excuses, excuses..."I'll do better tomorrow"

If you are like me, this little voice is often repeated often inside of your head, "I'll do better tomorrow." This was the topic of one of my devotionals today. It explains that our motto should be "I am made for more!"

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."
Whenever you are faced with temptation...READ PROVERBS 3:5-8!!

We should trust in the Lord that we were made for more. In all our ways acknowledge him! Hold tight to the Lord and flee from temptations because we were made for more! This will bring health and nourishment to you and help you find victory in this struggle-we were made for more!

Thanks Proverbs 31 Ministries for putting this in my inbox today!
XOXO,
JM

Post Secret

Please tell me that you have heard of Frank Warren and the PostSecret Project! I am obsessed with reading these secrets. They always give me so much to think about and often disturb me at times thinking about all of the secrets that we keep from one another. I know I am guilty of such. If you have to get one off of your chest. Mail it to Frank Warren and he will publish it for the whole world to read!
I really liked this one probably because my parents have spent tons on therapy for me and usually the best counseling comes from random places!
XOXO,
JM

I have ESP!

Crawling into bed last night, I thought to myself, gosh I wish Lilly would do bedding again because I would love to have some new Lilly sheets! And guess what I just found out...tomorrow Garnet Hill is launching their new line of Lilly Pulitzer Bedding! Oh how excited I am! Good thing, my birthday is very very soon (hint hint).
Sweet Dreams from soon to be colorful bed,
JM

Looking for a designer?

I not only happen to know the fabulous, but also have her as my dear sister...Meet the newest entrepreneur in Charleston...Elizabeth Newman Interior Designs! If you like traditional and antique pieces with a modern twist, Liz is your gal. Please visit her website and new blog to find out more!

Envy, jealousy, and just plain wanting what others have...

Oh its Monday again and boy has my mind been bombarded with all sorts of thoughts and feelings today. I can't seem to relax at all. I guess I am finally getting around to determining what my new year's resolutions will be and actually tackling my "need to fix it" list.

Tonight I picked up my Mom's January issue of Good Housekeeping. Normally when these arrive in the mail, I briefly skim through it and check out any good pictures or organization tips (there goes my OCD again...). But instead my Mom encouraged me to read an article titled "Taming ENVY" by Lesley Dormen. Now if you ever read the Good Advice section of this particular magazine you will find that the subtitle states "staying centered, coping, and living fully." As you know my motto is to live one moment at a time which is a big joke because I am the worst at doing this. The article this month really hit home to me, because I will be the first to admit that I suffer from jealousy and often even worse I covet what I do not have. From clothes, cars, homes, and all the other materialistic items; to far more important things such as a husband, children, a steady career, and a devout relationship with God. (Oh and how can I forget...a cure for eating disorders).

So what does Good Housekeeping suggest? First we should "accept that the feeling of envy is part of being a human." Everyone suffers from it and we must learn to stop punishing ourselves for having these thoughts and "learn to recognize envy's distorted thinking." Easy said than done right? We must realize that we are having envious thoughts and see how unimportant they usually are.

Next step, we must MASTER envious thinking!! This means we must "reconsider our assumptions about what makes us a worthy person." Is buying this new dress really going to benefit me in the long run, or do I want it just because Sally Joe looks so darn cute?? Then we have to use envy as a diagnostic tool- "determining what's missing from our lives by paying attention to what you envy, and whom."

So what did I take away from reading all this??? "Envy is recognizing and accepting our strengths as well as our flaws." I need to appreciate the many gifts that God has provided us all and not get so distracted by the gifts I do not have. Time will tell...God has a plan for both you and me. He will reveal to me in his own time where my Mr. Right is and teach me that having the best outfit with the perfect handbag or having the skinniest body will not fill me with contentment and peace.
Until next time,
JM

Wedding Bells!

Happy wedding day to The Company She Keeps! I am so excited to be in Charlotte for her big day. Here's to a fun day!
XOXO,
JM

A Bit late...

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Please pardon my month long hiatus...its been a busy holiday season. Cheers to a new year full of hope and peace to my family and friends.