Happy 1 Year Blogiversary “Lovebugsworld”!!!!

Lovebugsworld has officially made it 1 year!!  Thank you for all the love and support that I’ve received over the past year.  It has truly been a journey and I am so excited for the journey to continue.  I have met some of the most wonderful, amazing, talented, driven, (the list could go on) people through this blogging process.  Who would have known that blogging was a world within itself…..not me.  I am still in amazement from all the things I have come across over this year and I must say I have learned a lot.  And the one thing that stands out to me is that once you are apart of this world, you have so much love and support from all walks of people.  As I have stated so many times before, the direction that I intended for my blog to go in is not where it is.  But, that’s okay because my blog literally developed into something beyond my wildest dreams.  My goal is always to Bless as many people as I can possibly reach because I am Blessed and if that purpose is fulfilled, then I know I am doing exactly what He placed me here to do!!  If you take one thing from me that is to spread all of your awesomeness to as many people as you can possibly reach and exude all the love, passion, creativity, teachings, and all the great gifts that we all uniquely have and share it with the world!

As one of my favorite author’s says in a line from one of my favorite books “Oh, the Places you’ll go”…….

~Lovebug

Timing is Everything

Today I awoke with a heavy heart.  The night before was filled with loads of tossing and turning.  And usually when I go through that the next day is filled with tons of the “I don’t want to be bothered”, a sucky attitude, a little bit of raging, no appetite, and just walking around with a big cloud over my head.  But, surprisingly enough today was not that day.  On the way to work I talked with a good dear friend who helped me to put some things into perspective.  It always amazes me that things you may not notice, an outsider looking in can pick up quickly.  Change is always good, but when change affects your personality, your character, and even your mood…..it’s time to take a step back and reevaluate.

So, while working today I decided to start working on this study guide I purchased yesterday called “A Time for Everything” –Discovering the Beautiful Rhythms of Life.  It’s a Study Guide series through “Women of Faith”.   The study guide is to help you find balance in your life.  Immediately after starting it, I felt more at ease about some of the things that were bothering me.  And just from completing the first assignment I learned that we have to stop allowing situations that are uncomfortable, inconvenient, and unpleasant to dictate our life.  In those times we should be praying even more and praising him.

The assignment begin with talking about the 4 seasons and how there is a time for everything. 

The scripture that supports this is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.  The lesson as what was my favorite season and why, what season best described my life situation right now, what the times I enjoyed were, and what time I least enjoyed.

My favorite season is fall.

 I love the crisp air, I love the color of the leaves from the trees, I immediately think of Thanksgiving.  I think of family, apple cider, a warm fireplace. I love that it is not too hot and not too cold.   Most of all, I love that you can sport the cute girly jackets and boots.  The season that describes my life situation right now is winter.  When I think of winter, I think of it being brutally cold, icy, and dark.  The times I enjoy most per Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 were, “A time to laugh”, “A time to gain”, “A time to dance”, “A time of Peace”, and “A time to build up”.  My times I least enjoy were “A time to weep”, “A time to lose”, “A time to mourn”, “A time to hate”, and “A time to break down”.

The lesson continues with the story of Paul and his traveling companions in Acts 16:16-34.  Paul and his traveling companions didn’t complain or abandon the cause, but began to praise God in the middle of the difficult circumstance and in response God did something miraculous.  It parallel with what I had been feeling about a particular situation and God was revealing to me that I had to learn to stop reacting to certain situations in the manner that I am reacting to them.   When we find ourselves in situations that are uncomfortable, inconvenient, and unpleasant we need to continue praying and to praise God.

So, I today I learned a good lesson and I am looking forward to keeping up with a balanced Life.

