hectic holidays

Hey all this was a really great email I got from a friend over the holiday. Hope it touches you just as much as it did me


If your home is like most, your Thanksgiving day will be very busy, with either traveling to where you want to go or preparing your home to have others over for the day. Either way, that can be very hectic and emotionally trying, which doesn't lend itself to preparing your heart to be reflective and thankful.

This means all the more that if we want to be the kind of people who are characterized by thankfulness, then we must make sure that we focus on it, and not just on Thanksgiving Day, but at all times during the year.

Here are a few key words as well as some thoughts that are simple and practical to apply; something you can use right away in your quest for becoming more thankful:

Time. Set aside time regularly to be quiet, to reflect. We live in the fastest paced time ever. From the moment we awake to the moment we collapse into bed, we have the opportunity to go at full speed and never slow down. If we schedule time every day in which we can be quiet and reflect, we will free our hearts and minds up from the tyranny of the urgent and rushed.

Thought. Give thought to the many blessings that you have. Living in a consumer culture, most of us are fully aware of what we do not have and how we absolutely must have "it". But how often do we reflect upon that which we already have? Take some time each day and think of one or two things that you have that you may typically take for granted and then take a moment and give thanks for those. In fact, I make it a part of my reflection time to review a list of things that I'm thankful for.

Generosity. Be generous toward those with less and not envious of those with more. We tend to look at others who may be wealthier than ourselves and think, "I sure wish I had what he does." That kind of thinking breeds envy and jealousy rather than contentment. What can we do to break that cycle? I would suggest being generous to those who are less fortunate than yourself. Go to work at a food bank. And not just during the holidays - everybody works there then - but on a regular basis during the year. That will remind you of how good you really have it.

Ask. Ask a friend what they are thankful for. The next time you are at lunch with a friend, ask him or her what they are most thankful for. You will be amazed at the answers you receive and you will create a meaningful bond with your friends as you focus on this powerful question.

Acknowledge. Lastly, tell those you love how thankful you are for having them in your life. So many times we neglect to take the time to craft the words to express to those closest to us what their presence in our lives means to us. Take the opportunity of Thanksgiving Day to write them a note or sometime during the day put your hand on their shoulder, look them in the eyes and tell them. Let them know what they mean to you, and in return you'll begin to create the possibility of deeper, richer, more fulfilling relationships with those you love.

movement

So If you were to sit down and think about how many times a day we are in constant movement you would most certainly get tired out from it. Good thing God gave us a subconscious mind so we don't worry our pretty little heads over it. But next lets look at how much we interact with other people in movement....and I don't mean walking by a college and handing them a envelope or bumping into a lady at the grocery store. No, No I mean really giving of your self like; a hug or a back rub, taking a quite walk together or even a dance in the rain. These are things that we can count on our fingers how many times we have had contact and movement with other people. But you say to me "I don't like any one or I have significant other these are to romantic for just friends."
That's just it If we block out these parts of life because we think some one might take it the wrong way. Well then we aren't really living. A hug is wonderful gesture that as a kid you could give it to any one, any time you pleased even if it was Mister Scrooge he would smile. I don't know why I'm writing all this but I just think sometimes people get lonely and we build a wall and then we don't even realize how we got so uptight. Peace

Stepping out

So Im really tired to night this should be short I just felt I needed to touch on something real quick. Im leaving for Boston tomorrow for a swing competition and I am flying stand by which Im very nervous about but excited to see God work thru it. Because with Him all things are possiable. But you may ask why are you flying stand by well I have a friend who works for the airlines and is letting me use their pass so as long as there is a seat available I get on for free!! So Im really putting my faith out that I dont need to worry about it becasue God has good plans for me. GOOD NIGHT

my first video

I finally got my act together so this is very exciting for those of you who havent seen westie danced by some fun people. Lets check this awesome video clip out of my ss (strictly swing) partner Oscar and I at a comp here in Chicago yeah!video courtesy of my mother orla ludwick:-)<3<3 thanks for watching P.S. we took 1st oh and one other thing its my moms birthday today send her well wishes luv ya

Keep the Good times Rolling

wow time sure does fly by fast its almost November we have had really great wheater here in Chicago. I tried to post a couple time on here but then I realized I had forgotten my password so I didnt bother but this afternoon I met with Sarah Barlow and she is very motivational person. So Im posting once again. I have been very busy traveling for competitions in west coast siwng all over the states and I just got my first free rountrip with Southwest because I have flown so much. Yeah! Next weekend I will be in Boston for another competition. Im believing God to have a great flight I'll be flying stand-by with American for the first time. kinda scary.. any tips would be helpful. Im praying that I make it there and back on time I went this route because it was discounted and I was purchasing it last minute. Oh well I guess better prepare next time. The pics are of me and Brad Sweeney we took first In advance strictly swing

