She Needed a Hero So She Became One

A dear friend who is going through some really tough times sent me a private message after I had said to her “You are your own hero -- you + God = courageous and strong, mighty woman of God!” She replied: Is that ok, to be your own hero?” The following helps explain my response to her:.

If ever we needed our sisterhood, we need it today. To have friends that encourage us, cry with us, rejoice with us and pray for us is worth more than silver and gold. I do that a lot on Facebook. When I see friends’ photos of their child’s wedding, I rejoice with them. I celebrate with my friends when they celebrate the accomplishments of their family – the school wins, graduations, awards, baby births, and anniversaries. I also love it when friends are bold enough to ask for prayer.

This photo says “She Needed a Hero, So She Became One!” I’m so proud of my friends and those women I don’t know, who aspire to be strong, resilient, determined, tenacious women and who say “I can do this. I can survive this. I am an overcomer. I am powerful – not because of my own abilities and my own self-talk – but I am powerful because the Greater One lives in me. (1 John 4:4) I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)”

I learned very quickly, after I became a widow, that I had a choice to make. I could whine and I could wallow in self-pity because I didn’t have my hero to lean on or give me advice on important decisions, or to repair something around the house. I could have thought “I need a hero to see after me!” If I stayed in that mindset, I would have never realized all I could do on my own. Now I know I am a woman of wisdom. I daily purpose to be powerful, passionate, positive, and, above all – peaceful. Rarely do I call out for help from anyone, but I also know my limitations. So when my daughter asked what I’d like for my birthday and since they live nearby, I was quick to say “Coupons for around-the-house jobs” (see photo). And, that's what they gave me. Yay!! I'll definitely use those coupons!

Honestly, there are times I think about how awesome it would be to have a hero again who I could go to for support and who would give me that extra hug, soothe my troubled soul, and boost me up with encouragement and compliments. But, I know I have God Who is more than enough. He is faithful to me. "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation." Psalm 68:5. He lifts me up with His love. I may be alone, but I’m not lonely. He is for me and encourages me daily with His Word.

Still, there are times when it's up to ME to set me free. It's up to me to apply the band-aids to my body and my spirit. It's up to me to change the channel of "pitiful me" to "powerful me". It's up to me to do what King David did. "When King David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." 1 Samuel 30:6

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother or mother or friend and it’s ME. I never leave me. I never forsake me. I don’t EVER let me beat ME up and I don't let me pity me. I put on my armor, pick up my sword and raise it high. I have come to realize I am my own HERO. Yes…..there are times when we need a HERO......and that's when it's up to us to BECOME ONE

If You Stumble -- Make It Part of the Dance

I was quite the awkward child and teenager. Oh, how much I wanted to dance, or be on the drill team or be a good athlete -- in any sport. But I never pursued or worked at any of those desires. My husband and I took a few ballroom dance lessons to be prepared for the ballroom dancing on the 15 cruises we took. And those steps came in handy when we attended wedding receptions where nice, easy slow dances played. Indeed, those were sweet and romantic opportunities to look into each other’s eyes, hug and tightly hold onto each other. I’ve always enjoyed watching others perform and excel at their dancing and athletic abilities.

Now that I’m in this 55+ active adult community, I’ve been doing my usual running and walking around the neighborhood or using the treadmill at the fitness center. But I saw all these dance exercise classes and decided to add another fun and active way to stay fit to my daily fitness routines. I thought I’d add to my repertoire of “dance moves” – LOL – so I took some dance exercise classes that included the Charleston, Lindy, Rumba, Samba dances and some line dancing. I’d like to think that now I’m this limber, coordinated, and flexible dancer. I definitely have a ways to go! In fact, I find myself lagging way behind the group. There are folks in these classes that have lived in this community since its beginning 10 years ago, and have got the “moves” down. I’m impressed with them. Everyone tells me “Give yourself at least a couple of months to catch on. Don’t expect to have it all down in two or three classes.”

I have a sweet young 14-year old friend who is relentless in her pursuit to be a professional ballet dancer. She knows that dancers don’t achieve seamless performances without careful and consistent practice -- over and over again. She knows it will take her years before she develops the expertise to perform professionally. Dancers must have the characteristic of persistence or perseverance to keep rehearsing their moves and routines until they are perfect -- with the ability to learn quickly and retain information. A "can do" attitude is the only one that ensures dancers succeeding at their craft. They can't give up until they achieve the goals of their choreographer or producer, and then must persist in learning the next step or routine for their next audition.

