'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

MERRY CHRISTMAS ..... 'The Beauty in Nature says a Thousand Words'

MERRY CHRISTMAS...... 

    THE BEAUTY IN NATURE SAYS A THOUSAND WORDS....
   

       SOMETIMES 'LESS' IS BETTER....JUST REFLECT AND ENJOY.....

The Birth of Jesus was just the beginning of 'our everything' 

May we all treasure this 'Christmas Day' in all that we do in Love and Thanks!
Happy Birthday, Jesus!  

Until next time
Doris

'The Simple Blessings of Christmas'

'The Simple Blessings of Christmas'

There is no doubt about it now, Christmas holidays are in full swing, and it is up to each of us
to proclaim and celebrate the real 'reason for the season'.  Most everyone finds themselves in the decorations, the shopping, the to-do lists and on and on.  

In our economy of such different interests in different generations, it is difficult sometimes to express our love in a way that is 'a memory of love' that surrounds this wonderful holiday blessing that was given to us many years ago through the birth of Jesus.  Even in light of different beliefs and thoughts of what this time of the year truly means, the authenticity of this
Holy time of the year is crowded with 'things'.   For lack of a better word, I still think this might describe the truth more than we would like to think about.  Perhaps, it would be helpful to reflect and look at this Christmas Season in a more enjoyable and meaningful way this year. 
Could we refocus and enjoy this 'Christmas Season' in a better light?  We have 21 days to try. 

The subject that I have chosen for this post, The Simple Blessings of Christmas', is one that is often dismissed in our minds in the rush of 'things'.  We are in a hurry to get everything in order as we have planned every year or think that we should have in the very same fashion.   Well, every Christmas, we much do this or that because 'this' is what we have always done.  Perhaps, it would be helpful to look at 'this'.  What is 'this' that we must be about?  Are we enjoying what we have done for years because we had done it the year before and the year before that?  

As I was reflecting on Christmas this year, my thoughts reflected on the 'Reason for the Season'.  The Simple Blessings of Christmas came to mind.  Christmas has always and, I pray, always will be about 'Love'.  How simple is this?  'Love' isn't running ones legs off to go shopping.  'Love' isn't spending money that one doesn't have or should not be spending and 'Love' isn't fretting about this and that before Christmas Day arrives.  So, since we have looked at what 'Love' isn't, perhaps, it would be helpful to look at what 'Love' is.  

'The Simple Blessings of Christmas'

'Love' to me is 'simple'.  It is caring and sharing and giving ones time and communicating in harmony.  'Love' is giving thanks and appreciating all of the blessings that we have been given. 'Love' is kind.  'Love' doesn't  cost money.  'Love' is a gift that keeps on giving after Christmas has passed.  'Love' is remembering our family and friends with a hug, phone call and/or a greeting card.  'Love' is saying; I'm sorry and I love you. 'Love' can be as simple as 'listening'. 'Love' is being thankful for 'Jesus' Birthday on Christmas Day.   This is the 'reason for the season'.  Simply said:  We love YOU, we Thank YOU and we Celebrate Jesus' birth on Christmas Day. 

Until next time
God Bless 
Doris

REFLECTIONS ...... THIS IS WRITTEN TO ANYBODY.....NOT JUST RSD/CRPS PERSONS

This past week as I was going through some old papers, I found a letter that was written to me from my Mother. This letter had to have been written over 40 years ago.  Do you have any idea as to how my heart pounded with joy as I read and reflected on my relationship with my Mother?  It was awesome.  And, as I reviewed more in this very old box of old papers, I found a note from my Daughter when she was so young that she could only print in a very large size. Again, my heart leaped and pounded in Joy! 
It brought to mind how precious those ties are and how time gets in our way for reflecting what is truly important in life.  Because, tomorrow just might change what we hold dear today in some way. 
                    
As I reflected on this past week as to how many hearts were broken and still are, it opens up an abundance of awareness as to how we take so many things for granted every day of our lives.

In today's world, we are so caught up in so many 'things' and I don't think that there are too many that are exempted from this.  It has become a way of life in these times. 

