27 on the 27th

Turning the same age as the day you were born (example: 27 on the 27^th) can obviously only happen once in your lifetime. According to Wikipedia: “One's champagne birthday, also called a golden birthday, is the day when the age someone turns is the same as the day in the month he or she was born. It is also common for the birthday individual to have champagne, thus champagne birthday. For example, someone born on January 31st would celebrate his or her golden birthday when he or she turns 31.” Due to the lack of days in a month, this can only happen through age 31, depending on which month you were born. This year has been easy to tell people how old I am turning. “Yes, I will be 27 on the 27^th of November.” 

My aunt, a September baby like much of my family, has a birthday that is the 29^th of September. For memories sake or perhaps in reference to her youthful appearance, she has claimed to be 29 on the 29^th of September, every year for over 20 years.

As I celebrate my “27 on the 27^th”, I am thoughtful of many birthday or “growing up” statements.

“You may grow old, but you shall never grow up.” (My thought: Always keep childlike Faith, laughter in your heart, but take responsibility for yourself, your family, your home, your job, etc. Don’t let you immaturity ruin opportunities to excel.)

“It’s not the years in your life, it’s the life in your years.” (My thoughts: Put some spunk in your step, be positive, and fool folks left and right about your age.)

“Age it just a number.” (My thoughts: Yes it is! And like my aunt, I can now choose to be 27 on the 27^th forever, or keep changing my number. I will decide next year.)

My 26^th year has been one of the best and worst. I have had to make difficult decisions in my professional and personal life that have been both heartbreaking and rewarding. I have loved some people and hurt some people. I have spent some time dwelling on these things and other times learning from these things. I have spent time laughing about them and crying about them. Despite this total range of emotions from the past year, I am determined to make my 27^th year a year of simplifying, healing, focus, and positivity.

I’m starting it today, by turning 27 on the 27^th.

Peace and Blessings,
Amanda

"A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun.  Enjoy the trip."  ~Author Unknown

Thankful for a Job Hunt

It has been a long 171 days since my job hunt began. I have been able to supplement my income with a couple of photography gigs and a few paintings. I have applied for over 400 jobs and had only 8 interviews (all of which were apparently unsuccessful.) In the state of the economy I am usually one of 50-150 applicants for one position (if it is a generic job such as clerical work, assistant, etc.)

It is very easy to get discouraged in the current situation but as the Thanksgiving season approaches, I am trying to have a more positive outlook. I have many things to be thankful for and I am trying hard to work though many situations in my personal and professional life. So many people have told me “God works in mysterious ways.”, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.”, and “God has a plan.” I wholeheartedly agree with all of these things. Scripture tells us:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

As Thanksgiving approaches, remember to tell those around you that you love them and are thankful for them. Be thankful for the things that you DO have and focus less on the things you don’t have. Be thankful for your relatives even those that drive you bananas, be thankful for that house that you wish was bigger, be thankful for the food in your fridge you wish was a gourmet meal, be thankful for opportunities to learn and grow even when you are resisting change, be thankful for that job even if its hard and you hate it. Be thankful for the freedom that we have that allows you to have these things. Most of all, be thankful for the One who has a plan, works in mysterious ways, and won’t give you more than you can handle.

Peace and Blessings,

Amanda

Situational Learning

In the last two weeks I have felt a rollercoaster of emotions. School started back for teachers last week and students this week and for the first time in five years I didn’t start back with them. Aside from that being emotional enough I have realized several things this week during high emotion times:

                       

§       You find out who those true friends are.  During these critical weeks, I had a few people call, text, or message me telling me that they were thinking of me. When you work at some place for several years though I guess I was expecting someone, anyone, from that place to call, text, or email me a note just saying they missed me or asking how I was. Nothing. People that I have stood up for, taught with, cried and laughed with for years…. Nothing. No response at all. It hurt until I realized that it’s okay. Because the few people that did contact me- do love me- even if they aren’t the former coworkers that I expected. There is a country song by Tracy Lawrence titled “You Find Out Who Your Friends Are” and the lyrics talk about general situations when you are in need of a friend and how those true people just show up or call without thinking about what’s in it for them…and that’s so true. Real friends are there when you least expect them and they expect nothing in return. So, thank you to those people --true friends and family-- who sent me a text or note or gave me a call on these especially tough few weeks. It has meant so much to me.

§       God is good and He’s got a plan.  Being unemployed, job hunting, and focusing on my photography business has obviously had me feeling a bit blue more than once in the last couple months. Despite that I have had an overwhelming feeling of God’s abundant love and always in the back of my mind is Jeremiah 29:11—“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I know that God has a plan for my life and it will take place in His time, not mine.

§       God is an ever-present Teacher. Someone said to me several weeks ago during a walk “When you pray for courage, God doesn’t automatically give you courage. He gives to situations to be courageous in.”… This didn’t really sink in until a few days later when I found myself praying for patience, peace, and guidance. And I realized that in my life right now, God is giving me the situations to practice patience, peace, and guidance. (He is also teaching me great things about humility – but I will be writing a whole other blog on that topic.) I’m having to have patience in this job situation and in learning that things will happen in His time, when He sees fit. I am having to seek His guidance to get through daily things and to deal with new experiences. And most of all I know that He is responsible for this peace I am having despite all these new situations and frustrations. He is responsible for the true friends and family that I have and the support they give me. He truly does know everything about us and the way to show us His unending love though people, situations, and experiences.

In closing, I am reminded of a quote I recently read from an unknown author: “Real people are never fake and fake people are never real.” God is never fake. He is very real and is working in my life and I pray He is working in yours also.

Peace and Blessings,

Amanda

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." ~ Helen Keller

A moment of (not) temporary insanity (I hope)

I chose this title for my first blog in hopes that it would inspire me to keep up with the blog at least weekly. When first thinking of starting a blog, I thought, "Wow, thats crazy... I would never keep up with it....." Well, here goes nothing.

In this blog, I hope to post my thoughts on certain events and situations, books, music, quotes, tips and tricks, and things that are going on in my daily life.

So... check back for more blogs coming soon!!

Peace and Blessings,

Amanda

"When something can be read without effort, great effort has gone into its writing." ~Enrique Jardiel Poncela