5 Tips to Being Still in a Hectic World

5 Tips to Being Still in a Hectic World

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,

    loving look at me, your High God,

    above politics, above everything.”

-Psalm 46:10 (MSG)

1. Have a few minutes a day of stillness and quiet--preferably when you wake up.

Each day is a gift. In order for you to be still (in every sense of the word), it is important to breathe the day in before rushing into it. As women, our minds try to start rushing before our feet even hit the floor out of bed. It's of a great value to us to be still the first moments we awake--dwelling in thankfulness. It will steer your attitude in the correct direction for the day.

2. Turn the radio off or listen to classical music while driving. 

I enjoy music just as much as the next person--especially when I can sing along. But there is something soothing when I turn on my classical radio station. I am immediately put at ease. My muscles begin to relax. In order to be still, diffusing the sounds can help reign in your stress level.

3. Take a bath or hot shower at the end of the day.

Take my word for it. You will slow down. Don't take a magazine or book--just yourself. Breathe in & out. Relax and watch the stress leave you.

4. Light a candle.

Whether you're at the office or at home, you can bring peace to your environment by lighting a soothing candle. In the evenings, I light a lavender/vanilla scent or a wintergreen scent. In the morning, I light a lemongrass scent to awaken my senses. Whatever time of day it is, though, a candle immediately brings peace to the environment.

5. Take deep breaths.

Breathe in and out. As you do so, you'll sense peace.

Encouragement to you and stillness in every sense of the word. As you take up a few of these tips, may you bask in the goodness of Jesus! And may peace come to you and your day! 

Unknown

I watched the movie, Wild, last night. My heart was left inspired and my heart burned to respond. I, like Cheryl Strayed, had traveled alone as a woman into the unknown. During my time, I was forced to look myself, hopes, and dreams in the face. I was forced to take a challenging look and then to respond.

But the real honesty is this: I'm still looking. I'm still responding. I'm still learning to dance in this world. But this, I have learned. I have seen it with my own eyes:

Life is fragile and unpredictable. It carries us along a road and a path of the unknown. And our faith is representative of this too. It is is winding discovery and a place of stability. 

-Hellen Willett

Home, that place where my heart resides--is the place where my heart resides. And home resides in my heart. And so, just as Cheryl Strayed, hiked to discover more of herself, I believe we have seasons in our lives where we need to do the same. 

Currently, I find solace and comfort in writing out my thoughts to keep me moving forward. Whether they are about faith, friends, relationships, home, cooking, or wine--my heart refuses to stop. This life is meant to be recorded and shared.

The story of human intimacy is one of constantly allowing ourselves to see those we love most deeply in a new, more fractured light. Look hard. Risk that.

-Cheryl Strayed

Say it. Speak up.

I've recently been on a John Mayer kick. I've been listening to him non-stop. Next to worship music, he has been the current and up-to-date singer blasting through my stereo. There is an album that he wrote a few years ago. It was about love and the difficulties of it. There is a specific song that talks about saying what you need to say.

Take out of your wasted honor/Every little past frustration/Take all your so called problems/Better put them in quotations/Say what you need to say

Walkin' like a one man army/Fightin' with the shadows in your head/Livin' out the same old moment/Knowin' you'd be better off instead/If you could only/ Say what you need to say

Have no fear for giving in/Have no fear for giving over/You better know that in the end/It's better to say too much/Than never to say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shakin'/And your faith is broken/Even as the eyes are closing/Do it with a heart wide open/A wide heart

There have been many times in my life where I've gotten my "foot in my mouth" because I've said too much or more often than not, I had spoken the truth, but at the wrong moment. I've seen relationships come and go in my life due to this, but one thing that I'm grateful for is this: I never held back. Each person knows how I feel and where they stand with me. I say what I need to say.

Gracefully stumbling across my words. Sometimes hesitantly with hands shaking. Boldly and confidently speaking from the heart.

In a day in time where we are becoming more and more self-consumed and less relational or communicative, I encourage you today to "say what you need to say"! Speak up. Speak from the heart and say what needs to be said. Have the difficult conversations. Have the good and delightful conversations.

