9/11 

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

The title of today's post rings with meaning for everyone across our land.  'WE WILL NEVER FORGET'!  Time stood still on that date.  Our world changed because on September 11, 2001 (also referred to as 9/11) there were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States.

As we reflect on this day/date, may we remember the things that came from it that were viewed from willing hearts. Those 'willing and caring hearts' went into action that turned future days into days of learning, growth and productive blessings.

This isn't a day to take lightly.  There were tragedies that will never be forgotten.  There were hearts broken that will forever be fragile in their losses of family, friends and co-workers.  Nonetheless, God has a plan to restore hearts and souls for 'good'.  May we cradle positive thoughts and try to move forward with renewed hope. 

Let us continue to celebrate the many things that are meaningful.  Let us remember those many lives that were lost in honor and hold dear the freedom everyone of us are privileged to have that live in the USA.

Until next time
God Bless

Doris 

'The Family of the Heart'

                             'The Family of the Heart'

The 'Family of the Heart' includes all people

that stand in a loving relationship to one another. 

Where care, concern, communication, hope and love is an art,

that becomes 'a way of life' to our sisters and brothers.

Plus, when we live consciously and grant freedom, equally, to all people,

as we would wish for ourselves to receive,

to hear with our hearts and not our ears only,

with a willingness and compassion to perceive.

It is in the small things done with full-hearted concentration

that we 'find freedom' and 'feel peace' and 'love'.

A way of bonding with each other is woven

that allows the spirit to flow from above. 

Also, when we truly love our neighbor as ourselves,

we 'are offering' every action to be something beautiful and kind.

The 'family of the heart' permits reverence in all of life relationships

for the joining of hearts and minds.

There is no value in pain and confusion as one might think.

The value lies in the rearrangement of the elements

that will lead to clearer vision for all.

This is 'a process' to 'channel our energy into love' for access to 'the real'

that 'keeps us on purpose', of our 'destiny call'. 

The 'awareness of unknowing', creates 'hope' and 'faith' in life itself.

We all sense the mystery and wonderment of life. 

Less we have no risk, grief, pain, nor loss,

it would take away the 'teachers of strife'. 

As we listen with 'our hearts', we can discern 'a higher power' presence,

affording strength to carry us far.

This opens the channels for 'healing and wholeness',

to unfold to 'all people' today and all of our tomorrows. 

                                                                                        by Doris Swertfeger

                                                                                                                 2016

Until next time

Doris

'The Rippling Effect is a Gift that Keeps on Giving' '

The Rippling Effect......sounds interesting, doesn't it?  I wonder what most of us see/think of when we hear these words?  Do we see water, an ocean, the wind blowing across it?  Do we think of something other than a visual scene?  Do we think of people, time or places?

There is no room for judgement in the 'purposeful day'.  However, people deserve love and freedom to choose.  However, the results at the end of the day might be different with the choices we choose.   It most likely would depend on several things.  Would it not be concluded on how we chose to reflect on our day; how we viewed the day, lived out this specific concern and/or focused as our mission?

The world of busy living has come upon most of us in one form of living or another.  Different generations have forced people to live a different life style.  Different avenues in life that involve money, careers, health, beliefs and acquaintances; all affect what we do and how we do things.

However, at the end of the day, we all have a need for food to sustain our bodies.  We all need sleep to rest/prepare our bodies to function.  Plus, we all need love, respect and communication to nurture us. Without any of these things, a person isn't as healthy and complete in a 'purposeful way for good'.

A 'purposeful way for good' is a result of 'our focusing' and a way 'we have chosen to live' out each day to help others and hopefully be a part of 'The Rippling Effect'.

It is a path that leads us to freedom and happiness.  It is the freedom of not always needing to get our own way. When we learn to live this humble lifestyle, our happiness is not dependent upon getting what we want.  It is a concept that is beautiful and freeing.  This concept allows us to put others interest first.  This is when we live more kindly.

So, as we pause and discern the meaning of what 'The Rippling Effect' means to us, it might make all the difference in the world for others and for ourselves.  'The Rippling Effect' is a gift that keeps on giving.  I wish each of us a part of what makes this 'The Rippling Effect'.  It is free and available to each one of us.....taking a little of that 'precious time' that we think we do not have can reap rewards of treasures.  It is with this kind of  love that can change the people that make up this world.  This is 'The Rippling Effect of a Greater Love than Us'.  What do we think and see now?

Until next time,
God Bless 
Doris 

'Letting Go' (2 Parts)

Greetings Friends,

The time has come to close out this series on Heaven, Death, Dying and Letting Go.
My hope is that it has been helpful in some way to at least one person that has chosen to read any or part of it. 
There will be two (2) parts to this final 'Letting Go', post.

