"Butterflies' Paradigm"

'Butterflies on a Mission'

"Butterflies' Paradigm"

Tiny, fragile, beautiful golden butterflies
offer many folk great pleasure and smiles.
Their beauty reflects uniqueness.
They travel daily, miles and miles.

Butterflies cannot be concerned of their journey.
Nonetheless, no reason to be sad and such.
They offer joy, while fulfilling their mission in pollination,
allowing 'beauty in flowers, plus, 'good feelings' to those they touch.

Sometimes in their leaving, it seems a hindrance to the flowers.
Their mission they follow as the creator designed, 'one way'.
Perhaps, they are an example for our reflection and understanding.
They could open us up to 'new insight and hope' - - - 'doorways'.

Incredible 'Windows of Opportunities' are given
when our hearts are open for growth in our tomorrows.
They can reflect motivation and purpose to all of us.
Similarly as the butterflies' mission journey are to the flowers.

Faithfully, as we accept our challenges as 'learning possibilities',
may we take them in stride without listening to ... 'Tick Tock, Tick Tock'?
This is when we are truly 'living with perseverance in love
for ourselves and others' ... I kid 'you not'.

                                                                                         by Doris Swertfeger
                                                                                                                   2016
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

'Making a Positive Difference'

"Can I brighten your day?"

CAN WE MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE?! You bet we can!    
It is all about Love.  Love is a VERB.  A VERB means ACTION!  It is all about making a positive difference in people's lives.  It is full of wisdom, principles, just simple little actions and our time.  
Wow, there is where the rub might be, 'our time'.  How long does it take to make a positive difference?  Not as long as we might think. 

I had promised to the readers of my blog a poem regarding 'Our Caring'.  I want to share a bit in this post before I share the poem: 'Persons that Made a Positive Difference'.   So, please bear with me to lay some background leading up to my poem.  I feel this is important because the 'love' must flow from both directions.  This can be an uneasy feeling for a time but so very worthwhile and is the key to making a positive difference in the lives of many people that we touch. 

Have you ever had a particular place to go or somebody you thought you just had to visit and/or see and you dreaded it so much?  You was doing it out of a feeling of duty or responsibility.  However, once you actually did it you could feel and see just how much it made a positive difference in that person's day and in turn, your day.  That is what it is all about.  WE go into ACTION.  We give our love that comes from our heart rather then an effort.

When things are done out of 'love' there is no 'putting off' and/or 'dreading' a part of it.  There might be places we feel we should visit because of the circumstances such as visiting an ill person with a terminal disease, a person going through divorce,  a person that has just heard the news of a loved one that has passed away that prevents us from feeling a pleasant desire to visit them but there is still an inner feeling of a desire in our heart to reach out to help that individual.  The actions taken out of no desire and a lack of love are ones that serves no good purpose.  Those type of actions never gives the person a desire to go and feel happy that they had been there, either.  This can only lead to an emptiness.  Persons are acting out of a feeling of 'i have to', what's the use', 'who cares' , 'what can I say or do to make a difference' and therefore; they only go through the motions and/or don't even take part in the actions that regard 'love' to fulfill any good.  The end result, they feel drained.  Loving action will give one a lift within their Spirit and to the person that they have just visited.  It is just the way 'Love' works.  An easy guide to follow and can help us stay focused as to what we are to be about in making a positive difference in others' lives and in ours.

I wonder if some places in our society there have been more nonverbal action of 'love' that has somehow made persons become less caring, less compassion, and feel less of a desire to reach out and make a positive difference in people's lives.  Perhaps, this would be a good place for us to reflect in our own lives and living. 

''May I help in some way?'

I have experienced, the more I can exercise 'Love' in Action, the more it rekindles the warmth in friendships, family and once strangers, become closer during these times. And, it gives me a warmer feeling of worth within my own being.

A number of things we might reflect on as we reach out in 'love' are:

• Identify what people 'need' to feel good about themselves
• Develop a sincere interest in others
• Forgive hurtful actions
• Get along with difficult people
• Accept people for who they are
• Be yourself
• Never give up



'It is the little things that mean the most'
It doesn't matter that we aren't the same skin color and agree with everything another person believes.  It is important that we all become the type of person that people enjoy being around.

This is unconditional love that equals: 'love in Action' making a positive difference in peoples lives.

Always remember our Shepherd will never let us down.  

