Author: Victoria

I am a wife, grandmother, published author and musician.
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Are You Disciplined?

Are you disciplined? This is not where this blog is pointed but it’s a great picture of a banana split that found its fate on a hot summer afternoon shortly after we enjoyed some great music at an outdoor concert!

It’s SUMMERTIME! We are no different than the rest of the earth’s inhabitants. We can thrive in the sunshine, grow our gardens and stockpile food for winter, lay on the beach and stare at the clouds, eat banana splits on a hot day, or enjoy time with friends by the pool. The list is endless and it sounds fabulous! Are you disciplined?

Do you have the discipline to make it all happen?

The month of July moved extremely fast in my personal world. I was moving fast right along with it and doing very little of my above dream list. Some days actually moved faster than I could possibly run.

However, even in the midst of this fast-paced world, I am taking mental notes and pondering some questions that may be beneficial for many of us.

  1. Is it totally necessary to RUN from daylight til dark?
  2. Is there a way to trim obligations to allow for more down time?
  3. At the end of each day, what is TRULY the most important thing in life?

Well, those are big questions that deserve answers from each of us. The truth is this. IF you don’t manage your life, someone else will. The demands on your personal self-created culture are monitored by your own discipline.

Our 7-year-old grandson stayed a few days with us this summer. I noticed that discipline was not his favorite element of the visit. (although he doesn’t get too much of it from his MiMi :)) Simple things like washing your hands, brushing your teeth, eating your dinner, and taking a break from the IPAD seemed like major events in his world. I can easily relate to him on a different level.

The answer to question number one is simply NO. It is not necessary to fill your day from daylight till dark. You can only do what you can do BUT you don’t have to do MORE than you can do.

A brush with death in 2015 has kept me continually aware of when my plate has become too full. I realized the value of life in one moment after a bad motorcycle crash. I knew my priorities would be changing before the paramedics even arrived. Now, when I feel myself reeling out of the boundaries of where I am my best self, I simply readjust.

I am certain I don’t have to remind anyone that life is precious and ultimately short. Yes, the days fly by but they each hold time that has not yet been captured. The answer to question number two is YES! Obligations CAN be trimmed. It may take a plan of action to achieve the goal BUT it can be done.

It has taken two years to phase out some of my previous obligations (including workload). I scaled back from working 40 hours a week for someone else to investing more time in our own personal dreams and goals. That includes writing this blog. Starting with only an hour a few mornings a week to where I am now, one entire day a week. I still work for someone else 20 hours a week, but contract work is managed around MY life instead of theirs.

Question number three can be difficult because it varies for each of us. It depends on what season we are occupying. I am in a golden season of understanding more than ever the value of relationships. 2020 was a rough year on a global basis. The fear instilled in folks close to me and abroad can only be overcome by keeping what is most important to us continually at the forefront of our vision.

For example, I will rework my schedule just to have a morning coffee with a friend. I will work hard for several days in a row to clear 4 days of uninterrupted time with my grandson. I will purposely make a Saturday morning available to browse a farmer’s market and catch up with my friend and music partner at a favorite coffee shop. My husband and I have weekend obligations at church so “date night” morphed into “date morning”. It can be anything from a game of golf to breakfast on the deck.

These are a few of my latest epiphanies of life. If you have already achieved your ultimate life – don’t change a thing!

I leave you with this encouragement. Don’t take anything for granted. Take a deep look at these simple questions and create the life YOU enjoy. It may not seem like it but the truth is there are answers to every obstacle you face. Start seeking out the wisdom to build the life you want and make a disciplined plan to make it happen. I for one am determined to stop to smell the roses and

Enjoy the Journey – VB

Blogging WAS one of those dreams for me….UNTIL I made up my mind. It all started right here. A SIMPLE CLICK. It’s just that easy.

There’s more of my story in my book “Escape from Darkness”. Find it here.

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When two Worlds Collide

Photo Credit: Vicki Weldon, The Refuge Ministries

You’re going about your day and suddenly a moment presents itself to briefly enter into the world of another person. What happens when two worlds collide? Are you prepared to entirely embrace the moment?

I write from a beautiful resort tucked away in the hills and surrounded by trees. Short getaways are so valuable. The world today is a constant reminder of the chaos that swirls around us. A silent moment away from home is like gold in my opinion.

