The older we get the more it seems like time just keeps on passing us by. I was recently reflecting with a friend and I told him I just turned "50". He reminded me that it was almost two months ago! How did eight weeks fly so fast? As we continued to talk he said, make sure you don't fall into "wandering generalities oppose to a meaningful specific," with the things you've set your mind to do.
Okay, after I stopped to give his expression some thought, I had to think about how deep a simple phrase can really be. Honestly this made me reflect on everything I currently had on my list and reviewed it to make sure I wasn't just being "busy," but actually taking care of "business." Now of course it's important to be balanced and have fun in life, but also remember what your goals are and what you are purposed to do.
I've started to notice in some of the conversations I'm having with friends, clients and new acquaintances, many are disappointed with themselves for not really going after what's in their heart to accomplish. What I've observed is there are as many different reasons as people for why they aren't going after what they really want. The three biggest reasons seem to be fear, or they don't believe they deserve it, or they feel they've waited too long and it's too late.
My response is first, fear is "false evidence appearing real." Don't give into fear. It cripples people all the time and it is actually the opposite of faith or believing. Secondly, you must believe in yourself and what you were put on this earth to do. No matter what you've heard otherwise. Third, as long as you, we, us have breath in our bodies it is NEVER too late to go after what you really want. Learn as much as you can about what it is you want to do, find out who else is doing it, and start surrounding yourself with people of like mind.
I believe if you really don't fight and try to make your dreams a reality you will be mad at yourself. If that happens, you will wake up one day asking yourself for forgiveness. Always remember nothing beats a failure but a try!
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Gaddafi's Death
Most of us are aware that Muammar Gaddafi, Longtime dictator of Libya was killed. They are still investigating all of the details pertaining to his death, but video tapes showed graphic images where his lifeless body was being dragged through the streets and over pavement with lots of blood. What's interesting is the men that were tormenting him chanted continuously "God is great," while they continued to beat him. I ask is this conduct just? Is it moral?
With all that is going on throughout the world and across the globe the question of "justice" could be asked. Justice means the quality of being just, righteousness, or moral rightness. It is the moral principle determining just conduct.
I am not a political correspondent nor do I even want to pretend to be so, therefore the main purpose of my comments are centered around the question of humanity and what is right. As I was raising my children, I always taught them that right is right if no one is doing it, and wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. The question I pose is what are we doing? Is it right?
President Obama did address the death of Gaddafi in a press conference. He said that Libya won their revolution. Gadaffi was known as one of the world's longest serving dictators and now he is no more. He was accused of crimes against humanity, but the way he was murdered was that humane? With all of the violence and hatred that has been stirring for all this time did this action bring peace?
Forgiveness has to be part of any dialogue and solution if we want to even have a hope of a better future for the next generations to come. I'm not saying that Gaddafi (or anyone else for that matter) was correct in his actions, but have we searched and sought all forms of understanding and possible reconciliation?
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.
With all that is going on throughout the world and across the globe the question of "justice" could be asked. Justice means the quality of being just, righteousness, or moral rightness. It is the moral principle determining just conduct.
I am not a political correspondent nor do I even want to pretend to be so, therefore the main purpose of my comments are centered around the question of humanity and what is right. As I was raising my children, I always taught them that right is right if no one is doing it, and wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. The question I pose is what are we doing? Is it right?
President Obama did address the death of Gaddafi in a press conference. He said that Libya won their revolution. Gadaffi was known as one of the world's longest serving dictators and now he is no more. He was accused of crimes against humanity, but the way he was murdered was that humane? With all of the violence and hatred that has been stirring for all this time did this action bring peace?
Forgiveness has to be part of any dialogue and solution if we want to even have a hope of a better future for the next generations to come. I'm not saying that Gaddafi (or anyone else for that matter) was correct in his actions, but have we searched and sought all forms of understanding and possible reconciliation?
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Keeping the Peace
This week my heart and mind have been heavy as I thought about what to share. I very much desire for my blog to be entertaining, educational and enlightening. But at the end of the day, I must also write about what I feel and believe. Recently I've noticed some negativity among people I hoped to respect, even people I would consider leaders in the community. One thing I know for sure, no one rises to the top by knocking someone else down.
I really believe it is a shame when an individual publicly humiliates another person, especially when there's been a history, friendship and even a working relationship that once existed. I ask how can someone say they are an advocate for peace and yet they try to destroy another person's reputation and possibly even their livelihood? If you have a problem or a disappointment with a person, it might not be a bad idea to just pull them aside and help them.
To confirm my thoughts about this week's article, what I found interesting is when I was in church this morning the pastor talked about judgment and being careful when we pass judgment on another. After all, we've all heard the saying, "he who is without sin cast the first stone." So understand, I am not passing judgment, I just want to give all of us something to think about. Leaders construct not destroy.
Of course, I had to look at the bible before I brought closure to this thought. James 4:1 says, " where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?" Usually when we try to breakdown another it is because of pride. We know pride comes before a fall...In the book of James, he goes further to say, "If anyone among you thinks he's religious, but does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless."
In closing, I just want to say, if we profess peace, then we need to stop fighting with one another and practice what we preach. Figure it out, work it out with your fellow brother or sister. Life is short and we should build up instead of destroying others. Extend the olive branch, believe me if you're sincere it works. This step can lead to forgiveness and that can eventually lead to peace.
"...that old law about an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing. Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
I really believe it is a shame when an individual publicly humiliates another person, especially when there's been a history, friendship and even a working relationship that once existed. I ask how can someone say they are an advocate for peace and yet they try to destroy another person's reputation and possibly even their livelihood? If you have a problem or a disappointment with a person, it might not be a bad idea to just pull them aside and help them.
To confirm my thoughts about this week's article, what I found interesting is when I was in church this morning the pastor talked about judgment and being careful when we pass judgment on another. After all, we've all heard the saying, "he who is without sin cast the first stone." So understand, I am not passing judgment, I just want to give all of us something to think about. Leaders construct not destroy.
Of course, I had to look at the bible before I brought closure to this thought. James 4:1 says, " where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?" Usually when we try to breakdown another it is because of pride. We know pride comes before a fall...In the book of James, he goes further to say, "If anyone among you thinks he's religious, but does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless."
In closing, I just want to say, if we profess peace, then we need to stop fighting with one another and practice what we preach. Figure it out, work it out with your fellow brother or sister. Life is short and we should build up instead of destroying others. Extend the olive branch, believe me if you're sincere it works. This step can lead to forgiveness and that can eventually lead to peace.
"...that old law about an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing. Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Challenge To Reinvent Oneself!
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.
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.
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
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