Dream a little dream with me.....

There's something I want to share with the folks out there who are thinking of opening their own store, launching their own business, going after a dream, or doing any sort of leadership...  Or, even for those who just are "unhappy" where they are in life. It is the single most important piece of advice I have ever been given and I am putting it out there for you.

But before I do, let me get you up to speed.  It has been almost a week since we've sold "University Pickers."  The only word I know to use to describe how I feel accurately is "bittersweet."  Endings are almost always guaranteed to be painful.  I've shed my share of tears, which came creeping up on me during the most inopportune and most embarrassing of places, such as when we called our Pickers together and made the announcement we were selling, and I did "ugly cry" in front of 60+ people.  The sweet part comes from selling our business to some of the most deserving of sisters and from the excitement of what the future holds.  The experience, the friendships and knowledge we've gained is just something that you can't put a price tag on.  

For those who've been following along in our journey, the decision to sell University Pickers came from a twist that my "day job"/career took, and only after being offered a career advancement that I have been working towards for the past 5 years, although it is now leading me to Atlanta, Georgia.  Again, the "bittersweet" part.  This makes the next chapter of mine and the Mr.'s life nearly a "blank slate" and nearly "boundless" of opportunities.   I am about "stupid excited" for the next chapter.  

Now back to that important piece of advice.  Opening a store has always been a dream of mine. Opening a store that's successful was in my wildest of dreams.  Opening a store that's successful that also sold things that I am most passionate about: seemed impossible.  Now, to make a decision to sell that store to continue to pursue my 17-year career?  That sounds nearly insane!  Right?!?   

It's not when you hear my piece of advice.  

It is simple.  It is answering this question, "What do you want to be known for?"

Once you know the answer to that question, make that your #1 dream.  Everything else just becomes "bucket list" goals and dreams to pursue.  Owning and operating University Pickers was not what I set out on purpose "to be known for," although, I am super, uber proud of that piece of my life.  Instead, I have a list of things deeply personal in my mind that I want to be known for that I work towards every single day of my life.  Somedays when I lay down at night, I feel like I did a great job working towards those things, and other days, I feel I may be failing.  But, my answer to that question dictates such things as: what kind of manager I am, what kind of business owner, who I let in my life, who I quickly remove from my life, behaviors from others that I will accept or not accept, and ultimately, my happiness level.  Do not let circumstances determine your happiness.  That's like betting your happiness on the roulette table and letting some stranger spin the wheel.

With that said, the answer shouldn't be things like, "be a successful artist," "being a business owner," "becoming a mother" or "becoming a teacher," etc.  Again, those are amazing dreams, and when achieved will bring much happiness, but these are items controlled and dictated by circumstance. They should not be your end-all purpose.  Those things, unfortunately, can be taken away from you at any time.  Then you are left with what??  The answer to,  "What do you want to be known for?," should follow you where ever your life should take you, regardless to your circumstances. The answer is "transferable" from job to job, town to town.  When you define your life by "what do you want to be known for," and you make that your #1 focus in whatever "bucket list" dream you are pursuing, that's the moment you begin enjoying the "journey of life" vs enjoying only the "destination." 

Examples of just a few positive things to "be known for:"

• being an encourager 
• being a giver
• lifting others up
• loving Jesus Christ
• using loving words during disagreements
• being positive
• showing people mercy and forgiveness
• growing and developing people
• bringing peace to conflict
• doing all things with integrity
• giving to people who cannot return the favor
• bringing ideas to fruition
• achieveing goals and overcoming obstacles
• executing and finishing tasks when given
• making decisions that positively impacts others
• making positive contributions 
• taking a stand, even if not popular
• standing up for those who are unable to defend themselves
• being a risk taker

Anyways, if what you have been working towards was all of a sudden taken away from you, "what do YOU want to be known for????"  Go and BE that!!!  

 

What about me???

TV evangelist, Joyce Meyer, does a skit quite often where she walks across the stage, swinging her arms that are locked in the 90 degrees, imitating a robot and repeating over and over in her deep, raspy voice, "what about me? what about me?"

Those who are successful in this business: the artists, designers, paint distributers, the re-purposers, who are skyrocketing to the top of this industry, such as Dumpster Diva or Miss Mustard Seed, are definitely not walking around acting like a dang "what about me" robot.