I am constantly working on staying in the moment. It is a task in the current world we live in. Staying in a conversation until it is OVER is even hard work. Listening more than I talk is also difficult. Listening is a skill that most of America hasn’t accomplished yet. The distractions constantly seek each of our attention. Technology catches the blame for most of our wandering thoughts and inattentiveness. However, our own minds require the discipline to stay above the noise and dwell in peace. We each have a personal responsibility to steward our thoughts, our time, and our behavior concerning how we divide our attention.

It’s a work in progress for each of us but on a personal level, I realized it helps me see the things and the people I would have otherwise missed had I not been looking past my own nose. Each moment is an opportunity for growth if you’re looking. I will share a moment that popped up during a recent shopping trip.

Photos courtesy of and copyright Free Range Stock

The summer sun was bearing down on the mid afternoon. The kind of heat that literally takes your breath when you step out of an air conditioned vehicle. The only thing on my mind was finding some new summer clothes for our next trip. Shopping is not my favorite thing to do. Therefore, there is a pointed plan and a block of time dedicated to the mission.

I saw him sitting on the sidewalk as I approached the store. My mind instantly prepared my answer for the expected plea for money. My husband and I both will usually give something if we have it. That day found me with not a coin or a piece of cash in my wallet. As I made my way to the door of the store, he asked me for enough to buy a drink or some food. I could tell he was miserably hot but I truly couldn’t help at that moment. I replied a quick apologetic “No” without missing a step.

I went on my way and finished the shopping with the image of his sweaty face in my thoughts. It was an hour later when I walked out with a big bag of clothing. Something in me hoped he wasn’t still sitting there to witness my huge purchase. A purchase of convenience that seemed so necessary until that very moment.

The man had moved on and was nowhere in sight but the internal pain in his eyes has remained with me. The whole encounter stirred something in my soul. Maybe someone gave him some money and he found a cool place for a drink and some food. Maybe he gave up and moved to another place. I don’t know the answer but I wondered if I could have changed the outcome and made a difference.

Most of us live on a daily fast track of schedules, deadlines, and survival. That’s life, right? We all fall into routines that revolve around ourselves. It takes purposeful effort to change our vantage points and look at life through a different lens.

It is certainly not wrong to go shopping for summer clothes. I am very thankful that my budget is gracious to allow the provision. Yet there are divine moments in our daily endeavors that may get overlooked if we’re don’t have a watchful eye.

I have thoughtfully changed the scenario several times. I see myself approaching him on that hot day with the same expectation of his question for provision, however, there are more options that would involve my time. What if I had beat him to the punch and started a conversation? What if I had asked him about his story? What if my shopping trip time had been completely taken up by my conversation with this stranger?

I still wouldn’t have had a dollar in my pocket to share BUT both of us may have been richer simply by two different worlds that had just collided on that sidewalk.

I understand we have to use keen discernment and even caution in these times. The world is not a real safe place anymore. There are still moments that are supposed to happen and I don’t want to miss them if possible. I believe I did miss a particular moment in my story but it didn’t go in vain. I learned something about myself and I am also prepared for the opportunity to present itself again. The stranger on the sidewalk played his part in my life by simply asking me for a gift.

I leave you with this encouragement. Each of us has personal areas we can change, skills we can hone, and moments we are meant to encounter. It only takes awareness. People are good at hiding their pain. We are not so good at seeing the pain in another. A heightened and purposeful sense of being present IN THE MOMENT can put you in a position to collide with the world of another.

Open your eyes a little wider, breathe a little deeper, make the most of what is in front of you, make a time to retreat, and by all means

Enjoy the Journey – VB

Writing serves me well as an outlet to express my thoughts. We all see the world differently. Blogging is a great tool to share yourself with others. Click below to get started just like I did!

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What is in your genes?

This picture was taken of my Grandpa in 1896 when he was 40 years of age. He lived golden moments to make life a golden season.

What is in YOUR genes?

Lifes golden season should be golden right? To say it’s golden means it’s very desirable or marked by peace, prosperity, and often creativeness.

Let me be clear, the words season and golden have nothing to do with your age. It has everything to do with the lenses through which you see your life as it unfolds. If each moment is considered golden, we inevitably create a golden season.

A very good friend inspired today’s blog. It was her relentless bubbly attitude that made the path to her recently perfect planned outside wedding on a beautiful hillside that overlooks our city. We ended the evening listening to the band play while using the God-painted sunset as a canvas for their background. It was truly a golden moment for all involved. She unselfishly created that moment to share herself and her golden moment with the rest of us. It touches my soul deeply when someone wholly shares such a sacred time of their journey.

My friend is that rare person who always sees the glass half full. However, I’ve known her long enough to know that some of her life events could have easily emptied that glass if she had let it.

