Martha, May I?: Ask "What's next"?

Martha, May I?: Ask "What's next"?: In regards to......politically, the weather, school, supper? I know, I'm being silly. But for those of you that have inquiring minds all...

Ask "What's next"?

In regards to......politically, the weather, school, supper?

I know, I'm being silly. But for those of you that have inquiring minds all around you, (I'm thinking preschoolers, 3rd graders), you understand where I'm coming from. 

We live in a crazy day and time, and all of the uncertainty wears on most of us. I can tell you what the weather report said this morning, and I can usually tell you what's on the menu for supper by around 10AM. And, I can even tell you what's planned for school, because my son has an awesome teacher that sends next week's plan home on Fridays. 

And, I can usually answer, and help, with any of your skincare problems, and make suggestions for a healthier lifestyle. I can even show you how to get to heaven, because I've got a map. But the rest of the world's problems....way out of my league. Opinions, yes. Real solutions, probably not.

Bottom line..... I am so thankful that I don't have to know the answers to all of life's other really tough questions, or spend sleepless nights worried about what's going to happen next.  I've got the most important one settled. The older I get, the more I realize that. And, the more thankful I am that God is in control. Jesus said, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:34.

So, I choose to try and just take it one day at a time....do my part as a wife, mom, sister, friend, and businesswoman.

And, if you need any help with finding the right moisturizer, I've got you covered! Oh, and we are going out for dinner tonight!! Woohoo!!

Skincare solutions found here.

Start with the Basics?

As Julie Andrews used to sing..."Let's start at the very beginning....a very good place to start..."

I have so many childhood memories tied to that movie....very bittersweet, but I'll save that for another time.

And, speaking of childhood, which is a beginning of sorts, my topic for today is about establishing one particular habit that is very important to long term healthy habits.  

Did you know that your skin is your largest body organ, and your first line of defense against disease and infection? Think of healthy skin as a strong wall, and the only weak spots in the wall are our eyes, ears, mouth and nose...the places where germs get in the most easily. And frequent hand-washing is needed because we touch our faces so many times a day.

 

If young ladies, and gentlemen, will learn to wash their face twice a day when they are young, they are much less likely to have acne and other skin problems as they age. The natural oils on our skin attract dirt and become the perfect breeding ground for all kinds of germs and chemicals that are damaging to our skin. Be sure and find a cleanser that isn't too drying, or that will cause other problems. And, as they move into their teen years, adding a moisturizer will be the next step.

But for now, just start at the beginning, with Step 1. Wash your face twice a day.

And of course, I would love the opportunity to be a part of that process, if you have any questions. 

Click here to learn more about basic skincare.

 

Ask About Halloween?

Sure, you can ask about Halloween. What would you like to know?  Here is a little bit about what I found on the history of Halloween.

 

"Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2020 will occur on Saturday, October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats."  (The History Channel)

Our current American celebration of Halloween has changed since the Puritans first settled here. Because of Halloween's association with remembering and celebrating ghosts, and spirits of the dead, the Puritans shunned the practice. Customs and traditions of many different cultures have merged into what we know as Halloween today.

Our family has decided to shun the practice of Halloween. Autumn is one of our favorite times of year, but we ignore the idea of this particular holiday as much as possible. Celebrating witchcraft, demons, ghosts, and haunted souls is something that really deeply grieves me. To me, it's like giving Satan a holiday all his own. Normally we look forward to the Fall Festival at our church almost as much as Christmas. But of course, COVID changed all of that for this year.

On the other hand, I think it's great fun for grownups and kids alike to dress up and pretend...it encourages imagination and creativity. It can make history come alive, and let us play in a way that is normally thought of as "being silly". And I need that every once in a while. 

So, to answer your question...We celebrate the wonderfulness of Fall...the cooler weather, beautiful colors, and all of the other changes like food, smells, and sweaters associated with the change in seasons. I even enjoy the annual ritual of "putting the garden to bed for the winter."

We choose to celebrate our awesome God that created and gave us our seasons. We choose to celebrate the eternal life that is ours through believing and trusting in Jesus Christ as our Savior. We embrace joy in life, and reject celebrating death and evil.

If you just gotta put on a mask, try one like this.......

What is it?

Martha, May I?: Make a Joyful Noise

Martha, May I?: Make a Joyful Noise: Please do!  I have determined to started blogging regularly. But, I realize that it needs to be something of value. We are all flooded with ...

Make a Joyful Noise

Please do! 

I have determined to started blogging regularly. But, I realize that it needs to be something of value. We are all flooded with information nonstop.....don't even get me started! And, here I am adding to it. My goal is to be a source of positivity that encourages you, as well as educates on topics that help with daily living.

