Have you ever noticed how going through difficult times really shows who you are as a person? Do you go through hard times with bitterness and blame, or do you look to make it an opportunity to become a better person? No one likes to go through periods of great difficulty. It takes a huge toll on your body and emotions. Unfortunately, most of us encounter bumps in our lives that require us to show an element of bravery, strength, understanding, and an ability to look beyond the current situation to a time of healing and hope. Often these difficult moments in our lives cause us to refocus on our faith in God and on each other. We discover how grounded we are and whether we walk through the darkness with our heads up carrying the light or if we curl up in a fetal position and allow the darkness to overwhelm us.
Though I truly dislike going through difficulties, it does offer me an opportunity to grow and see what kind of person I really am. Do I handle it with optimism and look for a positive outcome, or do I react in anger and bitterness, wallowing in despair? Depending on the circumstances causing the difficult situation, varying degrees of “negative” emotions are normal and even healthy, as long as one passes through them to embrace more positive emotions and behaviors. Often, some level of forgiveness is necessary so that we can move on and put things behind us. Do not expect to feel necessarily better or enlightened by doing so, at least not right away. The act of forgiving someone, however, puts you in a position of aligning yourself into a positive direction. Then, forgiveness does become a reality and healing develops more rapidly. Maybe, the one you have to forgive is yourself. Doing so has the same effect as forgiving someone else.
Allow growth to happen. Find joy, even in the smallest things. Be optimistic that you will find your rainbow. It’s there. You just have to look up and see it there, with all its colors. Remember, hope is an attitude and a choice. Embrace it and it will be a reality in your life. Turn your back on it and you will remain in darkness and despair. Life is a choice.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Give A Little
Do something for somebody every day for which you don't get paid. - Albert Schweitzer, philosopher, musicologist, doctor
Have you noticed when someone does something nice or gives that extra attention to detail that wasn’t asked for, how big of an impact it has on how you feel? I went to lunch with my friends, today, and the waitress was very nice, making sure we had what we needed and kept a watchful eye from a distance to be sure all her customers were well cared for. She knew we were on our lunch break, and so when she saw we were finishing our meal, she had our checks ready and we didn’t have to stand around waiting for her. It was awesome and we were able to return to work at the right time. It’s like when someone holds the door open for you, or your husband washes your car without saying anything. It’s special. I really appreciate people who give me that consideration. In turn, isn’t it nice when we try to give that same consideration and appreciation to others? Even small opportunities to help others make a difference.
Have you noticed when someone does something nice or gives that extra attention to detail that wasn’t asked for, how big of an impact it has on how you feel? I went to lunch with my friends, today, and the waitress was very nice, making sure we had what we needed and kept a watchful eye from a distance to be sure all her customers were well cared for. She knew we were on our lunch break, and so when she saw we were finishing our meal, she had our checks ready and we didn’t have to stand around waiting for her. It was awesome and we were able to return to work at the right time. It’s like when someone holds the door open for you, or your husband washes your car without saying anything. It’s special. I really appreciate people who give me that consideration. In turn, isn’t it nice when we try to give that same consideration and appreciation to others? Even small opportunities to help others make a difference.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Isn't Nature Grand?
My husband and I have a pair of Clematis growing on a new arbor off our back deck. My husband scored on a new arbor at Home Depot when they were having a fantastic sale. It was a $100 arbor for $20
! Wow. He put it together so it could replace the one that fell apart this last winter. The Clematis clearly love this new arbor, as you can see (my husband took these photos). The one on the right, we actually thought was white, not pink. We were thrilled to see how beautiful it is, since the plant had never been vigorous. Now, you can see how robust it has become with vibrant blooms that we have never seen before. We just k
eep looking at both of them, amazed at their beauty and size. It has been a joy to nurture the plants and trees around our home. Our garden is growing by leaps and bounds. We will soon have tomatoes and cucumbers. Our spring weather has been interesting, so say the least (unusually unpredictable and violent), but the plants have been loving the high humidity and moisture accompanied by intermittant periods of sun. Currently, it's cloudy and cool, but tomorrow is supposed to have some sunshine. That will give them something to grow about! We have noticed that more people have put in gardens, this spring. No doubt, this is due in large part to the economy as well as the "growing" desire to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. We have grown a garden virtually every year, and look forward to the exceptional taste that comes from food freshly grown and picked right outside our door. We never seem to grow enough peppers, though. We love salsa and we cook with lots of green peppers and despite our best planning, we have yet to have enough. We always have lots of extra fruits and veggies to share with out neighbors and co-workers, though. What a blessing.
