I've always loved the month of September. Not only is it the month I celebrate my birthday, but it has always represented the freshness of new beginnings. As I've shared before, it traditionally was the time when kids go back to school and new school clothes were purchased. It was also when new school supplies were bought, including stacks of paper and notebooks, new sharpened pencils, and everything else that would go with having a good beginning for a successful school year. By the way, I love new notebooks and pretty writing pens.
The weather also starts to take a change. It begins to cool off and a wind picks up that brushes across our face. We often look in the closet for that light jacket, blazer or sweater to keep us warm. We pay more attention to our wardrobe during this time because there's a lot of "mixing & matching." I think it's the time of year where we feel no matter what happened over the summer we still have a chance to make it a great year before the holidays take over.
I have decided to take a personal public challenge during this season and look at my life (turning 50 will do this to you) and see where do I really need to stop and make a change or improve. I all this the "Reinvention of Wendy." I don't plan to do anything drastic, but just subtle changes internally and externally so that I won't look up in a few years and not be happy where I am, how I feel about the choices I made and did I stop to take time to be the best that I can be.
I have decided to start with the following:
* Assess where I am with my convictions, commitments and my word. What do I need to do to get where I want to be?
* Simply stated get off my duff and really start an exercise plan that I will stay with including eating healthier and living like I want to live.
* Do a better job of lending a helping hand to those in need that I can touch. Dr. E.V. Hill used to say, "if you can don't lie, if you can't don't try!" Pretty to the point, if you can do something give it your best, otherwise leave it alone.
I challenge you to examine your own life and see what needs a little attention. The choices you make in life ultimately determine your destiny!
"Healing Without Hate: It's a Choice. It's a Lifestyle. Pass It On!"
visit www.wendygladney.com or www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. You can also hear Wendy on 102.3 KJLH Radio on Friday Mornings around 5:00am.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Turning 50
It's really interesting how birthdays can make you stop and reflect. Especially when it's one of the "big" ones. As I sit and write this week's column the clock is ticking and I'm about to turn 50 years old. Truth be told, I really don't mind and I'm in a better place than I've been in years, but the thought of being a half century makes a girl feel a little old. What's interesting several of my friends and colleagues keep sending me little messages that say, "welcome to the club."
After reflecting on the comments, I began to think about what is this "club" and who are the members? First of all the fact that we've made it to the half way mark of a century is something in itself. When I reflect back on my own personal life and the fact that I was born in my mother's sixth month of pregnancy and weighing just a couple of pounds is a miracle within itself. Compounding other life challenges and beating cancer all mean that I should be thankful to be at this point....and I am!
Most of us that have reached this milestone have experienced life, marriage, sometimes divorce, children and possibly death of loved ones. Hopefully we've learned what is important not to sweat the small stuff. Taking care of one's health, enjoying and cherishing loved ones, and helping others are some of the greatest simple pleasures we can experience and yet we often take them for granted or let them slip away.
As I started sharing in last weeks' column, I am really on a kick about the process of reinventing oneself, while forgiving yourself for the things you possibly didn't do right. Most of us have heard the saying that you attract what you put out. So the question is what are you putting out into the world? If you say you want better health, then start slowly cutting back on the things you shouldn't eat and start slowly walking a little every day. If you say you want friends, then show yourself friendly. If you say you want success, then start today doing one thing that can put you closer to your goals. Remember you can't expect something new if you keep doing the same old thing. Reinventing means letting go of the unnecessary things and looking at life from a new perspective. For me the second half of life is going to be beautiful and happy!
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
After reflecting on the comments, I began to think about what is this "club" and who are the members? First of all the fact that we've made it to the half way mark of a century is something in itself. When I reflect back on my own personal life and the fact that I was born in my mother's sixth month of pregnancy and weighing just a couple of pounds is a miracle within itself. Compounding other life challenges and beating cancer all mean that I should be thankful to be at this point....and I am!
Most of us that have reached this milestone have experienced life, marriage, sometimes divorce, children and possibly death of loved ones. Hopefully we've learned what is important not to sweat the small stuff. Taking care of one's health, enjoying and cherishing loved ones, and helping others are some of the greatest simple pleasures we can experience and yet we often take them for granted or let them slip away.
