Live on purpose

Favorite moment of the day (2009):  finally getting all my Christmas stuff put away! Bring on the New Year!

Why do we wish time away?  As the end of another year ticks away, we are all ready for the new year - a new beginning, a new set of goals, a new start.  But why wish the time away?  I'm guilty of this.  "I can't wait until..."  So, as the calendar changes, along with my other goals and resolutions, I want to cherish the time I am given and not wish it away so quickly.  I want enjoy every moment instead of counting down the days to the next holiday or school break.  Did Jesus count down his days?  Did he wish his time away?  I think he used every minute of his time to the fullest.  He made sure his disciples knew how to follow in his footsteps by living the way he was teaching.  Jesus didn't have to make New Year Resolutions because he lived the same way with the same purpose each day.  That's how I want to live in the new year and for the rest of my days on Earth - living for the Lord with purpose each day.

Kitty climbs the stairs

The little kitten tried and tried to get up the steps but its short legs just couldn't do it.  She would jump and fall.  So it sat there, staring up the staircase.  Finally, after thinking about it for some time, it stretched its front legs up to the first step.  With a big push from its hind legs, it thwarted its way onto the landing. 

Kitty did it!  She tried so hard to make it up that step and she did it.  Proudly, she looked down to see where she had come from and then looked up the staircase again.  She was determined to get up there and see why her human caregivers kept going there.  She didn't stare as long this time before she placed those front feet on the next step and pushed with her back legs.

Another step!  Now she was getting somewhere.  It was no big deal now.  It kept getting easier and easier as she climbed, one step at a time, to the top.

Kitty reached the top and looked down at how far she had come.  She did it all by herself.  She was determined and she kept trying.  She walked around to see what her humans were doing.  After a few minutes of exploring, Kitty decided to go back down the stairs to perch on the couch.  She stared down the staircase now, a little afraid because it was so high.  But, she carefully placed her front feet on the step below and soon her back legs followed.  Over and over, until she had come down all 12 steps.  She turned to look at her accomplishment, climbed up on the back of the couch, and looked out the window until she fell asleep.

Copyright 2014 Jennifer Charles

Obviously I can add to this the importance of setting a goal and just trying.  It will get easier with time and practice.  But I want to leave that to parents who read my stories to their children.  There are small life lessons in each one, even the silly ones.  And, I'm living proof of taking baby steps to reach a goal that seems far up the staircase right now.  I'm just taking it one story at a time.

Follow your dreams

Whatever you dream, dream it big;
there's no reason to hold back.
You can do it if you just try
and stay on the right track.

Make a goal and be sure to 
move toward it each and every day.
But don't get discouraged if you
stumble along the way.

What are you doing today to make 
your dreams come true?
I hope you keep dreaming and 
following through.

I know you will make it.
I've known it all along.
Your mind is powerful and 
your will is strong.

Please keep pushing on and
never give up.
You will have success and blessings
overflowing your cup.

Copyright 2014 Jennifer Charles