! Wow. He put it together so it could replace the one that fell apart this last winter. The Clematis clearly love this new arbor, as you can see (my husband took these photos). The one on the right, we actually thought was white, not pink. We were thrilled to see how beautiful it is, since the plant had never been vigorous. Now, you can see how robust it has become with vibrant blooms that we have never seen before. We just k
eep looking at both of them, amazed at their beauty and size. It has been a joy to nurture the plants and trees around our home. Our garden is growing by leaps and bounds. We will soon have tomatoes and cucumbers. Our spring weather has been interesting, so say the least (unusually unpredictable and violent), but the plants have been loving the high humidity and moisture accompanied by intermittant periods of sun. Currently, it's cloudy and cool, but tomorrow is supposed to have some sunshine. That will give them something to grow about! We have noticed that more people have put in gardens, this spring. No doubt, this is due in large part to the economy as well as the "growing" desire to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. We have grown a garden virtually every year, and look forward to the exceptional taste that comes from food freshly grown and picked right outside our door. We never seem to grow enough peppers, though. We love salsa and we cook with lots of green peppers and despite our best planning, we have yet to have enough. We always have lots of extra fruits and veggies to share with out neighbors and co-workers, though. What a blessing.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Act of Kindness
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. - Aesop, Greek author of fables
I don’t know about you, but when people are kind to me, I can’t help but feel better and more alive. Even if it’s just something little like a smile, can be huge if I’ve had a bad day. It’s like opening the door for someone when their arms are full or letting someone cut in front of you in the grocery line because they clearly are in a hurry or they have only a couple of items to your 20. When we are kind to people we come in contact with, the cycle begins to spread. Traffic is the worst. I have to remind myself that it’s okay to let someone in when the traffic is stringing dozens of cars back. Being kind spreads the rewards. We don’t know if that person we just smiled at or lent a helping hand to wasn’t having the worst day of their life, and our act of kindness, though small, changed the direction of their day. I intend to increase the kindnesses I can do for others on a daily basis. How about you?
I don’t know about you, but when people are kind to me, I can’t help but feel better and more alive. Even if it’s just something little like a smile, can be huge if I’ve had a bad day. It’s like opening the door for someone when their arms are full or letting someone cut in front of you in the grocery line because they clearly are in a hurry or they have only a couple of items to your 20. When we are kind to people we come in contact with, the cycle begins to spread. Traffic is the worst. I have to remind myself that it’s okay to let someone in when the traffic is stringing dozens of cars back. Being kind spreads the rewards. We don’t know if that person we just smiled at or lent a helping hand to wasn’t having the worst day of their life, and our act of kindness, though small, changed the direction of their day. I intend to increase the kindnesses I can do for others on a daily basis. How about you?
Friday, May 29, 2009
Freelance Writers Corner
If you are a woman freelance writer or an aspiring freelance writer, you might want to check out WOW! Women on Writing’s Premium Green Freelance Writing Market. It is packed with great information on querying and other success tips, as well as lists of writing markets. The other big plus, is that you become a member of a very talented pool of freelance writers who want to help you succeed.
Just in the short time that I have been a member, I have seen my own output increase due to just reading the posts and feeling the positive energy that comes from people who rejoice in successes and support when there is a rejection. It’s wonderful that these special people reach out and take us newbie’s under their wing and guide us into a new writing realm. They have also opened doors to other groups and sites that are really making a difference – people who are working at their craft.
If you love to write and want to pursue it on a more rewarding level, this may be the open door you have been waiting for. You can still move at your own pace, but it has been fantastic to find some new and better tools and have access to people who are successfully making a career from their writing. There is nothing quite like seeing what the page will bring forth.
Just in the short time that I have been a member, I have seen my own output increase due to just reading the posts and feeling the positive energy that comes from people who rejoice in successes and support when there is a rejection. It’s wonderful that these special people reach out and take us newbie’s under their wing and guide us into a new writing realm. They have also opened doors to other groups and sites that are really making a difference – people who are working at their craft.