Good Times

St. Louis is pretty cool place they have some good food, nice wheather, awsome people, and a clean city. Dallas and I took some pretty funny pictures while there here is 1 of them. I wanted to tell you guys about something. A couple of posts ago I was asking God to bring more work to me for my new hobby westie. I just realized he did, a few weeks ago I got asked to start teaching 2 more lessons so I have a little extra cash. yea which I want to continue to be faithful with and tithe my 10% so that I will be blessed. But do you think it matters to God if I spend my money that I just earned before titheing and still give him 10% just not right a way? hmmm interesting I think

friends 4 ever

Whose a real friend; some 1 you grew up with? or is it a friend of a friend? maybe just aquaintences. You met randomly at a concert and have been connected at the hip ever since. Whatever the case, you just know that no matter what, no matter where you go in life you both will be in touch and watching out for each others back. Is it some thing that grows on you? or do you know instently you were ment to be kindred spirits? I was just thinking about how we percieved people as our friends. let me know what ya think

traveling

Im sorry guys for not posting for so long I was traveling alot and then I forgot my account info but we are all good now. Lets see where to start I am posting this from my friends computor in Indiana and you ask, Why am I there? Well I got asked to do a score film and the director lives in Indy and I came out here to get fitted in the dress for the film which is set in the mid 1800's and do a little rehearsing too but when I get back Im going to St louis, MO with Dallas this weekend. So besides these trips I also went to milwaukee and madison for a couple days and I was compeating in a pro-am wcs and took 4th place with my coach christopher hussey. So I will try to catch you all up further tomorrow. love ya all lots peace out

New Experiance

I went to the shooting range today with my friend Erik it was so much fun I shot a 40caliber, a 5.7mm, and a 44magnum it was so fun I never shot such powerful weapons before. Erik works for the army so he's used to firearms, which means I had a good coach. He shot a 500magnum I didnt feel comfortable fireing that one yet maybe next time. When he shot the 500 a flame came out the front of the barrel. You have to wear eye and ear protection when in the shooting range you cant use your cell which of course means no picture of mean looking so cute. Hope you all are enjoying the weather today!

Just thought I would show my mom some luv cause she isnt feeling well muah!

So I was asking God for a little more cash to help with my new hobby westie(west coast swing) cause we travel alot for competitions and this week I got 2 extra babysittng Jobs whoooo hoo but I have some other things that people have told me about and I need to check out how flexiable they are for me. I Just wanted to say thanks for supporting me. The picture is of my friend Dallas(the cute girl in white shirt) in a westie workshop last weekend. As soon as I figure out how to put a video up I will cause I have some great footage of me winning 1st place in novice J&J division. c ya guys

its already march

So again its been to long Im really not doing to well at this game, but more people are starting to read my stuff so I guess I should be consistent. Lets see where to start I have been doing alot of West Coast Swing lately more then Ballet and Im getting pretty good at it. But like an new thing it takes time and money, which a starving artist like my self usally doesnt have. So Im thinking up new and creative ways to increas my income but still have time to dance with flexiable hours so far I've got: dog walking, modeling, baby-sitting, become a caddie, fitness instructor, party consultant, photographer assistent, a barista(starbucks person), secretary, waitress, a DJ(not really sure I would be good at it), jewelry maker, dance retail, and last but not least telemarketer! Got any Ideas let me know. On a different note I cant believe the great weather we are having it was 53 today yippee! spring is coming

Rejection

How do you handle it? Its important to understand how you react to it. Is it something that keeps you down for awhile? Do you get very emotional then let it go just as quickly? If you dont know how you handle it then. How can other people help you out? When you need to lean on them. I recently had to endure this feeling and was thinking not many people talk about. Also how do you learn to handle it? If you've never been rejected in something really big or important. I mean little things here or there for me are just like nothing. example:If you make pictures in your mind like I do, I think of them as little dandelion seeds that just float away in the spring. But big things that you just cant seem to accept or wrap your mind around. picture: Big rock or brick falling out of know where right on your toes as you walk down the street. Thats alot tougher and I tend to try and carry it by my self. Which is silly! If Im walking with Christ. Picture: Jesus as a gentleman walking down the street along side you He can carry the heavy things in my life that are to big or to much for me to handle.

ITs 2007!

Its time to turn over a new leaf and blog more often. Sorry I have'nt posted in awhile but I know you still love me. I am currently teaching ballet in Wheaton, Elgin, and Chicago. I dont have any dancing jobs but am auditioning this season. Working with Lyric Opera was so much fun I met so many new people. I hope to keep in touch with most of them thru the year. Its hard being a full time dancer you have to rely on word of mouth or constent exposure to survive but God has been faithful. I am continually trying different forms of dance, the newst one is West Coast Swing! I know what probly comes to mind is jitterbug or lindyhop where they throw the girl up in the air or around their backs very fast paced. Thats not it at all. Think of something more subtle and coy yet proper but also street. I guess its hard to understand until you've seen it. I love it thou I have a feelling we will be together for a long time. Well I see ya around have a great day with lots of dancing