Singing In The Rain-by Heidi McLaughlin

 The 1952 romance/musical, Singing in the Rain was so spectacular that I went to see it twice.  The fact that my talented and handsome grandson Ryan had the lead in this live performance might have had something to do with my inspiration and eagerness.  For days afterwards I found myself singing:

“I’m singing in the rain,

Just singing in the rain,

What a glorious feelin’

I’m happy again.

I’m laughing at the clouds

So dark above

The sun’s in my heart.”

And then a lot of doo-dloo-doo-doos.

It’s a catchy, happy song and before I know it I’m snapping my fingers and moving my feet.

And I’m happy again.

January in Kelowna, British Columbia is a dreary and cloudy place.  We live in a valley; hence the clouds cover the mountaintops and a dark blanket covers the Okanagan basin.  January 2017 was not a good month for me after the death of my beloved Jack, so I am trying very hard to create new memories and feelings for 2018.

This week as I drove home with the rain/slush hitting my windshield, I felt the gloominess creeping in.  Then I remembered the song, “Singing in the Rain!” I started to sing and before I knew it was doo-dloo-dooing and tapping my steering wheel. When I pulled into my garage I grabbed my grocery bags and bounced into the house.

Yes, I know happiness depends on our circumstances and joy comes from our glorious hope within. Joy is our assurance that we have an eternal hope in Heaven and that God is involved in every detail of our lives. But some days we just need something to make us happy. Bouncy. Singing. 

Especially for us writers behind our computers during these long winter months.

I challenge each one of us to make intentional efforts to doo-dloo-doo through this cold and gloomy month.  I’m creating new memories in several ways:

·      I had my Bible Study group into my home for a potluck dinner and afterwards we made bead bracelets.  The camaraderie and laughter was contagious. I went to bed full and happy.

·      Get above the clouds. I’m going snowshoeing this week to find some blue sky and fluffy snow.  Again it’s best to do it with friends who light a fire within us.

·      I’m going to see a musical, “Sister Act.” Now that will make me happy. How about you, is there a live musical near you?  You’ll soon be tapping your toes.

·      Have people into your home for a game of cards.  There is sure to be a truckload of laughter.

·      Do a puzzle or a paint by number.

·      Read the books that have been laying by your bedside for years.

·      Simply taking a long walk and breathing in fresh air and new hope, always refreshed the soul and recalibrates our thoughts.

The Bible says: “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 TLB)

God is a good Father to us and He desires that we live our very best life.  Some days are harder than others, especially when we are reliving grief and darkness. But there are ways to lift our spirits. I’m determined to be happy again and God is helping me every step of the way. Doo-dloo-doo-doo.

 Heidi McLaughlin lives in the beautiful vineyards of the Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, British Columbia. Heidi has been widowed twice. She is a mom and step mom of a wonderful, eclectic blended family of 5 children and 12 grandchildren. When Heidi is not working, she loves to curl up with a great book, or golf and laugh with her family and special friends.

Her latest book RESTLESS FOR MORE: Fulfillment in Unexpected Places (Including a FREE downloadable Study Guide) is now available at Amazon.ca; Amazon.com, Goodreads.com or her website: www.heartconnection.ca

SURVIVING SELF-SABOTAGE - by Heidi McLaughlin

Curiosity can kill the cat or open the sabotage door. Strangely enough my curiosity on the golf course affirmed the sub-conscious power of self-sabotage. I’m not a great golfer but on a good day I can play a pretty decent game.  I have a dream to shoot a certain score and I know I can do it. So why hasn’t it happened?  A pattern has unfolded that forces me to look at how I actually sabotage myself from reaching my goal.  When I am at hole 15 or 16 and know that I am close to a good score, I add the numbers to see how close I am to my dream objective. I start to get it excited. Very soon the game changes and the next three holes are a disastrous Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Target missed. Then the walk of shame.  Why do I defeat myself? Again and again!

My husband has seen my dismay and voiced my frustration: “Honey why do you check your score before the game is over. You always end up sabotaging your dream?”  I agree with him and am beginning to understand the verse in Bible that says: “The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy” (John 10:10 VOICE). Ok I know I am stretching the analogy of a golf game but I am becoming aware of this concept in many areas of life.  Perhaps a goal of writing a book, speaking to a large audience, pursuing a radio program, raising funds for a worthwhile project or opening a Day Care Centre. There is an enemy (Satan) playing dirty to steal our dreams and joy through making us believe voices of defeat and accusations that are not true:

a.         You don’t deserve this.

b.         You’re not smart or capable enough.

c.          You will never amount to anything.

d.         Why would anyone want to hear what you say or write?

e.         Who do think you are anyways?

Those negative thoughts have burned into our sub-conscious to sabotage our glorious and fulfilling future. They sneak into our soul through the trap door of fear, unworthiness and shame.  It’s important that we recognize them because they are not from God.  In Philippians 4:13 NLT it says: “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”  You can do ANYTHING my friend.  The number one regret that people have is: I wish I had been more true to myself.

If you are standing on the brink of a big idea for a book or you want to take up painting, decorating, scuba diving or run a marathon. Dismiss the voices in your head and tell them:  “Oh, it’s you again.” Then step up to the plate and embrace the life that God has given you to live with passion and joy. In the second part of the John 10:10 Jesus says this: “I came to give life with joy and abundance.”

If you have children you know how much you want them to enjoy the gifts you give them. Our God is a good Father who has lavished us with gifts and abilities for our pleasure and to make a difference in this world. Let’s not allow fear or shame to defeat us, instead let’s look sabotage right in the eye and say: “Oh it’s you again” and move into your glorious future.

 Heidi McLaughlin lives in the beautiful vineyards of the Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, British Columbia. She is married to Pastor Jack and they have a wonderful, eclectic blended family of 5 children and 9 grandchildren. When Heidi is not working, she loves to curl up with a great book, or golf and laugh with her husband and special friends. You can reach her at: www.heartconnection.ca.

Her new book RESTLESS FOR FOR: Fulfillment in Unexpected Places will be launched July 4, 2016.