31 Days of Wishes – Day 2 – Creativity

We are all created beings.  I think we each have it in us to be creative.  Isn’t that awesome? Creativity can take on many forms.  Most people consider artists to be people who are skilled in an art, that is, painter, musician, singer, and so forth.  You get the point.  But what about those people who don’t have it in them to be any of those? Aren’t they artists too?

I never considered myself to be an artist until today.  I was reading my Bible Study lesson and answering some questions, when this thought came into my mind.  I began thinking about the work that I do.  I am a Virtual Assistant skilled at providing administrative services to those who need some organization in their business.  This is an art. If it weren’t, the individuals making use of Administrative Assistants around the world would be self-sufficient, they would be able to do it all.  They wouldn’t need people like me to make their lives run smoothly.

How does being creative tie into all this?  For me it is when I take on an assignment, whether it is creating a presentation, a flyer, brochure or even an Excel document.  I always try to make it into a piece of work that will be admired, that will draw the eye of those reviewing it.  It is not simply a document or even just a task.  It is like clay waiting to be formed into a beautiful vase or flowerpot.

So, today it is my wish that everyone will look at what they do in life as an art form – something that can be molded and created into a thing of beauty.

31 Days of Wishes – Day 1 – Love

31 Days of Wishes.  This is going to be fun.  I can think of many things I can wish for, but the first on my list is love. Yes, love, not only for me, but for the world.

I wish the world would learn to love those who are different in race, color, looks, and even different because of a handicap or disability.  I wish that love will overtake our hearts and flow from one to another.  John 13:34 states, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” – (KJV).  All of us should learn to love as Jesus loved us.  It is our duty.

The season of Advent is a wonderful opportunity to give and spread love.  It is a season of miracles, expectations, and wonders.  It is my favorite time of the year because I get to experience anew the love God had for us when he gave his only son to the world.

30 Days of Thanks – Days 27-30

These past few days have been a whirlwind of choir and dance rehearsals for my choir’s annual holiday concert, which was held yesterday afternoon.  As I look back on that time, I give God thanks. As busy as I was, too busy to get on my computer to check my email or get on the Internet, I still found time to spend in thanksgiving.

Even though I wasn’t able to give thanks electronically, yesterday’s concert was a good example of being thankful.  As I sang the music of Fred Hammond, music rich with harmonies and key changes, I reflect on the words of the songs. They were words about giving praise and honor to God, knowing that our steps are ordered and all things are working for us.  They typified love, Jesus’ love and how we are called to love like He loved.  The concert was our way of giving thanks for all that we have achieved during the year and for all that we are yet to gain.  Calling on our Father, our God of grace and mercy, who watches over us and has made us joint heirs with Jesus.

As I put a close on my 30 Days of Thanks, I am grateful to Monica and Heather, two friends who started it all, and Stacy, who had the vision to unite us all in giving global thanks.  This experience not only started a new chapter in my life, it has opened the doors for me to continue giving thanks always, not only during the Thanksgiving season.

30 Days of Thanks – Day 26

Thanksgiving Day – a day set apart to give thanks for all that we have or have achieved in the past year.  This is by far my favorite holiday (next to Christmas, of course).  I started celebrating Thanksgiving when I came to this country 30 years ago (November 30^th – Wow!).  Over the years, celebrating Thanksgiving meant getting with family and friends for a meal and to catch up with one another.  Today, it means so much more to me.  Not only do I celebrate being together, but I celebrate the love and camaraderie that being a child of God has to offer.  It is not about the food and family reunion; it is about getting over, about running the race, about hope, and faith.  All of these make up Thanksgiving to me.

So, as I get ready for the celebration, I think it is only fitting that I give thanks to the one who is the center and focus of the day for me – Jesus Christ.

Happy Thanksgiving!

30 Days of Thanks – Day 24

I hope you have someone in your life who knows when you need a hug or a shoulder to lean on and does so silently.  Friends like these give you the space you need to deal with what you may be going through.  They know that when you are ready to share, they will be the first person you will seek to confide in.