I sat on the deck this morning enjoying the sunrise and listening to the birds as they beckoned each other to WAKE UP! With my favorite cup of coffee in hand, I pondered the following thoughts about us humans.

..Why do some see the glass half full?

..Why do some see the glass half empty?

..Why do some not even consider a glass at all?

..Why do some of us live so fast we bypass the golden moments?

..Why do others live ONLY for the golden moments?

We all have the same hours in the day, the same options available to us, and the same world to contend with. Yet life can quickly get messy and difficult. We all have hard situations to overcome that hopefully refine us and make us stronger. Life is going to happen no matter what right?

BUT what if there is something in our genes we haven’t considered? What if we just haven’t accessed the very thing that will catapult us to the new endeavor our soul is seeking? The endeavor that wakes up creativity, purpose, and wholeness.

I began to think about my own Grandpa. Born in Ireland in 1856, he came to the United States at 15 years of age.

Grandpa in the final years. Approximately 90 years of age.

He died at 93 with a legacy of written poetry, articles, and speeches. He was a known speaker on the religious circuit for his time and became a writer for several printed tabloids. It doesn’t take long to hear the depth of his thoughts in his archives. Penning his thoughts brought him to his predestined purpose. He was recorded by a local radio station in 1943 at the age of 87 preaching to his small church congregation in Arkansas. My only connection with him is that audio. It was the sound of his voice that threw a flame on something deep inside of my spirit that I couldn’t explain. I simply knew something deep within me had been awakened.

No doubt life wasn’t always golden for my grandpa. However, he scripted some exquisite golden moments during his 93 years on this earth. Even though I never met my Grandpa , I would have to assume his glass was half full most of the time.

Was it predetermined before the beginning of time that I would “inherit’ the desire for writing? Could I have possibly tapped into the waiting well of his influential legacy much earlier in life?

I certainly do not know the answer to those questions but I do know this…just the simple awareness that came from a look back at the family genes has encouraged me to journey on and see where it leads. Many times our influence has a greater impact after we leave this earth. Either way, a legacy of golden moments is more important than actual gold.

The world is influenced by both joy or heartache, peace or violence. We have the choice of which way we will be used.

During my friend’s wedding reception, I saw a group of folks gathered around her mother and aunt. They were both sitting in wheelchairs entertaining the guests with their contagious joy and laughter. It was easy to see WHY my friend always sees the glass half full. The living proof was right there in front of us!

I leave you with this encouragement. Ask yourself those above questions and decide how you see the glass. Decide how you detect the golden moments. Maybe a change is in order after you determine the answers. Either way, take a quick look back at the genes you received through no fault of your own and inspect how they may have influenced your journey so far. And by all means

Enjoy the Journey-VB

P.S. I would be honored for you to read my first book Escape from Darkness. It makes me happy to think of the possibility of my life influencing another as stated in the review below.

I was so awed and inspired by this book. The author, Victoria Bragg, created a special book to truly help us pull out of the darkness and look @’the light and seek wholeness on a Godly plane. I felt as if Victoria was holding my hand and telling me it is okay to go seek real life!
I look forward to more of her pages. It deeply helped my soul.

Blogging is new to me for sure. The desire was there but the knowledge was not. I thank the Reese’s for sharing what they know. Check it out and begin today making a golden moment!

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When the Storm Arrives

This blurry pic was taken in real-time a few days ago as this tornado went over our neighborhood.

Be sure you are living on purpose when the storm arrives!

This tornado was caught on camera by a distant bystander as it made its track over our neighborhood. At the time – we had no idea that someone from afar was making a record of the storm we survived because we were busy doing just that…. surviving.

It’s been on my mind all week. The fact that one minute we can be doing life and the next minute there can be a total upheaval that threatens our survival. Catastrophes do not fail to bring our heads out of the clouds and challenge us to put priorities in order.

Something like an unexpected weather event can loudly let you know that “YOU ARE NOT IN CONTROL”. The lights were knocked out in a moment and 80 MPH winds blew with no mercy. We sat in our dark safe room and waited for the storm to pass. It took less than 10 minutes to destroy roofs, gardens, houses, and beautiful long-standing trees. Deep-rooted trees that have stood season after season were quickly brought to the ground.

Neighbors were suddenly in constant communication offering each other assistance, tools, and shelter. Life, as we had lived it that day, was interrupted. We had to quickly pivot to adjust.