Those who are really happy in this industry, do not criticize others in the field.  They are not comparing their work to others.  They are not expecting others to promote their business for them. They don't use others for their own personal gain unless it's a win-win.  In fact, they are not focused on their competition at all, although they are always of aware of who their competition is.  That's just smart business. They are focused on differation.  They speak up and are proactive.  They don't wait for someone to help them and they don't keep people around or in their circle who try to undermine their success.  They do the later with no apology needed.  No one has time for that!

customchalk.com

When they gain, they bring people up with them.  These folks establish their own personal brand. They keep focused on improving their techniques and are learning constantly. They surround their selves with "A" class people who lift them higher, and not petty people who fight small battles.

When things don't work out, they don't spread discord, take sides, start rumors, believe everything they hear or point fingers, but instead, they simply move on to other things that are a better fit for them.   They don't burn unnecessary bridges with the folks who tried to help along the way.  Without doubt, successful people in any industry are just not seen walking around with a chip on their shoulder saying "but what about me?"

If I'm wrong, please name one successful person whose a "what about me" robot in this industry.

Instead, it is evident in their behaviors that as they take a step forward, they reach down and pull someone up with them.

A successful person may fail 1,000 times, but never be a victim.

If you've found yourself being that robot, I encourage you to stop and instead find peace in your beautiful, talented self and start finding the beauty in what others are doing- even your biggest competition.

I challenge any one in the industry whose in a "slump" to reach out to someone whose just getting started or someone who you strive to be like and give back-  even if it's just simple encouragement.

After all, the talents and skills you have been given from God have never once been about you anyways.

Before you strike a deal.

Lately, out of no where, Bible verses have been randomly popping in my head.  Tonight, it's Matthew 7: 15-20.   Just pieces of that passage came to mind, such as the last verse: you'll recognize them by their fruit.  I immediately googled that part to find the "rest of the story."  So, I have had an ahh-haa moment and I have got to get this out.

Picture from : http://thewildernessroad.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-study-this-morning-matthew-715-20.html

 Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.   16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?   17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.   18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.   19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.   20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Anyone can say with confidence and a smile on their face "no-drama-for-me" talk, or with great conviction say "God led me" or "I believe this is what God wants me to do," talk, which in my opinion, falls under "prophet" talk.  Quite frankly, this is music to any Christian's ears in the secular world.  I know it is mine.

As a Christian, it's easy to want to strike a deal and give your heart over to these kind of folks as they seem to be far and few between.  So why then do we sometimes find ourselves, after some time passes and the relationship is in full swing or the deal is struck, left with pain caused by the prickly thorns and thistles?  Our natural reflex is to want to say, "I never even saw that coming!" The Bible says differently.

So how do we prevent that from happening to us and/or our business?

I believe the tricky piece of all of this that causes even the best of us to be misled is that people can show little glimpses of one, two or ALL of these traits; however, for a tree to produce fruit, it takes time, which tells us that they must do "good, fruit bearing" actions over and over and over again. There has got to be concrete evidence!

Evidence is such things as : friends to account for, visits to the hospital for friends/family in need, charitable work, do they volunteer for the meaningless, gets-no-credit or whats-in-it-for-me tasks? Do they have a positive network with them already, thats not immediate family, in whatever field of business they are in or are they in it solo?

We must protect our selves and hearts by not giving people just the benefit of doubt, but look a bit deeper for demonstrated actions found through "judging a person's character by what they do for people who cannot help them," philosophy.

So, what I have learned tonight that I am sharing with you is this:  Before going into business with someone, marrying some one, or "making a deal" with someone, we must learn to make decisions AFTER taking a good look at PAST behavior and fruits they've beared.  If you can't find any, believe what you see and move on!  There will be plenty more fish in the sea.

Fruits to look for: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control.  Remember, a bad tree can't bear good fruits, and a good tree can't bear bad fruits.

After all, in word's of Dr. Phil, "the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior."

Professional Picker (aka, PP)

9231 Lee Highway
Ooltewah, TN 37363
423-238-7777

I'm going to break PP's (Professional Picker) rule #1 and tell you one of my best, good-pickin' secrets.

Tucked away, right outside of Chattanooga in Ooltewah, Tennessee, is one of my greatest guilty pleasures.  Let me formally introduce you to the Samaritan Center.

