Monday::Inspiration

I love CyberMonday, you know the Monday after Black Friday? The day where most stores offer free shipping or online deals. I just get drawn in! Probably because I’m working all weekend so Cyber Monday is my own personal Christmas! Do you enjoy shopping? I sure do! I love buying just the right gift for someone, the perfect item to make them smile. 

Ah {Sigh} CyberMonday is a joy to me.

The CyberMonday bug has bitten me again…I’ve found that every Monday I am either shopping, planning trips, or job searching…Why does Monday cause this craziness?

Since I’ve been done with school and entered the “real” world (since of course college is not real…) Monday has become this day that is often spent dreaming and planning.

{I look up new non-profit groups to be a part of

{I find new causes to be passionate about:: Ask me about Human Trafficking, Abortion, or numerous other health care related issues

{I plan trips. Two Mondays ago I bought a ticket to PA and a few hours later a ticket to Texas. My Kayak alert is set for both Seattle, San Diego, and San Fran right now.

{I shop. I order books, kitchen oddities, clothes, phone cases (that’s my weakness!) and I could go on…but I shop online…quite a bit.

Maybe I just want Monday’s to be NEW.

Fresh.

A fresh start to the week?

Yes that’s it.

Something New to celebrate the start of a New week.

A Fresh [passion] or {Inspiration} for the week ahead.

O monday…

Well I better get to researching (aka shopping)

::That Moment

::That dreadful moment, the terrifying, adrenaline rushing moment when your Patient goes unresponsive.

::That heart-dropping, stressful moment when you open your e-mail to a read of an error that occurred on your watch

::That awful moment when your brain is so foggy you don’t know what to do, you flounder as you search for the next step

All moments that leave lasting memories.

But we grow & learn from these moments. I’ve been told by many people that starting a new job is stressful. The first year as an RN is a year of learning. But being told something & experiencing it for yourself are two very different things.

The stress will continue but it cannot weigh you down. Confidence is gained from intense situations done right, but just as important, situations gone wrong can grow us, stretch us, and leave lasting impacts on our lives.

As I reach the end of my first year as an RN, I look back & see how far I have come. Situations I never thought I could handle I can. Things I used to balk at have become second nature. But there is much more to go. Lessons to be learned, tasks to be accomplished, knowledge to be gained, all come from experiences, both good & bad.

::That wonderful, confidence building moment when you catch a new heart rhythm

::That tearful, tender moment when  you really connect with a patient & are able to encourage them

::That awesome, inspiring moment when you realize…I am a Nurse.

{Trust}

 

“Sarah, do you Trust Me?”

“Of course I do” I hurried to reassure Him

The blunt response came loud & clear,

{Then Live Like It}

OUCH

Do I live like I Trust? What does a life of Trust look like?

If I trust a chair do I only partially sit down? Nope, I plop right down & put my whole weight on it. If I am seeking advice from a trusted friend, do I only tell them half of the story? No, I confide in them all the details, trusting that they will give me the best advice.

Do I truly Trust God? Do I allow Him to lead me?

Do I spend my time worrying & fearing the future?

{Trust} 

Not an easy lesson to learn, not an easy lesson to practice.

Trust:: practice it daily

{Live Like It} 

{Attitude}You Decide

Warning Warning:: Foul Mood Alert

Don’t you wish there were days you could hang this sign up or wear a t-shirt that warned everyone…Stay Away, I’m incredibly cranky & may potentially bite your head off.

But unfortunately….Your attitude is something you decide.

When you get out of bed, you put on the attitude you want for the day.

Cranky ::I can choose to be grateful

Sad ::I can choose to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord

Sensitive ::I can choose to give people the benefit of the doubt

Negative ::I can choose to look at all that I have & be thankful

Worried ::I can choose to trust that the Savior holds my future

Frustrated ::I can choose to walk in the Spirit & allow Him to guide my actions

Whatever the “feelings” of the day are telling me to believe, I know that I have the Ultimate Source for Truth.

I can be confident in my identity in Christ.

My foul attitude is not a death sentence, for bad moods come. My foul attitude is a challenge, a trial, a chance to focus on the Truth & to change it.

Lack of Inspiration

I’ve started about 20 blog posts….none of which have made it through the final draft.  I’ve started to write about several topics, all of which fizzled to nothing…

{SIGH}

“Writing is a struggle against silence.” – Carlos Fuentes

This is a struggle I am losing, and to be honest, not one I am even used to struggling with.

