Wednesday, October 29, 2014

ASK....

Have you ever wondered why it is so hard to ask for help for the humans?  It is so interesting as I go farther along this journey called life that I come across person after person who just is not willing to ask for help.  In any area!  Big or small, long-term or short-term, good or bad, right or wrong - any type of asking for help seems to be an implied message that we as humans are less than, weak, not good enough, not smart enough, not whatever enough!!!  That really puzzles me...........

To "ask" is to put a question out there, to inquire, to request (of or for), to require or call for, to expect or demand, or to invite.  What in the world are we as humans thinking that this is so wrong to do?  Why is it so humbling to actually do?  What is it that makes us feel like we are imposing if we ask for help?  Hmmmm.....something to contemplate!!!

Someone recently gave me a new acronym.  (I know..........one more acronym from me, and you might croak, right?  Well, it is a good one, so bear with me!)

A = Ask and you shall find
S = Seek and you shall find
K = Knock and the door shall be opened

Unbelieveable!!!  So simple, so easy and yet so very hard..........

So,why NOT ask???????????  When we ask we are looking for something:  an answer, a solution, a direction, a new method, a new way of thinking, or, possibly, another avenue to pursue.  What is so wrong with that?  All of those things bring creativity!  All of those things bring something new to the table!!  All of those things bring an idea to the surface that might, just might, bring the answer or solution we are looking for!!! 

And, what is really interesting for me is that this acronym is from God's Word:  
Matthew 7:7 says that exact same thing:  "Ask, and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened.  For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened."

God wants us to ask for help, ask for assistance, ask for direction, ask for guidance.  Why not try it?  You may find a wonderful answer waiting just for you!!!

ASK!!! 

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Captivating....

I met with a young lady this morning who is just starting college and feels like she is a "loser."  In my mind, she is kind, sweet, lovely and very adorable!  However, because of the community college where she is attending, the type of student is mostly working adults who go to school for one or more classes and then go off to work!  So, the social aspect of "college life" is lost at this campus.   Also, most of her friends went off to a 4 year college, out of state or out of the city.  So, Miss Meghan is feeling a little lost.  Her best friend is 2 hours away and they do talk each week, but the closeness that she and her friend used to have on a daily basis is gone.  This young lady does so many things:  she goes to college full-time, works at a wonderful daycare for infants that she loves, and teaches kindergartners at her church every Wednesday and Sunday. Some would say she has a full life!

So, what is missing for her???
A sense of belonging, a feeling of closeness, feeling like she fits in, being plugged in and feeling worthy of her new stage in life.  What if she realized that she was "captivating?"  What is that you may ask.  Well, the dictionary definition is:  To fascinate by special charm or beauty.  To be enchanting.  Hmmmm....has any of you read the book Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge?  It is a wonderful book for young women!  The authors explore the idea of unveiling the mystery of a woman's soul....sounds pretty fascinating, doesn't it?

Product Details

Here is the recap that Amazon has on their website:

Every woman was once a little girl. And every little girl holds in her heart her most precious dreams. She longs to be swept up into a romance, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, to be the beauty of the story. Those desires are far more than child's play. They are the secret to the feminine heart.

And yet―how many women do you know who ever find that life? As the years pass by, the heart of a woman gets pushed aside, wounded, buried. She finds no romance except in novels, no adventure except on television, and she doubts very much that she will ever be the Beauty in any tale.

Most women think they have to settle for a life of efficiency and duty, chores, and errands, striving to be the women they "ought" to be but often feeling they have failed. Sadly, too many messages for Christian women add to the pressure. "Do these ten things, and you will be a godly woman." The effect has not been good on the feminine soul.

But her heart is still there. Sometimes when she watches a movie, sometimes in the wee hours of the night, her heart begins to speak again. A thirst rises within her to find the life she was meant to live―the life she dreamed of as a little girl.

The message of Captivating is this: Your heart matters more than anything else in all creation. The desires you had as a little girl and the longings you still feel as a woman are telling you of the life God created you to live. He offers to come now as the Hero of your story, to rescue your heart and release you to live as a fully alive and feminine woman. A woman who is truly captivating.

I would recommend it for anyone who has a young lady or daughter in their lives!!!  And, giving it to Meghan to read at her leisure made me think about some questions to ask her next time we visit together:
What if  felt that she was fascinating?  If she knew that she had beauty and charm that was sent from Heaven above? That she was enchanting just the way she is?  I know this doesn't really cover the feeling Meghan described as being a "loser," but it made me think of how many young women who don't realize God has a great plan for their lives.  I hope you will share this book with someone this week!  Or, perhaps, read it yourself!

Friday, October 10, 2014

ReDiscovery..........

