Never give up; you never know until you try.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year's Eve and a prosperous 2012. May you have no unfinished business left over from 2011--no baggage, no hurts.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Merry Christmas
Never give up; you never know until you try.
I decided to post early this week because like so many of us, I've got a whirlwind week planned. I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a joyous Hanukkah.
I decided to post early this week because like so many of us, I've got a whirlwind week planned. I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a joyous Hanukkah.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Betrayal
Never give up; you never know until you try.
My apologies for posting later this week than usual. I'm still reeling from a betrayal, and to say that I'm shaken to my core, cliche' that it is, is accurate.
We've all been there and felt that pain that is unlike any other, so I'm sure you can relate. When things like this happen, I guess most of us try to figure out what went wrong and regroup, hoping that it will never happen again, at least with the same person. Often, a relationship is killed when one party betrays another, but sometimes the relationship can be saved and both (or all) parties learn a valuable lesson. I'm unsure at this stage what my outcome will be, but I have been reminded of a valuable lesson. (You knew that, I'm sure.)
God never betrays us. He's always faithful, always true, always loving. He's with us to the end. He never forgets us. I'm holding onto those promises.
My apologies for posting later this week than usual. I'm still reeling from a betrayal, and to say that I'm shaken to my core, cliche' that it is, is accurate.
We've all been there and felt that pain that is unlike any other, so I'm sure you can relate. When things like this happen, I guess most of us try to figure out what went wrong and regroup, hoping that it will never happen again, at least with the same person. Often, a relationship is killed when one party betrays another, but sometimes the relationship can be saved and both (or all) parties learn a valuable lesson. I'm unsure at this stage what my outcome will be, but I have been reminded of a valuable lesson. (You knew that, I'm sure.)
God never betrays us. He's always faithful, always true, always loving. He's with us to the end. He never forgets us. I'm holding onto those promises.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Remember--and Be Grateful
Never give up; you never know until you try.
Part of a student’s daily work in the GED class is to journal what he or she has worked on that day. To help the process, one of us instructors will write the date on the board at the front of the room, knowing that it’s very easy to forget the date. (Yes, we sometimes “cheat” by checking the date on the computer.)
Today, I had already erased the board when a student asked if we knew the date. Thinking maybe he meant that he didn’t know the date, I told him, but that wasn’t what he was asking. He restated, asking if we knew what that (the date) meant. When I said, “Pearl Harbor Day”, he smiled slightly and wrote his journal entry. He said nothing more and neither did I.
As anyone familiar with me knows, that is very unlike me. I’ve always got something to say, especially about something as important as the tragedy that occurred December 7, 1941. I could’ve said how much I appreciate the brave women and men who serve the United States in our military. I could’ve said that I feel a debt of gratitude to them and their families for their sacrifice. I could’ve said that that debt is magnified countless times for those who have given their lives or who live with lasting physical and emotional repercussions of their service. I didn’t, but I didn’t need to, because “R” and I had already discussed my views on military service when he joined the class. Upon learning of his past military service, I did what I make it a point to do when I meet a veteran—I thanked him for his service to our country.
I hope everyone in the States remembered today for what it was. It was the anniversary of one tragic event in a far-too-long list of tragic events in the history of our nation and the world. The idealist in me cringes that there is still so much poverty, bloodshed, and misery. The optimist holds onto the positives that are still all around. The Christian in me wants everyone to really understand and remember where the positives come from: a loving God Who gave Himself for us.
Remember. Be grateful.
Part of a student’s daily work in the GED class is to journal what he or she has worked on that day. To help the process, one of us instructors will write the date on the board at the front of the room, knowing that it’s very easy to forget the date. (Yes, we sometimes “cheat” by checking the date on the computer.)
Today, I had already erased the board when a student asked if we knew the date. Thinking maybe he meant that he didn’t know the date, I told him, but that wasn’t what he was asking. He restated, asking if we knew what that (the date) meant. When I said, “Pearl Harbor Day”, he smiled slightly and wrote his journal entry. He said nothing more and neither did I.
