"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" Isaiah 30:21

Time to fly. It's so hard to know this isn't it? When to stay and when to move on? (Seth Godin has a great little book about this. I highly recommend it: The Dip.)

I've always said that "one day" I wanted to be a freelance writer. When the opportunity finally presented itself, much to my surprise, I found myself fighting it! I looked over the precipice and thought, "Now, that I'm here, I'm not sure I'm brave enough to jump!" But another voice, a much wiser and more sure voice, keeps saying, "This is the way. Walk in it."

So, I'm walking ahead once again into unknown territory, and while it makes me a little nervous, I love the thrill of discovery. I don't want to be reckless, but I also don't want to trade the adventures that God puts in my path for a comfortable safety that leaves me fraught with restlessness.

My time as an employee has ended for now, and I am officially on my own. Here goes...

http://www.lkayjohnson.com/.

The Noble Art of Cussin'

True story. When my Southern girlfriend Kim was 4, she was playing with her brother and a neighborhood girl, named Jewel, who was about 10. Kim was enamored with Jewel as the older, wiser woman of the world, so to show off, Kim decided to try out some cuss words. She tried each one on like shiny shoes, seeing how each fit and, more important, what kind of reaction she could get. Jewel obliged with deliciously satisfying shock and dismay.

Kim was thrilled. Then, things took an ugly turn.

“I’m gonna tell yer Mama that yer cussin'.'” Jewel declared. Kim laughed wickedly, unafraid, but when Jewel took off running, fear overtook!

Kim recalls the chase vividly and says it was like one of those slow-motion nightmares where you feel like you’re running through mud. Jewel, being older, had longer legs and could easily outpace Kim. Jewel's long, brown curls flew in the wind, taunting little Kim, who ran with all her might to overtake Jewel and take her down! Alas, Jewell arrived at the kitchen door before Kim. To Kim’s horror, she saw the door open, saw her mother standing there, hands on hips, and heard Jewel blast the dreadful accusation, “Miz Montgomry, Kim was cussin’!”

Kim gasped, horrified. She ran forward and shoved Jewel out of the way. “Nuh uh, Mama, I was not! That’s a damn lie!"

Special thanks to Kim Cullen for providing all the damn details.

Top 10 Ways to Get Sidetracked during a Conference Call

10. Check email.
9. Assume a comfy position.
8. Pay bills.
7. Plan your vacation.
6. Shop online.
5. Try to figure out how to mute and unmute. (Pray that you actually ARE on mute.)
4. Watch a movie about some woman being stalked or abused on Lifetime Television, starring Meredith Baxter Berney.
3. Go to the bathroom and hope no one asks you a question.
2. Flirt or make out (preferably with your spouse)

And the #1 way to get sidetracked during a conference call...

1. Create top ten lists.