• Pray without ceasing

  

  'The Lord is our Shepherd'

  
  
  Until next time
  God Bless
  Doris

"When we Refuse our Destiny, We Refuse Ourselves, 'Ourselves'."

'The Rose of Love'

This is the design of our destiny.  When we refuse our destiny, we refuse ourselves, 'ourselves'.
'Would we ever refuse a 'Rose'!  A 'Rose' is given to celebrate a 'birth'.  A 'Rose' is given to celebrate a 'death'.  A 'Rose' is given to celebrate any special occasion.  Once we have looked upon the 'Rose' in 'wonder', 'awe', and in a 'new awakening', we will never look upon it as we had ever before.  A change will have been born 'anew' within our very soul.

Once a mother has seen her newborn child, her eyes will forever be fixed in love for her child.  The same with 'a particular Rose'.  Have you ever heard this statement: 'only a mother could love that face'?  Sure we have.  Well, this is the same in the 'heart pattern' of the soul.  If one drop of loves' vision could rinse out of our eyes, it would not matter where we looked, we would weep in 'wonder'.  We will always 'love'.  This beautiful awakening will flower beyond anything that comes our way even beyond death. 

If you find this difficult to believe or wrap your head around, let's look at a few experiences in your life.  Look back just a short time ago in your life.  Perhaps, you lost a loved one, you or a family member become ill, an automobile accident occurred or perhaps, you lost your job.  At such a particular time in our life that 'life happens' to us, we feel we cannot go on and life is over for us and our family. 

After we have risen past the storms of living for a time, we somehow see that life is better in a whole different dimension than WE could have ever imagined.  Perhaps, as we 'still ourselves', 'focus' on 'the Rose' and 'our Rose Garden', we see differently.  Are we hurt? Do we long for some of our losses?  Yes, indeed.  However, we cling to hope, love, survival, the beauty and destiny of 'the Rose and the Rose Garden.  Always and ever, we journey on with a vision like we would have never experienced and/or owned before the storm came to visit us.  And, hopefully, our Rose Garden will grow. We become the Rose Garden of Light.

This is an opportunity to ground ourselves in the wonders and rich soil of the soul.  And, one day, as we fix our eyes upon the Rose and as the rain falls; the rain drops will gently sprinkle over the Rose and it's surface will remain smooth and peaceful. 

This will be as we humbly accept our destiny.  Freedom will flow in the name of Love. We will hear only the voice within.  Remember, the first thing that was shared in the beginning of these posts of 'The Rose'?  We are beyond words. 



'The Rose and The Rose Garden'

 

Until next time
God Bless
Doris

'A Call to Love'

Hi Friends,

'the rose garden is beyond words'

"A Call to Love' could be an interesting entry into many aspects of our life and living.  Today, shall we look at 'A Call to Love' as an entry in the 'Rose Garden' that reflects our perception with steadfastness.

The Rose suggest both a 'spiritual state' and a 'visionary joy', while the Rose Garden 'embraces all of the glories of the world'. How many of us feel delight in our hearts when we view a rose.  A rose garden reflects wonder and beauty when the garden has been managed with care.  The rose garden embraces all the glories of the world.  Can this truly be real?  Yes, it can in the eye of the beholder that truly believes.



'Wonder & Beauty'

The image of the Beloved dwells in our hearts and the whole of life flows. Where the Beloved exists in union with even one, in the middle of it all, you will find the flowering rose garden.

We are the ones that somehow do the changing.  God's plan and design is the same from the beginning of time.  When we stop and reflect on a rose's life, we can vision the beauty from the vine.  We do not always think of the stem and the thorn because the beauty of the bloom has made it all worth while. 


'Spiritual State-A Visionary Joy'

Let us ponder and discern as we linger here in our rose garden. May we allow our eyes to remain fixed on the beauty of the rose's prime/superior,  Beloved.

Until next time
God Bless
Doris

IN A ROSE GARDEN OF A RAINY DAY


Today as I reflect on this rainy day, weekend that we are experiencing, I think of the importance and purpose of rain.  I think of everybody that are in the work force and long to have a weekend that is 'Sunny'.

I still remember how I looked forward to the weekends after working all week behind closed doors.  The weather wasn't much of a concern if I had to work to some degree.  I didn't have the choice of enjoying the outdoors. So, the weekends with Sunshine were a wonderful thing to experience. 
I would like to share this poem that I penned from these thoughts of:

                                  IN A ROSE GARDEN OF A RAINY DAY

IN THE ROSE GARDEN OF A RAINY DAY

COULD BE A DAY WITHOUT SONG.