As anyone familiar with me knows, that is very unlike me. I’ve always got something to say, especially about something as important as the tragedy that occurred December 7, 1941. I could’ve said how much I appreciate the brave women and men who serve the United States in our military. I could’ve said that I feel a debt of gratitude to them and their families for their sacrifice. I could’ve said that that debt is magnified countless times for those who have given their lives or who live with lasting physical and emotional repercussions of their service. I didn’t, but I didn’t need to, because “R” and I had already discussed my views on military service when he joined the class. Upon learning of his past military service, I did what I make it a point to do when I meet a veteran—I thanked him for his service to our country.
I hope everyone in the States remembered today for what it was. It was the anniversary of one tragic event in a far-too-long list of tragic events in the history of our nation and the world. The idealist in me cringes that there is still so much poverty, bloodshed, and misery. The optimist holds onto the positives that are still all around. The Christian in me wants everyone to really understand and remember where the positives come from: a loving God Who gave Himself for us.
Remember. Be grateful.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Curiosity
Never give up; you never know until you try.
I found this little tidbit, by Patricia Alexander in "Book of Comforts," on Quoteland.com:
Fear paralyzes; curiosity empowers. Be more interested than afraid.
I've written before that this same sentiment appears in the book "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson, MD. There, the question posed is what we would do if we weren't afraid. Most of us are curious about what would happen if we were to embark on a certain path, but many of us let fear stop us. What a shame. We miss out on countless blessings in doing so.
One of my business mentors told me recently that she can see an ant crawling up a wall and could spend hours watching it, curious as to where it will go next. (If she had the time, which she doesn't.) She does, however, take time to see what may develop from an encounter with someone--or something. Even taking time to ponder an ant's path up a wall or across the floor will relax the mind and body, something much needed in our fast-paced world. When we're relaxed, ideas flow more easily and problems (or unknowns) seem smaller and easier to manage. Less frightening.
As I've written, I'm working on a few challenging new projects, encountering many unknowns, with more to come. I'm trying to be more interested in what positives may happen than I am scared about what negatives may happen. I hope you'll join me in adopting this approach. You may find that you're praying more and relying on God more instead of trying to do it your way. What a great place to be!
I found this little tidbit, by Patricia Alexander in "Book of Comforts," on Quoteland.com:
Fear paralyzes; curiosity empowers. Be more interested than afraid.
I've written before that this same sentiment appears in the book "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson, MD. There, the question posed is what we would do if we weren't afraid. Most of us are curious about what would happen if we were to embark on a certain path, but many of us let fear stop us. What a shame. We miss out on countless blessings in doing so.
One of my business mentors told me recently that she can see an ant crawling up a wall and could spend hours watching it, curious as to where it will go next. (If she had the time, which she doesn't.) She does, however, take time to see what may develop from an encounter with someone--or something. Even taking time to ponder an ant's path up a wall or across the floor will relax the mind and body, something much needed in our fast-paced world. When we're relaxed, ideas flow more easily and problems (or unknowns) seem smaller and easier to manage. Less frightening.
As I've written, I'm working on a few challenging new projects, encountering many unknowns, with more to come. I'm trying to be more interested in what positives may happen than I am scared about what negatives may happen. I hope you'll join me in adopting this approach. You may find that you're praying more and relying on God more instead of trying to do it your way. What a great place to be!
Friday, November 25, 2011
Are You Still Thankful?
Never give up; you never know until you try.
It's the day after Thanksgiving. We've stuffed ourselves more than we (or Aunt Martha) stuffed the turkey. We've fought the crowds for "Black Friday" bargains and possibly saved money on our Christmas gifts. Maybe we're tired, irritable, or nauseated--even all 3. Underneath it all, are we still thankful, or did we put on "thankfulness" as we would put on a coat to go outside?
May we all have an attitude of thankfulness and love as we go into the Christmas season, filling our wish lists with things for others instead of ourselves.
It's the day after Thanksgiving. We've stuffed ourselves more than we (or Aunt Martha) stuffed the turkey. We've fought the crowds for "Black Friday" bargains and possibly saved money on our Christmas gifts. Maybe we're tired, irritable, or nauseated--even all 3. Underneath it all, are we still thankful, or did we put on "thankfulness" as we would put on a coat to go outside?