When our dreams come true and our plans prove successful, we find it easy to thank our Creator and easy to trust His divine providence.  But in times of sorrow or hardship, we may find ourselves questioning God's plans for our lives. 

From the events that unfolded this past week in Boston, so many people in the world are confronting these circumstances to the very core of their souls.  It is during these difficult days that we must find the wisdom and the courage to trust.  In spite of these circumstances, there is purpose and a hope for people to change and 'good' come from what has been sent their/our way. 

I live with the view that one's faith and religious activities are very personal and one to be left to each individual.  However, this weekend a pastor concluded his sermon in this way. 
I feel it is a good way to conclude my sharing today with his words.

As we all go through testing and trials in our everyday life and living.......JUST REMEMBER,
IN A CLASS ROOM OF STUDENTS TAKING AN EXAM, THE TEACHER IS SILENT.

Until next time, God Bless
Doris


THE RAINBOW OF HOPE



'A RAINBOW OF HOPE' Poem to follow on my next post.

Greetings Friends,

Today as I was listening and discerning as to what to pen today, I thought of the different aspects on my journey early on in my diagnosis of RSDS/CRPS.  I will share a poem that I have written titled, 'A Rainbow of Hope' in my next post. Without Hope, there isn't a beginning nor an end.  There is just this tremendous loss and/or hole, if you will.  Therefore, I feel it is vital to have Hope for everything and anything in our life and living.

Please note that I experienced many things to help me adjust, learn, cope and grow during these 20 plus years with RSDS/CRPS.  I searched out many things to help myself for the physical, mental, spiritual and in the nutritional aspect to mend, heal and complete the 'whole' of my entire being.  Body, Mind and Spirit effects all areas of ones body for complete healing and maintenance.   

Therefore, as I strive to help others in sharing my experiences, I will try to relate as to what I feel and know in my heart is/was important. The first thing one needs to be aware of is when we are hurting we must be 'open' and 'willing' to help ourselves in allowing other people into our life during this time, especially, in the beginning of your diagnosis, unprofessional and others.   

I feel this applies to any facet of life's struggles.  I believe that God designed us this way. Everybody needs support through caring and love.  I am sure that some reading this that know me finds this surprising as I am and have been a private person and still am in many areas of my life.  And, I still feel that is my choice and I haven't wavered from that.  I am speaking of real life trauma struggles and times we cannot help ourselves and than 'in turn' to help others in making a real difference. 
I am not speaking of the 'gossip' or 'facebook chattering' that we see from time to time that at the end of the day serves no good purpose.  This is just my choice and opinion in sharing.  I felt that I needed to clarify this for anybody that might be reading my post and have taken this in an incorrect fashion. 

Nevertheless,  this is where I decide to begin my post for today.  And, as I progressed into better days,  I chose to pen the poem, A Rainbow of Hope.  I feel that all of the people in the world cannot reach, help and/or support another unless the person that is hurting is willing to listen and see and/or search/believe in HOPE. 

Remember, I shared that after I found out my diagnosis in Houston, TX, I was on this airplane flight coming back to my home town of Evansville, IN, alone?  I had time to think, to panic, to fear, to sink into a place where I could not see nor feel Hope. 

However, I had already heard a friend share with me what HOPE can do.  I remember looking out of the airplane's window and flying midst the clouds, my mind drifted and I pulled out a pencil and paper and drew a little girl's picture.  This little girl was frail, she had no jacket that fit her, her cuffs were folded up very uneven, her tennis shoes were untied, dragging on the ground and she looked lost.  This was my image of 'me'.  I had penciled in this little girl that was lost, in pain and knew she needed HOPE.   

I penciled just beneath her picture the name of 'HOPE'.  And, as this awakening experience was unfolding before my eyes, beside her picture I penned these words:
I will begin my life on Purpose.  Her name, Hope, reminds me that all things happen for good when we reflect upon our Hope in the Divine and go within to tap into our resources to live our Life to the Fullest in a Way That is Divinely Meant To Be.

'A RAINBOW OF HOPE' follows in my next post.


God Bless!
Doris