A happy and blessed New Year everyone!

I may be a week late, but I’m always a proponent for better late than never–especially if it’s worth doing at all.  And I believe this blog is definitely worth writing!

I’ve been mulling this over in my mind for the last several weeks, as 2015 was culminating and 2016 was looming on the horizon. It may be simple (and I’m all about simple!!!), but it is profound. Here it is:

What if, this year, we made it our aim to treat others the way we want to be treated?

I believe, with all my heart, that this one simple goal would change the world!...for the good!...one person at a time…beginning with us!

New Year’s Resolutions are a tradition. And they are traditionally broken by the end of January by the vast majority of those who make them. Some resolutions are clearly worth making and clearly worth accomplishing. My hat goes off to those who have been successful, in the past, with all that weight you were going to lose, or that new job you were going to get, or the exercise program you were going to implement! Congratulations on your follow through! You are definitely in the minority, but you definitely have MY respect! I mean that sincerely. And to all of you who are setting out this year to obtain victory in similar areas of your lives, I support you wholeheartedly! Go for it with gusto!

​With all that being said, let’s revisit my earlier question:

What if, this year, we made it our aim to treat others the way we want to be treated?

What would be the result of making–and keeping–such a New Year’s Resolution? Think with me for a minute what that might look like…

• Before we speak to someone, we ask ourselves, “Is that how I would want to be spoken to?”
• If a friend is hurting and needs comfort, I can think, “Would I appreciate a listening ear, a hug, or just some time spent with me right now if I were in his/her shoes?”
• When reacting to someone in any given circumstance, before offering our kneejerk response we stop to ask ourselves, “Is this how I would want to be treated?”
• When contemplating offering forgiveness to someone who has hurt us, our thought becomes, “Do I want to be forgiven for my blunders?”
• If a friend, family member, or co-worker is in need of assistance, we can consider whether or not we would appreciate receiving help if we were in there position.

Then we respond accordingly.

You get the idea… The main point is to resolve, this year, to live life thoughtfully and on purpose. What a difference we would make in the world around us. And just imagine if everyone did this! Wow, what a different world we would be living in–so much more peace, joy, love, support, laughter…

Would you join me in making this BEST NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION EVER? It really won't cost us anything except some consideration, but the results will be abundant blessings! I’ll pop in from time to time to ask how you’re doing with this, and I’ll accept the accountability to you as to how I’m doing as well. We won’t be perfect, and we will need to get back on the horse when we fall off, but let’s keep riding this one out!  Let me know what you think and how it’s going for you…your successes, challenges, fears, and joys.

Let’s change the world!...for the good!...one person at a time…beginning with us! Let’s make it a happier New Year all year long.

Have a bright day!

I can't believe Christmas is already over!  Wow, it sure crept up quickly this year–more than any preceding years, for me personally.  I guess what they say about time flying when you're having fun really IS true. I've been so busy with my book release, family transitions, work, and travel that I have hardly had time to catch my breath!  How about you?

Like many others, my husband and I took time away to visit family out of town over the holiday.  We spent the weekend before Christmas with many of his family members who we don't often see.  It was delightful, as always.  We gathered to enjoy an early Christmas together and to also celebrate his Mama's 86th birthday.  What a great opportunity to honor her, and to soak up some wonderful family time!

While we were there, I seized the chance to catch up with one of my husband's cousins and her husband, who like ourselves had traveled from another state. As she was recounting recent events in their lives, I found myself surprised by some of the family news she was sharing with me. And I'm even surprised that I was surprised, because I have had similar conversations with so many people!  But, low and behold, she was explaining her great burden and exasperation over her dad and mom not having their affairs in proper order, and how it is making her attempts to be a good daughter in this season of their life very difficult. The reason I was caught off guard by this revelation is because her father has always been a very "together" person–one I have always esteemed and looked up to as our family has grown through the years. During his career he was a prominent business man, provided well for his wife and children, and seemed to be firmly at the helm of his ship, steering his life with skill and confidence. But now, years later, when his dear wife is experiencing Alzheimer's and his own memory is not serving him as well as in days gone by, there is a need for an extra watchful eye from his daughter, who fortunately lives nearby. Now here's the kicker: he does not have an estate plan in place with proper directives and powers of attorney, should they be needed. Because he has not wanted to give up control, he has been neglectful in following through with the lawyer he began to work with some years back, and he will not have appropriate conversations with his two grown children, to see things through.

How unfortunate!  My heart truly aches my husband's cousin. She only wants to help her parents through this more difficult season in their lives, but on many fronts, she is held incapacitated without proper authority given to her to do so. I am so surprised by this because of her father's former wisdom in his dealings! I would have thought that he would understand that by not having his affairs in order, with proper and legally binding directives, he is in fact abdicating the very control he did not want to give up! He has missed the opportunity to stay at the helm of his ship to the end of his life's journey. If this situation is not corrected, the state where he lives will be making decisions for him that he could have made for himself. Hmmm...so sad for all involved.

If these kinds of issues are hitting too close to home for you, please take the opportunity to download a free copy of my book today!  Don't let others, especially your family members, be surprised by your decision to not decide about your future!

Have a bright day!

So many things to share...where to begin???

For starters, my book was printed and fully published in mid October! So exciting!!!  I am overwhelmed by the response of those who thus far have read my work of love, and am so grateful to know that it is accomplishing what I set out to do: bless those who read it. And it's just the beginning!  I will enjoy sharing it with many more of you as the new year unfolds!

