FTMW is pleased to announce "Girl Talk Fellowships"- an e-gathering place to explore everything that matters to you. You'll get the information, insights and smart solutions you need to feel good, look good and find your balance and purpose in life. We have heart to heart, soul to soul and mind to mind conversations over lifes important issues.
Whatever part of your life needs tweaking we've got the surprisingly simple solutions from our team of energetic, inspirational and expert advisors.
You'll enjoy reading about topics relevant to your life, ranging from being happy, finding balance, trusting your intuition, going for your goals, making friends with fashion, getting in shape, enhancing your sex life... and more.
Tune into the collective wisdom of girlfriends. Questions? Want some advice? Ready to rant? Give us your opinions, tell us your stories and join in conversation on topics that interest and intrigue you. Here you'll find new girlfriends ready to listen and share honest, open musings and opinions about the trials and tribuations, belly laughs and success' along life's journey. Let's laugh, cope and give each other hope.
After all, there isn't much in the world that sitting down in your PJ's and having a heart to heart with a girlfriend can't put into proper perspective.
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From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Life from the Inside Out.
By Nancy Twig
When most people think of simplifying, the first thing they think of is getting rid of clutter around the home or office. Cleaning out closets and drawers is definitely a part of simplifying, but true simplification goes far deeper than that. Clutter is much more than old magazines, outdated clothes, and kitchen gadgets you never use. Certainly those things are clutter, but from now on, think of clutter as any possession, habit, thought pattern, attitude or activity that fits into one of these three categories:
* Anything you don't need or use anymore
* Anything that doesn't fit or work for you like it used to
* Anything that doesn't add value and meaning to your life as it once did
Under this new definition, clutter is anything that complicates your life and stands in the way of simplicity. In the past, you may have only thought of clutter in terms of stuff: those size 8 jeans you hope to wear again someday or those unfinished projects in your garage. But let me share a secret with you. These kinds of unwanted and unneeded material possessions are only the tip of the iceberg! What about the multitude of commitments that cram-pack your schedule? What about the thoughts that jumble your mind and the spending habits that sabotage your finances? All of these things are clutter too, because they cause chaos and confusion.
When you think of clutter in this new light, you begin to see what a tremendous problem clutter truly is. You will also see that the root causes of this ugly clutter make the clutter itself look tame. Think about it. Why do you say yes to everyone who requests your time and services? Are you afraid that people won't like you if you say no? Do you feel the need to present a Super Mom image to the world?
What about those clothes you hold onto even though you know you will never wear them again? Are you afraid that if you get rid of them you will need them again someday? If you did happen to need them, do you doubt God's ability to provide more? And if you have a tendency to spend more than you can afford, ask yourself why you do that. Are you driven by feelings of discontentment or the need for instant gratification? Are you afraid that if you pass on a sale now you will never find a good price on that item again? These issues go much deeper than just having a messy desk or disorganized pantry. These are issues of the heart.
Clutter is a problem for anyone, but for Christians, it spells major trouble. Clutter does more than affect us physically and emotionally; it affects us spiritually because it keeps us from following Jesus fully. We simply cannot make room for Him when so many other things are in the way. The more we stay focused on the junk of this life, the less time and energy we have to focus on the important mattersGod and His plans for our lives.
Have you ever tried to lug an overstuffed suitcase through a crowded airport? Not an easy task, is it? No matter how hard you try, you simply cannot move quickly and efficiently when you're carrying a heavy load. Think of clutter as baggagephysical, emotional, and financial baggage that weighs you down and holds you back. Clutter is the heavy load that keeps many of us from maneuvering effectively through our lives. Our suitcases are filled with all kinds of deadweight: habits we need to give up, attitudes we've long since outgrown, activities and possessions that no longer serve a reasonable purpose. If we want to lighten the load, we have to get rid of some of the junk.