Because we have this life and it's a gift. It's momentary. Embrace it and embrace others with love.

Romance: Found in the Acts of Kindness

For me, romance isn't an over-the-top act. It's someone offering to help and to support me. Or if that person thinks I'm making the wrong decision, he'll tell me. I want him to be honest, because being that honest takes a lot of guts. 

This morning, as I stumbled out of my bed and set my coffee to brew as quickly as possible, my tired eyes came across this matter-of-a-fact quote from Thora Birch. Upon reading it, my eyes opened and I received a bit of revelation on romantic relationships: Romance is in the mundane. It's in the simple acts of kindness where love is found. 

As each moment trickles down, there is an opportunity for growth or decline. I can either offer kindness or hurt. I can choose selfishness or selflessness. I can choose honesty or deceit. I can choose to work through it by verbally communicating or I can shut down with determined silence. I can offer courage or cowardice. Either way, romance is found in the "everydayness" of life. It is found in the acts that I think don't make a difference. 

From experience, those are the key life moments that I remember. Yes, I remember some beautiful large grandiose acts of love, but I would say that more oftentimes than not, I recall the small amorous endeavors that beautifully have interrupted my day.

As a single woman, I would agree with Thora Birch's quotation. What I desire to have in a romantic relationship is just that: support, help, honesty, kindness. But as a bold woman, this can be difficult to convey to the opposite sex. Dating relationships are a learning experience--learning another person and the best way to communicate with them. Relationships also pull on my own insecurities or weaknesses, as well as exemplify my strengths. It's work and requires effort from both individuals. But as the relationship evolves, I have the opportunity and gift to develop more. 

But the biggest question is this: Will I take on the commitment and allow myself to grow in the process? 

Love is a choice.

Romance. It is truly discovered and found in the simple acts of kindness. 

Snowed In: Beauty in the Barren

Today, I awoke and begrudgingly pulled myself out of my comfortable and warm bed. As I prepped my coffee and waited for it to brew, I was stopped for a moment by the stillness. I peered out out my window and there was fresh laden snow and ice. The neighborhood was quiet. There was barely a stirring. I, unlike most, had to report to work. I didn't get the luxury of sleeping in or taking a morning off.

But there was a gift in the midst of the stillness. The gift was stillness (though I didn't realize it until now).

Complete.

Quiet.

Stillness.

In my life, I am always filling the silence. The silence is uncomfortable for me. Even in waiting for tasks to be completed or for a friend to communicate with me, I oftentimes fail miserably. I get uncomfortable. So, I try to fill the silence with noise.

But what the situation calls for is what I'm trying to avoid--stillness. Silence. Meditation. Thought.

Over the past few weeks, I've had different situations come up. Change is apparent. And the Lord is crying out to me: Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know. Be still. Be.

All you've ever needed is found in me. It's found in the quiet moments. Wait. Don't try to push the door down. Wait for me to help you open it. My timing is perfect. For that conversation. For restoration. For desires to be fulfilled. For you to hear my voice. But you need to be still and expect that I will move. Trust me. Don't be afraid of the barrenness. Don't be afraid of the stillness. Embrace it. And watch me move...

And so just as the stillness echoed throughout nature today, so my heart is being disciplined to do the same. I can't control it all. It's all in his hands. My role is to trust and to lean heavily upon His strength--not my own.

So thankful to find beauty in the barrenness...

Overwhelming Beautiful Grace

But as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him." -1 Corinthians 2:9

I'm breathing in your grace and breathing out your praise! -MattR

Jesus is all about relationship. When we're in relationship, we learn each other. When we are in relationship with Jesus, we learn him. And we can't help but begin to reflect him! -Hellen Willett

My heart has been stirring over the past month or so. Specifically, over the past month, I've been reflecting and meditating more deeply upon the goodness of God. Within the lives of others, I'v
e witnessed excelled growth and hunger for Jesus. And I can't help but stand and respond with praise.