As I was reading in Psalm 95 this morning, the first verse reminded me that we are to "make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation." I love to sing, so that's an easy way for me to make a joyful noise. But, if singing isn't your thing...how about a good, loud 'THANK YOU LORD, FOR BEING THE ROCK OF MY SALVATION!!!!" I'm confident that God would be pleased.

It's a dreary day outside my house, but I'm going to make a joyful noise of some kind all day today. How about you?

Ask "What's Up?"

 Good morning, Ladies,

I know....it has been a really long time since I have posted anything in this blog. I have a million reasons, and none of them are acceptable to me. So, I'm just going to let it go, and keep on moving forward.

It may not seem like a big thing to anyone else, but it is a significant development at our house. I have officially become a coffee drinker. Even after working nights for years, I never learned to like the taste of coffee....especially hours old, hospital coffee. But then I discovered the value of Keto Coffee...that's a whole 'nother ball game. Powder that is sweet, creamy, and full of healthy fats and collagen. I'm now up to 2 cups a day. Between my husband and me, the Keurig stays busy most of the day.

Like you, 2020 has been an interesting year for us. I suppose in another 10 years, we will be reminiscing about how we spent this year, and the lessons that we learned. I've certainly learned my share. I would love to hear back from you guys about what this year has been teaching you. 

Ya'll hang in there. Like the Bible says, this too "shall come to pass." 

Hugs!!

Martha

Skip Goal Setting this Year?

Sure, you can. Just join the crowd that muddles through each day, and then wonders why they don't ever "get anywhere".




Sorry, that sounds harsh, doesn't it? But, I am speaking from personal experience. I spent so many years just getting up and going to work, shopping, cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, and living from paycheck to paycheck. I didn't like it then, and I don't ever want to fall into that trap again. I could never tell whether I was making any progress in any area of my life, or whether I was just spinning around the same circle, day after day......and hey....I'm considered "elderly". I'm supposed to be full of good advice, so that's why I just go ahead and offer it on a regular basis. 

But what about letting God lead? Doesn't planning and goal-setting assume that I am in control, and not God?

NO. And here's why....life is so full of so many distractions, that unless we are very intentional about living it, the days, and years will go by with very little to show for it.  I'm not necessarily talking about big financial goals, or career goals. I'm really talking about some very abstract goals, like being the best mom or wife that I can be. Or maybe, it's something like "being more Christ-like". That is an awesome goal. Yet very abstract. However, it can be broken down into measurable, concrete goals.  So, if that were to be your goal..... How "Christ-like" is your life today? What does your walk with the Lord look like? What would you like for it to look like this time next year? More Bible reading, more prayer? How do you record and measure that? If you are striving to be more Christ-like, then God promises to walk beside you, and to guide and direct you. He will be in control, and you will have peace and joy because you will be living your life in obedience to him.  There is nothing more "successful"  than that! And, activities that can be written down and recorded are measurable. Thus, you are on your way to living intentionally inside God's will. So, define what success looks like to you, choose some specific, measurable goals, and get started!

Another example.... if being the best mom you can be is a goal for you, spend some time deciding what that looks like to you. Quality time? Great! How do you define that? How can you measure it? Making home-cooked meals. Great! EVERY meal, or just most meals? Think about it. Don't use someone else's measure, use your own. Make it a reasonable, attainable goal. 

This can be the the hard part. How will I know if or when I have reached that goal? The below graphic is a well-known method of setting goals. It's simple, and it works. Any goal has to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. 

 

Another key to success...use a planner.

I have used several different planners over the years to help me plan, goal set, and be more productive. I always have more I want to do and accomplish, and the task doesn't get any easier as I get older. I'm using one called a "Passion Planner." So far, so good. Feel free to check back with me in a few months. Ha-ha! Allowing others to hold us accountable to our goals is a great way to be more effective in reaching them. (Think Weight Watchers meetings.) Been there, done that! I had a specific weight goal. My progress was recorded weekly. I had specific guidelines about what and when to eat. Weight loss was certainly relevant, the goal weight was attainable, and I had a time-goal in mind. And, yes, I was successful. I just didn't continue to make weight maintenance a goal. So, guess, what? I gained all of the weight back because I didn't continue to be accountable, measure my progress, or follow any of the guidelines that led to my original success.

And so I digressed, but I think you get the idea. Choose to move forward with goal setting for 2020. You will be so glad that you did. And the more that you record your successes and failures, the more you will learn and be ready to keep moving forward every year! 

Woohoo!!