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Why Does This Bother Me So Much?

I just read an article about a topic that is VERY near and dear to my heart. Being that I'm in recovery for "being offended all the time by everything", any article written about the subject sounds whistles and sirens for me. This article that I found on PeerTrainer.com's blog is one of those articles. I would venture to say that it is MY FAVORITE article on the topic because of the wording and suggestions on ways to deal with "being offended". Being offended is not an easy topic to discuss, but being a christian, I believe that it is even more important NOT to be offended. To be offended means that you have given control of your emotions to someone or something else, and where does your faith go? And I love this writer's question, "Why does this bother me so much?" That is the perfect question to get your emotions back in check. Your emotions are only to be a gauge for your spirit... not take it over. Understanding that everyone is connected and we all want the same thing in life (that is to feel good and feel loved) helps me to overcome momentary offense. It's hard though, don't get me wrong. The reality is that there are people in this world that associate the "feeling good and feeling loved" with being offended because then everyone around them tries to take the offense away making them feel important, good and loved. The only way to break that cycle is to not get offended yourself and move on. Their offense is not your problem. If you were wrong, apologize, and mean it. Then move on. I recently blasted an email discussing the topic of immigration in the US. It was an email composed by someone else that I forwarded. Of everyone I sent it to, there was one who got offended and felt the need to express their offense to me. Instead of respecting me as a person who may (or may not) have a differing opinion, she felt the need to berate me. Well, being that I work very hard to not be offended, I thanked her for her message, told her that offending her was not my intent; I would make sure she was not part of my future blasts and stated that it was just a differing opinion. No matter where one may stand on this issue, we ALL are descendants of immigrants if we are American, however, the reality that immigration issues in the US are being handled quite a bit differently than they ever were when past ancestors arrived is cause for open discussion as friends and that I was hoping her intent was not to just be offended. I left it at that, removed her from my email address book and moved on. Truth be told, the second I opened the email and read the first two lines, the blood rushed to my head (you know that tingley feeling you get when you know you are going to deal with a conflict) and for the briefest of seconds I was offended. That's where the "moving on" part comes into play. But the piece that I've always missed, the piece that should come before moving on, is the simplest of questions. "Why Does This Bother Me So Much?" If the answer is, "because the other person's bothered," then you are taking something that doesn't belong to you. You're taking on that person's issue. You do, however, owe it to the other person to express your intentions in whatever you said or did... apologize even, but then you owe it to yourself to move on. And don't be afraid to apologize. Romans 12:18 says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." It is amazing how a meaningful apology can defuse a situation. And if it can't, moving on is the best thing you can do to keep the peace.

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Past 7 Days....

So Lame

So over at Paper Vineyard, the challenge was to create a birthday project and it COULDN'T be a card.  I've personally been creating WAY too many cards lately so I was happy to try my hand at something new..... only I didn't. :(  Instead, I was busy preparing for last week's Cricut Swarm.  Now, while I missed creating a project specifically for our Birthday Non-Card challenge, I figured the cupcake box that I made would fit the bill PERFECTLY for a birthday-themed project.  The box also has an insert for a cupcake to fit inside.  I made it with my Cricut (cuz of the whole Cricut Swarm bit) and while I ADORE this box, I sort of had a little melt down making it and I decided that this is the last Provo Craft product I will ever buy.... let me share why (read through to find out the cartridge I used for this project)! Most of you know that I DESPISE Provo Craft.  I hate that the Cricut is a one-of-kind product that I loved....

Gorgous Leaves Bundle Revisited

Yestday's Freebie Friday on a Monday projects were so fun and this set is SO BEAUTIFUL in it's simplicity!  It reminds me of a long-retired stamp set from Stampin Up!.  I was inspired to re-create the projects that I made with it once upon a time.  So here we go.... SIMPLE projects when you need a quick "hello" or an even quicker heartfelt sympathy card: I was DEFINITELY on a Bumblebee and Cajun Craze kick yesterday!  I can't stop/won't stop!  LOL!  To be fair... I had extra leaves die cut and didn't want anything to go to waste!  A quick speckle backdrop in Bumblebee then a quick "hello" greeting from the Biggest Wish in Cajun Craze with the Cajun Craze leaf popped up on a Basic White cardbase.  PERFECTION! Okay, as with yesterday's projects, the sentiment is from the recently retired SAB Delicate Dahlia's set, but you could use ANY sympathy sentiment you have in your stash.  Unlike in the past when I had to mask off the center rectangle...

Owl Punch Extravaganza XIV.... Yes, That's 14

And now for the monsters.  Yep, the Stampin Up Owl Punch makes the CUTEST monsters!!!!  Even I'M surprised that there are this many uses for this punch!!!   The sentiment for this one is another one created on my computer and then die cut using the Stampin Up Word Bubble framelits.  I am beside myself with how simple but cute this card is!!! Of course, just like the rest of them, I'm giving away this card and 19 others that I've featured here on my blog.  They will go to the person who places the largest order for my Stampin Up party in July.  To place and order, simply go to StampinUp.com and click on "store" at the top.  Place the items you'd like to order in the shopping cart and input the hostess code where provided to get full credit for your purchase. The hostess code is UCUFWPDU! THE BEST PART:  You won't have to wait to receive your order.   Your order will ship to you within two business days!!!  No more wa...