Notoriously closed on Fridays and Saturdays, the line is at least 50+ people deep on Sundays before they open their doors with all smiles at 1:00pm, and the shelves are overflowing.  

Taken 8/25 at approximately 25 mins prior to opening 

A PP knows to get there by 12:30pm at the latest, otherwise, well, all the good stuff is gone.  Secondly, a PP knows not to go there alone, but to work in a teams of 2-3; therefore, once the doors open, one PP goes left and one PP goes right, and ideally, the "mule" (aka, your Mr.,) keeps the buggy and stands in the center of the store, (as the aisles are tiny.)

When you enter, you have 3 choices.  Go left to the thrift store, straight to the bargain area, or take an immediate right to the "Toy Connection" area.

Lined up for opening time!
I think they were a little leary about a lady running into the store with her camera

With the system of 2-3 PP's, there better be a game plan in place before you enter so each can run (I mean walk) through the aisles of vintage goodness and beat, well, other PP's.  The "mule" keeps the buggy so the other PP's can go quickly where the non-PPs cannot go.  This system works flawlessly.

A PP must be willing to shamelessly toss treasures over everyone's head to your "mule" for safe keeping.  Lastly, a real PP is not scared to throw a little elbow when needed. (Ok...I'm kidding!)  Everyone who shops at the Samaritan Center are FANTASTIC, but I will warn you. It's not for the weak of heart (or the indecisive;) otherwise, you will get ran over!

Furniture galore!

One of the first areas of the store the Mr. runs to is their used furniture area of the store.  I do not believe I have ever seen ANY piece of furniture over $30.  Seriously amazing, BUT it flies out of the door.   DO NOT think twice about a piece.  MAKE a decision, otherwise someone will make it for you!  Each piece of furniture has a notecard with the price.  PULL THE CARD and then think later.  Trust me.

So, with that said...I'm about to break PP rule #2, and tell you how much I actually paid for some of my finds!     

Picked for $10.  Value: $50+ all day long

Vintage doll with green eyes that open and close!
Picked for $5.  Value: $25+

Meet Linda and Kimberly!  Super friendly workers at the Samaritan Center... They ALWAYS have smiles on their faces.  Makes for GREAT pickin'!

Thrift Shop Hours

Sunday • 1pm-4pm

Monday-Thursday • 9am-7pm 

(Toy Connection closes at 5pm)

Friday • Closed

Saturday • Closed

 The Thrift Shop, on the left side of the building, has more of a "boutique" feel.  Here, prices are a bit higher, but so is the quality of the merchandise.  Often here, you will discover your name brand clothing, good deals on purses, linens, higher quality glassware, etc.

Be sure to show some love to them on Facebook, and let them know Pickin on the Road and University Pickers sent you!!!  

  https://www.facebook.com/thesamaritancenter?fref=ts

Follow MORE of my Pickin adventures on Facebook at: Pickin on the Road

Long September

"I know I'll see you again."

What are we doing??

What we are doing at University Pickers is pretty simple.

We are striving to be surrounded by people who are positive, appreciative, up-lifting and supportive; to be surrounded by people who committed to their job/hobby, who work their space, and help to promote University Pickers and all who are a part of it; and we want to ensure that we keep UP a fun, exciting, friendly atmosphere for you, our customers, to be able to come to and shop just to relax, create, imagine and enjoy.  We do our best to bring to Huntsville local arts and crafts, fun vintage finds and antiques, home decor and furniture, jewelry and so much more.  We even now offer lines of paint, sold by caring people willing to help, which is made specifically for furniture that even a beginner can begin transforming their own space.

For me personally, University Pickers has become a place where I can spend time with my retired father, who I often refer to as "daddy's creations," who just started getting into pickin' and creating since the creation of UP.  He brings his finds down from Nashville when he visits, along with my Mother, who has,what we believe, is early stages of Alzheimers and dementia.  This time together is more precious to me than any amount of money University Pickers could ever make me.  I personally don't think either of us really cares if a single thing of his sells, or even if people like it (although apparently you do, because he keeps on coming back and having to restock, so THANK YOU!) His being at University Pickers is a whole lot more important than money, at least to me.  I'd secretly buy up his entire booth by myself if that's what it took to keep him coming back to visit. You see, when you shop at University Pickers, you are allowing me to have this precious time with my father and mother. It brings tears to my eyes.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

For many others, University Pickers has provided an additional source of income, and even for some (probably more like "most,") it's become a therapeutic outlet.