Well this I know…

{Inspiration will come} 

not when I will it, but it will come

Travel Abroad: Poland

One year ago yesterday I embarked on an overseas adventure that tested my attitude, challenged my strength, & broadened my world view. And today, I sit here in the Warsaw airport awaiting the next adventure.

There is something in my heart that longs to travel.

Hence the year of {wanderlust}

I wish I had some profound wisdom or insight on why travel is exciting, but the only thing I can come up with is

::Adventure:: 

Adventure of the unknown

Sitting at the feet of missionaries and other, listening to the talk of travels, adventures, and trials, I knew that I wanted to join this band of courageous people. Always seeking to understand, looking at other cultures, not to criticize, but to learn & understand. 

I don’t have a great revelation or shocking thoughts on Poland.

The food was phenomenal, the culture interesting, the historical sites moving, and of course I loved the family I stayed with.

What did I learn: Faith keeps the Family strong in Poland. The Polish people work hard, as a general rule they do not go into debt & live within their means. Often a young married couple will live with family for several years until able to afford to build a house for themselves.

Overall a fabulous & lovely trip. Minimal jet lag, wonderful touristy moments combined with more traditional experiences, shopping, building friendships, and another stamp in my Passport.

At Krakowski Rynek

 

Heart Check

a good article on a healthy heart

Tis the Lovely Month of {February}

Also Known As: National Heart Month

As a nurse who works in the unhealthiest county of Wisconsin I take this month seriously.

Our hearts are important. Yet we treat it with no respect, we shovel in fats & sweets (which turn into fats & cause insulin resistance which sets off a whole boat-load of problems). My town has the most bars (based on population) in WI…Our state fair featured Deep Fried Butter last year… What could be better? A Beer & Deep Fried Butter (on a stick)

A Recipe For Disaster!

Check out the American Heart Association & see what you can do to make a difference (www.heart.org)

But this causes me to pause & think about my spiritual heart.

Matthew 5:8 reminds us that only the pure in heart will see God.

{is my heart pure} 

Romans 1:21 reminds us “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened”

{am i thankful}

Paul’s advice to Timothy in 2 Tim 2:22 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart”

{is my heart seeking God}

 

 

 

{of Pride & Prejudice}

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! — When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”  ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice turned 200 years old yesterday.

{Confession} I have read Pride & Prejudice, fully at least five times, with many partial readings since.

Favorite Quote: “A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.”

I can honestly say it’s my favorite book.

Can you imagine having something you’ve written affecting audiences for 200+ years? A book that goes on to impact the world long after you are gone? 

Her character development, the witty verbal tongue lashings, the sarcasm, the English setting–all things that work together to make this an instant classic.

Miss Elizabeth Bennet is a heroine who’s quick wit and fun-loving personality keeps her relevant even in today’s world.

“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”

“What are men to rocks and mountains?”

Mr Darcy is a proud, rich young man that starts off his role in the book as well a snob.

“She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me, and I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.”

But by the end of the book both characters are developed, lives are intertwined and inevitably love is in the air.

If you have not taken the time to read this lovely novel, let me encourage you–take the time to read it. You will not regret it!

 

Something More

Is a journal just a diary? A sad hand-written pathetic book filled with life secrets?

Or is it something more?

I’ve always viewed my journal as so much more. A place to record fears and doubts–a place to write out the struggles and the triumphs. Writing causes clarity, quiets the mind, pauses for reflection.

When I look back over my past journal entries I see God’s hand displayed in my life. I see His strength, His goodness, and His love. The plans start to make sense, the path becomes clear–God knew all along.

But if these moments, these fears, these doubts, are never recorded…how will we remember? How will I remind myself of the truth when the pain and the struggles return? Truths that God does not abandon us, Truths that God has a plan, Truths that God is in control.

~a journal is so much more~ 

From IDK to IK

{Pardon the text lingo}

As a student nurse I found myself often using the phrase, I don’t know. You’re being taught, people are always telling you why and how to fix the problem. Obviously this is expected (it’s what I was paying for right?) and it gradually transitions and the pieces start to fall into place, but I still use the phrase IDK frequently!

But now…I am a Real Nurse (RN for short), and the phrase IDK needs to be removed from my vocabulary. The problem is there, how do we solve it, what should I be looking at? I may not have all the answers, but I need to be transitioning into I Know where to look. Enough of the deer-in-headlights response, I am a nurse, I can solve this problem.

And it’s not just in nursing this applies. There are situations that arise and seeking advice is not wrong, but am I seeking advice or someone to pass the problem onto? I’ve gotta step up & deal with the problems on my own. I’ve experienced a full (*23*) years and have seen others go through things, so it’s time for me to start saying, IK what to do!

{IK}