Take 'time' to look back......

'TAKE 'TIME' TO LOOK BACK as this year ends-and, also, to 'LOOK FORWARD'.

Why, one might ask.  The past is gone and to 'look forward' in the future; how could this be of help?  This might be one way to view it in our thinking.  Nonetheless, there could be 'value' in doing so.  As we reflect on our experiences in 2016, the 'hard times' as well as the 'good times'; we can see 'life lessons' to help us grow in so many ways for our continual journey for ourselves and to help others.
Taking 'time' to 'listen' and to be 'silent' truly takes 'time' and 'discipline'. 
                                                                             

As I reflect on some of my experiences in 2016, I see challenges that turned to blessings for me and, hopefully, for others.  And, I experienced many 'good times' and I am very grateful.  I feel that I have learned from both. 

All of us are here striving to reach a 'goal' we have chosen to live out our life even if it isn't evident in an 'outward and/or conscious way'.  We are 'all' 'living' so life is happening.  We have a measure of control in how we choose to live out our life more then it might sometimes seem.   No, we can't control every minute of our day and how 'others' act out nor the life expectancy of ourselves or another.   However, we can act in ways that are helpful and constructive in opening up possibilities for a brighter, better future for our ourselves and in turn others.   No, we aren't all on the same path because 'all' of us have been given 'a free Will' to choose what 'way of life' we wish.  Depending on what 'free will' choices we have made, they will affect our beliefs, actions, challenges, responsibilities and blessings that come our way. 

Nonetheless, 'nothing' will change in one's growth, as a person, in their life and living without; 'each individual taking 'responsibility' and 'action' in one's 'own life and living'.  Nobody can make us 'happy'.  Nobody can 'fix' things for us to have an easy ride in life. Perhaps, for awhile and yes, people do affect how we feel at times.  However; 'the good life' will not last if/when somebody 'hands' us material things.  Plus, when we are given 'no responsibilities' to 'take ownership' for 'our own actions' that will allow us to grow into a mature individual. 'Tough Love' is priceless.  

Nobody is exempt from 'challenges in life'.  The 'aging process' will come to every human being if they possess longevity.  The acceptance, in this fact, can open up so many 'good things' as they are reflected upon and, therefore, enjoyed.  Most 'grandparents' are elderly.  What 'joy' this is to experience as one ages into this particular generation.  There are always things we 'enjoy' and things we 'dread' in any generation we find ourselves in.  'Honor the space between no longer and not yet'......written by a Nancy Levin.   

The value in looking back to where we have been and looking forward to where we will go can be priceless, as well.  We can reap many valuable 'resources' from our challenges and from the joyous times we have experienced in 2016.  As we look forward in to the New Year of 2017, we can bring hope, promise and perseverance to give us joy with a positive attitude in our tomorrows.

Everybody has a 'story of their own'.  Nobody truly knows 'another's story' or has a right to tell it as 'they might see it'.  Nonetheless, nobody is exempt of heartache of many colors.  Plus, everybody has something to be 'thankful' for', everybody.  There are so many beautiful things to be 'thankful for' every single day. Sometimes it is better to be kind than to be right.  We do not need an intelligent mind that speaks.  We do need a patient heart that listens. 

Yes, we all have choices that we 'alone' can make if we so choose.  It is up to 'each person' to move forward to a brighter future.  It doesn't matter what we have experienced in our past nor what we will experience in our future; we have the choice to 'help ourselves' to a better life for ourselves and others.  We have the choice to 'move forward' stronger with perseverance and joy as we grow from our past experiences.  This can be our mission and a desire of 'mature individuals' to be an example of hope and love.  Yes, even through our challenges that for some unknown reason might have come our way.  There is a reason bigger then ourselves and everybody will have a richer fuller life when it is realized.  Let it be in 2017. 

As we close out this year of 2016 and look forward to the coming year of 2017, how in the world can it do anything but help to realize the blessings that we have received in 2016?  Let us 'give thanks' and look forward with 'hope, believing in a higher power' then ourselves with promise going forward into 2017?  

