Marissa is on a leave of abscence today and so we are posting a previously posted blog.  Enjoy!

I’ve pretty much always loved baseball, as well as most sports, and country music. Until recently, no one really knew of my love for these things. Somehow, when I was a kid I got this funny idea that if I liked these things no one else would like me. This is a weird thing, I know…but that’s what I thought.

I’m guessing that this funny idea came from the fact that during a particularly impressionable time in my childhood the people around me just weren’t into baseball, most other sports, or country music. I’m not quite sure how this idea, that if I liked these I would be rejected, stuck with me but it was so important to me to fit in that I suppressed my love of baseball, most other sports, and country music.

Thankfully in recent months, I have slowly allowed myself to love these things for real and spend time learning about and listening to them choosing not to care too much about what other people thought. I created a Taylor Swift station on Pandora Radio and listen to it often. I purchased a Tampa Bay Rays hat and wear it almost everywhere. I watched part of the World Series on television and a handful of college football games when my schedule allowed. I embraced without reservation the fact that in my Athletic Training major I get to associate with athletes on almost a daily basis. I started going to more of their games.

And do you know what? My family didn’t kick me out for liking different things than they do and have still supported me with my love of sports and country. My friends still talk to me and I’ve made dozens of new ones just by possessing these interests more openly. I now know way more about baseball, which I love learning about. I like country music more than I ever thought I would now that I know more songs and artists, and most of all I love my life way more by being myself.

So whatever part of you there is that you might be scared to admit and share, I say go for it! You will be so much happier being true to yourself and those who really love you will love you still. I know…I tried it. There is such an invigorating feeling that comes when we choose to be who we really are and want to be. Whether it’s baseball and country music or flamingos and parasailing, I say go for it. Live your life fully and completely going confidently in the directions where you find joy.

How will you show others how awesome you are by being true to yourself this week?

Women’s health issues are often at the forefront of my mind. I feel fairly self-educated through my own study, through personal experience, and through hearing first-hand experiences of women in my life. As a mother, I have learned more and am fairly well-versed in topics such as prenatal care, breastfeeding, birth control, and baby wearing. I even carried on a competent conversation with a health professional last week regarding pediatric hemolysis (blood destroying its own cells). Still, through all this experience, seeing and hearing of people in my life suffering through health issues, especially the women in my life, bring feelings very close to the surface of my heart. These strong feelings are one reason I feel so passionately about this site to support women and mothers.

Recently, a close friend came over to help me prepare a card and meal for another dear friend who was suffering a tragedy. As I prepared the meal, I thought of other meals by similar hands wanting to alleviate the pain of a loved one. I thought of times when women in my life had experienced similar circumstances when I was too young and unaware to help care for their needs. I remembered my mother, and my husband’s mother, and my dear sister-in-law who had similar experiences to my friend. I knew there were women in their lives who came in their hours of need to bring relief to my mothers and sister. My heart was full of gratitude for these women who had helped the women in my life. I thought of the family of my friend. I thought of them–across the miles–praying for their sister & hoping someone would be their hands to deliver a meal, their arms to comfort through a hug, their mouths to warm with a smile. I felt connected to all these individuals in one small moment. I felt part of a chain, linked together apart from time and space, bound through love which transcends earthly power. These connections we make in this existence are worth the sacrifices of time and energy, of personal preference and self-satisfaction. They are what bless us with support and success, with new energy and life. So, tragedy eventually brings hope, and sorrow yields to joy. I feel greatly blessed to, even if in a very small way, be a part of this experience and live, even if just for moment, in this connection.

If you haven’t figured it out yet…one of my favorite things to blog about is baseball. Everything from the national anthem to the final strike out fills me with a sense of pride and gratitude to be there witnessing such a fun game. I love the steps of a proper pitch and the graceful slides to reach a base in time. I love the form and strength that the players show. I even eat some sunflower seeds. To me, it’s so much more than a game-I’m not obsessed, just a good fan-because I see what those players have put so much into. They have spent hours upon hours perfecting their skills and becoming the best that they can, and I love that! Often when I’m sitting there watching, I realize just how lucky I am to really be sitting there-me-personally being able to wholeheartedly enjoy one of my favorite things of all time. My life is so awesome. Sometimes it seems like the opposite is true though…; each day of our lives, we have the choice to notice everything that is wrong or amiss or to focus on the constant good things that can be found with just a little bit of effort. Yours and my life both have stress and drama and misfortunes…everybody does. But we also have oodles upon oodles of blessings to enjoy if we just take the time to find them. My life is a whole lot happier when I spend time watching baseball games, listening to some good ol’ country music and doing countless other things that I love. Now is the time to fill your days with goodness and find a little less to complain about….even in the hardest of times.

So, today February begins…the month that’s hard to spell, the month we celebrate with pink & red, the month we think of warming our hearts with love.

As I am thinking of February, I am pondering the ways I can show love to those who mean so much to me by scattering some sunshine. Yesterday, I took a meal to a dear person whom I love. She has done much for me over the years, and, though I didn’t see her when I delivered a meal for her family, I felt blessed to return some of the sunshine she has scattered in my life.

Sometimes, I feel sunshine scattered into my life through a kind word, a gentle touch, or a sweet smile. I hope that, in the moments I spend with others, I am scattering sunshine as I read a story, share a treat, or laugh with a loved one till my cheeks hurt!!

In this month of hearts of pink and crimson, take a moment to scatter some bright yellow sunshine along your area of the world. You never know what may happen when you blend your red hearts with golden sunshine–you just might glow till March!!!

The new year comes with happiness,
With songs of love and cheer.
The new year comes with many joys.
Oh, I am glad it’s here!

