Nikki Rosen's Blog, page 24

Thankful Thursday

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." Judy Garland What's really neat is that all of us are so amazingly different. I see it in my girls. I experience it with my friends and the people I meet everyday. Some are sensitive and gentle and giving....others are strong and feisty and go getters......and others are  introspective and steady -thinkers. This week I'm grateful for....  -Finally after upteen rewrites satisfied with the first chapter of a story I'm working on. -Even though it's freezing out.....Wed. was the first day of Spring. -Long happy talks with my teen. She totally inspires me.I love her beautiful spirit. -Cracking up with my youngest. She's got a wicked sense of humor and lives life large. The girl inspires me to not hold back and live free. -His acceptance of me just as I am....That's the best!! And the most freeing.

Thankful Thursday

"Make a pact with yourself today to not be defined by your past." Steve Maraboli

For the last couple of months I've been working on updating my book, In the Eye of Deception. Yesterday, I picked up the updated books. It got me thinking......

Life never stays the same. Even the bad things...the awful....the horrible....the things that seem like they'll never end....and will somehow keep you a prisoner forever....fighting everyday to hang on.....hoping against hope that maybe....one day.....you'll walk free.

I found out......if you hold on long enough....and believe....things do change. As I looked at the book......and thought about the story it contains....my story......what I lived.....how far down I had fallen.....how lost and alone I was......I realized, how far I've come from the pain that once defined by whole life.

I believed I was a nobody.....a nothing and I believed I had no right to life...no right to exist.

One incredible day......He changed all that....Amazingly and miraculously.

It's hard for me to believe that I am the person I wrote about....especially b/c my life now is filled with so much joy and peace and life. And it's all b/c He touched me. The touch of His gentleness......In the Eye of Deception is my story. The neat thing and the thing I'm most grateful for......

-His touch that made all the difference
-His gentleness that broke through my pain
-His constant presence
-His love that gives me courage to live free
-His peace that really does trump all the past pain.

Remember

Linking with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday and Laura at  Faith Filled Fridays

“I went to sleep with gum in my mouth 
And now there's gum in my hair 
And when I got out of bed this morning, I tripped on the skateboard 
And by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running 
And I could tell......it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.” Judith Viorst

Life happens and sometimes days turn out yuck. Everything that can go wrong - does. I used to think it was just me that got those horrible days, but that's not true. Everyone goes through them. 

The good thing - they don't last. Eventually things turn around and the bad flips back to good again. 

Even when things drag on for a long time....and it seems that nothing will be good again.....now I stop and remember that 'Someone cares for me and summer follows winter and....
 Sunshine follows raid and life can come again.

Author Review

“If a nation loses its storytellers, it loses its childhood.”  Peter Handke
I want to showcase someone, a fellow writer....Kimberley Payne, Canadian author recently released her new book, Trees of the Book.
Trees of the Book – a children’s book that’s both entertaining and educational. It’s theme – learning from God’s creation. Payne tells Bible stories from the viewpoint of the tree. She gives fast facts to help identify specific trees, provides fun activities to reinforce truths in the lesson and poses challenging questions to support each story. 
The story comes to life with bright, colourful illustrations by Esther Haug.
The book is ideal for ages 7-9 year olds and can be used at home or school. 
Kimberley Payne is a motivational speaker and writer on spiritual & physical fitness topics. Her devotional writings relate raising a family, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, and everyday experiences to building a relationship with God. Through her work, Kimberley hopes to inspire people to live healthier lives that glorify God. 
To check out Payne's book, Trees of the Book, go to:


Amazon: http://amzn.to/ZUURvI Website: http://www.kimberleypayne.com Blog: http://www.scienceandfaithmatters.wordpress.com  YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/AndFaithMatters/videos?view=0

Thankful Thursday

“One day things can be going along like they always were and then, suddenly, in a simple rotation of an overheated planet, everything can change.” Dana Reinhardt
It's true...things can change in a heartbeat....sometimes for the good and sometimes for the not so good.  Change is constant. 
I used to worry about changes of any kind......I'd get used to and comfortable with the way things were and when they changed it made me nervous and antsy.   But now....I know changes are part of life and I've beccome more relaxed about them....and more accepting.  This week, am grateful for.....
-I took my oldest out driving and didn't panic. She's changing...growing up....becoming more independent....I love the changes I see in her. -My youngest who reminds me that some things never change - The girl loses everything.....She's constantly saying...don't worry, I know where it is. The craziest - she always does find 'it' somehow. -Time changes - the days are getting longer....it's still light past six and in just a few weeks, it'll be spring. Woo hoo!!!!-My niece is fighting aggressive breast cancer. It's changed life for her and us. Sickness does it. Trauma does that. Life has become much more precious.... -Something else that never changes and which I'm soooo grateful doesn't....His love...His presence....His awesomeness. Without it.....I'd have no life. 