I have a bookshelf in my office that stays updated with my most recommended books. Robert Smith’s 20,000 Days and Counting has never been cut from the top 30. His quote “The amount of hours in a day represent the time that is potentially available to you…each moment is but a dab of paint you can apply to the canvas of your life”.

You see, I believe in living on purpose. I believe each one of us has a perfect destiny that includes a very intentional function for our allotted time upon this earth. I also believe that each one of us will eventually bump into the “aha” moment in our lives where we start searching for that specific design that we were created. Some find it quicker than others. Some wonder if they’ll ever find it while others don’t even realize they are already living it. I use to search for the “method” that provided the “fastest route” to my perfect life!

Each day and each life event has brought me to this conclusion. There is NOT a “get to destiny quick method.” Life is a journey of growth. We grow into our purposes. We’re like a fine wine that reaches full fermentation after several weeks. It just takes time. That time consists of many moving parts that contribute to our overall wholeness.

There is no way to predict when upheaval is coming our way. The storms of life offer opportunity to learn certain principles that help shore up the infrastructure of daily living we have built with belief systems, perspectives, ambition, physical and mental health, and relationships. It’s a broad field to keep nurtured and protected. Sadly, sometimes it takes a beating from unexpected events.

I was sad to see our neighbors and friends overwhelmed with recovery from the storm. I was sad to see nature disrupted.

Yet relationships were enhanced and we all know each other better. There have been many smiles, texts, tears, and gratefulness exchanged. Homes are already being restored and uprooted trees are now being used for other purposes.

Life is for sure getting back to normal but it’s a new normal. A normal with added experiences, a new level of appreciation, and an additional chapter to our life stories. We’re all a bit stronger and much more thankful. The next time a storm arrives may not be less scary but we will be more assured that we can handle it!

I leave you with this encouragement. Take a deep look at your present infrastructure of daily life.

Do you find joy in what you do each day? Are your relationships rich with friendship and love? Will you be the first to help your neighbor if their house falls in on them? Are you the one who takes a distant snapshot of another’s storm so they can understand what they have been through? Do you seek to understand the truth in the peaks and valleys of life? Do you fully engage in life’s adventures or do you self protect yourself from the potential risks?

Learn to live out loud. Seriously —

Enjoy the Journey – VB

P.S. Blogging is my outlet to the world. It gives a voice a vehicle to be heard. It also allows thoughts to become influential. I believe the world is waiting for the many voices that haven’t been heard. Start like I did — it’s a click away.

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IS THERE A DRAGON IN YOUR STORY?

This image literally gave me chills. It represents an all too familiar image of a trauma-filled past that had to be confronted.

The last few blogs have focused on the condition of our soul. Today I want to share my thoughts and some of my own experience in dealing with the healing of a trauma filled soul.

A common word used for our past is “DRAGON”. There are books galore in the self-help section that help guide you in the process of “slaying the dragons of your past”. One of my favorites is “Your Brain is always Listening” by Dr. Daniel Amen.

I absolutely love books. They are a great way to put us on the path to awareness. However, the day will finally come when you have to apply what you read. A person has to seek deep into their own emotional crevices and take the path that works for them.

I became an advocate for counseling after 2 years of diligent emotional and mental work while sitting on the couch of a well-trained professional counselor. I penned that journey into Escape from Darkness: A Perspective from the Couch. I really didn’t begin writing the experience with intention of binding a book. The many unedited tear-stained pages filled with multiple words straight from my soul became a dumping ground for toxic sludge I had carried with me for years. In fact, the thought of sharing those deep ancient secrets with ANYONE was terrifying at the time.

This is an excerpt of a letter I sent to my counselor during the healing process:

“I’ve been thinking about the ability to live “from heaven to earth”. Living out of heaven’s perspective – instead of my own thoughts and ideas. I’m certain it would take away this wimpy unworthiness that continually grabs me by the heels. I am fearful of loneliness and isolation. It’s like I’m looking at a gap that I have to leap over to get to the other side and I am afraid that I’m going to fall through it. It is so deceitful.”

……The distractions that bombard me are familiar thought patterns that I actually interpret as something I need to survive. Sometimes they even pose as deep dark secrets that could surely bring my fate if ever exposed.

………A few days ago, the dragon I once feared with my entire being diminished to a mere cloud. I understand the reason it had grown to such a looming force in my mind. Much like a violent storm – it picked up the debris of tragic situations and eventually grew into a cloud that took on the face of a dragon. A beast that found me in my sleep and in my wake.

This, my friends, is a clear picture of how those dragons are created and of the baggage they carry.