Some days I wish University Pickers had unlimited space where I could fit ALL of you in with your creations and artwork to share with the world.  Unfortunately, 8,000 sq ft poses limits on us....but word of mouth, the internet, Facebook does not!  SHARE yours and others creations with the world!  Don't be afraid and step out!  You will never, ever believe or can imagine what kind of blessings it will bring into your life as long as you keep positive and stay focused on YOUR blessings (and not others.)

In the end, I think what makes University Pickers so special is the people behind it...the stories...and the love poured into each piece that's brought through the door for whatever reason.

Thank you for your continued support of University Pickers. Huntsville rocks.




 







 

Let it go...

Let it go... By T. D. Jakes 

There are people who can walk away from you. 
And hear me when I tell you this! 
When people can walk away from You: let them walk. 


I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you,
loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you,
staying attached to you. 

I mean hang up the phone. 

When people can walk away from you let them walk. 
Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left. 

The bible said that, they came out from us
that it might be made manifest that they were not for us.
For had they been of us, 
no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19] 


People leave you because they are not joined to you. 
And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. 


Let them go. 

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person
it just means that their part in the story is over 
And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over
so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. 

You've got to know when it's dead. 
You've got to know when it's over... 

Let me tell you something.I've got the gift of good-bye.
It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye.


It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, 
and I know whatever God means for me to have 
He'll give it to me.


And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it.Stop begging people to stay. 
Let them go!! 

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you
and was never intended for your life,then you need to........ LET IT GO!!! 

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ...... 
LET IT GO!!! 

If someone can't treat you right,
love you back, and see your worth..... 
LET IT GO!!! 

If someone has angered you ........ 
LET IT GO!!! 

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge...... 
LET IT GO!!! 


If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction..... 
LET IT GO!!! 


If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents 
LET IT GO!!! 

If you have a bad attitude......... LET IT GO!!! 
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better...... LET IT GO!!! 
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him...... LET IT GO!!! 
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship....... LET IT GO!!! 
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves..... LET IT GO!!! 
If you're feeling depressed and stressed ......... LET IT GO!!! 
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself
and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to...... LET IT GO!!! 
Let the past be the past.
Forget the former things.
GOD is doing a new thing!!! LET IT GO!!! 
Get Right or Get Left ...
think about it,
and then ... LET IT GO!!! 
"The Battle is the Lord's!"

God gives opportunities..

Sometimes inspiration hits ya when you're least expecting it and in the strangest of places.  Tonight, it's while laying in bed at a Holiday Inn with Evan Almighty playing in the background.

It hit me faster than drawing an eleven at a blackjack table....

I've always believed you shouldn't pray to God for something that you can do for yourself and/or for others, and that's about as far as I processed that thought.  I also have always believed my daddy's advice to never pass up an opportunity.  I just didn't know exactly why it was that important of advice.

Until I heard Morgan Freeman's voice in the background...

God: Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?-   Quote from 2007 movie, Evan Almighty

What opportunities have you been given, perhaps even ignoring,  to have your prayers answered?

Sometimes God's answer to a prayer IS the window.

Life before Pinterest...

"Junkin'," like most people who do this as a hobby, started out for me as pure necessity.  When I hit 18, I was out the door and straight into college and living the Dixie Chick song verbatim as dad yelled "check the oil," as I drove off in my green CRV (which I had slept in overnight on more than one occassion) to the Smokey Mountain area for college.

I come from a very modest upbringing, and I came to appreciate hand-me-downs early on as a child.  It never has been embarassing to me to wear, buy or take seconds.  I have never truly known any other way of living.  In fact, my sister and I used the phrase "GS Fashions" quite a lot growing up when asked, "where'd you get that???"  We'd coyly respond, "GS Fashions, and only $2 bucks!"  (I'll let you figure out what GS Fashions means.)

I was never made fun of in school, at least for my "look." Perhaps my mother was a really good "picker" back then or everyone else was just as poor as we were and just never noticed! 

