Have you ever wanted to hear from a blogger/writer in a more conversational way? Have a listen to my interview with Devonne Batts on the mommy success series radio show! Hopefully this will encourage you!
A Topsy Turvy Balancing Act - Anna Everhart 06/20 by Mommy Success Series | Blog Talk Radio
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Mindful and in the Moment
Why is it so difficult for us to realize just how precious our moments in this life can be? The irony is that the moments which grab our attention and help us remember to say I love you, smell the roses, etc, seem to effervesce into thin air just like our life in the grand scheme of eternity.
A few weeks ago, I lost my precious Grandma Tuttle, my friend's husband died of cancer at age 32, and then yesterday, another dear friend lost her brother-in-law to cancer at age 28. The loss of my grandmother at the beautifully wise age of 96, after she lived a meaningful and lovely life was sad because of our loss, but so wonderfully satisfying for her. But, to lose these other friends when their lives were just taking off brings a sort of angst that cries out from those who are left behind. It's the sadness we feel that not only were they taken from us, they were not able to carry out all of their potential that we knew they had. In the case of my friends here, they actually did do amazing things with their lives!! But, the world lost in that moment something glorious, and it isn't fair. The hope of seeing them again in heaven is God's gift of comfort in these times, and I certainly am praying for everyone to feel that hope and comfort in these situations I am sharing about specifically.
We are reminded right now of the precious frailty of our bodies. We understand that we should ignore the "tyranny of the urgent" and focus on our true priorities. Can we do this? How do we do this? The reminders of flowers in the fields, the wind, the trees, a smile, a hug are all experienced daily, but it is up to us to realize those reminders and apply them to our day. Again, I ask myself why this is so hard! Why would it even be a difficult decision to turn away from facebook and watch my children play? It's absurd! And yet, it happens to all of us, and for many different reasons.
Here is my charge to you. And it is a charge, because it will take work and a commitment.
"I will live in the moment while being mindful of my future."
It's that simple. I don't mean live in the moment on pinterest, or on facebook....what I mean is, to really be engaged with my life, and save some important things for other times so that I can focus on the MOST important things right now. When I am mindful of my future with my kids, their future, and our life down the road, it changes what I do today. It forces me to put down what is "important" and read a book with my child, which is MORE important. Period. Yes!!! We can do this. We can live an inspirational life by living in the moment while being mindful of our future. This is an intentional person living out their potential every day. We have no idea when our final breath will take place, but we all will take it. I want mine to be a satisfied breath no matter when it happens.
Love,
Anna
A few weeks ago, I lost my precious Grandma Tuttle, my friend's husband died of cancer at age 32, and then yesterday, another dear friend lost her brother-in-law to cancer at age 28. The loss of my grandmother at the beautifully wise age of 96, after she lived a meaningful and lovely life was sad because of our loss, but so wonderfully satisfying for her. But, to lose these other friends when their lives were just taking off brings a sort of angst that cries out from those who are left behind. It's the sadness we feel that not only were they taken from us, they were not able to carry out all of their potential that we knew they had. In the case of my friends here, they actually did do amazing things with their lives!! But, the world lost in that moment something glorious, and it isn't fair. The hope of seeing them again in heaven is God's gift of comfort in these times, and I certainly am praying for everyone to feel that hope and comfort in these situations I am sharing about specifically.
We are reminded right now of the precious frailty of our bodies. We understand that we should ignore the "tyranny of the urgent" and focus on our true priorities. Can we do this? How do we do this? The reminders of flowers in the fields, the wind, the trees, a smile, a hug are all experienced daily, but it is up to us to realize those reminders and apply them to our day. Again, I ask myself why this is so hard! Why would it even be a difficult decision to turn away from facebook and watch my children play? It's absurd! And yet, it happens to all of us, and for many different reasons.
Here is my charge to you. And it is a charge, because it will take work and a commitment.
"I will live in the moment while being mindful of my future."
It's that simple. I don't mean live in the moment on pinterest, or on facebook....what I mean is, to really be engaged with my life, and save some important things for other times so that I can focus on the MOST important things right now. When I am mindful of my future with my kids, their future, and our life down the road, it changes what I do today. It forces me to put down what is "important" and read a book with my child, which is MORE important. Period. Yes!!! We can do this. We can live an inspirational life by living in the moment while being mindful of our future. This is an intentional person living out their potential every day. We have no idea when our final breath will take place, but we all will take it. I want mine to be a satisfied breath no matter when it happens.
Love,
Anna
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Pass the Blame Game
You walk into a room expecting to see warm faces greeting
you. You hope to get an invite to coffee
so someone can get to know you on a deeper level. As you walk in, you wait for someone to smile
at you so you can smile back; and you do, but just briefly. You immediately shrink back, realizing no one
really notices you are here. There are
no coffee invites. No lingering
conversations. Again.