What keeps you from moving forward at a steady pace in your life? Undoubtedly the things that slow you down are some kind of clutterclutter you want to get rid of for good. Maybe you struggle with physical clutter around your home. Try as you might, you cannot seem to get organized. Or maybe you want to get a handle on your finances. You are tired of making good money but having nothing to show for it. Or maybe yours is an issue with time. You are tired of living at warp speed. You want to stop running and start living.
Whatever clutter challenges you face, trust me when I say you can learn to clarify your life by putting clutter in its place. I know because I have done it myself. My biggest clutter challenge was not dealing with cluttered living spaces or even cluttered finances. My challenge was to open up my emotional suitcase and go through its contents carefully. When I did, I discovered all kinds of clutter lurking inside. I found worry and doubt. I uncovered a faulty self-image and an inability to set appropriate boundaries. I even found an unhealthy preoccupation with what others thought of me. It was a painful process, but necessary. One by one, I learned to trade in these old clunkers for the more efficient models God offered.
I'm not saying I have it all together. Believe me, I don't. I'm not saying I never face challenges. But I have come to a place of clarity and life is much more pleasant now that I have. Is my life perfect? No, but it is much more peaceful and purposeful. And isn't that what we all wantto live in peace as we live out our purpose?
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MIrror, Mirror On The Wall
By Netti Shanti
When we look at ourselves in the mirror, it is interesting how very few of us if any are pleased with what they "see." If we are the "right height," we will not like our nose. If we are the "right weight," we will not like our legs. It goes on and on and on. Unfortunately for others the "on and on" will lead them to death through anorexia! There is constantly a fat person looking back at them from the mirror!
So who has set the standard that we use to bash ourselves? Who decides that I am not beautiful enough or tall enough or thin enough? Is it those magazines I am addicted to? Or those models who have had make overs and touch up jobs done on them? Is it that soap opera that I would "kill" my children for if they dared to interrupt me to tell me that the house was on fire?! My neighbors come home every evening and are quickly swallowed up by their garage. They would not know me if I rode next to them on a roller coaster at Disney land! They don't care whether I am thin or fat. Happy or sad. So who are we making ourselves miserable for?
Our disappointments with the way we look and our achievements keep us from achieving what is feasible. They keep us from achieving our God-given dreams and potential. When we wake up every morning, we should speak to the person we see in the mirror. We should tell them that they are beautiful and that they were created for abundance. They were created to make a difference in their little world. Are you a home-maker? Make positive impact in your home. Do you work? Make a positive impact in your workplace. Be known as the person who brought peace where there was strife, love where there was hatred, hope where there was despair, joy where there was sorrow.
Think of how many actors from Hollywood are miserable! Drugs, Depression, insecurity, attempted suicides - yet they have everything money can buy! Money cannot buy self-esteem or a positive outlook to life or peace of mind. Walk away from that mirror and start living!
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ROYALTY
Lift up your head and square your shoulders
Stand up tall and do not be ashamed
Though you may be clad in jeans and a pink blouse, a skirt suit and stilettos or a kitchen apron with a 'spilt sauce' stain
In His eyes, you are clothed in fine, white linen
Adorned with Rubies of His Grace
Emeralds of His Righteousness
Sapphires of His Strength
And Pearls of His Beauty.
You are bathed in the Soul-cleansing Blood of the Lamb,
Your face is smoothened with the 'anti-wrinkle' Oil of Joy (no wonder you look so young!)
You may be a size zero, full-figured, petite or athletic
When He formed you, you blew His mind away!
He fearfully and carefully designed you
And when He was done, bursting with pride He said only one word "Wonderful!!!"
In Him you are perfect
Radiating more and more of His Glory as you grow in Him.
Everywhere you go, you leave a hint of your fragrance - a witness of your Saviour.
In your eyes, you might be an insignificant 'one' of six billion others
In His eyes, you are to die for..literally!
So Sister,
Redefine your identity
Wipe your hazy mirror clean
And take another look at yourself.
Can you see what He sees?
Don't settle for less than you are
Celebrate the love that your Father has for you
You are the daughter of The King!
An heir to the wealth of heaven
A child of the Most High God.
ROYALTY.
And The Almighty rejoices over you.
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