Are there still areas of breakthrough I know that Jesus wants to plummet through in my own heart and in the lives of others this year? Yes! But as I wait for Him, my strength is being renewed. My heart is being restored, refreshed, and I'm realizing something: Every moment is a gift. Relationships. Finances. Health. Spiritual revelations. It's all a gift! Every second. It's all because of HIS grace! 

And as this truth moves from my head to my heart, I can't help but praise Him! Regardless of my circumstance, I am seeing--I am witnessing--I am a testimony of His goodness. And so are YOU!

And what's more--just like all of creation, we are not meant to walk in this alone. We are meant for fellowship with one another--to pour into, to laugh with, to cry with, and to be vulnerable, real, broken, honest with those around us. Because we are God's workmanship--prepared in advance for HIS good work! We, as believers and followers of Jesus, are meant to SHINE LIGHT into a darkened world. We're meant to be an offering of praise and to BURN for others to see and know the beauty and glorious HOPE found in Jesus.

Every place you put your foot. Every person you speak to. Every physical responsibility you have before you--you're meant to exude and seep with the beautiful aroma of Christ!

And NOW is the time. It is the time to discover the ever-present hand of a good and sovereign God and how He is closer than we could ever imagine. He is near! And it is time for us to recognize this truth and to walk in a deeper reality of that truth.

As you lean into the love of the Father, may you be overwhelmed by his unfailing love and grace and expectant that He's near and he will show up and show off!

Praying with each of you...

Hope Deferred

I promised to write each day--to journal. I must admit that I'm daily tempted to cast this goal aside. And I've already failed in completing this assignment. But I've realized that it's alright. Because my desire is to write from the heart. My desire is to allow the deepest places of my heart to pour out into the blank pages of your heart.

I have promised myself to write each day a bit of wisdom of where I am.

Today, my heart is all over the map. Maybe it's because of the unending worldwide trial of terrorism, hate, and division. Or maybe it's because like these divided issues, so is my life at the moment--divided. I've been in a season, for the past couple of months, of self-discovery--learning more about who I am and where I desire to embark my career path. For the past 15 or so years, I've been involved in ministry--specifically international missions work. I've traveled to far-off lands and I've prayed with the sick and dying. I've seen numerous healed physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I've seen salvations and commitments to Jesus. I've witnessed the miraculous. My life has been an adventure.

And so, my adventure continues. But as many of you have experienced yourselves, when your life is no longer familiar and you look out over a vastness of uncertainty, anxiousness strives to take a hold of you like a drowning soul reaching for air. If you're a believer in Christ, you know in your mind that you are to trust in the Lord and his timing and to believe that his promises are forever good. And you are to rest in his peace. I don't know about you, but this is often difficult for me.

So, this is where I find myself today.
A difficult and uncertain place.
Not knowing the outcome.
Waiting.
Desiring to trust.

And this verse rings in my ear:

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12)

My hope has been deferred.

Hope for a husband. Hope for a home. Hope for a career. Hope for children.

Day after day. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year.

Deferred hope.

Seeing the hopes of others becoming trees of life, but still awaiting my own to be fulfilled.

And my heart is elated for others' fulfillment, but my soul has become weary and doubt is fighting to overtake my belief and strength.

So, I look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith--reminding him of his promises over my life. Bringing it all to him in prayer. Trusting in his timing. Trusting in his goodness. And believing that he sees it all. He hasn't forgotten the desires of my heart. He hasn't forgotten for one second. And even now, I am reminded of the promise of his fellowship and faithfulness.

So--today, I am weary and struggling, but I will choose to lean on the One who is stronger than I and who holds everything together. He who has called me is FAITHFUL.

He is faithful to you. He is good to you.
His word is enough. He is enough.
Take JOY in his unfailing love!
Lean in and hear his voice. Rest in his presence.

Faith: Simple and Magnanimous

Faith.

Such a simple word, but one that fills the room with such magnitude.

I don't know about you, but the word faith often leaves me feeling like I'm "falling short." Like an endless and bottomless sea, I want my faith to be so incomparable that doubt becomes a foreign word.