May we all have an attitude of thankfulness and love as we go into the Christmas season, filling our wish lists with things for others instead of ourselves.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
A Tribute and a Challenge (Part 1)
Never give up; you never know until you try.
Death claimed my friend Bill last Monday. He was only 67, but he crammed a lot into those years. He lived and he loved, always remaining true to himself. He was stubborn, and he was fiercely loyal. He was enigmatic—extremely outspoken on some subjects while remaining intensely private and maddeningly silent about others.
Bill was very open about his disdain of hypocrisy, especially in people who profess to be Christians. Like many of us, he questioned why, if there is a loving God out there, why bad things happen. It seemed that he blamed God and that he thought that God should make people “behave.” I shared many times my belief that God loves us enough to allow us to make mistakes, just as any earthly parent loves us and wants what’s best for us but allows us to make mistakes so we can learn from them. I didn’t want Bill’s unanswered questions, or anger with God, or anything else, to keep him from calling out to God and accepting His love and forgiveness. He probably had questions remaining when he drew his last breath, but Bill got the most important question answered: God loved (will always love) him. He loved him enough to send His Son to die to redeem him. Accepting Jesus’ sacrificial death and gift of forgiveness made Bill right with God. (John 3:16)
Bill always worked hard to provide for his family; he seemed to be of the old-school, showing his love in practical ways rather than being physically or verbally demonstrative. He seemed uncomfortable with open displays of affection, but he would hug you back and pat you on the back in a gruff, embarrassed manner. It was that trait that made his rare open displays all the more special.
He told me on several occasions that I was the daughter he never had, and I often told him that he was like a dad to me. (I’ve only seen my biological father a few times, and my first experience with a stepdad was a hellish nightmare. Mother married my current one, a real gem, in 2001.) One holiday after Dad, Bill and I had eaten the meal my mother had lovingly prepared and we were all sitting in the den relaxing, I said to no one in particular, “I feel so blessed. It’s like I’ve got a mother and two dads in this room with me.” (May we all be so blessed.)
I’ll post part 2 this upcoming week, so look out for the “challenge” part!
Death claimed my friend Bill last Monday. He was only 67, but he crammed a lot into those years. He lived and he loved, always remaining true to himself. He was stubborn, and he was fiercely loyal. He was enigmatic—extremely outspoken on some subjects while remaining intensely private and maddeningly silent about others.
Bill was very open about his disdain of hypocrisy, especially in people who profess to be Christians. Like many of us, he questioned why, if there is a loving God out there, why bad things happen. It seemed that he blamed God and that he thought that God should make people “behave.” I shared many times my belief that God loves us enough to allow us to make mistakes, just as any earthly parent loves us and wants what’s best for us but allows us to make mistakes so we can learn from them. I didn’t want Bill’s unanswered questions, or anger with God, or anything else, to keep him from calling out to God and accepting His love and forgiveness. He probably had questions remaining when he drew his last breath, but Bill got the most important question answered: God loved (will always love) him. He loved him enough to send His Son to die to redeem him. Accepting Jesus’ sacrificial death and gift of forgiveness made Bill right with God. (John 3:16)
Bill always worked hard to provide for his family; he seemed to be of the old-school, showing his love in practical ways rather than being physically or verbally demonstrative. He seemed uncomfortable with open displays of affection, but he would hug you back and pat you on the back in a gruff, embarrassed manner. It was that trait that made his rare open displays all the more special.
He told me on several occasions that I was the daughter he never had, and I often told him that he was like a dad to me. (I’ve only seen my biological father a few times, and my first experience with a stepdad was a hellish nightmare. Mother married my current one, a real gem, in 2001.) One holiday after Dad, Bill and I had eaten the meal my mother had lovingly prepared and we were all sitting in the den relaxing, I said to no one in particular, “I feel so blessed. It’s like I’ve got a mother and two dads in this room with me.” (May we all be so blessed.)
I’ll post part 2 this upcoming week, so look out for the “challenge” part!
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