IN THE ROSE GARDEN OF A RAINY DAY

COULD BE A DAY WITHOUT A PRETTY DAWN.

 

I FEEL MY ROSE GARDEN OF A RAINY DAY

IS A DAY FULL OF REFLECTION AND WONDER.

IN THE ROSE GARDEN OF A RAINY DAY,

I SLOW DOWN A BIT, THIS OPENS UP TIME TO PONDER.

 

IT SEEMS ON THOSE SUNNY DAYS OF SUNSHINE

I AM ALL ABOUT THINGS WITH A FASTER PACE.

IN THE ROSE GARDEN OF A RAINY DAY,

IT SLOWS ME DOWN FROM THE HUMAN RACE.

 

MOST ALL PEOPLE LIKE THOSE SUNNY DAYS,

INSTEAD OF THOSE 'RAINY DAYS' AND GLOOM.

IN THE ROSE GARDEN OF A RAINY DAY,

I CAN SMELL THE FRAGRANCE OF THE 'ROSE GARDEN BLOOMS'.

 

IN THE ROSE GARDEN OF A RAINY DAY,

THE RAIN SPRINKLES INNER GROWTH.

WHILE THE SUNSHINE BRINGS FORTH,

THE BEAUTY OF 'THE ROSE GARDEN' WORTH.

 

 

COPYRIGHTED BY DORIS SWERTFEGER

                                                                                                                        05-04-2013

Until next time

God Bless

Doris



TODAY WE LOOK BEYOND OUR PAIN.....ATTACK-BOSTON....physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually

Today as I ponder and reflect with a heavy heart as to what is going on in our world, especially, in Boston this week, it brings many emotions to the surface.  As I have posted with the importance of positive thinking and turning negatives into positives, it is very hard to do when we hurt. 

The pain in the hurt doesn't have priorities to the subject.  Nor does this attacker/attackers care of the value of human life.

To survive and gather our thoughts, hope, courage, and continue on our journey is what much take priority in this very deep valley that we have fallen into.  And, again, the percentage of pain, aching in our hearts and all of the negativity that we feel, the only way is up and onward to our ultimate goal to finish this race, so to speak, on our journey. 

We do not feel the extend of the pain unless it hit us directly but we can feel and know in our hearts that there is a connection from hence we have come and the flow of God's creation that was/is meant to be.

As we continue to cope, feel and hold onto hope, courage, 'a calm' and persevere, may we stop on our way in whatever busy world we think we live in and say a prayer, give a hug, jot a note to brighten another's day.  Look up in the sky to see it's beauty, feel the wind, smell a flower, touch nature in some fashion and give Thanks for what we do have and know in our hearts that we all are truly blessed as we lay our head down at night. 

These reflections from my camera's lens are meant for anybody that wants to see the beauty that is so near to our Creator of Love and Peace.  These similar reflections are all around us.  Now, sit back and drink in the 'little things' that come our way that can make a big difference at the end of our day.  There is meaning and a purpose for His good in the scope of our daily life and living. 



The Beauty of Nature growing.....




This pic is perfectly designed and painted by 'our Creator'



Nature's beauty in full view






A closer look of beauty in these Magnolia blooms



And another view of beauty



UP CLOSE AND REFRESHING TO LOOK, SMELL, TOUCH, BEHOLD THE DEPTH AND  GIVE THANKS

Until next time
God Bless
Doris

Greetings,

I wrote this poem, A Rainbow of Hope, in 1995.  I will share with you soon as to
who God chose to help inspire it. 

A RAINBOW OF HOPE

TODAY I SAW A RAINBOW.
IT LOOKED LIKE ONE THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
IT WAS WARM WITH VIBRANT COLORS.
I WANTED IT FOR MY VERY OWN.

THE RAINBOW WAS SHIMMERING WITH LIGHT
AND FULL OF WONDER.  IT GAVE ME PEACE IN MY HEART.
I KNEW FROM THIS MOMENT, THERE WAS HOPE FOR MY HEALING
AND I COULD LEARN FROM THIS RAINBOW CHART.