But if I'm honest, doubt can creep in.

This year, I've decided that I want to carry more faith. I want to believe my God--my Jesus--for bigger and greater things. I desire not to carry this on my own or to think that I can conjure up enough faith. No--my heart steadily beats to carry faith that only Jesus contains. Because, let's face it--he's uncontainable.

So--you problem solvers might be thinking. Well, that's wonderful Hellen, but how are you going to get more faith? Good question.

The answer is this: One step at a time. I will look not to what I can do, but to the One who is greater than I. I will take each day as it comes, but hold onto the One who is able. And I will choose to expect Him to show up in the ordinary, the mundane, and in the simple.

And I will choose to trust when I cannot see.

So--here's to looking at the simple word of faith and allowing it to fill the room beyond my imagination!

More from the desk of a dreamer and blogger...

2015: A Promise to Write Daily

One of my hopes for this year of 2015 is that I would begin the joy and discipline of writing on a daily basis. I haven't given myself any rules--other than that I needed to write daily and be intentional in the process. I'm believing that out of this daily routine that my dream to focus on  my book will come about. So--even though it's Day 4 in the New Year, I'm determined to catch up even now.

Here is what I wrote yesterday:

The struggle with starting over is just that: starting over--the reality of suspicious and ever-gleaming promise of what is to come. 

And fear often immediately follows it (especially when you cry out for "anything but"). Likewise, hope delightfully skips along as well-reminding your heart of the never-ending and glittering beauty that is to come.

Beginning again. The determination and will to move forward is stronger than the pull to stay.

And so this year--2015--has begun. And I've decided--planted in my spirit--that instead of focusing on the desires that haven't been fulfilled in my life (marriage, home ownership, a career, children, travel), I'm going to peer into the beautifully ordinary box of what I do have (work, a roof over my head, food, friends, Jesus, family, experiences, wisdom, compassion). 

And the list goes on...

But I choose this day and this year to serve the Lord with all that I am!

Happy 2015 and to NEW beginnings! May this be the BEST year yet!!

Tides

Have you ever stood at the edge of the ocean's shore and allowed the tips of your toes to touch the sea? As the tide begins to move in, the water continues to cover up more of your feet. If you stand there long enough, you'll be ankle deep, waist deep, and then completely consumed. As a gal who grew up with a little bit of salt behind her ears, one of my favorite ways for my soul to be "quieted" and to reflect is to stand on the ocean's edge. There is peace there. The tide goes in and out. The water--in and out. Like my heartbeat, the rhythms of the waves are steady.

Now, the events in my life aren't always steady. They are rarely predictable. But with each event and season that comes, my heart has disciplined itself to become steady. Because, my heart is steady in the goodness and nature of the One who resides there: Jesus.

But it's not always easy--especially when the world's chaos ensues. And the lies of the enemy try to crash into my mind. But like the steadiness of the tide, the truth remains constant.

A word of wisdom was spoken to me a few years ago and it wasn't until recently that it's begun to spring up in my heart. The revelation has come! He said this: When pain and difficulty occurs, it is important to talk about the challenge. It is vital to let out all the poison. But then there is a time for "letting it go." True healing has occurred when you no longer need to speak about the pain. Or, if you do speak of it there is only LIGHT. There is only LOVE. There isn't pain. There is complete forgiveness.

The story isn't who we are. The pain isn't who we are. Who we are is this: Beautiful. A beautiful daughter/son of God.

So, as I reflect on the tide that conveys the "comings and goings," I've realized that like the tide, I am called be steady. Steady in my heart. Steady in my faith. Steady in forgiveness. Steady in the knowledge of who I am in Jesus.

Steady. Secure. Certain.

Especially in the uncertainty.

A Pile of Love

I think that the most difficult thing is allowing yourself to be loved, so receiving the love 

and feeling like you deserve it is a pretty big struggle. I suppose that's what I've learned 

recently, to allow myself to be loved. -Nicole Kidman

I recently read this quote and it resonated with my heart deeply. For months, I've been 

avoiding writing on this blog. I wanted to put it on the shelf and to quit writing completely. 

