Tis the Season!
Christmas time is upon us once again folks! That time of year when stockings are hung, Christmas trees are put up with pretty decorations, Christmas Carols are being sang by one and all, and Santa himself comes out of hiding!
This year when my Mother asked me what I wanted for Christmas, it was difficult for me to give her an answer. I could not think of anything I just absolutely had to have. I named a few things that I would like to have but also told her they were things I could save for and get on my own. Gifts are the least of my concern this year. I would rather just spend time with friends and family and enjoy good food and fellowship. Don't get me wrong, I do like gifts, but this year especially at this time, has been rough for most everyone. The gift giving shouldn't be the most important issue anyway. Yes, it is a nice gesture, but we need to focus more on time with our families and close friends rather than what we can buy for Jim, Bob, and Sue! Some people cannot afford to buy much if any at all. Once again, that is why I say the focus needs to be taken off the gifts and geared toward family and friends again like it was many years ago! God doesn't want us to be greedy, bitter, hateful people just because we didn't get a gift. We need to learn to appreciate what we do have and not dwell on what we don't have.
Last week, I had the chance to go visit a friend whom I had not seen since high school. She invited Michael and I over for some homemade chili and boy was it good! I am very grateful that I was given this opportunity because I didn't really have a chance to get to know her much in high school. She is a very down to earth, loving, and devoted wife and mother. She has an adorable little boy who just loves Michael to death. It was very humbling for me to be able to reconnect with her. She leveled me out a bit I guess you could say and it felt good. I am looking forward to being able to build our friendship into one that will last a lifetime! :)
December 12, 2010
November 10, 2010
Love Never Fails
"Love never fails...and these three remain: faith, hope, love, but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 1:13
It is 3:30 a.m. I wasn't ready for sleep so I thought I would write for a while. The topic this morning? Love.
Where would we be without this wonderful feeling and emotion we call love? In my opinion, we would be living in an even darker world than we already do. We would be sad and down trodden all the time. We wouldn't like ourselves or anyone else for that matter because we wouldn't know how. If we didn't have love we would only know how to hate and be negative.
Since it is now November and we reflect on those things we are thankful for in life, I am very thankful for love. I am thankful to love and be loved in return no matter my faults or mistakes. Lord knows I have made many and can't take them back, but I am loved no less by those most important to me. What a Blessing! I often sit during the day and think about just how much I am loved by those closest to me and it always brings a smile to my face and warms my heart.
The love I have for my family and they have for me is unconditional. If they didn't love me I don't know where I would be. I love them so much. I text my Mom and tell her I love her everyday because I want her to know. I call my Granny everyday and even though we don't often say I love you, we know. We expect to talk everyday and if not one calls the other, that's love. Even though he isn't here on Earth... I still have an immense amount of love for my Papaw. He always made sure that I could get around in both houses he built for himself and Granny, and was ready to come back with "Hey Papaw!" right after one of us kids said it because he loved us. And he was always ready with a Hershey Kiss or Peppermint in hand. :) Coming together as one to help another through something is a true action of love and I've witnessed that so much in my family. They are just simply amazing!
The love I have for Michael is of course different.. but I truly believe with all my heart we were meant to be. I spent time tonight thinking about different things we have been through and special things he has done for me. Each time I do this, it makes me love him more than before. He means the world to me. I love that I can love him. I love that he can make me smile, and laugh just by being silly. I love him! :)
My heart is bursting at the seams with love to share with the world, is yours?
Be thankful to be loved, and remember.. Jesus loves YOU this I know..
P.S. Sorry if this makes no sense, it was late/early!
August 31, 2010
Be Your Own Author
Wow, been quite some time since I have posted. Suppose I have a lot of catching up to do, but the “catching up” will come at a later time when I am bored and just want to babble. It might be later tonight or a month from now. I wanted to touch on something specific in this post that was brought up during a chat with a friend today.
Ponder this for a moment:
“You are the author of your own life story. You can only find yourself in you. If you try to find yourself in someone else, then who is writing your story? Not you! So, be yourself, discover who you are and let everything else fall into place as it may! “- Me
This thought came to mind as my friend and I were chatting about how people think they need someone else to be happy, etc. This is something to really think about. We all think we need someone else to be happy and that we just simply cannot live alone. However, I find that we can. All we have to do is believe that we can do this. We all become co-dependent on someone else at some point in life, it just happens. But, we can also free ourselves from that if we chose to do so. My ultimate source of happiness is not through the person I am with or my friends. It is through myself, and God. The other people, places, and things just add to it. Now, I am in no way saying that I don’t want to be with the person I am with [Michael], I do. He is a big part of my life and we bring out awesome qualities in one another. My point to all this is that we all need to take a step out into the “unknown” at one point or another in our life and depend solely upon ourselves and the Lord, or whomever your higher power. This is where true self worth and self acceptance comes from. Through yourself. You is not found in we, or him or her, but you and you only.