I am grateful I wrote these words from such a raw place so I can share them with you. Facing my past was hands down one of the most courageous things I have ever done. I will never down play the true strength it takes to untie from trauma.

Words cannot properly express how surprised I was to find out that once “my story” was out of my head, it morphed from a “dragon” who continually taunted me into a mere tool of encouragement bound up neatly with my name and a title on the cover.

Everyone has a story. Some include dragons and some do not but nevertheless, there are stories that have not been told. Not everyone will write a book or a blog but nevertheless, the story still remains and it should be told in some form or fashion. The world we live in today yearns for encouragement and hope.

I leave you with this encouragement. If a dragon lives in your story– pull your sword of courage and slay the thing. Use the process that works for you to turn it into a helpful tool for society. The opportunities for sharing are endless.

Be that rare someone who can be trusted. Trust happens when someone else can see over the mountaintop that you are only beginning to scale yourself. Trust happens when their voice of hope rings down from the top as an encouragement to put one foot in front of the other. It is a great comfort to hear a gentle voice coming from a place you can’t yet see. Be that voice and by all means

Enjoy the Journey – VB

Do you travel, cook, love pets, tell stories, design clothing, or want to encourage the world? 🙂

START SHARING YOURSELF THROUGH BLOGGING!

IF I CAN DO IT…YOU CAN DO IT!

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DO IT TODAY!

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Is your soul in good condition?

Another great pic from my friend Lindsey Ellen Simon. This picture is from the Badlands of South Dakota. My old stomping grounds. Its barrenness represents a deep look at the condition of a soul that needs refreshing. www.wildfreeadventure.com #badlands

Closing words from the last blog were “The way we manage our dollars is a reflection of the true condition of the soul. We will either invest from a prosperous sight using wisdom, caution, and faith or scatter funds beyond our means from a place drenched in fear, lack, and uncertainty. Sounds like a good topic to address next time. “

It certainly is a good topic! Our individual stewardship has never more important than it is right now in this weird time of global economics. Things as we knew them are changing right before our eyes. The news can be the scariest place for information but yet most informative once a person sorts through the weeds of hearsay and outright deceit. We can quickly get on information overload and not even know which way to turn by the time the long-awaited “stimulus” reaches our bank account.

At the end of the day, what truly matters is the condition of our soul. I want to approach the meaning of the soul from an objective view for the sake of my point. The soul is simply the part of you that consists of your mind, character, thoughts, and feelings. Collectively, those four things affect our decision-making in every situation we face. Personal development in all these facets will make you a very wise decision-maker at the very least and break you free from your own internal prison.

I can relate to watching life from “behind the fence.” It seemed as though that track was headed toward a destination I would never reach. Photo Credit: Lindsey Ellen Simon

I took a great interest in the condition of my soul when I realized how much it was influenced by my past on a minute-to-minute basis. My past had left me looking through a smokescreen of poverty and lack. This greatly affected the way I navigated the world in front of me. For example, there are folks that have been so focused on the monies recently given to stimulate both personal and local economies, that the shelves at “big box” retailers are frequently left barren merely for the fear of lack for future days.

Don’t get me wrong- I enjoy receiving a check in the mail as much as anyone. However, the time spent awaiting its arrival included strategic planning. You see, money is only a tool. It will go where you tell it to. It will also blow right out of your hand like a feather in the wind if you loosely embrace its significance.

Have you considered the thought that this year’s stimulus checks were enough to create a passive income if deposited in the right spot? I mean put it in a place that keeps on giving! This is where the condition of your soul becomes very important. A soul free of clutter will see opportunities as they present themselves! A soul free of clutter will ebb and flow like a lazy river without fear through the seasons of change! A soul free of clutter will even change the course of the river if needed! A soul free of clutter will be like a magnet to fertile fields to plant your seeds! Finally, a soul free of clutter will work as hard as a well-defined athlete to become in pristine condition!

The true condition of a soul is not hard to discern. It reveals itself through behavior. We are all on the same common course of personal development. People of ALL levels will one day face the condition of their souls. We all come to the place in life that forces us to look at what circumstances have sprinkled our past and conditioned our responses. It is a very personal journey and can only be addressed as we become aware.

Finally, this pic from one of Lindsey’s wild adventures represents the freedom to be all you can be.

