by Emra Smith | Feb 18, 2020 | Blog
My husband’s request as to where I’d like to hang the heart-art he gave me was once again answered, “I’m not sure yet”. Fact is I don’t like hearts on the wall, on clothes, anywhere. The only hearts that make sense to me are the Lord’s quiet whispers, “Go love them...
by Emra Smith | Jan 13, 2020 | Blog
This is it. I’ve found my “forever”. I remember beaming with delight at the sight of that oven baked clay kitchen set. The mottled-orange shade of pottery was as vibrant as my future ahead. This was more than just a beautifully crafted work of art. It was molded to...
by Emra Smith | Dec 6, 2017 | Blog
Can you be thankful yet filled with anticipation? Is thankfulness not equal to contentment? A place of peace? Is anticipation not quite the opposite, where your tummy has butterflies and you sit on the edge of your seat waiting? YES you can and I AM – filled with...
by Emra Smith | Aug 28, 2017 | Blog
Are we all called to serve? Perhaps we need to look at the word serve to begin with. Dictionary.com says it means, “To act as a servant, to be of use.” Some synonyms – “deliver, give, provide, assist, attend to, be assistance of, care for, minister to, wait on, work...
by Emra Smith | Jun 26, 2017 | Blog
Are you a consistent blogger? Do you procrastinate or get tired of posting your blogs weekly, or even monthly? I sure do procrastinate and skip weeks and sometimes even months of blogging. Not that I get tired of writing posts, that’s the odd thing. So...
by Emra Smith | Mar 9, 2017 | Blog
“Am I crazy walking for HOPE?” I ask myself this question over and over again. I get scared. Scared of the unknown route ahead. Afraid that I won’t have the expenses covered. Nervous about how being away impacts my husband, by my not earning an income during this...
by Emra Smith | Oct 11, 2016 | Blog
“I imagine that Yes is the only living thing”. E.E. Cummings When you say YES to today’s assignment, life rushes through you like a tidal-wave of energy, joy and fulfillment. When you look over your shoulder at what happened, peace floods your soul. You know what it...
by Emra Smith | Aug 8, 2016 | Blog
“Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone’s hand is the beginning of a journey. At other times, it is allowing another to take yours”. Vera Nazarian With a full heart, my dreams, goals and plans bubbled forth as we shared a Starbucks tea. “Stop, enough goose...
by Emra Smith | Jun 26, 2016 | Blog
“Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow,I still have a dream”. Martin Luther KingDreams become reality. They matter. Your dreams matter. Don’t discard them.This dream...
by Emra Smith | Feb 3, 2016 | Blog
My small story of an insignificant longing of my heart that has started a journey of significance . . . I believe that God plants dreams, longings in our hearts. Sometimes they don’t seem to make sense and we forget them. They pop up now and then and are gone again....
by Emra Smith | Nov 21, 2015 | Blog
An unexpected story is unfolding in my life. Little did I know how plump my little insert-book was destined to become. Yes, I call it the insert-book. I’ve been laboring over Teatime Stories for three years and as I thought the end was in sight, the little book – Your...
by Emra Smith | Nov 3, 2015 | Blog
She walked through the hull of the USS Alabama, surrounded by plaques, pictures, memorials, memorabilia and dioramas. Each one beckoned for her attention. Yet, she was drawn to the little teacup in the Captain’s quarters. As a photographer, she started clicking away...
by Emra Smith | Jun 29, 2015 | Blog
Loneliness attacks us all at some time or another. Do you submerse yourself in it and let it choke your existence from you? Do you allow it to wash over you and bathe you to immerse fresh and renewed? I stepped into the shower and was blindsided by a hidden loneliness...
by Emra Smith | May 8, 2015 | Blog
Process is a systematic series of actions directed to some end (Dictionary.com). What a powerful statement – a systematic series of action. This is where the power of process lies. Not random, now and then actions. It’s the consistent, the regular, over and over,...
by Emra Smith | Apr 13, 2015 | Blog
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Is there any area in your life where you feel stuck? Need to discover life unstuck? I didn’t really think that I have any stuck areas in my life – I have a plan, have learned to lighten up on my self-imposed deadlines...
