New Bag!

 

 

New Bag!

I remember how intimated I was stepping into the business world. I would always wear a business suit and three-inch heels, hoping to make a good impression. It was important to me to look pulled together so the people I dealt with would assume I knew what I was doing.

This was a little horrifying to me because I always carried a purse about the size of Texas. As she proceeded with her talk, I learned women who carried small purses are perceived as decisive, powerful, organized, and goal orientated. All the things I wanted to be and felt I was not.

In that conference I learned big purse people were thought of as fun, artistic, easy-going and their purses were usually mess. (I knew that my purse carried papers, wrappers, candy, Swiss army knife and a telephone at the bottom I could never find. In fact, once something went into that purse, it could be lost forever. I thought my purse was my secret, I wonder if she had peeked.

At that moment I decided to become a small purse woman, so people would think I had all the attributes of a responsible businesswoman.
I laugh when I think back to those days when I put so much emphasis on a purse. Even funnier, I bought that small purse.

When I couldn’t get everything into it, I ended up carrying two Safeway bags around with the rest of my stuff. I had my small purse(which looked good) and to everyone else, it looked like I had just been shopping at Safeway with the other two bags. It worked for me! Reality finally set in and I gave up my Safeway shopping bags, and went back to my wonderful, carry everything at once, big purse.

Although I am quirky, creative, emotional and carry a BIG purse. (Lookout, blonde coming through) I have learned I don’t have to be like everyone else; God has given me the freedom and capacity to embrace the women that he made me to be. What a gift of Grace, I am free to be me. ©

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide,

how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  Ephesians 3:18 NLB

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 

 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

Any Regrets?

 

 

 

Any Regrets

I have often looked back over my life and the opportunities I have been given.  I wonder if others do the same.  Some I have taken, others I have been too afraid to attempt. What if I fail, what will people think? Can I afford it, do have time? Life seems to be a long line of opportunities and ones that are missed. I have heard it said: “One of Satan’s most effective tools is to distract, disable and ultimately destroy God’s people with this one phrase: “IF ONLY”

I can certainly attest to that quote.

  • If Only I hadn’t waited so long until it was too late.
  • If Only I was more disciplined, I could have made more time.
  • If Only I had spent more time with loved ones and friends.
  • If Only I had spent more time writing and finishing those books
  • If Only I had listened more and talked less with family members who have died. Always thinking I had more time with them.
  • If Only I had exercised more and taken better care of my body.

 

I am sure we each have our own regrets and opportunists missed and wasted time on our “If Only.” I am so thankful that each day with God is a clean slate, a new day.  I can decide how I want to live each day. Will I choose regrets, discouragement and get carried away with distractions?

Or choose to pursue God’s plan for me by honoring Him, serving others and joyfully taking the opportunities that God gives me each day.  

The Bible says “Now is the time to use what we have to serve and honor God.”  I don’t want my life to get stuck with the “If Only” I want to keep moving forward, onward and upward, running the race well with no regrets. 

  • Loving others unconditionally.
  • Laughing with joyful abandonment.
  • Dancing freely like no one is watching.
  • Living my life loving and pleasing God.©

 

I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

Philippians 4: 11-13

Let the Adventure Begin! 

                         

Dear Friends, thank you for stopping by and spending your time with me today, I love each of you. 

HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

What is your “If Only”  regrets?  I would love to hear your opinions. 

I Know The Secret

 

Reflections: I Know The Secret

I have been reminded these last few months how words hurt. Someone makes an observation about another’s circumstances and shares it with their friends. Never bothering to check the facts or find the truth.  I have always wondered why people feel the need to run others down, is it to build themselves up?

My mother used to say, “Gossip is like letting the cat out of the bag one claw at a time.” As a young girl, I thought she was being funny. But as the years went by I saw the damage left behind, by the words others carelessly shared.

I watched as people would treat my mother with so little respect as they assumed they knew all about her situation.  But they didn’t know at all, or how hard she worked to put a roof over our heads and food on the table.  Never giving up or expecting handouts. people made assumptions we were poor, although I can’t say that we ever thought we were.

We always had enough, when we outgrew our shoes and clothing; she made sure we had something new to replace the old. I often wondered how she worked her magic with the budget, but as I look back I realize she went without so that my sisters and I would have more opportunities and a few extras. How we loved and admired her.  

I don’t ever remember her speaking unkindly about others, probably because she had personally known the pain it caused.

