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

'THANKFULNESS = The Language of Love'

As we greet another 'Thanksgiving Day' on our calendars, let us pause and give 'THANKS' for an 'abundance of blessings' from our 'hearts'. 

In the story of the pilgrims back into early 1600; 'THANKSGIVING DAY' WAS ONE OF GIVING 'THANKS' FOR THEIR BOUNTY OF PLENTY.'  The memoir of the Cornucopia was to fill it up with fruit/berries and such as a symbol of 'Thanks'.  The Cornucopia is still used today in various decorations.  Perhaps, it is just used as a 'decoration' and the 'true meaning' of its origin has been lost over the years.  In today's time of living, most of us have more than an abundance of plenty, indeed. 

Are we as grateful as the pilgrims were in the early 1600's?  It seems our being grateful in today's world is less in appreciation than in years passed.  Maybe, this is because we do have more in abundant things. As we reflect on this, let us not forget the 'intangible things' that money can not buy us.  Nonetheless, 'thankfulness' can be elaborated on in various degrees. Let's reveal a few, shall we? 

Could it be the same in our 'thankfulness' of what the 'true meaning' and 'reason' of many things that cross our path?  Thankfulness can be plenty of things depending on the 'perceptive' of each person.  Thankfulness is not some 'magic formula'.  It is 'the language of Love' that opens all of us up to more understanding within ourselves and, in turn, flows out to others. Thankful Attitudes' are connected as in 'links are in a chain' that are only as strong as its weakness link'.  

'Give Thanks' for Everything' 

Do we have a 'Thankful Attitude' at this Thanksgiving season to allow ourselves to embrace those things that come our way?  Thankfulness comes in many fashions, colors and avenues. One might not think of 'thankfulness/thankful attitude' as such.  Most things in life have a 'rippling effect' in some entity.  

I think it is important to maintain 'hope', 'give thanks' and always remember we have a 'mighty power' beyond ourselves.  Through this 'heavenly power' in love, through grace, are gifts given to us to help add to our 'Thankful Attitude'.   It might be a gift in a tangible way or it might be a gift in an intangible way. It might cross our path in our welcoming it and it might come into our path in a way that the human side of us would like to curse it.  It might be helpful to keep in mind that all things that do come to us can be 'gifts' 'to season' us into a better person for hence it has come.  Once again, a 'thankful attitude' can be 'our friend' in any season.  

I read where two people in a relationship felt they had to always and ever question the other to know if they loved them.  Possibly, they didn't have a relationship, at all.  Actions will reveal 'authentic love' over time in a relationship.  There will be no need to wonder because all involved will know.  'Thankful Attitudes' will have recognized this 'window of opportunity' permitting it to unfold into what this 'language of love' is meant to be all along.  

'True Thankfulness from a thankful attitude.' How can there be one without the other?  This entity is as relevant as time is to the universe.  Again, it will come full circle over time.  When we can embrace this promise with a 'Thankful Attitude'..... everything else will fall into line called: living life on purpose in 'this language of Love' = Thankfulness. 

When we have 'Thankful Attitudes' in our 'Thankfulness' in all arenas of life and living, than we will have been a part of opening up huge opportunities for peace and love in our celebrations that are called; 'THANKSGIVING DAY'.   We have been given bountifully. 

I wish this kind of 'Thankful Attitude' in all of your 'Thankfulness'; this Thanksgiving Day and every day into the New Year. 

Until next time
God Bless
Doris

'Letting Go' (Part 2)

'Letting Go'  (Part 2) 
Series on 'Heaven, Death, Dying and Letting Go'.

Greetings Friends,
The time has come to conclude this Series.  I touched on 'Letting Go' in part one.
'Letting Go' effects all different steps in our lives.  Our teachers to each step are better shared by persons that have experienced them through the help of our Lord.  

I feel as we digest each subject in this Series with an open mind, our journey can be one of less anxiety and more awareness when we share it with others.  We are never alone, if we so choose.  Remember my referring to, 'A Call of Love' in my last post?  I have found, more and more, as we walk the journey of life that experiences can be shared with great expectations, hope, help, promise and a tool to extend, 'A Call to Love'. 

'Letting Go' is an extension to 'A Call to Love' in many ways. 


'Letting Go' = 'A Call to Love'

                              'Letting Go' is an extension to 'A Call to Love'

                                        Time has a way of moving forward
                                     with good memories of those, we meet.
                         What does it all mean?  Where do we go from here?
          'Letting Go' brings thoughts of wonder and concerns, we must meet.

                                          God has a plan from long ago.
                A plan for 'every single person', He so wants to call His own.
                                            'Choice of 'Will' is offered,
         accepting His Call and mission, grooming us for our final home.