I leave you with this encouragement. Let this written piece remind you to stay aware of repetitive behaviors that reveal the condition of your soul. Ask yourself the hard questions. Are my decisions made from a place of fear and lack? If so, provide your soul some education and let it know there are other options. Napoleon Hill’s Think & Grow Rich is a great place to start. You will be surprised how someone’s personal testimony will suddenly open a different window of perspective and change your course to a prosperous potential! Be willing to listen and apply AND by all means

Enjoy the Journey–VB

Interested in blogging? You simply have to start! I encourage you to start right here. There are folks waiting to hear what you have to say!

This is my story of my own escape from a personl internal prison.

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A Prosperous Soul

This pic was taken on a road less traveled in Ireland in 2017. It represents the totality of prosperity and freedom to me!

Today is a perfect early spring day. I used the early morning hours to enjoy the view from my office. Sipping on a cup of hot tea and watching the geese use the pond as a bathtub made my heart happy. It reminded me of the value of freedom. Freedom to be who we are designed to be. Freedom to choose our own perspectives. Freedom to choose a life of abundance. Freedom will cover a very broad territory depending on where you are at the moment.

Another pic from Ireland. Space and beauty as far as the eye can see.

It has been one year since the world was shaken by a pandemic. I believe we learned some things as a global community. The shutdown brought uncertainty, fear, and isolation. The world was shaken but closer to home, each one of us had to deal with it on a personal level. We were forced to slow down and look at what we value the most. The confinement challenged our views of the true definition of freedom. Something as simple as watching the geese enjoy an early morning play in our neighborhood pond has made me reflect on how my own views have changed in a years time.

At this moment some of us may not feel the freedom to travel to other countries yet. The rules have changed and we have to decide how to fit into the infrastructure’s guidelines. These pics of our last real vacation were taken in Ireland in 2017. We traveled there to explore my family roots. While the look back at the pics refreshed the memories of “freedom without boundaries”, they also reached deep into my own aspect of “Prosperity”.

The trip to Ireland was steeped in conversations with the natives of the country. The folks we engaged with held a deep knowledge of the history of their land. They lived simple lives with little chaos and much family time. Monetary wealth was at the bottom of the priority scale and it was relevant in their lifestyles.

The castles hold secrets from the deep history of the land. Their dungeons and secret rooms remind me of the hidden places in our hearts.

I came home with much to ponder. The culture of the Irish helped me understand on a deeper level that the things which matter most in this world do not come from the riches of the pocketbook.

Unfortunately, most folks think of prosperity in the terms of assets owned. Prosperity is a rich word with a deep meaning. The definition begins in one’s heart. It begins with the distance of your vision. In other words, can you see past your own toes? Can you see where you are at the moment? For example, when the news of the shutdown reached your household – did you have an innate knowing that “you and your family were going to be okay?” Did the road map of your vision take you to safety and peace? Or did you choose the road most traveled and dive into fear and media updates?

This is actually a MAIN road but less traveled! A road less traveled will always be more narrow.

Truthfully, in the beginning, it took me some time to get off the fence and completely embrace peace. The prosperous side of my soul eventually spoke louder than my own analytical thoughts. I finally reached the pinnacle of the truth that this thing was not something I could control anyway. The prosperous side of my mentality consistently pointed me toward the riches that exceeded any bank account on this planet. The riches of peace, health, friends, and family. These four things make you a prosperous human. The restrictions of the shutdown challenged every one of those elements of our freedom. Just like my Irish friends, it is our choice to bathe in the freedoms of our true wealth.

I leave you with this encouragement. Revisit some good times of the past to refresh some stagnant places of your soul left from the residual of last year. Make a list of the riches you possess. Make notes of the places where you are experiencing total peace, the physical health of your family, the list of those friends that stick closer than a brother, and the family that you belong. Express gratefulness for your list of wealth. Finally, start a plan to improve or refine any of these areas if needed. Be sure to include your monetary status too. After all, it is a part of the definition of prosperity. It just isn’t the MAIN objective to our wealth or status.

I actually love money. We must choose to steward it properly. It is a tool that not only moves the things of this world but also partners with love, empathy, and compassion to provide hope in the desolate place in the heart of another. I love to manage it and I love to generously give it away.

The way we manage our dollars is a reflection of the true condition of the soul. We will either invest from a prosperous sight using wisdom, caution, and faith or scatter funds beyond our means from a place drenched in fear, lack, and uncertainty. Sounds like a good topic to address next time.

Touch base with your family today with an awareness of your prosperity and by all means

Enjoy the Journey – VB

P.S. Writing brings me great joy. It also brings me great joy when others share themselves through writing too. It’s not hard to get your stuff out there for others to enjoy. Click here or here to see how I got started! These folks are fabulous!