But there is this other part of me that has a voice and knows that I have a message to tell. I 

have a message to tell because I've lived it and am continuing to live it. I am a single 30-

something. I, like you, am a story. My life is a story. Each moment. Each season. Like the 

leaves that we rake and bag up in the fall (or jump in, in my case), so are the seasons that we

walk and live through. The friendships, relationships, moments filled with joy, moments 

filled with pain--each second rolls up into a brilliant display of colors. All are different, but 

together--they are stunning. That's how I've recently seen life. And family.

There are "leaves" that we'd like to take and disregard, but if we do, then our splendid pile of

experiences would be null and void. It wouldn't look the same. 

I recently walked through a season of lack and of a broken heart. My heart had grieved for

months and it wasn't until recently that I have begun to "see the light." Though it was a 

season filled with difficulty, I wouldn't have changed it for anything. It made me see who I 

am and the good qualities that I have (and had somehow forgotten). It made me take a step 

back and ponder what I truly wanted in this next chapter of my life. In my professional life. 

In my personal life. In my spiritual life. All of it. 

And so--I've been assessing myself. And I've come to this conclusion:

I had put myself on the back burner for the sake of others. Now, this is a good thing (to a 

point), but there comes a time where it's vital for every individual to truly decide what they

want (and to not feel guilty in the process). Because, this actually benefits all of those around

them in the most positive light. The trouble is, I always have had a difficulty receiving love 

not from God, but in my profession and from a man. 

So, in all this assessing, I choose to be open. I choose to be intentional. And I choose to 

believe and know that I can allow myself to be loved. I choose to be vulnerable once more

and to trust.

I choose to JUMP IN the pile. 

The good. The bad. The ugly. 

The delightful moments. The painful ones. 

I choose to JUMP! 

Cheering you on as you do the same!

In Your Time

Romans 12:1 (MSG), Ecclesiastes 3:11

I don't know about you, but I like to fix things. If something is broken, I like to see the beauty in it and turn it into something beautiful. My house exudes this truth. I had a piece of furniture that was beyond repair. As it collapsed (literally) to the ground, my friends who were assisting me, wanted to throw the pieces of wood away. I immediately yelled (with all my longing and passion)--NO!! THERE'S STILL VALUE THERE!! My friends proceeded to look at me as though I had 10 heads, but they willingly shrugged their shoulders and left the wood. I then took those pieces, sanded and painted them and made them into wall hangings (there are still pieces being used). They are chalkboard hangings that have various inspirational quotations throughout ever-changing seasons.

This desire of mine to "fix things" stirred in my heart and mind and I started processing. Why is it that I like to fix things? Why do I try to take something of little or no value to someone else and make it into something of use and purpose? Why do I fight for relationships with my family and friends and even acquaintance--doing all that's in my power to fix them? Why do I have a hard time hearing "no"? Why do I keep pushing forward?

I believe that the answer lies in Jesus. This is what he did. But unlike me, he knew when and how to surrender. He knew the hearts and minds of those around him. He knew that some would resist being "fixed". He knew many would reject him and retaliate in hate and anger. But he loved them anyway. He didn't force himself on them. And I believe that Jesus calls us as believers to this as well. He gives us HIS eyes to see others as he sees them (even if that isn't where they are yet). He helps us to see where he desires for them to be. But he hasn't called us to be the Holy Spirit or to fix them. He has called us to surrender them to himself.

And I don't know about you, but this is HARD for me to do. I want things restored--NOW. I want reconciliation--NOW. I want things in my own timing. But that isn't how love operates. Love waits. Love is patient and kind. Love doesn't hold expectations. Love doesn't force itself on others. It doesn't demand its own way. Love just loves. Love (Jesus) meets others where they are. He's gentle. He's just and strong, but tender. And at just the right time, he knows how/when each heart will be broken and is ready to be restored into something beautiful (what He had planned all along)!

