What Is The Secret To True Happiness?!

Last week I decided to take a personal retreat day to explore something that I have pondered for quite some time. What is the secret to true happiness? I went to a retreat center, meditated, exercised, lay on the beach, ate my favorite food, and read inspiring books written by my friends. During the same day I smiled at playful children, observed people holding loving hands, bought a new lipstick and dress, got my hair done, and talked to friends and family. All of this was great and I felt really good, but when I got home I still questioned: What is the secret to true happiness?

All around my apartment I have small note cards that read, "Happiness Must Be Grown in One's Own Garden." Throughout my life I have looked for happiness through family, personal relationships, jobs, travel, material things, etc. And though I do believe that many people find and receive happiness from people, places, and things it is important to ask an important question. What would happen to that happiness if we were not privileged to have those people, places, and/or things around us? For me, having a relationship with God, Jesus, and Spirit is allowing me to understand that this life goes beyond my thoughts, things, desires, and personal relationships. God gives us peace, love, contentment, joy, and purpose that allows us the capacity to tap into a life of true happiness that is sustained not just for an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year, a decade.

Having a relationship with God allows us the ability to nurture a level of internal peace and joy that can be sustained for a lifetime.

Believing,

Argrow "Kit"

Is The Present God's Gift or The Android?

Today I thought about going to the Verizon store and having a celebration. The thought was to take some balloons, cupcakes, and a group of friends to celebrate downgrading my Android to a feature phone with no internet. Why? For a year and a half I have had the convenience of phone, text messaging, gmail, facebook, facebook chat, gchat, skype, twitter, myspace, pandora, google search, google maps, and more all at my fingertips! But I am really starting to question: "Kit, is all of this really necessary?" I asked a friend the same question and they let me know that it was all about convenience. Though true, I also think the smart phone can be an inconvenience.

I remember a young man telling me once, "Always enjoy the present because it is God's gift to us, and it's the only thing that we have now." Don't get me wrong the convenience of a smart phone assists greatly, especially for people who need it for specific purposes. However, what happens with our time when the text becomes more important than the dinner, the tweet becomes more important than the in person conversation, the email becomes more important than family? As our world becomes more and more technology savvy it is important that we balance this while continuing to give attention to the people and things that are most important to us. So, will I be having a party at Verizon in the next week? What do you think?

In Peace,

Argrow "Kit"

"What are you waiting for?"

Guess what?! Tonight, it is official. Regardless of what I say, do, or feel I am going to write my first official blog. For at least two years now I have wanted to write, however, I always questioned if I was ready. Do I need a good story? Do I have something great to say? Do I need more education or practice in devotional writing? Am I ready? Am I ready? Am I ready? So often I have questioned my ability to live out my dreams. Even more so I have questioned my ability to be my authentic self. I wonder how many people live their entire lives waiting for the right time to live their dreams, to write that first blog, take that first class, start that business, to do what they love and love what they do. Tonight, I want to thank God for giving me the courage to begin a new journey of not only discovering more about myself. But also a new journey where I consciously make it a priority to share what God has blessed me with: a voice.In the past I as well as others have asked me, "Kit, what are you waiting for?" I can now answer that question. I was waiting on myself.

If you are sitting on a dream, a goal, a vision, a gift, ask yourself the question: "What and/or who am I waiting for?" If the answer is YOU it is important to challenge yourself. If you BELIEVE you CAN do anything, absolutely anything! This first blog is proof!

Be encouraged brothers and sisters.

With tears of joy,

Argrow "Kit"