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SubscriptionsSites I Read
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| I've been downloading some programs with the allure of their free trial. It's always something we can relate to; 7-day, 30-day, 90-day. We have a general idea of how long we can test some new gizmo without any repercussions, assuming we stick to the deadline. It is within that time frame where we decide if the product is worth it. Will it enhance your life? Will it be added to the long list of things you should have never bought at 2 am? Will it better your standard of living? Did that Magic Bullet really make the task of cutting veggies easier? Did the trial membership at the gym make you want to go there?
Did the object in question benefit you? Isn't that the deciding factor?
You don't know if you don't have the trial.
Sometimes we just let the trial pass from us and we think, "What the hey? It was marked down from $79.99 to $9.99 and I got Billy Blank's new DVD to boot."
Other trials might not be so clear cut. Maybe your life's trials don't last only 7 days. Maybe the price to pay for something isn't simply on your amex next month. But use that trial to make things better. The trial is temporary. Maybe it's not what you hoped for or the package isn't as promised. Realize that sometimes these trials are a result of our decision making: whether it's that damn infomercial that finally got you early in the AM or fundamental decisions early in life. If you pick something, don't be surprised with the trial. After it's over, look at the products. Are you changed? Did it benefit you? What knowledge have you garnered as a result of that trial?
Even so, with trial after trial... with God,
you've got a lifetime guarantee. Just take it to Him, no questions asked. :)
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| I need to get my blogs up and the following is something I found a couple years back. Thought I'd share! =)
A SOULFUL RELATIONSHIP
By Rev. Ronald McFadden
If you're not married yet, share this with a friend. If you are
married, share it with your spouse or other married couples and reflect
on it.
An African proverb states, "Before you get married, keep both eyes open, and after you marry, close one eye."
Before you get involved and make a commitment to someone, don't let
lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low
self-esteem, make you blind to warning signs. Keep your eyes open, and
don't fool yourself that you can change someone or that what you see as
faults aren't really important.
Once you decide to commit to someone, over time his or her flaws,
vulnerabilities, pet peeves, and differences will become more obvious.
If you love your mate and want the relationship to grow and evolve,
you've got to learn to close one eye and not let every little thing
bother you. You and your mate have many different expectations,
emotional needs, values, dreams, weaknesses, and strengths. You are two
unique individual children of God who have decided to share a life
together.
Neither of you are perfect, but are you perfect for each other? Do you bring out the best in each other?
Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you compete,
compare, and control? What do you bring to the relationship? Do you
bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past pain? You
can't take someone to the altar to alter him or her. You can't make
someone love you or make someone stay.
If you develop self-esteem, spiritual discernment, and "a life", you
won't find yourself making someone else responsible for your happiness
or responsible for your pain.
Manipulation, control, jealousy, neediness, and selfishness are not the
ingredients of a thriving, healthy, loving and lasting relationship!
Seeking status, sex, wealth, and security are the wrong reasons to be
in a relationship. What keeps a relationship strong?
Communication, intimacy, trust, a sense of humor, sharing household
tasks, some getaway time without business or children and daily
exchanges (a meal, shared activity, a hug, a call, a touch, a note).
Leave a nice message on the voicemail or send a nice email.
Sharing common goals and interests. Growth is important. Grow together,
not away from each other, giving each other space to grow without
feeling insecure. Allow your mate to have outside interest. You can't
always be together. Give each other a sense of belonging and assurances
of commitment. Don't try to control one another. Learn each other's
family situation. Respect his or her parents regardless.
Don't put pressure on each other for material goods. Remember for
richer or for poorer. If these qualities are missing, the relationship
will erode as resentment, withdrawal, abuse, neglect, dishonesty, and
pain replace the passion.
The difference between 'United' and 'Untied' is where you put the i.
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| I've been having writer's block for the past couple... years. In any case, I've been wanting to write a post about something, I just couldn't figure out what. So I googled Writer's Block and read the Wikipedia entry (reputable source, I know). What caught my eye was when they said that it could be due to not confronting problems of the past. I don't have full blown out skeletons in my closet, so I wondered why it struck a chord with me. I clicked the "oldest" link to previous posts and re-discovered where I was and how much I have(n't) changed.
A resonating (not a good word... recurring, perhaps?) conflict I have is with my standards, perception of my self and how other's see me. I see that I am never fully satisfied with where I am. I started my Xanga in 8th grade and often talked about getting to high school. In high school, I just couldn't wait to get to college. Here I am and now I don't know where to go.
I used to be completely different from school than I am at the chapel. Not in a bad way, either, I promise. I was just so quiet and I never let anyone get close. Being those two different people wasn't even difficult. The setting just changed me completely. I don't know why, but slowly with time, I learned to blend the two worlds. The mix probably didn't come out right... but I'm happy.
That's one thing I'm glad about. I'm still a happy girl. I hope that with tests, trials, defeats, and triumphs, I remain true to those who've always been there for me.
Thanks to you Xanga for all the experiences you've helped me to record certain events, for being my time machine to both good and bad times. More importantly, thank you to those I've shared these with despite my changing moods and unchanging habits. I'm not sure what this post was really about. But I guess even that is a part of who I am. =)
I'm still a stickler for spelling and grammar. FOCUS.
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| Requirements for a splendid 2008 summer:
1. Single
2. Blog on Xanga.
That's it! Everyone who is following this recipe has found success!
Enjoy! =)
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| Just an interesting article I found from Oprah. I was reading up on the Law of Attraction and this was one of the related links. Just read it! =P
http://www2.oprah.com/omagazine/200802/omag_200802_gorman.jhtml
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