Archive for the ‘Inspired Thoughts’ Category

My world has been rocked a bit since my last blog post. It’s amazing how quickly your world can change. I look back at January 1st and the “plans” I had for the year ahead. I’m finally able to laugh a little bit about it.

Not in my plans

It all started in mid-January when my trip to London and Hong Kong was cancelled – well, postponed until later in the year. I was a bit bummed (understatement) as I had been doing quite a bit of prep for the training overseas. God had something bigger in store as my workload domestically increased and my health was about to take a very unexpected turn.

Things “exploded” so to speak on February 11, 2013. Sadly, that should have been a great day because it was my husband’s birthday! Much to my dismay, though, this became the date of my emergency appendectomy. Not in my plans.

That being said, I am so thankful the trip was cancelled earlier. Otherwise, it would have been cancelled a mere four days before my first flight! Or worse…can you imagine being overseas or on an international flight with an appendicitis?

2013plans

The truly crushing blow was about the come…two weeks after my surgery, my husband was laid off from his job. Not in my plans.

This meant the ultimate decision to cancel our big European trip (which we’d been saving for since early 2012). Not in my plans.

As you can see – a blog post of great plans quickly has become turned upside down and everything that has happened since has been NOT in my plans.

His plans are much better

The reality, though, is this “new” plan is shaping up to be so much more beautiful. Life hands you unexpected opportunities. I credit these opportunities to God’s sovereignty.

Two days after my husband lost his job, we learned about Rackspace’s Open Cloud Academy. Anyone find it interesting that we found out about this through a friend on Facebook – not via my own knowledge as a Rackspace employee? Make no mistake, God has a sense of humor. He also knows how to quickly make you realize it’s His hand moving the puzzle pieces, and not your own.

So, seven weeks after the devastating blow of losing his job, Morgan now has studied his tail off, has two IT certifications under his belt and has been accepted into the pilot program for Linux System Administration (funded by Rackspace – praise God!) He now has an opportunity to become RHEL certified and begin a new, bright career as a System Admin – and potentially at Rackspace.

Let me add that Morgan has been trying to get to Rackspace for a year. Jobs that we thought were a “given” were unexpectedly not offered to him. We couldn’t understand why.

Now I know why.

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”

The goodness of our Father

I don’t know what the rest of the year has in store. I pray I’ve already been given the news that is going to shock me this year. I doubt the rest will be smooth sailing, though, as life is anything but calm.

I rest assured, though, knowing that my Rock and my Redeemer is in control. And, clearly, this blog post is evidence that His plan is so much better than mine.

Rather than look at “resolutions” or blab on and on about new starts in a new year, I want to celebrate 2012. Without the good, the bad and the great of 2012, I wouldn’t be where I am today. And since I am so very blessed, I can’t help but be thankful for this past year.

2012: The Year of Firsts

International Traveler…Almost
In August 2012 we got our passports! My husband and I have never been overseas, so we have booked an incredible 2-week vacation in 2013 which includes one week on the Viking River Cruise line (Budapest to Nuremburg through the gorgeous Austria). As if one trip overseas wasn’t exciting enough, I also have a 2-week trip for Rackspace: one week in London, a weekend in Paris followed by one week in Hong Kong. That being said, 2012 has set me up to be an international traveler with a lot of stamps on my passport!

2012-1

Las Vegas Times Two
We went to Las Vegas to celebrate my 30th birthday in April 2012. It’s never been on the top of my list (or even on my list), but it was great to go and see everything. It’s interesting to see something so frequently on television, and then to experience it in person. My down-to-earth, relaxed personality wasn’t interested in going again (I’m a Sonoma kind of gal), but 3 short months later I was headed back as a “reward” for job well done at work. Funny how that worked out!

Interior Design for Weddings
My sister and I have been running our little company, Mayhar Design, for a few years. In January we branched out into a new line of service beyond our products – wedding planning and styling. It’s been an exciting year of working with brides, showcasing at Dallas Bridal Market and running workshops in Dallas and Houston alongside Paula Deen, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay. As we continue to expand our footprint, we look forward to a tremendous year of gorgeous weddings and tremendous people.

The Gift of Vision
I can see without glasses or contacts! Not exactly a first, but since I was 12 years old I have been wearing contacts. I had Lasik in January 2012, and it has changed my life (well, my mornings at least). Waking up in the middle of the night and being able to read the clock is something many people take for granted. Without vision aids, the Big “E” on the eye chart did not exist (actually, the entire wall didn’t exist). In other words, I was legally blind.