Unique

Linking with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday and Laura at  Faith Filled Fridays

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There's no one alive who is Youer than You.” Dr. Seuss

I got a new car, one that's keyless. All I do it press a button and it starts up. 

Technology is incredible....it keeps changing....advancing. More and more things have become voice activated or controlled by a simple touch. 

My daughter thinks that soon...all we'll need to open the door of our house or access our bank accounts or use our credit cards is our  fingerprint or recognition of the sound of our voice...

It makes me think that with all the gazillion people on the planet....each one of us is so incredibly unique.

Sometimes I meet someone that looks so much like someone I know....but although they have similar mannerisms or facial features.......they're completely different...totally unique. That thought blows me away. 

I used to want to be like other people....the same as them. I didn't think I was good enough, but when He touched me.....loved me just as I am.....I began to slowly realize....it's okay to be me. I don't need to change or look or acts like anyone else. 

And so here am Iopen arms and ready to standI've got the world in my handsAnd it feels like my turn to fly

Thankful Thursday

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is." Albert Einstein

The week's been amazing. Too many good things to post here but one thing for sure...the ebb and flow of life totally pumps me.

-I bought a new car. The dealer gave me a price that was well below what the car's worth and when he couldn't find the color I wanted.....he called to tell me he's giving me a 2014 no charge. Yeahhhh.
-My insurance lady first thought the new car would jack my insurance up by $300 but yesterday she called to tell me I'll be paying $11 less than I am now. Okay I know this has got to be a God thing!
-I called up the bank where that manager used to give me money when I had nothing. He showed me dignity, respect, and even though I couldn't offer him any collateral....he kept 'loaning' me money. The new manager is gonna help me try to find him so I can say thank you. 
-reconnected with good friends we haven't seen for awhile. We made a pact to start getting together regularly again.
-Mostly that everything does feel like a miracle. The little things and the big. I have this feeling inside that He looks out for us....gives us awesome things just because.

Happy Thursday Guys!

Thankful Thursday

 "We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness." Charlie Chaplin

Didn't know what to write today. My brain is pretty much a blank...but one thing I don't want...is to let a week go by and not say thank-you. There's too much that I'm grateful for....things like...

-Spring is around the corner....it's getting darker later. Can't wait when I can get outside and smell the earth after it rains and see the green and colors again. Yeahhh.
-Updated my Deception book. I've needed to do that for awhile. Really glad it's over and done and now at now at the printers.
-Celebrated my dgt's birthday. She's turned 17. Yikes! She's an amazing girl and a great daughter. I am totally proud of the kid. oops...not supposed to call her a kid anymore!
-Asked if I'd be interested in writing a script for a film. If it goes...writing will begin in the fall.
-Mostly that life is amazing...not b/c there's anything major happening.....but b/c of His peace he embedded inside me. And this knowoing that I'm never alone. The two things gives me humungo courage to live my best life. 

Life Rocks!!!

Linking with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday and Laura at Faith Filled Friday

"Sometimes life rocks so hard your heart wants to explode just because the sun came up and you got to feel it on your face for one more day." Sarah Ockler 


Some days I feel this incredible joy....a joy of just being alive.....of having another day to live and see and feel life flowing through my veins.Sometimes the feeling is so intense.....that it feels like it's going to burst out of my skin and I need to share it....tell someone.....and get outside in nature somewhere to feel that incredible power of life.

It's a huge contrast from how I once felt. Once..all I thought about was how much I hated life and everything in it....Once all I thought about was death and darkness and how much I hated being alive.

But then something incredible happened.

He touched me.....turned on the Light.....showed me incredible love.....Today b/c of Him...life and just being alive totally rocks!!!

Oh Happy Day.....He taught me how to live.....

Thankful Thursday

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” Lao Tzu

She was a slave....owned by a man....forced to live under someone's rule. She saw things....horrible things.....her sibs chained and sold...others she knew and loved...beaten. She herself was given tasks beyond what anyone should endure. And the worst....her people were powerless to stop it. 

How did Harriet Tubman get to be so strong? Where did she find the courage to break free and then go back and help others find freedom too?  

Love.....she knew God loved her......and she knew with that love....she had been given equal rights as everyone else. Knowing that compelled her to do the brave thing.....

Love is a powerful force. This week thankful for.....

-saw a one woman play, Spirit of Harriet Tubman. It was amazing....and the message powerful. The take away - don't let anyone ever define you or tell you what you can and can't do. If it's in your heart....then it's right for you.
-kindness of a stranger - came out of a store and found my car mirror broken. A note was left and a number to call. The woman paid for the damage - her integrity reminded me that there are more good people than not. 
-Freedom to come and go and do whatever I like....I think I live in the best country ever.
-people I've met from writing my books, Dancing Softly and A Twist of Innocence.....they're amazing....kind....forgiving.....their courage and strength and love inspires me to live my best. 
-the power of His love......it's what gives me the courage to follow my heart and reach for my best....