My book is available on Amazon. “Escape from Darkness“

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Poverty vs Prosperity/What’s the difference?

This picture of the old farmhouse where I grew up was taken on a recent trip to South Dakota. It had been 40 YEARS since I had seen it.

Poverty or prosperity- which mentality do you have?

Wow-what a controversial topic. That question can challenge the best of us. Honestly, I had not given it much thought until one of my mentors presented me with the question. That’s when I had to take a close look at which of those lenses I was choosing to view my life.

Cultural programming has everything to do with how we define our lifestyle. My folks raised us knowing the meaning of hard work. We lived on a farm in South Dakota for a big part of my childhood. I remember the long cold winters when all hands were required to be on deck to ensure that both we and the animals survived. Summers brought long hot days in the wheat fields. Mom packed our lunch in a round dishpan and filled the water jugs to the brim. We loaded up the goods and spent the whole day in the field under a make-shift awning. (an old green tarp with holes in it that was strung from the truck bed to two fence posts stuck in the ground) She and my dad went around and around the field on their tractors all day planting crops. They would wave at us with each round and make sure all was well at the camp. I laugh as I write this just thinking about how dirty we were at the end of the day.

The look back helps me to identify how my mindset that surrounds my perspective on poverty or prosperity was developed. Lifestyle has certainly changed over the years BUT the mentality dug its roots and settled in for the long haul.

I could go on and on about how life was lived on the plains of South Dakota. The stories can easily mirror the “Little House on the Prairie” television series. It was those stories that set me on the path of reforming some very old mindsets.

The first thing was to explore what each of those words meant to me. With no purposeful intentions from anyone involved – my definition of poverty took on the persona of “hard work only brings more hard work”. It was an endless cycle of work to simply survive. Sometimes there were huge setbacks like hail storms that took out a whole crop. Even as a child I could feel the heartbreak and disappointment of my parents. The fear of lack began to box me into a very tiny space of small dreams. I developed a real ” poverty mentality“.

Cultural programming has everything to do with how we develop our life. Can we break out of what we know and into what is actually possible?

I’m not sure why it is often referred to as a poverty “mentality”. The more accurate description is an “impoverished soul”. Poverty is more than how many dollars you have or don’t have in your bank account. It runs deep into the crevices of your everyday life and can affect every decision you make. For example, our hard childhood culture left a residue of unworthiness that ran behind the scenes of my adulthood decisions. Decisions stretching all the way from what clothing to buy to who to marry! It’s hard to imagine how sitting in a field playing games and reading all day could develop into an unworthy attitude toward myself.

The truth is that culture does define us. The good news is we can be open to change if we want something different.

Somewhere on life’s journey, I realized there was another option besides “expecting lack” and “slamming every penny into a savings account”. There were faith and hope. There was an understanding of a new identity that could take the golden nuggets of teaching from my childhood and apply them to a more prosperous mentality. The type of thinking that refreshes your soul into knowing that no matter what – YOU ARE WORTHY of the precious things life can give.

The truth is that most of the present chaos of the world is simply not in our control anyway. It will gladly drain any faith and hope we muster up if we focus on it. The healthy option is to change your focus. I mean your eyes can literally move from one place to another. From the place of lack to the place of abundance.

I leave you with this encouragement. Don’t define your mentality of poverty or prosperity by your bank account. Instead , revisit your cultural upbringing. Look deep in your soul and ask yourself what you are expecting life to bring you. Do you really believe you deserve the gold that is waiting for you in this season? Will you take it when it presents itself? Will you restore faith and hope in yourself and those around you? Are you open to changing some old habits?

The next blog will bring a closer look at prosperity. In the meantime

Enjoy the Journey – VB

P.S. Writing brings me great joy. It also brings me great joy when others share themselves through writing too. It’s not hard to get your stuff out there for others to enjoy. Click here to see how I got started. These folks are fabulous!

My book is available on Amazon. “Escape from Darkness“

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Do you procrastinate?

The action of delaying or postponing something.

It can be the enemy of all time. I absolutely love writing this blog. I look forward to it all week. Yet, when my favorite, scheduled writing day arrives – I will find myself doing laundry instead. I can be one of those folks who find it hard to get started.

There are a lot of ideas in my head and they constantly speak to me! There is music that hasn’t been written, books that are waiting to be completed, and blogs that are floating around in the creative minds of this generation of people. We have more tools ever in history and it couldn’t be easier to record our thoughts and ideas. The internet allows us to share instantly (even in real time) . There is even the ability to make a career out of our thoughts simply by sharing it with the world. The very idea of choosing laundry over such potential personal advancement seems absurd! However, at the end of the day – we are still just humans and the struggle remains real.