2012-3

Celebrating One Year & Building a Winning Team
In February 2012 I celebrated one year at Rackspace, and I have a lot on my plate. We’re building a global marketing automation strategy across our US, London and Hong Kong offices. That being said, I needed help! As of December 2012, I now have an incredible team that I am leading. I have one amazing new gal on my team and an offer out to another to join. This is the first time I’ve been a manager in such a large office setting. I am thrilled at the opportunity to learn from others while formally guiding them in their careers. It’s a really exciting step for me and I know 2013 is going to be full of so many opportunities!

Namaste What?
This one barely made the list. On December 31, 2012 I headed to my first yoga class. I am the least flexible person in the world, hands down. That being said, I am almost the person in the world who needs yoga the most. As I am attempting to train for a 5K and then a half marathon, I am finding muscles in my body that I long forgot existed. Hips, quads, calves…all are on fire, and in order to avoid becoming injured (and to have ANY hope of actually being able to complete a half marathon) I have decided that yoga has to be part of my routine. Namaste.

Cheers to 2013!

I welcome this new year with open arms, and the excitement of knowing that the foundation has already been poured for an incredible year. I don’t believe a new year is a “fresh start.” It’s just an opportunity to take that which you’ve been given, and continue to shape yourself into the person you were created to become.

Today the Klove radio team was talking about Thanksgiving and the many blessings we each have in our lives. The disc jockey said something interesting, and encouraged listeners to call in. He challenged everything to sum up what they are most thankful for in one word. Yes, only one word.

If you’re anything like me, that’s really difficult. How could one word embody everything for which I am thankful? How could one word be sufficient enough to express my gratitude to everyone and everything that has made my life so incredible?

And then, it hit me hard. Freedom.

That’s my one word – freedom. The word itself seems so simple, but it’s flung around by so many people who don’t stop to truly understand what it embodies. So let me break down what that one word means to me.

Freedom: to worship
My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was the perfect living sacrifice. He loves me completely and wholly – and that love is extended to everyone. Yet we have free will – freedom – to accept His unending, perfect love or not. With the acceptance of Jesus as my Savior comes tremendous freedoms! I am free from the grave. Satan and death has been conquered. I know the outcome and I know my Lord conquers all. I can live my life freely with the assurance that although life is difficult and although I am far from perfect, His mercy and grace fall down on me and wash me completely clean and blameless. Praise God!

Freedom: to learn
There are many places in the world where women are not allowed to educate themselves. They are not allowed to better their lives through knowledge, and this goes without saying that they do not have career opportunities that I am blessed to have in the United States of America. Think about that! Every child in the US has an education {I won’t discuss quality – that’s for another debate}, and they have a chance to do something with their life. I’ve had the freedom of a public education for 12 years, followed by undergraduate and graduate studies. That education has ultimately guided me to my current career at Rackspace where I have an amazing team of colleagues and a company that is supporting and challenging me as I grow my career. Praise God for the chance to learn!

Freedom: to live
We just went through a really vicious political cycle. For some people, these repercussions have resulted in some lost friendships and some really ugly rhetoric. I just have to say, “Get over it, people!” We are so fortunate to have the freedom to vote, the freedom to criticize our elected leaders and the freedom to step up and make a difference if we don’t like the election results. This is a far cry from dictatorships and theocracies that many other countries face. I am so thankful that I can live without government dictatorship controlling where I go and with whom I may speak. And that wasn’t free – we’ve lost many incredible men and women who have paid a price unimaginable to me. Although I cannot comprehend the price, I am no less thankful. Can I get an “Amen,” already?

Freedom: to make mistakes
I am far from perfect, and I have made countless mistakes in life. I love that we have that freedom, though, to make mistakes and pick ourselves back up. Often times it’s those mistakes that prove to be very powerful lessons that propel us forward to unimaginable victories. Thank goodness for the freedom to laugh at ourselves, perhaps cry a little bit and, ultimately, to get on with our lives in spite of our own blunders.

Folks, we are a blessed nation and a blessed people. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, what would your one word be? How would you wrap up your many blessings {and trials} in one word that gives meaning to the opportunities you’ve been afforded and the steps you’ve taken in your life?

 

© Copyright Ashford Davis. All Rights Reserved.