SMILE :)

It starts in my toes and I end up with a crinkle in my nose. My lips part and I end up in a toothy grin.

The next time you're feeling blue or just plain old blah -- SMILE!! This simple action just may improve your spirits. It doesn't take much to put a grin on your face. I know that there are certain things in my life that make me smile. Take a look around you and take some time to think of the special things that make you smile; and while you're at it don't forget to thank God for making these things possible to smile at. :)

Things that make me smile: (in no particular order)

• The awesomeness of God
• The sound of laughing children
• Friends
• Seeing someone accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour
• Dancing
• Elderly couples holding hands
• Watermelon
• Snow flakes
• Rainbows
• Passionate people
• Entertaining
• Ice Caps
• Stars
• Clearance sales
• Flip flops
• Thunder storms
• Motorcycles
• Home runs
• The ocean
• Homeruns

• Kittens
• Photography
• Warm breezes
• Balloons
• Fighter jets
• Hugs
• Gummy bears
• Bed head
• Sunshine
• Swinging on park swings
• Stuffed giraffes
• Royal blue
• Tickle wars
• Chocolate
• Cooking
• Kites
• Candle light
• Beautiful eyes
• Walking barefeet in the sand
• The smell of the people I love
• Good music
• Baseball games
• Popcicles
• Surprise kisses on the cheek
• Sunsets
• Picnics
• Avacados
• First buds of Spring
• Cuddles
• Sushi
• Painting
• Hummus
• Sleepovers
• Surprise visits from my friends/family
• Flowers
• Staring contests
• Acts of kindness
• Swimming
• Freshly fallen snow
• Pillow fights
• Funny faces
• Fire in the fireplace
• Belly achin’ laughs
• Butterflies

• Summer

The Blind Side

A friend of mine went to see the movie “The Blind Side” last month. I remember him calling me at 11:30 that night raving about how great it was. “One of my top three favourites for sure!” he gushed. “You have to see this movie. I’ll even see it again with you.”

Now, to be honest I’m not a great fan of going to the movies. For one thing, the combination smell of sweaty bodies and buttered popcorn turn me off. I don’t like the dark very much and the fact that I always get someone’s fat head blocking my view doesn’t appeal to me one bit. But since my friend praised this film so ardently, I caved and went to see it on Christmas day.

As my fellow viewers began to munch away on their buttery popcorn and slurp their diet sodas I nestled down into my faux velvet seat, thrilled that for once no one’s fat head was blocking my view. The film began.

It was clear within the first 5 minutes that this was going to be a very different kind of film. This really was going to be a goody; a true-story, heroic-oriented type of movie. Something like “Cool Runnings” sans the incessant humour. This film was going to tug at my heart; I just knew it.

At first you may think this film is all about football due to the numerous references to the game. But for those who aren’t even armchair quarterbacks, like myself, don’t really need to know the difference between a field goal and a touchdown. This movie is not really about football at all. It’s about the lives of the Tuohy's; an upper middle class southern family who are passionate about the game of football and equally passionate about Michael Oher; a neglected and abandoned foster child who emerges on the scene of their seemingly perfect life.

It was Leigh Anne Tuohy (played by Sandra Bullock) who was the star. Her feisty, confident and sassy personality lit up the screen, and she pretty much ruled the roost as the family matriarch. Leigh Anne embraced Michael Oher, gave him a roof over his head, clothes on his back, and food in his belly. But most importantly she stamped on his heart something that was virtually foreign to him, the love of a mother and the warmth of a good family.

During the film I was delighted that I was able tell what Leigh Anne was going to say and do next as each obstacle arose. She was fast becoming my hero and I knew that a Leigh Anne Tuohy lived inside of me. I had the impulse to jump out of my seat; step out of my comfort zone and love on the unloved. I wanted to change a life. I couldn’t help seeing myself displaying her confidence and acts of love with a simple word, look or touch just has she had.

By the end I could hardly move. As the photos of the real Leigh Anne Tuohy and Michael Oher slowly flashed across the screen, I was reminded of what is written in the Bible. ”And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” This movie is about choices; difficult choices. It’s about doing the right thing and it is definitely about love.

I have to say, my friend was right, this movie was great. It was well worth the stinky sweaty bodies for sure. I give this film a definate thumbs up.

The Unstoppable You

A few days before New Year's Eve I have a habit of scribbling a "to do" list for the up coming year. One thing that always seems to make it to my list is to start a blog. Since I'm determined to finally scratch it OFF my list once and for all, here I am.

Welcome to "The Chalkboard"; where it's my goal to inspire, encourage, minister and hopefully bring a smile to your day.

Over the past few months I've been thinking about my future and the desires of my heart. Like you, I have dreams and passions that I want to see come true. One of my greatest desires is to be an awesome wife and mother. I know God has planted this seed deep into my heart from birth...it has always been a part of who I am. My deep love for family and children swells my heart and brings tears of joy to my eyes.

I know one day my dreams will come true because I have surrendered my heart's desires to God and let Him take over. He has put in me the potential to be all He has created me to be and with Him all things are possible...because of Him I am unstoppable!!

What are the desires of your heart? What God given dream lies beneath the recesses of your soul? Do you have aspirations of becoming the world’s greatest teacher, or perhaps making it to the major leagues?

Are you living your dream or do feel like you've settled? Do you wonder what happened to the spark that kept you awake at night?

There are many reasons why dreams don’t come true. Lack of money or lack of education can hinder your dreams from being fulfilled. But a huge obstacle is people. I'm sure you know that what people say and do has a great impact on our lives; epecially people who are closest to us.

We have to be careful who we spend our time with. Try to stay away from the dream killers. You know who they are; the ones who tell you don’t have the skill, or you’re not good enough, or no one has done it before. The ones who every time you get a new idea tell you it’s a bad one. These people only have something negative to say when you tell them your plan.

Being around people who have no vision of who you are and who you can become will keep you in the same place. Dreams come true when you associate with those who have insight and believe in you and your dream.

While negative people play a large role in you not fulfilling your dream, they are not your greatest obstacle. Your worst enemy when it comes to your dream is YOU. Only YOU can make your dreams come true. You have to get out of your own way and let God take over because He knows best and if you ask, He will direct and guide your steps to make that dream He gave you come true.

My message for you today is, never give up! Don’t let negative people stop you from making your dreams come true. It may not happen over night but it can happen. There is inside you all of the potential to be who God created you to be.