So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, and the wind blew hard against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on rock. But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, the wind blew hard against that house, and it fell. And what a terrible fall that was!
Do not be fooled. “Bad companions ruin good character.”
~ I Corinthians 15:33
Assignment ~ “study the playbook” (The Bible**) to “know the plays” {for the truth and our service as we proclaim GOD’s Word}
Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.
So Jesus said to those who believed him, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
~ John 8:31-32
Spiritual Sources
*Grassi, J. E. (2013). Guts grace and glory: A football devotional. New York, NY: Thomas Nelson. (p. 69)
**Rainbow Studies, Inc. (2000). The Catholic Rainbow Study Bible: Good News Translation (2nd ed.). El Reno, OK: Rainbow Studies International.
When my cohort members and I were admitted into our doctoral program, conscientiousness* happened to be one of the personality traits for which we tested and that we studied in our leadership theories literature. It comes from the (1b) Big Five psychometric assessment that uses the “OCEAN” acronym:
Openness (or Originality)
*Conscientiousness (or Consolidation)
Extroverion ~ I’ve also consistently tested high for this in the (2) Myers-Briggs (as an ENFJ for Extraversion • Intuition • Feeling • Judging) both when I took it as a psych minor for my undergrad and again in doc school
Agreeableness (or Accommodation)
Neuroticism (or Emotional Instability) ~ the reverse of this attribute as leaders and doc students is ideal to deal
According to the (1a) instrument provided by my doctoral degree program, someone who is conscientious is “achievement”-oriented and “self-disciplined” ~ so this implies that conscientiousness involves intentions (definitely something for which I strive).
Currently, my conscientiousness has stuck with me through school ~ as both a scholar and an educator!
If it (Quality magazine) won’t speak to me, it won’t speak to them.
~ Ms. Prescott, Editor-in-Chief
D for
Down * Dreary * Dull * Depressing * Dismal and * Deadly
Banish the Black * Burn the Blue * Bury the Beige
Think pink * Red is dead * Blue is through * Green‘s obscene * Brown’s too boo
Now I know that my advisor wasn’t trying to flatter me, but her acknowledgment meant encouragement … of the ♥heart.
I challenge you fellow servants and leaders to consider which personality traits that you have in order to enhance your strengths and improve from your weaknesses!
Oldham, J. M., & Morris, L. B. (1995). The new personality self-portrait: Why you think, work, love, and act the way you do. New York, NY: Bantam Books.
Happy 1st Day of School (for my students + others out there)!
As I’ve been ready for the fall term since this past spring ~ when I revamped my syllabus, & my wardrobe has been planned for awhile now ~ I’ve happily hitched myself to my dissertation, so I’m challenged with breaking away from my “spouse“!
That’s basically the extent of it. Although their 2nd best friends/players are the ones who I favor the most (as characters & the actors who played them) ~ I’m not like either 1 of them
Joey Tribbiani from Friends (who “doesn’t share food”* ~ but apparently didn’t mind sharing his women ~ I also watched his name-titled spin-off to keep me entertained during graduate school a decade ago that co-starred this chick from The Sopranos as his big sis)
Barney Stinson from HIMYM (who can resist this tailor-made “awesome” * “legen-wait for it-dary” * “Suit up!” * “Challenge accepted!” + author of The Bro Code & The Playbook ~ both of which I have as audiobooks on iTunes)
How about you? Which character(s) do you admire the most? Who remind you of yourselves?
Are you a Ross/Ted (since they’re similar)?
Do you tend to correct people on their grammar or their pronunciation of certain words?
Do you go out of your way to impress a woman of man (depending on which way you swing)?
No offense, but I wouldn’t want to be that guy ~ the one who is nit-picky about people’s grammar. However, I must be when I grade or copy edit (just not as much in my personal relationships)!
Are you a Joey or a Barney?
Do you scheme to score your latest conquest?
Are you clever (like Barney), or clueless (like Joey)?
*Speaking of Joey not sharing food, here’s a fave food parody from the Fung Bros ~ who film on all things Asian ~ that was released exactly 1 year ago on my birthday
First, I sought a layering top to complete my ultimate presentation🎤 ensemble and went so far as to look for different colors🎨 and 🐆prints. I searched for a color-coordinating overlay, but did I want a solid🎱 sweater since I already had a patterned👙 dress? When I thought that I was getting warmer in reaching the 👓vision by shopping online, I imagined my striped sweater👘 that I scored earlier this summer ~ suprisingly perfect with polka dots in the same colors!
