The Abundance of Positive Things

Tuesday, October 7, 2008, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

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We have designated Tuesday as a day where we will have different women share “Moments & Memories” in their lives.

We plan to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. The column on Tuesday will be centered around our word of the month. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!

A big welcome to our first guest writer and friend Tammy Hall.

We asked Tammy to introduce herself and answer a few personal questions so you can get to know her…

I live in Loganville, Georgia which many of you have probably never heard of! I have been married for 19 years and have two beautiful daughters, 16 and 13. (I am not just saying this, they are really beautiful!) I am a “home executive” and I homeschool my girls which keeps us quite busy and entertained! I do freelance work as a fashion show producer and am currently working to help my oldest build her wedding planning business. I love to spend time with girlfriends and am passionate about scrapbooking our life stories. I have published two articles in homeschool books just this past year.

Favorite color:
Black – really, it is and not just because it makes you look thinner!

Favorite food you associate with Fall:
same as every season, chocolate!

Pet Peeve?
rude, ignorant people (I know, that sounds mean. Please don’t send hate mail!)

What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)
I am one of those people who is transparent so I don’t know if I have any hidden fact about myself!

One word that describes you:
Loyal

What’s your motto or mantra:
In light of the difficulties I have been given lately, I heard a new phrase that I just love: Dear Lord, make me a birdy so I can fly far, far away from here!

What are the top three things you that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
My faith
Honesty and integrity
My relationships with those I love

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When I was asked to be a guest writer for iLash Girls I felt honored. Then I heard the topic…abundance. Actually, I think I laughed! Was I qualified to write on this topic at this season in my life? After all, the past two years have been extremely difficult. Children with serious health issues, financial difficulties and a marriage in crisis make it hard for me to focus on the abundance of all the positive things in my life. I know they exist. I just think that sometimes we get mired in the day-to-day hardships of getting through life that we lose focus on the abundance of our blessings.

Regardless of our individual circumstances, we are all living in difficult times. The media is saturated with war and death and destruction. The financial instability of our country makes most of us nervous. Political mudslinging abounds as we prepare for the upcoming election. And, let’s not even get started on the price of gas!! It is in these dark days when it is critical for us to search for the abundance of good things we have. So, I did some thinking and digging and I hope some of these will help you remember and cherish the abundance you have in your life. Here are a dozen good things I came up with…

The smell of coffee brewing in the morning as we watch the beautiful colors of the changing leaves from our kitchen window
Freedom to live in a country where we can practice our own personal religion and exercise our right to vote
A phone call or handwritten note from a dear friend who just wanted you to know they were thinking of you
Your teenager coming to you with open arms and wrapping you in a hug (I know it doesn’t happen often but it sure feels great when it does!)
The laughter of girlfriends gathered together – no matter their age
Warm chocolate chip cookies
Cranking up the radio and dancing to your favorite song (as long as no one is watching, of course!)
Water to drink that I can get chilled right from the fridge
A day when you get the mail and there are no bills in it
The wealth of information available on the internet– like blogs that bring women together to share and encourage
Scrapbooks full of photos and memories of years past
And today for me, the joy of having a friend ask me to write for her blog at a point when I really needed to be lifted up and encouraged and valued because sometimes we just need to be seen and heard. (Thanks Sherra!)

My list could continue but the post cannot!

Even in these times of uncertainty and stress I recognize that I am blessed beyond measure. I know my cup runneth over! I hope today you will know that your cup does as well.

May you be abundantly blessed today and every day.

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We really like Tammy’s line about how hard it is sometimes “to focus on the abundance of all the positive things in my life.” It is often those little positive things we stop and notice that get us through hard times and help keep us grounded and grateful.

Please leave a comment below for Tammy and/or to share a few things that make your cup runneth over…