by Emra Smith | Mar 30, 2015 | Blog
IF you want more every day – more peace, more joy, more fun, more time out or just simply get more done . . . IT’S TIME! Take a minute to evaluate your life and how it’s working for you. See what needs changing. Work out a plan. Make a decision. Take...
by Emra Smith | Jan 15, 2015 | Blog
Two weeks in and this new year is barreling ahead already! For us it started with sadness as we rushed to the emergency vet in the wee hours of New Year’s morning – our fifteen year old cat, Gunther breathed his last. Amidst the upheaval of boxes and...
by Emra Smith | Dec 16, 2014 | Blog
2014 – The year of adventure, in a different way. It was not a year of discovering new places or cultures, yet one of extraordinary happenings. It was an adventure story of not knowing what comes next, being open and experiencing inner change. I smile as I read...
by Emra Smith | Sep 29, 2014 | Blog
Working at Starbucks was the first of an interlude of radical obedience in my life this year. It all began on my birthday in January when I asked God what I could give Him as a gift of of thanks. “Your story Emra, the one you haven’t told”. With that...
by Emra Smith | Mar 30, 2014 | Blog
I do a lot of work with leadership groups about communication skills, avoiding conflict and getting along for productivity and happiness. I’m positioned to easily choose who I surround myself with – the joys of leadership. Stepping into this part-time work at...
by Emra Smith | Feb 24, 2014 | Blog
The first day of my Starbucks experience was training which is always fun. As a Corporate Trainer it’s a multi-facetedexperience for me. A mix of soaking in new information, observing how the trainer operates and reviewing the training material. The...
by Emra Smith | Feb 19, 2014 | Blog
I love branding and fell in love with Starbucks years ago. Aah, the ambience . . . the details . . . the customer service! In reality, I don’t drink coffee, but do I love the dry, deep foam that fills my cappuccino cup. They make it right every time. Yip, I...
by Emra Smith | Jan 2, 2014 | Blog
Taking the plunge into adventure for 2014 started exactly as that! I chose to Be More, Live More, In His Purpose and do things differently this year. No goals, no plans. Whew, this is really hard for me as I like to run ahead and be ever so active. With God’s...
by emra | Oct 22, 2013 | Blog
Little things count in life and you better believe they do when it comes to money and diet. This article written by Dr. Dave Krueger is a powerful call to commit to making small decisions everyday that count. How Two French Fries Weigh 40 Pounds Putting on 40 pounds...
by Emra Smith | Jul 28, 2013 | Blog
My husband’s sweet request as to where I’d like to hang the heart artwork he gave me years ago, was once again answered. “I’m just not sure yet”. Fact is that I don’t like hearts on the wall, on clothes, napkins – anywhere. The only reference to hearts that is...
by Emra Smith | Jul 11, 2013 | Blog
“I am working all things together for good, because you love Me and are called according to My purpose” – Jesus Rom 8:28 ...
by Emra Smith | Oct 17, 2012 | Blog
During the month of September I made the long trip from the USA to South Africa to say goodbye to my Pappie – beloved dad, in Afrikaans. As I said goodbye to my past, I was given the present and the future. By embracing recollections through photos, family,...
by Emra Smith | Jul 12, 2012 | Blog
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AKRLSfBJ_U[/youtube] Is this little Weiner dog having a moment of happiness and utter joy or what! My husband and I, our two Weiners and the Labradoodle, love exploring on the weekends. Little Catbaloo comes alive outdoors. She...
by Emra Smith | Jun 14, 2012 | Blog
I was 25, fit, healthy and thrilled with uttermost joy that in 3 months I would have my second child. Little did I know what lay before me. It started just before the birth when my husband decided that he didn’t want to cancel his yearly conference he attended. Off he...
by Emra Smith | May 23, 2012 | Blog
As a teenager listening to the stories of missionaries helping those in dire need, my heart would skip a beat. My soul was stirred and the desire to make a difference for those in need grew through the years. My journey of giving began and I travelled with other teens...
by Emra Smith | May 15, 2012 | Blog
Our life stories most certainly impact our lives but don’t dictate how we should live. As adults we choose the good aspects we want to keep, discard,expand and use. Most often it is a journey before we are be able to do this with ease. It’s not difficult, it just...