We are faithless worriers, so often forgetting the promises He's made.
but he gives more grace

We are striving, controlling doubters, afraid to loosen our grip on what we hold most dear.
but he gives more grace

Jesus loves to partner with you in bringing restoration, but remember--he is the ultimate advocate!

Peace to you this week and weekend!

52 Lists: A Season of New

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. -Mother Teresa

I don't have to tell you that a new season is coming. You know it. Autumn is right around the corner. Summer is ending. Children have gone back to school. The last swims of the season are in sight. The smells are changing and the leaves are beginning to demonstrate their vibrant colors. 

I, like the natural season changes, am also in a season change of my life. Newness is upon me. I can't see it in the natural, but am believing all that Jesus has been speaking to me. It is a time of harvest. A season of receiving. A season of fulfillment. I have a new roommate coming, a new job coming, and many other places of "new" in my life. And if I'm honest--the change scares me a bit. I am welcoming it, but trying not to look back, but only forward. I am in a season of "I do not know." And it's beautiful and freeing! Praise be to God who always KNOWS! Praise be to the ONE who is faithful in all things and who is constant and yet, new every day!

As my heart begins to move into agreement with this upcoming season, I am thankful that amongst the lists and all the things that try to vie for my attention, my God is constant. He IS the fruit in ALL seasons and within reach of EVERY hand!! He is love and he does not waver.

So, whatever season you're moving in or out of, know that there is ONE who is constant. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He is always good. He is for you! Embrace this time and SEE him and all his goodness!!

52 Lists: Weeks 27 & 28

Whirlwind. Such a simple word, but one composed with a variety of colors and attributes that it sucks up everything in its path. That was how these past 2 weeks spun on by. Each different from the next. But here we are and I'm just now taking the time to write on them. 

Persevere. Bless. Commit. Strong. Remembrance. Listen.

How these words spin through my head. I do a lot of thinking while I am driving or doing house cleaning. Yesterday and today proved no different. I've been struggling recently with truly loving the way that I want to love--pure love--no manipulation or selfishness--just love. But the more friendships and relationships that I'm in, the more I'm realizing that I'm unable to do this 100% of the time. Love takes work. It takes prayer. It requires both parties involved to roll up their sleeves and put in 100% of sacrifice. And then to keep choosing the person in front of them.

My mama mentioned how it is this act that often causes people to part ways. They have difficulty doing that for a lifetime. But I believe that each of us was designed to love this way. I believe that we were designed to let go of our selfishness and to love with abandon.

The words persevere, bless, listen, commit, and listen rang strong in my mind. I believe that each relationship encourages us to persevere under the trial and to bless unconditionally. True successful relationships also require us to listen and to commit--to lean over each morning and evening and say YES! They require all of us, but it is those few relationships that come into our lives that shape and mold us into all that we want and desire to be. They challenge us to be a better person.

What a world we live in! I choose to believe in the beauty of relationships, reconciliation, and the beauty in between.

Forever looking out into the horizon...

Hellen 

52 Lists: Week 26

Wherever you are, be all there. Generate kindness and joy wherever you go. You are a carrier of life. Pour out yours for all to see.

The above words have been the catalyst for not only this week, but for this season of my life. I have noticed over the past couple of weeks how there have been things that have been trying to capture and take my attention--trying to steal my joy.

Like summertime crabs caught in a net, so it can be with our lives if we don't stay focused. It's important to stay focused on the task at hand--why we are here and what we're called to.

So this week, the words that summarized my past week are the following:

Fireworks. Struggle. Laughter. Opportunities. Colors.

May you take hold of each day and squeeze all the life of it that you can!

Continued peace to each of you.

Until next week...

52 Lists: Week 25

The words gathered from this week lead my heart to a story:

obedience. cultivate. gentleness. battling. determination. strength. filter. contributor. extension. incline. forbearance. connected. affirms. teach. gratefulness. humility.

