Double Portion Inspiration

The Christmas season is filled with people literally rolling over you just to get that perfect gift for their friend or family member. If you think I’m kidding, just try to park your car at a mall parking lot today on Christmas Eve. Is this really the happiest season of all? If we are honest in the last days of 2018, we ALL are motivated by SELFISH desires. For example, the craving to take constant selfies and post them on social media feeds that craving. You might say, "Roslyn I’m not selfish". Here’s a simple question - When you are in a group photo who do you look at first? I bet the answer is YOU . We look at ourselves first because if we don’t look attractive enough we want the entire group to take another picture... SELFISH . Here’s another example - we sit in the car line at school. Once we pick up OUR kids we purposely disobey all the school speed limits and ignore traffic signs just to get home quicker... SELFISH . -------------------------------------...

Thanksgiving is a few short days away and most of us are gearing up to eat more that we should while spending time with family. Everyday on my Facebook news feed, individuals are sharing why they are thankful. There's a consistent theme of family being the number one reason to be thankful. But, what about those that aren't thankful at all this year? As much as I'm thankful for the holidays, I realize that there are so many that aren't. They find themselves in a season of grief and pain. For some, it's their 1st major holiday without their loved one. How can they feel happiness and joy when their heart aches for the embrace of their loved one?    How do you make the move from pain to gladness when every single part of the holiday reminds you of them? After my father died, I remember how sharply the grief felt when you have to "move" through all of the "firsts". 1st Thanksgiving 1st Christmas 1st Birthday 1st Mother's...

2015 Christmas Photo Mt. Dora, FL Photo Credits: Delana Brooks It's been quite some time since I posted.  I looked back and realized that I last posted in November.  I'm so thankful that our blog is a joint effort and my sister held it down for the past few months.  My world is a little chaotic with two kids in sports, finishing up studies for a industry designation all while being a mom, wife, chef, church & community volunteer.  Whew!  I'm tired just thinking of it. This was supposed to be a post at Christmas but I never found the time to post it.  I still feel inclined to share it so here we go..... During the holidays, my 7 year old son asked, "Mom, have I been naughty?"  My initial thought was, "of course you have" but I didn't want to crush him.  I figured he was asking because it was the holidays and a common question is, "have you been naughty or nice?"  In the American tradition, Santa Clause knows if you've bee...

That's right, we are only 11 days away from Christmas.  Most people schedule's are packed with holiday parties, social events and family gatherings.  The weather has not been as cool or dry as it normally is in December, so it has lulled people into thinking they have more time to prepare for Christmas than they do. As you rush around to beat the holiday rush, find a way to truly just ENJOY the season.  We only have a few more days left in 2015.  The days left on the calendar are evaporating like the mist on a foggy morning.  SLOW down, BREATHE and relish in the fact that you are alive. I recently had the opportunity to join my sister on her annual "Christmas photo session".  It was a blast and thankfully the weather turned out perfect.  As we went to a park overlooking a lake, the water was serene and the sky was the perfect shade of blue.  Our mom joined us, which was icing on the cake.  My oldest is 15 years old, and this is the fi...

  Christmas is days away and there are many of us excited about spending time with family and friends.  The anticipation of receiving gifts, eating holiday favorites and laughing over old stories make this time of year my favorite. Today however, I was reminded of those that might not be happy this holiday season.  Over the course of a year, my husband has suffered the loss of his mother and one of his best friends.  In the midst of a joyous season, I know he will miss their smiles and conversations.  He's not alone . There are so many experiencing their "firsts" without loved ones.  First time holiday shopping without them.  First Christmas.  First dawn of a new year without their warmth and love. They are members of a club that no one wants to join .  What about those sitting in a hospital this year while they watch their family member cling to life?  What about the parents waiting for...

Is it already here?  The date on the calendar says it's Christmas Eve, but I am still in shock.  This has been the fastest year of my life.  You are probably feeling the same way.  Did you complete all of your holiday shopping?  This time of year can be full of anxiety.  We have so many tasks to complete without enough time or money. I look around while I am out and about and see so many discouraged faces.  Isn't this the most "wonderful" time of the year?  Many are pondering numerous thoughts:  how will I pay for these bills, how many gifts do I buy, how much money should I spend, what dish will I cook for the family dinner, or just the sheer hesitation of attending the family dinner.   Stress, anxiety and tension seem to characterize this holiday season as our society continues to move towards materialism.  Our kids have a sense of entitlement. Some children even tag along with their parents to make sure they buy the right gi...

Merry Christmas This is my favorite time of year.  I enjoy seeing the lights, Christmas trees and smelling the aroma in the house as we bake cookies.  December should be filled with joy and delight .  Anticipation builds as we get ready to celebrate the reason for this holiday season- the birth of Jesus Christ . Normally, what I see in people is completely  different. Think about it. God sent His very own Son to be the Savior of the world.  Jesus' birth was a little different.  His mother was a virgin and he was born in a manager which is a feeding trough for animals. Even in that, He was the anticipated Messiah the world had been waiting for.  He was called Emanuel which means  God is with us .  The very presence of Jesus indicated new life. A miracle was performed. Fast forward to the reality of today, and you will find that most people struggle to find any  happiness.  We seem to be more stressed with longer to do lists...