A Valentine’s Story: A Grandfather’s Love

Growing up I was blessed to have my maternal grandparents in my life…they raised my siblings and I.  So, I have so many fond memories and the joys of living with my grandparents.  My grandfather was an awesome man.  He showered me and my sister with so much love.  He was the perfect example of the type of love you should receive from a man.  He was the first man who ever loved me and showed it.  There was not a day that he did not tell me that he loved me and that I was beautiful.  He promoted love 365 days out of a year, so on Valentine’s Day he went out of his way to shower my sister and I with cards, candy, teddy bears, etc.  Do you understand why he felt it was important for him to do this?  His whole mantra was for us to understand that love begins at home and to help us develop self-love first.   So when we went out into the world we’d appreciate acts of love because we deserved it.  And  because we love ourselves first, we aren’t disappointed if we don’t receive a Valentine’s gift on Valentine’s Day because our Valentine’s Day is everyday!  My grandfather is no longer here physically, but I am often reminded of his love everyday and although I won’t get that extra special love he displayed on Valentine’s Day by him, I still hold dear to the memories I shared with him.  Happy Valentine’s Day Granddaddy! May you Rest in Peace!

02.14.13

~Happy Valentine’s Day from Lovebug’s World to yours!

Valentine’s Day is the National “Love Day”.  Tons of companies make so much money off of this one day.  Although love should be spread everyday, this day is still highly emphasized.  It’s all about the commercial appeal, so it’s easy to get sucked in. Valentine’s Day every year spark so many emotions good or bad usually evoked depending on if you are in a relationship or not.  And sadly, depending on if you ”receive” something or not.  Which usually puts people in a not so good mood from the wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, the single people, and even the side people(I have been seeing topics on this more and more as today was fast approaching, so this is a whole other topic). My friendly advice is whether you are with someone or not remember that love starts within.  If you are with someone show that person you love them the other 364 days as well. Love isn’t always about showering someone with gifts.  If you are not with someone love isn’t always about a guy or a girl, it could be your Child, your Brother, Sister, Mother, Father, Grandparents, and even friends.  So, see you are loved in all the most tangible ways possible from more people than you could ever imagine.  So, in the spirit of “Love Day” let’s  spread a little love by giving someone a smile, a hug, and even a “Happy Valentine’s Day!”

When God is in the Blessing Business

I haven’t always been at a place where I didn’t stress or worry.  I have had it so bad that I have literally made myself sick in the past from being such a worry wart. But, I can gleefully report that 3 years ago, I decided that stressing and worrying will not occupy my thoughts, feelings, body, or my life anymore! For the first time I literally felt free! I literally “Let Go and Let God!” I had made up my mind that if I took it to God, then I would leave it at the altar. There would be no more praying about things and then trying to handle things alone. As a result, I now live a worry free life. And it feels GREAT!  And when I tell you once the Blessings start to pour….it flows!  So, when God is in the Blessing business…..He provides  for you above and beyond and abundantly!

~Lovebug

reACTion to reACT

When we commit to action, to actually doing something rather than feeling trapped by events, the stress becomes manageable. 

~Greg Anderson

Today I just so happen to catch the end of Steve Harvey’s new talk show while eating lunch at work.  He was closing the show with some inspirational words.  He was sharing with us a few quotes that he lives by and one quote stuck out and stayed with me for the duration of my day….. 

“Be about the Business of doing something about it” 

We can’t just expect things to always just fall into place.  We have to actually get up and do something in order to be where we want to be.  Action=Success, so let’s get Active!!!

 ~Lovebug

Happy Friday and Happy 1st Day of February!!

 

I Challenge you for February to:

~Mark off all the things you have completed for the Month of January

~Create a list of things to do for the Month of February

~Try a different approach if what you are doing now is not working or moving along

~Continue doing things that are in alignment to elevate you to the next level

~Ready, Set, Gooooooo…..let’s get started!

 

 

 

Oh Happy Day what a New Day, New Theme, and Everything in Between…

Photo Credit:  copelandblog.blogspot.com

“Birds flying high

You know how I feel

Sun in the sky

You know how I feel

Breeze drifting on by

You know how I feel

It’s a New day

And I’m feeling good!”

~Jennifer Hudson’s “Feeling Good”~

What a great start to the beginning of an eventful New Year.  A New Year and another chance to begin again.  The slate has been wiped clean, so let’s begin!

First off…..did you check out lovebugsworld new theme!!!  I am so excited because usually my theme involves the inner creativity in me and this new theme is not short of my artistic nature, but it also has meaning.  For weeks I have been dreaming here and there of released balloons and today I decided to do some research on the meaning.  Here’s what I found…..

~People release balloons at Weddings, Funerals, or for personal meaning.  We can view them as a release of grief, a celebration of life, filled with messages, notes of remembrance, poems, etc.  They can also be filled with flower seeds or even bird seeds.