As I started sharing in last weeks' column, I am really on a kick about the process of reinventing oneself, while forgiving yourself for the things you possibly didn't do right. Most of us have heard the saying that you attract what you put out. So the question is what are you putting out into the world? If you say you want better health, then start slowly cutting back on the things you shouldn't eat and start slowly walking a little every day. If you say you want friends, then show yourself friendly. If you say you want success, then start today doing one thing that can put you closer to your goals. Remember you can't expect something new if you keep doing the same old thing. Reinventing means letting go of the unnecessary things and looking at life from a new perspective. For me the second half of life is going to be beautiful and happy!
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Need For A Coach No Matter Where You Are In Life
In life no matter how successful one may be, or even "appear" to be, I've learned it's always important to sharpen one's tools, learn some new things and listen to a coach. I feel like I've been going through a growing stage and "transition" for quite some time (let's even say a couple of years). What started as "downsizing" when the economy hit our company in 2009, has now turned into a whole new way of life.
The first thing I learned is less is not such a bad thing. At one time I was responsible for up to 7 employees, full overhead of a large office, workers comp, insurance, you name it. Letting go of some of that not only lightened my load, but freed up my mind to think on things that I really wanted to focus on (such as my non-profit, Forgiving For Living, Inc.). Furthermore, my life has changed because my children are grown (and my son has now moved to Australia), so the day to day mothering is not like it used to be. Let's say I am learning the joy of "skype" and "whatsapp" and "texting" in a whole new way! So I am in the process of "reinventing" myself and how it ties into the subject of "forgiveness" and helping others.
I recently read in one of my devotional books that when God is doing something in your life, we might feel frustrated or even confused, but don't get weary and stay open because with great things comes great faith and dependence on Him. I know He is leading me to a new cornerstone in my life and that it is important for me to not feel afraid. What's also true is this process or journey definitely includes the importance to forgive. Forgiveness is what helps to create an extraordinary life from ordinary people. I don't know about you, but I am ready to walk in being "extra" in a good way.
In closing, when I looked up the meaning of "reinvent," it stated that it is "to recast something familiar or old into a different form." It also said, "to create anew or make over." All to say, it doesn't mean what we were doing was wrong or bad, it just means it's time to take something we've gotten used to and tweak it into something better. I'm ready....are you? More to come on how we can reinvent ourselves and the power forgiveness has to get us there.
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
The first thing I learned is less is not such a bad thing. At one time I was responsible for up to 7 employees, full overhead of a large office, workers comp, insurance, you name it. Letting go of some of that not only lightened my load, but freed up my mind to think on things that I really wanted to focus on (such as my non-profit, Forgiving For Living, Inc.). Furthermore, my life has changed because my children are grown (and my son has now moved to Australia), so the day to day mothering is not like it used to be. Let's say I am learning the joy of "skype" and "whatsapp" and "texting" in a whole new way! So I am in the process of "reinventing" myself and how it ties into the subject of "forgiveness" and helping others.
I recently read in one of my devotional books that when God is doing something in your life, we might feel frustrated or even confused, but don't get weary and stay open because with great things comes great faith and dependence on Him. I know He is leading me to a new cornerstone in my life and that it is important for me to not feel afraid. What's also true is this process or journey definitely includes the importance to forgive. Forgiveness is what helps to create an extraordinary life from ordinary people. I don't know about you, but I am ready to walk in being "extra" in a good way.
In closing, when I looked up the meaning of "reinvent," it stated that it is "to recast something familiar or old into a different form." It also said, "to create anew or make over." All to say, it doesn't mean what we were doing was wrong or bad, it just means it's time to take something we've gotten used to and tweak it into something better. I'm ready....are you? More to come on how we can reinvent ourselves and the power forgiveness has to get us there.
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Reinvention
Coming soon....learn about how "Forgiveness" and "Reinvention" collide and mak your life better!
