitch-THE DJ. The DJ was crap!! The joy of a successful programme was almost swallowed up by a tiny scratch in my plans. I almost forgot the unbridled laughter and fun that everyone had because of one tiny error that I couldn't help despite my frantic effort...until the Holy Spirit checked my errant thoughts. The bible rightly says "do not be ignorant of the devices of the devil" 2 Cor 2:11. Focusing on the right thing is a habit that can be learnt daily and consciously until it happens spontaneously. It has to be deliberate and it is a choice that only you can make. It is choosing to be joyful no matter the situation.  I have learnt to see life through heaven' lens and I am thankful. No longer do I see Josh through his challenges rather I see a wealth of opportunities waiting to be discovered in that treasure that is my boy.  Focusing on the wrong thing is a strategy of the enemy and don't ever forget that.

My look at the LOL comedy evening. More Pictures coming soon. 

Laugh Out Loud

EDITOR'S NOTE:Just like a lot of you, I have been battered, bruised yet not broken. I have suffered rejection and emotional abuse yet I still find reasons to laugh. I have a physical disability but never allowed it to erode my confidence or affect my self esteem. Having a child with "Autism" has taught me how to give unconditional love. You see, there are daily challenges this side of heaven but you have a choice; be defeated or run your opponents outta town-I CHOOSE THE LATTER. My attitude has got nothing to do with my abilities or lack thereof but its about THE GOD IN ME. I appreciate life because I have experienced the darkness of depression. I appreciate having more than enough because I've experienced lack. How can you appreciate laughter, if you've never been sad? I know sadness that is why I appreciate God, the giver of Joy. My little sister Vickie mamalet(don't know how or where she got mamalet from) wrote this tribute about moi. Please enjoy, no room for bad belle..lol "The resilent are people who do not allow a problem limit their dreams or stop them from achieving. A lot of people allow a little dislocation rewrite their destiny for them, i have seen some people varnish in their regrets and die Un accomplished. Frustration sets in when the door of hope is shut down. Hmm when your right hand is broken, use the left and give the broken one reasons to come alive. I have seen a lot of broken pieces but this particular one did not stay broken" Yeah, that's me on the spin machine-i'm an insurance risk if I must say so myself..who cares? life is for living. Enjoy this comedy skit i put together for your plesure. Remember, LIVE LIFE, LOVE LIFE AND LAUGH DAILY.

Post by Gladys Otono-Atsenokhai.

TAKE CHARGE #hotchocolateforcoldmornings

Most people dread Mondays! After a weekend of fun and relaxation, its back to a reality of work and serious endeavour. For most people, work is a chore-backbreaking,monotonous and boring. However no matter the kind of job you do, Mondays do not have to dreary!! It is all about you attitude. What you bring into your day and how you tackle the day's activities matter. YOU SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID OF MONDAYS, MONDAYS SHOULD BE AFRAID OF YOU!! Man is created for dominion and that includes taking charge of how your day is going to take shape. Shape your world with the right words and attitude. The most challenging situation or job can turn up beautiful if handled with a winning attitude. I know this attendant on the Waterford bound train. I don't know his name but I remember his smile and amiable character. He treats passengers as if we are all first class customers aboard a luxury jet. I'm sure the job doesn't pay much but it didn't affect his service delivery rather the man makes it an experience for all to enjoy and remember. Seriously, a simple cup of tea is more tasteful when served by my nameless friend. Don't complain about your job, BE THANKFUL you've got a job at all! Don't dread Mondays, BE THANKFUL you're alive to experience a Monday. "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" psalm 118:24. Everything you need to have a beautiful day and life is within your reach. God took time to fashion this day. You don't have to do much, just rejoice and be glad in it. No more lousy Mondays, YOU ARE IN CHARGE!!