Each morning, I wake up and take a moment to lay in bed for a few minutes. It doesn't take long before my mind begins to race. This morning wasn't any different. I have to command peace upon it, so that my mind comes into agreement with my spirit. I pulled myself out of bed and allowed my feet to touch the cold barren floor. As I slowly made my way to the kitchen to brew the coffee, I began to clean. The coffee was being filtered and so was the kitchen and the inside of the refrigerator. 

It wasn't until after I had drawn myself back to a place of stillness that I began to ponder what just happened. The act of filtration in the kitchen, was also what had occurred in my heart over the past week. There had been miscommunication, misunderstanding, etc. Basically--things had been "missed". But what had been happening was more of a heart issue than anything. I had been trying to handle situations on my own strength. I had failed to extend my hand to allow my Savior to filter, humble, and offer strength to me. I had failed to walk in obedience. But the beauty of this (as it was with the coffee and the kitchen this morning), was the lesson was a process. It required my attention and inclination of my ears and heart. How thankful I am that Jesus is forever teaching us and growing us in truth and humility.

Like my refrigerator, I'd be a mess without a good clean up in my heart. It's all because of his grace that he takes the time to do what I oftentimes neglect. What a husband! What a father! What a teacher! What a Savior! What a LORD!! 

Until next week and all that it holds...

52 Lists: Week 24

Pace. Steadiness. Current. Pattern. Enlightened.

Have you ever noticed the coming and the going of the ocean tide? My family and I love going to the beach. As a "low country" gal, the ocean was as familiar to me as my daddy's cooking. But it wasn't until a visit a few weeks ago that I started to observe the ocean tides more closely. I'm personally a fan of high tide, but there wouldn't be a high tide without a low tide. I pondered on this natural pattern. And as I did, I came to this revelation: There are currents in our lives. Relationships. Friendships. Career changes. Moves. Births. Deaths.

There is truly a time and a season for everything. And there is a current of change and of seasons. This past week has been one of ebb and flow--continually discovering more of my heart and filtering out what doesn't need to remain there. And yet, like the ocean tide, this week has been steady and has enlightened my heart--forever reminding me of the beauty of constancy and change.

So, as I began to stare at the ocean tide rise and fall, my heart was encouraged in the moment. I recollected the ebbs and flows of this past year and especially this week. I took a deep breath and can say that keeping a steady pace and current is enlightening to my heart!

Until next week (or a few days, since I'm behind)...

Hellen

52 Lists: Week 23

To laugh at oneself carries a great level of freedom!

Have you ever found yourself in a situation that you never thought you would? This was me yesterday. I somehow carried the grace to lock myself out of my house and my car! What a treat! Fortunately, I wasn't standing forlorn and helpless in my towel or bathrobe. I did have my phone in hand, as well as my water bottle. Hydrated? Check. Able to call for help? Check. Completely embarrassed? Check.

But though I was humbled in having to call for help, I was left thankful. Because I was able to get in a good laugh at myself. And boy did I ever!

As I reflect back on yesterdays "blonde" stupidity, I am reminded of how life is filled with unexpected moments. And we have a choice to see them as an opportunity to laugh or to get irritated. We can take in the moment and enjoy life for what it is and roll with it, or let the situation ruin our day. I was reminded of this again today as I got caught behind an extremely slow driver. Would I laugh or would I let irritation have the last word?

One goal of mine for this year was to laugh more than I cry. Now don't get me wrong, I've cried this year. But I've also never laughed more than I have recently.

So, take each moment today (especially the unexpected) and be reminded that it is a gift.

Until next week...

Hellen

Skills for Travel Consultants

What Skills do Travel Consultants Need?

Whether you are a seasoned traveler or have taken numerous road-trips, you know that trips of all kinds take planning. There are mountains of details that need to be handled in order for a trip to be successful.

Families, groups, and individuals take trips for leisure, humanitarian purposes, adoption, and business. They all have different expectations of what they desire to happen on their trip. But one thing is a common factor for all of them: discovery—discovery of who they are and their lives. They desire to leave the routine behind to embark on the unexpected.  That being said, travelers want to be prepared to know what to expect before heading into the unfamiliar.

