Author Archives: onehautemommi

Why I Quit Social Media

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whyiquitsocialmedia

The Overload.

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

Pinterest

Four square

WordPress

Google+

I literally was experiencing a social media overload! Back in January our church organized a 3 week fast. My husband and I (being the overachiever’s that we are) decided to start a week earlier. I chose the media fast, no tv with exception of the news and christian programming….that’s right no Scandal, no Real housewives of Atlanta, and no social media.

The Break. 

During my 4 week break, I was fine without social media.

I didn’t miss:

-The Twitter and Facebook rants

-Political views and sexual preferences shoved down my throat

-People being called out and put on blast (do people still say that?)

I felt free from all the noise and decided to continue without it. Well I was WRONG!

(insert my husbands “I told you so” right here)

The Good. 

Although social media has plenty of parts I don’t necessarily prefer, there are some good interactions.

-I launched and write this blog, and without social media it would pretty hard for you to have access to these thoughts

-I interact with family and friends I wish I could see more often

-The Connection it gives between myself and others

-I follow other great writers, bloggers, and some really cool people who inspire me

The Connection.

I realized I began to feel disconnected and ultimately my work suffered to the point where I wasn’t writing at all. I am a branding/marketing person and a huge part of marketing is social media and making a connection to others. So here I am, trying to find a happy medium. I don’t have to totally quit social media, but I do have to figure out what works for me. So rather than continuing my boycott of social media here are of few methods I’m going to try:

-Turn off automatic updates. When you get every status update, re-tweet  or like to your phone it becomes obsessive and time-consuming. Try turning them off and check the updates at your leisure.

-Don’t check social media on your phone. Life is more relaxing when you aren’t always holding the phone in your hand. Log on to your accounts from your computer instead and enjoy your daily activities without the distraction.

-Take small breaks. Too much of anything isn’t healthy, schedule a few days on and then take a few days off.

-Opt out of reading every post, tweet, or looking at every picture on Instagram. Don’t be afraid to pick and choose what you are going to absorb.

So if you ever contemplated unplugging from social media, take a look at this quote:

“Social media’s like a brick — you can use it to build an orphanage or throw it through somebody’s car window.”
― jon ac

What will you use it for?

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Love assumes the best

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Happy Valentine’s Day! All over the world Valentine’s day is celebrated as a day of love. People go out of their way to show love and appreciation for their families and significant others, kids give their classmates cards and candy, and love is shown in an extra special way. After I read this devotion this morning by Henry Blackaby, I realized the peak of love isn’t at our highest point, but when it is most difficult to love and you do it any way. I had to share this with you and I hope it makes you love harder and assume the best.

Love Assumes the Best
Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby (http://www.blackaby.net/)

Daily Devotional for Wednesday, February 13th, 2013

Love…bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Love has no limits. Love never says, “You’ve gone too far. I can’t love you now.” “All things” means everything is included. Christlike love leaves no doubt in the mind of another that you will continue to love steadfastly. Do those close to you know that they can fail and do foolish things, yet you will not falter in your love for them? Are others assured that, even when they hurt you, you still love them, holding nothing against them?

Love assumes the best about others. If someone inadvertently offends you, you choose to believe the offense was unintentional. If someone seeks to harm you, you “bear all things,” forgiving unconditionally. If a positive light can be shed on a difficult encounter, you grasp it. If someone continually provokes you, you “endure all things.” You never lose hope in the ones you love. You practice the same unconditional love toward others that Christ gives to you.

Paul said that he was nothing if he had the faith to move mountains, the tongue of an angel, and the gift of prophecy to understand all mysteries, yet did not have God’s love. It is unacceptable to say, “Well, I just can’t love people that way!” When God loves people through you, this is the only kind of love He has! Read 1 Corinthians 13 with gratitude that God has already expressed this complete and selfless love to you. Pray and ask Him to express it through you now, to others.

TOTD: Excessive or Necessary

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Fire drill. 
Earthquake drill.
Tornado drill.
Hurricane drill.,
Active Shooter drill.

Over the past several weeks, the news has been filled with reports on the schools response to the Sandy Hook shooting. Schools all over the world are conducting special trainings and drills to prepare children for the unthinkable. Recently Cary Grove School in suburban Chicago participated in an Active Shooter drill where simulated bullets were fired to prepare students to recognize real gun fire. In many cities like Chicago, government officials are attempting to make these types of drills mandatory for all schools. 

Over a month ago my five-year old daughter’s school had their first drill. As a parent it was unsettling but necessary, she is now aware of the realness of unnecessary violence. This situation has stolen a little of all of our children’s innocence and given them worries we didn’t have as children. 

I want to hear from you. What do you think, are Active Shooter Drills in schools excessive or necessary? Leave me a comment. 

L.T. 

Thank you for telling me no

Posted in Chasing Big Dreams by

Whether you are 5 or 45, hearing no can be disappointing. As hard as some no’s can be, a no can also be a safety net. I have experienced many disappointments in relationships, my career, and through everyday life. Although disappointments can be hard, I can honestly say I am “thankful for the no’s”. 

Years ago, while working at my first job after college at a staffing agency, I experienced my first adult disappointment. This position wasn’t my ideal job, but I was content where I was. After working there for two years, I was let go, and boy was I disappointed. I hadn’t planned on retiring from the company, but I also didn’t plan on leaving so abruptly. I didn’t realize it at first, but that was a great place to insert a “thank you”. If I stayed in that position any longer I would have been off track from the larger plan set for me. Do you know how many passions or gifts were birthed out of disappointment? 

As an adult, here are three things “no” can mean: 

1. Not yet
2. Not for you
3. A safety net to save you from making a wrong move 

Parents hate telling their children no! We all like to see our children happy and satisfied, but unfortunately there are times we have to tell them no. Those reasons could be to protect them or to build character. 