What I also found is that releasing balloons can be harmful.  To our animals and of course when they do come down, it’s littering.  So instead of releasing an actual balloon, let’s release it in spirit.  Let’s vow to let go of anything that will keep us from moving forward into the divined walk that God has placed us here for.

As for why I have been dreaming about Balloons….the only thing I can come up with is because I am embarking on new things in my life.  Transitioning into the next stage of my life.  And I welcome it with open arms!!  I also embrace Change because it is only to make me better!

 

Photo Credit: doodlindimurals.blogspot.com

Eight Balloons

Eight balloons no one was buyin’

All broke loose one afternoon.

Eight balloons with strings a-flyin’,

Free to do what they wanted to.

One flew up to touch the sun – POP!

One thought highways might be fun – POP!

One took a nap in a cactus pile – POP!

One stayed to play with a careless child – POP!

One tried to taste some bacon fryin’ – POP!

One fell in love with a porcupine – POP!

One looked close in a crocodile’s mouth – POP!

One sat around ’til his air ran out – WHOOSH!

Eight balloons no one was buyin’ -

They broke loose and away they flew,

Free to float and free to fly

And free to pop where they wanted to.

By:  Sheldon Allan Silverstein

My challenge for you for 2013 is to do exactly what it is that elevates you to the next level.  Mentally, Physically, Financially, even Emotionally, and most definitely Spiritually.

Even though it is almost 30 days into the New Year…..Happy New Year from Lovebugsworld to your world!  Stay Tuned…….

“And the Award goes to………”

I want to thank Q.U.E for this nomination.  Please go and check out her blog!  I promise you will not be disappointed.  I can always count on learning good information as well as being encouraged by what she post daily.  I was so honored and very surprised to find out that I had been nominated.  I can truly say that when I started this blog I didn’t know it would have this impact.  I was only looking for an outlet for my thoughts, feelings, and writing, but to see how it has evolved and to now be recognized for it…….I am all too thankful!!!

We all have taken certain journeys to get to where we are in life.  Some have been rocky and some have been smooth, but by the grace of God a lot of us have arrived.  No one ever said this journey called life would be easy, but I know I can speak for a lot of people and say that these journeys have been filled with so much knowledge that has allowed us to birth countless and countless of stories to share with the world.

When I embarked on this blogging journey I did not know where it would take me.  What I do know is what I had planned is not fully where I ended up and I am completely okay with that.  My ultimate goal in life is to always be blessed to be a blessing to others and if I reached one person or millions then I have done what I have set out to do.

Recently someone told me that they were having a long rough day and when they just happened to look up and see me smiling, it brightened their day.  They went on to say that every time they see me I am always smiling.  That really made me smile even more and made my heart smile as well.  That truly meant a lot to me!  We are placed here for a purpose and I plan to continue carrying out my purpose!  2012 was an eventful year and what a great way to end on such a high note!!!

 

The blog(s) that I want to nominate are as follows:

I Spy God

TheJourn3y

Waiting for the Karma Truck

Once A Month for Ladies

Q.U.E

Please check out these blogs!!  I have followed many of these blogs for a year and I can say you are in for a treat!!

 

The ‘rules’ for this award are simple:

1. Select another blog(s) who deserve the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award
2. Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen – there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required – and ‘present’ them with their award;
3. Include a link back to this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award at the Thought Palette and provide these ‘rules’ in your post (please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)
4. Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them
5. You can now also join our Facebook group – click ‘like’ on this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award Facebook group and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience.
6. As a winner of the award – please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award – and then proudly display the award on your blog and sidebar … and start collecting stars…

Happy Anniversary!

On this day exactly 1 year ago, I married my Soulmate! I can truly say within a year I have learned so much and I would do it all over again with the exact same person! Marriage is a beautiful thing between two individuals who become one! Here’s to a lifetime….

Dear You…..

