A New Year, A New Day

In the last few days of 2011, I take some time off and reflect on the past year. I think about the good things that happened like having a baby this year in April and how happy that made me. I smile when I think about fun times I had with my family and friends. But there were some not so great things that happened like the flood we had in our office in February, and all the stress that caused. And I get sad when I remember the loved ones who have passed on.

When I was a little girl my Mom used to say something to us at bedtime which I always remembered. She would say, "Tomorrow's a new day." It sounds really simple but I always felt better when she said it. Especially when she said it at the end of a bad day. To know that tomorrow I could wake up and start over again, was comforting. To know that as bad as today was, there was hope that the next day would be better.

So this is the way I approach the new year and every year. I feel we should reflect, remember the good and the bad. Not to regret the bad, just to learn from it. Use it as something that can help you grow. Think about this new year and ask yourself if there's anything you would like to improve, change or just do more of. That's the beauty of starting fresh, there's hope for change. There's an intention to do better. Remember that not only is it a new year but every day is a chance for you to start over again.

Here are my intentions for 2012:
1. To be more patient with people, with my children, with myself.
2. To be healthier, including losing weight and eating healthier.
3. To share my faith. (as my daughter says, "Sharing is caring")   :)

I'd love to hear your intentions for the new year. And don't forget...
tomorrow's a new day.

Feeling Blessed,
Laura

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
Matthew 7:7-8

www.youversion.com

Grateful Spirit

Over the years, I didn't always appreciate what I had.  I was annoyed by small things.  Annoyed by terrible drivers, people who took too long to order in the drive thru, telephone calls on my home phone with someone trying to sell me something while I'm trying to eat dinner....I was irritated by so many things actually.  At the same time, I was holding on to resentment and pain from my past.  I didn't realize how my attitude and negative thoughts actually were affecting my day to day interactions with people I love.  Then something happened and it changed everything.  I was able to start over and got a  new perspective on life.   

I went to a bootcamp called Life Enrichment Bootcamp in January 2010.  At that time, I was feeling like something was missing and something wasn't right in my life.  After talking to a dear friend and therapist, Dr Maryanne Watson, she recommended I attend this "workshop".  She told me it was Christian based and that it was worth 10 years of therapy.  She had peaked my interest so much, after talking to her, I got online and read about it.  I signed up right then and there. 

The workshop was unbelievable.  It helped me realize I was missing out on enjoying my life by hanging on to things that had happened in the past.  Those four days of bootcamp were intense and given the choice, I would do it all over again.  There were hundreds of people there with me.  Listening to my group's stories made me realize we all were suffering in some way.  The exercises and training we experienced were priceless.  At the same time, I was saved spiritually too.  I became born again.  My husband, Raj, also became Christian and was baptized.  It was so amazing to see God work in us.  Made me realize all things are possible through Him as it says in Matthew 19:26.

It's been a long road but I know now that God doesn't want us to dwell in sorrow, past hurts, or other worries.  He wants us to love one another.  It's hard to love others when you don't love yourself.  So I encourage you to open your heart, seek out something greater in your life.  Let go of past hurts.  If anyone is interested in finding out more about the bootcamp I attended, you can read more at www.lifeenrichmentbootcamp.com.  You can mention me as the person who referred you and this enables you to attend it for free. I also need to give credit to Dr Art Arauzo as he was also instrumental to my healing. He and Dr Watson are the best and they have helped thousands of patients. 

Love to you all......Have a beautiful and safe Christmas and God Bless You!!