All too often I hear of people saying, “I’m afraid to be alone.” or “I cannot be without someone.” You can if you believe in yourself. Too many times people end up in abusive relationships because they do not think they can be alone. This breaks my heart. I wish there was some way I could show them to look inside themselves and know they can do better, and show them how to get to know and love themselves first. That is the key. Loving and accepting yourself as a whole. After all, how can you truly love and understand someone else when you will not even do that for yourself. It is sometimes hard to do. It has been for me.
Be the author of your own life story. If you try to live through someone else then you will miss out on telling about YOUR amazing dreams and adventures. Find peace, love, acceptance, and worth within yourself and the rest of the chips will fall as they may!
Now get to writing some amazing stories!
Ponder this for a moment:
“You are the author of your own life story. You can only find yourself in you. If you try to find yourself in someone else, then who is writing your story? Not you! So, be yourself, discover who you are and let everything else fall into place as it may! “- Me
This thought came to mind as my friend and I were chatting about how people think they need someone else to be happy, etc. This is something to really think about. We all think we need someone else to be happy and that we just simply cannot live alone. However, I find that we can. All we have to do is believe that we can do this. We all become co-dependent on someone else at some point in life, it just happens. But, we can also free ourselves from that if we chose to do so. My ultimate source of happiness is not through the person I am with or my friends. It is through myself, and God. The other people, places, and things just add to it. Now, I am in no way saying that I don’t want to be with the person I am with [Michael], I do. He is a big part of my life and we bring out awesome qualities in one another. My point to all this is that we all need to take a step out into the “unknown” at one point or another in our life and depend solely upon ourselves and the Lord, or whomever your higher power. This is where true self worth and self acceptance comes from. Through yourself. You is not found in we, or him or her, but you and you only.
All too often I hear of people saying, “I’m afraid to be alone.” or “I cannot be without someone.” You can if you believe in yourself. Too many times people end up in abusive relationships because they do not think they can be alone. This breaks my heart. I wish there was some way I could show them to look inside themselves and know they can do better, and show them how to get to know and love themselves first. That is the key. Loving and accepting yourself as a whole. After all, how can you truly love and understand someone else when you will not even do that for yourself. It is sometimes hard to do. It has been for me.
Be the author of your own life story. If you try to live through someone else then you will miss out on telling about YOUR amazing dreams and adventures. Find peace, love, acceptance, and worth within yourself and the rest of the chips will fall as they may!
Now get to writing some amazing stories!
June 12, 2010
My Wheelchair Does Not Define Me
Life has not been easy sitting in a wheelchair.
I’ve had to accept not only being “different”,
but also doing things different.
And yet, my wheelchair does not define me.
I have hopes, dreams, and goals just like anyone else
I plan to reach all of these one day.
I will not let my wheelchair define me.
One day I’m going to leave this ol’ world.
No longer will I be pitied by those who say
“Look at that poor little girl”
No longer will I be labeled as a cripple or disabled person.
For I will enter those Pearly Gates and be made whole again
And I will walk with Jesus on that Golden Street of Glory
Where my wheelchair will no longer define me!
I’ve had to accept not only being “different”,
but also doing things different.
And yet, my wheelchair does not define me.
I have hopes, dreams, and goals just like anyone else
I plan to reach all of these one day.
I will not let my wheelchair define me.
One day I’m going to leave this ol’ world.
No longer will I be pitied by those who say
“Look at that poor little girl”
No longer will I be labeled as a cripple or disabled person.
For I will enter those Pearly Gates and be made whole again
And I will walk with Jesus on that Golden Street of Glory
Where my wheelchair will no longer define me!
May 11, 2010
Little House: A Simple Life
As I was falling asleep for a nap this afternoon, Little House on the Prairie came on TV. I drifted off to sleep for a while, and when I awoke it was still on. Immediately, I had thoughts pop into my head. Thoughts about the way they lived, and the way we live today.. and how sometimes I wish we could be more like the characters of that show. So, here are my thoughts in poem form.
Little House
What if we had no electricity, to do things in the night?Would you settle for the dimness of a small candle light?
What if we had no indoor plumbing with which to bathe or use the restroom?Would you go down to the creek everyday or to the outside every night?
What if we had no TV, games or anything of entertainment?Would you go outside and play with friends, family, and cherish the time spent?
What if we had no great novels to read?Would you read the Bible and take it to heart?
What if we had no telephone or e-mail to keep in touch with those we love?Would you take the time to write them a letter, or perhaps walk over to visit?
What if you couldn’t go to the mall at your convenience?Would you gladly go to school or church and enjoy the time there?
Would you allow the hard times of life to bring you and your family closer?To make a bond that no one else can break?