It's easy to pass the blame. It's easy to ruminate about how those around you don't treat you the way you think they should. If you're not careful, your subconscious can start playing the victim card whenever you have an unfortunate happening. You start automatically placing blame by asking yourself, "Why don't they love the way they should? Why is no one showing up to support me when I need them?" These are valid feelings that we all share at some point, however bitterness can creep in when we fail to look at what we can do to solve the problem and instead place blame on other people’s shortcomings.
I hope today is your first day to look inside your heart to see how you can give and love in fruitful ways that will, in turn, refresh your spirit with exciting opportunities and better friendships than you thought possible.
Love,
Anna
Further Reading: here are some passages that inspired this message.
1 corinthians 13: "1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails.
Proverbs 11:25: "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."
It's easy to pass the blame. It's easy to ruminate about how those around you don't treat you the way you think they should. If you're not careful, your subconscious can start playing the victim card whenever you have an unfortunate happening. You start automatically placing blame by asking yourself, "Why don't they love the way they should? Why is no one showing up to support me when I need them?" These are valid feelings that we all share at some point, however bitterness can creep in when we fail to look at what we can do to solve the problem and instead place blame on other people’s shortcomings.
I had a blog post before Christmas about being the best
guest (read it here). I loved this post
because it represented a time when God refined an area of my life where I wasn’t reflecting him well. I realized that I played the victim card. A
lot. I thought I was perfect, and loved
everyone so much and so well, and people just didn't treat me as well as I
thought I deserved. When I started *replacing*
the blame with "what can I do better or differently to make this go well,"
the results were exciting!!
If you are tempted to play the blame card, just stop! Replace that thought with, "This doesn’t
make me happy, but what can I do better?
How can I be a better friend, listener, or be less judgmental? Who can I smile at first, ask to coffee
first, offer a lending hand first?" YES, YES, YES!!! This is freedom. This is love.
True love doesn't wait, doesn't display a record of wrongs, and doesn't
hold back.I hope today is your first day to look inside your heart to see how you can give and love in fruitful ways that will, in turn, refresh your spirit with exciting opportunities and better friendships than you thought possible.
Love,
Anna
Further Reading: here are some passages that inspired this message.
1 corinthians 13: "1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails.
Proverbs 11:25: "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Where Have you Been?
Hey Friends!
I'm sorry I have been totally MIA for a few weeks! My goodness, and I was being so consistent there for awhile....
My dear Grandma Tuttle passed away at the beautiful age of 96 1/2 years (don't leave off the 1/2- she earned it!) a few weeks ago, and between traveling, coming home and getting life back in order...well, you know. Somehow life get's tiring in May anyway- doesn't it? May is just one of those months that everything is winding down for summer, but because everything is winding down, it somehow makes you busier than all other months combined!!
I have been processing my amazing Grandma's life- her legacy, and I have been formulating some blog posts about what I've learned from her that I know you'll love. Sit tight- I'll be back soon for more real food, real inspiration, and real family life SOON!
Until then,
Anna
I'm sorry I have been totally MIA for a few weeks! My goodness, and I was being so consistent there for awhile....
My dear Grandma Tuttle passed away at the beautiful age of 96 1/2 years (don't leave off the 1/2- she earned it!) a few weeks ago, and between traveling, coming home and getting life back in order...well, you know. Somehow life get's tiring in May anyway- doesn't it? May is just one of those months that everything is winding down for summer, but because everything is winding down, it somehow makes you busier than all other months combined!!
I have been processing my amazing Grandma's life- her legacy, and I have been formulating some blog posts about what I've learned from her that I know you'll love. Sit tight- I'll be back soon for more real food, real inspiration, and real family life SOON!
Until then,
Anna
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Now Available in Paperback...
Hello Bearful Bear fans!
I couldn't wait any longer to share with you that Bearful Bear and his new Moves is now available in PAPERBACK!
This will be a more cost effective option for those who have been holding out, and a great idea for birthday or baby shower gifts! Click HERE to buy it now in paperback! Thanks for all of you who have supported the book so far, and for those who need a little more convincing- check out the 5-star reviews this little book has received on Amazon and several reviews posted on the right margin of my website!
Love,
Anna
I couldn't wait any longer to share with you that Bearful Bear and his new Moves is now available in PAPERBACK!
This will be a more cost effective option for those who have been holding out, and a great idea for birthday or baby shower gifts! Click HERE to buy it now in paperback! Thanks for all of you who have supported the book so far, and for those who need a little more convincing- check out the 5-star reviews this little book has received on Amazon and several reviews posted on the right margin of my website!
Love,
Anna
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