We all find it difficult to 'let go' of persons and things.  It might begin as we have a child and as they try to walk, we try to hold on to them.  Later in life, we have the 'empty nest syndrome' when our children leave home.  And, it is even more difficult to watch them marry and create a life of their own.  They have a sense of independence that we sometimes do not like.  They do/should 'cleave' to their sufficient other.  This is what all healthy parents want and at the same there is a hurt within us.  Perhaps, it is a selfish thought because there is a sense that they do not need us anymore. 
I, personally, do not feel this is the reason that they do not get in touch with their parents as often.  I feel it is a healthy choice and they are very busy and have a life to form, mold and live within their own 'boundaries'.  This is exactly the way God has designed His plan for children to grow into healthy and wholesome adults.  They will make better parents if/when they have children.  Do they need us as their parents? Absolutely!  Their needs have changed because they have growth into responsible adults.  When we treat and love them as our friends, the 'boundaries' will be healthier and the love will flow more freely. 

Now, let's look at 'Letting Go' in friendships.  Friends come and go and change. This is another difficult arena to understand.  My feelings are when one has a friend, we must not hold on to tightly.  Remember the story of the 'bird in the hand'?  When a person wanted to keep the bird all to itself, it held on too tightly, and it crushed the bird to death.  
Friendships are treasures to enjoy, share with freedom and respect one another.  This is my feeling and the meaning of a true friendship.  Sometimes, friendships are totally misunderstood.  And, there are different types of friendships.  'Life has a way of changing events.  The 'gift' of friendship is golden when one can be separated in distance and time and in one phone call connect as if they were never separated.  I feel this is a 'true friendship' to treasure.  Gifts from God, indeed.
'Letting Go' and gently respecting 'boundaries' in friendships is hard but necessary for true friendships to flow in a healthy fashion.

'Letting Go' in the aging process can be tricky. I feel it can reveal the true vanity in oneself and/or self pride that can get in the way of our joy and happiness.  We work most of our adult lives in some fashion. This can be in a 'work place environment' or as a 'stay at home wife and homemaker'.  Either position that we have chosen, there comes a time to reflect, refocus and make changes in our life style.  And, if/when we do not change in this aging process, 'Time' in our life and living has a way of doing it for us.  The better thought and choice is to make the change for the better. One that will give us one of pleasure and contentment as we gradually and gracefully walk this journey of aging and 'Letting Go'. 

Our 'golden years' should be 'our pleasant years' to have more time and choices to relax and enjoy the things that we couldn't in our working years.  Our society has had a way of putting 'a number' to our; 'end of time days'.  How morbid is that?  In some ways, if we are not proactive in our thinking, we can drift into this same mold.  Please do not do this, for if/when we do; we will be the losers of priceless quality time and joy that we can experience for many years.  May we remember this as we try 'Letting Go' more gently and peaceful in our 'golden years'. 

Part 2 will conclude our Series on 'Heaven, Death, Dying and Letting Go'.  'Letting Go' can be a wonderful discovery as we focus on 'A Call to Love'. 

'Letting Go-let it go 'Gently' ,
Let it 'Flow Freely'

Until next time
God Bless
Doris

Memorial Day Holiday - United We Stand

 

 

There are so many reasons that people celebrate the Memorial Day Holiday.

As I think about so many of us spending this time to relax, picnics, camping, Indy 500 race, summer activities, visiting families and friends and so many other activities, I hope all of us do not forget the real meaning of this holiday. 

Our Freedom is priceless and taken for granted.  May we pause and give thanks for the many that have dedicated their lives and services to fight for our freedom.  Without those people, we would not be enjoying the many events that we have been and are enjoying this weekend. 

Let us give thanks and pray for the many families that have lost their loved ones fighting for our freedom.

We salute all Veterans of War and the many that are serving our country today.  May God Bless each and every one!

As we are experiencing many evil and harmful acts in our world today, may we never forget that there are some treasures in our trials. Perhaps, they are  designed to shake us free from earth-shackles.  It is very hard to find secure reasons why things happen the way that they do.  It is very easy to lose hope. 

However, there are other blessings that hopefully reveal 'a higher power' of love and hope to strengthen our faith.  Those blessings might be through sunshine, flowers, birds, friendships, music, answered prayer.  Plus, these blessings can give us insight and reflection as to the many blessings that we do have and experience everyday.  These can be powerful 'tools' to bring us back on track to 'a purpose and goals' to strive to support and encourage our  'soldiers' that are fighting each and every day for our 'FREEDOM'.

May we always and ever search for a deeper treasure as we go through each day.  It might be a miracle as to what we find along the way.



 

'Faith does not concern itself with the entire journey.  One step is enough.'  by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

 

Until next time

God Bless

Doris