Stop Saying That!

Posted on February 10, 2022August 23, 2022 by CrossroadsRanch

Have you ever said things to yourself like….

“I can’t cook.”

“I’m not good at making things.”

“I’m not good with words.”

“I’ve always been negative. I was born that way.”

Did you know that the things you say to yourself have a way of becoming more and more true? This happens partially because of your belief but even more so because saying it gives you an excuse to not make an effort to get better.

If I’m not currently a great cook, I say to myself and others, “I can’t cook” or “I’m not a good cook.” Why, instead, don’t we say “I am becoming a better cook” and then buy some books, take a class, watch some YouTube videos and do the work to become a better cook.

Instead of saying, “I’m not good at making things.” Why, instead, don’t we say “I’m ready to get better at making things” and then pick a project, watch some videos or talk to others who have done it, then get started and learn/improve as you go.

Do we make excuses rather than make an effort because we are lazy; because we are afraid we won’t be as good as another person; because we are afraid of judgment? Whatever the reason, the point is if you try you CAN get better. Even if you were 1% better every day, in 100 days you would be 100% better than you are today!!

I challenge you today to pay attention to what you say. Find one negative thing that you say to yourself and STOP SAYING THAT. Instead, re-phrase it into a “getting better” statement and then commit to 2 steps you will take toward getting better at that thing.

Here’s mine:

What I have been saying: I can’t think of good blog post topics.

What I’m going to start saying: I’m getting better at finding good blog post topics.

My 2 steps:

I will download a voice recorder app to my phone so that as I go through the day and I think of something interesting, all I have to do is quickly record it so I can go back later and write about it.
I will commit to taking one of the topics that came to me during the week and writing/posting it.

Results I expect: Life presents me with many interesting experiences that could become blog topics. As I practice being aware of them, I will also be prepared to capture them via my voice recorder. I will than have plenty of topics (and no more excuses) to write a weekly blog post!

It’s your turn! I’d love to hear what you are going to STOP SAYING, what you are going to start saying and what steps you plan to take.

“As a man thinks in his heart, so he is.” Proverbs 23:7

–Find, Live & Protect Your Abundant Life

Crossroads Ranch

Hearing vs. Listening

Posted on April 28, 2021April 28, 2021 by CrossroadsRanch

As I sit here on my front porch this morning, I am hearing so many things – birds singing, far away traffic, frogs croaking and an occasional dog barking. These are just the sounds of a country morning. I hear them but what is it to LISTEN to them? What would be the difference? If I hear them, do I not also listen to them?

According to Webster, to hear is to simply be aware of noise – the noise of the bird, the traffic, the frog……the spouse, the child, the parent, the co-worker. To listen, however, is more. To listen means to be aware of the noise AND to give thoughtful consideration or attention to the meaning of that noise. What does the noise the bird is making mean? What does the ‘noise’ my spouse, child, parent, co-worker mean? Am I giving thoughtful consideration to that noise? Am I able to combine the noise they are making (words) with their tone, their body movement, and their energy to understand what they need or want? Am I able to remember the things that I have listened to and apply them so that our relationship grows stronger and deeper.

Loving someone means I will do more than hear them, I will listen. I will work to understand, respond and remember so that our relationship is strengthened and is more enjoyable.

If listening is a struggle for you or a loved one, join us on May 22 at Crossroads Ranch for our Listen & Love retreat where we will work in structured activities with horses to develop deeper listening skills. No horse experience is needed. Just come knowing that your future relationships can be strengthened by what you learn and experience here.

When you love you listen. When you listen you love.

Goodbye 2020 – Hello 2021!

Posted on January 1, 2021March 10, 2021 by CrossroadsRanch

Goodbye 2020 – hello 2021! We are excitedly preparing for the new year here at Crossroads Ranch. We already have individual sessions with the horses scheduled with those who bought our Christmas package (8 sessions @ $30/session). What we are really excited about, though, are the monthly retreats we have planned. This ranch and our horses have been dedicated to the purpose of sharing with people the healing, peace, confidence and personal clarity that can come from time with these majestic animals. Job 12:7 says “Ask the animals and they will teach you.” We believe this – and have experienced it ourselves! We want you to experience it as well. So keep an eye on our calendar for retreat dates – or contact me directly if you would just like to come out and spend a little time away from the cares of the world! What cares would you like to escape from – even if just for an hour?? Let me know by commenting to this post! Thank you all and Happy New Year! – Tamra & Cynthia