What's your Influence?

I had a few questions for myself the other day....it went like this:

Are you growing, learning and trying to be better in your life?
--Well, yes, I'm trying to.  It's hard though.

Do I have people in my life that I look up to, that inspire me to be better?
Yes, and I love those people.

Am I that person to someone in my life right now?
Umm, probably, though its hard to gauge it.  I mean, I hope that the things I feel inspired to share are meaningful.  And more importantly, that the person I am trying to be is reaching those that need my influence.

It's always interesting to me how influence is felt--sometimes a simple comment from a friend, or hearing someone's story or getting much needed advice.  It's kind of like one eternal round.  We help those that need our help and in turn, they help those that need their help....and on it goes.  I love the part that allows us to influence the people that we are meant to influence.  It's cool.

Reminds me of a time when I was feeling particularly inadequate.  I was teaching a lesson on pride {need I say more?}.  I was struggling with my own pride, not to mention trying to share a meaningful message that wasn't filled with hypocrisy--not easy, actually.  That afternoon, I was at home with my family and the phone rang.  I picked it up and it was a woman who had listened to my lesson.  She simply said, "I just wanted to call and let you know that you are just fine, Adrienne.  Stop being so hard on yourself."

Now, at first I wasn't sure how to take that little comment.  Initially, I was annoyed, thinking, "Well, I know I'm fine--quite fantastic, actually, but I don't need you to tell me that I'm just fine." {not prideful, whatsoever, right?---let's just say, I had a few more things to learn in that department...}

But later {a few years later, actually}, I realized she had delivered a message to me from my Heavenly Father.  She actually was probably annoyed at how many times I mentioned that I was the first to struggle with x, y and z, and yet---and yet, she felt inspired to deliver an important message to someone who needed to hear it.

Heavenly Father is seriously aware of us.  He sends messages to us in the craziest of ways sometimes and when we least expect it.  Sometimes we need those answers right in the moment, and sometimes they gain understanding years later.  He is so patient with us.

The truth is, looking back on those years, I wasn't feeling very fine inside.  I was struggling with maintaining a perfect facade.  I was feeling extremely unhappy with myself.  I was super critical of myself and others, and I was so focused on my outward appearance I could scarcely care about who I really was on the inside---and teaching a lesson about pride was about the most difficult thing I had done in my spiritual life.

He was letting me know through an inspired woman--that I was fine.  I didn't need to be focusing on all my imperfections.  I just needed to recognize that He had a bigger plan for me and my life.

Now, this woman has no idea of her influence in  my life, but I've never forgotten it.  She epitomizes a covenant keeping woman who was sharing her influence...pass it on.

xo

Red, White & Blue

Happy 4th of July.  It's a happy day because we are a free country--and only because we have brave Americans fighting for our freedoms.  I love our country.

And I love to see our colors together, in whatever form they take....hooray for the red, white & blue...

Let's see some fireworks & celebrate...

xo

all photos via pinterest

Worry, Worry, Worry, or TRUST?

I'm a worrier.  I think about things, and then re-think about things.

I analyze every silly little detail and often go over and over things in my mind...annoying, right?

Well, here's one of those things I am learning and constantly reminding myself these days...

It goes something like this:  I can worry, and *congratulations*, I care about things and situations and decisions and people's feelings.

But really, what's the purpose?  It doesn't change anything--not one single thing.  So, I say, how about being productive?  How about using that energy towards believing and trusting in God?  How about opening myself up to God's plan for me?  How about allowing myself to be an instrument in His hands?  How about becoming the person I am meant to be?  How about focusing on being purposeful, instead of petty?

Doesn't it just feel better--less critical and controlling, and more positive and peaceful.

What change would truly trusting in God bring to your life?

So, what are you waiting for?

xo

The Green-eyed Monster

I always forget this concept.  I think it's a fairly easy one to forget, actually.

Isn't it so easy to look around at others and see the things and ways in which they are seemingly "better" or "smarter", or more "talented", or more "beautiful", or more "skinnier" {I know, wrong tense, but I just like the way that sounds though}, or more "successful", or more "evolved", or....etc.....

What I fail to remember sometimes is that we are all on a different chapter, called our life.  Some just barely beginning the discovery of their book, others right in the middle, while others on their closing remarks.

Isn't it all about Perspective?

I think about where I am in my journey--what chapter am I on?  Am I progressing, and am I even in the right book sometimes?  Am I learning the lessons of the past and setting goals for my future?  Am I looking to others for inspiration or with envy?  Am I happy right where I am?

