Life IS Good {Most of the Time}

  By Kristy Ensor | April 1, 2013 - 5:30 am |
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life-is-good-21[1]So today is April 1st, and somehow I managed to go the entire month of March without blogging. Nope. Not even a single word. Nada. Writing is freeing for me, but somehow I managed to get too tangled up in March that I couldn’t find time to even muster up one written sentence. I don’t know where the month went, but it simply flew by!

Sometimes we get so caught up in life that we forget to actually live! Life itself often distracts us to the point where we simply just go through the motions each day. It’s like our engines are on full throttle – speeding through life – without slowing down enough to enjoy the view. For me, March was a whirlwind of busyness. I felt like I was constantly busy but didn’t seem to accomplish anything during the process of said “busyness.”

In spite of it all, life IS good… most of the time. We just need to slow down enough to enjoy the ride! Now that Spring is officially here, we can take this opportunity of a new season to get a fresh start. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to go play in my garden! Sometimes a girl’s just gotta get some dirt under her fingernails. Whatever you do this season, take time to fully live in the present, and make each day count! Now if you’ll please excuse me… I’m going out to dig in some dirt.

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature.
To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”
- Alfred Austin

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2013 (in)RL {in real life} Conference April 26 & 27

  By Kristy Ensor | January 21, 2013 - 8:00 am |
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I crave time with my girlfriends. Why? Because it’s better than chocolate! Or, just maybe I crave girlfriend time because I live in a house full of testosterone. (I have a husband, a teenage son and even our dog is male!) No matter what the reason, I cherish times spent with good friends. Regardless of whether we meet over a cup of coffee or for a fun-filled girl’s night out, I crave community. For me, spending quality time with close friends is like taking a breather from life. It gives me a chance to:
Laugh…
Have fun…
Talk out problems…
Communicate feelings…
Celebrate joys…
Encourage & be encouraged.

Around my dear friends, I’m allowed to let go of the façade of perfection and just be myself. I don’t have to wear any masks. I’m free from the stress of having to impress. I can be the imperfect, broken Jesus girl, standing in need of God’s amazing grace. Aww…. there’s such relief in breathing. Such freedom in letting down my guard. Such empowerment from being loved for the person I really am and not who I may sometimes appear to be. Around true friends, I don’t need to “have it all together.” I just need to be ME!

If you are craving to be real in a community with like-minded women, I invite you to join me for the 2013 (in)RL {in real life} Conference the weekend of April 26 & 27. It’s like going away for a retreat only you don’t have to pack, spend money or leave town. Simply sign up for a meetup in your area at www.inrl.us. Registration and the event are both totally FREE!!

I’m hosting the Spring Hill/Thompson Station (Tennessee) group. It will either be held in my home or a venue TBD – depending on the response. Please see the attached flyer below for more details and contact information. If you’re in the middle TN area, I hope you’ll join us on April 27th from 9 AM – Noon!! ~ Blessings ~
Flyer_inrl2013

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Set Free

  By Kristy Ensor | January 19, 2013 - 8:30 am |
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When I was in my early 20’s, I received a devastating blow.  I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression).  Being labeled with a mental illness at such a young age was embarrassing because it came with such a heavy stigma attached.   I was ashamed and felt like I had a “Scarlett Letter” stamped right on my forehead.   Only instead of an A, it seemed like I had the word CRAZY plastered in big, bold print for the entire world to see.

Following my diagnosis, I spent the next 10 years struggling to win the battle with this illness, but instead of a mere battle… it was more like a raging war!  I spent more time hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital than not.  The mania was horrible, but the depression was even worse.  I was so depressed that I required several series of ECT treatments.  (For those not familiar with ECT, it stands for electroconvulsive therapy.  Basically I was hooked up to all these wires in order to be induced with seizures to reset my brain’s chemistry.  Sounds like loads of fun, doesn’t it??!!)

I often wondered if things would ever return to normal and felt like my life was over.  Trust me; there were many days that I wanted it to be over too!  I was lured to thoughts of suicide on more than one occasion and even went as far as to plan my own funeral.  I often daydreamed about ways I could kill myself, but thankfully I never acted on any of them.  What stopped me?  It was my faith in God.  Pure and simple. I somehow knew that He could pull me through.  And… He did!  I was rescued.

