a good use for the bad things in life

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Dee Clark

Not one of us is exempt from difficult times. There are days and events that take our breath away and cause us to think that we might not make it to the next breath. We gasp for air and wonder how in the world we will make it through the situation.

We have all been there.

Yet, here we are. We made it through…stronger, wiser and better.

Questions can plague us as to “why” and “how”. However, if we can take those events, those experiences and make something beautiful out of them…those events become the opportunities that cause us to shine and bring value to the journey we are on.

Don’t allow this difficult moment define your future. Don’t allow it to define how you view the world. Don’t allow it to cause you to give up and look at your journey in a hopeless way.

Be hopeful…that there is a way through…and no matter how difficult it is today…that you will take the bad things in life and make something beautiful.

This video encouraged and inspired my heart today. I hope it will do the same for your heart.

Difficulties Produce Growth

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Dee Clark

are things a bit of a mess right now?

according to Von Moody, difficulties are like putting fertilizer on a garden in order to produce better growth and a more fruitful harvest.

if we can’t handle a little mess or getting our hands dirty with life’s fertilizer, Moody says we could be forfeiting some valuable benefits to our growth.

fertilizer is messy, smelly, and most unpleasant to work with; however, it will increase growth substantially.

no one enjoys life’s difficulties…they can be frustrating, maddening and irritating; however, once applied and overcome, they produce a stronger, more beautiful YOU.

go ahead…

throw a little fertilizer on it!

well, maybe don’t go looking for difficulties but use them to your advantage!

it never rains forever

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Dee Clark

where i live in Southland, New Zealand, it rains a lot. i’ve heard people say that the rain and resulting green grass are part of the reason that farming is so successful here.

even with the benefits it brings, the farmers don’t want it to rain everyday.

thankfully, it doesn’t.

be encourage that the rain comes for specific, beneficial reasons…

but it won’t always rain…

the sun will shine again!

and even if it’s raining on the outside, keep the sun shining in your heart.

a great lesson about shortcuts

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Dee Clark

shortcuts remove you from your path. i won’t say that every shortcut is worthless. in my travels, i have taken a by-pass on a highway to lessen the frustrations of slow traffic, stop lights and small town nuisances. it shaves some time off the trip. however, i have noticed that the scenic route is not usually on the by-pass…it’s in taking the extra time and effort, slowing down a little that the beauty of the journey is revealed.

it’s not always about the destination…it truly is about taking hold of the “NOW” that i am in, enjoying the journey- even when more difficult, that i find the hidden treasures that enrich my life more than i could have hoped for.

i often think of Joseph, a young Jewish boy who was sold into slavery but ended up as a prince in Egypt. his difficult journey taught him how to work with his hands, how to feel empathy for the slave,
how to show mercy for the merciless, how to survive difficulty, the need for true justice, how to discern matters, how to speak before government leaders, how to deal with corruption, how to relate to many classes of people, and many more valuable lessons that made him a great, compassionate and wise leader.

when faced with the “NOW” you are in, mixed with difficulty, resist the temptation of the shortcut…the difficult way may end up being the easier choice and most rewarding.

i invite you to pass this along to your friends, family and co-workers today. there is always room for improvement and it’s awesome to encourage each other along the way.

thanks for stopping by today,
D

getting from one happy snapshot to the next

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Dee Clark

hard days will come
hold on
never run
you’ll make it through
you always do
head hung low in dark of night
but tomorrow brings a shining light
the sun returns
perspectives new
you’ll smile again
with hope renewed