Maybe its the holiday season or maybe its just me. Everyone and everything has been light-hearted and nostalgic and Ive been having a hard time getting into the spirit.

During this past week Joyce Meyers television show Enjoying Everyday Life featured humorous stories and re-enactments of very funny incidents in her life. I watch the show routinely as I get ready for work. Last year, she decided to change the format and has been teaching and preaching about what she believes is our highest call to enjoy God. Gradually, her show has been becoming more and more light. Sometimes, it is hysterical. She manages to mix some very serious matters like Hurricane Katrina relief and young people in recovery with how not letting self-pity overwhelm us.

Every challenge can be met with a Bible promise and every Bible promise can be met with a challenge. Many years ago, a friend told me about delivering her first child. She felt like she could handle the labor, but she desperately wanted a break.

Some of us rely on moments of relief so we can find inspiration. We need the breaks to pull ourselves together and gain strength. I lost my mother before she could tell me that there would be times when the break would not come quickly. Like a boxer, you have to trust that your training and reflexes are enough because the bell doesnt ring when you want it to, it rings when the round is over.

There is always irony. While some of us are in the ring bobbing and weaving, others are rested and happily moving forward. At least, thats what I noticed this week. Happy people are everywhere. I tried really hard to be one of them. One of our students, Deborah, came by with her little boy, Joseph. Joseph is way past cute, he is a magazine cover waiting to happen. He was one of the happy people. He headed straight for my dish of lollipops. Joseph didnt notice the piles of papers that needed to be read or the books that needed to be reviewed, or the appointment reminders popping upon my computer, he went right for the good stuff!

OK, he is a baby, but arent we all on some level? He found everything that is interesting in my office. He gravitated toward the things that looked good, smelled good, or could possibly taste good. I couldnt take my eyes off this little bundle of energy. I decided a long time ago that babies exist to teach us and to remind us of what is important. His mother presented a bag from her workplace. Deborah knows that I work with local crisis centers and wanted them to have the goodies.

I looked in the bag and saw all kinds of neat things. Soft fabrics, bright colors, and shiny stones. I called it a bag of pretty. It was a nice surprise and I knew that the ladies at the centers would enjoy them. So, I called Hale County Crisis Center, but Kay Harris, the Executive Director was on the phone and then heading to a meeting. In other words, she was in the middle of Round 4 and mentally preparing for Round 5! I personally delivered the bag of pretty and tried my best to give Kay some encouragement.

Growing up in Philadelphia, I noticed that Texas women dominated beauty pageants and cheerleading. It might be a stereotype, but those were my thoughts as a little girl. As a woman, I realize that all of those Miss Americas and Dallas Cowgirls had powerful lessons for all of us. None of us are immune from the struggles of life. Little things can make the difference between a knockout and a victory. Never underestimate the power of accessories! Noticing what is beautiful is the break between the battles.