Life is a Journey

One large bouquet (YOU!) can go a long way.
When you mentor, you multiply

Life is not a journey to the grave

with the intention of arriving safely

in one pretty and well preserved piece,

but to skid across the line broadside,

thoroughly used up, worn out,

leaking oil, shouting

GERONIMO!

There are moments when we feel worn out, 

used up, ready to throw in the towel. 

 Our emotions can do a number on us physically,

telling us to go to bed and pull the covers over our heads.  

I've done that, but through the years I have learned a better way. When these feeling try to overcome me, 

I make a bee-line to my back door.  

Don't judge me...I'm not running away.  

I know that once I'm outside, breathing in fresh air, 

listening to birds chirping, admiring God's creation,

I will gather a better perspective of my challenge-at-hand. 

I'm not a psychologist, but I have a little tip:  

Next time you are met with a challenge or disappointment, 

go to that place of quietness where you can take some deep breaths, settle your spirit, quiet your emotions, and talk to your Creator.  Jesus is waiting for you, to lead you and guide you 

through the valley of the shadow of death.  

You will come out stronger, ready to get back in the race and shout, GERONIMO!

After running my first 1/2 marathon.
VICTORY!

A word for someone out there in Blog Land: 

Keep running your race--at your own pace.  

God is not finished with you.  

Look around.  

Someone is watching you, whether you know it or not.  

Point them towards heaven with the life you live.  

You lead, not with only the words you speak, but by example. Through your writing, your art, your gift of hospitality, your smile.

Holding forth the word of life;

that I may rejoice in the day of Christ,

that I have not run in vain,

neither laboured in vain.

Philippians 2:16

I wish you smooth running and oceans of blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com 

Lady Traveler, the painting

"Lady Traveler"

We had just moved from Southern California to South Carolina in the summer of 2006. 

Rob had to fly back to California to finish up details in Huntington Beach.  

Tired of unpacking, and weary from my latest case of writer's block on my novel, 

Lady and the Sea, 

I decided to take a few hours off to explore and stroll the local mall.  

That is when I came across a lovely painting in an art studio, titled 

Lady Traveler.

As I stood gazing at Lady Traveler, 

I felt inspired. I sighed.

"She is me." 

I had traveled the world.  I loved hats. And I was a lady.  

I knew if Lady Traveler were hanging somewhere in my new home, 

she would inspire me to complete my book.

So when Rob returned, I took him to the little art shop and showed him the painting. 

He smiled.  "That is you.  We must buy it."

Do you have a dream that needs a little inspiration?  

Are you finding yourself at a crossroads and asking yourself, 

shall I just drop the whole idea OR 

shall I continue pursuing my dream?

I hit the wall many times as I pursued writing Lady and the Sea.  

Was this book part of my destiny? Part of of my DNA?  

Was it a life-changing project?  Perhaps.

But how would I know until I completed this task-at-hand?  

Through hours of toiling at my computer, laptop, iPad, anything that I could write on, 

I continued on until ...

... September 2011 -- my D-day of publication!  

I was estatic!  I was thrilled!  

I stood next to Lady Traveler and clutched my first copy of Lady and the Sea.

We did it!

Then I launched my Lady into the world.  

And that's when my world slowly changed.  

Receiving emails, phone calls from as far away as Norway, Sweden, 

telling me how Lady had given them faith for forgotten dreams.  

Two women completed and published their books because of my words of encouragement.  

I can't even remember their exact words I spoke to them, but who cares?  

They know.  God knows.

I'm sharing this with you to say,  

Don't give up on your dream.

You have a special gift that can touch others.  

You may think it's small, but that gift is very BIG in the eyes of God.

Your dream may be to reach out to help others. 

To help people live a healthier life. 

To feed the poor.  To paint, or to start a blog or ... write a book!?! 

 My word to you is GO FOR IT!

  

Be a Dream Maker.  

Take baby steps, keep taking them, and before long, 

you'll find your dream unfolding before your very eyes.  

Your challenges and your passion will take you to the finish line!

  

Until next time, I want to leave you with two verses that 

encouraged me on days when I was discouraged and asked, 

"God, did you really call me to write my story?"

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.  

Psalm 26:7

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publish peace...that publish salvation; that sayeth to Zion, Thy God reigneth!  

Isaiah 52:7

Happy days while writing in Belize

My Lady, my dream