Dear You,

Hello there…just where have you been? I thought I buried you. So why must you resurface again as if you are needed. It took awhile to get here and once again I have to face you. I’m not looking forward to this trip. Engulfed in a sea of what you use to be. Triggered by the need to put you behind me. Familiarity dares me to welcome you. Stubbornness to be strong holds true. I’ve built walls and put up guards just to avoid you because you were all a thing of the past and although at times it creeps back up lightening fast I want to hide so it doesn’t find me. But, somehow circumstances always present me with the challenge to accept it or decline and kindly walk away. So, as I stare back at what you were I can’t help but to smile. You just don’t do it for me anymore and since we are no longer one the best gift I could have ever given you I present to you with pleasure and that’s to watch me walk away…..again!

Signed,
Me

Committment

There are some places you will not get to without fully committing. I pledge to continue committing because there are mounds of places that I am striving to reach!

Happy Thursday

~Terri Guillemets

Sunday Praising

~Words from Shekinah Glory’s song “Jesus”

     To God be the Glory

Friendship

Friendships are born at that moment when one says to another: “What! You, too!  I thought I was the only one!” ~ C.S Lewis

I have known these lovely ladies for quite some time.  Three since birth, one since 1st grade(although she claims it was 4th), another since 5th grade, and one since 2003.  I take friendship seriously and everyone doesn’t make the cut of getting the title of “Best Friends”, but I can truly say these are my Best Friends!  There are 3 others missing from this pic(one girl and 2 guys), but they are apart of my inner circle as well.  I have treasured all of  the tears, laughter, but most importantly….Memories!!!  And boy have we created plenty of memories!!!

❣Super Sweet Blogger Award❣

I have sat on this for two weeks(YES, 2 WEEKS!!) because I am still in awe of being nominated for the “Super Sweet Blogger Award!”  Is it that serious…..Ummmmm, yes and yes and more yes!!!   To be thought of for an award not only blew my mind, but it made my heart smile, put an extra beat in my step, and let’s not forget……a happy dance as well!

 

I am so honored! For this sweet gesture I have my fellow blogger “ispygod” to thank for thinking of me for such an awesome award.

Nicole is an awesome example of  what I like to call….God’s helper!  That’s what she has been to me and I admire her for getting His word out and doing exactly what he placed her here to do!  I literally learn something from everything she posts!!  She has brought me from some not so good places and have reminded me that we all have a job here to do and as long as we are doing it in his name, we will continue to be blessed beyond our wildest dreams!

Please visit her site….ispygod!!  You will not be disappointed!

The RULES for the “Super Sweet Award” are:

1. Give credit to the “Super Sweet” person who chose to nominate you.
2. Answer the “Super Sweet” questions.
3. Nominate a “Baker’s Dozen.” (13 blogs)

The Super Sweet questions:

1. Cookies or Cake?

Oh, that is a hard one because right now, Chick Fil A has a chocolate chunk cookie that is oh so good!!! 

2. Chocolate or Vanilla?

CHOCOLATE!!

3. What is your favorite sweet treat?

Same as number 1 at the present moment……Chick Fil A’s Chocolate Chunk Cookie!

4. When do you crave sweet things the most?

I am sure all women will have the same answer to that one….;-)

5. If you had a sweet nickname, what would it be?

Chocolate Drop(an old co-worker actually use to call me that)  Lol!!

The Baker’s Dozen Nominees:

1.  ispygod

2.  thejourn3y

3.  Elle C. Wolfe

4.  Que274

5.  Waiting for the Karma Truck

6.  ~Inspired Thought~Inspired Action~

7.  An Inspired Approach

8.  Heather Lindsey

9.  I’m Moving On Again

10.  Abbyrae33

So, I know I didn’t follow the rules completely….sorry I couldn’t get to 13, but these awesome 10 bloggers rock!!  Check their blogs out!! 

 

Sunday Rant

In the midst of it all there is still a lesson to be learned. If you understand it then you can learn from it! ~lovebug

Definition of FAITH

I was having an okay day today and after reading Definition of FAITH by fellow blogger thejourn3y my day turned out even fabulous!!  This surely put things into perspective for me.  Sometimes we think we have it so bad and not once do we think it could be worse.  Just be thankful for what we do have!

 

 

~lovebug

A Sister’s Love

I can always count on my sister to be right beside me in the good times and the not so good times!!  She always has my back and I will always have hers! A love from a sister is a special bond!! She is truly my best friend!

Just Try

Sometimes you have to try. If you never tried then how would you ever know if it works?!