Shifty Characters by Shirley Francis-Salley
 
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Be Prepared!
 An excerpt from:  The Be Attitudes of a Christian Writer©
by Shirley Francis-Salley

It’s 4:00 A.M. Your eyes pop open automatically. You lay there giving the cobwebs a moment to untangle themselves from your brain and then it hits you. Sweet inspiration comes riding in on a cloud from on high with a precious morsel to be penned. You know you’ve got to get this down because sometimes it’s only there in that certain way for a fleeting moment.

You reach for your mini netbook but it is dead. You haven’t charged it in two days. Frantically your eyes pan your surroundings and you spot your voice recorder. Then you remember, you meant to buy batteries last night but you forgot. By now you’re trying to say the idea over and over again. You don’t want to lose it. And then, you spot your trusty pad and pen. You grab them and the vision becomes words that flow from your pen and are carried by a river of ink that soaks up the dryness of a blank sheet of paper. Whew! That was close! You could have lost that thought or the opportunity to create at that very moment!

There is nothing like basking in the happiness of having been prepared for the successes that opportunity brings when it knocks on our doors.  But what about the times when the knock at the door isn’t bringing happiness or success with it? What about the times when the knock on the door is that of Mr. and Mrs. Trouble and their bratty children, Frustration, Difficulty and Pain, and they’ve shown up on the doorsteps of our lives, hell-bent on wreaking havoc in our homes? Didn’t Jesus tell us that in this world we would have many trials and sorrows? (John 16:33, New Living Translation Bible)

Are we prepared for these opportunities? One might ask why connotations depicting unfavorable circumstances would be linked to the word opportunity, after all, it’s such a positive word! Here’s why:  God’s word says that He causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28 NLT). These words are an anchor for us when we are like storm-tossed ships caught in the billows on the sea of suffering.

Sometimes we suffer as a result of our choices and actions, and there are times that God calls us to it; either way we have to prepare. While Jesus said we’d have trouble, He also said that we should take heart, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33 NLT).

Remember: When we fail to prepare we prepare to fail! (Benjamin Franklin)
 
 
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A good friend shared some good advice with me this morning and I wanted to share it with you.

HANDBOOK 2010 
Health: 
1.       Drink plenty of water. 
2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. 
3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.. 
4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy 
5.       Make time to pray. 
6.       Play more games 
7.       Read more books than you did in 2009 . 
8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day 
9.       Sleep for 7 hours.. 
10.     Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile. 
Personality: 
11.    Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 
12.    Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. 
13.    Don't over do. Keep your limits. 
14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 
15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip. 
16.    Dream more while you are awake 
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.. 
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness. 
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others. 
20.   Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. 
21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you. 
22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. 
23.    Smile and laugh more. 
24.    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree... 
Society: 
25.    Call your family often. 
26.    Each day give something good to others. 
27.    Forgive everyone for everything.. 
28.    Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6. 
29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day. 
30.    What other people think of you is none of your business. 
31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. 
Life: 
32.    Do the right thing! 
33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 
34.    GOD heals everything. 
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change.. 
36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 
37.    The best is yet to come.. 
38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it. 
39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy. 
Last but not the least: 
40.    Please share this with everyone you care about, I just did.

 
 
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 Wow, Seems like forever since my last blog. But this final semester of school has been a doozie (that’s “old school” language)!  You know how it is when the business of living ties you up. And, it will keep you in captivity if you don’t break free! Well, I’m free at last! I am now a graduated, Bachelor of Fine Arts degree packing, creative writing author, who is ready to roll! Happy New Year Everyone! Let me fill you in on what’s been happening.

          In November of 2009 the Shifty Characters and I made our debut at New Life Fellowship Church in Elmhurst, New York. We were the guest of Mr. Chris and his Musical Experience, and what an experience it was! The sanctuary was packed and filled with the excitement of laughing children and their parents who became kids again. There is lots of fun in Christ! If you ever get the chance you gotta experience the Mr. Chris Musical Experience! Check out his websites.

www.myspace.com/mrchrismusicalexperience

www.sonicbids.com/mrchrismusicalexperience

 

            The Shifty Characters created a lot of buzz and gave away buttons, magnets, bookmarks and T-Shirts. It was their way of getting to know everyone! I’ve loaded a photo to share with you. The Shifty Characters are almost completely illustrated and looking at a March 2010 release date; just in time to be great Resurrection Day gifts!

 I’ll meet you here next time!

Shirley