Articles & More How Grace Enjoys Every Day Life The Subject: Radio, Music, Dance, My God By Grace Badillo Dancing With Grace Productions, Inc. Most of the time I like to listen to Latino music on the radio, but lately I have found that many radio stations discuss things that are very inappropriate that I do not want to hear. Have you ever changed the station and were enjoying a regular song and then suddenly someone says they are going to start taking calls on a particular subject? The last time I tuned in to a regular radio station they were and I quote saying "Call in to tell us where is the freakiest place you have had sex" or "Do you think it's okay to have more than 1 girlfriend if the other girl knows about it?" Why on earth would I even let myself hear that garbage? It's like Jerry Springer for the ears-ug! So believe it or not I do not listen to much Latino Radio, but only CD's. I once had an event and used a radio station to promote it, but only now do I realize that the radio promotions weren't as successful as they could be because I put my company money into a station that chooses DJ's that play with risky subject matter and a company that makes Latino's sound like a bunch of morons. I won't make that mistake twice! So……………. Instead of talking on the phone to someone on the way to where you are going, tune into 91.9 a family friendly radio station that exhorts, encourages, and has callers call in to tell funny stories about their children or things they can thank God for in their life. It's not Latino and plays no salsa, but it sure does make me smile while I am driving. It really is uplifting whether you are a Christian, Jew, Muslim or have no faith at all. The last time I tuned in they were asking callers to call in and give advice to a member of their radio station that is getting married. People from everywhere called and gave very positive advice that was uplifting and sweet. On weekdays at 7 pm they even have a story time. Remember back in the old days when there was no TV? Families used to sit around the radio and listen to music but also stories that were acted out live on the radio. I am in no way promoting the Adventist Church or whatever sponsor happens to put these on but I really like that there is always a really interesting moral to the story and you come away feeling refreshed and enlightened! Tune in and check it out for yourself, but take the time to listen to the DJ's and what they say. Stop putting garbage into your spirit and you will be able to enjoy your every day life a little bit more. You can also listen to Latino CD's and other music but pay attention to the words and don't let too much junk get into your system; I am also in the progress of getting a list together of wholesome Latino songs to pass out to my students so they can download on the computer in the future. Dance! I like to teach but I like to dance too. Typically everyone asks me why don't you go out to DC and other locations to "party"? The answer to this question is, "I would love to stay married" ha ha! Dance is fun and wonderful but make certain that if you have a spouse at home and they don't dance with you that you make time for them doing anything their heart desires. Even if it is fishing I pray about everything: Most people don't know what to believe and I understand it can all be very confusing at times, but when I stop and shut the world off, I would like to be able to look at myself in the mirror and know that I have a purpose in life bigger than myself and prayer has directed my paths. This isn't some ploy to get you to become a Christian like myself but to say that when I was confused all I did was get on my knees, confess that I am a sinner and asked Christ that if he is really real, to show me, to make it obvious and to lift the "politically correct veil" from my face so that I could see him working and he did. (This was my experience) Skeptics: For all you skeptics that say religion is for morons and that all people who believe and are Christians are hypocrites, guess what? YOU ARE RIGHT! Religion has nothing to do with a personal relationship with Christ. You are right! We are all hypocrites, NO ONE IS PERFECT. NO ONE CAN BE PERFECT! Take me for example, a Christian who is imperfect who loves tobacco! What kind of a Christian person smokes you ask? The way you might see me is different than how God sees me. You might say "well, if she is a Christian she wouldn't smoke or dance", but God sees me in a different way and says "wow, look at my daughter Grace, who used to smoke a pack a week and now she is down to a pack a month, I am so proud of her. Wow, look at Grace who dances to help develop her students and help them feel good about themselves and have fun in their lives in a respectful way, I am so proud of her. Wow, look at Grace, trying to raise $ to help the less fortunate, I am so proud of her!". God doesn't judge like people do. God sees our intentions. We people have no mercy, but God is full of mercy and Grace every single day! Thus, I don't have to be perfect! If I was perfect, I would be GOD and I am not! What else do I do to enjoy every day life? Read: If you complain more than you say positive things just close your mouth. Sometimes I try to close my mouth and when I do, I don't fill the air with negative emotions! Great book to read on this subject. "Me and My Big Mouth!" by Joyce Meyer. Go to Church: I recharge my batteries every week at Trinity Assembly of God (www.trinitylife.com). A great church that tells it like it is and is a wonderful place to be able to say "Thank you Lord for all the blessings I have in my life" including every single student who comes to our classes. Listen to Tapes: I listen to Joyce Meyers self help tapes. They really keep my spirit consistently thinking about others and not myself. www.joycemeyer.org So here I am, Grace Badillo, imperfect person who loves to dance, write, sing, teach, and most of all praise God for everything he has given me because every bad road I took and every dumb mistake this imperfect Christian took led me here to all of you that I get to teach every day, and yes, I know writing this could make me lose a lot of students, but I don't care, because all good things come from God. Thank you so much for being part of my life and reading about it all. This really is how I enjoy every day life and I hope you can too. Written by the one and only imperfect, Grace Badillo, Servant