God=Love

I know this. If you're a christian, you know this.

What if someone doesn't believe in God? I guarantee you that they still believe in love. I bet most of them show love even better than you or I do sometimes, but that's another blog post.

So, if someone doesn't believe in God, and they ask you what Christianity or the bible is all about, do you answer automatically "God" or "Jesus" (or, God's love, even)? Guess what? From my experience, that's the end of the conversation for them, they've checked out. They don't believe in God, so telling them "God" isn't wedging that door open, it's not planting any seeds.

Next time, try answering "love" first. Just "love". They're going to ask another question. I bet you anything. Then you can tell them all about how a man showed and taught love.

If you truly believe God=love, think about showing LOVE way before you PREACH God.

2012, a list and a couple of mantras

Writing a list of resolutions seems pretty trite, so here's a list of...2012 focuses. That's different, right? ;)

First, here's my "keep it up!" list:

1. Practice yoga and continue pushing myself during practice (cadenceyoga.com, it's the best, check it out).

2. Eat healthy. I haven't had fast food (except Chick-fil-a, which totally does NOT count) in months.

3. Write notes to others, and myself. I love a good hand-written note.

And now new "focuses", in no particular order:

1. Try a different cheese every week. I just discovered you can keep a card with a list of your cheeses at Forward Foods. Can't wait to fill mine up.

2. Practice a few sun salutations every morning, and SMILE through them! Which means...

3. Get up earlier (this is on my list every year, I always wake up right in time and have to rush to get ready). Here's to hoping I can actually achieve this one in 2012.

4. Cook something new/different every other week. I feel really good about my baking skills but wish I had a wider range in cooking. That is, more than just fish and veggies.

5. Use prayer cards every morning while getting ready. I put these around my mirror, hopefully they'll be hard to miss that way.

6. Open the blinds every morning. As stated before, I am NOT a morning person, but a little sunlight always helps get me in a ... sunnier mood. Ha! Hahaha.

7. Don't cheat on my budget. Period.

8. Make notes in REAL bible (instead youversion, though I do love it). I'm pretty sure I did all of my bible reading and highlighting digitally last year and I just miss that actual, physical book.

And finally, my 2012 mantras:

Be kind. Be kind. Be kind.

Be open and actively expect transformation.


Happy New Year. :)