What's new????

It's a common phrase/question...."What's new?" or something to that effect. People say it all the time. Just like, "how are you" or "how have you been?". Do you ever answer? Do you ever hear the question? More importantly, do you listen when people answer? So what IS new? Many times there ISN'T anything new...BUT what ISN'T new....is OLD. Old news that is. The person is STILL going through a rough time physically, or the person is still hurting from something has happened recently, or not so recently. The "catch" is that the person may not say it with words...you have to see it in their eyes...in their expressions, or maybe in their voice. And then...the most important thing of all...you have to listen and CARE about what they say! If you don't care to listen or hear the answer...don't ask the question. Seriously! Nothing makes someone feel "less than" then when someone asks "what's new", "how's it going?", "how have you been?", etc. and no one listens! Here is another thought: Have YOU asked yourself "what's new?"??? What is new in YOUR OWN life? And better still, have you listened to yourself? Are you listening to what your heart is saying? Is your heart telling you something? Sometimes when I am lying in bed at night, I cannot get my "brain" to shut off! Many of you who follow me on Facebook know of my woes with lack of sleep. I know, I seem to post it often! (Sorry about that!). When my brain keeps going and going and I can't seem to make it stop, I really try to "listen" to what it is that seems to be rambling around in there. Most times it seems to be little things...LOTS of little things. 1. What do I have on my calendar for tomorrow. 2. What did I get accomplished today? 3. What do I need to get ready for meals tomorrow? And on and on and on..... Then it can drift into the people I want to pray for...which can drift into wondering how those people are...which can drift into SO MANY other things! But rarely do I ask myself, "what's new". Why? Because that would be more than I can handle when my mind is "adrift"! After some sleep, and getting some things accomplished, I often look back at what truly IS going on in my life. Many times I can honestly say, I like looking back. I like seeing how far I've come and how much I have changed. But there are those days that I look back and think that this journey that is my life has been a bit more difficult than what I ever envisioned! This past Tuesday was one of those days. Someone asked me, "what's new". I didn't really think about that being an "odd" question. I answered with the typical, "not much". Then I thought about it some more...later after most of the usual day was done. Valentine's Day was Tuesday. In "Another Lifetime" of mine, Valentine's Day was my anniversary. I had forgotten about that mostly. But for a split second, I had to think about it. Another liftetime...... Today, I truly thought about WHAT IS NEW in my life. And it is GOOD! My life isn't typical of what most would say is a "good life". In fact, my life may actually depress some people! I'm not at my dream job. I live in an apartment/I don't own my own home. I drive a used car. I am not married, nor am I in a relationship...BUT LIFE IS GOOD! WHY???? I have a God who loves me...yes, ME! The one who has made decisions that have hurt myself and others. A God who thinks I am worth something! I also have terrific children and the best son-in-law in the world, a wonderful relationship with both of my siblings, a church family that I absolutely love and, as minor as it may seem to some, I have two beautiful dogs that I love dearly! I've gotten in touch with some friends that I haven't talked to in years and the list of my blessings just goes on and on!!! So that is WHAT'S NEW with me! What's new with you? Have you made the choice to move onward and upward? I pray for each one of you that you have the peace that I have right now. Is that peace ALWAYS there? I have to admit that it is not. I have my moments...but I also have my God. I hope that you do too! If not, drop me a note or email and we can talk! I can just tell you that my life is so much better with God! Soooo the next time someone asks you "what's new?", take a minute to think about that. And if you ask someone, take the time to not only listen, but look to see what their emotions are saying. Not only will that person appreciate it, but you may learn something...about yourself. Praying God blesses you with happiness today! Blessings, Sooz