                      Somehow 'Letting Go' gets in our way on our journey.
                        When we are young, we do not realize this as much.
                                        We are in a hurry to grow up,
            start a career, get married, raise our children, 'hold on' and such.

                                        Once those years are behind us,
                                  we start to reflect on the years ahead.
                                         We begin to realize the losses
                we have experienced in family, friends and in other ways.

                'Letting Go' and 'Time' has a way of catching us off guard.
                                 The years seem to pass at a faster pace.
           Hopefully, humility grows in our hearts and we see more clearly,
                        Plus, the Alpha and Omega reflects more Grace.

   Perhaps, we see more clearly, 'Letting Go' means differently to different people.
                        It all hinges on where it is we are with our Lord.
                            Life's memories and experiences are teachers,
                 when our 'Letting Go' is in trusting our Lord, in 'His Call'.
                                                                                        by Doris Swertfeger
                                                                                                       08-04-2013
Until next time
God Bless
Doris

Questions/Concerns: 'Heaven'

Hi Friends,

As I pondered this post, it has been difficult for me to pen my thoughts and look beyond what people might think the purpose of my post is today.  

However, as I lingered from day to day with these same thoughts coming back to me, I have decided to take the risk and share.  The purpose is possibly in 'my lingering thoughts'. 

Not long ago, I was chatting with an individual and the subject came up about death, dying and aging.  Sound a bit morbid?  No, not really, to me. I think at a very early age and/or when the parents think the child will understand, it is good to share a bit about death and dying, especially. 
First, might come the dying of a pet to the child and this is a good time and a way to share with the child.  The subject projects thoughts to the child that 'we are not going to live forever'.  This is for every creature and human.  Well, this is established but where do we go from here, maybe, nowhere, for years to come.  So, this is where I will begin.  

'Natures' Wonders' 

After explaining to a child at an early age, what/where do we go from there.  It is amazing how whatever we shared with a child will effect this child for a lifetime.  And, do we continue on our journey giving it much thought?  Years go by and than the child become a parent and the cycle starts all over again.  I feel it is important to realize the importance of this subject of 'Heaven' before life has passed us by and we have questions that we do not know how to answer. 

I think it is obvious that most will have an answer that 'they believe' but is it an answer that has had much thought/prayer put into it or is it an answer that we can hurriedly put aside and not have to think or talk about it?  This is easy to do for most of us.  

'Nature's Beauty' 

I have chosen to share/suggest a few thoughts and possible opinions and/or beliefs as we walk through these subjects in the posts that will follow.   However, today, let's begin with some basic thoughts. 

The subject that I am referring to today is 'HEAVEN'.  The first, likely, conclusion to the subject of Heaven is that the persons that have an interest in even reading this post is that 'there is a Heaven.'  For, if there is any body out there that does not believe this, than obviously this post will not interest you.  I feel that is an 'individual decision' and I do not intend to impose my beliefs on anyone.  I am seeking persons that have thoughts/beliefs and would like to ponder and share in my 'comment section' or just feel free to read my post and do whatever you feel led to do.  I feel these are some 'thought provoking' questions that come to a person's mind that do believe and want to know more about 'Heaven'.  I seriously cannot believe that it has not/does not ever cross one's mind from time to time. 

Let me ask you, would you have answers and/or concerns to the following questions, if they were asked to you today?  As we begin, just pretend you are having a comfortable conversation with a friend and these questions arise.  How would you answer them and could you relate to them in comfort as to where/how you feel about them?  

• What is Heaven like?
• Will we know one another by appearance in Heaven?
• Will we know when we are dead?
• Will it be scary when we die?
• Will we know we are dying?
• What will we do in Heaven?
• How does divorced couples see the other in Heaven?
• How does divorced ex-couples and/or remarried couples relate? 
• Will God forgive me for going through a divorce? 
• Do we talk in Heaven and see people as we see them today?
• What will we know in Heaven? 

The questions could go on and on.  Questions by the young and old and can be similar in nature to some measure.  Let's go slowly as we walk this mission together. 
This will conclude my post for today.  I encourage any body that is interested in sharing, regarding this post, please feel free to do so on my 'blog comment post' or 'comment' on Facebook.  

The continued subjects are 'heaven, dying, death and aging'.  And, I will conclude on the subject: 'letting go'.

'God's timing is everything' 

I do not find these subjects morbid in the least.  They can be the beginning to 'a refreshing renewal' and 'a new beginning' forever.  It all depends in 'the eye of the beholder' and/or 'the willingness of one's heart'.

Until next time

God Bless

Doris