by Emra Smith | May 1, 2012 | Blog
We spoke last week about the details of focusing on your dreams and briefly about setting SMART goals and I have had such an exciting experience to this end. A few months ago I did a Coaching class ‘Making Your Dreams Come True, with Marcia Wieder of Dream...
by Emra Smith | Apr 18, 2012 | Blog
I was a quiet and happy child who listened more than I spoke and absorbed everything about the world around me like a sponge. Especially from my larger than life mother who’d engage crowds with her dance moves, loud melodic voice and leadership skills. You could see...
by Emra Smith | Mar 29, 2012 | Blog
Spring is definitely here in the United States of America and new life is popping up everywhere. The trees are suddenly clothed in soft green leaves, the grass so vibrant seems like new carpet has been spread out everywhere. Flowers in every color and texture smile...
by Emra Smith | Feb 29, 2012 | Blog
BMI For Adults Widget BMI For Adults. Flash Player 9 is required. What does being overweight mean to you? * an obese person struggling to walk? * a large expensive belly? * A few cuddly rolls here and there? * a skinny person pinching some skin saying ‘ugh,...
by emra | Jan 20, 2012 | Blog
I squealed with delight! There it was! “Stop the car! Let me out!”. We screeched to a halt, a jolt to our sight-seeing drive of the South Carolina countryside. I jumped out, camera in hand and breathed in the...
by emra | Jan 13, 2012 | Blog
Based on a 2002 article in the Gallup Management Journal, most people do not feel connected with their job or the company they work for. In fact, their data shows that only 29% of all employees feel engaged in their work. The other 71% show up but are psychologically...
by emra | Jan 6, 2012 | Blog
I love to celebrate and I think a birthday is one of my favorites. It creates an opportunity to say thank you, I love you and you mean a lot to me. This in itself is a positive way to start the day and fill it with warmth and joy. Then of course, the more people you...
by Emra Smith | Jan 4, 2012 | Blog
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
by emra | Dec 29, 2011 | Blog
People perceive and remember what fits into their personal plot— an internal script of oneself and one’s world. Beliefs and assumptions (inspired by experiences) dictate what you look for and attribute meaning. You always find or...
by emra | Nov 29, 2011 | Blog
We all have challenging moments in our lives and it’s what we do with them that makes a difference in both our lives and for those around us. To the core of my soul, I believe in living life to the fullest every day and endeavor to do so. 3 of my most...
by Bill Weiss | Aug 12, 2011 | Blog
Are you ready to STOP pretending that you love your day job and START taking steps to realize your dream of having your OWN business . . . and make the money you want with more free time? Imagine – making 6-figures being AUTHENTIC and TRUE to yourself, doing what you...
by Bill Weiss | Jul 8, 2011 | Blog
My husband and I are in the North Carolina mountains at our log home for ten days. Besides exploring, creating new art for our home and relaxing, we whittle away at our to-do-list of many projects. The task I always leave for a next visit is painting the few walls...
by Bill Weiss | May 20, 2011 | Blog
The past five months have been quite a roller coaster for me filled with many joys, frustrations, disappointments, fun, love, laughter and anticipation. To me it had seemed that the greatest of these was the start of my business venture, but this week everything...
by Bill Weiss | May 9, 2011 | Blog
Mothersday is one of those days that bring a smile, a tear, happiness or frustration, isn’t it! When growing up my dad and I usually forgot that it was Mothersday and would have to rush to the graveyard a few miles from us to get some flowers from the sellers there....
by Bill Weiss | May 4, 2011 | Blog
Lapidary is the process in which the cutting and polishing of gems occurs. We start with a rough stone that then gets cobbed (lightly hammered to remove the brittle fractured materials). Then it is cut, ground, sanded and tumbled. After the rough part is completed it...
by Bill Weiss | Apr 26, 2011 | Blog
Do you realize that each day you awaken it’s a true gift? Of course you can’t possibly know what the day may bring, but one thing you can be sure of when you wake up is that the new day has arrived. Every day brings new experiences and when you are passionate about...
by Bill Weiss | Apr 19, 2011 | Blog
Have you ever stopped to think if our culture or our surroundings influence our thoughts, our activities and our lives in general? Although we may have a choice in the decision on which path to take in our lives, there still seems to be the cultural tug amongst us...
