Sunday, December 25, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Breathing in Heaven and Earth
When we choose not to focus
On what is missing from our lives
But are grateful for the abundance
that's present,
We experience heaven on earth.
Sarah Breathnach
On what is missing from our lives
But are grateful for the abundance
that's present,
We experience heaven on earth.
Sarah Breathnach
It was a troubling chapter in my life . . . I was so lost and desperately seeking the way to crawl out of the situation, knowing that in time I would. Sometimes I go back to my old journals and blog posts to grasp reality and see the transitions in my life since JR died. Those days were like a roller coaster that I could not stop . . . one day good, the next day unbearable and miserable . . . back and forth. I had to go through it to get to where I am today.
The following post was written back in 2008. Of course I still have bad days . . . and I've come to accept the fact that I have a condition that has been diagnosed as restlessness and anxiety. As time goes on, I've learned how to cope when those days appear. With the help of the wonderful man I married, I learned how to move on with life itself. It has been quite a journey back from the depths of depression as a result of grief and drastic life changes!
One of the reasons I blog about my journey is to help others going through a life situation that seems hopeless. Nothing is ever hopeless when you have faith that "this too shall pass" . . . it will.
The feeling of breathing in heaven and earth is awesome . . . in good AND bad times, when you learn how to be grateful. It is the lesson I had to learn before moving on with my life.
THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY
THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY
WRITTEN JUNE 2008
The presence of faith, hope and limitless opportunities in my life is what I am most grateful for today. It is the absence of faith and hope in our lives which brings the mindset of depression, hopelessness and dread of life. The ability to regain faith within us, exhibiting the strength to blindly walk the path of opportunity, pulling oneself out of the pits of depression is the feeling of heaven on earth.
Sometimes we must go there . . . to enter the pits of depression and feel the fire . . . to be reminded of how much we have to be grateful for and realize what is missing in our life. Surprisingly, at this moment, I am grateful for feeling the heat of that fire.
To wake up with a smile on my face is a blessing . . . the hope and promise of a new day rather than the dread of having to wake up to face a living hell . . . that is the feeling of heaven on earth.
The pleasure of preparing a home cooked meal, enjoying and savoring every bite . . . rather than not having the appetite for anything or the emotional energy to put it together . . . another feeling I am so grateful for at this moment.
Living life rather than anticipating and waiting for death, pulling oneself out of the pits of depression, the feeling of standing on a steep cliff and seeing your life flash before your eyes . . . I'm so grateful for heaven on earth.
A thought occurs to me . . . as long as we are breathing there is hope and opportunity is always present, we just need to open our eyes and minds to see it. And from the immortal words of Scarlett O'Hara . . . tomorrow is another day.
Labels:
anxiety,
faith,
grateful,
grief,
hope,
life circumstances,
transitions
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Things Aren't Always What They Seem
Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guestroom. Instead the angels were given a space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem".
The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the, couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel "how could you have let this happen! The first man had everything, yet you helped him," she accused. "The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let their cow die." "Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.
"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave her the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem."
Sometimes this is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You might not know it until some time later.
Think about this:
Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight,
just remember the homeless family who
has no bed to lie in.
Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair.
There are people in this world for whom
Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair.
There are people in this world for whom
driving is an unheard-of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work,
think of the man who has been out of work
Should you have a bad day at work,
think of the man who has been out of work
for the last three months.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad,
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad,
think of the person who has never known
what it's like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend,
think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend,
think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve
hours a day, seven days a week, for -15.00
to feed her family.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles
Should your car break down, leaving you miles
away from assistance, think of the paraplegic
who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror,
think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror,
think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes
she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering
what is life all about, asking, "what is my purpose?,"
be thankful. There are those who didn't live long
enough to get the opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of
other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness
Should you find yourself the victim of
other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness
or insecurities, remember, things could
be worse--you could be them!
Source: Unknown
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Decide Today
up much time to actually get things done.
Decide today that you'll have no complaints. And your
thoughts can be focused on creative, productive pursuits.
Decide today that you'll carry no anger or resentment. And
you'll bring out the best in those around you.
Decide today to be accepting of whatever comes your way. And
you'll discover much value that would otherwise be hidden.
Decide today to be sincerely thankful for every moment. And
you'll be delighted at how beautiful and filled with
opportunity the world becomes.
