We Become What We Actively Pursue
If you wonder, “What should I do today? How should I fill my active time?” Start here: Guard what you allow to get into your heart. Just be kind. Think before you act. Think before you speak.
#FMFparty
A new kind of Notice
Do you ever feel invisible? Think about it. Here’s what I mean by that. It isn’t that you want to be on display, receive applause, or even be the center of attention, but maybe simply to be noticed. We all go through times when we want someone, we care about, to notice us. Maybe we don’t even recognize it as a need, but we are created for relationship – and being noticed is the first step. At least it seems like a first step to relationship is becoming visible by …
Convenient is no match for Compassion
The phone rings and I hesitate as caller ID flashes into view. I don’t have to press ‘answer’. I already know the question. My eyes wander back to the screen where the half-written email waits patiently for the return of my attention. Reaching for the phone now. “This isn’t a convenient time,” I thought. “Say, no. You have to say no.” There’s a laundry hamper brimming with active wear – after all we are busy people. And our fridge is stocked well for a feast, as long as it’s made …
48 years: It Gets Better
When I was a teenager who knew everything, adults who seemed ancient to me at age 55 or 60 kept talking about how tough marriage was. When I knew everything, I wondered why these people stayed married then. After all – if it’s so hard, just make it easy and don’t stay married. Go get a life that’s easy. That’s what I thought when I knew everything. After 48 years of marriage, and now well over the age of 60 myself, I still don’t know everything. But there are a …
Creating Value in Thanksgiving
Yesterday was ThanksgivingLiving Day. I’ve been thinking ….. We can give thanks or we can live thanks. We can celebrate Thanksgiving once a year or we can add value to every day by living with an attitude of gratitude. ThanksLiving. I know …. finding ways to be thankful even when we have to drag in the excavation crew to clear away the crud to shine a light on fresh perspective. It’s possible with the right tools. Here’s one of them. Ready crew? Have you ever had a perplexing decision to …
Here’s why ONE is not the loneliest number
When I was in high school the musical group Three Dog Night sang from every juke box in the country convincing us that, “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do.” If you know the lyrics, you will remember that life doesn’t get any better with two because something bad divides them. Who listens to all that repetitious dark agony? I mean – on purpose? Apparently, I did, since that’s the very first thing that popped into my mind when I heard the Five-Minute Friday writing prompt for this …
You can’t finish if you don’t start!
Discipline is following through. No matter how many roadblocks or twisted pathways encountered on the way. Discipline is going the distance until finished.
Relief and joy from whole hearted trust in God
“It’s hard being so far away when things like this happen.” Those words have been on repeat this last week. When someone we love is thousands of miles away and we can’t go to them, helplessness is its own form of trauma. Waiting through a medical procedure, wondering but hoping the prognosis isn’t as bad as once thought. Standing by while decisions are made about ‘what happens now’. Fearing the outcome of attempts at reconciliation. I don’t know about you, but I feel pretty powerless when I want to do …
Let’s Talk
Once Upon a time – and the story has a beginning. Do you ever wish for a place to let down all your defenses, a place where every curtain could be opened, a place where you could say whatever is on your mind, a place to be at peace? Where is that place for you? Where would you begin to pour out the contents of your soul to someone who listens at heart level? Walking the trail in my neighborhood is a lovely, tranquil escape. It winds four miles alongside the Thornapple river …
The Voice of Inspiration
Three years ago, I was inspired! I shared dinner around the table with a children’s book author. I know. You’re ready to click ‘done’ and move on. I hear you. “So, what?” you ask. Stay with me here because I promise you, there is something remarkable about author, Lori Hastings. Can I have just 90 seconds of your time? Lori has authored three books for children, each of them tells a poignant story on topics pre-school and elementary school age kids might struggle with. Blue Bear with No Hair is …