Blessings
Wendy
Blessings
Wendy
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sheryl Sherrod
This past week in the news we heard a lot about Sheryl Sherrod, the former Georgia Director of Rural Development. It was determined that she was unjustly forced to resign from her position after a segment of a speech she made at a NAACP event was placed out on the internet. The piece positioned her as a "reverse racist" in regards to a white farmer.
What's interesting is before all the details were put on the table she was asked (while driving her car) to "pull over to the side of the road and resign" and the NAACP at the time agreed with the forced resignation (they later retracted their position).
CNN and the Atlanta Constitution Journal correctly reported that the video was a misrepresentation of the full speech and that she should be judged on the entire speech. After all of these details, along wth other items that came to the surface, Ms. Sherrod was offered her job back.
The question is should she forgive those who jumped to conclusions before viewing and researching all of the details? Also should she take her job back? What's interesting is the white farmer she supposedly was racist against came out to her defense. Mrs. Eloise Spooner (the wife of the said farmer) even went as far as to say that Ms. Sherrod helped them save their farm!
In conclusion, I also found it interesting that details came out that Ms. Sherrod's father was killed in a racially motivated murder. when she was asked about this she said, "If I could move beyond race, if I could move beyond the ability to try to hate, and when you look at what happened to us, when you look at what was done, if I could move beyond that to a life of love and service, we all should be able to do it. And that's my message."
Remember...."Forgiveness is not an occasional act...it is an attitude!"
www.forgivingforliving.com
What's interesting is before all the details were put on the table she was asked (while driving her car) to "pull over to the side of the road and resign" and the NAACP at the time agreed with the forced resignation (they later retracted their position).
CNN and the Atlanta Constitution Journal correctly reported that the video was a misrepresentation of the full speech and that she should be judged on the entire speech. After all of these details, along wth other items that came to the surface, Ms. Sherrod was offered her job back.
The question is should she forgive those who jumped to conclusions before viewing and researching all of the details? Also should she take her job back? What's interesting is the white farmer she supposedly was racist against came out to her defense. Mrs. Eloise Spooner (the wife of the said farmer) even went as far as to say that Ms. Sherrod helped them save their farm!
In conclusion, I also found it interesting that details came out that Ms. Sherrod's father was killed in a racially motivated murder. when she was asked about this she said, "If I could move beyond race, if I could move beyond the ability to try to hate, and when you look at what happened to us, when you look at what was done, if I could move beyond that to a life of love and service, we all should be able to do it. And that's my message."
Remember...."Forgiveness is not an occasional act...it is an attitude!"
www.forgivingforliving.com
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
What does BP Need to do to Seek Forgiveness From the People of the Gulf Coast
Recently I had a conversation with a friend and we were talking about the various current events of the world and their relation to the topic of "forgiveness." Of course we couldn't help but bring up the oil problem along the Gulf Coast and what is BP doing to help remedy the situation. How are they dealing with the necessary healing and seeking forgiveness from the people of the Gulf Coast?
Give us your opinion on the steps you think BP can put in place to start the healing process???
Let us hear from you...
Wendy ~
Give us your opinion on the steps you think BP can put in place to start the healing process???
Let us hear from you...
Wendy ~
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Desiree Rogers White House Social Secretary
I'm sure many of you heard that the darling Ms. Desiree Rogers, White House Social Secretary for President Obama recently stepped down and she is being replaced by Julianna Smoot.
After coming under fire for allowing an uninvited couple, Tareq & Michaele Salahi entrance into a White House Affair back in November the pressure on her performance has been on! The question I want to pose is do you think she should have resigned or do you think she should have been forgiven and given another opportunity to prove herself?
The sticky part is this breached the security of our President....this is different than someone just sneaking into a local party. Then on top of things the couple placed photos from the event on their facebook page!
Give me your thoughts...
Blessings
Wendy
After coming under fire for allowing an uninvited couple, Tareq & Michaele Salahi entrance into a White House Affair back in November the pressure on her performance has been on! The question I want to pose is do you think she should have resigned or do you think she should have been forgiven and given another opportunity to prove herself?
The sticky part is this breached the security of our President....this is different than someone just sneaking into a local party. Then on top of things the couple placed photos from the event on their facebook page!
Give me your thoughts...
Blessings
Wendy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)