Monday, July 27, 2009

USED VS. LOVED

The past week has been quite a slow week for me, scrap-wise, design-wise.  I've been trying to play catch-up with a lot of deliverables that I can't seem to finish on time because of so many other things cropping up and pushing their way up front.  I have two kits I'm making - sitting on my desktop waiting for me to give them the time of day.  A sketchpad full of doodles I need to scan and vectorize (that's something I still have got to get the hang of - especially creating the vector doodle kind - help! anyone?) and a wonderful and exciting collaborative project I'm doing with my sister that I can't elaborate on yet - just that it involves me illustrating.  None of the things I'm doing at the moment seem to be bringing in any hard cash (which I badly need) and so there lies my dilemma of whether to pursue this lofty idea of graphic design as a career or succumb to the call of the "cubicles" (that's what I call the "corporate" office) - not that thats bad, just that I wish I could sort of marry both and get the best of both worlds - working and doing what I love best (and of course getting paid very well for it too, LOL!)

Yesterday I turned in a job application - this time for a company that deals with Children's Portraits (they have outlets at the major malls) - this seems to be the right fit "career-wise" because it would be dealing with what I feel I excel at the most - hopefully my bio would stand-out from the rest (I scrapped it!), I'd love to show you but would hate to divulge any personal info over the net...

Lets just hope this is the right one for me.

Some time ago, I received an email containing this story that I would like to share.  It is very sad but speaks so much truth about how we sometimes forget that we put love of material things over our love for our fellow man.  It speaks of anger and regretting how we use it, especially to our children, our spouses or loved ones.  Let us not make haste to say and do things we will regret one day or make judgements before we accuse someone of wrong-doing. 
Used vs. Loved 

While a man was polishing his new car, his 4 yr. old son picked up a
stone and scratched lines on the side of the car.
In anger, the man took the child's hand and hit it many times; 
not realizing he was using a wrench.
At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures.
When the child saw his father.....with painful eyes he asked, 'Dad when
will my fingers grow back?'
The man was so hurt and speechless; he went back to his car and kicked
it a lot of times.
Devastated by his own actions...sitting in front of the car he looked at
the scratches; the child had written 'LOVE YOU DAD'.
The next day that man committed suicide.

Anger and Love have no limits; choose the Love to have a beautiful, 
lovely life.
Things are to be used and people are to be loved, 
but the problem in today's world is that, people are used and things are loved.
Let's be careful to keep this thought in mind: 
"Things are to be used, but People are to be loved".
Be yourself.... This is the only day we HAVE. Make it a great day!

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not PROTECT you.
Stay FAITHFUL and Be GRATEFUL. 

Have a blessed day.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

A WOMAN OF STRENGTH

I just had to post this poem, I have been sent the shorter version which I found to be very nice and inspiring and had been prepared to post it (it was already in my saved drafts folder) but could not find who wrote it. Its so funny because today, I stumbled upon this longer version in Simply Yin's blog (if you haven't stumbled upon her blog yet, I suggest you do - she has got lots of wonderful templates which I find so useful when I'm in a scrapping funk, in fact she has several templates I've used over and over again with different backgrounds LOL! Thank you Yin!)

WOMAN OF STRENGTH

A strong woman works out every day,
Pride in her appearance she portrays,
But a woman of strength kneels to pray,
Keeping her soul in shape, God leading the way.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything,
Looking forward to challenges each day will bring,
Women of strength show courage in the midst of fear,
Knowing triumph through faith because the Lord is near.

Strong women won't let anyone get the best of them,
So skilled in defense even if they have to pretend,
Yet a woman of strength gives her best to everyone,
Being anointed with divine blood from the only begotten Son.

A strong woman relies on the physical attributes making her tough,
In her search for power and money she will never have enough,
A woman of strength understands that it’s not about material stuff,
Knowing that before becoming a diamond first she’ll be in the rough,

A strong woman sometimes disguises her feelings shadowed by clouds,
Unhinged when challenged on her policy becoming boisterous and loud,
A woman of strength concerns herself not with judgment from others,
And will not let business interfere with commitments as a wife and mother.

A strong woman is easily impatient back and forth she will begin to pace,
Counting on her holier than thou attitude instead of depending on faith,
A woman of strength is assured trust in God will always carry her through,
And at the Creator’s appointed time she’ll receive all that is justly due.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same for tomorrow,
Refusing to take time looking back with reverence and Godly sorrow,
The woman of strength realizes life's mistakes no matter how slim,
While thanking God for the blessings as she capitalizes on them.

A strong woman walks head first with no doubt in her mind,
Again, no matter what, she’ll not make this mistake a second time,
But a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls,
So when a situation arises again, she’s not afraid to answer the call.

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face,
Always doing whatever it takes to finish, seeking only first place,
The woman of strength competes with an emotional sense of grace,
Understanding it’s more important to run a Holy Spirit filled race.

A strong woman has faith that for the journey she’ll have enough,
No matter how uneven the terrain or roads being rocky and rough,
A woman of strength knows it’s in the journey she will become strong,
And the love of God is forever with her, no matter how difficult or long.

A strong woman when uninformed thinks that she is being mistreated,
In the end her physical attributes fail causing doubt to become seeded,
A woman of strength will compromise as a little give and take is needed,
Why? Because a lesson not learned the first time is soon to be repeated.

© 2006 by Luke Easter & Dee Cheeks
www.LyricsByLucas.com