Decide today to be truly alive. And joy will pour forth from
your soul.
Decide today that you'll have no complaints. And your
thoughts can be focused on creative, productive pursuits.
Decide today that you'll carry no anger or resentment. And
you'll bring out the best in those around you.
Decide today to be accepting of whatever comes your way. And
you'll discover much value that would otherwise be hidden.
Decide today to be sincerely thankful for every moment. And
you'll be delighted at how beautiful and filled with
opportunity the world becomes.
Decide today to be truly alive. And joy will pour forth from
your soul.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Too Much Of A Good Thing . . . Not Possible!
Too much of a
good thing is wonderful.
(Mae West)
In my opinion . . . no such thing as too much of a good thing!
I've entered a state of contentment, an acceptance of the way things are in my life and knowing that isn't such a bad thing after all I have been through in the past. The Captain and I have settled into married life and I have no doubts that he is the most perfect person in this world for me. We have everything we need, but most of all, we have each other. This state of stability, contentment and happiness brings me peace.
Trust and faith in God also brings me peace and contentment.
Of course any situation could be better.
Couldn't any of us say that?
Anything could be better.
Peace comes from contentment with the status quo.
Have you ever thought of where
your peace comes from?
What brings peace in your life?
good thing is wonderful.
(Mae West)
In my opinion . . . no such thing as too much of a good thing!
I've entered a state of contentment, an acceptance of the way things are in my life and knowing that isn't such a bad thing after all I have been through in the past. The Captain and I have settled into married life and I have no doubts that he is the most perfect person in this world for me. We have everything we need, but most of all, we have each other. This state of stability, contentment and happiness brings me peace.
Trust and faith in God also brings me peace and contentment.
Of course any situation could be better.
Couldn't any of us say that?
Anything could be better.
Peace comes from contentment with the status quo.
Have you ever thought of where
your peace comes from?
What brings peace in your life?
May you find peace and contentment in your life, especially in this holiday season! It can be a very lonely and sad time for so many . . . reach out to someone who is in need.
Labels:
contentment,
peace
Monday, December 5, 2011
The Wonder of Luxuries
Some people have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy.
Abraham H. Maslow
For me, it has become a routine lifestyle . . . that of simple living and being grateful for what you have. Wanting only what I absolutely need has become the mindset. It was actually a turning point in my life . . . one that brought special meaning and appreciation for everything I am blessed with.
The lifestyle is one of survival for many . . . a lifestyle that way too many people in this world have had to adopt as we have moved into very poor economic times together with rampant unemployment.
The other night I learned how naive I have become with stuff and the necessities of life. Honestly, I do not need the extras anymore, although I still love those luxuries of life.
It was date night with The Captain . . . we went out to eat at our favorite neighborhood buffet and decided to go to the huge mall across town. I had forgotten how festive malls can be this time of year . . . I have not been to a mall in years. You can't help but get that awesome feeling of Christmas.
As we went past one of those kiosks lined up in the middle of the aisle, a sales lady came to me and offered to fix my hair. I'm always ready to be pampered! So, she proceeded to make my very long hair that is thick and curly very soft, straight and so shiny. I kept looking at myself in the mirror with great disbelief at how easy it was to make my hair straight with this cute little contraption. We always want what we don't have and I have always wanted straight hair.
Before I knew it, The Captain pulled out his wallet and bought me the cute little contraption! OMG . . . I wasn't even thinking about taking one home with me. It is quite a pricey little thing! What a treat! I was like a little girl the rest of the evening. For one thing I couldn't stop touching my silky soft hair . . . and I loved that my sweetie couldn't stop touching it either :) I held on to that bag like someone was going to steal my little treasure from me (well, in this world, you have to be careful in reality).
When I found the above quote, I thought about those little girl feelings I had that night, so happy with my new treasure and SO excited that I can have soft straight hair whenever I want!
I'm really grateful for and appreciate my new husband :) He's my treasured gift from God!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends in Bloggerville
from The Captain and me. May you have a safe, festive
and blessed holiday with your family and friends.
I'm most grateful to have been so blessed to have found
love again . . . we will be celebrating our first Thanksgiving
together as a married couple :) Happy days!
What are you most grateful for?
Labels:
grateful,
thankful,
Thanksgiving
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