I HEARD A SOFT WHIRRING SOUND
LIKE THE WINGS OF A BIRD BY THE SEA.
AND AS I LOOKED AROUND THIS PLACE,
THE LOVELY RAINBOW WAS ENFOLDING ME.

I GIVE THANKS FOR THE RAINBOW REVEALING MY MISSION
FOR THE BLENDING OF COLORS COME FORTH.
A SOFT GENTLE STIRRING CAME ALL OVER ME.
MY HEART FELT THIS VISION OF HOPE, FOR MY LIFE'S WORTH.

IT IS AMAZING HOW THE SPIRIT
CAN EFFECT OUR STRIVING TO BE ALIVE.
THIS NEW 'AWAKENING CALL', WAS HOW GOD REVEALED
HIS LOVE THROUGH THE 'RAINBOW OF HOPE, FOR ME TO THRIVE.

WE SHOULD NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE CREATOR.
HE HAS A MISSION FOR EACH OF US IN HIS OWN WAY.
IT STARTS WITH HIM AND THEN IT IS OUR CHOICE OF 'WILL'.
OUR MISSION WILL BEGIN FROM THIS POINT, LET'S MAKE IT TODAY.

GOD BLESS!
copyrighted 1995
DORIS

Sunday evening

Hi Friends,

I am sharing with anybody that wants to read my posts.  Some of the things that I write is positive and some is just reality that I feel is important to reflect on and learn how to cope and accept in our life and living.

I am sure we all have heard the statement: It doesn't take long to look around us and see somebody worse off than we are.  Have you ever heard this? I have and I have felt this.

I am grateful for what RSD has taught/is teaching me.  I feel that I have learned volumes about life and living and if RSD had not crossed my path, I wouldn't be the person that I am today.
I can honestly say that I enjoy my life and living and from hence I have come.  Pain, sorrow, lessons, setbacks; yes, but I am a more rounded, deeper caring, spiritual person now. 

I read somewhere that if you walked into a place and there was a huge table with crosses all over it and each cross represented your burdens/crosses to bear in life, that you would most likely pick up the one that was your cross/burdens in the first place.  It is good that we have no control of what comes our way.  I feel and believe that there is a 'higher power' greater than ourselves that knows what is best for our journey in life. 

Now, perhaps, what we can do to make those burdens/crosses lighter would be to reflect/focus on what they might mean to have crossed our path and learn from them.  Just maybe, they were put in our path for us to slow down and listen within as to what it is that this 'cross' is trying to teach me.  Sometimes we need to refocus and go down a different path on our journey. 

I remember many years ago now when I was diagnosed with RSDS/CRPS that I was just doing my thing. I didn't think too much about what was going to be happening in the future.  Just living my life and enjoying most of it, with my ten year old daughter.  I was a single parent with a good job and enjoying my work. 

And, than one day, it all changed.  Trauma from a previous surgery started to tailspin and that is when RSDS/CRPS entered my life and living.  The only thing that I really knew that I wanted was to survive as a good mother for my daughter for I was a single parent.  I HAD TO WORK AND I HAD A PURPOSE BESIDES MYSELF.  After crying the 'why me' and started focusing through support.  The 'Why Me' changed to 'Why Not Me'. My family, neighbors, church family and my work family were awesome!

I just want to say that I would never have made it to where I am now if I would have tried to handle RSD on my own.  EVERYBODY NEEDS SUPPORT.  RSDS/CRPS persons need support when all that they feel is  PAIN.  Empathy from another is the first step in healing.  Sympathy got me nowhere.  I wanted somebody to understand me and NOT feel sorry for me. And, if they haven't experienced RSD, they can still be there in love, caring and allowing you to just 'BE in the Moment'.  That heals and comforts pain.

You know, sometimes it is hard to cope and share and even get up in the mornings but if we don't keep trying we cannot help ourselves or anybody else.

So, on those days that we find it so very hard to move, move anyways!  Yes, call somebody and share ANYTHING with somebody.  This is the first thing that I found that helped me the most from going into a depression.  And, even if you don't say a word other than, "Hi, this is ______, I am not having a good day."  And, your friend or whomever you have chosen to call will take care of the rest for awhile.  BUT, WE HAVE TO START TO MOVE AND TRY TO REACH OUT.  The rest will follow.  Believe me, I am not sharing anything that I haven't experienced myself.  I didn't/don't want to just hear stories that sound good.  I always wanted to hear the truth even when it hurt. 