I know I wouldIf I lived the hard, yet simple life of those in Little House.
Crystal L. McClure 5/11/2010
Take time to let these words sink into your soul and really think about them. I myself would love to be as humble as they are. They never once complained they didn’t have enough. They were never ungrateful for the things they did have. And they loved their family and the Lord more than themselves. I think if we could take the time in this fast paced world to slow down and appreciate things like they did, we might see that change we’re all waiting on. What do you think?
“It’s the sweet, simple things in life which are the real ones after all.” ~Laura Ingalls Wilder
Little House
What if we had no electricity, to do things in the night?Would you settle for the dimness of a small candle light?
What if we had no indoor plumbing with which to bathe or use the restroom?Would you go down to the creek everyday or to the outside every night?
What if we had no TV, games or anything of entertainment?Would you go outside and play with friends, family, and cherish the time spent?
What if we had no great novels to read?Would you read the Bible and take it to heart?
What if we had no telephone or e-mail to keep in touch with those we love?Would you take the time to write them a letter, or perhaps walk over to visit?
What if you couldn’t go to the mall at your convenience?Would you gladly go to school or church and enjoy the time there?
Would you allow the hard times of life to bring you and your family closer?To make a bond that no one else can break?
I know I wouldIf I lived the hard, yet simple life of those in Little House.
Crystal L. McClure 5/11/2010
Take time to let these words sink into your soul and really think about them. I myself would love to be as humble as they are. They never once complained they didn’t have enough. They were never ungrateful for the things they did have. And they loved their family and the Lord more than themselves. I think if we could take the time in this fast paced world to slow down and appreciate things like they did, we might see that change we’re all waiting on. What do you think?
“It’s the sweet, simple things in life which are the real ones after all.” ~Laura Ingalls Wilder
April 25, 2010
Life: A New Chapter
In less than two weeks, I will be graduating from Cleveland State Community College with my Associate’s of Applied Science in Office Administration. Even though this event has not taken place yet, I still cannot believe it is this close. It seems like just yesterday, I was preparing to begin my life as a college student. But, I am so glad this day is coming. It has taken me a long time to get here. A lot longer than it should have, or at least that is what I think. However, in saying that, I would not change the experiences I have had throughout my college career for anything. I have learned a lot about myself and about others as well. I’ve taken the good with the bad and made the best of it.
I started my college career at Chattanooga State and like most freshmen was an undecided major. I made some new friends there, and got the feel of being a college student. Then, in the summer of 2003, I decided I wanted to move and go to Middle Tennessee State University. I remained there for 2 1/2 years and majored in Psychology. It was here that I began to learn a lot about myself and about others. I had good experiences, and bad ones, but they all helped me grow. I would not change the times I had at MTSU or the people I met for anything. Then, I moved back home and went to Bryan College, a private Christian college. This was a great experience for me as well. I was able to live with my Granny during this time and this allowed us to strengthen our bond and for me to be her company when she needed it most. I am so thankful that I was able to be there for her and help her. I continued classes for psychology at Bryan and met some awesome people there as well. Sadly, I was only there for one semester. I miss the friends I made there and wish I could have spent more time with them than what I did. Through going to this school it opened my eyes to just how much we need G*d in our lives and how much we push him out. Lastly, I finally ended up at Cleveland State. I first began there in the Spring of 2006 with all intentions of just taking classes to be able to get funding I needed to return to MTSU. Then, life happened as they say and I decided to stay home and take a break. I am very glad I did. In the Fall of 2008 I decided to re-enroll at Cleveland State major in Office Administration, and I am now nearing the end of this leg in the journey of life.
I have been thinking tonight about what part of my college career has impacted me most as of now. Right now it would be this very semester. In one of my classes instead of doing book work all the time, we had to do a service learning project. This allowed us to get hands on experience in working with others as a team to make something happen. What a great experience it was! Although I do not feel that I myself contributed enough to the said project it was a great learning experience. Sometimes it is difficult to learn how to work with others and figure out problems, but it is something that is dealt with daily in the workforce. We have to learn how to do this or we will never get anywhere!
My point in all this? Remember when you were a kid and you had that favorite super hero who was just the greatest and you wanted to be like them, or when something went wrong with friends mommy was there to fix it? In all this, I have learned that even though Mommy still loves us and super heroes are still great, they can’t fix everything for us all the time. It’s now time for me to be my own super hero and face the challenges, the upsets, the heartaches, the excitement, the happiness and joys of being an adult. Even though this too is going to be scary experience at first, I am ready. I am ready to put on my cape and Super Girl shirt and fly out into the unknown and see what the future has waiting!