As soon as my publisher printed the first run, I finalized preparations for a trip abroad and on November 2nd I joined 14 others from our church for a short-term mission trip to the beautiful Philippines!  What a fabulous experience–one I will surely never forget!  We accomplished a lot while we were there: laid foundations for two churches, did community outreaches, and played with the adorable kids. But when I think about this incredible adventure, the things we accomplished are not what stand out in my mind. I have pondered that trip often since returning home just in time to catch my breath and get busy baking pies and cooking our Thanksgiving turkey. The Philippine people are so gracious, warm, and welcoming. Many of the faces of those I was blessed to encounter have popped into my mind repeatedly. And do you know what I see in my mind's eye? I see there smiles. We may not have spoken the same language, but as we shared our smiles with one another, we spoke a thousand words. A smile can say, "Hello."  It can say, "I'm happy to be here with you." or "I care about you." or "You are important to me."  A smile can warm a heart, cheer the sad, or make a connection with a stranger. A smile is a powerful bridge across cultural differences, yet it is so easy to extend. And here at home it is just as powerful. In fact no matter where we go we can share our smile and make a difference in someone's life–we may never know to what extent. A smile is a universal language all its own. Everyone everywhere understands it. And the amazing thing about our smile is that no matter how many we give away, we'll never run out! What a gift! It doesn't cost us a dime, but the return on our investment is a high yield. Try it out–be mindful of giving your smile away often. You're gonna love the results!

Have a bright day!
​Susie

My life has been a whirlwind of activity over the last three weeks! There's hardly been a moment to catch my breath!  But there have been so many miracles in the mayhem–arriving in Reno to rock and cuddle my new baby granddaughter, playing with and caring for her two big sisters (ages 1 and 3), helping to renovate and paint my daughter and son-in-law's house to prepare it for sale, packing and helping them move to Utah! My husband and I have been both exhausted at times and exhilarated to be a part of so many wonderful changes in our family. Our home is bustling with activity on a whole new level as the five of them and their dog have moved in temporarily while they are waiting for their house to sell. 

What some folks may view as inconvenience or an obstacle others will view as opportunity!  I choose the latter. There has been so much opportunity to work together and see so much accomplished...to help and encourage one another through all the work and change...to make amazing memories together!

What's going on in your life right now that you can view as either an obstacle or an opportunity?  Look for the miracles in the mayhem–they are there to be found! In the mean time, I'm going to go take the girls for a walk...

Have a bright day!

Talk about new beginnings!  Olivia Ruth, our eighth grandchild and sixth granddaughter, made her grand entrance into the world at 5:50am yesterday morning when she was born to our precious daughter and dear son-in-law. What amazing news to receive after we had been praying through the night for a healthy and safe delivery! We live a state away, so we'll soon be traveling to meet her and to snuggle her and her two older sisters who are almost 2 and 4.

There's nothing like a new baby, right?! Taking in her first breaths, nuzzling up for her first feeding, the smell of her sweet skin, the softness of her fingers...all the firsts that await her...her whole life stretching out before her...so many possibilities...so many things to experience, learn, and enjoy. Oh, the wonder of it! 

We may not be newborns, but we still have the opportunity each day to take in the wonder of just breathing our next breath. There are so many miracles happening all around us, and even within us in these bodies we inhabit–the beating of our hearts, the working of our lungs, the stretching of our muscles, the flow of our blood. I don't know about you, but I can tend to take a lot for granted. It can be challenging on days when things don't seem to be going our way, but I invite you to join me in looking for, and being grateful for, the little miracles in life. It changes everything! Let's be aware of the wonder!

Have a bright day!

Wow!  This is an exciting day!  My first blog!  The first of many, to be sure.  But like the old saying goes "You only have one chance to make a first impression."  So, I guess I could be nervous, but I'm not.  I'm not because I plan to write my blog as if I'm writing to a good friend–someone with whom I'm comfortable, someone who knows me well, and someone with whom I love to share my latest news, thoughts, and feelings.  So, enter in as my friend and join my journey.  I'll love to have you along...

My site is a work in progress, my book is at the end of the editing phase and is now in Layout, and I'm learning new things everyday.  Life is like that, really. We are all works in progress, aren't we?  Every day holds a new beginning! When the sun comes up every morning, with it comes new opportunities, new challenges, and fresh new moments and hours to live. We have a clean slate each and every day. Some things come our way which we will not choose, but there are many choices we CAN make throughout our day: to share a smile, to help a friend, to take the time to listen, to give a hug, to stop for one moment and let the sun shine on our faces before moving on to the next task at hand...  New beginnings hold such promise!  What will we do with the moments and hours ahead of us?  I've got a very full plate to be sure. Life is full–family, work, home, friendships, faith, even walking the dog. I'm betting your life is just as full. But each moment is a treasure to be cherished. Let's live our lives to the fullest together! 

I've got so much I could write! I feel like I could explode. But we have lots of time ahead of us, so I'll pace myself. There's much more to come... For now, I just want to celebrate this very special moment, this very special day with you–this first blog–this new beginning! Just a couple of years ago I dreamed of having a blog and wondered how to even go about doing one!  Now here I am writing it!  Amazing.

I'll keep you apprised of the book's progress, and my journey as I go along. It's extremely exciting to see my manuscript taking shape! I began my research and writing a full year ago for FINISHING WELL – Tying Up The Loose Ends Of A Great Life With Confidence And Peace Of Mind. So, as you can imagine, it's very fulfilling to be getting so close to print! I can hardly wait! 

There are so many more things I'm looking forward to sharing with you. But like I said, I need to pace myself. So, for now I'm just enjoying the moment–this new beginning. Thanks so much for sharing it with me! 

Have a bright day!