Friday, May 23, 2014

Women are Amazing


Women deserve to be treated royally every day! As a husband, I hope you will do your best to treasure your bride. As a woman, I hope you will always remember how amazing you are and that you deserve the best of everything in life!

Thursday, May 22, 2014

People Who are Acting Out are Really Just Looking for Love

Whether it is your child, your spouse, a family member, a stranger or a friend ... when someone is acting out, they are really asking for love.

They are acting out because they are feeling fear and rejection -- though they may not consciously realize it.

I think many of us know this, but it takes great wisdom and discipline to respond to these situations with love instead of our own defensiveness.

Here's a quick 3 step plan to handle sticky situations:
1. Slow down and think before you react to someone acting out.
2. Remember the ultimate reason this person is acting up is because they feel unloved.
3. Based on this knowledge and the circumstances, ask yourself what the remedy for the situation is. How can you show them love and mercy in this situation?

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Happily Ever After is not a Fairy Tale


Happily ever after is not a fairy tale! The fairy tale is that it takes no work to be happily ever after. Happily ever after is a choice!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Marriage is a Verb

Something to remember as we treasure our marriages. True love does not begin until after the "in-love" euphoria fades away. In my book, marriage is a verb.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Forgive When You Do Not Receive an Apology


Sometimes we will never receive an apology we may be waiting for. By holding the energy of "waiting" for the apology, we are hurting ourselves by giving our power to the person who hurt us. Decide today to accept the apology you never received. You will feel the freedom and regain your power.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The Only Way to Make Progress is to Stick Your Neck Out


Hee! Hee! Love this little guy ... and the message he brings. In order to get anywhere in life, whether it is in relationships, career, health or finances, we've got to stick our neck out. Be brave! Stick your neck out today and see what happens!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

How to Develop Courage


Isn't this the truth? Honestly, sometimes I wish it did not have to be this way, but it is this way for everything in life. Once you go "through" something difficult, you come out stronger and wiser on the other end. That is growth and something to be grateful for. If everything was happy and easy all the time, we wouldn't learn anything.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Be the Heroine of Your Life


You have a choice -- you can be the heroine or the victim. All it takes is a change of perspective. You can decide right now! 

Monday, May 5, 2014

Hugging is Good Medicine


Research shows hugging can make you healthier and happier. I first heard this from one of my sisters and decided to look into it. 

I found plenty of information about it and even a quote that says we need 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 hugs a day for maintenance and 12 hugs a day for growth, so I decided to give it a try. 

I swear it is helping me feel happier! I think it is making my kiddos happier, too! 

I'm shooting for at least 8 a day. This may sound silly, but I'm planning a few of them to make sure it happens. I figure if I can get one each from Paul and the kids in the morning, one from each kid after school and one from each at bedtime, I should be good to go! I find myself looking forward to my special hugs! :) 

Friday, May 2, 2014

The Last Flash Light


Growing up, my grandparents always gave the grandkids a flashlight at Christmas. They were from a time where gifts were meant to be practical, and that was important to them.

All of us kids loved it! What's not to love about a flashlight? It was a fun game every Christmas to wonder what kind of a flashlight you would get.

The tradition continued over the years as great-grandchildren were born. Tyler and Alyssa have enjoyed receiving their flashlights in recent years, just as I did when I was younger.

Grandma passed away a few years ago, and Grandpa passed away last weekend. At his funeral last night, everyone received the gift of a flashlight in memory of Grandpa.

I love that! What an awesome way to celebrate someone's life and legacy. The flashlight was personalized and said, "Grandpa Jerry DeBruyne Your light will shine on in our memories forever. 1930-2014."









Thursday, May 1, 2014

You Get What You Give

This week while I was visiting my dad in the hospital, one of the administrators came in to see him. He has known her for more than three years as he has undergone nearly 100 chemotherapy treatments.

There were some things that my dad needed for his care that she said she would help us obtain. She also went out of her way to make sure he was comfortable and being well taken care of.

When she walked out, my dad first expressed his gratitude for her help, but then he looked at me, shrugged his shoulders and said, "You get what you give."

I said, "You're right dad. You have given them a lot."

It's a life lesson that brought me near tears. For more than three years, as he has walked his own cancer journey, he has been a rock of support at his chemotherapy office. The life of the party. The bringer of love. Not a nurse walks past him without a hug and a kiss.

He became the go-to expert in the office. Whenever a new patient came in that needed support or guidance or encouragement, they sent him to my dad. "What, this patient doesn't want a port?" My dad says, "Why wouldn't you want a port? It makes it so much easier."

Many times my mom and dad have made house calls to cancer patients struggling with the diagnosis. My dad also attended the cancer support group whenever it was requested of him so he could share his amazing story of success. His positive attitude has been infectious.

One nurse I spoke with last week said, "He is the hero of our office. We will do anything for him."

So, now, as the cancer attempts to grow and he is the one who needs support, all of those people he has helped along the way are there for him.

It's such a beautiful picture in my mind of everyone giving love and getting it in return. And I'm seeing it in action right before my eyes. It's true, you get what you give.