DON’T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED

Crystal Weber 12-20-11

Greetings! I just wanted to throw out a quick reminder to you all today – don’t take anything for granted.  I know it is probably old news and nothing surprising but it is something often forgotten about. However, it is super important to remember.

There are literally thousands of things that occur just within the human body everyday that we don’t even think about – they just happen, such as heart beating, stomach digesting, lungs breathing, and so on.  Even processes like hearing and walking are things that we don’t really think about but are things not everyone is able to do.  Therefore I urge you to take a minute and give thanks for all you have been given and able to do without even trying to. 

I personally caught that nasty bug that is going around.  It was literally one of the worst colds I can remember with the body aches, extreme fatigue, constant coughing, sneezing, stuffy nose, headaches, sore throat, and so on.  Finally I went to the doctor and got antibiotics which helped immensely.  It took a couple weeks before I started to feel a lot better which is where I am currently at. 

However, the worst was that a week and a half ago I lost my voice completely.  Those that know me know I really enjoy talking with others and one of the things I love the most is singing.  So naturally there has been no singing since losing my voice.  The ability to talk and sing is something I am guilty for taking for granted and I can tell you I will no longer be doing that.  Humans are social creatures and so not being able to talk and socialize with others was taking its toll on my emotionally for sure.  I finally got my voice back to near normal yesterday thank goodness and in a few days I should be able to start singing again.  And I am super excited for that!

So as I mentioned earlier, don’t take anything for granted.  But don’t cling onto it desperately afraid you are going to lose it either.  Just live in the moment, one day at a time, and truly enjoy your life!  Be daring, bold, and unafraid – your life will be what you make of it.   So make it amazing ;)

CATCH THAT HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Crystal Weber 12-13-11

We are full on in the holiday season and I love it!  It is Christmas central in our house.  Catch the spirit of the season! This is the time for us to remember the reason for the season and enjoy time with family and friends.

Don’t get caught up in the material aspect of the holidays – so not what it’s all about.  If I didn’t get a single present but had tons of time with the people I love, I promise you I would be one happy girl.  Life is about people and memories, not things.  Therefore, I urge you to set a budget and stick to it.  Don’t overspend and cause financial hardship and stress for the following year when all many people want to do is spend time together and hang out.  Things all have prices.  People are precious and priceless.

Some of you are going to disagree with me here, but I am not a fan of the snow. I wouldn't mind if it never snowed again.  I do not want to see any snow with the exception of a little dusting on the yards, trees, and rooftops for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and then no more snow the rest of the year.

Also, once it is the day after Thanksgiving, game on!  Bring on the holidays.  But I feel like stores getting out the Christmas decorations and Christmas commercials running and so on, have no place during Halloween and Thanksgiving.  Time already moves too quickly – let’s not skip holidays.

As for the Christmas goodies, I am all about eating healthy and exercising for sure, but I do think that the holiday season is a special time to indulge.  Not to excess or to where you make yourself feel uncomfortable of course, but just enough where you don’t feel deprived and am able to experience and enjoy the season.

Start holiday traditions and keep them going.  They are fun ways to create memories and bring people together.  Take plenty of pictures to help remember your get-togethers and just have a relaxing time and whatever happens, don’t stress if everything doesn’t go perfectly.  Just go with the flow and things may turn out even better than you could have imagined.

So to you all I ask that you each have a very merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, safe and happy holidays with your family and friends and cherish each and every day you are blessed with on this earth.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – 2) Isaiah 9:6 NIV

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16 NASB