After I got my first "home" while in college, I remember feeling so overwhelmed and grateful when my co-workers at my 2nd job said I could have their couch and loveseat if I could figure out a way to haul it. I remember thinking, how could they possibly afford to get rid of such nice pieces of furniture? It was an added bonus that they threw in the coffee table that had been sitting in their garage.  I got it home and took lots of pictures and called my buddies and made them drive over to check out my new living room set up.  It was a pull out sofa, and I would use the mattress several times a year to put in the back of my CRV and go camping for the weekend and eat fresh Trout caught with kernels of corn from a can at a tiny campground out in East Tennessee called Citico (sp?!)

Later, I remember feeling very accomplished as I went to a local bar and asked them if I could have their bottle caps, and then went to Home Depot by myself for the first time and picked up a small container of grout, and later came home and adhered the caps to my little coffee table. 

My full size bed that I slept on for years sat simply on a metal bed frame with a stiff as a board mattress that my parents gifted me as a birthday present.  I remember staring at the stark white wall behind my bed and daydreaming for hours of how I could make an inexpensive headboard. So, one day at a thrift store, I picked up 12 colorful vintage mens neckties and stapled them into a board and put a cute quote that I didn't entirely understood what it meant that a girlfriend helped me pick out.  It said: 

"Life is something to do when you can't get to sleep."  

For bedding, I used mixed matched vintage sheets and pillow cases that I found at the thrift store.  I'd triple wash them and use Downy softner.  I remember the satiny feel of the broken in pillowcases on my face.  My mother let me "borrow" a white vintage coverlet and waa-laaa, I had a "coordinating" bedroom.  

This all was in a tiny 1 bedroom duplex with no washer/dryer hookup.  The stove was avocado green.  Rent was $300 a month, and I was not allowed pets.  So, I went and snuck in "Charlie," a solid gray rabbit, who was litterbox trained, hardly made any noise, and easily stuffable into a box just in case the landlord decided to stop by.  I just needed something breathing along with me in the little box I was living in.

Instead of buying photo boxes, I'd recycle shoe boxes and modpodge fabric or paper around them.  I made my own photo frames by glueing old buttons that I had been given to a piece of poster board and use a paperclip to hang it on the wall.  One of my most prized pieces of furniture was my $10 vintage chair that I ripped all the fabric off and reupholstered into a tiger print and black crushed velvet.  I remember being shocked how much fabric cost and I hoarded coupons.  My $10 chair quickly turned into a $50 chair after supplies, and I quickly learned a valuable lesson.  It sat horribly. I had no idea how to attach the back cushion to the chair, so I didn't.  When you'd sit down, the cushion would whap you upside the back of the head, but it was mine.

Back then, there was no Pinterest.  These ideas came from wanting more for myself and surrounding myself with what came from my own heart. Things came from people who loved me and wanted to give me a good start. Decor came from being resourceful and creative.

Fast forward 15 years to now, I get a little giggle to see how upcycling has taken off.  I absolutely love, love, love it.  It is so much fun to share "my way of life" with a group of other people who either have lived the same way for years OR are now discovering the pure joy of making something out of nothing.  

I've observed as people jump off the "bandwagon" as quickly as they got on, and I've observed as some people are beginning to truly discover theirselves and their gifts as they begin to dip their toes into things such as chalk paint.  Many are developing new, amazing friendships and relationships in this process.  Some are celebrating in the joy that they finally "fit in" with the masses.  Being one of a kind and resourceful is now "hip!"  After all, who really wants a piece of furniture anymore that just anyone can walk into the store, and as long as they have good credit, order it just to  pay for it for the next 7 years that just came out of a cardboard box??  No!!!  We want to pay CASH and have something that's going to last awhile and make our homes feel warm and loved.

Anyways, critism, and there's plenty, regarding University Pickers just honestly bounces off of me.  I just want to continue to promote people's gifts and their talents and share the joy and love of it all.  Unfortunately, some people are in it to make a quick buck, and that's okay because that's life.  It's very easy to identify those people.  They often steal other's ideas and creativity and then go on to critize other people's talents.  

For me personally, University Pickers is not a "trend."  Chevron is a trend.  And, I hope you can see from my rambling story that upcycling, recycling, junkin'....  it's truly a way of life! 