If you love to write and want to pursue it on a more rewarding level, this may be the open door you have been waiting for. You can still move at your own pace, but it has been fantastic to find some new and better tools and have access to people who are successfully making a career from their writing. There is nothing quite like seeing what the page will bring forth.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Stop procrastinating
You can't escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. - Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President
Our home office has become a catch-all for everything that doesn’t have a ready home or we need to file. Receipts, gift bags, bills, our grandson’s toys, extra gifts, and books are all over the place. It’s also where my jewelry-making supplies are located. What a mess. I keep telling myself I have got to get in there and get it straightened out. But, there are always other things that need to be done. Like write. Right?
Well, no. Every time I look into that room or have to go in, I feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the disaster awaiting me. However, I need to take my own advice and make the job smaller, therefore more manageable. My oldest daughter stopped by to pick up a couple of things and wanted a couple of music CD’s to take with her on their day trip. I had to burn a copy of one, so while I was waiting, I started organizing. I’m a long ways from being done, but I accomplished a lot just in the short time I was in there.
I notice when I procrastinate on things like that, it infiltrates my subconscious and conscious mind which takes away from my focus, especially when I’m writing. It’s like when the floor needs vacuumed and you can see it staring at you while you look at the screen. Frustrating, to say the least. Often, these annoyances can actually be taken care of in just a few minutes. Once it’s done, I don’t think about it anymore. Of course, there are some things that can and sometimes should wait for a more opportune moment, but if it’s interfering in something more important, stop procrastinating and “Git ‘er done!”
Our home office has become a catch-all for everything that doesn’t have a ready home or we need to file. Receipts, gift bags, bills, our grandson’s toys, extra gifts, and books are all over the place. It’s also where my jewelry-making supplies are located. What a mess. I keep telling myself I have got to get in there and get it straightened out. But, there are always other things that need to be done. Like write. Right?
Well, no. Every time I look into that room or have to go in, I feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the disaster awaiting me. However, I need to take my own advice and make the job smaller, therefore more manageable. My oldest daughter stopped by to pick up a couple of things and wanted a couple of music CD’s to take with her on their day trip. I had to burn a copy of one, so while I was waiting, I started organizing. I’m a long ways from being done, but I accomplished a lot just in the short time I was in there.
I notice when I procrastinate on things like that, it infiltrates my subconscious and conscious mind which takes away from my focus, especially when I’m writing. It’s like when the floor needs vacuumed and you can see it staring at you while you look at the screen. Frustrating, to say the least. Often, these annoyances can actually be taken care of in just a few minutes. Once it’s done, I don’t think about it anymore. Of course, there are some things that can and sometimes should wait for a more opportune moment, but if it’s interfering in something more important, stop procrastinating and “Git ‘er done!”
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day
Most of us have had someone close to us pass away. Depending on the relationship is our reaction to that loss. Memorial Day is that special, designated day to remember those people who have impacted out lives, especially in a positive way.
For me, it was my Grandma Grant. She battled cancer the majority of her life, but despite the toll that awful disease took on her, she was a loving, Christian woman who cared deeply for those in her life. She was one of those women who made you feel special and glad to be in her presence. She was encouraging, guiding, and loving. Generous of heart and hands, she gave while rarely complaining. Was she a saint? No, probably not. Have I put her on a pedestal? Maybe. But, for me, she was that quintessential person I looked up to and try to emulate every day. It’s my hearts desire when I leave this earth, that I will be remembered for the same love, joy, and encouragement I gave to others.
What special memories do you have of people who have touched your life?
For me, it was my Grandma Grant. She battled cancer the majority of her life, but despite the toll that awful disease took on her, she was a loving, Christian woman who cared deeply for those in her life. She was one of those women who made you feel special and glad to be in her presence. She was encouraging, guiding, and loving. Generous of heart and hands, she gave while rarely complaining. Was she a saint? No, probably not. Have I put her on a pedestal? Maybe. But, for me, she was that quintessential person I looked up to and try to emulate every day. It’s my hearts desire when I leave this earth, that I will be remembered for the same love, joy, and encouragement I gave to others.
What special memories do you have of people who have touched your life?
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