I have watched her invite people into her home, feed, care and buy groceries for those who had nothing or no one to care for them. Mother was never judgmental and would accept people just the way they were. But most importantly, she was never afraid or shy to tell anyone about God’s love. She never gave up, she was a survivor, joyfully serving God and touching lives with kindness and comfort

In her later years, she worked in real estate, and at times I would be fearful as she drove around the city, often going into dangerous areas. She always told us not to worry; no harm would come because God was taking care of her. And He truly did.   

Mother never cared about what others thought about her or what they said. She only cared about pleasing and honoring God and doing her best for Him.

Mother left me a wonderful legacy to remember, my heart needs to keep my eyes on the God who loves me, and not worry about hurtful words being shared.©

A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

Proverbs 16:28

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Col. 4:5-6

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.

 I love you all and am praying. 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan
Have you experienced hurtful and unkind words, what did you do? How did you get through it?

Too Busy?

Too Busy?

 

 

 

 

Too Busy?  My Calendar for the month.

Have you ever felt like you are too busy to keep up with your basic chores? When this happens, I become exhausted, disorganized and absent-minded. I soon recognize the need to step back and re-access my schedules.

Last week I had a Doctors appointment.  Getting ready to start my one-hour trip to the city, I spotted my heart rate on my Fitbit again.  154 is a little high I thought; I take blood pressure medication; did I forget to take it the night before?

Buy the time I ran out the door it had reached up to 164, so I swallowed two aspirins and wondered if I should go to the emergency room or straight to my appointment. I decided to head straight for my doctor.

Speeding down the highway, I checked my Fitbit once more, my blood pressure had risen to 192, I promptly took another aspirin. By the time I reached Lethbridge, my heart rate was at 290. At that moment, I figured my Fitbit was out of whack.

Seeing my physician and finding out my blood pressure was it’s regular 114, calmed me down. It was later I realized I had been reading my daily steps, not my heart rate. 

Sometimes we are so busy we barely have a chance to take a breath. I have felt like that these last few years. I’m uncertain if it’s because of my age, or my bounce is a little slower. lol

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.

Psalm 91:1-2

These last few years I have learned to lean and rest on God promises. According to one account, there are 3573 promises in the Bible.  A promise for every need. We are blessed.

He is the one who fully knows me and unconditionally loves me. He makes my life complete. I love you, Lord.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 
 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

I’ll Choose You

I’ll Choose You

 

Look Out, Here We Come

 

 

I’ll Choose You!

Early one fall morning, I took a day trip to Calgary, Alberta, to get spring and summer fashions for my store. I took my two teenage daughters along for an afternoon of shopping.

Wearing a navy suit to make a good impression at my appointment, I also wore my favorite three-inch heels. It was crucial for me to look pulled together, so the sales representatives didn’t know I was a novice.

My girls dressed for comfort, while I stayed with the suit and heels for our shopping trip. I did not want the trouble of an extra set of clothes. The day was fun but exhausting, and by 5 pm, I wanted to be home. I had a headache, my feet ached, and I was hobbling. I was ready to go home, grab a hot bath and go to bed.

Making one last stop at the drugstore on the way out of the mall, the girls waited for me outside. After paying for my purchases, I hurried out to meet them. As I rushed for the exit, I ran into an extraordinarily clean glass wall with such an impact, people stopped in their tracks to see what all the commotion was.

After my perfect face-plant into the glass, I slid to the floor in an ungraceful heap. My shopping bags were in complete disarray, one three-inch heel fell off, one button flew somewhere unknown and my skirt was slightly higher than I felt comfortable with.

As I tried to collect my wits and composure, I noticed my daughters bent over in hilarity and pretending not to know me. 

Struggling to get up and putting on my biggest smile, I tried to act as if nothing had happened. With head held high, I limped out of the store trying to look as mature as possible, even though my feet were not the only body parts hurting at this time. 

Looking back on that day, I recall the sadness I felt when I realized my daughters had been embarrassed by their mom. And they didn’t choose to claim me as their own.  

I am so glad God chooses us even when we embarrass others and ourselves. He will never run away from us when we hurt or leave our side when we call on him. We are loved and claimed by God.

Dear God,  Recognizing that you will never leave me gives me such perfect comfort and peace as only you can do. I am secure in your love Father, thank you for loving me so much. ©

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.  Hebrews 13:5b (NIV) 

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 
 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan