Sunday, September 28, 2014

Daily Grind

I work-out regularly every week so it's just part of my daily routine...but, there are some days the 'normal routine' seems like a daily grind of "here we go again."  Do you ever feel that way?  This morning I just wasn't in the mood to work-out which is fairly rare, but I did it and got it done!  I went to church with my mom and then we went out for a little brunch.  Then as we do most weekends we ran errands...mainly to organic grocery stores.  As soon as I got home a load of laundry went into the wash and some chicken into the oven for the week ahead.  Basically the same thing I do every weekend....

So, today felt like one of those 'grind it out' days...just get it done!  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the time I spent with my mom today and sharing funny stories, but it sort of felt like I had stepped onto the same carousel from the weekend before that and the weekend before that....round and round we go.

Some days it just feels like the same 'ole thing and that's not necessarily a good or bad thing.  Some days it just feels more "blah" than normal and acceptable.  I'll take a "blah" day over a dramatic or tragic day anytime, so I'm not complaining.  It just stood out to me today while I was at the gym.  I definitely don't want a crazy or stressful day to break up the monotony, but that's usually what happens.  That's life, right?  

So, whether it's just another 'grind it out day' or a day of overwhelming chaos I know I'll remain grateful for the day.  Each day is a gift and no matter how simple, complex, overwhelming, stressful, or happy it is I'm grateful for it all!  Grateful for the time, the lessons, new people crossing my path, friends and family sharing and supporting me along the way, and for the hope of another new day!  Blessings to you this week!  No matter what tomorrow brings, may you approach it with a grateful heart!!

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

The Last Quarter...

We're approaching the last quarter of the year.  If you work in any corporate setting you're aware of each quarter of time because it affects your sales cycle, budgets, when you plan events and campaigns, when you launch new products and when you run promotional ads, etc.  At my company, we had our quarter end today so needless-to-say it was pretty hectic and frenetic at work today.

Where have the past 9 months gone?!  What happened to this year?  Where did the summer go?  How are we almost already in October?!  This year has flown by and I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing because I don't feel like I've accomplished anything yet.  The year can't be over yet!  I need more time!  It seems we're always in a struggle with time...either we don't have enough or it's dragging on forever!  I feel like time is running out on this year and the last quarter of the year always seems to race by because of all the holidays.  It's always such a busy time of year, so I'm wondering how I'm going to accomplish a fraction of the things I wanted to this year in only 3 short months!  

I know that can be a lifetime for many and just one more day for others is precious, so I'm not taking it lightly.  I just found out this week that a guy that always comes into our office for quarter end just had a heart attack 6 weeks earlier and this was his first trip away since his heart attack.  Even though it wouldn't have been the same not to see him in the office for quarter end it's a great reminder that life is fragile and can change in the blink of an eye.  It happens every day.  We're never prepared for it, but it is part of life and all we can do is live each day to the fullest, have no regrets and be thankful for every moment.

How many times have you heard that?  Do you believe it?  I do, but sometimes it doesn't hit home because we hear it so many times throughout our lives.  Sometimes it doesn't hit home until something dramatic happens...usually something tragic, but it shouldn't take a tragic event to make us realize how blessed we are...to be sitting in traffic (although we've lost our patience 20 miles ago) or standing in the check-out line where the clerk or the customer are taking forever or when we didn't get that new job or promotion we've been working so hard on.  Those are all just moments in time that will pass and we'll move onto the next thing.  But, I always try to ask myself when I'm getting impatient or a little frustrated with a situation, "Will this matter in a month...a week...a day?"  Usually the answer is no, so I just shrug it off and think of something productive or positive.  We can choose how we feel about a situation and how we react to it.  Most of the time we're all on auto-pilot and instant reaction mode vs. just being present in the moment and being at peace with the situation.  Don't get me wrong, sometimes that's impossible to do and there are situations that call for a dramatic reaction, such as a house fire.  But, in small everyday situations that we all go through we do have control over our own emotions and reactions.

So, I'm challenging myself to continue to be more present in each day in each moment and to be as productive as possible in this last quarter of the year.  Productive on my own 'to-do' list.  So, whatever goals you have yet to accomplish in the next 3 months I wish you good luck, great success and satisfaction!  Blessings to you in all your accomplishments....great or small!

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Almost October...

Sorry I missed my post on Wednesday...it was a pretty stressful day from the start and my heart was pretty heavy all day.  My mind was definitely pre-occupied by some family matters so it would've been hard to write something.

But alas, it's a new day and I hope all is well wherever you are reading this from!  The sun is shining (here in Texas, albeit a little humid still) and the sermon at church today was a good one.  Right now my church is doing a sermon series on the "Seven Vices (or deadly sins)" and we've already done envy and vainglory.  Definitely look up the definitions of both of them even if you think you know what they mean.  This week's sermon was on sloth...no, not the animal!  Although there were several good jokes about the animal during the service.  

Do you know what the opposite of love is?  Most of us would say hate and that's what I was thinking when the question was posed today.  The answer is indifference and that's what sloth means...lack of caring.  Acedia is the same as sloth, just an older word, but they both mean lack of caring.  Initially when I hear sloth I think of lazy or dirty and those aren't sins, but being indifferent in life, in your relationships, in your work, etc. can be considered a sin.  You're not living life, honoring yourself or others and not loving God or people.  Love God, love people, do something about it.  

So, as we approach October and really get into fall (at least here in the States), may I (and you if you choose to) grow a stronger relationship to God (or whomever you believe in), understand and accept old/new people in my life and try to make a difference in someone's life each day.  It's the season of bounty...of thanksgiving...and of Christmas...so, lets let our love light up the world!

Blessings to you this last full week of September!

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Remembering....

"We Will Never Forget" has become a theme every 9/11 since the tragedy happened 13 years ago.  I saw it posted on Facebook a least a dozen times this past 9/11.  It evokes so many memories and emotions from that horrible day...the live pictures of it unfolding right in front of our eyes.  The unbelievable sights we were seeing, the smoke billowing out of both buildings, the unthinkable sheer horror of seeing one building crumble to the ground and then the other, the ash covering everything and everyone...just the complete shock of it all.  I was glued to the TV all day, as I know many Americans were.  We were frozen in our tracks...mesmerized and haunted by what we were seeing.  

How could this happen?  What was happening?  What was coming next?  The panic, the concern, the initial sense of helplessness.  We all felt it.  We all know exactly where we were when we heard the news or saw the pictures.  I had just come back from an early morning run when I walked in the door, turned on Good Morning America and within 10 minutes of walking back in the door tragedy had struck!  That quickly...in an instant...the world had changed.  I was stopped in my tracks in my apartment...just standing there and not moving for several minutes.  Then I sat for the rest of the day with a huge numbing, gut wrenching, sad feeling.  It lingered with me all day.  The world had stopped except for what I was seeing on TV...those people...all those poor innocent people.  Tears.

Every year since it seems like a lifetime ago, but it conjures up all those images and feelings all over again.  I had traveled to New York City for the first time earlier in 2001, March I believe, and even went to the top of the Empire State building to take pictures of the city...which included several pictures of the Twin Towers standing tall above some low hanging clouds.  It's strange to look at those pictures now.

And then my first trip back to New York City after 9/11 happened in October of 2002.  I was there for a work event and unbeknownst to me the hotel I booked was directly across the street from Ground Zero.  There it stood...just feet away from me...walking the same streets as all of those people running away from the area only a year ago.  I remember there being a lot of activity down by Ground Zero while I was there because Prince Charles was coming into town and was going to go down to Ground Zero to visit the area.  It was sad and a little eerie to be walking around that area during that time.

But, I also remember all the American flags hanging on doorsteps across America after 9/11.  It's been that solidarity, that strength that has led us through those difficult days.  And it's been our faith in humanity, in one another to rebuild, to persevere and to rise above the ashes.  It's who we are and why this is the best country to live in.  We are one!

Blessings to all those families, friends, first responders and military personnel who were directly affected by 9/11.  We are all with you and we 'will never forget!'

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Breaking News Overload

The past few days I feel like there's always some 'breaking news' that may or may not be categorized as breaking news.  I think we've all been desensitized by that term over the past several years with the cable news stream 24/7.  Now when CNN or any other news channel posts 'breaking news' it just seems like regular news.  Remember way back when 10-15 years ago when 'breaking news' used to really mean breaking news?!  

Now everything they report is 'breaking news.'  How can that be possible?  Doesn't anyone know how to prioritize critical, life-changing news information anymore?  Or are we just supposed to accept the 100's of news stories a day that are 'breaking news'?

Yes, I don't have to tune into those news channels, but any daytime talk show, sports show or entertainment show all carry the same news stories during any given day.  And, it's all constantly streaming on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets/apps.  It's one constant, never-ending stream of information.  Information overload?  Possibly.

How do you process all the information thrown at you everyday...from work, family, friends, news outlets, social media, etc?  Perhaps I just need a little mental break from all the 'breaking news' out there.  But, I may have to travel out to the middle of a forest or desert in order to accomplish that fully.  Until then, the TV is getting turned off early, the computer and smartphone are sitting in another room completely and I'm either opening a book, the bible or meditating on the present.  Overload detox commence.

Blessings to you the rest of this week and hoping you find some peace of mind, too!


Sunday, September 7, 2014

10 Life Laws....

I saw this post on Facebook the other day and thought it was too good not to share.  I'm not a Dr. Phil watcher (unlike my mom), but I do think he has some good base level philosophies and common sense values that many of us should try to remember...live by...and share.

Dr. Phil is straight-forward and direct with his advice and doesn't sugar-coat anything.  I think that's why most people like him.  So, I like these 10 Life Laws...especially, #5 and #6.  No one said they were easy, but they definitely get to the core of who you are and what you want out of life.  Which ones resonate with you?

Dr. Phil's 10 Life Laws:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/29/dr-phil-life-laws_n_5734666.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

Hope you have a blessed week ahead!!

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Fall Approaching...

Fall is right around the corner!  As I've mentioned before it's my favorite time of year!  A light jacket for the cool breeze, leaves turning vibrant colors, fireplaces burning, high school football (stadium lights, the bands, cheerleaders and of course, the drill team), pumpkin pie everything, and for me the best time of year...football, hockey, basketball and baseball playoffs!!

What do you love about fall?  The kids are getting settled into their new school routines, daylight savings time means traveling home from work in the dark, and hot chocolate is a must!  It does take a good week or so after daylight savings time kicks in to get used to it getting dark so early, but after that it really does feel like football season has officially kicked off!

Since we had such a mild winter this year in Texas, it doesn't feel like the usual long, long summer.  It feels like "where did the summer go?!"  I can't believe there are only 4 months left in the year, but time flies.  I know there's been a lot of crazy weather around the country this year, more so than normal, but I hope that everyone is safe, rebuilding and recovering well.  Lets hope for a "normal" winter!

As we transition into fall I hope you have fond summer vacation memories and enjoy the cooler, brisk fall weather approaching.  Blessings to you the rest of this week!

Monday, September 1, 2014

A Year Ago Yesterday...

Sorry I missed my usual Sunday post (since I normally post on Sunday's and Wednesday's), but I've been reflecting on how I was feeling 1 year ago and what has happened since then as an official author.  It's still a little hard to believe sometimes....I'm an author.  But, a year ago yesterday I opened the first shipment of my book and actually held MY book in my hands! Amazing!

I can't believe a whole year has gone by already!  It was a fast and furious ride starting off...scheduling book signings, doing promotions (online and in print), writing articles/blogs and doing interviews.  It was an exciting and exhausting time considering I still had a day job, as well.  This was truly my night job for several months.  Things slowed down a bit at the beginning of the year although I did do a few more articles and book signings.  But, over the past several months I've taken a bit of a break...more so due to traveling and being busy with my day job and concentrating on other family matters.  Sometimes 'life' just gets in the way.  But, now that I've hit my 1 year anniversary of the publication of my 1st book it's time to crank it back into gear again!  Let's see what the next year will hold!!

But, looking back on what I've been able to accomplish over the past year...the numerous book signings at local establishments around DFW, and of course, the first one back in my hometown in Iowa where I've met so many old and new friends was joyful!  I loved hearing other people's stories about their own adoptions or their friend's adoptions or parents who were waiting to adopt.  I loved hearing about the similarities in our stories or laughing about them...and sharing that bond of adoption with one another.  I've been honored and amazed to have written articles, blogs or have been interviewed by numerous publications that I never thought I'd have the opportunity to share my story with and to reach new audiences.  I'm so grateful to all those that have reached out to me to share my story with their groups, organizations, viewers/subscribers, families and friends.  

It's been a gift to be able to share my positive, funny, ironic and uplifting story with those open and willing to receive it.  We all have our own personal and special 'light' to share with the world and through my book I've been able to do that (just a little bit) this past year.  I hope to extend my reach and my audience over the next year and continue to "let my light shine!"  I hope whatever passion, gift, or cause you are driven by brings out the 'light' in your life!  One thing I do know, at least for now, my day job doesn't define who I am.  My day job has nothing to do with my night job and I think anyone with a passion or who volunteers a lot can relate to that.  I would love for my night job to be my day job and maybe that'll be my goal over the next year, but until then reality is reality.  

So, throughout this entire process I've really just taken things as they've come...not expecting anything, not knowing what to expect and being truly grateful for each new experience I've been able to be a part of and share with others.  It's been a blessing and a gift and I thank you all for coming on this new ride with me.  Thank you for your support, your encouragement and your love!  I really appreciate it!  Now, lets see what exciting opportunities the year ahead will bring!  

Remember, if you haven't purchased your copy of my book yet you can go to www.kimfenneman.com to order a hard copy or you can go to Amazon.com to order an ebook copy of the book!  And, I'm always happy to come speak to your group/organization/book club/etc, write an article or do an interview about my book so please reach out to my anytime at kimfenneman@gmail.com.

Thank you for all the wonderful memories in this 1st year of being an author!  Bless you for your love, support and for following my journey!  Now, let YOUR light shine!!!