Lessons Learned in '09 Chapter 8

Hello - I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Back to the series;

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Welcome to my new series titled Lessons Learned in 2009. This series is a serious look back at my life in 2009. I try not to get too personal on this blog but for this series I dug deep and I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 8 - Friends

• Friends. I love them. After the toxic friend clean out of ’09 changing my perspective my whole idea of friendship changed too. This past year I’ve lost friends, made new friends and rekindled old friendships. I’ve learned how a friendship is made and how to make a friendship last. I’ve learned which friendships are worth saving and which friendships were never really friendships at all. I’ve learned when to share my opinions and give advice and when to keep my mouth shut and simply listen. I’ve learned what a friend truly is and more importantly, I’ve learned how to be a true friend. Learning to be a friend was the best gift of all; it is a gift that gives back. I am grateful for what this year has taught me about friendship. May God bless my friends in the year 2010 – I pray for happiness, health, prosperity and love. I love you all and I am grateful to have you in my life.

Click here to read Chapter 1 - Don't get too comfortable

Click here to read Chapter 2 - Perspective

Click here to read Chapter 3 - Weight loss

Click here to read Chapter 4 - Babies

Click here to read Chapter 5 - Death

Click here to read Chapter 6 - Family

Click here to read Chapter 7 - God

On this day, God wants you to know...

Feeling drained, exhausted and like hell I left work and began my drive home. I had to stop by my friends house to pick something up for a project I was working on. To be honest I had been procrastinating for over a week about this project but I forced myself to drive a little out of my way and stop by their house.

My friends (we will call them Bob and Jane) were mentors to my husband and I as part of a requirement by the church before getting married. Bob and Jane were so cool and down to earth about relationships, religion and just about everything that we decided we couldn't let these people out of our life.

I stepped into Bob and Jane's house and Bob greeted me with a hug. "You look very nice, I love your new bangs" he said.

"Oh yeah right, I look awful!" I said.

I got what I needed for my project and as I was walking out the door Bob handed me a little slip of paper. "I read this and wanted you to have it" he said.

I said "Thanks" and slipped the piece of paper into my pocket.

Later that night I found the paper that was given to me and I read it. "Man, why I am so good at putting myself" I thought to myself.

The paper read this;

On this day, God wants you to know...that when people tell you nice things, stop shrugging them off as if they are nothing. The sincere compliments you receive are your jewels, - collect them in your heart, - they highlight the beauty of your being and empower you during challenging times. Never say "oh, its nothing" or shrug your shoulders when you hear a sincere compliment. Pause, breath it in, and really feel its meaning.

Wow. I find myself constantly doing that. A compliment is just an opportunity for me to dig at myself. Someone can say how nice I look and all I can think about is how FAT I look. And the person giving the compliment is left thinking...okay, that's not what I said or meant!

So I learned my lesson and now my message to all of you is just what that paper said...take compliments you receive to heart, collect them and cherish them. Don't dig at yourself, realize your self worth and beauty. You are worth it - God created you in his image!!!

The Road to a Friend's House is Never Long

Isn't it great when you reunite with a friend that you haven't seen in years and it feels like a day never passed in between?


This is my goofball & me almost 10 years ago...


And 10 years later...