Happy new year, happy new year, happy new year to you!
Happy new year, happy new year, happy new year to you!
Author Unknown

Our guest blogger this week, Jean Sabin, has become a fast friend to our family.  She loves jogging outdoors and singing karaoke with friends and family; she enjoys and appreciates all mediums of art, and her favorite color is pink.  She is sensitive to the needs of others and is often looking to help those around her.  Though we have yet to meet face to face, we feel a kinship with her and are grateful for her contribution to MPower those around her.

Today I had to come to the realization that sometimes we can’t have it all, but only have what God wants for us.  A great friend of mine likes to coin the phrase “you can push and pull God’s hand, but he moves it on his own so much easier.”  He also utilizes his scriptures more than anyone I know; he would never admit it that his favorite verse is Psalm 25:9–”He teaches the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.”

If there is anyone who has been humbled in the past few years, it is my friend Dre.  But none more so than the past few months.  He has survived two life-threatening surgeries–and has had to bury a best friend–and a childhood friend–within days of each other.  He even has had to lose his job due to his health.  But he was always grateful for what God has given him.  He always has a positive outlook on things, and, as he says, “just tries to love life for what it is.”  This is a man who at one point (not too long ago) had it all–the girl of his dreams, the job he always wanted, and the house that he thought up.  Unfortunately, he doesn’t have any of that anymore yet he is still grateful for what God has given him.

I love this man, and in many ways I am in awe of what he has had to endure. Today he had to face failure (now I have known this man almost my entire life and I can’t remember him ever failing at anything he puts his mind to, but today unfortunately he failed an exam that he really wanted to pass so that he could work for a company that he has always wanted to work for but as I previously mentioned he didn’t get what he wanted).

Sometimes having to be there for our loved ones in their time of need could be as simple as making them comfortable or just by letting them grieve. Anyone who has dealt with failure knows the value of encouragement, yet all too often we are quick to point out the mistakes and failures of others rather than their successes and the things they do well.  Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement,” was a person who grasped the enormous value of blessing others with words. He came alongside believers in the midst of trials and troubles of all kinds, and he encouraged them to press on and to be all that God had called them to be.

The value of lifting up the hearts of men and women is immeasurable. Encouragement strengthens character, increases confidence in God, develops loyalty, deepens faith, and stimulates joy.  We as women have a choice each day about whether our daily lives will be marked by encouragement or discouragement.  May we earn the same reputation as that of Barnabas.

As a young mother, I met Jane Opsahl. Jane and Bob were friends with my parents. Bob was an architect, and my father was a contractor. I instantly loved Jane and Bob. Jane was a lovely, charming, very southern lady, and I always was happy to be with her.

She loved my children, was interested in them, and treated them as if they were her grandchildren. Jane developed breast cancer before she and Bob were married. He let her know that he loved her, and they were married. Years later, her cancer recurred. Bob, as always, was supportive as they tried many different experimental and natural treatments. 

When Jane went into the hospital at the end of her life, my children were in preschool and kindergarten. I would drop them off and go to the hospital. We visited, and she told us what she wanted for her funeral. We helped bathe her and love her–and yet, she was the brave one who helped us understand that she knew she was loved by God.

Jane taught me that we should live our lives to the fullest. She was a gracious hostess, a lovely guest, and was inspiring to us all. I watched as Bob showed her the greatest love and respect;  watching their love grow, even under the most difficult of circumstances, teaches me still how to relate to my family. Breast cancer may have taken her away from us physically, but she still lives in our hearts.  Her legacy is wrapped in all of us she touched in her life. 

Do you have a memory of a loved one you would like to share with us today?

Sometimes we walk through our general daily routines with dread and despair. Other times we see with beauty the world around us. I often wonder what it is that determines the many changes in our lives.

Perhaps it has to do with the time we give to ourselves. It may be watching your favorite movie or spending time with someone you love. It may be a walk outside, or catching up on your laundry. It could even be finishing a put off project or doing your hair a special way. All these things that feel good to you can give you a certain energy that can help in the hectic moments that are sure to come.

My message for you today is do something that feels good to YOU. It is likely to brighten your day and relieve some of your stress. What time will you give to yourself today?

I was at the office today and received a phone call from my daughter inquiring if there were clients waiting.  There were none, so she sent her twins into the office to say “hello.”  I was so happy to see them.  (I was out of town last weekend and have missed seeing my family.)

The twins came running into the office!  I was still on the phone, so they slipped into my husband’s office and started drawing on his Panaboard, a white board he uses for client meetings where you can print what is written on the board.  The twins started drawing pictures for us. 
 
When I finished my call, I joined the twins in my husband’s office.  As I watched them draw, each with their left hands, I was so grateful to have the opportunity to live near my grandchildren.  My husband, Mark, said how wonderful it was to have time to watch his grandchildren draw a picture in the middle of the day.  I watched him watch them and tell them that he loved them as they left.  Love, the greatest gift in the world.

How have you shared your love today?

Recently, I was speaking with one of my sisters.  She was half-way across the country with some relationship troubles.  As we laughed, talked, and smiled across the miles, I blurted out a piece of wisdom that I have since pondered.  I told her to stop stressing and trust that the best things are happening.

Since speaking with her, I have taken moments to reflect on those words:  the best things are happening.  I, at that moment, was also experiencing somewhat of a crisis with our baby’s health.  I continued to reflect on that statement during the dark hours when I felt I could sink into the abyss of sorrow and uncertainty before me.  Like an echo, my words bounced back across the miles:  “the best things are happening.”

I firmly believe that if we are doing the best that we can, fully engaging in life, in healthy relationships, and in faith, that the things that happen to us will be refining, that they will build us to into the higher beings we are made to become, and we will experience true peace and joy in this life.

What are the best things that are happening to you?