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in 2017.

Until next time,
God Bless
Doris

''Hope Pebbles'

Sometimes in life we are given 'a valley' to cross.
All of us have a a 'story' we could tell.
Instead of a 'valley', we could call it a 'hill'.
Does either of these ring a bell?

Let us reflect, if you will, in our present, past or future.
Perhaps, when in focus, we could also see 'sunshine rays'.
The hills and valleys thin out in our awareness.
Now we can see more clearly, solid ground, replaces each day.

As I look back from hence I have come.
I can see little ripples of 'ups and downs'.
This leads me to believe as I count them,
those were 'hope pebbles' leading me to 'solid ground'.

There was 'incredible hope and promise' in places, I had not yet seen.
Answered prayer, the beauty of nature's renewal of Spring, brightened my day.
There was a lingering in 'awe' of 'amazing miracles' in the midst of this sight.
This allowed me to see 'beyond myself' with 'hope', a much better way.

Let us remember as we walk this 'journey in life',
there isn't anything that can ever be beyond our 'maker's' reach.
By choice, we can focus on 'hope pebbles', as stepping stones,
to guide us to 'solid ground' of 'faith' to give us a peaceful belief. 
                                                                            by Doris Swertfeger  '2016

Until next time
Doris

A 'Good Day', 'Ordinary Day', 'Another Day-So What?'

Greetings Friends,

'All is Well'

'Everything is going to be ok'

Are you having a good day, ordinary day or a day that you would describe as, 'Another Day, So What?'  Believe me, I have felt all of these over time.  I try to credit my feelings and thinking to the fact that I am 'human'.  Some days, I feel we need a boost to help us along our way.  This boost might be different for different people and in different ways.  Whether we are a person that lean on a belief that there is a power greater than ourselves or we are not, it might be good for us to take the time to 'be still' and go to a place that is serene and full of beauty.  Perhaps, this could be something that is as simply looking at a beautiful butterfly, going outdoors and listening to the birds and feel the sunshine that surround you or it might be calling a friend and just sharing about life and the many blessings that have been given. 

Giving 'thanks' can always bring one back to serve one better in going on to better thoughts and feelings that might be happening just now in our lives and living.  Take a look at our pets, they somehow can look beyond their cares and they are taken care of.  Enjoy their beauty and trust.

It seems to me that we are hearing, seeing and experiencing many things today that can certainly get in our way and cloud our attitude.  Sickness, economy, raising children, workplace stress, world affairs, aging to differences in opinions that we all have a right to have and own as individuals.  Nevertheless, all of these can effect our 'well being'. 

'A Good Day'

We have heard this statement: 'THIS TOO SHALL PASS'.  Biblical, actually, and I hold this close to my heart in life's struggles and challenges.  However, there has been something added to it by a 'human soul' and that is, ''and right now would be good'.   Oh yes, we always want to alter and control our situation and/or circumstances, don't we? 

Sometimes, we take life too seriously and worry about things that do not make a difference at the end of the day except they are things that we want and think that we need.  Well, I am one among all that have these same feelings and thoughts.  Some days are better than other days.  It mostly depends on what is going on in my life as to how other things effect me. 
Well, this is no surprise to the millions out there and this is what causes the turmoil in the cosmic world that really is very fragile.  All we have to do is turn on our television or any electronic device and we can see it only takes one person to blow holes in another with a gun that has gone mad and out of control.  So, what can each individual do to make more peaceful living in our life and others?  It could be to change our focus of our inner core and how we perceive ourselves in life and living in control.  Always and ever remembering 'who' is really in control.   God still reigns over the universe.  With faith, hope, love and perseverance, we can have peace in our hearts in the midst of our storms in life and living. 

As I was reading my daily reader this morning, it just happened to be this very reading.  If/when we believe in a power greater than ourselves it might be helpful to saturate our hearts with many things to help us along.  This just might be one of them.