It's easy to get lost in all the details of life and forget that when we are focused on evolving ourselves, rather than outdoing others, we can keep things in perspective--and more importantly, find peace in whats right in front of us---our next chapter---while genuinely celebrating the successes of others.

What chapter do you wish you were on?  What chapter are you really on?  Where's your joy?

xo

Just Block It Out

Either block out how skinny these models are, or....notice why they look so dang skinny.  It's called color blocking.  The use of vertical color blocking is the most slimming style trend I have seen.  To the eye, it literally removes the outside blocks so that your eye only focuses on whats in the center....it's amazing how it works every time....

And then there are just color blocking in different combinations.

These designs add interest and color to a dress or outfit....

^ {I love how this shirt is paired with these printed pants--perfect}

So, do you need a little secret weapon---just block it out.

xo

A slip is always a really good idea.

Oopsie....{I hesitate to draw attention to something so obvious, quite blatant, actually.}  But.....Somebody get Kim a slip!

There.  I said it.

Now, I don't know Kim Kardashian personally, and I'm actually not entirely sure what she does.  I do know she gets a lot of press {only because I buy groceries}.  Now, I get it.  I get publicity stuff and the whole attention thing.  You know, any attention, is still attention.

And, I'm not here to judge, but rather to illustrate a point.  My point is this:  Haven't we all been a victim of bad fashion choices, or rather, bad foundation choices under an outfit?  How about colored undies with light colored pants.  What about panty lines.  Or like this situation, forgetting to wear a slip...In her defense, I actually think her dress had a fabric lining, but clearly, the lining did not do its job.

So, maybe we realized it before the whole world noticed, or maybe we didn't.  Either way, many of us have found ourselves in a situation where we either forgot, or did not realize the need for a slip.    Unfortunately, this happens, some more public than others.

So here is my simple plea to the women of the world, young and old....Please, Please get yourself a slip--and for goodness sake, wear it...even if you don't think you need it.

xo

Lay your foundation. And love it.

A solid concrete foundation is critical to any building.
A perfectly colored foundation is essential to every woman's face.
A VERSIE slip foundation will forever change to way you dress.
A sure foundation in Christ is vital to every wise woman.

Let me explain.  I completely believe in the importance of all four foundations.  First, I have been a part of many home building projects, and know that the concrete footings and foundations are of critical importance to making a home safe, sound and secure.

Second, this ones pretty simple, ladies.  Make-up foundation smooths out coloration in the skin, fills the gaps and sets the ground work for gorgeous skin and a more beautiful face--essential to every woman's makeup bag.

Third, a VERSIE slip foundation will forever change the way you dress.  The struggle with layering shirts under a dress or skirt.  Fighting with your slip to stay in place.  All the layers....need  I go on?  A VERSIE slip is a shirt on top with a slip attached at the waist.  It's meant to show on top and be hidden on the bottom.  That's it.  Simple.  You just put it on and you've got it all.  Coverage on top and coverage on the bottom.  Finally, a slip that makes sense.

Lastly, and most important, a sure foundation in Christ, really is vital.   There was a time in my life when I had been caught up in, as the saying goes, "the thick of thin things".  I didn't entirely realize it until changes in my life lead me to do some soul searching.  I was desperate to find much needed answers.  While reading in the scriptures one day about the foolish man and the wise man--a story and song I have known, well, my entire life--hit me like a ton of bricks.  This time, I understood those verses to mean that I was that foolish wo-man.  And that I had been building my house on a sandy foundation.  I began to realize that I was putting superficial things in front of vital and essential things, and that I needed to make some changes.

What I love about this experience for me, was that I was being taught, and because I am a visual learner, the Lord knew how to show me a way to change.  He was helping me understand that I needed to take time to rebuild, but first, I needed to lay a foundation of rock, not sand.  How lucky was I to get that chance?  I began to study and read and pray and practice following promptings.  And then study and read and pray and practice some more.  And again.  And again.  And again.

So through all this, I didn't actually feel like I had arrived at any certain place, except that now, I have come to firmly believe that I want nothing more than to do the will of my Heavenly Father, even when it's hard.  Did I mention, even when it's hard?  Cause it's been really hard--in ways I never imagined.  So, I continue to repent and learn and tell myself, "Lay your foundation.  And Love it."

I hope you will too....

xo