Truly successful people are usually organized to the point of intentionally utilizing their God given 168 hours of each week. I am convinced this is a great way to overcome procrastination. I am also adamant there must also be a balance in everything we do. For example – if you make such a rigid schedule that you find yourself losing joy, then it needs to be adjusted. Grace also must be found if you are the person that freaks out when the schedule gets interrupted by life. My grandson loves to visit. Believe me – we drop EVERYTHING for the time spent with him!

Balance is crucial in our daily endeavors. Most of the time there is simply no room for procrastination. Things like laundry can actually wait! Distractions pull on each of us every day. I feel like its an accurate statement to say many of us go to bed thinking of the things we didn’t get done instead of applauding ourselves for the things we did accomplish. I am on a mission to spread a perspective of taking the time to celebrate achievements. It doesn’t have to be huge. Pick something you enjoy but seldom take the time to do. I love massages, a mani-pedi, coffee with a friend, dinner with my husband and quality time with family.

Writing my first book was a huge achievement. It was on my dream list but never done . The completed manuscript arrived because of intentional effort. Every Wednesday morning was an appointment with myself to write something in Escape from Darkness.

At the time there were only 3 hours a week to spare and it had to happen between 6 and 9 AM. Eventually, a natural momentum began to establish and I was thoroughly enjoying the journey!

My vision and ideas became more pointed which allowed the passion for my purpose on this earth to gain traction. Procrastination had lost its hold. My husband and I celebrated with a grand steak dinner and wine the day I saw that book on Amazon!

I leave you with this encouragement. Everybody has to start somewhere. Why not now? The New York time best sellers had to write their first book. Famous song writers wrote a first song. Bloggers that educate us everyday with their wisdom simply started sharing their thoughts at some given time.

Start today uncovering that dream and give it a place in your 168 hours. Don’t be concerned with fame and fortune. You’re already a pretty big deal in the big scheme of life. There are things to share with intended folks that only YOU can provide. Kick procrastination in the tail and by all means

Enjoy the Journey – VB

Good reads from my personal ” favorite books shelf”:

20,000 Days and Counting/Robert D. Smith

The War of Art/Steven Pressfield

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The Risk To Blossom

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

~Anais Nin~

One of my favorite quotes. It has been printed on multiple cards and tacked to my refrigerator. It has been stuck with tape on the bathroom mirror, used as a bookmark in my bible, and as a desktop image on the computer. I need to see it to be reminded that remaining in the same place will eventually become painful. The old saying rings true: IF what you’re doing isn’t working, DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

Compounded on last years pandemic demand for isolation, this year the nation has contended with the Arctic Blast of 2021. Confinement has presented different problems for different folks. Some dealt with power outages while others dealt with finding shelter and food. Some have suffered greatly from loneliness and fear. I simply counted my blessings. We live in a valley with steep hills that demand respect during winter episodes. The snow piled higher and the temperatures dipped low enough to set state records for this time of year.

A person like me welcomes such a break from the norm with open arms. The reflection during down time reminded me how uncomfortable being tightly confined can be. I’ve served my time in emotional prison. The breakout wasn’t easy by any means but there is no value to be put on freedom. The definition of the word speaks for itself: the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.There is power in being free to be yourself.

You see, there is no shame in exposing and unlocking our own personal confinements. They only become more toxic the longer we choose to carry them through life. Old and familiar strongholds keep us from blossoming into our full potential. It is true that the past can leave deep scars. Sometimes we’re left with a wide open wound that precedes us wherever we go. Without even knowing it we carry the stench of rotting flesh with us into every relationship. It can become a very lonely road. Our facade fights to stay in control and cover up the damaged goods behind the smile. Shame loudly reminds us to stay hidden or the world will reject the person underneath the rubble.

Folks have different heaps of rubble. No one’s journey is the same. The only common place on the trail to freedom is the decision to dump the load of sludge that has restricted freedom from being our fuel to succeed.

I leave you with this encouragement. Let this be the day to begin walking away from the pain of remaining bound in the bud of your past, addictions, emotional baggage, physical ailments, or trauma. Take the risk of letting one petal at a time open to a beautiful blossom. I promise the journey is worth the risk. I cannot wait to hear what you found on the other side. I hope you embrace the opportunities of stillness and by all means

Enjoy the Journey – VB