If I could wish anything today that I could say or do to help any person in pain but especially, to RSDS/CRPS persons since having RSDS has inspired me to start my blog; it would be to first and foremost, search for a purpose to live for, look for a passion to fulfill and keep your focus on something that is bigger than you are and/or your pain.  Take up a hobby and/or do something that fills your head/heart and life.  And, secondly, KEEP MOVING! 
I was told if I ever sit and did not move, I would be in a wheelchair the rest of my life.  I truly believe this because if I get the flu or I am off of my feet for days, I hurt and I know and reflect on what I was told.  WE MUST KEEP MOVING.

I worked for several years after my diagnosis of RSD.  The only reason that I could do this was because I had an awesome employer and I worked with some awesome co-workers.  I will never forget their support.  They allowed me to be an equal in the midst of my struggles and treated me the same as before I was diagnosed with RSD.  If any of you are reading this post, thanks, once again.  You all know who you are.  You're the best!
I remember having a button attached to the wall of my cubicle.   The button had a picture of a penguin on it.  The reading on it read: I can't fly but I get around just fine!  And, so DID I! 

Most importantly to remember, we can't go it alone.  It's ok to ask for help and than we all win.

Until next time,
God Bless!
Doris

Searching for a Purpose in My Adversities

September 23, 2012 7:39 PM

Tonight, I want to focus on all RSDS (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) people. Persons with RSDS are not 'Patients'. Please understand that anybody with this dis-ease condition are normal people and not 'patients' that are crippled and are no use to anybody and/or ourselves/themselves.

However, if there is anybody reading this article tonight that has RSDS, "YOU" are miserable! And, that is why I want to focus tonight on 'YOU', especially. I know when I was experiencing my greater pain it was very, very difficult to listen or care what anybody else was telling me to do. People meant well in their effects of support, but all that I could center in on was 'PAIN'.

Now, please stay with me in my thoughts and feelings. I have no intent of sharing 'my story' with the intention of 'can you top my story'? And, I have no intention of sharing as to reflect how I experienced so much pain and sharing 'a pity story'.

We all have a 'story'. They are just different. Everyone of us are 'walking' some kind of 'journey'. We all have hills and valleys. I have found that any experiences that have come our way 'invited or uninvited' can be stepping stones to a fuller and richer insight for ourselves, our families and others by walking this way.

There is 'purpose' in our adversities but it is ok if you can not see that today. Hold firm and stay focused on the immediate just now. My first focus/purpose was my ten year old daughter at the time. I was a single Mother. The rest was survival and I had to search every book, tape, professional help, friends that cared and but did not understand, family and I had to dig deep within whenever I could to 'a faith' that I had difficulty trusting in my PAIN. But, little is better than none. Just crawl deep within and hold on to 'hope' for starters.

I have found it is very important to stay focused on the 'bigger picture' to, first, survive. So, from here I will share a little more of 'my story'.

This is a question that was asked of me many years ago now as I was experiencing/searching for a diagnosis as to why I was experiencing so much pain and could not walk without crutches.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE TOLD BY DOCTORS THAT IN MONTHS OR YEARS TO COME YOU WOULD SPEND YOUR FUTURE ON AND OFF IV pain medications, JUST TO CONTROL THE PAIN, AND THAT YOUR CONDITION WAS NOT CURABLE?

Well, of course, I had mixed emotions and was fearful. This is why I want to speak to the hurting tonight of RSDS. I want to offer you words of hope that will seems as a paradox tonight. For, I have just stated that it is very difficult to receive any encouragement in the midst of your pain but it does get better. There is hope. And, when YOU can not feel it or find it, hold on to anything and everything that you can read, hear or find to give you hope and strength just for today. Tomorrow will come soon enough to begin again. This 'moment' is all that you have. Take one moment at a time.

And, I realize that one's faith can be wounded during this time of pain, too. So, rest in others prayers and support. And, remember, YOU do not have to explain what and how you are feeling.

I was forced to quit my employment, endured over thirty pain block treatments, had a surgical procedure Implant pain device placed in my tummy and an Implant in my spine to control the pain of RSDS in my legs and went through a 'near death experience.'

I will continue another time but please know that I am a
vibrant, alive example and real evidence as to how one with
RSDS can have a full life after/with (remission) RSDS.
..... Next, we will walk through how this is possible...it is, my friend! Please do not ever give up! I will be praying for YOU tonight and every night. God Bless you!