All travel consultants need to carry specific skills in order to fulfill the desire of their client. Here are three skills that are imperative:

Communication Skills

Travel planning involves a lot of details. Therefore, it is imperative that you can communicate effectively to your client. This is not limited to one form of communication either. You need to be available to communicate in person, conference call, email, social media, etc.  Spreadsheets, invoices, and other written documentation are effective in addition to vocal communication. In the world of travel, you have many cultures to cross barriers with. Therefore, that means more communicating. Never be afraid of communicating too much! Better to be over-communicative than not enough. This helps you keep the details in order as well.

Logistical Skills

In addition to having solid communication skills, it is imperative to have logistical knowledge and expertise. Travel planning is filled with details. From flights to accommodations to cultural background, there is an extensive amount of information that you need to provide to your client , airlines, hotels, service providers, etc. It is important that you are wired to plan, plan, plan--to have the details under wraps. You’ll need to be continually one step ahead of your client’s thoughts—ready to provide all the information they need for their trip. Excel spreadsheets, charts, and word documents are a key source. As a consultant, it is advised that you have a daily, weekly, monthly, & yearly planner.  Personally, I recommend a written planner, as well as an electronic one.

Even as a student, I would advise that you begin implementing these skills into your every day life. Have a binder, planner and spreadsheets of trips you are “planning”.

Cultural Knowledge

Have you ever been to a place and truly felt like you were “lost in translation”? Maybe you were in a country where they spoke a different language. Or, maybe it was just a trip to the city or country an hour away. Either way, you felt out of your comfort zone. All of us have been there (including travel consultants).

In order to help you succeed in your skills, it is important that you are knowledgeable about different cultures. Experience is the best teacher, but you won’t always have that luxury. Go to the library. Read up on various cultures, holidays, and traditions. Volunteer with different people groups. Have a mentor who has traveled extensively. Learn from them. Watch foreign films. Go to art festivals of various cultures.  The key is to saturate your mind and soul with other parts of the world. From there, you will find your area of passion and it will seep into your client’s hearts as you communicate in helping them with their travel planning.

Communication skills, logistical skills, and cultural knowledge are the top three qualities of a travel consultant. The next post will give you some more insight into skills that will help you grow in your business.

Source:

Hellen Willett: MKI Group Travel

52 Lists: Week 22

Words. Fear. Character. Argument. Freedom.

Five words. They say so little, but speak so much. Have you ever had a week that moved like a roller-coaster? One minute it was fast and then it slowed down only to speed back up again? This past week consisted of getting back into the routine of things. After a long weekend of vacation, parties, festivities, and a lot of fun, I was excited about the mundane week ahead.

Well, as some weeks go, all my plans didn't go according to plan and I had to roll with them. In addition to this, I had friendships bringing ebb and flow to my life. Like the waves of the sea, there were moments of calm and peace and then a tidal wave of emotion submerging my heart and mind. And then stillness again.

And it all seemed to start with words--words of comfort and then of hurt. It's amazing how powerful words are and how it is the action in using them that effects our hearts. Words can cause us to love or then to fear and distrust. They reveal part of our character--our inner heart--the part that we oftentimes don't want others to see. But far too often, we don't think before we speak and we let words come out. And like tidal waves, they crash hard upon the banks of the hearts around us.

This past week, I had 2 different arguments with two people whom I love dearly. One was over miscommunication and the response was given by not speaking about what happened. Or, more likely, it was one-sided in communication. The other was laid out before both to see--like vomit. Gross. Sudden. And unwanted.

But the beautiful silver lining that I recognized through this week, was the insurmountable freedom that was given to the relationship with the open argument. Laying out oneself for the other to see, though vulnerable and difficult, was beautiful. It was a mess, but what made it beautiful was the willingness to have it out in the open for the other to see.

Up and down. Up and down. This is often the story of our lives. But it is the willingness to go through both of those places--unashamed and open--that can demonstrate the absolute beauty of this life.

I'll close with this:

You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world, but you do have a say in who hurts you.

The same goes for joy. Choose openness and vulnerability. You'll win every time.

Until next week...