The Honeybee's Lifestyle

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  • DO BETTER

    Happy New Year Honeybees,

    As we start 2016 most of us are making New Year resolutions, creating new vision boards and setting new goals.  We are starting new savings plans, new gratitude journals and prayer list. We are hitting the gym and eating right!!

    Whew!!!  I’m tired already

    Don’t get me wrong there are a number of things I mentioned above that I am actively doing.

    Yes, I have a vision board.  I’ve had one for years

    Yes, I have a gratitude journal. I’ve had one for years

    Yes, I’m doing the weekly savings plan. This one is a first but hey, I’ve got to start somewhere

    Yes, I am setting goals.  I can’t just be wandering into 2016 all willy nilly.

    But what I will NOT do is let all of this stress me out.  There are too many other things that could do that… (I’m raising two brown teenage boys in a world that doesn’t seem to value their lives).  Just being honest!!

    My gratitude journal & vision board bring a calmness to my life, they give me direction.

    If any of these things are adding stress to your life then DON’T DO THEM.  If just the thought of creating a vision board makes your tired…..then that’s not the thing for you.  If the thought of going to the gym depresses you, find another way to drop those pounds.  I’ve been told something about… if you eat right that’s half the battle.

    HNY image

     

    Here’s a thought that one of my favorite pastors gave us Sunday at church…..Your goal, resolution or whatever you might want to call it for 2016 should be DO BETTER!!

    DO BETTER than last year, whatever that looks like to you.  You tried to save $1,000 last year but only made it to $500…well this year DO BETTER… anything over $500 is better than last year.  Didn’t lose not one pound last year, well here is your chance to DO BETTER, if you drop 1 pound this year you did better.

    Now don’t get lazy about the situation.  You get out what you put in!!

    So at the end of 2016 if you are not happy then DO BETTER and put in the work!!!

    BelindaBee pic

     

    What is your DO BETTER for 2016?

    Beewisdom- You Reap what you Sow!!!

  • Life’s A Beach

    Hello Honeybees,

    For the past 6 years I have spent the second weekend of October on Miramar beach in Destin, Fl.  For the past 6 years this has been my yearly time of relaxation and reflection.  This has been the time for me to recharge my battery.

    The Beach

    The trip for me started as a shopping trip. Silversands Premium Outlet Mall has it all and is in walking distance from our hotel.

    I must admit the first two years were all about shopping.  What girl doesn’t love a designer outlet?

    As my life circumstances changed so did my reason for going.  I now go to spend time with ME, MYSELF & I. And GOD!!

    We arrive in Florida Friday afternoon and we are free to do whatever makes us happy until Sunday noon when we head back to Memphis.  I have my weekend down to a science…. Food, Beach, Food, Rest

    Fl tree

    I cannot describe the impact that this trip has on my life.

    Being near the water, watching the sunrise, enjoying quiet time reading on the beach

    Beach Reading

    It’s the one time of the year when I’m not a mother, an employee or any other title……

    I am ME

    Sunday morning we have prayer on the beach.  This is the time where we give our troubles to God. We use a stone as a symbol of something that we want to let go of & toss it into the ocean.  We let it go & give it to God.  I’ve learned that if I truly give it to Him it’s gone.

    The Stone

    Last year the thing that I gave to God was gone by the time I made it back to Destin.

    This year I gave Him something new and I know that He will take care of it again.

    I’m already looking forward to next year.  I’m already looking forward to spending THAT quality time with God and being grateful for my blessings.

    Sunrise

    Belinda Bee pic

    How do you recharge? Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?

    Beewisdom – The beach is my happy place 
     

  • Once Is Enough

    Hello Honeybees,

    As we bring awareness to Domestic Violence this month I want to share a story with you.  I know a lady that had one experience with domestic violence and for her once was enough.

    See, she was married for 13 years with two children.  She had never experienced domestic violence a day in her life.  Until one day her husband put a loaded gun to her head. “How long has this been going on?” the police would ask. “Never” she would reply. She could tell that he didn’t believe her but it was the truth.

    How did the situation escalate so quickly?  Yes, the marriage was in trouble but she never thought that it would come to this. He had never put his hands on her in a threatening way.

    How did the person who promised to keep her safe pose such a threat?

    So many questions, so many major decisions to be made and NOW!

    Does she forgive him and stay?

    Will she ever feel safe again?

    What about the children?

    After much thought, prayer and support she decided to leave.

    This lady stood on her own two feet, pulled it together and moved on with her life. Who knows what might have happened if she had stayed.  Maybe things would have worked out.  Maybe it wouldn’t happen again or maybe NOT!

    DVA

    For many women once is just the beginning.  For whatever reason she forgives, she tries to hold it together.  I don’t fault them.  Until you walk in her shoes you can never know.  Be there for her so that when she has the courage to leave she has support.

    http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/01/how-to-help-a-loved-one-experiencing-domestic-violence/

    If you know someone that is in a domestic situation there is help.  In Memphis  The Family Safety Center is one location that effectively combines civil, criminal, health and social services for victims of family violence.  http://www.familysafetycenter.org/  901.222.4400

    Another local resource is Walking Into A New Life www.WINAL.org Joyce Kyles is a dynamic woman and a domestic violence survivor.

    There is help.  If you need help or know someone that needs help please visit the resources listed above.

    At what point is your enough really enough?  Only you can answer that.

    Belinda Bee pic

    Beewisdom –  “There is life after abuse. This is mine.”
    ― Lindsay Fischer, The House on Sunset