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Here you will find my latest ramblings

Cheers,
Lynnelle

Life is tough...it's not what you had thought it would be. You are angry, you are frustrated, you are unhappy in some part or maybe all of your life. Ask yourself why? What changed?? It wasn't always this hard. There had been years of easy times, not perfect, just easier. Remember back to when you had a smile to share and laughter filled your soul. When the pressures and challenges were manageable and less often. Those days are still there you just can't see them at the moment.

As we grow older, the challenges appear to be more frequent and stronger. We look back to years of youth thinking how wonderful they were and wishing that life was that simple once again. However, we can't live in the past what we have to deal with is the now. The now may be hard, it may hurt but you have the power to rise to the challenge and fight for what you want in this life. Perhaps a relationship is breaking down, perhaps the job is coming to an end, perhaps the kids are screaming and you wonder how on earth you ever ended up in this mess. These times just seem to happen and can come from what appears to be nowhere. It could be a sudden, unexpected change or it could be a series of little niggles that has turned into a festering, ugly situation where there appears to be no hope.

You are worth the fight. Your relationship is worth the fight. Your children are worth the fight. Stand up and claim the goodness that God has for you. The happiness that awaits you once again. Grab hold of what brings joy to your heart or a smile to your face. One moment, every day - remember it, claim it. Fight.

Fight against the mindset that we are fed continually or that negativity that has crept in over the years. No more will you let heartache, anger, sorrow, worry or frustration rule your life. Perhaps you and your attitude needs to change to find that peace again. Our mind can control our hearts and we have to ensure that we are being reasonable in our expectations, accept that we are not always right, we are human, we have faults and that it takes compromise and compassion.

No matter what you are facing today, there is hope. God has the power and the strength to see this one through, even when you don't. God doesn't want you to live a miserable life - he wants only the best for you however it is up to us to accept this, embrace it and run with that belief in our hearts.

Another Cup of Life Please

Every morning I enjoy a cup of coffee. The first one of the day is always the best and with my ever faithful Nespresso machine, I select the level of caffeine hit required, heat up some milk, then sit back and enjoy the end result.

In life, it isn't quite as simple. We cannot select our life, we have opportunties but not always choices. We do not choose to have cancer, heart attacks, forced transfers or even disabilities. We can however choose how we deal with the events as they unfold.

I remember when my husband had a heart attack (he was only 43) - it certainly wasn't what he chose nor was it my choice, we had no control over the situation. It was one that we had to deal with, face the fear, trust the doctors, trust God more and wait. In that situation we could have chosen to crumble or rise to the challenge. As I waited during his surgery, I prayed and I cried. It was a time that I will never forget and there were many beautiful and emotional moments with my God as I relied on him like never before.

If we could just brew up the perfect life, I believe it would be one of weakness. How many of us would actually welcome adversity. Not many I suspect. Yes, life can be tough but from adversity comes growth and from challenge comes strength. Be they life changing moments or coping with changes in life - it all has purpose. The challenges and adversity are our 'caffeine hit' that bring the deepest parts of our being to life.

As another year comes to a close and new one starts, lets remember that in life we need strength. So instead of another half strength flat white, let's make it full strength. My prayer for you is that you embrace the challenge, discover new strengths and become resilient and confident no matter what comes your way in 2012.

Cheers,

Taking off the apron

Last night I had the joy of watching my eldest son strutt his stuff along the red carpet. After 12 years of schooling he has graduated! There was much celebration last night as the gorgeous girls and dashing young men took to the red carpet, received certificates, attempted to waltz and then kicked the shoes off for the after party!

As parents watching on it was a celebration with a huge sigh of relief. The journey over the past two years in particular has not been easy. Many tense moments, lost sleep, last minute madness to have the assessments in on time and the inevitable passing of exams.

Today, I am emotional as the reality of what lies ahead starts to take hold. This morning the tears have flowed somewhat unexpectedly - all I was doing was looking at the formal photos. After 18 years of nurturing, protecting, loving and at times pulling hair out, it is time to let go of the apron strings. It is time to take off the apron of action and let him find his own way.

Yes, we will continue to be here to guide and support him however, he is now at a point where he can make his own decisions and will have to live by those decisions be they good or bad. Like any parent those feelings of 'not just yet' are there and I am at times struggling to undo those apron strings.

I know that his future will be whatever he sets his mind to. He is capable and has so many options at his feet now. 2012 is going to be a year of excitement, change and opportunity and I will be encouraging him to grap hold and hang on for the ride of his life!

Sleeping with Fishes

Okay, now be honest. How many times have you deferred, objected and even tried to ignore that which you were asked to do. Some days procrastination is my best friend. She is there when my feet hit the floor. She follows me to my office. She sits beside me at my desk. She opens the fridge door and says 'the diet can start tomorrow'.

When it's not procrastination it is simply, "I don't want to do it". You know in your heart that you have to but if you could avoid it you will. Some of us close our eyes and think if we cannot see it, it really isn't there. Wouldn't that be easy if it was true.

In our lives we face many challenges and issues that if given the chance, we would gladly relinquish. Jonah was in the same predicament. He was given a direction from God and he chose to ignore it. He tried running away but ended up sleeping with the fishes. When he finally relinquished control and realised that he could not avoid what God had requested of him, he was able to set foot on dry land again.

If you feel that God is asking you to do something. That little voice inside that keeps chipping away at you, that doesn't give up, that whispers your name - then act on your conviction. It may not always be within your comfort zone but remember that no matter the request from God, he also equips you with everything you will need to achieve what he has asked of you.

With Love,
Lynnelle

www.5smallstones.com.au
lynnelle@5smallstones.com.au

Forgetting to Breathe

I don't know about you but I find there are times when life is so hectic, it is actually hard to get your breathe. Between the school run, groceries, work, cooking, cleaning and making lunches, it just doesn't seem to let up.

Some manage to juggle everything with ease (one would think we belong in the circus) however, for the rest of us we drop the balls. That was me earlier on in the week. I had a moment of weakness, a collapse in my spirit to keep going and was ready to hand over the reigns to someone else. So on Monday morning I decided to take it down a notch. Life shouldn't be like this. An unrealistic momentum that drags you along life's highway and making it impossible to enjoy the view.

What I did realise in all this is that somewhere along the way, I have forgotten how to breathe. How to relax, enjoy the moment and take those wonderful deep breathes that make us feel alive. I don't remember the last time I had the biggest belly laugh or really enjoyed some time out when the head wasn't racing ahead with what I should be doing.

So as I try to bring life back down a notch into the enjoyable realm, I need to find new ways to relax. It has taken a number of years to get to this point and I am sure that the 'Pantene Factor' will apply (it won't happen overnight but it will happen).

So share with me how you relax. What are the moments that make you laugh and smile? I would love to hear them!

With Love,
Lynnelle

www.5smallstones.com.au
lynnelle@5smallstones.com.au