I am happy to report our first ReDiscovery Retreat for women over the age of 50 was a huge success!!! We had some of the most lovely ladies I have had the pleasure of connecting with in a long time, as well as, had so much fun!!!  It is fabulous to get to know one another - especially when you have never met, or when you think you know someone a little bit, and then, find out you don't know them at all!!!  

We explored things like:
What do I want to be?  What do I want to do?  And, what do I want to experience?  In sharing our ideas, we learned about these each others' passions, dreams and/or goals in life.  We explored ideas such as owning our own business, starting a Home Party business that is unique, creative and fun ways to decorate our homes, ideas about textile artists and other concepts we would like to explore at this stage in life.  And, we explored our ideas with NO boundaries!!!  We asked the question:  if there were NO obstacles in your way - no issues of confidence, no issues of motivation, no issues of money holding us back, no issues with our health, no issues of feeling scared or insecure - what would we do and be???  The answers were amazing!!!  We shared our hopes and dreams and explored new ideas of where to go from here at this point in our lives.  Wow!  What a way to explore new and/or future adventures in our lives!!!

Also, we did a lot of reflection and introspection on our own thoughts, where/what our lives have been so far, and how we got to where we are today.  We reflected on experiences and turning points in our lives.  We discussed important words and phrases that carry us through rough and good times, and how these experiences have supported and nurtured us.  We looked at patterns and threads that interlace and construct who we have become....it was quite an enlightening day!

There are stories to be told and wonders to unfold........it will be such a pleasure to keep this "ReDiscovery" theme going!!!  

My partner in crime, Julie is designing and starting a Power of 50 Website for Women over the age of 50.  Also, we are planning FREE networking events for anyone who is interested in connecting with this genre of women.   The first one is Monday, October 20, 2014 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Scooter's Coffee on College Boulevard and Antioch Road.  Anyone is welcome and we urge you to invite whomever you think may benefit from connecting with this wonderful group of women!!!  Please spread the word!!!  We will be sending out more information soon!

Stay tuned.......dear women of value!!!  Who said being 50 meant we have no life???

Monday, October 6, 2014

ReDiscovery: Anchored, Connected and Supported

You are invited to a Retreat called:  ReDiscovery:  Anchored, Connected and Supported on Friday, October 10, 2014 at the KC Campus of the University of Phoenix.

Come explore what it means to ReDiscover yourself and find new ways to move forward in your life!
Please send in your application by email or RSVP and bring it with you on Friday!

Here is the information for you:

REDISCOVERY      ANCHORED.  CONNECTED.  SUPPORTED.
A RETREAT FOR WOMEN OVER 50

CONNECT WITH WOMENAND CELEBRATE THIS STAGE OF OUR LIVES. 

*  Become anchored and centered
          *  Feel inspired and excited about your life
                    *  Build relationships with other women

Friday, October 10, 2014   10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.                              Join us at the 
University of Phoenix     
1310 E. 104th St., Suite 101, Kansas City, MO 64131

COST:  $50.00  ($10 extra for boxed lunch)
Retreat fee of $50 is waived for UOP students and alumnae.

Download the 
ReDiscovery Women's Retreat Application to attend the retreat with Pam Spencer and Julie Connor on 
Friday, October 10th.
Reserve your place to attend this event with other fabulous women.  Limit: 10

  DISCOVERY Women’s Retreat
                                     Facilitators

Julie is a popular motivational speaker, a goals & planning strategist, and author of the goal-setting bookDreams to Action Trailblazer’s GuideShe is the founder of The Power of 50, a network to connect and inspire women over 50. Learn more about Julie at www.DrJulieConnor.com

Join the Google+ The Power of 50 community.
Check out The Power of 50 on Pinterest.



Pam is a stress management expert and shows others how toDeStress with Joy. She has a master’s degree in health & wellness. As a national defense liaison for the University of Phoenix, Pam promotes adult accelerated programs. More about DeStress  With Joywww.DeStressWithJoy.blogspot.com



COST OF RETREAT:     _____      $50.00                Please mail retreat registration form,
                                                                                               retreat fee,  and $10.00 for lunch (if 
BOXED LUNCH               _____        10.00                 you would like a boxed lunch) to:
_____________________________________________              Julie Connor
                                                                                         12143 Farley St.
TOTAL:                             $_________________              Overland Park, KS    66213
Make checks payable to Julie Connor.  Cash or credit card payments accepted at the door.

Wear comfortable clothing.  Feel free to bring snacks or drinks. You can also bring your own lunch. Bottled water and coffee will be provided. Bring along a journal, a good book, or other resources you think would be valuable resources to share with other women.

Questions?  Contact Julie Connor, 913-617-9979 or julie@drjulieconnor.com for more information.