Next, I needed plaid🏁 for the 🍁fall🍂 and found this snap-button shirt that pairs well with my new skater 👗dress & come to think of it, may match my new sneakers for the 1st day of school! I can pull off this kicka** look!
Even when I wasn’t trying, when I went to my 🙏🏽Holy💖 💒Hour⏰ the other day, I made a masterpiece match with this 💐🌾spring/summer🍃 dress💃🏻 and striped👔 scarf🏂 that still could make a statement as we enter the cooler months!
For clothing in colors that already pop, I go for neutral/muted tones in the finishing touches, such as in these nude wedges & black Docs!
Then I realized that I had my latest pursuits as classic pieces in my closets all along!
P also is for …
Period
Since it’s my time of the month ~ YES, I admit it, no shame in my TMI as I bring more FYI ~ I don’t want my cramps to interfere with my shut-eye or staying productive as I power through my paper (I’ve also wondered whether the “crimson tide,” as Clueless‘ Cher puts it, will hit when I present it, but I’ll have to deal when that time comes and look dayum good in the process) … However, when I felt fatigued and craved energy yet didn’t want my coffee to add to my bloat, I sought acclaim/affirmation for or at least alternatives to caffeine
Also, I reminded myself that this flow wouldn’t mess with my flow. In fact, over a decade ago, when I worked at my my hometown gym, I wouldn’t empathize with fellow females who used their flow as an excuse not to witness their fitness ~ even when I felt crummy from cramping, I’d still exercise!
Well, this brand-spankin’ new member to our 26.2-mile club gives running while being on the rag a whole new meaning.
She even brings up chaffing, so speaking of which … enter {drum roll, please}
Powder
I’ve rediscovered this product that my mom had patted on my skin when I was a baby and had me keep applying it to maintain my hygiene as a child. When I ran my marathon, I realized how effective it could be to areas that experienced a lot of friction (which will remain unnamed) ~ now I use it more during this exceptionally hotter-than-usual ☼summer☼ whether I have a fun run in the ☼sun☼ or am just sweating bullets!
My personal preference: Johnson & Johnson’sBaby Powder with Cornstarch
For more cramp & comic relief, this No Strings Attached scene (no tampon pun intended) shows a period ♪playlist♫ ~ now I wish that someone could bring me cupcakes (red velvet & other assorted flavors ~ I’m not picky) like this character did!
♪I keep bleeding … keep, keep bleeding ♥love♥♪~ ♫Leona Lewis♫ | Pretty picture (“crime scene in my pants”), right?
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, McMurry University, 2003
I’ve been beyond blessed to have taught college students who were valedictorians (No. 1), salutatorians (No. 2) and top-ranked out of their class ~ two during this graduation season alone who are speaking🎤 at their commencement:
Student Body President (female 💪🏽powerlifter) from last 🌞summer🌼
Valedictorian (state 🏁championship🏆 🏈football🏉 player) from this past 🍀spring🌷
Master of Arts in Communication, Angelo State University, 2006
We present … The Graduates!!!👏🏽 {☝🏽️GOD-willing🙏🏽, I’ll walk👟 for my doctoral degree}
Volunteering our time⏰ and treasure to serving our Church💒 (mine is through ministry and teaching ~ photos below are of the Oblate Missions River Rocks that I brought back for my students)
Donating our treasure (i.e., money💸) through tithing💰
The Key to Happiness:
*STEWARDSHIP*
We can never give enough, so let’s start with gratitude and go on with a generous attitude!
Last but not least, we’ll explore the sign of:
*Evangelism*
The ☝️Ultimate👏 ✌️Evangelist🙏: Blessed Mother 🌹Mary: Fresh flowers💐 including from my Mom from my Dad‘s garden (2nd-to-right peach🍑 & center back pink🌷)
Source
Kelly, M. (2012). The four signs of a Dynamic Catholic: How engaging 1% of Catholics could change the world. Cincinnati, OH: Beacon.
Since a book rep visited my campus, I took full advantage by bringing my slew of books from which I studied in college and grad school or taught in undergrad courses.
Welcome/Mabuhay/¡Biénvenidos! I am a USAF brat who was born in Germany and grew up State-side while celebrating my Catholic and Filipino heritage. ☼Sunny☼ DISPOsition Elaine’s Eye Candy/DISPhotos ~ I love GOD & His creations, so I take photos @ any given opportunity. Elaine DISPOrts ~ I am passionate about sports, which is my research focus on my ... Continue reading →
The Elaine Dispo Journal 