I started my college career at Chattanooga State and like most freshmen was an undecided major. I made some new friends there, and got the feel of being a college student. Then, in the summer of 2003, I decided I wanted to move and go to Middle Tennessee State University. I remained there for 2 1/2 years and majored in Psychology. It was here that I began to learn a lot about myself and about others. I had good experiences, and bad ones, but they all helped me grow. I would not change the times I had at MTSU or the people I met for anything. Then, I moved back home and went to Bryan College, a private Christian college. This was a great experience for me as well. I was able to live with my Granny during this time and this allowed us to strengthen our bond and for me to be her company when she needed it most. I am so thankful that I was able to be there for her and help her. I continued classes for psychology at Bryan and met some awesome people there as well. Sadly, I was only there for one semester. I miss the friends I made there and wish I could have spent more time with them than what I did. Through going to this school it opened my eyes to just how much we need G*d in our lives and how much we push him out. Lastly, I finally ended up at Cleveland State. I first began there in the Spring of 2006 with all intentions of just taking classes to be able to get funding I needed to return to MTSU. Then, life happened as they say and I decided to stay home and take a break. I am very glad I did. In the Fall of 2008 I decided to re-enroll at Cleveland State major in Office Administration, and I am now nearing the end of this leg in the journey of life.
I have been thinking tonight about what part of my college career has impacted me most as of now. Right now it would be this very semester. In one of my classes instead of doing book work all the time, we had to do a service learning project. This allowed us to get hands on experience in working with others as a team to make something happen. What a great experience it was! Although I do not feel that I myself contributed enough to the said project it was a great learning experience. Sometimes it is difficult to learn how to work with others and figure out problems, but it is something that is dealt with daily in the workforce. We have to learn how to do this or we will never get anywhere!
My point in all this? Remember when you were a kid and you had that favorite super hero who was just the greatest and you wanted to be like them, or when something went wrong with friends mommy was there to fix it? In all this, I have learned that even though Mommy still loves us and super heroes are still great, they can’t fix everything for us all the time. It’s now time for me to be my own super hero and face the challenges, the upsets, the heartaches, the excitement, the happiness and joys of being an adult. Even though this too is going to be scary experience at first, I am ready. I am ready to put on my cape and Super Girl shirt and fly out into the unknown and see what the future has waiting!
March 20, 2010
Disabled, what?
Take a moment to think about this word, what it means and how it makes you feel. By definition in the dictionary this word means:
–adjective
1.
crippled; injured; incapacitated.
I personally do not consider myself to be any of these aforementioned words, because I am not. I am just like any one of you who may be reading this today. I am normal in my own way and ABLE to do many things. As a society we tend to feel sorry for those who are disabled and can’t do this or that. We have pity for them. I believe that we all need to come together and stop having pity and feeling sorry for those and take the dis out of ABLED! Make people feel like they are able to do something and be something in this world. I can’t tell you the times growing up and even in recent years that I’ve had people come up to me and talk to me like I am just 5 or tell me that they are sorry because I am in a wheelchair. Why should you be sorry? I certainly am not. I know there is a reason for everything in this world. I am proud to be a part of the disabled community. Believe it or not we often find inspiration from each other. This has happened to me many a time. Having a bad day and see the sweet smile of a child who is just full of life, it’s amazing! I’m glad that I also have had the joy of being an inspiration to those around me. I love that feeling. I believe that God made us like we are because He need(s) special people in this world to overcome some TOUGH challenges and keep going to inspire others!
So, lets work on being an inspiration to others and making them want to reach their goals whatever they may be. Let make this word, a word of inspiration as it should be! Lets not feel sorry for one another for the things we are unable to do. Lets make one another feed good about ourselves and ABLE to do just about anything, shall we?
–adjective
1.
crippled; injured; incapacitated.
I personally do not consider myself to be any of these aforementioned words, because I am not. I am just like any one of you who may be reading this today. I am normal in my own way and ABLE to do many things. As a society we tend to feel sorry for those who are disabled and can’t do this or that. We have pity for them. I believe that we all need to come together and stop having pity and feeling sorry for those and take the dis out of ABLED! Make people feel like they are able to do something and be something in this world. I can’t tell you the times growing up and even in recent years that I’ve had people come up to me and talk to me like I am just 5 or tell me that they are sorry because I am in a wheelchair. Why should you be sorry? I certainly am not. I know there is a reason for everything in this world. I am proud to be a part of the disabled community. Believe it or not we often find inspiration from each other. This has happened to me many a time. Having a bad day and see the sweet smile of a child who is just full of life, it’s amazing! I’m glad that I also have had the joy of being an inspiration to those around me. I love that feeling. I believe that God made us like we are because He need(s) special people in this world to overcome some TOUGH challenges and keep going to inspire others!
So, lets work on being an inspiration to others and making them want to reach their goals whatever they may be. Let make this word, a word of inspiration as it should be! Lets not feel sorry for one another for the things we are unable to do. Lets make one another feed good about ourselves and ABLE to do just about anything, shall we?
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