There’s a lot more to my Bipolar journey including years of intensive therapy, psychotropic medication trials and being in lock down in the psych ward because I was so out of control, but that is the past.  Now – I’ve been set free!!

In the words of Big Daddy Weave -

“I am redeemed.

You set me free,

So I’ll shake off these heavy chains…

and wipe away every stain that I’m not who I use to be.

I am redeemed.  I’m redeemed!”

Yes… I still see a psychiatrist 4 times a year.  I also take an antidepressant along with a mood stabilizer to manage the Bipolar, but it is ultimately because of God that I’ve been able to reclaim my life!  He’s my saving grace.  Thanks to Him – I’m alive today instead of another suicide statistic.  Because of Him -

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  – Philippians 4:13.

I’m happy to report that I haven’t been hospitalized for my Bipolar since 1998 and I’ve been stable now for 14 years.  My life did return to normal!  I’ve been married to my supportive husband going on 19 years, and we have a soon to be 17 year old son.  I’ve been working in special education support roles for many years assisting students with autism and other learning differences.  I help teach Pre-k children at our church, and I’m involved in some community volunteer efforts.  None of this would have been possible without my Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ.  Yes, indeed, I have been set free.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:36

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20 Things Daughters Should Know

  By Kristy Ensor | January 14, 2013 - 4:15 am |
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This picture is a favorite of me and my Dad from the 1970’s.  I was a 7 year old – barefoot and fancy free – “Daddy’s Little Girl.”  My Dad passed away about 2 ½ years ago, but his memory lives on in my heart and mind.  I know these 3 things for sure…

1) My Dad loved me.

2) He was proud of me.

3) I can do anything I set my mind to.

How did I come to know those 3 things?  I know them to be true because he told me over and over throughout the years.  They eventually sunk in this thick head of mine, and I was convinced!  I’m blessed to still have my wonderful, sweet mom around who loves me too.  Not everyone is as fortunate.

Having parents who love you and care about you is so important.  Do your children know how much you love and care about them?  I hope you’ll not only tell them, but show them.  Lavishing them with material possessions isn’t the answer.  Spend quality time with them.  Laugh with them.  Encourage them.  Hug them.  Be there for them.

I recently wrote a blog post entitled 20 Things I Want My Son to Know.  I don’t have a daughter, but if I did… here’s a list of what I’d want her to know.

For daughters everywhere…

  1. You are dearly loved.  I love you and care about you so much!  God loves and cares for you even more.
  2. You are special.  Share your unique gifts with the world.
  3. You are beautiful from the inside out.  Let your light shine. 
  4. You are worthy.  Be confident in who you are.  Your identity is found in Christ… your heavenly Father – the King of Kings!  That makes you a princess!
  5. You can do anything you set your mind to.  Persevere.
  6. I’m proud of you.  Be proud of yourself.
  7. You will make mistakes.  Learn from them.  Also learn to forgive yourself and others.  Don’t judge or hold grudges. 
  8. Believe in yourself.  You’ll go far in life, and the sky is the limit!
  9. Don’t be too hard on yourself or other people.  Nobody’s perfect.    
  10. You are smart and have purpose in life.  Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
  11. Respect yourself.  Treat others with dignity and respect.  
  12. Take care of yourself.  Care about others too.  Show kindness and love.
  13. Be yourself.  Nobody does it better!
  14. Embrace who you are.  You are a unique, one-of-a-kind creation.
  15. Develop a positive self-esteem.  Build up other people in the process.
  16. Dream big.  You only live once.  Live passionately.   
  17. Live life interactive.  Be fully engaged in the present – make each day count!
  18. Be grateful.  Count even your smallest blessings.
  19. Look on the bright side of life.  Keep a positive attitude.
  20. Life is not always easy.  Be brave and never give up. 

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20 Things I Want My Son to Know

  By Kristy Ensor | January 12, 2013 - 9:30 am |
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zacThis morning, it dawned on me once again that there are only a few more years before our son leaves home for college. Thinking about this almost always puts me in panic mode.  Have I taught him everything he should know in order to survive on his own in this big, old, crazy world?  I’m excited that he’ll have an opportunity to start a new chapter in life, but I am a bit scared too. I’m sure he’ll do fine when he leaves the nest, but it’s me I am worried about the most.  I have a feeling I won’t handle it very well.  He’s an only child and has pretty much been the center of my universe for 16 years now.  How will I adjust to an empty nest?  Thankfully I’ll still have my husband and our dog to keep me company, but there will be an obvious emptiness in our home without Zac here too.

