Let's Talk About Words

   Although I enjoy hiking, hanging out with my loves ones and writing, there is nothing like getting lost in a good book. Since I was a little girl, I have been an avid reader. I often wish that I had a list of every book that I have ever read. I also wonder what the very first chapter book I read was. Hours can fly by when I let myself enter the pages. I love getting lost.... https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/susan-marie-schulhof/id613849093?mt=11

I don't think that faith is as simple as some people want it to be. It is difficult to understand why people die; why people suffer, and why people hurt others. I question how mean people can have abundance in their life, but I do believe. Life is messy; life is complicated; life can be painful; life can be beautiful. It can be sad and it can be joyful, but it is in that space that I live. http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Marie-Schulhof/e/B00IBPFHV8

   Now that my girls are grown and I am no longer an infant teacher, at times I feel like life is so unimportant. I just go through my days working, eating, sleeping and spending a little time with my loved ones. What is the purpose? Why am I alive? At work, I try to make a difference by supporting the teachers I oversee; I volunteer at my church and organize the Bright Space Volunteer Program through work, but it doesn't feel like enough.    I was running errands today when the thought came to me that it only matters that I am trying, and what is important is what I am BEING while I go through my days. This isn't a new concept to me, but I needed the reminder. If I feel sad or if I am resentful t hat there isn't enough time in my days to do more, then I am BEING negative. I want to be joyful and grateful instead. I think it is time to start my gratitude journal again! Thank you for these negative feelings that made me remember to be thankful. http://www.amazo...

I am working on my training about how to love your job, and reflecting in how true this quote from Shakti Gawain is...  "When you're following your energy..., the distinction between  work  and  play  dissolves."  http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Marie-Schulhof/e/B00IBPFHV8

So excited to start the next chapter of my life!  ‪#‎ lifegoals‬ My life goals in 2013 were: 1. Write and publish a fiction book (Done 2014) 2. Travel and hike -Grand Canyon (Done 2014) -Yellowstone -Italy -Australia 3. Inspire, mentor and/or teach others (In 2016!) http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Marie-Schulhof/e/B00IBPFHV8

    How do we know what our deepest desires are? I was at an event where the speaker asked us, "If God asked you right now what you want, what would you say?" At first I thought that was an easy question, but then I realized a few things. First off, what I want has changed over the years. Before my children were born, I would have begged for children and a family. Then once I was a mother, I probably would have asked God for just a little time for myself, just to go for a run or read a book. So now as I get older and my daughters are in college and graduating, what would I ask for today? Which brings me to my next thought. W ould my request need to be solely for me? Everyone has their own free will and choices, so can I ask for happiness and joy for my daughters? What if my choices for them aren't their choices for themselves. Could I ask God for what I want for them? If I need to ask just for myself, what would I say?  I would like to pursue my dreams, but specifica...

   I read a motivational quote recently that stated that we should all strive for continuous improvement, instead of looking to be perfect . I felt uplifted by that, yet as I reflected on it, I could not understand how to apply it to life. Who decides what can be labeled "improvement"? What degree of improvement is enough? How do we aim for improvement if we aren't striving to be perfect? I don't want to make mistakes. I want to be the best person that I can be. I want others as well as myself to succeed, but I have more understanding when others mess up than I am on myself.    I know that rationally no one nor anything can be perfect yet that is what I want for myself.   https://twitter.com/SchulhofSusan https://www.facebook.com/susanmarie.schulhof.7