Today's world seems so fast paced.  Roads are packed with speeding cars or wall-to-wall traffic.  People walk around attached to electronic devices.  It seems like people go from work to home to bed and back to work again.  People hardly ever visit others or take a Sunday drive any more.  
     Sometimes the world seems to be one big ball of stress.  I see people every day affected with cancer, heart disease, and other things that can be caused in part by stress.  It is very sad at times, especially when a change of life style can help.
      I know there are moments when I catch myself in the rut of the hustle and bustle world.  I feel stressed, rushed, overwhelmed, and chaotic.  It is times like that when I know that I need to take a moment to "smell the flowers."
     I don't know about you, but I think I would love it if the world would slow down a little.  Take a little time every day to smell the flowers.  (Yes.  I know that the saying is "take time to smell the roses."  I didn't want to let any flower out.)  Lol!  You don't have to do it literally, although it isn't a bad idea.  But… take a little time each day to look around and be thankful.  Look at your surroundings; enjoy a bird or a flower.  Look in the sky and enjoy the clouds.  See someone's smile.  Take a moment to see the struggle of someone else and admire that person's perseverance to go on.
     Have you taken time to smell the flowers today?  Try it.  You might enjoy it.
     
*Note:  I created and posted the image above on the "DUO Inspirations" Facebook page yesterday.  I share things on the Facebook page that I don't share here at times.  Sometimes I share things on the DUO Inspirations website that I don't share on the page.  Please, take time to explore both every once in a while.  I am continually looking for inspirational things to share.  And, if you have anything you would like to share, please feel free to contact me.  Thank you.

     Today, Ayana Sala Baugh shares how a whisper of an idea turns into a journey of her dreams.

Things have not always been this way. In the very beginning of this journey, when the name, "Loopiethotamus" was uttered from my little sister's lips, it was just an idea; a mere thought. When I responded, "The Chihuahua Who Thinks He is a Hippopotamus," it became a reality. However, once I finished writing the first story, I didn't believe in it. That was 2006. It took me two years to write more stories. Once I put my trust in God and let Him lead...life changed. He took over. He became the pen.

I never thought so much would come out of a little Chihuahua I purchased from a mall pet store. "Loopie," is what we named him. Shortly before acquiring this little dog, my world was turned completely upside down. I was in a dense fog of hopelessness and pain. I bought the dog to become a distraction from all of the inner turmoil I was going through. I learned over the years that nothing or no one can fill a hole in your heart. The Creator of the heart is the only capable One to fill the hole. Once my dependency changed, my life changed. Once I began to understand that I had a purpose, my thoughts changed. God created Loopiethotamus for me and then decided to go a step further with The 'I Am Not Afraid' Stage Play in 2013.

It took me a year to write the play script. That process was amazing because I could see how God was positioning things for this project. He placed all of the people around me that I needed in order to accomplish the task. I had never written a play through to its completion, nor had I ever imagined I’d produce and direct it. It was mind-blowing to know that God had placed all of those gifts inside of me. But, so many things in my life had led up to this moment. After the first two performances, I was able to reflect how God had been preparing me all along.

I had been bullied as a child, yet nothing compared to the bullying torment I received from the enemy back in 2006 and 2009. He'd use my mind like a playground, hopping from one ride to the next. Because I know the Word says, "The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy," I realized that he's doing this to our kids that are either being bullied or are bullying, families, schools and society. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted children to know they had a voice. Kids are hurting and it’s time that things change for the better.

Now we fast-forward to present day. I have a fourth Loopiethotamus book coming out as well as a fourth performance of the play. The number four according to spirituality means "world" and "creation." I believe God is purposing me to create something for the world as a form of healing. He uses His children to get His message out to the world.

Dreams are one thing. I had a dream to publish my books and put on the play. But what makes the dream so special, so solid, is that God is leading the way. He is enabling me to be obedient and follow Him throughout this entire process. He has a plan and a future for me just like He has for everyone. It takes trust, hard-work, discipline, passion and commitment to see it through. My mind and heart can’t fathom the words, “I can’t do this.” Because I know God has purposed and equipped me for it, my mind and heart simultaneously believe, “This is going to get done in excellence!”

I love what I do and I am grateful that God has purposed me for a time such as this. 

     Hello everyone.  I haven't felt well and have had some healthy issues lately.  So, I have been thinking quite a bit, but doing less and less.  It has been difficult emotionally and physically, not to be able to do the things I would like to do and accomplish all the things I dream.
     All that thinking has got me to realize how short life is and how we need to prioritize based upon our situations, beliefs, and dreams.  So, that is what I have been trying to do lately.
     My time at the computer doesn't help my health, so I have cut it way down.  I have been focusing more on getting healthy than promoting anything.  I focus more on friendships, than on selling.  
     It has been difficult, because "I should be doing more.  I should be doing something different.  I enjoy doing this.  I have to have this," and similar thoughts keep creeping into my mind.  I am struggling against myself at times.  But… right now, the priority is love, wisdom, faith, and health.
     I found a verse, Psalm 90:12, which I think really helps me focus and fits with today's post.  I hope you find it inspirational.  Our days are numbered.  So, we need to search for wisdom and apply ourselves to follow it… and that includes prioritizing.  God bless.