I’ve made a list of 20 things I want him know before he’s college bound.  The list for your child may look a lot different compared to mine, but I thought I’d share.

To my son…

  1. You are loved.  Your Dad & I love you dearly and are very proud of you, but God loves you even more!
  2. You can always turn to God in prayer.  You have a friend in Him.
  3. You should know that the Bible is true. Dig deep into the Word.  It’s a life map.
  4. You can find a church home…even when you’re away at college.  Being around a body of believers is so important and will be a great support system.  You should surround yourself with Christian friends.  Never underestimate the power of positive influences in your life.
  5. You should remember that everything happens for a reason.  Romans 8:28 – my life verse.
  6. You will always have a place to call home.  Your bedroom will still be your bedroom…even after you leave. You are welcome at our house anytime – day or night.
  7. You are not perfect and will make mistakes.  The key to making mistakes is learning from them.
  8. You should always do your best.  Exceed minimum requirements, and don’t settle for mediocrity.
  9. You should take care of yourself.  There is only one YOU so eat right, exercise, drink plenty of water and get the proper amount of sleep.
  10. You should live LIFE INTERACTIVE and always be grateful.  Live life to the nth degree and be fully engaged in the present… making each day count!  Live a life of gratitude for all your blessings.  Take chances.
  11. You will succeed if you never give up.  There’s a lot to be said for perseverance.
  12.  You earn respect with honesty and integrity.  Be honest.  Do what is right and show respect to others in order to gain respect.
  13. You should strive to be on time.  On time means early.  Otherwise, you may miss out on something important.
  14. You can always start over.  God forgives and allows second chances.  If you’re going in the wrong direction in life, make a u-turn.
  15. You can do anything you set your mind to.  Your Grandpa Paul always told me that, and it still rings true today.
  16. You should never quit on your dreams.  Keep on keeping on.  Stay focused on your goals and remain passionate about your dreams. You only live once!
  17. You should drive safely.  Never drink and drive.  Never text and drive.  Don’t speed.  In rainy, icy or snowy conditions… especially watch out for bridges and overpasses.  (More words of wisdom from your Grandpa Paul.)
  18. You should just say no to drugs.  Enough said.
  19. You are smart, worthy and have purpose.  Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.  God knit you in my womb.  You are a one of a kind, unique creation handcrafted by the Master – the King of kings!  He designed you with a purpose only you can fill.  Be a light in the darkness, and you’ll have a positive impact on the world around you.  
  20. You should always be yourself and be kind to others.  Just be you.  Nobody does it better!  Show kindness and love to others in the process of being yourself.

Love always,

Mom  

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Just Be You

  By Kristy Ensor | January 4, 2013 - 6:45 am |
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Just be youI woke up singing Georgia on my Mind by none other than the late, great pioneer of soul – Ray Charles.  I’m not sure why the song popped in my head, but it made me start missing my family and friends in Atlanta.  We lived there for a couple of years, and I made some wonderful friendships with co-workers and neighbors during that short time.  I’m glad to say that I still keep in contact with many of them.

Sometimes people come into our lives for only a season, but memories of them may last a lifetime.  Their impressions are often etched in our minds and hearts forever.  This got me thinking… what kind of impression do I want to leave?  When you meet someone new – what kind of memory or impression do you make?  My mom always told me, “Just be you,” and that still rings true today.  Most people can see right through a façade anyway, so you might as well be your genuine self.  There’s something to be said for authenticity.

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

– Oscar Wilde

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

God made us who we are as individuals.  We need to embrace that we’re one-of-a-kind creations.  We were handmade by the Master, not manmade or mass produced in a factory.  We’re the clay in the Potter’s hands and we are His masterpieces.  Each unique by design.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us –

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Psalm 139: 13-17 reminds us -

“13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!  How vast is the sum of them.” 

Today, celebrate being YOU.  Celebrate that God created you … knitting you together in your mother’s womb!  Enjoy being yourself.   Also celebrate those special people who’ve left imprints on your heart and mind.   Be joyful, grateful and authentic.  Just be you.  Nobody does it better.

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