I have such a friend – his name is Jesus.  I love being able to bring all my cares, worries, and my joys to him.  He is the silent type who listens attentively and knows to give me room to vent my frustrations.  He is there when I’m happy, sad, or sick.  He is my unconditional, no-questions-asked friend, and I am grateful to have him in my life.

If you do not have Jesus in your life, all you have to do is invite him in.  Ask him to come and dwell in your heart.  It doesn’t matter what you have done, or where you have been.  Al that matters is that you confess and repent.  He knows what you are going through without you uttering a word, but he is waiting for you to make the first move.  Won’t you invite him in today?

30 Days of Thanks – Days 21-23

Whew! What a weekend.  I am thankful to God for allowing me to serve in the building up of His kingdom.  As I stated in my last blog (Friday) I had a very busy weekend.  The highlight was providing the musical entertainment for the Rolling Hills United Methodist Church congregants on Saturday night.  They were celebrating their Thanksgiving dinner and their musical director, Charles Dickerson, invited my choir, the Jubilant Voices of Holman United Methodist Church, to sing after their dinner.  What a joy it was to be able to bring the Gospel through music!

Although I joke about the amount of time I spend at my church, it is an honor and privilege for me to be able to serve Him and return His grace by being a blessing to others.  If you’re in the Los Angeles area on Sunday and would like to be blessed by our music, click here for more information.

30 Days of Thanks – Day 20

It’s Friday, TGIF! So much to do, so much to learn! Today, however, I’m taking my time to savor the day and what it has in store for me.  Friday for me is a moment to be still, to look back at everything I have done the past few days and regroup from it.  I try to make it as peaceful and relaxing as I can.

Most people start their week on Monday.  Mine, however, begins on Saturday.  I attend Praise and Worship service at 7:00 a.m. to honor the Lord of my life; I teach a Disciples Bible Study class from 9-11.  Afterwards, I may have a meeting or errands that take up most of my day. Tomorrow night my choir is in concert at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church; on Sunday morning we sing two worship services; that afternoon is Liturgical dance rehearsal.  See what I’m getting at?

This is why Fridays are so special. I take time to refuel and prepare me for all I do in the upcoming days. So again I say, “TGIF!”

30 Days of Thanks – Day 19

I feel like a kid in a candy shop – all these goodies available to me and I don’t know which to eat first.  I just got off the telephone with the Senior VA I am interning with.  It is exciting to offer my services to her and in return I learn a whole new world of information.  She is a great teacher and I am grateful for this opportunity and all she is sharing with me.  She typifies what I have learned in the Virtual Training Program – mutual partnership.  Thanks, Amy!

30 Days of Thanks – Day 18

I am thankful for Stacy Brice of AssistU.  Stacy has made it possible for people like me, administrative assistants, graphic designers, executive secretaries, and other professionals, to be able to use the skills we have gained over the years and use them to further our careers.  This allows us to help individuals, small business owners, and entrepreneurs who are looking to grow their business with the help of trained Virtual Assistants (VAs).

AssistU has enabled me to live my dream and is a source of continued growth as I learn new skills in my internship training and through the associations provided through the AssistU community.

If you’d like more information on AssistU, click here.

30 Days of Thanks – Day 17

There are days that come and go and are a blur. Tuesdays, however, are different.  I am thankful that I decided months ago while I was a student at AssistU (training to become a virtual assistant) that I’d carve out some time for me. Because of my rigorous work and church schedule, I found myself struggling to spend some time doing what I love. So when advised that we should take time to reconnect and make time for us, I jumped at the idea. That is where my Sacred Tuesdays I (as I call it) came from. After looking at my schedule, I realized the only day I could take for me was on that day for it seemed the only day I did not have filled with work and church meetings, and classes.

I started out by just going home from my part-time job at the church and just doing nothing. Then, I started making appointments at the manicurist, massages and so forth.  Now I have set the afternoon aside to go take in my favorite movie and dinner with my daughter. This is one decision I am grateful to have made because I come back refreshed on Wednesdays ready to tackle the tasks I set aside.