Granny's Kitchen

I have a crystal clear image of my Granny's kitchen.  She always had ice cold Lemonade made in the fridge with a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch sitting on the top and a canister of Tang in the cub bard.   My cousin and I each had our very own Strawberry Shortcake glass, reserved especially for us.  She made THE BEST cheesy potatoes that never have been duplicated since.  When the family would sit together around her little farm table, the potatoes would be in a covered dish the shape of a potato and cream of corn in a dish the shape of a ear of corn.   This corn did not come from a can, but instead her garden.  The boys of the family would go pick the ears of corn, the kids would shuck the corn, and the ladies would sit under her carport and with long, sharp knifes, slice the corn.  Inside the home,  she had a little room off the side of the kitchen where she did laundry, but also, where the deep freezer was hidden.  Inside, without fail, you could find Popsicles.

After 9/11/01, I remember driving down the road and the image of her kitchen popping up in my mind. I missed my grandma so much and the stability that box of cereal brought to my life.

Sometimes I wonder if "being a picker" is a way of chasing that memory...that long ago lost feeling of comfort and stability.  Rotary phones, pastel Tupperware, cork boards with pinned up pictures and phone numbers and stamps, Wheel of Fortune, China Cabinets filled to the brim with odds and ends of different pieces of glassware, rows and rows of Daffodils....awww, all so comforting.

Fast forward to our current generation. Is it stability that they are missing?  At times when the world feels uncertain, where's your happy place?  All I have to do sometimes to make the world feel right again is look at a picture of my granny.

Top 10 Leadership Lessons

Well, we just about did it!  University Pickers will be open 6 months June 5th.  What an absolute whirlwind it has been.  It's been amazing to watch people's dreams turn into fruition and succeed.  And just like anything "new" that enters into the world from the ground up, there's going to be ups and downs.  We've hand's down had much, much more UPs than downs.  God is GOOD!

Top 10 Leadership Lessons I've learned this year:

1) Surround yourself with GREAT people.  People who can look you in your eyes and people who you can TRUST.

2)  Always have a VISION and know the answer to these 3 questions:  1) WHAT are we doing?  2) WHY are we doing it?  3) WHERE do I fit in?  [advice from Andy Stanley]

3)  Set clear boundaries and stick to them, otherwise, a vision can easily be lost in chaos.

4)  Everybody is replacable in business.

5)  Know your competition, but don't fear them.

6)  There is such a thing as "necessary endings."  Know when it's time to prune the bush!

7)  Do not leave your Christianity in the parking lot.

8)  BIGGER is not always better.

9)  Ask for opinions.  Take suggestions.  Listen to concerns.  Make decisions based on what's right for the business and supports the long-term vision.

10)  Value diversity!!!

What makes you happy?

Back in 2001, I received my associates degree in English.  It took me 3 years to accomplish after spending my first year at MTSU in Tennessee studying everything except my school work.  I had just had my first real heart break, so I dabbled in everything my momma warned me about and told me not too.  I remember as the year was ending, sitting in my bunk bed and having the thoughts, "this is not the path that I have chosen for you."  I knew I could not go back to that place.  

The next 2 years, I lived with the 'rents, studying at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, Tenn. and worked full time as a Dept. Supervisor for Toys R Us.  When I received my diploma, I knew quitting college was not an option.  So I began the quest of searching for where I'd spend the next chapter of my life.

I sat down with a piece of paper and tried to write out exactly what it was that I loved to do.  Medicine? Nope.  Law?  Too confusing.  Teacher? Maybe. But what do you love??  Eventually, somewhere deep inside of me, I knew what I wanted to do was to pursue writing.  My bedroom floor was surrounded by journals I had kept as a kid.  I had filled notebooks with one-liners and random "words" (not complete sentences.) Writing made me happy.  It kept me honest.  It kept me sane.

There was a voice, however, that I could hear clear as day in my head saying, "You shouldn't be in this class.  You are not good enough."  That voice was my high school AP English teacher.  I hate to say it, but on that summer day, I gave her the one finger salute and began searching for degrees in what I loved to do: writing.