This was written by Sarah Young - Jesus Calling- Readings for Every Day of the Year

I AM ALL AROUND YOU, like a cocoon of Light.  My Presence with you is a promise, independent of your awareness of Me.  Many things can block this awareness, but the major culprit is worry.  My children tend to accept worry as an inescapable fact of life.  However, worry is a form of unbelief; it is an abomination to Me.

Who is in charge of your life?  If it is you, then you have good reason to worry.  But if it is I, then worry is both unnecessary an counterproductive.  When you start to feel anxious about something, relinquish the situation to Me.  Back off a bit, redirecting your focus to Me.  I will either take care of the problem Myself or show you how to handle it.  In this world you will have problems, but you need not lose sight of Me. 

THIS IS WHAT WILL MAKE THAT 'ANOTHER DAY-SO WHAT' TO AN 'ORDINARY DAY' AND/OR  TO A 'GOOD DAY'! 

 

Until next time,
God Bless
Doris

'MY DAD'S HANDS' - 'HAPPY FATHER'S DAY'

Father's Day is a special day.  A father has so many roles. 

'Fathering a child' is much different than 'being a father'.  Love, compassion, integrity, honesty, perseverance, maturity, responsibility and supporting a child is vital in raising and molding any child.  A father thinks nothing of it each and every day.  A father does it all out of 'love' and 'a desire'.  This is what a 'real father' does and enjoys the rewards of this child.  It is a privilege, obligation and an honor. 

I think many people have reflected back on their child life experiences and have wished they would have had things differently.  I think at times, we can easily look at somebody's father and wish they were a part of our lives.  Perhaps, not as a 'whole', tho.   We see just parts of a father's role in them.  But, at the end of the day, God has chosen the father that we have.  As we get older and mature, we realize that life wasn't so bad.  And, as adults, we have choices to choose from.  We can take the good things/good times that our fathers' taught us from our past experiences, choose to take the challenges we experienced and grow from all of them.

I feel we sometimes think we can shift our disappointments in life and direct them to who was 'in charge' or 'the head of the household' at the time.  Nevertheless, it still comes back to the fact, as adults we much always and ever, turn within, seek without blame and continue on our life's journey in a blessed way.  It is never too late to do this.  It is our choice.  God has provided us with 'free will' and HE will guide us along the way.

I pen this because I know that I have had some of these thoughts. I feel  it is not fair in the reflections of 'my Dad' to avoid this area, as well.  I know without a doubt that 'my Dad' worked hard, loved me and did what he thought was good with the knowledge and experiences that he had growing up.  I love 'my Dad'!

I would like to share a little about my father through the following poem.    My father is 97 years old.  I call my father, DAD.   

'My Dad's Hands'

                 'My Dad's Hands'

        Looking at 'my Dad's hands',
             tell a story of its' own.
   They remind me of so many things
that he has done from way back home.

          
 My Dad is up in age today,
         Well, very soon, he will be 98.
     He was always working hard each day.
        He worked from dawn til almost eight.
 
                              My Dad could do a lot of things.
                    He toiled in the dirt, coal, to greasing ole cars.
                              My Dad provided food on the table
                    that was good for us and, yes, even candy bars.
 
                                  He worked really hard on the farm
                                             and the soil he did till.
                                        Fields of wheat, beans and corn,
                                              this is what paid our bills.

                                         Yes, my Dad's hands are worn
                                             and a bit wrinkled and stiff.
                                         But, they tell a story of hard work
                                                  and this isn't just a myth.

                                       'My Dad's hands' are cracked, dry
                                           and the age upon them shows.
                                     But, with time, brings an awareness
                                          to things that are 'dear for evermore'.

                                  Yes, 'my Dad's hands' tell me a story
                                          that my memory will always 'hear'.
                                       Cause when I look at 'my Dad's hands'
                                             I will always think of our yesteryears.

                                                                    copyrighted by Doris Swertfeger
                                                                                                        2013

Until next time
God Bless
Doris