Here are some healthy reasons for telling your child no: 

1. For their safety 
2. For their health 
3. For their behavior 
4. To teach them patience, boundaries, sacrifice, and discipline. 

Could those same reasons to protect or teach a child, be similar experiences to why an adult is told no in various areas of life? As adults let’s try not be like my two-year old and throw a tantrum when we experience being told no through closed doors or disappointment. Realize it’s an opportunity for building character and say “Thank you for telling me no!”

L.T.  

Creating New Possibilities Part 2: Through Faith

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Hey Family! I hope you are having a great week and are “Creating Possibilities”! I want to continue my thoughts on creating new possibilities in your life, family, career, and every area of your life. If you missed last weeks introduction into “Creating New Possibilities” click here.

Think about those areas in your life where you would like to create new possibilities, some of those areas could seem totally impossible if you only rely on your abilities, know how, and resources. If I want a chance at making it happen personally, professionally, and spiritually, I have to create new possibilities through faith.

Here are some examples of what the bible says about faith and possibilities:

Hebrews 11:1 NLT

11 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Luke 8:27 NLT

27 He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”

Luke 1:37 NLT

37 For nothing is impossible with God.[a]

Building faith is like like working out. Let’s take a look at some of the aspects of working out as they relate to our faith. Let us not be like the resolutionists (ie. A person who joins the gym in early January because of their New Years Resolution. Resolutionists can be spotted by their pasty white skin, excessive fat, poor form, and blank look on their face as they stand next to any piece of gym equipment. Resolutionists usually migrate back to the couch any time from mid-January to early March. (via urbandictionary.com)

1. Preparation. You can’t haphazardly jump into a workout regime. There is no way I can have a beach ready body by May unless I have a clear strategy to work out, such as meeting with a personal trainer or by developing a regime and healthy eating plan. It’s the same way with Faith, I have to plan to strengthen my faith, by setting a schedule for personal devotion, times of prayer, and developing a relationship with Christ.

2. Work out. How else can I see results unless I work out?! I am one of those people who wish I could just blink my eyes and have a six pack or Michelle Obama’s arms, but that’s impossible! “Faith without works is dead”. I have to be willing to put the work and effort behind my belief.

3. Believe it can really happen. As the scripture says I have to put my trust and confidence in God that what seems impossible can really come true. For over a year my church prayed and put the works behind it for a new building worth millions of dollars to be donated to us. Well this past Sunday we learned the building was in fact donated to us free and clear, at no cost to our ministry. Many people would say we were praying an impossible prayer, but look at the results of our prayer! For the full story click here.

What I am looking for in 2013 is way less than millions of dollars, so if this can happen, I have no choice than to believe! I pray your faith is boosted this year!

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For the ladies only, I am reading a great devotional called “She reads truth”. It’s a great devotion to start your day! You can download it under plans in the free youversion bible app here or you can read along and join in on the discussion on shereadstruth.com

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Have a great day!
L.T.

Creating New Possibilities: Part One

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Happy New Year! I’m so amped about 2013!

I’m looking forward to change, growth, and all things new. You didn’t hear from me much in December and there is a reason behind it. It wasn’t because I was too busy or didn’t have anything to write, but taking time to grow, figuring out areas personally, and to trying to take it all in. Sometimes in life you have to take time to slow down and figure out where I’m going, what do I want, and why am I here. I realized how important my future is and I had to learn to allow myself time to grow if I wanted to continue to have value to add.

One of my personal goals for 2013 is to “Create Possibilities” for myself and through One Haute Mommi to inspire you to create new possibilities for yourselves.

Lets dig deeper into creating possibilities:

create (kriːˈeɪt)

1. to cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.
2. to evolve from one’s own thought or imagination, as a work of art or an invention.

possible (ˈpɒsɪb ə l)
— adj
1. capable of existing, taking place, or proving true without contravention of any natural law
2. capable of being achieved: it is not possible to finish in three weeks
3. having potential or capabilities for favourable use or development.

So my definition of creating possibilities is to cause or to do everything possible to achieve positive results in your life. There are something’s in life where you wait for things to happen and other times you have to make things happen. In 2013, I want to creatively use every resource I have to ensure I have no reason to fail.

Every year, New Year’s resolutions are made and we run into one year while crawling out of another, but this year…..vow to change something. Sure, make a list and plan out your year, but if you truly want to make progress you have to change your habits and create new possibilities that wouldn’t normally be possible unless you change some ways you operate.

Some of you may be thinking where do I start? Do you say these things to yourself?

1. I need a new career, a total life makeover, or my marriage and relationships could use direction.
2. I need a change in my life.
3. I need to find my purpose.

You are not ALONE! There millions of people asking themselves those same questions, how many of them are working hard to answer them? Stay tuned for more on “Creating Possibilities”

New Year, New Possibilities!

L.T.

What would happen if you say no to fear?

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You might actually live the life you dream of.
You might inspire someone else.
You might get out of that cubicle.
You might actually fall in love.
You might actually be truly happy, joyful, and peaceful.
You might actually climb out of the box.
You might change the lives of others.
You might find your dream job.
You might adopt.
You might get married.
You might plan for the future.
You might give.
You might work really hard.
You might chase your dreams.

Removing fear isn’t a guarantee that life will be easy, but removing fear is a guarantee that you won’t stay where you are.

How many times have I let fear stop me? Fear is meant to make you feel all alone as if no one else understands you. Boy is that wrong! I understand what it feels like to be paralyzed by fear and I realized that it is far better to be scared and move forward than to be scared and remain stagnant.

Which will you choose?

L.T.