That's when I discovered Maryville College, located right on the cusp of the Great Smokey Mountains, one of my favorite places on earth.  It was like I could hear the angels sing when I discovered they offered a degree in Writing Communications.  It's been 10 years since I graduated, and yes, I'm still paying off my college loan from that little gem of a school; however, I accomplished something bigger than finishing my degree.  I made my first big decision to do what I loved.  Somewhere about half way through accomplishing it, I received word and what I felt was confirmation that my old high school AP teacher was no longer teaching but stocking greeting cards at a corner store.  Karma.  

My senior year at this school, we all were required to take a Senior Seminar class.  The classes offered were not relevant to any particular degree but was required.  I signed up for "Seminar of Happiness," which was taught by a Buddhist.  For a complete semester, we read books and philosophies from different philosophers such as Aristotle ("Happiness depends on our self.") to Voltaire ("What is called happiness is an abstract idea, composed of various ideas of pleasure; for he who has but a moment of pleasure is not a happy man, in like manner that a moment of grief constitutes not a miserable one.")

At the end of the course, our final exam was to write a letter to our "future child," giving them our words of wisdom of "how to be happy."  Somewhere tucked away in a dusty, cob-webbed box, after 6 moves later, I still have that letter.

Fast forward now, 10 years and a multitude of life experiences later, I think I have about whittled down a 5 page letter into 1 sentence:

Happiness is doing what you love; seeing the value in others and serving them; loving someone more than yourself; accepting people are merely human; being involved in something bigger than your inner circle; creating something whether it is art, life or ideas; giving more than you take; being a contributor and not a contaminator in relationships; and loving and serving God.

Good luck to all this week as we all journey the "pursuit of happiness."  May we all give the one-finger salute to that voice who is telling you "you're not good enough."  God bless!

Don't you DARE walk away!!!

I saw the below picture a few months ago and its been haunting me.  Enough so, I decided to google it, find it again, and share with the University Pickers gang.  

I don't know if I heard this as a child or what, (perhaps the "concept" is even Biblical although I'm not sure,) but I have always had a strong vision of what it's going to be like when we get to Heaven.  

I like to imagine that before we are welcomed by the arms of Jesus, we first enter a "holding room."  I can visualize a large, movie screen coming down and sitting in the big, dark room completely alone.  It will be one of those moments in time where you will feel the sensation of your heart beating out of your chest.  It's a bit cold, and then, scene by scene, year by year, our life will be played before our eyes.  

That day when you were late for work because you couldn't find your keys.....  That stranger that you were kind to....  That tragic event that took place in your life... ALL the "whys of life" will be explained.  We will have the biggest "ah-ha" moments ever imaginable.  

We just think we know what our "most embarassing moment" has been in life.   Just wait until we see on the big screen the harsh words we used on our spouse.....The time we "made fun" of someone or mocked someone.... The time we interrupted or ignored that small child trying to tell or show us something.... The time we ignored that feeling to call someone just to say "hi."  The time we criticized.... judged.... discouraged ... hated... ignored... avoided... lied... cheated... misled...  AND the effects these moments may have had on others.  Ugh!  I just can imagine looking over and seeing Jesus weeping in the background during these sinful moments.  I expect to cry soulful, agonizing tears.

I have complete faith, however, that in the end of the movie of our "life," we will have a crystal clear understanding of what our intended purpose was and the magnitudes of impacts, both for the good and bad, that we had while in the flesh.

I say "intended," because not everyone lives up to their intended, God-given purpose or potential.

I am currently reading a book by John Maxwell, and in it, he tells a story about a man who dies and goes to heaven and while at the gates of heaven, he asks St. Peter, "Who was the greatest Colonel who ever lived?"  St. Peter points over to a man standing in the distance.  "Impossible! The man says.  I knew that man on earth and he was no Colonel!  He worked at the local factory in my town and never served a day of military in his life!"  And St. Peter responds, "True.  But had he had followed the desires that were placed in his heart, he was the greatest Colonel who ever lived.  That was his purpose that unfortunately he chose not to fulfill it.  There has not or will not be another that would be a great as he."

I have burned the above image in my mind, and I must tell you, I have had to "call upon it" for encouragement the last fews weeks.  

So, I leave you this week with this word of encouragement and this is my prayer this week for us all... If the Lord has put something in your heart, DO NOT give up and walk away!!  Although you cannot see it and it may feel like you have done everything, keep the faith!  You are ALMOST to your breakthrough!!!  

This is I know to be true:

Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.