It’s crazy in this post of me to compare myself to accomplished dancers, but in the few weeks I’ve been with this group, I’m starting to keep up a little better. I didn’t give up after one or two times, like I was told others did. Initially, I found myself frustrated when I watched all those other folks moving and grooving and could have said “This is too difficult. I just don’t have the ability or the coordination to do this.” But I didn’t say that. I know about "self talk" enough to not sabotage my abilities. Dreaming and wishing and hoping is not the stuff that makes things happen. It's the ACTION we put into our dreaming and believing. James 2:17 says: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Dancing or a sports activity or computers and many other various technologies require persistence and a willingness to learn. A simple set of directions isn’t what makes someone successful. It’s the never quitting and the never giving up and the willingness to be our own cheerleader.

I do a lot of “self talk" – to help me daily grow wiser, more knowledgeable and stronger in many ways. I don’t beat myself up when I make a mistake or falter at something. I “self talk” myself into believing I’ll do better, get better and succeed at whatever I’m attempting.

Here's my self talk for today: "I can do this (whatever “this” is)! I am a winner (at whatever I’m attempting)! I will not quit! There is no limit to what I can accomplish! I am prosperous and successful! I am bee-u-ti-ful! I make a positive difference in many people's lives. I am a conqueror. I am strong and courageous. I am faith-filled and my ACTIONS speak louder than my words, so TODAY, I will ACT like I'm already there!"

Faith Talk

Yesterday I posted "Keep your words soft and sweet....because tomorrow you might have to eat them". That is so true, and to take it a step further.... keeping our words positive and encouraging is equally as important to us and to others. People often ask me "What's the secret to all that energy and enthusiasm you have?" The answer is "Faith Talk". I practice it regularly. Actually, like others, there's always reasons to complain, be discontented, to worry, to feel rejected, misunderstood, or to be sad. But, oh my goodness, there's so many more reasons to turn those negative thoughts and words on their heels, and replace them with those affirmative, positive, life-changing words that have the potential of altering the course of my day, my family and friends' day, too. Our words become thoughts, thoughts become actions AND attitude.

The words we use, whether it’s when speaking with others or the self talk that we say to ourself, impact our thoughts and our thoughts greatly affect our actions. And when we take that one step further, we’re reminded that our actions become our habits. In other words, our habits begin with our self talk and what we say to others.

Choosing "Faith Talk" over "I Can't" talk moves us into a "sweet spot" that draws good things to us. And, it's just not the "talk", it's the walk -- the walk of confidence, joy, energy, enthusiasm and the I CAN attitude. I know in my life, this has been the case. It's the kind of talk that says things like "God is bigger AND I’m bigger than this obstacle.” It's almost like being plugged into an energy machine when we talk this talk. It puts a spring in our step. We see sunshine on a cloudy day. When it's cold outside, we'll live in the month of May. Hmmm....I'm singing "My Girl" -- LOL!

Seriously, I know from experience how powerful our words can be, and I also know from experience, that our words can determine our world. Let's make a habit of speaking "Faith Words". If our mouth fills our heart with words of faith when we don't need it; then our heart will fill our mouth with words of faith when we do need it!

"For out of the abundance of his heart, a man (or woman) speaks." Luke 6:45

"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences." Proverbs 18:21

I Will Act Like I'm Already There!

I was quite the awkward child and teenager. Oh, how much I wanted to dance, or be on the drill team or be a good athlete -- in any sport. If only I knew then -- what I know now about "self talk" and believing and training and doing something about what I wanted to do. Dreaming and wishing and hoping is not the stuff that makes things happen. It's the ACTION we put into our dreaming and believing. James 2:17 says: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Now "self talk", taking the time to learn about what I desire to do, and putting action to my faith -- is the way I roll.

Here's my self talk for today: "I can do this! I am a winner! I will not quit! There is no limit to what I can accomplish! I am prosperous and successful! I am bee-u-ti-ful! I make a positive difference in many people's lives. I am a conqueror. I am strong and courageous. I am faith-filled and my ACTIONS speak louder than my words, so TODAY, I will ACT like I'm already there!"